482 



FOREST AIND STREAM. 



All the devices indicated are of the simplest construction and 

 most inexpensive diameter. 



The conditions on the incline simulate very closely those 

 presented by the rapids i f a river. The ascent to 

 in an open current of moderate velocity, and almost a direc 

 line, At the head of the incline the. fish swims into the fcluieu- 

 way leading through the dam, with the current directly ahead 

 and opposing him with Un^nioderate velocity of three miles 

 per hour. 



inml jjfusforg* 



PARASITES IN THE SKINS OF ANI- 

 MALS. 



EditOE Fomst ASD StuKasi : 



I have had under consideration for some time the larvre 

 or worms sent by one of your correspondents from Mahoning- 

 ton, Pa. I find on investigation that they are mature lavrte 

 of the genus Cuterehra embraced in the Dipterus order of in- 

 sects, to which belong the bot-fly, gad-fly, etc., of our domes- 

 tic animals. The specimens sent were said to have been 

 taken from the neck of a rabbit (Lepus Amerkanns), protrud- 

 ing from each side. These larva; belong to the class of para- 

 sites known as Epima or external parasites, inhabiting the 

 skin and nostrils of various wild aud domestic animals in dis- 

 tinction from the Entozca, which inhabit the internal organs 

 of the same. The former pass oaly a part of their existence 

 in this shape, and after a while become perfect insects ; the 

 latter pass their whole life in this form, and are known as 

 annelid helminths or worms. 



Species of this genus Cirterebra have been known for bun 

 dreds of years. The species C. boris is common in cattle 

 throughout Europe, and also in this country, and is known as 

 the gad-fly. This fly attacks cattle, and, by puncturing the 

 skin along the back and neck, deposits its eggs there, which 

 are hatched in a very short time, and the larvio becomes en- 

 cysted under the skin m the living animal and live upon the 

 purulent matter which the irritation of their presence engen- 

 ders. In this position they are called "warbles," and can 

 f -i quently be squeezed fromthelumps often seen on the backs 

 of cattle during the summer by a simple pressure of the hand. 

 Their color is at first white, becoming considerably darker as 

 the time approaches for their leaving their cell. Having 

 passed a period of five or six months in this position, they 

 work their way out iu the spring and fall to the ground, and 

 either in the ground or under a sheltering stone turn into 

 chrysalids, and in a short time emerge into the perfect imago 

 or insect, leady to start again their peculiar voyage of life. 



The species G. ovis deposits its eggs in the nostrils of sheep, 

 where they are hatched almost immediately and the larvai 

 make their way through the nostrils into the sinuses of the 

 head, where they likewise become encysted, and, when ready 

 to mature, drop out and find shelter in the earth. This species, 

 or one closely allied to it, is found likewise iu the sinuses of 

 the head of goats and deer to a limited extent. Both of these 

 insects, 0. luvis and mis, are objects of great terror to the 

 animals attacked, causing stampedes, aud even abject terror 

 when they make their appearance among them. Cattle seek 

 to avoid these living torments by entering the water, and 

 sheep by seeping their noses close to the ground and running 

 around. 



'the third of this genus is known as the bot-ily (0. equi), 

 and is a source of a great deal of torment and sufferingto our 

 most useful animal— the horse. These eggs are attached con- 

 trary to the usual custom of the genus upon the hair of the 

 horse's legs or shoulders within reach of the mouth, whence they 

 are licked off and transported to the stomach. There the larvro 

 attach themselves by two hooks to its coating and remain un- 

 til fully matured. 



The species sent by your correspondent, from the rabbit, is 

 a member of this same genus, but has not as yet been specifi- 

 cally described, nor am I aware that, the imago is known. It 

 is quite common in. rabbits throughout the country.* It is 

 found along the back and neck, sometimes protruding, or 

 entirely encysted. The reason for this protrusion is ap- 

 parent. The larva; in the case of the sheep and cattle take 

 two days or more in coming out, and where they are found 

 in this condition they are just making their way out. All the 

 e of a light color at first, gradually changing to a 

 dark brown or black when leaving their cells. This species 

 of the rabbit is commonly known as the "wolf," 

 " grub " or worm. These insects in wild animals are not 

 usually discovered by those who term themselves sportsmen, 

 for the simple reason that, they do not look for them at the 

 right time of the year. The majority ot these larvffl have left 

 their victims by the time they are killed, or. if they are there, 

 they are ina very immature state, having just been hatched 

 from the lately 'deposited egg. These remain in the skin 

 through the winter and into the spring, and after about four, 

 five, or even six weeks in the pupa state become perfect in- 

 sects. Those iu the rabbit are most noticeably abundant in 

 August and the early part of September. After they leave 

 theVound heals up rapidly, and in a few days no trace of 

 them will be noticed. i 



Iu this connection I would say a few words in regard to the 

 a Lqaitea discussion in your 

 i last winter, and Which showed that skepticism on this 

 had not all been cleared away. I refer to G. ema 

 i the squirrels, which is most emphatically the cause of 

 the want of testes in many of these animals where they are 

 not contained in the cavity of the abdomen. I brought the 

 question up before theLinncan Society of this city a short time 

 and it was corroborated by Messrs. Merriam, Bagg and 

 who had seen and taken the worms from squirrels. The, 

 trouble, as I have 6laied above, is that sportsmen have not the 

 Opportunities to verify these facts, owing to the necessary 

 game laws which prevent the destruction of animals when 

 these larvas are most likely to be found, namely, in the spring 

 and summer. 



re very few who have any idea of the effect of these 

 insects upon the commercial value of the hides brought to 

 this city during the spring. Hides taken in February in Texas 

 and the Southwest are found perforated by these grubs, some 



being found with as many as thirty-five or forty no] 

 skin", and damaging them to the extent of two and a half per 

 cent, of their value making a difference of nearly a million 

 dollars a year in this city alone. 



The skin-, i est cattle, either, for 



these insects seek out as a general thing the sleekest and fat- 

 test animal, in whose skin they deposit their eggs. Deaths 

 from the presence of these larva; occur rarely, except in the 

 case of the horse and the sheep. Tn the latter they frequently 

 are the cause of severe abscesses and ulcers in the head, caus- 

 ing great pain and frequently death. 



That they have any fatal effect upon any of our animals 

 designated under the name of game, I am unablo to state ; 

 but it leaves a field open for future investigation. 



Fbanxlin Bknneh. 



PADDLE-FISH OR SHOVEL-NOSE 

 STURGEON. 



X 



VicKSEi'BG, Miss., Jan. s, 1379. 

 Editor Forest and Stream : 



Mr. Sdilor— ]a a recent number of the Scientific American was an 

 elaborate and well-exeeutod cm, representing what tuo author termed 

 the paddle-Ash ol the Mississippi. Here the same ash Is called a 

 spoon-bill cat. It Is most abundant In the still waters in the old bed of 

 the river where cut-offs have been made, and in the larger and deeper 

 laSea subject to overflow, where any moment during the Kouimer 

 they may be seen coming up like an arrow out of the water t.i the 

 height of three or four feet, and falling prone on their siiles with a 

 splash which can easily be heard from a quarter to half a mile. The 

 author ot the article accompanying the cut Ba>s they have uever been 

 known to be taken wtth the hook. In this he is mistaken. My old 

 friend and farmer partner, Mr. S. W- Boswell, of this city, has himself 

 caught two, In a large lake neur here, while fishing with minnows fur 

 bass. One of them weighed about twenty pounds, and before he was 

 landed got first his bill or shovel entangled lu the lino and then his tail 

 when he came out like a heavy, crooked stick In a strong current. I 

 have heard of others being caught witn a hook, but I kin i , 

 were to caught, each time taking a minnow quite sick and not very 

 active. B. It. Folk. 



This curious fish is quite familiar to us. We have a few of 

 their discounted "bills" in our private collection, which 

 were taken from Lake Pepin on the Upper Mississippi. Sci- 

 entifically it is known as the Shovel-nose sturgeon, {Scap7d- 

 rhynchopspMyrfiynchm,) and belongs to the family Sturioni- 

 dte, to which the common rock sturgeon of the Hudson River 

 and the great lakes aud all the larger Western waters, be- 

 longs. We quote the following description from Hallock's 

 "Sportsman's Gazetteer" : 



This curious fish is found only in the Mississippi and its 

 larger tributaries. It is certainiy a strange-looking fish. Its 

 striking characteristic is its long, horny, spade-like snout, 

 which is from eight to eighteen inches in length, and from 

 two to three inches wide, and its immense toothless mouth. 

 In large specimens the mouth is sufficiently large to admit a 

 man's head. The head and shoulders are very large, from 

 which the body tapers gradually to the caudal fin, where it is 

 not more than two inches in diameter. The tail is forked, 

 wide and hetrocereal, one of the very few fresh water species 

 living possessing this paleontological characteristic. In lakes 

 Pepin and St. Croix they swarm in countless numbers. How 

 far toward the Gulf they extend has not been ascertained. 

 They are eaten by Indians and half-breeds generally. The 

 whites sometimes smoke and cure them. They weigh from 

 ten to forty pounds. 



The letter of our Vicksburg correspondent establishes the 

 fact that the southward raDge and habitat of this fish extends 

 at least to Vicksburg, and we feel gratified with the informa- 

 tion he has bo kindly sent us. 



Nittaij. Bbxletts.— One of the most enjoyable presents 

 which the New Tear brings with it is the JVuttall Bulletin, 

 which we found on our table on the second day of January. 

 That thiB admirable journal continues to furnish to its read- 

 ers the freshest and most trustworthy news on all ornithologi- 

 cal matters goes without saying, for the names of its manag- 

 ers and the prestige of the Nuttall Club are enough to guar- 

 antee the character of its contents. Besides this, the Bulletin 

 is constantly improving in its appearance, and the present 

 issue is larger and in all respects more imposing than any 

 that we have seen before. It comes to us at this time a large 

 pamphlet of sixty-four pages,' and is printed on heavy tinted 

 paper, while its table of contents is quite as jntei 

 usual. Judging from these and other indications of financial 

 prosperity, we are happy to be able to behove that this peri- 

 odical is successful from a business as well as from a literary 

 point of view, a statement which can rarely be made concern- 

 ing any young journal iu these days. 



Mr. C. Hart Merriam in the present number continues his 



.'Ihisisi'i'i-UD. d to bj the following nai 

 SooiSty, OJ New York : Mr. I 

 ._o., K.Y . - .nsfuunditi 



Mr. A. K. Hi ; Jlr. c. s. 



and jour correspondent, Mr. 

 sides teveral outside parties who deal in g 



t iu Lewis 

 ills, N. Y.; 

 Ston, L. I. 

 in, Pa., be- 



lly, New 



habits of the yellow- 



und thoughtful, and 



ew to a majority of 



er is one by Mr. N. 



"List of 



Terns of the New 

 ir, is a perfect gem of 

 who reads it, 

 The writer's account 

 ruing birds are: subjects 

 „„ during the breeding season is very pathetic, and we join 

 with him in calling upon the Legislature of Massachusetts to 

 extend protection to ihe-sc charming creatures. 



We heartily regret that the demands on our space are such 

 that we cannot notice particularly each artii 



me is in some point particularly interesting ahdde- 

 ,n ore than a brief mention. As it is we can only 



"Remarks on Some of the Birds of 

 York," and his account ol 

 bellied woodpecker is most interest ir 

 contains several points which will bo 

 readers. Following Mr. Merriam's pa 

 O.Brown, being a continuation of h 

 served at Coosada, Alabama." "Tl 

 England Coast, - ' by Mr. Wm. Brewste 

 bird literature, and will interest eve 

 whether he be an ornithologist or not. 

 of the persecution to which thesi 



maiuing 



-.Nest and Eggs of the Cct-rulean Warblt 

 A. Alien; <• Additional Cases of Albinism and Melanism in 

 North American Birds," bv Ruthven Deane ; " List of Birds 

 Observed in the Naval Hospital Grounds in BrookJi 



e Hughes Coues ; "Notes on Some of the Less 



inter Residents in the Hudson River Valley," by 



Edgar A. Mearns; "Breeding of the Winter Wren at Houl- 



ton Me.," by Ruthven Deaue; "Descriptions of the First 



Plumage in Various Species of North American Birds," by 

 rewstflr; and "Notes on the Habits and Distribu- 

 tion of the ttnfous Crowned Sparro 



William Brewster. The Department of Recent' Literature 

 contains notices of a number of valuable works on ornitholo- 

 gy which have recently appeared, of which pel I 

 most important is Dr. Coues' " Birds of the Coldradi 

 a work which the writer has not yet seen but which he hopes 

 to receive shortly. 



General Notes are, as usual, very full, and contains many 

 notices of the capture of wandering birds far from their 

 homes, among them the Frigate Pelican (Tac/iypetes 

 as far north as Nova Scotia. 



Apropos of Wasps.— Mr. Editor : I am no naturalist, but 

 the habits of insects, winged or creeping, inteiest me 

 About two years ago coming along a path iu my gard 



t - the rapid motions of a large and fierce-looking 

 spider, whose actions indicated terror from some other cause 

 than my approach. Halting to understand the cause of bis 

 manifest alarm, I observed careering around him in quick, 

 swift circles a beautiful black wasp, of a kind I do not re- 

 member to have seen before; bright black on body, nioro 

 slender and more agile than the common variety, without a 

 speck of yellow near the joint of tho wiDgs with the body. 

 Whenever the wasp would come very near the spider would 

 stand on the defensive, with every leg and spine sin ■ 

 combat, but at every interval when his enemy gave him the 

 chance be would attempt to scurry to shelter, only to be 

 halted again by the nearer oncoming of his foe. At last, the 

 wasp hovering for an instant at a point where he seemed to 

 be stationary in the air, launched himself like a flash on the 

 spider. They rolled over together in their deadly embrace, 

 and 1 gave up my little friend for lost ; but to my amazement 

 ihe wasp had alighted where, he could strike his sting under 

 the scales where the neck of the spider united with the trunk. 

 I distinctly saw bim thrust his dart into that spot, when, 

 presto ! Mr. Spider stretched out his legs, and with one con- 

 vulsive shudder gave up the ghost. The plucky little wasp 

 hovered for an instant over the body of his enemy to be sure 

 thai lite was extinct and then flew rapidly away, m 

 effort to remove the carcase while I remained. The spider 

 was large, heavy and powerful in frame, weighing eight or 

 ten times as much as his victorious adversary. Joa. 



LraHBAS Society.— The meeting of December 14 was well 

 attended, and several interesting payer., were read. Air. Fisher 



'era! accidental 

 igilit, Connecticut warbler, 



unknown, June 

 trusana, barn owl, January, 

 l tffretta, great white egret. 



reported the following occui 

 visitors at Sing Sing: Oporms 

 taken September 19, 1878; Coll, 

 16, 1S77 ; SMx Jlamnua, tar. a 

 1873, found dead in a barn ,• -•!?'« 



shot at junction of Uudson and Crute.u Rivers early part of 

 September, 1870: Uruculus diloplMS, double-crested cormo- 

 rant, found in fyke in Croton River June 22, 1876, 

 where it had been caught while diving i 

 He then spoke of various causes which had caused 

 the destruction and disappearance of the army and 

 canker worms, and the potato bug. The canker worm 

 (Anisopteryx vernata), which caused such an excitement 

 several years ago by its wholesale destruction of tiur shade 

 trees, and for whoso eradication the English sparrows were 

 introduced, has gradually disappeared, but not through tho 

 sparrow. The lack of food and a parasite of a species of 

 Ichneumon (Ichneumon platpyastur) having a distinctive 

 effect upon them. This insect enters into the economy of 

 nature as a powerful factor in keeping in cheek the. ravages 

 pus insects, The disappearance of the army-worm 

 and potato-bug (JDvryphyviA decmiineatui) from our potato- 

 field, must be attributed to about, the same cause. The in- 

 fluence of birds has little, if any, appreciable effect to this 

 end. J n interesting letter was read by Mr. lugersoll, from 

 Mr. T. L. Roberts, of Minneapolis, Minn., in which he gave 

 a most minute description of the habits of the shore lurk 

 ( Ercmophila ntpestrh). He states that he had taken a nest 

 with young about three days old, in Minneapolis, as 

 March 18, 1878, and several on March 23, with three and four 

 eggs each, They raise two, aud not infrequently three broods 

 a year. The nests are slightly built and different of construc- 

 tion. 



ffoodknd, $%rm mid §M(hn. 



LiFit ob a F-iieep ftiiTOHB.— Sometimes a rambling family 

 tetter, such hb an absent son writes to "the old folks at 

 home," conveys a better idea of the vicissitudes and duties of 

 ranche-life than a carefully prepared description for public 

 perusal ; and we are accordingly pleased to print the follow- 

 ing extract from a letter of a young man in New Mexico 

 which has been kindly handed to us for publication by a rela- 

 tive in New Jersey:— 



" I started fromjthe rancha Ihe day before George ami his 



pardner arrived at Troyburg, so just missed seeing them ; but 



:rd on after me and overtook me about fifty miles 



and had gone to a spring 

 fly yards from i 

 \- the two fellows in 

 lem. They stopped with 

 Out after deer one after- 



down. I had moved c 

 up on the side of I 

 water, and when I returned 

 camp. Of course I was glad to 

 me four or five days. We all 



noon. Jed got a shot at a eioe ;md her fawn but dli I 

 coed in getting eiiher of them. I was sorry to have the bojs 

 7 wanted to get their winter's wood before tie 

 snow came, and I had I o move, on with my herds ; so we had 

 to part. George will come down again this winter; if not, I 



i. to see them again until June, for 1 una 

 lamb my herds down on the Itito Blanco and snail 

 back to the ranche until shearing time, about the 15th of 

 June. I let George have my pony, and no 

 whenever I wish to go away from camp I either hit . 



ay passage on a lii 

 the former as the en 



into the buffalo aud Indian country, and can find 

 good ponies which I can tl 

 some Ute or Comanche who wants a rifle, and I'll 

 1 am now abon 

 miles down southeast U 



1 with hia 

 bucks and a eood supply of grub and grain. 

 "We have pist passed through the haide -, 

 season [Nov.* 10]. For thl is it has 



rained steadily, but this morning it has cleared off bright and 

 clear. We have a good tent, but everything got slightly 



