JAM. 



tit 



, :. . , 



The unearthly BtUlnoS9 of the forest becomes altera 

 lame almost unbearable, and the lugubrious toot of a 

 drowsy old owl {Bubo r,, : : ■,- - welcomed as an 



agreeable change. "Too-h I pause, il 



orerootne with sleep, then a long drawn out ' too a li i 

 and lie relapses into his normal condition, 



The proximity of the lake is heralded long b 

 teach the shore by the hoarse eroakings of the great 

 i 



The sung boat is again launched, and wo are once more 

 1 he reptilian concert suddenly stops; the dip of 

 our paddles has alarmed the choristers" but their fright is 

 soon over, for before we are fairly through the fringe of 

 aquatic plants that border the lake shore they are at it 

 again, old and young, great and small, a regular "go-as- 

 you-please" affair. 



"Fin a beautiful night— not a cloud in the heavens. The 

 great, full orbed moon sails gloriously toward the West, 

 shedding a flood of light on all below." The rippling sur- 

 face of the lake shimmers under the bright radiance like 

 inoll a silver. 



Conspicuous in the southern sky are Jupiter, Mars and 

 Saturn, ranged iu line nearby the three glittering dia- 

 mond nt Orion's slant-wise belt, pointing upward to the 

 Pleiades and downward to the great brilliant Sinus, just 

 risen above the mountain top. The blue vault overhead 

 is bespangled with faintly twinkling stars, and all around 

 us lies the black, Bilent, coniferous forest. A dim light 

 appears low down across the lake; "Uncle Tom '' has 

 hung out a lantern for our guidaucc. The loons have 

 hi a discovered our presence and their intensely mourn- 

 ful, wailing cries rudely break the solemn silence of the 

 stilly night. 



For half an hour the paddles are vigorously plied, when 

 WO "tie up" at the little wharf, and taking down the 

 signal light make our way to camp. " Uncle Tom" rolls 

 out of his hunk as we enter, his burly form clad in but a 

 single garment. "1 thought you were a-comin', boys, 

 for I heard the old loons a-poopin'-er-up out On the lake. 

 What did you (ire at?" The situation is soon explained, 

 our early breakfast ordered, and then we stretch our- 

 selves for a short nap; but no sleep for me, the events of 

 th« night were too fresh in my mind lor that. 



By sunrise we were up and away, accompanied by 

 Domasj another boat follows later with the Professor— 

 I in all that pertained to "moose- 

 dom" — and his guide. 



The little clearing about the cam]) is alive with birds — 

 purple and pine liuehes, crossbills, flycatchers, sparrows, 

 wagtails, snowbirds, and even that little winged gem, 

 the ruby-throated hummer, has found his way here 

 and is busily darling about among the bright blossoms of 

 the nreweed (Erechthites). 



The lake and the long carry are passed, and we are 

 again winding our way up the crooked stream, no longer 

 flowing through a deep narrow gorge, as appeared last 

 night, but betwei a hedges of green shrubbery and grace- 

 ful vines, bright with Starry blossoms of the gahums, 

 and what then were buttresses of jagged rocks are now 

 innocent rushes and branches of brown-tufted sedges, 

 Numberless warblers frequent these river thickets-- yel- 

 low-rumps, blaek-throated blues, black-polls, blue yellow- 

 backs, redstarts, black-and-yellows, the bay-breasted and 

 the gaudy blaokbumi&ns, all bud here summer homes 

 and unmolested breeding-places. 



Here, for the first time, we see the bright magenta 

 plumage and hear the mellow note of the pine gros- 

 beak — the Canada jays (moose birds, scream their dis- 

 cordant welcome as i'f already scentmg a bl I. in 



but even Dumas loses his interest in the feathered tribe 

 — for a time— as we approach the scene of last night's 

 foray, The paddle is found sticking in the river-hank, 

 and close by, the trampled, muddy grass and deep foot- 

 prints Show where the wounded animal left the stream. 



Silently we step from the boat, and, with bated 

 breath and rifles at the "ready," follow Edward, who, 

 Indian like, is "working up" the trail. Worming our 

 way through thi ! - '■■ I i lexers we come upon an open- 

 ing or bit of "swale." Here the circle of crushed 

 Sphagnum, with a dark pool of blood in the center, gives 

 abundant evidence that the game is " bard hit," and 

 cannot be fair oil. A few rods further, through another 

 brush belt, and Edward cries out, "here he is." We 

 press forward, and there, in a lit! Lade lies 



the noble quarry "prone and stiff." 



I confess to a thrill of pleasure as I viewed the glossy 

 black coat, the long, clean limbs, the ugly, clove-brown 

 head, mule-like ears, and immense " moulile"of my first 

 ■ se— the Cervus aires of Linnaeus, largest of all the 

 deer family, and the noblest game of the North Amer- 

 ican forest. Derf. 



September, 1879. 



fatmal Bisfarp. 



—Address all communications to '' Forest and Stream 

 Publishing Company, New York." 



DO SNAKES HISS? 

 EVIDENCE THAT SOME DO. 



Cambeidue, Mil., June 2lsf, 

 Editor Forest and Stream : — 



This question came up for discussion two or three years 

 some literary or scientific club in Baltimore, 

 Mil., and at once attracted my attention. It 

 me a curious fact that a belief so universal should not be 

 established upon the evidence of observation so frequent, 

 that in any company of persons familiar with the woods 

 and fields, facts of this nature would recur to some 

 one of them, And yet upon reflection, though quite 

 positive that I bad often heard this sibilant sound 

 I'roni such a source, I could not fix upon the exact in- 

 stance of the "time, place, and Circumstance." A day or 

 two subsequently, in walking to church on a Sunday 

 morning, I was suddenly conscious of the presenoe of a 

 viper, commonly known as the " puffing adder," directly 

 aci'QSSmy path. Stopping, 1 observed him contort his 

 body to some degree, then flatten his bead and neck until 

 both lost all semblance of their former shape and pro- 

 portions, dart out his tongue in quick and angry menace, 



and then uttei a hiss so loud and ucttl I had never 

 heard it i parent geese in defending their 



young, In my astonishment and gratification at the 

 ing the creature for perhaps a 

 minute, during which time the same sound became 

 tl '.timious. rising and falling in its force and dis- 

 tinctness, until finally I closed the interview in manner 

 and form most customary. I at once wrote for publica- 

 tion in the Baltimore American, for the information of 

 all interested, and for the special edification of the lite- 

 rati aforesaid, a brief account of the above occurrence. 

 My recollection of the matter is that it was during the 

 spiing months, probably in May, At this season these 

 snakes are most numerous in this locality — at least most 

 Often visible. A full grown one is about three feet long 

 and perhaps one and a half inches at its largest diameter. 

 They are marked across the back and sides with yellow 

 and black bands or spots, greatly reminding One of some 

 specimens of the rattlesnake. They should be entirely 

 harmless, however, since they are destitute of fangs sim- 

 ilar to those possessed by their venomous congeners — 

 that is, of any fangs whatever, 



Since writing the above I am enabled to add the fol- 

 lowing observations : — 



Yesterday, my son and a young gentleman from Bal- 

 timore started out for a stroll, leaving me sitting on the 

 porch. In a few moments I was startled by cries, and 

 observed our visitor running toward the house. Soon as 

 he came near enough to hear and understand what he 

 said, it was ascertained to be that his companion was 

 then standing guard over a snake in the act of hissing. I 

 hurried to the spot with commendable celerity, and 

 found a viper which proved to be, on measurement 

 twenty-four inches long, exhibiting the phenomenal 

 characteristics Of his species, He was shooting out the 

 tongue — not in ridicule or derision, but with true ophid- 

 ian instinct, and hissing with a persistence and perti- 

 nacity that suggested his high estimation of the faculty, 

 either as a weapon offensive and defensive, or as a valua- 

 ble part of his business capital. Not in the least intimi- 

 dated, we proceeded, with great cai e, to put him through 

 his scientific paces, and held him under observation some 

 ten or fifteen minutes. So soon as he discovered we were 

 uot frightened at anything he did, he seemed to be ani- 

 mated by the single purpose of withdrawing from the 

 convention. This purpose, for the nonce, we resolutely 

 thwarted, and had the satisfaction of noting that while 

 in our company the reptile appeared to be in a chronic 

 state of anger, not unmingled with fear. The flattening 

 of the head and neck, the perpetual display of the tongue, 

 the nearly constant hiss, all showed it. The hiss espe- 

 cially was its most intense act of intimidation. When 

 the creature would, for the moment, be lying quiet, yet 

 with the head and neck of twice their ordinary breadth, 

 and protruding the tongue at intervals, stroking the 

 head or neck with the point of a stick would instantly 

 invite the threatening hiss. This act was accomplished 

 during expiration. The creature would seem to inspire 

 strongly, apparently inflating four-fifths the length of his 

 body with air, and visibly' increasing' its diameter to 

 twice its undiluted size, and then forcing the air out 

 either through its mouth or nostrils, or through both, 

 would produce audibly and distinctly the peculiar sound. 

 It was very curious and entertaining to observe the dila- 

 tion and contraction of its cylindrical body as the air was 

 drawn in and expelled. The entire cellular tissue under 

 tile flkin seemed to-be the scat of the distension, as we 

 Sometimes see in emphysema, after perforating wounds 

 ,! I,; best ; and the lungs, unless they extend through 

 L its length, Beeraec to have but little to do 

 with the act. This, I speak of as the apparent condition, 

 assuming, of course, that i he act was pulmonic through- 

 out. Hoping that you and your readers may share with 

 me some of the interest and amusement, no less than in- 

 struction, that this occurrence has caused, believe me, 

 sincerely yours, E. G. W . 



SERINO field, Mass., June 10th. 

 Editor Forest and Stream:— 



In your last issue. " Enquirer " expresses his doubts 

 that snakes ever hiss. I only wish that he had been with 

 me a, few days since, when "be would have been a quick 

 convert to the contrary belief. I was gathering straw- 

 berries, and, as is customary with me when engaged 

 thus, was on my knees. All at once 1 was startled out 

 of all proprietj by a loud hiss, almost in my ear. That 

 it was a powerful hiss you will readily believe, when 1 tell 

 you that it actually lifted me bodily more, than ten feet, 

 and I am no light weight either. I recovered my self- 

 possession as soon as I struck on my feet, and knowing 

 (hat it was a snake, fori had heard this same hiss be- 

 fore, I approached to see what manner of reptile he was, 

 and 'found him to be a common black snake, and, as near 

 as I could judge, about six feet long ; two feet of his 

 length was erect, which brought his head just above the 

 top of the bushes ; his eyes were twinkling, I imagined, 

 with delight, at the exhibition of "ground and lofty 

 tumbling" that he had witnessed, and as I came nearer 

 he opened his mouth and repeated the hiss ; this be did 

 three Or four times, and seemed disposed to stand bis 

 ground, but seeing "blood in my eye," he evidently 

 thought better of it, and, lowering his crest, made off at 

 speed that defied pursuit. Several times have! beard 

 this same hiss, and have always found it to proceed from 

 the black snake. I have been Credibly informed that the 

 water snake has the same habit, but have never been able 

 to verify it by personal observation. Shadow, 



Editor Forest and Stream ; — 



In your issue of June 17th, " Enquirer " asks the ques- 

 tion : " Do snakes hiss ? " In one instance from my ex- 

 perience I can answer it in the affirmative. While gath- 

 ering wild flowers near Orolon Lake a few summers ago, 

 in a rocky field grown up with bushes, while 1 was stoop- 

 ing to pick some flowers, I heard a distinct hissing noise, 

 and, looking in the direction of the sound, saw a fiat- 

 headed adder {Ucierodon ■palatyrhinos). The noise was 

 quite loud and called my attention to the snake. 



Stnfi Sing, Jane 22d. Mrs. A. K. E, 



South FRA-?.itectnAV[, MUSS., June 1'.)//o — Editor For- 

 est and Stream: — Your Richmond correspondent, who 

 signs himself " Enquirer," says he is by no means sure 

 that serpents hiss, and is certain that idles are never un- 

 erring, I have caught snakes in Virginia called "mocca- 

 sins, " by pinning them to the earth with a forked stick, 

 and they emit a hissing sound not unlike the spitting of 



.i.l. bin more prolonged. Youi 

 has doubtless Been the snake referred to. As regards 

 rifles, I am of the opinion that most of the Bret-class 



■ ! resent in use are unerring. It is not the fault 



Of the rifle, but of tfee man that fires it. as may he 

 proved by bolting a rifle to any immovable frame, and 

 then firing at a mark. L. R. L, 



Putnam, June SOJfi.— Some forty years ago the hissing 

 adder was frequently met with in Eastern Massachusetts. 

 At one time Waldo Fuller, Foster Wiley and myself were 

 on our way to Grossman's Pond. When near the four 

 corners we heard our dog bark and beard a hissing 

 sound. We hurried to the place and saw a large kind of 

 a blown snake some three ami one-half foot long, coiled 

 up with head erect and somewhat flattened, and it was 

 loudly hissing at the dog, which was barking at it. 

 Waldo went back to the fence for a rail to kill the snake, 

 while we remained near. The snake hissed loudly and 

 continuously until it wars killed. Also saw one at Piyrnp- 

 ton, which reared and hissed at me and I killed it. I have 

 frequently seen them and heard others speak of them, 

 and they were quite common in and around Plymouth 

 woods, say twenty years ago, but aro not as often met 

 with in late years". They were considered poisonous. 



G, P. W. 



MAN-EATING SHARKS. 



IN view of the. recent agitation of the question whether 

 sharks leally ever eat men, the cutting printed be 

 low, which appeared in tho San Francisco (Cal.) Chroni- 

 cle some time since was deemed worthy of investigation. 

 The slip from the Chronicle is as follows :— 



Dr. Swan, the surgeon of the Pacific Mail Steamship 

 Colima, which arrived in this port a few days ago from the 

 isthmus, reports an incident on the trip worthy of men- 

 tion. He states that while, the Colima was lying at Aca- 

 pulco, on the trip up, she anchored one day close to the 

 China. Some of the hands on the latter baited a hook 

 and caught a shark of the man-eater variety about fif- 

 teen feet long, The shark was pulled up and cut open, 

 and in the belly was found a human arm entire, just as 

 it had been torn by the devouring monster from the 

 shoulder. There was also found in the maw of the shark 

 the heel and toes of a human foot. The remains had evi- 

 dently been swallowed but a short time. The arm was 

 the left, and upon it were plainly visible the initials, tat- 



, india ink, "A. II, C." About ten days previous 



to the taking of the shark, a sailor from a British brig 

 then lying in the harbor, while under the influence of 

 liquor, fell overboard and was lost. It is supposed the 

 shark had been feeding upon the body a short time before 

 his en pture. San Jose ,1 oe, the monster shark of Sun Jose 

 de Guatemala, was recently seen by the captain of the 

 China, This shark has for many years been the terror 

 of the coast from San Jose de Guatemala to Punta Arena, 

 no has been so frequently seen that he is as familiar to 

 the mariners of tho coast as its most perilous head- 

 lauds. He is said to be over forty feet in length, and is 

 extremely ferocious, human kind being his favorite prey. 

 Capt. Seabury, of the China, is ready to swear to forty- 

 two feet and Vive r, having once seen Joe passing behind 

 his vessel, which is fortv-two feet in the beam, and the 

 head and tail ..I the shark extended past either side of 

 the vessel. The captain of the South Carolina and Capt. 

 Witberrybear testimony also to the shark's being over ' 

 forty feet long. In the last few- years "Joe," as he is 

 known all along the coast, has devoured ha 1 f a dozen men , 

 and some years ago the Guatemalian government offered 

 a reward of $.11)0 to any man who would kill the de- 

 vourer. He has been shot a couple of times and har- 

 pooned thrice, but survived these assaults, and still re- 

 tains his old haunts looking for his favorite morceau. 



Through the kindness of Dr, J, O. Swan, of the steam- 

 ship Colima, we are enabled to print the statements 

 given below : — 



Francisco, Cal., June 3d. 



Editor Forest and Strem 

 Your request that I sin 

 eneo to flic shark story \\ 

 port from Panama, on tin 

 signed by Dr. Wl itl u 

 and by Mr. Wm. Wafe: 



\ e you the facts in refer- 

 ■ived on arriving in this 

 It. 1 inclose a statement 

 ■germ P. M. S. S. China. 

 of the same, and vouched 

 self. The statement is literally true, word for 

 word". The China is now in this port, where she may 

 remain a month. 



Tho man eaten was doubtless the one who was lost off 

 the British ship of war Triumph. March 11th, inAcapulco 

 Bay. Respectfully, John O. Swan, M.D,, 



Surgeon P. M. S. S. Colima. 



San FBAHCISCO. Cal., June 3d. 

 "■/hi i lie Pacific Mail Steamships China and Colima 

 were lying together off Acapulco, Mexico, on March 21st, 

 a shark about fourteen feet in length was hooked by per- 

 sons on board the China. The shark was hauled upon 

 the ship's guards by means of loops passed over its neck 

 anil fail, anil cut open. Its stomach was found to con- 

 tain a human arm. a foot bitten off at the instep, and a 

 portion of a heel. The ragged and torn condition of the 

 bout the shoulder she V d i- idenceof the exer- 

 tion of tremendous force in separating the arm from the 

 botlv, The arm was in a. goon state of preservation; the 

 skin over the half-closed hand a little dark and wrinkled. 

 F. W. Whtttemoke. M. D., 



Surgeon P. M, S. S. China. 

 JonwO. Swan. M. D., 

 Surgeon P. M. S. S. Colima. 



WlM.IAM WAU'EH, 



Purser P. M. S. S. China. 



In another letter Dr. Swan says :— 



In reference to the newspaper statement regarding San 

 Jose "Joe," I will say to you that I believe it to be cor- 

 rect in every particular. "A letter to the American Con- 

 sul, or to the- agent of the P. M. S. S. Company at San 

 Jose do Guatemala, will corroborate it. 



1 am aware that many people hold the opinion that 

 sharks will nol attack a "human being in the water or feed 

 upon human flesh. You cannot, however, make the peo- 

 ple living i! -I ' i of Mexico or Central America 

 believe that sharks wont devour "the form divine;" 

 they have learned by bitter experience that a shark 



