Am. 28. 1897. 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
167 
' key, would make an almost entire failure of bringing off 
' young in a perfectly dry season. They lay as many eggs as 
at other times, but the eggs do not batch. A certain degree 
of humidity seems necessary to the life and development of 
the embryo. And nobody knows what dry air really means 
till he has felt that of Mexico-and the West. I should like 
to know if any of your readers have made observations 
I which corroborate the above. Aztec, 
I Mexico. 
A Fatal Collision in the Air. 
ToKASKET, Okanogan county, Wash. — In a recent issue, 
Point criticises the statement of Shadow in regard to the 
grouse going 40yds. after it was dead. Well, it is quite a 
way, but grouse fly very fast, as I once had an occasion of 
observing. Oae fall 1 took my gun and dog, and went out 
one evening to try and kill some grouse, not so much for 
\ sport as for the meat. I went iuto some stubble, and 
t soon flushed quite a large flock that flew out toward the 
prairie, and intending to mark them down, I kept my eyes 
on them. Soon I saw another flock coming from the south. 
It so happened that they crossed a given point at the same 
lime. Two of them collided. I plainly heard the collision, 
and saw one of the birds fall ; it seemed to me that it came 
straight down. The other went a short distance. 1 went 
out to where they fell, and soon the dog found them. The 
one that fell straight down was badly bruised, its wing, ribs 
and leg were broken, and the liver and heart was all bruised. 
The one that had struck was badly bruised about the breast, 
and its vitals were all bloodshot; both were dead. 1 have 
often setn dead birds under the telegraph wire, but these 
were the only ones I ever saw hit each other with any force. 
Lew Wilmot. 
Naturally Trapped Water Birds. 
CaIjAM Me., Aug. 18. — Editor Forest and Stream: In 
answer to your quesiion about birds being caught by mussels, 
I would say this has many times been noticed here. A case 
of a young loon was recorded by Prof, Ganong in the 
Auk not long ago, the bird being caught by the lower bill. 
Tongue and bill were cut off when released from the mussel, 
and the bird went away quite lively. 
The shooters have reported to me several water birds trap- 
ped in that way, but birds are much more frequently caught 
by the toes. Mr. Sage had the picture of one— a sora— in the 
AuTc,, and I have sent them to Prof. Baird, at the Smithsonian 
years ago. Our flats a few miles down the river are largely 
I covered with small salt water mussels, and before the shore 
birds were destroyed they were often caught there by the 
bill and toes. The knot (Tringa canatus) or robin snipe, at 
> times were so plenty the beach would be red; then in a week 
or two, the young or gray birds would come along, as the 
boys say, by the million, mixed with plovers and curlews. 
Now all are gone. I have not seen a knot or curlew for years, 
and hardly a plover. Now like the wild pigeons all are gone. 
Geo. a. JBoakdman. 
attf^ ^dg md 0mt 
The "Game Laws in Brief." 
The current edition of the Oame Laws in Brief (index page dated 
Aug. 1) contains the flsh and game laws for lg97, with a few excep- 
tions, as they will continue in farce during the year. As about forty 
States and Provinces hive amended their laws this year, the Brief 
has been practically done over new. Sent postpaid by the Forest 
and Strearn Pub. Co on receipt of price, 95 cents. All dealers sell it 
"TWO IN ONE." 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
In reading over a late copy of your paper, I was touched 
in a tender spot by an article entitled "Two in One," by 
Reformer, It was the realism of the article that touched 
the responsive chord and not any sympathy I have for that 
style of sportsmanship. 
What a bundle of inconsistency and iniquity Reformer 
must be! And yet I feel strangely drawn toward him and 
would almost be willing to loan him (out of sight and un- 
seen) the new hammerless Parker I am going to get as soon 
as I get able. Nor is it any kindred spirit that does the 
drawing act, either, for my tactics have been just opposite 
to those of Reformer. 
I have argued against and scolded at the game laws as ad- 
ministered, but, in the matter of shooting have always re- 
spected their provisions. Nor do I want to claim any credit 
for doing it, either, as it was more from cowardice than 
from any real respect. 
Nor have I any kick coming because 1 did not get my 
share of game, for I have easily taken fifteen or twenty 
times my pro rata share. Nor have I any apology to offer 
for doing so, for I have played the game according to rule 
as laid down by law. 
Reformer's article tells the whole story of the almost uni- 
versal contempt for all game laws. The man with a hotel, 
who wants the game left to draw a crowd, and the man with 
a magazine or paper which he wants to circulate among 
sportsmen, and who hopes to curry favor by shouting louii 
and long at imaginary game law violators while he, inad- 
vertently perhaps, writes himself down as a law-breaker on 
the next page; the man with a book for sale, on "How to 
Catch It"; the would-be warden; the guide, etc., have all 
been studied and read through and through by the public, 
with the result that all game legislation is coming to be 
treated a."?, and to a great extent, a farce. Talk about pro- 
fessional hunting and trap-shooting ruining sport! perhaps 
they have done something in that line; but tl4e professional 
game protector has wrought a thousandfold in evil. Rut it 
is never too late to mend. Weed out the agencies that have 
led to such universal disrespect of the game laws. The 
would-bes have been leading and instructing the public, lo, 
these many years, and we are further in the wilderness than 
ever. It is time the unprofessional public took a hand in the 
educational business. 
I have in mind an old gentleman (I suppose he is old from 
the fact that I understand he founded the Forest and 
Stream) by the name of Hallock. who would make a good 
leader on such a tandem. His life study of the habits and 
haunts of game, and his smooth, easy, unirritating way of 
stating facts would make him a great force for harmonious 
and effective work. E P. Jacques. 
Gekgseo, III. 
OHIO'S PHEASANTRY. 
Van Webt, O., Aug. 4. — A few years ago the Ohio Fish 
and Game Commission, which is composed at present of the 
following gentlemen: Gporge Pal loon, president; J. C. Bur- 
nett, Sabina; E. H. Shorb,Van Wert; Albert Brewer, Tiflan; 
J. W. Owens, Newark; L. H. Reutinger, secretary and chief 
warden, Athens, decided that it would be time and money 
well spent if they should devote their attention, and a por- 
tion of the small appropriation allowed the board by the 
legislature in breeding and rearing the splendid and prolific 
game bird, the English, ringneck and Mongolian pheasants, 
to which should be given the free range of our entire State. 
A pheasantry was first established near Celina, Mercer 
county, but for various reasons the commission was com- 
pelled to remove the same to a more favorable location, and 
selection was made of lands one mile northwest of this city. 
Seventeen acres, consisting mostly of woodland, were leased 
by the commission for the purpose erecting a pheasantry. 
The same is now well established and is doing well under 
the immediate supervision of Commissioner Eugene H. 
Shorb, who has made a study of pheasant breeding and who 
was the first to successfully raise the birds in this State, ten 
years ago. 
Public interest in this fine game bird is general throughout 
the State, and can only be comprehended by seeing the 
enormous number of letters received by the commission ask- 
ing for information as to where the birds are procured and 
how they are raised. 
Through the courtesy of commissioner Shorb, a represent- 
ative ot the State Journal had the pleasure of visiting the 
pheasantry the other day. Only a very limited number of vis- 
itors are allowed to enter the grounds, and the entrance gate 
is kept constantly locked, as the birds are very timid and 
easily frightened by strange faces. The pheasantry is en- 
closed by a hog barb wire fence, sixteen strands, 10ft. high, 
to keep out dogs and other disturbers. 
The average number of eggs laid by a pheasant during the 
season is forty-five. From April to the middle of June 4,356 
eggs were set. Out of this number 3 130 pheasants hatched, 
aid to day there are upward of 3,000 strong, healthy birds on 
the farm. From March up to the present date upward of 
6,100 eggs have been laid by the pheasants on tbe farm. 
Last spring about 2,000 eggs were sent by Commissioner 
Shorb to citizens in various counties of the State for hatch- 
ing purposes, and it is reported they have all done well. 
At present there is a force of five persons, four men and a 
woman, on the farm. 
The propagating of Mongolian, English and ringneck 
pheasants is no easy task, as the following particulars of how 
it is done will show: It requires hard, tedious and diligent 
work to raise the birds in such large numbers. The setting 
is done by hens procured from farmers. The hen is placed 
in a box 20in square, made from barn siding, to which a 
runway is attached 60in. x20in. and 12in. high. The run- 
way, which is covered witn wire netting, is detachable from 
the box at the end wherein the hen is set and where the hen 
and young birds are protected from storm and cold. Both 
the runway and the box are placed on the ground and the 
nest is constructed by taking a square piece of sod about the 
size of the box and in the center cut out a round space about 
the size of a hen's nest. 
A little dry leaves or chaff is then placed in the bottom of 
the nest; the hen is disinfected well with insect powder be- 
fore placing her upon the nest. She is then placed upon the 
nest with common eggs for two days before placing the 
pheasant eggs under her; this is done to test her staying 
qualities. The eggs are then placed under the hen at night- 
time, after removing the hen's eggs. Food and water is 
placed in the runway so the hen can subsist during incuba- 
tion. The eggs are examined every day, and for this pur- 
pose the lid, or roof, of the box is lifted while the hen is out 
of the runway, so that none become broken or soiled. In 
case the eggs beeome soiled from broken eggs or otherwise, 
they are cleansed with a rag wet in tepid water and wiping 
them. However, Ihe eggs must not, under any circum- 
stances, be placed in water. 
It requires from twenty- two to twenty-four days for the 
eggs to hatch. After they have been under the hen twenty 
days they are sprinkled with lukewarm water twice a day. 
This is necessary in order to enable the young birds to leave 
the shell. The runway and box fit close to the ground to 
prevent the young birds from leaving, and unless this pre- 
caution were taken they would leave the hen as soon as they 
were out of the shell. 
The hen and young birds are kept closely in the box for 
twenty-four hours after they are hatched, and not allowed to 
have either food or drink. At the end of twenty-four hours 
both the hen and young birds are let out into the runway; 
the hen is given all the corn she wiU eat and this keeps her 
from eating the food of her young. The food for the young 
birds tor the first week is custard made of milk and eggs, 
and which is given fresh at least five times a day. Great 
care is taken not to feed too much at a time, so as to keep the 
coop clean. If this were not done the place would become 
foul and tend to breed disease and the birds would die from 
diarrhoea. 
The food for the young birds for the second week consists 
of custard and milk curd. The custard is given three times 
a day and milk curd, which is mixed in tqual parts of ground 
hemp and canary seed, is given twice a day. Some young 
lettuce and young onion tops chopped fine are added to both 
the custard and the milk cuid. The young birds are also 
given plenty of green food by placing lettuce or young clover 
in the coops. Thus their food is frequently changed. 
At the end of a week the young birds are fed hard-boiled 
eggs and boiled jiotatoes chopped fine and mixed together. 
Ants and ant eggs, grasshoppers and flies are also atlded to 
the bill of fare tor tne youug birds whin they can be pro- 
cured. At the end of twenty -four days the young birds are 
fed chopped fresh beef and crissei's sprats or prairie meat. 
Great care is taken in preparing the food not to have it form 
a paste. At the age of one month a little canary feed and 
wheat are given. When the young birds are three months 
old they are fed chopped oats and barley mixed with corn- 
meal. 
During the first week the birds get no water, as they get 
quite enough from the custard. The young birds drink 
Irom a vessel not more than ^in. deep; this is done so they 
cannot get wet. They are kept in the runway about ten 
days, 80 they will learn the call of the hen. After this they 
are allowed to run at large, but the hen is confined until the 
young birds are weaned, which is usually done when they 
are sis weeks old. After this length of time they have 
learned to roost in the box, 
The water is changed ttiree times a day, and the vessels are 
kept clean all the time. The feeding, which is one of the 
most important duties on the pheasantry, is done by experts. 
At present about ten gallons of milk and thirty- three dozen 
hen's eggs are cooked' daily into a custard and fed to the lit- 
tle pheasants. Feeding is done at regular intervals five times 
a day. When old and strong enough, they are fed grain and 
turned out on the farm to scratch for themselves. 
The matured male bird weighs about 41bs. and the hens 
lib. less. The general make-up is one of beauty. There 
are but few birds liberated so far this year. A dozen were 
turned loose in Wyandot county last week. 
Last year hundreds of the birds were liberated in different 
parts of the State, where the natural conditions are favor- 
able, and where the Commission had the assurance of or* 
ganized protection on the part of the public. The Legisla- 
ture has enacted a law forbidding the killing of pheasants 
until the year 1900, and the Commission will see that this 
law is strictly enforced in every county in the State, 
It certainly appears that should the commissioners meet 
with the same degree of success in the next three years that 
they have this year, and with a strict enforcement of the 
game laws, our State will abound with the birds in 1900 It 
will prove a great benefit to our farmers, and will more than 
recompense them for what little grain they may take from 
their fields, by destroying btigs and insects that are now 
proving very destructive to crops. 
At a meeting recently held in Columbus, the Ohio Fish 
and Game Commission decided to begin the distribution of 
pheasants the latter part of August. About 2,500 birds will 
be liberated throughout the Stale. It was stated at the meet- 
ing that the 200 pairs liberated last year had increased to 
2,000. The commission offers a reward of $25 to any person 
who will furnish information that will convict anyone of 
molesting or killing pheasants in this State before Nov. 1, 
1900. — Ohio State Journal. 
CHICAGO AND THE WEST. 
Early Birds. 
Chicago, 111., Aug. 21. — Three weeks ago I was advised 
by a gentleman in business on South Water street that prairie 
chickens could be obtained. 1 could not secure from him 
any further statement. He declined to give the names of 
parties having such illegal game in possession. The steward 
of a certain Chicago restaurant last week approached a gen- 
tleman of my acquaintance and offered to serve him young 
prairie chicken if he desired. 
Sportsmen of Ottawa, 111., have been troubled with earl^ 
shooting, and are this month taking urgent steps to break it 
up. 
At McPherson, Kan., the farmers of several townships 
have organized to prevent illegal and destructive shooting. 
At Zanesville, Wis., illegal shooting of prairie chickens has 
been going on for weeks, so that it is feared few will be left 
at the opening date, Sept. 1. 
At Polo, 111., there has been a reaction against the old-time 
illegal shooting, and there is a strong movement for the en- 
forcement of the law on prairie chickens. The local paper 
suggests a close season on prairie chickens in this State for 
five years. 
At North Dixon, 111,, illegal shooting has been going on 
some time on prairie chickens. This is one of the worst cor- 
ners in the State for this sort of law-breaking, 
DeKalb, 111., is one of those towns which have taken a 
position that the Illinois game law has been amended to read 
Sept. 1. Warden Loveday has visited DeKalb and given 
warning that all shooters who go out after prairie chickens 
before Sept. 15 will be prosecuted. It may be worth while 
to remind the DeKalb men that any prosecution thus brought 
will be certain to stick, for the men who claim Sept, 1 as the 
chicken date of Rlinois have absolutely no evidence upon 
which to rest their case in court. The original bill from 
which the copy was made by the engrossing clerk was de- 
stroyed, and there is no means of showing what was or what 
was not the reading of the "line 6," in which the change of ' 
date. was to have been made. These facts were developed 
by Mr. M, R. Bortree, who to day pointed out the matter to 
me. The date of Sept. 15 is the one which wUl stand and 
which will stick in the courts, and those who shoot before 
Sept 16 may learn this in a more expensive manner than by 
the simple reading of the facts, 
Mr. Valantine Hicks, of Ashton, 111., has been appointed 
deputy game warden for Lee county. Mr. Hicks is an en- 
thusiast on game protection, and his connection with the 
Rising Sun Game Park Association was some years ago men- 
tioned in Forest Aieo Stream. 
At Mitchell, S. D., the South Dakota Pish and Game Pro- 
tective Association is doing good work. It offers a reward 
for each conviction of violation of the game laws. The 
farmei-s are taking interest and are determined that illegal 
shooting shall not be tolerated next year as it was this. 
The season in South Dakota opened yesterday, and to-day 
there will be thousands of guns afield. Some dozens of 
hunters left Grand Forks, S. D., on Thursday, to get an 
early start Friday morning. 
At Fulda, Minn., attempts are making by the local sports- 
men for the enforcement of the chicken law. The local 
paper urges that the opening date be respected. This is a 
sample of a movement that seems to be going on all over the 
West this year. I have never noticed in the country press 
so general a position in favor of supporting the prairie 
chiclien law, nor do 1 believe that there has ever been before 
so general and determined opposition to the methods of the 
men who go out to shoot the chickens ahead of the law. 
Where to Go for Chickens. 
This week I have a number of letters from gentlemen 
wishing to be told where they may find good chicken shoot- 
ing. This is a question diflicult to answer. It is reported 
in a general way, but in such manner as to indicate accu- 
racy, that chickens wiU. be more abundant in Minnesota and 
North Dakota this year than at any time for some years. I 
think on the whole 1 should recommend the upper part of 
North Dakota; for instance, Pembina and points further 
west, along the Soo railroad. 
How Chickens were Marketed. 
I observe that in a late issue of Forest and Stream my 
unknown friend. Grumbler, charges me with ignorance 
of the methods of the market shooters who shot prairie 
chickens in Minnesota in the early days. He says that these 
shooters did not use ice- barrels, but drew their birds and 
stuffed them with haj. Of course, I should net like to be 
tmderstood as saying that I know more about Grumbler's 
