
NATURAL 
discharged at some well laden limb, the 
other into the flock as they leave the tree; 
usually securing from 10 to 20 birds. On 
an all day chase for them such a bag is 
seldom obtained. These birds are specially 
fine for the table during the cold weather, 
from November to February, when their 
favorite fruits are in season. The green 
pigeon is a much larger bird than the com- 
mon blue rock, and while having many of 
the latter’s characteristics, it does not fre- 
quent the vicinity of human _ habitations. 
With the natives the green pigeons are 
great pets, as when taken young they be- 
come-domesticated without much trouble. 
Geo. T. Forbes, Harrisburg, Pa. 

IMPORT SKYLARKS. 
The skylark, Alauda arxensis, is a Euro- 
Dean songster which we have in America. 
The skylark is renowned in song and story 
all over the old world. It would be thought 
incredible in any country of which he is 
a native that we would not welcome his 
coming, and do all in our power to bring 
him to every part of this land. The skylark 
was brought to New York many years ago. 
I do not know how he has prospered or in 
how many Eastern States he is now found. 
The lark was brought to Portland, Oregon, 
about 1883, and has rapidly increased. I 
believe they have penetrated East of the 
Cascade range. ReEcREATION has corre- 
spondents in every State of the Union, and 
Canada. They could give us some inter- 
esting items as to where the skylark is now 
found. 
If all the lovers of good music who live 
in the vast plain that stretches from the 
Arctic ocean to the Gulf of Mexico would 
contribute each a few cents and turn loose 
a few hundred larks, the glorious song of 
this’ bird would soon be heard, at one sea- 
son or other, from Brownsville on the Rio 
Grande, to Edmondston on the North Sas- 
katchewan. Of course, these Oregon birds 
are born citizens of the United States and 
have a right to sing wherever the stars and 
stripes float. The lark loves a prairie 
country. Hasten the day when we shall 
have more of these birds. 
E. K. C., Kenville, Texas. 

DO NOT IMPORT BIRDS. 
In your September number, E. K. Carr 
says that we ought to have the nightin- 
gale, black cap, white throat, and sev- 
eral other European birds. Can it be that 
we have lost all appreciation for our own 
birds, that we are willing to crowd them 
out with aliens? 
I have never heard any of his birds sing, 
and I never wish to as long as the wood 
thrush, our own black cap, and white throat, 
HISTORY. 
231 
and the cat bird visit our thickets and 
groves. 
The fact that the habits of European birds 
named are known, avails nothing. Under 
different environment they may change. 
They would be patronized, our own birds 
neglected, and consequently driven from 
around our buildings. There is no guar- 
antee that foreign birds would not acquire 
the evil propensities of the English spar- 
row. 
It would be a cause for rejoicing among 
nature lovers of this country if Congress 
would forbid the importation of alien birds, 
quadruple the punishment for slaughtering 
our own birds, and fill the country with 
wardens to enforce the law. 
W. E. Hammon, Buena Vista, Colo. 

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 
I bought Som2 rabbits in Ulster coun- 
ty, N. Y., and in 3 weeks they all had big 
worms in their backs. The worms were 
white and about 1% inches long. They 
could be pressed out by the fingers, and in 
the holes large scabs would form. Each 
rabbit had 2 or 3 of these worms in his 
back. Can you tell me through RECREATION 
what was the matter? 
Down with the hogs. 
Jess Roland, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
ANSWER. 
Nearly all rabbits are affected with grubs, 
such as you describe, during hot weather. 
I receive such reports as that you send 
from all parts of the country, and your sur- 
prise is not different from that of nearly 
every man who has attempted to handle 
domestic rabbits of any kind.—EnbrTor. 

A grey squirrel has a nest in one of 
our trees and is very tame. He often 
comes to our window to fed, and it 
is easy to entice him into the house, if 
the proper bait is used. It is a source of 
infinite delight to my 2 small people to 
hold nuts in their laps and have him climb 
up to get them. Of course the squirrel 
is timid, and the slightest movement on 
our part will send him flying; yet as long 
as we keep our seats he will move freely 
all about the room, and will even go from 
one room to another. There are several of 
these little fellows in the neighborhood, 
and the residents take great pleasure in 
feeding and protecting them through the 
cold weather. 
Frank P. Lord, Burlington, Vt. 


The porcupine may have his quills, 
The elephant his trunk; 
But when it comes to common scents, 
My money’s on the skunk. 
—Cornell Widow. 
