110



The White Pelicans of Oregon.



winter time, when Lake Klamath is mostly frozen and the surrounding

mountains are covered with snow. The elevation of 4000 feet means

naturally cold weather in winter, and Northern Oregon is also much

colder than Central and Southern California, especially on the sea

coast.


All kinds of Duck, Geese, Swans, etc., are plentiful to abun¬

dance. October 1st opens the Pheasant hunting here for two weeks

only. The Chinese Pheasant is the only variety open to sportsmen

to shoot; the other varieties being still protected by close season

until they are more abundant.


Great numbers of Duck are now on the Bogue Biver, and

the season for them also and for Quail opens October 1st. Salmon

and Steelhead are running up the Bogue and spawning in the shallow

reaches. I have noticed Herons, Terns, Loons, and many other

wildfowl hunting the salmon eggs in the shallow places, and many of

them eat the fish that have died after spawning.


Steelhead are the gamest fish for the lover of rod and reel,

better even than the salmon. I have seen a twelve-pounder grab

the fly and go straight down stream with a hundred yards of good

Hardy line, and the fisherman dive in and swim too, until he could

get a check and a chance to reel in a little.


Pishing of this kind is no easy sport; but again, I diverge

from birdlore, for which, pray pardon me !


[‘ Bird Lore,’ vol. svii, No. 6, contains a most interesting

paper on bird life in the Klamath district. According to the writer,

Mr. W. L. Binley, the lake is about twelve miles long and some

five or six miles broad. It is encumbered by islands of floating

vegetation, which give asylum to great colonies of Pelicans, Gulls,

Cormorants, and other birds. Mr. Pinley’s party found the Pelicans

sitting in rows of hundreds, their chins solemnly resting on their

chests— like a huge congregation. Bed-head, Pintail, Canvas-back,

and Cinnamon Duck were seen, also Great Blue Heron, Coots,

and Avocets. The lake is constantly policed by an Audobon patrol

boat, as the Pelicans were formerly ruthlessly destroyed for millinery

purposes.— G. B.]



