Oct. 16, 189?.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
S09 
nne, owing to the fact that it never has to be watched to 
keep it from getting ruaty, i(. being, indeed, practically 
waterproof. 
Club Wins. 
In the cases brought against members of Horicon shooting 
clubs in Wisconsin, for putLing a man off the grounds of the 
club, the club members have won, the prosecuting attorney 
entering nolle pros in. the cases thxs weet, Oct. 5, at .Tuneau, 
Wis. 
Western Quail. 
From all sources of information at hand, it is thought that 
the ensuing quail season will be a good one so far as the birds 
are concerned, for tbey have done well this year over a large 
section of country in llliDois and Indiana, but it is feared 
that the prolonged season of dry weather will make hunting 
rather disappointing, as in such dry times the dogs cannot 
do much with the birds. We need rain very much. Yet 
last spring, all over the West, the waters were so universally 
high as to attract general comment. Oa the whole, the sea- 
son has been much above the average in abundance of game. 
It is a fact very well worth record that the quail has 
lately come into lower Minnesota in most surprising num- 
bers. From the latitude of St Paul south, and even somewht 
above that line, the birds have this year and last been so 
numerous as to offer far better sport than the chickens. The 
Bob White is to day one of the regularly considered factors 
in a Minnesota day. E. Hough. 
12Ce BoycE Building, Chicago. 
THE SEASON ABOUT BUFFALO. 
Buffalo, N. Y., Oct. 10. — Fishermen have been enjoying 
the most wonderful perch fishing of which there is any 
record. Lewiston has carried, off the palm, though many 
other places have been almost as good. Some rods have 
taken 1,000 fish in a day. This is the more remarkable, as 
fishing up to Sept. 15 was poor, much below the average; 
black bass have been particularly scarce, owing probably 
to the fact that they have been systematically caught while 
still guarding their nests, the law permitting this unfortun- 
ately. Pike, perch and mascalonge have also been taken 
in less numbers than formerly, but the pike fishing is im- 
proving every day, as the water grows colder and the fish 
get more on the feed. One peculiarity has been noted as 
to the Lewiston perch; as a rule the lake perch are large, 
but of poor flavor compared with the smaller perch taken 
in the Niagara River; but at Ijewiston, the tish are both 
large and of excellent flavor. Lewiston, it may be re- 
marked, is a few miles below the falls. 
Several Buffalo men are very keen disciples of Isaac 
Walton; among those that are proverbially lucky are 
Messrs. G. J. Bowen, Thos. Carter, Ed. C. Randall, Geo. 
Blirstaia, Edward Kimer and Joseph Gresz. Some aff'ect 
one branch of the art, and some another, while a few are 
sufficiently catholic in taste to indulge indiscriminately in 
any fishing that happens to be in season. 
Owing to the wealth of electric power available in this 
region, trolly lines have multiplied in a marvelous manner 
of late; so it has come to pass that one can go anywhere by 
electric line, and all the neighboring towns are connected 
by bands of steel. This has had a very disastrous effect 
upon the shooting, and it would appear as though the days 
of the ruffed grouse and woodcock are numbered in this 
part of the country There are any number of crack shots 
in Buffalo, and they own an imposing array of well-bred 
pointers and setters; yet bags have been extremely light so 
far. Very few cock were shot last month. It is said, how- 
ever, that on the Indian reservation, some fifty miles out 
on the B. & S. W. R. R., there are often plenty of birds. 
A few snipe have been picked up at Derby, seventeen 
miles froni the city; but they are less numerous than in 
former seasons, though that is easily accounted for by the 
Jong dry spell from which western New York has suffered. 
The land is too dry and thirsty for Master Gallinago, 
Over in Ontario there are plenty of birds, but the 
Canadian authorities enforce the $25 license laws with 
great strictness so that few men shoot across the line. 
Later on there should be some good shooting at Bufllehead 
and Old Squaw, a few miles up the lake, but only those 
that are past masters at early rising are likely to have 
much luck. The names of a few of those that have had 
more or less success so far are as follows: Messrs. William 
H.Jaeger, Dr. Gilroy, Jacob P. Fisher, Dr. E. Erb. Dr. 
Fisher, George P. McArthur, Charles Geisdofer and U. E. 
Story. St, Croix. 
Game in Central New York. 
RojrE, N. Y., Oct. 9. — If a wild goose can live to the age 
of 100 years, and if a wild duck can fly at the rate of 100 
mUes an hour, then I no longer wonder how it was that so 
many of them gave me the go-by when in my boyhood 
days I was banging away at them with a flint-lock gun. 
Very few edible ducks ever alight in the Adirondacks, 
there being no wild rice to call them down. Of shell- 
drakes and other fish ducks, innumerable numbers some- 
times stop over for a rest on the way to their breeding 
ground in far-off Labrador, or it may be to the shores of the 
lilondike, where from this out it may be they will be lay- 
ing golden eggs in nests of eider down, feasting on young 
salmon, crawfish, wild celery and brook trout. Their 
ducklings should bring their weight in the precious dust, 
which so many are now gathering in their dreams. "Go 
West, young man." 
I am just in from a long drive, scaling the hilltops which 
■environ the grave of the illustrious Baron Steuben. Had 
I been out for game, I could have called in an immense 
Canadian owl, five squirrels and a fine lot of yellow-ham- 
mers. I have them all marked down, and as soon as the 
nutting season rolls around I intend to retrace my tracks 
and will surely have my weather-eye peeled for the owl, 
his pinions yielding most gorgeous plumes for the wings of 
some of our salmon flies. Later on our ears may once 
more be delighted with the sweet angelus of the bluejay, 
the bird which the great naturalist Audubon declared to 
be the most beautiful of all the feathered tribe. Robins 
are on the increase, but where are the bluebird and the 
bobolink? Stuffed it may be and fettering on the hat of 
some bonnie lassie. 
Gray squirrels will probably soon be on the jump, where 
they will come from will be best known to themselves. So 
far as I can learn, there has not been a black one seen in 
all central New York in years. Will some clever nim- 
rod kindly advise us as to where they are "living at"? 
Mac 
PHEASANTS FOR VIRGINIA. 
Charlottestille, Va,.— Editor F&re^t and Stream; The 
inclosed correspondence in regard to the introduction of the 
Mongolian pheasant into Virginia may be of interest to your 
many readers. W. O. Watson, of this place, is the prime 
mover, and an enthusiast on the possibilities of stocking our 
forests with this fine game bird. True sportsmen every- 
where will hail with delight this move, with fond hopes for 
its success. The work of introduction is under the manage- 
ment of the Charlottesville Gun Club, 
JaaIES H. FfiiRGUSOIf. 
The foflowing letters written to Mr. W. O. Watson are of 
interest : 
CoBVALiiis, Ore. — The Mongolian (rechristened "Denny") 
pheaoant was brought to this country by Judge O. N. Denny, 
tbe United States Minister to China, and through vigorous 
protection by the State for ten^ years they increased to such an 
extent that the whole of the WillametteA^alley is full of them. 
Being a beautiful bird, very gamy, cunning and very much 
sought after in the markets, they are coalioually hunted by 
sportsmen from all over the world from the time the season 
opens till it closes, but still they withstand all of this and 
become more plentiful every year. There is nothing equal 
to them on American soil. ' EpwiN Stone. 
Salem, Ore. — The Mongolian pheasant multiplies very 
fast, batching two and sometimes three broods in a season ; 
and they are, without doubt, the finest game bird in the 
United States, F. A, Tuener, County Clerk. 
Office State Fish and Game Protector, Portland, 
Ore. — I do not think the Mongolian pheasant has a superior 
as a game bird anywhere on the face of the earth, and in my 
opinion, is superior and of more value as such than all of our 
native birds combined. Under separate cover I send you a 
copy of my third and fourth annual reports, iu which you 
will find a full description of the Mongolian pheasant.. ■ 
Hollister D . McGtjihe, Game Protector. 
Oregon Stath; Board of Agriculture, Salem, Ore. 
— 1 have lived in Oregon for the past twelve years and I do 
considerable shooting, and I befleve the Mongolian or Chinese 
l^heasant is the king of birds for upland shooting, for several 
reasoBs. They are very gamy and it takes a good dog and 
some work to get them — they are well able to take care of 
themselves — but the best feature of all is that after they have 
been planted thoroughly once they will not be killed out, and 
if they should be thinned out to any considerable extent, if 
protected tor a few years they will be as numerous as ever. 
We have a game law here, but it is not enforced, and yet we 
have plenty of the birds every year. 
C. D. Gabrilson, Sec'y S'.ate Board of Agriculture. 
Office Ohio State Fish and Game Commissioner, 
Athens, O — 1 would state that we are having the greatest 
success in propagating the Mongolian pheasant. We fur- 
nibhed more than 2,000 eggs this year to private parties, and 
from reports they have done reasonably well. We have a 
ptieasaniry maintained by this State at Van Wert, O.. and 
we have hatched about 3,000 of these tirds this year, and we 
are in the act of distributing them now. Of course we could 
not send the birds or eggs out of the State. 
L. H. Reutingee, Chief Game Warden. 
Board of Fish CoMMtssiONERS, State of California, 
San Francisco, Cal. — Your favor of Aug. 28 is at hand. We 
are introducing the Mongolian pheasant into this State, and 
have a contract for 400 pairs to be delivered this fall. We 
consider them a very valuable game bird. 
A. G. Fletchbr, Clerk of the Board. 
Bridgetown, Va. — Replying to your favor of the 28th 
instant referring to the desirabiUty of introducing the Mon- 
golian pheasant into this State, 1 beg to say: The attempt is 
well worth making, and will eventually be successful if 
undertaken by a practical, patient and sport-loving person. 
I have been in correspondence with the fish and game 
commissioners of some of the New England States where 
they claim to have been successful beyond their most sanguine 
hopes, and I find they are well satisfied with the result of 
their experiments, 
I am not now the fish commissioner of the State, but my 
interest in developing her resources in every way is unabated, 
and I am ready to attempt any reasonable project looking to 
the State's material welfare, or to add to her attractions for 
the tourists. I would be glad to co operate with you, 
should yon decide to try the experiment. 
JOBN I. WlfiLIAilS, Jr. 
THE VIRGINIA QUAIL LAW. 
Warrentown, Va., Oct. 9,— Editor Forest and , Stream: 
As a Virginian very much interested in the prottction of 
game, I want to thank you for your editorial in your issue 
of Oct. 9 upon the decision with reference to the game law 
in Virginia. I am glad to say, however, that so far as 
known, the decision referred to has been given by but one 
judge, to wit', the County Court jidge of Mecklenburg 
county. This decision, therefore, is binding only in that 
county. As you" will see from the inclosed clipping, taken 
from the Richmond Lispatch of recent date, the Attorney 
General for the State of Virginia is of opinion that the law 
referred to is coaetitutional, and he refers to the same case 
that you quote in your editorial, to wit; Greer vs. Slate of 
Connecticut, 101 U. S , 519. 
I have been doing what I can in this county to have game 
protected. The Commonwealth's attorney nas written an 
article warning violators of the law, and I am glad to say 
that the birds ai'e increasing; and if the law can be enforced, 
it will be but a short time before we again have a plentiful 
supply. C. M. WHtTE. 
The opinion of Attorney -General Scott is given in the 
Richmond Dispatch, which says : 
Knowing that thousandi of people are interested in this 
subject, and realizing the importance of having the questions 
raised pas.sed upon by high authority, we asked the opinion 
of the Attorney-General of the State, with the result follow- 
ing: 
C0M3I0NWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, Attorney- G3neral's Oflice, 
Richmond, Va.. Oct. 7. — To the Editor of the J>ispatch: 
Chap, 148, p. 175, Acts 1895-96, entitled, 'An Act to Pre- 
vent the Extermination of Partridges and Quail in the State of 
Virginia," provides that it shall be unlawful for any person 
to kill or capture any partridges or quaU in the State of Vir- 
ginia for the period of two years, or to offer for sale or buy 
any partridges or quail so unlawfully killed or captured in 
said State within the aforesaid period, and fijces the penalty 
for violation a fine of $10 for each offense, and imprisonment 
until the fine is paid. 
The operation of Sec. 2079, Code of 1887, and any special 
game law so far as it relates to this particular game and in 
conflict with this act, is suspended. 
The above act was approved Jan. 27, 1896, and was in 
force from its passage. 
It is my opinion that the above act is constitutional and 
binding authority upon the people of the whole State. 
To hunt and kill game is a boon or privilege granted either 
expressly or impliedly by the sovereign authority, not a right 
inherent ia eacn individual, and consequently nothing is 
taken away from the individual when he is denied the privi- 
lege of hunting and killing game. The ownership of the 
sovereign authority is in trust for all the people of the State, 
and hence it is the duty of the Legislature to enact such laws 
as will best preserve the subject of the trust and secure its 
beneficial use in the future to the people of the State, The 
question of individual enjoyment is one of public policy and 
not of private right. The ruling of Judge Homes is binding 
authority only within his county, and does not affect any 
other county in the State. It is against the law to hunt or 
shoot partridges or quail in Henrico county until Jan. 27, 
1898, and the people of the county should see that the law 
is obeyed. 
Mr, Justice White, in "Greer ys, State of Connecticut," 161 
U. S , 519 to 544, discusses this question and cites many 
authorities. R. Carter Soott. 
Tbe New York Venison Possession Season, 
Albany, N. Y., Oct. 8. — Editor Forest and Stream: Re- 
plying to your letter of the 7th as to what course would be 
pursued by this department relative to the confficting law re- 
garding the killing of deer and possession of venison, would 
say that the only way out of the matter is for people to cease 
killing in time to dispose of their venison before Nov. 16, as 
the season closes the 15th for killing. The law of 1895, see 
Section 40, Chapter 974, provide that wild deer may be 
killed from Aug. 16 to Oct. 31, both inclusive, and that it 
was lawful lo possess venison up to and including Nov. 10, 
see Section 41 of same act. The amendment of Section 40 
by the law of 1897 changed the open season for killing deer, 
making it Aug. 15 to Nov. 15, both inclusive, but the per' 
sons interested in this change did not look ahead to see the 
importance of amending Section 41 which related to the pos- 
session, therefore, Section 41, laws of 1895, is in force, but 
the wording of said section is such that it may be considered 
lawful to possess venison up to and including the 15th, the 
last day for killing, but no longer. 
The open season for hunting deer is now three months, 
which is considered to be too long by all who take an inter- 
est in the preservation of the deer of our forests, and it is 
the intent of this department to ask the press generally to 
call the attention of the public to the law as it exists and 
warn people that they must not load up with venison at the 
last moment, thinking that there is the usual ten days to 
dispose of it as in former years, as the protector will be in- 
structed that with the close of the season for killing, viz. : 
Nov. 15, the law will be enforced as to the possession of 
venison. J. Warren Pond, Chief Protector. 
In Nova Scotia. 
Fredeeicton, N. B., Oct. 2.— Mr. Fred J. talcott, of 
Providence, R. I., arrived yesterday from Biissfield, Mira- 
michi, where he has been hunting with the veteran moose- 
caller George Fowler, who is eighty-one years of age. Mr. 
Talcott says he had a fair chance to shoot his moose, but a 
combination of circumstances prevented the event from 
taking place. 
Mr. William Barnes, of St. John, who was out in tjie 
Bear River region with John McEwan as a guide, shot a 
four-year-old moose one day last week. Mr. James Buckler, 
of Dalhousie, also bagged his moose there. William Ellis, 
of Digby, after an absence of six days from home, has re- 
turned from Lake Jolly, N. S , with a fine specimen of a 
bull moose. 
Mr. J. W. Burdick, general passenger agent of the Dela- 
ware & Hudson Riilway, has been hunliog with two friends 
— Samuel Hopkins and G. W. Wright, of New York— near 
Brookfleld, N. S. The party secured three moose, the 
heads of which were shipped to Sumner L, Crosby, the 
Bangor taxidermist. 
Four x.merican sportsmen — Benjamin. David; Daniel and 
Edmund Allen — were arrested on the 23d at Yarmouth, N. 
S., on the charge of hunting without a license. The in- 
formation in the case was laid by Charles li. Kelly, agent of 
the Nova Scotia Game and Inland Fisheries Protection 
Socif-ty of Halifax. Mr. Kelly did not wish to make the 
offenders pay the fine, and agreed to take the amount of the 
license and costs. 
A Virginia Game Country. 
In their handbook of Mecklenburg county, say the su- 
pervisnrs' report for 1897: "Owing to our extensive unculti- 
vated fields, dense forests and large streams, tbe county is well 
stocked with wild game. The wild turkey is here in its 
native heather Partridges or quail are iu every field. Of 
late years deer have become numerous in some sections of 
the county, while the old hare, squirrel, opossum, coon, fox 
otter and beaver furnish food and sport for the huntsman. 
In winter, along the chief water courses wild ducks and 
geese are in endless profusion. Various kinds of fish are 
found in all the ttreams." 
North Carolina Quail. 
Garfield, N. C, Oct. 4. — In this part of North Carolina 
we will have better quail shooting this fall than we have had 
for the past five yeais, thanks to the favorable weather we 
had for the quail to raise their young. I have made special 
inquiry all through this vicinity, and everybody reports 
more quail than we have had for years. Yesterday i rode 
to our Kirk plantation, distance one mile, and saw five large 
covej'^s of quail along the road. Several droves of wild 
turkeys have been seen. Wild ducks are also commencing 
to come up Dutch Creek. A. H. Grof, 
Wads. 
Wads are cut by machinery. Sheets of prepared card- 
board or f el t are fed to the machines, and sets of punches 
with cutting edges punch out the wads very rapidly. An- 
other machine does the lubricating. 
