The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-04

during the migrating period In the
spring. They spend the winter In va
tious sections Of the South. depending
on climatic and temperature condi-
uons: Ihey are not a game bird, and
should not be killed at any time.
Inc nniloat is member OF the goat
as the Caprimulgus family, which
name also means gont-suckcr, and had
lis origin in Europe. where tho bird
buiioat, has tho habit of circling
around cattle, sheep and goats late
In the afternoon catching gnats. mos
quitoes and files. The name originated
IN Tue simple, credulous minds OF the
peasants. who believed that the birds
were actually sucking the milk anil
i hers ~ AS as eertain credulous ones
snakes can suck cows.
n this family are 20 be found tho
Dull0at; the whippoorwill. and further
south south the chuck WIZ widow. the poor
Will and. further In the Southwest.
one or two other species. each bird
deriving It's common name from Its
cry which Is really Us song. OF all
vocelcss
This genus Is. in classification. very
nearly related to tho swallows and
iiy-cntchers, and its anatomy is such
wing. and Its food consists OF small
insects--flies. gnats, mosquitoes and
other small-wingcd pests. 1t Is by
nature nocturnal bird. but. unfortu-
nnteiy. II has the habit OF coming out
in the daytime also seeking food
II should be risidly protected at all
times. 1t Is not nearly as common
now as 1t was twenty-five years ago,
ut least In the section in which live,
and there is no valid reason why II
should be included in the list OF game
Dirds; but IL Il is TO be so included,
then with equal justice could he m
Guided also all the swallows, the fly
catchers and the woodpeckers for
they are all equally as good to eat as
as hard to shoot
am led to dilatc on the above sub
1ect because of the fact that some
cial stress on their desire to have
these birds left in the game list AL
ways old customs die hard, and our
people Iep have for 80 long been accus-
game that II viii be difficult to per-
suade them to change.
am very strongly in favor OF
changing the squirrel season, and huv-
Ing 1t open on November l along with
other game: 1t IS much harder to kin
then. and as a result many more would
ESCAPE and live TO breed the next
times be more squirrels III the woods,
and the supply would be more certain
Many OF your correspondents claim
and they are correct-that this would
add TO the protection of all other
game. We all know that there are
hunters In every section who. although
ostensibly hunting squirrels. Will
game they may find. and this chance
will be largely eliminated if 1t were
unlawful to be in the woods after
Some, of your correspondents con-
tend that such hunters would still
continue to hunt when and what they
pleased, but this could only occur by
and with the consent of the people
and landowners OF such section Now
laws are only valuable and effective
as they are respected by the people
and find that the people usually en-
force those laws they want enforced.
and until very recently but little real
Interest has been taken in Virginia in
the matter of real game and bird pro-
lection. Now, however, . great change
is 10 be found. and in this section at
ieast very strong sentiment is grow
ing, and there is apparent = strong
desire TO see any good game law
rigidly enforced.
and cultivated throughout the state.
then there VIII be a chance for the
real protection OF game. which con-
sists, not In stopping al killing, hut in
breeding season that there VIII be an
abundance in the open sea son
Now. Il believe this can best be ac-
complished by such n law as IS en-
bodied In the Rutherford bill but this
or any other law must be backed up
by the people. There should certainly
be a State game warden. who should
have full authority over the local game
dcns chould be men who Will execute
their duties without fear or favor
men who Will protect the sonEords
as faithfully as they do the quail or
deer. j. B. uNDEI;fIWI4
Fork Union.
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