FOREST AND STREAM. 



367 



much greater number of females. We hope that other cor- 

 respondents -will give some attention to this matter, and -will 

 let us know the results of their inquiries.— Ed.] 



r More Birds' Nests in Extraordinary Places. — St. John, 

 iV. B., IFov. 30. — Under this head I beg to give you an ac- 

 count of two cases that came under my notice. 



In the spring of 1859, a pair vf robins took possession of 

 one of the pigeon holes (i. e., a receptacle for papers, way- 

 bills, etc.) of the guard's brake van on the Essendine and 

 Stamford Railway, Rutland, England. Industriously the 

 happy pair worked during the time that the van was at Es- 

 sendine (for this van ran to and returned from Stamford three 

 times a day, a distance of twenty-eight miles) until the nest 

 was .completed. The female laid five eggs, and incubation 

 commenced. She was'carried to and from Stamford some 

 ten or twelve times ; but this happy state of things was sud- 

 denly brought to an end by an ignorant Nottingham drummer 

 trying to secure the little bird by putting his hat over the 

 nest. Mrs. Robin could not brook this intrusion — the nest 

 was forsaken. 



Case 2. A pair of blue tits chose for their nesting-place a 

 small cavity that had been caused by a little washing away of 

 ballast under one of the rails of the Great Northern Railway, 

 the depth of the cavity from the under side of rail being about 

 five inches. The nest was completed, the young tits hatched 

 and flew, they having had, in addition to the care of their 

 mother, the careful guardianship of Weston, one of the 

 brakemen. There were about twenty-five trains a day clatter- 

 ing over the rail. 



If Mr. Frank Buckland would like to add the above cases 

 to his category of extraordinary birds' nests, there are per- 

 sons living in Stamford and Essendine who, I am sure, will 

 corroborate the above. 



Tours obediently, Tantramar. 



Habits of tbe White Fish. — The following letter from 

 Mr. Fred. Mather, who recently went to Germany and Prus- 

 sia with fish from this country, will be read with interest 

 by fish culturistB ; 



Berlin, Nov. 8, ISTT. 



My attention has just been called by Prof. Peters of the Museum of 

 Natural History, of this city, to the fact that a newly discovered species 

 of Cortgonua (C. gencrobus) from Lake Constance, has, during the breed- 

 ing season only, an elevation of the centre of each scale, presenting, 

 when the back of the fish Is held toward the person, an appearance of a 

 series of ridges or stripes resembling the lateral line. Having never 

 observed this, nor heard of it in America, I hasten to write that our 

 fish onlturists may, If not too late, observe if our own C. albus presents 

 this remarkable change during the breeding season, and report for the 

 benefit of natural history. Fred. Mather. 



Arrivals at thb Philadelphia Zoological Gardens for Week 

 Ending Tuesday, Nov. 37, 1S77 — Two opossums (Didclphys virginiana), 

 presented; one Yemen sheep, born in garden. 



For Week Ending Tuesday, Dec 4, ISTT— One opossum (Diddphys 

 virginiana), presented; one brown capuchin (Cebus fatuellus), pur- 

 chased; three white rats (Hits rattua var. albino), presented; two guinea 

 pigs (cavia caprera), presented. Arihur E. Brown, Gen. Supt. 



Recent Arrivals at the Cincinnati Zoological Garden.— Five 

 English pheasants (Phatianus colchicus), purchased; one red-winged 

 starling (Aigelatns phozniceu-s) ; twelve purple grakles (Quiseulus versi- 

 color), captured in garden; one weeper capuchin (Cebus capucinus) ; 

 three rhesus monkeys (Macacus erythrocus) ; two pig-tailed monkeys 

 ( Sfacacm ncmestrinus) ; seven Macaque monkey ^ ( Hacacus cynonwlgus) ; 

 two bonnet monkeys (Macacus radiatus), purchased; one diamond 

 rattlesnake (Crotolus adamanleus), presented by Frank J. Thompson, 

 two lions (Felis leo), b^rn in garden ; one woodcock (Philohela minor), 

 presented by Master Frank Hitzler, city ; one coot (thilica amarieanu), 

 presented by C. Drury, city ; one loon (Colyvibus torqvatus), presented 

 by Eureka Stove Polish Company, Wooster, Ohio j one badger (Taxi- 

 dea americana), presented by Mr. John Kyle, city. 



Frank J. Thompson, Acting Sup't. 



rare excellence. But I have never received them gathered by 

 friends without detecting specimens of totally different 

 fpecies. Yet these persons had been warned by me of the 

 distinguishing marks of the esculent and the doubtful fungus. 



3. The consequences of a mistake are so fatal that no one 

 should presume to eat mushrooms unless they are willing to 

 devote time enough to the study to insure perfect safety. I 

 have in mind a case where three persons died a painful death, 

 and, by the statement of the only survivor of the fatal meal, 

 not more than two tablespoonfuls of the stew were eaten at 

 the table. No 'antidote to fungus poison has ever been dis- 

 covered. 



4. Mr. Charles James Sprague (a Boston mycologist of rare 

 attainments) assures me that he never allows any fungi eaten 

 in his house (excepting the common mushroom), as he be- 

 lieves intermediate forms exist among Agarics which no ex- 

 pert can identify. Certainly there is no rule or test by which 

 hurtful fungi can be divided either on paper or in practice 

 from those that are useful for food. 



While giving these cautions I also express the opinion that 

 there is no excuse for the current ignorance on the subject, ex- 

 cept in the fact that all mycologists pursue the useless phan- 

 tom of identifying microscopic fungi ; that the majority of 

 toad-stools are just as safe esculents as the common mush- 

 room. Further, I have tested, on my own stomach, perhaps 

 a hundred varieties, some of which have been long considered 

 poisons, and have never been deceived. Your readers can 

 find Mr. Garlick's "rule" explained by me in the Popular 

 Science Monthly for May, 1877. I hope it will be generally 

 followed by those who may study and classify fungi, and thus 

 new varieties introduced to the knowledge fof the public, 

 with their characters as properly vouched for as that of the 

 Agarious campestris. It would be a favor to me to know the 

 particulars of the case of poisoning quoted by you, if any of 

 your readers can give them. Juxrus A. Palmer, Je. 

 ■» .», . 



THE NEW YORK HORTICULTURAL 

 SOCIETY. 



§he §qmutl 



SPLIT BAMBOO RODS. 



To our customers and the public : — In reply to the damag- 

 ing reports which have been circulated respecting the quality of 

 our split bamboo rods, by " dealers " who are unable to com- 

 pete with us at our reduced prices, we have issued a circular 

 which we shall be pleased to mail to any address, proving the 

 falsity of their assertions. 



CONKOY, BlSSETT & MALLESON, 



Manufacturers, 65 Fulton Street, N. Y. 



fffoodtdttd, ^mtn mtd §>ardm. 



THIS DEPARTMENT IB EDITED BY W. J. DAVIDSON, SBO. N. ^ 

 HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



MUSHROOMS AS FOOD. 



11 Pembketon Square, Boston, Mass. 

 Editor Foeebt and Stream : 



A medical gentleman of this city (a subscriber to your 

 journal) has called my attention to the issue of Nov. 15, con- 

 taining a communication on the above-mentioned topic. I am 

 a professed fungus eater, using various species of toad-stools 

 for food daily. I gather them fresh in summer, and dry my 

 superfluous stock for winter use. This study has been a 

 hobby for some years, and I am under obligations (often to 

 total strangers) for specimens, for interesting items, as well as 

 for information on cases of -poisoning. The object of this 

 letter is to commend your editorial comment on Mr. Garlick's 

 " rule," which is safe for the student but dangerous for the 

 public, Let me give a few reasons : 1. Most people do not 

 know the taste of esculent fungus. They may therefore be 

 struck by a novel— attractiag them momentarily-— flavor, the 

 indulgence in which experiment will cost them life itself. 



2. The lines of distinction between some varieties of fungi 

 are so closely drawn that an amateur may easily cook three 

 mushrooms," believing them identical. He " gobbles " (to 

 quote Mr. Garlick) one to his delight. Ha swallows the 

 third to his destruction. The fairy-ring Champignon (Jfa, 

 - &rtg4&) tjs fs-y ©cayaos, easily recognised, and of 



LAST week we gave a memorandum of the officers of this 

 society elected for the ensuing year. We would now call 

 attention to a few facts embodied in the reports of the officers 

 presented at their last monthly meeting. Holding a charter 

 dated March, 1822, through lack of interest in horticultural 

 matters, and probably scarcity of money, the society held its 

 last exhibition in 1857, until two years ago an effort was 

 made, principally by those in the trade, to resuscitate the so- 

 ciety, and with what success, let these reports testify. The 

 monthly meetings have been interesting and well attended. 

 The three exhibitions given at Gilmore's Garden in May, 

 June and September, of this year, not only proved the best 

 ever held in New York, but by the large attendance and the 

 great interest manifested in the various exhibits, showed that 

 the combined efforts of the nursery men and florists were ap- 

 preciated. According to the report of the executive commit- 

 tee, the amount paid for premiums and necessary expenses was 

 $4,223, leaving a balance in the treasury of $400, which, con- 

 sidering that their income is altogether derived from the dues 

 of members and the receipts of the exhibitions, is ample tes- 

 timony to the careful and economical manner in which the 

 affairs of the society have been conducted. Too much praise 

 cannot be given to those gentlemen who exhibited such 

 splendid groups of plants aud cut flowers, while the florists 

 of New York and Brooklyn vied with each other in sending 

 such beautiful and elaborate designs in flowers, as made their 

 table (more especially to the ladies) the centre of attraction 

 and admiration. At the September exhibition the show of 

 fruits and vegetables was the best ever placed before the 

 public of New York, and we doubt not that the coming sea- 

 son will see still greater efforts put forth by the members and 

 exhibitors to gratify the public taste still further in every re- 

 spect, apart from the great moral influence which these 

 exhibitions undoubtedly exert on the community at large. 

 As the membership is only $5 per year, for which a full 

 equivalent is given in admission to the exhibitions alone, we 

 would fully endorse this society in every way, and trust our 

 readers will assist it by every means in their power, so as to 

 give it a firm standing in our midst. The secretary, W. J. 

 Davidson, Box 191, Brooklyn, N. Y., or any member of the 

 society, will gladly receive applications for membership, or 

 give any further particulars in their power. 

 . ■ «■ « 



—We have just received from Mr. Charles Krick, 1,101 

 Broadway, Brooklyn, a bunch of flowers of his new Bouvardia 

 elegans, var. Rosaline. It is of a beautiful clear pink color, 

 and the trusses of bloom are as large, while the individual 

 flowers are larger than the type. We consider it a great ac- 

 quisition to our stock of florists' flowers. 



. — .«, . 



National Trotting Association. — The annual meeting 

 of the General Board of Appeals of the National Trotting As- 

 sociation adjourned on the 6th of Dec. after a laborious ses- 

 sion of three days. Among the concluding proceedings was 

 the election of Edwin Thome, of Millbrook, N. Y. , to be 

 First Vice-President of the Association, in place of Hon. C. 

 W- Hutchinson, of Utica, N. Y., resigned. Mr. Thorne was 

 also appointed as Chairman of the Atlantic District Board. 



Notice to Sportsmen. — Having recelvea so many communication 

 asking us for Information In iegard to our six-section bamboo trout, 

 black bass, grilse and salmon rods, we have prepared a circular on the 

 ubject, which we shall take pleasure in forwarding to any address. 

 We keep on hand all grades, the prices of which rangefrom $ 1 5 to $150 

 We put our stamp only on the best, in order to protect our customers 

 and our reputation, for we are unwilling to sell a poor rod with a false 

 enamel (made by burning and staining to imitate the genuine article) 

 without letting our customers know just what they are getting. 



P. O. Box 1,294.— [Adv. Abbey & Imbrik, 38 Maiden Lane. 



jrvwt&l 



A Serial HoxTDsa Story.— " Buok, Bear and Buffalo; Or, Hunting 

 from Lakes to Ocean," la the title of a aerial hunting story by the well- 

 kpown " Mnemosyne," which will be commenced In the Christmas 

 number of the Chicago Field. Subscription, $4 a. year; $2 for six 

 meatus j $l for t-ureo months. Biggie cupioB, io cente. Address 

 JSartft A Co., Pronrtetaw Chieafs Fiilsk its Bsat ' Madison gtreS 



To Correspondents.— Those desiring ua to prescribe for their dogs 

 «vl!l please take note of and describe the following points In each ani- 

 mal: 



1. Age. 2. Food and medicine given. 3. Appearance of the eye; 

 of the coat ; of the tongue and lips. 4. Any changes In the appearance 

 of the body, as bloating, drawing in of the flanks, etc. 5. Breathing, 

 the number of respirations per minute, and whether labored or not. 

 fi. Condition of the bowelB and secretions of the kidneys, color, etc. 7. 

 Appetite ; regular, variable, etc. 8. Temperature of the body as Indi- 

 cated by the bulb of the thermometer when placed between the body 

 and the foreleg. 9. Give position of feennel and surroundings, outlook, 

 contiguity to other buildings, and the uses of the latter. Also give any 

 peculiarities of temperament, movements, etc., that may be noticed ; 

 signs of suffering, etc. 



The Saint-Louis Bench Show.— Our Western friends are 

 actively exerting themselves to make their St. Louis Bench 

 Show one of the great canine events of the coming year. We 

 understand that Mr. Frank Kavanagh, a leading member of 

 the Carleton Club of England, will act as one of the judges. 

 Mr. Kavanagh's thorough acquaintance with dogs was mani- 

 fest at the bench show of the Westminster Club. The time 

 for giving the show is well selected, and we are informed that 

 breeders and owners of choice animals all over the country 

 are anxious to take part in the exhibition. One feature of the 

 show will be a display of guns and rifles, sent there by the 

 leading manufacturers in the "United States. In addition to 

 the regular awards, a number of special prizes have teen 

 presented. Mr. T. A. Durgan, the silversmith, offers silver 

 plate worth $50. Messrs. Mermod, Jaccard &Co., the jew- 

 elers, have presented silver worth $100. One member of the 

 association gives silver cups valued at $75. Messrs. Barrell 

 Comstock & Co., send a complete set of furniture. The 

 Goodyear Rubber Co. give an entire rubber outfit. The St. 

 Louis Book & News Co. present a complete set of current 

 sporting literature, including HalhcKs Sporting Gazetteer. A 

 man with a good dog can win a dozen shirts— not for the dog, 

 but for himself. Apparently there is a dog excitement at St! 

 Louis, and the business has but fairly commenced. 



It is very possible that the railroad and express companies 

 will take half fares for the two and four legged visitors to and 

 from St. Louis, for it happens that Mr. E. Haydeu, so well 

 known as the manager of the American Express Co., is presi- 

 dent of the St. Louis Bench Show. The board of managers 

 are already in communication with many English gentlemen 

 owning fine breeds of animals, inviting them to St. Louis, and 

 inducements are held out for them to bring on with them their 

 choicest dogs. What is particularly wanted is a good collec- 

 tion of Skyes, Dandie Dinmonts and terriers. We would ad- 

 vise some of our Philadelphia friends to bring to the St. Louis 

 Bench Show some of their pretty brutes. There is possibly 

 a demand for good English setters in St. Louis, and we should 

 think that dogs of approved race and well broken would find 

 eager purchasers. Some two or three, good stud dogs are 

 badly wanted in Missouri. Perhaps it would be well -if Mr. 

 Llewellyn would think it worth his while to come in person 

 with some of his choice animals. We have more than once 

 heard that the sale of good dogs in St. Louis, and in the West 

 generally would be an easy task. Mr. Smith, of Strathroy, 

 would find it to his advantage to be present at St. Louis, as 

 the well known reputation of his breed of dogs would assure 

 him numerous sales. We repeat tile names of the officers 

 and board of manngers, to whom all inquiries should be made. 

 President, E. Hayden ; Vice-Pres't, J. A. Wherry ; Secretary. 

 Jno. W. Munson ; Treasurer, H. S. Brown. Board of man- 

 agers—Messrs. E. C. Sterling, C. J. Clark and W. L. Scott. 



St. Lotus Bench Show.— M. Von Culin, of Delaware City, 

 informs us that he will go to the St.Louis Show with a private 

 car, and can take a few other dogs than his own, which will 

 have the advantages of proper care en route. 



Echo at the Philadelphia Dog Show.— We publish with 

 pleasure the following communication from Mr. Colket in re- 

 gard to his dog Echo. Though objecting to his size, we think 

 a handsomer built dog, with a finer head, we never saw. The 

 only trouble would be, we are are afraid, to feed him, if he 

 eats in proportion to his size. As Echo is"phenomenal in 

 stature, we mentioned him as such. Nevertheless we do not 

 fancy large dogs. As a type of the big pointer we would 

 mention the Brack breed, which comes from Germany. Some 

 years ago some of this strain were to be seen in New Jersey. 

 Oversized animals for the field we do not incline to. 



Philadelphia, Dec. 8, 19TT. 



In your notice of the Philadelphia Dog Show you class Echo as among 

 the Brobdignagian brutes, who, if not fast, are close and steady plod- 

 ders. I find there Is a prejudice against large dogs, but have yet to 

 find that Echo's size is against him in any way, Have hunted him 

 with some very fast dogs, but he always found the most birds in a day's 

 shooting. For nose and staunchness he has no superior, and while he 

 Is not a very fast dog, is faster than the average, and no plodder. Was 

 sired by Wardlaw Reed's Sam, who won first prize at Nottingham, 

 Burrnlngham and at the Crystal Palace, 18B9, '70 and Tl, and was said 

 by Idstone to be the largest and most beautiful setter in Edgland. 



Respectfully yours, tvm. ^y. colket. 



Lump on the Shoulder.— Mr. A. D. Boas kindly informs 

 us of some cures made by him for dogs having lumps on their 

 shoulders. Mr. Boas uses common black lubricating oi^ 

 bathing and frictioning the lump with the oil, 



—In our mention last week we should baye paid M r, B. A, 

 ^pooaer's Zoe iostesd of Joe,- m printed. 



