612 
FOREST -AND ' STREAM, 
[Dmo. 26, IIM, 
this old fellow for quite a little while, and were still at it 
when Billy went out of sight. 
I have said Bomething about the power of the big wolves, 
and it is well known that a couple of them can pull down 
a twd-year-old heifer without trouble. The reason I 
know this is because I have seen them do it. A couple of 
wolves had a bunch of stock rounded up in a valley, and 
were just walking about and holding them there, when 
suddenly one of the wolves made a plunge into the cattle. 
A foolish young two-year-old dashed out of the band and 
the other wolf had her cut off the moment she separated 
from the bunch. Then both wolves made a dash at her, 
caught her by the hindlegs, spread her apart and killed 
her, I think, in ten seconds. 
For many years I- have been looking for an authentic 
case where a Western wolf attacked a human being. I 
think I have found one now in the daughter of old Jim 
Baker, who still lives down in Colorado, on Snake River. 
Title occurrence happened about fifteen years ago, and the 
attack was made not because the wolf was hungry, but 
because he was cross. The young girl, then eighteen 
years old, was going out just at dusk to drive in some 
milk cows, when she saw sitting just above the trail on 
the hillside a gray wolf. She called at it, and when it 
did not move picked up a stone and threw it. The ani- 
mal came jumping down the hill, caught her by the 
shoulder, threw her down and tore her badly on the legs 
and arms. She screamed, and her brother, who hap- 
pened to be near by, ran up with his gun and killed the 
wolf. This was a young wolf barely fully grown, and his 
act it would be harJ to explain. The woman still bears 
the soars of the encounter. 
In books about Indians it is commonly stated that 
wolves mate with Indian dogs, and it is certainly true that 
the old-fashioned Indian dog often had a very wolfish 
look about him. Such crossing may take place by accident 
or possibly by design of the Indians, as stated by some 
travelers; but though I have been much in Indian camps, 
for a good many years past, I never saw anything to lead 
me to believe that the Indians themselves tried to bring 
this about. 
That wolves and dogs will cross is certain. Twenty 
years ago at a ranch just west of the head of the D smal 
River, in Nebraska, there was a big black dog which was 
the father of seven pups by an old gray wolf. The=e pups 
and their mother were notorious through all the country 
there for the cattle which they killed, and they were 
often seen doing it. If I recollect aright three of the 
pups looked like gray wolves and four like the black dog. 
All of this interesting family save one were at length 
shot by Capt. L, H. North, the manager of the Cody & 
North cattle ranch. 
There is a lot of interesting matter to be written about 
wolves and coyotes, and a beginning has hardly yet been 
made at it. If every one who has any notes on this sub- 
ject would write them out and put them on record there 
would soon be material for an interesting and not very 
small book. G. B. G. 
The Ermines. 
In our remarks last week upon the ermines, we quoted 
Coues's "Fur Bearing Animals" and Audubon's "Quad- 
rupeds," neither of which is very modern, the first iiav- 
ing been published nearly twenty years ago and the lat- 
ter being twice as old. Of course, since the publication 
of these volumes much work on North American mam- 
mals has been done, and much has been said as to the 
specific relations of all the weasels. The latest contribu- 
tions to this subject are a paper entitled "A Raview of 
the Weasels of Eistern North America," by Mr. Outiam 
K, Bmgs, published in the Proceedings of the Biological 
Society of Washington, and one by Dr. C. Hart Merriam 
entitled "A Synopsis of the Wea=sels of North America," 
published by the Agricultural Dapartment as No. 11 of 
the North American Fauna. 
Dr. Merriam regards the ermine {Putorius erminea) as 
distinct from the American forms of weasel, though 
closely related to a subarctic form (P, arcticus, Mer.). 
Strictly then the term ermine should be applied only to 
one species of weasel, and that an Old World form, but 
there are in America many weasels which turn white in 
winter. 
The quotation from Audubon's "Qaadrupeds," given 
last week in these columns, probably refers to P. nove- 
boracensis. 
Winter Bluebirds in Connecticut. 
Hamdsn, Conn,, Dec. 14 — The occasions are very rare 
when it is possible to pick wild flowers from the hillside 
in Connecticut on Dec. 13; yet I inclose a small blos- 
somed plant picked by myself to-da.y while I was hunt- 
ing for snares on the West Rock range. Not only did I 
pick this flower, but I saw bluebirds and lots of them; in 
fact, it is nothing unusual to find these generally accept- 
ed harbingers of spring in this vicinity all the year round. 
Well do I remember hearing a bluebird sing just two 
years ago this month; and the thermometer was hugging 
zero pretty close at the time too, A friend and I were 
crossing a lot on which there was a clump of small 
cedars; our surprise can be better im?.gined than told 
when our ears were greeted by a bluebird's warble; we 
had seen them many times at that time of year, but the 
warble was a genuine surprise, William H. Avjs. 
Tennessee Birds. 
Grand View, Dec. 16. — I was in error in supposing that 
the migrant birds had passed this point on their south- 
ward journey. 
On Dec 9 a large flock of robins passed, some hun- 
dreds, probably, in number, and on the 11th I saw one 
meadow lark. 
There are many small birds, which seem to be mostly 
finches, twittering in the bushes, and I am told that they 
remain all winter. 
We have seen no snow on the mountain tops as yet, 
though in Georgia, and more than 100 miles to the south, 
they have had too much for comfort 
Antler says that when the robins come northward in 
the spring they move in a body. Kelpie, 
An Invaluable Substitute. 
Inoxxjbed pleaae flud draft for $4, for which pleasq keep the Forkst 
AND Btebam comlnsc to my addreas. I have had it just one year, and 
for one interested in Bportini; life, and is bo tied down to busiaess iif« 
aa not to be able to enjoy the reality, It is an Invaluable substitute. 
Chab. Havward. 
^^ttf^ ^Hg mtd 0um 
WHERE TO GO. 
One important, useful and considerable part of the Forest and 
Stream's service to the sportsmen's community is the information 
given inquirers for shooting and fishing resorts. We make it our 
business to know where to send the sportsman for largo or small 
game, or in quest of his favorite flsh, and this knowledge is freely im- 
parted on request. 
On the other hand, we are constantly seeking information of this 
characler for the benefit of our patrons, and we invite sportsmen, 
hotel proprietors and others to communicate to us whatever may be 
of advantage to the sportsman tourist. 
CHICAGO AND THE WEST. 
Another Bill. 
Chicago, Dec. 19.— The Illinois State Sportsmen's Asso- 
ciation met Monday of this week and agreed to appoint a 
committee for the drafting of a bill to be presented at the 
next session of the Legislature. This is entirely distinct 
from the bill mentioned in earlier issues as the Baird bill. 
There will be desirable features in each bill, and it is to be 
hoped that the sportsmen of the Slate will secure some of 
the benefits which would arise from the adoption of such 
desirable portions. It is all in the sir yet, for we have 
not yet heard from South Water street, whose pull is 
mightier than the sword. 
Personal. 
Mr. Charles Hallock, the Nestor of sporting journalism, 
made a very pleasant call at this ofiBce to-day. Mr. Hal- 
lock looks hale and hearty, and no older than he was ten 
years ago, probably not so old, as he has had so many 
enjoyable experiences in his many wanderings among the 
wild places of the continent, all of which are evergreen 
in tendency, 
Mr, S A. Tucker, the well-known agent of the well- 
known Parker gun, is in the city this week for several 
days, 
Mr. W. P. Mussey, long sick at home of typhoid fever 
and mentioned last week as apt to he confined in bed for 
some days yet, surprised and delighted his many friends 
by appearing at his place of business day before yesterday 
for a short time, the first time he has been down town since 
October last, He is looking pulled down, but says he will 
soon be all right again, 
Mr. A, S Clark, of Haddam, Conn., called this week, 
and I was glad to see him. He is an old-time Forest and 
Stream reader, and has shot in different parts of the West 
and South, in country of which we could speak of mutual 
knowledge. Mr. Clark says I am not as good looking a 
man as he hoped I was, from readmp my stuff, "unsigbt, 
unseen." A number of people have told me that, and I 
am beginning to think there is something in it. 
Wild Piereons. 
Mr. William Knight, freight agent of the U. P. R. R, 
here, is just back from a quail trip in Missouri and 
Arkansas. He brmgs the unusual news that he and his 
friends saw a large fleck of real wild pigeons, and he 
killed two of them, bringing them home for mounting. 
National Association. 
The annual meeting of the National Game, Bird and 
Fish Pi-.^itective Association will be held at Kalamazoo, 
Mich., Feb. 10, 1897. Mr. A. L. Lakee, secretary, asks 
that all who can possibly attend do so, and all such are 
requested to notify him at Kalamazoo of their intention, 
so that proper arrangements may be made for the ac- 
commodation of all and for the holding of a good meet- 
ing. 
Dakota Game. 
Mr. George E. Bowers, State game warden of North 
Dakota, writes me from Fargo that he has this fall had 
very good duck and goose shooting, and helped make bags 
as big as any one should ask. Moreover, he has just re- 
turned from a deer hunt on the Missouri River, in which 
his party of four got fourteen deer in ten days. Mr. 
Bowers asks me to come out for another hunt with the 
Fargo boys, and this I am going to do some day. He says 
that he did not meet the Merrill bojs on their trip in 
Dakota, but was lucky enough to meet the W. B. Mershon 
party from Saginaw, Mich. , and found them a splendid 
lot of men, "the kind it does one good to meet." Mr, 
Bowers is now about ready (vith his annual report, and 
we shall then hear about the non-resident law, 
Mr. Clint Smith, one of my Fargo hunting friends, is 
now East on a visit, and I expect to see him here in Chi- 
cago before long, E, Hodqh. 
BLACK RIVER ASSOCIATION. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
The annual meeting of the Black River Fish and Game 
Protective Association was held this afternoon, President 
George G. Chassell, of Holland Patent, presiding. Secre- 
tary W-. E Wolcott,of Utica, presented his annual report, 
which was as follows: 
This Association, from the time of its organization eight years ago, 
has unf all eriogly and untiringly labored id the interests of Adiron- 
dack forest protection and preservation, and earnestly advocated the 
early acquirement by the State of the entire wilderness region. Peti- 
tions urging the Legislature to take decisive action in the matter 
were printed at the expense of the Association, widely circulated, and 
thouaauda of signatures thereto obtained from different parts of the 
State. We have also published and circulated, in sheet and pamplilet 
form, at our own expense at various times, a vast amount of informa- 
tion concerning the Adirondacka and the necessity for caring for the 
forests. 
Delegates have heen sent to New York city to express our views 
before the State Forest Commisf ion, to Albany to promote the de- 
sired legislation, and regularly to the annual meetiDgs of the New York 
State Association for the Protection of Fish, (Jame and Forests, held 
in Syracuse. The latter Association has repeatedly signifled its ap- 
probation concerning our work in behalf of for«st preservation and 
heartily seconded our efforts. 
In view of the active part which the Black River Association has 
taken in this matter, it is but natural that we should feel highly grati- 
fied at the marked and increasing evidences of tbe growth of public 
sentimeut in favor of the policy we have so long and enthusiastically 
aivocated. One of tbe most encouraging evidences that has been 
noted was given this fall when the elpctors of this State were called 
upon to express by popular vote their wishes in regard to a proposed 
constitutional amendment. The Constitution of the State of New 
York, aa revised two years ago, contains the following: 
Art. VII., Sec. 7.— The lands of the State, now owned or hereafter 
acquired, constituting the forest preserve as now fixed by law, shall 
be forever kept as wild forest lands. They shall not be leased, sold 
or exchanged, or be taken by any corporation, public or private; nor 
shall the timber thereon be sold, removed or destroyed. 
The revised constitution, including the above section, was adopted 
by a majority of about 100,000 This fall, at the general election, a 
proposed cmstituiional amendment was submitted, which, if it had 
been adoDted, would have had the effect of virtually nullifying the 
Section just quoted. Fortunately, however, public sentiment was 
ripe to meet the issue and people stamped with disapproval the 
proposition which meant destruction to the forests, burying it under 
an adverse msjorily of 700,000. 
Surely the friends of the Adirondacka have great cause to rejoice at 
this magnificent victory, but they should not feel that it justifies 
them in resting on their laurels. While it furnishes indisputable evi- 
dence that the masses of the people are in sympathy with the cause, 
the fact remains that soma few must continue to act as champions, 
or things will go by default. It is not only essential to make sure 
that the ground already won is retained, but continued aggressive 
measures will be required if, as is desired, the State secures title to 
the entire wilderness within the limits of the forest preserve. The 
action which has thus far been taken has done much toward guarding 
against the acquisition of Adirondack lands by unscrupulous men, 
acting either as individuals or in behalf of lumber companies or rail- 
roads, but there should be no relaxation of vigilance, and any at- 
tempt to deprive the commonwealth of its birthright should be fore- 
stalled. Further than this, all friends of the forest should persist in 
urging the importance of immediate action by the State looking 
toward the speedy acquirement of Ihe Adirondack region, and should 
use their influence with members cf the Legislature with this end in 
view, 
Your secretary attended the annual meeting of the State Associa- 
tion for the Protection of Fish, Game and Forest held in Syracuse 
last winter. Delegates were present from twenty-two clubs, repre- 
sentinfr b msmbership of 4,800, and great interest was manifested 
in the proceedings. Your secretary offered resolutions approving 
the action of the State authorities in purchasing 76 000 acres of land 
within the forest preserve, and requesting the Legislature and Forest 
CommisHioners to acquire additional lands there as rapidly as pos- 
sible. The resolutions were unanimously adopted. Several proposed 
amendments to the game laws were considered, among them those 
suggested by the Black River Association. It was decided wise to 
amend Section 40 of the game laws so as to make the open season for 
deer from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31. The convention also voted to amend 
Section 44 so aa to prohibit all floating or jacking or hunting with 
dogs, and so that no doga for hunting deer sliould be allowed in the 
Adirondack preserve. Unfortunately the Legislature did not see fit 
to indorst) all of the recommendations of the State Association, and 
it is particularly regretted that the amendment to the section last 
meniioned was among those not approved. Instead of abolishing 
hounding, the season for running deer with dogs was limited to the 
first fifteen days in October. Judging from the criticisms which 
have been made by sportsmen, hotel men and guides alike in the Ad- 
irondacks, this change has proved a dismal failure as a protective 
measure, and the belief that hounding should be absolutely pro- 
hibited for a few years at least has a very largely increased num- 
ber of advocates. Competent judges say that the shortening of 
the dogging season had disastrous effects this year. By bringing 
nearly all the hunters into the woods at the same time it 
gave the deer little chance for escape. All desirable runways and 
watch points were covered by sportsmen during the two weeks, and 
there was scarcely a deer track which was not picked up by a dog. 
In this way, while the deer found their accustomed paths exceedingly 
dangerous, they were nevertheless kept almost constantly on the 
move, and those that escaped with their lives owed their good fortune 
more to the carelessness or inexperience of sportsmen than to any- 
thing else. It is also true that the sliortening of the season seriously 
injured the business of Adirondack hotel men and guides. It was a 
noticeable fact that hunters who had heretofore spent from one to 
four weeks in the wftods during the deer shooting season this year 
remained only long enough to get their venison. 
The recommendation of this Association that the season for par- 
tridges, woodcock and squirrels open Sept. 1 and close Nov. 15 met 
witn some opposition from sportsmen who want to hunt late in No- 
vember and in December; but it was deemed wise to shorten the sea- 
son two weeks on the first end. Last winter the Black River Associ- 
ation made application for 200,000 brook trout fry from the State flsh 
hatchery on the Fulton Chain, but we were only able to obtain 
40,000. These were shipped to us in April, and were taken in charge 
by the members of the committee appointed for the purpose and care- 
fully distributed in Oneida county streams. , 
The report of the secretary was adopted. The treasury 
of tbe Association was reported to be in a very satisfactory 
condition, 
Resolutions were adopted declaring it to be the sense of 
the Black River Association that tbe season for killing 
deer should open Sept, 1 and close Nov. 15; that floating 
or jacking and hounding deer should be absolutely pro- 
hibited; that the open season for partridges, woodcock 
and equirrels should be from Sept. 15 to Nov. 15 inclusive; 
that the sale of speckled trout and game killed in this 
State should be prohibited, 
Tbe following was also adopted: 
Whereas, This Association has knowledge of frequent 
and flagrant violations of the game laws in the country 
about the headwaters of Black River and the west branch 
of the West Canada Creek, and 
Whereas, We have no information that a State game 
protector has visited that section within the last three 
years, therefore 
Resolved, That it is the sense of this Association that a 
protector shotild be appointed who will give special atten- 
tion to the enforcement of the fish and game laws in this 
region. 
Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: 
President, John W. Hicks; Vice-President, S, R. Fuller; 
Secretary, W. E Wolcott; Treasurer, H, A. Pride; 
Directors: G. G. Chassell, S, R, Fuller, W, E, Wolcott, 
William P. Dodge, H. A, Pride, B. H, Kent, Benjamin 
Sanders; delegate to the annual convention of the New 
York State Association for the Protection of Fish, Gime 
and Forest, to be held in Syracuse Jan, 14, W, E, Wol- 
cott. 
The secretary was authorized to make application to 
the State Fish, Game and Forest Commissioners for 200,- 
000 brook trout fry to stock waters in the territory in 
which the club is particularly interested. Portsa. 
Utica, N. Y., Dec. 13. 
ROD AND GUN CLUB OF MASSACHU- 
SETTS. 
The annual meeting of the club wps held on Thursday, 
DcC 3, at Young's Hotel, Boston, Vice Pi'esident John 
Fottler, Jr., chairman. After reading of the records the 
treasurer presented as his report : 
Disbursements. 
Books and stationery , , jjo gg 
Typewriting and bulletins , ' gg 
Rooms fur meetings , , . , , 9 00 
Mileage books for warden ^ , , . " 60 00 
Wages of warden, Aug. 24 to Nov. 30... , aid 00 
Postage ,..!'.!! 9 46 
Swearing in warden as deputy , , _ , , g oo 
Badge for warden " 150 
Edition of game laws, „ , . v. m . .'....f'.VtV." 10 90 
„ . , $337 98 
Eeceipta. 
Annual dues ..$820 00 
Deduct expenses as above, , , , , 837 98 
Cash on hand gigg 
The secretary then presented his report. Our first year 
of existence has been prosperous and very encouraging. 
On DdC. 16, 1895^ was sent out tha call which resulted in 
forming the Rod and Gun Club. At the meeting follow-r 
ing, Dec. 20, the outlook was so promising that we 
decided to asEociate, and gn jFan, and Jan/. 17 6u?, 
