890 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[May 18, 1895. 
Spring in the National Park. 
Yellowstone National Park.— .Editor Forest and 
Stream-; The season here has been a very open one, and 
it is at least a month more advanced than it was last year 
at this date. All game has wintered remai-kably well, 
and I have no fear but the young will thrive. Elk are 
Reen everywhere in great numbers; deer are plentiful and 
tame; they are increasing rapidly. The mountain sheep 
are still on Mt. Everts, where they wintered in large 
numbers for them — thirty to fifty. There were at least 
800 antelope there all winter, so everything is doing well. 
Of the buffalo I cannot say ro much. The large herd 
did not winter in Hayden Valley, and no more than 
twenty-five to thirty were ever seen there in a single 
bunch. Whether this was from the scare of your party 
and Haynes's of the winter before, or whether it was be- 
cause of the light snowfall this year, I cannot say; but it 
is certain that they wintered in very small bunches — five 
to thirty — in widely separated parts of the park. 
Everything seems to be running well now, with pros- 
pects for a good season. I hope it will prove so, for last 
year was almost ruinous to all interests here, and they 
are just beginning to offer full value for tourists' money. 
Hot Spring. 
The Few Song Birds. 
Gardner, Mass., May 7. — Editor Forest and Stream: 
In reply to an article by "F. C. B." in your issue of May 
4, 1 would say that the spring birds have been very scarce 
in this vicinity this year, especially those that he men- 
tions. I have seen but two bluebirds this year, one on 
April 21 and one on May 3. A few swallows and thrashers 
have arrived the past few days, and blackbirds, robins and 
sevf ral species of sparrows are quite numerous, but the 
other spring birds are quite rare. I hope to hear from 
other bird lovers. Walter E. Proctor, 
($IM. 
AMERICAN GAME PARKS. 
The "Forest and .Stream's" Third Annual 
Report on Game in Preserves. 
Litchfield Park. 
TnE preserve known as Litchfield Park is the creation 
of Mr. Edward H. Litchfield, of New York city. Mr. 
Litchfield, who is an enthusiast on the subject of the pre- 
servation and propagation of the game birds, animals and 
fishes of this country, purchased the south third portion 
of township No. 25, Franklin county, N. Y., in August, 
1893, for the purpose of forming it into a private park, 
xvhere he could carry out his ideas on the above subject. 
The tract was originally supposed to cover between 8,000 
and9,000 acres, but a recent survey shows that the property 
purchased is six and a half miles long by two and a quar- 
ter miles wide, making the park over 9,300 acres in ex- 
tent. It was also supposed at the time of purchase that 
Jenkins' Brook ran through a portion of the park, but this 
survey also showed that it only skirted the property of 
Mr. Litchfield. The lakes on the property are ample for 
all purposes of watering the game. The biggest lake is 
now called Lake Madeleine; formerly it was known as Jen- 
kins' Pond. The lake is two and a quarter miles long by 
one mile wide. On the island that occupies a portion of 
the lake it is probable that Mr. Litchfield will ultimately 
build a summer home. Lake St. Hubert and Lake Diana 
are the smaller bodies of water that lie within the boun- 
daries of the park. 
As soon as Mr. Litchfield obtained possession of the 
property he started in to protect what game and fish were 
still to be found upon it. To this end he caused to be 
posted in conspicuous places the following notice: 
" Litchfield Park. 
"NOTICE. 
"Pursuant to [the" game laws of the State of New York: 
"Notice is hereby given that the lands and waters, the 
property of the undersigned, being the whole of the 
S)uth third of the township No. 25, Franklin county, State 
of New York, including Jenkins' Lake or Pond (hereafter 
to be designated as Lake Madeleine), Duck Lake or Pond 
Heaven Pond, Jenkins' Brook, and all lakes, ponds! 
Btreams and waters within the boundaries of said south 
third of township No. 25 aforesaid, are hereby reserved 
and will hereafter be used as a private park, to be known 
as Litchfield Park, for the purpose of propagating and 
protecting fish, birds and game. All persons are hereby 
warned against trespassing upon the above described tract 
or premises, or any part thereof. Shooting, hunting 
fishing and camping within the boundaries of said tract' 
without the written consent of the owner, are strictlv 
forbidden. No person will be allowed to have or use fire- 
arms or fishing tackle while on said premises, and dogs of 
all kinds will be excluded. Any person defacing or re- 
moving this notice, or violating any of the provisions 
thereof, will be prosecuted according to law 
ion'P ated Litcnneld p ark, Franklin Co., N. Y., Sent 6 
lbJd - Edward H. Litchfield, Owner.'" ' 
In regard to the natural advantages of his park as a 
game preserve Mr Litchfield states that it seems to be a 
favorite resort for does and fawns of the white tail or 
Virginia deer. Although, of course, there are no means 
of ascertaining the actual number of deer within the 
boundaries Ot the park, the men who looked after the 
property estimated the number one year ago at 250 The 
abolishing of hounding, and the restrictions placed on 
firearms, have undoubtedly attracted more deer to this 
park, where they can now find absolute safety. During 
the winter four men are employed as watchers or care- 
takers, the number being doubled during the summer 
months. Although the waters of the lakes which are 
now a part of Litchfield Park were depleted of fish prior 
to Mr. Litchfield's purchase, there is every reason to be- 
lieve that the quantity of brook trout which inhabit 
i iieae waters is much increased. Fishing through the 
ice, formerly practised very extensively, is now strictlv 
to bidden. 
Mr. Litchfield's attempt to stock the park with elk is 
likely to prove a supcess, the condition of the one bull and 
seven cow elk which were taken to the park last year 
being very encouraging, although they were confined to 
a small paddock as it were. As soon as the fencing of 
this tract of land has been completed, the elk will be 
turned out, and will, without a doubt, do far better. It 
is the intention to add to the herd in the near future. The 
matter of fencing the park is one that needs much con- 
sideration, and was one on which Mr. Litchfield had not 
arrived at a decision when Forest and Stream's repre- 
sentative called on him. The chief difficulty to be coped 
with is the extremely heavy snowfalls that occur during 
the winter months. Drifts of 8 and 10ft. are by no means 
uncommon, and as these drifts become solidly crusted 
over an allowance must be made to prevent the animals 
from taking advantage of such a means of escape. 
The introduction of blacktail deer and wild boars is 
under consideration, but in the matter of the latter ani- 
mals, as in some other similar cases, Mr. Litchfield is 
inclined to await the results arrived at in other private 
parks. To add to the winged game, it is Mr. Litchfield's 
intention to liberate English pheasants. The possibilities 
of the acclimatization of the capercailzie have also been 
studied with a view to the importation of a few of those 
magnificent birds, 
The following letter from Dr. C. Hart Merriam is worth 
reading by everybody interested in game protection: 
"Washington, D. 0., Feb. 20.— Mr. Edward H, Litch- 
field, 59 Wall street, New YorTt eity: Your interesting let- 
ter of the 12 th inst. is before me, and I am glad to learn 
that you have purchased a tract of land in the Adiron- 
dacks for a private preserve and that you have stocked it 
with the American elk or wapiti. There is no reason 
why this animal should not thrive in the Adirondacks, as 
it did formerly. I am sorry to learn, however, that your 
gamekeeper is inclined to slaughter hawks and owls, on 
the supposition that they are very destructive to game 
birds. As a matter of fact, our hawks and owls are among 
the most useful of birds, feeding chiefly on mice and other 
small animals. There are two or three species, it is true, 
which feed largely on quail, grouse and small birds, 
namely, the goshawk, Cooper's hawk and the sharp- 
shinned hawk. With these exceptions our species are en- 
titled to preservation. In a recent report on the 'Vole 
Plague in Scotland,' by a special committee of Parlia- 
ment, it is stated that the enormous increase in destructive 
rodents was believed to be due chiefly to the fact that the 
birds of prey that formerly kept these animals in check 
had been nearly exterminated by gamekeepers. Weasels 
also deserve to be let alone, because they feed almost ex- 
clusively on mice and other rodents. It is exceptional for 
them to kill birds, though a single weasel sometimes does 
much injury when it has acquired the habit of killing 
birds. The porcupine, sometimes erroneously called 
'hedgehog,' does more harm by punishing dogB that at- 
tempt to shake him than in any other way. Trusting 
that Litchfield Park will long remain a true haven of 
refuge for our native game, large and small, I remain, 
with best wishes, very truly yours, 
"C. Hart Merriam, Chief of Division." 
The results of Mr. Litchfield's efforts to protect and 
propagate native game, and to introduce and acclimatize 
game birds and animals from other portions of the United 
States and foreign countries, will be watched with con- 
siderable interest. All such efforts mean a great deal for 
the future of the game birds, animals and fish of this 
continent. 
The Vilas Preserve— Adirondacks. 
Cambridge, Mass. — Gamekeepers are in charge all the 
time. The owners spend part of the summer at head- 
quarters, and grant for the present hunting and camping 
permits for not less than ten days, charging $i per day for 
each sportsman, but no charge is made for other members 
of their party— guides, women or children. Permits are 
to be had at Paul Smith's, Henry Phelps, Blue Mountain 
House, Franklin county, N. Y., and myself. 
The property is held to be leased in part or as a whole to 
game and fish clubs. 
Deer grow more plenty each year on this preserve, as 
all through the Adirondacks. The tract is partly in St. 
Lawrence county, where hounding is unlawful, and in 
Franklin county, where hounding is universal. 
A careful study of the question has led us in the inter- 
est of the preserve to prohibit hounding, with the result 
of tamer deer to hunt, and having a great increase from 
the deer taking refuge from dogged districts. We find 
the methods of night hunting or "jacking" of St. Law- 
rence county much more painstaking and successful than 
those practised in Franklin county, where the habit of 
hounding seems to have dulled the skill of the night 
hunter. The observance of a few simple rules enables us 
to hunt within five and ten minutes of our permanent 
camps with as good results as three hours away. 
Our brook trout range from $ to fib., occasionally run- 
ning up to 21bs. , and many miles of our streams are never 
fished. 
Partridges are often seen. 
The trapping, which is let to our head keeper, is quite a 
feature. Bear have increased during the past five years. 
Now and then evidence of wildcat are seen in a deer slain. 
For six years I have been greatly interested in the de- 
velopment of private game and fish preserves in the 
Adirondacks, and have published a reliable map of about 
thirty miles square in the northern Adirondacks, of which 
I send you a copy. E. A. Carpenter. 
The Raquette. 
Williamstown.— The Eaquette Club is notable simply 
and solely for being a wonderfully perfect habitat for 
deer, its four ponds and large proportion of marsh, inter- 
sected by wooded ridges, making it a particularly favor- 
able feeding ground. Unfortunately^ we have done 
almost nothing to improve it, save putting up our club 
buildings. Only four or five members of the club have 
been on the ground, and the interest is so slack that the 
club has been offered for sale. The result is a fine pre- 
serve, with splendid potentialities for game and fish as 
well as canoeing. John H. Denison, Pres. 
The Ampersand Preserve. 
New York.— Editor Forest and Stream: The Amper- 
T?- d P *' eserve is > we believe, surpassed by none in the 
Adirondacks, in point of abundance of fish and game 
beauty and grandeur of scenery, and healthful surround- 
ings. This preserve includes such well-known fish-ponds 
as Ampersand, Follensbee and the Preston ponds, and is 
beautified by Mount Seward, Mount Seymour, Ragged and 
Ampersand mountains, and many others of less altitude, 
the home of the deer. 
The regulations governing the hunting and fishing are 
based on the State laws, but are more rigorous. The kill- 
ing of does is not allowed, and hounding is only rarely 
permitted. The game is oared for by wardens hired by 
the year who prohibit poaching and hounding. Hunting 
and fishing are only permitted under special arrangement 
made with a duly authorized agent of the owners. Under 
these rules, and the large reduction in amount of hunting 
and fishing done during the past four years, marked in- 
crease is noticeable in the quantity of fish and game. 
Deer especially are increasing. This was shown last sea- 
son, when four handsome bucks were brought into camp 
by three hunters on one afternoon. No exotic game birds 
or animals have been imported into the preserve, as the 
native species, properly protected, furnish all required 
sport. Rangeley trout have been put into Preston Ponds 
and are growing finely, some few being caught each sea- 
son. This preserve covers 50,000 acres of land and water 
in a block, easily accessible from Tupper Lake, Saranac 
Lake and Lake Plaoid. 
The Megantic Preserve. 
Boston, Mass, — Editor Forest and Stream: We have in 
our Megantic Preserve the game and fish common to 
that section oF Maine — moose, caribou, deer and the 
smaller animals; duck and partridges for birds; trout 
for fish, and we have placed in Big Ice Pond in Maine 
quite a number of landlocked salmon. Some were caught 
last summer in the fly. 
On the Canadian side of the preserve we have in our 
lakes .there black bass and lake trout, which last also are 
found at our Chain of Ponds in Maine. 
We have under way a fish hatchery and have started it 
this fall with 35,000 eggs of the trout. It is doing finely 
now and we hope for good results. The hatchery has a 
capacity of 1,000,000 eggs. 
L. Dana Chapman, Treasurer. 
The Santa Clara Preserve. 
The Santa Clara Preserve contains over 60,000 acres of 
land and water, including such well-known ponds as 
McEuery, Madawaska and Train, noted for their trout 
and deer. In addition, the St. Regis River runs through 
this preserve, furnishing endless sport for both fisherman 
and hunter. On this river the runways all along the Six- 
teen-Mile and Nine-Mile levels are justly famous as the 
best in this section. 
Lumbering is being carried on on both of these pre- 
serves, and though it may have caused greater or less 
injuries to other interests, the quality of the hunting and 
fishing has not been injured. The lumbermen are 
watched with the greatest vigilance and are allowed 
neither to fish nor hunt. Dodge, Meigs & Co. 
The Biltmore Forest. 
Office of the Biltmore Estate, Biltmore, N. C, 
May 11.— Editor Forest and Stream: Mr. Vanderbilt will 
doubtless stock his place with game, but no thought has 
been given to the matter yet, and nothing has been de- 
termined upon. Chas. McNamee. 
BRANT SHOOTING AT CAPE COD. 
Spring of 1 895. 
Boston, May 6.— The work of preparation for the shoot- 
ing commenced on Feb. 25, but there was so much ice on 
the Flats that nothing in the way of putting in boxes 
could be done for about two weeks. There is, however, 
much labor to be performed by the local members before 
the arrival of the non-residents. The club houses are to 
be put in order, 300 wood decoys are to be repaired and 
painted, furniture, boxes and canvas overhauled and 
everything put in order for housekeeping, The three 
clubs — Monomoy, Providence and Manchester — all run 
under the management of the first-named, the same as 
heretofore. The four boxes, South, Mudhole, West and 
North, are to be planted. 
These watertight boxes, each containing a guide and 
two gunners, are about 6ft. long, 3ft. wide and deep, and 
as the tide has a maximum depth of about 18in., one-half 
of the box must be buried in the flats and sand wheeled 
up around it to form a natural bar and hide the box. As 
these bars are so easily obliterated by high wind and 
water, in order to save the vast amount of labor in recon- 
structing, a canvas cover, like a ship's sail, is thrown over 
it, a hole cut for the box and the edges buried in the 
sand to hold it in place. 
The weather was so cold and severe that the first box, 
the South, was not in position before the 6th of March, 
and the last, the North, was barely in place on the 20th, 
on which day the first regular weekly party of eight men 
arrived from Boston anticipating good shooting, but alas! 
few birds are on the feeding ground, and what few there 
are, keep a good distance from the boxes. The party 
struggled on cheerfully through the week and came out 
with one brant! and retired to make room for the second 
party of nine men. Fresh arrivals of the migrants made 
them fairly plentiful, but still they kept off shore, and 
paid very little attention to the decoys. Buoyed up by 
hope and the prospects of better fortune in the near 
future — which was never realized — the devotees departed 
with a meagre bag of eight brant. 
The third weekly party, April 3-10, better known as 
"the boys' party" — older to-day than when they received 
that appellation twenty years ago — full of energy and 
ambition, entered the field and commenced operations, 
but with all their enterprise they could not coax the birds 
within range, and the week closed with a record of only 
nine brant. 
The fourth party, made up of selections from the Provi- 
dence Club, which contains some choice specimens of 
sportsmen, headed by his Honor ex-Mayor Barker, turned 
out on this occasion but five "braves" to compete for the 
championship of the season. Of all the gentle spirits that 
participate in the sport as well as the festivities of the 
club, none enter with greater zest or participate more joy- 
ously thnn the distinguished members of the Providence 
Club. The shooting was quite unsatisfactory, but the 
brave boys struck up a cheerful note and departed with a 
bag: of nine brant. 
The fifth party was composed mostly of elderly gentle- 
men who have s* en service and are entitled to the honor 
of "veterans." Their victories in the present field were 
somewhat like Santa Anna who alleged that Gen. Taylor 
"didn't know when he was whipped." Considering their 
