6 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[.I a.n. 26, 18S8. 



trict to another. If they come across a plantation they 

 devastate it by rooting up its crops; when they meet any 

 thing unusual they are thrown into great alarm, which 

 they express by a clatter of the teeth. If a hunter ven- 

 tures to attack one of these herds, he is snre to be torn in 

 pieces by the infuriated throng, unless he take to n tree 

 or escape by flight. When excited by rage their eyes 

 flash, they rub their snouts together, erect their bristles, 

 and fill the air with their cries." Peccaries are notorious 

 in possessing a powerful scent gland, giving forth through 

 the oleaginous substance it secretes, the most offensive 

 odor, and unless this be immediately removed after they 

 are killed, it totally unfits their flesh for human consump- 

 tion. This is best marked in our own species (D. tajagu). 

 and this structure induced the early describers to believe 

 it to be a second navel, an idea which led to its specific 

 name of Dicotyles, bestowed upon the genus by Cuvier. 



As will be seen from our figure of a peccary that these 

 little, wild, pig-like animals not only resemble the domes- 

 ticated species in their general form, but they also do, in 

 so far as their different mode of life will allow them, in 

 all their other propensities, habits and structure. One 

 striking difference, however, for peccaries lack any ex- 

 ternal evidence of a tail, an appendage of almost histori- 

 cal fame in the common pig. Further, nothing of strik- 

 ing note particularly characterizes the canine' teeth in 

 these peccaries, whereas some of their foreign relatives 

 are markedly favored in this particular, as for example 

 the Babirussas of the island of Bum and the Celebes, a 

 species wherein the upper canines actually pierce the lips 

 as shown in Fig. 2, one of my drawings illustrating this 

 article; or the still more remarkable canines of the Wart- 

 Hog of the continent (see Fig. 3), where these teeth are 

 great, upturned tusks, protruding far beyond the limits 

 of the hps and jaws. Notwithstanding such marked dif- 

 ferences as these, however, the many species of swine, 

 the world over, both wild and domesticated, have nearly 

 a common structure, and so far as paleontology goes to 

 show us, they have held to it in former geologic periods 

 "with characteristic pertinacity," as is evidenced by 

 the several species of fossil types which have been dis- 

 covered. It is said that these animals, if taken young, 

 may be easily domesticated, but owing to their flesh being 

 much inferior to that of the common varieties of swine, 

 and to their frightful odor, and to their not being prolific 

 breeders, there has been no special inducement to under- 

 taking their domestication upon any great scale. Usually 

 a female peccary will bear but once during a twelve- 

 month, and then'bring forth but one or two young at the 

 time. Omnivorous in their tastes, these animals will 

 feed indiscriminately upon roots, fruit, fish, snakes, 

 worms or even carrion, and I have already alluded to the 

 maimer in which they will lay waste the farmer's crops 

 on certain occasions. Those who have enjoyed studying 

 their habits in nature, tell us that they resort to the bur- 

 rows deserted by other annuals, or to the hollow trunks 

 of trees, to dwell in them: but that for the most part they 

 are usually met roaming in small or large parties through 

 the trackless forests, where the hunter may easily follow 

 them by their powerful scent. 



Our species, the collared peccary, ranges from the Eed 

 Eiver of Arkansas, southward, and is not as large an 

 animal as the white-tipped one by 4in. in its total length. 

 It is, moreover, less ferocious in its habits, being rather 

 gentle than otherwise, and little disposed to attack any 

 one or any thing. Commonly it is met either in a herd 

 consisting at the most of not more than a dozen individ- 

 uals, or at other times a single pah - , or even a lone one 

 may be found by the hunter. This species is at once dis- 

 tinguished from D. labiatus by the whitish band which 

 passes across the back from shoulder to shoulder (see Fig. 

 1). For the rest the animal is clothed in a coat of dark- 

 grayish, bristly hair, which is markedly lengthened along 

 the back from head to tail, or where the tail ought to be, 

 were one to be found there. One writer well describes 

 the foot structure in the peccary in these words, and he 

 says, "In the feet the two middle (third and fourth) uieta- 

 podial bones, which are completely separate in the pigs, 

 are united at their upper ends, as in the ruminants. On 

 the forefoot the two (second and fifth) outer toes are 

 equally developed as in pigs, but on the hindfoot, although 

 the inner (or second) is present, the outer or fifth toe is 

 entirely wanting, giving an unsymmetrical appearance 

 to the member, very unusual in Artiodactyles. As in all 

 other existing Ungulates, there is no trace of a first digit 

 (pollex or hallux) on either foot." 



As much as has been already contributed to our knowl- 

 edge of the habits and structure of the peccary, and in- 

 deed to the Suina generally, there is a great deal of un- 

 written information in regard to them, which science 

 will be very glad to have at her command: and any in- 

 vestigations in such directions should be encouraged," and 

 accurate reports of researches will be highly valued. 



While engaged in writting this article I have been much as- 

 sisted through my perusal of the following works: Professor W. 

 H. Flower's excellent contribution to the ninth edition of the 

 British Encyclopedia, more especially the one on the "Mammalia," 

 and several on the Ungulates generally, as "Hippopotamus," 

 "Peccary," "Horse^" and "Swine." Also the "Osteoloery of the 

 Mammalia." by the same author. Prof. Sir Richard Owen's 

 "Anatomy of Vertebrates," and his special monographs. Marsh's 

 classic quarto volumes on the "Uinocerata" and other memoirs by 

 the same writer. Cope's long series of papers in the American 

 Naturalist, fully illustrated, and presenting the most exhaustive 

 accounts of fossil ungulates. Huxley's "Anatomy of Vertebmtccl 

 Animals,'' his "Elements of Comparative Anatomy" (1WJ4J, and 

 many of his numerous other contributions relating to ungulate 

 morphology. Caton on "The Antelope and Deer of America." 

 Several of G. Baur's recent memoirs; and the excellent contribu- 

 tions of Scott and Osborn, of Princeton College, to the subject. 

 Gill's "Arrangement of the Families of Mammals." vVoi tmau's 

 "Comparative Anatomy of the Teeth of the Y ertebrata;" the gen- 

 eral text books of Gegenbaur, Packard, YViedersheim (Parker's 

 trans.), Glaus and Sedgwick, Bell and others. "Wallace's account 

 of the Bahinma in his "Malay Archipelago." Mivart's "Lessons 

 in Elementary Anatomy." Chanveau's "Comparative Anatomy 

 of the Domesticated Animals." Darwin's "Origin of Species" and 

 "Animals and Plants under Domestication." Several of Garrod's 

 special memoirs, more particularly the one on "The Order Dino- 

 cerata." Le Conte's "Elements of Geology," and numerous 

 special contributions of a number of other writers upon (he sub- 

 ject. 



Range of the Quail in New York. — The excitement 

 created among dogs and older inhabitants by the appear- 

 ance of two Bob Whites in our meadows last July has 

 raised the questions, What is the exact range of the quail 

 in Central New York? Where is it found north of Pough- 

 keepsie and east of Onondaga county? And, in each case, 

 is its presence normal, or has it been introduced? Can 

 the readers of the Forest and Stream enlighten us? 

 Florence A. Merriam (Locust Grove, Lewis countv, 

 N, Y.). 



Kingfisher in New York in Winter,— -New York, I 

 Jan. 22.— Editor Forest and Stream: When crossing 

 from Pel ham to David's Island, Long Island Sound, on 

 Friday afternoon, Jan. 20, 1888, I was much surprised to 

 see a kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) flying over the water close 

 to the bow of the boat, as we neared the Government 

 dock. There was considerable ice in the bay, and with 

 the fields white with snow, this bird, so characteristic of 

 sunshine and summer weather, seemed sadly out of place. 

 He uttered no sound as he flew along, and I doubt not 

 the cheerless nature of his surroundings (or possibly a 

 severe cold) had taken away all inclination on his part to 

 waive the echoes with his familiar "rattle." We have 

 had so little severe weather this season, until the last two 

 or three days, our wanderer possibly thought lie could 

 manage to struggle through and so escape the long flight 

 southward, but he must have found food rather scarce 

 lately, and when he awoke this morning with the mer- 

 cury in the thermometer coquetting with the zero point 

 he probably wished himself far away among Iris com- 

 panions in a warmer clime, where he could bask in the 

 sun all day long and "rattle"' in comfort the death knell 

 of innumerable small fishes. I have never heard before 

 of one of these birds staying with us so late. The only 

 other instance of a late observation of this bird that I find 

 in looking over my notes was on Dec. 19, 1880, when I 

 saw a single specimen sitting on a tree over a brook in a 

 swamp, near Flushing, L. I., when everything was frozen 

 hard except the brook. I sent a note to the Forest and 

 Stream at that time about it.— Robert B. Lawrence. 



Ice-Bound Rail.— New York, Jan. 11.— Editor Forest 

 and Stream: On Dec. 23. 1887, some boys while playing 

 on the salt meadows near Flushing, L. I., found four 

 sora rail (Porzana Carolina) and succeeded in capturing 

 one alive. The boys stated that the birds seemed unable 

 to fly. There was considerable ice and snow around, 

 and it seems scarcely possible that these birds could have 

 obtained food. There were no warm springs where these 

 birds were found. I saw the captured bird the same 

 evening; it was confined in a small box, and seemed un- 

 injured and in good condition.— Robt. B. Lawrence. 



Cardinal Grosbeak in New York in Winter. — On 

 Tuesday, Jan. 17, I saw on 156th street, near Eleventh 

 avenue, a young male Cardinalis virginianus. The 

 species is not uncommon in Central Park in summer, and 

 has been reported more than once as occurring in winter; 

 but the circumstance is perhaps sufficiently unusual to 

 warrant this brief mention. — G. B. G. (New York, Jan. 

 20). 



Otter tn Delaware.— An otter, measuring 4ft. in 

 length and weighing 281bs. was captured in Jones's Creek, 

 three miles from this town, to-day. This is the first otter 

 seen in this section for many years. — Del. A, Ware 

 (Dover, Del., Jan. 8). 



'iime j§n$ and 



Address all cmnmunicaV'wne to the Forest and Stream Pub. Co. 



Antelope and Deer of America. By J. D. Caton. 

 Price $2.50. Wing and Glass Ball Shooting irith the 

 Rifle. Bif W. C. Bliss. Price 50 cents. Mile, Bod and 

 aim in California. By T. S. Van Dyke. Price $1.50. 

 Shore Birds. Price 15 cents. Woodcraft. By "Ness* 

 mule." Price $1. Trajectories of Hunting Rifles. Price 

 50 cents. The. Still-Hunter. By T. S. Van Dyke. Priced. 



GAME AND FISH PROTECTORS. 



r~t THROUGH the courtesy of Gen. R. TJ. Sherman we 

 _l. have been supplied with advance sheets of the fol- 

 lowing portion of the report presented to the Legislature 

 by the New York Commissioners of Fisheries last Tues- 

 day: 



The reports of the Game and Fish Protectors annexed 

 will show what has been done in this department during 

 the last year. With a few exceptions, these officers have 

 given vigilant and faithful attention to their duties and 

 have been as successful as the circumstances permitted. 

 The work reported is greater in volume and importance 

 than that of any previous year, and the fact may be 

 mentioned as .particularly showing an advance, that in- 

 dictments have been lately found by a grand jury in 

 Hamilton county of residents of that county for violation 

 of the game laws! Such an occurrence has hitherto been 

 thought impossible. It has been the office of grand 

 juries in that county to protect rather than punish 

 offenders. 



The protectors have been cramped hi their work by the 

 insufficiency of their allowance for expenses. Tin's has 

 been alluded to in former reports, and the remedy which 

 has been suggested is now renewed, viz.: That there 

 should be an appropriation of $5,000 put at the command 

 of the Commissioners, to be expended in their discretion 

 in necessary measures to facilitate the enforcement of 

 the law by the protectors. The present allowance of 

 traveling expenses is twenty dollars and a fraction, per 

 month to each protector. In the performance of a 

 month's duty which necessarily involves a good deal of 

 travel, this sum by no means suffices, and the protector 

 must not ouly take from his salary to eke out his official 

 expenses, but must be without any means to pay for ne- 

 cessary aid, such as the employment of special detectives 

 and other assistants, and the hire of boats and other 

 means of transportation essential to the service. The 

 additional allowance recommended should not be made 

 in stated sums to every protector, but should be given by 

 the Commissioners as needed for special occasions as they 

 may occur. If the appropriation should not be all re- 

 quired it would not be used. 



The next great difficulty the protector has to encounter 

 in the performance of his duty is the lax public sentiment 

 that prevails in the principal game centers. This laxity 

 is of the same nature as that which exists in regard to 

 many other good laws founded for the protection of 

 property and the maintenance of order and morality. 

 The aversion of a community to the wholesome re- 

 straints of a law which bears upon the vicious appetites 

 and propensities of any considerable class has its bad in- 

 fluence on all local officers charged with the adminstra- 



tion of the law. Under this jurors learn to disregard the 

 obligations of their oaths, prosecuting officers become lax 

 and unfaithful and the evil effect extends often to the 

 judicial bench itself. 



Tt is difficult to make people who live in the neighbor- 

 hood of streams and lakes containing valuable fish, or 

 of forests holding choice game, understand that the pro- 

 tection of this useful food supply from improvident 

 waste is more then- concern than it is that of people liv- 

 ing remote and enjoying its benefits only on occasional 

 and expensive visitations. The local class are generally 

 as zealous to destroy the choicest game as they would be 

 to destroy noxious animals. They take no heed of the 

 ultimate consequences which must come of their rath- 

 less spoliation, but look only to the wants or destructive 

 pleasures of ihe day. Thev exemplify in the fullest 

 sense the story of the goose that was killed for the golden 

 egg. 



The repression of this vicious spirit of destruction can 

 be effected only by means of laws wisely framed to pro- 

 mote the end in view and faithfully administered by 

 honest officers. 



One of the greatest obstacles at present in the way of 

 the enforcement of the game laws is the neglect, from 

 disinclination, of district attorneys to prosecute cases 

 brought by the protectors. This criticism is not meant to 

 apply to the prosecuting officers as a class; for as a rale 

 they are as faithful as any other class of public officers. 

 But in most places where the public sentiment is bad. 

 prosecuting officers lack zeal and independence. Thus it 

 will be found that in the worst poaching localities, as 

 Hamilton, Franklin, Lewis, Cortland, Otsego and some 

 others, the number of offenders prosecuted to judgment 

 is small compared to the number complained of. A case 

 has been reported to the Commissioner where a present 

 of venison taken out of season was sent by the law 

 breaker to the district attorney of his county, and that 

 officer, instead of promptly reporting the offender to the 

 grand jury, wrote a note thanking the poacher for the 

 contraband meat! 



In the larger counties, the pressure of business falling 

 to district attorneys is so great that some must be neces- 

 sarily neglected. The murder cases must of course have 

 precedence, and the burglaries, robberies, arsons, rapes, 

 and the higher misdemeanors must be attended to; so 

 offenses against the game laws, which are not esteemed 

 as of as high a grade as they really are, are pigeonholed 

 and do not receive attention till business of supposed 

 weightier concern has been disposed of. Where a whole- 

 some sentiment prevails, in counties less burdened with 

 crime than those which contain the large cities, the game 

 law cases have better care, and there are some district 

 attorneys whose prompt and vigorous action in such cases 

 has made the law respected. But often the best efforts 

 of the protectors are set at naught by the lack of the 

 proper co-operation of the prosecuting officer. It is sug- 

 gested whether, in view of these considerations, it would 

 not be good policy to make provision for the protector's 

 cases, either by creating a separate department in the 

 district attorney's office in counties where these officers 

 are over-burdened with business, or by permitting 

 protectors to bring and prosecute suits through outside 

 counsel - 



How "not to do it" is well illustrated iu a case stefcr*l 

 in the report of Protector Drew of his experience iu Otsego 

 county. This report will be found in its place among the 

 supplementary matter. The protector spent many weeks' 

 time and not a little of his scanty personal means in look- 

 ing up flagrant cases of violations that had been com- 

 plained of by reputable residents of Otsego county, and 

 after having, with much skill and pains, worked up some 

 fifteen cases, in all of which he thought he had secured 

 ample evidence to warrant affirmative verdicts, he 

 brought suits accordingly. They were all placed on the 

 calendar of the Supreme Court, where the judge, to re- 

 lieve the pressure, of an overburdened calendar, with the 

 consent of all the parties interested, sent the whole batch 

 to the County Court, Here, by some blunder growing 

 out of the incoming of a new district-attorney, they were 

 all knocked off the calendar', and a movement had to be 

 made to the General Term to get them restored. Again 

 they came on for trial. For some reason, which, it is 

 hoped, the district-attorney will be called on officially to 

 explain, the cases, which had been prepared with great 

 care by the late district-attorney, were all withdrawn by 

 his successor without consultation with the protector. 

 The effect of this singular proceeding, whatever may have 

 been its motive, was most disastrous to the interest of 

 protection. There had been for years in Otsego county 

 more or less violations of the game laws, but under the 

 stimulus of the protector's efforts there was a growing 

 amendment, and offenses which had formerly been com- 

 mitted with impunity were now done only by stealth; 

 but when the poaching fraternity found that the district- 

 attorney had, as it were by a wave of the hand, let them 

 loose from the law's shackles, practical anarchy set in. 

 Spearing, netting and every other device declared con- 

 traband by the law now ran riot on Otsego Lake, and a 

 week had not elapsed before the lake was fairly gutted. 

 The situation is thus described by an eye witness at 

 Cooperstown: 



"The spawning beds have been swept clean, over 

 l,8001bs. of trout (not one of them weighing less than 

 5 lbs.) being lugged off to Oneonta as the result of one 

 night's rascality, and bushels of spawn left rotting on the 

 shore. Many of these fish — all of them utterly unfit to 

 eat — being taken in the very act of parturition, were 

 peddled through our own streets at two cents per pound, 

 and all besmeared at that with spawn.'" For fifteen years 

 or more the Commissioners of Fisheries have been adding 

 to the fish supply of Otsego Lake, and have in that time 

 planted over 1,500,000 salmon trout. The fishing of the 

 lake when the Commissioners commenced to restock it, 

 was at a low ebb, but at the time of the proceedings 

 narrated, had become again very good, when by one 

 day's bad work in the County Court the labor of fifteen 

 years was undone and a blow struck at good order, which 

 tends to the lasting disgrace of the county. 



As in the case of the bomb throwing at Chicago, ulti- 

 mate good, however, is likely to come out of the evil. It 

 is no longer popular to truckle to the poacher in Otsego. 

 In view particularly of the late outrageous proceedings, 

 the Board of Supervisors have passed an iron-clad law, 

 which forbids all fishing except with hook and line, for 

 the space of five years, in Otsego Lake, and imposes the 

 severest penalties on ail violators. And it makes such 

 provision for the trial of cases as will render possible their 



