The Washington times., 1912-11-02
SCARCITY Of GAME
ABOUT DISTRICT IS
BLAMED ON CATS
Biological Survey Says
House Pets Destroy Birds
and Young Rabbits.

A great scarcity of game faces the
Washington nimrods In the fields of
old Virginia and Maryland. The con-
ditions that seem to exist in the sur
rounding counties in these States, and
as a matter Of fact throughout the
entire United States, is blamed on the
ordinary house cat
Many hunters returned to their homes
last night after a day In the nearby
fields, swamps, and hills disappointed.
OF course many were lucky enough to
bag few birds, a rabbit, and even an
occasional duck, but the great focks
of birds that inhabited Virginia and
Maryland twenty years ago seem to be
fast disappearing.
Scientists at the Biological Survey of
the Department of Agriculture explain
the rapid decrease in the supply Of
game to the cat. 40
House Cats Blamed.
Thousands upon thousands OF young
birds and rabbits are killed by the
house cat" said one Of the experts to-
day.
The general impression among the
civilization, carrying with 1t the cut
ting of forests, the burning off and
clearing of fields of stubble. and the
establishment of little villages has been
the means of exterminating the game.
hut this view Is exploded by the Gov
ernment experts.
What damage the cat does not do.
the professional hunter does. The Bio
logical Survey is carrying on war
against the market hunters" and
prosecutes cases where the interstate
law is violated In the shipment OF game
against the laws Of different States.
Maryland Game Laws.
h.. ToIIN xayt ~
counties in Maryland: Calvert, Cecil.
Frederick, Charles, Garrett, Hartford.
st. Mary, and Kent. The quail and
counties: Cecil, Charles, Frederick,
Garrett, Kent, and st. Mary. Duck,
goose, brant, and swan: Anne Arundel,
Baltimore, Calvert, Baltimore city.
Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dor
cester, Frederick, Garrett, Hartford,
Kent, Montgomery, Patuxent river.
Prince George, Queen Anne, St. Mary.
co, and Worcester. Wild turkey may
be shot in Baltimore. Calvert, Caro-
line, Charles, Garrett, Montgomery,
Prince George, and Talbot counties.
closes in most of these counties tomor.
row. The squirrel season: which opened
September l, is still open n all Maryland
counties except Kent, where It closes
lOudy. fntiSdHt OF bIouSe NC sho'
in Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles
Frederick, Garrett. Hartford, Mont
gomery, and Talbot counties. The plov.
er and snipe season is open In all bu,
Anne Arundel. Cecil, Somerset, anc
Wicomico counties.
Shooting is prohibited on election da,
In the following counties: Allegheny
Baltimore. Cecil, Frederick. and Har
ford
A license fee Is charged hunters II
all except Anne Arundel county. Tht
provisions In all counties are that
hunter can kill not more than twelve
rabbits In day. twelve squirrels. III
teen quail or partridges, six ruffee
grouse, or pheaeants, three Englisf
Dheasants, two wild turkeys; Baltimore
and Calvert have cut the number ever
smaller.
over in Virginia the hunting terrttor!
is split by the Blue Ridge mountains
Deer, rabbit, quail or partridge. grous
or pheasant. wild turkey. woodcock
railbird, plover, and snipe, except robil
snipe, and duck, goose, brant, and swai
may be shot today. Mud hen, gallinule
sandpiper, willet, taller. and curlev
ali counties in Virginia today. II
al countries in Virginia the count
board of supervisors are giving po"e
TO shorten omen seasons.
No protection is given the blackbiro
ricebirds, crows, doves. hawks, OWE
eagles, robin snipe, or Wilson snipe'