FOREST AND STREAM. 
wild denizen of the Adirondacks as naturalists tell us 
they were in the past. 
Without a conlinuation of the appropriation which 
lapsed last year nothing further can be done toward re- 
stocking the Adirondack region with moose. Thus far 
the animals liberated have done well, and have scattered 
widely through the forest. Three have been shot by un- 
known persons, and no natural increase has thus far 
been reported. If the experiment is to be continued, it 
will be necessary, in the opinion of those who have given 
attention to the problem, to procure and liberate at least 
fifty or preferably one hundred more of these animals 
in the Adircndicks. The commission stands ready to 
carry out the instructions of the Legislature in the mat- 
ter, and undoabledly that body will respond to the public 
sentiment which makes itself apparent. 
The Black Bear. 
The commission has previously recommended, and 
again suggests, the passage of an act giving to the black 
bear of the State some measure of protection. The trend 
of modern sportsmanship is toward the pursuit of large 
game, as is shown by the great number of hunters who 
annually visit Canada, the Rocky Mountains and the 
southwest, and who even cross the ocean to hunt still 
larger and more savage game. Could the black bear of 
this State, an animal absolutely harmless to human life, 
yet affording the keenest sport to its pursuers, enjoy for 
a few years the protection of a close season, it would be 
possible to introduce bear hunting as a feature of Adiron- 
dack life, even as it is now carried on as a profitable 
sport in many parts of the West and South. The com- 
mission recommends that as the bear is commercially 
valueless during the summer months, his pursuit be pro- 
hibted at this season of the year, and that suitable regu- 
lations be provided as to trapping. 
The Beaver. 
This most interesting of North American fur-bearing 
animals, which formerly existed so abundantly in this 
State, is on the brink of extinction within our borders. 
'"No animal," says Dr. C. Hart Merriam, "has figured 
more prominently in the affairs of any nation than has 
the beaver in the early history of the new world. Its 
influence on the exploration, colonization, and settlement 
of this country was veiy great. The trade in its peltries 
proved a source of competition and strife not only among 
the local merchants, but also between the several colonies, 
disputes over the boundaries having frequently arisen from 
this cause alone. Indeed, on more than one occasion 
jealousy of the beaver trade led to serious difficulties in 
the struggle for supremacy between the three rival 
powers — the Dutch, English, and French." 
How great the number of wild beaver in this State 
once was may be inferred f rom , the statement of the 
Dutch author quoted by Merriam, who, writing in 1671, 
slates that at that time the colony of New Netherlands 
furnished "full 80,000 beaver a year." As late as the 
year 1815, we learn from DeKay that the beaver still ex- 
isted in such plentiful numbers in the Adirondack region 
that it was possible for a party of St. Regis Indians who 
that year ascended the Oswagatchie River, in St. Law- 
rence county for the purpose of pursuing these valuabit 
animals, to return after an absence of a few weeks with 
300 beaver skins. In 1895 Mr. Wilbur C. Witherstine, of 
Herkimer, shot a beaver in the outlet of Madawaska 
Pond. About the same time two beavers were caught 
by trappers frofn Saranac Lake. These are the last wild 
beavers that are known to have been taken in this State. 
The following winter the Legislature passed a law abso- 
lutely prohibiting their pursuit under a severe penalty. 
While the beaver to-day is practically extinct in the 
State, there are known to exist one or two small families 
in the Adirondacks. The commission is of the opinion 
that as the Adirondack region is a natural beaver coun- 
try, and as the beaver multiplies rapidly, a small appro- 
priation is desirable to procure several colonies of these 
interesting and valuable animals for the purpose of 
eventually restoring them to the woods. 
MoDgolian PbeasaLls. 
Reports received from the foreman of the Pleasant Val- 
ley hatchery, at which place these birds are reared, and 
where the stock is kept, indicate that the past season was 
not favorable to them on account of the prolonged cold, 
wet weather which prevailed during the hatching period. 
The total output, however, was approximately equal to 
that of the previous year, being 208 birds all told. 
The stock of pheasants in western New York is largely 
increased each year by the number of birds raised and 
liberated by citizens interested in their culture and by 
game clubs. Reports have been received showing that . 
350 pheasants were liberated during the year by Hon. 
W. A. Wadsworth, of Genesee, and 20 by members of the 
Chautauqua County Sportsmen's Association. 
The distribution by the State is shown in the following 
table: 
Cocks. Hens. 
1902.. 
Nov. 8 — George F. Scriba, Constantia 3 3 
" " Walter King, Constantia 2 2 
1903. 
Mch. 20— C. W. Hatch, Lockport 4 4 
" E. B. French, Middleport 3 3 
" , " W. E. Shae£fer, Lockport 2 2 
•' " Thos. J. A. Donohue, New York ' 3 3 
" " William Burch, Ilion 2 2 
" " Daniel G. Gates, Chittenango 3 3 
" John Wilkin, Middletown 4 4 
" 23— J. B. Smith, Horseheads ...2- 2 
" " G. H. Kingsbury, Caneadea ...2 2 
" " Claude W. Persons, Delevan 2 2 
" " J. W. Alverson, Ellington 3 3 
" " Thos. E. Marsh, Castile 4 4 
" " S. R. Cleveland, Watertown . 6 6 
" 24— W. M. C. Burrell, Little Valley 2 2 
" " C. B. Edward"), Tonawanda 2 2 
" " C. T. Cole, Solsville 2 4 
" " John Yarrow, Ellenvtlle 4 4 
" " W. D. Ball, Carthage 2 3 
" " T. Freston, Milton 3 3 
" 2&-j. W. Feeter, Highland .: 4 4 
" " "Lemuel Brown, Hunter 2 2 
" " W. C. Preston, Kingston. ..2 2 
" " Francis Huber, Kingston 2 2 
"' " Myron Barney, Adams 1 
" 26— L R. McLaren. W. Sand Lake .....4 '4 
" " E. Buchaus, Creek Locks ..,3 3 
" " Julius Seymour, New York 3 3 
" 30— J. A. Colloton, Albany 2 2 
" " 1 W. Pond, Albany \ '% 2 
" Frank O'Brien, Shortsville , 2 2 
Apr. G— A. E. Billings, Jamestown..................... 4 4 
" P. F. Foley, Elmira .3 3 
8— F. F. & G. Com., Albany ..3 2 
9— E. D. Wagoner, Delhi ....1 1 
" " T. M. Ware, Marridale..... ....2 3 
" F. W. Medcraf, Utica ..1 1 
" 13— C. Crittenden, Rochester... .2 2 
Total Output.. 103 , 105 
Total distribution for the year 208 
Old birds on hand 72 
Young birds on hand ..168 
Total Stock '.. — — 240 
The foreman in charge reports that eight of the old 
birds were lost during the season, and is of the opinion 
that the number of stock birds should be increased at 
least four cocks and twelve hens more from the young 
birds on hand. This would cut down the number of birds 
available for distribution during the coming spring, but 
would correspondingly increase it next season. He also 
favors exchanging a number of the State's birds with 
other breeders of pheasants with a view to improving 
the stock. 
Adirondack Bears Not Blessings. 
Elizabethtown, N. Y., Jan. i8.~Editor Forest and 
Stream: With a profound sense of sympathy for those 
who have suffered and are still suffering from the effects 
of uncalled for and unwarranted legislation in the State 
of New York, I quote the following from the Forest 
AND Stream of January i6, 1904: 
"Blessings brigten as they take their flight. The bear 
of the Adirondacks has not been regarded in the past 
as a species deserving protection, but the growing 
scarcity has created a sentiment favorable to the preser- 
vation of the remnant. A bill has been introduced into 
the Legislature making a close season for bears from 
June I to September 30, limiting the 'catch' to one bear 
by any one person, and protecting cubs under one year of 
age." 
Having been born and raised in the central portion of 
Essex county, N. Y., in the very heart of the bear sec- 
tion of the Adirondacks, where the sheep raising and 
wool producing industry has been practically knocked out 
by bears, it is difficult for the writer to determine just 
when "bruin" became a blessing. Certainly the farmers 
of the Boquet Valley (where the writer was born and 
raised) who kept over 2,000 sheep thirty years ago and 
who do not keep over 300 to-day because the bears are, 
and have been, so destructive, do not feel like voting 
"bruin" anything in the way of pension. 
\yhen the pioneer settlers reached the Adirondack 
region they found a country abounding in all kinds of 
game, large and small. Wolves, bears, and panthers were 
numerous here in early days, being fierce and daring to 
such an extent as to make it unsafe to go about un- 
armed. The early settlers made it their business to kill 
off the large wild animals, aiding themselves temporarily 
and incidentally laying the foundation for the present 
race of hunters and trappers scattered throughout this 
region. The result of the persistent warfare waged by 
the early settlers was a marked change in the habits of 
most of the large animals. Panthers grew more cowardly, 
and after a while became scarce. The influx of the 
white man and incident civilization exterminated the 
native moose and, "cornered" the cunning beaver. 
Wolves, too, detected danger in the sound of the set- 
tler's ax and gradually fell back before the advancing 
wave of civilization, until few, if any, exist in the 
Adirondacks to-day. 
Bears, however, have held their own in the Adiron- 
dacks with much greater success than either wolves or 
panthers. One of the reasons for this is that bears are 
omnivorous, being able to eat almost anything and live, 
and their liking for fresh meat does not run away with 
their judgment where man is directly concerned. As a 
rule the black bear of the Adirondacks flees from man 
with a stealth and rapidity almost marvelous when the 
size and apparent clumsiness of the animal are con- 
sidered. In walking, the toes of the fore feet of the bear 
are slightly turned in, while the use of the nether limbs 
is so human as to appear like a burlesque on genus 
homo; hut if the casual observer be thus struck, the 
anatomist or student of nature recognizes in this exag- 
gerated formation the means supplied by nature to ascend 
trees, escape enemies, or earn support. 
The presence of the bear here in large numbers to-day 
justifies one in saying that it is a case of the "survival 
of the fittest," for the bounty, together with the liberal 
prices paid for tlie skin, not to speak of the destructive 
propensities in the line of sheep and cattle killing, the 
loss of apple trees, and product, etc., have combined to 
make bruin an object much coveted and sought after by 
hunters and trappers in general. The chief reason for 
the flourishing condition of the bear is that he is a 
shrewder, more cunning and calculating animal than the 
others. Bears learn fast, and are progressive, though 
those unacquainted with the animal give "bruin" credit 
for one merit only— brute strength. Men who have 
had experience hunting or tr-apping bears are alone com- 
petent to measure bruin's prowess. 
And now, lest those who back the "growing scarcity" 
theory charge the writer with misstating facts and con- 
ditions, I propose to do what they have not done and 
cannot do, give official figures to support my contention 
as to "bruin" holding his own down to the present time— 
at least so far as Essex county is concerned. 
A careful examination of the Journal of the Proceed- 
ings of the Board of Supervisors of Essex County from 
1877 to 1902, inclusive, a period of twenty-six succes- 
sive years, shows that 931 bears were killed here dur- 
ing that time. In 1877 21 bears were killed, $5 bounty 
being paid on each. In 1878 45 bears were killed, the 
bounty being $5 on each. In 1879 18 bears were killed, 
m 1880 30, 1881 27, 1882 so, 1883 53, the bounty on all 
these being $8. 
However, on Nov. 16, 1883, Darwin L. Weeks, Super- 
visor of Schroon, moved that on and after January i, 
1884, the bounty on bears be fixed at $10 for each bear 
killed. The motion was adopted 10 to 7. And it will 
save time and space to say that from January i, 1884, to 
the present date (over twenty years), Essex county has, 
without shadow of turning, paid a bounty of $10 on each 
hear killed. In 1884 there were 41 bears killed, 1885 57, 
1886 39, 1887 26, 1888 38, 1889 31, 1890 ^i, 1891 51, i^a 
46, 1893 40, 1894 55, 1895 20, 1896 33, 1897 39, 1898 29, 
1899 25, 1900 34, 1901 21, 1902 35. 
Dividing the twenty-six years into halves, it will 
readily be seen that during the thirteen years from 1877 
to 1889, inclusive, 463 bears were killed, an average of 
36 5-13 each year. By a similar process it is found that 
during the last half of the given time, from 1890 to 1902, 
inclusive, 478 bears were killed, an average of 36 10-13 
each year. It is thus proved by official figures— public 
records ever open to inspection and scrutiny— that bruin 
has not only held his own, but has, apparently, shown 
a slight increase during the past few years. And that 
bruin is having the opportunity to increase may partly 
be accounted for by the fact that Elijah Simonds, "Sam" 
Sanders, Max Tredo, and several other noted and suc- 
cessful bear hunters, have. been called to the "happy hunt- 
ing ground" within the last few years ! 
While the figures are not at hand for the year 1903, 
I can state positively that bruin was never more in evi- 
dence throughout this section during my residence here 
of thirty-eight years than last summer, no sign of the 
"growing scarcity" being detected. 
Various writers have stated that the close season for 
bears should be from May i to September 30 because the 
fur is worthless. Such writers are, of course, unaware 
that fur is good on a bear up to July i, and that some of 
the best bear skins are obtained in June. 
The writer notes that at the eleventh annual meeting 
of the Adirondack Guides' Association held at Saranac 
Lake, January 13, a resolution favoring the protection of 
black bear was adopted by a vote of 23 to 12. There 
were 50 guides, or rather members of the association 
present. Questions: Why did they not all vote? If 
they had all voted, would the resolution have gone 
through? And again, the Saranac Lake region is not 
noted for sheep raising. And if the majority of the guides 
or rather members of the association then at Saranac 
Lake favor protecting bears that is their business, and 
they have a perfect right to vote j.s they see fit. 
Now, it is well known that a lie v/ill travel further 
than the truth. However, it is equally true that "trnih 
crushed to earth will rise again." It may be that men 
who .spend a few days in the Adirondacks in summer 
time know more about existing conditions than those who 
have lived with bears all their lives. The city boys eay 
Essex county is the only county in the State which pay's 
a bounty on bears. This bounty paying, however, is 
Essex county's business. It is home rule exemplified. 
The writer is the owner of wild land inhabited by 
bears, but lest he be accused of working on "commercial 
grounds," he will here state that no bear has .suffered at 
his hands since 1886. This is simply a reciial of plain, 
unvarnished facts about existing local conditions, stand- 
ing up for home rule, something the writer believes in 
from the word go. The people of this section are over- 
whelmingly opposed to protecting bear at this stage of 
the game. Lastly, don't jam this bear preservation busi- 
ness down our throats against our will. If you must 
have the black bear preserved in other sections, please 
exempt Essex county, as we have too many for com- 
fort or convenience now. If the bear preservation bill 
become a law, taking in Essex county, I won't answer 
for the consequences. The anti-deer hounding law, kept 
on the statute books of the State in spite of the almost 
unanimous protest of the people living in the 'Adiron- 
dacks, has been violated without stint during the past 
few years. This ought to be a lesson. Don't outrage 
home rule again and thereby place a premium on per- 
jury and invite the violation of law, because a farmer 
who catches a bear killing one of the few sheep he has 
left will do what he can to protect his dwindling flock — 
law or no law. George L. Brown. 
The Birds of Nantucket. 
New: Bedford, Mass., Jan. 22. — Inclosed may interest 
you. It is part of a letter from Woods Holl, Mass., in 
The Morning Mercury of this city, and of this date. 
F. L. P. 
The sea fowl and birds that make their homes about 
Nantucket are suffering from starvation, according to re- 
ports received from there this morning. Hundreds have 
been found dead along the iccrbound shores of the island, 
and they are suffering for food so badly that they fly 
into the houses, and many have been picked up nearly 
dead in the main streets of , the village. 
Even the crows have suffered for food, and seteral 
of them have been found frozen in the streets. Two big 
ones were found in front of a store there a few days ago. 
One of them died of starvation, while the other survived, 
after being tenderly cared for, and is now in a big cage 
in the shop window. 
The sea fowl present a pitiful sight as they limp about 
on the ice in the harbor, which covers their feeding 
grounds. Hundreds of them are being shot as a matter 
of mercy, to end their sufferings. These birds must ob- 
tain food from the harbor bottom or along the shore in 
order to sustain life, and so general is the freeze-up that 
they cannot find an open spot through which they can 
dive for nourishment. 
The quail and rabbits which are found in large numbers 
in the moors of the island it is believed will be exter- 
minated if a thaw does not soon follow. Already large 
numbers of them have been found on the outskirts, and 
the residents say that the birds cannot endure the ex- 
treme cold much longer. The whole island is covered 
with a glare of ice, something which was never before 
known there. Owing to the great scarcity of grain on the 
island, it is impossible to feed the quail, which do not 
take kindly to the food on which the sparrows and other 
birds could sustain life. 
It is feared that the quail and other birds about here 
will all die of starvation as the result of the extreme cold, 
and the ice covered woods and fields. 
Sea fowl in great flocks may be seen all along the 
shores of Buzzard's Bay seeking the few open places in 
the ice, and the gunners have killed hundreds of them. 
In a small opening in the ice, near the Buzzard's Bay 
bridge, this morning one gunner counted 75 "whistlers," 
and he said that for two weeks past the place, which has 
been open by the swift running tide, has been alive with 
them. 
