FOREST AND STREAM. 

At the request of ForEsT AND STREAM, a sports- 
Iman’s paper published in the State of New York, 
endeavored to make an approximate estimate of 
‘he number of counties in this State in which 
here still remain prairie chickens in greater or 
ess numbers. From the best data that I could 
potain I reported that there were prairie chickens 
ret to be found in about twenty-five or more 
wf the one hundred and fourteen counties in this 
tate. This is to be regarded as a very satis- 
‘actory showing, in view of the persistence with 
vhich this bird has been hunted; especially when 
it is remembered that there were many timbered 
(;ounties in the State where the bird was not 
\riginally found at all, since they are peculiarly 
n inhabitant of only open prairie lands. 
| Prior to the enactment of the present game 
Jaw, although they were by former game laws 
poe protected, they received, in fact, no 
)rotection at all, and hunters not infrequently 
jegan the pursuit of these birds before they were 
‘alf grown, during which period they were easily 
{illed, even by those not expert in wing shoot- 
ig, as the bird constitutes rather a large target 
nd has a slow and labored flight until it is 
Nally grown and strong of wing. During the 
Jummer and until the late fall the bird will 
eadily lie in cover when pursued, and can be 
losely approached, and with a good hunting dog 
yn entire flock may be killed in one afternoon’s 
funting. In many counties where they were 
sormerly in large numbers the bird has been so 
tadustriously hunted that it has been entirely 
xterminated. However, as stated, there yet re- 
Mains a number of counties where a respectable 
semnant of these birds are still found, even in 
uch thickly populated counties as Pettis, Mon- 
) ¥ 
joe, Clark, Henry and many others which could 
Ne mentioned. 
i The protection of these birds has been empha- 
tized during the administration of the present game 
Haw, and every effort has been put forth to pro- 
gect them until the fifteenth day «f November. 
lhe open season for their shootin.; being from 
'Yov. 15 to Dec. 15 of each year.* If the birds 
an be protected up t» this time they will in- 
rease very rapidly, since after Nov. 15 they 
vill not lie under cover before a hunting dy 
nd seek the open c’ untry, where they can rare 
‘e approached within gunshot range. During 
whe latter part of August and up to the 15th of 
september this office deputized a special warden 
0 visit several counties where the birds are still 
found in considerable numbers, in an endeavor 
12 afford them protection and as near as possi- 
jle report the number of coveys found in the 
dealities visited. He reported that there were 
jome twenty-five flocks of the birds rearing in 
Pettis county, averaging about ten birds to the 
jock. In Henry county there were about thirty 
locks of these birds located and reported, and 
bout a like number in Benton county. 
| Doubtless there were many more flocks that 
were not located, and it is safe to say that any 
is of the three counties mentioned reared about 
fty flocks of these birds, from which it can be 
leen if the bird can be protected for a few 
ijears, they will very speedily multiply and re- 
fain a lodgment in many prairie counties, where 
one were found at the date the law went into 
ffect. The warden mentioned, during the trip 
dhrough the country, also found several instances 
vhere the birds had been killed in violation of 
the law. Evidence against these offenders is 
Aeing accumulated, and we hope to have some 
inpleasant surprises for these offenders, and 
gecure a number of convictions before the of- 
jenses are barred by the limitation of one year. 
Under the Illinois game law these birds were 
rotected for five years, and were not permitted 
o be shot at all; and I have it from reliable 
ource that they have multiplied very rapidly, 
nd those portions of the country where they 
Jhrive the best are again fairly well stocked. 
“he same condition can be broveht about in 
#lissouri. and I believe there should be no open 
eason for five or six years. 
i [*Since the above was written a law was passed pro- 
ecting pinnated grouse until Nov. 15, 1910.—EprTor.] 

W 






SEPT. 21, 1907.] ‘ 443 
| MISSOURI GAME BIRDS. 
THE PRAIRIE CHICKEN, STEEL 
[From the last report to the Governor of Missouri by 
| Game Warden Rhodes.] 
FISHING 
RODS 
The “DEPENDABLE” Rod 
Equal to any emergency, and which stands any reasona- 
ble strain, is the “BRISTOL,” the original, and standard 
steel rod. Light and pliable, with just the right spring 
to it, and ‘plucky in play’’ with the gamest fish. They 
are so good and strong that we guarantee them for 
THREE YEARS. Look for our trade-mark on the reel 
seat or some unscrupulous dealer may try to sell youa 
cheap imitation of a “BRISTOL.” 
Catalog, with illustrations of rods for all 
uses, free on request. 
\ THE HORTON MANUFACTURING CO., 
84 Horton St., Bristol, Conn., U.S. A. 
nN 
aS 


One Dozen 
Assorted 
TROUT FLIE 
Split Bamboo Rods 75c 
3 pieces, extra tip. Fly, 10 feet; Bait, 84 feet. 
I2c STEEL ROD 
Three 
mee $1.50 
Bait, 6, 7, 8, 8% feet; Fly, 9, 9%, 10 feet. 
Automatic Reel, $2.50 
Send for Catalogue (no charge) in which you will find everything in the Tackle Line. 
CHARLES DISCH, 
318 FULTON STREET, - 
The 
BROOKLYN, N. Y 
—__— 
“KINGFISHER” 
Brand of Silk Lines are the kind that stay with the 
job when you hook the big fish—no kinking, no 
snarling, no breaking a silk line that bears the 
“KINGFISHER” Trade-Mark. The “KING- 
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the time. 
“KINGFISHER” Lines. 

stands for quality first, last and all 
It’s the maker’s guarantee. 
Ask your dealer for 
Send for catalogue. 
E. J. MARTIN’S SONS. 
Makers of the 
REMINISCENCES OF A 
SPORTSMAN. 
BY J. PARKER WHITNEY, 
This is a volume of extraordinary interest. 
The author, who is a well known man of affairs, 
and conspicuously successful in large business 
interests, has drawn from his life-long partici- 
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be put aside until finished. 468 pages. Price, 
$3.00 (postage, 25 cents). 
FOREST AND STREAM PUBLISHING CO. 
FILE YOUR FOREST AND STREAM 
We have provided a cloth file binder to hold 26 num- 
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strong, durable, satisfactory. The successive issues thus 


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The binder will be sent postpaid on receipt of one 
dollar. 
FOREST AND STREAM PUBLISHING CO. 
“KINGFISHER” Brand Braided Silk Fish-Lines, 
Rockville, 
Conn. 

WM. LYMAN’S 
RAPID FIRING TARGETS 
FOR RIELES. 
25 Yards, price, I15c. per dozen. 
50 Yards, price, 25c. per dozen. 
CANOE KIDGE, PA. 
The Lyman Targets received. They are the best I 
ever saw. Cuartes Kinc, Gunsmith, 
FOREST AND STREAM PUB. CO., 346 Broadway,New York. 
DISEASES OF DOGS. 

| Nursing vs. Dosing. 
A Treatise on the Care of Dogs in Health and Disease. 
By S. T. Hammond (‘“‘Shadow’’), author of “Training 
vs. Breaking.’’ 161 pages. Cloth. Price, $1.00. 
This work, from the pen of ‘‘Shadow,” will have a 
hearty welcome. It comes from one who writes from full 
knowledge. “The results of more than fifty years of 
experience are here given,” writes the author, ‘‘and I 
assure the reader that no course of conduct is advised, 
no treatment, recommended, no remedy prescribed, that 
has not been thoroughly tried and tested by the writer, 
and is believed to be entirely trustworthy in every re 
spect.””’ Sent postpaid on receipt of price, $1.00. 
FOREST AND STREAM PUBLISHING CO. 

