210 BIRCH BROWSINGS. 



such localities the fish are quite black, but 

 in the lakes they are of a lustre and bril- 

 liancy 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 excellent 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 night- 

 fall, and continuing until 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 favor- 

 able for the fish to run. 



Though familiar all my life with the out- 

 skirts of this region, I have only twice 

 dipped into its wilder portions. Once in 



