The Wilmingtonian., 1885-04-25
BIRDS AND FISH.
THE CONDITION OF GAME IN
THIS STATE.
Dirds Almost Extinct, nnd the
Fishery Laws dis
Obeyed.

40 to so miles of town, about Dover an! be,
low, and many of our sporting men ignore
the Peninsula altogether and go to Virginia
and Maryland,
In this state we never had any pheasants,
but Is years ago they were plentiful in
Chester county. Now it is supposed that
all through that county not one could be
found, they ale totally extinct. OF course
this fact is to be ascribed to the settling up
of the country and its gradual reclamation
from the condition of Il wilderness. Pheas-
ants will not lie around cultivated ground.
The general fact is that in the State of Del |
aware game is fast becoming extinct, though |
instances of the different varieties of our
reathercd game still exist Wild pigeons
have almost disappeared. No pigeon roosts
are seen now as they were seven or eight
years ago.
OF the numerous attempts at acclimat iza-
ton in this state, of foreign birds, none of
them show indication of success.
Chambers Kemble discovered coyey OF
Messna quail four years ago, near George
town, but has seen none since. There were
| 5000 quail and prairie chickens imported
into this state. Still, within the last ten
years there has been distinct and gradual
reduction in the quantity of birds seen by
sportsmen. Only five years ago, in parts Of
Chester county there were places where
coveys Of partridge OF quail could be struck.
They are now quite scarce even in that fa-
vored locality. Those that are flushed are
runners that is they do not nest or
belong to tn&t spot, but arc migrating or
passing eastward to the water.
One thing favorable TO Delaware gunners
is its fortunate location Binds from Penn
sylvania, moving in the direction towards
the sea coast pass through our state. Par
fridge run till they get to the water, there
they stop ami accumulate. 1t is considered
by sportsmcn here that hawks kill more Of
this kind Of game than gunners do. No
~ species Of LEGISLATION would be hailed with
greater delight BY foWlers ihan the intlo-
duction of some enactment fixing a bounty
for hawks scalps. 1t is suggested tuaU our
young amateurs give some attention to this
vernin, They are quite numerous at pres
in the immediate vicinity Of the city. Last
week during stroll along the New Castle
causeway the writer saw several beating
along the marshes on either side Of the
road
Fishing, in this state, is in Il much better
stricter, and better carried out. OF course,
reference is made only to that branch of the
art invoked by the disciples Of the gentle
Izaak.'
Though tile state laws are tolcraby well
observed in regard to fishing, there are
some facts with which the authorities should
not pretend to be ignorant. Thcle is law
in this state against using s,inc at any
time.
Yet suines may be seen at work in forbid.
den localities almost at any time. The law
says that a seine may not be dr(ted in the
Brandywne or the Chrstiana, or within on,
: | ~, ,,r
purpose of the law was to give the fish, shat
for instance, an opportunity TO so up tn,
river to spawn. These fish always seek th'
shallow water of the creek mouths for thi
purpose.
n This is the time when the fishermen pu
II out their senes. To this fact, of fishing 70
# shad with a seine net, during the spawning
i season, sporting men attribute, and YER
e properly too, the present and Increased scar
l. city of this valuable fish.
l. 1t is a matter of great importance that t
n laws for the preservation of game be rigidl
Of carried out. However in Delaware til
y state Of anomalies, it is not surprising t
* hear that the very first victim Of prosecutiu
= under the recent game protection enactment
q was no less person than one of the higbes
OF officials Of the Same Preservation Society
s who was muicted in the courts, in iiue {
$40 for inirac' ion Of the game laws.
1d AS the law stands now any farmer or lal
Is ded proprietor can shoot birds in season an
out Of season, aud give his friends the SAN
privilege as long as he kills OF catches thel
On his own land. If lie finds covey
birds, even i'll the breeding season, he ca
kill every one of them. The regrettab
fact is that there are spme men sufficient
unsportsmanlit to make full use Of tn
!, opportunity.
In Pennsylvania tn game laws allow IL
ra body to shoot birds out of SEASON. III
to sportiugmen of Delaware are unanimous
~ asking that the same laws be introduce
sts here AS the law stands now there is f
yoring distinction made, in regard to wi
birds which Should be public property,
Of. favor Of the landed proprietor, aud the birt
mt are virtually privat property. 1t is clear