EARLY DAY STORIES. 87 



has been seen in recent times, and the track of one was found 

 between Oakdale and Neligh in the year 1910. The last one 

 killed, unless I am mistaken, was shot near Oakdale by V. E. 

 Brainard in 1887 or '88. The only panther ever seen in the 

 county is the one spoken of in the preceding chapter. These 

 things are mentioned as I have had my attention called to 

 them, and the dates given may not be exact in every in- 

 stance, but they are approximately correct. Of course, some 

 of these animals may have been seen in the county recently 

 and that fact may not have come to my knowledge. 



Great changes have taken place among the birds that 

 made this county their home, or used it as a stopping place 

 during their migrations in the spring and fall of each year. 

 Some kinds have left us entirely others are yet with us in 

 diminished numbers others are as numerous as ever, or in 

 some instances have actually increased in number, and there 

 are a few new varieties now becoming common that were 

 never seen here in the early days. Of the kinds that were 

 common forty years ago, but that are now rarely or never 

 seen, are the wild turkey, the raven, the magpie and the 

 curlew. The magpies, however, are to some extent coming 

 back again; for the last two winters they have been seen 

 in quite large numbers in the timbered ravines of Cedar 

 creek. Of those that were common but are now very rare 

 are the turkey buzzard and the plover. 



Among those that have greatly diminished in num- 

 ber are the wild geese, the different varieties of brants 

 and wild ducks of many kinds, also prairie chickens and 

 sharp-tail grouse. Occasionally there has been seen here 

 a pelican, a blue heron, a loon, and now and then a small 

 flock of white swans, but this country is avoided by them 

 of late years. Among those that have greatly increased in 

 number are the blackbirds, robins, bluebirds, blue-jays, 

 brown thrushes and quails. Among those that have about 

 held their own are the meadow larks, turtle doves, cat birds, 



