244 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



m 27, 1S81 



PLOVER. 



Charadrhts warmomUii. 



NOW Is the Autumn 

 When wood:, are „ 



When hickory grovea sre bright wlOi gold ' 



Ami maples wear a Wood-red llush ; 

 The poplars hear a yellow crown, 

 Ths oats their robes of russet brown : 

 The dogwoods their dull purple seveeii, 

 IMix'il with the alder's sable green, 

 And where the sparkling rivulet tavtues 

 ■nery of the wlilov 



The silver tret- work of (he rrost 



Gleaius in tie early morning light; 

 Balmy and brisk the air is tost 



Over salt marsh and upland height ; 

 Now, shrilly sounds the plovers' cry 

 As circling down the breeze they fly. 



Where the salt meadows wide and far 

 .■'■' .ml Co the sandy bar; 

 Where peobted inlet or the Ray 

 Is riotous with the billow's play ;— 



• i i :lc the black-breast plovers soar, 

 Where minute shell-fish line the shore; 

 There greedily their banquets share, 

 There hover o'er the fowler's snare. 



But where thy rolling downs outspread, 



O. wildMontank! (heir grassy plain; 

 And where the Shlnneek hills o erlcok 



i 'I it vist expanses of the main ; 

 There, where the insect swarms abound, 

 The golden plover-flocks are found. 



Oil have I stood, ere dawning day 

 tin oi ens rim irsQawe, 



With ready gun and throbbing pulse 

 To watch the .-. 6 y rami', 



mere speck across 



i; shadow, drifting D ax 

 But soon a musical, soft cry ! 



Aud soon a oiyrlad wings appear ! 

 They hover down the dusky air, 



I i.i pushing winds they whirl and swoop, 

 Now sweeping low, now circling high, 

 Then earthward to their banquet stoop. 

 "* O, brother sportsman : has the earth 



Such thrilling charm to match with this— 

 A tiioiuent with such rapture Illl'd, 

 An hour of such unbounded bliss? 



<Mt, 9. Isaac McLeu,an, 



MINNESOTA FIN AND FEATHER. 



Editor Fared and Stream: 



Your columns are searched so frequently for reliable infor- 

 mation about game of different sorts and the localities of its 

 greatest abundance, and you are constantly in receipt of so 

 many inquiries by letter and otherwise on these subjects, 

 that a plain account of a recent hurried trip to Minnesota 

 for relaxation and sport may be useful to some of your in- 

 quisitive readers. It may at least interest those city office 

 men who, like myself, need and generally manage to obtain 

 a few days' vacation every season for recuperation, and 

 •whose tastes and habits incline, them to devote as much of 

 their leisure time as possible to fishing or hunting, or both. 



The great northwest was an tmknown land to me, and I 

 longed for a sniff of its pure and bracing air, "as tie hart 

 panteth after the water brooks." and therefore made my ob- 

 jective point Sauk Centre, Stearns Co., Minneso:a, 117 miles 

 beyond St. Paul, on the' St. P., Min. & Man. R. R., and 

 1,485 miles from New York over my route, through Sala- 

 manca, Mansfield, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and St. 

 Cloud. Leaving the city, say Monday evening, one is due at 

 that place Thursday noon, if no connection is missed 1 left 

 New York the evening of Sept. 19, and got back the morn- 

 ing of Oct. 3, stopping at Chicago going and returning, so 

 that my time for sport was very limited. Mark also that 

 my visit proved to be a little too late for " chickens" and a 

 little too early for ducks, as there had been no frost nor very 

 cold weather in that region. Still, the results of my angling 

 for part of a day, and hunting for a day and a half, indicate 

 the kind and abundance of game and methods of pursuit. 



The town of about 2,000 inhabitants is nreltily locate I on 

 the lower end of Sauk Lake, ten miles long, from which, the 

 day after my arrival, I took three pickerel and eight Oswego 

 bass that weighed thirty-five pounds— the largest of the lat- 

 ter kicking the beam at six and three-quarter pounds. The 

 forenoon was half-spent in preparations, and my boat was 

 housed before 5 p. u. There is no doubt whatever in my 

 mind that a skilled fisherman, with flies, trolling tackle and 

 live bait, might, between sun and sun, capture from 73 to 

 100 lbs of pickerel, bass and pike. But it must bs a Wal- 

 tonian day, aud here is the guide: 



-..nil- i Hi i in- North, do lot go torth; 



When tin- v. i ml is in the Bast, the fishes olti the least; 



"When t he wind Is In the South, it blows tin' halt, In the fishes' mouth; 



Wienthl rill tb West, the nshes bite the best-" 



Apropos to this subject, let me acquaint your patrons with 

 an unexampled success in fishculture achieved by ihe Bisby 

 Club (Brown Tract, North Woods), which put 20,0j0 trout 

 fry from Georgian Bay into one of its lakes in the spring of 

 last year, and whose members caught some of the youngsters 

 last August weighing a plump pound apiece ! 



My shooting at Sauk Centre was done iu company with 

 Geo. M. Bishop, a merchant and sportsm.au, to whom I waB 

 indebted for many friendly attentions. We sallied out one 

 morning for Weslport Pass, famous for its morning and 

 evening flights of ducks, wi'h the livery rig of N. \V. Rice, 

 who accompanied us with his pointer bitch Gipsy, to range 

 the wheat, stubbles along our route. Both men thought my 

 u'herlate for "chickens," and seemed apprehensive 

 tint l -the ducks had not yet begun to "pass." This wet- 

 ill; muBl have dispirited B. and myself, and 

 made us less hilarious than Rice expected, on a morning that 

 would have justified us in singing — 



"A southerly wind and a cloudy sky 



Proclaim It a hunting morning." 



At any rate he decided to shake us up, and almost, in 



sieht of town, going down a little bank toward a big mud 



hole, adroitly managed to upset the wagon. But it was a 



slow and easy performance, giving mc ample time as I 

 sidled "down and out " to deposit my gun on a dry and safe 

 spot, and to arrange my corpus as a cushion for B., who 

 made the spread and weight of his appreciation of my con- 

 sideiateness fell, without hesitation. Probably the reason 

 for my forgetting to tell Mrs. B. of my tender care for her 

 husband's person, was the fact that the man, after such 

 painstaking to save his bones, actually complained of a 

 wrench or two, which, in my opinion, would have been un- 

 noticed had not his gun barrels plunged about two feet, 

 muzzle first, into the water and mud, and this would put 

 any man, not a saint, out of joint. Rice could not disclaim 

 the purpose of the spill without discrediting his reputation 

 as a driver. One of the nags was badly scared by the 

 buffalo robes soaring out of the wagon as it went over, and 

 paid his master off later. 



About five miles out we turned off the road into a wheat 

 stubble and in a trice raised a covey of "chickens." We 

 had equally good luck in nearly every similar field we tra- 

 versed, and ought to have made double the score we did. 

 My gun spent some time and much powder in getting used 

 to the novel game, and Gipsy was baulked and confused by 

 B.'sold pointer, Dau, who, although a matchless duck re- 

 triever, is an infernal nuisance in the field. His master twice 

 tied him to a wheel, but his bound toward the 

 that dropped to shot would snap any rope we had, and Rice 

 would not let us substitute a chain, for fear he would take 

 the wheel off. The birds did not get up wildly, but flew to 

 great distances, and we had no time to follow them. 



Rice got out of his wagon once to find a covey he had 

 marked down, and when Gipsy winded it, B. and I jumped 

 out and walked up, as R. saia his team would stand." Very 

 soon after we began to fire. A considerable clatter at the 

 rear turned our attention just in time to see the tail-board of 

 our waaon disappearing at top speed over the brow of a 

 ridge. R. aod B. hastened out of sight in ho: pursuit, 

 while Dan, who would leave his master sooner than a fallen 

 bird, busied himself bringing the slain to hand, with a look 

 at me, plainly meaning, "never mind those silly brutes, we 

 will slay and pick up the birds." My surprise was great to 

 see the men presently riding back ov 1 1 t hi ridge as if nothing 

 had happened, wagon ami contents, horses, harness, every- 

 thiug in statu quo. B. had flanked the horses, and forced 

 them into a "wire grass slew," where they stuck fast. The 

 purpose for which these "slews" (some fastidious people 

 would call them sloughs) were scattered about the prairies 

 for the first time dawned upon my mind. They are a wise 

 provision of nature in lieu of hitching posts, for the benefit 

 of hunters whose horses will not stand fire. 



We arrived without further incident at Westport Pass in 

 time for the evening shooting, but as my companions feared, 

 the ducks were not flying. The long, narrow spareely 

 wooded ridge, between a lake on the south and an open 

 marsh extending to an immense wild rice field to the north, 

 is the finest vantage ground imaginable for the sport. Thou- 

 sands of mallards in small flock; were constantly rising from 

 the rice, circling around and dropping down again. We got 

 a few shots that evening, slept at a farm- bouse nearbj 

 tried our luck again in the early morning, but bagged eight 

 only. Dan's performances compensated me fur the disap- 

 pointment. He sat on his haunches watching nut in the air 

 and sighting the game as soon as we did, aud if a shot took 

 effect the old tiger's rush would carry him into close quarters 

 whether the duck fell on water or land. 



Mr. Bishop's business requiring him to be at home at noon 

 next day, we could not course the fields much on our return. 

 We saw a good mauy geese in flight, and one iioek heading 

 toward us, we got out of the wagon to give them a passing 

 salute. The old ones filed off, but three young ones kepi 

 straight on overhead, and we brought two of them to the 

 ground. Our score was twenty-one pinnated grouse, four 

 sharp-tailed grouse, two geese, three mallards, four broad- 

 bills, one wood-drake and one jack rabbit. 



My sporting experience was very brief, but demonstrated 

 the game of this section afield and afloat to be plentiful, and 

 its capture not at all difficult or even fatiguing. If one is on 

 "chickens" alone intent he should ba there before September 

 1. For ducks, geese anil crane October 1 is early enough. 

 The resident sportsmen said ruffed grouse were abundant, 

 and laughed at me for thinking rail worth shooting. In con- 

 clusion let me assure your legion of readers that any one 

 proficient with rod and gun who could spend both months at 

 Sauk Cantre for headquarters would have fine sport "to the 

 top of his bent" in a clear, pure and enlivening atmosphere. 



New York, Oct. 19, 1881. H. H. Thompson. 



WHO WANTS TO GO 2 



New YoBk, Oct. 11, 18S1. 

 Editor Forest anil Stream .' 



I have half a notion to go South and get rid of the cold 

 weather, slush, snow, sleet and snufHes this winter ; and the 

 recollections of a pleasant phase of camp life, about Tampa 

 Bay, Florida, some years ago, comes to me suggestively. To 

 go alone would be unsocial, dull and not to be thought of. 

 To get together just the right kind of fellows is not easy to 

 do, where harmony is such an essential element. 1 want but 

 three others ; anil with a view to perpetuate Ihe pleasant re- 

 collections, we would write a book, aud such a one as every 

 sportsman would read— amusing, sketchy and illustrated. 

 Au artist would be indispensable — one with a dash of humor 

 in his pencil. Then two others with some knowledge of 

 yachting and camp life, and, above all, no crauky, notional 

 chap, no eccentricities — a polite term for rudeness and self- 

 ishness. A party of four, with a determination to make such 

 a trip pleasant, harmonious and profitable to health, and eco- 

 nomical, could have a lovely tioie. The writer being an old 

 camper, a yachtsman, and familiar with this soi 

 wouldgive the necessary lime and attention to the outfit, aided 

 by the suggestions of the other members of the pal I 



"The first thing to be considered is the proper kind of a 

 boat for the purpose, and to get such a one it would be neces- 

 sary to build not au expensive, but a cheap, roomy, light- 

 draft centreboard craft, something of the sharpie order — say, 

 thirty-five feet long, good freeboard, to give depth: a light- 

 built cabin, with accommodations for four; a galley to come 

 under cabin deck forward, lockers for storage, a roomy cock- 

 pit, schooner or yawl rigged 



The boat equipped, with awntngs, etc. , would cost, say $cui 



Provisions tor tour months. 200 



one colored gentleman [ticked up there 60 



Freight on board ami Incidental 140 



A tent and camp equipage ZOO 



Jl.SllN 



JB&lance... 



The amount for provisions may seem Small, but it must be 

 borne in mind that the table can be bountifully supplied with 

 fish and game, the $200 representing principally groceries, 

 aud salt and canned meats. 



Such a boat as we would build would be so admirably 

 adapted to the waters and so efficient for almost any purpose 

 that she would sell probably much nearer cost, than Ihe 

 figures named. This boat, by the way, would be safe and 

 staunch for outside runs from port to port in any ordinary 

 weather, would be comfortable, dry and safe. The cabin 

 deck would afford storage room for tent and pole ; the lock- 

 et's around the cockpit for camp cooking traps. Such a boat 

 can be built and rigged for about $400. The $300 would be 

 for galley and cabin outfit. Her light draft would permit 

 of her being beached in front of the camp, and when afloat 

 would afford a cosey home. The undersigned having had a 

 weakness all his life for boats, and having built half a hun- 

 dred of all sizes and types, flatters himself he knows what to 

 build to fill this bill to the letter. Has camped out, fished 

 and hunted in Florida, and knows the requirement? to make 

 such an expedition a success. The thing he don't know how 

 to do is to get along pleasantly with a selfish, disagreeable, 

 lazy "crank," who will neither fish nor cut bait: aud it is 

 considerable of a lottery to draw four prizes— i. e., four fel- 

 lows who can get along pleasantly and smoothly together, 

 and every man to his allotted share of the work ; for such an 

 enterprise means hearty, healthy and vigorous occupation 

 with plenty of time, however, when in camp, to enjoy the 

 duke far nkrite and sense of perfect rest far away from poli- 

 tics, telegrams, margins aud bills duable and payable. Just 

 imagine the sense of utter freedom and abandon, release from 

 chokers, coats buttoned to the chin, narrow shoes, tight 

 trousers and expense of a box at the theatre and suppers 

 afterward at Delmonico's. No man can stay in New York 

 at any such limited expense; to say nothing of getting; rid of 

 snow, ice, chills and slush ox a winter in trie city. Now, who 

 says wig-wag to this " feeler " thrown out to see what will 

 come of it, and whether four congenial fellows cannot be 

 found to carry out the id.'a. The writer will lodge his creden- 

 tials with the editors of the Forest and Stream. Sin had. 



IN CURRITUCK AND DARE. 



AS the season for fowling draws near the natives, who have 

 been during the summer eugaged in trucking and fishing, 

 begin to prepare for fowling. Boats are put in order ; stool 

 ducks are overhauled and repainted: an extra Feed of corn 

 is now and then given to the decoy geese so as to have them 

 "hearty i" guns are oiled and repaired, and engagements 

 made with managers of the shooting clubs, as "waiters ' 

 the club sportsmen; and water dogs, that have had to shift 

 for themselves all summer and have had a hard time fighting 

 ticks and fleas, begin to receive some attention. 



The favorite water dog here is the Chesapeake dog, as they 

 are strong, intelligent and faithful, and are unsurpassed re- 

 trievers. They are just the color of wild grass in shooting- 

 season. Wonderful stories are told of their sagacity. Some 

 years ago Mr. Bodine, of New York city, a veteran sports- 

 man, Col. Wilson Hollowell, of Pasquotank county in this 

 State, and a Mr. Cadwell, of Currituck, were shooting < , 

 backs on Morgan Island in Currituck Sound. Mr. Bodine 

 went into a blind at the south end of the island, anil g 

 was troubled with a tinge of rheumatism when exposed, ( lad- 

 well loaned him his Chesapeake bitch to brina in his birds. 

 Col. Hollowell and Cadwell went to the north end of the 

 island, about half a mile distant, and all three were soon 

 hard at it and had good sport. It was very cold and the ice 

 was very thick near the shore, and at last the bitch "Bonny" 

 began to hang back when Mr. Bodine killed a bird, 

 was only by speaking crossly to her that she would go into 

 the. water. After a wbile the dog disappeared after every 

 shot, but soon came back bringing a cauvas-back, audseveral 

 times brought in two and laid them at the sportsman's feet. 

 He continued firing all day, and when the sun went down 

 launched his skiff and started to take in the other sportsmen. 

 He picked up quite a number of ducks that Bonny had failed 

 to bring in, aud on counting found he had about two dozen 

 more ducks than he was entitled to, judging from his count 

 and the amount of ammunition he had fired away. I! 

 puzzled to account for the overplus, but thou 

 chance shots had killed more thau he ., ■ : ■ i :•' upon. 



He soon reached the stands of Hollowell an ! 

 they got their traps together to embark in the skiff. But 

 when they looked for their game they discovered that their 

 thirty odd canvas-backs had dwindled down to about a dozen. 

 Cadwell had waded out in long boots on theshoaj 

 up the fowl as they were shot and had thrown them on the 

 bank among the rushes. He began to swear, and abuse the 

 unknown thief who had stolen his game. But when Mr. 

 Bodine related his experience, and they called Bonny to ac- 

 count her sheepish and deprecating manner satisfied them 

 who was the real thief. She had run across the island after 

 every shot that Mr. Bodine fired, and stolen a duck from the 

 pile of the other sportsmen to avoid going into the cold, icy 

 water. 



A descendant of this same bitch, by the same name, is fa- 

 mous as a retriever, and has been known to briDg in three 

 dead ducks at a time and to dive in deep water after crip- 

 pled ducks and bring out two at a time. She will count the 

 ducks as they fall, and will not rest satisfied until she brings 

 them in when sent out. She recently had her first litter of 

 pups, which sold readily for ten dollars each to the native 

 gunners. Wreck, another celebrated bitch of Albemarle and 

 Chesapeake stock mixed, has been known to swim one hun- 

 dred yards out into the ocean during stormy weather aud 

 bring iu a crippled beach bird. Both these dogs have been 

 secured by the Kitty Hawk Club for breeding purposes. 



These dogs would be a good breed to attach to the Life 

 Saving Stations, as they can easily be trained to bring in a 

 line. I have seen them go out in the shoals and drive in the 

 beach cattle and ponies when wanted by their owners. I 

 presume this is the only country in the world where people 

 use a boat and water dog to drive up their stock. Some of 

 the cattle go out two miles from shore and dive their heads 

 under the water after the duck grass, which is very nutritious. 

 Fish feed on it, and the native "gunners tell me that the grass, 

 which has almost disappeared near the shore during the late 

 long dry weather, will grow up again as soon as the mullet 

 season is over and it is too cold for cattle aud ponies to feed 

 on it. 



The season is Very backward, on account of the dry, hot 

 weather, and very few ducks have made their appearance. 

 But a few days of cold weather will bring them in their 

 usual numbers, no doubt. The coming season promises to 

 bs a good one, 1 think. Very few native gunners will shoot 

 this season for a living. Maiiy of them have g >ne into the 

 new life saving stations, aud the Kitty Hawk Club has en- 



