6 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[July 6, 1895. 



LARGE MOOSE ANTLERS. 



Several very large sets of moose antlers were spoken 

 of in a recent issue of Forest and Stream. Almost in- 

 variably these large antlers (by large I mean spreading 

 upward of 60in.) were of bulls killed many years ago. 

 Forty years since,moose, both large and small, were quite 

 plenty and much easier to find than now. The early set- 

 tlers on the Magalloway River depended to a certain ex- 

 tent on moose meat. To them antlers large or small were 

 of no value. Usually the whole head was left where the 

 moose was killed. To the sportsman of the present day 

 the head and horns are by far the most valuable part of 

 the animal. 



On my hunting trips after moose I have never been for- 

 tunate enough to get a shot at or even see a bull with very 

 large horns, and I have been where moose were quite 

 plenty. The first bull I shot had a large finely colored 

 head with very good antlers spreading 40in., blades and 

 brow antlers very even, with twenty points in all. A 

 large bull was killed about four years ago near Clearwater 

 Lake in Nova Scotia, This head is in the gun store of 

 William Eead & Sons, of Boston. The antlers spread 62 or 

 63in. The head was set up by Carnell, of St. John, N. B. 

 At the time of the killing of the moose I was hunting 

 within a few miles of where it was shot, and the story as 

 I heard it is as follows: A party of native hunters had 

 called up and killed a good-sized moose and were at work 

 skinning it when the big bull walked out of the scrub tim- 

 ber quite close to them and was shot. Some Indians told 

 me later that it was caught in a snare, but Indians will 

 lie and white men too, sometimes. I spoke of this big 

 bull to Mr. Edward Read, and after some correspondence 

 he bought it. Mr. Read has several photographs taken 

 from different points of a moose head with a monstrous 

 set of antlers. The head in question is owned by a gentle- 

 man in St. Louis, Mo. , and I would suggest to the Forest 

 and Stream writing to Mr. Read for a loan of the photo- 

 graphs and to print an illustration, and give the readers of 

 Forest and Stream a chance to see what immense horns 

 a moose can have. The dimensions are given with the 

 photographs. 



On my last trip to Nova Scotia an old-time moose 

 hunter who had killed a great many moose came to our 

 camp and naturally the talk was principally on one sub- 

 ject. He said: "It appears to me that bulls nowadays 

 don't have such big horns as they used to." He spoke of 

 a couple of sets of very large horns which he had seen 

 years before lying on a certain barren. The horns and 

 skulls together. The former were firmly locked together 

 and a tine of one brow antler was driven into the eye- 

 socket of the other and imbedded in the bone at the 

 back. They had laid there for years and were much 

 bleached and crumbled. Our oldest guide also said he 

 had often heard of them. I said I would be glad to pay 

 well for such a specimen. The old man replied: "I sup- 

 pose they'd be worth something nowadays, but they weren't 

 then. The sportsman of to-day may hear stories* of these 

 big bulls, but that will be about all. Should he be fortu- 

 nate enough to kill one with antlers between 40 and 50in. 

 he will do better than the ma jority of the brotherhood. 



A companion of one of my trips said on starting: "I 

 will be satisfied with a set of horns of 40in., but I don't 

 want a head without antlers." After a week of unsuc- 

 cessful calling he thought he would shoot a cow if he got 

 a chance, and at the end of ten days he said, "I will shoot 

 a sick calf if I see one." I thought my moose-hunting 

 days were ended, but I have a longing to go at least once 

 more; and when the next season opens I think I shall go 

 to my friend Peavey, in Aroostook, and try and get a big 

 bull — that is, a moderately big one, 50in. or so spread of 

 horns. Peavey writes: "We will get him sure if you 

 come." C. M. Stark. 



Dumbarton, N. H., June 20. 



DO ANIMALS PRACTICE HYPNOTISM? 



It is only of late years that some naturalists ascribe to 

 animals the power of hypnotism. They claim that, by 

 means of this power, certain animals are able to throw 

 their prey into a hypnotic state. Otherwise, how could a 

 bird be "charmed" by a cat? How could a dog be trans- 

 fixed in its tracks by a snake? 



A curious instance is recorded by Mr. Bates in his book 

 entitled "A Naturalist on the Amazon." He says that one 

 day in the woods a small pet dog flew at a large rattle- 

 snake. The snake fixed its eye on the dog, lifted its tail 

 and shook its rattle; it seemed in no great hurry to strike 

 at the dog, but as if waiting to put the dog into a more 

 suitable position to be devoured. As to the dog, it neither 

 continued the attack nor retreated; it stood spellbound, 

 and could not or would not move even when called. 

 It was with some difficulty that the animal was dragged 

 away. 



Some years ago the writer watched two boa-constrictors 

 charm a rabbit that was put into the cage. At first the 

 poor victim seemed in great terror, gave a jump or two, 

 and then stood perfectly still. The snake simply lifted its 

 ugly head and seemed waiting for the rabbit to jump 

 down its throat. Poor bunny shivered all over, and actu- 

 ally moved toward the snake, which seized him. 



Many of our readers have seen cats try to charm birds 

 in the trees. Last summer where I was visiting the fam- 

 ily had a beautiful Maltese cat called Tom. He was a 

 great hunter, and was continually bringing in various 

 kind of small game. 



One bright morning I saw Tom creeping around the big 

 elm tree in the yard. High up among the branches a 

 family of red squirrels had its little house and home. The 

 frisky fellows were seldom molested, and they would 

 come to the window sill. 



This morning I saw a red squirrel running down the 

 main trunk. Then he would run back again. The next 

 time he ventured a little further down the tree. He 

 seemed anxious to reach the ground, but he was afraid 

 of Tom. For fully half an hour the play went on, and I 

 wondered whether or not the squirrel would abandon his 

 efforts. 



Finally the squirrel came down slowly to within five or 

 six feet of the cat, that stood with raised head and tail 

 out straight and his neck fur on end. This time the 

 squirrel did not scamper back, but there he hung to the 

 bark, fixed, motionless and waiting. I am not sure 

 whether the squirrel dropped toward the cat or whether 

 the cat sprang for the squirrel — it was all done so quickly 

 — in a second. 



These and other examples would seem to prove that the 

 power commonly called "charming" is a kind of hypnot- 



ism. Snakes and cats possess this strange power to a 

 greater degree than most other animals. 



There is another curious point. As those who have 

 studied hypnotism know, one of the most common ways 

 of inducing the hypnotic state is by means of a rotating 

 light or mirror. The "subject" is told to look at the light; 

 by and by the rapid, monotonous motion produces a feel- 

 ing of fatigue and then sleep. Perhaps this may furnish 

 some clue to the mystery of birds beating out their brains 

 against the windows of the lighthouse on the sea coast. 

 Again, buffaloes, wolves, coyotes and wildcats will stand 

 on the railroad track, face the glare of the headlight of 

 the locomotive and get run over. V. 



[We know so little about the mental processes of rep- 

 tiles, birds and mammals that as yet it is difficult to draw 

 any conclusions from such occurrences as our correspond- 

 ent mentions, or even to assign to them their proper name. 

 We have seen performances by squirrels which appeared 

 to parallel those mentioned above, but which we under- 

 stood in quite a different way. In a large place on Man- 

 hattan Island gray squirrels are very abundant, and there 

 are three or four dogs about the house. These dogs devote 

 much of their time to efforts to capture squirrels, but 

 rarely succeed in doing this. We have seen them chase 

 a squirrel into a tree and then sit on the ground gazing 

 wishfully at the animal perched only a short distance 

 above them. Sometimes the squirrel who has been 

 through this experience will come slowly down the tree 

 almost within reach of the dog, and there will chatter at 

 it, apparently wishing to tease the animal. This perform- 

 ance we have watched many times and have always 

 imagined that the motive governing the squirrel — which 

 sometimes ventured down almost into the jaws of the 

 dog — was malice and a desire to worry the animal on the 

 ground below. We never saw a squirrel let itself be 

 caught. There are examples enough of this fascination 

 exercised by snakes and cats especially, but actual facts 

 are not abundant.] 



FOREIGN BIRDS IN AMERICA. 



_ Mr. Hugh L. Ford takes issue with me upon the ques- 

 tion whether Europe or America can claim to possess the 

 best feathered songsters, and asserts that the Euro- 

 pean birds do not compare with the American in sing- 

 ing qualities. He further advises Americans of foreign 

 birth, or foreign gentlemen, as he puts it, to cultivate the 

 acquaintance of foreign birds in America. 



Now I for one never rush into print and express an 

 opinion on a subject unless I know of what I speak, unless 

 I believe that I understand the subject upon which I 

 dwell, and that I am entitled to a hearing. Mr. Ford is 

 an Ohioan; he resides in a State where I have lived a 

 great number of years and where I assisted in having a 

 law passed for the protection of all birds, American and 

 European. I have studied the habits and singing qualities 

 of American birds, and I doubt whether Mr. Ford has 

 had as good an opportunity as I had to do the same, and 

 whether he has traveled as extensively in America as I 

 did, not only on railroad cars or steamboats, but on foot, 

 marching in the ranks of Uncle Sam's army during our 

 civil war. Has Mr. Ford ever had occasion to compare 

 the singing qualities of the birds he refers to? I fear not. 

 He bases his opinion on his own belief— on hearsay. I 

 have now in captivity our mockingbird and our redbird. 

 They are fair representatives of their respective species. I 

 compare their song every day with that of the best Euro- 

 pean singing birds and those of other foreign lands. 



I cannot a^ree with Mr. Ford that the mockingbird is 

 the best singer among the feathered world. The Schama 

 thrush of India is by far the superior of the two. Our 

 brown thrush does not at all compare with the nightin- 

 gale, unless our "Way Down on the Swanee River" can 

 be compared with a song of Schumann. Of course Mr. 

 Ford would not change his mind if he were in a German 

 grove, field or forest. I take his word for that, and this 

 because Mr. Ford is evidently prejudiced'; he does not 

 care to change his mind on the subject. 



I agree with Mr. Ford that our birds excel in gayety of 

 plumage. Here he is right. So do our American flowers 

 flatter the eye, but all those who know will tell Mr. Ford 

 that they do not have, as a rule, so sweet a smell, so fine 

 an aroma, as the European flowers. I admit further that 

 "young America" is not the sole fiend of our birds; "old 

 America, too, is not free from blame; but I venture to 

 say that all those who mercilessly slaughter our singing 

 birds are free-born American citizens or such who look 

 upon foreigners as inferior beings. Armin Tenner. 



Springfield's Birds and Animals. 



We have at Forest Park a considerable number of 

 young pheasants, over fifty all told. There are four vari- 

 eties represented, the Mongolian, the golden Japanese 

 the ring-neck and the common English j variety. The 

 Mongolian variety has its home in the north of China 

 and the Siberian plains, and is very hardy. It is with this 

 that New England is to be stocked if the plans of the 

 society are carried out. As soon as the work of breeding 

 is completed it is proposed to let loose in the region of 

 Forest Park the male and female birds a few at a 

 time in the hope of having them make this region their 

 homes. The Legislature will be asked to prohibit the 

 killing or exposing for sale of these birds, and Connec- 

 ticut will be asked to co-operate with us in this matter. 



If the looked-for result happens, the other portions of 

 this commonwealth will become interested, it is expected, 

 and even the other States, so that in time New England 

 may be populated with this new game bird. At Forest 

 Park they are fed hourly on boiled custard unsweetened, 

 with a flavoring of red pepper. Of eighteen ring-neck 

 pheasant eggs of this variety under a golden pheasant 

 every one hatched and sixteen of the young pheasants are 

 still living. Still better is the result of a hatching of the 

 Mongolian variety, for of a setting of thirteen all hatched 

 and are living. These varieties were got from eggs 

 obtained from the State Commission in exchange for 

 the other varieties sent them. There are six or eight eggs 

 in the nest of the one of the female ring-neck pheasants, 

 but she has not yet bflgun to set. 



Among other additions to the Forest Park collection are 

 two varieties of deer, one of the Japanese deer and the 

 other an example of the American elk. Messrs. Graves 

 and Wilder of this city recently presented the park an 

 excellent specimen of the blue heron and the black-billed 

 heron. The litter of prairie dogs are also prospering and 

 fifteen of the little fellows are ready to stand on their 



heads at a moment's notice. The litter of five coons now 

 nearly weaned bid fair to grow to maturity. The raising 

 of coons in captivity is rather rare and the managers are 

 much pleased at their success in this line. Unfortunately 

 both badgers have died, and it looks now as though the 

 wolf might soon follow. Little Red Riding Hood's com- 

 panion seems to have a sort of St. Vitus dance.— Spring- 

 field (Mass.) Republican, June 26. 



Bob White in Town. 



PEekskill, N. Y., June 28.— Within 75ft. of where I 

 write this a quail is whistling. We are in Jown, with 

 houses all around us, and about one-half mile from the 

 Depew Woods of "Our Chauncey." It is a large piece of 

 woods and surrounded with meadow and swamp land. 

 There has been a flock of quailin the nighborhood for years, 

 but for the last two or three years the number has been 

 very small. This bird must have been started this after- 

 noon with others and flew into this big elm, and seems 

 perfectly at home and whistles as if enjoying itself. 



Wm. Mabie. 



P. S. — Children and whole family are studying him as 

 a curiosity. 



That Buffalo Chip Suggestion. 



Okanogan, Wash.— Editor Forest and Stream: Your 

 suggestion is a good one in regard to the buffalo chip. 

 When I read that short paragraph it carried me back 

 forty years, and in my mind I could see from fifteen to 

 twenty boys out with gunny sacks gathering chips to do 

 the cooking for our train or to set the tires on our wagons, 

 and sometimes to build a social fire, where the boys would 

 gather around and sing songs or spin yarns until the wee 

 sma' hours. Yes, by all means get the genuine chip, and 

 we will be indebted to Forest and Stream for one more 

 favor to our already long list of good things we appreciate, 

 but can never fully repay. Lew Wilmot. 



Elk Antler Measurements. 



Mr. Charles Payne, of Wichita, Kan., gives us these 

 dimensions of a pair of elk antlers owned by him, the 

 measurement in inches: length of right hand main 

 beam 61iin.; circumference between third and fourth 

 prongs 7Ain. ; length of first prong 21 Jin. ; length of second 

 20iin.; length of third 16fin.; length of fourth 24jin.; 

 length of fifth I5|in.; length of left hand main beam 

 59f in. ; circumference between first and second prongs 

 8^-in,; length of first prong 28iin.; length of second 2Hin. ; 

 length of third 18Jin. ; length of fourth 23Mn. ; length of 

 fifth 15Mn. 



A Goose and a Hawk Fight for Possession. 



Okanogan, Wash., June 9. — Editor Forest and Stream: 

 Two weeks ago, while on my way to Oroville, when near 

 the town, my attention was called to a fight between two 

 large birds. On going closer I saw a large gocse and a 

 fish hawk fighting for a riest. Whether the goose was 

 trying to rob the hawk or was merely trying to retake its 

 original nest I could not tell, yet it looked strange to see 

 a goose on a limb more than 100ft. from the ground, 

 where it is supposed to belong. Finally the goose flew 

 away, leaving the hawk sitting on the limb near the nest. 



Lew Wilmot. 



The Tinamon. 



Macomb, 111., June 20. — Editor Forest and Stream: 

 Can you or any of your readers tell where a person can 

 get the game bird tinamon? It is said that this bird is a 

 native of South America. It is a little larger than a 

 quail, but is not as large as a pheasant. It is a deep olive 

 color, slightly and narrowly blended with black, with a 

 red crown. W. O. B. 



[Perhaps some reader may advise "W. O. B."] 



«pj ?§aij mid %mu 



THE OLD WIZARD-OR WHAT? 



In about the year '53—1 was then in mv teens— I con- 

 cluded to visit my great-uncle, who lived at Wattsburg, 

 Pa. He was one of the pioneers of that part of the 

 State, and was regarded as one of the foremost hunters 

 of bears and deer. And, incidentaily, I must declare 

 that he was a man strict in morals and religiously con- 

 scientious, even beyond the character of generally re- 

 puted good men; and there seemed to be no admixture 

 of superstition with the sound and sensible piety of John 

 Duncombe. 



His children were all married and comfortably settled 

 around him, while he and his wife — a helpless invalid, 

 whom he attended with the utmost assiduity and patience 

 — lived alone in their humble little cottage. 



Observing my fondness for hunting, he said to me one 

 day, "Let me tell you my experience once while deer 

 hunting." 



"O do, John, stop telling about that old wizard," said 

 his wife with some degree of submission, however. 



"O, well, let me tell it to Nelson — it was such a strange 

 thing." 



"Well," continued the good trapper, "I started one 

 morning early, fixing my point of operations at a certain 

 spot on the mountains. On my way along the road I 

 came across some wood choppers with whom I had some 

 conversation which turned upon an old German who the 

 superstitious people declax-ed was a genuine wizard. 

 'Aint you af eerd he will put a spell on your gun?' said 

 one of the men. Of course I ridiculed the idea; and just 

 at that moment, looking along the road, we saw the old 

 man coming. 



"When he came up I began talking with him, and 

 asked him if he knew where there was a good place for 

 deer. -Yes,' said he, 'do you see that place on the 

 mountain?' 



I said I intended to go there. 



" 'Well, that is the place to find deer. Before you can 

 eat your breakfast I warrant you see a deer.' 



"When I arrived at the spot alluded to I began to feel 

 pretty hungry and sat down to eat the cold bit that I had 

 stowed in my game-bag. Just as I began my open air 

 repast I raised my eyes and what should I see but a mag- 

 nificent buck! I could count the prongs of his antlers 

 and fairly look into the depths of his clear, moist eye. I 



