42 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



iun mtd H£ifU. 



GAME IN SEASON FOR SEPTEMBER. 



♦ 



Elk or Wapiti, Cervus Canadensis.) Red Deer, Caricus Virginia 'mis ) 



Rvbbits, common Brown'and Grey.) Squirels, Red Black and Gray )"' 



Woodcock, Scolopax rusticola.) Pinnated Grouse, Tetrao Oumdo ) 



Ruffed Grouse. Tetrao umbellus,) Curlew, Numenius Arqvata ) 



Esquimaux Curlew, Numenius bo- Sandpipers, Trinr/inee) 



realis.) Willets, 



Plover, Charadraius.) Reed or Rice Birds, Dolichomm oriz- 

 Godwit, Limosince.) won. 



Rails, Eallus Vvrqinianus.) 



Wild fowl generally after 15th September, and Ruffed Grouse also in 

 many States. 



[ Vhder the 7iea$ of "Game, and Fish in mason' 1 '' we can only specify in, 

 general terms the several ca/ietles. because the laws of States vary so much 

 that )were we to attempt to particularize we could do no less than publish 

 those entire sections Had retail- to the kinds of game in question. This 

 would require a great amount of our space. In designating game we are 

 guided 'by the lows of nature, upon which all legislation is founded, and 

 our readers would do well to vrorlde themselves with the laws of their re- 

 spective static for constant reference. Otherwise, our attempts to assist them 

 will out )j create cotifus~ion.] 



September is at hand! INow, gentlemen sportsmen, exam- 

 ine the bill of fare that is before you, and the variety of 

 game that rewards your patient waiting- through the summer 

 months, your scrupulous observance of the close season! 

 Isn't this a feast "to spread before a king?" Now lay aside 

 your trout and salmon" rods till the vernal showers and 

 genial sun of the coming spring have released the streams 

 and rivers from their icy fetters. Take the gun and rifle 

 down from their old fashioned pegs and out of their mod- 

 ern cases, furbish their mountings till they reflect like mir- 

 rors, with' blue ointment remove the slightest taint of rust 

 from the barrels inside and out, shake out the last year's 

 feathers that stick to your game-bags, pick the moth 

 patches from your velveteen and cords, "and standby" as the 

 sailors say, to welcome the incoming month. Then on the 

 advent, of the 1st, go forth, armed and equipped as experi- 

 ence and common sense direct, and under the brood aegis 

 of the indulgent but protective law, acquit yourselves like 

 men. Take no mean advantage of the sitting bird; even 

 though the cover be thick, you can afford to wait till brown 

 October thins and crisps the leaves. "Jack" no deer, nor 

 throw the blinding gleam of the fire-pan or bulls-eye into 

 their wonder-stricken eyes. Take no mean advantages! 



" What! forego the pleasures of the night hunt? Is there 

 no skill in approaching the lily-padded haunts of the deer 

 with paddle as noiseless as the ripple that laves the shore? 

 Is there no knack or required experience in following the 

 ■_fleam that pervades and penetrates the lowering mist until 

 ii falls in a pale and uncertain halo, out of which shall pres- 

 ently flash two orbs that gleam like blazing coals? Does 

 it require no skill to shoot a deer under the circumstances ? 

 Woulds't thou forbid the indulgence oV the delicious sen- 

 sation that is born of uncertainty, the indulgence of that 

 i bribing moment when the hunter sits almost paralyzed 

 with eagerness, with pulse-beat and heart-beat that almost 

 pain, nerves drawn taut, bated breath, and exuding sweat 

 that scalds the spine? Is he not liable to the " buck-f ever " 

 then? 



Stop, good friend! You are all wrong! It has always 

 been understood in every congress of sportsmen throughout 

 the civilized world, that fire- hunting is unsportsman-like 

 and a thing forbidden. By the use of the bullseyo or calcium 

 tight in our limiting cap of cork, we deliberately proceed by 

 stealth to SO paralyze the delicate organism of the deer 

 that they become transfixed with fear. We grope our own 

 way into their secret' chambers and give them chloroform! 

 We magnetize the animal first, and take our mean advan- 

 tages! We turn upon his wondering gaze all at once the 

 full effulgence of a glory that seems to open heaven to him 

 —and all the reward he finds is death or wounds! Take an 

 example in the ease of bird shooting— for the same princi- 

 ple governs both. Once at Cape Cod, north of Yarmouth, 

 several years ago, we have seen two men start out in a boat 

 at night with a charcoal fire in the bow, and quietly paddle 

 along a sand-liar where the bay snipe were roosting, and by 

 l .heir devilish device succeed in wringing the necks of bush- 

 els! [s this sportsman-like? Moreover, what is the eon- 

 sequence? Well— urn— pretty much the only variety of 

 food the people have now is blac-fsh- wild fowl are scarce. 



The " Fokkst and Sthkam" is eminently practical. It 

 deals in hard facts, and will not be gingerly in their appli- 

 cation. From our experience we gather data; for our 

 advice we give our reasons; for our opinions we have natural 

 causes and established rules. There are children in wood- 

 craft as well as in orthography, and it shall be our endeavor 

 to make our instruction so simple that "he who runs may 

 read " and that lie who reads may also run. 



Now as to the use of hounds, to which in some localities 

 objection is made, we can only say that the arguments in 

 its favor fully balance those against it. For ourselves, we 

 should be loth to forego the music of " bell-mouthed hound." 

 It gives life and passion to the chase and a choice compan- 

 ionship tO the man win. loves his dogs and likes to study 

 their nature. 



There is very little bird shooting yet to speak of. Some 

 gentlemen have bad the satisfaction of knocking over an 

 occasional godwit or a few bay birds, but the sport is 

 slow Everywhere in the vicinity of New York our friends 

 have tried it for two weeks past— at Rougher's Bar and the 

 swamps of Camarsie Bay, at Gravesend, Kockaway, and 

 Shinneeook and at, all the favorate resorts of Long Island 

 and contiguous New Jersey. The ten days of wet weather 

 has been discomfiting to both birds and sportsmen. 



About the middle of August, the Esquimaux Curlew ar- 

 rives on the Labrador coast from its more Northern breed 



ing grounds in immense numbers, flying very swiftly in 

 flocks of great extent. These immediately break up into 

 smaller companies, and proceed at once in search of food- 

 They remain but a very short time. As Audubon most cor. 

 rectly says, ' ' I was not'long in discovering that their stay 

 on the coast was occasioned solely by the density of the 

 mists, and the heavy gales that already gave intimation of 

 the approaching close of the summer; for whenever the 

 weather cleared up a little, thousands of them set off and 

 steered in straight course across the broad Gulf of St. Law- 

 rence. On the contrary, when the wind was high and 

 the fog thick, they flew swiftly and low over the rocky 

 surface of the country, as if beAvildered. Whenever 

 there was a spot that seemed likely to afford a supply of 

 food, there the Curlews abounded and were easily ap- 

 proached." His observations, however, differ much from 

 those of the writer in reference to the time of the arrival 

 and departure of the birds. He states that they made their 

 first appearance on the 29th of July, and had all left by the 

 12th of August; whereas, from our experience none came 

 until about the latter date, and none were to be seen on the 

 first of September. For two or three days before their final 

 departure, they began moving directly southward, flying 

 very high in the air in loose straggling flocks, with a broad 

 extended front. 



The Curlews associate in flocks of every size, from three 

 to as many thousands, but they generally fly in so loose 

 and straggling a, manner, that it is rare to kill more than a 

 half a dozen at a shot. When they wheel, however, in 

 any of their many beautiful evolutions, they close together 

 in a more compact body, and offer a more favorable oppor- 

 tunity for the gunner. Their flight is firm, direct, very 

 swift, when necessary much protracted, and is performed 

 with rapid regular beats. They never sail except when 

 about to alight; then the wings are much incurved down- 

 wards, in the manner of most Waders. As their feet 

 touch the ground their long, pointed wings are raised over 

 the back until the tips almost touch, and then deliberately 

 folded, much in the manner of the Solitary Sandpiper, 

 Rliyamphilus solita/rius. Their note is an oft-repeated, soft, 

 mellow, though clear whistle, which may be easily imi- 

 tated. By this means they can readily be decoyed within 

 shot, if the imitation is good and the gunner is careful to 

 keep concealed. The smaller the flock, the more easily 

 are they allured, and a single individual rarely fails to turn 

 his course toward the spot from whence the sound proceeds. 

 When In very extensive flocks they have a note which, 

 when uttered by the whole number, we can compare to 

 nothing but the chattering of a flock of blackbirds. When 

 wounded and taken in hand, they emit a very loud harsh 

 scream, like thai id' a common hen under .similar circum- 

 stances, which cry they also utter when pursued. 



Their food consists almost entirely of the Crow-berry, 

 tinrpetram nigra,,/, which grows on all the hill-sides in 

 astonishing profusion. It is also called the "Bear-berry " 

 and " Curlew-berry." It is a small berry, of a deep purple 

 color, almost black, growing upon a procumbent, running 

 kind of heath, the foliage of which has a peculiar moss-like 

 appearance. Th is is their principal and favorite food; and the 

 whole intestine, the vent, legs, bill, throat, and even the 

 plumage are more or less stained with the deep purple juice. 

 They are also very fond of a species of small snail, that 

 adheres to the rocks in. immense quantities, to procure 

 which they frequent the land-washes at low tide. Food be- 

 ing so abundant, and so easily obtained, they become .ex- 

 cessively fat. In this condition they are most delicious 

 eating, being tender, juicy, and finely flavored; but as 

 might be expected, they prove a very difficult job for the 

 taxidermist . 



Although the Curlews were in such vast numbers, we 

 did not find them so tame as might be expected, and as we 

 had been led to suppose by previous representations. We 

 were \w\av able to walk openly within shooting distance of 

 a flock, though told it was often done. The most success- 

 fid method of obtaining them is to take such a position as 

 they will probably fly over in passing from one feeding 

 ground to another; they may then be shot with ease, as 

 they rarely fly high at such times. The pertinacity with 

 Which they cling to certain feeding grounds, even when 

 much molested, we saw strikingly illustrated on one occa- 

 sion. The tide was rising and about to flood a muddy flat 

 of perhaps an acre in extent, where their favorite snails were 

 in vast quantities. Although six or eight, gunners were sta- 

 tioned on the spot, and kept up a continual round of firing 

 upon the poor birds, they continued to fly distractedly about 

 over our heads, notwithstanding the numbers that every 

 moment fell. They seemed in terror lest they should lose 

 their accustomed fare of snails that: day. On another occa- 

 sion, when the birds had been SO harrassed for several hours 

 as to deprive them of all opportunity of .feeding, great num- 

 bers of them retired to a very small island, or rather a large 

 pile of rocks, a few hundred yards from the shore, covered 

 with sea weed, and, of course, with snails. Flock after 

 (lock alighted on it, till it was completely covered with the 

 birds, which there, hi perfect safety, obtained their morning 

 meal. 



We were told that the Curlews were never seen in Labra- 

 dor, except for the short period in the autumn. Such, how- 

 ever, we do not think to be the ease, particularly as Audu- 

 bon, upon good authority, asserts to the contrary. It is 

 probable that the certainty and silence with which it passes 

 northward during the spring migration, causes it to be par- 

 tially overlooked. Its migrations are very extensive, but 

 performed so quickly and silently that it is rarely seen south 

 of the New England States, It is found in Texas; though 



as far as our knowledge extends, it does not breed much 

 south of Hudson's Bay. In Labrador it is known by ft 8 

 proper name, Which, however, is invariably shortened into 

 "Clew." Further south it is called the " Dough-bird .» 

 but this name is also applied to other birds. In a great 

 number of specimens we found considerable difference in 

 size, in the color of the under parts, which varies from 

 creamy white to deep buff, and in the purity and extent of 

 the white patch on the throat. These differences, however 

 w r ere not indicative of sex, nor even of age, so far as we 

 could ascertain. 



— The legal season for shooting rail, and reed birds, and 

 pheasants in Pennsylvania, will open on the first of Septem 

 ber. Those who kill a pheasant out of season are liable to 

 a fine of $10 and costs for each bird, and $5 and costs f or 

 each rail and reed bird so shot. 



— There are over ten rifle clubs at present in Connecticut 

 the principal ones being in Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven 

 Meriden and New Britain, and a general State Association 

 has been formed. A grand rifle match will we held this 

 fall at Meriden. 



* — Squirrel-shooting^is mow at its height in Pennsylvania 

 The young animals are now fat and tender, and the sport of 

 hunting them is very exciting. With a good squirrel-dog in 

 tall forests where the animals are known to abound the 

 sport is truly enjoyable and not unworthy the attention of 

 any one who seeks good hunting and is a good shot, for 

 squirreling tries the skill of the sportsman as much as anv 

 other. Those shot are red nad grey squirrels. 



— On Saturday last, sixty members of the National Rifle 

 Association met at Creedmoor. Various sweepstakes were 

 shot for. The most notable feature of the shooting was a 

 contest between members of the 22d and 84th regiments, 

 which was won by Mr. Becker, of the 22d, who made the 

 remarkably fine score of 16 at 200 yards, and of 18 at 500 

 yards. 



— In England the gun club is in a most prosperous condi- 

 tion, having over three hundred members. Among many 

 notable matches which have been shot at Trotting Hill 

 lately, we notice -a contest between Mr. H. S. Jaffray, of 

 New York, and Mr- Herbert W r ood, at fifty birds each forty 

 yards rise, which Mr. Jaffray won by one bird, killing sev- 

 enteen, Mr. Wood sixteen. As the usual distance is from 

 twentv-onc to twenty-five yards, this is very remarkable 

 shooting. At Brighton, with five birds, twenty-seven yards 

 rise, .Mr. A. Patten, with a central fire breech loader, killed 

 four birds, and on a tie, won by killing three straight birds. 

 American sportsmen should remember that the Bluerock is 

 quite a different bird from our pigeon, and is r much swifter 

 flyer. We understand that a strenuous effort will be made 

 here to introduce this breed of bird. 



— We have received from 1). H. Smith, Esq., fire Secretary 

 of the Kifle Association of St. John, N. B., the following 

 letter :— 



St. John-. New Brunswick, August 18, JHI'.'i. 

 Editor I-'okkst and Btiteam:— 



I have been trying tor some time to ascertain the magnitude and status 

 of your rille associations, and especially that which has irs meetings at 

 Creedmoor, L. I. Tarn Secretary and Treasurer of our county associa- 

 tion, and a member of the Provincial body, and have often thought that 

 while we send our men to Wimbledon it would be advisable to cultivate 

 that friendship and fraternity which should exist between the marksmen 

 of the United States and Canada. Could you place me in communication 

 with the managers in order that some scheme for an international matoll 

 might be arranged ? 



On referring this matter to the American Rifle Club we 

 were favored by an immediate reply from the Secretary, J. 

 P. Fairbanks, Esq. In his letter, dated August 23d, lie 

 expresses his desire to communicate with the representa- 

 tives of the St. John's Rifle Club, and he states therein "It 

 is contemplated offering prizes to all comers on October 

 8th, and that a most cordial welcome will be extended to 

 Canadian riflemen." This is as it should be, and we are 

 only too glad if the services of the Forest xsd Stream 

 may be of avail in bringing on a friendly contest between 

 Canada and the United States at Creedmoor. American 

 marksmen should remember that Canadian riflemen are 

 adepts, having already won several prizes at Wimbledon, 

 when pitted against, the strongest English teams, and in a 

 contest of this character they are likely to meet foe-men 

 worthy of their steel. 



In Japan if lakes rive years for the tea shrub to mature, 

 though a. crop is made the third year. No tree is allowed 

 to reach more than Ave feet in height, and the older the 

 plant the more it is esteemed. Those trees which produce 

 the very choicest teas, used only by the Princes, worth five 

 dollars a pound, is the product of trees said to be 500 years 

 old. 



We all know about the fable of the ant and the cricket, 

 and how the ant is supposed to make his granary in summer 

 for his winter's repast. Whether or not the ant has a prov- 

 ident instinct seenls yet quite undecided, and English and 

 Continental savants are fighting over the question. As tht v 

 ant is, according to some of his observers, torpid during the 

 winter, what use has he for a winter's store. Let us imme- 

 diately then alter the fable. 



Shooting swallows with a bullet, from a rifle, or knock 

 ing down bumblebees with a pistol, ball are sometimes talked 

 about. Robert Houdin the famous French prestidigitateur 

 used to do this. This was the way it was managed, lue 

 pretended bullets were made of hollow wax, covered with 

 lead dust, and inside was the shot. Of course there was 

 nothing very difficult in bringing down small game by tins 

 method. 



