FORE STRAND STREAM 



105 



fungus, familiar to keepers of aquaria. This fungus multi- 

 plies with amazing rapidity, and speedily covers any fish it 

 attacks. The head, tail and fins appear to he covered with a 

 white cottony down, which looks as if it could he readily re- 

 moved ; but any attempt to rub it off reveals the fact that the 

 scales and other parts to which it adheres are rotten. One 

 fish so infected gives off many millions of spores ; but the 

 fungus appears to die with the fish, the death of the latter 

 being brought about, as a rule, by the choking of the gills. 

 The fungus is said to be incapable of existing iu salt or brack- 

 ish water, a fact which, if it be one, points to the only possi- 

 ble remedy. We stated this fact in connection with our visit 

 to the Wisconsin State Hatchery last summer, mentioning 

 that Supt. Welcher had used salt with gratifying success. 



' Eastern Trout on the Pacific Slope— Kalamn, W. T., 

 Feb. 12.— I have nearly one thousand brook trout, about one 

 month old, the first ever hatched in Oregon or Washington 

 Territory. The eggs were shipped from Messrs. Thomas &. 

 Brainard. Randolph, N. Y. I expect 5,000 more eggs to be 

 shipped on the 20th of this month, and if they arrive in good 

 condition, shall expect to hatch at least 4,000 of them. There 

 are several parties interesting themselves in the matter in 

 Oregon, and, I presume, next season one or two more small 

 hatching establishments will make a start. The trout are in- 

 tended fcr a stream not far from here, and the object is to in- 

 troduce the "red speckled fellows" into the waters of this 

 vicinity. Come out in a year or two and help catch 'em. 



H. H. Hot.t. 

 Mr. Holt is the contriver of the patent fly-book we referred 

 to in our columns a few weeks since. 



" Oaueobnia Salmon fok Tb-nnkbsbk — Savannah, March 

 4. — Mr. Wm. Hamlin, of Maryland, 1ms within the past three 

 or four days visited our waters with a supply of seven or 

 eight thousand salmon fr3 r . They were in splendid condition 

 when they reached Buffalo River, in which stream they were 

 to be deposited. I did not have the good fortune to meet the 

 gentleman, but received my information from the officers of 

 the steamer which brought them up. Wtv . 



To State Fish Commissioners.— The Kirtland Society of 

 Natural Sciences, of Cleveland, Ohio, would be glad to re- 

 ceive the reports of the fish commissioners of the various 

 States. They have already iu their library all the reports up 

 to 1877. 



Jja/wa/ §istorg. 



THE BITE OF THE SKUNK. 



Denver, Col., Feb. 5, 1879, 

 Editor Forest and Stream: 



Upon receipt of your issue containing my note of Nov. 21, 

 1878, respecting "Death from Skunk Bite," which you con- 

 sidered a subject worthy of discussion, 1 set about gathering 

 facts and opinions relative thereto. Thus far I have not ac- 

 cumulated a great deal of information, but am enabled to 

 make a partial report, which is offered for what it may seem 

 worth. Among other things, I soueht for particulars respect- 

 ing the two cases referred to in my" letter of November 21, 

 and will first refer to them. 



The case mentioned in Southeastern Colorado was that of 

 S. E. Jones, aged 22 years. Of the particulars of his death, 

 Mr. Charles TV. Bowman, editor of the Leader at West Las 

 Animas, Bent County, writes: "The only intelligent witness 

 of the biting of ' Bud ' Jones fives thirty miles away and has 

 not been in town since the receipt of your letter. He was 

 bitten through both lips at left side of his mouth while asleep. 

 His death occurred about nine weeks later. He was out on 

 the range when bitten, and at the camp that evening the boys 

 had been shooting at some skunks in the rocks, and finally 

 built a fire over the mouth of the cave, or hole, inhabited by 

 them. After being bitten, ' Bud ' immediately came to town. 

 He was considerably alarmed at first, but the wound soon 

 healed and he appeared quite unconcerned about it. He had 

 little or no treatment. I believe Dr. Chary, of Fort Lyon, 

 told him the only thing he could do would be to cut it out, 

 but it seems there was no desire cm ' Bud's ' part to have such 

 an operation performed. He soon after went to Texas, ap- 

 parently in the best of health, where he was attacked with 

 ' convulsions and died in a few hours." 



In announcing Mr. Jones' death at the time, Mr. Bowman 

 published the following in his paper : 



" Skunk bites are of frequent occurrence on the plains, and 

 not a few: deaths from this cause are related by old Bettlers. 

 Whether the animal does this only under a fit of madness, or 

 whether it ever becomes rabid, is not known. It is true, how- 

 ever, that very few persons escape death as a consequence of 

 being bitten. The Bkunk, unlike other denizens of the 

 prairie, has little or no fear of man, but will as leisurely walk 

 into a tent or camp at night as would a domestic cat. Its 

 habit with human beings is to bite them while asleep ; it may 

 be on the ear, face, hand, or any exposed part. Of course the 

 sleeper is immediately awakened, aud the varmint is driven 

 away. The wound inflicted may appear no worse than the 

 scratch of a briar, but it is nevertheless a thing not to be 

 trifled with. In case of skunk bite, the following suggestions 

 will prove useful; If possible, a physician should be eonBuIted, 

 and that without delay. That being impracticable, the treat- 

 ment is to cut out the flesh to the depth of the wound, or burn 

 it out with a hot iron, or destroy the poison with caustic pot- 

 ash. It is the sense of the medical profession that the poison 

 deposited with the bite of rabid animals lies for a time in the 

 wound before being absorbed. How long it thus remains is 

 not definitely known, though five days has been reckoned as 

 the outside limit. The importance of immediate treatment is 

 therefore apparent. If nothing else is at hand, a bridle-bit 

 heated would answer for the burning, or concentrated lye for 

 the caustic. There is but little virtue iu drinking whisky, as 

 is done in snake bites." 



The case in Texas was reported to me by General F. L. 

 Britton, of Austin, that State. Being in impaired health, he 

 spent last winter in camp about the tiead waters of the Colo- 

 rado River, on the Slaked plains in Western Texaa The 

 country in the neighborhood was full of buffalo hunters. The 

 subject was a young man about nineteen years of age, who 

 belonged to a camp about nine miles distant. I was in error 

 before iu stating that he was a member of my informant's 

 party. Convulsions ensued in eight or ten days, and death re- 



sulted two or three days later. It was the subject of camp 



discussion at the time, and many similar cases wew balked Of 



only one of which the General uow remembers. Thar, was of 



a decrepit old lady, twelve miles from Fort Concho, nut far 



distant, which had occurred not long before. She 



in her bouse, when a skunk entered through Uk 



and bit her foot, from which she died. General Britton sayu 



that it seemed to be the universal opinion amoas 



dreds of plainsmen in the neighborhood of his camp that a 

 skunk bite was certainly fatal. He also says-pertinent to a 

 communication in Forest and Stream of January 80— that 

 some people in that State harbor the animals about their 

 Bouses, either wholly or partially domesticated, as vermin de- 

 stroyers. He names one family who have for years had a 

 family of skunks living under the floor of the house iu which 

 tbey live. They appeared aB familiar about the premises as 

 so many domestic cats, and, he thinks, were never offensive. 



The following cases are reported' by Mr. Bowman • A 

 brother of A. Ruder was bitten in the hay field, iu this 

 county, iu 1874 or '75, and died three months later. A child 

 was bitten at Peeled Pine while in camp at night, in 1875. 

 Its parents were traveling across the country from Grenada to 

 Trinidad, and slept iu a tent. The child was bitten on the 

 nose and died in two or three days. Two of the Hall broth- 

 ers, of Madison, New Mexico, have been bitten and are still 

 alive. Nathan says he has a spoil of sickness every year 

 about the time he was bitten. " Mid " was bitten on 'the top 

 of the head, and it swells every year about the time the bite 

 was received to the size of a hen's egg. R. E. McAnnlly, of 

 Fort Elliott, Texas, was bitten eleven years ago. He was 

 taken with violent vomiting and bleeding, which continued 

 three days, after which he recovered, but bis health has not 

 been good since. 



Doctor Gushing, of Trinidad, Colorado, who has, no doubt, 

 seen several cases, gives it as his opinion that the natural bite 

 of the skunk produces hydrophobia— that it does not need to 

 be suffering from rabies itself. He says its bite will kill the 

 victim sooner or later without fail, Doctor W. L. South, 

 who has had great experience in Texas and New Mexico' 

 says " the bite will fetch the victim some time," meaning that 

 it will sooner or later result in death. 



Mr. Bowman appends the following postcript to his inter- 

 esting letter : " The animal does not emit the odor wdien it bites. 

 The smaller-Sized ones having but little white on them are 

 supposed to be the most vicious. The cow-boys drive them 

 out of their camps with a torch or a stick with fire on the 

 end of it. In the night, when coming into a lent, they some- 

 times make a sniffing noise, which wakes the boys.* When 

 exasperated, they bite everything. They appear sometimes, 

 when met on the prairie, to be disposed to give battle; al 

 other times they pay no intention to man." 



In Forest abb Stebam, of January 23, there is an interest- 

 ing editorial article upon this subject, quoting Col. Dodge. 

 M. C. Hovey, Dr. Spearer and Dr. Janeway. All except the 

 latter agree with the prevalent opinion entertained by plains- 

 men. Dr. Janeway— with whom I was quite well acquainted 

 a few years ago— differs with them, yet his evidence, in so 

 far as you quote it as specific, is hardly more encouraging. 

 He cites the cases of two herders who were bitten (presuma- 

 bly at the same time and by the same animal), one of whom 

 died and the other recovered ; but the latter required twenty- 

 four days of most heroic treatment— nitrate ot silver and 

 strychnine— before the poison was conquered. And then it 

 would be interesting to know whether the subject really " re- 

 covered" or still suffers periodic or chronic Effects, as some 

 of those cited above. He also cites eight other cases who re- 

 covered from skunk bites, but their treatment or the degree 

 of -"recovery " are not given. Both would be of interest, aB 

 well as the proportion of fatal cases set down against them. 

 The fact that two dogs frequently bitten by skunks have suf- 

 fered no evil results therefrom need give no assurance of safe- 

 ty to man. I have never heard of a dog or any other animal 

 contracting rabies from skunk bite. 



The Doctor also thinks the malady " epidemical, no cases 

 having been reported previous to 1870 in this regii «T 

 Does he cite cases in any other part of the country prior to 

 that time? It is certainly more than twenty-five years since 

 I read — and was startled by— the first account 1 had ever 

 seen, or heard of, of death caused by the bite of a skunk. It 

 occurred on the North Platte, on Sweetwater, between Fort 

 Laramie and the South Pass. I was of opinion that it was 

 in Fremont's Journal, and occurred in 1843 or '3, but I can- 

 not find it now in his report, and concluded that it must have 

 been in something else. Am quite confident it 0CCU1 1 ed 

 tween 1840 and 1800, and am positive as to the place. Similar 

 incidents and like resultB have been of common report ever 

 since I have known this Western country, now twenty-seven 

 years. 



I have never seen any of the papers referred to in your issue 

 of 33d nit., but believe that a discussion iu a popular Journal, 

 so widely read as is the Forest and Stream, will print; jut 

 more valuable information on the subject than has yet reached 

 the public. Wm, U. Brims. 



Editor Forest add Stream: 



I have been much interested in reading several articles in 

 your valuable paper on the i: the skunk bite. I 



am not prepared to give any facts in support of the opinion so 

 generally advanced by hunters, plainsmen-, etc., but rather to 

 relate my own experience with the In ,,.[. ' Sever- 



al years ago, when 1 was quite a lad, I was one day wandering 

 through the fields with my dog, Old Tige, whan all at onee 

 Tige came to a sudden hail Q of a small bole in 



the ground, and as I was armed with a small ax we di 

 to dig out the supposed rabbit : so went to work, and after 

 digging for a short time 1 placed myself flat oil the ground 

 and reached into the hole lor our game. My pluei 

 but my judgment very bad. I however secured him by the 

 hind leg and soon brought him to the surface, lie pn 



a skunk, and as I drew him forth he fastened his 

 teeth on poor Tige'- Ln a shocking man- 



ner, but was soon shaken off aod killed. The dog' was sick 

 for several days, hut soon recovered and lived to a ripe old 

 age, and I believe fully glutted his vengence on the skunk 

 family, as he killed many. As for myself I was not bitten, 

 but am of the opinion that I should have been much happier 

 had I been and had died on the spot. ( Juas, JS. Licwis. 



Suspension Bridge, A. T., Jan. 28, 1879, 



Penbacola, Fla., Feb. 1, 1879. 

 Editor Forest and Stream i 



In your article "Death from Skunk Bite," Jan. 2a, you 

 state that bad results from the skunk's bile are yet unheard 

 of east of the Missouri Hirer. Now, among me people living 

 on Choctawlmluh Bay the- skunk is considered quite a dan- 

 gerous animal, and lam informed by several ot ik , 

 tiers that their dogs when bitten by it invariable died "of fits," 



they say, but as hydrophobia is unknown there, Iimnginethat it 

 was that disease. Respectfully yours, Silas Stearns. 



We feel greatly indebted to Mr. Byers for his very full and 

 careful report on this most important subject, and we com- 

 mend his paper to all our correspondents as a model of its 

 kind. We shall hope before long to receive further definite 

 information relating to the effects of the skunk's bite, Wo 

 do not know Dr. Janeway 's present address, but if the above 

 communications should meet his eye we should be most happy 

 to receive his comments on them. The letters printed above 

 referring to the effects of the bite of this animal iu the East 

 are interesting. 



For Forest and Stream and Hod and Gun 

 LIST OF THE BIRDS OF NOVA SCOTIA 

 —Land. Birds. 



By J. Matthew Jones. 



( Continued.) 



42. Hirundo Iwrreorum, Barton, Barn Swallow. — "Very 

 common throughout the province. First broods fully fledged 

 by the middle of July. 



43. Tachycineta bicolor (V.) Cs., White-bellied Swallow.— 

 Very common, and is the earliest swallow visiting the prov- 

 ince. 



44. Petroehelidon lunifrons (Say), Gab., Cliff Swallow.— 

 Very common. The nests are crowded together under the 



i our public buildings, particularly when ornamental 

 woodwork affords cosy nooks for shelter. * 



45. Ootyte riparia (L-), Boie, Bank Swallow. — On the sides 

 of most of our inland lakes and rivers, and especially oa the 

 shelving, clayey shores of the Basin of Minas, this species 

 may be seen, and builds its nest in the usual situation. 



46. Progne purpurea (L.), Boie, Purple Martin.— Not com- 

 mon. Frequents the interior of the province, but is very 

 rarely seen on the sea coast. 



47. Ampelis garrulus, L., Bohemian Waxwing.— Rare. A 

 flock of twelve was observed some few years ago near the 

 Three-Mile House, eleven of which were shot for specimens. 



48. Ampelis cedrorum (Y,),Bd., Cedar Bird. — Not uncom- 

 mon, especially in the fall, when they roam about in flocks, 

 In wild, hilly districts, far away from the settlements, where 

 each rocky ridge, formed of granitic boulders, is sparsely 

 clothed with a growth of young hardwoods, from out of 

 which, like spectres, rise the bleached and wasted trunks of 

 once noble pines, whose evergreen foliage years agoue suc- 

 cumbed to the raging flames, these birds appear at home ; 

 and certainly one of the prettiest forest scenes lever saw was 

 at the dawn of a bright autumnal day, when, camped on the 

 summit of the Blue Mountains at the back of Shelburne Co., 

 1 rose benumbed by the keen frost which had coated every 

 inanimate object with its hoary rime, when my first glance 

 fell upon a flock of cedar birds stationed on the summit of an 

 old pine. The first rays of the rising sun shone upon the 

 flock as each bird was preening its wings for the daily flight, 

 aud not a sound was heard to break the universal silence 

 which reigned around, save the wild wailing notes of the 

 loon on the distant lake. Not long, however, was I permitted 

 to gaze upon the charming scene, for soon the morning's toi- 

 let was completed, and rising en masse, they spread their 

 wings upon the frosty air aud vanished from sight. 



4!). Yireo olivaceus (L.), V., Kedeyed Vireo.— Common. 

 •W. V. gilvus (V.), Bp., Warbling Vireo.— Not uncommon. 

 51. V. sotilarius (Wils), V., Solitary Vireo.— Rare. 



53. V. novebwacensis (Um.), Bp., White-eyed Vireo.— Not 

 uncommon. 



58. UoUwrio borealis (\.). Bd., Great Northern Shrike.— 

 Not uncommon about the settlements in hard winter. 



54. Gollurio ludovicianus (L.), Bd., Loggerhead Shrike.— 

 Very rare. 



55, i'inicola enucleaU>>< (X..), V., Pine Grosbeak.— Com- 

 mon during the winter mouths. Females go in flocks at that 

 season, and are far more often seen than males. 



56, Ourpodacus purpureus (Gm.), Gr., Purple Finch. — This 

 bird, which is known to Nova Scotians as the "red linj 



is very common during the summer months, arriving from 

 the south about the first week in April. It is taken in a trap 

 made in the form of a bird cage, and sold as a song bird, its 

 pretty note and gaudy plumage causing it to be much sought 

 after. 



,T7. Zoada leucoptera(\Vi\s.), White-winged Crossbill.— T)i is 

 bird is very common during some winters, and was especially 

 so the last (1877-S), large flocks frequenting the spruce woods 

 about Halifax. 



5S. Lona ouroiro&tra, L,, Common Orossbill. — Not so com- 

 mon as the former species. 



59. -Kgiothus Unarm, (L.), Cab., Red-poll Linnet.— 

 Abundant at all seasons. 



60. O/uysomitris pinus (Wils.), Br., Pine Linnet.— Not 

 common, 



61. O. tristit (L. ), Bp., American Goldfinch. — Not uncom- 

 mon, but rare some seasons. 



02. PUctroplumm nivalis (L.), Meyer, Snow Bunting. — 

 This bird generally makes its appearance from the North 

 about the last week in November or first week in December ; 

 but some seasons I have known it arrive as early as ih, 



i November. From observations made during ten suc- 

 ■■v inters, I am inclined to believe that, the larger flocks 

 of these birds follow the course of snow storms, for 1 have in- 

 variably found that although the absence of these birds in 

 ccustomed situations has been conspicuous up to the 

 setting i" of a heavy fall, they have almost always appeared 

 within twenty-four hours afterward in numbers. Their prin- 

 cipal grOuud here is on Halifax Common, a level tract of 

 ground, almost bare of trees, about, one hundred acres in ex- 

 public roads, much travelled over by horses, 

 whose droppings seem I o be the great attraction b 

 birds ; indeed, I think they chiefly rely on these for their sup- 

 ply of food in deep snows, when the whole district is com- 

 pletely covered. At other times, when high winds occur, 

 the snow is blown off the exposed parts'of the shelving hanks 

 aud they are enabled to procure some of the tiny seeds of the 

 grasses and small plants which form tho scanty herbage of 

 this barren spot in summer time. Where they rest at night 

 in time of heavy snow storms has always been a mystery to 

 me. If they couched together in twos and threes, as is sup- 

 posed, under the shelter of the stone walls about, they would 

 assuredly be covered to a great depth by the drifts, and cer- 

 tainly prevented from reaching the surface again by the hard 

 crust which forms there before morning, "unless they free 

 themselves by picking their way out. Possibly some ornri 

 thological reader of Forest and Stream may be able to throw 



