810 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Deo. 15, 1802. 



PHEASANTS IN CONFlNEMENT.-ll. 



Breedlnpr and Rearing-. 



HA-VING properly mated your birds about the middle of 

 March, you may expect, if the surroundings are right, to 

 find that the eggs begin about the first or second week in 

 April ; and as I said before, it is necessary to collect them 

 as soon as they are dropped. The next important ques- 

 tion is the incubating, and for this it is necessary to have 

 a stock of small aized hens. Silkies are very much re- 

 commended, but as they are rather scarce, I have had no 

 experience with them. My best brooder has been a cross 

 between the brown red game and thePekin bantam. The 

 next essential point about the sitter is that she is very 

 quiet. I have lost more chickens through the wildness 

 of the mother than from any other reason. Therefore I 

 consider as a sine qua non- that any one expecting to raise 

 pheasants is to have a very quiet docile mother. 



Pheasants" eggs take a longer time to incubate than 

 chickens'. Gold and silvers take 23 days, and English. 

 Mongolian and many of the other varieties take from 25 

 to 37 days. I advise placing the incubator in a box at 

 least 6in. deep so that it is impossible for the little birds 

 when thev appear to get out of it and away from the 

 mother. This is most important, for the young pheasant 

 as soon as it is hatched wants to run and hide, and if the 

 bjx is not such that it cannot get out, there will be a 

 great loss, as the young birds will get away from the 

 necessary heat and perish. 



For 24 hours after coming from the shell they need no 

 feed, but only heat and quiet. The best feed at first is 

 thick custard, which is made as follows: Take an egg, 

 beat it up well and add it to two tablespoonfuls of milk 

 at boiling point, which if well stirred will make a dry, 

 crumbling mass. This is the best food for three or four 

 days. Then add gradually a little bread crumbs or some 

 of Spratts game meal. ^ 



After the first week I have always found that the birds 

 do better if they have a very moderate supply of maggots 

 or gentles. These are obtained by hanging up a beef head 

 where the blow Hy may get at it. Put an old flour bar- 

 rel with some bran in the bottom, as the maggots when 

 matured drop into the bran and are thus cleaned, as the 

 fresh maggot is not good for the young bird and produces 

 diarrboia; but if allowed to remain in the bran or meal 

 for twenty -four hours they appear to be the best possible 

 food for them. About this time, four or five days old, 

 chopped lettuce seems to be most eagerly devoured 

 by the small birds, and I think it most useful. About the 

 third day I remove the hen with her lively brood into a 

 small box, with a run inclosed with one-inch wire netting. 

 My boxes are rainproof, about I5in. by 18in., with a run 

 ?.ft. by 15in. These I place on a smooth lawn, and there 

 is no chance of them getting out into any harm, nor that 

 cats or rats may destroy them. 



For the first two weeks I feed every two or three hours, 

 as I find that if I leave the food for them they do not 

 readily pick it up, and it is quite ten days before they un- 

 derstand their mother's call for iood, I have tried feed- 

 ing three times a day, but the little birds did not do so 

 well. I mix up sufficient food to do from early morning 

 till noon, and then as much as does till night. I find the 

 greatest mortality among them during the first week, so 

 that it is quite worth the trouble to get them over that 

 period. After two weeks they will pick up small grain, 

 and I think canary seed and a very little hempseed is 

 good: as they grow stronger wheat is my staple food. 



On fine, warm, sunny days I allow them out of their 

 runs so that they may have a chance to dust themselves, 

 which they seem .to enjoy very much, and as they get 

 tamer every day it is very little trouble to inclose them, 

 again. 



As soon as they get their wing feathers they begin to 

 fly a little, especially if at all frightened, so that it is 

 necessary to have them, in an inclosed lawn or garden. 



When they are about four weeks old, I think it a good 

 plan to pinion any birds that are to be k^pt in an aviary, 

 as it prevents them flying up and injurying themselves, 

 and also saves the trouble of catching to cut their wings, 

 which has to be done every four or five weeks if not 

 pinioned. Here I may direct that in catching pheasants 

 of any age, always hold them by the body, not the legs, 

 as one does an ordinary fowl, as if you catch and hold 

 them by the legs you will surely injure them, as they 

 seem to be very weak about their leg joints. I have per- 

 manently lamed several birds by not catching by the 

 body. I use a net about 18 inches in diameter with a 

 short handle to catch my birds, and I find it very useful, 

 as by that means you get the bird in such a position that 

 you can grasp it by the body. 



The pinioning is a simple operation, arm a needle with a 

 strong thread, stretch out the wings, run the needle 

 through between the bones of the second joint close to 

 the smaller bone, then tie the ends of the thread round 

 the larger bone or to the upper side, then with a pair of 

 scissors cut off the first joint of the wing or above the 

 first joint. In that way the principal flight feathers are 

 removed. There is very little bleeding, but this may be 

 stopped by applying tinct, iron or iron alum to the cut 

 surface. In four days remove the thread, and in a very 

 short time it is all healed up. This does not prevent the 

 bird being able to fly on the perch, but it cannot fly 

 straight any distance. The deformity cannot be seen. 



When the birds are about six weeks old they can take 

 care of themselves, and are fed twice a day, jxist as any 

 growing chicken. 



Thus far I have just given my own experience of rear- 

 ing pheasants. It may not be all that can be desired, but 

 I think, if my directions are followed out, that any one 

 with a love for birds will be fairly successful, and 1 wU 

 be very glad to give any fm-ther information in my 

 power to those wishing to keep these pretty birds. 



M, B. 



What is Bred in the Bone. 



Ab to the fierceness of the bob-tail cat or bay lynx, 

 noticed in the last issue of Forest and Stkeam, a friend 

 of mine in Newbern had one which was born in captiv- 

 ity and grew to full maturity. It never saw a forest and 

 was accustomed to the daily sight of man from birth: 

 yet it was always vicious and untamable. Its natural 

 traits being in no wise modified or expunged by fond- 

 ing and feeding. C. Hallock, I 



Eagles and Porcupines. 



NORTHWOOD, N. y., Dec. 3 —Mr. E. Hough tells in the 

 Forest and Stream of Dec. 1 of an eagle that was shot 

 near Chicago that had porcupine quills in various parts 

 of its body, and also says he never heard the like before. 



When my father returned from Wyoming a year ago 

 last September he brought with him two eagle feathers 

 he had found on a branch of the Snake River. 



The eagle, which was badly decayed, had a number of 

 porcupine quills in its head and claws. One of them had 

 penetrated between the bones of the neck and one ap- 

 peared to have pierced the brain though the head 

 was not cut open. 



A few feet from the bones of the eagle was the body of 

 a porcupine. In its side was a large gash made by the 

 beak of the bird. Perhaps the eagle mistook the porcu- 

 pine for a rabbit or some equally harmless animal, but 

 may have been like some fool hunting dogs that attack 

 the armored porcupine time and again, notwithstanding 

 the barbed quills which get into its mouth and paws at 

 each onslaught. 



Some of the woodsmen here eat the porcupine and call 

 it equal to a young roast pig. Eaymond S. Spears. 



Barred Owl in Niagara County, N. Y. 



LocKPORT, N. Y., Dec. 5. — Editor Forest and Stream: 

 While out after rabbits on Thanksgiving Day, Mr. Arthur 

 Leach secured a barred owl {Syrniicin nebulosvm). which 

 was the first specimen of this species taken in Niagara 

 county to my knowledge. I have collected here for the 

 l)ast fifteen years and have never secured it. The wing 

 was broken at the elbow, and he kept it alive for nearly 

 a week, thinking it might regain the use of it. Finding 

 it would not do so, he kindly presented the bird to me. 

 I very soon put it out of its misery by killing it with 

 ether, and have sent it to the taxidermist to be mounted 

 for my collection. I noticed that the eyes of this bird 

 were brown, with dark blue pupil, the superciliary shield 

 was also bluish. This is the first instance of a blue-eyed 

 bird that has come under my observation. But there are 

 many things yet for me to learn about birds. 



J. L. Davison. 



The Mink as a Dodger. 



Indian River, Me.— It seems hardly safe for any one 

 to make a positive statement in regard to the actions or 

 cry of animals or birds. I notice, in your issue of Nov. 17, 

 what Mr. "C. F." says about the mink's dodging. My ex- 

 fjerience has been different. I have shot several, and do 

 not recollect ever knowing one to dodge, yet I do not 

 consider that my experience proves anything against bis 

 conclusion. I can only say a mink can dodge as quick as 

 any duck I ever saw. I know of but one animal which 

 can equal a mink for dodging; that is a weasel. I never 

 heard a panther scream, yet I can see no reason why they 

 should not, if they want to exercise their vocal powers. 

 I have heard and seen strange noises and sights while in 

 the woods. The worst and most unearthly sound was 

 made by an owl. C. J. Eichardson. 



'mtie ^Hg md ^tti\. 



"Oarne Laws in Brief," VMted States and Camida, 

 lUmPrated, 25 cents. "Booh of the Game Laum" {full 

 text), 50 cents. 



THERE APPEARS TO BE GAME HERE. 



Velasco, Tex., Nov. 30.— To my brethren of the gentle 

 craft, who complain of the lack of good sporting country, 

 I extend a cordial invitation to come to Vel asco. Besides 

 having the only deep water harbor on the Texas coast 

 Velasco boasts many other natural advantages which not 

 only aid in building a city, but make it a pleasant place 

 to live in for those who are at the building. 



We have ducks and geese galore, and the graceful deer 

 still range the forest a few miles from town. Besides the 

 ducks, geese and deer we have prairie chickens, quaU, 

 jacksnipe, curlew, bear, wildcats, alligators and turkeys. 



To reach Velasco from the North take the M. , K. & T. 

 Railway to Houston, Tex. , and the Velasco Terminal to 

 Velasco. When you get here stop at the hotel of the 

 same name ae the town, ask for "Oaat Meiste f Gue- 

 ringer, explain to him that you came for sport. He will 

 not only feed you with all manner of game and fish from 

 our own preserves, but will take you out on a deer drive, 

 a duck shoot or an oyster roast, as you please. He will 

 wax eloquent over the glories of the chase, for mine host 

 Gueringer is first of all a genial landlord and next a jolly 

 sportsman. That is all he lives for, and the only reason 

 he has never married is a fear that his wife would inter- 

 fere with his proper exercise and enjoyment of the same. 



There was a notable rout a few days ago in which some 

 of the leading members of the Velasco Rod and Gun 

 Club covered themselves with glory. The party was 

 composed of J. M, Moore, president of the Velasco Na- 

 tional Bank; M. P. Morrissey, manager Velasco Terminal; 

 C. Chambers, of the Velasco Elevator; that genial knight 

 of the scalpel, Dr. J. G, Boyd, late of The Dalles, Ore., 

 and mine host Gueringer. The party were accompanied 

 by the master of an English steamer loading in port with 

 cotton, but he didn't count. The hunt lasted all day on 

 the high rolling prairie near town, and the following is 

 the bag: Chambers, 31 chickens, 6 quail, 4 ducks; Moore, 

 19 chickens, 14 quail, 7 ducks, Boyd, 7 chickens, 33 quail, 

 8 ducks; Morrissey. 17 chickens, 8 ducks; Gueringer, 4 

 chickens, 10 quail, 6 ducks. 



The Englishman only killed a jack rabbit, but had 

 more fun than any one else. He had traveled the world 

 all over, and shot in every port, but he had never wit- 

 nessed such shooting as could be had at Velasco, and 

 the boys all agreed with him. From the moment the 

 chickens commenced flying he began working his gun, 

 and "turned it loose" in all directions and at the most 

 unexpected moments, a dozen times endangering his 

 companions' lives; but he was so ridiculously and 

 supremely happy that they could not find it in their 

 hearts to swear at him, but by keeping a wary eye on 

 his actions managed to return skin whole. 



They found the ducks on the lakes on the road home, 

 and had their belts been suppUed with heavier shot they 

 could have had "a carload of the lovely burrids," a$ Mor- 

 rieey put it, 



There is a club organized for the protection of the fist 

 and game, A few Sundays ago I witnessed a scene tha(i 

 would disgust and enrage any sportsman. Two pot- 

 stuffers were exhibiting a couple of embryo fawns, aboutl 

 the size of rats, which they had out from the dead doe 

 after shooting her as she came to the river early in the, 

 morning. There are other parties who fish for the marked 

 with seines, taking the black bass from the lakes by the. 

 hundreds of pounds ; it is proposed to make it warm for 

 them. 



Wild turkey are plentiful in Matagorda county, about; 

 25 miles distant. This section of the State has beeui 

 isolated, owing to lack of railroads, until the work o* 

 improving the harbor at the mouth of the Brazos RiveKf 

 brought in the people, but it will be a long time ere the 

 game is driven back into the canebrakes. 



John Weems, the champion bear hunter of this coun- 

 try, had a lively adventure a short time ago out on the. 

 Bernard River. He wounded a half-grown cub ahead o£l 

 the dogs, and as John was the biggest he concluded that; 

 he could lick it in a fair fight, and acting on that theory 

 sailed in. The cub was not anxious for a fight, but like; 

 Bill Nye's Boomerang, when the fun commenced he was 

 there. In about thirteen seconds John would have signed 

 a warranty deed to his homestead for the pleasure of 

 turning the cub loose, but he couldn't. The air was full 

 of man, bear, dirt and profanity, and to add to John's 

 discomfiture the "old she," which had been running 

 about a hundred yards behind the cub, hove in sight and 

 bore down on the combatants. Luckily, however, the 

 dogs were close at hand, and the old lady only paused to 

 give her ofEspring'^an encouraging growl, and lit out, 

 again. 



When the dogs came up they separated the combat- 

 ants, to John's relief, and the cub's disgust; and after J 

 some fine dodging the hunter got in a fatal shot. 



It required a shirt, breeches and two yards of court 

 plaster to fix John for the inspection of his wife, and ht' 

 does not say much about th3,t bear hunt when swapping' 

 stories with the boys. 



A party from Illinois has been here some time bunting 

 and looking up land investments. They are having veryJ 

 good sport. The weather is too warm for the duck shoot-l 

 ing to be at its best, however. O'Brian. > 



THE MASSACHUSETTS ASSOCIATION 

 DINNER. 



Tne annual dinner of the Massachusetts Fish and Game: 

 Protective Association was held at Young's Hotel, Boston,! 

 last Thursday. The night was stormy and disagreeable 

 enough out-of-doors, but all was warmth and cheer inj 

 the brilliantly lighted banqueting hall, where had gath-i 

 ered a goodly number of members and guests, There 

 was an all-pervading and irresistible atmosphere of good 

 cheer and camp comradeship. The band played catchy; 

 airs, in which every one joined now and again with a, 

 boom-de-ay. The menu cards bore charmingly sugges- 

 tive vignettes of woodland scenes, with deer and grouse; 

 and quail. The talk was of camp and field and stream,! 

 and of fortune good and ill with rod and gun. President 

 George W. Wiggiu presided with much grace and dignity. ' 

 When the meeting broke up there were congratulations 

 for the dinner committee on what all pronounced to: 

 have been one of the most enjoyable annual banquets ini 

 the history of the Association. 



The guests present were : Hon. E. H. Lathrop and E. 

 A. Brackett, of the Massachusetts Fish Commission; Col. i 

 Daniel Needham. president New England Agricultural! 

 Society; Hon. H. P. Cooney, ex-District Attornej^ of the 

 Middlesex District; Rev. Charles FoUen Lee, Robert Grant, ' 

 chairman Boston Water Board; Nathaniel C. Nash, presi- ' 

 dent Massachusetts Rifle Association ; t)r. Heber Bishop, i 

 president Megantic Fish and Game Club; and Charles B. 

 Reynolds, editor Forest and Stream, The members 

 present were: Messrs. Walter M. Brackett, Edward E. 

 Hardy, Chairman Edward A. Samuels, of the Dinner 

 Committee; I vers W. Adams, John Fottler, Jr., Arthur 



F. Barney, Secretary Richard O. Harding, E. E. Small,i 

 Walter C. Preecott. Jacob W. Hoffman, Sidnev Glea- 

 son, E. Baker, Frank Moseley, Charles H. Til- 

 ton, George I. Briggs, of Bourne; John G. Ben- 

 edict, Charles F. Chamberlayne, Elihu G. Loomis, 

 Henry B. Weston, E, C. Moseley, C. A. Hawes, W. G. 

 Hanson, Wendell P. Stevens, Harrv E. Haynes, Thomas 

 Dickson. G. F. Frost, Wm, Frank Keith, Zenas Loring, 

 George Loring, J. N. Roberts, Chas. E. Butterman, Chaa. 



G. Gibson, BslviHe L. Randall, John Woodbury, H. E. 

 Beal, Wm. K. Churchill, John F. Tyler, J, T, Stetson, 

 Wm. B, Smart, Chas. A, Bramble, Judge J, S, G, Cobb, 

 of Providrnce, R. I.; Dr. Robert M. Read.Thos. J.Holmes. 

 Robert Woodman, Thomas W. Wardley, Chas. H. Frve, 

 W, W, Lockwood, Waldron Bates, Robert Holden, Jr., 



F. T. Parks, Harry J. McGlenen, S. W. Card, Chai-les 

 Vose, Dr, W, D, Bull, W, B, Hastings, James H. 

 Lake, Dr. A. R. Brown, L. Dana Chapman, Dr. Heber 

 Bishop, Dr. E. W. Branigan, Dr, H. M. Perkins, Dr, W. 



G. Kendall, T. H. Hall, H, P, Plimpton, Wm. H. Gray, 



H. F. Colburn, Robert S, Gray, A. H.Wright, E, A. Slack, 

 W. A. Plummer, J R, Glover, S W. Rich. Lee Ham- 

 mond. C, A. Bacheller, Geo. H. Perry, R. Luizee Hall, 

 E.W. Randall, Rollin Jones, Geo. H. Allen.of New York, 

 Loring Crocker, Luther Little, W. I, Almy, George O. 

 Sears, P. W. Scudder, Mark HoUingsworth, C. F. Mon- , 

 roe, M. A. Pocock, N. D. Hurd, Charles Stewart, I. C, ' 

 Young, Kendall H. Damon, Wm. Abbott, G W. M. 

 Guild, F D. Willard, Humphrey Dyer, Andrew J. Davis. 

 Robert A, Murray, Walter C. Brooks, James F. Dwin- 

 nell, Samuel Shaw, L.W, Ross, Nat R. Jones, N. P. Jones, 

 Benjamin C, Clark, W. Hapgood, J. C, F. Cox, Henry 

 Bacon, John P. Woodbury and A. 0. Gould, editor , 

 Shooting and Fishing. 



Letters of regret, to Secretary Richard O. Harding, were 

 read from President Harrison and President-elect Cleve- 

 land. Gov. Wm, E. RusseU, having another engagement 

 for the evening, wrote: 



I beg to send In my place my earnest tbanka for the courtesy of 

 your Association, and my best wishes for its continued prosperity 

 in the very useful work it has done. 



Other expressions of regret at enforced absence and of 

 interest in the Association came from Hon. Henry Cabot 

 Lodge. Lieut.-Gov. M. H. Haile, Secretary of State W. M. . 

 Olin, Lieut. Gov. -elect Roger Wolcott, ex-Gov. John D, 

 Long, Gen. Charles J. Paine, Hon. R. B. Roosevelt, At- 

 torney General A, E. Pillsbury, Alex, Taylor, Jr., of 

 New York, vice-president Megantic Club; Stephe 



