524 
FOREST AND STREAM 
ageut of this line. At Hinton, West Virginia, we had* 
the pleasurgbf meeting Mr. N. M. Lowry, one of the State 
Fish Commissioners. who kindly invited us to stopa week 
with him, and enjoy the magnificent trout fishing to be 
found in the tributaries of the New River. Mr. Lowry 
pointed out the best streams as we passed, and for the 
benefit of Forest and .Stream and its readers. I took the 
names not only of the streams themselves, but the near¬ 
est stations to them on the C. & O. RR.: Glade Creek 
and Mill Creek, Paw Paw Station ; Laurel Creek. Piney 
Creek and its tributaries, Batoff, Corpers, and Fat Creek, 
Quimiernont Station ; and Manus Creek, Sewell Station. 
All these streams are full of trout-; and under favorable 
circumstances one may catch them until tired of the 
sport. I have no doubt a letter to Mr. N. M. Lowry, 
Hinton, W. Va., would elicit a response telling all about 
this wonderful game and fish region. A short visit to 
White Sulphur Springs, Kanawha Falls, and Richmond, 
a parting hand-shake with the dear friends at Staunton, 
and we were off for home. 
To say that we were pleased and thoroughly satisfied 
with our trip, but feebly expresses our feelings. Hearty 
cordiality and true Southern hospitality greeted us on 
every Irnnd. From the moment we entered Staunton 
until we left Richmond for home, it seemed as though 
every one we met tried to do something to help us on, 
and we owe everybody we met in Virginia a vote of 
thanks for services rendered. 
Any one taking this trip will not be disappointed. 
There is an abundance of trout in the Bpring and sum¬ 
mer, and plenty of quail, deer, and grouse in the fall and 
winter, and by writing to any of the gentlemen men¬ 
tioned in this article, full information will be freely given ; 
and in case the correspondence brings about a trip, I 
know by experience that a sincere and hearty welcome 
will be extended. 
Don't fail to visit Shiflett. He is an original, and well 
worth making a journey to see. 
Staunton is very accessible to Northern people from 
Washington, Virginia Midland to Gordonsville, where 
you take the Chesapeake apd Ohio road to Staunton, 
Here a comfortable conveyance can be hired at a reasona¬ 
ble figure that will carry you to “ Shiflett’s,” and come 
after you at any time. The charges here are very low— 
never more than a dollar a day — and you can pass a week 
there enjoying the very essence of sport for a very small 
sum. A trip into West Virginia over the Chesapeake and 
Ohio road, would also pay any one who is fond of fine 
scenery ; and a few day's fishing along the New River 
would certainly yield satisfactory results. 
Another year. Providence permitting, will find the 
Editor and I whipping the North River at “White Oak 
Lick," and getting fat on com pone and “ mast-fed." 
H. W. De L. 
S s J t 
THE DOMINION FISHERIES BLUE BOOK. 
W E have received the Report of the Commissioner of 
Fisheries of Canada for the year ending December 
31,1878. Tliesc annual reports of the Dominion are vol¬ 
uminous documents, far exceeding in scope and detail any 
thing of a similar character prepared by our own Govern¬ 
ment. The volume now before ns opens with an elabor¬ 
ate comparative statement of production in each branch 
of fishing within the respective Provinces of the Domin¬ 
ion of Canada in 1877 and 1878. Here are presented in 
minute detail the quantities and values of the catch of 
each separate pound of fish in each Province. The re¬ 
capitulation shows the value of the fisheries for the year 
1877 to have been $12,029,967.63, and that of 1878 to have 
been $13,215,678.83 ; making an increase of $1,185,721.20 ; 
the difference being principally in the cod, mackerel, 
salmon and lobster fisheries. 
Following this exhibit in an equally full compilation 
from the trade returns and records of the Custom’s De¬ 
partment, showing the exports and imports of fish for the 
, fiscal year ending June 30,1878, and the subsequent half 
\yoar to Dec. 31. In the former period the value of the 
' exports was $6,929, 366 ; an increase of more than a mil¬ 
lion of dollars over the same period proceeding. Half of 
these exports came to United States markets. The ex¬ 
ports for the latter period were $4,846,566, of which the 
United States received more t h an a third. The imports 
for the entire year and a half were something over $2,- 
150,000, nearly all from the United States. 
This vast industry, of which entire control is assumed 
by the Government, of necessity demands the services of 
a large force of employees, and we find elsewhere in the 
Report a tabulated list of the names, districts and ad¬ 
dresses of no less than 624 fishery officers, overseers, war¬ 
dens, inspectors, etc., whose salaries and disbursements 
for the fiscal year above, amounted to $95,387.81. This 
does not include the appropriation by the government of 
$20,088.80 for the support of the seven establishments 
engaged in the artificial breeding of fish. The collections 
during the period for rents, license-fees, fines, forfeitures, 
etc., made up the sum of $14,113.11; the total sum ac¬ 
cruing from leases of sal m on streams amounting to about 
$5,000. 
Apendix No. 3, which comprises nearly one hundred 
pages, contains the report of the cruise of the government 
steamer Lady Head in the protection of the fisheries of 
the Gulf and River of St. La wrence, during the season of 
1878. This is intended to give a summary, from the person¬ 
al investigation of a oompetent officer, of the cod, salmon, 
mackerel, halibut, herring, whale, lobster and seal fisher- 
es of the territory under the supervision of the vessel, be¬ 
ing Gasps, Bonaventure, Labrador, Magdalen Islands, and 
Anticosti Island. An outline of this report would show 
that the cod fishery was better during the summer of 
1878 than for the Barne period of the previous year, but 
that there was a falling off in the fall yield ; the whole 
season’s catch exceeding that of 1877. A like increase is 
noted in the retumB of the salmon season, which indeed 
proved to be one of the most remunerative since the 
establishment of the license system. The mackerel, for a 
time absent, returned to the shores in great abundanoe, 
and a large catch was recorded: and like success was met 
by seal fishers. Herring were more numerous than usual, 
but a less catch made. TheTobster fishery of the Domin¬ 
ion is rapidly increasing in extent, the comparative re¬ 
turns of the two years being 450,669 and 731,000 lbs. The 
returns from the Provinces of Quebec, Nova Scotia, New 
Brunswick, Ontario, and British Columbia, are sent in by 
the County wardens and overseers, and constitute the 
bulk of tbe remainder of the volume. 
Turning now to the fish-culture operations of the Do¬ 
minion, we fi n d figures which are intelligible to practical 
fish culturists only. The number of young fry distributed 
and eggs desposited in the Canadian establishments during 
the year 1878 was 54,533,000. These were salmon, Cali¬ 
fornia salmon, salmon troilt, speckled trout, and White- 
fish : and were distributed from the seven establishments 
at Bedford, Miramiehi, Restigoucbe, Gaspe, Tadoussae, 
Sandwich and Newcastle. 
We have had occasion in the past frequently to call at¬ 
tention to the liberal and wise conduct of tbe Dominion 
Government in regard to an industry so important and 
of such magnitude as the coast and inland fisheries. 
This report is an evidence of the thoroughness and system 
with which this department of civil affairs is conducted. 
The value of such a book of statistics as we have thus 
briefly outlined, is incalculable in tbe competent manage¬ 
ment of a vast industry like this. By its aid the Canadian 
Gove r n m ent is enabled to legislate intelligently and effec¬ 
tively ; and to wisely foster the natural wealth of Cana¬ 
dian waters. Our own fish-culturists have looked to then- 
neighbors for methods and processes; the United States 
Government would do wisely should it also follow, so far 
as similiarity of the two forms of administration will al¬ 
low, the example of Canada in regard to the control of 
fisheries. 
Wisconsin— Madison, August 1— Editor Forest and 
Stream : — For some months past the Wisconsin State Fish 
Commission has had discord in its ranks. Charges and 
counter charges have been made, Superintendent Welsh- 
er and ex-Superintendent Dousmau being the parties 
mostly assailed. A commission of investigation has just 
closed its labors in Milwaukee. Testimony was taken in 
relation to the general management of the Madison hatch¬ 
ery. The committee determined to get at the bottom of 
the trouble. After a thorough investigation, Superin¬ 
tendent Welsher was completely exonerated. The com¬ 
mittee also resolved that it was' for the best for all con¬ 
cerned that Commissioner Welch, of Madison, be request¬ 
ed to resign. Mr. C. L. Valentine, of Janesville, has re¬ 
ceived the appointment of Fish Commissioner in place of 
Dr. Hoy, resigned. ROVER. 
Qntnral |p istoqj . 
[Read before the Lienoaan Society Of N. T., Oct. 2fl, 1878.] 
GRAND MENAN NOTES. 
Summers of 1877 and 1878.—By R. F. Pearsall. 
Turdus migraiorius , Robin. — Is very common ; more 
so than with us. Found it breeding abundantly on our 
arrival June 0, 1878. Two broods are frequently reared 
even here, as we found July, 1877, a nest cont ainin g a full 
set of eggs, which had been deserted, and must have been 
a second litter. 
Turdus pallasii .—Common and breeds chiefly on main 
island, but we found no nests. In 1877 secured a fine set 
of eggs and nest from one of the islanders. This species also 
rears occasionaUy two broods in a season, as 1 veceived the 
same summer a set taken August 3d. 
Turdus Swansonii. —Abundant, secured several nests 
all placed from two to four feet from the ground, about 
evenly distributed over both the main and outlying 
islands; all nests were saddled, generally near or in 
swamp ytraots. 
Reg ulus satrapa . — Quite common and breeds. Watched 
a pair several hours in hope of finding nest without success, 
which tlieir actions plainly indicated was not far off. 
Very common, One of our party found a nest containing 
three fresh eggs, June 15, 1878, which must have been a 
second brood. 
Pa,ms Atricapillus .—Very common. One of our party 
found a nest containing three fresh eggs June 15, 1878, 
which must ha ve been a second brood, 
Parus hudsonius. — Rare, saw one specimen on one 
of outer islands, June 14, 1878, which probably had bred 
there. 
Sitta Canadensis.— Young, fully fledged. Was first 
attracted to it by the coating of gum collected below the 
opening. 
Oeothylpis trichas .—Very common, but only on main 
island. 
Dendroeea eoronata .—Very commonly distributed, we 
found them with young fully fledged July 7,1878. Prob¬ 
ably raise two broods. 
Dendroeea striata. —Common; secured several nests. 
They seem to prefer the smaller islands where swampy 
situations occur for their breeding places. 
Dendroeea maculosa. — Common . unlike preceding 
species foimd only on the main island. Secured a nest 
June 12, 1878, containing four fresh eggs. Think,this was 
earlier than majority breed, as we found another partially 
constructed. Both were placed in small spruce trees Id 
low open growth not more than two feet from ground, 
Shtrus aurocapilla. —Heai-d the well known notea of 
this bird on main island. 
Setophaga rutieilla. —Very common everywhere, more 
so than in this latitude; took several nests ; raise one brood 
only. 
Hirundo horreorum Hirundo lunefrons Cotyle riparid 
H. bicolor. —PlentifuUy represented, and breed abundantly 
not common; saw one specimen on the main island. 
Carpodaeus purpureus. —Not common: breeds in tall 
spruce growth, generally near dwellings. 
Loma leucoptera. —Saw a flock of about a dozen in¬ 
dividuals June 15, 1878, apparently in moult and quite 
shy. 
Passerculus savanna. —Verv common: breeds plenti¬ 
fully. • 
Zontrichia albiollis. —Common; we saw the young 
birds flying. They must have nested so early as the 
second week in May. 
Junio hyemails. —Very common and breeding plenti¬ 
fully. Many of them liave hatched their second broods 
by June 29. 
Melospiza melodia. —Rare ; saw only one specimen. 
Corvus corax. —Saw several specimens, but they are 
persecuted so constantly that they are becoming rare! 
Cprvus americanus. —Quite common; breeds. 
Empidonax trailli. —Quite common, but very shy and 
retiring. Took one nest with eggs in the summer of 1877. 
placed m the upright fork of an alder, not more than two 
feet from the ground in a swampy tract, and very com¬ 
pactly built of long grasses closely woven. 
Empidonax flaveccntus. —Rare. On June 19, found, in 
company with S. D. Osborne, a nest of this species on the 
main island, placed on the ground in a tussock of moss 
and completely hidden from view, a small round hole for 
entrance and exit of the parent being left. It was loosely 
constructed of dead fibers of moss mixed with the living 
fronds and without lining, containing four fresh eggs, of a 
rosy white previous to blowing, pure white afterward, and 
finely speckled with reddish brown about the larger end. 
June 20, on the eve of our departure, a second nest was . 
brought me by a son of our host, similar in all respects to 
the first one, containing four fresh eggs. It was foimd 
imbedded under the projecting roots of an alder, and be¬ 
longed to a pair which 1 had watched closely during our 
stay. The female was rarely seen, hut the male bird, in 
the’ early momingB would mount to the top of an alder, 
and utter his cry of pe-wee, in quick succession for ten 
minutes successively. The first syUable with a rising in¬ 
flection, the second falling. This is the’only sound I heard 
them utter, generally being very shy and silent. Both nests 
were placed in the border of swampy tracts. 
Colaptes amalus. —Saw but a single specimen, It un¬ 
doubtedly breeds there. 
Haliaetus leucoeephahts. —Saw several specimens* some 
in immature plumage. Procured a set of eggs which were 
taken in April. I observed an old bird chasing the herring 
gulls, and obliging them,to disgorge their food which was 
greedily devoured by the robber. 
Aegalitus semipahnatus. —Not common ; a single pair 
bred for several successive years on Nantucket Island, and 
in searching for its nests last season I found a young bird 
just hatched, and unable to. walk covered with a whitish 
fluffy down striped with black. 
Philohela minor. —Rare. I flushed a fa mily on the 
main island, the young just able to fly, June 10. 
Maerorbamphus gresiits. —Common in autumn ; shot a 
female July 18,1877, in summer plumage. 
Qambetta Jlavipes.— Quite commou. 
Tringoides macularius. —Very commou; breeds plenti¬ 
fully on all the islands. 
Phalaropus hyperboreus. —I preserved a fine, specimen 
which was shot on the ripplings, by one of the fishermen. 
We saw a flock of perhaps a dozen individuals in crossing 
from the main land but procured none. 
Somateria mollissima,. —Common, and breeds on many 
of the lower islands; but persistent robbing of their nests, 
as well as shooting out of season, must in a few years drive 
them from here entirely. I secured a fine set of five eggs 
June 14. In connection with the eider I would mention 
an occuranqe which took place at the time of my first 
visit. Mr. Cheney had raised a family of young eiders in¬ 
tending to domesticate them. As the season advanced he 
neglected to clip their wings and one morning they were 
missing. Two years after, one of them (a female) came 
swimming about near the island but seemed afraid to ven¬ 
ture on land ; but as soon as he called it in his old way, it' 
flew up and lit near his house, where it remained several; 
days associating with his tame ducks. One could wallq, 
within five feet of it and not disturb it, yet when away ' 
from there it was as wild as any of its brethren. Occasion¬ 
ally it would be absent for several days, when we sup¬ 
posed it joined its mate, and attempted to rear a brood, 
but on being robbed would come back. After repeated 
trials it finally gave up and attached itself to a family of 
tame ducklings, being very assiduous in its care for them. 
This BeaBOn whether from instinct or reason it returned, 
and bringing its unwilling mate (whieh finally deserted it) 
made its neat on Nantucket Island not fifty rods from his 
house, where we left it patiently sitting on its downy 
nest. 
Thalassidroma leaehii —Very common ; breeds in great 
numbers on all the outer islands. 
Larus marinus —A 3et of eggs in possession of J. D. 
Osborne were procured on one of the lower islands, and 
were stated to belong to this species which tbe people here 
call Fanner gull. 
Larus argentatus. —Very common: breeds on all the 
islands either on the ground, in trees, or on the cliffs. 
Sterna macroma. —Breeds abundantly on the Seal Islands 
where we procured a large number of eggs, laid mostly 
on the bare rock without an attempt at a nest. 
Alea torda.— The only breeding place of this species at 
Menan is on one of the murre lodges where we procured 
a number of their eggs laid in the crevices of the rocks, 
without the semblance of a nest. 
Uria grylle. —This species still lingers in its old haunts^, 
though robbed every season without mercy. 
Harman arctica.— Being assured that this species bred 
on the Seal Islands, we determined to pay them a visit. 
Accordingly we started on our thirty miles row out to 3ea 
in a small fishing-boat. After seven hours of continuous 
labor, most of the time through a dense fog and rough sea, 
guided only by the fog -whistle on the islands, ws made s 
landing, hauled up our boat and surprised thelight-keepot 
