March 2, 1882.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



87 



of cattle and sheep; a considerable portion had also hem de- 

 voted to agriculture. A ba.rrier of sea bench obstructed the 

 mouth of the river, causing at the branches to re-unite and 

 rush through a gut of baraehois into the sea. 



'The afternoon of our arrival we ascended the barrens, at 

 (he hack of the Village, and bagged sixteen brace of grouse 

 and a few snipe; the birds were fairly plentiful; the dogs 

 worked well and the powder was straight. The next day and 

 the next, we averaged ten brace per gun; and on the fourth 

 we worked along the coast to a rendezvous where our boat 

 had preceded us, and from thence re-crossed to Salmonier. 

 Our bag (two guns) was sixty brace of grouse and snipe — not 

 much to brag of in a country where game is preserved — but 

 not bad for a wild country where the only protection the 

 birds get is a close time during the breeding season, where 

 every "man carries a gun and vermin are encouraged for the 

 sake' of their skins. 



"Walking on the barrens of Newfoundland is very much 

 harder work than on a Scotch moor; but there is no limit to 

 the extent of ground, it costs nothing; the birds when found 

 are magnificent; and when the sport is combined with snug 

 quarters and kind-hearted hospitality, as in our case, it is not 

 to be despised." 



The best extract we have reserved for the last — the descrip- 

 tion of the combat of the two stags: "Refreshed by a sooth- 

 ing pipe we proceeded cautiously" along, looking out for deer, 

 when Reuben exclaimed, "Look, Captain, big stag," as a 

 gleam of sunshine lit up the snow-white side of a noble beast. 

 The big stags at this season are almost white, their necks 

 entirely so. " The deer was hurrying along, evidently on the 

 trail of other deer; we ran to cut him' off, hut he had 

 already disappeared in the woods, so there was notliing for it 

 but to' follow on his tracks. At this the Indians are marvel- 

 ously skillful ; with eyes upon the ground, they follow at a 

 rapid pace, noting every blade of grass pressed, every stone 

 displaced, or mud stirred. The trail would have been easy 

 enough to follow but for the numerous tracks of deer all lead- 

 ing down to the valley; and it was evident that a large com- 

 pany had preceded us, a fact of which our old stag was 

 doubtless well aware. We struck down through some woods, 

 picking our way by the "leads" or open passes, well trodden 

 by deer, when I happened to catch a glimpse of some white 

 objects iu the valley below. A glance through the glasses 

 pronounced them to he a "company" of deer, and although 

 we could not make out a stag, we were perfectly well assured 

 that one would be among them, and our old friend's hurry to 

 get into the valley became apparent. Picking our way 

 cautiously down through the wood, we at length reached the 

 valley and found ourselves within a few hundred yards of the 

 deer," which we. at once proceeded to stalk. The" deer were 

 scattered about feeding among some immense boulders, and 

 we had no difficulty in approaching to within 150 yards of 

 the nearest hind, but still no stag could we see. A 'blinding 

 snow-storm now came on, and we waited to see how the cat 

 jumped, when, looking back, we saw a splendid stag coming 

 out of the wood behind us, accompanied by a hind. This 

 was evidently the same fellow we had seen before, but we had 

 reached the valley by a shorter cut. while he had picked up 

 with a mistress on the way, and was in search of more. The 

 two beasts looked like ghosts coming through the blinding 

 snow. At this time Reuben climbed upon'a rock, and, to 

 our great delight, said he saw two big stags — one in charge of 

 the party of hinds; the other, the one we had just seen com- 

 ing down to rob him of his harem. The scene now began to 

 get exciting; a great commotion became visible among the 

 hinds, and presently we saw their lord and master galloping 

 about in a great state of excitement calling in the stragglers" 

 prodding them with his horns, and generally calling them to 

 order. During this time we ran in, mhopes'of getting a shot, 

 and several times myrifie boreonthe shoulder of theoldfellow; 

 once I had him and a hind in line, and could have killed 

 them both with a single ball, but the snow was coming down 

 heavily, the sights of the rifle were covered, and I waited a 

 better opportunity. Reuben tried to "toll" the stag, but he 

 took no notice, well knowing that his real antagonist was 

 coming down from to windward, for by this time he had 

 winded the, other stag, and probably seen him, as we could 

 now hear his challenge to mortal combat. Nor had he long 

 to wait; for, having collected his hinds, leaving others prob- 

 ably for them to wait till he returned, the old fellow started 

 off "at a gallop and disappeared from our view. A moment 

 later, and a crash as of a tree falling, resounded through the 

 valley, as the two stags' heads met in the arena. Now was 

 our time; disdaining all notice of the hinds, we ran for the 

 spot; the hinds seeing us running began to run also, not away 

 from us, hut with us, and in a moment the extraordinary 

 sight might have been witnessed of some sixteen or seventeen 

 hinds and three men all rushing along, mixed up together, to 

 witness as pretty a right as ever a deer-stalker beheld. In all 

 my experience of deer-stalking, extending over many years, 

 I never saw the like or expect to see again. There, amidst 

 the bhnding snow, were the two ruonarchs of the glen, their 

 heads down, backs arched, horns crashing, turf flying; 

 struggling, writhing, pushing for the mastery, while the 

 hinds, for whom the battle was raging, and who had now 

 arrived on the scene, assembled themselves around to see fair 

 play. What the issue might have been it is difficult to say; 

 the combatants were well matched as regards size and weight, 

 but, the new arrival was the fresher of the two, and had longer 

 horns, while the owner of the seraglio, exhausted by the cares 

 and anxiety attendant on his large family, was slowly but 

 Surely giving way, and would probably have eventually 

 either been killed or forced to retire, when a third and com- 

 mon enemy arrived on the scene. Selecting the nearest beast, 

 I flivd right and left into his huge squirming body, while 

 B. simultanuously did the same with the other. The 

 stags, which had" paid no sort of attention to us, now 

 separated; one reeled and made an effort to charge, but, 

 rolled over as a third bullet pierced his carcass; the other 

 made off, but had not, gone far before two more shots, fired 

 simultaneously, dropped him also, and the two gladiators lay 

 dead within a' couple of yards of one another. Would that a 

 Landseer bad been there to picture that strange scene, one 

 that will ever be impressed upon my memory, "the grandeur 

 of which was heightened by the romantic beauty of the place 

 and the heavy snow-squall raging at the time." A moment 

 later, and the scene changed from one of intense excitement 

 to perfect, calm; the squall passed, the sun shone out, the 

 stags lay dead, with faces upturned to the cloudless sky, and 

 the hinds had departed to seek for another lord and master. 



We sat down to refresh ourselves with a pipe, whilst Reu- 

 ben performed the last offices to the departed deer. It may 

 bo said, " What a pity you didn't wait and watch the com- 

 bat;" possibly we might have done so, but there was always 

 the lisk of their winding us, or being led off by the hinds, 

 although I believe we might have sat down and watched them 

 for an hour and killed them after all." 



We believe it is the intention of Captain Kennedy to pub- 

 lish a larger edition of his work at some future time, with 

 illustrations drawn by the author. Copies of the present edi- 

 tion^ may be obtained through the editor of Fouest and 

 Stream". 



A RECORD OF WING-SHOOTING. 



I BEG to present to your readers the following record of 

 my wing-shooting during the past rive seasons-. My 

 system is to keep score-cards in my pockets, and as soon as 

 possible after making a shot I score a hit or miss. I also 

 keep in my shooting box a Bogardus score-book, and at 

 night "post" up" for the day. It may seem too much trouble, 

 and it certainly is some, but a quiet determination and a little 

 practice soon* makes it come natural. It is better to count 

 your shells before starting and again on your retiinn. The 

 sportsman must be careful not to shoot for a score, but let 

 him adopt the principle of taking all his chances, and 

 whether his card shows good or poor shooting he always 

 knows that the score is a fair one; if good so much the 

 better] if not. why long shots, out of range, bad light, 

 unaccountables, etc. will easily explain how if was. I allow 

 one barrel for each bird, but when a bird is shot down and 

 has to be shot over I count but one shot. The gun used in 

 1877, '78 and '79 was a 10-bore, weight 91b. 6oz., charge 

 4drs. to 5drs. powder, l^oz. to lioz." shot. In 1880 and 

 '81 I used a 12-bore, 81bs., with 3Mrs. to 4drs. powder, 

 l£oz. to ljoz. shot. The scores were as follows : 



Killed. Hissed. Per Cent. Killed, Missed. Per Cent. 



1877 310 152 .G7. r ) 1880 &14 145 .624 



1878 279 117 .704 1881 93 83 .S8tf" 



1879 234 195 .545 



The above is the exact reading of my score-book, and the 

 reader may criticise as he chooses. Rood, pad or indifferent, 

 it remains my score as I made the shots. It includes both 

 open and brush shooting at what are usually considered 

 game birds. The smaller" birds and birds of prey, etc., are 

 not, included. The writer could easily have increased the 

 number of shots each season, but lie does not shoot for 

 "a bag," and is contented with moderate luck. On first 

 commencing my system I was not careful enough about 

 posting each day's work, and I lost nearly half a season's 

 work by this neglect, but I do not do it now. 



Now, as for loading, experience has taught me that for a 

 No. 10 gun of say 9Tbs. weight, 4drs. powder, good powder, 

 and lioz. shst is the best charge, especially i'or long shots. 

 My No. 10 has a 3-inch chamber, and I have, to crimp con- 

 siderable paper, but this in my opinion gives extra force, at 

 least my experiments and my friends seem to warrant, it, and 

 I here beg to call attention to this as being of seeming im- 

 portance. Another trial I made resultedin the best com- 

 bined target, and penetration that I ever saw. The charge 

 was odrs. and l^oz. of No. 7's. and the evenness of it, was 

 remarkable. It was the premier of hundreds of loads. Let 

 some of your readers take a few long-length shells, put the 

 above mentioned charge in them, and crimp all the paper 

 down as tight as they can, putting two pink wads over 

 powder and one over shot, and then s'end the result to this 

 paper. I have found that the fuller the shells the poorer the 

 effects, more especially in penetration. In my competitions 

 between 10 and 12-bores, I have found that so far my present 

 12 loaded with oklrs. and l|oz. shot has produced "the best 

 targets so far as penetration goes, but in the field 4drs. and 

 lioz. has the. lead. At a trial last spring one of my friend's 

 No. 10 failed to come up in any way, although loaded with 

 5drs. and up to Ltoz. shot, the No. 12, with 3idrs and l£oz. 

 beating it. We are to have another trial early this spring, 

 and some new shells are to be tried, and I hope to chronicle 

 it to your readers. I will conclude by saying that all my 

 rewards have been the outcome of my own personal experi- 

 ence during many years. Fred'k Skewer. 



Boston, Mass., February, 1882. 



WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? 



Editor Forest and Stream : 



I have been very much interested of late in reading certain 

 articles that have from time to time appeared in your columns 

 in regard to game protection, and I was particularly interested 

 in a communication signed "Ogdensburg" which appeared in 

 your issue of January 26; and"l fully agree with the writer 

 in saying that the local game constable act is a failure, and I 

 am not at this time prepared to say that the State game agents 

 are not in the same category. 



Now, the work of destroying nets in Oneida lake is all 

 right, but there is some other work that, to my notion, needs 

 looking after. In the, city of Utica ruffed grouse were sold 

 until February 1. This was all right if the birds were killed 

 before January 1 — but were they?" A local sportsman of this 

 village was in Utica, and seeing a large number of grouse 

 displayed had his suspicions aroused, and on making cautious 

 inquiries learned that if he would send in a few birds on the 

 sly they would command a good price and be sold as 1881 

 birds. Now, the local sportsmen of Utica buy these birds, 

 knowing that they must have been killed out of season ; and, 

 although there is a so-called game protective organization in 

 Utica, it winks at these offences. 



Again, in the village of Richfield Springs, a famous sum- 

 mer resort, are numerous hotels and restaurants. From July 

 1 till the hotel season closes woodcock and ruffed grouse are 

 every day articles of diet. Where do they come from? Part 

 of them are shipped there from New York city and the bal- 

 ance are killed by local market hunters within a radius of 

 forty miles. Men are employed by the season to shoot game 

 for the hotels, and a leading hotel man told the writer" that 

 during the month of July, 1880, one man killed 500 ruffed 

 grouse and woodcock. After such slaughter as this, need we 

 lay the disappearance of grouse to that Innocent chatter-box. 

 the red squirrel, or the predatory cat ? Any man wh 

 the disappearance of ruffed grouse to other causes than pot- 

 hunting vandals does not understand the matter fully. 



Let us look a little further. In Saratoga there is a repeti- 

 tion of Richfield, but on a much larger scale, and dozens of 

 men make large wages shooting for that market. 



But the great head centre of all this traffic is New York 

 city. Commission houses under the guise of poultry and 

 meat receive large quantities of game, which is partly con- 

 sumed in New York, and the balance shipped to su mm er 

 resorts; and while the editors of Forest Asp SrKBAMare 

 toiling to educate the people up to a propel standard, within 

 a stone's throw of their office is this nefarious business pur- 

 sued. 



Local clubs do not, as "Ogdensburg" supposes, always have 

 game protection at heart ' True, some ..f the members talk 

 loudly and contribute liberally; but when one of those same 

 men goes to Saratoga or Long Branch in Julv his first hotel 

 order is for an "icehouse dinner," which in ;p]ain .English 



means woodcock, ruffed grouse or other game that is out of 



season. 



Now. the great trouble in trying to enforce the game laws 

 has been the fact that we have all the while been trying to 

 get at the market hunters instead of the venders of the game 

 after it is killed. If the market hunter cannot sell his game 

 his vocation is gone, and he stops shooting. If our game pro- 

 tectors would bear this in mind turd act accordingly they 

 might be a power for good. 



I hope that if thirty additional game agents are appointed 

 that good men will be selected, and selected in proper local- 

 ities;" and while I do not believe that the selection should be 

 left to local clubs, as "Ogdensburg" suggests, I think that 

 leading sportsmen should be consulted. 



As a" result of close observation I will say: 



1. That if illegal shooting is to be stopped, you must stop 

 the sale of game out of season. 



3. That, a mean date should be fixed upon, so that tin? sea- 

 son will open on the same date on both ruffed grouse and 

 woodcock. 



3. That three months in each year is all t he open season 

 that should be allowed. 



4. That the State game agents should be compelled to do 

 their duty or be removed. 



I hope other sportsmen will keep the ball rolling. 



Brant. 

 Madison Coram, N. Y., February 20, 1882. 



NOTES FROM KENTUCKY. 



X\7"E believers (?) in ground-hog day and similar forecasts 

 H of the weather are in a distressing dilemma. Our 

 ground hog certainly must have been fearfully frightened by 

 his shadow, and in view of the repeated snowstorms im- 

 mediately following, not a doubt of his retirement for a six 

 weeks' snooze was entertained, and scarcely were we recon- 

 ciled to the fourteen more snowstorms to follow by antici- 

 pation of the long deferred ice crop, when on the morning 

 of the 7th inst. a whippoorwill proclaimed winter over. 

 The ground hog reappeared, doves began cooing, a rusty 

 toad emerged from his winter quarters, and within the past 

 week a gentleman found his tender baying a black snake, 

 which had taken a bush instead of a squirrel. The mercury 

 for the pnst ten days has fluctuated between 50 and 70 deg. 

 F.. buds are swelling, peach trees nearly ready to burst into 

 bloom, grass fields showing green, and numerous other 

 indications that spring is not" coming but here. We realize 

 the fact that "all signs fail in dry weather," but the memory 

 of few reaches accurately to that period, though there arc 

 traditional allusions to a drouth, and now the weather 

 croakers predict that winter will begin about watermelon 

 time, and that but about two small showers of this year's 

 supply of rain remain for summer distribution. In view of 

 this paradoxical state of affairs, you readily appreciate our 

 "torn up" condition. 



During open season such demoralization prevailed in the 

 weather "office that close season caught sportsman; gun and 

 dog rusty, and small game is abundant. Ducks and geese 

 failed to call, if they passed; not half a dozen deer were 

 bagged in the county, and only the hunter who follows a 

 squirrel dog has had any fun. "Squirrels were never known 

 so numerous as last fall and winter, except during occasional 

 periods of migration. A neighbor and I bagged twenty-six 

 one day in December, and at no point on our stroll were we 

 exceeding a half -mile from the house. Within gunshot of the 

 house we bagged seven within a circle of twenty yards 

 diameter, and"! missed the only opportunity I ever" had to 

 kill two squirrels with one rifle-ball by missing both. Let 

 me inform S. W. M., of Indianapolis, that a neighbor, whom 

 I implicitly believe, informed me that a fortnight since he 

 came upon fully a dozen gray squirrels burying walnuts. 

 Having no gun he sat and watched them fully an hour -till 

 the job was completed, when he discovered that not a single 

 walnut remained under the tree, which stands inside a corn- 

 field, on a mountain side, but a few paces from the timber. 

 It recurs that a contributor to Forest and Stream, in des- 

 cribing some of the. peculiarities of a pet squirrel, mentioned 

 this veiy trait of burying a reserve. 



We have touched up our tackle, plugged rust holes in 

 minnow -buckets, and but await the subsidence of the deluge 

 to give the pike, perch and bass a trial. Shall take along*a 

 gourd of worms and half a dozen eighteen feet rods to fall 

 back on suckers and redkorses if not successful in use of 

 minnows. Kentuckian. 



P. S. — This was written ten days ago, but couldn't get to 

 office without, a boat, and that" anchored eight miles off if 

 not earned away by floods. 



Mill Springs, Ky., Feb. 1882. 



MIGRATORY QUAIL. 



ITIAYE read the remarks on migratory quail of Mr. 

 Everett Smith from Maine, and of Mr." Williams from 



Springfield, Mass. 



Mr. Smith does not, claim to prove more than that some of 

 the quail returned ; his evidence appears to be from corres- 

 pondents, but as he is quite silent about the young broods of 

 the returned birds, I conclude his measure of success is no 

 greater than that of Mr. Williams and others, including our- 

 selves. The "weak point" in this quail business is with the 

 bevies or young birds. We have no right to expect that the 

 old birds will return to the place they were liberated from 

 any more than to expect that an escaped prisoner will return 

 to his jail, but the young birds will have a "desire" to return 

 to their native soil, and it is with them we have to deal and 

 to facilitate this act of migration. In Canada "les perdrix" 

 have young early in June, which is the. commencement of 

 our hot weather; by the 1st of September the younsr birds 

 arc barely lit to be shot, but. by the 1st of October, they are 

 quite strong and full grown, I infer from these facts" that, 

 unless quail are turned loose in May there will be no birds 

 strong enough that year to migrate with a hope of seeing them 

 again the following spring, and that our failures with quail 

 arise from the fad that we turn out the birds at the end of 

 June instead of in the beginning of May. 



Acting upon the above opinion, I endeavored to carry over 

 my birds of last year so as to liberate them this spring." but I 

 have only partially succeeded, as I have only six left. The 

 mortality consists iu "accidents" connected 'with cats, rats 

 and escapes, all very trying to the temper, but forming a 

 series of misfortunes* which were not unbearable. The fault, 

 however, arose from the nature and insecurity of the aviary, 

 which was a temporary yard covered with nets. ^ 



I. however, recommend an empty room with a netTo'pro- 

 tyct rln- birds from hitting the ceiling with their heads 

 fastened about two feet from the top of the room) the win- 

 dows to be netted off, and if plenty of sand is spread about 

 the floor, I have no doubt that the tquail can be easily 



