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V lave Our Birds and Game. 
 
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 Copy 2 
 
 Methods Whereby Game and Wild Birds 
 Can Best Be Protected and Cared For. 
 
 Recommendations as to the Trapping and Care of Quail. 
 
 JOSEPH KALBFUS. 
 Secretary of Game Commission. 
 
 HARRISBURG: 
 O. E. AUGHINBAUGH, PRINTER TO THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA 
 
 1910 
 
%*,"^- 
 
 ^\ Commontoealti) of Pennsipltjania. 
 
 yy 
 
 (Xh 
 
 OFFICE OF THE 
 
 BOARD OF GAME COMMISSIONERS, 
 
 HARBISBURG, PA. 
 
 Jan. 1, 1909 
 
 Dear Sir: By act of Assembly, it is made the duty of the Board 
 of Game Commissioners to protect the game and wild birds of this 
 State, I take it this duty extends beyond matters specifically men- 
 tioned in the statute. That the purpose of the law is to save the 
 game and wild birds from extinction, and that it is as much my 
 bounden duty to protect the game and wild birds from destruction 
 through the agency of four footed animals, predatory birds, or the 
 <elements, as it is to say these same things shall not be taken by 
 man, except under the letter of the law. I cannot believe that the 
 Game law is intended for a purpose other than benefit to all the 
 people of this State, or that it is my duty to arrest a poor man who 
 may kill game out of season, when he needs the same for food, and 
 then stand with folded arms and see game of like kind destroyed 
 by storms, vermin, or wild animals, big or little. 
 
 With the idea, then, that it is my duty to give all the protection 
 in my power to the game and wild birds of the State, I desire to 
 make some suggestions. 
 
 I will not attempt in this paper, except in a limited way, to touch 
 upon the value of the life work of the birds. I do want it under- 
 stood, that as the illustration I may use shows the value of the 
 bird named, so each family of our birds has its specialty, each doing 
 a particular work that no other family attempts to do, except to a 
 limited extent. 
 
 Professor Surface, Economic Zoologist of this State, tells me that 
 annual loss to Agriculture, in the United States, aggregates scores 
 of millions of dollars from the ravages of plant lice alone. That 
 
 C3) 
 
if that natural increase of plant lice was not curbed in some way, 
 this world would not be inhabitable by man, at the end of ten years. 
 
 One of the great protectors of plant lice is our common ant, 
 which carries the egg of the plant louse below the frost line in win- 
 ter, carries the young louse out and places it on the plant in the 
 spring, getting therefrom, in return, what is known as honey dew, 
 each, ant protecting and caring for vast numbers of lice, just as the 
 farmer cares for and i)rotects his cattle, for the return they give. 
 
 One of the great destroyers of ants is our common flicker or yellow 
 hammer. This bird is the most terrestrial of all wood peckers, 
 and takes fully seventy-five per cent, of his food on the ground. The 
 exaiuiualion of many of the stomachs of these birds has proven con- 
 clusively that more than one-half of the food of this bird, the year 
 round, is made up of ants, and demonstrated the capacity oT a single 
 flicker to consume several thousand ants at one meal. 
 
 No game bird seems to have a firmer hold upon the public mind 
 than the common quail, or "'Bob White," and a study of this bird, 
 undertaken by the Biological Survey at Washington, demonsti ates, 
 by almost limitless examination and experiment, that the economic 
 value of the quail is equalled by but few birds, and exceeded by 
 none. His food supply is more varied than that of most birds, and 
 is almost without exception, drawn from a source through which 
 nothing but good can result. He consumes many things, such as 
 potato bugs, chinch bugs, the cotton boll weavel, certain caterpillars, 
 spiders and other insects, that most birds avoid, and that, when 
 taken at all by such other birds, are eaten to a limited extent only. 
 Professor Surface says, in his Bulletin of January, 1904: ''No birds 
 on the farm are more valuable as seed eaters and insect destroyers 
 than the common quail." 
 
 In addition to the value of the life work of all game birds, is the 
 value that cannot be expressed in words or figures, of a day afield 
 with gun and dog, and I know there is no sportsman who will not 
 appreciate what I mean, when this is said. There is a benefit de- 
 rived, that no one who fails to indulge in this sport can realize, a 
 benefit that is not drawn through the killing of the birds only, and 
 that comes to no two men exactly alike. The working of a dog speaks 
 in ditterent language to diff'erent men. From the moment the trail 
 is struck until a dead bird, held only by the tip of a wing, is brought 
 and laid at one's feet, all else, business cares and engagements, 
 sorrows and joj^s outside, are alike forgotten, in the work of that dog. 
 
 Three times to my certain knowledge, since I first began to take a 
 special interest in this work, quail, because of severe winters, ravages 
 by vermin, and the slaughter by market hunters, had become almost 
 extinct in Pennsylvania. Three times the sportsmen of this State, 
 as an organization, with a limited number of outsiders, went down 
 
into their pockets and furnished the cash wherewith to buy quail in 
 other States and bring them into this State. 
 
 During February, March and April of the year 1906, the Game 
 Commission purchased and brought into this State from Alabama, 
 about 3,700 quail, paying for same at the rate of nine (9) dollars per 
 dozen, G males and G females. These birds were placed by Deputy 
 Game Protectors in almost every county in the State. The only 
 counties overlooked or passed, being those, like Philadelphia county, 
 not adapted because of its dense population, to the raising of quail, 
 or Cameron county where because of severe winters quail could not 
 live, or counties wherein the people took so little interest in the 
 work of game or bird protection as to either refuse, or neglect, to 
 recommend the appointment of a protector within their borders. 
 Many quail have also been brought into the State by private in- 
 dividuals. 
 
 The same thing has been done for many years, and I feel perfectly 
 safe in saying that were it not for this importation of quail, there 
 would not be one single covey in this State to-day. The killing of 
 these birds for the market has to a very great extent been stopped. 
 So, likewise, have been closed the avenues through which live birds 
 can be secured from the outside. A few years ago quail, for propa- 
 gating purposes, could be secured without limit from almost every 
 State of the South and West. To-day I can count the States upon 
 the fingers of one hand, from which these birds can be secured for 
 any purpose, the supply being limited from these States, and the 
 price three and even five times what it was five years ago. Many of 
 the States that only a few years ago were exporting quail, in ap- 
 parently unlimited numbers, are to-day trying their best to secure a 
 few thousand, or even hundreds, alive for propagating purposes. It 
 is reported that more than 400,000 quail were shipj)ed from Alabama 
 alone during the year 1905. Some 30,000 of this number were shipped 
 alive for restocking purposes. The balance being dead were invoiced 
 to cold storage houses in the North. In 1906 the Legislature of Ala- 
 bama forbade the shipment of quail, either living or dead, out of 
 her boundaries. Thus another State closed its doors against us in 
 this respect. We are forced therefore, into the position where we 
 must protect and save our own birds if we hope to have any in years 
 to come. Aside from statutory enactment, every citizen and lover of 
 the quail has his work to do. I, therefore, beg each individual, I 
 beg the farmers, who derive more benefit from the life work of all 
 kinds of birds than any other class, I beg the sportsman, with his 
 limited benefits of a day afield, every boy and girl, who takes pleasure 
 in our birds, every professed Christian of this State to "not pass by 
 upon the other side." The winter, figuratively speaking, in its most 
 terrible form is indeed at hand for our birds. Don't let them die. 
 
1 assure joii iu protecting them, you are preserving your best friends 
 and beneliting yourselves. 
 
 You may have a few quail in your neighborhood at this time, I 
 beg of you, to be warned in time, care for these few birds before it 
 is too late. It is hard enough for them to battle Avith vermin in the 
 shape of crows, hawks, foxes, cats, weasels, etc., during that time of 
 the year when their food supply is abundant, and they have the 
 protection afforded by trees and bushes in full leaf, of weeds and 
 grasses, all of which protection is denied them now. To-day almost 
 every step they may take in quest of necessary food, is watched by 
 some keen eyed enem3^ You remember how some hawk or house 
 cat or other predatory creature destroyed one, by one, the entire 
 covey of quail, you saw after the season had closed some years ago. 
 Y'ou remember that quail seemed to be everywhere one year, after 
 the close of the gunning season, when along came a series of snows, 
 covering the ground to a depth of several inches, and of course re- 
 ducing the food supply of the birds, l^ou recollect how the snow laid 
 for four, or five, or more, weeks and was followed by a cold rain, 
 lasting for two or more days, ending finally in sleet and followed 
 by zero weather, and this followed perhaps by drifting snows. In 
 the first place the curtailed food supply, consequent upon the snow, 
 greatly reduced the vitality of the quail, so that for the first twenty- 
 four hours, after the rains began, they preferred to sit huddled to- 
 gether, even though their stomachs were empty, rather than face 
 the storm, after that, driven by fiercer hunger, they braved the ele- 
 ments, securing no more food than before the rain began, and then, 
 with every feather dripping, chilled to the bone, with still more 
 greatly reduced vitality, they huddled for the last time, to die 
 of cold, or to be smothered in the drifts that followed. I have seen 
 quail, frozen in the sleet, and their remains along stump fences and 
 under brush piles, when the snows had gone in the spring time. I 
 know whereof I speak, and firmly believe that no power on earth can 
 save our quail at such a time unb ss it be, through trapping and feed- 
 ing them in captivity. Y^ou cannot afl'ord to wait until the rains or 
 the sleet comes, therefore I repeat '*Be warned in time." 
 
 CAPTUEE OF QUAIL. 
 
 The law at this time permits the capture of quail from the first 
 of January to the first of April following, for the purpose of keeping 
 them alive during the winter and the additional purpose of separating 
 a covey, but for no other purpose whatever. (See section 30 of the 
 act of May 1st, 1909). And any method through which this can be 
 accomplished without injury to the birds may be used. They may 
 be led into a trap or net (see cut), by line of buckwheat or screen- 
 
ings or other food, mid after being captured they may be easily kept 
 in cages or coops of proper dimensions (see cut attached). 
 
 Find where the birds are in the habit of feeding or running, set 
 your net or trap in such place. 
 
 Notice the strips running lengthwise of net. Their purpose is to 
 widen that part of the net resting on the ground. Without them 
 every particle of food can be taken by the birds without going into 
 the net. 
 
 Notice the light board with cross strips laid in the funnel of the 
 net as shown in front view. This board while not absolutely neces- 
 sary, is a great help in leading the birds into said net. The cross 
 strips hold the food and help the birds to find the opening in the 
 funnel. 
 
 Sparrows can well be taken through the use of the same method 
 if the mesh is small enough. 
 
 Always keep a sharp watch over your net when it is set, making 
 it a ooint to look it over frequently each day, otherwise you may 
 causi the destruction of the covey you hope to preserve, for when 
 quail are thus caught in a net they fall easy victims to the attacks 
 of cats, weasels, hawks or other predatory creatures. 
 
 Eemember it is a violation of the law to trap or net quail for any 
 pur};ose, excepting that of keeping them alive during the winter or 
 for the purpose of separating a covey. All quail thus taken must 
 be released as soon as the weather is suitable in the spring. The 
 penalty for catching quail in this manner for any other purpose than 
 that above stated as fixed by section 15 of the act of May 1, 1909, 
 is fifty dollars for each offense. This is simply for the taking of the 
 birds in any manner excepting with a gun. There is also a penalty 
 of twenty-five dollars for each bird taken out of season. 
 
 CAEE OF QUAIL IN CAPTIVITY. 
 
 A good plan is to secure a good size room, say fourteen feet by 
 fourteen feet, being sure all openings whereby rats or weasels can 
 enter are closed. Cover the windows with woven wire and leave 
 it open so that plenty of fresh air will be given. The quail is a very 
 hardy bird and is not liable to freeze, so long as it has plenty of 
 food and is kept dry. I recommend that the birds be confined in 
 boxes or coops especially provided for that purpose, said box to be 
 placed in the room previously made vermin proof and well ventilated. 
 
 A good box or coop (see cut) can be cheaply and easily made by 
 taking two boards, say four feet in length and nine inches in height 
 (1) not too high or too low. Nail crossways to these two boards 
 other boards, say two and one-half or three feet in length (2), so 
 that the short board will form the bottom and the long boards the 
 
s 
 
 sides of the proposed coop or box. Board up one end (3) placing 
 wire netting, one inch mesh, on the other end. (4) First inserting 
 a strip at the top of that end. (5). This strip serves the double 
 purpose of a support to the sides and a foundation upon which to 
 tack your wire. Eighteen or twenty inches from said wire end, 
 fasten crossways in said form a board the same width of side boards, 
 (G), thus making two compartments. From the middle of this board 
 to the middle of the rear end and running parallel with the sides 
 fasten a second partition (7), thus making three compartments to 
 the box. Before nailing the first described partition cut two open- 
 ings. (8), about four inches b}' four inches, placing them so that 
 they will come about the middle of the front end of each of the 
 rear compartments, the purpose being to permit the quail, when 
 frightened or disturbed to retreat through these openings into rear 
 opening that will, when finished, be comparatively dark. Attach 
 the blocks thus sawed out, with hinges, leather or otherwise, to 
 serve as doors, so that the birds can be confined in either or both 
 of the rear compartments as desired. 
 
 You are ready now to affix the roof or cover of the coop w^hich in 
 all instances should be made of some rough, course cloth, such 
 as can be obtained by ripping the sewed side and end of a coffee 
 sack. Cut this cloth, so that it will extend over both ends and 
 sides of the box, at least three inches in all directions. Tack a light 
 strip, (9) say one inch square, to the edge of this cloth, that will 
 fall over the sides of the box. Adjust cover so that it extends 
 equally over all parts, then tack securely to the middle division, 
 the one running lengthways. No. 7. You then have a cover that 
 can be turned back from either side to the middle. The birds can 
 be driven to eitlier side comi>artment and the door fastened wiili a 
 button. By turning back the opposite side, the box can be* easily 
 and readily cleaned. The birds are to be fed and watered in coiii- 
 })ai'tnu'nt I:aviiig wire front. 
 
 My mellMid of watering is io affix tin boxes or Irougbs to eiilier 
 side of this compartment. These troughs are attached so tl.at they 
 are half inside (10) and half outside of said compartment and about 
 four iiK l;es from the floor. The boxes are so afifixed that tliey can 
 be taken out at pleasure for cleaning purjwses. I find that if 
 these wateiiug h'oughs are jdaced too near the floor, the quail, which 
 are grraf >;( ratchers, will keep them c(mstantly filled with dirt. 
 
 In atlixing water troughs I make a tin box, (11) say three inches 
 deei>, fov.r incl:es wide by ten inches long, soldering on each end about 
 one-tliii-d lenj^th across said ends a small piece of tin, (12) say two 
 inches in length. This prevents the trough from slipping too far 
 into the box, and serves as a fastening through the use of a button 
 or tack or other appliance that may be considered best. To adjust 
 a trough of this kind I make measurement of same on the box, ex- 
 
\) 
 
 actly where I desire to introduce it. I bore an inch hole at each end 
 of tliis measurement and saw out strip from, hole to hole, as near 
 an inch in width as possible. (13). From each of these holes, ex- 
 actly where the end of the trough will come and so same can be in- 
 serted therein, I make a saw cut at right angles with and above said 
 first named cut, (14) these cuts being about twice as long as trough 
 is high, all together making a figure something like the cut attached, 
 No. 13 and 14, second view. If the cuts are made to correspond with 
 sides of trough there will be no trouble whatever in introducing or 
 removing same at pleasure. If adjusted in this way the troughs can 
 readily be cleaned without danger of having the birds escape, the 
 slot before mentioned being too narrow for a quail to pass through. 
 
 For the purpose of giving more light and air, than would be ad- 
 mitted through the cover alone, I suggest boring one inch holes 
 about three inches apart along the outer sides of rear compartments 
 (15) and partitions, placing these holes about three inches from the 
 fioor, or about breast high to the bird. If placed too high, or where 
 the birds can readily see objects on the outside, they are more 
 easily frightened, than when holes are placed as before indicated, 
 near their feet. 
 
 The sticks or slats attached to the edge of the cloth top can be 
 easily tied with strings to staples driven ito the sides of the box, 
 say one string and staple to each end of said strip and one in the 
 middle. The cloth top can be drawn as tight as you please by means 
 of these strings. Ends can also be tied, thus cutting off all avenues 
 of f .'^'cape. 
 
 In the side of one of the dark compartments I suggest an open- 
 ing with door, in size, about as in the inside partition, (IG) so placed 
 ^hat all parts of said compartments can be reached with your hand 
 thrust through this opening. The birds in this way can be takens, 
 at pleasure, without danger of escape to the remainder of the bunch.. 
 
 I have experimented with a box of this kind and feel confident 
 1 can keep three or even four dozen quail through the entire winter- 
 in a coop of this size and construction. Quail are active and ener-. 
 getic and need plenty of room for exercise. The more room the 
 better for them, and I only suggest this size. Larger boxes can 
 be made if considered necessary. Points to be especially remembered 
 are: 
 
 Points to be Especially Eemembered. 
 
 The birds should always be kept out of reach of vermin. Coojts 
 should be placed where they are safe from house cats. 
 
 The birds should be placed so that the sunshine would be sure to 
 reach them at some time during the day. 
 
10 
 
 They should be kept in a dry, well lighted, cool and airy place. 
 Never in a room artificially heated, or in the dark, or in a damp place. 
 
 They should be fed and watered regularly. Quail are great drink- 
 ers and should not be stinted in their supply of water. See to it 
 that your throughs are large and that plenty of fresh water is sup- 
 plied daily. 
 
 M-ixed food, such as buckwheat, cracked corn, screenings, millet, 
 etc., is best. 
 
 Coops should be cleaned frequently. 
 
 Sand and gravel are as necessary as food. 
 
 Road dust or wood ashes should be supplied at least once a week, 
 otherwise you nuiy have trouble witli lice. 
 
 I think it very important that the boxes or coops should in no 
 instance be higher than twelve inches, nine inches seems to me to 
 be about the correct measure. If the boxes are made too high the 
 birds are very apt to injure themselves in an attempted flight or 
 eft'ort to escape. If too low they are liable to injure the tops of their 
 heads by jumping up against the cover. This disposition of quail 
 to jump makes the placing of a soft cover to the box or coop im- 
 perative. 
 
 I^y this method many more birds will be saved than in any other 
 way, as they will not be exposed to storms and to the attacks of 
 their natural enemies. If a room or coop cannot be secured, hang 
 up bundles of unthreshed grain, wheat, rye, buckwheat, millet, or 
 anything that will supply the need, or, better still, build covers 
 under which they can feed, choosing warm, protected corners along 
 fences for this purpose. A good way is to drive two stakes, say ten 
 feet apart, and ten feet from the fence, lay a rail on the stakes, and 
 rails from the fence to this rail, cover with brush or corn stalks. Be 
 «ure to leave all sides open, so that the birds, if attacked by an 
 ••enemy, such as a weasel, or house cat, can readily make their escape. 
 Build the cover about three feet high, so that while there will be 
 plenty of light and air, it will be almost impossible for a hawk to 
 strike the birds while feeding, which will be done if the cover it too 
 high ; scatter feed both threshed and unthreshed under this cover, 
 see to it that your efforts are not undone by hawks, or house cats, or 
 other predatory creatures. Two or three covers of this kind will 
 serve a good purpose on i\^.y farm, and be followed by a full return 
 for money and labor expended, through the work of the birds. 
 
 Experiences teaches: That the idea of giving absolute protection 
 to quail for a series of years, or to certain coveys on a farm, is not 
 followed by the best results, unless the covey be trapped and sepa- 
 rated, because, frequently two or three or more hen birds will lay 
 in the same nest, the cock birds fight over them, and no hatching 
 be the result. I therefore recommend the trapping of the birds in 
 
» — w 
 
 a- S g. 
 
 B 3 5. 
 
11 
 
 every instance where it is possible, not only for the purpose of keep- 
 ing them alive during the winter, but also for the purpose of separat- 
 ing a covey to increase the chances of propagation. Where the birds 
 are trapped they can well be allowed to run together during the 
 greater part of the winter. Two or three weeks before the\ are to 
 be liberated, divide them into pairs, placing a male and female in 
 a separate box or cage, feed and keep together. The probability 
 is that the birds will mate, in captivity, or at least become so well 
 acquainted that they will mate after their release. This will result 
 in a covey for each pair of birds. By takiiig the cage or box in which 
 the birds are confined, during the night tune, to the place where one 
 hopes to see the birds propagate, taking off the cover or slats, sprink- 
 ling food around, and going away quietly, the birds, when daylight 
 comes, will be induced to come out without fright, will feed, move 
 around, feed again, and remain in that locality, without flying to 
 places where they cannot be looked after, or protected. 
 
 Another good method is to take the birds to be released into the 
 territory where you wish to place them. Take each bird securely 
 in your hand, reach as far as possible into a brush pile and free the 
 bird. A pair, or two, or more, can be placed in this way with very 
 little trouble. In selecting a location for the birds be sure that they 
 are placed near running water and where plenty of cover, such as 
 briars and brush abound. Don't forget to scatter food frequently, 
 say once or twice a week, at least, until the time comes when vege- 
 tation starts and insects become plentiful. 
 
 A little judicious handling and feeding will in all probability 
 keep them there until the young are hatched, and frequently cause 
 them to make that place their permanent home. If the covey you 
 liave trapped is released in pairs, on different days, on different parts 
 of the farm, the probability is tliat they will not call together, but 
 instead, will at once make preparations for housekeeping, with the 
 result that several coveys will be found where you now have but 
 one. 
 
 It is a well known fact that tlie male bird generally leads in the 
 flight. I would suggest, therefore, as a means of keeping a pair of 
 -quail in a certain locality, that about two days before releasing the 
 birds you pluck five of the large feathers from the tip of one wing 
 -of the male bird ; this, while not raking from the bird absolutely the 
 power of flight, will cause it to fly in circles and prevent lengthy 
 flights. The feathers will be renewed in about six weeks; in the 
 meantime the birds will become fixed in the locality, and in all proba- 
 l)ility have housekeeping started. 
 
 Sportsmen and others interested in the preservation of the wild 
 -turkey should see to it that food of sufficient quality, and in sufficient 
 
12 
 
 quantity, be procured and placed during the winter months where 
 it can be secured readily by these, the greatest of all game birds. 
 
 Killing of Wild Birds Other Than Game Birds. 
 
 I understand and appreciate the feeling of the farmer or fruit 
 grower who sees the birds consuming his limited supply of berries 
 or of fruit. I know his disposition to wreck vengeance, especially 
 when he does not understand, that the previous work done by these 
 very same birds, has made the crop upon which they were then feed- 
 ing, possible. 
 
 Some years ago, I arrested a farmer, living in the neighborhood 
 of Harrisburg, for killing a dozen or more robins in his cabbage 
 patch. He swore at the hearing before the Alderman that these 
 birds were deliberately pulling up his cabbage plants, taking hold 
 of them just as they took hold of a ground worm, pulling and hauling 
 until the plant was torn out by the roots, after which it was cast 
 aside, he saw these birds pull up hundreds of his plants, the law 
 gave him the right to kill birds found destroying property and he 
 had shot them. He was perfectly honest in his declarations in what 
 he thought he had seen, but had not gone far enough in investigation 
 to understand true conditions. A careful examination showed, that 
 not a single plant had been torn up as described, the roots of every 
 plant was in the ground, but the stalk had been cut off immediately 
 below the ground line by wire worms, not cut worms, and we found 
 from three to forty or more of these wire worms, around every plant 
 we examined. The birds were casting aside the already' ruined cabbage 
 plants in quest of these worms, wherewith to feed their young and this 
 man had unwittingly killed liis best friends. Those who drafted the 
 law giving |,rotecti<)U to these birds undei stood the great benstit de- 
 rived by the ngiicultinist, and by the horticulturist through the life 
 work of the biids, tliey recognized the fact that the birds in taking 
 U-vM or benics were siiny)ly taking pay for services already rendered. 
 They v.ndei stood how valuable workers in every community were 
 liable to be destroyed by men who did not understand wl;at the birds 
 were really doing, and so they said, that part of prior law which 
 gave men the right to kill birds found destroying fruits or berries, 
 should be stiickcn out of the law, and so it is. 
 
 Trof. Surface, our Eccmcmiic Zoologist, says the best remedy for the 
 bird evil, if it can be so termed, is to plant berry plants and bushes 
 or fruit trees beyond your needs, so that, although the birds may take 
 a goodly share, you will still have enough and to spare. The pro- 
 fessor asserts that the benefit derived from the birds through the 
 destruction of injurious insects repays the farmer many times over 
 for anv or all fruit that mav be taken. 
 
13 
 
 Professor Hornadaj, one of our great Naturalists, says : ''All perch- 
 ing birds should be protected and especially the robin." He asserts 
 that the few berries or cherries they may take are very modest com- 
 pensation for the noxious grubs they picked up from the freshly 
 ploughed field. He says no self respecting man or boy can afford to 
 be guilty of such wrong doing, and no farmer can afford to permit it 
 upon his premises. 
 
 Think of the backaches, and sweat and blistered hands saved 
 through the destruction of insects and weeds by our birds, by helping 
 them you are surely working in your 'twn interest. 
 
 Eabbits Killed Out of Season. 
 
 The law permits the owner, or the lessee, of real estate, or any 
 member of his or their family and those in their immediate employ, 
 as a protection to trees or to growing crops, to kill rabbits upon their 
 premises during the close season for rabbits, but says. If a rabbit 
 thus killed for the purpose of protection to property, is used for ■ 
 food, the person so using it shall be liable to the penalty imposed by 
 law for killing rabbits during the close season. The reason for this 
 change being, that many farmers and land owners used the rights 
 heretofore given, as a cloak under which they hunted and killed game 
 of different kinds, including rabbits, at all times, forgetting that 
 the game of a state belonged to all the people of that state jointly, 
 and that while the land owner had the right to control his property, 
 he did not have the right to hunt and to kill game, at a time when 
 the resident of tlie town, who might not be a land owner, could not 
 so hunt. 
 
 Whether or not it is necessary at any time to kill rabbits for this 
 reason seems to me to be an open question. 
 
 I, some years ago, had an orchard seriously injured by rabbits or 
 mice, or both. Hardly a single tree out of an hundred or more escaped 
 unscathed. As soon as the condition was noticed which was not 
 until many of them had been absolutely ruined, each tree was treated, 
 to the height of about one foot, with ordinary axil grease, that pre- 
 paration being highly charged with coal tar and strychnine. Dead 
 trees were replaced in the spring by. living trees, which were also 
 greased. Several winters have passed since that time and but one 
 single tree has been disturbed, that one a small peach tree, which 
 I have reason to believe, escaped the grease. I presume there are 
 many other effective remedies. I know that a woven wire fence two 
 feet high and one inch mesh will protect the garden from rabbits 
 and have been informed by good authority that rabbits will in all 
 instances refuse to eat anything upon which coal oil has been sprink- 
 led, my informant stating that a mixture of one tablespoonful of 
 
14 
 
 oil (() ii gallon ol' water sprayed over the growing garden, while not 
 in any way atteetiug or injuring the plants, would be most effectual 
 in warding off the attacks of rabbits. This applies to all growing 
 things, trees as well as vegetables. 
 
 The rabbit Alls an important niche in the economy of nature. 
 Aside from the benefits of recreation derived through hunting, he 
 is- a valuable source of food supply to many creatures other than 
 human beings, and owing to the fact that he moves, in the search 
 of food, chiefly in the early evening or at night, is the more readily 
 seen and taken, by the fox, owl, or other night predatory prowler. 
 The more rabbits we have the less liable are foxes and owls and 
 weasels and other animals of this character to prey upon our game 
 or other birds, or upon the farmer's poultry. The more rabbits we 
 have, the less game birds will be killed by the hunter, for the double 
 reason, as I believe, that the great majority of hunters prefer to 
 shoot rabbits, rather than birds, and I know, that when a rabbit 
 hunter and his dog enters an open field or brush lot in the morning, 
 every game bird in that section hikes to tall timber, or more dense 
 cover. The rabbit dog raises the birds too far ahead of his master 
 to be shot, even were he thus disposed. When the bird hunter comes 
 along later, much to his chagrin he finds himself entirel}^ cut out. 
 The rabbit hunter and his dog, are looked upon by the bird hunter 
 about as the sheep man on the plains is viewed by the cattle man, 
 which is with no specially kind feeling or regard, rather the contrary. 
 
 The birds and the rabbits each have their place to fill and are each 
 in their place doing more good than harm. 
 
 POISON. 
 
 We have in this State a law, just and proper, that forbids the 
 placing of poison for the purpose of intentionally killing domestic 
 animals or dogs. The penalty for violation of this act includes 
 imprisonment, as well as a cash penalty. There is still another law 
 that forbids the placing of poison outside of buildings for the pur- 
 pose of killing wild animals or birds. Still, the Game Commission, 
 through its duly authorized agents, has the right under the law to 
 destroy vermin and predatory wild animals and birds harmful to 
 game and other wild birds in such a way, as to them may seem best. 
 
 Experience teaches us that it is next to impossible to reach many 
 of the wild predatory creatures of our State, except through the 
 use of poison. I take it the pur])ose of placing poison may well be 
 judged from the point where it is deposited or the vehicle used to 
 convey it, and, therefore, in attempting to select methods of con- 
 veyance for this remedy, have tried to decide upon certain things 
 not likely to be taken by domestic animals of any kind, or by a dog. 
 
15 
 
 I found that by introducing as much strychnine as will be taken 
 up by an ordinary musket cap into the body of an English sparrow, 
 a mouse, a piece of fish or eel, and dropping same into a stone wall 
 or stone pile, hollow log, or stump along the line of travel of vermin, 
 many animals such as the skunk, the weasel, the mink, and the 
 house cat will be stopped in its predatory career, and such action 
 will add tenfold to the safety of the quail, the wild turkey, the 
 pheasant or any other ground nesting, or ground-feeding birds. The 
 dead body of a rabbit, a chicken, sparrow, or mouse, treated in this 
 way, tied to the end of a stick, say two feet in length, placed in 
 the hollow of a tree near the ground, bait end up, so that the lower 
 portion of the poisoned bait will be above the top of the opening will 
 serve a splendid purpose. Poison may be used in perfect safety in 
 the above ways, the dog not being able to get at it even if so dis- 
 posed, while smaller animals will be able to reach it easily. 
 
 One gentleman recently told me of three weasels he killed in this 
 way with one bait, the bait in this instance being the body of a 
 rabbit, killed by a weasel. A dog is not likely to eat any of the 
 aforementioned bait, even it he should find it in the woods. If placed 
 as directed it will be out of reach, should he pass that way. When 
 the warm rains begin, bait of this kind will quickly be decomposed 
 and rendered harmless, even should it not be taken by vermin. Many 
 L predatory animal and bird will be called down in this way without 
 the aid of a bounty law, or the expense attached thereto. Untold 
 numbers of rats and mice will also be killed, far more in my opinion 
 than would or could be killed by the foxes or weasels, and with no 
 harm to birds, or to any other thing of value to the State. 
 
 A TBAPPER'S SECRET. 
 
 I have been assured that dogs will not eat the flesh of a musk rat, 
 while <afs of all kinds, and foxes are passionately fond of it. I am 
 told, thai if you will catch a number of musk rats, place the skinned 
 carcasses in any suitable recepticle, for carrying, tie one of the car- 
 casses to the end of a string, dragging it as you walk through the 
 woods, or brush lot, a fox, cat, mink, weasel, or skunk traveling 
 around at night and striking this trail will surely follow it to the 
 point where you have prepared your entertainment for him. Every 
 trapper in his travels, sees what he terms ^'likely places for vermin," 
 at each one of these places, the man with the musk rats, builds a cairn, 
 or pile of fairly good sized stones, laid say an inch or two apart, in 
 the centre he places the carcass, or a part of one of his musk rats, 
 and on top a fairlv heavy flat stone, on the outside of this pile of 
 stones where it will be easily found, he places a small piece of musk 
 rat say about the size of the end of your thumb, nicely loaded with 
 
16 
 
 strychnine, the victim finds tliis piece and wastes his time in trying 
 to secure the larger piece inside the stone pile* until it is too late, 
 the carcass is right beside the stone pile and r..)f ;iwa% off in the brush, 
 where it could not be found without a ir <kI tracking snow. This 
 method is worthy of trial by any who are killing vermin for pelts. 
 
 The good done by the crow, through the destruction of mice or 
 in&ects, does not appear to weigh in the balance against the wrong 
 done by these same birds. The rapid disappearance of prairie 
 chicken in Indiana, Illinois and other prairie States of the west is, 
 it is claimed, directly attributable to the crow, that, from morning to 
 night, month in and month out, preys upon the eggs and young of 
 these birds, and has been known, in very many instances, to attack 
 and kill nearly full grown prairie chickens. 
 
 Dr. Warren tells me of a spot in Pennsylvania known to himself 
 where the ground, under a small clump of trees during the laying and 
 nesting time of the wild waterfowl, especiall}^ the mud hen, is covered 
 to the depth of several inches by the shells of the eggs of these birds, 
 all of which were stolen by crows, that, in scores and hundreds, sweep 
 over the marshes in that locality, devouring every egg and destroying 
 every young bird they can find. We all know how the robin and very 
 many other of our small birds, during their nesting time, are driven 
 almost to the window sills of our home by the voracious crow, which, 
 to my mind, destroys individually more birds of all kinds, more birds' 
 eggs and more young poultry, than any hawk that ever Happed a 
 wing. A little corn boiled until swollen and soft, with the addition 
 of a little strj'chuine, will cure the crow of many bad habits. I am 
 told that corn thoroughly soaked in strong salt Avater will have the 
 same effect upon crows. The brine of a mackerel tub is just the 
 thing for this purpose. 
 
 Eemeniber it requires but little salt to kill a chicken, so that corn 
 prepared in this manner should in all instances be so placed in a 
 pile, (m a board, on a i)iece of paper, or in such other manner, as 
 to make its removal easy and complete, after it has served the specific 
 purpose intended. It should never be scattered over a field or be 
 left exposed longer than is absolutely necessary to accomplish the 
 object in view, otherwise you may lose your hens. 
 
 The question of placing poison has been considered in very many 
 phases. Experiments of various descriplions have been tried, some 
 upon chickens, some with ducks, some upon turkeys, some upon 
 quail and upon different kinds of wild birds other than game birds, 
 and upon animals. One gentleman, a prominent physician, told me 
 of feeding nux vomica to a chicken, a common hen, in quantities 
 sufficient to have produced fully fifteen grains of strychnine with no 
 injurious result to the hen. The gentleman saying, the only visible 
 effect so far as he could see, was that the hen appeared to have lost 
 
17 
 
 confidence in liim. Six quail were repeatedly given excessive doses 
 of strychnine, enough, at each time and to each bird, to have caused 
 the death of several men. The birds seemed to have been wholly un- 
 affected by the poison. One of these birds was afterwards killed by 
 having forced into its craw two or three times the quantity adminis- 
 tei'ed in the first instance. Turkeys withstood excessive doses of 
 this poison, while a duck succumbed, after swallowing a small quan- 
 tity. Crows and blackbirds were easily killed by the administration 
 of small doses. I learned from a reliable source that residents of 
 certain countries had for long periods been in the habit of mixing 
 nux vomica with the food given their chickens at certain times— the 
 purpose being to kill hawks— and that while the poison did not 
 appear in any way to affect the chicken, it was sure to kill any hawk 
 that might within the limit of several hours or days, partake of a 
 chicken thus impregnated. While none of these experiments have 
 been carried to an absolute conclusion, they did determine beyond 
 question, that a fixed quantity of strychnine would not affect all 
 animals and birds in the same way. That many birds appear to be 
 absolutely immune to its effects; that they are wholly unaffected 
 by a dose in quantity sufficient to kill several men; and that many 
 four-footed animals are easily killed through the use of this agent. 
 While our protectors found the dead bodies of many animals killed 
 by this poison, they have not yet discovered the body of one single 
 bird, either game or otherwise, apparently determining beyond ques- 
 tion, that strychnine is the solution of the vermin problem, and that 
 when administered as directed by this office in a special vehicle, such 
 as the dead body of a sparrow, or a piece of fish, both of which de- 
 compose quickly, and disappear, placed in a special locality, namely 
 on the wild lands of the State; and at a special time, namely, late 
 in the fall, after the close of the game season, and again early in 
 the spring, nothing but good and benefit to the State can result. 
 
 Eead what Powers and Weigh tman, manufacturers of drugs, Phil a 
 delphia, say upon this subject: 
 
 ''STEYCHNINE." 
 
 "We are occasionally solicited, by persons interested in the poison- 
 ing of wolves, squirrels, gophers, and other destructive animals, to 
 suggest some preparation quicker to act, and more certain in results, 
 than Strychnine ; but, we know of none. 
 
 Strychnine, when of good quality is very active, and excessively 
 poisonous. Its results, as a rule, are quick, uniform, and certain. 
 While this is so, however, and while it operates in the same way upon 
 almost all animals, when the system has been brought decidedly 
 under its influence, (producing violent tonic spasms of the muscles. 
 
IS 
 
 J ike those of tetanus), yet, considerable variation is found in different 
 individuals to resist the poison. 
 
 Some persons are powerfully affected by the smallest doses. One 
 half a grain of Sulphate of Strychnine has produced death in four- 
 teen minutes, while a case is recorded in which recovery took place 
 after seven grains of Strychnine had been swallowed. 
 
 So, in the lower animals, it is found that all are not equally sus- 
 ceptible. One sixth — even on eighth — of a grain, it is said, will 
 kill a large dog. Ten times as much Strychnine is required to kill 
 chickens as other birds, weight for weight; and among mammals 
 the guinea-pig is very insensitive to it. 
 
 Where those interested in the destruction of w^olves, etc., fail to 
 obtain expected results, they are apt to question the purity of the 
 Strychnine; but, we think it may safely be asserted, that the Strych- 
 nine found in our markets is of good quality, and the fault is not 
 with the poison itself. 
 
 Experience will suggest, to the trapper and hunter, more accurately 
 than the manufacturer can do, the required amount to be used, and 
 the best methods of preparing the bait. It will also remind him that 
 more Strychnine is required to kill a large, than a small animal ; that 
 where size is about the same some may be able to resist a dose that 
 would be fatal to others; and that the same animal may not be, at 
 all times, equally susceptible to its power." 
 
 Eemember, the law prohibits the placing of poison by the general 
 public in Pennsylvania. 
 
 Eemember, is using strychnine, that it is a deadly poison, and 
 should in all ways be most carefully handled and cared for. 
 
 TREATMENT OF STRYCHNINE POISONING. 
 
 "The antidote is tannic acid to form the insoluble tannate, or a 
 soluble salt of iodine. Then emetics or the stomach pump, followed 
 by perfect quiet, which is very important. Vomet as quickly and as 
 Ihoroi.ghly as possible. A teaspoonful of common salt to a pint of 
 W'arm (not hot) water makes a splendid and thorough emetic. Drink 
 as much water thus prei)ared as possible, then stick your finger 
 down your throat. Antagonists are chloral, chloroform, chamomile 
 oil, phsostigma, tobacco and potassium bromide, the latter being so 
 slow" of action it is rarely available. The bladder must be frequently 
 evacuated, to prevent re-absorbtion of the poison. 
 
 If poisoned, use any of these remedies that can be the most easily 
 obtained and send for your physician at once." 
 
 Vermin must be destroyed, if we ho])e to increase our small game, 
 or other animals or birds, or our wild birds other than game birds. 
 
 Respectfully yours, 
 
 JOSEPH KALBFUS, 
 Secretarv of (lame Commission. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 002 898 655 5 V