168 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Maboh 31, 1881. 



Barnsoivcilk.— I think the vinlcr has destroyed one-half 

 of the game. Very few have feci the birds or cared for them. 



Neicticld. — The destruction of quail and Other game has 

 been greater than for many years past. Ninety per cent, 

 perished. The resident farmers have fed. 



AY/r/rtU— In my opinion a great many birds were frozen 

 last winter. I have had niy dogs out once since the snow 

 left ns, but did not find one" bird. There were a great many 

 birds before the snow came, but I have been told by some 

 parties that they have seen some left, but I have seen none. 



I'atrf.shinitiyh. — In reply the birds have suffered and died 

 in great, numbers. The farmers have fed in many Instances, 



ATLANT10 COUNTY. 



English Creek.— 1 should think perhaps that one-half ef 

 the game perished. 



ErigUHh ('rub.— 1 hare henrd of several coveys of quail 

 perishing. One-half must be dead. 



May's Landing.— 1 have made a good deal of inquiry about 

 game in this county, is 1 am very much interested, and I 

 think much game has perished,. The hawks have destroyed 

 large numbers, and t lie- shouting next fall will be very poor. 

 Quail and rabbits have been found frozen to death. 

 Pheasants (ruffed grouse) 1 think have suffered less. 



SAI.F..M COUNTY. 



Baretmrn.- The destruction of birds in sections lias been 

 severe. Seventy-five per cent, have been destroyed by snow 

 and old. Si. n.i- !■. clea welt lid. and thus saved. 



Salem.- -Since my last report I have seen two bevies of 

 quail. So we know a feu arc left. 



SPRING SNIPE NOTES FROM DELAWARE. 



"T71R0M time immemorial the State of Delawarchas been 

 I ' the resort of New York and Pennsylvania sportsmen 

 in the early spring for the English snipe or" gray snipe shoot- 

 ing. Wc have, therefore, arranged to give our readers this 

 year the very first reports on the shooting, and take this op- 

 portunity of thanking our numerous correspondents for their 

 kind and prompt replica to our inquiries. The subjoined 

 notes are arranged, beginning at the south and running to 

 the northern parts of the State : 



Sussex COfNTi- 



Lavrel, March 26.— We have no snipe here. Thirty miles 

 down the river there arc sonic. 



Jiehoboth Beach, Waveh 26,- C.cese and ducks are plenty, 

 but snipe are not on much ; but suppose they will be if we 

 have, one or two days southerly wind. 



Georgetown, March 28. -Snipe are on now, and the shoot- 

 ing is getting good at Draw Bridge and Kcboboth. 



StofOrd, Marc/: till. There are no snipe in this section. 



fold Spring, Mo Mi 36.— There are no snipe in this vicini- 



ty- 



Willianmilk, March SO.— A few snipe have been killed. 



KENT COL'Sry. 



WiUm Gram, March HO.— There have been no snipe killed 

 yet. The ground is in good order. 



Bowers, Mordi 36.— On March 23 Mr. C. shot eight snipe 

 — the first we have heard of this season 



Violi, March 28. — The snipe are now in this vicinity. 



Liltle Greek Land/no, March 28,— The meadows' are in 

 good order for snipe. They are scarce. 



1WWC ''S'I'I.F. COCK IT. 



'I'.mnxciid, M„rch 26, The best snipe shooting is on the 

 entire marshes bordering upon Delaware Bay. The spring is 

 very la'e with us and the snipe have not yet made their ap- 

 pearance. 



Midilk'toicn, March 28. — A few snipe have arrived. A few 

 warm days will make litem pler.iil'nl. 



McBono'igh, March 29.— There are some snipe. 1 killed a 

 few to-day. 



St. Georges, March 20.— The snipe are here though not yet 

 in abundance, as our la'e cold simp has kept them back. The 

 Peckard, Stewart, Uuslook and Hundred Acres are the favor- 

 ite meadows for finding ihcm, 



St. Georges, March 26, — From 5 to 10 in an hour lias been 

 the largest bags of snipe reported yet. They have heeu here 

 a few days. 



Ohmtiajii, March 20.— The spring snipe have come. I 

 shot half a dozen, but it is loo cold for them to come in num- 

 bers yet. 



Christiana, March 38.— I shot the first snipe of the season 

 in this section on March 17. They are s'ill scarce; I have 

 been gunning them for two weeks. 



Newport, March 38.— There is a scattering of snipe from 

 the South. The 1st of April is about the lime for them to he 

 on with its. 



Newark, March 28.- Some snipe are here, but abou' April 

 15 they will be plenty. 



Marsh ulllon, March 20. Snipe may be expected daily. 



Kirkwood, March 2S.- Have not seen any English snipe 

 this spring. 



Mount Pleasant, March 20- It is too soon for snipe. 



Mount Pleasant, March 20.— Snipe will be on in a week or 

 two. 



YorMyn, March 20.— No snipe as yet that I can see. 



Yorklyn, March 20.— Snipe have not come yet. 



Green Spring. March 29. — Snipe began to appear on the 

 meadows ten days ago. 



ilocMand, Munch 20. The snipe have not made their ap- 

 pearance yet. 



Glasgow, March 38.— There lias been no snipe shooting 

 this spring. Will be in ten days. 



New Yorox— Sanmae Lakes, Iff. V. March, 26,— Straw still 

 very deep andice very thick over lakes and streams. Tinut- 

 ing prospects never more favorable, as the game laws have 

 been almost strictly regarded, owing to the faithfulness of 

 the Commissioner in making the arrest at Lake Placid. Dur- 

 ing the winter Martin's Hotel has changed hands, owing to 

 financial embarrassment. After being repainted, partly re- 

 furnished and other improvements made, it will be opened 

 by Milo Miller in due time for spring guests and sportsmen. 



At Harriettstown thirty guests, chiefly from New Yoik 

 and Philadelphia, have passed the winter. 



Owing to the public spirit oi Dr. Trudo a handsome 

 library building has been erected, and we trust ere long to 

 boast of agood library. S. S. N. 



A Pine River, Wis., correspondent writes that a neighbor 

 of his has a mallard drake living in a stream flowing near his 

 house. The bird is one of a pair, and was wounded win n its 

 mate was killed. Though at first very wild when approached 

 it has now become so tame that one canapproach near enough 

 to throw it cor« without frightening it away. BajjGei;. 



A DAY WITH THE SQUIRRELS. 



Norwich, N. Y. 

 A FRIEND of mine who lives next door to me is the 

 t\- most successful squirrel shooter I ever saw. Having 

 hunted them from his boyhood he thoroughly understands 

 their habits, knows just where to look for them during the 

 different fall months, and the result is when he goes "after 

 them he generally returns with a full bag. 



Two years ago last October w T e made an arrangement to 

 spend a day in a large, piece of woodland lying sonic eight 

 miles from this village. We left in the morning' before day- 

 light, and we drove up to the door of a farm-bouse Justus the 

 sun was gilding the tree-tops of the woods whither we were 

 bound. 



There we separated for the clay, agreeing to meet at the 

 house where we had left our horse at sundown. I make my 

 way along the edge of the woods through a grove of second- 

 growth pines toward a corner where are" some large chestnut 

 trees, hoping to surprise some squirrels at their breakfast. In 

 thisl am disappointed. I see no signs of their working. I go 

 over the fence, outside of -which is an old pasture, and as 1 

 look across the fields all thoughts of squirrels are for the time 

 forgotten. Lessjthan half a' mile away lies the farm once 

 owned by my father. There stands the old red house where 



I was horn. How familiar arc those field-', even the old rocks 

 seem like friends. Those patches of woodland, the old or- 

 chard, and down through the little valley runs, just as it used 

 to. the little spring brook, where I caught my first speckled 

 trout. Can it be that the old farm is now owned by strangers, 

 and that father, mother, sister, brother are all gone, and that 

 nearly forty years have passed away since that old red house 

 was my house ? Yes, and I am a gray-haired man, and shall 

 soon follow those who have passed on before me, and if tears 

 do fill my eyes as 1 gaze on this scene so dear to the years 

 gone by, still as 1 turn from it I feel stronger to meet life's 

 battles and trials. 



But I came for squirrels, and the morning's passing. So I 

 turn into the old wood road that leads to a ridge near the 

 edge of the woods where there arc plenty of chestnut trees. 

 Making my way with all possible caution I roach the little 

 grove and stop. Yes, they areheresomewhere ; I hear the rus- 

 tle of branches in a large chestnut near by, the loaves arc so 

 thick I cannot see the squirrel, but I know in an instant it 

 is a gray. I think I see where he is, and I give him the right- 

 hand barrel, ne does not full, though hard hit, but the other 

 barrel brings him tumbling to the ground. 



The noise starts up another, and with a spring he scurries 

 up ;[ largo tree within shot, and when about half way up 

 Stops and commences barking at me. Carefully slipping in 

 a shell I lift my gun to my face, and at its sharp crack he 

 tumbles to the ground. Picking them up 1 find they are 

 large and fat, and I consign them to the spacious pockets of 

 my hunting coat. I follow on in the old wood road, perhaps 

 six or eight rods fkeepiug near the edge of the woods, for 

 there the"chcstuuts' are the ripest at this time of year, and 

 there 1 know I shall find them if anywhere), when about fif- 

 teen rods away, in a small chestnut just at the edge of the 

 woods, I sec two more feeding. I dare not. go towa-d them, 

 they will hear my slops on the leaves, and I shall lose them. 

 A noise on a ridge, above me attracts my attention. There is 

 another running around under the trees looking for his break- 

 fast, but he is out of shot. What shall I do ? I want all of 

 them, and I set my wits to work to sec if I cannot outwit, I honi. 



I I 1 can get into tin; pasture perhaps those two who are feeding 

 in the little chestnut will not hear me, and 1 can get within 

 shut. But how can I get over that fence without their taking 

 alarm ? I have it. About a rod back of nic is an old pole 

 bar way, and I cautiously make my way toward it. I reach 

 the edge of the pasture and walk caitiously toward where 

 they are feeding. They are busy; they mean to have a full 

 breakfast. I go perhaps two rods when one of them leaves 

 the. tree, jumps on to the fence, and comes directly toward 

 me. I let him come within range, and with the right-hand 

 barrel tumble him off the fence. The crack of the gun starts 

 the other, hut he does not leave the. tree, lie stops feeding 

 and commences barking; as I move a few si ps toward him 

 he jumps to leave the tree, but I am too quick for him. and 

 with my remaining barrel I drop him. Picl.ing them up, I 

 retrace my slops to the old wood road which leads toward 

 where I saw the other. Reaching the spot w here I last saw 

 bun, I stop and wait fifteen or twenty minutes, for I think 

 he is somewhere near me, and if I wait he will show himself. 

 As I take out my watch to see the time I hear a rustling in 

 the leaves, and sure enough there he is, not five rods away. 

 But the movement to put up my watch will send him racing 

 up one of these large trees. But I see no other way. The 

 movement of my hand disturbs him, and he mounts a tree 

 and is out of sight. Quickly glancing up the tree, away to- 

 ward its lop I see an open space of a few feet. Perhaps he 

 may come into view there. I throw my gun to my face, and 

 as he comes into view, although on a run, I pull on him. He 

 is hard hit, but has life enough to spring into a large maple, 

 and I fear 1 have lost him. 1 make my way to the upper 

 side of the tree and anxiously peer up into its branches. 

 Yes, there he is, stretched out, at full length on a limb close 

 to the body. He is badly wounded, but I give him the other 

 bairel and he falls like a clod. Then I have got them all, 

 and now I will sit down on that old mossy log and eat my 

 lunch. 



All the morning I have heard my friend banging away, 

 and 1 know he is having fine sport. I rest for an hour or 

 more, but I see no more squinvls. Following up the old 

 wood road to a ridge I stand and wait some minutes, wh 



clear out of shot, 

 ing. Close It 

 I make my v 

 alarm and St 

 I start, on thi 

 lhan nine or 

 of the pine, 

 my aim was 

 lose him. 



The afternoon is 

 ward where I fir 

 the old fence by tl: 

 fellow quietly mak 

 he comes opposite 

 makes six, all larj 

 house it will I: 



the top of a tall chestnut,, 1 see one. feed- 

 large pine, which I conclude is his home. 

 jy toward him as still as I can, but, he lakes 

 rts for the pine. If he reaches that he is safe, 

 run toward bun, and before I can get nearer 

 en rods he makes a jump and strikes the body 

 At jut that moment I pull on him. I know 

 ,11 right, but with No. 8's he is too far. and 1 



wearing away, and I retrace my slops to- 

 it found them in the morning. As I near 

 3 side of the pasture I see a splendid old 

 ng his way toward a largo chestnut, As 

 1 cut loose on him, and he is mine. This 

 e and fat. By the time I can reach the 

 ._ ic for us to leave for home. As 1 near 

 the house I see my friend coming up the road, and in answer 

 to my inquiry, "How many?" he answers, " Twenty, one." 

 He is thed, and his squirrels are a load I am beaten badly, 

 as usual when I go with him. But I have had a most enjoy- 

 J.k lif. and I am content. A ride of ten hours brings us 

 home, and we unanimously voted it a most agreeable day with 

 (he squirrels, H. C. L. 



The gray squirrel is more numerous in some localities than 

 in others and also more plentiful some seasons than others, 

 owing to the scarcity of food and the severity of winters. 

 This can also be accounted for by their roving habits. The 

 best months for hunting them are September, October and 

 November, at early morning and evening — from sunrise till 

 eight or nine o'clock and after four in the afternoon. A rifle 

 with a small bore is better lhan a shotgun, because it tears 

 the game very little and will kill at along range, but an ama- 

 teur would probably kill more with shot than with a rifle 

 and for all kinds of game shot is of course the best. 



Squirrels are found in the neighborhood of beech, oak, 

 chestnut or hickory trees. They are also found on the bor- 

 ders of corn and wheat fields, near timbered lands, where 

 they congregate in the fall and are often killed in large num- 

 bers. They are found on the highest branches. It is a good I 

 plan to start at sunrise, approach the hunting ground "cau- 

 tiously, examine every tree in which a "gray" might be 

 feeding. Y r ou can often delect their presence by the drop- 

 ping of cuttings and baik from the trees or by their peculiar 

 hop and scratch among the leaves on the ground. Walk 

 slowly, look in every direction, keep behind the brush as 

 much as possible and make.no unusual noise. Pilot your 

 way in this manner until you reach a central, elevated posi- 

 tion, commanding a good view of the surroundings. Of 

 course if you have seen any you will kill them, but do it 

 quietly. Much care should be exercised in selecting a favor- 

 able point from which to watch, which can easily bo found 

 by looking for cuttings, broken branches, nests and scratches 

 on the trees and fences. If these indications are observed 

 you may be sure there are squirrels in the neighborhood, al- 

 though many inexperienced sportsmen might wander about 

 the place for days and not see one. 



Having selected a favorable point for observation, conceal 

 yourself behind some brush or other objects, and keep a | 

 sharp lookout. If you have secured your position without | 

 frightening the game, they will soon begin to show them- 

 selves. Probably one will come into full view, but out of 

 range. Do not move, but keep an eye on it, and perhaps it 

 will shortly come within rauge; if not, note its general 

 course, and look for it a little later. If followed, the chances j 

 are that it will hide, and much time will thus be lost, while 

 the gray will be trembling with fright hut safe in the trunk of | 

 some hollow tree. Probably you will see one emerge near at 

 hand, but from what particular poiut is often ditliciilt to de- 

 termine. Don't move a muscle; he will soon be in a posi- 

 tion which prevents him from seeing you; then bring your 

 gun to your shoulder instantly, take a steady aim, and fire. 

 Don't leave your position, but prepare for another shot. If 

 the gray was among the branches, it will be a satisfaction to 

 see him roll into a ball and drop. If you have missed he 

 will start to run the tree-tops ; but just before and after 

 springing he generally stops long enough to allow another 

 shot to be delivered. If missed entirely, don't go tearing i 

 after him ; you will frighten every squirrel in the neighbor- 

 hood. It would then be necessary for you to look for an- I 

 other favorable position, as the shooting would probably bo] 

 over at that point If the squirrel has been killed, let it 

 lie, and watch for another. In this manner you may he able ] 

 to bag several in an hour or two from the same position, 

 especially if the mast is plenty and a good season. Then 

 gather up your game, and seek anothcu- favorable point. 

 When the Bun i-; high it will be well to look over the ground 

 carefully and along the fences and outskirts of the timber. If 

 yon know of any nut-bearing trees in opeu ground, examine I 

 them, as these little animals know whereto find the sweetest, | 

 nuts as well as you. 



Trained dogs arc often employed to track and tree them,] 

 when they will hide and often exercise considerable cunning I 

 in evading their pursuers. This method is often more suc- 

 cessful than still hunting, especially if the game is scarce. 



D. Tail. 



Nbw Jersey, March 23. 



I was much delighted with your clerical correspondent in 

 his narration how he sang " Och Hone! the Widow Ma-j 

 ehree" or some similar "roundelay," to the listening rodentsl' 

 in the piney woods. From Ch-ricas' fondness for a "piping 

 i' the woods" ho must bo a pin-theist ! 



But to a youth of sixteen with double-barreled muzzle- I 

 loader in hand, the sight of the upturned tail of the nimble] 

 squirrel would, in the days of my youth, rather lead to im-' 

 mediate slaughter, not to consequent music. 



Still it is pleasant, to see the healthy love your correspond- 

 ent shows for animal nature and his keen enjoyment for the 

 "aisles of the dim woods." 



The Mic Mac correspondence has given us a good idea of 

 where to go for salmon, and there is to me no summer joy 

 like that the. tired man catches in breathing the invigorating 

 air of the Marguerite or any of the little rivers of the upper ' 

 Saguenay. 



1 meant when I began to gossip to tell of an experierec, in 

 Indiana, in seeking the festive gray squirrel in October. It J 

 shows that little animal's extreme tenacity of life. 



In a tall beach tree, flat on a limb, I caught a glimoso of I 

 gray fur and blazed away — dnwn came the squirrel. I 

 loaded the empty barrel, went to pick up my game, 

 but he quietly, at a single bound, reached a hollow tree and 

 ensconced himself there. With smoke and a ramrod screw! 

 I finally got him out, and, exneccssitaiii ;«', I tanged the 

 squirrel's head over a log and sat down on that same log 

 neglecting to bag him while drinking in the beauty of the 

 russet splendor all around me 



As I started to go I reached for the fundus officio squirrel, 

 as I supposed— as nimbly as a young gallant, could caper in a 

 lady's chamber, Bunny took to his heels and hid in the long 

 grass by a gurgling trout brook. I hunted for half an hour 

 before I spied the runaway and pounced on him, putting Mr. 

 Squirrel in my side coat pocket, 



After a delightful walk, gazing as I went at the glories of: 

 a Western sunset — "the looming bastions fringed with fire" — 

 in the fantastic splendor of the clouds, I reached my hotel 

 As I sat down on the rude bench on the piazza I said, "Here, 

 Boniface, breakfast off this squirrel," and I threw the gamy 

 little rasqal on. the floor. Boniface "scooped" for him. The 

 squirrel took wings and ran — landlord in full chnse— and the 

 squirrel in the lead, dodged under the barn '. That squirrel 

 I never saw him more 1 — J, M. S. 



A Staten Island Snipb— Port Richmond, March 20.— 

 While three members of the Holliday Gun Club were out, 

 "prospecting" to-day they started a woodcock, put up and 

 brought to bag one Knglish snipe, the first of the season. 



Patsy, 



The head of the snipe accompanied the above note. • 



