110 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME. 



An oral examination brings out these facts. A warden may tell yon 

 about trapping, how to handle a gun, or how to handle a boat, but take 

 him out in the woods or on the water and you will soon see whether he 

 is repeating something he has learned or whether he lias had actual 

 experience, (consequently in some states tlie physical test is considered 

 very important. 



Recently the medical test has been added also. In New Jersey this 

 test is severe because warden work in that state is hard and rather dan- 

 gerous, and as there are many applicants there is no reason why any 

 man should be appointed who is not absolutely sound physically. War- 

 dens are required to undergo the same te-its for strength and endurance 

 as applicants for the positions of firemen and policemen, and then to 

 take some tests especially applical)lc to the warden service. 



Without going into too nnicli detail let me describe the examination 

 for deputy wardens held in Illinois last December. Sixty positions were 

 to be filled, and the salary, $100 a month and expenses, was evidently 

 attractive, for there were 359 applicants, or an average of six candidates 

 for each place. The examinations were held in the armory at the state 

 capital, Springfield. The candidates were required (1) to give brief 

 statements of their experience, (2) to tell something of their education, 

 and (3) to answer ten questions on the game law and warden's duties. 

 While some were writing out answers to que-:tions, others were formed 

 in line around the room, and were examined as to their physical condi- 

 tion. The services of seven physicians were required for this part of 

 the examination. Stepping up to the first physician each candidate was 

 measured and weighed ; a few steps beyond he found another physician 

 Avho sounded his heart and lungs ; a little farther on another who tested 

 his eyesight and heai'ing, and so on. After the men had finished their 

 written and medical examinations they were taken upstairs to the 

 state museum and passed in line in front of a series of cases in which 

 were arranged thirty or thirty-five mounted specimens of common 

 birds, fish and game. They were given one minute in front of each case 

 to identify at sight the fish or birds which they were required to protect. 

 They were then given an oral interview separately of three to ten 

 minutes as to their general knowledge of conditions in the state, the 

 protection of game, and warden's duties. The examination lasted from 

 9 in the morning until 10 at night — not continuously for each man, but 

 it required thirteen hours to handle the whole number of candidates. 



The next day sjome of the men were taken out into the field and exam- 

 ined in handling a gun, in running a motor, and in various other out- 

 door tests. On the basis of this examination appointments were made 

 to the sixty positions, and under the civil service law of Illinois only 

 the highest man can be certified for a position. As the examination was 

 required both of wardens already in the service who were holding tem- 

 porary positions and those outside the service who wanted to be war- 

 dens, it was necessary for a warden Avho wished to hold his position 

 not only to take the test, but to stand at the head of the list. 



Two months later, in February, a second examination was lield for 

 the position of district warden, corresponding somewhat to that of 

 county warden in Vermont. The chief duty of the district warden is 

 to supervise the work of the local deputies and his salary is $1,500 a 

 year. There were six positions to be filled, and sixty-six candidates, or 



