POR&ST VANDIf. STREAM: 



— -^ 



GAME PROTECTION. 



Editor Forest anb Stjrkam •. 



Allow ine a line or two iu response to Dr. Or d way *a letter 

 of (he 35th. 



It is true I did make the original draft of tile game bill that 

 was submitted to the sportsmen last winter, but the objection- 

 able clause WaB not in it then, but was "amended" into the 

 bill afterward'. Lwas not aware that I was "trying with 

 bombast to belittle the hotel keepers and sportsmen of Bos- 

 ton.'' I only told facts, and without "bombast." ] lnow 

 that it is not attempted to enforce the law at Boston, aud any 

 law is ''inoperative" that is not enforced. I am as anxious 

 to get a good law as is Dr. Ordway, and I hope to see a good 

 game bill some lime, and should be glad indeed of all the "ac- 

 cumulated wisdom " and aid that the doctor or his society 

 could give us in acquiring one. One thing, however, is true ; 

 hat there must be more unanimity of opinion among sports- 

 men concerning close seasons aud strict protection before w T c 

 can attain supreme success. The "killed in the common- 

 wealth" clause in the present bill was inserted by a sportsman, 

 and so the bill was impaired by its professed friends. One 

 thing is patent to all who have had to do with the passage of 

 a bird bill in the Legislature, and that is that there are more 

 antagonistic elements to meet, I believe, than there are con- 

 cerning fish legislation. The hotel keepers make merchan- 

 dise of birds aud proclaim that they will serve them, whatever 

 the law is, when they please (and this in Boston, too), and the 

 farmers are largely jealous of game protective laws, and they 

 must be conciliated and convinced. Even sportsmen with 

 diverse views block successful issue. But in the happy time 

 to come, Doctor (perhaps when we are all dead), the game 

 laws may be made perfect. I hope we both may live and see 

 it, and to that end I work; and believe me I do not detract 

 from the " Anglers' Association " a particle of praise to which 

 they are entitled. I am glad the Doctor announced that he 

 prefers " Mr. Ilallock's opinion on the legality of any fish or 

 game law " to mine. A most excellent choice, no doubt, for 

 it leaves me what I prefer— my own opinion. 



The types made bad work in one place in my last letter. 

 Tn that' part giving the illustration of A selling game to B, 

 " killed in town " should be " killed in Conn." 



Springfield, Aug. 31, 1877. E. H. Lathbop. 



Philadelphia, Sep. 7. — Wm, B. Elliott, formerly Collector 

 of Internal Kevenue for this district, was arrested on the 4th 

 in st. by agents of the Philadelphia Sportsmen's Club, for viola- 

 tion of the game laws of this State, having killed fourteen rail 

 birds before the season. He w r as fined the usual amount (five 

 dollars for each bird) and costs, seventj T -six dollars, making it 

 rather expensive shooting. This is the second time Mr. Elliott 

 has been arrested for a similar offence. 



liobert Swan and John J. Kennedy were also arrested for 

 shooting reed birds out of season, and for shooting on Sunday, 

 on the marsh near Darby Creek. They were taken before 

 Mayor Porewood, of Chester, and fined. 



Several other arrests have been made by the Agents of this 

 Club, who are doing their utmost to enforce the game laws. 



THE GAME LAWS IN NOVA SCOTIA. 



Halifax, Sept, 1, 1877. 

 Editor Forest and Stream : 



The 1st of September is a great day with sportsmen among 

 the stubble fields of Old England, and here in Nova Scotia 

 too, in a smaller way, we have some excitement among the 

 lovers of field sports, for on this day commences the open 

 season for woodcock (Philo/iela minor)— the finest and most 

 delicious of American game birds. Hares and rabbits may also 

 be legally killed from this date. Partridge shooting will com- 

 mence on the first of October. This day is also especially inter- 

 esting as making an epoch in the history of the game laws of 

 Nova Scotia— for the old laws which for the last three years 

 have been in force expire, and the new law comes into 

 operation — under this law it will be lawful to kill moose and 

 cariboo during the months of October, November, December 

 and January. Not more than three moose and five cariboo 

 can be lawf ully killed by any one person or number of per- 

 sons forming a hunting party in any one season. Another 

 new feature introduced is the issuing of game licenses, about 

 which I would like to say a word, if you will kindly give me 

 space, as it is a novelty in colonial legislation. First of all, let 

 ine remind those disposed to carp at it, of the great advantages 

 a sportsman in the colonies enjoy s over his brethren in England. 

 There you cannot hang a gun over your mantelpiece (if it is 

 only to kill cats in your backyard) without having to pay a gun 

 license of ten shillings ; then you have to pay from three to 

 four pounds sterling for a shooting license : and that is not all, 

 for you must then bargain with the owner of the preserves, 

 who perhaps will not let you shoot at all. In this country, 

 until now, the game of our forests has been free to all as the 

 air we breathe, and because the withdrawal of the Govern- 

 ment grant (from which the Commissioners and Wardens 

 salaries were paid) has necessitated the imposition of a small 

 tax, a shout of indignation, I understand, has arisen from a 

 certain class, who, I think, should be very thankful that they 

 are let off so easily. 



The arguments in favor of the system (if any such were 

 needed) are briefly contained in the following extract from my 

 last report to the Government - 



" The game is appurtenant to the soil, and belongs to the 

 people of Nova Scotia, just as much as in England it does to the 

 lord of the manor. Our forests are the people 8 preserves, 

 and if we protect them we have the right to regulate the way 

 in which they are to be used. The inhabitants of Nova Scotia 

 have to contribute to the general revenues of the Province in 

 order to carry on the different departments of the public ser- 

 vice. Out of these revenues a Certain sum has been expended 

 for the last three, years to defray the expenses of preserving 

 he game. Is it fair then that outsiders, who pay nothing, 

 should step in and enjoy the benefits which have resulted 

 from this protection, equally with those who had to bear the 

 burden of the expense, and the responsibility and trouble of 



carrying out the laws ? I do not anticipate that there will be 

 much opposition to the proposed amendment. A clause is in- 

 serted in the act providing that no person, not having his 

 domicile, in Nova Scotia, shall enjoy the privileges of the game 

 laws unless he first obtain a license from the Provincial Sec^ 

 retary's office, signed by the Chief Came Commissioner and 

 countersigned by the Provincial Secretary or deputy, for 

 which he shall pay twenty dollars into that office. Licenses 

 tO be in force for a year. 



"Officers of the Army and Navy on service in this garrison 

 are placed in a different category, and it is proposed to issue 

 licenses to them on the payment of five dollars a year, to 

 which I think there can be no reasonable objection. In addi- 

 tion to the justice of this enactment in itself, there is another 

 reason iu its favor which should have some weight. It is pro- 

 posed that, these license fees should be paid into the Provincial 

 Secretary's office, and form a fund toward defraying the ex- 

 pense of carrying out the law." 



The game licenses have been very neatly printed by the 

 Queen's printer, aud can be procured in the city at the Pro- 

 vincial Secretary's office, or from the Chief Game Commissioner; 

 and in the country, in Queen's County, from W. S. Crocker, 

 Game Commissioner, Brookfield ; from Game Commissioner 

 A. Bigney, Wentworth, Cumberland County ; E. C. Daw T son, 

 New Glasgow; Duncan McDonald, English Town, Victoria 

 Co., C. B.; D. W. Arichibald, Sheet Harbor, and Samuel 

 Murphy, Mount TJniacke, and from Game Wardens, W. S. 

 Gilpin, Digby; Thomas Kirk, Jr., Parrsboro; Ephraim Cook, 

 Acadian Mines, Londonderry, and John L. Smith, St. Mary's; 

 and the Issuers of Marriage Licenses in the following places : 

 Liverpool, Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne, Amherst, Sydney, 



B., and from Thomas Crosskill, Bridgetown, Annapolis Co. 

 The Game Protection Society has endeavored by every 



means in its power to give the utmost publicity to the new 

 law by the distribution of hundreds of large posters through- 

 out the Provmce, and by printing it in pamphlet form which 

 can be procured from the secretary. And although I am well 

 aware of the legal maxim, Ignarantia legis non excusat, yet 

 our object is to remove all possible cause of complaint on the 

 part of those who, when detected, may seek refuge for their 

 offense in alleged ignorance of the law. 



The law which to-day comes into operatiou is undoubtedly 

 sound in principle, as it. is nearly perfect in detail, and it only 

 remains for its friends to see that it is enforced. 



The withdrawal of the Government grant no doubt will create 

 some difficulty, but I am happy to say that all the Commis- 

 sioners and Wardens, without an exception, have agreed to 

 continue their services gratuitously for this year in the hope 

 that next session the small grant ($1,350) will be renewed. 

 Of course they cannot be expected to give the same time and 

 attention to it as when they were paid officials, but yet it is 

 gratifying to find them willing to do what they can. I call the 

 attention of policemen, market clerks, etc., to the clause of 

 the act affecting them as follows : 



"13. It shall be the duty of all Justices of the Peace, Sti- 

 pendiary Magistrates, constables, policemen and market clerks 

 to enforce the provisions of this act and of any other enact- 

 ment for the preservation of useful birds and animals, when- 

 ever the infringement thereof comes under their notice, under 

 a penahy of not less than $10 for each omission of duty." 



A knowledge of these facts may be of benefit to those of 

 your readers who may contemplate visiting Nova Scotia next 

 month, as it contains a list of parties from whom game licences 

 can be procured without the necessity of coming to Halifax. 

 The class to whom I allude as objecting to the licence clause 



1 need not tell you are not American citizens, several of whom 

 have already taken out their licences and paid the fee without 

 grumbling. Frrz. Cochran, 



Chief Game Commissioner. 



Illinois Game Laws.— The Revised Statute of Illinois for 

 1877, Section 1, reads: "That it shall be unlawful for any 

 person or persons to hunt or pursue, kill or trap, net, ensnare, 

 or otherwise destroy any prairie hen or chicken or any wood- 

 cock, between the fifteenth day of January and the first day 

 of September in each and every year ; or any deer, fawn, wild 

 turkey, ruffed grouse (commonly called partridge) or pheas- 

 ant, between the first day of February and the first day of 

 October in each and every year, or any quail between the first 

 day of February and the first day of November in each and 

 everj 1- year, or any wild goose, duck, snipe, brant or other 

 water fowl between the first day of May and the fifteenth day 

 of August of each and every year." 



— Apropos of a tinker having been sentenced to two 

 months' imprisonment with hard labor for breaking the leg of 

 a game fowl, the Pall Mall Gazette thinks it unfortunate that 

 the fellow should have been tried before Justice Partridge. 



Virginia Fish and Game Association.— This association, 

 of which Mr. Chas. T. Palmer is the President, is to hold a 

 meeting at Kichmond, on Wednesday of fair-week. The so- 

 ciety is actively engaged in preparing casts of the fishes of the 

 State for exhibition on that occasion. Gen. Vance is to make 

 a speech, and all possible efforts are to be employed to secure 

 public attention to this important subject. 



OUR "WASHINGTON LETTER. 



To persons seeking healthful recreation and enjoymeni, without be 

 ing subjected to the usual annoyances of "fashionable" sea-side re- 

 sorts, the Franklin House, Plymouth, Mass., affords unusual opportu- 

 nities, having unusual facilities for harbor, river or surf bathing, while 

 splendid opportunities for boating in either smooth or rough water may 

 be enjoyed at choice. Cooling breezes, comfortable rooms, a well sup- 

 plied table, and a reasonable scale of prices are all to be found here. 



Notice to Sportsmen.— Having received so many ommunicntions 

 asking ns for information in legard to our six-section bamboo trout, 

 black bass, grilse and salmon rods, we have prepared a circular on the 

 subject, which we shall take pleasure in forwarding to any address. 

 We keep on hand all grades, the prices of whichrange from $15 to sir.O. 

 We put, our stamp only on the best, in order to protect our customers 

 aud our reputation, for we are unwilling to sell a poor rod wit b 

 euamei (made by burning and staining to imitate the genuine article) 

 without letting our customers know just what they are getting. 



P. 0. Box i,m.-[Adv. abbey & Imbbie, 38 Maiden Lane, 



Shooting on Ch[nooteague Island— Willet, Cprlew, 

 Geatbacks, Etc— Fatal Accident— Marsh Shoot 

 — Advantages of Advkbtising in Forest and Stream, 

 Etc., Etc. 



Washington, D. C, Sept. 0, |: 



CHINCOTEiGUE ISLAND on the coast of Virginia, 

 rapidly becoming a favorite resort for sportsmen not only 

 from Washington, but from New York, Philadelphia aud Bal- 

 timore, that a brief description of the place, the shooting, 

 fishing, etc., it is hoped may be interesting, now that the turds 

 are plentiful and the accommodations for visitors ample. What 

 known as the Eastern Shore of Virginia is a peninsula com- 

 posed of Accomack and Northampton Counties, lying between 

 the Atlantic, Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. Chincoteague 

 Island is in the Atlantic, just east of Accomack County, and 

 separated from it by a body of water known as Chinee i 

 Bay, The shores of this bay on both sides are covered by exten- 

 sive salt-water marshes which furnish abundant foodand ample 

 shelter for willet (Totanus aemipalmatw), gray backs {Tringa 

 canutm), long billed curlew (Numenius longiroetris), Esqui- 

 maux curlew (Nvmenim borealiu), and various species of 

 snipe, sandpipers, and other birds usually found upon the salt 

 marshes of our middle districts. 



General W. D. Whipple, of General Sherman's Staff; Col. 

 Harry Clark, the efficient Washington agent of the National 

 Press Association, and Master Walter Whipple, a son of the 

 General, recently spent a week at Chincoteague, and had mag- 

 nificent sport, although the season was just opening. Upon 

 their arrival there they found the hotel crowded with summer 

 visitors from Baltimore, Philadelphia and other cities, but for- 

 tunately they were provided with letttrs of introduction to 

 Lieut. Herring, commanding the revenue mirine schooner 

 Report, and that officer had them comfortably quartered. One 

 of the crew of the vessel proved himself to be an excellent 

 cook, and the birds killed during the day were served by him 

 in a style not to be excelled by any professional. 



Willet were found to be most plentiful, as they breed in the 

 marshes surrounding the island. Indeed this bird I believe 

 breeds all along the coast from the mouth of the Mississippi 

 to New York, but passes the winter on the shores of South Caro- 

 lina, Georgia, Florida, and the Gulf coast, where it is knowD 

 as the stone curlew. The propensity of the bird to remain in 

 the immediate vicinity of the coast is such that it is seldom 

 met with inland even along the shores of large rivers. It is 

 at all times shy and wary, so that in approaching it the sports- 

 man must use the greatest caution. After being once shot at, 

 they watch your motions very closely, and the cry of one bird 

 seems to alarm all within hearing. When wounded and brought 

 to water they swim tolerably w r ell but cannot dive. The 

 young birds now are fat and juicy, and the breeding season 

 being over they are found in flocks, it being their habit for 

 several families to join after that season and live harmoniously 

 together. 



The long-billed curlew, the largest of this species found in 

 North America, is the on'j r one which may be classed as a per- 

 manent resident. It breeds to a great extent about Chinco- 

 teague, though not so abundantly as on the more southern coast 

 of the United States. They are not easily approached," and, 

 besides, it takes a good charge to bring them down. When 

 wounded they skulk off among the thickest vegetation, where 

 they remain perfectly silent. The flesh of this bird does not 

 compare with that of the willet as a delicacy, although many 

 persons consider it good, and they are always found for sale 

 in our Southern markets. 



The gray-backs, or red breasted sand pipers, when young and 

 fat, are very palatable. In season they are plentiful, feeding 

 on the small shell fish found at a short distance below the sur- 

 face, oftentimes in heaps like masses of wet grain. But to give 

 an extended description of the many desirable birds found in the 

 neighborhood or' this island would be almost impossible. It 

 affords delightful sport in fishing as well as shooting. Oysters 

 are abundant, and probably there is no place on the Atlantic 

 coast, where the sportsman can enjoy himself more than at 

 Chincoteague. There are a number of persons residing in 

 that vicinity who make a business of furnishing boats and 

 piloting them in search of sport. The gentlemen named who 

 recently visited the island were fortunate enough to secure the 

 services of a veteran guide named Decatur Birch, commonly 

 known as " Cate." He provided the boat, and conducted 

 them to the most desirable shooting places for the very mod- 

 erate sum of two dollars a day. He is thoroughly posted in 

 his business, and his services are well worth that sum. The 

 hotel at Chincoteague is four stories high, containing about 

 forty-eight rooms, and it should be advertised in the columns 

 of Forest and Stbkam and Kod and Gun, which would 

 greatly add to its popularity and let sportsmen know r some- 

 thing about the facilities which the proprietor has to care for 

 them. 



The route to the island from New York is by the line of the 

 Old Dominion Steamship Company to Lewes, Delaware, as 

 will more fully appear by reference to the advertisement of 

 that company in another column. There are also other routes 

 thereto from Philadelphia and Baltimore. 



A distressing accident occurred on one of the marshes near, 

 this city yesterday, which resulted in the death of a youth 

 about fourteen years of age. By some accident the load in the 

 gun in the hands of his companion was discharged, and the 

 contents lodged in the boy's head, causing death in a few 

 hours. It is too often the case that boys not large enough to 



