470 



RECREATION 



only revealed by flushing and the bird rose 

 not two feet in front of the dog's nose. Had 

 the ground been covered with snow this bird 

 could have been easily seen ; an excellent 

 chance for the p,ot hunter, who is always in 

 evidence after the first light snow, the true 

 sportsman much preferring the verdant con- 

 ditions ; for seldom the birds lay well for a 

 dog when there is snow on the ground. And 

 about the only advantage a sportsman has 

 with snow are the tracks, which at times 

 serve as a guide to direct the dog. I was 

 once drilling my dogs through a deep gully 

 when my attention was attracted to the oppo- 

 site side of a pine-covered hill by what I 

 thought was a miniature snow plow. The 

 snow was quite deep and in this particular 

 spot it was flying as if a cyclone was in prog- 

 ress, but after closer examination I noticed 

 there were periodical lulls in the cyclone, and 

 upon a still closer and more careful investiga- 

 tion, I was much surprised to see three Bob 

 Whites just simply beating the snow with 

 their wings, and it looked for all the world 

 like a small snow plow revolving in front of 

 a trolley car. After watching this most in- 

 teresting operation for half an hour I sent my 

 dog "Britta" in ahead very carefully and 

 riveted my eyes on one particular bird. T am 

 sure this bird did not see me, for I was above 

 it, while my well-trained dog was coming up 

 most cautiously from the lower side of the 

 hill ; but no sooner had the bird caught sight 

 of the dog than it took to wing. I had a poor 

 shot and missed, the other two birds going in 

 the opposite direction, and I did not have a 

 shot at them. But I did most thoroughly in- 

 vestigate what those birds were doing with 

 that snow, and I found a most excellent 

 gravel bed about the size. of an ordinary horse 

 blanket, which they had completely cleared of 

 snow by the constant flapping of their wings. 

 There has been more or less talk of re- 

 stocking this state with Bob Whites. Also of 

 assessing a tax of $i on every one who wishes 

 to gun. It is the writer's opinion that it might 

 be well to re-stock after particularly hard 

 winters, but as for compelling every one to 

 pay a game license, that is going a little too 

 far. Certainly the game of a state should be 

 protected for a certain period each year, but 

 the inhabitants of that state should have the 

 free right to hunt during the open season. 

 There is a large class who like a day or two 

 in the field during the open season, and to tax 

 them for a single day's hunt, often on their 

 own land, is sqeezing the lemon till its bitter. 

 However, if such a law must be passed, the 

 writer would suggest that the license take the 

 form of a small metal badge which must be 

 worn on the outside of the hunting coat. Stop 

 the market hunter, the cold-storage man, the 

 banqueting hall, with its game entree, and 

 Bob White will whistle his "Bob, Bob White, 

 the grain is ripe," every summer until Father 

 Gabriel blows his trumpet. 



THE HOOP SNAKE. 



The mention of the fabulous hoop snake 

 in a recent editorial has brought forth sev- 

 eral inquiries asking for a description of this 

 serpent, and also questions as to whether any 

 people really did believe in its existence. 



We find in the American Field of October 

 13, 1883, printed in good faith, the following 

 description : 



"The horned snake is the last of the poisonous 

 serpents, and is a great curiosity. Instead of in the 

 head it carries its weapon in its tail, which has a 

 horny appearance, is shaped like a cock's spur, and 

 is from an inch to an inch and a half in length. 

 This tail has a cavity enclosed in which is a sharp, 

 needle-like sting growing from the extreme point of 

 the tail. The snake puts the end of the tail in the 

 mouth, thus forming a hoop, and rolls forward un- 

 til within striking distance, when it slips the tail 

 from the mouth, and strikes with considerable force, 

 tail foremost. The sting produces about the same 

 effect as the bite of the adder. The horned snake is 

 about three feet long when full grown, rather dark 

 in color, and is also oviparous. They are very sel- 

 dom seen." 



It is well added that it is seldom seen, for 

 so it is except by bibulous people who find 

 them in their boots. The truth is that one 

 imaginary mongoose could clear the world of 

 all the hoop snakes ever inhabiting it. 



QUAIL IN BUTTER. 



K. Dillon, of Santa Marguerita, will have 

 to explain to the Fish and Game Com- 

 mission why he shipped seventy-five quail 

 to this city packed in a bucket of butter. 

 Butter does not improve the flavor of the 

 birds, and only a French chef would think 

 of using butter in preparing such a dainty 

 dish. — San Francisco Bulletin. 



STORM IN AUTUMN. 



BY CLARENCE H. URNER. 



Cloud-haunted skylands dropping ruthless 

 rain 

 Drench ghostly, naked weeds and withered 



grass ; 

 The meadow, drowned, spreads like a 

 broad morass, 

 Where darkly gloom the stalks that still re- 

 main. 

 Deep-rooted, 'gainst the demon storm's dis- 

 dain 

 And wrath, stand mullein, flag and sassa- 

 fras : 

 E'en these, as bat-like hours are born and 

 pass 

 To death, are stung with pangs of serpent 



pain. 

 Day dies at length without the sunset's glow 

 Of cheer ; unknown comes twilight's vague 



advance : 

 Night, like a wounded raven, drops to 

 earth 

 And hides the piteous landscape's utter woe ; 

 And better thus : — on Dreamland's wide 



expanse 

 A gorgeous morn may break, a spring have 

 birth. 



