———————— 
a 
Duo, ti, 1884. 
—— 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
3883 
people of Guernsey and Jersey call it ‘‘vraic,” a corruption 
of verec, the French word tor seaweed. So important is the 
Matter, that the seasons for cutting and gathering it are 
appointed and limited by law, viz.. from the 10th of Febru- 
ary to the 15th of March, and from the 22d of July to the 
dist of August. Pur 
A great variety of names are given to these unpretending 
alg by the inhabitants of various localities where they 
grow, two being after the Virgin Mary, which also goes to 
prove the high estimation they have for it. - Here are a few 
of the common names: Our Lady’s wrack, kelp-ware, black 
tang, Lady wrack, sea ware, swine-tang, bladder-wrack, etc. 
The names Our Lady’s-wrack and Lady-wrack are on ac- 
count of the abundant crops of potatoes produced when the 
Fucus is used as a fertilizer, and swine-tang, when it is cut 
up and broiled with coarse meal or flour on which to fatten 
swine; bladder-rack is a name given to the F. vesiculosus 
(Fig, 1.) by children, who dry it and make whistles out of 
the bladders, and also amuse themselves in winter evenings 
by casting into the turf fires the bladders, which explode 
witha loud noise. Fishermen’s children on some parts of 
our coast call it “‘snap-weed.” In the town of Galway, car- 
goes of Mucus were brought from Slynehead, a distance of 
sixty miles, and was purchased by inland farmers, who con- 
veyed it to their farms, some thirty miles inland, and yet we 
money-loving Americans have almost entirely failed, up to 
the present time, to utilize it to any great extent, even for 
its iodine. 
On the Jersey and Guernsey coasts the farmer and the 
cottager vie with each other when collecting the Mucus from 
the often very stormy sea, and entire families sally forth 
from all parts of the islands. These are provided with 
sickles, forks and rakes, the legs being protected with strong 
shields of leather, the men and women wade as deep into 
the water ss they can, and from the rocks cut and pull the 
weed which is raked into carts, for it is a fact that the 
Guernsey horse knows how to swim to the shore with the 
cart load floating on the surface of the ocean. Boys and 
girls bring bings full (basket loads) to the shore, for which 
they obtain refreshments and rewards of ‘‘vraicking cakes,” 
with cold tea, gin or cider to help wash them down, Out of 
cutting season there is still much yraicking done on the 
shore after every heavy storm. It is raked up by women 
and children and spread out to dry, then stacked for winter 
fuel. The ashes of these fires are the best manure for field 
crops. Green yraic is used as a top dressing for fallow 
ground. 
In the Hebrides cheeses are dried by being covered with 
the ashes which abounds in salt. During the snowstorms in 
the Highlands when the red deer are unable to obtain a stif- 
ficiency of food, they come down to the shore from their 
mountain home to feed on the Aueus, Old medicine-wise 
Scotchwomen place great faith in the curative properties of 
the vesicles of the # nodosus, which contain a thick 
gelatinous material; these, when bottled in ram or alcohol 
and kept for two or three months, form a decoction the 
application of which is said to be a sure cure for rheumatic 
pains, rheumatic gout, and for rickety of bandy-legged 
children, 
In Scania it is used for fuel, thatch, and is given to cattle 
as a wholesome counteractant for costiveness, caused by 
fecding on straw and salt hay; and in some parts is used 
entirely as a winter fodder, the cattle being driven to the 
shore when the tide falls off from the rocks, 
In the year 1730 the manufacture of kelp was introduced 
into the Scotlish Isles from Ireland by Mr, Maccleod. This 
manufacture brought great prosperity to the shores of the 
Orkneys; small farms of $120 yearly rental speedily rose in 
value to $1,500, and it is said that Macdonald, Lord of the 
Asles, obtamed a revenue of $150,000 from his kelp shores 
alone, which had heretofore been to his ancestors an unpro- 
ductive, valueless possession. The demand for and profit on 
kelp was so great, that every expedient was devised to in- 
crease the growth and harvest of this valuable weed. In 
addition to the natural rocks on which it grew in great abun- 
dance above low water mark, and well up to high water 
mark, masses of rocks were rolled into the sea to encourage 
its growth on their surfaces so that the shore for miles upon 
miles consisted of numerous uci farms owned by the lords 
and gentry of the Isles, 
In 1812 in the Island ot North-Uist the profits from kelp 
clear of all expenses were 470,000, and fell but little short of 
that figure for several years after. The total product of 
kelp in the Hebrides in 1818 was 6,000 tons, which at $10 
per ton realized $60,000, At present there is reason to 
believe that not more than $80,000, after deducting the 
wages of the “‘kelpers” (persons who burn the Fucus after it 
is gathered in kilns) and expense of apparatus. This is 
owing to the fact that the Highlanders stubbornly persevere 
in manufacturing their kelp from the yellow wrack instead 
of from the blatk tang (#uews nodosus), which from grow- 
ing in shallow water and being Jess thoroughly a marine 
plant, yields much less kelp and consequently less iodine. 
The rise in the price of kelp which took place lately, after 
twenty years’ depression, is owing to the greatly increased 
demand for iodine. Todine is manufactured at Glaszow, 
Scotland, Donegal, Ireland, and Cherbourg, France, to 
Which places are sent Immense quantities of the half-vitri- 
fied ashes (‘‘kelp”) produced by the burning of Fuci col- 
lected on the English coasts. 
IODINE, 
Todine is useful as a test for starch, also as an ingredient 
of mavy and various chemical reagents; some of these are 
_ of very great importance in the photographie art. From the 
iodide of potassium is ptepared the iodide of silver, which 
constitutes the sensitive film on paper, Jodine has been em- 
ployed in medicine since 1819 and was discovered in the 
manufacture of saltpeter by Cortois of Paris in 1812, al- 
though burnt sponge, which depends upon iodine for its 
efficacy, had been used with advantage in the treatment of 
goitre (an enlargement of thyroid gland on the anterior part 
of the neck). A large number of preparations of iodine are 
employed both for internal and external application, partic- 
ularly iodoform, which is a sulphur-colored salt, having a 
strong saffron-like odor and sweet taste. It consists of 
hexayonal flat crystals, containing more than 96 per cent. 
of iodine, and is now in very general use in all hospitals 
in cases of diseased cavities, parlicularly those lined with 
serous or synovial membrane, as the joints, to excite adhe- 
sive inflammation. 
Who knows what virtues may yet be discovered in the 
drapery of the deep? The book of Nature is like the book 
of Grace, the wonders they contain must be “sought out.” 
A. W. Rogers. 
_Deer hunters should read Judge J, D, Caton’s “Antelope and Deer 
of America,’’ For sale at this office. Price $2,50.— Adv. 
NOTES ON THE CAPTURE OF SEA BIRDS 
BY CAPT. J, W. COLLINS. 
[From the ainual report of the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries. | 
(Concluded.) 
Tue Jmorrs (Stercorariide). 
THE GREAT SKUA GULL (Megalestris skud). 
‘7 HIS is known to the fishermen as the sea-hen, and is, 
perhaps, one of the most interesting species that occurs 
on the fishing-banks, owing to its comparative scarcity in 
natural history collections, It is by no means abundant on 
any of the fishing grounds, but is, nevertheless, to be met 
with occasionally all the way from George’s to the Grand 
Banks, at least, and, doubtless, has a much wider distribu- 
tion. I have observed it from Nantucket Shoals to the east- 
ern side of the Grand Banks, It is difficult to say when and 
where it occurs in the greatest abundance; but, so far as I 
am able to judge, 1 should say that it is most plentiful on the 
Grand Banks in July, August and September, In the sum- 
mer and autumn of 1874 I shot seyeral specimens of this 
species which were used for bait, and I haye also obtained it 
for a similar purpose on other occasions, though it could 
rarely be taken by hook and line. I remember that it was 
more plentiful in 1874 than I have ever noticed it at any 
other time, 
In this connection an incident may be mentioned which 
occurred that year, that shows in a remarkable manner the 
tenacity of life which this bird sometimes exhibits. I was 
out a short distance from the yessel in a dory for the pur- 
pose of shooting birds for bait, We were then engaged in 
shack-fishing, and it was necessary to obtain as much ma- 
terial as possible with which to bait our hooks. Among 
other birds flying around were several skua gulls, which, on 
account of their large size, were more desirable than the 
smaller species. Having enticed one of them within gunshot, 
I fired at it, and knowing that I had taken good aim, I was 
very much astonished to see it fly away apparently unin- 
jured. I watched it, however, and soon noticed that it did 
not moye its wings, but seemed to have them fixed or rigid, 
and after going about half or three-quarters of a mile it fell 
into the water. I went in pursuit of it and without any 
trouble found it, lifeless on the surface. The most singular 
part of my narrative is that when the bird was cut up for 
bait by one of the crew, a single shot was found in the cen- 
ter of its heart. 
These birds usually appear singly, in pairs, or at times 
three of them may be seen together, and it is very rarely 
that half a dozen ormore are seen at the same time. They 
are yery shy, and seem to avoid a vessel, but when exceed- 
ingly hungry they show less reluctance in approaching a 
boat. It is a rare occurrence to catch them with hook and 
line, owing to their timidity in approaching a vessel or boat, 
as well as to their precaution in swallowing the liver used as 
a bait; hence few are caught in this manner, and the bait is 
taken by some other less cautious and more active birds. It 
is generally not difficult, however, to attract them within 
gunshot of a boat, and during a gale they do not hesitate to 
seek food near vessels lying at anchor. Their flight, like 
that of other large gulls, is heavy and moderate; but I have 
seen them make swift dashes of flight when chasing smaller 
birds which had secured pieces of liver. 
The following extracts from my journal may give an idea 
of the abundance of these birds as well as the seasons at 
which they occur on many of the fishing grounds. It is my 
opinion, however, as previously stated, that they are more 
common on the Grand Banks than on any other fishing 
grounds where I have noticed their presence, but since I be- 
pan to keep notes of birds I have not visited the Grand 
anks in the months when the skua is most likely to be seen 
there, The size of this species and the peculiar markings of 
its plumage renders it easy enough to distinguish it from any 
other bird found on the fishing grounds, none could be mis- 
taken for it unless it might be some of the jgers, and 
such a mistake could only be made by one who took little 
notice of the flight or size of the birds which came under his 
observation, 
Noy. 27, 1878.—Latitude 42° 49' N., longitude 62° 45! W. 
Two skua gulls—sea hens—came near the vessel My gun 
caps are damp and useless, therefore I could not get these 
birds, as they are shy and will not bite at a hook unless ex- 
tremely hungry. 
Feb, 3, 1879.—Latitude 44° 25' N., longitude 52° 58’ W, 
Western part of Grand Banks—during a northwest gale saw 
a sea hen which came near the yessel, but the wind blew 
too heavy to catch it on a line, and it was of no use to shoot 
it as it was impossible to pick it up. 
June 2, 1879.—Latitude 44° 36’ N., longitude 57° 12' W. 
Saw a sea hen (great skua) fly across our yessel’s stern but it 
did not approach close enough for me to shoot it. 
July 5, 1879.—Latitude 44° 08’ N., longitude 59° 10’ W. 
Had a shot at a sea hen which came near the vessel, but the 
Sea was so rough from a recent gale that my aim was 
goers by the schooner rolling, therefore I failed to kill 
the bird. . 
Oct. 11, 1883.—While on a cruise in the U. 8. Fish Com- 
mission steamer Albatross, and when the ship was just 
abreast of the Fishing Rip, Nantucket Shoals, steaming 
northwardly, a pair of great skuas passed across the vessel’s 
bow, about 200 yards off, flying southwestwardly. 
GULL-CHASERS (Genus Stercorarius). 
There are seyeral varieties of jeegers, of the genus Stercora- 
rus that frequent the fishine banks, and which sre known 
to the fishermen by the names. of ‘‘marlingspikes,” “Wulp- 
tails,” ete.* The former term being generally applied to the 
larger species, and the latter name to those that are smaller, 
both appellations haying a special reference to the two long 
central tail teathers which is a distinguishing feature of birds 
of these species. They usually are most abundant on the 
outer banks in spring and fall, are rarely seen in midwinter, 
and are comparatively scarce in midsummer. It is probable 
that in June and July the adult birds go in to the land to in- 
cubate, 1do not recollect of having seen a single individual 
of the smaller species in winter, and these are always much 
less abundant than the larger varieties. The following ex- 
tracts from notes in my journal on the appearance and 
*The name of ‘‘marlingspike” is generally applied to the larger 
species, such as the pomarine jeger(S. pomatorhinus) that was seen 
by Audubon at Labrador, and which is, perhaps, the most common 
species on the banks, and to Richardson's jzeger (8. parasiticus), 
which, so far as my observations extend, is not yery abundant on 
the northeastern banks, but is more commonly found in the Gulf of 
Maine. The Arctic jeger (8, buffonz), which is much smaller than 
the other two species mentioned above, is called a ‘whiptail,”’ because 
of the great length and flexibility of its two central tail feathers. 
This is said to oceur in greater abundance further uorth than it does 
on the Grand Banks and. adjacent fishing grounds, where it is com- 
paratively scarce and always timia, 
abundance of these birds on the fishing banks may perhaps 
be of interest. Before quoting these extracts, however, I will 
say that on the 29th of August, 1878, I sailed from Glou- 
cester on a fresh halibut trip to Banquereau. On this occa- 
sion Mr. Raymond L. Newcomb* went with me, having 
been sent by Professor Baird to collect birds for the Smith- 
sonian Institution. 
When afew miles to the eastward of Thatcher’s Island 
(Cape Ann) on the day of sailing, we saw several jegers of 
the more common varieties, most of them not having the 
long tail-feathers which are, generally speaking, the charac- 
teristic feature of these birds. 
On Sept. 3, some twenty miles eastward of Sable Island, 
Mr. Neweomb shot four jegers, besides birds of other species, 
Sept. 5 we saw a number of birds belonging to the jmger 
family flying near the vessel, too far off, however, to shoot; 
but the following day a marlingspike was killed and added 
to the collection. On the 8th jxgers were quite plenty, and 
three of the common varieties and a black one were killed. 
Two more marlingspikes and a whiptail were shot on the 
9th, and an Arctic jeeger was seen on the 10th, but kept too 
far off to be shot. A black jeger was killed on the 12th, 
which was the last of these birds killed on the trip, a8 on 
that date we sailed for home. Whena few miles west of 
Cape Ann, Sept. 17, we saw a jeger engaged in a fight with 
two herring culls. 
The foregoing notes, together with the extracts that fol- 
low, cover about eleven months’ time, nearly all of which I 
spent at sea on the fishing banks, or in making passages to 
and from them. The presence of the different kinds of sea 
birds was a matter of special interest to me, and their ap- 
pearance or absence was carefully noted, therefore it is 
probable that a general idea may be formed from a study of 
these notes, of the seasons when jegers are most abundant 
on the outer banks. 
Oct, 1, 1878.—Latitude 43° 54’ N., longitude 58° 82' W., 
“T shot a hag and a marlingspike.” 
Oct, 3, 1878.—‘‘I skinned a marlingspike this morning, a 
hag and 4 gull, Later in the day I shot three gulls and two 
jegers.” 
Oct. 4, 1878.—"‘Shot a black marlingspike to-day, and 
skinned one of the more common varieties.” + 
Nov. 13, 1878 —On Le Have Ridges, latitude 42° 49’ N Bi 
longitude 62° 55’ W. “Skinned four birds—three gulls and 
one jzeger.” 
April 13, 1879.—East end of Banquereau, latitude 40° 39! 
N,, longitude 57° 15’ W. ‘‘l saw a jeger or gull-chaser to- 
day, the first I have seen since last fall.” 
April 29, 1879.—Latitude 44° 28’ N., longitude 57° 12’ W. 
“Shot three jagers and one gull to-day. There has been 
quite a number of jegers around for the past few days.” 
May 1, 1879. —Same position as above. “Shot two whip- 
tails and three marlingspikes this morning. I shot two 
jegers in the afternoon; saw several Buffon’s jgers but did 
not get any,” 
May 29, 1879.—South of Sable Island, latitude 48° 36' N,, 
longitude 69° 47’ W. “I shot a hag at noon, and another 
later in the day; also a whiptail, marlingspike, and mackerel 
gull-[tern, |” 
June 2, 1879.—Latitude 44° 86', longitude 57° 12’ W. 
“Shot and skinned un Arctic jeger to-day.” 
July 29, 1879,—Latitude 44° 14’ N_, longitude 58° 03’ W. 
“I have seen no noddies this trip, and jeegers only twice.” t 
The time when jegers are most numerous on the fishing 
banks, as may be seen by the foregoing notes, is in the 
spring, late summer, and fall. They never approach the 
numbers of the hagdon; sometimes, perhaps, a hundred or 
more may be seen flying around a vessel when fish offal is 
being thrown out, but twenty-five or fifty birds of this genus 
are about as many as are generally scen at one time. 
Whenever they are near they quickly detect the presence - 
of food by any accumulation of other birds, such as petrels 
or gulls. The gathering ofa flock of petrels, or the first 
scream of a kittiwake, struggling for the possession of a 
piece of offal thrown over from a vessel, or pouncinge on a 
codfish liver cast out from a boat, brings the fierce jeger 
to the spot, sweeping down with tremendous speed and in- 
describable rapacity to rob the feebler birds of what they 
have obtained, aud so violent and persistent are its attacks 
that ib frequently compels the gulls to disgorge the contents 
of their stomachs in order that they may escape the perse- 
cutions of this pirate of the air. So fearful are the kitti- 
wakes of the jzger that invariably, so far as my observation 
extends, a flock of gulls that are sitting on the water will 
start up on a wing the instant that they are approached by 
either of the larger species, 
It may be said, however, that the jzeger rarely attacks the 
larger species of gulls, though I have seen the: common eull 
Lae eonorynchus—fercely chased by a jeeger when the gull 
was flying away with food inits beak. However predacious 
the marlingspike may be, so far as the gull is concerned, it 
never presumes to intimidate the hagdon; and there ig little 
doubt but that the latter would become the aggressor if it 
found the former in possession of any desirable tidhit. 
Though the flight of the jseger is rather deliberate, almost 
heavy, under ordinary circumstances, it is, nevertheless, ex- 
ceedingly swift when occasion calls for « display of its 
powers. As has been intimated it is very pugnacious, and 
its rapacity knows no bounds, but itis far less daring than 
the hagdon, neither is it so noisy as the latter. 
Jegers have been used to a great or less extent for bait by 
the ‘‘shack-fishermen,” generally being caught in the same 
manner as the hagdons are, with which they are usually 
taken, but, of course, in more limited numbers, as a rule. 
Sometimes they will bite quite freely at a hook covered with 
liver, and on several occusions I have seen a considerable 
number, perhaps twenty or more, caught from a vessel’s side 
or from a boat. Asa rule, however, they are too wary to be 
taken in any considerable numbers in this way, since they 
prefer to Yob other and more daring birds, especially the 
gulls. During the summer months, when hagdons are almost 
the only birds (of course, always excepting Carey chickens) 
on the bank they have less chance to commit their depreda- 
tions; therefore, they are generally compelled to take the 
same risk that puffinus does or else go hungry. It is at this 
season that they are more frequently caught. In biting ata 
hook, unless the immediate presence of other birds influences 
its actions, the jeger generally exhibits considerable acute- 
uess and dexterity in stripping the liver from the hook, and 
in this respect it is second only to the hagdon. Tt will take 
the liver in its beak, and, rising in the uir, will try to fly 
* The gentleman who afterward went as naturalist on the ill fated 
Jeannette, and who fortunately survived the hardships of the journey 
across the ice and up the Lena. 
+The position was the same for Oct. 3and4as that giyen for the 
st. 
+ We sailed from Gloucester. Mass,. June 19, 
