The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-03

sands of time," and otherwise giving proof of his presence. More numerous stiIl in the extensive forest tracts of New Hampshire and Vermont, yet the total nlmber is thought to be decreasing, for there is no law to protect them and in some States bounties have been offered for their destruction. The New England bear is the big black variety.
 Included in the list of large game are the different kinds of wild cats. Formerly three kinds were found in New England, but the largest species, sometimes known as q panther. seems to have been exter- minated or driven back further into the wilderness. Nothing has been heard of any specimen of this sort in New Eng land or anywhere in the East within the last ten years The two remaining kinds are the common bob" wild cat, weigh ing from 30 to 40 pounds. and the Cana0a lynx which is taller and heavier. Both of these are hesh-eateFs. Rabbits are their favorite dish, but they will kill and eat anything their strength is equal to Two or three together will kill a big deer. and one alone will kill fawn.
 The common wild cat usually travels m families-the old male, his mate and three or four young cats. The Canada lynx does not usually come south of Moose head Lake or the White mountains. Yet the law of the Massachusetts Legislature of 1903. chapter S44, points to occasional invasions of this State, for it says;
 ''Whoever in any town kills a wildcat. Canada lynx or loupcervier not being in captivity shall. upon producing satisfac- tory evidence of such killing, be entitled to receive from the treasurer of the town the sum of $5.'
 Probably these two kinds of wildcats cross-breed. for President Reed says that he has. found specimens with the skin so marked as to make 1t impossible to deter mine to which variety the animal be- longed. These great cats will kill par tridges and. acting together. will even kill caribou. Thus far they have com mitted but little damage by attacking the stock of farmers.
 Deer are increasing rapidly all over New England. This is due largely to tho game laws for their protection. and the creatures have multiplied untN they are becoming a nuisance to the farmers in some localities. place is mentioned in Maine. an ideal resort for deer--a shallow lake with plenty of lily pads-where few years ago no deer whatever could be seen. yet within a few weeks of a recent season over 100 different animals were counted there. One consequence Is that sportsmen come from all over the cOnn- try to hunt deer when the laWai is of.
 
 the privilege of going into the woods and shooting dear. and if every hunter carries out two deer he gets enough profit from it when the meat Is disposed of at home to pay. the expenses of his trip.
 Game birds are not increasing Yet the practiced sportsman will make, suE- prising bags of them ae timea This season one party in MaSipee. where wild geese resort took seven on Friday. Is more the next day, and another group of them Monday Within the last two years, says President Reed, there have been more quail in Massachusetts than for forty years before. This is due to the protection of the laws and to the pains which have been taken to propagate them. Favorable seasons for the young birds are also factors in the case. ,.
 A few years ago as many as 100 dozen would Re brought from the West. in one season and liberated in Massachusetts. But recent interpretation of the Inter State Commerce Law has been that it applied to live game. and Che importations