206 BCLLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



ence of sundry legions of chickens, ducks, and turkeys, on their first 

 visit to the New Orleans Christmas festivities. Conductors and bag- 

 gage men during the whole route assisted us in every way possible. 



We reached our destination on Friday morning — the morning of a 

 very pleasant, warm, and sunshiny day. Birds were abundant. A res- 

 ident of Tickfaw spoke of his intention to plant pease and beans in a few 

 days. There was abundant evidence of recent rains. The clay subsoil 

 retains widespread accumulations of water over the surface. 



A four-ox team drew the cans to jSTotalbany Elver, the time occupied 

 in going and returning being about three hours. Messrs. O. M. Kinchen, 

 M. N. Arnold, and W. L. Fairchild accompanied me to see the planting. 

 jSTotalbany River has pure, cold water (55 Fahr.), running over a bed of 

 clear, white sand and gravel. There are many deep places and numer- 

 ous little rapids. Big-mouth black bass {Micropterus paUidus) abound, 

 much to the jeopardy of the tender salmon. Soon after the fry were 

 put in they started up the stream, and in a few minutes most of them 

 had traveled about 200 yards. The current is quite strong. At one 

 place a rapid caused a short delay, but soon one salmon took the leap 

 and the rest followed. 



Mr. Maxson came down from Amite as soon as jDossible on Friday, 

 after successfully placing his charge in the Tangipahoa. We made some 

 collections of fish in the pools of water left by overflow in the vicinity 

 of Tickfaw. On the following day, December 24, we hauled a Baird 

 seine in the ISTotalbanj , to see what neighbors the little quinnat salmon 

 were to have. We captured a good many of the fry introduced on Fri- 

 day, and returned them to the stream in fine condition. They were con- 

 cealed under dead leaves, sticks, and stones, on the bottom. 



COLLECTIONS OBTAINED. 



In the pools of water at Tickfaw we found Zygonectes melanops and a 

 species of some other genus of cyprinodonts, young Lepomis, young 

 black bass {Micropterus palUdus), a species of Cambarus, and a small 

 shrimiD. In Notalbany River we seined Zygoriectes nofatus, Ammocrypta 

 Beanii, and a representative of another genus of darters, Lepomis mega- 

 lotis, a species of Woturus, numerous cypriuoids not yet determined, 

 some mollusks, and the common shrimp. A tree frog {Hyla sp.) was 

 also caught near the river. Large numbers of cane rabbits {Lepus 

 callotis var.), opossums {Didelphys virginiana)^ and raccoon {Procyon lotor) 

 were brought in daily by hunters. Quail were plentiful, but strong in 

 flight and gun-shy. 



As to the result of the introduction of California salmon in 1876 

 nothing is known to me. Mr. W. Alex. Gordon, 30 Carondelet street, 

 New Orleans, has a knowledge of the Tangipahoa, and may be able to 

 give information about the subject. 



United States National Museum, 



Washington^ November IG, 1881. 



