i 1883,] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



10 s 



then have strayed, and they tire quickly gathered up again. 

 Soifietfmeg iu the terrible cold weather a sage-brush lire adds 

 to the wildncssnf the seeue with its rapid Hashing into tire, 

 for this kind of fuel is like tinder to ealch. and shoots iij> 

 ■ mines of flume in a nionienl Tie- tinkling of the 

 bell is like pleasant music if the herd should be lost, and the 

 weary herder is longing lor his time to return with his 

 herd (o rest again upon his rough pallet. 



Health is a return for pi nation here. There is no mal- 

 aria, and the dry air of these lava plains with its sage brush 

 and bunch grass is a tonic equal to any in the World. If 

 anyone wonts to enjoy the Soon of a pure nerve tonic. I 

 advise, him to test it tor himself in Idaho among the hucka- 

 roos. J. H. Hamilton. 



Batumi W l P 0Y &- 



THE AMERICAN PANTHER. 



SEEING so many interesting articles of late iu your paper 

 respecting this animal, I thought 1 would add my mite. 

 as I often see that in regard to even the best known animals 

 no one persou "knows it all." and it is only by each person 

 giving the benefit of his own observations and experiences 

 lUat anything like a full history is obtained. At the risk of 

 being thought wearisome, therefore, I give the following 

 account of an animal that appears to be not so generally 

 known as many would suppose-. This animal is confined to 

 the American continent. It has a very wide distribution. 

 and so is known by various names in the different regions 

 which it inhabits, and consequently many persons are not 

 aware what animal is referred to when they hear it called by 

 a name with which they are not familiar. Perhaps it will 

 be best to dispose of these names at the outset. 



Fdis ConeOlOV, its technical or scientific name, was be- 

 stowed upon it by the eminent Swedish naturalist Lmnseus, 

 who was perhaps the first, to classify it, and this name, made 

 up Of the words frl.ia. cat. and miicolor, of one color, is the 

 one by which it is known to naturalists, and the word Ont 

 color serve to distinguish it from other members of the feline 

 or cat family, whieli are. usually spotted or striped. This 

 species is never spotted or striped in adults, but Ihe young 

 ones are spotted, or, perhaps more properly speaking, dap- 

 pled. These spots disappear when the animal arrives at 

 maturity, when Vk< coldi assumes a tawny character on the 

 back and Bides, "while the under portions of the body are 

 white, the lip end of the tail being black. 



Panther is another name, by which it is known, but this 

 proper I v belongs to another branch of thecal tribe, which 

 inhabits certain portions of Asia and Africa. The third 

 name, "painter," very common in many places, is merely a 

 corruption of the word panther. The fourth name, "puma," 

 is the name by which that animal is known to the Peruvians. 

 The fifth, "cougar," is thought by some to be of French 

 origin, while others claim that it ls'a corruption of Gowaz- 

 oua'ra, by which appellation it was known to Mexicans. 

 "California lion," is sufficiently suggestive that this name 

 was given to the animal on account of its being an i n habit- 

 Han t of that Stale, and it wa.3 thought by some to be a dis- 

 tinct species from the eastern animal, which, however, on 

 investigation turned out to be a mistake. 



Carcajou, another name by which it is sometimes desig- 

 nated, is manifestly an improper name, that belonging tothe 

 American badger (Turiika amerhuia), although sometimes 

 given, also improperly, to the wolverine or American glutton 

 (ihAo Iv-scws). Catamount, or as the Spaniards term it, ttbt 

 monies, literally cat of the mountain, would .-eem to indicate 

 that it was an animal only to be found at high altitudes, 

 which, however, is not the case; as, although it is often 

 found in ihe mountains, still it adapts itself to circumstances; 

 and where game is easiest to be obtained there it takes up 

 its abode. It is notunfrequently found on the lowlands and 

 prairies of North America as well as on thepampas of South 

 America. Its range is more governed by the plenty of food 

 to be obtained than by other causes. We have "many in- 

 stances on record of them coming into villages and barnyards 

 in pursuit of sheep, calves, etc., or for the purpose of paying 

 a visit to Ihe hen roost. 



The panther is strictly carnivorous and lives on deer to a 

 great extent, except when close to settlements, and then 

 sheep, pigs, calves, poultry, duties and geese receive its at- 

 tention. It is not equal to cope with a cow, horse or ox. 

 but will kill a large-sized calf or coll. Its mode of capture 

 is generally by lying in wait lor the animal it is seeking, and 

 then springing upon its victim, bringing it to the ground 

 and tearing the throat open. If unsuccessful after one or 

 two bounds, it usually gives up the attempt to kill, and 

 its intended prey escapes I roe. This is a feature peculiar, to 

 a greater or less degree, with all animals of the cat kind, who 

 rarely follow up the trail or track of other animals, astlo the 

 wolf ami many other carnivorous animals. The panther is 

 not considered as being dangerous in the sense of attacking 

 human beings, as if is generally content to let alone, if left 

 alone, but it flints with great determination when wounded. 

 Of course, under circumstances of extreme hunger, and in 

 the protect iou of their yoUng, they may perhaps attack 

 bumau beings, and owing to their size and strength would 

 no doubt prove dangerous customers, but unprovoked at- 

 tacks upon mankind are very rare indeed. Instances are re- 

 lated of panthers alighting on the back of a deer, and while 

 clinging to the same dislocating tin- neck by a dexterous 

 twist, accomplished by means of the fore paw. This. 1 

 believe, could only take place with a very small deer, as the 

 immense strength necessary to dislocate the cervical v.-rtn- 

 ljiie of an adult deer would involve a greater amount of 

 strength than could be reasonably expected to be exercised 

 by aa animal of Ihe size of the panther: 



"Two kittens are yearly produced at one birth, so it, is uot 

 by any means a prolific auimal, and its numbers do not iu- 

 crease'at a very rapid rate. These kittens are almost always, 

 if not invariably, a male and a female, and are as playful 

 and full of fun as the kittens oE the domestic cat. They 

 remain with their mother until seven or eight months old, 

 when they are able to shift tor themselves, L'p to this time 

 they are the constant charge of the mother, who till curb 

 time as her little ones arc able to accompany her on her 

 hunting excursions, generally brings the small animals and 

 birds which she may capl lire to her little ones alive. These 



■ given to the kittens to play with, and ultimately kill, 

 just as the common house eat brings rata and mice 'to her 

 kittens. Thus both a talent and desire for catching and 



killing is developed in them, so that by the autumn succeeding 

 their birth they arc generally able to provide for then 



These kittens, as before stated, are distinctly marked with 

 spots, which gradually fade and finally disappear altogether, 

 They are exceedingly graceful and pretty animals' al this 



period of life. 



The panther is a nocturnal animal, but when prompted by 

 hunger it devotes its time to the pursuit of food even at 

 bud-day. The faculty of adapting its eyes to all degrees of 

 light being shared try the panther in common with others of 

 the cat family. 



By means "of its sharp claws the panther is eminently 

 titled for climbing. This it does with the agility of, and in 

 the same manner as, the ordinary cat. and not by clasping 

 the trunks of trees, and this admirably serves it to escape 

 from four-footed animals. But when opposed to mankind, 

 this feature often brings it to grief, as when treed it seems to 

 consider itself perfectly safe. 'The hunter's dogs, however. 

 by their barking at the foot of the tree, serve to apprise their 

 master of the panther's whereabouts, and it usually falls a 

 victim to the deadly gun or rifle. The panther does not ap- 

 pear to be very tenacious of life, as are the lion and tiger, if 

 accounts respecting these animals are correct. 



The panther is a bloodthirty beast, in the sense that it is 

 not satisfied with kiting enough for its present wants, but 

 Vhe tcasion offers, as at a time when it invades tic sheep- 

 fold, it continues its deadly work apparently for the pure 

 love of killing. As many as fifty sheep have thus fallen to 

 one panther in a single night. Owing to this characteristic, 

 it is greatly dreaded by the shepherd, who at once takes the 

 best means at his command for ridding himself of so unde- 

 sirable a neighbor, and the death of the panther usually 

 occurs after a short time. When he has found a locality 

 where he can supply his larder so easily, the panther is ac- 

 customed to return nightly to the spot, and sooner or later he 

 pays the penalty for the damage which he bus clone. This 



' mints for the scarcity of panthers in thickly settled com- 

 munities. 



The bonus, premium or scalp bounty paid by the various 

 governments and corporations, and varying from $2.50 to as 

 high as $35, and in some places even more, is it great stim- 

 ulus to persons to hunt this creature for the reward. The 

 panther cannot lie considered a courageous animal, as it 

 can usually be treed by any dog which will pursue it, and a 

 common terrier is often very useful iu hunting it. 



Its range is from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the 

 56th parallel of north latitude to Patagonia. It thrives well 

 in both temperate and torrid zones, a feature not peculiar 

 to many large quadrupeds except when domesticated. 



In twenty old year-' experience I know of only one per- 

 son having been attacked by a panther, and that occurred 

 while the man was creeping through the bushes, grouse 

 hunting. The panther jumped upon his back, but a shout 

 from the man frightened' the beast, which with a few bounds 

 was soon out of sight, before the party coutd bring his gun 

 to bear upon him. The circunistam.es seem to justify the 

 opinion that the panther mistook the character of h'is in- 

 tended victim, and the probability is that had the person 

 been in an erect position he would not have been molested. 



Vancouver's Island and the islands adjacent thereto fairly 

 abound with panthers, so that in many places on them sheep 

 farming is entirely impossible. One family of persons, con- 

 sisting of father and four sous, all of hunting proclivities, 

 living within fourteen miles of Victoria, the capital of 

 British Columbia, claim to have killed nearly 300 panthers 

 since their arrival in the country to take charge of the sheep 

 interests of the Puget Sound Agricultural Company, an off- 

 shoot of the Hudson Bay Company. It is difficult in this 

 region to get dogs to track pathers effectivety, the trouble 

 being that the panther, instead of traveling along the ground 

 as do other animals, springs from one fallen log to another, 

 and travels on the tops of windfalls, etc.. making many 

 breaks iu his trail. And until dogs are accustomed to this, 

 they are of but little use. 



Although all members of the feline race appear' to dislike 

 to cross streams by swimming, panthers do not appear to be 

 deterred from traveling from island to island when game 

 gets scarce, and I know of two instances of panthers being 

 killed while swimming across Fraser River, at a point 

 where the same is nearly a mile wide. In new countries 

 ! .i.i :■:. pear to become more plentiful after settlements 

 commence to spring up, which may be accounted for in this 

 way: After the advent of cows, sheep, pigs, etc., Ihe 

 panthers are attracted by the easy means of obtaining food, 

 and thus a large number are concentrated within a smallei 

 area, which, under other circumstances, would not be the 

 case. The skin of the panther has no special commercial 

 value, being very seldom quoted in prices current of furs, 

 and usually sells out here at from one to two dollars per 

 skin. J. C. HutuiEs. 



New Wksthinstkb, B. C, July SL 1883, 



THE FANGS OF SERPENTS. 

 JM/nr Forest mid Stream: 



Do venomous snakes shed their fangs periodically? 1 ex- 

 amined the head of a good-sized rattlesnake and found three 

 sets of fangs. One pair was mature and in first-rate work- 

 ing order, being three-quarters of an inch loug and per- 

 forated from base to point. The other two were immature, 

 white and rather tender, one pair being half the size of the 

 other. Were these extra sets intended to replace the ma- 

 tured ones after periodical shedding, or only- provided for 

 the contingency of accidental breaking? If the fang should 

 be broken off, there would still be left in the upper jaw 

 the large bony process which constitutes the base of the 

 tooth. That would seem to militate against the latter as- 

 sumption. 



A few days ago, while riding along a path iu Dauchite 

 swamp, my attention was arrested by a very venomous-look- 

 ing snake.' It had much the appearance 'of a rattlesnake, 

 the markings, however, being lectangular instead of dia 

 mond-shaped. The form and color were quite similar to the 

 rattlesnake. I suppose it was one of the numerous varieties of 

 moccasin. It was three and a half feet long, and as large as 

 a man's wrist, with a broad arrow-shaped head. When I 

 attacked the snake with a club it showed no disposition to 

 tight, but tried to escape. After killing it I examined its 

 mouth carefully for a quarter of an hour, and to my surprisi 

 failed to find any semblance of a fang, There were four rows 

 of small brier like teeth in the upper mouth, intended for 

 holding its prey, but no fangs whatever. I can't account 

 for their absence 



I wish to propound another question. A few years ago, 

 while engaged in making a railroad survey i'u Mississippi', I 

 discovered a very curious and remarkable insect. I would 

 like to ask if any of your readers have ever seen one of that 

 genus, and would be glad of some eulightenm' 



subject. I was iyiug upon the ground at noon, after en ting 

 my lunch, when my attention was attracted ton little bug, 

 scarcely as large as a cow pea, Crawling oyer the leaves. 

 Tie was loaded with minute shells. Upjif examination with 

 a lens T discovered that some of the . shells were flat spirals, 

 like miniature snail shells, while others were elongated 

 pirals. The shells were about the size of small pin 

 heads. The bug had six or eight of them on his back. 

 I jostled him about with a small stick, and compelled 

 him to unload his treasures. After a little while he 

 bustled around and loaded up again. He had a pair 

 of forceps in front with which he would pick up a 

 shell, and, throwing up his head, would pass it up to a 

 pair of arms on his back. He was provided with several 

 pairs of these arms on his back, and the shell was passed 

 from one to another until it was adjusted to suit him. When 

 he got himself fully loaded he looked very much like a bag- 

 gage wagon loaded with trunks. After reloading the shells 

 there remained a small pearly-colored, scaly substance, 

 which appeared to be part of the shell of some beetle. This 

 had a kind of "eye" in it, and the "conchologist," as I 

 dubbed him, tried very hard to detach the "eye," exerting 

 himself on it with his forceps in a lively manner. He failed 

 to accomplish his purpose, and at last tossed it aside with 

 much appearance o I irritation. I kept this interesting little 

 creature for several days in a bottle, but he died under the 

 confinement, and 1 could not preserve him ill camp. 



Ouachita. 



Monroe, La., Aug. 28. 



[The fangs referred to as young were ready to replace 

 lose iu use, in case by any accident they should be broken 

 off. We regret to state that we cannot identify the "con- 

 chologist."] 



CHIPMUNKS AND RED SQUIRRELS. 



1TIE red squirrel and the chipmunk, as most of your read- 

 ers know, are migratory animal.,, whose abundance or 

 enreily in a given district is dependent upon the nature and 

 extent of the food supply. A few individuals are almost 

 always to be found over nearly the whole of their extensive 

 range, and most districts arc subject to periodical invasions, 

 during which the species are excessively abundant for a few 

 days, weeks or months, as the ease may be, and then the 

 host disappears aa suddenly as it came, not to return per 

 haps for many months or even years. 



These migratory movements occur with more or less regu- 

 larity from year to year, though often on so small a scale as 

 to escape general notice. Sometimes large armies congre- 

 gate and move over the land, crossing open prairies, climb- 

 ing rugged mountains, and swimming lakes and rivers that 

 lie in their path. These remarkable expeditions have been 

 observed and commented upon for many years, yet our 

 knowledge of them is limited almost to the" recognition of 

 the fact of their existence. Scarcity of food very probably 

 wives origin to the disquieting impulse that prompts them to 

 leave their homes, but the true motives that operate in draw- 

 ing them together) and in determining the direction and dis- 

 tance of their journeys, are as little understood today as 

 they were before the discovery of the continent on which 

 they dwell. 



\Ve do not know, in a single instance, the exact locality 

 from which the animals came, the route traversed, the time 

 consumed in reaching the ultimate destination, the duration 

 of the stay here, and the path or paths by which they de- 

 parted when thi' food supply became exhausted: and it has 

 occurred to me that, through the columns of your valuable 

 paper, a part of this deplorable ignorance udgh'l be dispelled, 

 and we become, in a measure at least, possessed of the lead- 

 ing facts, concerning amigration of the species under consid- 

 eration. If your numerous readers, scattered as they tire 

 over all parts of the country, will take the trouble to record 

 their experiences in this matter, we will soon have acquired 

 an array of facts thai will enable us to trace, with consider- 

 able precision, the pathway of one of these moving hosts. 



A multitude of chipmunks passed through Lewis county, 

 Northeastern New York, during the first week of July last, 

 1888, They commenced to appear on the 30th of June, and 

 by the 10th of July the entire company had gone. During 

 the ten or twelve days occupied in their passage through this 

 section, a hundred could easily be counted in a brief walk 

 through any of the groves of the neighborhood. Since their 

 departure but few have been seen. Whence came they, and 

 whither have they gone? 



This is "nut year" with us, and the crop of beechnuts is 

 large, hence au influx of chipmunks and squirrels may be 

 expected during the next two months. 



Will not your various correspondents, from time to time 

 during the autumn, communicate to Poukst and Stkeam 

 the following facts: Where are the red squirrels anil chip- 

 munks in force at tune of uniting? At what dates did they 

 leave certain localities ami reappear in others? What is the 

 condition of the nut crop in different parts of the country'.' 

 C. Haut Mkiuu.vm. M. 1>. 



Locust Grove, N. Y. 



A Captive Humming Bikd. — As au evidence of the vicis- 

 situdes to which bird life is subject, 1 cite an incident 

 which happened to a beautiful humming bird a few days 

 ago and which came under my personal observation. While. 

 1 was riding upon the St. Paul, M. A M. Railroad, between 

 Morris and St. Paul, Minn., a farmer came into the car in 

 which 1 was seated, holding in his hand a branch of a burdock 

 busb. Upon one of the burrs ou the branch was imprisoned 

 a humming bird, his tiny feel entangle! in the burr in such 

 a way thai he was held a captive. The fanner told me he- 

 had found the bird thus entangled upon the bush several 

 hours before. The little thing was an object of great interest 

 to the passengers on the train, and his frantic efforts to es- 

 cape from his cruel position excited the pity of the tender- 

 hearted, I pleadetl hard for his liberation, but a brute who 

 had never see a humming bird before iu such close com- 

 pany, offered the farmer a dollar lor his prize, and it was 

 sacrificed tohis curiosity. — Hcnt (St. Paul, 31inn., Aug. 28). 



Pen>-sti/vama.— Thompsontown. Sept. 1— As theseaeon 

 advances the quail becomes a veritable phoenix, in untirjpa 

 tion rising from last year's powder ashes, and going down 

 under the ashes of Curtis A Harvey , llazai.l, Onpont and 

 wood powder. No observations of breeding this year. 

 Quail are too numerous of all ages; it is quite impossible to 

 identify any particular pair, and paired birds Were plenty 

 after the young birds were ou the wing. Not SO 

 grouse; they ate scarce. Wild turkeys more success 

 hutched and reared tJlftU tor some vens, — JuSiAta. 



