190 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[March 28, 1889. 



"Sam LoveVs Camps." 1 By B. E. Bolrinson. Price $1. 



CURRITUCK DUCKS IN FEBRUARY. 



LATE in February we start for our favorite shooting 

 grounds, the Currituck Inlet Club. This club prop- 

 erty, situated on the east side of the sountl, about four 

 miles southeast of Knott's Island, is bounded on the east 

 by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by Currituck 

 Sound. It takes the name f t orn old Currituck Inlet, 

 which only sixty years ago was a navigable stream, and 

 large vessels from New York and other ports went into 

 the sound for cargos of Indian corn, sweet potatoes, 

 cotton and other kinds of produce that still grow on the 

 fertile banks of the west side. Wm. H. Vanderbilt was 

 perhaps one among the last who sailed a vessel into this 

 inlet. He had a cargo of gunpowder, molasses, rum, 

 candles, straw hats aud firecrackers, and returned to 

 New York by the same route with a cargo of mocking- 

 birds, tobacco, Indian corn, cotton, sweet potatoes and 

 beeswax. 



There were not many good ducks at Currituck then, 

 only a few whitewings and gray coots, old squaws and 

 other salt-water birds of little value: for the water in the 

 sound was salt, and wild celery did not cover the bottom 

 then as now. But the natives'began to fight for the fish- 

 ing privilege, which was valuable at that time, and a 

 voice from on high commanded a large sandhill, which 

 stood directly on the north of the inlet, to move south- 

 ward and fill it up, and from that time to the present 

 there has always been a plenty of delicious canvasbacks, 

 redheads, black ducks, mallards, greenwing, and blue- 

 wing teal, widgeons, sprigtails, blackheads, bluebill, 

 ruddy (or butterball), spoonbill, gadwall, and in fact 

 every good eating duck of America. Strange to relate, 

 just where the deepest channel was then, now stands the 

 highest sandhill, and near this sandhill stands our club 

 house. 



Having made all necessary arrangements for the com- 

 fort of the inner as well as outer man, but especially the 

 former, George, Will and Josh board the train for Vir- 

 ginia Beach. After a pleasant ride of little less than an 

 hour we hear the roar of the ocean, the whistle sounds 

 and we are landed at the Princess Anne, one of the finest 

 hotels on the Southern coast. Here we are met by Ned 

 with his bay team Rhoda and Minnie, and we are 

 told the tide is just right for a delightful drive, so we are 

 anxious to be off. Packing on our trunks, bundles and 

 baskets, we bid far well to some friends who have accom- 



Cied us this far and start southward for our distant 

 16 by the sea. There is little to be seen, save an occa- 

 sional wreck, which causes one to feel grave for the 

 moment, for the stranding of these ships has launched 

 into eternity many a soul, without giving them much 

 time for preparation. No game is seen for the next ten 

 miles, but the beach i3 fine, the air bracing, and Rhoda 

 and Minnie, and Ned for a driver, with four feet of per- 

 suasive hemp, are taking us along at a lively gait. When 

 we pass the Little Island Club the scene changes. On 

 our right, less than a quarter of a mile away, may be 

 seen thousands of white brant and swan sitting on the 

 flats. Just above this large flock of game soared an eagle, 

 with years so many that his head was very white. At 

 one moment he seemed to scale the skies, at the next 

 poised ready to strike, but the game, while sweet and 

 juicy, was too large, and he got no meat from that flock. 

 Further on we see more game and are sorely tempted, 

 but this is Sunday, and Will had promised his mother, so 

 we didn't shoot. 



Arriving at No. 5 Station we rest our team and lunch. 

 Capt. Payne of this station is a jolly good fellow, and in 

 exactly five minutes had a boiling cup of coffee before 

 us, which was speedily made away with. Finishing our 

 little repast we went to the telephone and informed 

 Wm. Henry what we wanted for dinner. Then after a 

 pleasant drive of four hours we reach the club, and find 

 a smoking hot dinner awaiting us. After dinner we fill 

 our pipes, go to the landing where our gunning skiffs are 

 kept, and see that all is ready for the first day's business. 

 Here we were again sorely tempted, for near the bank in 

 easy range sat a dozen sprigs, but George said no, ''For," 

 said he, "do you remember that on the 10th of September 

 last, I would not let you break the Sabbath, and the re- 

 sult was three hundred and twenty-five golden plover, 

 yellowlegs and other bay birds with two guns the next 

 day?" Returning to the house we have another pipe, and 

 seek our beds of s wansdown, and are soon lost in slumber. 

 But our sleep was short, for when the moon got over the 

 sandhills and looked down into the creeks near by, the 

 geese and swan kept up such a lively chat while they 

 destroyed the celery ( where it was not safe for them to 

 come in the day time), we could not sleep. 



At 5 A. M. Wm. Henry calls. We have finished breakfast 

 at 6 o'clock. Donning our shooting outfit, including long- 

 rubber boots and rubber clothing, which are indispensa- 

 ble, we go to the landing, wade out to our boats, which 

 are laden with all the iuiplemants of destruction, and set 

 off for the day's sport. We hoist our leg-of-mutton sails 

 and are soon lost to each other for the day. George took 

 his lucky choice (for we always draw for choice) and 

 went to Skinner's Point. Will had second choice and 

 went after swan. Josh had third, which was last choice, 

 and went into the pjnd after black ducks. This was a 

 poor day for ducks, being calm and rainy. Ducks never 

 fly in such weather of their own choice, and move only 

 when friahtened up by some passing boat. The results 

 were for George 3 sprigtails, 7 teal, 2 widgeon, 1 mallard 

 and 4 black ducks. Will did not get any swan; it was 

 too calm, but joined Jo.-b in the marshes, after wasting 

 the best part of the day, and they together brought in a 

 bag of 12 good ducks. We dine on a pair of fat sprigs, 

 and at the surprising hour of 8 are sound asleep. 



Tuesday was a better day, and we start early. Will has 

 better luck and bags 9 sprigtails, 11 teal, 3 gad walls and 

 1 black duck. Josh gets 7 black ducks, 4 widgeon, 9 teal, 

 3 sprigs, 6 mallards, 1 ruddy and 1 dipper. George had 

 hard luck. The ducks did not fly around his corner. 

 He brought in 2 sprigs and 2 black ducks, but he had a 

 fine string of 15 black bass, which compared favorably 

 with the best. George is a fine shooter. We have seen 

 a ilock of 8 yellowlegs go down to Iris decoys, and 

 not one left to tell the tale of the luckless eight. Had 

 we not seen this shot and been told by him that the W s 



in his name was for Washington, we should have doubted 

 the shooting of these bass. 



Wednesday is a good day for ducks, and we are awake 

 very early. George says it was insomnia, but Will hinted 

 it might be conscience. At any rate we breakfast at six 

 on five pair of black ducks, and are off at once. The 

 blinds are soon reached and the decoys placed in a posi- 

 tion to make them appear as lifelike as possible, for at 

 this season of the year ducks have all finished their edu- 

 cation. William Henry takes George in the box, and the 

 boat is hardly concealed, when here they come. A flock 

 of ten greenwing teal swoop down to the decoys. Bang! 

 bang! from George's 12-gauge with No. 8 shot, and five 

 teal lie dead on the water, three with the first barrel and 

 two responded to the second. Will went to Walker's 

 Point and was briuging down sprigs and teal right and 

 left with unerring aim. Josh had taken his No. 3 and 

 gone to Walker's Creek, where he had seen a flock of 500 

 black ducks feeding in the morning, but alas! they did 

 not return, or that is the story he told us. 



Josh is an enthusiastic gunner and good fellow to 

 have along at times. He never gets discouraged and is 

 always hopeful. But he shoots better when we all gather 

 around the fireside at night and compare notes, talk over 

 the good and bad shots of the day and trot our horses at 

 an impossible speed. 



At seven we meet again and count up. George had 

 killed 14 teal, 11 sprigs, 4 black ducks, 6 widgeons and 2 

 sw ans. Will had* 9 teal, 4 sprigs, 10 black ducks, 1 gad- 

 wall and 1 widgeon. Josh brought up at the rear with 

 7 black clucks. 1 teal, 10 sprigs and 1 swan. 



TJiursday. — It was getting toward the end of our so- 

 journ, and our bag was growing heavy, so we slept late. 

 We breakfasted at eight this time, and at first thought 

 we would not go out. The tide was low and wind from 

 the wrong quarter. We usually shoot English snipe in 

 mild weather, and only go for ducks when the wind and 

 water is favorable, amusing ourselves in various ways at 

 the club house when calm; but the wind now begins to 

 breeze from the right direction, and we start for our points. 

 Will leads this time and is proud of his bag of 14 sprig- 

 tails, 8 black ducks, 2 teal and a ruddy. George and Josh 

 would not show up, but they did not get "skunked," for 

 there is no need of one ever being skunked at Currituck 

 if one can shoot at all. Will is a very industrious hunter. 

 He sleeps well and consequently shoots well; for it re- 

 quires a steady nerve to be a fine shot, and nothing will 

 so steady one's nerves as a good sound sleep. After one 

 of these naps he can stand and look on when a man is 

 doing hard work with more nerve and real pleasure than 

 any man who visits the club. 



On returning to our lodgings we find Ned ready for an 

 early start the next morning. We have a pleasant drive 

 of lour miles to the Princess Anne; make the 2 o'clock 

 train for Norfolk, which lands us at 3, where we find our 

 ever watchf ul friend, Obediah Taylor, with his team for 

 our baggage and game. We spend about an hour deliv- 

 ering game to our friends, then we are. driven to our 

 respective homes, a little wearied in body, but much 

 refreshed in mind. We shall meet again on April the 

 first, when we expect some fine English snipe, yellowleg 

 and plover shooting. J. B. W. 



liittml ^jwtortJ. 



FIVE DAYS A SAVAGE.-I1. 



NOTES OF A HUNTER-NATURALIST IN THE NORTHWEST. 



£ AWOKE the next morning quite suddenly, about 3 

 o'clock. It seemed as if something were about the 

 tent. I got out and seeing nothing examined the ground, 

 and found that a pair of deer had come within 30ft. of 

 my fire, and then apparently scenting me had bounded 

 off alarmed. I at once took up the trail and followed 

 easily where the tide was out as they crossed the flat, 

 but I lost it on the rocks beyond and did not see either of 

 the deer. 



It was quite light by this time, as day begins to break 

 early in these latitudes at this season. I found the birds 

 stirring and soon had enough for breakfast. I skinned 

 them by the camp-fire and roasted them over the em- 

 bers. These, with some bread left from yesterday, made 

 me a fair meal. I then took the boat, and crossing the 

 bay, made once more for the banks, where I collected 

 more fossils; and as the tide ran out, I boated round 

 among the rocks, spearing some large crabs with a stick, 

 and digging a few clams like a Kloochman or squaw, 

 with the aid of a sharp piece of board. 



Going to camp again, I sat down on a stump, and with 

 a log for a table, prepared and labeled my bird skins. 

 Having wrapped them up and placed them in the sun 

 to dry, I took my gun and proceeded on foot to where I 

 had seen the hut of a squaw-man, across the island. I 

 had no water, and in fact the only thing that would con- 

 tain water was the tin pail which was used to bail out 

 the boat, and this was leaky. Water I must have, and 

 food if obtainable. 



Well, at the cabin was a bright half-breed boy, who 

 said they had plenty of water. And so they had. But 

 it was of the vilest kind. However, I drank what I could 

 and filled my pail. They had nothing in the house to eat 

 except what was in the pot boiling, and the bread which 

 was baking in the frying pan on the fire. The squaw 

 told me in broken English that her "ole man" had gone 

 fishing, that they might give me something to eat when 

 he got in. It was then 1 o'clock. I waited an hour, amus- 

 ing myself by watching the children, who came in one 

 by one and stared at me, until I began to think there 

 were a score. Asking her how many there were, she 

 counted them over several times in her mind, and said 

 she believed there were seven or eight. I told her not to 

 trouble herself, as such problems in mathematics required 

 a great amount of mental exertion, and it might in- 

 capacitate her for the effort necessary to the stirring of 

 the soup. I could also see that if there were only seven, 

 the dinner was none too large, and if there were eight, I 

 should necessarily deprive some growing infant of its 

 proper nourishment. Consequently, as my only chance 

 seemed to be in waiting for the fish, and as I remembered 

 the old proverb about fishermen's luck, I bethought me 

 of the crabs lying in my boat. And shouldering my gun, 

 and taking my water pail and a pinch of salt, I man- 

 aged to shoot a duck, and this with the crabs made me, 

 at 8 P. I,, a comfortable meal. 



All day i had in my mind the oyster catchers we saw 



the day before, and as a slight favorable breeze springs 

 up about 4 o'clock I break camp, and making everything 

 snug on the boat, start out on the ebb tide for the two 

 lone rocks, eight miles away across the gulf. 



It is a beautiful evening, and the little boat, propelled 

 by wind and tide, glides merrily along toward the rocks 

 for half an hour. Then the wind dies down and I have 

 to take the oars. Bracing myself to the work, I pull 

 steadily on, until I find I am in a strong side current and 

 am making leeway very fast. This I try to stem, but 

 with only partial success, as the tide runs very swiftly 

 now; and finally, finding it impossible to reach the rock, 

 I turn the bow toward Waldron Island. Between this 

 island and old Orcas the tide is running furiously. 

 Through all these clashing waves and rolling whirlpools 

 I slowly fight my way, and by a supreme effort force my 

 boat on the lower end of Waldron beach. Drawing her 

 up, I look back upon the tide rushing and boiling like a 

 mighty river toward the pass. All this has been slow 

 work, and it is now 9 o'clock. Here again things are 

 ready at my hand. I build a big fire ano moor my boat 

 with a long line. Too tired to do more I roll myself in 

 my blankets, my feet to the fire on the beach sand. 

 What care I for a downy couch to-night, lying here on 

 the hard beach sand? With the salt breeze blowing by, I 

 fall asleep as quickly and peacefully as a little child, and 

 the full moon rolling grandly overhead, looks sadly clown 

 as she has looked for ages on the sleep of the sons of men. 



Edward Howe Forbush. 



BLACKBIRD AND HOUSE-SNAKE. 



ONE bright morning last summer I was walking out 

 in the country near town, looking for anything I 

 could find, and seeing what I could in the bird line, when 

 I was surprised to hear a great noise of birds chattering 

 and crying as if under excitement, blended with cries of 

 fear and distress. On coming nearer to the noise I saw a 

 large number of birds; there must have been at least one 

 hundred of all kinds on and about a certain tree. Some 

 were flying to and some from the tree, those flying away 

 were bringing more birds with them. There were spar- 

 rowB, bluebirds, Baltimore orioles, robins, nuthatches, 

 several woodpeckers, redbirds, bluejays, and manyi 

 smaller birds, but only one blackbird, a very large one. 

 And what struck me as peculiar was the attitude of this 

 blackbird. He seemed to be fighting something, as he 

 would throw forward his feathers and raise his wings, 

 then strike at something very seriously, while the other 

 birds would utter cries of encouragement and rage. 



I watched them for some time, wondering what it 

 could all mean, when something dropped at my feet, i 

 Looking down I saw a house-snake about 18in. long. It! 

 started up the tree and I killed it with a stone. As soon 

 as the snake fell all the birds began flying about as if i 

 congratulating each other on their victory, and it really 

 seemed that their cries were changed to joy. 



Curious to know more I climbed the tree, wheu the 

 birds, instead of flying, as might be supposed., fluttered 

 around me as if to scare me away. In a fork of the tree! 

 where the fight had taken place I found a sparrow's nest 

 with five young ones, which the snake was after. Their i 

 parents, not feeling able to cope with the enemy, had un- 

 doubtedly gone for help. The blackbird was the chain- 1 

 pion and did all of the fighting, while the other birds did 

 the "talking." This seemed very strange to me. He would 

 attack his foe fiercely until tired, then retire a few feet, I 

 and then begin again, thus fighting alone for the young 

 of a bird of an entirely different species. I sat and 

 wondered whether these birds had selected him as their i 

 protector, or had he taken the battle upon himseli? He 

 certainly fought well. E. L. Day. 



Buckhannon, West Virginia. 



Hibernation of Frogs.— During the winter a few; 

 years ago a gentleman had occasion to furnish a large 

 number of living frogs to schools and colleges in andi 

 around Boston. He accidentally discovered a spring hole 

 in which frogs had hibernated and visited the place from 

 time to time for his supplies. The water bubbled up 

 among a lot of boulders in a wooded tract not far from a 

 brook. The margin of the spring hole was formed by , 

 sods, which were frozen hard, and beneath which were 

 excavations wherein the frogs had massed themselves 

 like herrings in a barrel, and so stiff with cold that they 

 could scarcely move. In this spring, which was not' 

 more than 5ft. across, he found more than 8,000 frogs, 

 taking them out as orders were received during the 

 winter. At the present time frogs hibernate in the same 

 place, but not in such large numbers, because the boulders 

 have been removed. A very few (only three or four) of 

 them were bull frogs (Bana catesbiana), the rest were 

 pickerel frogs (Bana, halecina), so called because they are 

 commonly used in Massachusetts as bait for pickerel. 

 About 100 small salamanders were seen in the same in- 

 closure. 



Wheel Animalcules.— At its 139th regular meeting, 

 held on the evening of March 23, the Biological Society 

 of Washington passed a pleasant hour listening to Dr. W. 

 H. Seaman's review of the literature of tbe wheel ani- 

 malcules and looking at lantern slides thrown on the 

 screen to represent some of th© characteristic forms as- 

 sumed by these lowly organisms. More than a thousand 

 species of these rotifers are described — nerveless and 

 carrying their masticatory apparatus in the stomach — 

 but of these only about sixty are males. Mr. C. L. Hop- 

 kins defined the terms hybrid and cross as applied to 

 animals and plants. Mr. W. H. Dall presented an inter- 

 esting account of the reproductive organs in certain lim- 

 pets from great depths of the ocean, having recently dLis-' 

 covered a small intromittent organ near one of the 

 cephalic tentacles. 



Introduced Birds. — The supplementary edition of the 

 A. O. U. Check List, just out, gives this list of foreign 

 species of birds, which have been introduced into the 

 United States and are now known to breed in the wild 

 state: English pheasant (Phasiamis colchicus Linn.), 

 ring pheasant (P. torqiiatus Gmel.), green pheasant (P. 

 versicolor Vieille), silver pheasant (Euplocomus nycthe- 

 merus Linn.), golden pheasant (Qhrysolopluis pictus 

 [Linn.]), black grouse (Tetrao tetrix Linn.), European 

 goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis [Linn.]), English sparrow 

 (Passer domestieus [Linn.]), Europeon tree sparrow (P„ 1 

 montanus [Lion,]), skylark (?) (Alanda arvmsis Liaa.)« 



