464 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
es 3 = 
[Jan 8, 1885. 
620. Golden Eye.—‘‘In Illinois only in winter.” 
621. *Butter-ball.— Winter visitant, nof uncommon in 
spring. : 
622. Harlequin Duck.—‘TIn Illinois, only in winler 
throughout the State.” 
623. Long-tailed Duck.—‘‘In Illinois only in winter, 
occurs throughout the State.” 
634. Ruddy Dueck.—‘“‘Resident in Southern Tlinois.” 
686, *Sheldrake.— Winter visitant, rare. 
637. Red-breasted Sheldrake, —‘*Winters in the whole of 
Illinois.” 
658, “Hooded Sheldrake.—More common than either of 
the two preceding, 
643. *Double-crested Cormorant.—Very rare in winter, and 
I haye only seen them as migrants, coming during the month 
of Mareh and remaining three or four weeks. 
6662 Herring Gull.—‘‘In Illinois a winter sojourner 
throughout the State.” 
669. Ring-billed Gull.—‘‘In [inois mainly transient, but 
a winter sojourner southward.” 
674, Bonaparie’s Gull.—'‘In Illinois chiefly transient, but 
sometimes winters,” 
782, Horned Grebe.—‘‘In Southern Illinois winters.” 
733a. Eared Grebe.—‘‘In Illinois a winter sojourner.” 
735, *Thick-billed Grebe.—Resident, common as long as 
the water remains open. : 
736. Loon.—''In Illinois chiefly winter sojourner.” 
The above list contains the names of one hundred and 
forty-one species which have been taken by various persons 
in Southern Illinois during the winter. One of the most 
‘valuable uses of such a list is as a basis of comparison he- 
tween different localities, and as sucl we desire that it be 
used the present winter. Especially desirable is this for the 
country west of Illinsis, The winter notes, so far as eon- 
tributed, and these which I collected myself while in the 
southern part of Indian Territory last winter, indicate very 
strongly that for many ot the migratory species the winter 
Tange tends rapidly southward as we go west. In some 
other species no difference is apparent; so that we can for- 
mulate no general rule, and it becomes highly important to 
know which species are influenced and to what extent. 
The gist of the matter is, then, that we desire each one 
who is interested in the study of birds to note those species 
which are seen this winter, with their relative abundance, 
ete., that by a comparison and compilation of these notes we 
may judge accurately of the winter range of our birds. 
These records may be sent to me here, and the writer may 
use either Latin or English names or Smithsonian numbers. 
We are also in need of new observers for next spring’s 
migration, especially in Arkansas, Louisiana and South- 
eastern Texas. All who are willing to aid will please send 
their address and I will forward circulars of instruction. 
W. W. Cooxrs. 
MoorHEAD, Minn., Dec. 17, 1884. 
HORNS OF FEMALE CARIBOU. 
Hiditor Forest and Stream: 
In your issue of Dec 25 Mr. Grinnell has cited a most 
formidable array of writers, and given extracts from their 
works, to prove that he had good authority for stating that 
“the female caribou is always, or nearly always, provided 
with horns.” I will not presume to say that these writers 
have blundered, but I will repeat that this does not apply to 
the caribou found in New Brunswick; here it is theexception 
and not the rule to find the female with horns, and I have 
the very best authority for making this statement—the 
caribou themselves, 
Nor will it be so difficult, as Mr. Grinnell seems to thmk 
it, to reconcile these apparently conflicting statements, when 
we take into consideration the possibility of ‘‘geographical 
variation,” accounting for the discrepancy, for it is quite 
probable that most of the observations upon which ihe 
opinions of the book men haye been based, were made in the 
more northern and western sections of the continent where 
the facts may justify the conclusions arrived at. Sir John 
Richardson is quoted by most writers on the subject, and it 
is obyious that he did not frame his diagnosis from southern 
specimens, Professor Baird copies from the “Knowsley 
Menagerie” and from Dr. King’s ‘‘Narrative,” and adds 
(page 635) that he has not the means of presenting any satis- 
factory diagnosis of the genus Rangifer, Just where Dr. 
Gray obtained his information I cannot say, but Dr. King’s 
examples were taken in the far north. Judge Caton adinits 
that his ‘‘opportunities for a personal study of this species 
has been very limited” and quotes from Richardson, I 
haye not access to Audubon and Bachman’s work and cannot 
tell where they studied the species. Perhaps Mr, Grinnell 
will kindly throw some light upon this. 
The published testimony of several gentlemen who have 
written of the caribou of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia 
is, [have to confess, adyerse to my opinion. Mr. Grinnell 
has mentioned Capt, Hardy’s “Forest Lite in Acadia,” and, 
as lam more anxious to get at the facts of the case than to 
prove myself right, I will add to the list Dr. Gilpin’s ‘‘Mam- 
mals of Nova Scotia,” Rowan’s “Emigrant and Sportsman 
io Canada,” and Dr. A, Leith Adams's ‘‘Wield and Forest 
Rambles,” Mr, Rowan and Dr. Adams liyed in New Bruns- 
wick a short time, and did considerable hunting here. They 
both make mention of the female caribou carrying horns as 
if it was the rule and not the exception; but they refer to it 
merely incidentally and in a general way, and it is open to 
question whether this opinion was based upon their own 
observations or was derived from Richardson’s work, from 
which both of these authors make quotations, 
But opposed to all these writers I haye the evidence of my 
own eyes and the testimony of some twenty persons who 
have had extensive opportunities for becoming informed 
upon the subject, and who are unanimous in the opinion 
that itisthe exception and not the rule to find a female 
earibou with horns, 
In my previous letter I gave extracts from letters received 
from two gentlemen who are students as well as sportsmen. 
I regret that I have not permission to give their names, but 
I may say that one is a leading railway official and the other 
a mining engineer and manager of a coal mine, and I have 
reason to know that they are close and careful observers, 
The professional huniers agree with the sportsmen natur- 
alists on this sabject. Mr, Henry Braithwaite, of Freder- 
icton, a man of superior intelligence and exceedingly well 
informed, who, from loye of a hunter’s life, has spent sey- 
eral years as a professional trapper, and who has killed 
between 300 and 400 caribou, and examined a great many 
more, considers that not more than ong of every twenty-five 
females he has seen haye had horns. Gabe, an old Melicete, 
the best hunter in his tribe, and of such intelligence and re- 
liability that he was selected to take charge of the Indian 
department in the Canadian section of the Fisheries Wxhibi- 
tion in London, has told me that ‘female caribou sometimes 
carry horns, but not often.” Joe Martin, an old French- 
Canadian trapper, used a similar expression, and several 
other hunters I have talked with on the subject spoke in 
much the same terms, 
Nor am J the only one who, in the columns of Forest 
AND STREAM, has dissented from the opinion of the books. 
in your issue of Dec. 18, on page 404, ‘‘Penobscot” writes: 
‘Some sportsmen seem to have the impression that, all female 
caribou have antlers. Ihave never yet seen a living female 
carry them, and I have had several opportunities to inspect 
bands of six and eicht animals.” 
I hope other readers of this journal will publish the result 
of their observations, that we may discover over what ex- 
tent of country this deviation from the general rule may 
occur, MonTaGurE CHAMBERLAIN, 
Sv. Joun, N, B., Dee. 29, 1884. 
Hypra ASA Fisn Eater.—ditor Forest and Stream: The 
article on the hydra in your issue of Dec. 25 calls to mind 
an incident related by Prof, Parker of the University of 
Pennsylvania which may be of interest, as it bears upon the 
question of fish propagation. Having placed some of the 
common green hydra (H, viridis) in an aquarium containing 
recently hatched goldfish, he soon found the latter were dis- 
appearing in a remarkable manner. Close examination 
showed that each little polyp had secured a prize. The 
fish, though quite young, wetestrong, free swimmers and 
could not have been clasped in that tentacular embrace, but 
for the numbing or paralyzing effect, which hydra cuuse by 
shooting out the fine barbed darts from their thread cells. 
A man who has suffered from a jelly fish sting will appre- 
ciate the power of this weapon. As your correspondent 
“§.° states, these hydra are present in all streams ard 
pools, and if generally feeding upon such large game might 
be quite a factor in the question of fishculture, It is possible 
that in their free state they prefer the minute animal organ- 
isms assigned them by the text books, only taking toa fish 
diet under stress of cireumstances.—T. M. W. (Philadelphia, 
Dec, 29, 1884). 
QUEER PLACE FoR A Brrp’s Nusr.—In the spring of ’82, 
as | was passing through an orchard in search of birds’ 
eggs, my attention was attracted by a fluttering in the grass 
about a yard in advance of me. I followed yery cautiously, 
and whenever I stopped the fluttering also discontinued, On 
entering a field of short grass I saw that the bird which pro- 
duced the sound was a little chipping sparrow, which wus 
endeavoring to entice me away from its nest, after the man- 
ner of a quail or woodcock, by pretending to be wounded, 
The bird’s cunning failed in this instance. Returning to the 
orchard I retraced my steps, the grass being quite long, and 
found the chipping sparrow’s nest, with three eggs in it, 
built directly on top of a field mouse’s nest, which was also 
inhabited, as the little paths leading im different directions 
showed. A week later, as I chanced to pass the same 
orchard, | bethought myself of the nest, and on visiting the 
place I saw the field mouse’s nest, and about two yards from 
it I found the chipping sparrow’s, with two young birds. 
How one nest became separated from the other I cannot tell, 
except by supposing that the wind had something to do with 
it.—Cuas. O. TRUESDELL (Syracuse, N. Y.), 
WHAT IS THE ““BLACKCAT.”—In your issue of Dec. 18, 
page 404, ‘“‘Penobscot,” in speaking of the cry of panthers, 
etc., says he has never heard the cry of the fisher. Don’t 
he make a mistake in classing it among the cats and lynxes, 
being, perhaps, misled by its common name of ‘‘blackcat.” 
I supposed it belonged to the weasel family. Am I right or 
wrong?—H, H. N. (Litchfield Co., Conn.), [You are right. 
The fisher or blackcat is a true weasel, and has no special 
relations with the Fede | 
Camp Lire Slicherings. 
“That reminds me.”’ 
144. 
YOUNG man was telling a friend how well he was get- 
ting along with training a young pointer, His friend 
said he would like to see the young Croxteth perform. So 
the young man took from the kennel his pup, saying, 
“Charge! Hold up! Come to heel!” and then drew from 
his pocket a leather money pouch. Fromit he took two 
bills, a $5 and $10, saying to his friend, ‘‘l guess I won’t let 
him put his teeth through these, as he isa little hard- 
mouthed yet.” He then threw the pouch about fifteen 
yards and spoke to the pup: ‘“‘Hie on, Steady, steady. 
Whoa. Fetch.” All this was done as well as could be 
wished for, Asthe pup came in with the pouch he told 
him to ‘‘sit,” then told him to ‘‘drop il,” but the pup re- 
fused, and shut his jaws onit. The youth proceeded to 
open the pup’s jaws. After a tussle he gotit opened, but 
there was no pouch there. The young man turned to his 
friend: ‘‘What in the Old Harry did he do with it?” 
“Tropped it,” said his friend. ‘But where did he drop it?” 
‘Down his throat.” The young trainer then made the re- 
mark he wasabout $15in by takmg the bills out of the 
pouch, and was about thirty-five cents out by leaving some 
silver pieces in the pouch. When asked what he would 
have done with the pup if he had swallowed the $15, the 
amateur trainer's answer was, ‘‘I would not kill him for the 
sake of getting the pouch and money, but I would value 
him $15 higher.” LIMEROCK, 
RooKLaND, Me., Dec. 15. 
145. 
Some fifteen years ago there lived in Bedford county, 
Va., a character knownas “Simple John Crawford.” In 
his wanderings about the country among relatives and 
friends he always carried a loaded gun, but was never known 
to ‘‘fire it off. Being much in ihe forest, he would give 
many accounts of the amount and kinds of game seen, but 
when asked why he did not shoot it always made some 
excuse. One spring evening, while stopping with a brother, 
he went out to the orchard—which bordered on the wood— 
and concealed himself behind the fence to watch pheasants as 
they came to feed on the apple buds. Shortly afterward he 
was aroused by a heavy thump, and looking about him saw 
a deer standing within fifty feet, Taking in the situation 
for a few minutes, he broke for the house on a run, and 
commenced giving his brother an excited description of 
what had occurred. When Bill saw through the ‘‘mist,” he 
said; ‘John, why didn’t you shoot it?” John suddenly 
cooled down, considered a moment, and then looked and 
said: ‘Why, Bill, I was afraid the gun would snap.” 
J. L. BR, 
Hancoor, Md. 
146. 
Twenty years ago we were living in I[Ilinois. The coun- 
iry was pretty wild, with small game abundant and com- 
paratively tame, Father owned a light double muzzle- 
loader, with one nipple broken off. It was a lovely Sunday 
morning, and father, who, though a deacon in the church 
was not over conservative, was at home, when a flock of 
prairie chickens lit in the grass right in the yard. Wather 
saw them, and unmindful of the fact that it was the pre- 
scribed day of rest and that the chickens considered them- 
selves safe anywhere that day, took down his gun and gallied 
forth. He didn’t read the Forms anp Srrwam: besides 
meat Was scarce at our house then, and seeing what he sup- 
posed were fuur or five prairie chickens in the tall grass, he 
got in line and gave them the contents of the only barrel 
that he could fire. With a rush and roar the flock departed, 
and father walked up to pick up—no, not the birds, but an 
old knotty log that was doing better in the way of game pro- 
tection than many of our constables do now. The roar of 
laughter that greeted bim from the rest of the family made 
that day the saddest of his life. Cnoxe AND CYLINDER, 
WATERBURY, Conn. 
lew Publications. 
“OLD SAINT AUGUSTINE.?* 
Neri and eyentful are the scenes depicted in this ‘Story of 
Three Centuries.” Old Saint Augustine has a history more 
varied and changing than many a city of far older date, and itis with ~ 
no ordinary interest that we look back upon those scenes and actions 
now so far away in the past. From the first landing of the Spaniards 
in Florida, down through the years whenit was possessed by the 
French and English, and on almost to our own times, there has been 
a succession of fierce struggles and bloody warfares around the old 
town. 
The book opens with a hrief account of the efforts made by the 
Spaniards to penetrate into the wildernesses of the New World, and 
their determination, after repeated failures, to return oncé more and 
rescue their possessions from the hands of heretics and heathen. The 
heretics, whom they found on their arrival in Florida, were the trench 
Huguenots who, for little more than a year, had lived in peace in the 
land. Then comes the founding of San Augustin, the dark story of 
the bloody massacre, and the return of the Spaniards to their en- 
campment. Once more the French revisit Florida, and accomplish 
a mission of revenge. A short account of the execution of the Span- 
ish prisoners is taken from the old black-letter chronicle of Hakluyt, 
and 1s very interesting, 
Saint Augustine enjoyed twenty years of quiet before the arrival of 
the English Seakings, Then Francis Drake and Martine Frobisher 
visited the city, destined to pass into the hands of so many nations. 
Thev follow the sad story of the Franciscan Fathers and the stirring 
tale of the bold Boucaniers; and after many years, the British, 
through a treaty with Spain, obtain possession of Saint Augustine. 
‘rhe chapter recounting the history of the Minorcan colonists, and 
their sufferings and final release from servitude, is followed by one 
entitled ‘‘Rangers and Dery Boys,” and tells of the loyalty of the 
city to the king during the Revolu ionary War. But nothing was 
gained by this fidelity, and soon afterward Saint augustine passed 
again into the hands of the Spanish. Then at lastcome years of 
peace, and in 1621 Florida is ceded to the United States, 
The next chapter is perhaps the most pathetic in the book. I tells 
of the struggle of the Seminolesto retain possession of the land, 
which for generations had been their home. This story excites our 
strongest indignation at the Injustice, treachery, and cruelty, which 
was constantly practiced toward this tribe, and our admiration for 
the chiefs Osceola and Coacoochee, struggling to the last to preserye 
the inheritance of their fathers. Wenext read of years of quiet for 
the ancient citadel. Then comes the War of the Rebellion, which dis- 
turbs but little the venerable city by the sea, 
The final chapter of the beok is a description of Fort Marion, with 
its parapets, bastions, and dungeons. Could they but speak, what 
tales of deepest sadness and profoundest interest would these walls 
reveal, 
The book presents throughout evidence of close study and research, 
and the author shows an enthusiasm for his subject that is not with- 
out its effect upon his readers. As he relates the deeds of those days, 
we are carried along with him, and can almost see the grim old fort- 
ress as it holds its own against flerce assaults and heavy cannonad- 
ings. 
The story is toldin a simple, straightforward way, which is very 
impressive. It is not intended to be a detailed history of the city, but 
each chapter represents some phase of its eventful past. The style 
in which it is written is clear, graphic, and very forcible, It brings 
vividly before us each event that is portrayed. It is concise and 
strong. There isno Horid language, but in few words the author tells 
his story, and we are impressed with it and his manner of narration, 
The illustrations are very attractive; some of them are from drayw- 
ings by artists who were present at the scenes they depicted, and 
these are most quaint and curious. The later ones, artotypes from 
photograph negatives, show the town as it is now, and the massive 
wall of the old fort with plants and vines clinging to its gray sides, 
The garden overlooking the plaza, and the ancient cathedral, assure 
us that thereis much that is beautiful and attractive in the Saint 
Augustine of to-day. . 
The mechanical execution of the book is excellent. L. G. G. 
* Old Saint Augustine. A Story of Three Centuries. By Charles 
B, Reynolds. BE Ananeide: Florida: E, H. Reynolds, 1885. Pp. 144, 
fif.een illustrations. Price, $1.50, 
Tue FLoripA ANNUAL FOR 1885. Impartial and unsectional, with 
large, new township map, reyised to date, Edited by C. K. Munroe, 
Published at 140 Nassau street, New York, 1585. Price, 50 cents; by 
mail, 60 cents.—We have examined this admirable handbook with 
great care, and take pleasure in very cordially commending it to 
those seeking information about Florida lands, mdustries, resources, 
and pleasure and health resorts, There is a surprismg store of facts 
between its covers; the plan is comprehensive and the details bave 
been prepared with an evident conscientious endeavor to tell the 
truth about Florida, ‘-AJ Fresco” contributes a chapter on hunting 
and fishing. Mr, Munroe writes a compact guide to Florida travel, 
which, with the map, is amply full; and R. C. Long describes the sey- 
eral sections of the State in relation to agriculture and other indus- 
tries. There are all sorts of directions, statistics, legal hints, and 
edds and ends enough to answer almost any sensible question one 
can ask about the subject. 
Tue Cruise or Toe Monraur.—Nearly a year ago the schooner 
yacht Montauk, N. Y. Y. ©., lett New York for a cruise, haying 
on board her owner, the late Rear-Commodore §. R. Platt, his 
brother, Mr. John R. Platt, Mr. Thomas B. Asten and Gen, James 
McQuade, the latter haying written the account of the eruise now 
published. A three months’ yachting cruise in the West Indies should 
have afforded material for a volumethat would commend itself to all 
yachtsmen to whom Montauk is so well known, but the yachting por- 
tion of this book consists of the design on the cover, a paragraph 
giving the dimensions of the yacht, and a page devoted lo a description 
of the sideboards, chandeliers, cut glass, silverware and electric bells 
in her cabin. The route taken was from New Ycrk to Bermuda, call- 
ing at 8t. Kitts, St. Pierre, Martinique, Trinidad, Jamaica, Cuba and 
Florida, and while the descriptions of the places visited are interest- 
ing, the main portion of the book is devoted to the doings and sayin 
of the party of four in the cabin, and as far as yachting is concerned, 
it might have been written as wellin Utica as on the Atlantic. The 
publishers, Messrs. Thos. R. Knox & Oo., have done allin their power 
for the book, making a handsome octavo volume of some 400 pages, 
illustrated with views of the yacht and of many of the places visited. 
The book will haye special interesb for the many friends of the 
Jamented owner of the Montauk, 
BOOKS RECEIVED. r 
ORNAMENTAL GARDENING roR AMpRiIcaNs.—A treatise on beautifying 
homes, rural districts, and eemeéteries. By Hlias A. Long. Illustrated, 
New York: Orange Judd Co, Price $2. 4 
Tur Brrvish AND AMeRIcAN AssoctaTions.—Reports of the meetings 
of the Svientific Associations recently held in Montreal and Philadel- 
phia, as given in Science, Cambridge, Mass. The Science Company, 
1 
