Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 134, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 June 1912 — CARIBOU MIGRATION IN NEW FOUNDLANO [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CARIBOU MIGRATION IN NEW FOUNDLANO

ONCE more I found myself in Newfoundland watching from my blind for the elusive caribou. The day before yeßter--—-——nay; while paddling up the river, I saw several small lots of caribou; and this morning, while cooking my solitary breakfast, a herd of fifteen swam across the river and landed on the bank directly opposite my camp; so it looks as though thd migration, for which I have long waited, has really begun, writes A. Radclyffe Dugmore in Country Life. Yesterday I repaired the blinds, which I have used each year, and built a couple of new ones on very promising leads, so I feel that I am ready for my friends wheiTHltey come. My blind, or gaze, as the Newfoundlanders call it, Is a simple affair compose*! of * about a dozen small fir trees stuck securely into the bog, arranged in a circle, open at the southern end. On the north side facing the leads the branches are cut atfay, leaving an opening through which the camera protrudes. The selection of a desirable site for the blind is of the greatest importance; it should control as many leads as possible, the prevailing direction of the wind must be considered, the sun must be from the back, the background should compose well, and there should be no obstructions in the foreground. Inside the blind everything should be arranged so that no dry twigs will rub against one’s clothing, for the slightest noise may cause the loss of a picture. A numhev of well-worn leads or paths pass on each side of the blind I have made, some only a few feet away, others two or three hundred feet. All the conditions are such that If the caribou come I should be almost certain to get pictures. The day wears on’, but not a caribou comes, I have been doing some sketching, but the cold wind makes the work very trying. The afternoon is particularly dark and unpleasant, and as it is nearly four o’clock I will head for camp without having used a single plate. On my way down the river two small herds crossed far ahead of me. In a New* Blind. Another day. Since eight o’clock this morning I have been in the same blind, but without accomplishing anything. In the. distance I have heard the splashing of animals crossing the river; why it is none comes along these fine leads is difficult to understand. Before returning to my camp I shall examine the banks find out what leads are being used. Yesterday’s search showed that the caribou are using 1 the leads below my camp, quite a number having crossed the river during the past few days; so this morning finds me in a new blind on the south side of the river. Unfortunately, the wind is blowing so hard that it is impossible to i hear any animals entering the water. , Therefore it is all the more necessary that I keep my eyes opened. For two hours I have been waiting and my hands and feet are becoming numb, so I must get up and start the blood circulating; but wait! there is a caribou. It proved to be only a doe and her fawn, a beautiful pair, almost entirely clothed in their winter coat of silvery white. They came along at a quick walk heading directly toward me, closer and closer until within forty feet or so. Owing to the lack of light It was impossible to make a picture of them walking, so that, as soon as everything was ready I gave a sudden shout. They stopped immediately, and as they looked about with a surprised expression the shatter clloked with a noise that revealed my position and off the pair went at full gallop. This little excitement helped to warm me up; but the cold is getting more and more intense and the sky becomes still more heavily obscured with cold, lead-colored clouds. Bad weather is coming, without doubt. If only It would, snow there would be no lack of caribou. Even While I am writing occasional snowflakes fly past, stinging hay faae. Further writing is impossible todajr. At intervals daring the nigh, flurries of hard snow blew against my tent, yet all together there was scarcely enough to whiten the ground. Good Chance With Camera. ‘ The day broke dull and gray, but before nine o’clock the sun came out. Now if the caribou would only come. The light is ggpd and there is little wind, so that any animals crossing the xieer ean be easily heard. Suddenly the stillness of the morning was broken py repeated sounds of splashing

in the river. Caribou had crossed and landed close to where my canoe was hidden. Fortunately, they kept clear of imy trail. It was only a small herd, but they came within range and I made two exposures. Scarcely had I reloaded the camera than another and larger herd came Into view; What a superb sight they presented as they walked with fjuick steps along the lead which would give me the best chance with the camera. So quiet was the morning that the curious clicking of their feet sounded unusually clear. Here was the chance for which I had been waiting six long yearß, the combination that I knew was bound to come some time —good light and a large enough herd Off absolutely unsuspicious caribou. It was really worth waiting for, and my heart beat so hard with excitement that it seemed as though the approaching an- . imals must hear it. With almost fe- { verish haste each part of the camera was carefully examined to see that the shutter was set correctly, the proper diaphragm in place, the slide drawn and so forth. All of thlß occupled but a second or two. However, the animals were almost in range by the time I had made shre that everything was in readiness. If only a stag had been leading; but that seldom happens. In fact, only three times have I seen It First came a doe and her fawn, then three young stags and another doe, followed by a fair stag; but the largest one was, of course, the last*of the line. That is the rule, and that is why it is so very difficult to photograph them. On they came, and I watched them closely as they grew larger and larger on the ground-glasß of the camera; but at the moment when they almost covered the entire plate I pressed the shutter release, the picture was made, and the herd had gone before another plate could be put into position.

CARIBOU ON MIGRATION