4A 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
(dan. 1, 1886. _ 
air within are, to.a certain extent, desirable, Besides, par- 
ties of four or five are the rule, and often a wife among 
these. For such the “shanty tent,” pronounced ‘the per- 
fect camp” by ‘““Nessmuk,” will hardly answer. 
We write from the standpoint of the average outer—from 
the ranks of that grand army in which we have so long 
served—from the standpoint of Fornsr anp SrRBAM, which 
has hitherto stood alone in its proud devotion to the ‘“‘incul- 
cation In men and women of 2 healthy interest in outdoor 
recreation,” and in whose free parliament we venture to 
assert that, in any form of camp other than a wall tent, the 
average woman will find camp life unendurable. The wall 
tent, with its flaps thrown back at each end, is cool and 
comfortable in the hottest weather, by day or night. In 
cool weather, with one end closed anda camp-fire at the 
open end, the interior is kept warm, dry and cheerful, 
There are no dark corners, no openings which cannot be 
closed; in wind or storms one can stand upright and walk 
about, and there is plenty of room. ‘True, they are a little 
bulky to transport, and useless on a tramp, but the average 
outer, especially if there be a lady or two in the party, goes 
In camp to stay, But we imagine that the genial author of 
“Woodcraft” did not give much thought to these in the 
preparation of his book. To him the camper is a man, per- 
haps one or two, here to-day, there to-morrow, but always 
on the move. For such an one, lightness of baggage is, 
above all things, essential, But for him whom we ¢all the 
average outer—and we include woman—the ‘‘shanty tent” 
Will not answer for a fixed camp. One or two hardy men 
may get along in it, though with much discomfort, through 
a four days’ nor’easter, We haye undergone such weather 
in camp, when to keep upafire in the driving rain was 
almost impossible, and when cooking outside was out of the 
question. Undersuch circumstances, and a ‘‘shanty tent,” 
were a woman added to the camp, we opine that ‘‘Nessmuk” 
wonld feel like shouldering his knapsack and striking out 
for the clearing; we should. 
With a wall tent a party, include ladies if you will, can 
weather a week’s storm in comfort and with much of enjoy- 
ment, As narrating the how will call for the description of 
a little *‘sheet-iron fiend” called a camp stove, we will speak 
of thisalong with cur experience during a rainy day in camp. 
After the tents had received a finishing touch we turned 
our attention to the construction of a dining room and 
kitchen, A table was soon built. the fly stretched over it, 
and we had a lounging, talking and- writing place around 
the dining-room table, another table for the cook was built, 
and it only lacked the range to make the camp complete. 
As to this latter important adjunct we have tried all sorts. 
We modestly offer the following described as the best for a 
fixed camp: The top of an abandoned cooking stove, hav- 
ing four holes with lids, though if a couple of the latter be 
wanting they will be little missed, is laid upon a foundation 
of stones built to a proper height under the sides and back 
end. ‘The interstices between the stones are filled with wet 
clay or by banking up the earth around the stone work, A 
single length of pipe or a stone chimney, to give a draft, and 
the cooking range is complete. On such a range you can 
boil coffee, potatoes, fry, have a kettle of hot water always 
ready, and broil over the coals below—all at the same time. 
All your dishes can be served together and hot. The only 
objection to this kind of a range is that it is somewhat cum- 
bersome to transport, but for partics intending a two or 
three weeks’ stay In a fixed camp it will repay all the incon- 
venience it causes. Such an article can be found, as a gen- 
eral rule, at the last village or farmhouse on the way to 
camp. We found the necessary stove-top on shore and built 
such a range. 
It was now 5 o'clock and the camp was, in all its essen- 
tials, complete. A few et ceterasin the shape of a bench 
without for toilet purposes, and a table within, some seats, 
_and we were settled for a two months’ camp, The fire was 
soon burning brightly in the range, the coffee and bacon 
were blending their fragrant odors, and the water was bub- 
bling in the potato kettle. By the time dinner was over it 
was getting dark, and lighting the lanterns, all assembled in 
high conclaye in the test of the Madame, where the camp 
journal was opened in due form. It lies before us as we 
write. We turn to the last entry and read, ‘‘Sixty-second 
day, Monday, Sept. 1, 1884.” A few reminiscences of last 
year’s camp were beingindulged in, when some one started 
the subject of the fishing. When we described our visit to 
the point, made that morning, and the sight which had met: 
our eyes in the fish box, there was a sensation which threat- 
ened a sleepless night. All turned in, and soon everything 
Was quiet and still, saye when the silence was broken by the 
call of a whip-poor-will behind the tent, the alternate shrieks 
of two or three loons upon the Jake, and the bark of Sabat- 
tis’s dog on the point below. And here comes the explana- 
tion of that individual’s cognomen. While we were build- 
ing the camp, we spoke of Long Lake and its famous guide, 
and he broke in with “Mitchell Sabattis! Why, he’s an 
uncle to my woman,” and so, in honor of his wife and the 
name she bore in her maiden home on the St. Regis, he was 
dubbed Sabattis, and from that time so called by all save 
George, who always called him ‘“‘Santiago.” For some 
reason he took no offense at the liberty we indulged in of 
christening him anew, but bore his new name with meek- 
ness. We were fortunate in securing his good will, and 
many and liberal were the supplies of perch bait with which 
we were furnished by him and his son David, and the inter- 
change of courtesies between the cabin and the camp were 
frequent, WAWAYANDA, 
Hscarep,—The little ground squirrel(Spermophilus tridecim- 
lineotus) of which | wrote you some time ago, after sleep- 
ing from Sept. 20 until the middle of January did not once 
thereafter pass into a dormant condition, and now I have to 
report that he has escaped. The little creature had been un- 
usually restless for a week or two, trying in every possible 
way to make its escape by gnawing, and I hardly know 
whether 1 was glad or sorry when, ove bright beautiful day 
in June I found his cage empty, the open door of which told 
plainly the manner of his exit. 1 was sorry because I should 
never again sée the pretty creature which I had cared for so 
long, and to which I had become insensibly attached, but 
glad for its own sake that it was once more at. liberty to 
sport with its mates in the bright sunshine.—Viotm? 8. 
WiLLEAMs. 
Oxp Brink Repnacep.—l have recently added a fine 
specimen of Bubo virgintanus to my collection which, to all 
appearance, is Old Blink to the life. These birds are quite 
numerous here. Not long since a daring old fellow made us 
a visit in the ““wee sma’ hours,” and alighting on the roof of 
the house gave us a delightful (?) serenade.—Vionnr 5. 
Wuttams (Coralville, Iowa). 
Aatujal History, 
BIRD MIGRATION IN THE MISSISSIPPI 
VALLEY. 
WINTHR BIRDS OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
As the present winter promises to be rather mild, it is 
probable that many species of birds will, throughout the 
cold months, remain somewhat further north than is their 
usual custom. Such occurrences are always interesting to 
note and record, but in addition to this they have another 
and more valuable use in the present connéction. In order 
to understand more intelligently their movements in migra- 
tion next spring, we should know which species have been 
influenced by the warm weather to stay north of their 
customary limits, 
The systematic study of ‘‘Bird Migration in the Mississippi 
Valley,” as also throughout the United States, will be con- 
tinued the coming spring, being, for the Mississippi Valley, 
the fourth year of these observations. As in former years, a 
large corps of observers is the prime requisite to success, 
and it is both hoped and expected that the many observers, 
who last ycar contributed the most voluminous and valuable 
set of notes that have ever been gathered on this subject, 
will. again give us their aid, and even surpass their last year’s 
good record, 
One can always make fuller, better and more interesting 
notes when he has the experience of others to guide him, 
Should one wish to make notes ou winter birds, he stands a 
much better chance of success if he knows what species 
others have found in his yicinity, and later, when he has 
completed lis work, a comparison with the work of others 
will enable him to tell which of his notes are new; which 
old, which are every-day occurrences, and which from their 
uncommonness are worthy of special mention, 
For the study of the winter habits of birds, few places in 
the United States are better adapted than the bottom lands of 
Southern Illinois, He who studies birds during the winter 
in Florida, Mexico, or the West Indies, studies them in a 
warm climate, where food is plentiful, and the struggle for 
existence is scarcely if at all greater than the same birds had 
experienced the previous summer; but the birds which spend 
the winter in Southern Illinois are brought face to face with 
cold, hardships, and almost starvation; many must materially 
change the nature of their diet, and nearly all desert the up- 
lands and prairies, and crowd together in the thickets of the 
bottom lands. 
It might naturally be asked why do they not pass further 
south; and to this no perfectly satisfactory answer can be 
given. We may say that birds dislike to go any further 
than necessary from their breeding grounds, which are to 
them their real homes, or we might say that the ots dnertie 
would naturally maie their migrations as short as possible, 
but neither answer would be complete. Still the fact re- 
mains, that large numbers of birds habitually pass the 
winter in Southern Illinois, while it takes but a little extra 
warmth in a winter to more than double the usual number, 
Hence, the records of this region will furnish an excellent 
basis for comparison with winter avifauna of other districts. 
Fortunately, we are in possession of very full notes from this 
part of Illinois, furnished by Mr, Cyrus W. Butler, supple- 
mented from those viven by Mr. Ridgway in his excellent 
“List of the Birds of Illinois’ (1881). Mr. Butler says of 
his own opportunities for observation: ‘“During the past 
winter, 188283, I have been in the woods at least one-third 
of the time, and haye been surprised to see how many small 
birds winter on the thickety ridges that abound in the bot- 
tom lands, These thickets are a great protection during cold 
weather,” 
In the following list, those species preceded by a star 
have been observed by Mr. Butler during the months of 
December and January in the vicinity of Anna, IL, latitude 
37° 80’, mostly in the bottom lands of the Mississippi. The 
rest of the species ure included on the authority of Mr. Ridg- 
way as haying been taken in the southern part of the State. 
The biographical notes under the starred species are taken 
from Mr. Butler’s notes. 
The number before each species is its Smithsonian Cata- 
logue number. 
5b, *Hermit Thrush.—During the past winter Lrepeatedly 
found this bird wintering in thickety ridges on the Missis- 
sippi bottom lands. Saw from five to twenty per day every 
day that 1 was collecting in said thickets, regardlesss of the 
weather. 
7. *American Robin,—Although this bird winters here 
in far greater numbers than it breeds, they will sometimes 
disappear for a week or two ata time. They confine them- 
selves mainly to the bottom lands, where their favorite 
winter food (wild grapes) is to be found in abundance 
throughout the winter. In the hills I have occasionally seen 
them cating sumac berries. I haye passed days in the woods 
without secing a single specimen, while again I would meet 
with thousands in a single flock. 
11. Mockingbird.—This species is growing more abun- 
dant every year, but I saw only one specimen during the 
months of December and January, and he was sitting in a 
brush heap with his feathers on end, evidently trying hard 
to keep warm, when everything was covered with sleet and 
the ice was two inches thick. 
12, *Catbird.—Occurs very rarely as a winter species in 
mild winters, but I have never seen it until spring really 
began; and the people in general consider its presenee to 
indicate the approach of spring. 
13. *Brown Thrush.—A few remain in winter, but they 
are very uncertain, and are never numerous during cold 
weather. 
22. *Bluebird,—Is sometimes absent for a week or 50, 
hut is likely to be met with any week during the winter, and 
in far greater numbers than during the summer months. 
When the ground is soft large numbers of them may be 
found in meadows picking around the roots of grass as if 
searching for hidden ansects. Sometimes they eat sumac 
berries, 
30. Ruby-crowned Kinglet.— ‘Winters in Southern 
Tilinois.”’ : 
83. *Golden-crowned Kinglet.—I met this little fellow 
almost every day that I was in the bottom lands. I would 
see on an average twenty-five per day; often associated with 
the tufted titmouse. No weather seemed cool enough to 
cool his spirit. ¥ 
36. *Tufted Titmouse.—One of our most abundant birds 
during the winter, Often see them picking away at an 
acorn, They occur in scattered groups of ten to fifteen 
individuals. 
41, *Black-capped Chickadee.—Common in winter, but 
I do not know whether or not it is a resident. 
42. *Carolina Chickadee.—Common and resident. _ 
51. *White-bellied Nuthatch.—Resident; saw from five 
to ten per day. 
52. *Red-bellied Nuthatch.—A winter resident: saw from 
twenty to fifty per day. 
55. *Brown Creeper.—Winter resident; saw from none 
to ten per day. 
60, *Carolina Wren.—Resident; most common around 
brush piles and fallen timber; always present in about the 
same numbers. I usually see about twelve per day. They 
sing throughout the year, their song somewhat resembling 
that of the cardinal grosbeak. 
61. *Bewick’s Wren.—Resident; not nearly so common 
as the last, 
67. Long-billed Marsh Wren.—‘‘Occasionally winters in 
Southern Mlinois.” 
68. Short-billed Marsh Wren.—‘‘Winters in Southern 
Tlinois.” 
95. *Yellow-rump Warbler.—Scattered over the bottom- 
lands in large numbers throughout the winter, Plumage 
much plainer than in spring. Usually hunting around the 
bark of large trees as if looking for insects. 
1i1, Pine-creeping Warbler.—‘‘A summer sojourner in 
Ijlinois, occasionally wintering in Southern Illinois.” 
113. Red-poll Warbler.—‘‘Sometimes winters in South- 
ern Ilinois.” * 
116. Small-billed Water Thrush.—‘‘Winters sometimes 
in Southern Iinois,” 
149. “Loggerhead Shrike.—Not very common here. Do 
not see more than one per week. 
151, *Cedar Waxwiog.— Winter resident and remains un- 
tiLJune. 
168. Purple Finch.—‘‘Winter resident in Southern Tli- 
nois; breeds sparingly in Northern [linois,” 
172, American Crossbill.—‘‘Occasional winter visitant,”’ 
173. White-winged Crossbill—‘‘Occasional winter vis- 
itant.” 
179. *Common Redpoll.—Rare winter visitant. Tsai but 
one flock during the past winter. 
181. *American Goldfinch,—Resident; I saw them but 
twice during the winter, the first time about the middlé of 
December, and the second time about the last ot that month; 
weather cold; ice two inches thick; saw about twenty each 
time; plumage very plain. 
185. Pine Goldfinch.—‘‘Oceasional winter visitant.” 
186. Snow Bunting.—‘*Very rare winter visitant.” 
187, Lapland Longspur,—‘‘ Winter visitant.” 
1930, SavannasSparrow.—‘‘Resident.”—= 
197, Grass Finch.— Resident.” 
198. Yellow-winged Sparrow.—‘‘A few winter in South- 
ern Illinois.” 
199. Henslow’s Sparrow. —- ‘‘Sometines wintering in 
Southern Illinois.” 
206. *White-crowned Sparrow.—Winter visitant; com- 
mon throughout the winter; usually twenty to forty per 
day. 
209. *White-throated Sparrow.—Winter visitant; about 
as common as the preceding and usually associated with it, 
_ 210, *Tree Sparrow.— Winter yvisitant; about as numerous 
as the last. 
211. *Chipping Sparrow.—Resident; 
haps twenty during the winter. 
214. “Field Sparrow.—Resident; quite common, but haye 
never counted them. 
217. *Black Snowbird.—Our most common bird during 
the winter. 
231. *Song Sparrow.—Winter resident; saw from 
fifty per day. 
233. *Swamp Sparrow.—Winter resident; common; saw 
from ten to fifty per day. 
284, Lincoln’s Finch.—‘“‘Sometimes winter in consider- 
able numbers in Southern Iliinois.” 
235. *Fox-colored Sparrow.— Winter visitant; saw from 
one to ten per day. 
237. *Chewink.—Resident; common throughout the year. 
Saw from five to twenty per day, almost every day that I 
was in a suitable locality. 
242. *Cardinal Grosbeak.—Resident; always here regard- 
less of weather; usually see about a dozen per day. 
258. Cowbird.—‘*Resident.” 
260, Yellow headed Blackbird.—‘‘Oceasionally winters 
in Southern Illinois.” 
261. Red-winged Blackbird.—‘‘Resident in Southern Tli- 
nois.” 
263. *Meadow Lark.—Resident; met them in flocks of 
from ten to one hundred. 
973. Rusty Blackbird.—“‘Sometimes winters in Southern 
Ulinois.” 
278). *Purple Grackle.—Resident; in flocks ranging from 
fifty to one thousand, 
282. *Common Crow.—Resident; spending the winter in 
the bottom lands, and especially in the vicinity of swampy 
Jakes. While [was camping out last winter, every morn- 
ing long straggling flocks would go over camp, that would 
take an hour to pass over. ‘They were feeding largely at 
that time ou pecan nuts. 
289, *Blue Jay.—Resident; one of our most familiar birds, 
both around civilization and in the woods. Like the crow, 
they are foud of pecans and 1 think that they sometimes 
store up food in crevices in bark and im old trees. They 
pick open large numbers of acorns, to get both the kernel 
and the worms which so often are within. 
300. *Shore Lark.—Resident; sometimes occurring in im- 
mense numbers, but most commonly in flocks of from ten 
to twenty, 
#15. Phcebe.—‘‘ Winters in Southern I]linois.” 
360. *Hairy Woodpecker.—Resident. Like all of the 
family quite evenly distributed over the woods; saw trom 
ten to twenty per day. During the past winter most kinds 
of our winter birds have been unusually abundant, and the 
ever busy woodpeckers seemed to be more busy than usual, 
storing up food in the cracks and crevices. In the hills that 
adjoin the bottoms, they were so numerous that their yari- 
ous noises were almost continuous, until darkness gaye both 
them and us a rest. They not only store up mast, but 
where corsa is planted in a ‘‘deadening” they do considerable 
damage to the corn, as the old trees afford convenient store- 
houses. ; 
361. “Downy Woodpecker.—Resident, rather more com- 
mon than the preceding. : 
369. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker.—‘‘ Winters in Southern 
Illinois. Not known to breed in the State.” [In summer 
of 1884 was found breeding near Danville, Il.) 
$71. *Pileated Woodpecker.—Resident; saw from five te 
have noticed per- 
ten to 
=, 
— 
