82 



FOREST AND STREAM, 



had them from four to eight, inches in length, and the big- 

 gest was not over a quarter of an inch thick, and this at 

 li is best and thickest part; near the eyes, where he was 

 two inches deep, tapering off, both in width and thickness, 

 to u flat, pointed tail,>hich latter, in its rounded shape, and 

 worn and ragged appearance, reminds one strongly of a 

 well worn corn broom after many days of hard scrubbing. 

 What is the Latin name for a broom of that description? if 

 there is one, he should have it. As far as color goes, he is 

 a pretty fish, with rich brown stripes, mottling on a bright 

 orange ground. From his eyes, his head tapers, more ab- 

 ruptly than his tail, terminating in a snout resembling that 

 of a pig, the lower jaw, however, projecting beyond the up- 

 per; this jaw he uses as a shovel or scoop, digging in the 

 sand or gravel, or scraping a rock, for his food. At rest 

 he is curious, for like a bat, he reposes head downward, 

 slowly sinking, till when near the bottom, especially, if his 

 descent, has brought him before the door of a lautog's cas- 

 tle, he suddenlly shoots tail first to the surface — without a 

 movement of sa>d tail. This latter organ is not with him 

 the propeller, for he has a habit common to but two others, 

 namely, the pipe fish {lautoga oritti), and the sea horse, 

 orhippocamus, of performing his swimming, by means of 

 his greatly developed dorsal fin, which, with a peculiar, 

 not easily described undulation, answers for fin and tail 

 both. 



Our Sea robin (Prianolus evolani), was perhaps our most 

 gorgeous pet, homely in shape, not unlike a skulpiu. Na- 

 ture has recompensed him with the richest of hues, aud 

 with a pair of pectoral fins, so large and beautiful, that they 

 justify his being classed with the birds. 



Little blue fish, (snapping mackerel the natives call them) 

 we had in plenty. Whenever I had nothing else to do, than 

 to practice llyfishing,]tbey would take the lure like a trout, 

 and for a few minutes give me lively work, but they soon 

 gave out — and so in our Aquarium— they were a thing of 

 beauty, but not a joy foiever; they could not stand con 

 finement, and were short lived pets. 



We had one old lady crab, about as large a Epeeimen as 

 is ever seen, and she was burdened with fully a quarter of 

 a pound of eggs, attached to her person, in the usual way 

 adopted by the family— there is a Latin name for the place, 

 buL I forget it. Ugly was not a name for her temper. The 

 instant her tank was approached, she was claws up, ready, 

 anxious for a fight. An attempt to stir her up with a 

 slick was safe, but it would have been a mangled hand that 

 tried it. As the stick entered the water, she would spring 

 a foot to grasp it, and left her marks. Worn out with con- 

 stant teasing, to which Prof. Smith most strenuously ob- 

 jected, she got tired of life and resolved that her offspring 

 should not endure it; grasping as many eggs as her big 

 claws could hold, she tore them from her and threw them 

 to the right and left, unceasingly, till at last, angered, I 

 guess, because there were some she could not reach, she 

 stretched out and shook her claws, and left us to mourn. 



Then we had pilot fish, Pompano. scup, sand lances, and 

 1 don't know how many other varieties. Of the sea aie- 

 mones aud hydroids, the latter were very beautiful, as 

 seen here and there among the rocks and bright green sea 

 lettuce— little clusters of spray-like substance— bright gray 

 with thonsauds of little stems and white flowers, se fine 

 aud delicate as to resemble the "smoke plant." "What a 

 lovely flower," said a lady, who could hardily believe, 

 when I told her that each little flower was endowed with 

 life, and was only more astonished, wiien under the mi- 

 croscope, she saw revealed the rare beauties and rich tints 

 to the naked eye invisible. If I had but saved my mislaid 

 notes, I could recall a great many pleasant half hours, but 

 writing from memory, I can only congratulate myself, that 

 although our Aquarium is a thing of the past, there is an- 

 other on a grander scale, where time spent is saved to one 

 who loves to search deeper than the surface, and to learn, 

 as to familiar things the "reason why." 



There I learned why one must troll slowly for pickerel : — 



One morning a little salmon presented to the experienced 

 eye of Mather evidence that he was soon to die — and for 

 experiment we threw him into the tank where two little 

 pickerel were swimming. In an instant they both saw 

 him, hut neither attacked the swift, darting trouillng, Mil 

 at last when quiet in a corner, both pickerel pointed for 

 him, and remained at point, as steadily as two well trained 

 dogs, one backing the other. Suddenly one darted, and 

 there was no more little salmon, but the other pickerel, as 

 though petrified, preserved his point at the corner fully a 

 minute. -t Piseco. 



Where Woodcock Bbekd.— The very careful observer 

 and naturalist, Mr. Geo. A. Boardman, who is now in 

 Florida, gives to us this week, the very important state- 

 ment that woodcoek breed in Florida. A boy brought him 

 one the other day, with two young chicks, a week or two 

 old. He says these are the first he ever heard of breeding 

 bo far aouth. 



Black Snake j». Rattlesnake. —A correspondent, A. 

 D. W., of Hanover, New Jersey, calls our attention to the 

 well known fact, that the black snake is the inveterate en- 

 emy of the rattlesnake which it generally, or perhaps most 

 invariably, vanquishes in combat. An instance lo which 

 the party was eye-witness, is thus described: — 



"In the middle of the road lay an ordinary black snake 

 and quite a large rattlesnake eyeing one another fiercely, 

 both ready for an attack. The party stood motionless to 

 see the battle take place; but he. waited long, and still the 

 combatants did not. move. At length tired of watching, lie 

 slightly shook the bar of the fence, which caused the rattle 

 snake to look from its opponent to himself. Instantly the 

 black snake sprang on the other, twisted itself tightly around 



its neck, aud then its body, and glided off, and there lay the 

 rattlesnake, dead. The victim we all know was a powerful 

 foe, the victor as harmless a snake as there is in the land." 



SNAKES IN WINTER. 



PoTTBTItliB, Pa., March 5th, 1877, 



EOITOB FollEBT AND StHEAM : — 



In the issue of your valuable journal of the 22d ult., I 

 noticed an article from a "Stove'rstown" correspondent on 

 "Snakes in Winter," which Teminds me of a circumstance 

 which I have never deemed worthy of revelation. The 

 farm on which I lived some years ago had a large spring 

 house on it provided particularly for dairy use. Immedi- 

 ately on the exterior of the building was a large walled in 

 spring which produced a strong stream; a hole ten inches 

 square, with an iron grate in it was made in the wall, ad- 

 mitting the water, the grate prohibiting the entrance of 

 muskratSBnd other animals. From the entrance of the 

 door to the level of the stone floor there was a descent of 

 four stone steps, undei which was provided a channel for 

 water three feet wide by eight inches in depth, (which was 

 in same proportion all around in the interior of the Bpring- 

 house). From one to three large water snakes would har- 

 bor under those steps a whole winter; tbey were often seen 

 in the channel (the spring water being wariu in winter time), 

 and they would move with great nimbleness and rapidity. 

 While they never disturbed"any luxuries in or out of the 

 water, they totally demolished all lizards, toads, frogs aud 

 roaches. Alexis, 



Jacksonville, Florida, March 51 h, 1877. 



EnlTOK FoKEST AND STHEAH:— 



Woodcock have been more abundant than I have ever 

 known them, some afternoons would eet up a dozen; very 

 unusual for Bast Florida. I wing tipped a snipe, GaUinago, 

 Wilsonii, it fell into the water; the dog going to retrieve it, 

 it would dive like a grebe. I have known the spotted sand 

 piper to do this, but never a snipe. They are. fast, leaving 

 for the North. A quail started to (ly out on the St. John 

 river, and lighted in the water, in going for the bird with a 

 boat, it Hew' from the water and saved iiself; no slick or 

 chip could be seen. My friend Mr. Livingston, shot a large 

 rattlesnake. It had a good sized rabbit, in its throat al 

 covered with saliva; on pulling the rabbit out of its mouth 

 it soon ran away apparently uninjured. 



Saw the first purple martin, Prague purpura, February 

 3d; hive seen them cotne to the boxes in Jacksonville, the 

 11th February; this year they are a little late. 



The only swallow we see here in winter IS the white-bel- 

 lied, Hirundo bkotar, Geo. A. BoABDMAJt. 



AN IMA,,;- KECEIVBI) ATCtMHIAl. I'AllK M EKAQBBI 1,. \Vi;f.K F.N III N!; M A R 



10.— Three sea [tons Zaiophus gilksaiiiei; oue Muck Imar, I om iwi.fi- 

 canus, presented by Mr. G. P, Morisim, from Black llills; oue mottled 

 owl, Sctftt asio, presented by Mr. de Lattne! Berier: one camel, Came- 

 Ills dumedariut, born in the menagerie; one Macaque monkey, Macacus 

 •^. bora ia the menagerie. 



W. A. Conkxin, Director. 



jf*3 md §j£iver tgishitfg, 



FISH IN SEASON IN MARCH. 



Brook Trout, Salmo fonUnulis. White Perch, Morons Americana. 



Plies tor this Month. 

 Dark Pox and Black, Grey aud Claret Gnats, on 18 hooks (emiill.) 



Fish in Makket.— Notwithstanding the demand for fish 

 incident to this season of the year, owing to the open 

 weather the supply is so abundant that prices are not only 

 much lower than usual, but this week shown still further 

 decline. The event, of the week has been the opening of the 

 trout season, and to-day, for the first time since September, 

 the salmo Jontinalis is exposed for sale. During the next 

 three days the visitor at Fulton Market will find himself 

 amply repaid by a visit to the stand of Mr. E. G. Black- 

 ford. There he will see trout from every part of the 

 country from Maine to California, and the British Prov- 

 inces as well ; wild trout and tame troul.Jboth alive and 

 dead, and ranging in size all the way from the little "fry" 

 just clear of the umbilical sac to the great three-pounder. 



Our prices for the week are as follows: Striped bass 15 

 to 20 cents per pound; smelts, 18 lo 20 cents; bhiefish, IS 

 cents; salmon (frozen), 25 cents; California (frozen), 45 

 and 50 cents; shad (southern), $1 each; mackerel, 30 

 cents; white perch, 15 cents; Spanish mackerel 50 cents; 

 green turtle, 22 cents; terrapin, $15 per dozen; frostfish, 7 

 cents per pound; halibut, 18 cents; haddock, 8 cents; cud 

 fish, 8 cents; bluckfish, 15 cents; herrings, 6 cents; floun- 

 ders, 18 cents; sea bass, 20 cents; eels, 18 cents; lobsters, 

 10 cents; sheepshead, 18 cents; lurbotl, 18 cents; scollops, 

 $1.50 per gallon; whiteflsh, 16 cents per pound; pickerel, 

 15 cents; sunfish, 10 cents; yellow perch, G cents; salmon 

 trout, 15 cents; Canada brook trout, 40 cents; Long Island 

 trout, $1.25; hard shell crabs, $400 per 100; red snappers, 

 20 cents. 



The trout season opens to-day on Long Island. The 

 ponds and streams were never in better condition at this 

 time of year. The "openiag" will bo attended with its 

 usual festivities. 



— The mountain streams in Central Pennsylvania are 

 reported to be swarming with speckled trout, and anglers 

 begin to grow impatient. 



Shad have made their appearance in the Delaware. 



— The fishermen of St. Augustine, Fla., are delighted 

 over the arrival of the drumfish season. The large drum- 

 fish are . beginning to bite finely. They often reach the 

 weight of from fifty to eighty pounds. 



—Mr. Endicott ("Ted Grayson"), of Beekm&n street, 

 this city, has been at Homosassa, Florida, for several 

 weeks. He has sketched and painted all the different 

 kinds of fish that take the "fly" there. 



JABS Flies. — The star of the black bass is CyT.- 

 laiuly in the ascendant. Through the exertions of the 

 Fish Comi 



placed in many waters all over the country, and has propa- 

 gated and multiplied until his tribe has become numerous 

 throughout the land. Consequently, while the orders for 

 trout flies have possibly not diminished the present season, 

 those for black bass have measurably increased, so that 

 the tackle dealers have to prepare stock altogether various 

 and new. There are constant inquiries after approved 

 patterns — examinations of the old, and suggestions for 

 new ones, so that their assortments, etc., are rapidly grow- 

 ing; and by the time thai M. nigricans flings his sportive 

 fin above ihe wave there will be no limit, lo the kiuds of 

 flies, minnows, reels, rods, lines, and other apparatus. 



The "trout ia speckled pride" may not have had bis 

 day; but if he is not actually to be superseded by bis 

 neighbor, be is henceforth to have in the black bass a 

 rival for the favor of fastidious anglers. The results of 

 trouting expeditions have been so unsatisfactory of late 

 years that both novices and experts will be glad to find 

 sport that will almost certainly repay them for their pains 

 and outlay during their limited vacations. 



Wo have bron at, some trouble toassistour leading tackle 

 dealers in procuring special patterns for bass ill 

 has become very obvious that with bass, even more titan 

 with trout, particular colors, sizes, and structure of flies 

 must be employed for different waters. The same fly will 

 not suit everywhere. In dressing flies for bass it is not 

 necessary to follow nature; indeed such nondescripts of 

 anatomy and hue were never even dreamed of by entomo- 

 logists as those that are deftly fashioned and fabricated by 

 our chief manipulators. Nevertheless, many of them are 

 marvels of ingenuity and brilliancy. Some that have beeu 

 handed to us by Messrs. Holberton and Beemei are beauti- 

 fully tied. The hand that fashioned them has in days 

 past wielded a skillful artist's brush, and we do not wonder 

 that he who can faithfully portray the real on canvas, is 

 able to put into almost animate shape the delicate materi- 

 als that have had their being in the upper air, where mere 

 mollis and ephemera can never attain in their clumsy Bight, 

 There are four patterns of llnlbetton's Hies lying before 

 us; one a copy of the Ferguson fly; one a t in I. 

 a turkey green; and one exquisite new creation quite prop- 

 erly christened the Holberton fly. It has an orange, body 

 ribbed with gold tinsel; head of peacock's herl; a hackle 

 of peacock's herl mixed with purple; tail of wood duck 

 feathers tipped with scarlet; under wing coverts of scarlet 

 ibis mixed with mallard feathers dyed yellow, outer wing 

 coverts of wood duck feather, with two long rays nf pea- 

 cock's herl, the latter giving the fly a very jaunty and 

 attractive appearance, which even the best educated 

 salmoa could not resist. We do not know vie 

 will do for black bass, but we shall at once add a dozen of 

 them to our own stock of salmon flies, and would advice 

 our Canadian friends to do so. It will make a very ri If 

 companion to the "silver doctor." The "Turkey brown" 

 has turkey wings, brown body ribbed with gold, red 

 hackle and wood duck tail streaked with seatlet; the 

 lurkey green is similar, except that it lias a pi 

 The Ferguson tly has beeu repeatedly described in our 

 paper. We can recommend Holberton & Bcemer to our 



Atitifictai. A.nole Worms.- Win. n. Gregg, of St. 

 Louis, has patented an imitation earth worm, made of 

 India-rubber or other flexible material, to be substituted 

 for the squirming live angle-worm so long in use by boy 

 anglers, and eagerly sought for by the. "early bird." It 

 exactly resembles the natural squirmer in color, and cer- 

 tainly possesses the advantages of cleanliness for use. It 

 cannot be taken off the hook by nibbles, and needs no 

 preparatory "scouring." We should judge it to be a good 

 thing, although the inventor has sent us no sample— 

 neither advertisement. By the way, wc forget to say that 

 one quality claimed for the artificial worm is, I bat it. can 

 be used for chewing-gum, whereas the natural "worm," 

 when carried iu the mouth, is not altogether pleasant to 

 the taste, and h liable to Slip down the throat or out 

 from between the teeth. 



FlSHDte Movements. --The Georges fleet continue to 

 come in, but give no indications of an improvement in the 

 catch, and the receipts aie light lor the season, with little 

 old stock mi band to draw from. Sin« e our ItteJ issue 36 

 arrivals have been reported, bringing iu about 050,000 lbs. 

 codfish and 70,000 lbs. halibut. Three herring i 

 beeu received the past week, from Grand Alenan and 

 Nova Scotia, giving a total of 39 fishing arrivals for the 

 week.— Cape Ann Advertiser, Mm 

 ■X Alligatob Gab Fish. —These fish inhabit the Mississippi 

 rivei front the mouth to the Fails of St, Anthony. Tlicy 

 are taken weighing as high as 100 pounds, but average 

 about 30. The}' are entirely separate and different from 

 any other known fish, and although not a gams lisil con- 

 siderable sport can be had with them, owing to the ex- 

 treme difficulty of holding them with any Commoi 

 line, or rig. Tbey hare a loug snout or bill, of hard bone, 

 full of sharp teetli, which caimot be pierced by 

 so tbey can only be taken by their swallowing i 

 add lo the trouble, tbey are very dainty. 



In the spring of last. 'year, I took one at, Castle ' 

 Winona, Minn., which weighed '40 pounds, being the 

 heaviest fish I ever took in fresh water. This may be of 

 interest to some of your readers who cha 

 that way, and would like to try it. Tbey 

 whip, as thoy called my rod, (one of C." F. Orris' black 

 bass rods,) and said I would break it with a skinner; but I 

 told them and tbey found it to be Hue, that I could catch 

 any fish they bad in the river with that whip, and I did. I 

 ne with a red trout, fly with wiie. leader three 

 feet long, which he swallowed am! could i 



55 yards of silk line audi played him Foi 

 hour, but could nol get him to ihe boat, and having no 

 guff I finished him with a pistol ball iu the hem' 

 the boat, i al 



