VOLU NUMBER 11 OU OF THF MP DEPARTMENT NA 'Protect the Other CDan Sy J. Tlort White '[Helena. CPont.in.i When roaming through the country, Perhaps on pleasure bent, Don't scatter your camp refuse On every wind that's sent. The chap who does his duty. Who's always in the ran, Will clean up camp behind him and Protect the other man. When lighting up your campfirc For boiling coffee and — Be careful ivhere you start it On some other feller's land. And when the meal is finished, You've packed up pot and pan. Don't leave around the litter, but Protect the other man. Not all who fish are .ruthless Nor all who hunt are rude, The most of men use caution When these sports are pursued. So if you'd shower honors On members of your clan, Just leave things as you find them- Protect the other man. Mr~~m MONTANA WILD LIFE The Official Publication of The State Fish and Game Commission VOL. I. HELENA, ] MONTANA, APRIL, 1929 No. 11 • Marlowe A| lain Heads Cooieiiissioe WHEN Gover- nor J. E. Erickson announced the re- ap p o i n tment of Thomas N, Mar- lowe of Missoula to the State Fish and Game Com- mission for a pe- riod of four years, beginning April 15, sportsmen of Mon- tana unanimously approved the se- lection and gave thanks to the gov- ernor for making possible at least four years more of the intensified program of con- servation of wild life in which the Commission is en- gaged. At the an- nual meeting of the Commission on April 17, attended by all members, Mr. Marlowe was unanimously re- elected chairman, with Robert H. Hill again selected as State Fish and Game Warden after being given a vote of confi- dence and esteem. Mr. Marlowe was appointed to the Commission to suc- ceed Judge W. M. Bickford of Mis- soula and in 1921, when the five- member Commis- sion was created by the act of the legislature, he was elected chairman. He has held the important post since that time and under his leadership Mon- tana has taken a position of estab- lishing progressive precedents in fish and game conservation among states of the Union. At the annual meeting of the Commission, which was held jointly with the gathering of all deputy game wardens of the state, THOMAS N. MARLOWE OF MISSOULA Chairman of Montana's State Fish and Game Commission in Lincoln county be open to 20 of each year so that the might be able to fish for the Earl A. Fry of Seattle, who is as- sociated with the Dupont Powder company in fish and game work, spoke briefly in connection with the establishing of the state game farm and later at a meeting of depu- ties outlined game surveys under- taken by ammuni- tion companies. Game Warden Hill advised the Commission that at a former meet- ing Duck Creek, a tributary to the Madison River in Gallatin county, was closed to fish- ing. The petition and the order which was pub- lished were worded incorrectly. It was incorrectly closed "from its source in Gallatin county to where it flows into the Yellow- stone National Park." while it should be closed from where it flows into Hebgen Lake to the Yel- lowstone National Park line, and this correction was or- dered made and republished. A telegram was read from the Western Montana Fair Association, asking for a wild life exhibit at the fiftieth annual fair in Missoula, Sep- tember 17 to 20. Mr. Hill read a petition from the citizens of Troy, Lincoln county, asking that the following streams fishing from April 20 to May sportsmen in that community ocean run of rainbow trout: MONTANA WILD LIFE O'Brien Creek from its mouth to the Troy city water dam; Yaak River from its mouth to Yaak River Falls; Star Creek from its mouth to Star Creek Kails. Discussion followed as to the advisability of allowing fishing during the spawning season. The petition was granted. Deputy Warden Corrington in that district was asked to investigate results. The Secretary read a letter from the Izaak Walton League chapter at Great Falls, asking the Department to coop- ■ ratr in securing an elk count of the Sun River herd and it was agreed that, inasmuch as the season is too late to make an accurate count, the elk being hack in the hills, this be deferred until the proper time. Action was deferred on the petition from the Madison Valley Rod and Gun club of Funis, asking that the Tobacco Root Game Preserve be abolished in- asmuch as it is too small and does not serve as a preserve for deer and other game animals. Mr. Hill suggested that the deer in Madison county need pro- tection because they have an open sea- son on both sexes. The matter was referred to the Secretary for investi- gation who will report at a future meeting, it being agreed that if the sportsmen of Madison county want a larger game preserve they should make application, stating the boundaries. Mr. Hill read another petition from the Madison Valley Rod and Gun Club, which was denied, asking that the ice fishing law be permanently suspended hi Madison Lake, thereby opening Mad- ison Lake to fishing throughout the en- tire year. The matter of closing O'Dell Creek for a longer period was discussed. It was explained that the extra closed sea- son now on the creek, from October 1 to December 1, is not sufficient for the protection of loch leven trout while spawning, and it was decided that O'Dell Creek and all its tributaries in Madison county be closed from October 1 to May 21 of each year, for the pro- tection of spawning fish. Mr. Hill advised that he had asked Deputy Marshall to make an inspection of conditions in the Gallatin River, rela- tive to installing a fish ladder over the dam near Gateway. He read Mr. Mar- shall's report, in which he stated that the only fish that were impeded by this dam to any great extent were the white- fish. The matter was deferred for fur- ther investigation by the game warden. Deputy Warden W. A. Hill of Mis- soula inspected the dam in the Big Blackfoot River near Milltown, Mon- tana, and advised in his report that it would be impossible to install a fish ladder at the present time. This matter was also deferred for further investiga- tlon. tary read a letter from .Mr. London, i hainnan of the Yakima County Game Commission, Yakima, Washington, asking it Mr. Harris, now of Poplar, Montana, and a former Washington game warden, could trap some pinnated grouse in Montana for planting in Washington, and the petition was tabled because the grouse are now nesting and it would be unwise to attempt to trap them at ti. The i • quest of members of a private club In North Carolina t ■ » Becure Borne TRAPPERS' LICENSES NEAR RECORD MARK TRAPPERS' licenses have estab- lished a near record in Montana during the season which closes May 15. During the last year 1,777 licenses at $10 each have been issued by the Department. The big year was in 1925 when 1,843 licenses were issued immediately after the season was opened on muskrats. Until 1919 records of the Department fail to show the issuance of trapping li- censes because they were not re- quired by law. Trapping of marten and fisher was permitted only by license, hence, until 1925 when the muskrat season was opened, com- paratively few trappers' licenses were issued. The following official fig- ures show the number of licenses issued each year since the law be- came effective in 1919: 1919 181 1920 139 1921 165 1922 227 1923 106 1924 181 1925 1,843 1926 1,338 1927 1,027 1928 1,773 1929 1,777 grouse and prairie chickens for planting in their vicinity was denied in view of the fact that the request was made by a private club. L. R. Daems, Secretary of the Mus- selshell Valley Sportsmen's Club, asked that the deputy at Roundup be trans- ferred to either Martinsdale or Harlow- ton, because most of the hunting and fishing in that locality is around the two towns. State Warden Hill was in- structed to investigate and to change the deputy to that neighborhood if deemed best. Mr. Hill advised that the same club had made a request that loch leven trout be planted in the Mussel- shell River. The field assistants ad- vised that they were in favor of such a planting inasmuch as the Musselshell River is a tributary of the Missouri. The Commission authorized the Game Warden to appoint a deputy for Glacier, Toole and Pondera counties after in- vestigation. Mr. Hill read a letter from J. H. Shebn of Toston offering to lease his I sou-acre ranch to the Commission for the state game farm. The game farm plans have been referred to Mr. Hill and Mr. Marlowe. It was stated, how- ever, that it is not the intention of the Department to purchase a site for the game farm. The Musselshell Valley Sportsmen's Association asked that the Commission cooperate in building one or two good rearing ponds. John W. Schofield, Held assistant in charge of hatcheries, ad- vised that he had been making a survey oi that locality for good sites, and will return to that locality to make further arrangements. He was granted permis- sion, if he ran find suitable places upon which ponds can be built, to build one or two rearing ponds, the cost not to exceed $100 each Dr. Treece and Warden Hill were authorized to investigate boat difficul- ty at tin Somers hatchery thoroughly and report as soon as possible. The purchase of a motor for the boat being built for Warden Goldsby for use in patrolling Flathead Lake was or- dered. Ed. Boyes of the Libby Hod and Gun Club requested the Department to seine Crystal Lake, in Lincoln county, to de- termine what kind of fish are in the lake so that future plantings may be more successful. Discussion followed as to what kind of seine could be used. It was decided that a gill net would be necessary. Mr. Dorrington endorsed the request of the Libby club, and the mat- ter was referred to Dr. Treece. John Tressler of Malta asked that Lake Bowdoin in Phillips county be closed to the trapping and killing of muskrats, inasmuch as these animals are practically extinct in this lake. Deputy Cosner endorsed this request and the Commission ordered the lake closed to the trapping and killing of muskrats for two years. The Commission at a previous meet- ing gave the McNeil Brothers at Bow- doin permission to seine for carp in Nelson Reservoir, but had not opened the reservoir to seining. Deputy Harry Cosner explained that the McNeils, through a wire net device, hoped to rid Nelson Reservoir of carp. The Commission ordered that seining for carp be permitted in the following area in Nelson Reservoir: All that part of Nelson Reservoir beginning at a point one-half mile east of the mouth of the irrigation canal and extending west to the end of the reservoir. Deputy Cosner stated it is his belief that all the carp in Bowdoin Lake have been frozen out this winter. John Schofield, hatchery expert, ad- vised that he has from time to time been authorized to build rearing ponds for the Department this spring, ami that he has between twelve and four- teen to construct. This work will ne- cessitate the employment of two extra laborers for the next three or four months and the Commission approved. Commissioner G. T. Boyd advised that Great Falls sportsmen favor an aqua- rium built at Big Springs at the place made for it when the Great Falls hatch- ery was built. It is also the desire of the Great Falls sportsmen to have the grounds around the Great Falls hatch- ery beautified. Mr. Boyd's motion car- ried as follows: "I move that the Department proceed to find estimates, through Mr. Schofield. for putting in an aquarium in the fish hatchery at Great Falls at the place originally designed for the aquarium." Seconded by Mr. Wilson. The vote dis- closed four "ayes" and one "no," the negative vote being Mr. Moore's. Mr. Boyd then made this motion: "I move that the Commission put in a lawn, fix up the water front and clean the yard at the Ureal Falls hatchery." Motion failed lor want of a second. Mr. Hill brought up the matter of conditions at the Miles City pond cul- tural station, investigated by Mr. Thompson of the I'. S. Bureau of Fish- eries, and Field Assistant Schofield. Mr. Schofield advised that due to the thickness of ice and snow on the pond this winter and the fact that the arte- sian pipe had been below the water sur- face, the water in the pond had become air light and the fish had died in large MONTANA WILD LIFE numbers. He suggested that the Com- mission extend and raise the pipe which carries the water to the pond from the artesian well. He also reported that there is need for a new loading plat- form at the station. Mr. Schofield was authorized to make the necessary pur- chases to extend this artesian pipe about twenty feet and raise it above water level. On motion of Commis- sioner W. K. Moore, Chairman Marlowe was authorized to correspond with the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries to arrange for the tank platform needed there. The matter of a wild life exhibit at the Western Montana Fair this fall, September 17 to 20, in Missoula, was again brought up and the request re- ferred to Mr. Marlowe for further in- vestigation. Mr. Hill asked the Commission for an opinion as to whether licenses should be issued for commercial seining in Flathead Lake. Dr. Treece advised that it is his belief that the lake, if left alone, will restock itself, and that be- cause it is hard to get whitefish eggs for planting if commercial licenses are not issued the lake will be in better condition. Mr. Marlowe was authorized to investigate and report at the next meeting. Mr. Hill brought up the matter of having a joint meeting with the ad- visory board of the Montana Sports- men's Association and the Secretary was authorized to notify Glen A. Smith, chairman of the Montana Sportsmen's Association, of the next meeting of the Commission. The Commission authorized payment of the hospital bill of a man employed by the Department in taking elk from the Bison Range at Moiese who had been kicked by a horse and quite seri- ously injured. Mr. Marlowe had au- thorized taking him to a hospital at Missoula for necessary treatment. The opening of Cooper's Lake in Pow- ell county to fishing through the ice, which Senator Keeley and Representa- tive Pauly had requested, was deferred at the last meeting of the Commission in order to not interfere with the spawning season and it was ordered that for the winter of 1929-30 Cooper's Lake be opened for ice fishing during the regular open fishing period. Chairman Marlowe reported on inves- tigations pertaining to the establish- ment of a state game farm. He ad- vised that the expert he had had in mind for superintendent of the farm had asked too high a salary and that Mr. Benson of the Benson pheasant farm had told him it is too late in the season to start raising birds for this year. Earl A. Fry offered to keep the proposition in mind and to try to locate a man for superintendent. It was de- cided that Mr. Marlowe should go ahead with his investigation. Mr. Marlowe advised that the Ne- braska Fish and Game Commission had written that they would be well satis- fied with Montana loch leven eggs in exchange for Nebraska Chinese pheas- ants. Mr. Fry suggested that such an exchange might also be made with Ore- gon. The Commission directed that the predatory animal contest be continued this year under the same rules and regulations. Mr. Marlowe stated that there are several fruit farmers in the Bitter Root complaining of the action taken by the Commission at the last meeting relative to giving permission to destroy robins which are damaging fruit and berry crops. The motion by Mr. Marlowe carried as follows: "I move that in the future whenever the State Game Warden receives a complaint that any birds are doing damage to crops such as cherries, berries, etc., he immediately cause an investigation to be made of the damage, and if, after making this investigation, he finds that damage is being done, that he be authorized to issue a permit to the complainant to destroy the birds doing the damage." Seconded by Mr. Moore. The vote dis- closed four "ayes" and one "no," the negative vote being Mr. Boyd's. The American Fisheries Society asked the Montana Fish and Game Commis- sion to join their society, which has for its aim the perpetuation of all spe- cies of fish and the study of scientific and practical problems affecting the same, and approval was granted. The Commission ordered salt distrib- uted on the South Fork of the Flathead National Forest, in the Sun River dis- trict, for the elk. The forest super- visor of the forest, Mr. Hornby, at Kal- ispell, offered to distribute the salt. Mr. Marlowe advised that the presi- dent of the Montana Fur Breeders had called on him relative to drawing up a more comprehensive set of rules and regulations governing permits for fur and game farms, and Mr. Marlowe and They Rope 'Em Alive BOB BARKER and Harry Silver of Libby, Mont., have captured one dozen mountain lions alive this winter with hand snares which they arranged on a pole. They operated in the forest on the western boundary of Glacier National Park where the lions prey upon the deer that range in the valleys of the Glacier Park preserve during the cold months. The live tro- phies are sold to circuses and menag- eries. Photograph shows the lion catchers bringing in a live lion from the woods, muzzled and strapped to a litter. Bob Bakker and Harry Silver of Libby, Mont., bringing in a live mountain lion on a litter, tied and muzzled. Mr. Hill were authorized to arrange for an appointment with fur breeders to draw up rules that will cover the situ- ation. Chancellor M. A. Brannon of the Uni- versity of Montana discussed the bio- logical research work being done for the Department. He expressed appre- ciation of scientists of the action oi the Commissioners in cooperating with the university in research work at Flat- head Lake last summer, which was done with the primary objective of dis- covering what might be done to in- crease commercial fishing in those waters. He suggested that the manu- script of the work done there is evi- dence of interesting work done by the Commission and should be published in bulletin form. He also stated that this is the only Fish and Game Commission that he knows of that has articulated with scientific workers. It is the de- sire of the biological department to again cooperate with the Department, and Mr. Brannon suggested that it might be well to finish the chemical work at Flathead Lake and then go into other waters in the state. The Commissioners expressed their interest in the scientists doing some work at Georgetown Lake this summer. The Commission directed that the coopera- tive research be continued under the same conditions of last year. It was decided that, inasmuch as the work had been done at Flathead during the summer months, it should be com- pleted there at the same season this year. Work was also authorized at Georgetown Lake in the line of chem- istry, physics, food material and a study as to whether or not there are any diseases in this water. Chancellor Brannon expressed his appreciation of this fine cooperation and after discus- sion with the Commission it was voted to publish the scientific manuscript in the June edition of MONTANA WILD LIFE. A Ford Model A truck with a stake body was purchased for the Somers hatchery. Mr. Moore asked the Commission if it would give help to the Red Lodge Rod and Gun Club in paying a $50 deficit for express on elk. and the club was authorized to put in a claim for the sum. Mr. Moore advised that he and Dep- uty Holmes had found that fishermen are catching trout as well as ling with set lines in the Yellowstone River. Mr. Hill read Section 3694 of the Game Laws which authorizes the use of set lines for ling in this river. The fol- lowing motion of Mr. Marlowe was car- ried: "It appearing to the Fish and Game Commission that game fish are being caught by the use of set lines in that portion of the Yellowstone River above the Huntley Bridge, I move that from and after May 1. 1929. the use of set lines in that portion of the Yellow- stone River above Hie Untitle,- bridge be discontinued, and that it be a mis- demeanor to fish therein with the use of set lines and that all fishing in that portion of the Yellowstone River be confined to angling, that is. with hook and line or rod in hand." Seconded by Mr. Kelly. Carried. MONTANA WILD LIFE 1YT W. K. Moore "(I N TANA ' S State Fish and G a m e Com- mission, which has established an envi- able reputation throughout the na- tion for setting pro- gressive precedents, has just concluded one of the most in- teresting sessions of deputy state game wardens held in the history of Treasure state s p o r t d o m . Every member of the Montana staff was called from his territory for the first time in 15 years to at I end the conference at Hel- ena with the Commission, and other authorities on conservation of wild life. They are to meet their fellowmen. All were engaged in the great work of saving creatures of field, stream and forest for posterity. Of the 30 deputies few were acquainted with each other. Their problems were mutual, they had discussed them through correspondence. Some had never enjoyed personal con- tact with members of the State Com- mission. Hence, during the two days they were in Helena they acquired lasting friend- ships, a knowledge of workings of the Commission from the interior of the Department to the forest trails, hills and dales. The result of the conference, which was inspired largely through efforts of Commissioner W. K. Moore of Billings, was apparent. Every man went back to the territory which he patrols better equipped for his work. He returned with the inspiration that he was an integral part of an organization that is accomplishing results which have won merited esteem among sportsmen of the state and nation. The deputy wardens were greeted at :ui informal reception on the mezzanine floor of the Placer hotel on the evening of April 10, preceding the annual meet- ing of the Commission. They hob- nobbed and discussed their daily work. They gained the friendship of their Fellow workers. They swapped stories < >f occurrences afield. By the time the • afternoon arrived they were all numbers of the same brotherhood. Thomas N. Marlowe, who has served as chairman ol the Commission for the last light years, and who was reap- pointed for another four years, presided at the afternoon conference. At the banquet in the Placer Grill in the eve- ning, attended by Governor J. E. Erick- son .Hid other notable guests, Chairman Marlowe yielded the gavel to Commis- " r William K. Moore of Billings as toastmaster. Inspiring addresses were made to the deputies by all the members of the Commission, stat^ Game Warden Rob- ert II. Hill. Earl A. Fry of Seattle, and then the meeting was thrown open for general discussion, with all deputies taking part. Chairman Marlowe first called upon Pete Nelson, the oldest dep- uty in years of service now associated with the Department. Then he called on H. C. Sailor of Absarokee. the youngest. Then everybody took a hand. They told of their methods of handling violators and offenders. They reviewed knotty situations. The high point of the discussion centered upon obedience of instructions of thp Commission to observe courtesy, friendliness, kindli- ness and the spirit of education while firmly and fearlessly enforcing Mon- tana's fish and game laws. One of the excellent points of the conference was the explanation of the manner in which he is educating boys and girls to respect and revere birds and fish, by E. M. Krost of Plentywood. He told of gaining permission of par- ents to take youngsters, six or eight at a trip, into the woods on picnics so that they might study wild life and its natural surroundings. Others told of activities in the public schools, in en- couraging Young America to study the habits and habitat of fish and game. Questions regarding the interpretation of state and federal laws were asked and answered. Mr. Fry, former president of the Washington Sportsmen's Association, and now affiliated with the duPont Powder company, told of plans of am- munition manufacturers to carry out a census of game in every state. He urged each deputy warden to work out a chart covering his district and indi- cating thereon the presence of game during certain seasons and the short- age. He suggested that outline maps of the groups of counties patrolled by WISHIJT Tom said he'd fish for a fortune, 'Bout seven figures or so. Sez, you all can say what you wanter, But the thing thet counts is the dough. Jim said he would build him a gar- den Where he could spend all of his hours. With the time on hand To do what he planned, And putter around with the flow- ers. Fred said he would wish for a man- sion With pictures and rugs galore, With servants and things Which the push button brings, And four or five autos or more. Jim said, "Rave on you fellers, Those things don't gimme no thrills, Gosh durn my hide, I'd be satisfied Ef I could pay up my bills." Then Ole Bill, he, sorta drawlingly, Sez, "Say while you fellers'r wishin' Ask fer something fine, say a hook and line — All I wanter do is go fishin*. deputies be used for the purpose of marking in the whereabouts of grouse, prairie chickens, deer, elk and other wild life and that these maps then be grouped for a comprehensive survey. At the banquet in the evening Gov- ernor Erickson paid a glowing compli- ment to the work of the Commission, the efficiency of its men in the field and the necessity of the effort to main- tain Montana's prestige as a land of fish and game. Floyd L. Smith outlined the scope of MONTANA WILD LIFE and its purpose of disseminating au- thoritative information, of education and conservation. Toastmaster Moore called upon Thomas Danaher of West Yellowstone, J. F. Goldsby of Poison, W. A. Hill of Missoula, Fred E. Pilling of Butte, Dr. I. H. Treece of Anaconda, Thomas O. Peasley, deputy game warden at large, and others, and then asked Chairman Marlowe to close the conference. And the chairman did the closing stunt in a manner that will be long remembered by deputies attending. After a brief talk that was a masterpiece, he summed up events and then reached his perora- tion with: "I'm mighty glad to have met you, and you, and you, and you. I hope next year I'll have the privi- lege of meeting you, and you, and you, and you. When I go to heaven I hope I'll meet you, and you, and you, and you. And if you're not there, then I'll go to hell to be with you, and you, and you, and you." Those who attended the conference included: Commissioners — Thomas N. Marlowe, chairman, Missoula; E. A. Wilson, Liv- ingston; G. T. Boyd, Great Falls; J. L. Kelly, Anaconda; W. K. Moore, Billings. Game Warden and Office Staff — Rob- ert H. Hill. State Game Warden. Hel- ena; J. W. Carney, Assistant Game Warden: Thomas 6. Peasley, Deputy Came Warden at Large; A. G. Clarke, Cashier; Floyd L. Smith. Editor, MON- TANA WILD LIFE. Hatchery Superintendents — Dr. I. H. Treece. Anaconda. Field Assistant. Western Division of Hatcheries; J. W. Schofield, Big Timber. Field Assistant, Kastern Division of Hatcheries. Deputy Came Wardens — L. S. Butler. Roundup; L. C, Clark. Havre: Harry Cosner. Malta; Wm. J. Dorrington, Libby; W. A. Hill, Missoula: Allen T. Holmes. Billings; Wm. Hay Kohls, Funis: E. M. Krost, Plentywood: J. P. .Mi Cattery. Anaconda: .1. J. Meany, Plains: Harry Morgan. Ovando; P. W. Nelson. Livingston; A. A. O'Claire, Kal- Ispell; Fred E. Pilling. Butte; Chas. R. Price, Dillon; A. D. Roushar, Great Falls; Frank M. Snider, Choteau; J. A. Weaver. Lewis town; Frank R. Marshall, Bozeman; J. It. Chartrand, Miles City: H . C. Sailor, Absarokee; Frank Beller, Gardiner; J. F. Goldsby, Poison; Thos. Danaher, West Yellowstone. MONTANA WILD LIFE WHILE Montana's State Fish and (lame Commission has been la- boring diligently and persistently in a conscientious endeavor to restock streams of the Treasure State, trans- plant elk. import desirable game birds, acquire shooting grounds tor posterity — for your son and mine — operate state hatcheries to the point of maximum production to keep pace with tourist inroads, with countless similar activi- ties, it is constantly confronted with new problems. They necessitate re- search work. Through establishing a precedent in the nation by taking over the biological station on the shore of Flathead Lake, employing of university scientists and providing them with equipment, results are being achieved. It's a far cry from the days of mod- ern Montana sportsman to those of Belshazzar, the chap who saw "the handwriting on the wall." Yet the question simmers down to this situa- tion: "What will become of Montana's fish and game should Montana's Com- mission let up one iota in this constant vigilance, this day-in-and-day-out busi- ness of pressing its program of inten- sive conservation?" "The Handwriting on the Wall" with regard to Montana's fish and game is readily legible. In browsing through an old issue of "Industrial and Engineering Chemistry" one comes on an article by Arthur D. Little. The opening paragraphs arrest attention: "There is an intimate relationship be- tween science and business. Only the other day I heard a man ask, 'Where would the suspender business be with- out the law of gravitation?' There is also some appreciation of the fact that we are living in a period of change, in which only the resourceful can hope to maintain themselves in the face of the new conditions. Barber shops were once a haven of refuge for masculine humanity, but since they have become bobber shops so conservative a publi- cation as the Police Gazette is reported to be printing two pages of Embroidery Notes. "There is a tremendously dramatic clement in the Biblical story of Bel- shazzar's feast. The mighty king was the central figure of a great spectacle, which included his lords to the number of a thousand and his wives and con- cubines. They were feasting and mak- ing merry in the vast hall of the palace, and power and dominion seemed secure. Suddenly, against the wall, appeared the fingers of a hand, which wrote upon the wall above the great candlestick the momentous legend in which Daniel read Belshazzars doom after soothsay- ers and astrologers had failed to make interpretation. Belshazzar had been weighed in the balance and had been found wanting, and that night the busi- ness of governing Babylon passed into other hands." BEAVEK PERMITS ISSUED IN MONTANA INTERESTING official figures com- piled by Jack W. Carney, As- sistant State Fish and Game Warden, on tagging of beaver skins tend to show the gradual rise and fall of the annual catch through strict enforcement of Montana's laws. For purposes of comparison the search of records has been carried back to 1915. From that time to 1921 there is no record of beaver tag- ging because the law did not require it. In 1921 by order of the Commis- sion every beaver hide taken in the state was directed tagged. In 1923 the order of the Commission became a state law. The peak was reached in 1926. Concessions have been re- duced to protect the animals. Since 1921 the data shows that 42,168 bea- ver skins have been tagged by the State Department. If these hides had an average value of $20 their worth would reach $843,360. The number tagged each year follows: 1921 479 1922 2,430 1923 2,339 1924 '. 3,184 1925 6,190 1926 9,714 1927 9,227 1928 5,749 1929 "2,856 ^Incomplete. There is a strange periodicity in the recurrence of this handwriting and a still more curious inability to perceive it on the part of those who sit down to feasts. The handwriting confronts wild life. It reads — the price of prog- ress is research which alone assures the security of dividends. "The handwriting" is on our wall and all who run may read. Mr. Little may be a modern Daniel — let us sincerely hope we may not be one of the modern Belshazzars. Sportsmen, and conservationists who are not sportsmen, desire one thing — perpetuation and increase of wild life. This then is the "progress" we are after, and its price is unquestionably "research which alone assures the se- curity of" hunting — the "dividends" of the interpretation. Example after example of the neces- sity of research in conservation mat- ters could be piled up. A few plantings of foreign bird spe- cies in areas unfitted for their welfare with consequent loss of time, money and enthusiasm, yet who can say what the requirements of such areas are? Loss of literally millions of wildfowl from "duck sickness" — why? Loss of millions of wildfowl in their breeding areas. What can we do about it? Steady decrease in native game, such as quail, in areas of intensive farming as overgrazed cattle areas. Can we bring these back by scientific planting? Loss of quail, grouse and rabbits from disease — why? Such examples could be prolonged, but to what avail? We either see and can read the "handwriting on the wall" or we do not, and it is to be feared too many of us are modern Belshazzars. Millions of ducks and tons of game are dying or not reaching maturity every year, which could be saved, while we haggle over relatively minor questions such as seasons, bag limits or whether the game commission is democratic or republican. We can not legislate "game on the hoof." We have demonstrated the fail- ure of restrictive legislation; which, if it can not save game, surely can not restore it. Restricted legislation is nec- essary; bag limits and seasons are es- sential, both if anything more exciting, and all certainly more rigidly enforced, but we can not rest there. The big thing is scientific research, adequately planned, painstakingly carried out and the findings made use of by federal, state and sportsmen's organizations to insure the "dividends" we want in the form of a continuing yearly game crop adequate to meet the needs within rea- son of the sportsmen of this country. The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute has read cor- rectly the "handwriting" and is meet- ing the situation by a game survey. A few — very few — states maintain their own research departments, such as does Montana, and fewer sportsmen or organizations of sportsmen. Those organizations which do not conduct re- search work blindly, take actions which are far from doing good, and may even be a menace to conservation. It is often well to analyze carefully the source or authenticity of any piece of information on which action is con- templated. You mav have "known" something for years — is it true? Not many years ago it was thought that migratory birds in Europe went below the waters of the Mediterranean sea to winter there. We know that is not true but to have said so then would have doubtless provoked much mirth from the "old time" hunters of the day. We still do not know why birds mi- grate— that is, none of the biologists do, although the cause of the phenomenon is doubtless well known to the average city sportsman and he can expound the real causes at great length. Let us carefully consider the "hand- writing" in conservation and put our shoulders to the wheel, giving all aid in our power to organization engaged in research. When this is done, the proper method of procedure to put back more game in our covers will be pointed out just as surely and plainly as our national automobile roads are marked today, and game as an annual crop will be determined quita largely by factors accurately and scientifically acting according to rule, and not left to chance as it is now. MONTANA WILD LIFE MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION COMMISSIONERS. Thomas N. Marlowe, Missoula, G. T. Boyd, Great Falls. Joseph L. Kelly, Anaconda. \V. K. Moore, Billings. E. A. Wilson, Livingston. Chairman. ROBERT H. HILL, Helena State Fish and Game Warden Secretary. MONTANA WILD LIFE The Official Publication of the State Fish and Game Department. Published Monthly at Helena, Montana. FIOYD L. SMITH, Editor. Introductory Subscription Rates 15 Cents per Copy — 50 Cents per Year. Advertising Rates on Application. Copy for advertisements subject to approval of State Commission and must be in the hands of the editor at the State Capitol building, Helena, on the 15th of the month preceding publication date. VOLUME I APRIL, 1929 NUMBER 11 EDUCATION AND WILD LIFE WHEN Montana's Fish and Game Department set forth in its campaign of education as well as constructive action along conservation lines, doubters questioned the advisability and the possibility of results. Today the soundness of the theory of education along lines of fish and game protection has spread throughout the nation. Paul G. Redington, chief of the Bureau of Biological Sur- vey, stressed this fact in his address before the national convention of the Izaak Walton League at Chicago April 20 when he reviewed efforts to provide sanctuaries for birds. He declared it to be of equal importance to protect wild creatures by means of sensible and reasonable game laws, fully enforced and generally respected. "There is abundant evidence," he continued, "of an in- creasing determination on the part of those who shoot and fish to abide by the reasonable restrictions so necessary to govern and control the annual take of wild life for food and sport. Yet in spite of marked progress in this direc- we can not anticipate that the time will ever come when it will no longer be necessary to employ police powers to compel the poacher to adhere to those ethical restric- which the true sportsman, in the absence of such authority, himself imposes voluntarily upon his own acts." Commenting on present-day sane attitudes toward wild life protection. Mr. Redington declared that the future wel- fare of the migratory waterfowl of the country lies in the hands of the hunters, tie commended the attitude of the hunter who can see more than a mere bag limit in a day's port, and marie the plea "for the general acceptance of that attitude of mind that does not contemplate, when one afield, primarily a killing process, but rather an ap- preciatlon ol the good things thai nature has donated to man for his delectation and health. A philosophy of this nature, if generally Ingrained, will so put to shame the hog and the poacher thai his tribe will diminish, and the future of the wild creature; ol the marsh will be made more secure." i ol bri "i and a large quantity of grain ' ibutcd in the Chicago forest preserve one Sund: the 4,000.000 birds of the preserve from starving '• ■ Klve a great white mark, despite the many black onea it has re- id, to :i cltlsenshlp thai can thui look after Ita little teath friends CONSERVATION IN MONTANA REMEDIES for decreasing fish and game that have been printed would stock a library. The magazines are full of them. We speak about conservation, we urge law after law for this purpose. We want bag limits, we want game farms and fish hatcheries. But most of all we want laws. What good will laws do us? Not one bit of good. The salvation of game and fish in this country rests squarely on the sportsman. If the sportsmen do not want conservation, will not practice conservation, then all of the laws in Christendom would do not one bit of good. We can not legislate game back, nor can we legislate more fish. But if the sportsmen want conservation, they can have it, and they can have it even if there is not one law on the statute books of their states. Conservation is a matter of public sentiment. If public sentiment is for it, it will become a fact. If public sentiment is opposed to it, all the king's horses and all the king's men can't haul it into actual existence. Public sentiment is swinging to con- servation of our outdoors. Of that there is no doubt. It means the salvation of our game birds and animals while there yet is time to save them. It means that we will do more for those that come after us than those who preceded us did for us. Which, after all, is largely the fundamental law of civilization. The "frailty nf woman" allows her to lie satisfied with the shortcomings of man. FREE SHOOTING AND THE FARMER IN AMERICA, where the wild game is the property of all the people, the theory that the privilege of taking game should be enjoyed equally by all has become firmly es- tablished. Free shooting, however, is by no means general and fully enjoyed because it frequently comes in conflict with the rights of land owners. The development of shooting clubs in this country has in many places given rise to extreme resentment and preju- dice. This is evidenced very strongly in the northwestern states, particularly the Dakotas and Minnesota. Laws have been passed in the Dakotas discriminating against shooting clubs and for the purpose of giving the public access to desirable shooting places. In the recent session of the Minnesota legislature, this feeling was expressed in a bill intended to do away with all monopoly or special privilege in shooting by a provi- sion prohibiting any owner of land from shooting on his own property unless he permitted the public the saute privilege. Such an act would destroy private shooting clubs. It would prevent the farmer from shooting on his own ground unless he permitted others to do the same. Naturally, the bill attracted both strong support and violent opposition and did not become a law. Such measures indicate a problem which exists and which must he solved. Some advocate abandoning the the- ory of free shooting In America and reversion to the Euro- pean theory that the game goes with the land. II is be- lieved, however, by advocates of the democratic idea that a system can be devised whereby the land owner can be protected from invasion of his rights and at the same time a monopoly of sport can be prevented. It is to be desired that the health-giving recreational privilege of field sports shall not be confined to the privileged few. iy that lasts i: more Important than safety first. MONTANA WILD LIFE ALL CREDIT TO JOK HALM THOUSANDS of leaders of MONTANA WILD LIFE who have enjoyed the splendid illustrations of migratory waterfowl taken on the Nine Pipe reservoir and at the banding station on the national bison range at Moiese, owe a debt of gratitude to Joe B. Halm of Missoula, the photographer who took these remarkable pictures of ducks, grebes, avocets, gees and other waterfowl. Mr. Halm's photographs are works of natural art. He devotes hours and days at times just to take a single picture, stationing himself in a point of vantage and awaiting the proper moment. The full page layout o£ migratory waterfowl nesting at Nine Pipe reservoir included the last group taken by Mr. Halm. Scores of letters have been received from readers for more of these illustrations taken by the man who does his hunting with his camera. Human life is absolutely dependent upon wild life and for- ests. Without these things we would become extinct as a race. PHEASANTS LOST IN STORMS NOTWITHSTANDING well organized efforts to provide food and care for game birds during the past winter. Director 0. H. Johnson of the game and fish depart- ment of South Dakota declares that losses of pheasants from exposure to storms has been considerable. "Apparently, ringnecked pheasants are not so capable of standing the rigors of our winters as are our native upland game birds," he said. "Reports received thus far indicate that many of the birds found dead perished from causes other than starvation, as in most cases they ap- peared to have been well fed and were in good state of flesh. "In conducting their investigation, the field men were authorized to kill a few birds in areas remote from farm buildings or feed lots, where it appeared they were exist- ing wholly upon a natural food supply, and this method of investigation also revealed that the pheasants apparently were not suffering from lack of food." It is a characteristic of the pheasant, which operates to his disadvantage in sections where severe and cold wind storms prevail, that the bird, though hardy and capable of withstanding severe cold, is frequently disinclined to seek such shelter as it might be able to obtain during storms. On one occasion in western Minnesota following a severe northwest blow with low temperature many pheasants, par- ticularly cock birds, were found in the plowed fields dead from exposure. The birds had apparently stood in the wind until their feathers were completely filled with snow and dirt blown from the fields, which eventually caused their deaths. As time goes on the pheasant will learn from expe- rience to seek shelter in case of blizzards just as the prairie chicken does when it burrows under the snow drifts. Some men never feel their oats until they feel their rye. SPRING FIRE TIME IS HEARING WESTERN sportsmen must aid in preserving the for- ests, as such is a prime essential in game and fish conservation. No end of legislative acts regulating and prohibiting hunting of game will preserve the birds and beasts unless reforestation is practiced. It is necessary to restore refuge, plant food supplies and have more rigid enforcement of the game laws, if we are to prevent an- nihilation of game. In this work the prime thing is to re- forest the denuded land. The cutting of timber has de- stroyed the protective cover of game and has forced it into the open to become the prey of natural enemies. Due to the deleting of the forests and the undergrowth it is now important that berry-bearing trees and shrubs be planted in the forests, and streams and lakes supplied with suit- able food. WORTH TEN MILLION A YEAR KANSAS gets at least $10,000,000 worth of good out of its game, fish and birds every year, according to a statement by J. B. Doze, former warden. This is the way he computes it, and the figures look reasonable: "Ducks, gees and other migratory birds shot every year would sell on the market for $1,000,000, and quail for $50,- 000. The 60,000 rabbits sent away every year bring around $50,000, counting jack rabbits. The prairie chicken bag will sell for $25,000. All other game, including rabbits shot for eating purposes, doves, etc., will bring $20,000. The actual business done by Kansas fur dealers exceeds $1,250,000 a year. A million dollars' worth of fish is eaten every year. The birds which are not shot but are protected by the hunters are worth five or six million dollars every year in taking care of noxious weeds and harmful insects, as it is estimated by the Biological Survey at Washington, D. C, that each bird is worth a dime a year to agriculture and that the average bird population is two to the acre. This estimate is probably too low." It truly pays to advertise only what you can advertise truly. GIVING AWAY SURPLUS ELK SURPLUS elk from the National Bison Range in Montana are being offered by the Biological Survey of the United States Department of Agriculture to any one who will remove them without cost to the government. The range is in western Montana near Moiese and Dixon. Because it is asserted the elk there have increased beyond the carrying capacity of the range, it is necessary further to reduce their numbers, even though some of the surplus animals have already been disposed of by sale. The National Bison Range is administered primarily for the maintenance of a fair-sized herd of buffalo, the original stock of which was supplied by the American Bison Society. It is the desire of the Biological Survey to make immediate reduction in the numbers of the elk to avoid feeding them hay, which would otherwise be necessary, as well as to preserve as much forage as possible for the buffalo. The elk at this time are mainly valuable for exhibition purposes at zoos and for stocking game parks and farms. It is now too late in the season .for the elk meat to be good. Frank H. Rose is protector of the National Bison Range. Yes, seven days without food makes one weak. INTRODUCING WILD TURKEYS GAME authorities of the State of Washington are on the alert for new species which may be added to their hunting fields and recently a consignment of wild turkeys was received in Thurston county by State Game and Fish Supervisor S. F. Rathbun. These birds are being cared for on the game farm and may be retained for breeding purposes, the progeny to be liberated in the hunting fields. Wild turkeys have been reared recently on several of the state game farms of Washington and released in various parts of the state. A total of 12,645 ringneck pheasants were distributed from the Steilacoom game farm in Washington last season, a record production. Some Montana folks use a fork in the road for a spoon. WHERE you are is of no moment, but only what you are doing here. It is not the place that ennobles you, but you the place: and this only by doing that which is great and noble. — Petrarch. Keep that school-girl complexion but not on your coat lapel. Don't have it said of you: "When money came in. sense went out." No wonder the coffee is like mud, it was ground yesterday. The rich too often keep happiness out by fencing their lives in. 10 MONTANA WILD LIFE Go Speakaeg T©ran§ With Magpies By A. G. GILLESPIE, Grass Kange, Mont. MONTANA'S magpie, although per- haps the most despised bird in the stair, has at least one point in his favor. He makes a most in- telligent pot. While in the wild state they are as wary as crows and more destructive in many ways, killing young chicks, eating eggs, picking sores on branded cattle and even picking the eyes out of the range cattle in seven' winters when cattle are poor and un- able to protect themselves. Magpies are like pack rats and squir- rels in a way. too, as they have a habit ol carrying off odd things from the yard that may suit their fancy. They hide these souvenirs in some secluded spot and go back occasionally to inspect their loot. Four years ago I had a pet magpie which I secured when about three or four weeks old from a nest and raised it in the house. When about two months old it began to say words like .Maggie," "hello," "hurry up," "come quick." etc. I was amazed at his in- teiligi nee I had heard that they some- times could be taught to talk. I was not aware of training this one as I was not trying to teach it anything. When I began figuring out how it happened to say "Maggie," "hello," "come quick" and "hurry up," I re- membered that we called this magpie Maggie. I used to take the magpie out on the lawn and play with him in the grass. When I found a grasshopper. I said, "Come, Maggie, hurry up. come quick," and if the bird didn't come 1 brought him the grasshopper and fed it to him. Soon lie learned that as soon as I called to him to come quick he would come hopping to me to get his grass- hopper. So 1 was teaching him in the Some folks say that it's impossible to teach a seagull — particularly an inland gull — anything. But here's a picture of Mr. Gillespie hobnobbing with a trained gull in his collection of pets at Grass Range, Mon- tana. most tip-to-date manner and didn't know it. This no doubt would teach some of ns to come quick if there was anything in sight to eat, but this was how 1 taught the first one to talk. Some little children shot it in the lot one day with a new air rifle. There were tears in our family that day. My little girls were heartbroken over the death of our little pet. I was inclined to share the grief with my children too, as he was just one of the family. We let him out in the morning and he would go as far as two blocks from home and when my wife called him he would answer and start for home, which he did every time he was called. I have a daughter named Kulb and he learned to call her when he wanted to come in from the porch. If she did Here's Mr. Gillespie with two of his trained pets, the magpie and a chipmunk. hi: makes birds talk MONTANA has a sportsman who makes birds talk. A. G. Gil- lespie, graduate pharmacist, who operates a drug store at Grass Range, has for years made the study of birds a hobby and his home is a haven for many varieties of feath- ered friends that have apparently acquired the knowledge that Mr. Gil- lespie is their counsellor and adviser. He has of late acquired an albino porcupine. Among his pets are an albino crow, magpies, seagulls, chip- munks, owls, an albino magpie and other boarders. In the accompany- ing article Mr. Gillespie tells the readers of MONTANA WILD LIFE Just what he has learned of the chattering magpie. not come and get him right away he would call louder — "Ruthie." "Come on quick." Then Ruth would usually come and take him in the house. When he was outside and wanted to get in he would rap on the door and if nobody came he would fly on the window sill, pick on the screen and peek in through the window. Now I have another magpie I got last spring and cut some of his wing feathers. This one talks plainly, in tact as perfectly as a human can talk. lie has become tame and likes to play with us. Magpies have a parrot beat seven ways for talking as you can make them talk any time and you can't do that with a parrot. I have been asked many times if it is necessary to split the tongue to make them talk. It is not. They seem to have no dificulty in talking, but it seems they are capable of saying only one or two dozen words. After magpies are a year old they do not seem to try to learn more words, although I think if a person had time to work with them each day they might learn more words. Their accent on words is perfect. The strange thing is that magpies do not all talk. I have been trying for four years to get one that would talk like the first one I had, but it required four years to get one that I could teach to talk. I gave away the mate of the one I have to Mr. Holmes, sta- tion agent at Grass Range. He can also talk, laugh and cough as naturally as a human. This wee canary is another of the trained feathered friends of the Grass Range drug- gist who teaches birds to understand and visit with him. MONTANA WILD LIFE 11 Another strange thing ahout a magpie that talks is that they talk best when they are teased. When they get ex- cited and angered they talk so fast one can hardly tell what they are trying to say. If they could express themselves they would probably tell us bird opin- ions in a short time, without getting tongue-tied. I still have this bird and we would not part with it for a good sum. Mag- pies are real pals and one never tires of playing with them. One day we were planting sunflower seeds near the garage. Maggie was with us but we paid no attention to her. We placed a sunflower seed in a hole, buried it and proceeded to another until we got to the end of the row. When we looked back to see if the row The scope of understanding of bird lore possessed by Mr. Gillespie of Grass Range extends even to the owls — "da big eyed chicks" as the beet workers call 'em. This denizen of the night is perched on the druggist's hand in perfectly peaceful mien. was straight we found Maggie had dug every one of the seeds out and com- pleted her job as soon as we did ours. She hides pieces of meat and bread and anything she likes in our pockets. She hides spoons, nails and anything she can find under the carpet. When we lose anything in the house one of the family will say: "Just look under the carpet and maybe you will find it." The magpie is a handy thing around the house, for she takes the blame for everything lost and saves many a family row over lost articles. I believe if the preachers would throw in a magpie with every marriage certificate there would be fewer di- vorces. After the first few days the magpie would do the talking for the bride, and save all arguments. NOTHING BIT THK TRl'TH The prosecuting attorney had encoun- tered a rather difficult witness. At length, exasperated by the man's eva- sive answers, he asked him whether he was acquainted with any of the jury. "Yes. sir," replied the witness, "more than half of them." "Are you willing to swear that you know more than half of them?" de- manded the man of law. The other thought quickly. "If it comes to that," he replied, "I am willing to swear that I know more than all of 'em put together!" It Woe9t Be Loeg Now MONTANA'S fishing season opens May 21. It's less than a month to wait, but it's gonna be a mighty long month. The fly rods need looking over. The tackle box needs re- plenishing. There's still some sand in the reel acquired when you took that last bath up the creek. That leaky boot needs a patch — and there's not a thing in the world you can do for that fishin' fever but wait a few weeks and then take this prescription: Feeling stale? Liver out of sorts? Tired when you get out of bed? Coffee tasteless, toast half cold, eggs off color? Scold the kids? Snap at your stenog- rapher and threaten to fire the office boy? Don't consult a doctor or a psycho- analyst. There is a surer cure. Let old Doc Nature prescribe for you. Go home earlier. Rummage the attic for your oldest clothes and your wading- boots, your fishing-rod and tackle-box. Oil the ferrule and the reel. Draw the line across a piece of paraffin. Look over your fly-book. Loosen up your wrist by a few casts. Spin the reel and listen to its whir. The dinner gong will surprise you, and you'll go downstairs humming. The dinner will taste better. Go to bed early. Instead of worrying about your health or your business you'll fall asleep to dream of a slowly swirling, foam- flecked pool, a mottled fly. a flash of silver, the thrill of whirring reel and tauteuing line. Don't set the alarm clock. You'll wake at daybreak without it, and leap from bed wide awake, with more pep than you've had in months. For heav- en's sake, don't shave! Merely neglect- ing to shave will help start the day right. The coffee will be delicious, the toast hot and crisp, and you'll take three eggs. Try to reach the stream by seven o'clock. Select your first fly by hold- ing it up to the sunlight, imagining how it will look to a trout. Fish alone. Half the joy of fishing is in being alone. Then the river, the sunlight filtering through new leaves, the wild flowers, the scent of growing things, the notes of the song sparrow, the scream of the jay, the chatter of the squirrel, are your own property. Fish upstream, slowly, casting ahead. The murmur of water against stones, the drone of insects as the sun's power increases, the odor of damp earth soothe sick nerves. Try a cast into that slow swirl below the big boulder. Flick the Parmachene Belle to the edge of the foam. There! A bulldog rush, a whirring reel, a sing- ing line: an electric thrill to every nerve end; a sharp struggle: a living streak of silver in the landing-net! Wet your hand before drawing out the bar. That one must weigh a pound! On upstream. The shadows still slant, but it is noon by your stomach. You listen and doubt your watch be- cause it says ten-thirty. Stand it fif- teen minutes longer. One more trout — and then lunch. That grassy spot in the shade of the ghostly birch — just the place! Sand- wiches and hard-boiled eggs. Um-m-in — delicious! Tea from the vacuum bot- tle! Ah-h-h! Nectar! Bury the paper and the eggshells. Lie on your stom- ach and drink deep from the spring branch. Pluck a sprig of leaf and chew it. Watch the minnows playing in the shallows. Spread your slicker on the grass. Lie on your back, hands under your head. Stare up through the trees, watching the sunlight and the leaves painting slowly changing arabesques against the blue and the shifting silver of the sky. Your eyes will close gently. Two hours later you will wake with a guilty start as you hear again the call of the stream. At dusk you will be deliciously weary. At night you will sink softly into slum- ber, filled with the peace of woods and trees and sunlit flowing water. R: One dose a month. Repeat until cured. Ranger Rescues Elk WHILE on his winter patrol through one of the deep snow- covered valleys of Glacier Na- tional Park. United States Ranger J. R. Hutchinson recently came upon a young elk calf stuck fast in a huge drift. Only the animal's head showed and it was bellowing loudly for help. The J. R. Hutchinson, Glacier Park ranger, finds an elk calf floundering in the snow. ranger took off one of his snow shoes and, using it as a shovel, succeeded in extricating the elk. It was so hun- gry that it quickly gulped down a whole chocolate bar which the ranger offered. The young elk then scampered away, following the well-treaded trail of the rest of the herd which had found Shelter higher up the valley. "It was fortunate the coyotes didn't get this fellow." Ranger Hutchinson gratefully noted in his report to Superintendent Eakin. SAHE THING "Will you have pie, sir?" "Is it customary?" "No, it's apple." 12 MONTANA WILD LIFE MONTANA has attained unusual dis- tinction among the states of the Union by being one ot two states which have anticipated passage ot the Norbeck-Andresen Migratory Bird Con- servation bill and whose legislatures adopted measures assuring the federal government ot state cooperation. Kan- sas and Montana are the only two states reported which, since the bill was signed by the president February IV L929, have given consent to the ac- quisition by the federal government of lands for bird refuge purposes under the new law. This is the word received from the 1'. S. Department of Agricul- ture, which will administer the act. The Montana hill was fostered in the state senate by Senator P. T. McCor- mick of Musselshell county and the senate fish and game committee and by Representative Ren Nelson of Phillips county, chairman, and members of the house fish and game committee. It passed both houses without a dissenting vote. Section 7 of the Migratory Bird Con- ation Act provides that no deed shall be accepted by the Secretary of Agriculture unless the state in which the refuge area lies shall have con- sented by law to the acquisition by the 1'nited States of lands in that state. The Kansas enabling act was approved on February 20 and the one in Mon- tana on March 1. These two states are the first to take special action in the matter, although it has been determined that existing legislation in Arizona, Colorado, Con- ticut, Georgia, Illinois. Iowa, Louis- Maine, Maryland. Michigan, Min Ota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Car- olina, Ohio. Oklahoma, South Carolina. South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyo ming is sufficient tor the federal gov- ernment to proceed with the acquisi- tion of areas for refuge purposes. State enabling legislation, however, will lie necessary in all other states. In those tea where legislation in harmony with the federal act is required, a draft of a suitable measure has been prepared tor consideration by the state legii i lures bidding sessions this year. Jardine of the United Stat'- Department or Agriculture ■ Blders that the Migratory Bird Refuge hill is one of the most important wild life conservation measures that have been written on the statute books of any nation The outstanding exception is the related Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, whirl, the present law is designed to supplement. Both laws were pa sed to carry out the old tlons of the United Slates under the nil Great Britain to protect the wild birds that fly hack and forth each year from Canada, and both will be adtti !.. tie Bureau of Hie! Cal Survey of the Department of Agri- culture "The new law." explained the lary. "gives additional force and effect to the earlier measure by providing federal funds for the survey, pur- chase, and establishment of large areas throughout the entire country to he maintained as inviolate sanctuaries — feeding, nesting, and resting grounds where forever the migrating species of birds ma] enjoy complete protection. "The measure as passed is a national acknowledgment of the tremendous im- portance of the birds of America as aids in the development of agriculture. It acknowledges also the will of the American people to give adequate pro- tection to the beautiful and harmless creatures that are heard in season from every forest, copse, and hedgerow in the land. And it further recognizes the importance of the migratory game birds as a food supply and primarily as an incentive to the healthful sport, out- door study, and recreational activity so essential to the development of a sturdy American manhood. "The act definitely strengthens the arm of the federal government in its sound, constructive, and progressive policy of bird protection. Civilization and the advance of industry, which have often been ruthless in their dis- regard of the needs of the wild crea- tures, are influences that from year to year have decreased the water and marsh areas of the country by man; White Porcupine NATURAL scientists have various theories regarding the albino spe- cies or freak, hut one of the lat- est discoveries of the white creature that occasionally breaks out like the black sheep, is that of the white COT oiipine recently captured by A. (',. Gil- lespie, the bird man of Crass Range, Mont. Its white quills, pink eyes and snowy white paws caused Mr. Gillespie to take several pictures, submit them to the state Department and ask for identification. When kept in captivity too long, however, the gaze nf Ion man] pairs of eyes and Hie poking of loo mans sticks caused its untimely end This picture was taken while the albino was bristling his quills while placed on top ot the wire cage in which he was confined. It is the first known albino porcupine found in Molilalia. thousands of square miles in the ag- gregate. It is evident that closed sea- sons, bag limits, and restrictions im- posed upon the gunners of America by the game laws will all prove ultimately ineffectual to perpetuate our birds if the destruction of their habitat is al- lowed to continue unchecked. "Far-sighted sportsmen, conservation- ists, and nature lovers throughout the country have long recognized the major elements of the problem and have en- deavored to arouse the public to a re- alization of the impending disaster that must surely have befallen the migratory birds but for the timely passage of this act. The idea in some form or other has been before congress for six years, but the various bills introduced from time to time and intended to provide relief have failed of passage in one or both houses because certain provisions have lacked the approval of the com- bined groups that were demanding ade- quate and comprehensive legislation well supported with necessary funds. "The National Committee on Wild Life Legislation, an influential group of men representing practically every national conservation organization in America; the National Federation of Women's Clubs, and other bodies, as well as an uncounted number of indi- viduals, gave full and effective support to the measure. Thus, with champions of the cause in all parts of the coun- try and in both houses of congress, to press the matter, the perfected bill re- ceived unanimous approval. "The Biological Survey, the bureau of the Department of Agriculture that administers the federal activities rela- tive to migratory birds, estimates that 100 to 125 refuges will eventually be needed. These will be located in suit- able areas in all parts of the country. The exact locations of the great system "I refuges will closely follow the main migratory flight lines and concentra- tion areas. These matters will be finally determined after a thorough sur- vey has been carried out by the experts of the department as provided for in the act. "Authorization is made for $75,000. which if appropriated, is to become available on July 1, 1929. for use in preliminary surveys. in 1930 the amount authorized to be available will he $200,000. and in 1931, $600,000. for surveys and the acquisition of lands for refuges. For six years following 1931 an annual appropriation of $1,000,000 is authorized. Al the close of this period it is anticipated that sufficient areas will have been procured to care for the more pressing and essential needs of the birds. Annual appropria- tions of $200,000 arc authorized there- after to pay the costs of maintaining and patrolling the established refuges. to protect the birds from poachers and predatory creatures, to control disease when possible, and to encourage the proilueth.n i,| natural foods. MONTANA WILD LIFE 13 Traosplainit Elk With Traetor MONTANA sportsmen who have re- quested cooperation of the State Fish and Game Department in defraying half the expense in securing carloads of elk from the National Bison Range at Moiese for distribution in suitable areas, have been extending every assistance to make "the plant" successfully. While many states are crying for Montana elk for transplant- ing, many of these monarehs of the forest have been sold to be butchered for meat and sold to eastern corpora- tions or given to Indians. Those which have been requested by state clubs of sportsmen have been moved in the dead of one of the hardest winters in the history of the state. Sportsmen have demonstrated their sportsmanship. One of the most interesting incidents of the transfer of a shipment of these elk is explained in the weekly report of Allen T. Holmes, deputy state game warden stationed at Billings, who as- sisted in unloading and liberating the consignment for the Red Lodge club. They constructed a huge sled, hauled it into the hills with the aid of a cater- pillar engine and only three elk were lost. But let Deputy Holmes tell the story in his own words: "John L. Corey furnished the sled and caterpillar to haul the elk. The crate was built on a sled, and was made of poles about eight inches at butt, about six inches at top, and eighteen feet long. It was six feet wide and about seven feet deep, with poles beveled off for the floor. Then they had about a foot and one-half of hay in the bottom. The upright pieces were pine and about twelve to fifteen inches through. There were four of these. The poles were spiked at ends and to the upright pieces and the rear end was fixed so that poles could go through when the elk were loaded. We used one-by-twelve-inch boards, eighteen feet long, and nailed them to the poles on the inside so that the elk could not get their feet through the cracks between the poles, four feet high. One cow elk was down in the car when we opened it and she had been tramped quite a bit. The hair on her left side was about half off, and left her skin bare. They showed fight from the start. "It was four and one-half miles from Red Lodge to the mouth of Nickles creek where we turned the elk loose, and the Red Lodge Rod and Gun Club had 15 bales of timothy hay scattered there but the elk did not stop to look at the hay. They went up on the side of the mountain and stopped and looked around. Then some of them started to brouse and didn't seem to be afraid. "When we got up with the last load two stood around close to the back end of the sleigh. Then we went up the creek to where one cow was in the snow up to her belly. We got her out on bare ground. The cow that had the hair off her left side was in the creek dead. We pulled her out of the creek and out of the way. Then we put some hay where this other cow could eat it. Another cow in the Hrsl load looked as though she had the distemper. "When we came back to the sleigh one bull was still there, so we threw out the hay in the bottom of the sleigh. He started to eat some of the haj and was standing there when we went out of sight. Outside of the three I have mentioned I think the others will make it all right, after a few days of sun- shine and a little rest. They will get over their soreness and excitement from being penned up. The elk did well for wild animals not used to being handled by man, penned up and shipped by rail, then unloaded from the car into a crate on a sleigh, and hauled four and one- half miles by a caterpillar tractor over a snow road one to six feet deep." MONTANA BEAVER WORTH FORTUNE OFFICIAL records of the State Department showing the num- ber of beaver trapping permits issued at $10 each, where farmers and stockmen complain of beaver damaging irrigation ditches or flood- ing meadows, make an interesting tabulation. Before a permit is is- sued, the Commission insists that the premises be inspected by a game warden. During 1915 and 1916 there are no permits of record as none was required by law. Then during 1919-1920 the fee was waived by law. In 1927 the largest number of per- mits. 641, was issued. During 1929 the total reached 582. The follow- ing table shows the number of per- mits issued since 1915: 1915 * 1916 » 1917 213 1918 100 1919 * 1920 * 1921 242 1922 244 1923 259 1924 139 1925 562 1926 607 1927 641 1928 613 1929 582 MEMBERS of the Lewis and Clark County Rod and Gun Club, gath- ered in annual session, have de- clared war on cats. Alley cats, field cats, farm wanderers, deserted tabbies in town and all other varieties of bird devouring felines are in for a tough time if plans of the Helena organiza- tion are worked out. President Cecil V. Wilson has named a committee made up of Shirley Ashby, one of the most enthusiastic sportsmen of the state, as chairman; Dr. Thomas L. Hawkins, and L. B. Tipling, to call on the Helena city council with a view to drawing up an ordinance opening the season on city cats. They will later see the county commissioners and take care of the country cats. This action is in line with national condemnation of the fe- line enemies of song birds, ground- nesting birds on farms and in the woods, and the club merits the com- mendation of Montana sportsmen. The New York City division of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports the elim- ination of 322,279 cats in a period of eighteen months. It would appear that this society is alive to the importance of radically reducing the number of domestic cats in the interest of increas- ing the bird population. James Sheldon, writing in this report, says that along the beaches near New York last year a multitude of cats were left behind by vacationists. They became ravenous and actually fought with the fishermen for the fish they brought ashore. They climbed porches at night and entered homes in search of food. It is the unwanted, homeless, hungry cat that is the menace of bird life in Montana as well as New York. What is true in the environs of Greater New York is equally true in every part of the inhabited United States. The num- ber of birds devoured by the stray and homeless cat is beyond computation. The house cat gone wild and foraging in the country for its own living is by no means a helpless puny animal. Its extraordinary growth and strength in- dicate an abundant food supply, a great part of which is birds. One who is keenly interested in the conservation of useful wild life writes the American Game Protective Associa- tion urging that cats should be licensed as dogs usually are and the money so obtained should go into the conserva- tion funds for the maintenance of game farms, fish hatcheries and game patrol. He also discounts the claim that a large cat population is necessary to control the increase of rats and mice and he urges that the proper care and storing of foods which are attractive to rodents and the avoidance of scattering loose food around stock or poultry will do more to discourage the breeding of undesirable rodents than can be ac- complished by any number of cats. Systematic and persistent cat elimi- nation campaigns might well be a part of the program of every sportsmen's organization. OH, SAY. CAN YOU SEE—? She: "So you kissed that painted creature?" He: "Yes, I saluted the colors." 14 MONTANA WILD LIFE Montana Leads the Way FOLLOWING the precedent estab- lished by Molilalia's State Fish and Game Commission in seeking sci- entific cooperation <>i scientists of its university in solving fish and game problems, authorities of Wiscon- conservation commission have adopted the plan in attempting to fight the carp. In addition to putting the problem up to Montana scientists the Montana Commission has for several years been experimenting with seining and trapping the hogs of the lakes. This wort is under way at Lake Hel- ena. Nelson reservoir, Swan Lake and other bodies of water. The department of fisheries of the Wisconsin commission has certain be- liefs on the subject of the effect of the seining of lakes, as has practically everyone who is concerned at all with this industry, but to date there has been little done anywhere in the United stales except Montana to procure pre- cise scientific data. The first step in the Wisconsin com- mission's program was to break the carp monopoly in the four Madison lakes by granting contracts covering one lake only to tour different fisher- men. Kach of these four fishermen will have a supervising fish warden with his crow, who will make detailed reports each day on fishing operations. In addition to these, there has been a special man thoroughly experienced in carp seining who has been hired by the commission to make investigations into the work and results of these four carp seining groups. This man will also make detailed reports. A scientist from the University of Wisconsin, working in cooperation with the commission, will make a detailed study of the effect of seining on lake tation. This will be done by stud- ies of areas over which seines are dragged in each of the lakes, and com- paring them with similar areas in each of the lakes which do not have seines ■led. liesidep learning something about the effect oi seining on vegetation, it is ex- pei ted that this year's study will yield valuable Information on the effect of og Beinlng on the spawning of fish, and on the migration and food habits of carp, as well as their schooling Different kinds of seining apparatus will also be experimented with. The ami length of nets, the depth of drat, the Bize of mesh, the kinds of ponds and cribs will all be studied to find out which is best adapted to the commission's program of carp eradica- tion in Wisconsin lakes. Better DUCK Shooting V Order Wild Rice Seed Now For Spring Planting. Thou- sand! of ducks will ...in. to i . i, e field, We M i el. i v, Sago Pond plant, Wapato duck potato and other attractions for waterfowl and fur bearers. Also parched wild rice f"i table use. GEO. D. HAMILTON'S AQUATIC FARMS Box 16 Detroit, Minnesota Subscription Price Is $1 On June 1 ON JUNE 1 the subscrip- tion price of MON- TANA WILD LIFE loill be increased from 50 cents to $1 per year. Because of the increasing demand throughout the nation for the official publication of the State Fish and Game De- partment, and in justice to the great number who have already paid the subscrip- tion, the price will be ad- vanced and names on the complimentary roll dropped from the mailing list. Checks and money orders received up to June 1 will be entered at the introductory pi-ice of 50 cents per year. This ac- tion is taken by direction of the State Commission. Kill Elk Out of Season WHAT HE WAS A man who went to register just be- fore election was asked his trade. "Mason and builder," he replied. The next man in line was an old Irishman. When the question was put to him he said, "Knight o' Columbus and bricklayer." "COLLY" Strain Silver Black Foxes Large, Healthy, Prolific Foxes Born and Raised in Montana for Many Generations Our Booklet, "Silver Fox Farming," Will Be Mailed to You on Request Write for It Beartooth Silver Fox & Fur Farms Breeders of Belter Fur Red Lodge, Mont. DKSI'ITE vigilance of upstanding men who protect Montana's fish and game, the putrid work of the poacher continues. R. E. Dickinson, forest ranger on the Jefferson forest with headquarters at Neihart, has ad- dressed the following interesting letter to the editor of MONTANA WILDLIFE: "All game birds and animals have wintered in fair condition in the Little Belt mountains. Deer are somewhat weak at this time, owing to the late spring and unusual snow depths in the lower elevations where they winter. I happened to come close to 21 head re- cently and started after them on a sad- dle horse, but noticed they labored while crossing snow banks. Strong animals would have bucked through on high. "In the November issue of WILD LIFE there was an article and picture covering the unlawful killing and tak- ing the hind quarters of an elk. Dur- ing the winter of 1927-2S several rod and gun clubs of the Judith Basin country got together and raised money and loan of equipment to ship and de- liver approximately 100 head of elk into the Jefferson national forest at the headwaters of the Judith river. During the summer following these elk scattered over considerable country and some drifted into the headwaters of Belt creek. A four-point bull and two cows were seen several times by myself as well as other persons during late summer in the same locality. One of my men while repairing telephone lines saw the two cows and going over near them found what was left of the bull l horns and head). Northern Fur Company Buyers of RAW FURS Missoula, Montana. ooooooooo Members of Montana Raw Fur Dealers' Association MONTANA WILD LIFE 15 Cut The Duck Limit LEE H. KIMMEI, of Kalispell, one of the best known sportsmen of the state, who takes a keen inter- est in giving fish and game a fair chance, favors the reduction of the bag limit on ducks to 15 per day, regard- less of the fact that the federal law differs from that of the state. He writes as follows: In the January number of MONTANA WILD LIFE I found a sight to behold, six men and three women posing with 35 deer killed in 1914, only 15 years ago, when the bag limit was only two deer. They had just 17 deer more than they were allowed according to law. This must have been a grand and glori- ous hunting trip. On the left of the picture of the game hogs one of the party is kneeling with a dog. I presume the dog took a big part in the killing. The limit of deer in 1914 is somewhat like the limit of ducks today. It seems to me that the duck law is badly in need of an overhauling. Sometimes I think the ducks are traveling the same route as the buffalo, antelope and the prairie chicken. Twenty-five years ago in the eastern part of the state there were countless thousands of ducks and geese on the lakes and streams. There are no such numbers there today. In fact I have seen more geese in one flock in eastern Montana than you will ducks now in the entire hunting season. If we permit this to go on it will only be a matter of a short time until col- lectors of our extinct game birds will be offering $10,000 for a pair of mal- lard ducks, dead or alive. There is only one way to lend a hand to the fast disappearing ducks, and that is to reduce the bag limit, say to 15 per day. That is plenty for any one family at one time. The odds are greatly against the ducks today. If we do not offer them a helping hand they will pass on to the resting place of the buffalo, antelope and prairie chicken. want more Ducks 1072 W Blk. More food means more game. Com- plete line of planting aterials suitable for Montana. Planting helps free. Write TERRELL'S AQUATIC FARM 8 Oshkosh, Wisconsin FOXES ^-*«J^AketanBhi»»ndPedJ«reedSav«re. Order Wow — Early Doh-rtry mar* satisfactory. We guarantee, In Your hands or Ours, lOO^increase under ranching con- trmotonadolt Blues. 6 Bank Ref. for K yr». and Satisfied customers. rillWwllll ftglllllllsjtlllml TmnTlil1»l|lHII'hllr ■'y, "One of the World's largest"— Free booklet tells aD CLBiLEY BBOS-FaiFarmi.Eonnn-eBMg..S£ATTLE. ILSX Here's a closeup of E. A. Wilson of Liv- ingston, member of the Montana State Fish and Game Commission, with a nice mess of pan sized native trout hooked with flies in the Yellowstone country. He's an ar- dent dry fly enthusiast. Hunting & Fishing is a 52-page monthly magazine crammed full of hunting, fish- ing, camping and trapping stories and pictures, valuable in- formation about guns, rifles, fishing tackle, game law changes, best places to get fish and game, etc. Biggest value ever offered in a sporting magazine. And here's the famous Remington Sportsman's Knife with a stag handle and two long slender blades espe- cially designed to meet the exacting re- quirements of skinning and cleaning fish, game birds and fur- bearing animals. Blades are of superior quality steel with The name "Remington" on the blade Is your guarantee of quality. strong, durable, keen-cutting edges. The points are shaped just right for a good, clean job of slitting and skinning. SPE- CIAL OFFER— We will send you Hunting and Fishing Magazine for a whole year; 12 big issues and this Remington Sports- man's Knife Both for $1. Satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded. Mall your order today to Hunting <£. Fishing Magazine 237 Transit Bldg., Boston, Mass. Attract Wild Ducks, Fish, Muskrats, Up- land Game Birds and Animals r Tr/ Plant Natural Foods Jbk that will bring and hold ' ' large numbers at your favorite hunting or fishing grounds. Wild Rice, Wild Celery, Duck Potato and 30 others described in free Il- lustrated book. Write, describe grounds, and receive free planting- advice and book Wisconsin Aquatic Nurseries Box 331-D Oshkosh, Wis. Hercules Alaskan Silver Black Foxes Write for information and prices. Idaho Fox Farm Co., Porthill, Idaho, or Hugo Renlund, Red Lodge Mont. THE Leo. M. Goldberg Fur and Wool House, Inc. One of the Largest Direct Buyers in the Northwest, of All Kinds of American Raw FURS 1040 Helena Avenue Helena - - Montana U. S. HEADQUARTERS Imported Arms, Ammunition & Parts Mauser • Luger - Merkel Bros. • Mannlicher, • Webley - Scott, etc. Full line American Arms & Ammunition | Springfield's Res tocfeed to Col. Whclen's Re vised Specifications A.F.Stoeger.Imc. NewYork.N.Y. 509 Fifth Avenue (at 42nd St.) 16 MONTANA WILD LIFE Sec. 435%, P. L. & R. U. S. POSTAGE PAID Helena, Montana Permit No. 27 DESPITE open air cafes conducted by Montana's State Fish and Ga Commission, farmers, sportsmen's clubs and other organizations, where free meals have been served during the severe winter, hundreds of Montana ducks and upland birds are known to have perished. Winn the heavy snow- fall made it apparent that wild life might suffer, the Commission was quick to authorize deputies throughout the state to work with sportsmen and farm- ers in the distribution of baled alfalfa for the deer, cracked wheat and corn for the Hungarians and Chinese pheas- ants and food for the migratory water- fowl. Guardians of game and other deeply interested exponents of conser- vation have worked diligently. Only in a few localities have heavy losses been reported. Deputy Game Warden Jack F. GoldS- by, stationed at Poison, fed about four tons of wheat to birds in Lake county during the heavy snow. The wheat was distributed in some 30 places and, ac- cording to Deputy Goldsby, he was feed- ing as many as 300 sharp-tailed grouse, Chinese pheasants and Hungarian par- tridges in each location. They learned to come to lunch and spread the word among their coveys. An example of the splendid coopera- tion shown by Montana farmers in feeding game birds is shown in the response of Joe Marion and Mr. Smith, farmers on the Irvine Flats, near Radio postoffice. On instructions of the Com- mission Deputy Goldsby was sent to these farmers, who each fed about 500 sharp-tailed grouse all winter, to make a financial settlement for wheat and other grain fed to game birds. The farmers declined to accept a dime of the money of Montana sportsmen for their services, declaring that they were glad to have the game birds on their farms and desired to do everything possible to iin them during winter difficulties. The government weather bureau at Pol- son reports that about five feet of snow foil in that vicinity during the winter. These farmers scattered grain in the sheaf for the stock and birds while the birds were perched around on trees, - v* ^ Subscribe Now! The subscription price of MONTANA WILD LIFE will be increased from 50 cents to $1 per year on June 1, the first anniversary of the official publication of the State Fish and Game Depart- ment. Checks for subscrip- tions at the rate of 50 cents per year will be received until that date. The compli- mentary list will be elimi- nated. Help the cause. Do it now! Attach your check to the following list of friends and mail it to the editor at Helena: Name Address. Name Address Name Address Name Address Name Address Dead mallards found floating on Spring Creek, near Ronan. buildings and on the ground awaiting their chance at the morsels. Mr. Ma- rion says that the only birds which perished in his vicinity were those killed by Cooper hawks. Coyotes and wolves also took their toll. Deputy Goldsby shot a timber wolf while making his rounds, on snow- shoes, packing grain for birds on his back. The pelt measured five feet six inches. After being hit the third time the WOlf traveled a mile before drop- ping. In the lower Flathead ralley the snow was reported four to 14 feet deep. Two assistants were employed by the Com- mission lo aid Deputy Goldsby. Ranch- ers in the Valley View region fed large numbers of game birds gathered on hay Stacks and sheltered spots. Mallards starved and found in the snow in western Montana. On the five miles of open water on Spring Creek, which flows through Ro- nan. thousands of golden eyes, mallards and native ducks gathered during the bitter weather. Nine Pipe and Pablo reservoirs and pot holes throughout the Poison district were frozen solid. Dr. Bert Koons of Ronan and other sports- men found dead ducks on the waters of the creek and on snowbanks, death being caused by freezing or starvation. Meanwhile thousands of geese were seen on Flathead Lake. SAVING? "Since I bought my car I don't have to walk to the bank to make my de- posits." "Ah, you ride there?" "No. I don't make any." BIRD TRAVELS The birds that live on insects in the east go to Cuba and the West Indies or to Central and South America in the winter. The bobolink at this season will sing in South American fields. Plover and snipe are credited with the most extensive migrations. Some spe- cies breed within the Arctic circle and go to the southern end of South Amer- ica for the winter. The sparrows, rob- ins and bluebirds and many of the berry eaters spend the winter from the Middle states to the Gulf of Mexico. In the west the migratory birds go to Mexico. CURED ! He had just hung out his shingle. That morning a stranger entered. The doctor asked to be excused as he hur- ried to the phone. Taking down the receiver he said: "Yes, this is Dr. Whoosit. Yes, I will be ready for you at two-ten this after- noon. But please be prompt for I am very busy. Two hundred dollars? Yes, i hat was the estimate I gave you." Hanging up the receiver, he turned to the stranger, and, rubbing his hands, asked: "Now, sir, what can I do for you?" "Nothing," replied the stranger, quiet- ly. "I only came in to connect the telephone."