The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-10-28
HOW THE BIRDS
ARE DIFFERENTIATED
The Elements are Not So Much at
Fault as Other Things.
WHOLESALE sLA U G HTE R.
so-Called Sportsmen of the True Sort,
Who Ba. Every Bird i'll Each
Covcy Started-Oberyations
Of an Eye Witness.
1snecial DISPATCH to The Times.l

PROVIDENCE FORGE, VA, Oct 20
At last the much-onged-for wild
turkey and partridge season has arrived,
and the frequent bang-bang of the sports
mans gun reminds us continually Of the
fact.
l have read recently quite number OF
articles in the newspapers in regard to
the game and game laws, and [, too. should
like to express an opinion and relate some
things | have learned from observa-
ton.
The wild turkey has 4 quick eye, a
keen Scent, and each q trusty pair of
wings, and unless surprised in the early
morn or late evening can usually look out
for himself. But it is of the partridge
would like to speak. 1 think most of the
articles l refer to are written by mem
bers OF associations for the protection OF
game and l also notice that great stress
is laid on the damage done by the elements
to the birds. Now, this l think is q very
erroneous idea. God tempers the wind to
the shorn lamb, and he also looks to the
welfare of the birds, and no one need
give themselves any uneasiness about the
cold winters or rainy summers. No doubt
this variety of weather has prevailed al
ways and The partridge has lived and in
creased. Don't you remember when the
Legislature made law protecting the
partridge for u couple of years, how they
multiplied?
NOT THE WEATHER.
No, it is not the weather, but the sports
man that calls himself of the true type
that does the damage, and I think it would
be wise, If they are SO much Interested in
the welfare of the partridge, to limit them
selves to a certain number of birds, and
not have this number too large. OF course,
there are lots of men that are fond of
the sport, and are fine shots that can't
possibly get over two or three days during
the season to hunt, and there are others
that spend most of the season in the
field
l. shall never forget the impression made
on me some years ago by a party of
these gentlemen sportsmen, who came to
one of the counties on the Peninsula for
partridge hunting. There also resided in
the same county a gentleman who pos
sessed a large plantation and he was no
huntsman himself, seldom taking Il
gun in his hand, but a great friend to
the game that abandoned quite plentifully
in the fields and forests, and had done
all in his power to protect it from its
numerous enemies, but on this particular
occasion he was requested by these gen
11emen the privilege of hunting in the
fields.
He innocently and graciously granted
the. privilege, and quickly they proceeded
to their sport.
WHOLESALE SLAUGHTER.
They had.I think. the most perfectly
trained dogs I ever saw. In the field they
all took their position abreast at short
intervals apart with the sportsmen close
in the rear, and thus they began their
work For the birds to escape seemed
impossible, SO thoroughly was the ground
covered, and when a covey was started
l>,,-
bagged, and thsn another would be hunted
up and SO on through the day.
This was repeated for several days, and
then the gentleman who owned the hunt
ing-grounds forbid any more such hunt
ing.
While I think we have a right to some
of the game birds, I can't concur with this
wholesale slaughter, and when I see ar
ticles written blaming the elements for
the scarcity of birds a desire to relate
some of my experiences and observations
present itself.