92 lewis's AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



this inclement season, but the whole race of insectivorous birds and 

 feathered songsters which enliven our brakes and forests with their 

 melodious strains during the spring and autumnal months ! 



If the snow which has now shrouded the country for several 

 weeks should continue much longer, we fear that the partridges 

 will be almost exterminated throughout the Northern and Eastern 

 States; as they are not only being trapped and shot down by 

 thousands, as above stated, but immense numbers are absolutely 

 stiffening and dying in consequence of the excessive cold and hun- 

 ger, even in districts as far south as the central portion of Vir- 

 ginia. But, what is even m'ore shameful than the wholesale 

 destruction of game by mercenary individuals, and most repre- 

 hensible on the part of the city authorities, now, on the sixth day 

 of February, 1856, we, as well as scores of others, are cognizant 

 of partridges and grouse being publicly hawked about the streets 

 of Philadelphia, as well as clandestinely exposed for sale in the 

 cellars and at the stalls of game-hucksters, in direct violation of 

 both the municipal and State ordinances. All this illegal traflSc 

 appears to be carried on without any special interference on the 

 part of the officers or clerks of the market; who, one and all, 

 strange to say, seem possessed of lynx-eyes in ferreting out a 

 pound of rancid butter which should perchance be under weight, 

 but are as blind as bats in full noonday on the subject of the 

 game-ordinances. 



This illicit traffic we have noticed for several years past; but 

 this season, in particular, our attention has been called to it, from 

 the circumstance of those engaged in it having apparently thrown 

 off all efforts at concealment, and exposing their unlawful wares 

 with the most brazen effrontery, without let or hinderance. The 

 numerous eating-saloons and club-houses, also, of this vast city, 

 openly, without a shadow of disguise, serve up all kinds of game, 

 in season or out of season, just as it suits their purpose or pleasure, 

 without the slightest interference on the part of the constituted 

 authorities. But, what is still more to be reprobated, and what we 

 consider more scandalous than all these open infringements of the 



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