Feb. 2, 1888.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



WINTER BIRD NOTES. 



QALEM, Mass., Jan. 27.— Editor Forest and Stream: 

 toJ During the past ten days the talk about "a remark- 

 ably open winter" has not been heard. Zero weather has 

 [prevailed, snow covers the fields, and some of our winter 

 feathered friends have appeared , among them the butcher 

 fercls (C boreaHs). I call these birds friends because they 

 tarey upon the house sparrows. These latter birds are 

 getting altogether too numerous, and render buildings 

 positively filthy, particularly in cold weather, when the 

 frost makes it impossible to clean premises. I saw a flock 

 i<rf an hundred or more snow buntings (P. nivalis), day 

 before yesterday. By the way, speaking of house spar- 

 rows, reminds me that I have seen several instances of 

 [partial albinism among those about here. This albinism 

 Iseeros to be mostly in the wing and tail feathers. I saw 

 one thus marked this morning. Our sea birds find little 

 chance to feed in either Salem or Beverly harbors at 

 present, as these places are solid with ice. — X. Y. Z. 



Perth Amboy, N. J., Jan. 26. — I have seen bluebirds 

 daily for the past three weeks and saw a male robin to- 

 -day; also a small woodpecker. A little brown creeper 

 visited my willow and apple trees last week and snow- 

 birds are common. English sparrows give my place a 

 wide berth — which is wise, as my Remington .22 is handy. 

 —J. L. K. 



Belleville, Ont., Jan. 20. — A few days ago a large 

 gray owl appeared in the city, and after perching on 

 several prominent buildings and escaping a number of 

 bullets from .23cal. rifles was at last slain by a stone 

 tin-own by a boy. — It. S. B. 



Yonkers, N. Y., Jan. 20. — This afternoon I flushed a 

 w blackbird on Broadway, close to the southern bound- 

 line of the new Van Oortlandt Park. A biting north- 

 est wind was blowing over the lowland; the bird was 

 very slow of flight, and alighted but a few steps off the 

 ,road, on top of a fence post, whence it seemed to regard 

 passing sleighs with the utmost indifference. — C. L. S. 



I Note on the Butcher BmD.-Editor Forest and Stream : 

 [The great northern shrike, or butcher bird, as it is com- 

 rmonly called, from its habit of impaling grasshoppers, 

 [insects, etc., on thorns and leaving them to die, is not a 

 common resident of eastern Pennsylvania, but is more 

 Sitimerous in the northern parts of the State. It is one of 

 the most interesting of our birds, from the fact of its be- 

 ing at the same time quite a singer in its own way, and 

 its imitating the notes of other birds so perfectly as 

 ■to deceive even the birds themselves, and cause them to 

 jgall a prey to its appetite. For fiendish cruelty it sur- 

 passes any of the birds that subsist on food of their own 

 Capture, as they invariable kdl their prey as soon as they 

 capture it. But the butcher bird certainly kills more 

 than it needs at the time, or it would not need to store 

 "them away on thorns. No ones seems to be positive that 

 it makes use afterward of the creatures thus stored away. 

 The shrike is too good a provider for us to think it would 

 not have plenty of opportiinity to get birds to eat when- 

 ever it wanted them without having to resort to such a 

 cruel method to get supplies. A short time ago a gentle- 

 man brought me a bird and asked me to name it for 

 gUni. I examined it and told him it was a butcher bird. 

 Be replied, 'You are altogether wrong. That is a whip- 

 poorwill, as I heard it call whippoorwill as plain as I 

 ever heard anything, and not only once but a good many 

 'times, and I am convinced that is what it is." I told him 

 I did not doubt he heard it say whippoorwill, but it was 

 a butcher bird for all that. I then showed him a whippoor- 

 will, and he at once exclaimed, "That is a nighthawk."' 

 I showed him a nighthawk and the difference between 

 them, which he could not but acknoAvledge, but he would 

 not believe that butcher bird was anything but a whip- 

 poorwill. I explained to him their power of mimicry, 

 bat said that that did not make them at any time the bird 

 they choose to imitate, and finally, much puzzled, he de- 

 parted, no wiser than when he came. In the winter the 

 shrike's principal food is the song sparrow, tree sparrow, 

 snowbirds and even the large fox sparrow, which it rarely 

 fails to capture. It is about nine inches long and thirteen 

 inches in extent, and of a dull slate color in general ap- 

 pearance. — C. S. Brunner (Doylestown, Pa.). 



Food of the European Sparrow. — Editor Forest and 

 ■Stream; The leakage from grain cars and the close prox- 

 imity of several elevators has made the railway yards 

 west of this city a favorite feeding ground for English 

 Bparrows, which also breed in that vicinity in large 

 numbers. On one occasion, in the summer of 1877, 1 saw 

 several flocks of them in an adjoining old field, and upon 

 investigation discovered them to be feeding on grass- 

 hoppers. I witnessed the same thing on subsequent days, 

 and saw it repeated each year up to 1881, when I moved 

 from that locality, and have not observed it elsewhere. 

 I thought of writing you when I first made the note, but 

 concluded it might not be unusual, and but for the Can- 

 adian observations published in your issue of Jan. 19, the 

 circumstances would have been forgotten. I have never 

 seen them attack the buds of trees, and think that grain 

 and the pickings of streets and back yards form their 

 principal food supply in this locality.— Hoosier (Indian- 

 apolis, Ind., Jan. 20). 



Stop Thief!— Editor Forest and Stream: I wish to 

 caution the scientific public against a very plausible 

 rascal who has been victimizing scientific individuals 

 and institutions for several years. His latest exploit 

 occurred in this city a few days ago, when he presented 

 a fraudulent letter of introduction to Prof. C. H. Gilbert, 

 of the University of Cincinnati, claiming to be a nephew 

 of Prof. Syrski, of Europe (the discoverer of the male eel), 

 and calling again the next day during Prof. Gilbert's 

 absence, he slipped into the laboratory of the University 

 and decamped, with two microscopes and a half-dozen 

 valuable objectives. He is very bright, well up in several 

 branches of natural science, and knows what to appro- 

 priate. If Prof. Syrski or any one else can discover this 

 "slippery cuss" who is a "good 'eel" of a scoundrel, he 

 will be doing a good service to science and the public 

 generally,— J. A. Henshall (Cincinnati, O., Jan. 27). 



Unusual Nesting Place.— Editor Forest and Stream: 

 Talking about unusual nesting places, a few years ago a 

 pah- of English sparrows built their nest in a large deliv- 

 ery wagon that was in daily use, and followed it on its 

 trips between the city and suburbs. Unfortunately the 

 nest was destroyed when completed and before the eggs 

 were deposited. — Hoosier (Indianapolis, Jan. 20). 



'mm j§ng mtd 0mj, 



Address all com nmm 'cations to the Forest and Stream Puh. Co. 



THE CALL OF THE MOOSE.-I. 



THE province of Nova Scotia was at one time prob- 

 ably the best moose ground hi the world, and more 

 of these monarchs have been killed there than in any 

 other territory of equal area. The counties of Queens, 

 Shelbourne, Cumberland and Guysboro were formerly 

 rich in this noble game, but, alas! incessant snaring and 

 crust-hunting, to say nothing of the numbers killed by 

 legitimate means, have sadly diminished the number. 

 Of late the game laws have been more strictly enforced, 

 although there is still more room for improvement. Yet 

 it is a noted fact that the moose are on the increase, and, 

 though they can never be as numerous as formerly, by 

 rigid enforcement of the law in close time they may be 

 yet preserved for a number of years to come. 



At the present time the counties of Cumberland and 

 Guysboro are probably the best ground for moose hunt- 

 ing. They form a tract of land one hundred miles by 

 seventy in extent, extending from Sheet Harbor on the 

 southern shore to the Bay of Fundy, and studded with 

 innumerable bogs, barrens and lakes. It affords ample 

 cover for what moose remain. This tract of country is 

 almost a perfect wilderness, with only here and there a 

 small village or lumber station, at which the lumbermen 

 get supplies, and a few clearings where the hardy pioneer 

 manages to eke out a scanty living by hunting, trapping, 

 lumbering and a little fanning. Some of the best trout 

 lakes and streams probably to be found in the world are 

 hid within the depths of the forest in this tract, easy of 

 access to those who know how to get there, but rarely 

 visited by the city sportsmen (although within thirty-six 

 hours by rail of Boston). Here the angler can enjoy him- 

 self until he literally tires of fishing. Sea trout, brook 

 trout and lakers he can take till the most insatiable trout 

 hog wotdd be satisfied, and of all sizes, from the tiny 

 brookling to the great laker. Lovely lakes are there, and 

 beautiful streams, with white sand beach and little rocky 

 headlands, and studded here and there with picturesque 

 islands, timbered with hard and soft wood, such as would 

 gladden the heart of a woodsman and make the tired 

 camper think it was a very paradise when returning, to his 

 camp on one of these islands after a hard day by forest 

 and stream. 



If the great cat owl, as he sat on the limb of an old 

 pine at the outlet of Hmiting Lake, had cast an eye 

 toward the outlet of the lake, he would have seen two 

 men as the shades of evening were falling slowly, emerge 

 from the darkening forest carrying a trim bark canoe. 

 Having gently deposited their burden on the shore they 

 seated themselves on a log of driftwood, evidently some 

 old waif from some former drive, wiped the perspiration 

 from their foreheads (for it was a warm night in Septem- 

 ber and the carry had been a rough one, though short, 

 rendered more difficult in the gathering darkness). Then 

 they leisurely proceeded to fill and light their pipes: this 

 done, they sat and puffed great clouds of smoke which 

 ascended curling slowly on the. still night air till lost 

 among the treetops. One of the smokers was a full- 

 blooded Indian of the Mic Mac race, whose high cheek 

 bones, deep copper color and long straight hair showed 

 that there was no cross of white blood in his veins. 

 From his quick movements and catlike tread one would 

 have taken him for a young man in the prime of life. In 

 reality Matteo had seen the snows of sixty winters, but 

 time had dealt kindly with him: he was as strong and 

 erect as ever, and perfect freedom from rum, the "red 

 man's curse," made him look much younger than he 

 really was. The other was a white man in the prime of 

 life, dressed in a hunting suit of gray homespun, with 

 moose-shank moccasins and belt with cartridge pouch, 

 hatchet and knife. The Indian addressed him as Mr. 

 Williams in the settlements, and when in the woods Billy 

 for short. 



The two smoked for some time in silence. Presently 

 the Indian spoke. "Make long journey to-day, Billy, 

 meby you tired little — suppose hungry, too — big smoke 

 taste pretty good, eh?" 



To which the white man replied, "Well, Matteo, con- 

 sidering we have been on the road since daylight and it 

 is the first day out and we have covered fifty miles by 

 road and canoe I feel as if I could rest a little, but I am 

 not half as tired as I am hungry and I mean to kindle a 

 fire right here and make supper. After that I am ready 

 for anything you may have to propose." 



"Believe that best plan; boil kettle here; eat little bite; 

 no chance after this. Good night for call; moon out 

 byme-by; suppose call to-night; meby get answer. You 

 kindle little fire, little way in woods, not on shore. Me 

 go getum rest luggage." 



Saying which Matteo knocked the ashes from his pipe 

 and moved silently into the dark shadow of the woods, 

 while Billy, taking the little axe from his belt, proceeded 

 to cut some dry limbs from a fallen pine and soon had a 

 bright fire burning at a little distance from the edge of 

 the water, and out of sight from the lake. In half an 

 horn- the Indian reappeared, carrying a large pack on his 

 shoulders, consisting of a pair of blankets, a small shanty 

 tent, a camp kit of frying pan, plates and tin mugs; in 

 one hand a short heavy rifle, on the barrel of which was 

 slung a birch bark horn; in the other hand a light sharp 

 axe. The pack having been deposited near the canoe, 

 Billy proceeded to open the provision sack, which was 

 water proof; and taking out several small bags contain- 

 ing tea, sugar, coffee, hard-tack and bacon, he cut a 

 number of goodly rashers, which he placed in the pan ; 

 then he filled the coffee pot with water from the brook 

 and set it on to boil, and going to the canoe took a couple 

 of grouse, which he handed to the Indian with the re- 

 mark, "You fix 'em, Matteo. The Indian took the bird 

 in one hand and by a quick turn of the other completely 

 divested it of skin and feathers; having served the other 



in like manner he cut off the heads and legs, and the 

 wings close up to the body, and going to the lake cleaned 

 and washed them; then peeling a suitable piece of bark 

 from a green hemlock, he fixed the birds on it with 

 skewers, under which he fastened pieces of pork, and set- 

 ting it up at a proper angle in front of the hot coals he 

 refilled his pipe and watched the roast as it slowly sizzled 

 before the lire. The coffee pot now began to sing, and 

 Billv having dropped in a couple of handful of "fine- 

 ground" set it back on the coals, and taking the fry pan 

 soon had the bacon hissing and spluttering; the sound was 

 music to the hungry men, who had not broken their fast 

 since early in the day. 



"Now, Matte, all ready," and the Indian, having care- 

 fully inspected his bark oven, and being satisfied that the 

 bird's were done to a turn, removed them into the pan 

 with the bacon, and with two plates on top it was set on 

 the coals for a few minutes to give the finishing touches 

 and to heat the tin plates. The cups were filled with the 

 steaming coffee, and the two hunters proceeded to make 

 a meal which they considered fit for a king. The meal 

 finished, Matteo slowly rose, and going to the lake, 

 washed his tin plate and cup, held the plate over the fire 

 for a few seconds to melt any fat on it which might still 

 adhere, wiped it and his sheath knife carefully with the 

 dish towel, remarking as he did so, "You pretty good 

 cook, Billy; think meby some day you hire in big hotel 

 down in settlement," to which he laughingly replied, 

 "Not bad cook in the woods, Matteo, but I am afraid i 

 would not pass down at the big hotel at the settlement." 



Having carefully repacked their kit, they loaded up the 

 canoe, depositing everything so that all would be in trim, 

 and taking then- long paddles, stepped lightly in, the 

 Indian in the bow and Billy in the stern, and pushed 

 slowly into the still water. The moon was just rising 

 over the treetops, showing full and clear, with not a 

 cloud in the sky, the big owl which up to this time had 

 kept silent watch on the old ram-pike, now made a swoop 

 into the bushes, and the little scuffle, followed by a tiny 

 squeak, told that the poor rabbit had "lost the number of 

 hi9 mess." Whether the owl had been waiting for the 

 moon to rise to make sure of his prey or whether his 

 appetite had been whetted by the savory odor of the 

 hunter's evening meal is not known, but having secured 

 poor bunny, with a triumphant to-ho he sailed off to the 

 shade of the wood, where he could enjoy his supper with- 

 out fear of interruption. 



Dipping the paddles deep in the water and settling 

 themselves for their five-mile stretch, they moved silently 

 up the "still." Nothing could exceed the silent beauty of 

 the night. A dead stillness had settled over everything; 

 all nature seemed to sleep, the calm broken only at inter- 

 vals by the heavy plunge of a fat otter, or the splash of a 

 big trout as he rose to snatch some belated fly which had 

 settled on the smooth surface of the water. For a long 

 time the two men paddled in silence, taking little notice 

 of the sights or sounds which from time to time reached 

 them. Each appeared buried in deep thought as the 

 canoe moved through the water; the paddles seemed to 

 make no sound in their passage through the element. 

 Evidently it was not the first trip these two had made 

 together. Each seemed to understand the other by some 

 common impulse which rendered words unnecessary, and 

 when by a powerf til stroke of the paddle Billy turned the 

 bow of the canoe at right angles across the stream and 

 headed apparently for a thicket on the shore, the Indian 

 said never a word, but rising from his seat as soon as he 

 got near enough, parted the long grass and alders with 

 his paddle, disclosing a narrow opening or creek hardly 

 wide enough for the canoe to pass; and peering into the 

 darkness he said, "Plenty water, all right, come head," 

 and forthwith Billy, having laid down the paddle, took 

 the long setting pole and with a vigorous shove shot the 

 canoe out of sight among the bushes. "We are in luck 

 this time, Matte; we can go right through without a 

 carry, and will be out on the lake early; if we had to go 

 round the bend it would take us an horn- longer. "That 

 so," said Matte, "meby have to make carry at Hard 

 Scrabble Rapids though; meby not water putty high, we 

 berry lucky indeed." 



The creek gradually widened till the bushes no longer 

 overhung the canoe, and in ten minutes the low rumble 

 of the Hard Scrabble rapids was heard in the distance; 

 ten minutes more and they came in sight, and beyond in 

 the clear moonlight was a broad expanse of open water, 

 extending as far as the eye could reach, and dotted here 

 and there with w:ody islands. Having taken a careful 

 look ahead, it was deemed safe to go on, and guiding the 

 frail shell between the sunken rocks and the two large 

 boulders which seemed to guard the entrance of the lake, 

 the canoe shot out on to the calm bosom of the lake, and 

 turned quickly to the left till the bow grated gently on 

 the soft sand and pebbles which formed the beach. And 

 here we will leave our two friends enjoying a quiet 

 smoke, while we explain how they came to be on the 

 bank of that quiet lake at that horn. Globe Sight, 



To Protect the Law. — Editor Forest and Stream: At 

 the annual meeting of the Southampton Sportsman's 

 Club, Mr. E. H. Moeran and I were appointed a commit- 

 tee to look after all bills that may be introduced at 

 Albany during this session of the Legislature relating to 

 the game laws of this State. We would like to have the 

 cooperation of all the other game clubs of the State, and 

 I will be much obliged if the secretaries of the clubs will 

 communicate with me, in order that we may be of mutual 

 benefit to each other and see that our interests are prop- 

 erly looked after. We think that the game laws we now 

 have are sufficient for our part of the State and do not 

 favor any further tampering with them. I trust that all 

 the other clubs will join with us.— Laavrence W. Clark, 

 Secretary Southampton Sportsmen's Club, 819 Broadway, 

 New York. 



Deer in Ontario. — Belleville, Ont., Jan. 20.— A reli- 

 able correspondent sends the following list of deer killed 

 during the past season in the townships of Dungannon 

 and Faraday, in the northern part of this county: Deer 

 killed by hounding, Judge Fraleck and party, 6; Messrs. 

 Rand and J. Tait (ten and one still-hunting), 11; Brown 

 and Dixon, 11; W. Byers and party, 5; T. Stanger, 5. 

 Total 88. Deer killed by still -hunting: J. Sararas, Jr., 

 13; R. Hewton. 12; M. Swartfager, 9; W. Regan, 8; F. 

 Bradshaw, 6; J. Doyle, 6; D. Kelly, 6; J. Spurr, 5; J. 

 Sweet, 5; M. Gaffney, 3; M. Kelley, 3; D. Kelly, 2; G. 

 Wadsworth, 2. Total 80, or 118 all told. D. Kelly and 

 J, Wood also killed a bear each, — R. S. B. 



