236 
FOREST AND STREAM, 
jMarch 21, 1896. 
Hibernating: of the Woodchuck. 
I "WAS much interested in the article on hibernating of 
the woodchuck in a late number of Forest and Stream, 
more especially observing the difference of the length of 
time they remain asleep in different localities, owing, 
doubtless, to the climate, and possibly to other influences. 
I have only observed them in northern Maine; here they 
go to earth from the middle to the last of August— gen- 
erally about the SOth— and it is seldom they make their 
appearance again before the last of March or first part of 
April, when they usually remain out or seek some other 
hole in the ground. Thus they hibernate seven months 
at least — more than one-half their lives in the dormant 
state— truly, they are one of the seven sleepers. 
They are usually fat when they come out and are a 
dainty dish for the table, not having any of the strong 
taste they have later in the season. 
These chucks are very fond of clover, and usually bur- 
row near a field of that grass, and the singular part of it 
is that they go to den just as the delicious aftermath of 
the clover field is starting up fresh. It is possible, how- 
ever, that they have already acquired a sufficient surplus 
of fat to last through the long winter, and nature makes 
them seek their long sleep, - 
We have here woodchucks of two colors, rufous and 
black. The former are more common, but the black ones 
are shiny and very pretty. 
The chipmunk squirrel goes to den also in August and 
remains under about the same length of time. J. G. R. 
Bethel, Me, 
Maryland Bird Notes. 
There seemed to be a striking unanimity among ob- 
servers during 1895 as to the great scarcity of bluebirds, 
apparently due to the extremely low temperature that 
prevailed very far south during the winter of '94-95. 
Whatever the cause, it is certain that an isolated pair or 
two were all that I observed in this vicinity at the usual 
mating time, and very few were noted during the fall 
migration. 
This year I noted two pair investigating various nesting 
sites and actively courting as early as Jan. 23, and since 
then, even though we have had two cold Bnaps, several 
other pairs were seen yesterday, March 7, as many as 
twelve in a flock. 
The purple grackle is here in numbers, a song sparrow 
was heard yesterday, and it will be interesting to note if 
we have an early spring. 
There was a time not so many years ago when the scar- 
let tanager and the redheaded woodpecker were rare vis- 
itors hereabouts, but since 1893 these beautiful birds have 
been noted in greater number each year. La sty ear I saw 
fully thirty tanagers and no less than four pairs of red- 
heads nested on my lawn. 
If there are any more interesting birds than these same 
redheads I do not know them. They are acrobats, car- 
penters, bird humorists of the first water, querulous, ex- 
citable, curious, inr)u8trious — uniting more characteristic 
traits in one than any bird I have ever studied. 
Sam'l J. Fort, M.D. 
Ellicott City, Md. 
Animal Instincts. 
Clark University, Worcester, Mass.— Editor Forest 
and Stream: For purpose of extended comparison I wish 
data as to habit, instinct or intelligence in animals, above 
all minor and trifling ones not in the books, useless or 
detrimental ones, and the particular breeds, species and 
genera showing each. Examples: Purring, licking, knead- 
ing objects with forepaws, humping back and "worrying" 
captured prey (like the cat), baying (at moon or other- 
wise), urination and defecation habits (eating, covering 
up, etc.), disposition of feces and shells in nest, rolling on 
carrion, cackling (or other disturbance) after laying, eat- 
ing afterbirth or young, sexual habits, transporting eggs 
or young, nest-Bharing, hunting partnerships or similar 
intelligent associations in animals, hereditary transmis- 
sion of peculiar traits, rearing young of another species 
with resulting modifications of instinct, feigning death, 
suicide, fascination, and any others. Circular of informa- 
tion will be sent and full credit given for data used, or 
sender's name will be confidential, as preferred. Make 
answers full, always stating age, sex, place, date (or sea- 
son), species, breed, and whether personally observed. 
R. R. Gurley, M. D. 
The Mild Winter in the Northwest. 
Okonagon, Wash, , March 5.— Editor Forest and Stream: 
Thus far this has been a very mild winter. We have not 
had what would be called a cold day. The snow in the 
mountains is quite deep, while on the south hillsides there 
has been but little snow. What few deer are left have 
fared well. 
The Okonagon River from the Similkameen up to the 
Osooyoos Lake has not been frozen over. Geese, mal- 
lards and teal have been with us all winter, and I have 
seen all winter one meadow lark; it took up its quarters 
in Mr. Snyder's stable. A few days ago 1 saw one up 
near the mill. Mr. Cramer's hunting paradise has b«en 
invaded by the prospectors; in lees than one week after 
the law passed there were more than 1,000 on the north 
half of the reservation. Lew Wilmot. 
A Maine March Robin. 
Augusta, March 8.— Editor Forest and Stream: A 
robin was seen in this city yesterday, which is the first, 
I believe, seen this year, Quite recently we had a warm 
spell and a rain, which probably brought him; but now it 
has turned cold, with snow, and I am afraid the poor fel- 
low will suffer for coming so early, I never knew of one 
coming so early before. G, S. Reynolds. 
Notes of the Birds. 
Sheldon, Yt., March 9— Early in February the pine 
grosbeak appeared in this vicinity in flocks of eight or ten, 
and they still remain and are daily seen about our orchards 
and gardens. 
Ruffed grouse have so far wintered well and in goodly 
numbers. Our Mongolian pheasants are looking strong 
and healthy. The cocks are in fine plumage. 
Stanstead, 
The Fokkst and Stream is put to press each iveek on Tuesday. 
Correspondence intended for publication should reach us at tit* 
by Monday, and as »Mtcft earlier as practicable. 
^ntt\t §zg nnd %mu 
THE SPORTSMEN'S EXPOSITION. 
At the time of going to press the second annual Sports- 
men's Exposition at Madison Square Garden is in full 
swing. It is already apparent that the good impression 
created last year has been so strengthened and broadened 
that the event can be considered to be, in many ways, the 
representative fixture of American sportsmanship. It is 
the assemblage of assemblages, the review of reviews, 
the presentment of the combined representations of 
sportsmen's activity in their several favorite fields. Since 
it is such, it can be held of the utmost value not only to 
the individual sportsman, but to the sporting goods trade, 
which must depend upon the intelligence and progressive- 
ness of that individual for its success. 
Viewed as a whole — and at this hurried writing it can 
be viewed in no other way — the Exposition is in many 
ways superior to that of last year. The evidence of bet- 
ter management and more authority over detail is ap- 
parent. The spaces are better arranged and the total has 
a clearer and less crowded appearance. There are sixty- 
three different exhibits listed, and the variety of exhibits 
is greater than that of last year. The Exposition has for 
some time been receiving good and merited attention 
from the daily press, which last year treated it rather 
shabbily. This should have the result this week of bring- 
ing out a good attendance. The first day, Monday, was 
marked by the unfortunate snowstorm, which made city 
life a burden and street travel a travail, but in spite of 
this the floors were well crowded early in the afternoon, 
and the later days should see the house filled. 
Nearly all of the great ammunition and gun houses 
have in their elaborate and elegant displays of modern 
guns. Here progress is apparent even for the one year 
past. The small caliber rifles and ammunition and the 
nitro powders have their development recorded, and there 
are other progressive inventions which shall have later 
mention. The powder companies are out in force, and 
their exhibits are ingenious, attractive and elegant, form- 
ing a strong feature in the Exposition. 
Fishing tackle is excellently represented by several 
grand displays of the large firms, and the angler can 
loiter, linger and love new beauties in the most beautiful 
craftsmanship of the gentlest and most beautiful of 
sports. The total display in this branch of sport is vastly 
more comprehensive than was the case last year. 
Taxidermy has not so many exhibits as it had last year, 
but those in place are extremely artistic and well chosen, 
with better effect than could be claimed for any show 
since the World's Fair. There were grand specimens of 
all the game animals of the world, and the hunter's life 
and methods were shown incidentally to this in a manner 
most thorough and gratifying. 
Probably the most complete line shown is that of boats. 
There are all sorts of boats, from the Forest and Stream 
Ethelwynn model down to a Rangeley clinker. There 
were large and small boats, sail boats and row boats and 
canoes, wooden boats, aluminum boats, rubber boats, 
steam and electric launch boats, and boatB run by elec- 
tricity in the rudder, to say nothing of a "bicycle boat," 
whose screw propeller is run by foot cranks like those of 
a bicycle and steered by handle bars like those of the lat- 
ter machine. 
By the way, the bicycle idea was very singularly and 
strongly in evidence. There were shown some aluminum 
wheels, very light and handsome, and some automotor 
bicycles and a horseless carriage. There was a bicycle 
boat and a bicycle magazine trap for throwing targets. 
The bicycle is certainly pushing its way into the domain 
of the rod and gun. 
There is an extremely interesting and valuable display 
in the west galleries known as the Loan and Trophy Ex- 
hibit. Here there are many rare, valuable and curious 
things which all sportsmen should certainly see, 
A curious feature is shown in an apparatus for producing 
the Roentgen X rays, and it is proposed here to photo- 
graph the interior of a gentleman who is so unfortunate 
as to have a load of buckshot iu his neck. 
There are three "backwoods cabins," all very realistic 
and well fitted, and one Indian camp, that of the Forest 
and Stream. Upon the stage there are several expert 
and fancy rifle shooters, and an excellent band plays on. 
We think we npither boast nor exaggerate in saying 
that the Forest and Stream exhibit is one great feature 
of this Exposition, and one which competition in its own 
field never has nor will approach. We say the Forest and 
Stream exhibit, but should rather speak in the plural, 
for Forest and Stream has no less than three distinct and 
unique exhibits, occupying, it is thought, more space by 
halt than any other exhibitor has taken. The central ex- 
hibit is arranged on the main aisle in the center of the great 
floor, occupying a space 12 X 22ft. in size. Here a cosy and 
typical sportsmen's newspaper office is shown. Trophies 
and paintings adorn the walls, and there is abundant 
but subdued and tasteful use made of all the natural dec- 
orative qualities of the objects connected with the craft 
Come and see, and sit down and look about you. Forest 
and Stream in epitome is there, in books and pictures, in 
promises and in fulfillments. The center of this space and 
the post of honor is given to the bound volumes of the 23 
years of the life of this journal, a life as well and hon- 
estly spent as we knew how to make it. We confess 
openly that we are modestly proud of those 45 bound vol- 
umes which record the efforts and successes of this jour- 
nal's career. 
But the central exhibit of Forest and Stream is not 
its chief feature, which without option of the paper has 
been popularly voted the feature of the whole show — 
Forest and Stream's Exhibit of the Red Hunter. We 
shall reserve for leisure effort the story of this portion of 
the Forest and Stream's endeavors to instruct and enter- 
tain. To those for whom it is possible our advice is to 
come and see personally something not frequently or 
easily to be seen— the life of the wild hunter as he lived 
in those wild and glorious days whose sunset is now 
fading forever on the sky. Here are to be seen the 
genuine skin lodge which made the favorite home of 
the Indians. They show here their dress and customs, 
their strange and weird religious ceremonies, their simple 
and interesting ways of life. The interpreter will tell 
what his people say. Bear Chief, head chief of the Black- 
feet tribe and a man of wealth and dignity, will give you 
an idea of the genuine wild chieftain of the plains, which 
you may rely upon as being genuine and correct. Na- 
td-ka, the Indian woman, will change your notions of 
Indian women, perhaps, and with Na-ld-yi, the Forest 
and Stream Indian baby, who has established herself as 
a prime favorite and star attraction in one day's time, 
you are sure to fall in love. Of these things and of these 
people we shall speak at length later on. 
In a gallery where the room can be darkened for the 
purpose (the entrance is at the center of the south side of 
the amphitheater) is located the third feature of the 
Forest and Stream exhibit, a stereopticon display of 
over 150 pictures of interesting and stirring sporting 
scenes, all in charge of Mr. J. B. Burnham. This is 
a feature very much worth seeing, and all visiting sports- 
men must be sure to visit it. It is part of the effort of 
this journal to give genuine and sterling features of 
novelty and attractiveness for the amusement and benefit 
of the legions of sportsmen who have always been good 
to it. 
These legions of sportsmen, in so far as they are able, 
should see this great exposition this week. If they can 
not do so this week they may do so next week in the 
pages of Forest and Stream. 
ADIRONDACK DEER. 
Big Moose Lake, Herkimer Co., N. Y., Feb. 22.— Editor 
Forest and Stream: I have recently read an article in 
Forest and Stream, written by Mr. Francis E. Olivf r, 
of Syracuse, one of my guests of last season, on the 
protection of deer. That, together with letters written 
by other sportsmen, has prompted me to write and give 
not only my opinion, but experience for thirty years. I 
have been in the Adirondacks for thirty years and more, 
and have hunted deer in all ways and at all seasons of 
the year. When I first began hunting there was no 
law to say when we should kill or how many; and I 
think I can safely say that there were five deer there 
where there is one now, and probably more. I had an 
opportunity to see considerable of them during the deep 
snows, and I never found deer lying around dead, starved 
to death, as some will have it now. 
Deer may get diseased and die off; and in fact I believe 
they do; but I don't believe they starve to death, as is 
claimed by many. Deer eat almost everything that grows 
in the woods, and there is always something within their 
reach. 
The wolves were the worst enemies they had during the 
deep snow in those days. Wolves often killed great num- 
bers on deep snows and crusts. The deer could stand that 
pressure for the season, for such destruction was short, 
and hunters were few compared to the present time. 
The deer is an animal that increases very fast, and will 
give us a proof of it if we will give them a chance. 
But with the increase of hunters and the dogs and all, the 
poor deer are getting the worst of it; for there certainly 
are less deer in the Adirondacks to-day than ever before. 
And what else can we expect when we think of the num- 
ber of men and dogs that are in pursuit of them for so 
long a time? 
There have been seen repeatedly in places that I can 
mention twenty or thirty men and as many dogs going in 
one band to hunt on certain streams. With all these men 
scattered out to watch the runwayB and all the dogs 
turned loose, what chance have the deer to get awaj? 
Now this is no stretch of imagination, for it has been 
done repeatedly; and I have been told by reliable parties 
that the deer have been entirely cleaned out for a long 
distance where these parties go in. This is done mostly 
along the border of the woods, where they can go in with 
teams and tote out the venison. Add this to the hundreds 
of sportsmen manning all the lakes and ponds in the 
Adirondacks, and then see what the result will be; for it 
is true that during the dogging season you can hardly 
cross a pond or lake any day that you will not see one or 
more parties watching for deer pursued by dogs. 
Now with these facts before us (and no one can show 
that it is not true) why ask the question, how shall we 
protect the deer or save them? 1 will tell you in my 
opinion how to do it. Take every dog out of the woods 
and keep them out. Give the deer a chance, and we 
will be able to get deer in a more sportsmanlike way a 
little later, I have always hunted deer with dogs and 
approve of it. Parties stopping with us last October, 
who came in to still-hunt, had a fine time, got a deer and 
seemed to enjoy it more than dogging. I think this the 
most sportsmanlike way of killing deer; and if we call off 
the dogs and let the deer increase, it will be no trouble 
to get a deer by still-hunting. J. H. Higby. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
I overheard an old Vermont farmer say, "There is a 
great deal of human natur' in mankind," and I think 
on© may detect considerable "human natur'" in the talk 
— newspaper and otherwise — that is going on concerning 
the game laws in New York, and certain changes that 
have been proposed regarding them. There are three 
forces at work, and they represent three distinct classes 
of men. There is the man "whose god is his belly," who 
wants his game dinner and will vote to have it; there is 
the man whose idol is the dollar, and who deems it the 
inalienable right of the American citizen to traffic in 
game all the year round; and there is the man who 
worships at the alter of "true sport," and who engages in 
exhaustive arguments to prove that his ideas as to how 
and when game should be killed are the only real solution 
of the problem. 
All these men will throw their ballots and their in- 
fluence in the direction of their own personal interests, 
and they act within their rights in so doing. The class 
that controls the most votes will win. I can remember a 
year — not so very long ago — when a few sports rr en in 
New York city had sufficient influence at Albany to 
effectually block any change in the game laws that sea- 
son. Personally, I wish that the same combination could 
be worked this year. I do not blame the gourmet and 
the market man for wanting to have the laws their way, 
and I do not want them to blame me for wanting laws 
that happen to suit my own selfish wishes. For, fellow 
sportsmen, if the truth is told there is considerable selfish- 
ness in our end of the business. What are game laws 
for? Surely not to create a food supply, for there is as 
yat no scarcity of beef, mutton or pork. Not for human- 
ity's Bake, because they would then proscribe the killing 
of game altogether. Not for purely sentimental ends, be- 
cause the men who make the laws are not, as a rule, 
elected for sentimental purposes. A complete history of 
game laws, from ancient times to the present day, would 
probably show that they were chiefly enacted in th© in- 
