150 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Maboh 24, 1881. 



on my place and tried to get them under cover and feed them, 

 but think they all perished. I have seen none since the first 

 heavy storm. Grouse are rare here at all times. Game can- 

 not stand such winters. 



WestmlU.— The snow was hard on the quail in this section 

 and killed quite a good many. The fanners did feed some. 

 I know of two (locks of eight or ten. 



Woodbury.— There, has not been so destructive a winter on 

 game for twenty years. Fully ninety per cent, of the quail 

 have perished. Feeding quail amounts to little else, than 

 bating hawks. 



Woodbury. — This is not, strictly speaking, a game section, 

 but one sometimes finds a good day's work in the autumn. 

 The winter has been very severe on all birds and many have 

 been found dead, mere bunches of bones and feathers. Fully 

 forty per cent, of our quail have died from the cold. In some 

 places the hawks made a clean sweep. 



ATLANTIC OOUNTT. 



Atlantic City.— In the count a largo percentage of the birds 

 have perished, except along the salt meadows, where some 

 Of them have survived. Rabbits have not been killed much 

 by the cold and snow. 



Atlantic Oily.— I hunted a good deal this winter through 

 the woods of our county, and since the deep snows have run 

 fOxea, and can say that I have not seen a bird that has per- 

 ished from the winter. I think they only perished in the 

 newspapers of these parts. 



Bargainfown.— The heavy snow drifts and hail storms of 

 this past winter have nearly used up all the quail. I should 

 think at least from 60 to 75 per cent, have perished. The 

 quail are generally fed. 



Cedar Lake.— The cold and snows have destroyed a great 

 portion of the small game — a much larger percentage than in 

 former years ; fully ninety per cent, have perished. I have 

 seen but one covey since the January snows. It lived on my 

 place and fed regularly in my yard with the fowls. There 

 were thirteen birds in alL 



Cedar Lake.— The game has all been destroyed at this 

 place. 



Dccosta. — The deep snow and continued cold weather have 

 had a bad effect on birds and rabbits. About fifty per cent, 

 perished. The farmers fed the birds freely. 



Estelville.—J think most of the quail have perished. Some 

 parties put out feed for them. 



Dccosta.— The past winter was very severe on quail, but I 

 believe the majority saved themselves in the dense swamps. 

 Pheasants (ruffed grouse) stood it first-rate. I have found 

 very few dead birds, and I believe that but very few sound 

 birds perished from exposure. Quail have fed to a large ex- 

 tent on acorns, and would neglect the feed I put out for 

 them to hunt up the acorns. As soon as they had fed they 

 would fly to the thickest swamps and stick close to them, as 

 if they knew it was going to be a hard winter. 



HammonUm. — We have had a fearful winter for the quail, 

 but lam happy to state that we have a Tew birds left over. 



Hammonton.— The past winter has been very severe and 

 destructive to the game generally, much greater than usual, 

 as our winters are ordinarily very mild. About one-half are 

 dead. The farmers have, in a great inanj' cases, fed the birds. 



Bammtmton.— The severe cold of the past winter has been 

 very destructive to game birds in this section, only a small 

 percentage of them remaining alive, which was only in a 

 few instances. 



Landisville — As far as can be ascertained at this time, rab- 

 bits have suffered during the prevalence of the deep snows. 

 Partridges are very scarce heTe at all times. Quail are gen- 

 erally plenty in the shooting season, but last fall they were 

 hard to find and especially so just before the snows. Indeed 

 so marked was this as to lead to the belief that instinct led 

 them to migrate. None are to be seen or heard of now. A 

 number of small birds have died to my knowledge, 



Smith's Landing.— Birds are so scarce that you cannot find 

 them, I have not seen any this winter. This is a poor place 

 for birds. 



Sleelmanmlli. — They are all dead. 



SA1EM COUNTY. 



Centreton — About one half the quail have perished. 

 Farmers feed them when they come close to the buildings. 



Centreton. — The cold has been very serious. Many birds 

 have frozen to death and starved. The destruction has been 

 greater than in other years. One-half the birds left at the 

 termination of the gunning season have perished. The birds 

 were fed when found. The hawks killed many. 



Elmer. — This has beeu the most severe winter upon game 

 known in many years. The snow has covered the ground a 

 greater part of the winter, and the thermometer touched 23 

 dcg. below zero. I believe there is not a single quail left 

 around here. There are a few rabbits. Our sportsmen are 

 talking of restocking ibis vicinity, 



Lfmcock Bridge. — The severe winter weather has been very 

 destructive to a portion of our birds, the quail particularly. 

 Farmers have fed them only in rare cases. Our small winter 

 birds have done better. 



Marslvalltoxon. — Whole flocks of quail have been found 

 dead under the snow. At least two-thirds of the birds per- 

 ished. The f aimers tried to feed them but the snows pre- 

 vented. 



Palatine.— b\y observation leads me to the conclusion that 

 the game in this section has very generally perished. In a 

 few instances the farmers have fed. 



Palatine.- — This winter has been very hard on the game, 

 especially birds. 1 think I cansafely say that ninety-five out 

 of every "hundred quail perished with the first cold snow. I 

 know of but two coveys that wintered outdoors. They have 

 been fed. A Jew have been caught in traps and wintered 

 over. 1 haven't heard a whistle of a bird this spring. 



Pennsville. — The cold whether here has been very destruc- 

 tive to the game. At the beginning of the last season game 

 Was more plentiful than it "had been for many years. Of 

 course, such game as woodcock, snipe, rail, etc., migrated, 

 and were not affected. More quail and rabbits were killed 

 here during the gunning season than for many years. But 

 after the season was over wo still had plenty of game left. 

 At least four-fifths of the game has been destroyed by the 

 cold weather. I have not seen nor heard of a quail since the 

 snows. The birds were not fed. 



Salem. — Game in this section, so far as I can learn from 

 the farmers and game men, has nearly all perished. Quail, 

 especially, have suffered, except in a few cases, where the 

 farmers have fed them through the winter. Those that have 

 not been thus protected have nearly all starved or frozen to 

 death. Babbits have fared better, as they could live on the 

 bark and twigs of trees. Still, I have heard of some of them 

 perishing, but the percentage is small. Small birds have all 

 suffered severely, 



Salem. — Keport says nearly all the birds killed. One man 

 found three flocks frozen, containing respectively nine, four- 



teen and six, all under one bush. Very poor show for next 

 year unless we import birds. 



Shirley.— Two parties feed seven and ten birds here, and I 

 know of no others. I know two hundred quail were frozen. 



Shirley.— Bunches containing ten to twelve quail have 

 been found all frozen to death. The percentage of loss has 

 been greater than ever before. 



Woodtstown.— Quite a number of birds perished in our 

 country. Quail suffered the most. At least twenty-five per 

 cent are dead. The farmers fed until they could not get to 

 the birds on account of the snows. 



Torktown.— It is hard to tell about our birds yet, but it is 

 supposed that the most of the quails have been frozen or 

 starved. Some of the farmers have fed them, but I have not 

 heard of any one seeing any as yet this spring. 



CUMBERLAND OOTTNTV. 



Bridgetmi. — A good many quail have been destroyed dur- 

 ing the past winter. Quail were never more abundant than 

 during last year, which fact probably renders their destruc- 

 tion more noticeable. Enough have survived, however, to 

 "seed " this region. Some farmers have fed and maintained 

 coveys, the majori'y have not. 



Deerfield Street. — As far as I know I think that the game 

 has been destroyed by the.snows. Many coveys of quail have 

 been found dead in the snows. 



Deerfieid Street.— The. cold weather has been very hard on 

 the quail hereabouts, and as far as I can learn there are hut, 

 few left. 



Fairton. — I think one-quarter of the birds have frozen and 

 starved to death. Quail were very plenty with us last Fail, 

 but 1 am afraid we will not have much sport, next Fall. 



F,nrton. — This winter has been hard on thequail, but some 

 birds got through. [ suppose about twenty-five per cent. 

 perished by the snow and cold. The hawks have killed a 

 good many. Our heavy cover has saved a number. Some 

 few of us fed the birds. 



Hallyrille.- — The cold and snows have been very severe on 

 the game in this vicinity. I presume that the quail have 

 nearly all perished, us they were not cured for. 



Maine Avenue.—! have seen no quail or rabbits since the 

 cold weather. I think they have perished to a great extent. 



Maine Avenue.— I have" not seen a quail since the first, 

 heavy snow. There were half a dozen bunches on and near 

 our farm, but I could not find then! to Iced. There were 

 plenty before the snow. 



Manumuskin. — As far as I can learn the game in this sec. 

 tion has not been materially lessened during tljti past, winter 

 by cold weather. A greater percentage has been killed by 

 gunners, owing to the advantages offered by tracking the 

 birds on the snow. 



MiUm'lle. — The effect, of the cold and heavy snows on the 

 game in this section has been very severe. The destruction 

 of game has been far in excess to thai of former years. 

 Whole bevies of quail have been found frozen to de-.th under 

 the snow drifts. Rabbits were frozen in their beds. Fully 

 sixty per cent, of the birds perished. Farmers have tried to 

 feed the birds. 



JS'eirpmt.— The cold has killed but. a very small percentage 

 of the birds. About one-tenth died from starvation. No one 

 fed them. Babbits have wintered well. 



Nertli Vineland. — The destruction of birds has been much 

 greater than in past years. They were fed in many instances 

 by the citizens. 



Boadgtavm. — The destruction ol game caused by the ex- 

 treme cold has been twenty-five per cent, greater tlian ever 

 before. Some farmers and residents fed the birds. 



ttoadgtovm.— At least seventy-five per cent, of all the game 

 in this section has been killed by the cold. A few fanners 

 feed the quail. 



Bomthayu. — The last winter has almost, destroyed game in 

 tliis section. Hundreds of quail were found frozen" in the 

 woods. Babbits did not seem to suffer so much, I fed the 

 birds, but cannot speak for others. 



Rosenhayn.— I once in a wliile hear a quail whistling ;, a 

 few left, 



South Vineland.— The fanners very generally feed the 

 quail, and thus the number that p. rished was greatly less- 

 ened. 



Vine/and.— The severe winter has been very destructive to 

 the quail and other game. The percentage destr. yed is very 

 much larger than in fourteen years. Large flocks" have been 

 found frozen. The birds were fed to a moderate extent. 



QAPB MAY COUNTY. 



Cape May. — 



N'ary a dead bird Uere, 



No snow to lie this year; 



When Hie sea-breeze blows 



It mell s and goes. 

 And the woodcock bobs up his tall and crowB, 

 And Into the soft ground sticks his nose. 

 The quail ou a stump whistles In glee, 

 And says quite plainly, " can't you see 

 Wiiat the wind has done, that blows from the sea? — 

 It's made Hie ground bare tor me, me, me." 



The rabbit in the bushes simply winks his ear, 

 Thinks it pretty cold for the season of the year ; 

 But never has a care, for he cocks up his eye, 

 And then he spies a turnip In the field close by. 



[But whether the bunny secures his prize or not we are 

 unable to say, for our Byronic correspondent comes to a sud- 

 den termination and says, " Card guv out."] 



Cam May.— About twenty per cent, of the game has per- 

 ished on account, of the severity of the winter. Quail and 

 r oodcock have suffered most. 



Den-nismlle.— I should think from forty to fifty per cent, 

 of the birds have perished. Very few of the farmers fed the 

 game. 



Green' 8 Creek. — The winter has been very trying to the 

 quail ; many have perished in this section. Many of the 

 farmers fed ihe birds. 



Seaville -Some birds have perished. The birds visit farm 

 yards and have not suffered much for want of food The 

 hawks have destroyed more than the cold weather. 



South Vermin. — The destruction of birds has been very se- 

 vere. No one fed them. 



Townsend's LrM.—The snow and cold weather have had a 

 bad effect on game. The destruction of birds has heen no- 

 ticeably greater this winter than in many years past. Many 

 of the residents fed the birds which frequented the houses 

 and gardens. . 



Tzickalwe.—We have been feeding fourteen coveys ol birds 

 all winter. My son and I have lulled fifty-four hawks this 

 winter. They are the rascals that do most harm— they kill 

 all the year round. Have not found any birds frozen. 



Death of the Fox — Springfield, Mass., March 15.— Edi- 

 tor Forest and Stream: "Beware the ides of March," for 

 again has this fateful day wrought its historical tradition of 

 woe. Again a royal head has rolled in the dust, upon this dread 

 anniversary. Long time has King Reynard with despotic 

 sway lorded it over his trembling subjects. Long time has 

 the beautiful amphitheatre containing the rifle range of the 

 Bod and Gun Club been the scene of nightly murder most 

 foul. Long time has this swift footed prince ot darkness 

 with preternatural cunning eluded the dogged persistency of 

 deadly foes. Rut his last race is run, his last nick is played, 

 and his ghastly corse now hangs upon the greenwood tree 

 whilom the gibbet of countless hordes of his forefathers. Sam- 

 son "did the deed." (We dubbed him "Samson 4 ' when he 

 made that double shot and killed a fox right and left.) The 

 dogs routed him at the south end, and after a few turns and 

 doubles he eluded all seven of us and put straight for the 

 upper end with the screaming dogs close at his heels With 

 blood in our eyes and vengeance in our hearts we instinctive- 

 ly, as it were, formed a cordon across from street to river, 

 and with unbroken front relentlessly, piteously pursued our 

 foe. The balmy air was trembling and vibrating with the 

 delicious sound of the " heavenly music " as we followed the 

 exciting chase. Now we hear the bugle notes tit the upper 

 end, and, »s the volume of sound gradually increases, we 

 know the quarry has turned, and each trusly weapon is tight- 

 ly grasped, each greedy ear drinks in the glorious melody, 

 each eager eye restlessly scans the ground in front, each 

 throbbing heart beats a quick response to every trumpet cry 

 as we anxiously await the supreme moment that, shall bring 

 our stealthy foe within range of the death dealing l ube. Now 

 we hear the eager dog upon the brow of the bluff and know 

 that the life of our fleet footed foe is not worth five minutes' 

 purchase, for Samson guards that spot, and Samson's eye is 

 true and Samson's nerves are steel Now his quick eye 

 sights the swiftly coming form and he suddenly becomes 

 statuesque as game; pointer with the hot scent of bird before 

 him. Now but forty yards intervene, and quick as a flash 

 the ready gun leaps to his shoulder, and responsive to its 

 voice those swift-winged feet are swifter flying, but with no 

 foothold save empty air, and soon the gleaming fangs of the 

 frantic dogs are burned in his quivering flesh, and as" * e add 

 the white-tipped brush to our long list, we loudly voice our 

 triumph and exchange mutual congratulations that one " ore 

 despoiler of our forest and stubble has received bis just re- 

 ward. :,m,dow. 



Law Breakers Alarmed — Childwold, South C'olton, N. 

 Y. — The exemplary justice so swiftly deal! lo the culprits 

 who took trout from Lake Placid illegally which !'< -. 



Stream gave such wide publicity to recenth 

 tary effect in regions supposed to lie just boVohrl Che ken of 

 law, A stranger came here some tii 

 pounds of lake trout from Lake. Mass; 

 weighing fourteen pound, salted and to 

 such an event could not come off 1: 

 measures taken by various protectivi 

 generous rewards, etc., for the detect k 

 had not only a cautionary effect, but all 

 ever}' man a ."detective. 



An amusing illustration of this took place here Utsl 

 Two men went" out, both of them doubtless with the inten- 

 tion of appeasing a cervinivorus longing by killing u deer 

 Illegally', but, coming upon each other's trail they wore both 

 suddenly converted into apostles of the law and self-consti- 

 tuted detectives, and shadowed each other for the rest of 

 the day. When they 'flame face to face tneir mutual 

 accusations led to a strife that came near ending iu their hav- 

 ing to pay were-yeld instead of receiving the much coveted 

 reward. 



This region affords excellent sport, and should be' better 

 known to your readers. It has been heretofore resorted to 

 less by sportsmen than hunters, but the new and improver) 

 roads consequent to the starting of a new farming settlement 

 here two years ago has made it more accessible to and more 

 frequented by sportsmen and tourists. 



Some 200 deer, several bears and a pair of pant bets were 



This area 

 the west, 

 trout, and 



since and I .ok 300 

 iepiesome oi them 



1 them awajr. But 

 'enow. The active 

 socioties, in offering 

 ot transgressors has 



that, of constituting 



adius of flv 



killed last autumn with! 

 would take in Grass River, a fine trout strean 

 its affluent. Lake MaSsawiepie abounding in li 

 Arab Mountain half way to Tuppers Lake on 

 Raquette River with Sol's Island and the M .. sehead 'ill- 

 water on the east and north. The killing of the paol 

 noticed in a late issue of your paper. The female, measured 

 nine feet between tips of nose and tail, and the male norpor- 

 tionately larger. The former was killed by a hunter, II. 

 Hutchings, while stalking for deer last MovBmber i i ivbich 

 time he followed the male two days without getting a shot at 

 him. He abandoned the pursuit for two months-" when lie 

 resumed it, and after following him three days he succeeded 

 in treeing and killing the brute. After having been frozen 

 he was taken out of the woods standing erect with head and 

 tail elevated. 



He was taken through the villages in this natural pose much 

 to the terror and delight of the villagers en route. These 

 fierce denizens of the forest are nearly extinct in this part of 

 the country and will soon be quite so. O. 



PorNT of Greatest Ekkor.— Littleton, N. E., March 11, 

 1881. — Under the heading " How to Aim the Hunting 

 Rifle," Mr, Merrill says: "I have omited to state that 

 53-100 yards approximately shows the point in the njjngq 

 where the trajectory is the "highest, and 55 100 the point of 

 greatest error." Now, what does "the point of greatest 

 error" imply? In other words, what does he mean?— J. I 



Major replies as follows: 



The error of the rifle at any point of the range is the dis- 

 tance the ball is from the line sight at this point. At 55-100 

 yards it is off and above the line of sight about two inches, 

 and hence the rifle shoots too high here. But the "highest 

 point of the trajectory " is ite highest, point above its base. 

 The base is regarded as a straight, line connecting the centre 

 of the muzzle of the piece with the centre of the target, or 

 point blank. The error, 55-100, is measured from tbe line. 



of sight, but the height of the trajectory, 53-100, f he 



base of the same. These two distinct lines are a il parallel, 

 but converge and intersect at the centre of the. target ; 

 hence the two points .53 and .55 arise. 



First English Snipe. — Neversink Lodge, Guymard, 

 Orange Co., N. Y., March 32, 1881.— Philip Thuult, my 

 keeper, reports the first woodcock on Saturday, the 19th, 

 and to-day, while out wilhCroxteih and some youngsters, he 

 killed the first snipe, which I herewith send you. Has there 

 been, in 1881, one killed before in the vicinity of New York ? 



Your truly, A. E. Qodeitroy. 



