48 



THE CANADIAN SPORTSMAN AND NATURALIST. 



duce instant death. I prepared a sharp-pointed 

 instrument, and with one stroke the point 

 entered the brain to the depth of three eighths 

 of an inch; even after this the owl lived over 

 one hour. I would be pleased if some of your 

 readers would suggest a more speedy way to 

 kill huge birds ? 



Yours, &c, 



R. B. SCRIVEN. 



Gravenhurst, Out. 



Note! — The editor of this journal has had 

 long experience with large living wild birds. 

 The best mode and the quickest to destroy bird 

 life, is pressure across the sternum. In this 

 way the skin is not destroyed, and it dies with- 

 out great pain or struggle. 



OUR FOREST TREES. 



Chestnut ; Oastenea vesca. — A large and 

 abundant tree, valuable for its nuts and its 

 timber. The nuts, though much smaller than 

 those of Europe, are sweeter and more nutri- 

 tious. Close observers say that the chestnut 

 moth lavs one egg in_ each bur, and thus 

 they account for the fact that in a quanity 

 of chestnuts, about one-third are found to be 

 wormy. The timber is more used than former- 

 ly. Its durability has long recommended it 

 for fence posts and rails, and of late years it is 

 largely used in cheap furniture, and the in- 

 terior wood work of houses. If to be varnished 

 or oiled, the pores should be carefully filled. 



American Hornbeam; Carpinus Ameri- 

 cana. — A small tree, 20 to 30 feet in height, 

 admired for its soft green foliage, which in 

 autumn changes to bright scarlet and orange. 

 The wood is white and solid and is used for 

 mallets and levers. 



Lever Wood ; Ostrya Virginiea. — This 

 closely resmbles the last in size and foliage. 

 The uses of the wood are similar, but it is 

 even harder and tougher, and it is often 

 called " iron wood." 



Butternut ; Juglans cinerea. — A broad- 

 topped tree, seldom more than 40 to 50 feet in 

 height. The nut when half-grown makes ex- 

 cellent pickles, and when ripe, if carefully 

 dried, contains a sweet kernel. The wood is 

 light and durable, of a pale reddish color, and 

 is used for making drawer fronts, coffins, gun- 

 stocks, and panels of carriages. 



Black Walnut ; Juglans nigra. — This tree 

 is less abundant in New England than the but- 



ternut which it much resembles, in size, form, 

 and loliage. The leaves are smoother, and the 

 fruit spherical, while the butternut is long and 

 oval. In the States bordering the Ohio River, 

 the Black Walnut reaches its greatest size and 

 yields its valuable timber in its highest perfec- 

 tion. This when first cut is of a purplish color, 

 but soon changes to a rich dark brown, becom- 

 ing in some cases nearly black with age. It is 

 beautifully shaded and admits a fine polish ; 

 and no other American wood is so largely in 

 demand for furniture and ornamental wood 

 work of every description. The rapid consump- 

 tion of walnut lumber is rendering it every year 

 scarcer and more valuable in the market. It 

 has also been largely exported to Germany and 

 other foreign countries. 



English Walnut ; Juglans regia. — This tree 

 has been successfully introduced into New 

 England, but is less hardy than our native 

 species. Its well known nut is in constant 

 demand. 



Black Birch ; Betula lenta. — This is the 

 most beautiful and valuable of the birches. In 

 early spring its long bright coloured tassels give 

 it a pleasing appearance, and it is "among the 

 first to put forth its leaves. In the forest it often 

 reaches a height of 70 feet. When standing alone 

 its long hanging spray earns for it the name of 

 the weeping birch. The inner bark of young 

 shoots has an agreeable spicy taste and odor. 

 The wood is easily worked, yet firm ; is of a 

 delicate rose colour and presents a handsome 

 grain. It is in demand for cabinet furniture, and 

 is sometimes called " American Mahogany." 



Yellow Birch ; B. hitea. — This is a rather 

 larger tree than the preceding, and when seen 

 in perfection is almost as beautiful. The scaly 

 bark in long rolls adhering, by the middle or 

 one end, and adorned with mosses and lichens, 

 gives to the trunk a unique appearance. Its 

 wood, though of less value than that of the 

 black birch, is often used for making chairs 

 and bedsteads. Its resinous bark is the tinder 

 of northern voyageurs, and a flame will shoot 

 to the top of a lofty tree in a few seconds, light- 

 ing a wide circuit. 



Bed Birch ; B. nigra. — This graceful tree 

 is usually found bending over a stream, and in 

 some sections of New.England is known as the 

 " river birch." Its usual height is 50 feet. The 

 wood is compact and white, and is now but 

 little used. The earlier settlers made spoons, 

 bowls and trays of it, hence it was called by 

 them " spoon wood." 



(To be continued.) 



