44 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Feb. 12, 1-885, 



i nuking repeated and rapid trips. We •watched him while 

 lie put three bass through a ring performance and landed 

 them, and then pulled alongside. His boat -was half filled 

 with water, aud he looked as though he had been overboard. 

 George was directed to bail the boat, and after the water had 

 been lowered somewhat it looked like Sabattis' fish box. The 

 cause of the noise was now apparent. The editor had taken 

 fourteen base and had given way to his excitement in the 

 whoops which we had heard a mile away. In a few minutes 

 his boat would have been swamped, as he had evidently 

 stood much of the time on the gunwale. 



After his bout had been put in trim the editor resumed 

 business. We anchored a few yards away and were soon 

 joined by Truthful James. That day we attained the climax 

 sf bass •fishing; we had found "the elysium." More than 

 once each of the four members of the party was playing a 

 fish at the same time. There would be a lull for a while in 

 the. proceedings, then suddenly the Ku-Klux inask would 

 take on a fiercer expression and his lithe Mitchell would go 

 into action with a curve and a spring, the lawyer would 

 surge back with his heavier rod. and the act would close by 

 the editor throwing oft his hat and starting another circus. 



By a little after noon every one felt 'that to fish much 

 longer would be an inexcusable slaughter, if it were not such 

 already. We had taken over a hundred bass, nearly all of 

 which were small-mouths, and were content to rest for the 

 remainder of the day. Our fish were distributed among the 

 dwellers at the outlet, the camp and Sabattis coming in for 

 a full share. Our visitors were more than delighted; such 

 fishing they had never before experienced. 



Grand as we found the fishing. Truthful James bore wit- 

 ness to the fact that it did not equal that of four years since. 

 During that period it has been on the decrease. No reason 

 to ask why. That being which curses every water with his 

 presence from Maine, along the St. Lawrence, the lakes of 

 New Tori?, the Delaware, the Susquehanna— but why enu- 

 merate. The pot-fisher, the fish hog, the pest that ought to 

 be shot on sight, has found this lake, and in the spring 

 months strings his hoop-nets along its shores. The Dominion 

 has game laws, to be sure, but these permit the granting of 

 licenses to set nels for "skin fish, " i. c, catfish and eels. Two 

 enterprising individuals therefore secured, to the exclusion of 

 all others, a license to set nets in Loughborough Lake and for 

 "skin fish I" If reports be true they skin fish with a venge- 

 ance. Two barrels a week have been sent to market in the 

 towns along Lake Ontario. What they contained no one at 

 the lake was allowed to see, but they were "skin fish" con- 

 cerns no doubt. A complaint has been made to the Minis- 

 ter of Fisheries, or some such officer, and an investigation 

 has been promised. The man with the net deserves the same 

 heroic treatment that his compeer with dynamite receives at 

 St. Petersburg and Berlin . 



Four more days of fishing, less remarkable for the catch 

 than the one above mentioned, but days nevertheless of royal 

 sport, followed, and the week closed; and with it our guests 

 departed, the lawyer to Montreal and the editor to his home. 

 And now came the summons for Truthful James, and our 

 thoughts began to take a new shape and to wing their way 

 ov-er the border, where we knew a furnace heated tenfold 

 was awaiting our coming. Our peace was well-nigh gone, 

 and there, ouly remained to extract what pleasure we might 

 out of the few remaining days. The time was so fixed for 

 our respective departures that we would be left alone in 

 camp for several days after Truthful James had token his 

 leave. 



Do what we would the thoughts of the coming break-up 

 were ever upon us — an incubus which oppressed, and from 

 which we could not escape. Wawayanda. 



in\nl j§i$targ. 



"THE BIRDS OF LONG ISLAND."* 



AN INTERESTING VOLUME OF EOBTY YEARS AGO. 



(1 OING into the office of a friend the other day, the talk 

 X drifted into a question of ornithology. In determin- 

 ing it he dived into his desk and brought up a plain and 

 rather dingy muslin-bound book, entitled "The Birds of 

 Long Island," published in the city of New York in 1844 

 and copyrighted a year earlier. So much was I interested 

 that 1 carried it off in order that I might look through it a 

 little more at leisure. And I venture to subjoin a few ex- 

 tracts, not for the scientific knowledge, but that the present 

 readers of the Forest and Stream may note some of the 

 change* that have occurred in various directions siuce the 

 days when Illinois, Iowa and Indiana were still the western 

 extremes of civilization. 



The writer in his classification and further treatise begins 

 with the Vulturinm, of which family the turkey buzzard 

 was the only member on Long Island, and closes with the 

 Ooli/mbina>, represented by the divers and grebes. Between 

 these he touches briefly or at length on the several hundred 

 species native to the island, following principally the nomen- 

 clature of Wilson and Audubon. But with the work as a 

 scientific text book the present mention has nothing to do, 

 aud the few extracts which are appended are perhaps suf- 

 ficiently self-explanatory. 



Under the head of Ortyx Virginia, after calling attention 

 to the fact that the naturalists having placed this bird under 

 the genus partridge, we have, therefore, properly speaking, 

 no quail in this country, the author says: 



"Four species of partridge are known to inhabit North 

 America, but the California {Ortyx caUforniaa), the plumed 

 (OHyx pluinifera) zud welcome {Oriyx neoiwrms), have only 

 been found in the western part of the continent. The present 

 lOrty.ve.) the only species found within the limits of the 

 United States (sic) is very generally distributed throughout 

 the Union, though more abundant in the interior. In the 

 mouth of January 1 met it in great numbers in the States of 

 Indiana and Ohio. In the Western States shotguns and 

 pointer dogs are but little used[!!]. The hunters find 

 sufficient employment for their rifles upon larger game, and 

 consider the common American partridge too insignificant 

 to waste iheir ammunition upon, while their tables are sup- 

 plied with the savory flesh of the wild turkey and deer. 

 Thus this species continues to multiply, having nothing to 

 contend with except the severity of the weather, or an oc- 

 casional descent made upon it with nets, though this un- 

 sportsmanlike method, particulary in the interior, is but 

 little practiced. As its flesh is not so highly prized as by the 

 fastidious palates of our city epicures, and being so plenty, 



*The Birds of Long Island. By J. P. Giraud, Jr. Member of the 

 Lyceum of Natural History, New Yort. Published by Wiley & Put- 

 nam, 161 Broadway, 1844. Pp. 397. 



and so far removed from the markets of the river towns, as a 

 source of gain it would prove unprofitable." 



"On Long Island it is quite abundant, notwithstanding 

 this famous shooting ground is visited annually by a great 

 number of sportsmen." * * * "Mr. Audubon stales that 

 in Texas, the Floridas, and as far east as the neighborhood 

 of Charlestown, S. O, it breeds twice a year; first in May 

 and again in September, and with us it is by many believed 

 that i t rears two broods. With those who are of this opinion, 

 I am inclined to disagree. During the season of shooting, 

 we notice quite a difference in the birds of the year, I admit. 

 The younger of these, I am disposed to think, are the first 

 offspring of their parents, which are later in hatching than 

 those that have bred for several years, or it may occur when 

 the nest has been broken up before the eggs were hatched ; 

 and in persisting to raise a brood the female may lay a sec- 

 ond time, but in general, I am well persuaded that they do 

 not, with us, rear more than one brood during the year. 

 * * * The eggs of the partridge have frequently been 

 hatched by the domestic hen ; the birds have remained with 

 her during the first season, but on the return of spring obeyed 

 their native instinct and took to the fields— although it is the 

 opinion of naturalists that with proper care they could be 

 domesticated." 



Of the ruffed grouse our author says: "On Long Island 

 it is quite plentiful, inhabiting generally the middle portion 

 of the island, particularly the chain of hills known as the 

 ■Spine,' which from its formation is best adapted to its 

 habits. I have procured a number in Duchess County on 

 the rough lands adjacent to the Hudson Kiver. In Orange 

 county they are abundant, and are also found in large num- 

 bers in the' mountainous country that borders the valley of 

 the Delaware." 



Here are two stones told by the writer anent ruffed grouse 

 which certainly deserve a place in the column of "Remark- 

 able Shots: " 



"In the autumn of 1839 while two of my friends were in 

 pursuit of the American partridge fquall], their dog put up 

 a ruffed grouse. Both gentlemen fired at the same instant, 

 and seeing the bird lodge in a tree both claimed the prize, 

 each supposing that his shot had taken effect. On arriving 

 at the spot they found the bird impaled on a small branch, 

 without having received a single pellet. On another occa- 

 sion a gentleman started a' grouse near Weehawken, N. J. ; 

 before he could fire the bird dropped dead. On taking it up 

 he found the skull broken, it having flown against the limb 

 of a tree with such forre as to produce instant death." 



Speaking of the pinnated grouse, the writer deplores their 

 extinction. "On Long Island the 'prairie hen' is very 

 nearly, if not entirely, extinct. Thirty years ago it was 

 quite' abundant, on the brushy plains in Suffolk county, which 

 tract is well adapted to its habits; but being a favorite bird 

 with sportsmen, as well as commanding a high price in the 

 New York markets, it has been pursued as a matter oE pleas- 

 ure and profit, till now it is doubtful if a brace can be found 

 on the island. * * * At Martha's Vineyard, I am in- 

 formed, it is quite plentiful, aud during the winter a few are 

 exposed for sale in the New York market procured at that 

 place." 



The good people of New York had game laws even in those 

 primitive days. "On the first of July the act which pro- 

 hibits the shooting of woodcock expires." Further along 

 Mr. Girand quotes from a city ordinance then in force: "No 

 person shall bring into any market, or sell or offer or expose 

 for sale any woodcock, in any market or other place in the 

 city of New York, between the first day of February and the 

 first day of July of any year, under the penalty of ten dol- 

 lars for each offense." 



One more quotation, and Heave the subject: "The brent 

 geese" (brant) says Mr. G.. "are very fond of sanding, and 

 resort to bars for thai purpose * * *- The bar known as 

 Fire Island bar, on the south side of Long Island, is a cele- 

 brated place for procuring them. It is rented to two broth- 

 ers by the name of Alliby at $120 per annum, and I am 

 informed that these men send to the New York market 

 annually several hundred dollars' worth of birds, the larger 

 proportion of which is brent. * * * In 1838 a law was 

 passed in this State prohibiting the use of batteries. For 

 a short time it was respected, but the gunners who depended 

 on water fowl shooting for a great part of their living con- 

 sidered it such an invasion, of their rights that they defied 

 it, at first shooting with masks, at the same time threatening 

 to shoot the informer, should one be found. They finally 

 laid aside their masks, and the law became a dead letter and 

 has since been repealed." 



"The Birds of Long Island," 1 presume, is long since out 

 of print; but it certainly contains a great deal of matter 

 quite as valuable to-day as when issued. J. B. B. 



Toledo, O., Jan. 27, 1885. 



HOW TO IDENTIFY BIRDS. 



A FEW years since I made an offer in the columns of 

 Forest and Stream to identify any specimens of 

 North American birds sent to me for this purpose, either in 

 the flesh or as skins, the same to be returned if desired. At 

 frequent intervals I have received specimens and much in- 

 teresting correspondence from Avidely separated localities, 

 from the Canadian Dominion to Texas, and from the Atlan- 

 tic to the Pacific coast. 



I wish now to repeat this offer, and make a few sugges- 

 tions in connection therewith. 



Small birds may be preserved for several days, even in 

 warm weather, by removing the intestines, wiping out the 

 interior of body, mouth and throat with a swab of cotton or 

 cloth so as to remove all blood, and thereafter placing gum 

 camphor inside the mouth and body. A bird should be thus 

 prepared as soon as possible after death, placed smoothly in 

 a paper roll or cone, and sent by mail in a box or roll of 

 pasteboard. Memoranda notes of date and locality of the 

 capture of each specimen should be sent, either attached as 

 a label, or by letter, as also any other information of possible 

 value or interest. , 



Birds of considerable size can be sent in similar manner, it 

 not badly mutilated. 



Of course, in the greater number of instances, it would be 

 best to send the skins of birds, especially if at a distance of 

 more than two days' journey, by mail. 



Small birds may be preserved for a day or more by merely 

 placing crumbs of gum camphor in the mouth, and inclosing 

 some with the body in its wrapper. _ ,.•*,* 



Students of ornithology will observe that m nearly all of 

 the published writings of American ornithologists of the 

 present time the descriptions of species are chiefly"devoted to 

 the coloration of the plumage. 



Do not, however, regard coloration as of prime importance, 

 lest you be frequently led astray; but refer to it only as of 



secondary importance, of value in corroboration of other 

 characters. 



Whenever desiring to identify a bird by observation of its 

 external features, examine first the form and proportions of 

 the bill, feet, wings and tail, witliout regards to color of plum- 

 age. 



When, after this examination, attention is given to color- 

 ation, do not restrict it to the plumage, but note carefully 

 the coloration of the eyes and eyelids, bill, mouth and tongue, 

 and the feet and claws. When skinning birds, always note 

 the sex and coutents of stomach of each. 



Objects of natural history may be sent by mail as fourth 

 class matter, with written labels attached, at rate of one 

 cent per ounce, each package not to exceed four pounds' 



weight. 

 Poetland, Me. 



Everett Smith. 



THE BIRDS OF MICHIGAN. 



BY DR. MORRIS GTBBS. 

 (Continued.) 



8. Galeoscoptes earoUnensis (Linn.) Cabanis— Catbird. 

 Just why this plainly-clad bird is so often an object of con- 

 tempt and dislike is a point rather difficult to explain satis- 

 factorily. The poor fellow is credited with committing all 

 sorts of depredations, not the least of which is indiscriminate 

 stealing and nest robbing, and people generally think him 

 capable of the most atrocious deeds. The country urchin 

 will iuform you that the catbird is a "real mean, whining, 

 nest-robbing thief," and he stones him whenever opportu 

 nity offers, and looks upon him as an interloper and ranks 

 him lower than a skunk or a snake. This is all the result of 

 vulgar prejudice. 



The plain colors of the subject of this sketch is hardly a 

 fair point upon which to found a prejudice against him. 



The catbird rarely emerges into plain sight, as does the 

 robin, and if he appears in view and sings for a few moments, 

 the chances are that something will occur to cause him to 

 plunge into the thicket; and then the whining, cat-like 

 notes are heard issuing from the depths of the bramble 

 patch and row of garden bushes, and we see no more of him, 

 unless it is to catch a hasty glimpse of his active form as he 

 scratches among the leaves on the ground and shyly eyes us 

 askance. 



Undoubtedly the skulking nature of the bird and its dis- 

 agreeable call notes are the principal unfair counts against 

 this, to me, pleasing, sprightly bird. It is unfortunate for 

 the catbird that it cannot elevate itself to a dignified position. 

 But fate evidently is against it, and the poor fellow is doomed 

 to remain below the elevated sphere of bird life in the esti- 

 mation of most of those who misjudge it; although, let us 

 trust, that even with its plain colors and not winning ways, 

 it endeavors to maintain its own standard in society and suc- 

 ceeds among its feathered associates. 



Prof essor Coues says : "There is a dead level of bird life, 

 as there is of humanity, and mediocrity is simply despicable," 

 and therefore the poor catbird is relegated to the lower order 

 of bird society. 



The catbird conies to us so regularly during the latter part 

 of April or early May that we are not at all surprised at 

 hearing the vehement, jerky sonsr issuing from the usual re- 

 treat, and upon closer inspection the songster will be found 

 quite near to the last year's nest, where so many broods of 

 young have been reared. This bird has a remarkable ten- 

 dency to return to the same spot with the season, year in, 

 year out. Perhaps no other bird, excepting the familiar 

 robin, has the inclination to so repeatedly return to a favored 

 nesting site. 



The catbird arrives from April 20 to May 2, according to 

 the season, and leisurely spreading over the entire civilized 

 portion of the Lower Peninsula, his eccentric song is soon 

 heard by all passers by, in thicket, orchard and hedgerow. 

 The eggs are generally deposited by May 15, rarely earlier. 

 About the last of the month is the time for collectois to se- 

 cure a series of sets. The nests can generally be found in 

 such numbers that one day's trip by a good collector is 

 usually sufficient for a lifetime. 



The nest is usually placed about five feet from the 

 ground, but never, to my knowledge, upon the ground, and 

 rarely over ten feet above it. In make-up the structure is 

 principally composed of twigs— some of good size— occa- 

 sionally considerable straw and plenty of shippings of weed 

 stalks. It is nicely lined with fine roots and presents a com- 

 pact appearance, although a bulky affair for the size of the 



The eggs, usually four in number, are of a bright greenish 

 blue, and are remarkably handsome, though not generally 

 considered so by oblogists because they are so common. 

 Two broods are generally reared in a season. 



By October 10 not a catbird is to be seen in Kalamazoo 

 county, and the characteristic whine or call notes, which are 

 all that the bird vouchsafes after the nesting season is over, 

 are rarely heard later than September 20. 



Tbe song of this well known bird is peculiar in the extreme, 

 composed, as it is, of the snatches of other birds' songs, 

 uttered in a desultory, jerky manner in combination with its 

 natural notes. 



But if one will take the time to carefully analyze the song, 

 the notes will be found full of melody. Not so clear and 

 full as the robin's, but nevertheless exceedingly musical and 

 harmonious. 



This bird is a great favorite with me, and the true lover 

 of birds cannot fail to become possessed of a friendly feel- 

 im<- toward it if its habits are closely studied. 



9. Harporhyiichm rufus (Linn.) Caban.— Brown thrush, 

 brown thrasher. 



This species, the largest of the family, is conspicuous from 

 its bright rufus upper parts and long tail. It is known to 

 all and is common with us from April 20 to Sept. 15. the 

 first arrive in Kalamazoo county as early as April 12, and 

 are often found in numbers by the 10th. The last to leave 

 in the autumnal migration are seen until October. 



The eggs are frequently found as early as May lo, and 

 from this date to July 15, fresh eggs and young can be found 

 plentifully. The nest, a bulky affair, is placed quite often 

 on the ground or within a foot of it, and is rarely found ten 

 feet up. Occasionally a nest may be seen all of fifteen feet 

 from the ground, but such cases are rare exceptions. Brush 

 piles bushes aud rail fences generally form nesting places 

 for the homes of the thrasher in civilized sections, but occa- 

 sionally a nest is placed in a peculiar situation, entirely 

 different from locations usually selected. One nest that came 

 under my observation was built in a hollow on the side of a 

 stump, three feet from the ground. 



The eggs, four in number —sometimes only three and rarely 

 five— are so thickly dotted with fine markings of reddish 

 brown as to almost obliterate the bght greenish back ground, 



