FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER. 365 



" Some quite satisfactory photographs of the ducks have been taken 

 this winter and spring from the shore. 



" If all the northern States and Canadian provinces should close the 

 season on wild fowl on January ist they would increase amazingly in a few 

 years for they would adapt themselves to circumstances and winter farther 

 north." 



Rabbits at the present time are very plentiful in the State. This 

 species requires little protection. Owing to the damage done to farmers 

 and fruit growers, there is a sentiment in some parts of the State against 

 any protection for them whatever. The law, however, is very liberal in 

 permitting the killing of rabbits by land owners whose property is damaged. 



In this connection it is interesting to note that in certain parts of the 

 State there are large numbers of Belgian hares, and in some places jack 

 rabbits also. Mr. H. R. Bryan, editor of the Hudson Republican, states 

 that Belgian hares are very common in Columbia county. They are common 

 also in Dutchess county, and the intervening territory, as well as on the 

 west side of the Hudson river and on Long Island. These rabbits are very 

 large, and furnish good sport for those who care to hunt them, though they 

 are said to lead directly away when hunted with dogs. 



The beaver of the State are increasing rapidly, and will soon be a com- 

 mon spectacle in the Adirondack region and also in the country south of 

 the Catskills. 



The elk in the Adirondacks are holding their own in one restricted 

 locality. This animal is well able to take care of itself, despite the heavy 

 snows of the north woods ; but there are too many hunters in the Adiron- 

 dacks to make the experiment of restocking there an entire success. Young 

 elk are often shot by mistake for deer. This is the chief reason why there 

 are not more of them in the Adirondacks at the present time. The experi- 

 ment of stocking with moose is a failure. Both moose and elk need a larger 

 range of absolute wilderness than is to be found in the North woods. 



State Game Farm 



With the appropriation secured at the last session of the Legislature, 

 the Commissioner has purchased a State game farm near Sherburne, Chenango 

 county, centrally located and convenient to shipment, and admirably 



