CALIFORNIA PISH AND GAME. 107 



On October 31 our surveying operations brought us to the main Kern 

 River. Here we found any quantity of elk and waterfowl, and such a 

 place for hunters I never saw ! The mallard duck abounded, but of every 

 description of waterfowl my pen could scarcely describe the numbers, 

 or the excitement they would create in the breast of a sportsman. Your 

 ears are confused with the many sounds — the quacking of the mallard, 

 the soft and delicate whistle of the baldpate and teal, the underground- 

 like notes of the rail or marsh hen, the flute-like notes of the wild goose 

 and brant, the wild ranting of the heron, not to forget the bugle-like 

 notes of the whooping crane and swan and a thousand other birds 

 mingling their songs together — creates that indescribable sensation of 

 pleasure that can only be felt by one fond of nature in its wildest and 

 most beautiful form. 



We crossed the Kern and went on to Lake Buena Vista. We found 

 the immediate vicinity of this beautiful lake on the side of our approach 

 (from the west) devoid of life, save for the little ground squirrel and 

 the little desert sparrow. Later, however, we found great quantities of 

 white geese and other waterfowl of every description on the southeast 

 shores of Lake Buena Vista. In fact, so great was the number that out 

 of ten shots fired one hundred and eighty-five fowl were killed. 



It was here at Lake Buena Vista that von Schmidt completed his 

 surveying operations and we made a quick and uneventful trip to our 

 homes in San Francisco. 



NOTES ON DRY-FLY FISHING. No. 4. 



By It. L. M., Cnlifornin. 



Scene: In the hills in California. Time: Present. 



Dramatis personoi: 

 Clerk op the Hotel. 

 Angler. 

 Tourist. 



Clerk : Here comes the angler. He can tell you all about that dry- 

 fly stuff they were discussing last night. Angler, let me make you 

 acquainted with Tourist. He wants j^ou to tell him all you know about 

 these dry-flies. 



Angler: Well, I'll do my best. (To Tourist.) Are you going fishing 

 today ? 



Tourist : No, my party is going up to Pine Lake, and as I have had 

 enough riding in a miachine to last me a long time, I'm taking a 

 day off and going to loaf round the hotel — unless something better 

 turns up. 



Angler : How about coming out with me, then ? We shall have the 

 whole day and you can see just how the game is played. 



Tourist : I shall be delighted to do so, and I am sure I shall know 

 something about dry-fly fishing when the day is over. 



