146 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



|Si,i-'T. 30, 



shoot after the battery does its execution, I will send you a 

 description of it. 



On the 2d of this month I am invited to "Ometusco," tht 

 hacienda of Mr. Torres y Adalid, to shoot plover and quail. 

 The quail here is larger ihan Bob White, and touch hand- 

 some]-. The black variety has a horse-shoe mark on each 

 feather, lies well to a dog, and is delicious eating. 



I hear Gen. Alexia has gone to Cutitlu on the Morelas Rail- 

 toad, where I am informed there is splendid trout fishing. 

 The 1 rout here is somewhat dill'eronl from yours, as it has 

 no red spots, but is unmistakably a game trout, it takes the 

 tiy with some difficulty. Pi.ovku. 



I'lTT of Mr.xioo. Sept. 6. 



THE SLAUGHTER OF SEA GULLS. 



Editor Forest and 5 



While on n Ijluctishing trip last month in !be "Race ' oil' 

 New London, the scarcity of tin gulls (Sterna faradiaea and 

 Sterna wiUoni) was noticed and commented upon by every 

 boat's crew out that week, but on returning home (we started 

 Ir.iin Saybrook. mouth of the Connecticut River), running' 

 past Gul'l Island, which lies between Little Gull and Plumb 

 islands, and has been known for years as one of the greatest 

 breeding grounds for these gulls on the coast, we heard an 

 almost incessant cannonading, and on getting neater the 

 island we saw from ten to twelve men (save the mark!) 

 stationed all along the north shore and blazing away at every 

 bird that came within shooting distance, while oYeVfcead, 

 high in air, circled hundreds of gulls, screaming and crying 

 for their lost mates and young. 



Out on the extreme western point of the island, between 

 two large rocks, sat an old villain, who shot at every bird 

 that flew past him. Aha! you little- knew, old fellow, that 

 near you in sailboat that was passing by, there was a Stevens 

 rifle held on you and a true eye looking through the peep 

 Sights, and a "finger on the trigger, aching to press il never 

 SO little, and make you food for sharks, hut our skipper says 

 no. We went to tile lighthouse on Little Gull to see why 

 the keeper did not put a stop to this wholesale "slaughter of 

 the innocents'' and found that he. so he said, not being able 

 to slop them, had "joined the gang." And for what? 

 Why, because they were shooting for the New- York market, 

 where they get from twenty to twenty-live cents apiece for 

 the skins, where they are used trimming ladies' hats. "Great 

 Scott!" here is a man who is employed by the Government, 

 to help and protect our shipping interests, killing the best 

 friends of the sailor for twenty cents apiece. Hi caking the 

 laws of God and man at twenty cents a head. lie had" 200 

 Or 800 ready to ship that day. 



I would like to see the man who would dare shoot a gull 

 on or near Falkuer's Island. AVby, Capt. Brooks, the veteran 

 keeper there, would make him wish he had never been born. 

 "You and I and everybody know" what the gulls are to the 

 blucli.shcrman. He looks to litem first to show him when 

 the fish are up, and every mariner knows what a protection 

 they are to life and property in thick weather, double dis- 

 counting the great government fog bells, which never can be 

 heard to windward." Now cannot this be slopped, and will 

 you not be kind enough to call the attention of the proper 

 authorities at Washington to the matter? This is but one 

 small island, hut, just think of its going on all along shore. 

 How long can the poor gulls stand it: 



Please excuse me for being so long-winded, but you know 

 of old my love for the birds, and I must say that it made mv 

 heartache to see the wounded, wing-broken birds floating 

 past us on every side, and 1 felt t hat I must ' 'speak right out 

 in meeting." W. W. C. 



Portland, Conn.. Sept. 15. 



MASSACHUSETTS GAME. 



A r OUR readers may be interested to learn what the pros- 

 X pects for fall shooting are in this section. Thus far 

 woodcock have- been very scarce, and the same is I rue of 

 raffed grouse. On the 8th a friend and I hunted all day 

 over the best cover we know, lying on either side of a never 

 failing run in Norfolk county . consisting of sidehills and 

 valley, with acres of soft ground, interspersed with spring 

 holes', and all the game we started was a couple of woodcock. 

 one pair of grouse and a brood of quail, the latter in charge 

 of the old hen, and not sufficiently fledged to take wing, 

 Lasl fall we hunted over the same ground, later in the season, 

 and found ruffed grouse plenty, having tine sport with them. 

 We had a right to expect to find several broods there this 

 season, had good dogs that worked well and faithfully, and 

 knew we did our best to discover the birds. We are satisfied 

 they were not there. We brought home one grouse, the only 

 bird tired, at. My friend did not spend a single cartridge, 

 li was very discouraging, as our opportunities for a day's 

 shooting conic but seldom. Still we felt well paid for our 

 labors by the relish with which we enjoyed our lunch, at 

 the shady side of a boilinir spring, full of trout fry of half a 

 lingers' lengt'i, which played fearlessly about in the clear 

 cold water, and gave promise of future sport with rod and 

 line. The severe drought hereabouts may be the cause of 

 scarcity of birds, as it is the driest season experienced in 

 this pari of. the State for over thirty years. 



When in Northern Hew Hampshire, last May, I learned a 

 curious fact in connection with the protection of game there. 

 A leading merchant at North Stratford, in Coos county, in- 

 formed me that since deer had been protected by law they 

 had increased in numbers to a great extent in thai county, 

 and with the increase in the number of deer, wolves were 

 becoming plenty; whereas, before the deer were protected, 

 and while they were few, it was rarely that a wolf had been 

 known in that region. 0, T. D. 



Boston. Mass.. Sent. 12. 



The 1st of August a number of fair bags of woodcock 

 were killed, but they are quite scarce now. 



Six years ago partridges were very plenty. From that 

 time until last year they have decreased. Last year they 

 were about in good numbers and we had quite good shoot- 

 ing, and this year we are having quite good shooting, and 

 there are lots of birds. I should like to know of any good 

 reason why the p:.. nitre increase and decrease so. 



I have read some of the "Massachusetts Game. Notes," and 

 see that some of your readers think the season on woodcock 

 should 1 ie shortened. I have talked with many of the sports- 

 men about here, and they all agree that it would be mi 

 better for the partridge. I know that a great many part- 

 ridge are shot each year in the month of August, when they 

 are so small that they fly quite slowly. There are many 

 men who have no intention of killing a partridge when they 

 start out after woodcock, but they very often come back 

 law breakers 



"\Ve have very few quail here, so 1 have not had the expe- 

 rience with them that I have had with partridge and wood- 

 cock. But would not the law be better observed if it was off 

 of partridge, woodcock and quail the 1st of September, and 

 have August a close monlbv Quota 



Pittsfjeld. 8ept. 17. 



F;Am.y Migrations.— Galveston. Texas. Sept. 11.— Bay 

 birds arrived fully two weeks or more in advance of those 

 last year. Some have already passed further south. The 

 migrations of all the varieties Of our feathered visjl 

 been very early this year. Not only have the bay birds made 

 their appearance, but upon the morning of the Gib, there 

 were- n few pail's of grcenwing teal in market. Their early 

 arrival i< almost unprecedented, in fact is so unusual that 

 the old heads predict an early winter and one of more than 

 usual severity. ■ In looking river my notes for the past six 

 years, 1 find that the lirsl ducks fin every instance bluewing 

 teal) have arrived between the loth and 20th oi September, 

 grcenwing teal not appearing for some weeks after. 1 think 

 it safe to predict an early season, In- ing thi Btt diction upon 

 the early arrival of these aerial wanderers so tar south. Up- 

 land plover shooting is unusually good al present, large bags 

 being made daily. Our weather is very cool and bracing. — ■ 



Lancaster, Pa., Sept. IT.— On September 7, when out 

 dove shooting, 1 killed an English snipe that was flying over. 

 1 have it mounted and in my store window, is it not 

 rather early for them?— Y. [This is early. In our issue 

 of Sept. was noted the killing of a snipe in New Jersey 

 Sept. 4.] 



Tauton Scnixos. Florida. Sept. ?. — Editor Forest and 

 Stream: This section has been hunted but little, and 

 although there is not a profusion of game, still there is plenty 

 and to sp'ire. For fishing this coast is far better than the 

 eastern, and this section, the Auclolc River, is the best on 

 the. west coast. Foj game we have deer, wild turkey. quail or 

 "partridges" as they call them here, the common gray, black 

 and fox squirrel, wildcat, 'coon, oppOSsum and a few bears. 

 For fish we have sea trout, sheepshead, grooper, gray snap- 

 per and tai'poui in salt water; and in fresh water black bass 

 and bream are more than plentiful. Two miles from here is 

 Lake Butter, a sheet of water some six miles long, and one 

 of the best for black bass I have ever seen. I have no trouble. 

 latching all I can use for my family iu an hour's trolling, 

 and on the river I have often caught four or five trout in go- 

 ing two miles. Last week I caught four that weighed fifteen 

 pounds, and I have never failed to jump a deer in less than 

 an hour's time. Good hotel accommodations can be had 

 here, and a small party could find shelter with a private 

 party, perhaps, where they could be supplied with northern 

 cookery. Any one wishing to make inquiries concerning the 

 place, transportation, etc., can write to me and 1 will post 

 them cheerfully. To such you are welcome to furnish my 

 address. — Takpox. 



Santa Monica, Oil., Sept. 10.— Santa Monica, the sea- 

 side resort of this section of the State, is eighteen miles from 

 Los Angeles by railroad. The hotel is open all the year 

 round: terms for board $10 to $15 per week. There 

 are also private boarding houses where the price is 

 from $5 to $10 per week. The canons within one 

 and a half to four miles out of town abound in quail, 

 doves and rabbits. The birds peculiar to the coast, 

 called in the East "bay birds," are found here in season, 

 principally the curlew. wiHet, suipe. etc. Four miles south 

 of town is a lake which is the resort of wildfowl— ducks, 

 geese, etc.— all through the winter season. Here are boats 

 to let. and sportsmen can, at a very moderate expense, and 

 iu clear, beautiful weather, have tine sport without risk to 

 person or health. The plains round the town are Ihe resort 

 of geese and cranes in the winter, while 'he mountains, 

 eight to ten miles distant, contain deer, foxes, wildcat, etc., 

 etc. The climate is very tine, the nights not cold and frosty 

 on the coast of Southern California as they are inland; the 

 ocean equalizes the temperature of day and night. Surf 

 bathing is indulged in here the year round, even by invalids. 

 One can combine sport with a 'favorable winter climate, in 

 many cases of disease, at this point. — Edward, 



New YottK. — Mexico, Oswego County. — Icanni ake n 



very favorable report of the opening of tiie game season bore. 

 As usual, on the morning of September 1 a number of out- 

 most Banguine and enthusiastic sportsmen started at au early 

 hour for" Ihe best duck grounds. 1 have made careful in- 

 quiries and learn of but' two ducks being shot. Tis said 

 that ruffed grouse are more plentiful than they have been for 

 years, but none have been shot. Black duck and mallard 

 may visit us later. If not. we will have no fall snooting. 

 This is indeed a sad state of affairs, and one that cannot be 



remedied, as 1 can see. The older hunters com riem 



selves with telling over their yarns that are now worn thin; 

 while the young aspirant, wlio would follow in their foot- 

 steps, is sa'tislied with the meadow lark or yellow hammer. — 

 Oi.ii.i.. ' 



Ct.appeu Rail,— Some of vour readers maybe on the 

 lookout for snipe. There has been none to speak of bet ween 

 Nantucket and Delaware, but clapper rail, or mud-hens, 

 can now be found in numbers sufficient to satisfy the desires 

 of sportsmen (not pot-hunters) in the Great South Bay, Long 

 Island. Go to Conk Vauderwater's old place at South Oyster 

 Hay. and there engage the services of such men as Carman, 

 Cornelius, Elbert,' Verrity. and numerous others. Then on 

 a full tide one can have all the sport desired, unless he wants, 

 as Ihe miser said, all. — Ezeiuel. 



The Siioke Bieds.— Springs, Suffolk County. L. I., Sept. 

 15.— Both hook and line fishing and bay snipe have been un- 

 usually poor both in Gardner's and Pecouie Bay this season. 

 I have' never known the birds to lie scarce. But few golden 

 plover and other choice birds have visited Mon1 

 Gardner's island this year. No wildfowl have appeared ex- 

 cept indeed a few stray black duck. — Isaac 1IiLei.uk, 



There Is No Medal.— New York, Sept. 15.— Editor For- 

 est and 8trea»i .' Dovouliold a medal for the most success 

 fid 'coon hunter? if so, 1 think that Mr. Oscar Purdy. of 

 Tarry town, is entitled to it, He was seen coming home the 

 other morning with four. — J. V. S. 



PlKEKTX, N. Y., Sept. 17.— But few woodcock have been 

 shot in this vicinity, they being so scattered by the heavy 



rains of early summer. Of ruffed grouse 1 have seen more 

 this fall than for several years past,— W. S. 



THE MOSQUITO. 



BY WILLIAM CI't.l.EN DRY.V 



pAIR insect' that with thread-like legsspread out, 

 -*- And blooil-txtraetiUK bill, and lihny winff . 

 Dost mnrmur, as thou slowly sail'st about, 



In pitiless ears, full many a plaintive string. 

 And tell how little our large veins should bleed. 

 Would we but yield them to thy bitter need? 



Unwflliugty. 1 own. and. what is worse. 



Full .angrily men hearken to thy plaint: 

 Thou wettest many a brush and many a enrse. 



For saying thou art gaunt and star-reel and faint. 

 Even the old beggar, while he asks for food. 

 Would Mil thee, hapless stranger, if he could, 



I call thee stranger. For the town. i ween. 

 lias not the honor of so proud a, birth— 



Thou c 



r fro 



The offspring 



fthegc 

 thy ir 



mph that l 



Came the tle< 

 And as its grat 



ueadows. fresh and green, 

 !. though born on earth: 



i '.v.in thee on thy way, 

 ath tiie billowy bay. 



res; and thence 



of its throng of men. 



let thy sense, 



les of thy native fen. 



-'. and a! lie- sight 



r with delight. 



led in Broadway- 

 is. and while neelcs kissed 

 fvhDsekuUag rac 

 y veils like stars through nasi ■ 

 ay a cheek and chin, 

 through i lie transparent skin 



Sure these were s 





i tempi an anchorite! 



What: dolhea 





lender voice complain 



Thou wailest win 



n 1 tal 



cof beautv's light. 



As if it brougli 





emoryof pain. 



Thou art a way v. 



ard be 



ng-wclt. eome near. 



And pour thy tal 



3 Of SO 



n-ow iu mine ear, 



Wbntsay'.st thou, slanderer? rouge makes thee sick - 



And China bloom al best is sorry food: 

 And Rowland's Kalydor, if laid on thick. 



Poisons the thirsty wretch that bores for bjooi i i 



Ho! 'twas a .just reward that met tin a 



iiin shun the sacrilege another time, 



That bloom was made to look at— not to touch; 



TO v, orship— not approach— thai radiant white: 

 And well might sudden vengeance tight ii ml 



As dared, like (nee, most impiously to bite. 

 Thou should have gazed at distance, and admired— 

 Murmur'dthy admiration and retired, 



Tl: 



leome to the town — hut why come here 

 To bleed a brother poet, gaunt like thee 



And thin v 



•ill he the uai 



• in-1 i . ,i .in from me 



Look rotrad- 



the i.eil.ee'. i 



1 sisters in my cell. 



The old acqt 



amtanoa, Boi 



g nuii gamine, dwell. 



Trv some pi 



nnpatler.ua 



i. and suck Ihe blond 



Enriched 





■me and costly meat: 



On well-fille 





as thy native mud, 



Fix thy h. 





press thy freckled feet. 



Go to the II) 





ioc sn's halls, 



The oyster 1 





green turtle sprawls. 



There corks are drawn, and the red vintage Hows. 



To till the swelling veins for thee, and now 

 The ruddy check, and now Ihe ruddiei nose 



Shall tempt thee, as thou ltittest round the brow; 

 Ami when the hear of sleep its quiet brings, 

 No angry hand shall rise to brush thy wings. 



ft beats all how a Northern man does hanker to shoot an 

 alligator just as soon us he gets beyond the Ohio River, and 

 theTurther South he goes toe stronger grows tie- feeling. It's 

 a sort of "buck lever, ' and nothing will ear- ir except the 

 gore of the reptile. A. chap from Rhode Island went down 

 to Biloxi from New Orleans with the part v. Small alligators 

 were plenty enough along the creeks .and ditches, apd every 

 time the Clam State man saw one he almost kicked his boots off. 

 He tackled everybody around BOcoa for an alligator bunt. 

 And he finally pain a oarhev .-r. o, drive hint to a lake four or 

 five miles away, where the saurian- were said to be numerous 

 enough to crowd each other out of water. The boyfi had been 

 over in the morning and fixed thing's. A rope was tied to 

 either end of a water-soaked log ami fed into the brashes, and 

 no sooner had the hunter got down and discirycred a move- 

 ment in the water thai 

 boss," said the darkey as 



the way that oldlogwas bombarded was a caution, me man 

 made eve. shots and line shots, a ie i dead -hot:,, and after he 

 had fired about twenty-five time- he began to wonder why 

 his game didn't turn toes up. "Takes a heap o lead, boss, but 

 you "is trubiin' him niig'htv bad." encouraged the darkey, and 

 the bombardment was renewed with a determination to die in 

 the last ditch. Prettv soon a man broke from the bo aes to 

 the left, and in a voice of authority called our: "Shooting 

 alligators out of season is an offence punished by a tine oi not 

 lBS8than*10.' 1- n !" -How many shot- kavi 

 •dh.lv thi, tv-nine." "Shooting oil a revolver in tneStateoi 

 Mil 



anal 



for 



__Jb 'time: Have yon a permits "Permil 

 shoot at Col. Ford's alligators, if not he can recover damages 

 not to exceed $500. Did jou cross that Held : "Ves." "That's 

 trespass, and the fine is not less than *'J5. You must, eome 

 with mel" "But, sir-I-1" "I "ill 'mug my luce and buggy 

 and you must go to the oonnty seat i ■ • - r "ie started. 



So did Rhode Island. Thev went in opposite directions. The 

 Rhode Islander came into Biloxi. on a canter, settled his hotel 

 bill without stopping 6o couni th ■ ■'■ "■-■'. •' i" in : upl 



satchel he du-red olf along the railf,.: tracks* tfc 



death-bed. \\ iien 1 found him in Mobil,- -,,-■■■■.-- ■!.•■ ■ 



.,,, shOTed oti ai- yin-e-r, and I lac.; a'.., I his eye brow- lie 

 also complained of n lame back and corns on bis feet. "Say ! 

 -,.,,. i - i,e carefully looked around for listeners, "If old 

 Mississippi feels so stuck up over a few ponds and alligators 

 and constables she can keep em and Vie hanged to her! I 

 druther shoot a '-row any time than an alligator."— Detroit 

 Free Press. 



Most of the ponds near Portland, Or., have been leased by 

 duet hunters, who will guard them until the eauvas-baeks 

 arrive 



