FOREST AND STREAM. 



In April they were present in less than usual numbers. 

 Some few escaped the gunners, and for some reason passed 

 no farther north. (I met with one nest this year, but this 

 is a matter concerning next month.) In comparison with 

 the notes for April made in previous years, I find that the 

 warblers and such other species as arrive about May 1st, 

 made their appearance eight to twelve days earlier than 

 usual. 



It is interesting now (July 24th) to note in reference to 

 the above, that the vegetation kept pace with this early 

 movement of the birds. The harvesting of wheat and rye 

 began as early as June 27th. The usual date is July 4th. 

 Now, as these migrating birds all come from lcng distances, 

 varying among the several species, it is simply impossible 

 that they knew that they might safely come so much in 

 advance of usual dates, their safety requiring an abun- 

 dance of insect life, and vegetation so far advanced as to 

 afford them shelter and concealment. As to the mere mat 

 ter of temperature, I believe it has but little influence in 

 the movements of our birds; and am convinced that most 

 of our migrants would remain with us much longer if the 

 leaves did not fall from the trees on the one hand; and the 

 insects generally were not killed or driven into winter 

 quarters. Swallows, that depart in August, can withstand 

 a great deal of bitter cold weather if well fed. To return 

 to the migrants, do they come up from the Gulf States in 

 very short, easy stages, and so feel their way, and quickly 

 retire on encountering Jack Frost? If some of your read- 

 ers in, say, North Carolina and Virginia, would give us 

 data as to the northward movements of our summer birds, 

 it would add much to our knowledge concerning the mys- 

 tery of migration. 



The month of May added but few bird notes to my diary, 

 as I was much from home. I heard and saw the chats (Ic- 

 teriamrens) for the first time, the 15th. The old pair of 

 last season took possession of the nest of the foregone 

 summer; while their brood, I should judge them to be, 

 have mated (previously to migrating?) and three nests are 

 in the same dense thicket of blackberry briars, near the 

 older structure, which, this summer, was simply refurnished. 

 These birds sing a good deal during the day ; but it is after 

 sunset, and the whole night if th^re be a moon, that they 

 are merriest; and a more joyous strain never came from 

 hob-o-link, than that they utter; but alas! this melody is 

 so often spoiled by an intermingling of such uncouth, 

 mournful sounds, that one wonders not ttiat the Indians 

 should have called them the "ghost-birds." Possessed too 

 of extraordinary ventriloqniai powers, their notes come 

 from every point of the compass; and if an intruder comes 

 too near the nest, the bird will send well mimicked cries of 

 squeaking puppies, mewing kittens, hooting owlets, and 

 mourning doves to greet his ears, and call him away if pos- 

 sible from the nest, to where these suffering creatures are 

 supposed to be. Unlike the mocking-bird, the chat will so 

 commingle these various sounds that it seems a concert of 

 animals in distress; and not merely the distinct utterance 

 of one mimicked cry after another. The longer I study 

 this strange bird the more I note of interest concerning 

 him. Every season he exhibits some new peculiarity of 

 voice or habits; and take him for all in all, he is the most 

 interesting bird of the United States. 



Trenton, N. J. C. C. Abbott, M. D. 



[To be concluded.'] 



— . •«"»->• ■ 



A New California Deer.— The Hon. J. D. Caton 

 describes in The American Naturalist for August, a new 

 variety of the mule deer (Cervus macrotis) for which he pro- 

 poses the varietal name californium. Judge Caton first met 

 with it on the estate of Mr. Frost at Santa Barbara, who is 

 a famous deer-hunter. With him Judge Caton made an 

 excursion into the Coast Range at Gaviota Pass, and se- 

 cured three bucks. These were evidently a variety of 

 the mule-deer, and not of the black-tailed, having all the 

 distinctive peculiarities of the.former. The variety differs 

 from the type in being smaller, of a more decidedly reddish 

 shade, in having a lesser patch of white on the buttocks, 

 and, most prominently, in the markings of the tail. The 

 tail of C. macrotis is entirely white except a black tuft at 

 the tip; in the variety a black to reddish-black line extends 

 along the upper side of the tail from the root to the tip. 

 The habitat is not as yet well determined, but Judge Caton 

 thinks it safe to say that this variety predominates in the 

 Coast Range south of San Francisco, which seems to be its 

 northern limit. The Sierras seem to define its eastern 

 limit, east of which it is replaced by the true deer. 

 It ascends to higher altitudes than any other American 

 deer, being frequently found above timber line. Those 

 living in the high mountains are the largest; Mr. Frost 

 killing one which weighed 400 pounds. They are not un- 

 common, and further information, it is hoped, will soon be 

 obtained of the distribution and peculiarities of this novel 

 variety. A skin and skeleton have been sent to the Smith- 

 sonian Institution by Judge Caton. 



—In our letter from Philadelphia concerning the Cape of 

 Good Hope, we mentioned a ring-like stone said to be used 

 by Bushmen — we knew not how — for digging roots. Dr. 

 C. C. Abbott now informs us that a wooden handle is in- 

 serted in the perforation, and it is then used to dig away 

 the earth from long tubers in order that they may be gath- 

 ered without fracture. The same kind of a relic occurs 

 frequently in this country, and are known as '-chungke- 

 stones" from a supposed use in a game called by that name. 

 Dr. Abbott suggests that their true use also may have been 

 for digging roots. 



•«-**» 



— The geographical range of the common green snake 

 (Cyclophis vernalis) has been extended by the naturalists of 

 recent surveys, to northern and central New Mexico. The 

 species is said not to be uncommon in southern Colorado. 



•*-*»» ■ 



NOTES FROM CALIFORNIA. 



Nicasio, California, July 25th. 

 Editor Forest and Stream: — 



Notes of bird arrivals were made by me daring tbe past spring, of 

 which I send you the following extracts, with dates':— 



Audubon's waroler, arriving March 17th, was very common during the 

 migration, but passed north to breed. On March 19th the common bank 

 swallow appeared, and soon prepared to be«m nesting; the equally com- 

 mon purple martin did not reach here until March 23d. On the 28th I 

 flret saw the black pewee (Sayomis nigricans) which breeds commonly 



here. It was cjosely followed by the western warbling greenlet (Vireo 

 Swainsoni), few of which breed. April 2d brought the familiar white- 

 bellied swallows and the western house-wren (variety Parkmanni). They 

 are abundant and begin nesting aoout the middle of April. The next 

 day the green black-capped flycatcher (Myiodioctes pileola'us) appeared, 

 and went to breeding. It is not rare. Cassin's greenlet {Vireo Gassini) 

 arrived on April 5th, but was not common ; and on the 6th the western 

 yellow-bellied flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis)) arrived. Only a few of 

 the latter breed here, beginning to nest by May 15th. On April 7th I 

 observed the only specimen seen during the season of the yellow-rumped 

 warbler. The Arkansas flycatcher first came on April 12th. It is com- 

 mon here and breed3, but the eggs are very difficult to get, as many nests 

 are 150 feet from the ground; they nest by May 20th. On April 15th the 

 Carolina dove arrived, and became common, breeding. On the 19th 

 came Bullock's oriole; it is common, and begins nesting here about May 

 15th. On the 20th McGillivray's warbler (Gtolhlypts Mc&illivrayi) Ap- 

 peared, but was not plenty; a few breed, nesting about May 10th. On 

 the same day I saw the black-headed grosbeak (H. melanocephalus). It 

 is abundant in summer, and nests by May 8th. The lark ounting (Chon- 

 destes grammaca) appeared on April 22d, but did not get to be plenty, 

 although a few breed. The common lazuli finche s ( Gyanospiza amce.no) 

 came on the 27th, and were nesting May 14th; the same day the common 

 ash-throated flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) arrived and went to 

 breeding. On May 8th I shot a yellow breasted chat, which is common 

 in some parts of California, but is only accidental here; and on the 10th 

 I secured one of the rare Lawrence's goldfinches (Ghrys. Lawrencii) . A 

 few, however, breed here. C. A. Allen. 



. ««»» 



ASYLUMS OF THE COW-BIRD. 



* ■ 



Auburn, N. Y., July 29tb. 

 Editor Forest and Stream: — 



The readers of the Forest and Stream are well awaie that the cow- 

 bird {Mocothrus pecoris) depends on other birds to rear its young, instead 

 of incubating its eggs for itself. Some of the nests in which the cow- 

 bird's eggs have been found have been mentioned by your contributors. 

 Mr. Eagsdale records finding the eggs in the nest of the blue-gray gnat- 

 catoher, and Mr. E. P. Bicknell in the nests of the cat-bird and phcebe- 

 bird. I have found them in the nests of the red eyed vireo, blue-headed 

 vireo, warbling vireo, chipping sparrow, song sparrow, and grass finch. 

 I am sure it would be a great pleasure to all young naturalists to know 

 how many different species the cow-bird depends on to rear its young. 

 Samuels says the birds most often chosen for this purpose are the vireos, 

 warblers and sparrows; sometimes the small thrushes are thus imposed 

 upon, and rarely the wrens. A call for reports on this subjeGt from 

 your readers would go far toward solving the problem, and might prove a 

 benefit to all interested in the study of our birds. H. G. Fowler. 



[We once found five in a single red-eyed vireo's nest, and 

 can add to the above li«t the white-eyed vireo, wood thrush 

 and robin, the last probably being the largest bird with 

 which it leaves its egg. The confiding or pugnacious dis- 

 position of birds so near its own size is no doubt care- 

 fully considered by the cow-bird. — Ed.] 

 -*.>- 



Arrivals at the Philadelphia Zoological Gardens July 31 to 

 August 6.— One great blue heron (Ardea herodias), two spotted cavies 

 (Ccelogenys pacd) , two agoutis (Dasyprocla aguti), one ocelot {Felis par- 

 tialis), two squirrel monkeys (Saimaris scuirea), two brown capuchins 

 (Cebus futuellus), five blue-and-yellow macaws (Ara ararauna), three 

 red-and-blue macaws (A. macao), two red and-yellow macaws (A. 

 chloroptera) , one trumpeter (Psophia crepetans), one Cuvier's toucan 

 (Ramphaslos Cuvieri), one crested curassow {Crax altctor),ove white- 

 crested guan (Pipile jacutinga), one Greey's guan (Penelope Greeyi) one 

 cinereus tinamou (Tinamus cinereus), one Florida gallinule (G-allinula 

 ga/eata), two foxes from South America, thirteen pavrakeets, one 

 waterhen and one small guan, purchased; one wild rabbit (Lepus sylva- 

 ticus) and two chequered tortoiees (Emys picta), presented by E. S_ 

 Meadf-r, llestonville, Pa.; three sparrow hawks (Folco spaiverius), pre- 

 sented by James Mellor, Oakdale, Pa.; two young alligators (A. missis- 

 isppiensis), one presented by James H. Keyser, Philadelphia, and the other 

 by Jos. B. Moore Philadelphia; two bitterns ( Pot aurus minor), presented 

 by William and Frank Bowen, Chestnut Hill, Pa. 



Arthur E. Brown, General Superintendent. 



f« mid Mtvtr 



FISH IN SEASON IN AUGUST. 



FRESH WATER. 



Trout, Salmo fontmalis. 

 Salmon, Salmo solar. 

 Salmon Trout, Salmo conflnis. 

 Land-locked Salmon, Salmo Gloveri. 

 Grayling, Thymallus tricolor. 

 Black Bass, Micropterw salmoides; 



M. nigricans. 

 Mascalonge, Esox nobilior. 

 Pike or Pickerel, Esoxlucius. 

 Yellow Perch, lerca Jlavescens. 



SALT WATER. 



Sea Bass, Sciamops ocellatus. 



Sheepshead, Archosargus probato- 

 cephalns. 



Striped Bass, Eoccus lineatus. 



White Perch, Mot one americana. 



Weakfish. Gynoscion regalis. 



Bluefish, Pornatomus saltatiix. 



Spanish Mackerel, Cybium macula- 

 lam. 



Cero, Cybium regale. 



Bonito, Sarda pelamys. 



Kingfish, Menticirrus nebulosus. 



For list of eeasonable^trout flies for August see our issue of July 27th. 

 » 



Fish in Market. — We have to report this week fish of 

 all kinds very scarce, and correspondingly high in price. 

 The scarcity is probably owing to the hot weather, having 

 driven the fish far off shore into deeper and cooler water. 

 At this time we should be having plenty of weakfish, but 

 none are being taken in any of the bays adjacent to tbis 

 city. We quote: Striped bass, 20 to 25 cents per pound ; 

 bluefish, 12 to 15 cents; salmon, frozen, 40 cents; green, 

 50 cents; mackerel, 15 to 20 cents each, according to size; 

 weakfish, 15 cents per pound; white perch, 15 cents; 

 Spanish mackerel, 50 cents; green turtle, 15 cents; terrapin, 

 $12 per dozen; halibut, 20 cents per pound; haddock, 8 

 cents; kingfish, 25 cents; codfish, 10 cents; blackfish, 15 

 cents; flounders, 12 cents; porgies, 12 cents; sea bass, 20 

 cents; eels, 18 cents; lobsters, 10 cents; sheepshead, 20 

 cents; brook trout, $1; pompano, 25 cents; soft clams, 

 30 to 60 cents per 100; hard shell crabs, $4 per 100; soft, 

 do., $1.50 per dozen. 



Fresh Salmon.— It is not long ago that fresh salmon 

 were cheap in our markets at 60 cents per pound — a 

 dollar per pound being asked for the Kennebec varieties; 

 this price resting not so much, perhaps, upon any asserted 

 superiority in their flavor over their Canadian congeners, 

 as upon a purely national sentiment, a higher value being 

 set upon them because they were the only fish of the kind 

 to be obtained within the territory of our Eastern domain. 

 With increased propogation and protection prices have 

 gradually fallen, until the present season they touched 18 

 cents a pound in New York, and 8 cents in Quebec. In- 

 deed, during a journey of several weeks through Canada, 



we heard frequent complaint that salmon was too often 

 placed on the table — the same old complaint that was heard 

 in the Connecticut valley at the beginning of the century. 

 Some ideas of the quantities of these fish thrown upon tbe 

 markets may be obtained from published statistics, show- 

 ing that during the month of June 2,235 cases, containing 

 704,000 fresh salmon, were received at St. John, N. B , via 

 the Intercolonial Railway alone, from the Miramichi, Petite 

 Roch, River Charles, Bathurst and Campbelltown. The 

 shipments by way of Quebec, were also very large. The 

 Intercolonial Railway authorities have built a number of 

 splendid refrigerator cars, in which the fish can be kept for 

 any length of time in a perfectly fresh condition. 



— If the Croton Water Board will seine out four-fifths of 

 the fish that swarm in the Croton Lake and river, and 

 give them to the poor, we shall not only have better water 

 to drink, but more food to eat. When the water gets low 

 the multitudes of fish in it become too crowded for com- 

 fort and kick up such a bobbery among the mud and weeds 

 as to befoul the water and make it unlit for themselves to 

 use, let alone the humans who are taxed for what they 

 drink. 



— Last month the schooner Lily Dale encountered a school 

 of herrings sis miles north of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, 

 so dense that the crew scooped up four barrels full of the 

 fish with a bushel basket. 



— A Buffalo correspondent ser.ds us some gut leaders for 

 fly lines, showing what he fancies to be a new method of 

 his own for adjusting droppers, removing and changing 

 them, as fancy or occasion requires. The device is cer- 

 tainly very clever, and much preferable to the loop system, 

 we think, but our friend is mistaken in supposing it to be 

 a new invention, although he deserves none the less credit 

 for discovering what others have discovered before him. 

 The method of fastening is known as the "water-knot," a 

 double running knot in the leader through which, when 

 loosened, the knotted end of the dropper is passed. When 

 drawn tightly it holds the dropper firmly. If it be required 

 to change flies, the double knot has only to be drawn apart, 

 which can be done easily, and a substitute inserted for the 

 fly to be removed. 



— Six cargoes of picided herring have been cleared from 

 Gloucester, Mass., this year for Gottenburg, Sweden.' 

 Something like coals to Newcastle. 



Y Salmon Scores. — We are indebted to Mr. Thomas Wil- 

 son, agent of the Cunard line of steamers at Montreal, for 

 the following letter and scores of fish taken on one of the 

 rivers of the province : — 



Montrkal, July 26th. 

 Editor Forest and Stream:— 



I beg to give you a statement of the rod fishing in the St. Ann's this 

 month, for fourteen days, ending the 18 h inst. The average weight of 

 fish, especially those of Col. Lee, I consider very good, and as yet I have 

 not heard ot its being exceeded in any of the rivers from which icporta 

 have reached me. The river when I left was not as low an in previous 

 years at this season, and in many of the best pools the fish would not 

 rise to the fly at all. I expect the parties whom we left at the river on 

 the 18th are enjoying good sport, and I shall ask them to forward a re- 

 port of their sports to you when they return to town. 



Thomas Wilson. 



ST. ANN'S, DES MONTS RIVER, 14 DAY'S FISHING, ENDING JULY 18, 1876. 



Name. No. Fish. 



Mr. Cuvillier 28 



Colonel Lee, U. S. A 29 



Thomas Wilson 35 



M. Lamontague, Sdays 9 



Total 101 1934 over 19 



Connecticut.— Bridgeport, August 5th.— The bluefish 

 have just struck in here in large quantities, and fine size; 

 a boat brought in 60 last evening, and to-day every one is 

 after them. Our shores are fairly lined with crabs— there 

 has not been such a run in five years. J. 



v< New Jersey— Carman House, Forked River, Barnegat 

 Bay, July '61st.— I notice your correspondent "B" at the 

 Inlet, says that the "fishing of all descriptions the past 

 week had been very poor." The fishing at the mouth of 

 Forked River last week was the best we had this season, 

 and is still good; sheepsheads, weak and kingfish, were 

 caught in quite large quantities. Bluefish not very plenty. 

 Bay snipe are coming in, and a fine string of yellow legs 

 just came in, killed by Capt. Patten. "Forked River." 

 \ Pennsylvania— #e?*&s County.— The Water Commission- 

 ers of the city of Reading, granted the citizens liberty to 

 fish in the Bernhardt dam, which resulted in large haulms of 

 bass, catfish, and other species of the finny tribe. The 

 privilege was granted owing to the overstocked Condition 

 of the waters. As usual, the fine will again be imposed on 

 those who attempt to fish in our reservoirs. -M.fopg the 

 Schuylkill river some good hauls of bass, etc., are ported. 

 "Fatty" Houck, as he is familliarly known, is the^feam- 

 pion" fisherman of this city. The tributaries of the Schuyl- 

 kill, have also afforded fine pastime this season. The Tul- 

 pebocker, Maidencreek, Ontalannee, and Northkill creeks 

 afford the best fun. PeeB Nixon Q 



YmQmiA.—Leesburg, August 3rd.— Until to dayTrre~Rsh- 

 ing on the river has been good; a fair number of fish have 

 been taken, and of average weight. Most have been taken 

 with live minnows in deep water; some few with the fly in 

 shallows and below rapids. Goose Creek is still muddy, 

 and cannot be fished. T. W. 



Fishing Movements.— The number of fishing arrivals 

 reported at this port the past week has been 71, viz., 13 

 from the Banks, 28 from Georges, and 30 from mackerelmg 

 trips. Receipts, 1,820,000 pounds Bank cod, 210,000 pounds 

 Georges cod, 27,000 pounds halibut, and 5,250 barrels 

 mackerel. Georges codfish: but few curing, with a fair 

 call. We notice a further advance in price, considerable 

 sales having been effected at $4f perqtl., with some curers 

 holding at $5. Bank codfish sell readily at $4i per qtl.lor 

 pickled; we quote dry-cured at $5. Mackeiel: in good re- 

 ceipt, with last sales"at $111 to $12 per bbl." for Is, §H -lor 

 2s, and $5ir for 3s. Fresh halibut: last sales at 8* and H 

 cts. per lb. for white and grey. Shore fish: sales of cod at 

 2i cts. per lb. Medicinal oil: $1.10 per gall ; tanners oil, 

 47 to 50 cts. ; smoked halibut, 5i cts. per lb. ; halibut heads, . 

 $3.50 per bbl.; halibut fins, $9 per bbl.; pollock, $2i per 



Lbs. 



Average. 



498 



Kl 



675 



23£ 



(ill 



m 



150 



16 3-3 



• 



