78 



ORNITHOLOGIST 



[Vol. 14-No. 5 



T. V. Ostraiid, in the employ of C. K. Reed, secured 

 two fine S])eciinens of the Logoerhead Shrike, April 

 10th. The J was a clear white on underparts, while the 

 O was ashy with the wavy markings. Mr. Reed also 

 received early in May a fine specimen of the Black- 

 necked Stilt, shot at Rockland, Maine. 



Charles F. Morrison, whose articles on Colorado 

 birds have attracted so much attention, has been seri- 

 ously ill with pneumonia. At last accounts he was con- 

 valescent. He has the best wishes from an extended 

 circle of friends. 



The new A. O. IT. list is hardly dry from the press 

 when it is offered at a cut rate combination price. If 

 the price, 50 cents, is too high for it, then lower it ; or 

 if it requires a premium, make it universal. We main- 

 tain that it is a very poor plan to have as many prices 

 for a standard publication, as there are dealers — and 

 publishers. 



During the past year corporal punishment was ad- 

 ministered 18,000 times in the public schools of Boston, 

 and we venture to say in nine cases out of ten for trivial 

 offences. We do not believe in it. Here is a good 

 chance for President Angell to show his extreme love 

 for all creation. 



H. Austen took five trout at Cold Harbor. They 

 weighed 14 1-2 lbs. The ornithological part is that he 

 used flies made of feathers. 



The Scotch societies in Boston have found out where 

 they can get eagle quills and the demand ff)r turkey 

 feathers has fallen oft'. 



Six eggs of the Wandering Albatross from Desolation 

 Islands, measure : .5x3, 4.75x;j.08, 5.20x2.90, 5.12x2.9.5, 

 5.08x3.10, 4.78X.3.11 ; the color is similar to that of the 

 Brown Pelican and shell very thin. 



Two hundred and thirty of last year's subscribers to 

 the O. & O. have not renewed, but their subscriptions 

 are coming in slowly. Should they all renew our sul)- 

 scriptiim list would be the largest we ever had. 



A Terrier Carried off iiv an Eagle. — For some 

 time past the farmers on the (Juantock Hills, in West 

 Somerset, Eng., have been at a loss to understand the 

 numerous disappearances of young lambs which have 

 taken place. Two or three weeks ago, however, a bird 

 of the eagle species, apparently of enormous size and 

 strength, was observed flying about near the combes 

 around the West Hill, and it is to this unusual visitor 

 that the depredations upon the lambs are ascribed. 

 There is evidently some ground for the supposition, as 

 within the last few days two ladies were riding near 

 Staple Plain, accompanied by a small rough terrier. 

 The dog strayed away for some distance, when the 

 eagle was seen to suddenly swoop down and, seizing it 

 with its talons, carry it olf. The bird is believed to be 

 a golden eagle. This is not the first time that eagles 

 have been seen among the wild hills and moors of West 

 Somerset. It was but a few months ago that a white- 

 headed sea eagle was shot on the coast near Watchet.— 

 [Yorkshire Post, March 9, 1889. 



Capt. Mark Cole of the Ohio river steamer " Sentinel" 

 vouches for this incident : On Wednesday last, while in 

 midriver en route to (iolconda, he crii)pled with a shot- 

 gun a huge black eagle which was soaring slowly 

 toward the Kentucky shore. The bird fell about 100 

 yards on shore below Hamlettsburg, and after con- 

 siderable trouble was secured and taken aboard the 

 boat. Its wings measured eight feet two inches from 

 tip to tip. The bird was taken to Golconda, and, as it 

 was supposed to be badly crippled and unable to fly, it 



was put in a courtyard, which is surrounded by a high 

 wire fence. Yesterday a colored boy, 9 years old, ven- 

 tured within the enclosure and excited the ire of the 

 eagle, who instantly pounced upon the child, and, 

 fixing his talons into his shoulders, began slowly 

 ascending, flapping his broad wings violeritly. The 

 boy screamed loudly in his terror and jjain. Assistance 

 arrived when he was suspended five feet from the 

 ground. The eagle dropi»ed his prey and quietly 

 alighted in a corner of the yard, apparently not in the 

 least excited over his failure to procure a winter supply 

 of food. The shoulders of the boy were considerably 

 lacerated. — [Albany Evening Journal. 



A Foolhardy Eagle Attempts to Kidnap a 

 CoNNEf'TicuT Farmer.— Portland, Conn., April 23d.— 

 This morning, as Daniel Button was approaching Pa- 

 cousset pond, a large gray eagle swooped down and 

 tried to seize him as prey. The bird fastened his beak 

 and talons on his arm, and Button grabbed the bird's 

 neck, at the same time yelling loiully for help. A 

 neighbor and his son came to the rescue and after a 

 severe tussle the eagle was overpowered, cai)tured and 

 taken to Button's house, where he now is. The eagle 

 measured nearly 7 feet from tij) to tip. He was lean 

 and hungry, and had evidently intended to breakfast 

 r>n Button. The bird stands ,30 inches high, and al- 

 though very poor, weighs 20 pounds. — [Boston (ilol)e. 



Extracts from the Fish and Game 

 Laws of Massachusetts, 1888. 



FISH. — WHEX NOT TO BE TAKEN. 



Black Bass, between Dec. 1st and July 1st. Penalty, 

 .§2-$20. 



Trout, Lake Trout and Land Locked Salmon, excei>t 

 in Berkshire Co., between Sept. 1st and April 1st. Pen- 

 alty, $5-.S20. 



Salmon, between Aug. 1st and May 1st. Penalty, 

 $10-.S50. 



Smelt, between March 1.5th and June 1st. Penalty, 



Lobsters not to be taken less than 10 1-2 inches in 

 length, and not to be taken in July, bearing eggs. 

 Penalty, $.5-.f;i00. 



Nets not to be used in Ponds, under penalty of for- 

 feiting apparatus, and $20-^50. 



GAME — WHEN NOT TO BE KILLED. 



Partridge or Rulfed Grouse, between Dec. 1st and 

 Sept. 1st. Penalty, .§20. 



Woodcock, between Dec. 1st and Sept. 1st. Penalty, 

 $20. 



Quail, between Jan. 1st and Oct. 15th. Penalty, f 20. 



Duck of all kinds, between April 15th and Sept. 1st. 

 Penalty, $20. 



Plover, Snipe and Rail, marsh, beach and shore 

 birds, between May 1st and July 15th. Penalty, $10. 



Grey Squirrels, Hares and Rabbits, between March 

 1st and Sept. 1st. Penalty, $10. 



Deer are not to be killed at any time. Penalty, $100. 



Insectivorous and song birds are not to be killed at 

 any time. Penalty, $10. 



Trapping, snaring and setting snares, and ferreting 

 of birds and animals above mentioned, prohibited at 

 all times. Penalty, $20. 



Possession of the above mentioned fish, animals and 

 birds, during their close seasons, is punishable by fine 

 or imprisonment. 



