Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-10-04


game of the district almost as his own
hocks and herds, it is natural that the
matter should seem different During
the whole winter he has fed the roes at q
considerable expense he hiss perhaps
postponed the telling OF part OF the
wood because no knows that It contains
the nest Of black cock or an auerhahn,
aud be is by no means inclined to look
quietly on while the beasts OF the
field and the fowls of the air fatten
on the harvest of bis e1ertions.
The msrten is a gournand. In the early
spring he lives chiefly upon eggs, later
on he preys upon the leverets, uniiedgeo
birds. and weak young creatures OF
every kind. he is far too dainty to touch
the flesh Of his victim at this season he
simply drinks the blood while 1t IS still
warm and goes his way. He has no OBJ
lection to treat n domestic fowl in a
similar manner If he can get into hen
house and does not find enough fresh
eggs 10 gorge his yoracious appetite. In
winter he attacks even larger game.
Nothing is more hopeless than roe
after a heavy snowfall at every step his
hoofs break the thin crust Of ice, and Sc
he has to wade through the Solo
mass. Hour by hour the marten glides
over the surface OF the snow beside or
close behind him. till the hunted crea-
ture is falrly exhausted then It's pursuer
springs upon its neck. bites the lugular
VEN, and sucks ont its very life. IN
winter foxes hunt in similar way, but
they break the spinal cord and eat NJ
least part of the flesh instead OF drink
ing the blood Of their victims. II times
are hard they bury the rest Of the car
cass, but they greatly prefer fresh meat
For the birds Of prey 1t may at least
be urged that they do act "a natural
scayeneprs. This year IN many parts OF
the Austrian Alps the ayaanches broke
new paths for themselves, carrying down
large quantity OF well-grownfor trees
and overwhelming whole herds OF cha
rlnisand deer. When the masses Of snow
began 10 melt in the more lonely valleys
ravens and birds Of similar tastes might
always be seen lowering above them.
They were waiting for the dead bodies
to come 10 light in order that they might
devour them. But nature does not
always supply 50 harmless though ro-
pulsiye q meal: and when 4 IS wanting
poaehing begins. 1t is especially during
the breeding season that their depreda-
tons are serious, for then their families
have 10 be provided for, and there arc
many helpless young animals about
Thus the remains OF eight young roes,
twelve chamois kids, and several lambs
were found beside an eyre which con
tanned two unhedged eagles, IN Cam
tina, 1897.
The destruction OF these wild birds
and beasts is. therefore, ore OF the chief
duties Of a forester if careiuliy-pre-
served estate IA committed TO his care.
Both poison and traps are well known.
but the elder generation regard them,
particularly the former, with dislike.
They seem to thinl, that they are taking
an unfair advantage Of brother sports.
man by employing such underhanc
means Of getting rid OF him. Ine old
methods are, therefore, still In full use
aud they are by no means unsuccessful
To shoot fox seems unch!yalrous, 70
say the lei.st. but IN country where
hunting Is impossible It IS perhaps the
most polite waY OF putting an end to ltS
existence. This rs done III the following
way. A room - prepared III some Oh
mill or clubhouse that lIes outside the VII
lage and Can be heated at least 10y an iron
stove. At u convenient distance, say
from thirty to sixty yards, occord'
ing to the nature of the ground
carrion is from tho earliest VIA
ter thrown out upon the snow
This attracts the foxes and watch.
man informs the master OF the room a.
what hour OF the night they usually aP-
pear. When the moon Is near the iuu
he seats himself il his ambuscado aDoui
an hour before the appointed time.
There must be no light, AMI con7cria'
ton can only be carried on ia q whisper.
When the fox appears be seems 10 nn'
trained ewes little more than a shadow
on the snow, but tins hslf slgnt ot him
is usually enough for his enemy. should
no be missed he viii not return % tho
same place till new snow has fallen.
The larger birds OF prey are often shot
in q similar manner, though when they
are concerned more labor and dncom-
fort are involved. Some small hat which
lies high among the rocks and IS used ia
summer by the herdsmen or tho ie!lefs
OF timber j. hired, and dead auimeIs arn
exposed as convenient distance. Any
one who comes down the mountain side
IL usually ready 10 LIT tho sportsman
know II the carcasses have been touched,
and. II such chance news should fail 10
can easily satisfy himself by visiting the
place. When be IL convinced that the
expected guests have duiy put III
tnsir appeartuce he leaves hls home az
such a time as Will allow nina TO reach
the hut an hour before dawn. Such =
. ut excursion over the frozen snow re-
l0ires considerable local knowledge and
some skill in mountaineering, and when
tho destination 10 reached it IS BY 10
means a palace Of delight The huts
can rarely be- heated Ia any way, and, IT
thew could. il would be Of little use. as
the sportsman must sit with his window
open. A raven or an eagle Will oe
frightened away by the mere opening OF
a easement 10 which. il il be done quietly.
the fox pays no attention. 81 is nov
perfectly still Ground. and the sLsr3
are the only lights that are to be
seen. At last gray streak appears in
the east. and soon afterwards a dark
mass hoyers or pouncss down on toe
feast that has been trescherously spread
for him. The light is still too din 10
admit OF a certain aim but # the sports
man is young and keen he vii probably
try his luck. Should the bid fall he
lets il lie quietly in order not to AWAKEN
ths suspicion OF newcomers. In this
way three or four large birds may oeca-
sionally be 5agged in a single morning.
In the evening twilight a shot may oc-
casionally be obtained, but this is com
parstively rare.
or snrinO mornings more original