88 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[Feb. 2, 1901. 
Massachusetts Game, 
From the CotnmissionY Report. 
Importance of Preserving Game. — The retention witliin 
the boundaries of this State of a supply of game to assure, 
beyond question, the continuance of species that cannot 
,be replaced if once exterminated, and the maintenance of 
a sufficient abundance of various kinds to serve as an in- 
ducement to the public to seek healthful recreation in 
hunting, are objects which necessarily engage the atten- 
ti<>n of this Commission to a large degree, and are w^orthy 
the consideration of every public-spirited citizen. What 
the privilege of hunting means to many of our citizens 
whose business confines them to workshops, manufac- 
tories and counting rooms, cannot be expressed in words 
or figures. The desire to hunt is almost universal, and 
probably no other form of recreation is so healthful or so 
helpful to jaded nerves. Some have the time and means 
to visit other sections to enjoy the privilege of hunting, 
but a larger number cannot afford this, even though they 
may most need the relaxation from their ordinary duties 
which it brings. It is, therefore, manifestly to the ad- 
vantage of the general public, and consequently beneficial 
to the Commonwealth, thaL every reasonable measure 
should be taken, either by propagation or necessary re- 
striction, to promote an increase of game within our 
borders and thus to eliminate all fears regarding the 
probable extermination of certain of our most important 
game species. That this involves self-denial on the part 
of many, if not all, goes without saying; and that it places 
restraints upon those who have little consideration itn' 
the future or the needs of others, is equally appareiit. 
There is, howeA'er, no other way to attain desired ;^nds, ; 
This is so evident that it is believed the harmony of Seel- 
ing and action that characterized the movement on the" 
part of sportsmen in the early months of the yeatr-to: 
secure satisfactory legislation will continue, and that ttie 
same spirit that then prevailed will- govern future efiforts. 
Effect of New Law. — Although it is yet early to expect a 
marked change in conditions as a result of. the enactment 
of recent laws for the protection of game, nevertheless 
reports from various sections of the State indicate that 
there has been material improvement in many localities, so 
far as the_ partridge, quail and woodcock are concerned. 
The quail is reported as more than usually abundant in all 
sections of the State where it ordinarily occurs ; and those 
familiar with its haunts and habits predict a large in- 
crease of the species next year, if the climatic conditions 
are not too severe during the winter. The effect of the 
vigorous enforcement of the new law (Chapter 379, Acts 
of 1900) for the protection of partridge and woodcock, and 
the prohibition of their sale, is indicated in letters from 
deputies which report largely increased numbers in local 
covers. 
Deer.— Deer are reported more or less common in nearly 
all sections of the State, and in some localities are reason- 
ably abundant, as manjr as ten or a dozen having been seen 
in some places. There seems to be a general disposition 
to refram from killing them; only a few complaints of 
such violation of law have been received, and two con- 
victions were obtained. But deer are often seriously 
harassed by hounds, and doubtless fatal results may some- 
times follow, of which no information that can be used 
in the courts is obtainable. 
Pheasants. — Pheasants have been seen in greater or less 
numbers in and near those localities where they have 
been distributed, and there are many evidences that they 
are doing well under natural conditions. 
Pinnated Grouse.— Deputy John E. Howland is of the 
opmion that the pmnated grouse, on Martha's Vineyard is 
'soon destined to become extinct, unless something' is 
done for it at once"; and he recommends that the fine 
for killmg It "be fifty or even one hundred dollars." 
Breeding Game Birds and Animals. 
\Vinchester.— The work at the State experiment station 
at Wmchester, for breeding birds and animals, has been 
successfully carried on during the past season, and much 
has also been done toward increasing facilities for the 
next season. 
The Belgian Hare.— From experiments made at this 
station for two years with the Belgian hare (Lepus cunic- 
mus). It seems desirable to stock the woods of the State 
with :t as a game animal. In furtherance of this idea Mr 
Brackett donated to the State his entire stock of hare's for 
breedmg purposes. 
Pheasants.— The breeding and rearing of Mongolian 
pheasants at Wmchester has been carried on as usual but 
on a somewhat larger scale than heretofore, while the 
plant for this work has been improved in various ways 
A large number of eggs were obtained and placed in in- 
cubation, either under hens or in incubators. Under ordi- 
nary conditions the result should have proved most satis- 
factory. But, while a greater number of chicks were 
hatched and reared than in previous years, the complete 
success of the work was seriously if not disastrously 
handicapped by the active operation of a near-by stone 
quarry, the explosions of which had an effect on the eggs 
undergoing incubation similar to that resulting from 
heavy thunder, the latter being well known to poultry 
breeders. 
The Ruffed Grouse. — Experiments were made during 
the past season in artificially rearing the partridge (Bonasn 
umbellus). A few eggs were obtained. Part of them 
were placed under a hen and the remainder in an incu- 
bator. Both lots hatched fairly well, producing strong, 
healthy chicks. There was every indication of success 
until they were about four weeks old. They had in the 
meantime been fed on maggots and green food (lettuce 
and young clover). The attempt to change their food 
by adding grain proved disastrous and caused their death. 
There is no danger in gradually changing the food of 
young pheasants to grain when they are three or four 
weeks old, and it was assumed that the same course could 
be pursued with the young partridge. The result in this 
case led to the conclusion that further efforts might be 
attended with better success. 
The experiments with these birds, together with careful 
post-mortem dissection and examination, led to finding a 
food which may be more successfully used. Its discovery 
occurred too late to be of use with the young grouse, but 
it was fed to very young pheasants with excellent results. 
If its use doe? ndttiing more than to dieck the mortality 
so prevalent among pheasants during the first three weeks 
of their existence, and promotes their early growth, it may 
be considered an important outcome of the partridge- 
rearing experiment. 
Cats. — The State aviary and rabbitry covers about one 
and one-half acres of land, inclosed by a wire fence 6 feet 
high; 2 feet on the lower part is of i-inch mesh (set 8 
inhes underground) and the upper part is 2-inch mesh. 
This successfully barred out all destructive vermin ex- 
cept cats, which found no difficulty in climbing the sides 
of the posts and getting into the inclosure. Consitlera- 
tion for the health and hardiness of the young pheasants 
and rabbits makes it necessary, during the first four 
months after birth, and as much longer as possible, that 
they should have the freedom of the yard. In endeavor- 
ing, however, to carry out this plan, the cats, whose depre- 
dations were committed at night, succeeded in destroying 
a large number of the yonug stock, to that extent render- 
ing abortive the work of the State. During the past four 
years 137 cats were killed in and around the inclosure.. 
Notwithstanding this slaughter, their numbers did not 
seem to materially decrease. It therefore became a ques- 
tion ol^j^het- abandoning the work at this place or de- 
vising Mome' means of protection. Accordingly, last April 
an uistilated telegraph wire was stretched around the en- 
tire inclosiTre, about an inch above the wire fence. To 
this was attached, a battery of twelve Excelsior cells, ar- 
ranged in- multiples of four, thus giving a strength suffi- 
cient to instantly kill gray, squirrels attempting to cross 
the wife. ; During the five ; months -it was run not a cat 
entered the yard, 
The yard was wired for cats, but this did- not suffice to 
keep oiit thieving bipeds, who in July cut the wire fence 
and stole some of our best breeding stock. Had such a 
thing been anticipated, it would have been easy to so 
wire the fence that the marauders would have paid a 
higher price for Belgian hares than is now asked for im- 
ported stock. In the vicinity of the water works a small 
motor and d3'namo could be used to advantage. With a 
40-foot pressure, a stream about the size used for a lawn 
sprinkler would be sufficient for from 75 to 100 volts, a 
current that neither catsi nor thieves would care to en- 
counter more than once. 
Sutton. — The experiment of breeding and rearing the 
Mongolian pheasant on the State land, at the Sutton fish 
hatchery, was attempted this year on a scale sufficiently 
large to demonstrate the feasibility of successfully carry- 
ing on this work at that station. Mr. Arthur Merrill, the 
superintendent of the station, had succeeded in 1899 in 
hatching out a few pheasant eggs and raising a fair per- 
centage of the chicks to maturity. Thus, in the spring 
of igoo he had seven female and three male pheasants. 
From these he obtained about 200 eggs, which were in- 
cubated by bantam hens. More than a hundred chicks 
were hatched, and the loss in rearing was small, having 
in mind the well-known tendency of the pheasant to die 
during the first few weeks after birth. About eighty of 
ihe birds of this year's brood have attained an .age when 
the chance of life presumably is at its maximum, and they 
may be deemed free in large part from dangers which be- 
set this species in its younger stages. 
Law Enforcement. — A most earnest and strenuous 
effort has been made by the Commision to enforce the fish 
and game laws with such resources as were available. 
These consisted, first, of unpaid deputies, persons whose 
interest in the protection of fish and game was sufficient 
to prompt them to devote more or less of their time to 
the enforcement of law, to giving warnings, etc., and in 
a large majority of cases without receiving a cent for 
their efforts, since the State pays them nothing if they 
secure no convictions. Second, special paid deputies were 
employed, whose terms of service varied in length accord- 
ing to circumstances, and whose rate of pay was regulated 
by the financial resources of the Commission and by other 
conditions that often enabled the procurement of service 
for a small remuneration from the State. There were 
eighty-four unpaid wardens and twenty-six paid wardens. 
More than 200 arrests were made during the period 
covered by this report, and the penalties imposed by the 
courts for violations of fish and game laws exceeded 
$2,100, 
The importance of continuing the work thus begun will 
doubtless be apparent to all who have an interest in the 
protection of fish and game. If, however, it is to be prose- 
cuted on a scale commensurate with the importance of 
the object sought, it is evident that suitable provision 
must be made by the Legislature. Whether an appropria- 
tion is made fully adequate to meet the requirements of 
the public demand, is a matter that must largely rest with 
the people. For, while the Commission is fully in 
accord with anything that may be required or may be 
done along this line, and will cheerfully accept any action 
that may enlarge the possibilities of enforcement of law, 
and while.it has every reason to feel satisfied with what 
has been accomplished during recent months, the fact is 
recognized that the demand for expansion, if there is any, 
should cojne from the, citizens who appreciate what it may 
mean to the Commonwealth to have fish and game laws 
well enforced in the. future. , 
"High.'* Game. 
Tlie eating of "high" game is undoubtedly attended with risk, 
and tlje poisonous effects are probably due to the toxins produced 
in the earlier stages of the putrefactive process. The advantage, of 
course, of hanging game is that the flesh becomes tender and de- 
cidedly more digestible than when it is quite fresh. The ripening 
process, however, may mean- the elaboration of the toxins. It has 
been stated that,, the production of the characteristic flavors of 
game is related dfirectly to the amount of sulphurated hydrogen or 
sulphur-alcohol set free, but it is rather repulsive to think that 
the delicate flavor of game is dependent upon that invariable 
product of decomposition of rotten eggs— sulphureted hydrogen. 
The smell evolved during cooking of 'high" game is even more 
disgusting. Fresh game sometimes sets up mysterious, poisonous 
. symptoms, whiqh have been attributed to the fact of the game 
having been over^hunted and fatigued. Fatigue products, indeed, 
have been separated from over-hunted game, which when injected 
into a healthy animal have produced marked poisonous effects. 
There is no douht that fatigue products under certain circum- 
stances are also diaborated in the human body, and give ris^ to a 
species of self-poisoning characteristic symptoms of which are 
headache, stupor and gastric and intestinal pains. The flesh of 
over rotten cattle may prove poisonous from the same cause. 
This curious fot^tion of poisonous products in the flesh of ani- 
mals through a slate of terror or exhaustion is a question welJ 
worth considering in relation to the wholesomeness of animal 
foods, and emphasizes the importance of slaying animals intended 
for food in the most humane way.— London Lancet. 
Talks to Boys. — X. 
After you have begun regularly to go shooting, you 
will, of course, travel considerable distances, and will 
have more or less to do with the property of other people. 
You will, Qf_,course, consider the rights of these people, 
and will keep always in mind the fact that you must so 
conduct yourself as never to be in any respect a cause 
of annoyance or expense to them. You will travel over 
the lands of many people, climb their fences, pass near 
their houses and see their live stock. It is hardly necessary 
to warn you that you must never shoot toward a house, 
toward people working in the fields, nor toward live 
stock that may be on the ground over which you are 
shooting. You must watch your dog carefully and never 
permit him to chase chickens or ducks or sheep or cows. 
It is well, also, for you to refrain from shooting when 
fowls or domestic animals are near to you. If you should 
do this, and by an unlucky chance should frighten the 
animals, and the landowner should see them run, he 
might very well think you were one of the careless or 
rowdy class who have no respect for the rights of other 
people; and if he thinks this, he may perhaps fly into a 
passion and abuse you, or order you off his land. It 
may well be that at some time he has had an experience 
with roughs carrying shotguns, who have killed his 
chickens, or amused themselves by shooting at his cows, 
and if anything of this kind has ever happened to him 
you may feel s-ure that he entertains a strong prejudice 
against anyone whom he sees on his land, carrying a 
gun. _ If you should enter a field where people are work- 
ing, it will be well for you to go up to them and ask if 
there is any objection to your shooting on the place. 
Usually you will find that such a course will make 
them friendly, and the pepole will talk to you in an in- 
terested fashion, and will meet you in the same spirit 
that you show. You should try always to cultivate 
friendly relations with the people over whose land you 
shoot, and you will find that if you do this you will have 
your reward in the kindly feeling of helpfulness which 
they will manifest toward you. 
As you travel over the country, when you have occa- 
sion to go through a pair of bars to enter a field, do not 
let your hurry or your excitement cause you to neglect 
to put up the bars again just as you found them. It 
may be that there are cows or horses in the field, which 
might get out through your neglect and make great 
trouble for their owner and his neighbors. If, in crossing 
a fence, you knock oft' a short rail, or if an old rail breaks 
beneath your foot, you should stop and mend the fence 
as best you can. putting up the rails, and generally re- 
pairing the damage as well as possible, so as to leave 
things as they were. In the same way, if in crossing 
one of the tottering stone walls, so common in New 
England and the Middle States, you knock down a 
number of the stones so as to leave a gap in the wall, 
you should take time and pains to lay the stones up 
again, so as to leave the wall as nearly as possible just 
as it was when you disturbed it. 
If, after such a mischance, you should happen to meet 
the owner of the land, by all means tell what you have 
done and explain that you endeavored to repair the 
damage, and that you left things nearly as they were. 
You will find that, usually, he will say that it made no 
difference, that the fence was pretty rickety anyhow, or 
that the old wall needed repair long ago. Ninety-nine 
men out of a hundred will appreciate your frankness, and 
will feel pleasantly toward you, while, if they discovered 
for themselves the mischief done, they would recall the 
fact that you had not spoken of it, and would blame you 
all the more for your silence. A frank apologetic course 
is the one you ought to pursue; it is due the landowner 
and is the least reparation that you can decently make 
for any injury that you may have done. But besides 
this, such a course tends to make you well thought of by 
the owner of the land you are traversing; he will like 
you for your honesty and your courage, and still more 
for the fact that you respect him and his rights. The 
result of such a course of action will be that these men 
will be glad to have you shoot over their land, will take 
an interest in what you are doing, will welcome you to 
their houses if you have occasion to stop there, and will 
often tell you where certain broods of birds are to 
be found, giving you information which may greatly 
help you. 
Years ago I used to shoot with an old friend, long 
dead, of whom it was said that even the most cantanker- 
ous farmers in the district permitted him to shoot over 
their land. He was a charming man, but I never knew 
why he was so favored until on one occasion when he 
and I were shooting together we were approached by 
an indignant person who ran toward us, shouting 
violent threats and orders for us to get off his land. 
So soon as he had come near enough to recognize my 
companion his manner entirely changed, and he came 
up to him, shook hands and explained that he had 
thought it was some one else; adding, "For you know 
you are the only man that gets to shoot on this farm." 
.Later, my friend explained to me the principle on which 
}ie went in dealing with men who were unwilling to 
permit shooting on their land. He told me, substantially, 
what I have told you in the preceding paragraphs, ex- 
plaining that he was careful always when it was practi- 
cable to ask permission to shoot, and careful also to 
repair so far as possible any damage that he might do 
on the land, and if he could not himself repair it satis- 
factorily, to go out of his way to explain the matter to 
the landowner, and even to offer to pay for the harm 
that he had done. He had thus made firm friends of a 
number of men commonly reputed to be extremely cross- 
grained and disagreeable, and who allowed no one except 
him and his companions to shoot on their land. In 
other words, he had access to a number of farms which 
were strictly preserved for his benefit, and one result of 
this was that he and I, when we went together, almost 
always made a fair bag of birds, and sometimes an un- 
usually good one. 
I recall one old farmer of that section who had the 
reputation^of being particularly disagreeable and penuri- 
ous, but who always insisted on our stopping ©ver night 
at his house, and would never take a cent of pay for our 
board and lodging and the keep of the horses. In the 
morning this tnan would always take almost an hour from 
