346 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Mat 20, 1884. 



choke, "but they go from 30 to 30 yards further with more 

 directness, and if the gun is properly loaded, the penetration 

 is not materially afiectfd. 



Those who hunt ducks have probably found it to be very 

 convenient to have a gun that will carry with uniformity 

 one ounce of heavy shot 60 yards, backed by 4 drams of 

 good powder. This increase of distance is undoubtedly ob- 

 tained by the wise system of choking that our makers have 

 succeeded in getting, enabling us to reach out after game 

 that grows more wild as it gets more scarce. For wing- 

 shooting in the brush 1 sh.mld'not desire a lull choke, but 

 would even there like a modified choke. We are often 

 obliged to take long shots at quail and partridge i I we get 

 any shots at all. Wire cartridges in a cylinder do good 

 work, but they are costly luxuries for rapid shooting. One 

 thing more- Let it be proven that English guns excel the 

 make of our home manufactories in the field before we 

 decide in their favor. American mechanics never have 

 been excelled in the long run. They are not now. Europe 

 has had our gun trade long enough. * Choke-Bore. 



THAT STEAM CAT. 



Editor Forest mid Stream: 



It is sad to grow old; to be thrust aside from and be left 

 behind by the struggling, advancing crowd of younger men, 

 to feel the vigor ot one's frame passing away, the once firm 

 muscles grown flabby, the bones invaded by rheumatic pains, 

 the lissome joints stiffening with age, the erect form warped, 

 the eye grown dim, the ear dull, tne arm nerveless, the grass- 

 hopper become a burden. All these indications of appioach- 

 ing senility are hard for one, first to realiz'', then to submit 

 to; but it is harder still to become aware that one's mental 

 faculties are failing, and that time is blotting many things 

 fiom the page of memory, and that already much recorded 

 there has become a blank. 



This pang I felt most keenly when I read the communica- 

 tion of your correspondent "G. Whillikens," in a recent 

 issue of Fokest and Stream, for many of the things related 

 by his friend Squi bob as having happened to him and me 

 have entirely passed out of my recollection. I have no remem- 

 brance of anything in relation to the steam cat, nor even ot 

 the existence of such an animal, and certainly none wnatever 

 of my having taken part in any land battle oil tins continent. 

 What little fighting that 1 remember done by me with human 

 foes was with my corps, the Horse Marines, at sea, and I can- 

 nit recall the fact that 1 ever bestrode a "cayute," whatever 

 that may be, though during one cruise, when I was attached 

 to the ij. S. frigate Constipation, we were mounted on sea 

 horses. It was the hardest service I ever saw, for we were 

 in the saddle almost constantly, swimming our steeds around 

 the ship, half of us all day and half all night, only going 

 aboard for our rations and sleep. 



But it is not my purpose to relate my adventures here, but 

 only to confess how sadly my memory has failed. Ah me! 

 it is indeed sad to grow old, but it is a consolation to me to 

 feel that though bodily and mental faculties are wanina, my 

 love of truth is as strong as ever, and to know that I have 

 not lost, as some appear to have done, with youth and vigor, 

 my capacity for telling it. 



Yours for the truth, 



adironda, May 14. Major Joseph Verity, U.S.H.M. 



MIDNIGHT MELODY. 



THERE appears to be something peculiar in the geographi- 

 cal situation of this city that attracts migratory bints in 

 passing over. On several occasions of late years Vast numoers of 

 plover have been Jieard calling as they went over the city on 

 tneir autumnal migration, and before* the wild pigeons had 

 been reduced in numbers to the present propoitions they 

 were seen in this vicinity whenever they entexed the State at 

 all. There has not been a noteworthy flight, of pigeons here 

 within fifteen years, but plover, ducks and geese continue to 

 show themselves about the time they are changing their hab- 

 itation. 



On the night of Thursday, May 2i, the midnight sky was 

 vocal with what seemed to be the whistling of innumerable 

 birds of the plover species, perhaps they were what you peo- 

 ple along the sea coast call hav snipe. They were not gray 

 plover, lor iU> call is so peculiar that I never fail to recognize 

 it. The night was dark and a litttlc rain was falling, so that 

 no one could see the birds, although they sometimes flew so 

 low, to judge from the clearness of their twitterings, that 

 they must have been within gunshot. Again they would 

 be heard so faintly as to indicate that they were athousund 

 feet above. They seemed to be moving from the east to the 

 west, and the variety of cries led to the belief that all of the 

 birds were not of the same kind or size. The prevailing 

 call sounded to my ear very like the soft whi«tle ot widgeon 

 as they hover over decoys. E, Redmond. 



Rochester, N. Y., May 24. 



TWO-EYED SHOOTING. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



As my article on "Two-Eyed Shooting" was written for 

 the purpose of assisting beginners and others in the art (for 

 ir is an acquired power) of shooting, in justice to myself 

 and those for whom the bem fit was intended and through 

 courtesy, I ought not to leave unanswered the kind criticism 

 of your gentlemanly correspondent, "O. W. O," in your 

 issue of May 15. Before proceeding to discuss his strictures, 

 1 must disclaim any desire to "induce, others to admire my 

 gun," etc. , as set forth in his preamble, as reference to my 

 article will show that "a gun tb>tt fits is the only gun alluded 

 to," and as to '"my holding" that was the subj ct matter and 

 I am excusable. Now, as to the main points of his ("D W. 

 C .'&") objection, I Will, to make it clear (without giving in 

 full "D." W. C.V' communication) quote only points of 

 variance, to wit: "Now. if his advice to hold the gun still 

 about two seconds before shooting only applied to duck 

 sitting on water or any bird not in motion, no doubt he is 

 correct," etc. To which I reply that the aim by my method 

 is equally true at moving objects as at stationary objects. 

 The rule holds good lhat if the aim _ of the gun by this 

 method is true in one instance it will be in another. I tried 

 in my first communication to make it appear that the eyes 

 directed the movement of the gun— by what scientific pro- 

 cess I am unable to say. 



If that point is conceded (which "D. W. C." does concede 

 by saying "if applied to duck sitting on water or birds not 

 in motion, he is correct"), does it not follow that the gun 

 will change as the eye changes from one point to another? 

 In cross shots, as with shooting with one eye shut, allowance 

 must be made for distance and Speed of bird and sight taken 

 accordingly, but how much better can it be done with object 



within line of vision with both eyes open than with one eye 

 shut, losing entire sight of object and making the holding 

 all guess work. To quote further, he says; "Where would 

 the bird be by the time the two s< conds interval had ex- 

 pired? Evidently 70 to 100 yards away." 



As to rapid flights of birds i have no data to compare with 

 "D W. C.V figures, nor do I think it necessary. It must 

 be remembered that a bird's Initial velt city does not compare 

 with the rifle ball, if he does have more "staying power," 

 therefore "1). W. C.'s" extreme speed does not apply to a 

 bird taking wing. I will admit that when game flushes at 40 

 yaids away (and as I am not a 100-yard irunman) two seconds 

 may be fatal to success, but is it certain that he who shuts 

 one eye, can aim quicker? But when birds (as with us) rise 

 from 3 feet to 20 yards, I find no difficulty with my gun 

 (excuse allusion to it), barrels 24 inches long 2£ drams 

 powder and £ of an ounce of No. 8 shot, in stopping them. 



"D. W. C." will admit that there are potterers at all things 

 they undertake; aiming a gun is not an exception, and 

 notably so is a hunting friend of mine, and he will bear me 

 out, that 1 scold bun for being slow in the one only thing he 

 ought to be quick. Nevertheless, with this pottering in aim- 

 ing, when he has no intervening object, in a clear field, with 

 his 1, 2, 3 and 4 seconds, he makes his bag, when it comes 

 to the bush, with the manner d la prince and generosity un- 

 equalled, remains a spectator, with the remark, "My friend, 

 you have need of both eyes, perhaps three." 1 practice what I 

 preach, and at risk of beine thought a braggart, I will state 

 that I am considered a good shot and it is'known 1o all of 

 my hunting companions that I shoot no other way. With 

 kindest regards and esteem for "D, W. C." Sportsman. 

 Columbus, Ga, 



DEER FLOATING INCIDENTS. 



YX/'HTLE reading the articles on "Deer in the Adiron- 

 » V daeks" in your paper, I was reminded of two anec- 

 dotes, which George Sweeny was accustomed to relate when- 

 ever the conversation turned to "night hunting" or "floating" 

 for deer. Probably all sportsmen who have entered the Ad- 

 irondacks by way of the Lower Saranac have seen or heard 

 of George Sweeny, one of the best and most trustworthy of 

 Adirondack guides, one much sought after by sportsmen on 

 account of his steady habits and general excellence and also 

 a member of that seemingly exhaustless family T of the name 

 of Swe< ny. (One rarely fails to find a Sweeny or a Moody r in 

 any part of the Saranac or St. Regis country.) 



At one time, in years gone by, George was in camp at the 

 head of Big Tuppeis' Lake and was guiding a gentleman 

 from Ireland, who was in this country in pursuit of sport, 

 Being out of venison it was suggested that George and his 

 sportsman should paddle up ±5og River and endeavor to 

 secure that valuable article. As soon as it was dark they 

 started and on their way to the carry by the falls George 

 sp,:nt the time in instructing Mr. Sportsman into the modus 

 operandi to be pursued. He told him that if they had the 

 good luck to see a deer, to keep perfectly still, and not to 

 shoot until he whispered to him to do so. 



Up the river they silently paddled until, as they came 

 arouud a bend, George discovered a nice buck standing in 

 the water some distance ahead. With strong silent strokes 

 of the paddle George sent the boat along until he thought 

 the proper time, when he whispered "shoot." The man in 

 the bow never stirred. George whispered again a little louder 

 "shoot," but noresponsefrom the bow of the boat. In a state 

 of excitement, G orge whispers in as loud a tone as he dares, 

 "shoot, shoot quick." He has hardly finished when Mr. 

 Sportsman from Ireland turns about so as to face him and 

 exclaims in a loud voiiw and with a brogue betraying his 

 nationality, "Would 1 take him now?" It is needless to state 

 the result. 



At another time George was one of the guides in the — - 

 party from Yonkers, and one evening took the youngest 

 member of the party out in order to give him his first lesson 

 in "night hunting," and cauiiomd him to keep perfectly still, 

 whatever he saw." As they were slowly floating along a deer 

 came iu sight and the instant the boy saw it he jumped up 

 shouting, "George, I sec a deer, I see a deer." 



So he did, but that was all. Ampersand. 



THE MASSACHUSETTS BILL. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



Knowing something about the defeat of the proposed 

 game law of Massachusetts, 1 would like to record some 

 facts concerning - it that do not seem to be generally know r n, 

 The bill passed the Senate without opposition, and it would 

 have gone through the House in the same way had it been a 

 proper bill, intended for the best interests of sportsmen. 

 The House luckily contains a sportsman or two, and their 

 attention was drawn to several very objectionable chaises, 

 that prohiblling the shooting of sea birds in inland waters 

 being most important, in which case the very best autumn 

 gunning on the Massachusetts coast would be entirely pre- 

 vented. This clause of itself merits the defeat ol the bill. 

 The closed season for black duck shooting begins just as these 

 birds arrive on the coast. Other closed dates were very 

 obj' ctionable. 



In addition to these were, the portions which referred to 

 collecting song birds. Under this clause no person could 

 get an ornithologist's certificate until over twenty-one years 

 of age. I know a number of young men who would be 

 veryinuch iujurul by such legislation, provided it was exe- 

 cuted, As this part of the game law never has been en- 

 forced there is little *3ason to hope that it would have been 

 this year. Indeed, legislation in regard to song birds is and 

 always has been in this Slate a mere farce. It is a poor way 

 to begin to strengthen them by prosecutirm young men in- 

 terested in ornithology, while the fields are filled with 

 wanton bird killers More care should be exercised in giv- 

 ing out certificates, and each person ought to be obliged to 

 furnish some proof that he is interested in the birds' welfare. 

 As the Massachusetts law stood it was entirely u> fit to pass. 

 Until a game law suitable in all respects is framed for the 

 interest of sportsmen, naturalists and the public, I for (me 

 hope that all iu the meantime will be defeated. The talk 

 about members of the House being bribed by theater tickets, 

 cigars, etc.. is, I think, based entirely upon theory. As for 

 the person who started the opposition and was most instru- 

 mental iu killing it, 1 can say that he is an ardent sportsman, 

 who has brought more than one violator of the game law to 

 punishment, and would be the last peison to accept a bribe 

 for killing a bill, especially one relating to game. R. T. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



Our proposed same law fell through. Generally good, it 

 yet was faulty. While it cut off spring snipe, which is the 



best time about here to get them, it prolonged the open sea- 

 son on fowl, perhaps to give some gentlemen who visit Cape 

 Cod a better chance at brant. Then again it made the close 

 season on shore birds up to Aug. 1. I have known good 

 shooting on robin snipe by July 13, and for jack curlew, the 

 most of them go along in July. Then the uplands leave on 

 the first good frost. Two weeks in July are worth consider- 

 able. I have said nothing about peeps and ringnecks, but 

 they help out a mess, small as they are. Finally, it seems to 

 me that when the birds commence to return from the north 

 it is time to shoot. Whether it be July 1 or any other time, 

 when they come back the fall flight has of course begun. 



Males generally come first, then the females, and finally 

 the young of the year as they become strong enough to per- 

 form the migration. The trouble is we have too much law 

 now, but not enough enforcement. Sometimes it seems to 

 me as if the so-called pot-hunter got more than his share of 

 blame. Just as long as the genus homo endures, there will 

 be those who, to satisfy their appetites, will pay almost any 

 price (in or out of season) for birds or other "game. Two 

 wrongs will not make a right, but I do say that a shot at the 

 class I have just mentioned, is one delivered at a fair target, 

 anil a very important factor. Boston market is a great dump- 

 hole, 1 admit that and truly hope to see a change. 



Sportsmen who want more stringent laws aud proper en- 

 forcement must dig down deeper into their pockets and fight 

 harder, I mean more substantially, or they will lose the race 

 against marketmen and gourmands four times out of five. 



X. Y Z. 



Salem, Mass., May 8. 



THE NEW YORK LAW. 



IN answer to a correspondent the other day we quoted the 

 following sections of the Game law : 



Section 10. Any person who shall knowingly trespass upon culti- 

 vated or inclosrd lands for the purpose of shooting or hunting any 

 game protected by this act, or shall take any fish from private ponds 

 or streams not stocked in whole or in part by the State, or altar puuhe 

 notice has been given by the owner thereof as provided in tne follow- 

 ing section shall be liable to such owner or occupation, in addition to 

 the actual damages sustained, in exemplary damages to an amount 

 not exceeding $25. 



Section 17. The notice referred to in the preceding section shall be 

 given by erecting: sign boaras, at least one foot square, upon every 

 fifty acres of land upon the limits thereof, or upon the shores or bank 

 i'f any lake. >tream, or pond, in at least two conspicuous places 

 on the premises; such notice to have appended thereto the name of 

 the owner or occupant, and any person who shall tear down or in 

 any way deface or injure such sign board, shall be liable to a penalty 

 of $25. 



The Monte Fredy Fishing Club requests us to print also 

 sections 27 aud 28, which read : 



Section 27. Any owner or owners, or lessee or lessees, of lands or 

 lands and water, whether such owner cr owners, lessee or lessees, be 

 an individual or individuals, asrociation or associations, society or 

 societies, corporation or corporations, desiring to lay out, devote or 

 d' dieate sucn lands or lands and water, for the pnrno-e of a private 

 park or territory, for propagating or protecting fish, birds, and game, 

 shall publish at least once a week for three months, in a paper of 

 general circulation, printed in the county or counties within which 

 such lands or lands and water are located, descriuing the same, There 

 shall be inserted in said notiee, a clause declaring that such lands or 

 lands and water will be used as a private park for the purpose afore- 

 said. It shall be the duty of sucn owner or owner , lessee or lessees, 

 at any time during the publication of said notice, or wi binsixmonths 

 after'the final publication thereof, to po t up or put up n. ticesor 

 sign boards, warning; all persons against trespassing thereon, such 

 notices or sign boards to be not less tnan one loot square, and placed 

 not more than forty rods apart along the entire boundary of said ter - 

 ritory, when said premises shall con-ist entln ly of land, and when 

 he same shall consist of botn land and wafer, the said no. ices shall 

 be placed in conspicuous places upon said territory, so iheie shall be 

 at least one notice or sign board so placet! or erected for < very one 

 hundred acres ot said territory. When thep operty to be protect' d 

 shall consist of a lake or pond only, said notices shall be placed in at 

 least four conspicuous places upon the shore of such lake or pond. 

 When the premises shall be inclosed by a fence or fences of reason- 

 able capacity for jirotecting said premises, then notices orsignboards 

 of the dimensions aforesaid shall be placed on said fence or fences 

 not more than one-half mile apart. After such tertitoiy shall be 

 dedicated and designated, all hsh, birds, and game, of. in, or upon 

 the same shall be the property of the owners or lessees thereof. [As 

 amended May 31, 1880. chap. Vi\. 



Section 28. Alter such ground are Inclosed in such manner as to 

 render i uch fish or game private property, no person shall catch or 

 take from, or kill, any fish, bird.-, or game, in or upon said grounds 

 or waters, or put on such grounds or iu such wat rs, any poi onous 

 or other deleterious substance, or piscivorous fish, or let off the 

 waters from said grounds, with intent to take fish, or to dertroy the 

 fish or eggs placed in such waters, or deface or destroy any sl^n or 

 notice posted or put up as aforesaid; or place any object againsr or 

 near su-h ence or inelosure. with intent to aid dogs or other animals 

 to get into said grounds, or to enable animals kept therein to escape 

 therefrom, or enter upon such grounds with the implements or 

 weapons for catching, taking, or killing fish, birds, or game thereon. 

 Any person found guilty of any offense against this section shall be 

 liable to the owner or lessee, in addition to the actual damages in- 

 curred, in exemplary damages to the amount of 826. 



The club correspondent adds: "The first trout stream in 

 Onondaga county that has been leased we have possession 

 of. We have stocked and will continue to stock it. Our 

 lease is for twenty years, absolute title. We have complied 

 with the law all the way through and trespassers or poachers 

 will have to take their chances. The first man we catch 

 fishing on our stream will get the full penalty of the law if it 

 cost* $1,000." 



The section relating to the power of supervisors has been 

 amended to read as follows: 



Section 37. It shall be lawful for the board of supervisors of^any 

 county, at their annual meeting, to make any regulations or ordi- 

 nances protecting other birds, fish or game than those mentioned in 

 this act. and also for the further protection of such birds, fish or 

 game as are in this act mentioned, except wild deer, and to this end 

 to prohibit hunting and nshing in particular localities or watets lying 

 witnin their respective counties, for limited periods and during cer- 

 tain months of the year, and to prescribe punishments and penal ics 

 for the violation thereof, and adopt ail necessary measures lor the 

 e forcement of such punishment and the collection ot such penalties 

 And such regulations and ordinances shall be published in the papei s 

 in suchtjountv in whicn the session laus are publisned;an.l acerUfled 



-, _ . _ ,» , ii , at a : .1-..^ ..-.eeo,,, r.Y tlw:> /'U-.T-C- ot 111,} .-...iiiOt- 



uunferring upon t..^ . 

 or authority to prohibit the owner or owners, iu whole or in part, of 

 lands and waters wholiv private, or the lessee or lessees thereof, 

 whether such owner or o'wners, lessee or lessees be an individual or 

 individuals, association or associations, society or societies, corpora- 

 tion or corporations, from angling and taking fish in a lawful manner 



, ,.,... .,. r .i.„ _. „n,-,„-«.1 e.r- t\-.a. ln„rc ,.( elite Sr,.t» TViic net is 



complied with the provisions of section lwenty-seven of said chapter 

 live liundred and thirty -four of the laws of eighteen hundred and 

 seventy-nine, and the acts amendatory thereof. 



Domesticating Wildfowl.— Siuce the loss of the flock 

 of wood ducks recorded in our columns, Mr. Fred Mather 

 has received, at his place at Cold Spring Harbor, L. i., the 

 following birds, some of which are already mated : One pair 

 of Mandarin ducks or Chinese teal (Aix gahnculalo), four 

 pairs of American wood ducks or summer ducks (Aixsponsa). 

 two pairs European widgeon [Manea ptnelope), one pah of 

 European pintail ducks (Dufila acuta), and one male green - 

 winged teal {Qiterquedula ereeca). The i ffort to breed our 

 beautiful wildfowl in captivity will be made, and many 

 additions to the list are desired. 



