BIRCH BROWSINGS. 175 



very great. In such localities the fish are quite black, 

 but in the lakes they are of a lustre and brilliancy im- 

 possible 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 Collikoon, abounds in a 

 peculiar species of white sucker, which is of excellent 

 quality. It is taken only in spring, during the spawn- 

 ing 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 con- 

 tinuing 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 favor- 

 able 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 i860, a friend and myself, traced 

 the Beaver Kill to its source, and encamped by Balsam 

 Lake. A cold and protracted rain-storm coming on, 

 we were obliged to leave the woods before we were 

 ready. Neither of us will soon forget that tramp by 

 an unknown route over the mountains, encumbered as 



