278 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



"i King, but great hunter, Frederick tin.' lit, about the 

 year ' ' 'H. ; ,i, , ,1,,,!, i,i me it lias remained a permanent 

 dweller in the (southern and middle part of the country. 



Quail i l\-rtl,r. otumOfi, Bwcd. Vukb 1. The northern 

 geographical limiHif this bird is the south part of Sweden. 

 It is migratory,) arriving It i.c in the spring ami leaving early 

 in (he fall. It is a rare bird, not often fourjd by the spoils- 

 men. 



Woodd <-' ■ ■ . Swed. Morkuka. Thia 



magnificent game bird is quite numerous all over Scanrlm*- 

 via. In t lie most southern part, however, it makes only short 

 visits during its migrations in I he -spring and fall. It arrives 

 iu A pit] and leaves in October. Tbe woodcock of Europe is 

 •r than its American namesake. 



Solitary Snipe i&y.'lqui.c major), ,Swed. Dubber Becca- 

 sin. The habitation of this bird is.-on low, -wet, natural mead. 

 OW3, particularly such as are contiguous to larger water cour- 

 ecs. It is a tine game bird, much larger than the American 

 jacksnipe, lies well for the dog and is easily shot. Ton sel- 

 dom linrl more limn one at a time, and it 1b therefore in the 

 British Islands called the "solitary" snipe. 



Common Snipe (Seofopax Qallmqgo), Swed. Bnkel Bee- 

 casin. In habits and appearance this bird resembles verv 

 much, the American jack (English) Snipe (Scot wQkmm), It 

 is verv numerous all over tbe country in all suitable loeahV 

 ties. 



Smallest Snipe 0coUtpax fjallimiW). Swed. Salf-enkel 

 Beccasin, is probably the smallest of all game buds proper, 

 but nevertheless, a game bird as much as any of them. It 

 lies well for the dug and must give a strong scent, for any 

 pointer or setter will mark them as readily as a wood,. , ., 



'. They are ,-ery handsome little fellow's, swift on the 



wing, hut not much larger than a sparrow. It is migratory 

 like all it3 congeners, and quite tare. 



This, we believe, ends the list of what we properly term 

 "game birds." There is an endless variety of a , .,, , ■ in. 

 which some may, "but we don't, give the rank and 

 game birds, however acceptable they mar be for the table, or 

 whatever pleasure tlk bunting of such mar confer on the hun- 

 ter. Of such birds may be mentioned : Two v:. ■■•• " ■-■ , ■: is 

 swan, several of the goose, and an endless number of ducks, 

 the mallard and leal conspicuous among the rest. Tien there 

 are two line, -species t-f curlews : lifttmeniut, arguata and 

 num p/we'iotis ofplovc-is maybe mentioned: Cai'tVtriW ap- 

 ricarux and ear maHneilUi. Then the beautiful iwnrnroflrii 

 amcetUi-, and any number of shore birds, tetanus, tringa, 

 etc., etc.: but as our intention was not to write an Qraitalgia 

 Bcandinavioa, but, simpi.y to enumerate the birds which a 

 sportsman may find on the Scandinavian Peninsula while hunt- 

 ing with a setter or pointer, we believe the above will com- 

 plete the catalogue. 



HUNTING. 



Iu the Scandinavian countries the moose, the stag, the roe- 

 buck, the bear, the fox and the hare are hunted with hounds. 

 As the object is to shoot the game thus pursued, it is of more 

 importance to have dogs with line scenting power and good 

 bottom limn flcetness of foot. The domestic breed, probably 

 indiginous to the country from time immemorial, is about the 

 size of the English harrier, bul of .stouter build, in color mostly 

 yellow or blnck-andtan. Very few English fox hounds are 

 seen. They are considered too Fast, and fox huutinsr, as car- 

 ried on in the British Islands is outof the question in Sweden 

 or Norway on account of the brokeimess of the country and 

 the frequency and height of the rail fences, and to the dam- 

 aging of thclalter, and the trampling down of his winter 

 graiu by a field of horsemen. The Scandinavian farmer, gen- 

 erally a freeholder and a^very independent fellow With all, 

 would most assuredly object. 



The tfwdui operandi in hunting'with hounds is about the 

 same as that which is employed in hunting deer in the South- 

 ern Slates. The hunters, provided with -shot guns or rifles, 

 as the occasion may require, take I heir stations'": one of their 

 number follows the pack, encouraging them now and then 

 with a bugle-note. After a while a single dog "gives tongue,'' 

 then another; a moment later a sharp yell ; the game isstarled 

 and the music in full bins!. 



'• Yelled on the view tile opening pact:, 

 Hock, glen and cavern paid tlieui back.'' 



After a while is heard the round boom of a smooth-bore, or 

 the short, sharp crack of a rifle, I hen perhaps a loud repeated 

 call — "See here, see here, see h-e-r-e!"— summoning the dogs 

 to the track and to renewed exertions, for it was a miss. Af- 

 ter a short interruption the chase goes on with full cry as be- 

 fore. Again tbe report of a gun resounds, then silence, fol- 

 lowed ivy a merry peal of the bugle, announcing to the whole 

 party Unit the game is conquered" and the chase ended, and 

 from their several stations they gather with rapid strides to 

 congratulate the successful comrade. The hounds, generally 

 not more than two to four brace, are coupled in their leashes, 

 and the whole party either return home or proceed to some 

 other locality to renew the huut. 



The bear of Scandinavia hibernates in a dormant state from 

 the first snow-fall in October or November-, until awakened by 

 the soft air of spring. He prepares hi3 comfortable winter- 

 quarters in some convenient cave, or under the roots of some 

 windfall or other suitable place. ' After the first fall of snow 

 in the fall, every bear-hunter is out looking for the track of 

 bruin. This found, he follows it cautiously until by the ap- 

 pearance of the track he suspects that the lair is not far dis- 

 tant. He then makes a succession of circles around the track 

 Until he has ascertained that the bear's winter-quarters are in- 

 side the last one. The circumference of this (in the language 

 of the country called "ring") is then plainly marked out in 

 the trees with a hatchet for the double object ; first, that 

 he may easily find the place at an intended later wsit, and sec- 

 ond, to notify other bear-hunters, that mav happen to come 

 on the same track, that this particular' bruin is properly 

 "ringed," and is the ring-maker's property. His right in Ibis 

 respect is unquestioned and never intruded on. The ring 

 completed, bruin is left in peace for several weeks to e*joy 

 his last nap. 



Towards Christmas or New Year the hunter, followed by 

 one or two trusty comrades and a couple of reliable bear- 

 hounds, returns to the place. Every nook inside the circle Is 

 then carefully examined until the animal is found, and most 

 frequently killed in its lair or, if startled unexpectedly, the 

 bounds are put on his track and he is soon brought to bay and 

 dispatched. 



Snow shoes.— On these and similar expeditions during the 

 winter the hunters always use snow-shoes which, however, 

 are quite different from those used in this country. They are 

 Blade of pine, boards, six to eight feet, lung, live Inches wide. 

 ai-d. 01 • half inch thick, The lower side is made very smooth', 



anil i be fore-er.d is bent upwards. In the middle of the up- I 

 per side is a leather strap fining to the foot. 'I he Swedish 

 name for such a snow-shoe is iMda. As a propelling power 

 the skid-runner uses a long pole just as the fisherman propels 



bis canoe. In the northern part of the country sue! 



shoes are in general use and have been SO from time immemo- 

 rial, being oft. n mentioned even iu the old / ■■■" ■ ■< < <> 

 the most : ancient chronic 1, s. Using these implements, they 

 slide over the snow with almost inci'i dible velocity, and run- 

 ning thus through timben d lands it is astonishing I o notice 

 how skilfully they avoid sfi nis, slumps and rocks in thoii head- 

 long spec d. ' The" Lapplanders particularly are very skillful in 

 the use of these snow-shoes, mounted on which" th' y wage, 

 all winter long, an incessant warfare against the wolves, which 

 are the worst enemies of the reindeer. On sucll expeditions 

 ihe Lapplander often haves his gun at home, taking with him 

 no weapon but his pole, one end of which is provided With a 

 sharp steel point, and used as a sdi ar to dispatch his enemy. 

 Iu the same manner these daring hunteis often kill the bear. 



Bird Shooting.— For burning the different varieties: of game- 

 birds in the southern and more, open parts of the country, set* 

 tet'S and pointers are in general use in Scandinavia. The ma- 

 jority are of Enghsb breed but there is a good sprinkling of 

 Russian Betters, which are highly esteemed, and jusily so. 

 Tbey r arc not handsome dogs, to be sure, nor very dashing 

 rangers, bul .these short conni gs are more than made up by 

 their fine noses, steadiness, untiring energy and excellent con- 

 stitution. They are natural retrievers and easily broken. As 

 w-tei-ijogs they cannot besui passed, and using tbemondticfs, 

 seems not to interfere in the least with iheir steadiness. They 

 cannot be too hiehly recommended for introduction to ibis 

 country, now when bench shows seem to he all tbe ragi»: 



In the northern, mountainous and heavily limbered districts 

 a quite different kind of dog is used for hunting the different 

 variety of grouse which arc found here in great abundance. 

 The dog in question isasmall animal with longhair, commonly 

 black and Ian, fine nose and very swift on loot. It looks very 

 much like a Small shepherd- dog, but goes under the name of 

 "bird dog" (fogel-hvnd). His functions are to find Ihe bird, 

 ilu-b, follow' and tree bun. The dog then remains under Ihe 

 tree and now and then gives a low yelp to attract the bird's 

 attention and allow- his master to approach. The great ma- 

 jority of grcuse brought to the market from the north are shot 

 in this way. 



In former times it was a common practice in S< andinavia to 

 shoot the capercailzie and the black-cock win n at play in the 

 spring. The former commences his solitary plav from same 

 of the lower branches of some large fir or spruce at break of 

 dav, and is then easily approached by taking care to move only 

 i, while the bird emits the hissing 

 ip each play, for during those mo. 

 le is perfectly deaf and blind. The 

 1 social!.' In their habits, mod at 



hrce or four steps at 

 sound by which he 

 nients of supreme 

 latter, more gregarious am 

 early dawn in great numbei 

 mi ailow, a swamp or field, 

 strut in.; around, playing ai 

 hun'ers used to dig holes iu 

 before the arrival oj lie hi 

 the ambuscade. But these , 

 long ago, it being forbidden 



i plac, 

 y speu 



•tv, 



Alt such pla 

 ad conceal themselves 

 n fell an easy prey to 



ire discontinued since 

 t heavy penalty to shoot or 



in any other way molest any species of grouse from Jan. 1, 

 -until Aug. 15. 



The capercailzie is sometimes shot at torchlight. The hunt- 

 er, at sunset, in the fall, lakes a stroll iu such placi s of the 

 forest where capcrcilzies are known to have their haunts, and, 

 proceeding with as little noise as possible, be can easily hear 

 these big birds rising from the ground and going to roost, the 

 whole family mostly settling in the same tree. Guided by Ihe 

 sound he lays down on the ground a long straight stick, 

 brought with him for Ike purpose, and which he pilots in the 

 supposed direction of Ihe roosting tiee. Blazing his path out 

 of the wood, he returns later at night with torches and assist- 

 ants, and it is said Unit by following the direction of the slick 

 the roosting place of the'capercailzies eau easily be found by 

 those expcfieiieed in this Ivied of hunting, and if only I he 

 precaution is taken always lo shoot the undermost bird there 

 is nothing to prevent the killing of Ihe whole number, as the 

 birds, bewildered by the torch -light, do not attempt, to escape 

 by flight, unless tumbled on by some of their falling com- 

 rades. 



Black-game Shooting with Decoys. — Late in the fall and 

 during the early winter the black game often congregate in 

 large numbers 'in the birch-wood, the buds of which serve 

 them for food. At such times a large solitary tree, or group 

 of trees, in some adjoining field is .selected, and a hole, large 

 enough to hold one or more hunters, dug at a eouvenicm dis- 

 tance and covered with a low roof of brushwood. Iu the top 

 of the tree are then put up one or more decoys, representing 

 blackcocks. These are mostly made of black velvet, with 

 large pieces of red flannel over the eyes, the whole a little 

 larger than the real bird. After the hunter gets into his hid- 

 ing-place early in the meriting, one or more persons are sent 

 out iu the birch-wood to drive the birds in_ tbe direction of 

 the decoys, which is easy enough, as they in most instances 

 make a bee-line in an opp'osite direction t>om the driver. In 

 this way quite a number of birds are often killed in a few 

 hours. 



Woodcock-shoot ing. — Early in the spring there is most ex- 

 cellent woodcock-shooting for a couple of weeks in the utmost 

 southern part of Sweden. Returning across the Baltic Sea 

 from their winter quarters, the flight of birds throw them- 

 selves down in the first brushwood or piece of timber they 

 meet. Thickets of uazelbrusll in low, moist ground are 

 their favorite haunts, and the rural population in these parts 

 therefore call them "hazel-bens." During^this period they 

 are shot over setters or pointers, just as beret Having rested 

 for a week or two, Ihey go farther north, and spread them- 

 selves all over the country. They are then for a month or 

 two hunted on what, is called " woodcock passes " (morkull- 

 utreck), pretty much in the same way as ducks are shot 

 iu this country; for it is the habit of the European 

 woodcock to tty over the same range several times early in 

 the morning and after sunset in the evening. Such ranges or 

 passes are mostly found along the edges of Umbered high- 

 lands, skirted by low, marshy ground, covered with brush- 

 wood. A little before sunset the sportsman lakes a position 

 somewhere on this range, selecting a place where the timber 

 is not too high, and awaits the arrival of Ihe birds. Soon is 

 heard a snoring, nasal sound, something like "Ort, ort, ort," 

 repeated two or three times, and "followed by a sharp whist- 

 ling. Now, look out, for very soon one or more woodcocks 

 will be seen flying just over t ho I rce-fops, giving a gcod 

 chance for a shot." In this way, in an hour or two, until 

 darkness sets in, one has au opportunity to bag several brace 

 of birds. Their (light is always in the same direction, going 

 and returning, and having once found the range you may re- 

 peat your visits two or three times a week for amonth or more. 



Skall-gang. — When the larger beasts of prey, the bear, the 



companies by Ihe E 

 foresters, they-reat 



district where Ihe | 

 The men are now i 

 long shies oi ivhiel 



the lynx ard the iaz, have committed more serious 

 depredations on the dona. stie animals of feme district, the 



rural popull rj is caH d out 1 y ihe r lib f forcstei lo a grand 



bunt for |he extermination of the depredators. Every "rifle, 

 shot-gun aid old nueki t is brought out, eveiy known hunter 

 is especially invited, Bl d il e n en of the disi'r.ct assemble to 

 the number Bometimes of several I houmnda. Mustered in 

 itf aed e, nstablcB, eral guided by the- 

 ■ f stieh pert of the infested 

 e heir 1 aunts. 

 led.mto an isosceles Margie, ihe two 

 , „ ncrally made somewhat curvilinear to- 

 ward the vertex, clou are 20 milrs or wore <ach in length, 

 with a proportionate bose of four oi live miles long. This 

 base-Hue is occupied by ihe best hunters at short inter- 

 vals, and in the intervening spaces are stretched nets, 

 made for the purpose fjf Strong cords, lo prevent the 

 inclosed animals from breaking through the line. All 

 these arrangements are made the previous evening, and 

 tbe drivers spend the short summer night at their appoint- 

 ed places. '1 hrse not provided with firearms cany axes, 

 speai's or sonic oilier instrument of attack and defence. AI 

 along the lines fires are kept up daring the night to keep the 

 intended vict ims inclosed At the break of dayt and at a given 

 signal, Ihe men at the vertex commence moving ttfw&rds ihe 

 base. As t he v proceed Ihe sides close in, driving the beasts 

 before them towards the nets. The animals, nnding«rhem- 

 sclves shut up on fill sides, often make desperate efforts to 

 breakthrough the lines of drivers, and many a fierce and 

 bloody comitat is often fought on this part of the haul. ifii Idj 

 for it is a noteworthy- fact, that although perfect stillness 

 reigns along the nets, while the wildest noise and tumult pre- 

 vail everywhere else, particularly on such occasions when 

 some animal shows itself and tries to breakthrough, si ill the 

 animals seem to know by instinct where the real danger 

 threatens, and seldom come near the line of the nets unlil the 

 last moment. The hunters occupying the posts of honor on 

 a the meantime made every preparation. In the 

 y.zle-loaders each man was provided with two or 

 s and the same number of assistants to reload 

 h spears such beasts as might fasten in 

 wears on, and the enclosed space every 

 Uer. the excitement increases. 'Hie 

 how- themselves, but the drivers are so 

 te isuext to impossible. The foresters, 

 and down the lines encouraging the 

 ay mistakes that may occur. Now' a 

 lakes a dash on the drivers, but is re- 

 lives tries to break through, but is 

 driven back : a family of lynxes lakes to tbe trees, but is shot 

 down from their supposed place of safety ; foxes are seen every 



of the 



and to kit 



As 



monie 



beasts 

 close: 



she bear with her cubs i 

 polled, then a pack of \ 



r et is- 

 fie in that 

 then a perfect fusilade. 

 the nets mid are killed 

 now ordered, lest some 

 w nearly within range 

 ceased a squad of the 

 ■fully the ground inside 



moment: Hitting through the bushes. ' E 

 quiet at the nets. But now is heard ' 

 direction, then another and anotb 

 The beasis at last throw themselves 

 v.iiboui delay. A halt of the driver 

 accident niav hat. pen. for tbev are 

 of tbe riflemen. After (he firing 

 best hunters is selected to examine < 



the circle, and to dispatch whatever beasts may vet have re- 

 fused to show themselves at the nets. All the "game is (hen 

 gathered, and sold at public sale for the benefit of the "scalp- 

 fund" of the province. 

 Such a grand hunt is. in Swedc-n, called "Skall-gang." 



i J. S. 



RAMBLES IN PIKE COUNTY. 



* 



Blooming Gbc-ve Pawc, May 13, 1877. 



EmroB Foc.est and BibeasI abb Rod asd fltrs : 



Leaving Hew York, via '3*3 st. ferry, at 8:46 a. m. after a 

 comfortable ride in the Erie Railway thawing room cur, we 

 readied La ekn wa x en at 1 o'clock, C( 

 ilornsdale Branch train for Hawley 

 r. \t.. after a charming ride up the 

 Laekawaxen River, passing Mi iville 

 famed Blooming Grove trt e 



A tine team of blacks easv. tmen wa<: 

 make the ride throug 



mnecting there with the 

 here we arrived at 3 

 anantic valley of the 

 ation, where the far- 

 ers the Laekawaxen. 

 aed pleasant weather 

 ;lnb house delightful. 

 At the club house Matt is wailing our arrival, and dinner is 

 soon announced. From Hawley to the Park it is ten miles, 

 partly on a fine turnpike. On the way the road skirts the 

 edge of Jones' Pond, famed for large black buss; They were 

 placed there about sis years ago at the same time that Lake- 

 Uiles. at Blooming Grove, was stocked. Messrs. Atkinson 

 and Jones have neat fishing lodges on the margin of this fine 

 sheet of water (Jones' Fond). We found Ned Quick, the vet- 

 eran bear hunter, engaged in the peaceful occupation of 

 plowing as we passed his modest home, but he says he will 

 be on hand early on Monday for a trouting excursion. 



Sunday. — Warm and sunny, with fleecy clouds: just the 

 day for a walk-over to the breeding parks. The veteran game- 

 keeper, John Courtrighf, has quite a model farm there, and 

 while the ladies and children are rest ing. we inspect the deer 

 and elk parks. The buck elk has horns in the velvet a foot 

 long, having dropped a fine pair of antlers in March. These 

 animals have begun to shed theirlight colored winter coats, and 

 will soon have smooth glossy sXins. They are quite tame, and 

 eat grass and laurels from tlie ladies' hand's. They have a hab- 

 it of contracting the upper lip. grating the teeth and whistling, 

 the only evidence of displeasure they show. More ground has 

 been cleared and will be put in turnips and grass this season to 

 furnish winter food for deer and elk. 



Homeward through the woods we hear the ruffed grouse 

 drumming. The Park abounds in wild flowers; thousands 

 greeting the eye everywhere wii h their delicate beauty. Violets 

 palling from the deepest purple, and more delicate lavender, to 

 snowy white. Snowdrops in the greatest profusion ; the 

 ground nut with its starry white blossoms, millions of peri- 

 winkles dotting the green sward: and sweetest and loveliest of 

 all, the Mayflower, or trailing arbutus, creeping in and out 

 amongst the rough stones, half covered with leaves and moss- 

 es in a charming hide and seek, discovering itself by its own 

 sweetness and delighting the senses by its exquisite waxlike 

 pink and white (lowers and delicious fragrance. 



The June-beny trees are now in full bloom, with long droop- 

 ing clusters of white flowers. The scarlet and green tassels of 

 the maples stirred by every passing breeze, possess a grace and 

 beauty peculiarly their own. 



Next month the iaiucls and rhododendrons will be in full 

 blossom along the roads and in the swamps by the trout 

 streams, making a perfect wilderness of beauty with their soft 

 pink flowers and giving a glow to the woods, as though the 

 Betting sun had left his departing glory there. Was ever name 

 more rightly given or more justly deserved than Blooming 

 Grove 1 •'. 



May 14- lo.— After an early breakfast, ladies, children, 



