The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-23


The record Of accidents through the careless
use Of firearms this season is very much in eG-
cess Of former years. The accidents are not
confined TO any particular part Of the Union.
East and West have contributed equally. That
only one man should have been killed during
the recent deer-huntine season on Long Island
upsets the theory Of chances. Instead Of one, at
least ten killed or wounded would have been
only a fair proportion. considering the excitsble
and reckless men who took part In the hunting.
onn,rrod u1paa enS sSdnsina unaeb ~ Wsw
Brunswick. N. j., on Thanksgiving Day. In this
case, through the premature discharge OF a gun
In the hands of a gunner at the traps, one man
was killed and two wounded among the specta-
tors In the rear. The explanation given of this
which was OF tho hammer variety, snapped down
the barrels toward the breach instead OF bring
OF closing the gun. This. however, does not ex-
plain why the trap shooter should have con-
sidered 1t necessary to point the weapon In the
direction Of the spectators.
Attention has been called to the presence OF
canvasback ducks near and about Fire Island
Inlet on Long Island. Some of the oldest bay
men Whereabouts. according to reports in the
newspapers, do no. recall having seen these
birds in the Great South Bav ever before. While
this may be true as regards the immediate
vicinity OF Fire Island, many canvasbacks
are killed almost every season In the East
Bay, Il continuation OF the Great South Bay,
about twenty-five miles from Fro Island. Three
Susqueianna flats were covered with sand
from the exceptional %freshets In that river,
grounds for canvas6acks, a body Of three
or four thousand of these ducks remained
all winter in the East Bay, which was almost
continuously open. Few were killed, as the use
of batteries Is prohibited there. 1t Is a mistaken
idea that the canvasback duck feeds exclusively
either of these II contents itself with the crus-
taCm found in brackish or. fresh water.
than those Of any other Of the diving species.
The best canvasback shooting this season is
found in Corpus Christi Bay. Texas.
Within a few years a new form Of amusement
has arisen which has given to those who follow
It much OF the pleasure afforded by the sports Of
the field without the %reproach OF i~nflictinR pain
or injury upon the objects of their pursuit. This
Is the pursuit of those amateur photographers
who, equipped with a camera, have developed
all the skill Of the hunter in tracking to the
depths of the woods, in the open or upon the
mountains, large and small game, and have Sc
cured the most accurate records of their form
and movements. The patience and perseverance
which have been essential in procuring these
ture be- no longer essential, II ali that
IL claimed for a recent invention Is veri-
fed in actual practice. This invention is an
attachment to the camera. which, it is claimed,
enables the operator to transfer the image to the
sensitive plate with distinctneSs and fulness
OF detail nj the distance OF half a mile. more or
less. IL this invention is a success the field Of
m fns phoe0s5" ~ Wild Fdip %Simsi snd II Ira hse l iGr% Wi, 1P Ss
greatly enlarged, and results far In advance of
those heretofore obtained may be hoped for.
will be OF especial value in recording the varied
positions of the wings of birds in flight.
For amateurs and others interested In the
varieties OF bird life to be found within fifty
miles OF New York, a guide has been prepared
by Mr.. Chapman. assistant curator OF the
Department OF Mammalogy and Ornithology of
the Museum Of Natural History In this city. It
will be q surprise to many to,learn how largely
bird life is represented within so limited q
distance of a city of the size of New York. and
In a territory SO densely populated. The species
number 34S, consisting Of 30 permanent resi-
dents, De summer residents, IL summer visi-
tants. 80 winter residents, 16 winter visitants.
81 regular transient .visitants, 80. irregular
transient v%lsitants' and 80 accidental visitants.
In the limits mentioned is largely due
to the fact that the coast, line and the Hudson
twice yearly: Another reason for this album
dance OF bird life is that the country about New
hand a humber OF birds which are found no fur
foSr fG no Further r I Ps SOUTH snf "'n Even npe under ws such are fae
vorable circumstances 1t Is observable that with
each succeeding year. within, the range record
ed, the number OF each of the species Is on the
decrease.
In Germany most Of the inland waters, which
are well stocked with fish. are held by proprie-
tors whose tenure is exclusive. One such lake,
at TeGensee, in Bavaria, is owned by Duke
TheOdor in Bavaria. Any person may fish in
this lake upon the payment OF a license fee and
so much a pound for the fish taken. This latter
condition is one which might be adopted with
advantage by game and fish clubs here. To the
-- -l
make good deficiencies OF revenue arc by no
means unfamiliar. These assessments arc duo
mainly to an excessive allowance OF game or
fsh TO each gun or rod. Under these con-
dItions the depletion of preserves ponds,
many was applied and EACH member was
for fsh taken Or !" Killed. ff It would Inspire
conservatism and probably, obyiate the neces-
chimerical suggestion is proved by a case in this
country where THIS system Is applied with tho
one OF the best and most powerfui of the gamc
preserve organizations Of this country, provides
IN one OF It's rules that, all game killed shall be
shall have the first right, after the requirements
of the club are provided for, to buy a portion OF
is in addition To annual dues and maintenance
At the club house during the stay OF a member.
To the numerous anglers who have visited
Paris, and have observed the French fishermen
angling with rod and Inns from the many brid ges
and quays OF the Seine, and are fsmiliar
with tho wild enthusiasm aroused by catching
one little gudgeon. the blowing story. which
comes from France, may not be devoid OF inter-
est. 1t appears that during the many years that
a certain fishing club has held angling rights in
a stream near Paris the taking Of a single fish
was not recorded until recently. A few months
ago il vas discovered that a solitary barbel inhab-
tied the river. The fish, was care full located and
GTatings were placed above and below. combining
II within close limits. All the members of the
club were notified and active angling ensued.
As soon as one angler took the barbel Il WAS re-
turned 10 the water, TO give an opportunity TO
the other competitors. In this way The fish was
taken many times, some members capturing IL
more than once, In the end the harbel died OF
exhaustion, and with its death the piscine re-
sources OF the clubs river came 10 an end.
From ancient files of The SUN this story may
be exhumed by anglers OF the future who
through the unchecked depletion OF our streams
may meet with q similar experience.
What is announced as a very important meet
ing OF the New York State Association for the