322 
BRADFORD’S TWADDLE. 
One Bradford, of Masenna, N. Y., has 
written an article in favor of spring shoot- 
ing, in which he makes this ridiculous state- 
ment ! 
“One has but to see the immense yearly 
flight of ducks Northward to be convinced 
that there is no fear of exterminating the 
duck family.” 
Anyone who knows has but to read the 
foregoing statement in order to be con- 
vinced that Mr. Bradford knows practically 
nothing of the subject he talks about or else 
that he is deliberately misrepresenting the 
facts. 
Every careful observer of the bird lite of 
this country is well aware that all species 
of ducks have been steadily decreasing in 
numbers, for 20 years past. No better evi- 
dence of this fact is needed than a compari- 
son of the market quotations of to-day with 
those of a few years ago. Within the mem- 
ory of young men of to-day .canvasback 
ducks sold in the markets of this city, dur- 
ing the fall and winter, as low as $4.a 
dozen; redheads at $3 a dozen; mallards, 
black ducks, widgeon and other common va- 
rieties as low as $2 a dozen. 
To-day canvasbacks bring $45 to $60 a 
dozen; redheads, $30 to $36; black ducks, 
ruddy ducks, mallards, widgeon, etc., $12 to 
$15 a dozen. 
This, notwithstanding the fact that there 
are 10 times as many men shooting for the 
market to-day as there were 20 years ago. 
It is unfortunate that such idiots as Brad- 
ford should be allowed to talk through the 
newspapers, for while no intelligent sports- 
man or naturalist would be misled by his 
twaddle, there are thousands of other peo- 
ple who do not know the facts and who are 
likely to take for granted what he savs. 

Colonel Kingsbury, commanding Ft. Sill, 
Oklahoma, has shown a most earnest and 
commendable interest in the cause of game 
and fish protection. The Ft. Sill military 
preservation covers 52,000 acres of land, 
and is thoroughly patrolled every day. 
Colonel Kingsbury has issued orders that 
no shooting or fishing shall be allowed on 
the reservation, either by soldiers or civil- 
jans, except during the open season for the 
taking of fish and game, and he has even 
prohibited shooting and fishing during a 
portion of that time. That reservation is 
large enough to be made a most valuable 
fish and game preserve, and as a result of. 
Colonel Kingsbury’s wise course we may 
reasonably expect that game and fish will 
increase rapidly on that tract. I wish the 
commanders of all the Western army posts 
could be induced to take similar action. 
RECREATION. 
Game Warden P. W. Shaffer, of Okla- 
homa, seized 16,000 quails and prairie chick- 
ens in the Rock Island yards at that city. 
some weeks ago, that were consigned to the 
Okeene Produce Co., of Okeene, and the 
Chester Produce Co., of St. Louis. The 
birds were packed in 7o barrels, boxes and 
egg cases, and while the report before me 
does not say so, it is safe to assume that 
these cases were not properly labeled as to 
their contents. Oklahoma has a non-export 
game law, and in attempting to violate this 
the shipper undoubtedly violated the Lacey 
law as well; so it is interesting to figure out 
the penalty to which the offender is liable. 
My readers: will be advised of the ultimate 
outcome of this case. 

Buffalo Jones, special game warden for 
the Yellowstone National Park, reports 
that he has bought and confined under 
wire fence, 21 head of buffalo. He has also 
caught 14 calves from among the wild buf- 
falo running at large in the Park. He re- 
ports that there are now 33 of these wild 
bison outside of the enclosure. 

I used to find fault with your attitude 
toward the violators of the game and fish 
laws, but I now realize that you can not 
do full justice to these shoats, on account 
of the postal regulations. 
Joseph Thorn, Elgin, Oregon. 

She—I will never marry a man whose 
fortune has not at least 5 ciphers in it. 
He—Oh, darling! Then we will be mar- 
ried to-morrow; mine is all ciphers.—Chi- 
cago News. 

The Harrington & Richardson gun ar- 
rived in due time. It more than pays me 
for the little work I did for you. 
J. T. Carr, Victor, Colo. 

The Harrington & Richardson revolver 
is all right and alone worth the money I 
sent in for 5 subscriptions. 
J. W. Bales, Wester, Ia. 

Oh, Tom! This brown hair on your coat 
shows where you have been. 
On the contrary, my dear, it shows where 
you have been.—E.rchange. 

The Harrington & Richardson gun came 
to hand. I consider it a present and thank 
you accordingly. 
William Miner, North Billerica, Mass. 

Have received the Harrington & Rich- 
ardson revolver and more than like it. 
Geo. Steubenrauch, Collinsville, Conn. 
