April 24, 1884.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



247 



D 



PHILADELPHIA NOTES. 



URING the past week we have had some real snipe 

 m^J weather, about the first of the season that can be 

 called favorable in every respect. Some birds were killed, 

 vet, very few compared to the good old times, when a dozen 

 snipe iu a forenoon was considered only fair work within a 

 radius of five miles of Philadelphia. "Nowadays a pair of 

 snipe for a morning's tramp seems to satisfy our city men 

 who carry the gun, and lucky is he who makes even this 

 showing from our Philadelphia meadows. On the warm 

 days of last week it would be safe to say there were fifty 

 men with dogs on the Broad street meadows, and the Schuyl- 

 kill and Darby Creek grounds had as many visitors _ 



A snipe once found on these near meadows generally jumps 

 out of gunshot, and circling round and round in a wide, 

 diverging flight, keeps up an incessant squeaking that 

 always tells of fright, and vainly seeks for a safe place to 

 pitch into not daring to trust, himself in such populated 

 quarters; until at last, weary of the cannonading and salut- 

 ing he is receiving in his couise away out of gunshot, he 

 betakes himself to a more congenial section. 



A day's journey from Philadelphia, and by this 1 mean 

 in neighborhoods only reached by steam railroads, good snipe 

 shootins can very frequently be had. Delaware State has 

 many spots and sb bus Maryland. Just now Milton Creek, 

 Delaware, has many birds on its borders. This section is 

 reached by railroad and stage, and therefore few visit it, 

 the grounds are quite isolated and the local gunners "do not 

 bother with snipe." They wait for Ihc quail season and only 

 yo ' 'a birdin. " Milford, Delaware, neighboring snipe mead- 

 ows are more easily gotten at and have many Philadelphia 

 visitors, but there is a very large extent of good ground and 

 plenty of room when birds are numerous, and they are often 

 struck. The early coming varieties of shore birds have 

 made their appearance on the New Jersey coast and the big 

 yellow-leg has arrived in fair numbers. The later spring 

 visitors of the wading tribe do not show themselves until 

 next month, and those that enjoy and follow spring bay 

 bird shooting wait for them. Of these there are the. black 

 breast plover, the robin snipe and the dowitcher, their stay 

 is short and the flight must be bit just in time. 



Some of my friends, who have made the acquaintance of 

 Western market shooters, whom they have at times employed 

 as guides on October shooting trips," have been the recipient 

 in the spring from some of these men of boxes of snipe. I 

 have seen these packages of game opened, and am sorry to 

 say, on more than one instance found half of the birds to 

 have been upland plover, or as the market shooters termed 

 them, "prairie keets." 



Snow can be still seen in the hollow places on the north- 

 ern side of our Pennsylvania mountains. The season is late 

 for trout fishing, and one may look for spring to tumble 

 right into the lap of summer. * Homo. 



April 19. 



Decrease of Birds in Flomda. — I found nothing new 

 or strange in Florida worth reporting; in fact, did not get 

 away from beaten paths and the currents of travel. Thus 

 much for going alone. I observed this, however, that the 

 birds of Florida are greatly reduced since I first traveled 

 in the State ten years ago. Ducks and other common water 

 fowls have apparently diminished three-fourths, while the 

 more rare aud finely plumaged birds have almost entirely 

 disappeared along the lines of travel. This result, in the 

 latter class of birds, is caused in some degree by the shooting 

 of visitors, but mainly by their destruction for commercial 

 purposes. The steamer lines have stopped promiscuous fir- 

 ing from their decks, for which good step the officers deserve 

 great credit. Formerly a Florida steamboat resembled a gun- 

 boat in constant action, except in-the lamentable fact that all 

 the shots were from her decks. Now she is an orderly, re- 

 spectable craft in the main. At Tampa I found a commer- 

 cial man fitting out a bird-killing expedition for the south- 

 west coast further down. He declared his intention of 

 bringing back 10,000 bird skins. I hope he will be disap- 

 pointed. Further up toward Cedar Key, seeing many deer 

 skins en route to market, I made inquiry and learned that 

 deer are habitually hunted in the less-inhabited districts for 

 their skins alone. This kind of butchery will soon destroy 

 Florida's attraction for sportsmen. The diminution of ducks 

 and other migratory water fowl is probably caused by their 

 destruction further north Comparatively few of them are 

 killed iu Florida. The most accessibly fishing resorts are 

 also perceptibly depleted of their finny game. — W. N. B. 



Wiidfowl in New Brunswick. — Editor Forest and 

 Stream: In your issue of March 37, 1 noticed a communi- 

 cation from "B." on "Wildfowl in New Brunswick." Hive 

 on Northumberland Straits, but have never seen the time 

 when even one hundred geese could be bagged in one day. 

 Most of our gunners would be very well satisfied if they 

 could secure that number during the whole season. I admit 

 that there are better shooting grounds on this coast, but I 

 think, for all that, that "B," has exaggerated, unless he 

 means birds of all kinds, including "coots." Most of the 

 shooting here is done in icehouses (a structure of cireular 

 form two or three feet high) over decoys. The boats described 

 by "B." are used for a short time only, when the ice is 

 breaking up in the channels. In my opinion they injure the 

 shooting, for the birds are driven from their feeding grounds 

 and become very wild. We have had very bad weather for 

 the last fortnight, and but few birds have been killed. The 

 largest score for last week was five geese and one black 

 duck. — C. (New Brunswick). 



Minnesota. — Long Prairie. — Although the snow went 

 off early, and the streams opened up in good season, we have 

 had but few ducks when compared with Hie flight of 1880 

 and 1881. There have been but few bags made here, the 

 largest being fifteen ducks in a day by two men. Last spring 

 the river opened late, and there were no ducks to speak of, 

 and they were scarce last fall. Our spoitsmen are puzzled 

 to know whether the good old days are gone to never return, 

 or whether the ducks nave simply taken a different route in 

 their northerly flight, and next spring may come again. In 

 the fall of 18tt^ the high waters destroyed most of ' the crop 

 of wild rice, and this may have caused the ducks to shun us 

 for a year or two. We have to content ourselves with look- 

 ing forward with high hopes for the fall shooting.— A. W. S. 



Experience With Live Quail.— Downington, Pa., 

 April 7.— On 12th of February I had ten dozen quail shipped 

 from Tennessee. They arrived evening of the 15th with 

 twenty-eight dead. The rest were put in a room 10ft. x5ft, 

 Sin. nigh, covered with a blanket, and branches of cedar 



but have every reason to think they went the way of the 

 others. Can give no reason for their dying, unless they 

 caught cold, as they seemed to have a sneeze and be stopped 

 up in head. I accept this reason. As you see, my first 

 attempt has not been very successful, but not disheartened, 

 1 am going to try it agaiu. If any one can advance any 

 reason for their dying I would be glad to hear from them. 

 —Henry E. Elston. 



Buffalo, N. Y., April 15.— A sad accident— the old 

 story— took place Saturday last. Henry K. Childs, a young 

 man of twenty-one, was returning from a duck hunt. In 

 taking his gun out of the boat it was discharged, striking 

 him in the chest; he lived four hours. This was the second 

 casualty of the week, the other being caused in the same 

 way, when "Billy" Stewart, a market hunter, lost the greater 

 part of his forearm. Several of our fly-fishers have been to 

 Caledonia and succeeded in making fair catches. Perch are 

 beginning to bite, but the fishing will not begin in earnest 

 for some weeks. Snipe are coming in slowly, one or two 

 good bags having been made up the lake shore. — Caballero. 



New IlAMPsmuE.— Colebrook, April 21.— State Commis- 

 sioner E. B. Hodge, of Plymouth, N. 11., made us a visit 

 last week, and three of the crust-hunting fraternity paid for 

 their dog-chewed venison, and the fourth bound over for 

 trial. There are others to follow. Much snow remains in 

 the mountains about here. Not as many deer crust-hunted 

 in this State as in 1883, but done without regard of a proba- 

 ble enforcement of game. laws. Wild geese and ducks ha»ve 

 been here ten days, grouse have wintered well, while many 

 owls found shelter in barns. Saw hawk owl yesterday with 

 mouse in claws. — Ned Norton. 



Birds in Dakota.— Chickens are quite plenty this spring, 

 but many are being killed, which should not, be done at this 

 season of the year. Geese and ducks arc quite plenty, but 

 very wild, ten" to fifteen rods being about the nearest that we 

 can get to them. Three of us went to the lake hunting yes- 

 terday. We got eight ducks and two geese ; one of the geese 

 when it struck the w T ater, tore its gizzard and some of the 

 intestines out.— G. E. C. (Letcher, Sanborn county, Dak.). 



Drop of Gun Stocks. — Hartford Cit} r , Ind. — Editor 

 Forest and Stream: Will you invite one of your correspond- 

 ents of a recent issue to please give his method of changing 

 the drop of a gun stock as he promised that he would in a 

 future issue? I have one that is too straight for me. — C. 



\m and Oliver 



Hallock, Minn., April 10.— Yesterday ducks and geese 

 were r online over in large flocks. The couliees connecting 

 with Two Rivers aie filling: up with them and- sport will be 

 fine; a warm rain will start them north by the hundred.— 

 Norman, 



§mp S ir t Stofowd*- 



♦ 



"That reminds me." 

 110. 



T?ISH were rather scarce at Put-in-Bay that, fall, and the 

 A. capture of a big bass was a rarity ; so in order to keep 

 even, some of the more'unscrupulous of visiting fishermen 

 were known to stoop so low as to drop a hook in a "crib" 

 and quietly disentangle a large bass, while the oarsman kept 

 a lookout for the owner. But fish so caught usually had some 

 tar sticking to their scales, owing to having brushed against 

 the net in their efforts to regain liberty, and when a string 

 of fine fish would be brought to the hotel and hung up for 

 exhibition, there would always be questions put and equally 

 suggestive glances made in relation to tar, etc. Rob P. , a 

 young lawyer fiom Cincinnati, caught an elegant bass, and 

 as it^vus his first experiment in fishing, he was greatly 

 elated with his trophy. I hadn't caught any, but was "going 

 to" shortly, and intent upon that was sitting iu the other 

 end of the boat paying no heed to Rob. Happening to look 

 around I saw Rob with the big bass between his knees rub- 

 bing its nose with a pi&ee of sandpaper in a vain endeavor 

 to erace a coal black birth mark, extending from the nose to 

 one eye, with which the poor fish had been unfortuuately 

 endowed. I promised not to tell, but being a fisherman my 

 brethren will not, be surprised at niy transgression. Tar. 



111. 



It was in the days of muzzleloaders. Dominie M. was 

 fond of an occasional outing with gun or rod, in company 

 with a congenial spirit. On this occasion he had gone after 

 ducks, with lawyer T. for a companion. They had concealed 

 themselves on a point, and toward night ducks were flying 

 lively, exciting the gentlemen, who found it difficult to load 

 and fire fast enough In the midst of the melee the Dominie 

 forgot to put, powder in one barrel and rammed home the 

 shot vigorously. Along came the ducks. Bang! went one 

 barrel, and snap went the other cap. Fresh cap with like 

 result. Another. Then the good man, striving to restrain 

 his— well, call it impatience — remembered his omission. 

 Calling to bis friend, he said: 

 "T , do you know what hymn this reminds me of?" 

 "Don't know as I do," replied that gentleman, whose ac- 

 quaintance with hymn books w r as quite slim. 

 " "Well," said the dominie, eying the gun regretfully, it 

 runs this way, 



"A charge to keep I have." g 



MONTHLY LIST OF PATENTS 



For Inventions Relating to Sporting Interests, Bearing Date 



March 25, 1884. Reported expressly for this paper by Louis 



Bagger & Co., Mechanical Experts and Solicitors 



ef Patents, Washington, D. C. 



295,630. Cartridge Loader and Cap Expeller.— L. Keller, New York, 

 N, Y. 



294,429. Fishing Rod Reel Fastening.— G. L. Bailey, Portland, Me. 



295,056. Animal Trap.— H. B. Sargent. .New Haven, Conn. 



294,S50. Cartridge. Decapper, Kec&pper and Reloader.— F Gifford, 

 Burlington, la. 



291,772. Barrel Lock for Break Down Guns.— N. R. Davis, Freetown, 

 Mass. 



294,993. Row Lock.— S. H. Haas, Chicago, 111. 



295.350. Artificial Fish Bait.— W. D. Chapman, Theresa, N Y. 



295,246. Armorplated Gun Carriage.— H Gruaon, Buckau, near Mag- 

 deburg, and M. Schumann, Magdeburg, Prussia. Germany. 



295,245. Gun Carriage.— H.Gruson. Magdeburg, Germany 



295,585. Magazine Gun.— A. H. Russell, H. S. Army. . 



295,286. Magazine Gun.— A. H. Russell. U. S. Arrhy., 



295,235. Gun Wad.— J. W. Dennis, Cincinnati, O. 



295,234. Gun Wad Retainer.— J. W. Dennis, Cincinnati, O. 



BLACK BASS FISHING IN CENTRAL 

 NEW YORK. 



EVERY lover of the gentle and Health-giving sport of 

 fishing regrets to see the disappearance of the brook 

 trout from the streams where they once were so plentiful. 

 But so long as the people are so indifferent to their own in- 

 terests as to take no measures for their preservation, we can 

 look for no increase, but rather for the total extermination 

 of this beautiful and game fish in all the settled portions of 

 the. country. This compels all lovers of the rod who cannot 

 spare the time or the money for a trip into the North Woods, 

 to Maine or Canada, to look for a substitute for the trout. 



The only fish worthy of being called a substitute for the 

 trout, is the small-mouthed black bass. Those who have 

 become familiar with the habits of this wary fish will agree 

 with Dr. Henshall that he is the coming game fish of 

 America. There are several reasons for this. AmoKg them 

 that the black bass will readily take any kind of bait, or 

 spoon, aud is the only fish besides the trout that will rise to 

 the fly, and when caught throw r himself out of the water in 

 his struggles to escape the hook. The Oswego bass will also 

 take the fly, but rarely throws himself out of water, and, 

 however gamy he may be in the West or Florida, is tame 

 indeed compared with the black bass in New York. 



The black bass is very prolific aud hardy, and thrives in 

 lakes and sluggish streams where uo member of the salmon 

 family can live. He grows to a good weight, and is an ex- 

 cellent table fish when properly cooked. But to the sports- 

 man, his chief value is in his splendid fighting qualities, his 

 strength, endurance and artful resources, fie is as coy and 

 shy as a young girl, as cunning and uncertain as an old one. 

 To-day he is content to feed upon the humble anglo worm 

 and to-morrow nothing less dainty than a moth-miller or a 

 butterfly will satisfy him. Minnows are his most regular 

 diet, yet he will rise eagerly to the R. W., silver doctor, Fer- 

 guson, Mann, peacock hurl or magpie when minnows are 

 swarming around him. And then, his local habits have to 

 be studied if the sportsman would lure him from his home. 

 • An Onondaga Lake bass and one from Oneida Lake differ 

 as much in manner and habits as a ]Sew Yorker differs from 

 a Bostonian. 



Central New York is very fortunate in having so many 

 beautiful lakes and streams where the bass are plenty, and 

 each year growing more numerous. With Syracuse as a 

 center, the angler can go in any direction and in half an 

 hour to an hour's ride get on good bass-fishing ground. 

 Fast, Cazenovia Lake; south, the Tully chain of lakes; west. 

 Skaneateles, Cayuga and Seneca lake's and Seneca River; 

 north (almost at our door), Onondaga Lake, Oneida Lake 

 and River, the Oswego River aud Lake Ontario. Good fish- 

 ing can be had in each of these waters during the season. 



Flyfishing begins in the Seneca River May 20, and is good 

 upon the reefs throughout the season till November. In the 

 other waters the season opens June 1. In the lakes fly-fish- 

 ing actually does not begin much before July 1, as the fish 

 will not rise much before the water gets warm. July, 

 August and September are tne best, months for the lake 

 fishing. 



Ou Lake Ontario at Mexico Point and near Oswego, and 

 on Oneida Lake at Messinger's, north of Canastota, and at 

 Lakeport and Shackleton's Foist are rocky, blind islands 

 where the bass come in great numbers from deep w r ater to 

 feed. At each of these places the bass will rise to the fly 

 for a brief period in July and August, when rare sport may 

 be had ; but during the greater part of the season minnow's 

 are the most killing bait. In the other waters mentioned, 

 especially in Onondaga Lake and the Seneca and Oswego 

 rivers, more fish are caught wilh the fly than by any other 

 method, and as nearly all our sportsmen are expert fly- 

 casters, those waters are their favorite resorts. 



The bass of Onondaga Lake bear off the palm for game 

 qualities, for hardness and firmness of flesh. In this lake 

 the shore ''slopes very gradually until it is four or five feet 

 deep, and then suddenly very rapidly into deep water. The 

 steep slope is covered on all sides of the lake with a luxuriant 

 growth of aquatic plants, which afford shelter for the fish. 

 Just within the weeds in shallow water are the spawning 

 beds, scooped out like great bowls in the clean sand, so that 

 the bass have excellent lurking places for themselves whiie 

 guarding the beds and their young. 



There are two methods of fishing — either row the boat in 

 shallow water and cast over the weeds to the edge of deep 

 water, or to row in deep water and cast up to the edge, of 

 weeds. The danger of the first is, that a powerful fish may 

 dart into the weeds when struck, and get the flies entangled 

 before the boat can be get into deep water. 



Most fishermen prefer fishing from deep water, as there is 

 less risk of loss. In the excitement of the struggle with a 

 three-pounder, or possibly two, one does not care to take too 

 many chances with rod and tackle. 



As a rule, a bass will not rise to the surface for the fly, 

 at the instant it touches the water; sometimes, though rarely, 

 it will rush up and out of the water to meet, the dropping 

 fly, and sometimes it will only take the fly beneath the sur- 

 face, when gently trailed after the cast. Some fishermen 

 put a split shot on the stretcher fly to sink it, after the cast, 

 but no one who loves his delicate split bamboo rod and its 

 deft handling will so abuse it. 



The flies to be used can only be determined by actual trial, 

 the state of the weather, wind, clouds, sun, and water, and 

 the special food the bass are seeking on the day. all having 

 to be" considered. Generally early in the season, when the 

 water is high and discolored, light-colored, white and gray 

 flies, and bright tinsel-bodied flies, like the silver doctor, 

 are the most killing. Later dark brown, black, green and 

 orange-bodied flies are most attractive. 



Frequent changes are desirable until the killing fly is found. 

 Then arrange the cast with reference to that fly, and look 

 for y our rew ard . Waverl y. 



Syracuse, N. Y., April 12, 1884. 



Gigantic Turtle.— Capt. Augustus G. Hall and crew, 

 of the schooner Annie L. Hall, of Gloucester, vouch for the 

 following : On the Grand Bank, March 30, in lata ude 41 a 10' , 

 longitude 33, discovered an immense live trunk turtle, which 

 was first thought to be a vessel bottom up. The schooner 

 passed within 25 feet of the monster, and there was ample 

 opportunity to estimate its dimensions in comparison with 

 the length of the schooner. The turtle was at least 40 feet 

 long, 30 wide, 30 from apex of the back to the bottom of 

 the under shell. ' The flippers were 20 feet long. It was not 

 deemed advisable to attempt its capture.— New Bedford 

 Sentinel, 



