OHIO. 477 



Of resident birds the wild turkey is the largest. At certain sea- 

 sons large flocks make their appearance in the populous settlements* 

 These birds formed an important article of food to the early emi- 

 grants, and are now frequently met with in the markets. The ruffed 

 grous, generally called pheasant, is a pretty common bird. Quails 

 are numerous. Birds of the grallons or wading tribe are said to be 

 abundant, but no new species have yet been described. The robin 

 is common in the western part of the state. The paroquet inhabits 

 this state as far as 39° 30' north latitude, throughout the whole year. 

 It is chiefly found in vallies where it feeds on the seeds of the syca- 

 more, but is sometimes injurious to apple orchards. The blue bird 

 continues in all parts of the state throughout the year. The beauti- 

 ful and minute humming bird is occasionally seen in summer where 

 flowers abound. The great northern owl is an occasional winter visi- 

 tor. Woodpeckers of different kinds are numerous, and commit great 

 depredations on orchards. Wild pigeons, in their migrations, pass 

 twice a year over the state, generally in great numbers. Sometimes 

 they pass the winter in it. Numerous small birds of the passerine 

 tribe arrive annually from the south in March and April. The valley 

 of the Ohio facilitates this migration, and probably renders it more 

 extensive than it would otherwise be. 



The army worm (/ihalcena migratoria) has appeared once or twice 

 in this state in large numbers. Locusts have visited the state a few 

 times, but without ravaging it. The cucumber fly [crioceros cucumo- 

 ris) is a troublesome insect. The larva, which feeds on the unripe 

 ears of Indian corn, has once or twice been so numerous as to do 

 considerable damage. The vallies and marshes produce mus- 

 quitoes, but they are much less numerous and vexatious than on the 

 Mississippi, and seem entirely to disappear with the increase of im- 

 provements. The bee seems to have preceded the first emigrants to 

 this state, and frequently furnished them with an acceptable repast. 

 Considerable quantities of honey obtained in the woods are every au- 

 tumn brought to market. 



The rattle snake is the most formidable serpent Ohio affords. It 

 is, however, seldom seen in settled places except on cliffs and rocky 

 situations. On some of the islands of lake Erie it is said to abound 

 in an astonishing degree. The black rattle snake from 12 to 18 inches 

 in length, is generally found in the prairies. The copper head inha- 

 bits every part of the state where it has not been destroyed by the 

 progress of settlement. The black snake is frequent in the woods, 

 The green snake is rare. 



Three species of turtle inhabit this state. The tarapin or land tor- 

 toise ; the snapping turtle ; and the soft shelled turtle. The alligator 

 is not found in the Ohio, but a species of salamander, about a foot 

 long, called alligator by fishermen, is common. 



In lake Erie, what is called the white fish is abundant and much 

 esteemed. In the Ohio are found 10 or 12 species offish, of which 

 those preferred for the table are the perch, pike, and yellow catfish. 

 The black catfish, as it is termed, grows sometimes to the weight of 

 lbs. but is not much esteemed for food. The eel is common. 

 Three species of sturgeon inhabit the same waters, one of which 

 attains to the length of 4 or 5 feet; another is perhaps peculiar to 

 this river, or at least oftener found in it than elsewhere. It is called 

 spade or paddle fish, from a remarkable elongation of the upper jaw, 



Vol. II, 3 P 



