Jul* 10, 1884.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



463 



now ceased altogether, although the skies still wore their 

 threatening aspect a light breeze just ruffled the surface of 

 the water, a fong stretch of whict) I could see below me 

 favorable for spoil, with Glean and grassy banks, and noth- 

 ing to impede casting. A half pound trout rewarded rny 

 first cast, two more followed in quick succession, then I 

 noticed a couple of logs lying close to the opposite bank, 

 with a covering of driftwood. An extra long cast planted 

 the seductive worm directly betweeu their ends. Heavens! 

 What a tug followed that cast. A mad rush for the further 

 bank followed the turn of my wrist, and I checked him so 

 suddenly that he sprang a foot out of water, flinging a 

 shower of silvery spray in all directions. - Being without 

 any landing net I was obliged to play him till quite 

 motionless, and then lift him carefully by the line. Just a 

 pound and a quarter by the pocket scales; another of the 

 same size was taken from the same place, and so I went, 

 slowly down that reach of water for half a mile, taking the 

 beauties from under the steep, grassy banks, and occasional 

 bunches of overhanging bushes, totally oblivious to time, 

 place and friends. The robin sang from the topmost branch 

 of an old hackmatack, the purple graekle chattered among 

 the spruces, the catbird squalled in the witch hazels, and the 

 metallic notes of the hermit thrush tinkled melodiously from 

 the dripping alders; all these sounds mingled with, and 

 added to, my enjoyment. I remember, as a dock of ducks 

 flew by me, within' twenty paces, of vaguely longing, for a 

 single instant, for my gun. Just as I came in sight of the 

 bend. just, below winch I knew the bridge to be, my basket 

 refused to receive another trout, aud my worms were also 

 exhausted. Quite a stretch of good fishing ground still re- 

 mained between me and the bend, but I could do nothing 

 without bait; besides I was frightfully hungry, as I had not 

 eaten a mouthful since daybreak, and I found on consulting 

 my watch that it was nearly 4 o'clock. I unstrapped my 

 basket, emptied out my trout, and counted them back : forty- 

 two, and six of them each a pound aud upward in weight. 



Just as I finished, I heard the dip of a paddle, and saw 

 Walt and Lou turning the bend, in the canoe. "Halloo," 

 cried Walt, "what for Heaven's sake have you been doing? 

 Father says it is going to be a rainy night, and has started 

 out the logging road, for the Extract, and we have got to 

 hurry to get round before dark." "All right," I answered, 

 "but. just step ashore, and see if you can tell what kind of a 

 Ash this is, which I have caught." "Where is the fish?" 

 he said, stepping out of the canoe. "In the basket, 5 ' I 

 replied. Walt lifted the lid and actually staggered back as 

 he caught sight of the pile of trout. "Oh! What 

 an infernal idiot I am;" he cried, "I wish some one 

 would kick me. Here I have been laughing and cracking 

 jokes at your expense- for trying to wade through the wet 

 bushes down this stream, when I might have known you 

 wouldn't have staid all this time, and gone without your 

 dinner, unless you were catching trout. We have brought 

 our rods, but have forgotton the bait. Lou, hurry back and 

 get some, I will never leave this place while there' is a trout 

 to he caught." 



' 'Hold on, Walt," I said, "I think I can better that arrange- 

 ment, I have forty -two trout in that basket, and six of them 

 are all that you and I and Josi can eat for supper and 

 breakfast. The remaining thirty -six will keep Lou off the 

 ragged edge of starvation for two meals., I know. We will 

 come up here at daybreak in the morning, catch what trout 

 we can before breakfast, then they will be fresh to take 

 home, and we shall have the balance of the afternoon to get 

 a pile of wood which we shall need if it rains." 



This was satisfactory, and we made haste to carry out the 

 programme. Not a drop of rain fell during the night, and 

 on repairing to the spot at dawn, we caught thirty trout in 

 an hour. Lou immortalized his name, and covered himself 

 with glory, by catching twelve of the largest ones, without 

 stirring from one spot, between two big bunches of bushes, 

 None of us saw him catch them, and I more than half 

 believe that a mink brought them ashore for him; but. the 

 number he caught were nothing to what he ate when w r e got 

 back to camp. 



We were soon on our homeward way, Walt having 

 several opportunities to try his gun on partridges. Just 

 before reaching Jim's house, the rain began in earnest, and 

 we arrived there drenched, but happy, enjoying his dis- 

 comfirture, at having missed the sport, Penobscot. 



» 



THE FLYING SQUIRREL. 



(Pteromys wlucella, ) 



BY DR. MOnniS GIBBS. 



' piIIS interesting species is a resident in the Lower Penin- 

 .JL sula of Michigan and, though not to be found abund- 

 antly in any locality, is well known to the majority of hunt- 

 ers and collectors. I am unable to say that the flying 

 squirrel is found in the Upper Peninsula, nor can I attest to 

 its distribution throughout the entire Lower Peninsula. From 

 observations in several counties in various parts of the State, 

 however, it is reasonable to conclude that this little squirrel 

 is well distributed south of 45° north latitude. 



Prof. A. Sager first mentions this handsome pet in a list of 

 mammals published in a document of the State House of 

 Representatives, 1839, and it has been also embraced in other 

 lists, But little has been written on the habits of the flying 

 squirrel, or, in fact, regarding the habits of any of the 

 smaller Michigan mammals. The lists are merely nominal, 

 and with the exception of a few articles on the larger game 

 very little has been accomplished. 



It may be truthfully said that the flying squirrel is no- 

 where common within our boundaries. " Several families are 

 occasionally found within a radius of a half mile in favored 

 localities; again, an enthusiastic collector will search over 

 many square miles without success. 



In Southern Michigan (by which term the Lower Peninsula 

 is here indicated) the haunts generally chosen are woods 

 composed principally of white oak, Quereus alba. In fact, 

 in my experience in Kalamazoo county, 42' 7' to 42 28' N. 

 lat., I have .met with but one instance where the nest was 

 not built in an oak, in this case it was placed in the dead top 

 of a flourishing poplar, Populus Iremuloides. 



At Howard City, Montcalm county, latitude 48° 25', the 

 species is often fouud occupying timbered lands, both hard 

 wood and pine, as well as in low tracts, partially covered 

 with hemlock, bass wood, elm and underbrush. 'The nests 

 are found on high ground in many instances, but as a rule 

 are not far from water. A pond or small lake will generally 

 be found within a few hundred yards of the stub occupied. 



In those cases where the little fellows occupy low tracts, the 

 locations of the nests are usually near rivers or small streams. 

 The nest is generally a rude structure and consists mainly 

 of dried grass, leaves and pulverized dried bark. The material 

 is piled into the cavity and, as a rule, nearly tills if, but a 

 free space is invariably left in the direction of the openings 

 in the stub. In the. autumn very compact and artistic nests 

 can been seen, quite suggestive of comfort and warmth, but 

 after occupancy for a length of time the materials become 

 mixed into a terrible litter, and by spring have not so neat 

 an appearance. 



As to the amount of food that is stored up by this squirrel 

 in the fall, I have but little knowledge, but from a few ob- 

 servations, where only a small quantity of winter supplies was 

 found, I judge that but few squirrels are in any way thrifty 

 in this respect. The flying squirrel is very sensitive to the 

 cold, and when driven from its nest even in early November, 

 acts quite differently from its usual custom in summer. Un- 

 doubtedly it curls itself into a ball when the first severe cold 

 snap appears, aud remains in a partially dormant state until 

 the warm days of spring produce their stimulating effects, 

 and our downy friend again appears to sail through the air 

 aud gladden our hearts with its graceful movements. 



The majority of specimens secured by the collector, are 

 taken at times when the presence of the glossy-coated crea- 

 tures is least suspected. A regular hunt may "be instituted, 

 and a number of collectors go out to secure the specimens, 

 but the chances are ten to one that not one will be taken, 

 unless it is known where they are to be found. Again when 

 returning home from a collecting trip in the evening, a 

 shadow flits athwart the weary collector's path and a scram- 

 bling on the bark is heard as the graceful rodent ascends the 

 tree to which it has sailed. After reaching a certain height 

 the diminutive aeronaut again launches forth, and spreading 

 its extremities sails to another tree, and continuing in a suc- 

 cession of so-called flights, is soon lost to view in the gather- 

 ing darkness, or else conceals itself in some neighboring cavity. 



With such precision does the animal calculate, that a 

 failure to gain a desired foothold on the tree to which it 

 springs 5s of very rare occurrence. When failure accom- 

 panies the attempt, it is generally a result of the frenzied 

 condition of the terrified jumper, as is sometimes the case 

 with the fox and black squirrels when hard pushed by merci- 

 less enemies. 



When a black squirrel falls, in a vain attempt to jump 

 from one slender twig to another, it comes lumbering down 

 to the ground, or perhaps catches a twig twenty or thirty 

 feet below the point at which it lost its hold. In some cases 

 I have seen a black squirrel so stunned by a shock as to fall 

 a ready victim to a club or a cruel hunter's boot. But the 

 flying squirrel reaches the ground when necessary in a series 

 of graceful spiral movements interesting in the extreme. 

 When rudely shaken from a limb the little fellow spreads its 

 membrane and with graceful movements of its tail wavers 

 in the air in a series of undulating movements very amusing 

 to the observer, and finely illustrating the principle of the 

 parachute. At once on reaching the ground our little friend 

 strikes out for the nearest trunk, fence or building in order 

 to gain another flight, and unless the dogs are quick or the 

 boys are active With their sticks, Pteromys will soon be 

 again out of our reach. 



1 have a vivid recollection of hunting this squirrel one 

 bright October day, some years ago, when several of us went 

 together with the intention of securing live specimens for 

 pets. Numbers of the animals were seen and many could 

 have been shot, but as we were above shooting the delicate 

 creatures, we only used our insect nets. All in vain. Sev- 

 eral picturesque groups enlivened the proceedings, where 

 boys, dogs and underbrush were indiscriminately mixed. It 

 was really surprising to see how the squirrels eluded our 

 attempts, but not one was taken alive. Finally poles were 

 used to knock them off of the trunks, and we went home 

 satisfied that our collection of skins would be enlarged even 

 if we could not fill our carefully prepared cages. 



The movements of our friend are very interesting, and he 

 is a dull observer who would not admire the swoop of a fly- 

 ing squirrel. The greatest jump that I have seen made was 

 something over forty feet, i. e., from the base of one tree to 

 another. The further apart the trees are, the straighter down 

 the squirrel has to go. For instance, if the distance to be 

 covered is thirty feet from the base of one tree to the other, 

 the animal must jump from a height of not less than fifty 

 feet, or else it will reach the ground from lack of force. If 

 the jump to be made, is only five or six feet, the space is cov- 

 ered almost in a direct horizontal line; whereas if eight or 

 ten feet are to be covered, a downward swoop must be made 

 at an angle of 25 or 30 degrees. 



Those who have watched the movements of these airy 

 creatures have observed that the older and stronger ones are 

 much more capable of accomplishing a swoop, which un- 

 doubtedly arises from the fact that the animal is stronger, 

 and, therefore, can spring with much more force, and, 

 further, the space covered by the membrane is greater. I 

 have seen a large male spring from the top of a tree, as if to 

 sail to another tree, but only go a few feet from the trunk, 

 perhaps four or five, then drop directly down thirty or forty 

 feet and sail gracefully back to the tree it had left. 



Such a move was undoubtedly premeditated. Perchance 

 the animal intended sailing to the next tree, and after launch- 

 ing forth arrived at the conclusion that it had not sufficient 

 force, or the distance was too great. However, it is reason- 

 able to judge that it merely wanted to descend from its perch, 

 and took this means, as it is not a rapid climber. 



Always a shy, nervous mammal, it is nevertheless decidedly 

 unwary in many instances, and frequently brings destruction 

 on itself and family. If a place of resort is discovered, it is 

 an easy matter to discover their habits, and when the dead 

 trees are found in which they nest, the chances are all against 

 them if the collectors are on hand. The holes in which they 

 remain during the greater part of the day, if cuce located, 

 can be relied upon as almost certain to produce specimens, 

 and the collector can secure a series at any time during 

 spring, summer or fall. 



A thump at the base of the stub brings out the heads, and 

 bright, piercing eyes are directed toward the disturbers 

 of their repose ; another thump, and the shining-coated fel- 

 lows rustle out on the decayed bark and ascend to the top of 

 the stub or tree. 



I have never met with over five squirrels in one tree, and 

 think that this number embraced the two old ones and the 

 three young of the year. Such a series is only met with in 

 the summer, and as two of the specimens were larger than 

 the others and more complete in coat, the conclusion is un- 

 doubtedly allowable. In the spring three full grown speci- 

 mens are occasionally found occupying one hole, but gener- 

 ally, from April to June, only a pair of old ones are found 

 consorting. 



In those cases where there, is but one opening into a neat 

 there is a better chance of securing the entire family. At 

 the first thump the old male protrudes his nose and take;-: in 

 the situation. The next thump brings out the mare and 

 another member of the family appears at the orifice. The. 

 first appearance is now shot as it reaches the top of the stub 

 or after it, alights on a neighboring tree. The reporl of tin- 

 gun brings out another member, and in regular order all are 

 secured. 



If however, as generally occurs, all of the occupants 

 appear at the various holes and sail out in different direc 

 tions, no more than one or two will be secured, as some will 

 surely be soon concealed in neighboring trees. 



This unwary habit of leaving the nest when the tree oi 

 stub is struck'with a club frequently results in the extermi- 

 nation of a whole family. The flying squirrel, as it is so 

 improperly called, differs in this respect from other members 

 of the family. A hunter would, indeed, be unsuccessful in 

 an endeavor to bring out a black or fox squirrel. 



The following dimensions are given of a female specimen 

 taken in Michigan; Total length 32.02 inches, tail to tip 

 fj.lo inches, length of long hair at end of tail i inch, length 

 of skull 1.48 inches, breadth of skull at, zygoma .84 inch. 



If any one can furnish any information concerning the 

 breeding habits of this interesting squirrel let the Fokest 

 and Stueam hear. 



Kalamazoo, Mich. 



BIRDS OF THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE, 



A PAPER entitled "Notes on the Birds Observed During 

 a Summer Cruise in the Gulf of St. Lawrence," ap- 

 pears in (he Proc. Boston Society for October last, from the 

 pen of Mr. William Brewster. Besides being an ornitholo- 

 gist of eminence, this gentleman has also the art of record- 

 ing his observations in a very charming style, so as to claim 

 for himself considerable audience outside of those who are 

 strictly scientific. 



The cruise, during which the observations here recorded 

 were made, took place during the summer of 1881, on the 

 seventeen-ton schooner yacht Arethusa. The party con- 

 sisted of five gentlemen in the interest of the Boston Society 

 of Natural History, to which institution most of the speci- 

 mens collected were afterward given. Among the points of 

 interest visited were Cape Breton, the Magdalen Islands, dif- 

 ferent bays on Anticosti, Gfaspe, the Mingan Islands and 

 Perce Rock. As is usually the case on this coast, during the 

 late summer the weather was anything but favorable. Mr. 

 Brewster says, "Our log book records only eighteen moder- 

 ately fair days out of the total sixty-two, and some of these 

 were more or less interrupted! by showers. Besides this, the 

 season was too far advanced for egg collecting, so that, al 

 though the summer home of such desirable species as the 

 blackpoll warbler. Lincoln's finch, the fox sparrow and 

 others was reached, neither nests nor eggs could be secured." 



The number of species noted is eighty -three, and, as might 

 be imagined from the circumstances of the trip, an unusually 

 large proportion, nearly one-half, are water birds. 



Without going into details as to the species observed on 

 this cruise or their habits, we may note an occasional point 

 of unusual interest in the present paper. Testimony col- 

 lected from Indians and white men along the north shore of 

 the Gulf makes it appear probable that the range of the 

 ruffed grouse extends much further north than has hitherto 

 been supposed. A white man who for several days acted as 

 pilot of the Arethusa informed Mr. Brewster that Bonam 

 umbellus "ranges over the entire region between the Gulf of 

 St. Lawrence and Hudson Straits." The present paper con- 

 tains a great deal that is interesting relative to the habits of 

 our sea birds. One point which tne author had painfully 

 brought before him at every extensive breeding place of sea 

 fowl was the constant persecution to which' they are sub 

 jected. All species from the little terns up to the largest 

 fowl are constantly robbed of their eggs', and such species as 

 are large enough to be worth a charge of powder and shot 

 are killed and eaten by the Indians or used for fish bait by 

 the whites. There appear to be few T places where these 

 birds are free from molestation, Perce Rock being almost 

 the only breeding pla.ee seen by Mr. Brewster which was 

 quite inaccessible. 



A suggestion in regard to the breeding of Wilson's petrel, 

 Ocmnites\ocea,nims, made by Mr. Brewster, is very interesting, 

 and in the light of our present knowledge of the habits of 

 this species seems quite plausibe. It is a well-known fact 

 that this bird is abundant off our coast during the whole 

 summer, 'yet nothing is known of its eggs or breeding grounds. 

 A number of specimens secured by 'Mr. Brewster between 

 June 17 and July 25 were dissected, and the sexual organs 

 of all were found to be "at the very lowest stage of erotic de- 

 velopment." in the females no signs of recent ovulation 

 were detected. A male taken June 18, however, showed by 

 its plumage and the condition of its bones that it was very 

 recently from the nest. These facts lead Mr. Brewster to 

 suspect that "Wilson's petrel breeds in winter or early spring 

 in tropical or subtropical regions and visits the coast of the 

 Northeastern United States only in die interim between one 

 breeding season and the next. " 



There are so many interesting points noted in the present 

 paper that we can only allude to some of them, recommend- 

 ing it as a whole to all ornithologists. 



What a Toad Can Do.— Editor Forest and Stream: 1 

 made some amusing experiments yesterday regarding the 

 stowage capacity of a toad, an "ordinary, everyday toad," 

 as Thatcher, of the 'Frisco Minstrels, says. I caught flies 

 and, squeezing all but the last kick out of them, dropped 

 them one by one, say about two inches from his nose, and 

 one by one he gobbled 'em, and between 4 and 7 o'clock P. 

 M. he had tucked away 104. Three of us kept score for 

 him. At this stage of the proceedings his little belly was 

 ridiculously plump, and he grew so stupid that 1 gave it up 

 and let him go. Up to the seventy-fifth he took them greed- 

 ily, then the intervals were longer, but he did hate"to let 

 anything pass, and would stretch himself for all the world 

 like a person after a big dinner. Lord knows what he might 

 have done had his diet been more varied, but as it was 

 straight fly every time you must acknowledge he did yeo- 

 man's work. I have known that toads were valuable as 

 insect destroyers, but never put them to such a test as this 

 before.— Wijlmot (New York). 



A Tough Tuktie.— On the 23d of last March I shot a 

 turtle, putting the whole charge of. shot in its head, as it 

 was within ten feet of me, secured it took it home, and cut 

 off the head, intending to dress and cook it. It. is what we 

 here call the mossback, which grows, as I have observed, to 

 the weight of twenty pounds, perhaps larger. Neglecting to 



