726 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
1872. Key to North American Birds.} 
This work is the most complete of the hind ever pub¬ 
lished. It aims at a simple method of identifying speci¬ 
mens of birds in hand, similar to Dr. Gray’s system of 
naming flowers. The method perfected is his own, as is 
most of the nomenclature employed. As a work of high 
rank, it has achieved in a short time an extraordinary cir¬ 
culation for a scientific work. To the “ Key ” alone is 
due the rapidity with which the ornithology of America 
has approached a systematic completion. It is the leaven 
that has leavened the ornithological lump, for it has 
given such an impetus to investigation and publication of 
results in the science of which it treats, that around it as 
a centre have sprung vast numbers of useful and valua¬ 
ble works. Nor is it too much to sav that around Elliott 
Coues, os a centre, have sprung an innumerable throng 
of ornithologists whose every work hears evidence of 
heavy draughts on his publications. In this work enter 
no fancies ; nothing but'solid facts, and facts are above 
criticism. 
1871. Former Eastern Range of the Buffalo. 
1872. Geographical Variation of Bassaria astnta. 
1873. Check List of North American Birds. 
1873. Two little known Birds of the United States, 
1878. Maynard's New England Ornithology. 
1873. Allen's Ornithology of the West. 
1873. United States Birds new to Science, and other 
things Ornithological. 
1873. Odontornithes. 
1873. Color Variation Dependent on Climate. 
1873- 5. Report on the Pyrbilo vGlands. 
1873. Prairie Wolf, or Coyote. 
1873. Variation in Dentition. 
1878. Late Local Lists. 
1873. Specimens of Bird Architecture. 
1874. Specimens of Cougar. 
1874. Wanted : A Call for Specimens of Autorius Nig- 
ripes. 
1874. The Mule-Deer. 
1874. A Short Chapter on American Rabbits, or Hares. 
1874. The Pine Mouse, 
1874. Field Ornithology}. 
This work formed the first effort of Dr. Coues to meet 
the popular desire. It is safe to say that it has success¬ 
fully accomplished its mission. In it the Doctor relates 
in a'u off-hand manner the best methods of seeming, skin¬ 
ning and stuffing specimens of - natural history. So 
heartily the author enters into the work of relating his 
experiences, that one in reading seems to be passing 
through a delightful reality of loading the gun, caressing 
the dog and wandering in the fields. The work, however, 
neither professes to, nor represents anything of the art of 
taxidermy. 
1874. Avi-fauna of Colorado and Wyoming. 
1874. Recent Publications in Ornithology. 
1874. Nesting of certain Hawks. 
1874. Baird, Brewer and Ridgeway’s work. 
1874. Ridgeway’s Birds of Illinois. 
1874- 77. Birds of the Northwest}. 
This work has attracted much attention as a valuable 
contribution to historical ornithology. It discusses the 
oology, nidiology,** ornithology, geographical distribu¬ 
tion, bibliography, etc., of the a.vi-fauna of the region 
drained by the Missouri River, in a thoroughly poetical 
manner. Dr. Coues theorizes somewhat in this work, 
which subjects him to considerable criticism. It is a 
work more generally quoted, doubtless, than any other of 
this author’s publications. 
1875. Ghipsfrom a Buffalo’s Workshop. 
1875. The Silvery Mole. 
1875. On the Prairie Gopher. 
1875. Description, History and Distribution of the 
Prairie Hare. 
1875. Report on the Collection of Mammals made in 
portions of Arizona, Nevada, Utah, California, Colorado 
and New Mexico. 
1875. Synopsis of the Reptiles and Batrachians of Ari¬ 
zona with Critical and Field Notes. 
1875. Breeding of certain Birds of Montana. 
1875. Brewster’s Paper on West Yirgnia Birds. 
1875. Brewer’s Catalogue of New England Birds. 
1875. (Fasti Omithologiae Rudivivi.) 
This work unfortunately never met with much popular 
favor. 
1875. The Cranial and Dental Characters of Meph- 
itinae. 
1876. Monographs of North American Hodentia. 
This work, contributed in conjunction with Prof. J. A 
Allen, is the largest of the author’s bound works; its 
treatment of the gnawing mammals is very exhaus¬ 
tive. It is not put in popular language, nor is it in 
the least historically descriptive, since it has nothing to 
say concerning the habits of the animals of which it 
treats. As a work for the specialist it is invaluable. 
1876. Reply to Allen’s Availabilityof Bartramiau Names 
1876. Nesting of the Night Hawk and Towhee Bunting. 
1876. Destruction of Birds by Telegraph Wires. 
1876. Number of Primaries in Oscines. 
1876. Gentry’s Book about Birds. 
1876. On Partridge, Quail, &c. 
1876. The Zoological Results of the Expedition of 
Lewis and Clarke. 
1876. Reversion of the Dog to the Feral State. 
1876. History and Habits of the Wolverine. 
1876. Fur-bearing Mammals of North America}. 
Was issued as a specimen fasciculus of a work on mammals 
on which the author had long been engaged. It is a 
masterly effort, which enters in detail on the “life-histo¬ 
ries’’ of the mustelidce under consideration. The work is 
interesting, not only as instructive reading matter, but 
as furnishing data for commercial purposes. Its place 
among tr ippers, sportsmen, hunters, and dealers, has been 
recognized, while its value as a contribution to current 
xnamniological literature is inestimable, 
1877. Minot’s Birds of New England. 
1877. Remarks on the Birds of the District of Columbia. 
By Coues & Prentiss. 
1877. Precursory Notes on American Insect-ivorous 
Mammals. 
1878. Field Notes on Birds Observed in Montana and 
Dakota. 
1878. New Birds for the United States Fauna. 
1878. Notes on the Natural History of Fort Macon, N, 
C. By Qoues & Yarrow. 
1878. Birds of Colorado Valley, 
ican birds as far as completed. To it is due the distin¬ 
guished attention shown the author in the old world. So 
much has been said of this work by the secular pres* that 
further comment sepms unnecessary. 
The works of Dr. Coue9 have doubtless attracted more 
attention from the secular press than those of any other 
scientist who has written on natural history with the ex¬ 
ception of Agassiz. The Chicago Tribune especially has 
devoted much attention to his works, the “ Rodentia” re- 
■eiving no less than a three-column review, and other 
works in proportion. Of late the New York press, led by 
the Herald and Pont, have given much attention to the 
utiior himself. Three more works are in course of pre¬ 
paration—part second of “Birds of Colorado Valley,'’ 
“ The English Sparrow,’’ and an extended work on North 
American mammals. The latter will doubtless not only 
be his most important work, but “ the greatest effort of 
his life.’’ Dr. Coues is yet comparatively young, and 
with his present immense success, has doubtless a farther 
interesting career. 
♦Should the writer he successful In procuring other titles they 
will be promptly forvrardod to Forest axd Stream. 
+The works thus marked are now published hy Estes & Laurlat, 
Boston, hut some of them wore formerly of government 
print. 
"Nidiology is a word “ manufactured ” by the writer to express 
bird architecture, from the latin word nidus , nest, and the greek, 
logos, account, found In all ologies. Though a “ barbarism," com¬ 
ing from two languages, yet there seem tn be too many prece¬ 
dents of so-called “ barbarisms” In the English language, to object 
to it on that score. 
Carrier Pigeons in Indian Warfare.— Fort John¬ 
ston, A’. C., Oct. 7th.—Editor Forest and Stream: —Would 
it be possible to breed carrier pigeons at frontier stations, 
and utilize them from such commands as that of the un¬ 
fortunate Ma jor Thornburgh, or by General Merritt going 
to the relief? I cannot see that there should be 
any trouble to breed the pigeons at any post, or to 
transport them with a scouting party or a large com¬ 
mand. Will some of your readers, posted upon such 
matters give information respecting the subject ? S. 
We see no possible reason why carrier pigeons should 
not be employed as very valuable agencies in our Indian 
campaigns. This use of the bird messengers is a very 
ancient one. Why it has never been practical in this 
country we do not know. The pigeons fly hundreds of 
miles. The suggestion of our correspondent is well wor¬ 
thy of consideration. 
The Leather-back Turtle on the New England 
Coast. — New Bedford, Mass., Sept. 29th. — In an article 
in the American Naturalist forOctober, by J. Ford, Esq., 
is an account of the capture of specimens of the “ leather- 
back” turtle ( Sphargis coriacea). This turtle, although 
not common, is by no means so scarce as the article -in 
question would imply. Nearly every year for a con¬ 
siderable time specimens of this huge turtle have been 
seen or taken in the waters of Southern Massachusetts. 
In June. 1878, one weighing 740 pounds was killed by a 
sword fisherman near Block Island, brought here, and 
sent to the museum at Rochester, N. Y. Last week one 
was taken off Marion, in Buzzard’s Bay, and taken alive 
to the county agricultural fair at Taunton. Its weight 
was 820 pounds ; length, 7 feet 4 inches ; width across the 
front from extremities of flippers, 7} feet: color, sooty 
black. Another and larger one was seen this week in 
Vineyard Sound, but succeeded in escaping capture. 
Concha. 
Hint to Western Farmers.— Mr. Hoffman, Charge 
d'Affaires at St. Petersburg, in his despatch to the De¬ 
partment of State, dated Sept. 16th, sends copies of an 
official report on locusts. It appears that the grain locust 
of Russia generally deposits its eggs in the wheat fields, 
and that as soon as they are hatched the attack on the 
wheat commences. The use of ropes and machines to 
drive the locusts from the wheat fields is not advisable. 
It is better to plough the ground where the eggs are laid, 
as ten minutes’ exposure to the sun kills the chrysalides. 
The prevalence of locusts in Southern Russia has been, by 
these latter means, greatly reduced, so that good crops of 
wheat may be expected in 1881. Possibly some lessons 
may be derived from Russian experiments and reports 
affecting American grasshoppers. 
—The Universal Conservatory and Zoological Garden 
Company has been incorporated in New York, with a 
capital stock of $2,000,000. The plan is to combine a 
large place of amusement with a botanical and zoological 
garden. The company has purchased thirty-three acres 
of ground, bounded 'by Harlem River, St. Nicholas 
avenue. One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and One Hundred 
and Fif ty-ninth streets, for which was paid $400,000. Five 
hundred laborers are to be employed in the work of pre¬ 
paring the ground and erecting the buildings. 
Animals Received at Central Park Menagerie for the 
Week Ending Oct. 4th, 1879.—1 Persian sheep (Oris aries), pre¬ 
sented by C'apt. Samuel F. North, steamship Serapis; 1 Geoffrey's 
marmoset (Affclfl* Qeoffroii), hah. Columbia, presented hy Mr. J. H 
Harris, New York City; 40 canary birds (Serinus canarlus), pre¬ 
sented by Mrs. S, S. Stocking, Jamaica, L. I.; 1 rattlesnake (Pro- 
tatm durtsswi), presented hy Ma John H. Davis, New York City; 
1 passerine parnikect (Fsittacula■ passertna), presented by Airs. L. 
Baker, New York City. AY. H. Conklin, Direotor. 
Arrivals at the Zoological Gabden, Cincinnati, dp to 
Oct, 1ST, 1879—1 youns grizzly hear (Urmia horribilla), 1 blue- 
winged teal (Quert/uedula discars, 1 horned grebe (Podleeps'.comu- 
tus), 2 rattlesnakes iCmtalmduiissus )— all presented; 1 yak (Bison 
gram liens), 4 poodle pups (Cauls domestieus), S spitz pups (C-domes- 
tiews)— all born in Garden; 2 passenger pigeons {Bctupistes migra- 
turia), 8 undulated grass parrnkeets (Melapsittaous undulalus )—all 
hatched in Garden; 2 moose (Aleeamericarms), 2 Canadian lynx 
L. Canadensis), 2 kit foxes ( Values velox ), 1 yellow-fronted amazon 
Chrysalis whivcepliala), 2 yellow-headed conures (Conurus jeudaya), 
3 golden-crowned oonures (C. aureus)—all purchased. 
Frank J. Thompson, Superintendent 
_ Attorney-General Hardin, of Kentucky, has a Bon 
PL, _ _ _ _ . who on his fourteenth birthday measured six teet in height 
Tliis last work contains a bibliography of North Amer-1 and weighed 152} pounds. 
JP? U^nnel 
treatment of clumber spaniels. 
T HE following article on the breeding, rearing and 
breaking of clumber spaniels was written by Mr. 
Wm. Brailsl'ord, head keeper to the Duke of Westminster 
and breeder of Trimbush and other noted clumbera. Mr. 
Brailsford’s long experience in breeding and handling 
these dogs qualifies him to write intelligently on the sub¬ 
ject. 
Breeding.—Clumbers being as a rule gross feeders, much 
;are is requisite to guard against an accumulation of fat 
in both dogs and bitches, as the progeny from fat dogs 
axe always deficient in bone and stamina. 
Clumber hitches are not generally careful mothers, and 
frequently kill their puppies by lying upon them during 
the first few days after whelping; therefore it is desir¬ 
able to have a bitch of any other breed to whelp at the 
same time to use as a foster mother. Breeding bitches, 
for three weeks before whelping, should have constant 
liberty and be fed entirely upon slops, and castor oil be 
given directly after whelping, and carefully kept from 
solid food for nine or ten days, until all danger of milk 
fever is past. 
Breaking.—At about six months old young clumbers 
should be taught to carry if wished to do so in their fu¬ 
ture work, and this may be done by throwing a ball, 
(love, or stuffed skin frequently for them to gambol with, 
iut if a skin, they should not be allowed to pull it to 
pieces. Also, it is well to accustom them to water and to 
swim for whatever may be thrown for them. They are, 
however, naturally fond of water and don’t require much 
enticing to do tliis*; moreover, if kept too much in water it 
has a tendency to bring on internal canker in the ear. At 
say eight months old a cord of six yards long should be 
put on them when exercised and their names called fre¬ 
quently, and by a check of the cord made to turn and 
come round as frequently as you wish ; always receiving 
encouragement when they answer to the call of their 
name or to the words “ come round.” By using them to 
this practice in an open field constantly they will obey 
orders when put to work later on in brush work or thick 
covert. When, however, the temptation to chase newly 
flushed game comes they will show more eagerness and 
will not obey orders so readily, but a little perseverance 
and frequent slight checkings by the cord will soon bring 
about an understanding that orders must be obeyed. 
If desirable to have them drop after shooting, this is 
easily done by using them to drop when told. When 
first the cord is introduced for the purpose of correction, 
if made to drop frequently at the word “charge,” the 
order will soon be promptly obeyed. We as a rule don’t 
use clumbers as retrievers, because we hunt six or eight 
together and have always trained retrievers out to recover 
dead or wounded game; but to use a brace of clumbers 
for general purposes they should do this, and it is easily 
taught and the habit agreeable. 
In working a team of clumbers for our English system 
of shooting in line they are never more than say twelve 
yards from the man who hunts them and in the midst of 
the greatest temptations, will come round when spoken 
to or the whistle used ; but in wilder shooting without 
beaters, clumbers may and will hunt and work as wild as 
wished for. But they are by far the. most tractable and 
easily managed breed of spaniels extant, and when once 
accustomed to their w-ork are always uniform in behav¬ 
iour and more steady than other breeds. Clumbers are 
always subject to dew claws on. tlie hind feet, and which 
are best removed when they are puppies, as otherwise 
the nail frequently curls round and glows into the pad, 
causing much pain to the dog if not frequently cut. 
When quite small,say just before puppies being taken from 
the bitch, the puppies should have about one inch twisted 
off the end of the tail—this should not be done by cutting, 
as it is requisite to draw out the small cord in order to 
prevent a propensity in Borne of a curl in the tail, and 
which is much against a good appearance and straight 
carriage of that appendage. 
ST. LOUIS DOG SHOW. 
[FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] 
St. Louis, Oct. 9th. 
T O have arrived at St, Louis on Tuesday last, was to 
have experienced practical purgatory. All the 
west and southwest had been suddenly spilled into the 
city limits, and began to clamor for place therein; place 
to eat, place to drink, place to “ wash up;” place to see the 
Veiled Prophets, the Fair, the Fireworks, the Dog Show, 
and the Pigeon Match all at once. And under and beyond 
all this, a dull throb of anxiety about two things eight 
hours away—a ticket to the ball and a place to sleep. 
There were some, a favored few, who had all they de- 
sired, and the rest festooned themselves gracefully from 
cot to cot in hotel parlors and billiard rooms, or on the 
less plastic curb-stones till daylight and train time, and 
home and bacon and beatitude became objects within 
their reach. I would not willingly permit the Forest 
and Stream to print an exaggeration—a glaring wild¬ 
eyed lie I wouldn't mind so' much—but yet I dare to say 
that St. Louis has been for four days past the smallest 
city for her population on the face of the earth, and, 
given time enough, the Malthusian theory will prove it¬ 
self here to a certainty. 
I am bound to admit that a very large share of the 
people present did not come to see the Dog Show ; never¬ 
theless a goodly number did accept it’s managers’ valua¬ 
tion as a just one, and did pay their fil’teeen cents to have 
a look at it. They certainly got their money’s worth, if 
