FOREST AND STREAM. 



to a fresh water pond, and kept until ripe in the Fall, 

 when the eggs are taken and hatched. In this way we con- 

 fidently hope to be able to procure and develop many mil- 

 lions of rock during the coming Spring," 



Successful experiments were made in hatching the white 

 perch, and the Commissioners are satisfied that they can 

 greatly be increased by artificial propagation. 



Though of recent introduction into the waters of Mary- 

 land, the black bass has become so plentiful as to be worthy 

 of mention among the native fishes. There are hundreds 

 of families residing in the region drained by the upper Po- 

 tomac, who are saved thousands of pounds of meat annu- 

 ally by the introduction of this wholesome change of diet. 

 The Commissioners have stocked many of their rivers, and 

 and expect excellent fishing in four or five years in the 

 Streams so stocked, if the fish are protected. 



They have received constant applications from all parts 

 of the State for trout for streams and pond3 fed by cold 

 springs, so they have made preliminary arrangements, 

 should the necessary means be placed at their disposal, to 

 distribute from fifty to seventy thousand trout immediate- 

 ly. Their hatching facilities are such that they can, at 

 little or no additional cost, turn out hundreds of thousands 

 iry yearly, should they be enabled to procure storage 

 ponds for the breeding trout. 



A few eggs of the Salmo indea have been received from 

 California and hatched by Mr. Ferguson in his library, af- 

 ter which they were placed in a pond in Druid Hill Park, 

 where those remaining are doing well. The State has re- 

 ceived 80,000 eggs of the salmon {Salmo salar) from the 

 Bucksport breeding establishment, presented by Professor 

 Baird. They were placed in charge of Mr. Kent at has 

 hatching house at Green Spring and disposed of, but how 

 we are not informed, as our report contains no appendix. 

 The Commissioners are not hopeful of success with this 

 fish, as he is an inhabitant of much colder waters. A few 

 thousand eggs of the salmon or lake trout were procured 

 and hatched out, and placed, some in Druid Lake and oth- 

 ers in the small streams tributary to the Gunpowder, in 

 Baltimore county. Forty thousaud ova have been ob- 

 tained from Seth Green, and are now in the hatching house 

 in Druid Hill Park. 



A large portion of the appropriation at the disposal of 

 the Commissioners has been devoted to introducing the 

 California salmon {Salmo quinnat) to their waters, a gener- 

 al distribution having been made through the waters of the 

 State, and with fine prospects of success. As the San Jo- 

 aquin valley is about isothermal with the Savannah, they 

 believe that the salmon will not suffer for want of cold 

 water in the Potomac, Patuxent, Gunpowder, and Susque- 

 hanna. 144,000 of these valuable fish have been placed in 

 the waters of the State. Prof. Baird having procured the 

 services of Mr. Rudolphe Hessel to proceed to Germany to 

 procure carps for the purpose of introducing them into 

 America, that gentleman returned to this country with 25 

 fish out of 800 and more with which he started. There 

 were placed in Druid Hill Park, three common carp {Gy- 

 prinus earpis) one of that variety which is without scales 

 and so highly valued; twelve tench {Gyprmus tinea), and 

 seven golden tench {Tinea auratus). Of these ouly six 

 tench and two golden tench survive. 



The well-known diamond-back terrapin comes in for no- 

 tice, and it is suggested that there are hundreds of locali- 

 ties admirably situated in the terrapin producing regions 

 which could be made more productive, acre for acre, than 

 the best surrounding land, by the establishment of terra- 

 pin ponds. To construct these it is only necessary to fence 

 off the head of an inlet, or throw fences out into the creeks 

 by driving boards some eight feet into the mud, so as to 

 prevent the possibility of the terrapin burrowing under 

 them. The bottom of the pond should shelve off to a 

 depth of six or eight feet, and the fence should enclose a 

 portion of sand bank, extending some dozen or more feet 

 beyond high water mark, in which the adult terrapin can 

 deposit their eggs. During the Summer, floats should be 

 anchored out in deep water, on which the terrapin could 

 enjoy the sun, and there should be also a smaller pond for 

 a nursery. The female excavates a hole in the sand above 

 high water mark and deposits her eggs, carefully covering 

 them. In two months they are hatched, but for some time 

 the young terrapins show no disposition to take to the 

 water. At this period they are very vulnerable, as they 

 are encumbered with an umbilical sac, which presents a 

 salient point of attack to small fishes; they should be care- 

 fully protected from tnese casualties, and provided with 

 soft mud in which to bury themselves during their hiber- 

 nation. 



The Report goes into the subject of netting, and makes 

 some valuable suggestions on this point. Fishways are 

 also discussed, and the Commisbioners visited the great 

 falls of the Potomac to investigate the possibility of sur- 

 mounting or overcoming that obstruction. The Report 

 concludes with a summary, by which it appears that the 

 Commissioners have distributed 4,340,000 young shad, in 

 addition to the 4,975,550 liberated in the Potomac by Prof. 

 Baird; 144,000 California salmon, 8,000 Maine salmon, 

 2,000 salmon trout, and 500 black bass; also, within two 

 weeks of the date of the Report, 91,500 California salmon, 

 and they have now in the Druid Hill Hatching House over 

 400,000* two months' old fish for distribution. There are 

 also excellent suggestions for the protection and increase 

 of the fish supply, which are worthy of the attention of 

 the State authorities. The Commission has now been es- 

 tablished but two years, and the amount of work comple- 

 pleted in that time is enormous. Mr. T. B. Ferguson has 

 been particularly energetic, and the State of Maryland is 

 under great obligations to that gentleman, not only for the 

 beautiful Druid Hill Park establishment, but for his ser- 

 vices generally. 



. +■+** ■ 



Fish Culture In Kentucky. —To a few of her ener- 

 getic citizens, among whom may be mentioned Gen. W. J. 

 Landram, Messrs. W. H. Kinuaird, W. C. Price, John 



inml ^jjiiMforg. 



[ 7 Ms Department is now under the charge of a competent Naturalist, 

 indorsed by the Smithsonian Institution, and will lienceforth be made a 

 special feature of this paper. All communications, notes, queries, re- 

 marks, and seasonal observations will receive careful attention. ~\ 



State Sportsmens' Association, of which they are mem- 

 bers, Kentucky is indebted for a probable large increase in 

 her fish supply. Within a short time past there have been 

 placed in the waters of Dix River thirty thousand Califor- 

 nia salmon, procured from the U. S. Fish Commissien at 

 no expense beyond that of transportation. This was the 

 result of a correspondence with Prof. James W. Milner, 

 who is now stationed at Northville, Mich, It is said that 

 three hundred thousand, salmon have been put into the 

 tributaries of the Mississippi during the past three weeks. 



THE RATTLESNAKE. 



THE Rattlesnake, though repulsive to most persons, is 

 interesting to the naturalist. It may be considered 

 as truly belonging to North America, as it is found in al- 

 most every part of this continent, but more are found in 

 the Southern States than in the Northern States. Texas 

 has a large number of poisonous reptiles, and that section 

 of low, barren country lying between the Rio Grande and 

 Neueces Rivers, during the summer months,literally swarms 

 with such as the rattlesnake, moccasin, centipede, tarantu- 

 la, scorpion, and alligator. The rattlesnake is the most 

 sluggish of the snake family. It never strikes, unless in 

 self-defense, excepting just before .and after its winter 

 sleep. The chief danger then lies in accidentally treading 

 on it, which a person may do in walking where it abounds. 

 To strike it must be in close coil, with its head erect. 

 They often strike several times in quick succession, as may 

 be frequently seen by the marks of their hooked fangs 

 upon the legs of white pantaloons. It is capable of spring- 

 ing only a little more than half its length, unless lying on 

 an inclined plane, when it can then, by supporting itself 

 entirely upon its tail, spring much farther. The remem- 

 brance of the first rattlesnake ever encountered by the 

 writer has left a vivid impression. It lay in the middle of 

 a well-traveled road, which ran over a steep hill. The 

 saddle horse was secured at a safe distance, and with a 

 slender pole of considerable length its capacity for spring- 

 ing was tested. This specimen contained fourteen rattles, 

 was nearly three feet long, and was as large around its 

 body as the wrist of a large man. When teased its rattles 

 were set rapidly in motion. Its glossy skin indicated that 

 it had just emerged from its dormant state. A few touches 

 with the rod caused it to spring about three times its length 

 down the hillside, while on a level it could spring but little 

 more than half its length. After making the necessary 

 observations its life was sacrificed and possession gained of 

 its fangs and rattles. The rattlesnake is said to possess a 

 strong odor when irritated. 



There are several kinds of rattlesnakes described; but two 

 have come under the observation of the writer — one the 

 inhabitant of the mountain region, and the other of the 

 prairie, the difference being chiefly in vividness of color- 

 ing of the mountain variety. The snake of the plains car- 

 ries the rattles parallel with the ground when crawling, 

 which is not the case with the other. It has been asserted 

 that the rattlesnake is never found at an elevation higher 

 than 6,000 feet above the level of the sea, but recent ex- 

 plorers have found this statement incorrect. A gentleman 

 connected with an exploring party has recently written 

 that he has killed rattlesnakes at an elevation of 8,000 feet. 



The common Eastern rattlesnake and its rattles have so 

 often been described, that it is unnecessary to repeat the 

 description here. Persons having the curiosity to refresh 

 their memory can do so by referring to any standard work 

 on Natural History, such, for instance, as Baird and Gi- 

 rard's Catalogue of Reptiles, published by the Smithsonian 

 Institution. The end of the tail in poisonous reptiles al- 

 ways terminates bluntly, while in the case of those that 

 are not poisonous, the tail tapers gradually to a slender 

 point. The prevailing opinion is, that the first joint of the 

 rattle, or the "button," requires two years for its maturity; 

 it is also believed that a rattle is formed for each succeed- 

 ing year — that is, a snake having fourteen rattles is six- 

 teen years old. 



Hogs which roam at large in Texas destroy many snakes, 

 which they attack with savage ferocity. They are some- 

 times bitten, but the thick layer of adipose tissue which 

 protects the circulation in the hog, prevents the bite prov- 

 ing fatal. It may be that the fat neutralizes the effect of 

 the poison. The writer once during the late war lay con- 

 cealed in the underbrush near the enemy, when not far 

 from him he heard distinctly the sound of a snake's rattle. 

 Imagine his nervous impression and the relief experienced 

 when he saw a wild porker advance, with bristles erect and 

 eyes flashing fire, and quickly dispatch the reptile. This 

 scene only required a few seconds for its enactment. The 

 writer was compelled to lay quietly, for if his position had 

 been known, the sharp crack of the enemy's rifle would 

 have settled the question. It has been asserted that ser- 

 pents do not travel at night, but this statement does not 

 accord with the writer's experience; for he has frequently 

 seen them gliding through the grass when riding by moon- 

 light. The venom of the rattlesnake is also deadly to the 

 brute creation. Catlle, when feeding, are often bitten in 

 the jaws, and death is inevitable, though the poison does 

 not appear to be disseminated as speedily as in the human 

 subject. Various remedies are suggested for the bite of 

 poisonous snakes, some of which are to be relied on, if the 

 poison is not communicate! directly to the circulation; 

 but in this case all remedies prove unavailing. The unpro- 

 fesssional apply directly to the wound mud or a freshly 

 killed chicken, split open through the back and its warm 

 flesh applied to the wound. The latter is certainly effect- 

 ive, for in more than one instance in a few minutes I have 

 seen the flesh of the chicken turn green and putrid where 

 it had come in contact with "he virus from the snake. The 

 remedy which is most certain in its relief is whisky or 

 brandy, used in large quantities immediately. It is esti- 

 mated that, to counteract the effect of a severe bite, it re- 

 quires at least one quart of Bourbon whisky, and that 

 nothing short of intoxication will insure immunity. 

 Drunkenness is never exhibited until the poison is counter- 

 acted, and when this condition is manifest the patient is 

 considered safe. The use of sweet oil is deservedly popu- 



lar in the treatment of a snake bite, but it must be taken 

 in doses of several ounces. Its action is mysterious, and 

 cannot well be explained, yet according tp practical expe- 

 rience there is not much difference betwoen the potency of 

 the > whisky and the oil, though to one not afflicted the 

 whisky would be preferred. Sportsmen, in camping, are 

 accustomed, after pitching their tents, to stretch around it 

 a hair lariat. If a snake should attempt to cross a hair 

 rope, it will instantly retreat. The short hairs on the rope, 

 which are always abundant, impart a disagreeable sensa- 

 tion, which causes the snake to retreat. — James W. Bai- 

 ley, M. D. 

 Albany, N. T. 



• ^«»» ■ 



Red-Legged Partridges. — A correspondent, an officer 

 of the U. S. Navy, now with his ship at Port Royal, writes 

 us that he has on board two pairs of red-legged African 

 partridges, two cocks and two hens, and wishes to know 

 of some gentleman in that vicinity who would be likely to 

 take proper care of them, with a view to breeding them. 

 We have referred him to Mr. Hallock, who is now at Port 

 Royal, the guest of Mr. C. G. Kendall, an ardent sports- 

 man, who would doubtless gladly undertake the task of 

 propagating these rare biids. From our correspondent's 

 description we are unable to learn whether these birds are 

 the common red-legged partridge {Gaccabus rufas) of Europe, 

 a strong bird distinguished by a black bar over the forehead, 

 behind the eye and around the breast, and which, since its 

 introduction into England from this continent, has almost 

 driven away the original breed in places, or the francolin 

 of Asia. Baker alludes repeatedly to the francolin in his 

 Abyssinian travels, and Wood mentions another, the San- 

 guine francolin, {ItJiaginis cruentus), which inhabits the 

 Himalayan range, and is thought to be peculiar to that re- 

 gion. 



-+•♦- 



V A Voracious Fish. — Within a month I caught a small 

 pike {Esox reticulatus) which seemed unusually corpulent; 

 so I dissected him, and found that he had swallowed a 

 large mud-minnow {Melanura Umi). This minnow I 

 opened, and found that it had within it a pike about two 

 inches long, and within the pike was a still recognizable 

 minnow of the species above mentioned. To find a pike 

 with one of its own species in its stomach is a common oc- 

 currence, but to match this "four-in one" instance, I think 

 will be found a difficult thing to do. This mud-minnow 

 is a very ravenous fish, and consumes an incredible num- 

 ber of newly hatched fishes. I have found that it is a com- 

 mon habit of the species to haunt the spawning beds of 

 many species and gobble up the fry as it makes its appear- 

 ance, and it has learned or rather knows from inherited 

 experience, that the fry of some fishes are not palatable 

 and so seeks the ova. This is particularly the case with 

 the catfish, and it will follow the female fish and devour 

 the eggs in spite of all the efforts of the latter to drive the 

 minnow away. This curious risk is specifically the same 

 as the umbra, of Europe, according to Dr. Gunther; but 

 the habits of the two species differ" considerable, so far as 

 I can determine. — Chas. C. Abbott, M. D. 

 -*♦♦- 



RED FOXES VERSUS GRAY FOXES. 



Editor Forest and Stream:— 



Elizabethtgwn, Ky. , January 17th, 1876. 

 Your doubt in regard to the popular theory that red foxes drive out the 

 gray, attracted my attention a short time ago. I have always held that 

 it was a fact, but being rather uncertain as to whether my conclusion 

 was foundei on experience or popular theory, I have consulted some old 

 fox hunters, and will give you the benefit of their ideas. One tells me 

 that thirty years ago, when he covnmenced hunting foxes, he never saw 

 a red fox in this country, while the gray fox was in great abundance; 

 but after the red commenced coming in, the 'gray disappeared in the 

 same proportion as the red increased. Now-a-day's to bag a gray is an 

 exception to the rule, the catch being wholly red. This has been the 

 experience of all the hunters I have questioned, and my own experience 

 is that the gray have almost disappeared since I can remember. I nave 

 had both kinds as pets, and they lived amicably together; but the same 

 can be said of dogs and pet coons which T have seen play together, as well 

 as pet rabbits and cats. There must be some reason for the exocius of 

 the gray fox from this country, and the most tangible one is, that the 

 influx of the re^d fox has had the same effect upon the, gray, as that 

 of the Norway rat had upon the native rat. There being an iucompata- 

 bility, the weak gray had to give way to the red fox, which is the largest 

 and strongest, as well as the fleeter of the two. I know it to be a fact 

 that they never have their dens in the same place, and it is rare that a 

 gray and a red fox are started in the same woods. They will not in a 

 tame state breed across, as was demonstrated to me by my own pets, and 

 I never saw a cross in a wild state. Their habits are somewhat differ- 

 ent, the gray being the hardest to tame, but much inferior in cunning, 

 when wild, to the led. Boys frequently catch the grays in snares set 

 for rabbits. I have, however, yet to hear of a red fox being trapped in 



that manner. "Lex. 1 ' 



. -4*4*- 



Nicasio, Marin Co., Cal., Jan. 6th, l r 76. 

 Editor Forest and Stream : — 



It may be of interest to your readers to know how many birds I have 

 noticed during the past season, which have built their nests and reared 

 their young in a live oak tree which stands in the centre of a corral, 

 where thirty cows are milked daily under its shade. About half- way up 

 the trunk of the tree is a small hollow extending into the heart of the 

 tree, which a Bewick's wren {Thryothorus Uemckii) has chosen for her 

 home and laid her five little eggs, which are white, with fine brown 

 specks. When the young birds had taken their flight, a yellow-bellied 

 flycatcher (Empidonax -/laviventris, var. difficilis) chose to build her nest 

 in the same hollow. Her eggs are there in number, and are creamy 

 white, with reddish brown and purplish markings at the larger end. A 

 little to the right of this hollow, in the overhanging branches, a CiftJifW 

 nia house finch {Carpodacus frontalis) has made her nest and deposited 

 her five eSgs, which are pale blue, with dark brown spots. In another 

 part of the tree, about twenty feet from the ground, is the nest of the 

 browntowb.ee {Pipilo f uncus) containing three eggs, which are robin 

 blue, and aie spotted with shades of purple. A little to one side of this, 

 is an old dead limb, in the hollow of which the Parkman's wren {Tro- 

 clodvtes (Eden var. Parkmanni) has taken up her abode and built he* 

 nest. She also laid five eggs, which are pinkish white, thickly spotted 

 all over with pink specks. Then, on an old dead stump of a limb, a 

 turtle dov,e (Zenaidura Carolinensis) has put a few sticks together and 

 called it a nest, and laid two white egg*; and last, but not least, a bug 

 Cochin hen goes regularly every morning and lays her egg on one of the 

 limbs, but they fall to the ground, and, strange to say, often escape un- 

 broken. Arter a box had been placed for her she continued to lay and- 

 hatch her chickens. This wonderful tree stands on the ranch of the- 

 Estey Brothers. If any of the readers of Forest and Stream can give 

 a description of a more prolific tree, I should be happy to hear of it. 



Mrs, Chas. A, AM,EK t 



