BIRCH BROWSINGS 161 



fish are quite black, but in the lakes they are of a 

 lustre and brilliancy impossible to describe. 



These waters have been much visited of late years 

 by fishing parties, and the name of Beaver Kill is 

 now a potent word among New York sportsmen. 



One lake, in the wilds of Callikoon, abounds in 

 a peculiar species of white sucker, which is of excel- 

 lent quality. It is taken only in spring, during 

 the spawning season, at the time "when the leaves 

 are as big as a chipmunk's ears." The fish run up 

 the small streams and inlets, beginning at nightfall, 

 and continuing till the channel is literally packed 

 with them, and every inch of space is occupied. 

 The fishermen pounce upon them at such times, and 

 scoop them up by the bushel, usually wading right 

 into the living mass and landing the fish with their 

 hands. A small party will often secure in this 

 manner a wagon load of fish. Certain conditions of 

 the weather, as a warm south or southwest wind, 

 are considered most favorable for the fish to run. 



Though familiar all my life with the outskirts of 

 this region, I have only twice dipped into its wilder 

 portions. Once in 1860 a friend and myself traced 

 the Beaver Kill to its source, and encamped by 

 Balsam Lake. A cold and protracted rainstorm 

 coming on, we were obliged to leave the woods 

 before we were ready. Neither of us will soon for- 

 get that tramp by an unknown route over the moun- 

 tains, incumbered as we were Avith a hundred and 

 one superfluities which we had foolishly brought 

 along to solace ourselves with in the woods; nor 



