The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-13
luck Shooters
ARE BOWED DOWN
Scarcity Of the Water Birds of
Flight Seems to Be
Explained.
SERIOUS SITUATION 1T IS
Strange Epidemic Destroying
Ducks by Millions on the
Lakes to Northward.

Virginia duck shooters. especially thoss
who reside in Richmond. and there ara
scores Of them. have been greatly dis
turbed this past fall and winter because
OF the scarcity OF ducks on the waters
OF the old Commonwealth. They have
been puzzling their minds 10 ind cause
for It,
a story that comes from away up In
Canada. where the ducks move and have
their being in the hot summer months.
and where they lay their eggs and hatch
their young 10 keep up the supply. seems
20 explain the matter. Virginia spOrtsmen
are very much interested IN this matter.
FOR IL the ducks are being destroyed BY
epidemics on tho Northern lakes in the
summer season. there viii be grief along
the water front Of Virginia In the fan
and winter seasons.
But the story which comes from la
chine. Canada reads as follows:
From the far North comes bad news
for sDortsmen. There are indications that
great numbers OF wild ducks have died
OF some epidemic disease.
Last year seemed to be n record year
Tor wild ducks. Broods were large and
early and when tho autumnal flights be-
gan the birds were strong and not easily
killed. The spring flights were notably
larger than usual. as a natural conse-
ouence. and sportsmen expected a re-
markable fan for waterfowl.
The contrary has been the case. Bass
We're miserably small. The autumn fiights
have in many places not been seen az all
There has been disappointment all along
the line Of lakes in these ATTITUDES where
hunters are accustomed TO wait for the
fan migration OF the ducks
A couple OF travellers have just come in
from an overland trip down from Hudson
Bay. whose news suggests the first reason
for the scarcity OF the birds. They report
that lakes 70 the far North are IN some
frosa rrraa f~f viii ~
dead ducks. They could not account for
the enormous mortality.
About twenty years ago the writer In
vestigated a somewhat similar condition.
In that case the cause OF the mortality
among the ducks was discovered TO be
Intestinal a kind OF typhoid perhaps.
though in most instances quantities OF
minute worms Of the tapeworm variety
were discovered.
All game waterfowl are subject to in
festival troubles. which are especially
prevalent in dry seasons. when pools and
lakes are more or less stagnant- North
ern lakes are usually fed by springs.
which suffice 70 keep the level up TO a
certain standard
The outlets ara so barred by nature that
the flow from them merely removes tho
surplus. This accounts for the slight
changes in the appearances OF the re-
mote lakes after the phenomenal dryness
OF the summer Of 1890.
But where there Is no current to speak
or the water IS pretty sure tn be bad
Thus the cause OF the disease which AZ
hicts ducks may be found IN stagnan.
water. or those may he right who look
further for the cause OF the trouble.
II is stated that the May fly suffered
severely this last year from parasite,
which is commonly found lodging within
Il while in the chrysaiis stage. II IS
said that as the flies struggled 10 the SUP
face of the water IN June they were 30
weakened by the attacks OF the parasitic
enemy that few OF them managed 70
gather enough strength TO hy away st
all
Young ducks do devour p good many
embryonic water insects May flies among
others. no doubt: and last springs crop
may have contracted disease from some
Of the infected insects. or it may be that
the nildness OF Inst winter was favor
able 20 the increase or such microscopic
pests a. have caused tho sickness among
tho ducks.
At any rate. the whole matter Is wen
worth Investigating by game protective
clubs. which NAV De able 20 enlist the
services OF entomoiogists in government
employ. and proceed along scientific lines
IN thor inquiries. Science has assisted
the anglers by developing and protecting
young fish. It may De no less necessary
20 the sportsman who carries a gun.