March 7, 1903. j 
1S8 
"Bob White's whistle has been a common note this 
year in the Berkshire hills and fields, where, hereto- 
fore, the quail has been rare or entirely absent. It 
may never become an important factor there, but its 
appearance in that section of the State is noteworthy. 
The woodcock, though breeding here to a limited 
degree and reported more than usually plentiful in 
some sections, is not anything like generally abundant; 
indeed, it has been very scarce in most sections of the 
State. The effort to protect it here from the market- 
hunter is a most commendable one, and should be con- 
tinued. The fact that it appears within our borders 
chiefly as a migrant and that it is deprived of reason- 
able protection in some of the States where it winters, 
furnishes additional reasons why all that is practicable 
should be done here to save from extinction this in- 
teresting and valuable species. The example of this 
State and other game-protecting States cannot fail to 
influence action where it is most needed, and we can- 
not be insensible to the position Massachusetts takes 
in this matter, in view of what her action may mean 
to other commonwealths. 
In many towns on the coast and adjacent thereto 
the quail is the one species of land game bird, other 
than the shore, marsh or beach varieties, that is relied 
upon to furnish sport, for neither the partridge nor 
the woodcock occur in those places in sufficient num- 
bers to be an important object for the pursuit of the 
hunter. So near to extermination had the partridge 
been brought in these localities, because of insufficient 
protection, that it has failed to gain satisfactorily in 
numbers in recent years, for the simple reason that 
there were few if any breeders left there to renew and 
increase the stock — an instructive lesson of the danger 
incurred in allowing this species to be again exposed 
to such conditions as brought this result. 
Fortunately, however, the condition above referred 
to is limited, and many of the eastern covers afford 
excellent partridge shooting. Here the increase of this 
bird compares favorably with any part of the State, 
and notably demonstrates the remarkable local habits 
of the species. 
Not for many years have game birds been so plenti- 
ful in the central section of the State. This is sub- 
stantially the unanimous testimony of experienced men, 
both hunters and deputies, many of whom declare em- 
phatically that they never before have seen quail so 
abundant and never expected to see so many partridge 
as were in the covers this autumn. Thus, while the 
conditions may not equal those in Massachusetts in 
1634, when William Wood declared in his "New Eng- 
land Prospects" that partridges and heathcocks were 
so numerous that "he that is a husband, and will be 
stirring betime, may kill half a dozen in a morning," 
still, more satisfactory results have been obtained than 
could have possibly been anticipated three years ago. 
Pheasants, 
Although pheasants may not yet be classed as game 
birds of this State, in the sense that they can be legally 
hunted and killed, their prospective status as such en- 
titles them to special notice in this report, not only be- 
cause the State has taken a large interest in the propa- 
gation of the Mongolian pheasant, but also because the 
effort made has met with such marked success recently 
that this beautiful game species gives promise of occu- 
pying in the future a very prominent position among 
the birds of the Commonwealth that attract the hunt- 
er's skill and furnish him with an additional choice 
article of food. 
The reports received this year show conclusively 
that the pheasant is doing well in all sections of the 
State, and the very encouraging statements sent to us 
last year are duplicated or excelled. There is reason 
to believe it is breeding successfully in those localities 
where it has been placed; also that it has lived through 
the winters as well, apparently, as our native game 
birds. As a rule, it rears large broods, 10 to 18 chicks, 
and the young birds have every appearance of strength 
and hardiness. There seem to be few losses in the 
wild state, outside of those caused by enemies, and, 
although some birds may be killed by foxes, hawks, 
owls, etc., and also by hunters who have a disposition 
to| ignore the law, the species seems to have acquired 
a foothold. Therefore, aside from the fact that there 
IS less wild land here and more hunters in a given 
area, there is no apparent reason why the Mongolian 
pheasant should not do almost as well here as in Ore- 
gon, where it is concededly the foremost game bird of 
the State. 
Deer. 
There is cumulative evidence that the deer is becom- 
ing more common in this State than was probably 
deemed possible only a few years ago. And it is a re- 
markable fact that, even now, many are disposed to be- 
lieve that the wild deer reported to have been seen 
from time to time in various localities must be ani- 
mals which have escaped from parks or reservations. 
In a State populated as Massachusetts is, it is not, per- 
haps, remarkable that the occurrence of wild deer here 
and there, often in close proximity to large towns, and 
indeed almost within slight of the gilded dome on Bea- 
con Hill, is something difficult to either believe or un- 
derstand. There is, however, indisputable evidence of 
this, and, although this animal is not yet deemed suffi- 
ciently numerous to justify the hunting of it, there is 
a strong probability that, with continued protection 
for a brief time longer, the hunting of it for a few 
days each fall may be permitted without the risk of ex- 
terminating a species which should be kept in the 
State's covers as long as practicable. Without protec- 
tion extermination will follow with certainty and ex- 
pedition. 
Complaint has been made by several persons of dam- 
age done to fruit trees and growing crops, and in- 
quiries have been received by the commission asking if 
the State would pay for the alleged loss. 
There seems to be a division of opinion, among 
those presumably conversant with the habits of the 
deer, regarding the destruction caused by. this animal 
in Massachusetts. Ho-wever this may be, we are not 
aware that provision has ever been made by any State 
to pay for alleged damages of this nature by deer, and 
information haS come to us that some of the public- 
spirited farmers of this State have emphatically de- 
clared they were opposed to anything that would per- 
mit the killing of these animals, and preferred instead 
to submit to any small loss that came to them. It is 
too much to expect that all should take a similar view 
under trying circumstances, but the fact that some 
prefer small loss to killing the animals indicates the 
esteem in which the deer are held by a few, at least, 
who may have most cause for complaint. 
A mass of data is available showing the occurrence 
of deer in various sections of the State, from Cape 
Cod to the Berkshire Hills. 
A deer was rescued from drowning in Barnstable 
Bay late in November by Capt. F. W. Dexter, of the 
naphtha launch Quartette, of Lynn, which at the time 
lay off Barnstable Point Light engaged in herring fish- 
ing. The animal was kept for nearly a week, until the 
vessel returned home, when Capt. Dexter reported hav- 
ing it on board to the commission, and Deputy Burney 
was instructed to take charge of its liberation. This 
was a most remarkable case. The deer had evidently 
been driven into the water by either dogs or men, and 
was swimming straight out to sea when seen. Capt. 
Dexter deserves commendation for his humane treat- 
ment of the animal, which had to be rubbed to restore 
its exhausted energies, after being taken on board the 
Quartette, and also for his Gom-tesy in promptly re- 
porting it after his arrival. 
It is regrettable that this deer, the preservation of 
which reflected so much credit on Captain Dexter," 
should have been killed by John T, Collins, of Maple- 
wood, on Dec. 11, only a few days after the animal was 
liberated by Deputy Burney, who not only brought 
Collins into court to answ-er for his violation of law, 
but quickly recognized the animal by a scar he had 
noticed when li,e t(j£5k it 'from the Quartette. 
The Belgian Hare,. 
The Belgian hare may apparently be now safely 
classed with the game animals of the State, although it 
is top early yet to speak with certainty of the results 
attending the efforts of the commission to stock the 
State covers with this large species of rabbit, alike im- 
portant as a game animal or a food product. There 
appears to be ample evidence thus early that the Bel- 
gian hare, notwithstanding adverse predictions regard- 
ing it, may prove to be a verj-- desirable addition to the 
game fauna of the State, if it succeeds in maintaining 
itself in spite of foxes, hounds and other species that 
may prey upon it. 
A Morning with Old Squaws. 
Orient Point, Suffolk County, N. Y. — I have no great 
story to tell about the hundreds of canvasbacks and other 
aristocratic ducks which fell to our guns (like the Power 
brothers), but just a simple tale of what three of us 
enjoyed with the "old squaws" one morning in January, 
1900. 
On the evening previous it was arranged between Fred 
Terry (a cousin), Walter, my son, and myself that the 
next morning, everything being favorable, we would take 
a rowboat, batteiy and decoys and go- to the feeding 
grounds of the above mentioned trash ducks, as some call 
them, three miles away.^ About four o'clock the whir-r-r-r 
of the alarm clock startled us from our dreams, and a 
half hour later we were bolting pancake.?, sausages and 
hot coffee. The air was keen, crispy and pretty still — this 
latter being just what we wanted. The exercise at the 
oars while on our way to the grounds kept our blood 
warm and our cheeks glowing. 
We got our decoys out just as the sun was peeping 
above the horizon and straggling birds began to show 
themselves. (I like nothing better than straggling birds 
if they will straggle often.) Now, it is known that the 
best shooting^ is the first hour in the morning — so that 
the first man in the box has the best show for a good bag. 
Vvliile each of us was trying to induce the other to get in 
first, several shots were lost, so that finally my son en- 
tered the box and Fred took the oars and rowed me to 
the beach (about twenty-five rods away, where I sat me 
down to watch the hits and misses). The birds came 
only occasionally, generally one at a time, and Walt, took 
care of them pretty well. After he had five dead ones 
lying around he signaled Fred to come and take his place 
in the box. Fred came, but as he had never been in a box 
he could not be induced to get into it until I had warmed 
the place for him. It was of ho use to argue, so T 
hopped over into the ticklish thing and laid me down. 
Once in a while a duck came and sometimes I hit and 
sometimes I missed until I had three lying on their backs. 
Up to this time not a single duck except squaws had been 
seen. While watching and waiting I discovered, three- 
fourths of a mile awaj', two coots, and those birds came 
straight to their doom. The foremost duck I covered 
with the right barrel, and, as I thought, dropped it dead, 
when the other, at the report of the gun, swung off to the 
left and hustled; but it was of no use, for my left spoke 
and he fell dead. I then looked at the first duck and was 
surprised to see it making off in great alarm, with its 
head at least a foot high, looking back at me, first one 
side then the other. My gun is not a repeater, so I had to 
break it and slip in another shell in the left barrel. The' 
duck was well away by this time, but I drew bead on it 
and when the gun spoke the duck's journey was done. 
Now my score was even with my son's,' and I remembered 
that it was cold, too. 
The boat was called in again and now our modest Fred 
consented to get in the warm place I had made for him. 
The first two or three birds which came went away much 
faster after he spoke to them. Then he did better and 
• winged two, and later killed one dead. One of his 
cripples Walter killed. Up to this time we had just a 
dozen birds. Walter now got in and killed five more. 
Later I took his place and killed one. The sun was past 
its zenith now and the flying was about over, and besides 
we felt a kind of gnawing under our waistcoats on ac- 
count of our early breakfast and other things; so we 
concluded to take up and strike for home, which we 
reached about 3 P. M. 
Eighteen ducks with three guns is not great shooting, 
truly, but we enjoyed the shooting and also our dinner 
when we got it Yes, indeed I Uncle Dan. 
The Massachusetts Sale Law. 
Boston, March 2.— Editor Forest and Stream: The 
hearmg on Thursday before the Fish and Game Com- 
mittee on the anti-sale law for partridge and wood- 
cock, was a notable one. A few less than 100 sports- 
men representing every county, and at least 75 towns 
and cities were on hand to put in a word for the bill. 
The number was so great that the committee found it 
necessary to abandon the room in which such hearings 
are usually held and secure a larger one. The Cen- 
tral Committee held a meeting at 9:30 in the room of 
the commissioners, and outlined a plan of procedure 
for the hearing. It was agreed by all that no witness 
should be allowed to take more than from three to 
seven minutes, for the reason that all those attending 
would want a chance to say a few words, and many 
had come a distance of from so to 200 miles for the 
purpose of giving testimony. I venture to say none 
of your readers ever attended a hearing where there 
was more unanimity of sentiment or where everybody 
went away with more satisfaction on account of having 
had his chance- to express his opinions. 
The Central Committee had arranged that Herman 
S. Fay, Esq., should conduct the hearing, which he 
did with tact and good judgment. Chairman H. A. 
Estabrook, of Fitchburg, the first witness, testified to 
the good results of the present law and the putting 
out of business of certain pot-hunters, of whom he had 
knowledge, and one of whom had admitted that he 
had sent 800 birds to market the year previous to the 
enactment of the anti-sale law. Mr. I. O. Converse, 
president of the Fitchburg Rifle and Gun Club, and 
Prof. E. A. Kirkpatrick, an instructor in the State 
Normal School at Fitchburg, also testified in support 
of the bill. Representatives E. W. Boise, of Bland- 
ford; George Thayer, president of the Ashland Gun 
Club; Herbert Thayer, of Franklin; Representative 
Garrett, of Greenfield, and half a dozen other members 
of the Flouse from different parts of the State, stated 
that their constituents were unanimous for the bill. 
Mr. A. M. Kimball spoke for the S. Acton Gun Club. 
Mr. A. C. Sylvester for the West Attleboro Club, 
ex-Senators Gray, of Walpole, and Patch, of Roxbor- 
ough, spoke for their sections. Mr. Herbert E. Tuck, 
of the Central Committee, represented the sportsmen 
of Haverhill. Hon. Salem D. Charles, of Boston, 
spoke as a representative of the State Association, the 
Worcester Fur Club and the Central Committee; Rep- 
resentative Pingree for Georgetown and Groveland 
Fish and Game Associations; Capt. John Percival for 
the newly organized club of Sandwich. 
Your readers will remember that in the hearing three 
years ago opposition came from Worcester ^in the 
shape of a bill to make sale illegal only during the 
time when shooting was prohibited — this was desig- 
nated by our champion on the committee, Representa- 
tive Hunt, of North Attleboro, "the bee in the honey." 
This bill had for its champion a man no less distin- 
guished than ex-Congressman Walker. 
Mr. A. B. F. Kinney gave testimony before the 
committee that this vear there would be no opposition 
from Worcester, that all sportsmen in the heart of the 
commonwealth are in favor of continuing the present 
law. The speakers were all brief and pointed in their 
remarks, and several of them elicited hearty applause 
from the audience. This was especially true of Game 
Warden Jessop, of Tewksbury, whose wit "brought 
down the house" several times. 
House Chairman Kimball, of the committee, who 
presided, requested Mr. Fay to endeavor to condense 
his final argument into ten minutes. He spoke seven 
minutes, and on closing the chairman declared his 
speech "very handsome." When the call came for re- 
monstrants no one arose. 
We confidently expect a favorable report from the 
committee, and hope it will be unanimous. 
More than 75 towns and cities have sent in peti- 
tions for the bill, signed by selectmen, mayors, alder- 
men, etc., and prominent citizens generally. 
On Tuesday, March 3, hearings will be given on 
House bill 646, to strike out the word "marsh" in the 
present law on "shore, marsh or beach birds," and ex- 
tend the shooting season from July 15 to Aug. 15. 
Also on House bill 648, which is designed to open 
shore shooting on the first of March instead of May i, 
as at present. 
On March 5 hearings are appointed on House bill 
649, to open trout fishing in the western counties April 
I instead of April 15, and to close on Aug. i instead 
of July 15, as now. 
On House bill 856, to make the legal limit of length 
in the western counties 5 inches. 
On Flouse bill 857, designed to prohibit the sale of 
trout, except those usually termed "domestic trout." 
On March 10, House bill 642, for further extension 
of "right of search" by wardens without a warrant. 
This bill is so framed as not to apply to dwellings. 
Also on House bill 644, regarding search for lobsters — 
to add the word public before "suspected" in the present 
law, so as to read "may search in suspected public 
places." 
On March 12 will occur the hearing on the bill for 
the reorganization of the fish and game commission. 
The following concerning deer is from the Boston 
Herald: 
"There is a bill before the committee on fisheries 
and game, the title of which is to provide for the bet- 
ter protection of deer. At the hearing given on the 
matter some time ago there was evidence submitted 
which raised a doubt in the minds of some of the com- 
mitteemen whether or not it wouldn't be a good idea 
to pass a law for the better protection of farmers. 
Strange as it may seem, the protective laws in rela- 
tion to deer have resulted in so increasing the species 
that in certain sections of the State, particularly in 
Worcester County, and further west, the crops have 
been damaged by the depredations of the animals. 
The law at present is regarded as being pretty severe. 
Under it a farmer is liable to prosecution if he chases 
a deer out of his cornfield, for the law expressly stipu- 
lates that whosoever hunts, drives, chases, etc., one 
of these animals shall be subject to a fine. The' plan 
now is to keep the law on the statute book substaxi' 
