Jolt 17, 1897.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
"In 1890 Capt. Nelson told Mr. Townsend that he had 
killed fur seals with more or less regularity every year on 
tbeexDOsed shingle beach at the northwest end of Gaadalujje 
Islacd, where he pursutd them into the caves and killed them 
with clubs. 
"Id 1890 George M Hunt, of San Diego, visited Guada- 
lupe in December for the purpose of sealing, and killed tivc 
fur seals — four adults on the east side and one pup on the 
northwest side. A few others were seen off shore." 
Dr. Merriam has compared skulls collected by Mr. Town- 
send at Guadalupe with a series of skulls of ArdocepJialus, 
australis or pldllipi from the Galapagos Islands, and tinds 
that the two species are very distinct. He has named this 
new species in honor of Mr. 0. H. Townsend, who collected 
all the known material. 
The Mockingf Bird in Massachusetts. 
Springfield Mass.^ July 7.— Forest and Stream: 
The reports of Yon "W . and of Awahsoose that birds were 
plentiful in their respective regions, were read with pleasure 
by all who are interested in the protection of our song birds. 
My observations in this vicinity lead me to the conclusion 
that some of our birds have increased in numbers within 
the last few years Bluebirds have gained in numbers since 
1895, the year of their greatest scarcity. Bobolinks, orioles, 
grosbeaks, vireos, song sparrows, indigo buntings and gold- 
finches are herein full chorus. During the spring migration, 
j uncos, whitethroated sparrows, and the various warblers, 
were plentiful. 
The ornithological event of the season, however, was tlje 
appearacce of a mocking bird, a genuine Mimua polyglottus, 
within the boundaries of our city. 
This species is a rare visitant to Massachusetts. A pair of 
these birds visited "West Springfield three consecutive sea- 
sons; 1888, 1889 and 1890, and bred there. 
Dr. J. A Allen recorded the breeding of this bird in this 
vicinity some years since. 
The one now visiting us is a fine singer but does not 
imitate so many different birds as did the one observed 
in West Springfield. His repertoire, however, includes the 
songs and calls of the bluebhd, blufjiy, upland plover, 
whippoorwill, robin, wood pewee, Carolina wren, canary, 
bob white and the flicker, all of which he imitates perfectly, 
but appears to take the most pleasure in taking off the blue- 
bird, blucjay and flicker. W. W. Colbukn. 
A 3\xly Seal in Jamaica Bay. 
New Youk, July ^.—Editor Forest and Stream: While 
sailing on Jamaica Bay on July 4, I was quite surprised to 
see a seal, which showed itself close to the boat. It was not 
bOft. distant, and its roui:d bullet head was unmistakable. 
Needless to say it dove Imraedlalely, btit to see a seal in 
Jnmaica Bay at this time of the year struck me as so unusual 
I thought I would drop you a line on the subject. 
EoHT. B. Lawrence. 
[To see a seal in Jamaica Bay at this season of the year 
certainly seems remarkable, yet we believe a few seals com- 
monly or often spend the summer in the waters of Long 
Island Sound. A few years ago it was not unusual to see 
one occasionally between JNorwalk, Conn , and the Thimble 
Islands during the summer months. Of course they were 
very shy, and usually were seen only at a distance, just as 
they were scrambling from the rocks into the water, and at 
such a distHDce that only one who was more or less familiar 
with the species would recognize it.J 
'dtrie md ^utu 
A COMMISSION OF FISH AND BIRDS. 
HoDSE OP Representatives U. S,, Washington, D. C, 
July 10. — Mditor Forest and Stream: I am pleased to ob- 
serve your interest in my bill, H. R. 3589, to enlarge the 
Fish Commission's d\itie8 and powers so as to include birds. 
The evolution is so natural and proper, that it is surprising 
that it should not have been thought of before. There is no 
bureau of our Government that is more generally popular 
with the people than the Fish Commission. The Fish and 
Bird Commission would meet even with more favor. 
The bill does not merely apply to game birds, but includes 
all other uspful wild birds The able Fish Commissioner has 
examined the bill, and informs me that "It is believed that 
this Commission, from the character of its operations, is the 
proper office to have control of such matters, and with its 
facilities, the work — with a comparatively small appropri- 
ation — can be begun at once " 
There are some parts of this country where certain kinds 
of birds are numerous, in excess of the wants of that locality. 
The California quail, of the large and small varieties, are 
both very numerous in certain of the valleys of that Slate. 
A large number of them could be captured and turned loose 
in other parts of the country where they do not now exist, 
or where they are very scarce. The Oregon grouse and 
Chinese pheasant would thrive in many localities where they 
are unknown. Many of the Scotch, English and German 
birds would live in some parts of the United States. 
Like all other schemes, experience would suggest plans 
now untried, and the scope and purpose of the Bird Com- 
mission would be enlarged if successful, just as the duties 
of the Commission with regard to fish have been increased. 
Of course, the Fish and Biid Commission might turri 
birds loose in the fields and woods, and fish fry into the 
streams in vain, if every man and boy should diligently ply 
his vocation as an exterminator; but the various States would 
at once extend their .game and fish hws so far as might be 
necessary to promote the efllciency of the Commission. B3- 
sides this, a healthy public sentiment upon the subj ct would 
be created. The man or boj'^ who sees birds introduced at 
the Government expense in his neighborhood, would feel a 
partial proprietary interest in ihem, instead of that hostile 
feeling which arises under the game laws of countries where 
birds are protected for the exclusive sport of classes only of 
the people. 
I have no doubt the prairie chicken, now so scarce in 
lowii, would thrive and receive protection in the valleys of 
Shenandoah and Cumberland. 
The Slate laws to proti'ci existing birds from extermina- 
tion would receive new life in their^entorcemtnt if the people 
could see new varieties appearing. The natural disposition 
to Sparc the new varietits would lead to a like feeUng in re- 
gard to the old ones. 
If the <xp?nment shotld prove successful it could be 
pteadily followed up und treat benefits would ensue to the 
whole country, in my opinion. But should the results fall 
to meet our expectations. Congress would reduce, or with- 
hold, appropriations for the purpose. < 
The catching of fish for fertilizers is a crime against naturf . 
The extermination of the buffalo and wild pigeons will 
stand in history as a b'otch upon the glories of the nineteenth 
century. Many of the highest prized birds will disappear as 
completely as the great auk and the dodo, unless active in- 
terest is awakened in their behalf. 
The restoration of fishes, owing to their great fecundity, 
is a much easier task than the renewal of bird life; but I feel 
confident that by the enactment of the proposed law the Fish 
and Bird Commission will enter upon their good work wiih 
renewed vigor, and they will receive more general aid and 
cooperation than ever before among the people. 
John F. Lacbt. 
SNOWSHOE FORMS. 
Boston, June 2%.— Editor Forest and Stream: I have 
been much interested in Mr. Hough's recent remarks regard- 
ing snowshoes for different locahties. In the main, I agree 
with the conclusions to which he seems to have arrived, but 
one phrase he uses leads me to rise and object, where he 
says, "the shoe is so long that it covers all sorts of holes." 
Now, the man that tries to cover all sorts of holes with a 
long snowshoe will often be tempted to bridge boles he should 
not, and his bridge will break beneath him. To be caught 
with a broken snowshoe. with miles of deep and unwadeable 
snow between you and the longed-for camp, is no joke, as 
many a woodsman knows to his cost. And I think that 
most shoes arc broken by attempting to bridge such holes, or 
using the shoe for a similar purpose, by the side of logs, 
fallen limbs, etc If the snow is fairly heavy or well settled 
a bunch of spruce or fir boughs may be made to serve as a 
rough substitute for the snowshoe in getting to camp ; but it 
is better to be rather chary of attempting to use the shoe for 
a purpose it was not intended to meet. 
As to the size of mesh for a snowshoe, I agree with Mr. 
Hough perfectly. I think the snowshoe of most localities is 
made with entirely too small a mesh. Thereason forit maybe 
its supposed better appearance, or because the higher-priced 
and therefore presumably better shoe— the racing one— is so 
filled. But races are not generally run on such snows as the 
woodsman so often has to contend with in his work, and I 
have not found that the practical and unimaginative trapper 
cared to spend the time and labor in filling— for his own use 
— his shoes with such fine meshes, although willing to do it 
for the city sportsman, who likes and is willing to pay for it. 
For general use in such a locality as the State of Maine, for 
example, I think that a mesh as large as lin., or even IJin., 
is preferable to the ^in. or smaller mesh so commonly em- 
ployed. There is no doubt it is far better when the snow is 
damp and heavy, or partially settled, and even on a light and 
newly-fallen snow it sinks but little deeper than the smaller 
mesh. 
But it is in the late winter or a January thaw that its 
greatest adtantages are experienced. Then, when every 
string is covered with its accumulated load of damp and 
sticky snow, and large quantities of it rest on the upper sur- 
face of the shoe, the lessened amount Of string in the large 
mtsh means a lessened weight of snow to be lifted and 
dragged along, and the larger openings in thfi filling means 
that more of the leaden deck lead is going to drop through 
and be left behind. No one who has not dragged his weary 
limbs for many miles through such stuff, at the close of a 
hard day's tramp, knows what a relief it is to keep the shoes 
clear of it. 
As to its appearance, we can become used to it. Many of 
us remember how large and clumsy the firat pneumatic tirts 
looked, after having been accustomed to the smaller— and 
apparently neater — solid rubber ones. Even now we are 
seeing the small but thick tubing of the earlier bicycles giv- 
ing way to the larger but thinner ones of to day, are becom- 
ing accustomed to its increased size, and gradually altering 
our ideas of beauty in a bicycle to correspond with scientific 
or mechanical necessity. 
As to the best shape for the shoe, theoretically a circular 
form will give the largest bearing surface with the least cir- 
cumscribing dimensions, with its lessened leneth and weight 
of bow. and with the least amount, and, therefore, weight, 
of interior me-h. This being so, the more nearly the snow- 
shoe can be brought to this form, the smaller and lighter 
will be the load to be lifted and pushed along in ordlir to 
keep one on the surface of the snow. 
But perhaps it is the horse alone that could use such a 
snowshoe, having the necessary space between his feet, that 
permits the use of a circular shoe without interference, and 
I believe that in Scandinavia, small, circular snowshoes are 
so used on mountain ponies. 
In the obstructed woods of northern New England and Can- 
ada, the Alaska pattern of snowshoe — which Hough proved so 
desirable for use in the Rocky Mountains — would be a cause 
for continual exasperation, vituperation and condemnation 
in a heap, A man using them would be progre?siD2 on his 
ears oftener than on his feet. It would be impossible with 
them to twist about in the thick woods or obstructed places, 
as one continually has to do, and in stepping, or attempting 
to step, over logs, fallen limbs, stumps and other obstruc- 
tions perhaps concealed beneath a light snow, they would be 
continually broken. 
The New Brunswick trapper's form, illustrated in the 
article, and which is, I think, the typical Canadian model as 
well, pretty nearly approaches what I think is the beltfr 
form for such work. Slight variations mignt be made in it 
to suit particular localities. Where there was little or no 
undergrowth, its somewhat angular and pointed form of toe 
could be advantageously rounded, approaching more nearly 
the theoretically perfect circular form, lessening the length 
of toe and therefore its liability to catch in the snow and 
throw the user, and reducing the leverage of the front by' 
which in such a case the after part of the shoe is raised and 
the toe pushed still deeper into the obstruct ing snow. But 
in undergrowth or thickets the rounded form would be more 
likely to strike and catch on the stems of bushes and sap- 
lings, and throw one down, instead of being pushed to one 
side as the more pointed toe would do. 
The same thing could be said of the rear part It could be 
swelled out at the sides and thereby shortened to advantage, 
increasing the strength of the shoe and deereasing the risk of 
breaking it in stepping on or over obstructions. In the case 
of the trapper, obliged by his calling to operate near streams 
and ponds, where the thickets of alder, willow and young 
saplings are most commonly met with, and also obliged to 
walk ttie ridges for fur found mainly on them, the com- 
promise between the pointed and the round toe meets fairly 
well the varying requirements of these two kinds of locality. 
It has always seemed to me that for the projecting rear end 
of the snowshoe there was no necessity. It has no bearing 
surface worth mentioning, and serves mainly by its weight to 
keep down that end of th<^ shoe, thereby counterbalancing 
and lifting the toe, and allowing it the more easily to be 
pushed forward over the snow. 1 think this additional 
length is a great inconvenience, and the weight can be more 
advantageously supplied in the form of a little triangular 
piece of lead. It is the weakest part of the shoe at present 
and the oftenest broken. 
The shorter and more compact the shoe can be made the 
more handily it can be used, and with the least ri?k of break- 
age. The racing snowshoe is, of course, made of excessive 
length; but races are not, as a rule, run in thick woods. As 
■they are run with the object of gettiog over the greatest dis- 
tance in the least time, tire time wasted in the slischtly lateral 
swing of the body necessitated by the width of the ordinary 
shoe is removed by decreasing that width, making up for 
the lessened bearing surface by adding to the length. 
But one could run on almost indeGnitely on this subject, 
for there is much that might be said and that I hope will be 
said. I will only express my own gratification in reading 
for a long time Mr. Hough's practical articles, in which he^ 
has so well described the tents, packs, snowshoes, moccasins, 
rifles, and the many other articles necessary to the outer in 
his life in the woods or on the plains Long may he live 
and write. And I hope that others of experience will break 
through their disinclination and tell us what they know — or 
don't know— about similar things. 
Ohas. Dxer Chase, 
CHICAGO AND THE WEST. 
A Double on Snipe. 
Friend Tom .Johnson, of Winnipeg, thus happily describes 
a certain delectable little experience which came to him last 
fall. Jt is not every man who has pver done his right and 
left on snipe: 
"Mr. Rider Haggard, in one of his novels," says Mr, 
Johnson, "caricatures one of those lazy, happy-go-lucky 
sort of Englishmen, who think it a crime to be in a hurry 
and uncharacteristic of a gentleman, but whose quaint droll- 
ness and laconic adjectives amuse one, He asks his sports- 
man-hero if he failed to attain his heart's desire, how it 
would affect him. He said: 'like a double on snipe, and. 
missing both of 'em.' And if he attained his object, what 
then ? Like killing both of 'em. ' 
"This prea-able means that I have shot Wilson snipe for 
twenty-five years and never, until last fall, had an oppor- 
tunity to accomplish the ambition of all sportsmen, a double 
on an extreme right and left. Mr. Thos. Kelly and Mr. 
Wm. Georgeaon, of this city, were with me on a shooting 
trip. Mr. Georgeson had a new 12-bore gun that did not fit 
him, and, in consequence, missed a number of birds in suc- 
cession, the gun getting the blame for the bad fit or marks- 
naanship. The two friends were my shooting guests and I 
did not carry a gun. Mr. Georgeson got me to try his to find 
if it was the shooter's fault. We had only proceeded a few 
yards when 'scape!' 'scape!' I heard, and to the extrenae 
right and left, at about 40yds., were the causes of the sounds. 
As quick as thought I let go, bang— bang! And at the first 
opportunity I had ever had in my life 'rkilled both of 'em.' 
I have many times killed a 'straightaway' and quarterer, 
but 1 never experienced before how truly and faithiully had 
the popular novelist depicted the feelings of a sportsman on 
getting a 'double on snipe.' " 
Mongolian Pheasants for Michigan. 
The Grand Rapids, Mich., Herald, has the following singu- 
lar information : 
"StANTON, Mich., July 1.— E. M. Shelley & Son, of the 
Emore House, have received a consignment of fifteen Mon- 
golian pheasants direct from central China, 500 miles north 
of Shanghai. The birds were ninety days en route. ,They 
hope to interest the people of Michigan in the propagatron 
of these birds." E." Hough. 
1206 BoYCE Bdilding, Chicago. 
High CompUmeats to Good Men. 
Here is a story for Forest and Stream, well authenti- 
cated, which will go to the heart of every lover of the Yel- 
lowstone Niiional Park and its future. 
Scene: The railroad station at Cinnabar, on arrival of 
train from Livingston. 
Time: J 0:80 A M., Sunday, June 30. 
DRAMATrs PiiRSON^: Col. S. B. M Young sitting in 
buggy. Two natives on platform; the auditor close by. 
First Native loq. : "There is that Col. Young. He has 
come to take charge of the Park." 
Secoj^o Native loq: "Yes! and Anderson has been 
taliin' him round and he'll be just as dog-goned mean as 
Anderson was." a. E. B. 
Deer in New Hampshire. 
The t^alsams, Disville Notch, Colebrook, N H , 
J uly 7. — 1 will aim at the way game protection is working 
up this way. I saw one deer this morning in the road en 
route to this place, five miles from Colebrook, and another 
on the tennis court in front of the hotel at 11 A. M., not 
over 40yds. from some of the guests in under the shade 
trees. The deer of various sizes visit there every night to get 
salt that was used to destroy the grass, and their work is an- 
noying when their digging cannot be witnessed. Some mis- 
creant has destroyed an old doe, two miles from the village, 
leaving the body unused in a pasture where it was shot. 
' Ned Norton. 
From Generation to Generation. 
A San Fhancisco subscriber, renewing his subscription, writes of 
th.e FoaasT akd Strk> m: 
"My father, who had been a reader of your paper from its iDitial 
number, is no more. I was brought up on the paper, and am bring- 
ing up my boy on the same healthful pabulum." 
Its Hold Grows With the Years. 
I INCLOSE check for my subscription for Fokkst and Stream. The 
longer I remain a subscriber the more I realize that I cannot, gee along 
without it. 
I don'c remember the date when I first begun, but I ghouid tbinlc 
my name wouli appej^r gn your books from fifteen to twenty years 
back. c, 4. 'lATT. 
MAJ3SAC3USBT'1 ^. 
