474 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



|.Ian. ID, 1.-3). 



Territory, deer and turkey can be found in gopdly num- 

 bers, 



[ am "mashed" on ''Begsmtik" and "Yo," thej are t{ie 

 cleverest writers to the Fouest and Stream, ami I nave 

 frequently wished they would spend a little of their leisure 

 time in this latitude.' "Nessmuk." however, is a water 

 animal, and our muddy wafers are not fit to kiss the prow 

 of his "Sairy Gamp." ' But there are many beautiful crystal 

 Streams in Texas and the Territory that would afford abun- 

 dant pleasure and adventure lo the canoeists. And what a 

 glorious time the editor or the Fouest and Stream could 

 have down here on a day like this when the air is full of 

 balm and sweetness, and the wind that steals down upon us 

 from the South is fragrant with the breath of flowers. But 

 dear Forest and Stream, us you cannot come I will do the 

 next best thing; wish you a merry Christinas and happy 

 New Year! Pom Bubkahs. 



WHERE TO CAMP NEXT SUMMER. 



IN one of your issues of September last a party asked the 

 question. "Where can we find a good hunting and lish- 

 111- groiiftd for a month's camping out next summer?" 

 Firmly believing that I know the very best section of coun- 

 try for the purpose in America, I will proceed to partially 

 describe it and how to get there. Go to Denver. Colo., and 

 there do your out tilting. Take the Denver ifc Rio Grande 

 Railroad for Wagon Wheel (Jap, For the benefit of sports- 

 men wbn may wish In recuperate a broken-down constitu- 

 tion, as well as to limit and fish. I wish to say that the Hot 

 Springs B8 Well as other mineral springs of this wonderful 

 region are known fo have great curative properties. These 

 waters air so varied in their medicinal qualities that no odds 

 what the patient may be suffering with he may here find 

 waters suited to his peculiar condition, and receive great 

 benefit, if not perfect health. Your Eastern readers. Un- 

 acquainted with the present condition of Colorado, will at 

 once exclaim, "Indiana! Indians! No Rocky Mountains for 

 me! No I'te reservation for me!" To such I will merely 

 say that there is no more danger from Indians than (here is 

 in' the wilds of New York Stale. Since the railroads have 

 penetrated the Tjte country the Ules have left, or rather been 

 removed lo Uintah reservation, near Salt Lake, Utah, some 

 7(j0 miles away, where they are closely guarded by plenty of 

 soldiers to keep them in subjection. At Wagon Wheel Gap 

 you will find a good hotel,' with all the accommodations 

 necessary for a summer resort. 



Wagon Wheel Gap is an historic name. In 1848 when 

 Gen. Fremont made Ids famous expedition to the Pacific. 

 he was wending his way through the narrow cation of the 

 Rio Grande River winter: overtook him. and he was com- 

 pelled to winter at this point and left some broken wagons, 

 which were found during late pears, and hence the name of 

 Wagon Wheel Gap. 



Fishing is so immense, that the truth will appear like a 

 fable. Of course, close to the hotels the trout have been 

 thinned out to a certain extent, but one good fisherman can 

 leave the depot in the morning and return by sundown with 

 thirty pounds of trout, from a half pound to five pounds in 

 weight. The largest trout caught near the hotel the past 

 summer weighed six and a quarter pounds. This trout was 

 skinned and the skin preserved and sent to the Cuvier Club 

 of Cincinnati. I saw this fish, and outside of California 

 i .r siw his equal. The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad 

 Company ha- wisely began restocking all the streams in this 

 vicinity. So it will be ages before these streams will Ire 

 fished out. The Rio Grande River is beyond doubt I he finest 

 trout stream in the world. For twenty-five miles east or west 

 from Wagon Wheel Gap this river affords sport to the true 

 fisherman, such as he reads about or hears talked about in 

 his club but never finds elsewhere. 



Theie are many creeks in this vicinity, all running into 

 the Rio Grande, which afford the very rjest trout fishing. 

 By carrying plenty of the great preservative, "Reg .Magnus,"" 

 you CtM preserve your trout and in four days land them in 

 New York fresh and solid. 



Game of all kinds is very abuudant. Blk can always be 

 found; deer aud antelope are very plentiful. The Colorado 

 law allows you to kill at any time enough to supply yourself 

 with meat. Bear are plenty, both cinnamon and grizzly. 

 Small game can be found in great abundance. The Rocky 

 Mountain grouse affords tine sport. On the highest peaks 

 you can find the mountain sheep, the most cunning of all 

 wild animals. 



Camping parties wdl find the officers of the railroad at 

 Deliver, \\ ho will give all possible information and the very 

 best rates for themselves, and carry free all camp outfit such 

 as tents, eatables, dogs aud a reasonable amount of baggage. 

 besides stop trains anywhere to let off or take on parties. 

 These advantages are so entirely unknown in the East that 

 I think they should be mentioned. There are many more 

 points ou the main line of this road between Denver and 

 Salt Lake — many of which 1 visited during the past summer 

 — some of which I may mention in the near future if accept- 

 able, i^. Van Hommeli,, M. D. 

 is. Ind., December. 1SS3. 



Fei.ts Domesthmjs. — "Let Hercules himself do what he 

 may. the cat will mew." One summer while spending my 

 vacation with my family at a farm ou Long Island, much 

 Complaint was made regarding a eat belonging to the house 

 that had the annoying habit of sucking eggs. The cat was 

 semi-wild and voted a nuisance lo be abated, but Without 

 firearms could not be got at handily to be effectually sup- 

 pressed. The writer was requested to shoot her with a pistol 

 he had with hiim an old-fashioned navy revolver, but no 

 good opportunity proffered for some time, until one day 

 day word was brought I hat the outlaw- was asleep under 

 some currant bushes in the garden. Out I went, found her 

 presenting a good shot, which was made, she receiving same 

 jusi hack of the shoulder, which stunned her long enough 

 to allow another shot through the head, and the cat. lay ap- 

 parent!} lifeless, By and by a farm Wd was sent to bury 

 her but returned with the information that no cal could be 

 found. The next day she was reported as being seen in the 

 edge of a wheal field close by the house, and I went out to 

 finish my — to me — murderous job. I flushed my quarry, 

 which made a break for the barn close by. and as she ran 

 through an interstice of the underpinning. f fired, strikbigher 

 a raking shot, which I felt ended all (no joke intended), and 

 was more assured of il when a few days after the farm 

 hands complained of a terrible smell '-'out to the barn." 

 Shortly after 1 returned lo the city, leaving the family to 

 finish their outing. About a week after my return, 1 re- 

 ceived B letter from my wife saying the eat. had been found 

 in the barn with a litter of four fine kiltsns. Is not this 

 tough? Cats I mean.— RbignoIiOB (Boston). 



$i$torit. 



THE WHITE-WINGED GULL. 



Editor Vbregto/nd Stream: 



In Forest and Stream, of Oct, 11, 1883, Mr. William 

 Brewster has continued a lengthy argument, made in the 

 endeavor fo convince the public' that the author of -The 

 Birds of Maine," is ignorant, incompetent, and not to be 

 credited. 



His article betrays loss of temper, savors of vituperation, 

 and closes with an accusation that cannot be overlooked. 

 lb- claims that my published letter on the white-winged gull 

 was framed upon information submitted to me by Kim, and 

 thereupon accuses me of a "breach of confidence." 



After reading this I WrOte to Mr. Brewster for an explan- 

 a.l ion of his extraordinary charge. He replies that he has no 

 explanations to make further than those contained iu his letter 

 to Fouest AMD Stream. 



The particular form of gull in question 1 had mentioned 

 (first, in "The Birds of Maine," and later in an article written 

 for Forest asd Stream on "The White-winged Gull" 

 LnniH liiK-opta-'i*), as properly referable to the species 

 lancoptcnis, believing that, ornithologists who have otherwise 

 referred it were in error. Mr. Brewster is the latest writer 

 in error, and in correcting his first, mistake he now goes to 

 the extreme of not referring the gull to any known species, 

 but proposes a new name, as an additional synonym tor sub- 

 sequent writers to quote in connection with his own name, 

 if he can induce ornithologists to recognize his views as 

 tenable, and to overlook the fact that he has ignored the law 

 of custom in regard to priority of names. The gull corres- 

 ponds to that long since described as Jju-u.< <h«kopt&ni8,fi 

 name to which it is now entitled if not referable to the 

 species leiiroptei-'!*. 



'fie- opinion I have expressed in regard to this gull was 

 based upon my own observations and notes. As to Mr. 

 Brewster's article ("On an Apparently New Gull from 

 Eastern North America," Bull. Nuttall'Orn, Club, October. 

 1883), I was ignorant of its contents until after publication. 

 And the opinions and conclusions he declares therein, prove 

 to be widely opposed to my own views. 



By correspondence, and waiting a time with patience, I 

 have extended to him ample opportunity to make an honor- 

 able amend for his charge of a. "breach of confidence." font 

 he fails to accord it, 



I have simply this to say — his accusation is false. 



I regret that 'Mr. Brewster was unable to continue a dis- 

 cussion originated by himself, without losing his temper, 

 deseeuding to personal abuse, and becoming 'guilty of mak- 

 ing a charge as base as it was unwarranted. 



iviiti.anh. Ate. Everett Smith. 



A TAME CROW. 



THE article in the last Fouest a.\d Stream entitled, "In- 

 I cresting Pets," reminds me of a tame crow once owned 

 by a friend of mine, Mr, A. AY. Chapin, of this place. He 

 recognized Mr. C. as his master with as niuefi apparent 

 fidelity and intelligence as the most faithful dog. The crow- 

 was his constant companion when out of doors, following 

 him tar from home, always docile and under his complete 

 control, yet wary and shy if Strangers made advances toward 

 a better Acquaintance, 



Upon several occasions the bird accompanied his owner a 

 distance of twenty miles to a neighboring village, keeping 

 within sight of his carnage, but occasionally lighting upon 

 fences by the wayside, until he arrived at the place of desti- 

 nation. ' While there he would remain at or near the carriage 

 until his master was ready to depart for home, when he 

 would return "with him in the same manner. 



He was very mischievous, and was an inveterate thief , 

 often purloining; articles other than food, such as spoons, 

 dishes, .small articles of household goods, etc., in fact, any- 

 thing within his reach which his versatile fancy led him to, 

 and which he was able to carry away. At one lime' while 

 Mr. C. was engaged in a field, the crow espied a vest belong- 

 ing to one of the laborers, in which was a natch witli a loose 

 chain. He flew to the place where the garment was, pos- 

 sessed himself of the watch, and carried it many rods before 

 dropping il. 



It was undoubtedly this unfortunate and evil propensity 

 which ended Ms brief career as a domestic, bird, for one 

 frosty morning near the close of his first year of life he came 

 to an untimely end. Although the cause of his death was 

 ill ways shrouded in mystery, there were good grounds for the 

 theory that some of his enraged victims who were employed 

 at my* friend's hotel killed him in a moment of wrath. 



.1. F. Srragoe. 



Munson. Me., Jan. 1, 1884. 



A LEAST Bittern.— While shooting rail on Onondaga 

 Lake last fall, my bitch flushed a heron, which J shot, but 

 cannot place, I did not take measurements at the time, as I 

 usually do, aud therefore those I send herein, being taken 

 from the mounted bird, undoubtedly will not be exact'. 

 Length, 11 inches; wing, 5 inches: bill, 1| inches. Color: 

 top of head and back, black, with reddish tinge; broad stripe 

 of brownish yellow ou side of neck, two white stripes and 

 one of yellow on front of neck: under parts yellowish white; 

 wings, purplish black primaries, coverts yellowish bronze: 

 legs greenish ; iris yellow . Its height is about nine inches. A 

 few moments later I started another which 1 failed to secure. 

 1 never have seen anything like them before. The bird is 

 in full plumage. — Watt. Mickle (East Onondaga, N. Y., 

 Dec. 29). [Your heron is a least bittern \Ardetta exittg), not 

 a very uncommon bird, but owing to its small size and soli- 

 tary 'mode of life not often seen. You will find accounts of 

 it in all the works on ornithology .§ 



PtOOIDES AhL'TICUS IN M ASSAl "HUSETTs.— Editor Forctf 



and Stream: lam pleased to record a very fine capture, 

 which 1 do not recall as being on previous record, While 

 on a recent trip to Boston I saw in the taxidermist's shop of 

 Mr. R. P. Seaile, 576 Washington street. Boston, Mass., a 

 fine specimen of the black-backed three-toed woodpecker 

 (Picoidea arciicun (Sw.) Gr.) Mr. Searle informed me that 

 it was shot by a Mr. William Cooper, half way between 

 Milton and Dorchester, about, as near as he could recollect, 

 the second Saturday in August, 1883. This fine bird ib still 

 in Mr. Senile's possession. The bird is much more corn 

 nam than its neighbor, the white backed or banded three 

 toed -woodpecker' Several instances of its capture in New 

 England, and especially in this State, are on record. It is, 

 however, a rare and valuable find, and well worthy of 

 record.— W. A. SteA-RNS (Amherst, Dec. 31, 1883). 



Unseasonable Breedinoot Squirrels.— Jan. A.—Efht<,i- 

 Ftirrstditt] Stream: In your issue of Jan. 3, 1884, mv atten- 

 tion was attracted to a note by Mr. Geo. 1C. Jenny, of 

 Marietta, O., entitled ' What Does it Meant" Mr, Jenny 

 strdes that while sheotrag in Southeastern Olio during tl- ■ 

 past autumn, ■almost every bunch of squirrels' killed by 



him, contained "from one to Hue. , ..males, f. 



also, met with a similar experience while collecting in the 

 vicinity of Aldie. Loudoun Bounty, -Va, I quote from ins 

 journal as follows: 'Sept. Ivj. Iky:;. D, iru ,g this forenoon 

 while shooting in a hardwoOd grove. I noticed a gray Bqinr 

 rel (Kfit'i-ir* wiroliw nxi.-. Auct.) 'cutting' in the top of a 

 hickory. After watching it a while I killed it, and found it 

 to be a female and, as I supposed, in good condition When 

 I came to dress it for our improvised dinner, [ was surprised 

 to find that she contained three young, measuring while in 

 their embryonic position, about one inch in length." I men 

 tinned this fact to some of the native .sportsmen, and 

 told thai they had noticed its frequent occurrence this year 

 for the first time. Concerning the cause of this autumnal 

 breeding I have no theory to advance, save thai proposed by 

 Mr. Jenny, that it, might betoken "an open winter," and that 

 so far (Dec. 11} this theory has not, been refuted by fact. It 



would, I think, be interesting to leurn the exu 



others with the S'iitrii/ir during the past fall, and hope some 

 of your readers will respond.— Lotus A. ZlSREGA DM EaSl 

 Si rye iily second street, New York cityl. 



l.e Roy, N.Y., Jan. 6.— -Editor Hmesi »»t/ Stream: \n your 

 last issue (Jau. 3) Mr. Jenny, of Marietta, O., mentions 

 killing female squirrels that were pregnant during the 

 months of September and October. By reference to my 

 '■field book" I find that on Sept. 11 I shot a large black 

 female squirrel, whose glands were full of milk, and 

 21 a g^ray female in the same condition. Both of them had 

 families which they were rearing at the time ver] 

 I think other shooters found the same thing us l' remember. 

 Squirrels were very scarce early in the fall and 

 our law allows the killing of them after August 1, I was 

 unable to find any until the llth of September, though mak 

 tng two or three trips for them. Were they all , ■■ . 

 their domestic duties, and so kept out of sight until later in 

 the season! They were fully as plenty the last of October 

 as in other years. At what time do the females bring Forth 

 their young' in this latitude?— F. M. OcmstOOk. 



Note OM the Eider. Duck.— The eider .link, better 



known as the "inojak" to the settlers along the shores of the 

 Gulf of St. Lawrence, is Btill breeding on Mingau Island - 

 otherwise Bald Island, on account of iho total absence of all 

 trees upon its surface. It is situated on the north shore ol 

 the Gulf, only eleven miles from the Hudson Baj Com 

 pany's post of Mingau, and within seven miles ol tut As] 

 ing establishment of Long Point, where during prosperous 

 seasons large numbers of fishermen spend their 

 These people, in company with the Mingau Indians, make 

 frequent raids upon the. breeding grounds of all sea birds, 

 particularly those frequenting Bald Island, as ii is most 

 accessible and easy to explore. During a few do] 

 this interesting spot, in the beginning of August Ot las! 

 the vestiges of eider duck ttesls were still here and 

 be found, consisting of a few hnndfuls ol 

 which must have constituted the lining of the nest dnring 



uidificntion, I saw frequently female or , 



their dull brown summer plumage, but learned III 



and conspicuously colored males are only shot there during 



the spring migration. If these beautiful hit 6 



lested by the" resident settlers, who value I hem Ulghlj 



their flesh, there is no doubt but that they C»uld bi 



in flocks instead of a few scattered individuals. The largest 



number I saw there, by the aid of a field glass, WilS 



three, which were at daybreak feeding on the outet > ■■ ■ 



Mingau Island — ('has. Linden. 



Cardinal Grosbeaks in Winter. — While oui shooting 

 Christmas, 1 eaw a pair of cardinal grosbeaks and 



male, but the female flew away, and although 1 looked for 

 it about two hours, 1 could not find it. Thorns! 

 a very good specimen. It had lost some of its fail feathers, 

 and they were just beginning to grow out again. They were 

 the first of this species' I ever saw around here. —II C. Ktrk- 

 patrick (Aleadville. Crawford County. Pa.). 



"Swallow-Tailed Kite in Maine."— Ah in m was pub 

 lished in our issue of. Dee. 8,1883, to the effect thai Mr. 



Manly Hardy, of Portland. Me., had received a 

 tailed kite, which, it was implied, bad been captured in (hat 

 State. Captain Bendire tells us thai, on the contrary, the 

 kite had been sent to Mr. Hardy from the Wesi. 



Danoeh to the Adirondack Woods. — It would be un 

 fortunate if in the present discussion as to the best means of 

 saving the Adirondack Woods, the notion were allowed to 

 prevail that it is quite enough to buy the woods and jtop flu- 

 lumberers from working there, and prevent the running of 

 railways where the sparks may cause fire, For the real aud 

 final cause of the ruin of the forest is fire, and whatever 

 cause which conflagration may lie traced to inusl b< thi , ! 

 ject of preventive legislation, no matter what maj bi In 

 elleel on individuals or the interests of the preseni 

 inhabitants of that section. Sport is. iu Us w.i, 

 thing, and recreation and camping-OIlt ttiosl valuable to 

 weary brains, but even for these ends the forest must be 

 preserved intact, and the chief cause of the lires which 

 ineaace it is the intentional tiring to create ' ■'slash 

 spaces where young undergrowth may furnish food for the 

 deer and game for the hunter. This is mainly in the inter- 

 est of t he still-hunter, who is the greatest enemy of the deer, 

 his killing, which begins with the snowfall, probably ex- 

 ceeding enormously that of the aggregate of the sportsmen 



who go info the forest for recreation and sport oo 

 during the months when camping out is a pleasure. In a 

 long personal acipiaintaiioo with the Ai 1 

 country we have known few lires aii : 

 carelessness, compared to the number ini 

 Lighted by the professional hunters and guides. To 

 prevent this mischief it is not enough lo purchase the land, 

 tor the hunter makes no quest ion of proprietorship; lie burns 

 where it is most convenient to him to go for the deer. Lum- 

 bering in the forest should be. absolutely stopped bi 

 is the cutting of the trees thai litters the ground with the 

 i , ii- i aches which furnish the fuel for the great tires. The 

 practices which, make it profitable to -,et tires tnu 

 Stopped, if any good is to be accomplished by ihe desired 

 legislation.— A. T. Ei'minj Rtst, 



