brought in the ducks, and I have made 
some pretty good shots, As for shatter- 
ing, I brought down three out of a flock 
of four at about thirty-five yards with 
one shot, using number six shot. As 
for reaching out and getting them, I 
brought down a lone duck out on the 
Eyak Flats, at a distance of about sixty 
yards, with the same load, and the 
duck’s breast was pretty well torn. I 
find the twenty a very neat little gun, 
and it has done well on ducks and 
grouse, also rabbit. And I have all the 
confidence in the world that it will do 
as well on geese as the twelve. Why 
shouldn’t it? It has the same powder 
charge as the lightly loaded twelve, it 
has less shot per load, of course, shoots 
a little closer, but where does the sport 
come in where your shot scatter all over 
the range? All that the twenty needs 
is publicity. _It deserves it. What do 
you say, twenty-gauge owners? Let’s 
give the twenty the chance it deserves. 
The duck and goose season is closed 
here now, but when it opens I will get 
some snapshots of some of the results 
I get with my twenty and send them to 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
G. R. McVICKER, 
Mile Seven, Alaska. 
Striking Position of the Rattler 
DEAR FOREST AND STREAM: 
HEN we were locating the Bur- 
lington Railroad across the plains 
of Wyoming and Montana, we stirred 
up a good many rattlesnakes. We 
stepped on these snakes ‘at times when 
they were hidden in the grass. The 
sensation given one is much the same 
as stepping on a garden hose.. As we 
always wore puttees or heavy leather 
legging, this protection proved suffi- 
cient. 
I had some curiosity as to the posi- 
) 
‘DEAR FOREST AND STREAM: 

Rattler coiled, getting into striking position. 
tion these snakes asume when angry 
or about to strike. Running onto a 
nice big plump rattler, neatly coiled up 
with the tip of his tail erect, and, as a 
warning, giving a mild rattle, we ap- 
proached near enough to take his pic- 
ture. I then secured a long stick, prod- 
ded the snake until he became angry 
and assumed the tense and venemous 
attitude shown in the second picture. 
The snake was then dispatched by 
a moderate stroke on its head, as is the 
custom, in order to rid the country of 
what is a constant menace to man and 
beast. 
E. GILLETTE, 
Sheridan, Wyo. 

Agreeing With Mr. Vickers 
WOULD like to back up Mr. Vickers 
in his March letter on the porcu- 
‘pine. 

twp Rattler in aggressive attitude, ready to strike. 
* 
352 
‘bush. 
I could cite several cases where the 
porcupine has saved lives in northern 
Ontario, but one will suffice. 
The incident occupied great atten- 
tion in Toronto not very many years 
ago, because the gentleman who took 
part in it was well known. This man, 
who was a doctor, went away to north- 
ern Ontario for a vacation in July. 
Unfortunately, he became lost in the 
brush and for three weeks airplanes 
and search parties patroled the woods 
day after day. At length he was given 
up as dead and the parties returned 
along with the planes. However, the 
doctor surprised the province by walk- 
ing into a little town three weeks later. 
When questioned, he stated that he had 
lived on raw porcupine, since he had 
no matches. He also stated, that hav- 
ing no rifle, he had to kill them with 
a stick. This statement can be proven 
by either the Toronto Telegram or the 
Toronto Star. — 
While in the district around Parry 
Sound last year, I had the pleasure of 
meeting this gentleman of the quills 
‘and the only thing I received was a 
boot full of quills and then he rolled 
into a ball and later bounded into the 
I also learned that in this dis- 
trict he -is called the ‘“Traveler’s 
Friend.” 
Why should people wish to kill the 
porcupine when he is harmless and is 
not like the skunk, weasel, mink, etc.? 
He commits no damage except around 
camps. 
On the whole Mr. Porky is a friend 
of man and should be allowed to live in 
peace. 
Wo. Harris, 
Toronto, Canada. 

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