Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-18
WILD-TURKEY TALK.
THE DECREASE OF THESE BIRDS
IN THE NORTHERN NECK
IND The EXPLANATION THEREOF.
Misunderstanding Dogs Eat the Eggs
Making Preparations for n Merry
Cbristmas-The Scarcity of Proven
der-Briefs.
The
BUSY
CORNER.

CONFORM. KING GEORGE COUNTY,
VA. December T.-(Special)-Since the
scarcity Of wild turkeys in the Northern
Neck and many other parts OF the State
has become a subject of such general
COMPLAINT. your correspondent has been
requested by two widely-circulated news
papers 10 explain, If possible, why TINS
class of game has decreased, while near
ly an small game have increased. The
conclusion reached. after a careful study
end INVESTIGATION Of the subject, is brief
,v this. Tor five years past rabbit-hunting
has been very popular and extravagantiy
INDUCED in, and, consequently, the eoun-
ur has been well-nigh overwhelmed with
"rabtit-days" for several years; and IL
is a weI-known habit of all rabbit
logsr % scan the woods and old heids,,
from the first warm days IN March uHtll
tl. last 90 May. in search or ana 10
feast on. the tiny young rabbits whlch
ra easily caught. While daily hunting
.s infant rabbits, these dogs ma many
wild turkey nests. and, Of course, eat the
C-s The turkeys, easily frightened,
't.rurea" TO some other district lay
more eggs but meet with the same eN-
I...l1ce-aud this egg-eating by the dogs
-.. 9n until the laying season eh0s' WIN
tas result that very few wild turkeys
come into existence. And ii may be saIeiy
Do. .ted that. If mulutudes Of dogs con-
TIME o. run at large through the Forests
during the spring months, wild turkeys
VI be as scarce In Virginia five years
hence as white deers" are now
The people Of this section are Watching
ri. present Congress with. resliessies9
Mat never characterized them during
former session, 50 bitter is the ieeIilg
l.-e against "imperialism.' Ihoush an
classes have been interviewed on the SUP
iacI your correspondent has found but
OBJ. man in all this section who taVors
t. annexation Of the Philippines and'
O.. flr as ascertained. both Republicans
a.. Democrats are outspoken against H.
There is scarcely a house IN when pre-
ial4tl0ns are not being made for Christ-
mas. old and young. rich and poor high
ana OVAL are bestirIing themselves III
l1trus efforts 20 "get ready 1or lhdI
iue "a they do for no other. Many an
ola farmer. who takes no tOdGles except
90 Christmas. must have his "eggnog OF
'h0t-pot" then. and already those little
jugs that have served for many "a christ
mas have been sent 70 town ana hlleu
with tho hest" one old fellow sent 70
town this week his CHRISTMAS Jug
Ha.-h has made the annual trip ana
brought down the chief ingredient, I9r
'u0s thirteen times. and this faithlui
Jug Us never used for any other purpose,
or no any other time. The churches ana
sunday schools are not behind IN thelr
elaborate preparations for Christmas
trees. Slnday-school celebrations, &c.
good many VI their committees nave re-
turned from the city with large supplies
ir the Christmas entertainments. Pro-
siammes have been arranged for religious
services IN nearly all Of the churches on
'ulstmas-Day and great efforts viii be
made 20 attract the youth and irreiigi-
'lsy inclined away from eyil places ana
earousing associations. Similar efforts
F9vcd very successful last Christmas
olQ but few OF the young men of the
county were guilty OF unbecoming beha-
Nor The local-option law has been In
force IN King George so long that there
are very few habitual drinkers among the
young men. hence there il but little dis
order here during the holidays and me
churches are crowded with tho younR
men whenever there is any kind OF a
CHRISTMAS service.
Af. X. A. Connolly. Of Richmond coun-