MabohCI, 1881.] 



FOKEST AND STREAM. 



167 



granular projections, and the term Batistes lias reference to 

 the bones or rays of the first dorsal fin acting in concert 

 in considerable force, etc. ; and the flesh of this fish is 

 held in no estimation and has even been regarded as posi- 

 tively deleterious. The query is : '' Are these the same fish 

 under a different name ? " 



During the past winter a great many ling (LoUnuoUa), a 

 new fish on our coast, have been caught near Atlantic City. 

 Being strangers to the fishermen, they called them "New- 

 comers." They are said to be quite equal to the cod as food. 



13. 



The tilefisb is a new fish and, therefore, not to be found in 

 the old books. Our correspondent is referred to "Proceedings 

 of the United States National Museum," 1879, Vol. li, p. 205, 

 publish, d under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution 

 For the benefit of our correspondent a>'d others we will 

 here give some of the facts in relation to this fish, as described 

 in the above work under the following title : "Description 

 of a new genus and species of fish (Loyiholatilus chama-leon- 

 ticeps) from the south coast of New England ; " by G. Brown 

 Uoode and Tarleton H. Bean. 



In 1879 Capt Wm H Kirhy, of Gloucester, Mass., took 

 500 lbs. of a remarkable new fish on a codfish trawl in lat 40 

 deg N , Ion 70 deg. W., at a depth of 84 fathoms, 80 miles 

 S. E of Nomau's Land, the largest of which weighed 50 lbs. 

 The species appears distinct from the described species of 

 LatUitlm, of Gill "It is Telated by its few rayed vertical fins 

 and other characteristics to the genus Latilm as restricted by 

 Gill, but is dis'inguiahed by the presence of a large adipose 

 appendage upon the nape resembling the adipose fin of the 

 StUvwnidm, and by a fleshy prolongation upon each side of 

 the labial fold extending backward beyond the angle of the 

 mouth For this genus we propose the. name of Lopltoldiihn, " 



It, being necessary to give the fish some handy vulgar name 

 which could be us- d by the fishermen, Pror. Goode took the 

 last syllable of the generic name and christened it the " tile- 

 fish " which has been accepted. Should our correspondent 

 wish the full description of the fish we refer him to the work 

 above named 



The investigations of the TJ S Fish Commission have 

 brought to light many new fishes, some of which are of great 

 commercial value, and as the descriptions of these are not to 

 be found in foreign publications we will be pleased at any 

 time to light up such questions as may be necessary for our 

 correspondents to understand these fishes It was certainly 

 very natural to thiult that "tilefisb " might be a misprint for 

 one of our old "filefishes" of the family Balistutm. 



Moose Fiuutinu- Bethel, Maine. — While livingin tbelake 

 country in Oxford County in 1845, one of my neighbors re- 

 lated to me a graphic scene which occurred a few years be- 

 fore, when the country was new and he had to travel by a 

 spotted line through the wilderness twenty miles to mill or 

 store or post office. 



While passing through the woods in what is now Andover, 

 North Surplass, he came into an open space of alder ground 

 where the alders were trampled down ami broken off and 

 rooted up for a space of nearly two acres. On examination 

 he found it had been caused by the fighting of two large bull 

 moose, ami he soon came upon the skeletons of them with 

 their horns so locked that it was almost impossible to separate 

 them. I'Jach pair had a great number of prongs, indicating 

 their great age — as each prong is supposed to represent a year. 

 They had become hooked together in the first of the fight and 

 fairly tore up the forest in their struggle, and so ended their 

 lives. This occurred in the fall of the year in the rutting 

 season when the male moose is very savage. I have seen 

 where a large, heavy moose chased a smaller one on to a sand 

 beach and crushed the smaller one into the sand. — J. G. R. 



WooDonrroK our is Winter. — Barrytown, N. Y., Febru- 

 ary 19.. — Editor Forext and Stream: While out fox hunting 

 on the 14th inst. my friend and myself came across a coon 

 track, as we supposed, and were delighted to think wc could 

 follow the gentleman up and get him "sure." We found the 

 hole under a ledge of rocks, and returned to the house to ob- 

 tain a man and fools for digging him out. When we came to 

 unearth him we found our coon was a woodchuck, and a 

 right hard tussel did my hound have to kill him. We took 

 the woodchuck home and skinned him, and to our astonish- 

 ment found him to be very fat indeed. The fat alone would 

 fill three good sized tumblers. How he lived through the 

 winter and was yet so fat is a mystery to me. His paunch 

 was entirely empty. Did you ever hear of a woodchuck be- 

 ing out in February with a foot of snow on the ground ? I 

 certainly never did. — J. A. 



A very unusual occurrence, we think. 



An Albino Quail— Hope, Arkansas, February 31. —/fidiior 



forest <iud, Stream: I send you per mail the head and wing 

 of a white quail, killed on the 17th inst., by Mr. O. M. Con- 

 way, of Washington, Hempstead Co., Ark. Mr. Conway 

 states that there is another bird like this in the same covey 

 from which this one was killed. I am extremely sorry that 

 I could not procure the entire bird, but trust that the scant 

 remains will serve to establish the fact that it was a white 

 quail. Are such birds common, or is this 1ml a luxus natures ? 

 Have any of the readers of Forrst and Stbkam ever met 

 with the like?— B. M. 0. 



The specimen reached us, and is an undoubted specimen of 

 Orlyx virginianus — a beautiful silvery white quail. We have 

 never seen so complete an albino of this species. 



Wanted — A Black Beant. — Will you kindly request Mr. 

 T. 8. Van Dyke, of California, through your columns, to 

 bear in mind his promise of securing for me the skin of what 

 he supposes to be the black brant (Branta nigricans), one of 

 which minus the head was some time ago sent to a eotem- 

 jwrury of yours? I am exceedingly curious to see this bird, 

 and am now inclined to believe it is the black brant. Can 

 exchange with Mr. Van Dyke for the skin of the ordinary 

 variety, plentiful on our coast at present. Ask him what he 

 has learned further of the bird. — Homo. 



Paralytic, nervous, tremulous old ladles are made perfectly quiet 

 and sprightly hy uslug Hop Bitters dally. 



fflWjfi j§itQ tincl (gun. 



TUB WINTER AND THE BIRDS. 



THE statistics printed last week have naturally attracted 

 close attention from sportsmen, and we have received 

 many letters thanking us for tha very full reports which we 

 gave, and complimenting us on the enterprise manifested in 

 so thoroughly canvassing one of our sister States. Wo print 

 this week a rough summary of the reports from each county 

 together with some further reports which reached us too late 

 for last week's issue. 



Sussex County is the northern county of the State. On the 

 west it is bounded by the Delaware River and is drained by 

 the flat kill, Paulinkill, WallkUl, Peqnest and other streams. 

 The area of the county is about 000 square miles. The Blue 

 Mountains traverse the western and the Hamburg and Wh- 

 wayanda Mountains the eastern part. The surface is hilly. 

 It abounds in fertile valleys which are still dotted with the 

 springy swamps once the theme of Herbert's stories. Un- 

 doubtedly they were the best woodcock covers in America. 

 Until recently a famous county for ruffed grouse, it may 

 always have been considered an uncertain locality for quail, 

 the crop varying according to the severity of "the winter 

 weather A few seasons ago quail began to be plenty again, 

 but from our reports wo estimate that fully 60 per cent, of 

 the game had perished. 



Passaio County covers an area of 220 square miles j it is 

 watered by the Ringwood, Ramapo and Passaic Rivers and 

 the surface is very much diversified. Both grouse and quail 

 seem to have suffered greatly, aud it is safo to say that 50 per 

 cent, have been destroyed. 



Bktjgkn County is intersected by the liamapo, Hackensack 

 and Saddle Rivers ; it has an uneven aud part mountainous 

 surface, a productive soil and covers an area of 350 square 

 miles, (.lame at all times is very scarce in this county owing 

 to its close proximity to New York and, other large cities. 

 There are certain sections, however, well adapted for its pres- 

 ervation. The reports of our correspondents vary consider- 

 ably, but it is fair to say that from various causes the percent- 

 age of loss has been very large. 



Wahrkn County has the Delaware River for its Western 

 boundary ; it. is intersected by the Pau link ill and Pequest 

 streams. The surface is partly mountainous. Through it 

 runs the Pequest Swamp, once the harbor of all kinds of 

 game. The land is fortileaud the table laud and vallevs well 

 cultivated ; area 550 square miles. The destruction of game 

 in this county has been very great, from 50 to 75 per cent, 

 having perished. 



Morris County- is partly bounded by Pequonnock and Pas- 

 saic rivers, and is drained by tin: Koekawav and Whippany 

 rivers; the area is 650 square "miles. The county is traversed 

 by ranges of hills, some of which, as Scooley's mountains, 

 reach a considerable height. Thesouthern part of the county- 

 is covered with vast tracts of low meadow lands aud swamps 

 Yvhich in years past were the paradise of snipe shooters. The 

 reports from this county have been very full, no less than 

 fifty correspondents having expressed their views. A careful 

 recapitulation of the letters received shows that 75 per cent, 

 of the quail lias been destroyed. 



Essex County has an area of 200 square miles. The sur- 

 face is generally level ; if is traversed by two elevated ridges 

 called the First and Second mountains. " Much of the soil is 

 highly fertile. There were few sections of the State belter 

 adapted by nature for the increase and preservation of game 

 than this comity, but of late years the woodlands have been 

 Jom for that mushroom growth called 

 J the haunts of the game have been 

 left at the beginning of the 

 i has been very heavy. 

 lies along the Hudson River facing New 

 York city. There is little or no game in the county at any 

 time ; its area is seventy-five square miles. 



Hunterdon County isdrained by the branches of theRari- 

 tau River. Its surface is level in the centre, but mountain- 

 ous at the north aud south The hills are. well timbered, and 

 the soil of the valleys fertile. The county has an area of 480 

 square miles. About one half of the game has perished. 



Somerset County has a surface which in some parts is 

 very hilly. Its soil is fertile, especially along the streams 

 which water the entire county. Its area is 275 square miles. 

 60 per cent, of the game has perished. 



Union County is partly bounded by Newark Bar, and has 

 a surface of 101 square miles, which is nearly level, covered 

 in places by vast; tracts of salt and wild meadows. About 60 

 per cent, of its game has been destroyed 



Middlesex County has a soil which is in places sandy. Its 

 surface is undulating, and covers 899 square miles ; 75 per 

 cent, of the game has been killed. 



Mkroer County is bounded on the west by the Delaware 

 River. Its surface is uneven, covering an area of 200 square 

 miles. Years ago it was a famous section for game, but of 

 late the shooting has been but fair. One-half of the game 

 left, at the end of the season was destroyed last winter. 



Monmouth County is drained by the Neversink, Shrews- 

 bury, Shark and Tom's rivers. It has an area of 800 square 

 miles, and a surface generally level, with elevations toward 

 the northeast. This county has the reputation of being one 

 of the best sections for game in the State. There was excel- 

 lent shooting last autumn in many localities, but the past 

 winter has depleted the stock of game from 60 to 75 per cent. 



BurlinotonCounty extends from the sea coast to the Dela- 

 ware River. The soil is fertile near the river, but sandy in 

 the eastern part. The surface is level, and is covered by 

 vast forests of pmes. Its area is 600 square miles. Less 

 than a hundred years ago there was excellent prairie chicken 

 shooting in this comity, but it is entirely a thing of the past. 

 The loss of game during last winter was very heavy ; prob- 

 ably over 70 per cent, perished. 



Ooean County has a level surface, much covered with 

 pine forests. The soil is light and sandy. Area, 550 square 

 miles. About 50 per cent, of the game of this county has 

 been exterminated. 



Camden County is bounded on the west by the Delaware 

 River. The surface is generally level ; the soil is sandy. 

 Area, 220 square miles. Over one-half of the game of this 

 county has been destroyed. 



Qlouoestek County has an area of 280 square miles. Its 

 surface is level, covered with forests. Aloug the Delaware 

 River the land is well cultivated, but the soil inland is sandy 

 and unimproved. Sixty per cent, of the game was killed last 

 •Winter. 



sleared away to t 

 the suburban vi 

 broken up. Of what gam 

 close season the 

 Hudson Co 



Atlantic County has a surface of 620 square miles, which 

 is low and flat. Near the coast it is marsliy, but further in- 

 land the sod is light and sandy. Seventy-five per cent, of 

 the game has perished. 



Salem County is bounded on the west by the Delaware 

 River. It is drained by the Salem, Alloways and other 

 creeks. The area is 540 square miles. The surface is level 

 and the Boil a fertile sandy loam. The game in this county 

 hits been practically exterminated. 



Cumberland County has a surface which is generally level, 

 overgrown with pine forests. Its area is 480 square miles. 

 The loss has been heavy, but not as much as in other counties. 



Cape May County, the southern county of the State, has 

 a level surface, with a soil entirely alluvial. Numerous in- 

 lets indent the shores, and great "marshes extend along its 

 coast boundaries. The game has not suffered as much as in 

 other counties of the State. 



SUSSEX COUNTY. 



Beemarville. — The quail have perished from the snow and 

 cold weather. Nine out of ten quail are dead. The farmers 

 and sportsmen have not fed to my knowledge. 



Qwi.rrypille. — Snow and cold weather have had a bad effect 

 on quails and partridges. A great many have been frozen to 

 death— ahout 75 per cent- Some farmers feed them, but not 

 uiany were saved, I am sorry to sa.y. 



Sta7ihope.— The winter has been very severe on quail, but 

 owing to the fact that many farmers and other individuals 

 have fed flocks, and that it is a thickly settled farming 

 county, the birds have been able to get food and shelter. 

 Stacks of hay and grain standing in the field have afforded 

 much protection. I do not think 10 per cent, have perished. 



BERGEN COUNTY. 



Saddle Biter.— I think the winter has had little effect on 

 the birds here. The birds are uot fed here. Permit me to 

 state a fact here, namely : That if for a couple of years a 

 bounty should be placed upon hawks there would bo fifty per 

 cent, more birds in all sections of the land. In former years 

 there were forests or thick shrubbery to protect the birds 

 from the hawks. If the sporting chilis, instead of spending 

 their money or a limited portion of it for pigeon shooting, 

 would spend some of it in a bounty for hawks they would 

 be doing good for themselves and others. 



WARREN COUNTY. 



Blairstmen.—AX least from 60 to 75 per cent, of the quail 

 have perished, the snow drifts and hail storms being the 

 cause. Generally the birds are fed. 



HUNTERDON COUNTY. 



Perrytnlle. — The destruction has been somewhat greater 

 this winter than usual. About 50 per cent, of the quail have 

 perished. Do not think the farmers fed the birds. 



SOMERSET COUNTY. 



BlackweWs Mills.— -The destruction of birds in this locality 

 has been greater this year than in other years, but not to the 

 extent that many anticipated. A. mile or two back from 

 the river many more quail have perished than near the river. 

 Farmers and residents did, as a general thing, feed the birds 



N^rth Branch. — The winter has been very destructive to 

 birds in this vicinity. Very few, if any, birds are left. I 

 cannot give the percentage. Have not heard that any farm- 

 ers have fed them. 



UNION 0OUNTY. 



Plainfeld.— The destruction of game birds in Union County 

 by the cold weather tho past winter has not been noticeably 

 greater than in former years. Farmers tell me of bevies that 

 have wintered over and been fed by them. Members of our 

 society have also watched over them. 



I'liihiftdd, — The cold and severity of the winter caused ac- 

 tion to be taken by the residents and farmers as to feeding 

 the birds. The game society of this place has awakened Buch 

 sympathy and care for the game that the percentage of birds 

 that perished last winter was less than for any winter for 

 some time. 



MIDDLESEX COUNTY. 



(h-anbury.— The farmers never feed birds here and game 

 is scarce here from the fact that the law is disregarded ,and 

 game. destroyed in and out of season. 



MEECKB COUNTY. 



Pennington.— -I knew of a number of small bunches of 

 quail, but the snows killed most of them, and what fed in 

 the stack yards the hawks killed. One farmer kept ten quail 

 all winter. 



MONMOUTH COUNTY. 



lA>ng Branch. — I have traveled the county through and 

 have not. seen a quail and but very few pheasants. They are 

 nearly all dead. The farmers fed them where they had a 

 chance, but they perished with cold. 



Ocean. Grove. — The destruction of birds in consequence of 

 the severe weather, scarcity of food, greator exposure to owls 

 and hawks while in search of food is one hundred per cent, 

 greater than during ordinary winters. Only a few farmers 

 took the trouble to feed. 



BURLINGTON COUNTY. 



Birming7imn.—The farmers and citizens have fed the birds . 

 this winter to some extent ; yet the loss has been, I should 

 judge, 20 per cent, of the whole— much greater than ever be 

 fore. 



Mount Solly. —In my opinion fully 90 per cent, of the quail- 

 have perished this winter. A few were fed, but the hawks 

 have had it their own way. Rabbits have done better ; they 

 can subsist on bark. Quail were plenty last fall. We need 

 bettor laws for the protection of game, in Jersey. [Would it 

 not be as well at first, to have those you have enforced ?] 



Banwcas.— Birds are very scarce here. One farmer saved 

 five and another seven birds. I think the birds went South. 



WrighUtown. — The cold has been very severe on the birds 

 iu this section. The destruction has been fully one-half 

 greater than any winter for a number of years. Flocks of 

 quail all frozen are frequently found. The farmers fed. 



OCEAN COUNTY. 



Sihierton.— The destruction of game in this section during 

 the cold was about 50 per cent. Some of t he farmers feed 

 tho quail. 



GLOUOESTKB COUNTY. 



Clayton. — The snow and cold so unusual here have de- 

 stroyed nearly all the small game. An attempt was made to 

 feed" the birds, but it was not done systematically. It was 

 all we could do to protect the people, for no one was prepared 

 for such a winter. 



Fran/elinmlle.—The quail and partridges have all been 

 lulled, for I do not hear their favorite note any more. The 

 winter has been the hardest on game hero that I know of. I 

 clearedjaway the snow till it got too deep to feed. 



