180 
FOREST AND STREAM 
mobile, or first impulse of life iu a tangible form, from 
•which cell growth proceeds, as from a focal point. This 
phenomenon takes place about the fifth day, and the germ 
continues to extend by cell growth, until it forms an envelope 
around the yolk, which it at length entirely infolds. About 
the eighteenth day the enveloping growth has extended 
around one-half of the yolk, and the pointed end of the 
increasing substance is the embryo tail, while the other 
thickened and flattened end is the rudimentary head. On the 
twentieth day the eyes are outlined, and from this lime on¬ 
ward the growth is rapid indeed. If the water is kept at 
a temperature of 50°, eggs hatch in fifty days; the period 
of incubation, however, is lengthened by a lower, and 
shortened by a higher temperature of the water. At the 
salmon ponds of Stormontlield, where the streams are icy 
cold, eggs laid down hatch iu from 128 to 130 days. There 
is usually a difference of SOdajs between those deposited in 
September and those spawned iu December. At Hunin- 
guc, France, salmon eggs have been hatched in sixty 
days, while the shortest period of incubation at Slorment- 
field is 120 days. A short time before the fish burst from 
the shell the "investing membrane of the egg becomes of 
a dirty, yellowish color, and a filamentous or floss-like coat 
ing surrounds it, reminding the practiced eye of the fatal 
fungoid disease. The feeble movements of the fish, which 
have been apparent since the thirtieth day, now assume the 
form of convulsive action, which continues with more or 
less violence until the shell is broken and the tiny thing is 
horn. 
borne of the earlier writers on fish culture advise aiding 
the struggling fish iu its efforts to merge from the already 
fractured shell, by gently passingover the body of the fish a 
delicate camel's hair brush. Nature is usually adequate in 
all such emergencies, while officious and meddlesome mid¬ 
wifery is usually attended with baneful results. Healthy 
fishes"will easily place themselves outside of their long en- 
vijonment; but if they are sickly and feeble, this supreme 
effort usually ends iu "death, sooner or later. The expect¬ 
ant crop now having been liberated, and the new life be¬ 
gun, if the hatching has been conducted in gravel troughs, 
they should now thoroughly be cleansed from shells, or any 
debris which, by decomposition, may interfere with the 
health of the fish. If the Caron or Caste trays have been 
used, all such remains have been carried away by the wa¬ 
ter between the interstices of the grille, and the young fish 
also find a passage through to tile tray beneath, from 
which they may be drawn off, by removing the cork into a 
pan; betas they are heavily encumbered with the yolk- 
sac, their removal should be conducted with gentleuess 
and care. What dirt or egg shells may have followed the 
fish must.be carefully floated off, or removed by nippers, 
or a bulb-syringe. If nursery troughs have not been ar¬ 
ranged for the reception of the hatchlings, they may occu¬ 
py me trays fora brief period, until complete arrangements 
may be perfected. In this case the grille is removed from 
each tra\, the box thoroughly cleansed, and the bottom 
cowered with fine gravel, which must not only he washed, 
but thoroughly boiled, that all of the larvce of insects may 
be destroyed. "Upon this clean gravel the fish are placed, 
and a gentle curreut of water allowed to glide gently over 
thetn. if nursery troughs have beeu provided, the wood 
should be thoroughly steamed or scalded, that all fungi or in¬ 
sects may be destroyed, while the gravel should be treated 
in like manner, for like reasons. The nursery troughs may 
be 20 or 30 feet long, 18 inches wide, and 3 inches deep. The 
troughs may be divided into as many compartments as they 
are lent long, by screens of fine copper wire, gauze, or 
iron coated with some pigment not made of lead, each di¬ 
vision being butfioieut tor the accommodation of 1,000 or 
1,200 fishes. The water supply must be carefully regula¬ 
ted; if Hie current is too strong, the fish will be too vio¬ 
lently driven against the screens, and destroyed. In the 
regulation oi the amount and force of the water, experi¬ 
ence is the only sale and reliable guide, as in all the other 
delicate manipulations which are necessarily connected 
with fish culture. 
Dominion Fishery Report. —Tbe Report of the Cana¬ 
dian Fishery Commissioners has been before us for two 
weeks, but we are obliged to defer an abstract for one 
week more. We are indebted to Com. W. F. Whitcher 
and to two other parties for copies, an attention that we 
appreciate. There is no public document printed that 
shows greater care and accuracy in its preparation, oi is 
more valuable or comprehensive iu the statistics which it 
presents. 
BLACK BASS IN WINTER. 
Natural Jjistorg. 
rjhu Department is under the charge of a competent Naturalist, 
Indorsed by the Smithsonian Institution, and will henceforth be rnaae a 
speotal feature of this paper. AU communications, notes, queries, re¬ 
marks, and seasonal observations will receive careful attention 
A VIVIPAROUS PERCH. 
W E present to-day an engraving of the viviparous 
perch of the Pacific coast, belonging to the Em- 
biotocoidat of Agassiz, concerning which we printed a letter 
from Dr. Yarrow in our issue of April 6. This wood cut 
is from a photograph taken many years ago in San Fran¬ 
cisco, where the young used to be served up as a delicacy. 
Professor Agassiz was muclt interested in these fishes, and 
wrote an article about them in the American Journal of 
Science and Art for November, 1853. He described two 
species —Embiotoca Jacksoni and E. Caryi— the latter after 
Thos. G. Cary, of Boston, who procured for him the speci¬ 
mens, and who has now kindly furnished U3 the photograph 
we have copied,and written us a letter upon the subject. The 
general appearance of tbe fishes of this family is that of our 
larger Pomolis. They are from 8 to 11 inches in length. 
Their body is compressed, oval and covered with scales of 
medium size, which are peculiar in being cycloid. Another 
peculiar and, indeed, unique feature, is that at the base of 
the long dorsal fin are two or three rows of scales separated 
from those of the body by a rather broad and deep scaleless 
furrow. The anterior part of this fin can be folded back 
PuiLAiiEU-iriA, I J a„ Ap'.il lTtll, 1816, 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
In your issue of March SOili Mr. Thomas S. Roberts, writing from Min¬ 
neapolis, Minn., refers to the article ou the bass, written by me, where¬ 
in 1 said: “They are a summer fish, and it is doubtful if ihey feed at all 
iu winter: they probably hibernate.” I wrote this from only limited 
observations of this fishiu Western Now York. 1 kept one nearly nil 
winter iu an aquarium, and it did not eat, and seldom moved anything 
except its eyes. I have also tried to catch them from the Binall but wcll- 
Btocked pond of Hon. 8. H. Ainsworth, at We9t Bloomfield, with¬ 
out success. I have, however, seen those that were taken with a hook in 
Northern Micbisatn, In March, while it in mill winter in that locality, and 
Mr. Roberta’ experience would seem to allow that they take the hook at 
thut time iu Ids vicinity. 
After reading his article I wrote to Mr. A. W. Latham,_Commission¬ 
er of F,alienee for Minn., residing at Excelsior, in reaard to the matter, 
and he replies: "1 believe that yon are in the main correct. They 
spawn here during the month or Muy, and are plentiful during the sum¬ 
mer and fall mouths. Occasionally they are caught tnrough the ice, 
both with the hook and spear, but are comparatively scarce during the 
winter. They then lie low in deep water, and seem, ufter a fashion, to 
hibernate," It would be interesting to get the facta from many locali¬ 
ties, and see ir their habit varies in different places. 
Fred Mather. 
Ravages by tite Potato Bog.—I t Is said that the potato 
bugs ou Lung Island nie very numerous, and have already 
made sad iiavoe with the fully crops. Mr. Jacob Scltoe- 
maker, a farmer at Flulbush, lias had about $2,000 worth 
of early sprouts destroyed, and the farmers in that section, 
iu plowing up their grounds, discovered bushels of the 
hugs. _ __ 
—The St. Augustine (Florida) hotels will close about 
May 1st, with the exception of the Marion, which will 
remain open during May and June. 
and concealed. The female genital apparatus in u state of 
pregnancy consists of a large violet bag, so transparent that 
one°can distinguish through it the shape, color and forma¬ 
tion of the small fish with which it is tilled. The fish when 
ready to escape are miniatures of their mother in shape and 
color, and fitted to seek their own livelihood. This genital 
sack seems to be nothing but tbe widened lower end of the 
ovary, and the pouches into which it is divided within are 
merely folds of the ovary itself. In each of these pouches 
a young onejswrapped up as iu a sheet, and all are packed 
in tightly. It is, therefore, a normal ovarian gestation. 
The external genital opening is situated behind the anus. 
As many as 19 young have been found in one fish. The 
males are not quite as large as the females, either in length 
or circumference. Mr. Cary writes that there is a great 
variety of these fishes, differing much in size and color. 
When scientific attention wusfirst attracted to them, four 
and twenty years ago, it was generally supposed that the 
discovery was a new one, but that was a mistake. In 1709 a 
transit of Venus was to take place on the 3d of tbe June. 
The event was of such importance that an expedition 
w-as sent from Paris to observe the transit at Cape St. 
Lucas, at the extreme southern end of Lower California. 
After the astronomical observations were finished the party 
went up tire coast some distance. On their return to Paris, 
the naturalist of the expedition reported that on the coast 
of California were found Bea perclt which had their young 
alive, and when the small fish were squeezed out of the 
parent they would swim with great celerity. It is to be 
hoped that oains may be taken to arrive at a complete 
knowledge of the natural history of these viviparous 
perches; and especially that the embryology and the early 
stages of growth in the young may be investigated. 
BIRDS OF CENTRAL NEW YORK. 
The following is a partial list of the birds of Central 
New York, the area covered by tbe observations compris¬ 
ing the counties of Cayuga, Seneca, and Wayne. I expect 
to be able to add to its numbers and information during 
the present and following seasons:— 
FAMILY TUIlDilUi. 
Turdus migralmins. Robin. Abundant from April to 
November; only a few remain all winter. 
Turdus mustelinus. Wood thrush. Arrives the last 
week in April. It is not a very common summer resident, 
and departs the first week in October. 
Turdus Swaimoni. Olive-backed thrush. Arrives the 
second week in May, and remains a few days, after which 
all pass north to breed. It returns the last iu September. 
Turdus fuscescens. Wilson’s thrush. Arrives the first 
week in May, and remains through the summer, hut is not 
very common. It moves southward the first week'of Sep¬ 
tember. 
Mimus caroHnemis. Cat-bird. Abundant from tbe lust 
week in May to the first week in October. 
Ilarporhynchus rvfus. Brown thrush. An irregular 
summer visitor, tolerably common some seasons, and not 
to be found others. 
family SAXicoi.ro a:. 
Sialia emits. Blue-bird. After tbe first week in March 
it is abundant until November. 
FAMILY 8 YI.VTTILK. 
Regulus calendula. Ruby-crowned kinglet. It arrived 
the last week in April, passes north to breed, and returns 
early in October. 
I ley ulus satrapn. Golden-crested kinglet. Appeals the 
second week in April, moving northward, whence it re¬ 
turns in October. 
FAMILY rARIDvE. 
Pantsatricapillus. Chickadee. Resident, breeding abun¬ 
dantly. 
FAMILY SITTIDAi. 
Sitia carolinensis. White-bellied nuthatch. Resident, 
and abundant; breeds. 
Sitta canadensis. Red-bellied nuthatch. Arrives about 
April 1st, and soon passes north, returning in October, and 
going south lor the winter. 
FAMILY CEUTHUDJE. 
Certhia familiaris. Brown creeper. Resident, but es¬ 
pecially abundant in llie breeding season. 
family tkOglodytjtvk. 
Troglodytes aedon. House wren. Arrives in May; is 
not very common during the summer, when it bleeds, and 
departs southward in October. 
Telmatodytes palvstris. Long-billed marsh wren. Sum¬ 
mer resident; breeds. 
Gistothorm stellar is. Short billed marsh wren. Summer 
resident; breeds. Harry W. Candee. 
To be continued. 
Notes from our Correspondents.— “Teal” (Salem, 
Mass., April 6th), says:—Woodcocks are numerous, Sbme 
black ducks are about, and bay ducks ure numerous. I 
have noticed the brown thrasher, snow-bird, chipping, 
song and fox sparrows; purple finch; purple ancl rusty 
graldes, and red-winged blame-bird; fish and pigeon hawks, 
and a single unknown swallow. The last is unusual so 
early. Quails are doing well, hut not a snipe has been 
heard yet_Chas. O. Gladwin (Higganutn, Conn.) reports 
the first robins seen on March I7lb, and red headed wood¬ 
peckers ou March 20tli. April 6th and 7th many wild 
geese were flying northward, the wind being moderate. 
April 8th vegetation was starling, and the traveling arbutus 
was almost open_Mr. Thomas Bland informs us that 
Prof. Liudeu lately found on Gonave Island, N. J., hermit 
crabs inhabiting a land shell, and "moving briskly about 
in an old pasture at a distance of two miles from tbe near¬ 
est sea beach," This is surprising,.. .C. Jell Clark killed 
an albino robin a few miles out of St. Louis, -Mo., on 
April Silt. Tbe breast of the bird was the regulation red, 
and all the rest of the plumage was snowy white. Mr 
Clark also lias a perfectly white live mocking-bird.. ..A 
Lawrence County (Ohio) boy set a trap tor Clows. The 
morning after the trap was gone. About six weeks after¬ 
ward a large owl attacking the chickens was killed, uutl at¬ 
tached firmly to his foot was the missing steel trap which 
weighed over a pound_Dr. C. C. Abbott promises to be 
our frog, turtle, aud snake reporter during the coming sea¬ 
son_S. M. Dunbar (BaMwinsville, N. Y.) writes us that 
he lias secured an albino robin... .“Wood Duck" (Eugle- 
wood.N. J.) desciibes an albino sora rail which he shot on 
the Hackensack marshes last September. It bad a white 
spot on its back the size of a silver dollar, and more while 
Ilian is usual on the sides. 
European Woodcock Shot in Virginia— Ornilholo-j 
ists will be interested lo learn that a specimen of the 
turopean woodcock (Scolopax ruslMa) was shot in 187-3, 
t Londoun County, Vu., by a brother oi Dr. M. G. Ellzey. I 
.11 the particulars of the occurrence have been detailed lo! 
i me [luttiv/uiuuo v<» --- — --- - -- 
: by this gentlemau, aud there is no reason to admit a 
ubt in the case. This is the only iustanceof which I 
ive become aware of the presence of this European J 
ties south of New Jersey, 
live UlTUillC awtlic ut tuv OI 
rangier in the United Stales south of New Jersey, 
Elliott Counts U. 8. A. 
A REPORT FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE. 
Faiijiiniiton, N. H., April 17111. 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
The ttrst appearance of birds iu this region we have nnled arc as fob 
lows: April 4tH. robins; April 8tb, pllcsbc bird aud an unknown hawk; I 
April 9th, soDg-spurrow: April ltth. red-winged blackbird, bud blue- I 
bird; April is, white-breasted i.bellied?) swallow; April loth, rcd-tailedl 
hawk; April ldth, chipping sparrow. Tbe gup hot wren the Pb and Sth I 
was caused by a lurioitB snow-storm, which must lhivo driven the birds J 
back south. Up to tbe 12th, the date of tbe arrival or such species iliHered J 
very little from that of last seasou. Since then, the weather having be-1 
come somewhat cooler, the migration seems to have stopped, us no new ( 
varieties can be found. s - Parker. 
