January 19, 1883.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



487 



of a similar kind, seen by a lady whom I knew, who was 

 present at a court martial in a field of crows, formed in the 

 game way ; and the execution of the criminal took place in 

 a .precisely similar manner. Who shall say i hat gregarious 

 birds have not their judges and juries, and code of laws by 

 which their colonies are regulated, as well as condign punish- 

 ment for transgressors ?" " , P. 



THE MISTLETOE. 



\ 



TELE mistletoe of England QYiacwn Jtuvcscens,') of which 

 meniion is made 8u frequently in ancient superstitions 

 and legends, is a true parasitic plant, that is, it not only 

 grows on trees, but penetrates their bark and draws its sup- 

 port from 'he sap of the tree. In this respect it differs from 

 the parasitic mosses, ferns, fungi, lichens and orchids, that 

 are to be found growing on trees, but which obtain their sup- 

 port from the atmosphere; these art- simply lodgers, while 

 the mistletoe demands boi h board snd lodging. 



The word mistletoe is of Angl i-saxon origin, and is derived 

 from the word mistletan— mistle, different, and tan a twig, 

 a prong, a shoot of a tree. The mistletoe belongs to the 

 natural order of Larantluceae, which c*utitns more than 400 

 known species, mostly tropical evergreen shrubs that are 

 parasitic in their habit, some having showy and odorous 

 flowers. 



'the mistletoe, when very young is succulent, but as it at- 

 tains age becomes woody." "its repeatedly forked branches 

 form a pendant bush of 'from one to five feet in diameter. 

 The mistletoe is very brittle and breaks readily at its joints, 

 particularly so after it has been separated from the tree on 

 which it grew. At each of the joints on the terminal branches 

 grow a pair of opposite sessile, thickish, nearly nerveless 

 leaves, which vary from narrowly oblong to obovate, but are 

 always entire and' obtuse. The flowers are deciduous, incon- 

 epicuous, of a light ereen color, and are situated at the ends 

 ot the terminal branches (see Fig. 1.) The male and female 

 flowers (Pigs. 2 and 4) art borne on separate plants. 



The berries are about i he size of currants (Fig. 3,) are 

 White and semi-transparent in color, and contain a very 

 viscid juice. Birds, when feeding on the berries, reject the 

 s. e-rl which, becoming attached to the bark of the tree, in 

 time takes root. In this way the mistletoe becomes dis- 

 seminated. In establishing the seed artificially a small sec- 

 tion of the bark is raised and the seed is placed beneath it. 

 To hide the seen away from birds and small animals, it is 

 planted on the nnder-side of the branch. No matter in what 

 position the seed may be placed, tire radical, which in 

 ordinary plants extends downward, will, with the mistletoe, 



Fig. 1.— ENGLISH MISTLETOE. 

 always reach to the surface of the bark without reference to 

 sunlight, heat, eravita'ion or other influences. So strong is 

 this habit, that the radical is often obliged to curve itself over 

 before reaching the bark on which to attach itself. The at- 

 tachment is effected by an expanding or flattening out of the 

 end of the radical into a disc, which gives a firm hold 

 after which roots :Lre developed from the disc, ami penetrate 

 the bark till they reach that part of the tree containing the 

 most sap snd juices. Nurserymen in England often 

 establish young specimens of the mistletoe on apple and other 

 trees by means of the artificial propagation above df scribed, 

 and dispose of the trees to dealers in the most northern parts 

 of Scotland and England, where the mistletoe is not a native. 

 The superstitions and legends associated with the mistletoe 



Fig. 2. Fig. 3. Fig. 4. 



by the ancient Britons and Germans were many. By the 

 ancient order of Druids its collection wis attended with great 

 solemnity and religious display and form. In England the 

 mistletoe is more rarely found growing on the oak than upon 

 any other tree, although this, fact is contrary to popular be- 

 lief ; hence, that which was found growing upon the sacred 

 oak was considered more po*erfu], and was regarded with 

 greater honor and sacreriuess than that which grew on other 

 Trees. As soon as it was discovered, the Druids assembled 

 about the tree and a banquet and Sacrifices were prepared. 

 insisted not alone of the carcases of animals ; 

 living human being-, also, were offered up on the sacred 

 altars. A priest robed in white vestments caught the sacred 

 mistletoe in an immaculate white cloth as it was detached 

 from the oaken bough wilh a sickle of solid gold ; after which 

 two milk white heifers were instantly dispatched and roasted 

 in the way of a burnt offering, the rest of the day being spent 

 in rejoicing, prayer and feasting. By the Druids the mistle- 



toe w as considered the most potent of all substances as a cure 

 for diseases, an antidote for poisons and a charm against all 

 evil powers, and was distributed to the people and carried 

 about their persons. 



Another powerful talisman these enterprising and cheerful 

 Druids greatly valued was the egg of a serpent, which, ac- 

 cording to Pliny oozed out of the mouths of serpents when 

 knotted together, ami when supported in the air by their 

 co-operative hissings was the propitious moment in which 

 to seize it or otherwise it lost its magic virtues ; but ho who 

 attempted to so seize it must suddenly dart from his hidiDg 

 place and catch it in a napkiu, mount a horse (the first one he 

 could get on top of, no anxiety as to who owned it) and 

 gallop off at full speed until he had placed a river between 

 himself and the serpents. 



The only uses to which the mistletoe is now applied 

 in England are for feeding cattle when a scarcity of other 

 food prevails, and in the manufacture of bird-lime, which is 

 produced in the following manner : The berries and bark 

 are placed in boiling water for several hours until the viscid 

 and adhesive, material contained in them is extracted. This 

 is strained through a cloth to get rid of the woody portion, 



Fig. 6.— MISTLETOE OF SOUTHERN STATES 



after which it is concentrated by evaporation, when the sub- 

 stance assumes a consistency like that of dissolved 

 caoutchouc This substauce is known to chemists as viscin. 

 The bird-lime wheu used is smeared em the branches of trees, 

 a live or stuffed bird being used as a decoy. When a bird 

 alights on the charged branches it slicks fast, and as it beats 

 with its wings they also become defiled with the bird-lime so 

 that its wings become useless to a greater or less degree. 

 Only the. vilest of pot-hunters and bird catchers use it. It 

 is the most utterly utter, dirtiest of dirty mean ways of catck- 

 our small native birds. 



The mistletoe in England is in great demand during the 

 Christmas holidays, both for the purpose of decoration and 

 from the custom that if agentleman discovers or can beguile a 

 lady under the "mistletoe bough" he is entitled to a kiss 

 from her. This is a very ancient custom which ha3 been 

 handed down from the feudal times. 



Some years ago the mistletoe was considered a valuable 

 remedy for epileptic fits, blind-falling and other ailments ; hut 

 it has passed out of use of late years. 



The mistletoe of the Southern Sta'es differs from the Eng- 

 lish not only in having both the male and female flowers on 

 the same plant, but also in the form of the leaf, which is 

 stouter, shorter (see Fig.— ) and of a more yellowish-green 

 color. This variety was first dscribed by Nuttall, who made 

 a new genus for it — Phoradendron — "a tree thief." We have, 

 many species of plioradendron, the commonest being P. 

 JlavescetiS, which ranges from southern New Jersey lo Illinois, 

 Texas and Mexico. In Texas the mistletoe is so abundant 

 on the mesquite trees that their natural foliage is hidden. 

 Some years ago a Mrs. Millington made known a minute 

 variety which she found growing on the black spruce in 

 Warren county, New York, it being scarcely more than an 

 inch long, but so plentiful as to injure the trees. In the cider- 

 producing districts of England the mistletoe is so abundant 

 on the apple trees as to cause great injury to the crop. Often 

 absorbing the entire juices of large trees in a few monlhs and 

 causing their entire destruc'ion. 



Few people are aware that large quantities of the English 

 mistletoe are sent to this country during the two weeks pro- 

 ceeding Christmas. This mistletoe is handled by the large 

 dealers in the Christmas greens which are used for the deco- 

 ration of churches, stores and private dwellings during the 

 holiday season. From the bauds of the wholesale dealers it 

 passes to the retail florists, who dispose of it to th-ir cus- 

 tomers of English birth and extraction, at the rate of from 

 one to two dollars per bunch. This season the dealers were 

 stuck with the mistletoe because the English shippers did not 

 send it here in season. It is not safe stuff to handle unless 

 it reaches our markets from leu to twelve days before Christ- 

 mas. It should be packed in a light hut solid and firm case, 

 and shipped as soon after being gathered as possible, so as 

 to avoid its becoming dry and brittle before reaching North- 

 ern markets. 



The Southern mistletoe was a drug on the market this 

 season on account of its being nearly destitute of berries, a 

 condition caused by Ihe very dry season in some parts of 

 the Southern States. The Southern mistletoe is sent North 

 with the- leaves of the palmetto and other palms, as well as 

 large quantities of Spanish moss, 



I find that very few people know the history of the mistle- 

 toe and the strange legends and superstitions associated 

 with it, and very manv persons are surprised when told that 

 in the South and West it is so very abundant that it is often 

 destructive to valuable trees. A. W. Robkbts. ] 



QTJE8TION8 ABOUT WILD TURKEYS. 



Spaukit-l, N. Y., Jan. 1, 1883. 

 Editor Forest and Stream : 



This year, while hunting in south-eastern Virginia, [ bad 

 the pleasure of killing specimens of at least two different 

 species of wild turkey, viz ; The "mossy-head" or "branch" 

 turkey and the "red legged" or "great woods" tu'key, as they 

 are called. I had heard for seveml years that there were at 

 least two separate kinds, but until this fall I had never seen 

 any save the red-leggecV. The "mo3sy-heatl" is one-third 

 smaller, and on its head are many small feathers, which give 

 it the sppearanee of being moss-grown — whence its name. 

 They frequent, principally, the sides of branches and "old 

 fields," but are sometimes found in the big woods with their 

 congener, the large one, whose head is smooth, wl h pink 

 markings, and whose legs are of a much brighter pink or red. 

 These are generally found in oak or lame pine woods, and 

 call much more freely than the mossy-head and are a bolder 

 bird in every respect. There is also considerable difference 

 in their note. 



My experience was as follows: During the month of Novem- 

 ber, having some spare time, I ran down to Sus«ex and 

 Greene counties, South Va., to try deer and turkey shooting 

 tor a few weeks ; having heard that iu that region the deer 

 were quite plenty and that, although the turkeys were getting 

 scarce, still there were quite a number to be found. 



One Sunday afternoon found me at " Pleasant Shade," the 

 hospitable residence of Col. Spralty. As Monday was Court 

 day and his son (Manser William, as he was called by the 

 darkies) having to attend, there was nothing special on hand. 

 The day opened rainy; so I did not go out until after diuner, 

 when, taking the turkey dog, who was also good for squir- 

 rels, Sam Barrow and myself started for the woods. We had 

 not gone more than a mile from the house when we heard 

 the dog bark. " Down," exclaimed Sam, "there are the tur- 

 keys." Hardly had we crouched when, sailing over the tops 

 of the pines, came two large birds, which he declared to he a 

 gobbler and a hen. Bang — bang, went both barrels ; the hen 

 sailed on untouched, but the gobbler pitched down, about 200 

 yards off. The underbrush was quite thick, and, although 

 we hunted thoroughly, we could not find him ; so giving up 

 the search we went back to where the birds were 

 flushed and built a blind. There, hiding ourselves, we 

 yelped and yelped until dark, but no response came. 

 Very downcast were we when we went back to the 

 house, but the Colonel told us they were probably "mossy- 

 heads," and that they would call to-morrow moruing about 

 daybreak. So before day Masser Willy and I were in the 

 blinds. Mr. Spratt, who is a fine turkey hunter, had not 

 made more than four or five yelps, when au answering 

 whistle told us a young bird was coming through ihe woods. 

 One little cluck brought the bird up, there was a report and 

 some feathers flew, while on the ground lay a fine young 

 gobbler. Procuring ihe bird we again hid ourselves, and in 

 about ten minutes he called up a pair, which were killed. 



About a week after that Messrs. Buford and Spralty pro- 

 posed that we should go in search of a gang of hybrids that 

 were in the neighborhood. These hybrids are said to be a 

 cross between the large, and small varieties. They have some 

 of the markings of the large kind, and also some "moss" 

 on their heads. Originally ihere were a gang of the large 

 ones in that piece of woods, but four or five years ago they 

 got crossed. We found them without much trouble, and 

 killed two on the flush and one from the blind. The follow- 

 ing week our same party got on to the " red-legs" We were 

 riding through a bottom when old B- pps gave tongue. 

 Jumping off our horses, we fired at the birds as they came 

 over our heads. I had the good fortune to drop an old hen, 

 and Mr. Buford two young gobblers. The old hen was a 

 beautiful bird, weighing fully Id lbs., wilh a most lovely 

 brown and bronze plumage, pink on her smooth head, bright 

 legs, and. what to me was strange, a beard some 5J in. long. 

 Judging from the beard, they decided she was at least 10 or 

 12 years old. Thus, you see, I have met two distinct kinds, 

 with a cross between the two, inhabiting one locality. Now, 

 will you please inform me bowmany vatietics there aro, for 

 I have heard it claimed by some who profess lo be wed up 

 in the fauna of our country, that there is but one variety, 

 and yet, as lhave iust told you, I have see | ■■■• i. 



W. M. Waits. 



[Ornithologists recogn ; ze but one species of wild turkey 

 in the Eastern States. Thi3 is what our corresponded calls 

 the "red-leg." We should bj glad 10 hear more oil this sub- 

 ject from turkey hunters at large. A cr i-s between the wild 

 and the domestic turkey occurs to us as a possible explana- 

 tion of the foregoing statement] 



Pnu.iDiwmA, January 8, 1S33 — ttdlivr Forent and 

 Stream: E.Gray Peudlet in jant u-J I rtt <ye It '• white wild 

 mrkey. wlbch he shot near Berkeley Sprin is, West Virginia. 

 It was beautifully marked wbh siripes of brack, and is con- 

 sidered very rare. This week he sent us an old gobbler, 

 weiijhiug 20 lbs., which was as singularly marked as ihe 

 white one. It w»3 the most brilliant bronze, shaded down to 

 a blue green, and here and there on the breast aid wings 

 were pure white feathers, giving the bird a most peculiar 

 appearance. Th« tail, which is very large, has a white 

 fealher on each side of it. The beard is ab mt six inch is in 

 length. Are mt these very odd specimens of genuine wild 

 turkeys ?— Victor. 



Rbd-itbadw Woodi'zokhr in Vkkmont — Ferrisbursh, 

 Vt., Jan. 7, 1883— Bilttor FwMtandSb'mn: 1 trjust oWeot 

 a statement which I made a few weeks ago that red-headed 

 woodpec kers never winter here. To-day I saw quite a party 

 of them, probably a family, and shot one. It does not quite 

 agree with Wilson'* description of ihe bird's plumage at any 

 age. and the legs are gray ana the middle of Hie lull brown 

 color. But I suppose (here is no question that it is a red- 

 head. I never bet'ori) saw one h -re in winter, but tlxis, has 

 been an uncommon winter. I heard crows to-day, and they 

 were quite pletdiful till the cold weather set in, about the 

 first of the month. They are not often seen here after the 

 1st of December. R. B. R. 



Hatb Seal and Porpoise Sicrvs.— The skins of the hair 

 seal {Plwca mtuiina) are now used for covering many articles 

 of ornament, especially albums and books. The hair is -ft 

 on, and its irregular spotted surface presents a handsome 

 effect. They have also been used for ladies capes anil muffs. 

 The tanned seal skin is also extensively employed in ire 

 manufacture of ladies handbags aud belts, and for pocket 

 books, cigar casps and other small articles. Porpoise hula 

 shoe strings are imported from England and sue exceedingly 

 strong and durable. They will outwear two pairs of shoes 

 so says the shoemaker of FoBBtfr aud Stjusaj* 



