
NATURAL HISTORY. 
turkey swept almost entirely from the 
great state of Illinois. I have seen the 
ruffed grouse and the quail almost en- 
tirely wiped out of the State of New 
York. I have seen the woodcock, driven 
to the verge of extermination through- 
out all the New England States. I have 
seen the wild pigeon swept from the 
whole United States and have seen prac- 
tically all species of birds reduced in 
numbers from 25 to 50 per cent all over 
the continent. : 
It was principally and primarily for the 
purpose of arresting this terrible slaugh- 
ter that the League of American Sports- 
men was organized and the hope of the 
bird lovers lies largely in the work of that 
body. Its platform is as follows: 
The League of American Sportsmen is organized for 
the purpose of protecting the game and game fishes; 
the song, insectivorous and other innocent birds, not 
classed as game birds. 
Its prime object is te enforce game laws, where 
such exist, and to secure and enforce such laws where 
not new ia existence. 
It aims to promote good fellowship among sports- 
men; to foster in the minds of the people a love of na- 
ture and of nature’s works; to encourage the propaga- 
tion of game and game fishes, and the re-stocking of 
game fields and pele waters. To these ends it will 
act in unison with State, county and municipal author- 
ities who aim at similar ends. 
The league of American Sportsmen will not compete 
with any other organization that has similar objects in 
view. Onthe contrary, it desires te enlist the sympa- 
thies of, and to co-operate with, all such. 
The League of American Sportsmen is opposed to 
excessive slaughter of game and fish, under the name 
sport. We are opposed to the killing of any innocent 
bird or animal, which is not game, in the name of sport, 
or in wantonness, orfor commercial purposes. 
We are opposed to the sale of game and game fishes, 
at all times and under all circumstances. 
We believe in reasonable bags. We believe the 
killing of game and the taking of fish should be limited 
by law, not only as to seasons, but that the bag for an 
gn am, for a day, and for a season, should be defined 
aw. 
We believe in a gun-license law, with severe penal- 
ties for violations thereof, 
We, as individual members of this League, pledge 
ourselves to work for the education of the public, and 
especially of our boys, on the linesindicated above; to 
co-operate with our officers, and with State or munici- 
pal officers, in the enforcement of game laws, when- 
ever an opportunity offers. 
Men, women and boys are eligible to 
‘membership in this League, and all such, 
who desire to see our beautiful feathered 
creatures remain on the earth, should join 
the League at once and aid us in saving 
them. 
MORE RED DEVIL TALK. 
Augusta, Wis., March 1, 1899. 
Editor RECREATION: 
_ I find articles in February number of 
RECREATION claiming that the red squirrel 
mutilates the grey males. Mr. Alfred 
Smith has demanded proof. In making 
this demand Mr. Smith is not entirely fair 
for he has requested an impossibility and 
I will suggest that we investigate and find 
the facts in this matter and that these shall 
be the proof and explain the causes and ap- 
395 
pearances that have misled so many. For 
instance, we will go out in fall or winter, 
where greys are to be found. When we 
have secured one or more males we will 
find that every one of them has been 
changed. No one can deny this fact, but 
by further investigation we will find that 
this has been done so skilfully that there 
are no scars. Let us go farther. We will 
open up the bowels and make internal ex- 
amination. We will find tiny cords curling 
along the back, near the kidneys, and at 
the ends of these 2 tiny kernels or glands. 
They have never been mutilated. Male 
squirrels are never changed by mutilation; 
it is done by an all wise provision of na- 
ture that foresaw the necessity of such a 
change. 
It has been said by some hunters that 
an average of only one in a dozen male 
greys escape mutilation by the hated 
red. They seem to think it necessary to 
have some spared, but the all wise Creator 
has spared none. 
Winter has passed and spring has come. 
It occurs to us that this is a proper time 
to make a further investigation regarding 
his changed condition of the previous win- 
ter. With our guns we seek the forest. The | 
squirrels are at home for we soon hear their 
well-known bark. If we secure a male we 
will not be compelled to make a very scien- 
tific examination to convince you that he 
is a perfect male, his organs in their proper 
place and well developed. 
If you are not satisfied with this one 
specimen you can secure more, but you 
will find them .in proper condition. Of 
course, male greys are liable to permanent 
change from accident, but these cases are 
very rare. 
Now, gentlemen, what shall we do with 
that red robber, having cleared him from 
his one crime? It is not necessary to 
charge him with crimes he has not com- 
mitted. The Creator has made him perfect. 
He has even extended to him this necessarv 
provision, that changes the male grey at the 
proper season. If we investigate the red 
we'll find his condition is identical with the 
grey. Chas. S. Martin. 
I have bought copies of your magazine 
quite regularly from the newsdealer for 
the last 2 years, and enjoyed reading nearly 
all the departments, especially ““From the 
Game Fields” and “Guns and Ammuni- 
_tion.” The wolf and red squirrel question 
interested me greatly. 
While trying a small bore shot gun last 
September, I killed a chipmunk running 
along on the bottom rail of a fence, and a 
very lively little bob-tailed fellow he proved 
to be before I got a shot at him. When I 
picked him up I noticed a black spot on the 
end of his scrotum, The hole had a black- 
