84 



FOREST AND STREAM 



THE 



MOCKING-BIRD. 



BY CHAS. SANG STBS. 



THE mocking-bird sits in the old apple tree, 

 Jovially/jauntily singing; 

 Who trills a daintier song than he ? 

 With a wilder gush, or a deeper glee, 



Fresh from his glad heart springing ? 

 Up steps my passionate oriole, 

 And sings till you'd think the bird had a soul, 

 So mellow, and deep, and rich the strain— 

 Song-mist and sweet showers of music rain. 



He has a rare touch of rich humor, too: 



Up in the maple perching, 

 Hiding, and singing a score of songs, 

 Until the birds appear in throngs, 



Each for its own mate searching. 

 Now like an absolute bird of prey, 

 Scaring the terrified flock away; 

 Sudden the flutter, the flight absurd- 

 Is he not laughing, the jovial bird ? 



My robin peers out from his cage in the hall. 



Strutting, and fluting loudly; 

 Rapid and clear is his morning call, 

 Graceful and cheering his madrigal, 



Bird never sung more proudly; 

 Back to the apple tree flies my thrush, 

 Strikes a fine chord through the calm and hush, 

 That follows my robin's melodious strain, 

 And gives him his strophes all back again. 



Bobalink whistle* his treble note, 



Bossignol sings a minute: 

 Delicate airs up the ether float. 

 Melody pours from each vocal throat, 



Tanager, jay and linnet. 

 Let them all flutter in plumage bright, 

 Warble and sing from morn till night, 

 Still, my plain mocking-bird there in the tree, 

 Proves himself master of minstrelsy. 



-^*+- 



AMPERSAND MOUNTAIN. 



A BIRDSEYE VIEW OF THE ADIRONDACK^. 



-f- 



Dr. W. W. Ely, of Rochester, whose valuable map of 

 the Adirondack region is well known and properly appre- 

 ciated by most sportsmen in this part of the world, has 

 lately addressed a letter to the New York Commercial Ad- 

 vertiser, which we are conferring a benefit upon our readers 

 in copying. Such emanations from gentlemen "who speak 

 by authority, and not as the scribes," are rare, and ought 

 to be widely circulated and carefully preserved. The Doc- 

 tor writes in this wise : — 



"Those who are familiar with the Saranac lakes and their 

 surroundings will at once recall the position of Ampersand 

 Mountain, lying southeast from the Middle Saranac, or 

 x Round Lake, from which its base is about two miles dis- 

 tant. The Stony Creek Mountains, which extend west- 

 ward from Ampersand, form with it a barrier, which ob- 

 structs the view of the higher Adirondack ranges from this 

 central lake and its vicinity. 



"Ampersand is one of the lesser mountains of the west- 

 ern range, of which Whitefacc, Seward, Sandanona, and 

 Mt. Emmons are the principal peaks. Its altitude has not 

 been ascertained. It may prove to be somewhat lower than 

 Blue Mountain (or Mt. Emmons), whose height is 3,595 feet. 

 Notwithstanding its inferior altitude, being comparatively 

 isolated, its position makes it favorable for observations. 



"For general description, we may say that the long axis 

 of the mountain is about three miles east and west, while 

 its base transversely is narrow, so that the slope of the sides 

 is steep, and in many places precipitous walls of rock, 

 scarcely concealed by a sparse growth of evergreens. The 

 outline of the mountain is irregular, the higher part con- 

 sisting of two rounded peaks, separated by a sharp sag, the 

 eastern peak being the higher. These peaks are traversed 

 by gorges, which, being concealed by trees, are not dis- 

 tinctly seen at a distance. The north side rises from a level 

 forest which separates the base from the Saranac Lakes and 

 river. The south side is made up of parallel ridges, 

 through which the sources of Coldbrook flow eastward, 

 and from this valley other mountains rise abruptly, over 

 which are seen still others in close proximity as far as the 

 eye can reach. At the foot of the western half of Amper- 

 sand, south, lies the solitary and picturesque Ampersand 

 Pond, so named from some resemblance to this alphabetic 

 character. On the eastern shore of this pond are the re- 

 mains of the 'Philosopher's Camp,' a log hut erected many 

 years ago for Agassiz, Lowell, Homes, and others. This 

 spot is sufficiently retired, being five miles in the deep 

 woods, and ten from a base of supplies. It is a gloomy 

 place, and we are not surprised that 'philosophers' of their 

 stamp forsook it for more genial associations. 



"Prom the Valley of Ampersand Pond outlet, running 

 west, and another valley intersecting it running south, rises 

 the majestic Mount Seward, which, with its three grand 

 peaks, is thus visible from crown to base. 



"On the north side of Ampersand the lumberman has 

 pushed his way as far as his labor could be made available 

 or profitable. Beyond this the line of the trapper may be 

 seen, while the deer hunter has followed his game still 

 "higher along the base of the mountain. But above this 

 there is no evidence that the foot of man had ever trod. 

 In olden times it was ranged by the moose, whence its for- 

 mer name of Moose Mountain, and later the panther and 

 the beaver have enjoyed its rocky recesses undisturbed. 



"At Bartlett's 'Sportsman's Home,' between the Upper 

 Saranac and Round Lakes, the mountain is a prominent ob- 

 ject. One never tires of watching the contrast, in varying 

 lights, of the dark evergreen with the hardwood foliage of 

 the intervening hills. Here also, clouds and mist, blue 

 haze, and the purple light of the setting sun, may be seen 

 and enjoyed, although certainly not on so grand a scale as 

 in some other parts of this mountain region. 



"It is not strange that such an object, habitually seen dur- 

 ing visits to the woods, should excite the desire to become 

 more intimately acquainted with it, and with the prospect 

 which might possibly be enjoyed from its summit. Ac- 

 cordingly, last year (1872), a preliminary exploration was 

 made, which, in the time allotted to it, sufficed only to re- 

 veal the precipices in the line of the route then selected. 



On further consultation with an experienced woodsman, it 

 was determined to make another trial on the opposite side, 

 from near the site of the Philosopher's Camp. This con- 

 sumed two days, and was rewarded with the discoverv of 

 the highest peak, a flat-topped cone, having a surface 

 twenty feet wide and thirty in length, from which the view 

 on both sides was found to be of great extent and interest. 

 Postponing further explorations, for want of time, until the 

 present year, on the 31st of July we ascended the moun- 

 tain again by the old southern trail, reaching the top at 

 six o'clock P. M. We slept on the summit without shelter, 

 the wind howling wildly over our heads, while drizzling 

 rain towards evening, with a dense fog, seemed as if in- 

 tended to discourage our efforts. As this visit, however, 

 was intended chiefly to open a path doAvn the north side of 

 the mountain to Round Lake, so that the extended circuit 

 of the southern ascent and its difficulties might be avoided, 

 the unfavorable state of the atmosphere was a hindrance 

 only to sight-seeing. Having previously determined on the 

 course, the path was selected with the aid of the compass, 

 while our men blazed the line and cut out the obstructions. 

 As we were seven hours in making this trail, it may be in- 

 ferred that it was thoroughly done— two hours now being 

 sufficient for the descent. The trail scarcely deviates from 

 a northwesterly course coming down. It is free from preci- 

 pices or difficulties of any kind, except those incident to 

 forest paths and steep ascents. It is two miles distant from 

 Bartlett's, and may be reached by boat in half an hour. 

 The mountain may be ascended in three or four hours, re- 

 turning the same day, or the night may now be spent com- 

 fortably on the summit. 



"Meeting my friend Dr. William Read.pf Boston, on the 

 12th of August, on his return from camping, I informed 

 him what had been done, and of my purpose to clear off 

 the top of the mountain, and erect a shanty for the use of 

 visitors, &c. He at once expressed a desire to join me in 

 the enterprise. We started accordingly on the morning of 

 the 13th, with three men, and pack baskets with blankets, 

 provisions, &c, and reached the top after noon. The day 

 was consumed in building our shanty of logs and bark, 

 which at nine A. M. was in a condition to protect us in case 

 of storm. The next day qui- Tip Top House was comple- 

 ted, being nicely covered with bark, the chinks filled with 

 moss, so that it subsequently proved a perfect defense 

 against rain. Being nine feet long, with an open front and 

 southeastern outlook, a party of six will find it very com- 

 fortable, and, for the woods, an elegant structure of its 

 kind. Our blazing fire at night was seen at different and 

 distant points, and was signalled at Bartlett's by volleys of 

 fire-arms and other demonstrations which the distance pre- 

 vented us from noticing. Our stalwart and obliging men 

 were now set to work with their axes in all directions — on 

 the edge of precipices, in deep gorges, anywhere— as trees 

 interfered with the prospect. We spent three nights on the 

 mountain, and three days at this work, returning at the 

 close of the fourth day. 



"I may here note that on the second day (14th), a well- 

 known gentleman from Boston, and his daughter, made us 

 a visit. We were happy to welcome the first lady to the 

 top of our mountain and the shelter of our shanty. They 

 expressed themselves delighted in the highest degree with 

 the outlook. After finishing our clearing we had an ex- 

 tended horizon, losing only the portions lying in the axis of 

 the mountain east and west. The views on the north and 

 the south sides are entirely different in character. On the 

 south, Ampersand Pond and the whole of Long Lake are 

 the chief visible waters, while innumerable mountains of 

 the loftiest class are seen in all directions, as Seward, San- 

 danona, Emmons, Mclntyre, and other mountains in Keene 

 and North Elba. It is mountains, mountains everywhere. 

 On the north side there is more of the picturesque. In a 

 semi-circle, with a horizon twenty-five miles distant, are 

 also mountains without number, and a vast spread of for- 

 est, with lakes and ponds, of which not less than thirty are 

 seen in different directions. Here we look down upon the 

 beautiful valley of the Saranac river, with its hamlets and 

 ponds, down to Franklin Falls; the Lower Saranac and 

 Round Lakes, with all their islands and tributaries; the 

 Upper Saranac Lake also, with Cox's Hotel at the head and 

 Bartlett's Settlement on the outlet, are distinctly visible. 

 The lower half of Tupper's Lake, Mount Morris hiding its 

 southern part, Raquette Pond and the farm buildings near 

 it appear in the west. Big and Little Clear Ponds and 

 St. Regis waters are visible. At the Lower St. Regis Paul 

 Smith's is hidden by trees. Here and there in the forests 

 we notice sparse settlements, and the isolated, solitary 

 dwelling of backwoodsmen. Great swamps, with their 

 sharply defined outlet of trees, look in the distance like 

 farm clearings. Large fire slashes break the continuity of 

 the green woods with their brown, dusky hues. Such a 

 panorama, of which only some general points can be no- 

 ticed, is well worth the time and labor spent in reaching 

 the summit of Ampersand. 



"The Adirondack wilderness, formerly visited by a few 

 adventurous sportsmen, and almost unknown to the people 

 of the State in which it lies, has, within a few years, be- 

 come one of the most popular resorts for tourists. Hotel 

 accommodations have been multiplied, but they are still 

 scarcely adequate for the demands of visitors during the 

 travelling season. Of the throngs who resort to the woods, 

 but few can enjoy the pursuits of hunting and fishing. Be- 

 sides, game no longer exists in its former abundance. 

 Sporting must continue to afford less and less inducement 

 to visit the wilderness, and must be superseded by new ob- 

 jects of interest — the climate, the peculiar local institutions, 

 the boating, the rous;h and salutary exercises and exposures, 

 and the unsurpassed natural scenery will remain. There 

 will ever be wild passes to traverse, and rugged and difficult 

 mountains to climb. The grand mountains of Essex, such 

 as Dix, Marcy, Mclntyre, Whitef ace, are well known to the 

 tourist. It is believed that the less lofty Ampersand is des- 

 tined to attract attention as well as the old favorites, now that 

 the way has been opened and the outlook has been tested 

 and approved. The ascent of this mountain requires no 

 deviation from the usual route through the Saranac waters. 

 It may be made an incident of travel, involving but little 

 delay, to those who are passing in or out of the wilderness 

 in this direction. W. W. E. 



"Upper Saranac Lake, August 18th." 



-*^s» 



— On G-ringley-on-the-Hill, in Yorkshire, England, a pair 



of three year old horses were bought about 1864. They 



have been worked ever since, and the distance they have 



travelled has considerably exceeded 30,000 miles. They 



have worn out six sets of carriage wheels, and are going 



along as merrily to-day as five year olds. 



AN OLD SPORTSMAN OF THE SEVEN 

 TEENTH CENTURY. 



IN the Connoisseur of 1755, there is a portrait of a hthv* 

 old sportsman of the time of Charles the First. There ' 

 a truthfulness, a strength, a fidelity in the way it is tm 

 dered, that makes it a picture as vivid as if worked up h • 

 the pencil of a Wouvermans or a Terburs ;: 



"In the year 1038 lived Mr. Hastings; by his qualitt 

 son, brother, and uncle to the Earls of Huntingdon, si 

 was, peradventure, an original in our age; or rather the 

 copy of an ancient nobility, in hunting, not in warMka 

 times. 



He was low, very strong, and very active; of a redflfrfi 

 flaxen hair. His clothes always green cloth, and never all 

 worth, when new, five pound. 



His house was perfectly of the old fashion, in the mid--( 

 of a large park well stocked with deer; and near the housfe 

 rabbits to serve his kitchen; many fish-ponds: great store 

 of wood and timber; a bowling 'green in it, Ion g hut nar- 

 row, full of high ridges, it being never leveled since it wis 

 ploughed. They used round sand bowls; and it had a ban- 

 queting house like a stand, built in a tree. 



He kept all manner of sport hounds, that ran buck fox 

 hare, otter, and badger; and hawks, long and short winged 

 He had all sorts of nets for fish. He had a walk in fli c 

 New Forest, and the manor of Christ-church. This last 

 supplied him with red deer, sea, and river fish. Ami in. 

 deed all his neighbors' grounds and royalties were free to 

 him, who bestowed all his time on these sports. He was 

 very popular, always speaking kindly to the husband 

 father, or brothers hi the manor on his estate, and tile 

 men were very welcome to his house; whenever they e;mii 

 they found beef , pudding, and small beer in great plenty. \ 

 house not so neatly kept as to shame him or his dirty shoes- 

 the great hall strewed with marrowbowns, full of' hawks' 

 perches, hounds, spaniels, and terriers; the upper side of 

 the hall hung with fox skins of this and the last year's 

 killing, here and there a polecat intermixed; game-keeper's 

 and hunters' poles in great abundance.. 



The parlor was a large room, as properly furnished. 

 On a great hearth, paved with brick, lay some terriers, ami 

 choicest hounds and spaniels. Seldom but two of the meat 

 chairs had litters of young cats in them, which were not to 

 be disturbed; he having always three or four attending 

 him at dinner; and a little white stick of fourteen inched 

 tying by his trencher, that he might defend such meat as 

 he had no mind part with to them. The windows, which were 

 very large, served for places to lay his arrows, crossbows, 

 stonebows, and other such like accoutrements. The cor- 

 ners of the room full of the best-chose hunting hawk poles. 

 An oyster table at the lower end, which w T as of constant 

 use twice a day all the year round. For he never failed to 

 eat oysters, before dinner and supper, through all seasons; 

 the neighboring town of Pool supplied him with them. 



The upper part of the room had two small tables and a 

 desk, on the one side of which s was a church Bible, and 

 on the other the book of martyrs. On the tables were 

 hawks-hoods, bells, and such like; tw T o or three old green 

 hats with their crowns thrust in so as to hold ten or a 

 dozen eggs, which were of a pleasant kind of poultry he 

 took much care of and fed himself. Tables, dice, cards, 

 and boxes, were not wanting. In the holes of the desk 

 were store of tobacco pipes that had been used. 



On one side of this end of the room was the door of a 

 closet wherein stood the strong beer and the wine: whieh 

 never came thence but in single glasses; that being the rule 

 of the house exactly observed. For he never exceeded in 

 drink, or permitted it. 



On the other side was the dqpr into an old chapel, not 

 used for devotion. The pulpit, as the safest place, was 

 never wanting of a cold chine of beef, venison pasty, 

 gammon of bacon, or great apple-pie with*thick crust, ex- 

 tremely baked. 



His table cost him not much, though it was good to eat 

 at. His sports supplied all but beef and mutton, except 

 Fridays, when he had the best salt-fish, as well as other 

 fish, he could get; and was the day his neighbors of best 



syrup of gulliflower in his sack : and had always a tun 

 glass, without feet, stood by him, holding a pint of small 

 beer, which he often stirred with rosemary. 



He lived to be a hundred ; never lost his eyesight, but 

 always wrote and read without spectacles; and got on 

 horseback without help. Until fourscore he rode to the 

 death of a stag as well as any." 



A Defence foe Scientific Education. — In speaking $ 

 scientific education, M. de Quatrefages, President of the 

 French Association for the advancement of science, stated 

 as follows : 



"That the devotees of literature accused science of stifl- 

 ing sentiment and imagination; she kills, they say, the ideal 

 and stunts intelligence by imprisoning it within the limits 

 of reality; she is incompatible with poetry. The men who 

 speak thus have never read Kepler the astronomer, Pascal 

 the geometer, Linnaeus the naturalist, Buff on the zoologist, 

 Humboldt the universal smant. What! says the President, 

 science stifle sentiment, imagination, she who brings ub 

 every hour into the presence of wonders ! She lower in- 

 telligence, who touches on all the infinities! When lilttr"- 

 teurs and poets know science better, they will come aim 

 draw from her living foutnain. Like Byron of our tuflft 

 like Homer of yore, they will borrow from her striking- 

 imagery, descriptions whose grandeur will be doubled l>) 

 their truth. Homer was a savant for his time. He knew 

 the geography, the anatomy of his era; we find in Ins ve ^ ( "' 

 the names of' islands and capes, technical terms like scM'i- 

 de and scapula. None the less he wrote the Iliad." . 



The French aeronaut, Pointevin, took up, suspenclcu 

 from his ballocn, a spirited horse, As soon as the f m f\ 

 was off the ground, he became as still as though he na« 

 been paralyzed, but when he came down and dragged slow- 

 ly through a cornfield, he bit at the ears of corn, "»fflg 

 in a peaceful manner. It is said that a horse, when off a • 

 feet, loses his viciousness and puts himself completely i 

 der the control of whoever has him in charge, whereup ^ 

 it is suggested that an aeronaut voyage is a capital man 

 to tame vicious horses. 



«*»<♦*- 



Darwin's missing 1 lynx may be found in America. 



