208 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[OCT. 8, 1887. 



Hordes of Hawks.— Eastern, Md., Sept. 28.— The re- 

 cent invasion of hawks in Bay Hundred, Talbot county, 

 causes much comment and not a little speculation as to 

 the cause of the flight of the birds from some other region, 

 Mr. Frank G. Wrightson, of Bay Hundred, a very conser- 

 vative man, says: ''I don't like to say it, but I honestly 

 believe there were not only thousands, but a million and 

 perhaps millions of these birds, flying in flocks northward 

 up the eastern shore of the Chesapeake on Friday and 

 Saturday." Mr. Wrightson remembers another but a much 

 smaller flignt of ha wks, over the same section some twenty 

 years ago. These hawks were somewhat smaller in body 

 than the big hen-hawk that lives and thrives in this 

 country, but the head, plumage and talons were like those 

 of our native hawks. In their flight northward they met 

 about the mouth of the Choptank River a strong north 

 wind, which drove them shoreward. They did not come 

 far into the interior, but hovered about the headlands and 

 shores of the bay and the broad estuaries, and seemed to 

 be ravenous for food. Forty hours covered the period 

 of their visit from the coming of the advance guard to 

 the leaving of the stragglers, and on Sunday not a hawk 

 could be seen. Had the people been prepared for this in- 

 cursion they could have killed in the various neighbor- 

 hoods where the birds came afield at least 10,000 hawks. 

 As it is, the number slain will not exceed 2,000, which, at 

 the bounty of 50 cents per head, will take $1,000 in cash 

 from the county treasury and distribute it among a large 

 number of hawk hunters. Mr. Levin H. North, a con- 

 stable in Tilghman's Island, did the biggest day's work 

 reported thus far. In a few horns he killed 88 hawks, 

 and got his $44 bounty for their heads from the county 

 commissioners to-day. Mr. William F. May, a merchant, 

 of Tilghman's Island, says he missed his opportunity in 

 not having in store a supply of gunpowder. He sold out 

 early in the day his limited stock at regular prices, and 

 could have sold ten times the quantity at "corner" prices. 

 Some people paid as high as twenty-five cents for a charge 

 of powder to shoot a fifty-cent hawk. If the whole million 

 of hawks had been killed the bounty payments would 

 have seriously embarrassed the county*. A movement will 

 be made at the next session of the General Assembly to 

 repeal or reduce the hawk's head bounty. — Baltimore Sun, 

 Sept. 29. 



Wild Rice. — In reply to the inquiries by Mr. H. Hol- 

 gate, of the Northern and Northwestern Railways, in 

 these columns, Mr. Chas. Gilchrist, of Rice Lake, Ont., 

 writes: "The best time to sow the rice is late in the fall, 

 just before the water freezes up. Sow in water from 6in. 

 to Oft. deep, in soft mud bottom, low marshy places, in 

 drowned lands where the mud is covered with water the 

 year round. If in lakes, in bays, if in river out of current 

 as much as possible. There is a large river running into this 

 lake called the Otonobee River, and there is a great deal 

 of drowned land with mud bottom. The rice grows all 

 along the river. The drowned land is full as it can stand 

 on both sides of the river for ten or fifteen miles. Put the 

 rice in coarse linen bags, sink it in the water and let it 

 soak for three or four hours before sowing. Sow from a 

 boat. It will sink to the bottom at once. I have experi- 

 mented with the rice in several ponds. There is a pond 

 about two miles below Port Hope, 300yds, in length and 

 about 100yds. in width, with mud bottom. Three years 

 ago I sowed a few bushels. It came up and seeded the 

 next year. I sowed some more. It was put in on Nov. 

 20 each year. I passed the pond yesterday; it is an im- 

 mense bed of rice, standing about four feet above the 

 water and is full of seed. Lots of ducks are there. I 

 sowed in all about twenty-five bushels." 



Pillsbuby, Minn,— Several bears have been killed in 

 town this fall; one of them weighed, after being dressed, 

 3621bs. Several more have been seen, three in one day, 

 within gunshot of the village post-office. Ruffed grouse 

 are very plenty and a wholesale slaughter has already 

 commenced. The nut crop is abundant and consequently 

 the gray and black squirrels are too numerous to mention. 

 As yet comparatively few ducks are seen, owing perhaps 

 to the exceptionally warm, dry weather. A cold northwest 

 storm will doubtless bring them along. To my great 

 disappointment business and sickness deprived me of the 

 anticipated pleasure of Joining Charles Hallock and 

 friends in their fall hunt in the Roseau county. — J. F. 

 Locke. 



The Hoenell Gun and Game Club, of Homellsville, 

 N. Y. , are doing good work and will soon be a terror to 

 violators of the game laws. Floyd Nicholson shot five 

 black and gray squirrels June 28, 1880; the club had him 

 arrested, but he appealed to the higher court; before 

 Judge Rumsey he was fined $125, costs $138, total $263. 

 At $52.60 apiece squirrels ara dear, and they could not 

 have been good eating at that season of the year. This 

 same Nicholson is a notorious violator of the game laws; 

 he paid $27.70 last fall for shooting a rabbit Oct. 26, but 

 he said the gun club and the law could go to perditio i. 

 E. Morrisey and Parsons also paid $27.70 for illegal fish- 

 ing. — J. Otis Fellows. 



PENNSYLVANIA LAW. 



THE following provision of the Pennsylvania law re- 

 lating to game are taken from the pamphlet com- 

 pendium prepared and published by the secretary of the 

 Commonwealth : 



Deer and Elk.— No person shall kill or pursue in any part of 

 this State any elk or wild deer, save only from the first day of 

 October in any year to the fifteenth day of December next follow- 

 ing, and no person shall have iu his or her possession, or offer for 

 sale or transport any elk, wild deer, antelope, or fresh venison, 

 save only from the first day of October in any year to the thirtieth 

 day of November next following. No person shall, at any time, 

 kill any fawn when in its spotted coat, or have lite fresh skin of 

 auy such fawn in his or her possession. No person shall pursue 

 any elk or wild deer with dogs in any part of this State, or shall 

 kill in the water any elk or wild deer or fawn which has been 

 driven thereto by dogs; any person offending against any of the 

 provisions of this section shall he deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, 

 and shall be liable to a penalty of $00 for each oik, wild deer, or 

 fawn so killed, pursued or trapped, or fresh elk, wild deer, ante- 

 lope, fawn skin had in his or her possession, and may be proceeded 

 against in any county of the State wherein he may be arrested, 

 having the same in his possession. And provided also, that any 

 dogs pursuing elk or wild deer or fawn may be killed by any per- 

 son, and constable or other town official may kill any dog that 

 habitually pursue elk, wild deer or fawns, and the owners of such 

 dogs shall be liable to a penalty of 810 for each elk, wild deer, or 

 fawn killed by such dog. (JuDe 87, 1888.) 



Wild Tobkey.— No person shall kill or expose for sale, or have 

 in his or her possession after the same has been killed, any wild 

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

 October following in any year, under a penalty of ten dollars for 



each bird so killed, exposed for sale or had in possession. (June 8, 

 1 878. ) 



Woodcock.— No person shall kill or expose for sale, or have in 

 his or her possession after the same has been killed, any wood- 

 cock, between the first day of January and the fourth day of July 

 of any year, under a penalty of ten dollars for each bird ho killed', 

 BXpDged for salo or had In possession. (June 3, 1878.) 



KUKFBD AND PINNATED <*BOUSH.— Mb person shall kill Or expose 



for sale, or have in his or her possession after the same lias been 

 killed, any ruffed grouse, commonly called pheasant, or pinuafed 

 grouse, commonly called prairie chicken, between the lirst day of 

 January and the first day of October in any year, under a penalty 

 of ten dollars for each bird so killed, exposed for sale or had in 

 possession; and it shall not be lawful to hunt pheasant or pinnated 

 grouse during the night time in any manner whatever, under a 

 penalty of ten dollars for each offense. (June 3, 1878.) 



Quail.— No person shall kill or expose for sale, or have in his oi- 

 lier possession after the same has been killed, any quail or Vir- 

 ginia partridge, between the fifteenth day of December in any 

 year and tho fifteenth day of October next following, under a 

 penalty of ten dollars for each bird so killed, exposed for sale or 

 had in possession. (May 23, 1887.) 



# Hare, Rabbit.— No person shall kill or expose for sale, or have 

 m his possession after the same has been killed, anv hare, com- 

 monly called rabbit, between the first day of January and the 

 first day in November iu any year, under a penalty of five dollars 

 for each and every hare or rabbit so killed or exposed for sale or 

 had in his possession. No person shall hunt or cause or permit 

 the bunting of hares or rabbits with a ferret or ferrets, under a 

 penalty of ten dollars for each and every hare and rabbit caught 

 or killed by means of a ferret or ferrets. (June 10, 1881.) 

 - Squirrel— No person shall kill or expose for sale, or have in 

 his or her possession after the same has been, killed any gray, 

 black or fox squirrel, between the first day of January and the 

 first day of September in each year, under a penalty of five dollars 

 for each and every squirrel so killed, exposed for sale or had in 

 possession. (June 3, 1878.) 



Wildfowl.— It shall be lawful to hunt, shoot, kill or destroy 

 any web-footed wildfowl only from the first day of September to 

 the first day of May in each year. It shall be unlawful to chase, 

 hunt, shoot, kill or destroy any web- footed wildfowl from or with 

 any craft or boat propelled by steam or sails, and any person or 

 persons using any said craft or boat for said purpose, or the cap- 

 tain, owner or other person in charge of any such craft or boat 

 who shall allow the same to be used while ho or they are onboard, 

 shall be liable to the penalties herein imposed [g35]. No person 

 shall at any time kill any wild duck or goose with any device or 

 instrument known as a swivel or punt gun. or with any gun other 

 than such guus as habitually are raised at' arm's length and fired 

 from the shoulder, or shall use any net. device, instrument or gun, 

 other than such gun as aforesaid, with intent to capture or kill 

 any such wild duck or goose under a penalty of ten dollars. (Acts 

 of June 3, 1878; May 17, 1883, and April 16, 1885.) 



Ploveb.— No person shall kill or expose for sale, or have in his 

 or her possession after the same has been killed, any upland or 

 grass plover between the first day of January and the fifteenth 

 day of July in a.ny one year, under a penalty of ten dollars for 

 each bird so killed, exposed for sale or had in his possession. (June 

 3, 1878.) 



Kail and Reed Bird.— No person shall kill or expose for sale, 

 or have iu his or her possession after the same has been killed, 

 any rail bird or reed bird, except in the months of September, 

 October and November, under a penalty of five dollars for each 

 and every rail or reed bird so killed, exposed for sale or had iu 

 possession. (June 3, 1878.) 



Wild Pigeon.— No person shall kill or take any wild pigeon or 

 squab while on its nesting or roosting ground, or break up or in 

 any manner disturb such nesting or roosting ground, or the birds 

 thereon, or kill or catch with gun, net, or tran, or otherwise take or 

 destroy any such pigeon or pigeons, wi thin one mile of auy nesting or 

 roosting ground, fir discharge auy fire-arms within one mile of any 

 nertingor roostingground, under a penalty of fifty dollars. Provid- 

 ed, that no person except citizens of this commonwealth shall trap 

 or catch wild pigeons with nets in any of the counties o£ this com- 

 monwealth, unless he shall first have taken out a license from the 

 county treasurer of the county in which said pigeons are found, 

 for which license he shall pay the sum of fifty dollars for the use 

 of said county, under a penalty of one hundred dollars. (June 10, 

 1881. ) 



Tbapping.— No person shall at any time or place -within this 

 State kill or take any wild turkey or ruffed grouse commonly 

 called pheasant, or quail or Virginia partridge, or woodcock, or 

 rail or reed bird, any pinnated grouse, commonly called prairie 

 chicken, with any net. trap, snare or torch-light, nor anv such 

 trap, snare or torch-light, for the purpose of taking or killing any 

 of said birds, nor shall any person sell or_expose for sale any of the 

 said birds after the same shall have been so taken or killed, under 

 a penalty of ten dollars for each bird; and it shall be lawful for 

 any peison to take and destroy any such nets, traps or snares, 

 whenever found set. Provided, that nothing in this section shall 

 be so construed as to prevent individuals or associations for pro- 

 i <■•'•■ mn, preservation or propagation of game, from gathering 

 alive by nets or traps, with the written consent of the owner of 

 the laud, quails or Virginia paUridges, from the 20th day of 

 December in any year to the 1st day of February next following, 

 for the sole purpose of preserving them alive over the winter. 

 (June 3, 1878.) 



Sunday.— There shall be no hunting or shooting or fishing on 

 the first day of the week called Sunday, and any person offending 

 against the provisions of this section shall be liable to a penalty 

 of twenty-five dollars. (June 3, 1878.) 



Possession in Close Season.— Any person may sell or have in 

 his or her possession any pinnated grouse, commonly called 

 prairie chicken, ruffed grouse, commonly called pheasant, and 

 quail or Virginia partridge, and woodcock, for a period of fifteen 

 (15) days after the time limited for killing the same has expired, 

 and shall not be liable to a penal tv under this act. 



Possession Prima Facie Evidence.— In all cases of arrests 

 made for the violation of each or any of the foregoing sections of 

 this act, the possession of the game, fishes, birds, animals, fowls, 

 nets or other devices provided tor or so mentioned, shall bopitma 

 facie evidence of the violation of said act. Provided, that nothing 

 iu this act will prevent any person from killiug any wild animal 

 or bird when found destroying grain, fruit or vegetables on his or 

 her premises. 



THE "UTE WAR." 



WASHINGTON, Sept. 30. -The Secrotary of the Interior has re- 

 ceived, through the War Department, a report from Brig- 

 Gen. George Crook, Commanding Department of the Platte, on 

 the recent Lite Indian troubles in Garfield county, Colorado. 



The report shows that the trouble arose from attempts made by 

 Colorado officials to serve warrants on certain Ute Indians for 

 tho alleged stealing of horses and for violations of the State game 

 laws. It is the custom of certain men living in Garfield county to 

 buy horses of the Indians and then regain possession of the money 

 by playing "monte," or some other gambling game. The horses 

 alleged to have been stolen were either bought from the Indians 

 or won in this way. While, stoutly protesting their innocence of 

 tho theft, the Indians gave the parties two other horses in lieu of 

 those which they had been obliged to surrender to the alleged 

 rightful owners. Warrants were issued for the arrest of two of 

 the Indians for horse stealing, and for twelve others for violations 

 of the game laws. Of this last offense the Indians were undoubt- 

 edly guilty. Game Warden Burgett, to whom the warrants were 

 issued, with a posse of seventeen men, went to the Ute camp on 

 the north fork of White River, and without attempting to explain 

 his object, suddenly seized several of the Indians, who broke away 

 and ran for the cover of the brush. The posse fired, wounding 

 three of the Iudians. The posse then retired and united forces 

 with Sheriff Kendall, who hold warrants for the arrest of the two 

 Indians for horse stealing. Hearing of an Indian camp on Coal 

 Creek, Kendall sent a party to it. On approaching the camp the 

 squaws and children who occupied it hurriedly left, leaviug their 

 tepees and a large quantity of buckskins, all of which the posse 

 burned. 



A few days later Colorow sent an urgent message to two promi- 

 nent citizens of Meeker in whom he had confidence, asking them 

 to come to Coal Creek. These gentlemen went to Colorow's camp, 

 and found the Indians greatly alarmed by these attacks, and 

 asked what it meant and why they were made. Colorow did aot 

 conseut to give up the Indians against whom the warrants were 

 issued, bin said that he would leave the country as soon as possi- 

 ble. He required fifteen days for this purpose, as he had to gather 

 in his herds of horses and sheep, and drive them to I he reservation, 

 which was over one hundred miles distant. He would be obliged 

 to travel slowly on account of herds and his wounded. About 

 Aug. 17 Kendall returned to Meeker and reinforced his posse to 

 about fifty men, and again started out, disregarding the assur- 

 ances that had been given Colorow that he would be allowed the 

 fifteen days in which to reach the reservation. The Sheriff ex- 

 pressed the opinion that Colorow only wanted time in winch to 

 gather reinforcements. 



On the 23d a force of Colorado militia arrived at Meeker with 

 orders to assist Sheriff Kendall in the execution of his processes. 

 On the same day the Sheriff requested the commanding officer at 

 Meeker to send a hundred men down the White River to the Blue 



Mountains for the purpose of intercepting the Indians, who wero 



en route to their reservation. The troops were dispatched as re- 

 quested, and were joined on the 24th by Kendall and his posse, 

 now numbering about eighty men. On this date an interview waa 

 had with a son of Colorow, in which it was agreed that matters 

 should remain as they were until the "Rig Whil e Chief" should 

 arrive. By this agrecmeut the Indians understood that they 

 would be allowed to continue their march unmolested to their re- 

 servation. During a heavy storm of rain and hail which came on 

 during the night, the Indians moved down the rivet about twenty* 

 five miles to a point, as they believed, on the Uncompahgre Reser- 

 vation, and svent into camp, turning out their ponies to graze on 

 the neighboring hills. The whites started in pursuit and struck 

 the Indian camp as they were preparing breakfast. They had be- 

 lieved themselves perfectly secure; no sentinel or runners were on 

 the watch, and the whites attained a position on the bluffs without 

 alarming the Indiaus. 



Kendall's party at once opened lire. The surprise was complete. 

 The Indians returned the fire from the brush, to which they had 

 retreated, for about three and a half hours, thus covering the re- 

 moval of their wounded and the women and children. "Later in 

 the day they fell back, and the whites soon after withdrew to 

 Ran geley, eight or ten, miles distant. In this affair the whites 

 lost in killed a lieutenant of militia, and a deputy sheriff. Another 

 man who attempted to run off a small band of Indian nonies was 

 shot and killed soon after the fight. Several others were wounded. 

 The Indiaus lost one small boy killed; one buck and one squaw 

 were wounded. The whites numbered 180 men: the Indians not 

 more than twenty-five fighting men. The whites justify their 

 attack cm the grounds that the Indians broke faith with them in 

 leaving their camp. 



The Iudians were finally induced by Lieut. Burnett, who had 

 arrived on the scene accompanied by about 150 superblv armed 

 and mounted warriors from the Ouray Agency, and who' became 

 wildly excited when they heard of the threatened invasion of their 

 territory njid urged him to go with them to learn the cause of the 

 trouble, to go to tho agency, although loth t o do so without a large 

 part of their stock, which had been seized. "When the troubles 

 began they had between 300 and 100 horses and abont 2,500 head of 

 sheep and goats. Of the horses, seventy-four were taken by the 

 State to mount their troops. Many more were taken by Kendall 

 and his posse. From the outset, with but oue slight interruption, 

 the Indians were pursued incessantly, and in every case the whites 

 were the aggressors and fired first. Colorow has no desire to fight, 

 and made use of his weapons in self-defense only— for the pro- 

 tection of his women and children and his herds. 



During the whole time, including the fight of Aug. 25, five In- 

 dians died of wounds— one buck, two boys and two small girls. 

 Seven others were wounded, one perhaps fatally. It was extremely 

 fortunate that Lieut. Burnett arrived upon the scene of action as 

 he did, as there can be no doubt that his presence saved the lives 

 of Kendall's entire party and prevented a serious outbreak. 

 There is no question that the warrants could have been served 

 without difficulty had their service been properly undertaken. 

 Up to Sept. 15, of all the stock lost by the Indians 125 horses have 

 been returned to them. This number includes the seventy-five 

 taken for the use of the State. The report concludes by calling 

 attention to the highly meritorious conduct of Lieut. Burnett. 



m nni §wer ^fatting. 



Addressts all communications to the Forest and Stream Pub. Go. 



THE BIG TROUT OF THE UPPER DAM. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



In your issue of Sept. 28 there appeared an editorial 

 headed "They Jigged Them," which unjustly reflects 

 upon the good names of Mark Hollings worth, a prosper- 

 ous and honored citizen of Boston," and myself. It is 

 founded upon a clipping from the Boston Herald, which, 

 in turn, is based upon the statements of its Maine corres- 

 pondent; so, it is a long arm that reaches the real author 

 of the libel. 



The gist of the charge is that we were guilty of talcing 

 fish at the Upper Dam in a manner prohibited by law, 

 and disgraceful to a sportsman ; that we were arrested 

 by the fish warden, taken before a justice, and fined. I 

 pronounce the charge absolutely false. We were not 

 arrested; did not go before a magistrate, and were not 

 fined; and, above all, we were not guilty of "jigging;" 

 and in this I am corroborated by the following statement, 

 signed by some of the reputable gentlemen who were at 

 the Upper Dam : 



We, the undersigned, were present with Messrs. T. B. Stewart, 

 of New York, and Mark Hollingsworth, of Boston, at the Upper 

 Dam, and saw them catch the trout alluded to in ttie Forest and 

 Stream of Sept. 28, 1887, and we certify on our personal knowledge 

 that these lish were taken in a legitimate manner, and that no 

 fish were taken in any other way. 



(Signed) Jno. R. Ramsey, Hackensack, N. J. 



H. C, Anthony, Allendale, N. J. 

 G. L. Cobb, Woburn, Mass. 



The above, so far as it relates to Mr. Stewart, is signed by the 

 following, the lirst two certif ying to the trout exhibited in Apple- 

 ton & Litchfield's window in Boston. 



(Signed) Slmeon Adams, Waltham, Mass. 



Jno. 8. Dow dell, Waltham, Mass. 

 J, C. Billings, Bethel, Me. 



New London, Conn., Oct. 3, 1887.— AVe, the undersigned, were at 

 Upper Dam Camp, Maine, with T. B. Stewart, of New York, and 

 Mark Hollingsworth, of Boston, from Sept. 19 to 21, inclusive, 

 and while there saw them constantly catching trout in the usual 

 and perfectly legitimate manner. We have no knowledge of their 

 taking trout in the manner alluded to in the Forest and 

 Stream's issue of Sept. 28, 1887. (Signed) D. B. Hempstbd. 



F. H. Chappell. 



Leominsteb, Mass., Oct. 1, 1887.— This is to certify that I, the 

 undersigned, was present with Messrs. T. B. Stewart, of New 

 York, and Mark Hollingsworth, of Boston, at the Upper Dam at 

 the time alluded to in the Forest and Stream of Sept. 28, and 

 saw thoir fishing tackle, and in no instance did I ever see but one 

 hook used, nor did I during my stay see a single trout jigged. 



(Signed) F. A. Whitney. 



I never Baw a "jigger," and never called in the "silent 

 doctor," but from your description I infer it can only be 

 useful in quiet waters and shallow streams; our fishing 

 ground was the rapid and turbulent waters of the dam. 



In order that those of your readers who seek the Upper 

 Dam and its excellent fishing for genuine sport may 

 profit by ottr experience, let me give you the facts. 



The dam has reoently been raised some 8ft., thereby 

 backing the waters of the lake, so as praotically to destroy 

 the fishing in the upper lake, and above the dam. This 

 has drawn to our locality all the real sportsmen, leaving 

 only those who seek the solitude of the forest for other 

 purposes than fishing to fan the flames of discontent and 

 jeal.usy. 



Rumors of illegal fishing, of false claims to skill, and of 

 coming efforts to prohibit all fishing at the dam, were 

 flying about our ears, and we were not surprised when 

 the warden put in an appearance. But we were taken 

 back when he accused us of "jigging." 



Of the nine or ten fish in our possession three were 

 scarred with the hook, and on this simple fact the warden 

 claimed that we were liable to prosecution under the law 

 of that State. Of course, every fisherman knows, and as 

 we stated to the warden, you are liable to bring up a 

 scarred fish, scarred by other fishermen and lost, an every 

 day and common occurrence. 



The warden was obdurate, but suggested that twenty- 

 five dollars be deposited with him. I refused until 

 advised to do so by a gentleman present, of larger experi- 

 ence witb fish wardens. My adviser suggested that we 



