BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 85 



covery this commission was very glad to welcome him back and secure 

 his valuable services. 



3Ir. Armstroug, while not a regular employ^ until September, 1883, 

 bud yet served for several seasons in gathering whitefish ova. He had 

 gained the reputation of being one of the most skillful and capable 

 among experts. He was also well known for his industrious habits, hon- 

 orable dealing, and good judgment. When the increased appropriation, 

 granted by the legislature, made possible extended operations by this 

 commission, ^Ir. Armstrong was the first nmn engaged. 



They were tbree manly fellows that any commission might well have 

 been proud of, as we were. They were three fast friends, who were al- 

 ways loyal to each other and themselves, their families, and their friends. 



And this minute is the saddest that shall ever be made upon these 

 records. 



40 POACHERS OR DE^^TRl'CTI VE VISITORS OF FISH-PONDS. 



By JAMES AIVWIN , Jr. 



[Abstract, by Cbas. W. Smiley, of a paper iu tbo Transactious of the American Fish 



Cultural Associa'.iou for 18S1.] 



I. Kingfishers. — The notes of this bird are heard from early spring 

 until cold weather, and even before the spring season is opened, as if 

 impatient for it to come. He is never satisfied, being on the lookout 

 from daylight till dark, and is ever ready for the plunge. He can 

 take as many fish as the average sportsman. 



The best way to destroy him is by a small, round, steel trap, the kind 

 without the shank or tail piece. Fasten it to the top of a 10 or 15 foot 

 pole, near a fishing ground, where the bird may think it a splendid spot 

 for observations, and he will drop both feet squarely into the trap. 

 Occasionally it will take hawks and owls, but very few robbins or small 

 birds. 



II. Ducks. — The domestic duck is very destructive, not only to fish 

 and fish eggs, but to the food of fish. I have seen the tame duck de- 

 vour a .trout G inches long. I have been annoyed by the wild ducks 

 called saw-bills or shell-drakes, and I was not able to exterminate them 

 by shooting. Eed flannel flags I found to have the eflect of scaring 

 them away. 



III. Owls. — The common hoot or screech owl will cause some trouble. 

 One day I found an owl iu a mnskrat trap, some 4 inches under water. 

 He was after the fish food of the stream, such as the fresh-water lob- 

 ster, caddis worm, shrimp, &c. The> can be caught in the kingfisher 

 traps. 



IV. Herons. — The blue heron deals death with his long, heavy, sharp 

 bill to everything in the fish line. He poaches mostly in the early 

 morning and after dark, coming into shallow water, even within a rod 



