Aim. 16, 1888.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



63 



denly appeared and invited us to join them, telling us 

 that on the very summit of the range, that rose a thousand 

 feet above our camp, and distant about two miles, berries 

 were very plentiful. This was welcome news to us, and 

 Ave hastened to pack up and join the slowly moving cara- 

 van that crept along the steep trail leading to the summit. 

 The morning was bright and the warmth of the sun's 

 rays began to make the climbing difficult. About 400ft. 

 below the crest of the mountain" in a deep gorge, the last 

 spring of water was found, Where the supply for camp 

 use on the summit was obtained, and all proceeded to 

 secure as much of the precious liquid as could be carried 

 up the remaining steep, in order to put off as long as pos- 

 sible the laborious trip for a second supply. The rest of 

 the climb was the steepest I have ever seen in these 

 mountains. In fact, a steeper trail would have been im- 

 possible for the ponies. Imagine the old uncle, toiling 

 up the trail that zig-zagged up the rocky steep, leading the 

 tired pony, and carrying in one hand the lllbs. Sharps, 

 and in the other a can containing three gallons of 

 precious water, while the sun beat down on his devoted 

 head with a power that soon caused the perspiration to 

 drip from every pore of his skin. 



Arrived at the summit, quite a crowd of people, men, 

 women and children, white and red, Avere gathered to 

 welcome us, and another party arriving in the afternoon, 

 the mountain crest SAvarmed with people, while huckle- 

 berries on every hand blackened the bright green of the 

 low bushes, tempting me to pause at every step. Tents, 

 lodges and camp-fires were strung along the mountain 

 crest, a miniature city laid out, and as night came on, 

 and the darkness was driven back by a long row of camp- 

 fires, and the children of both races turned themselves 

 loose for a grand jollification, racing up and down among 

 the logs aud bushes from one camp-fire to another, Front 

 street was very lively. 



The next day until late in the afternoon the weather 

 was fine, and we climbed up and doAvn the steep moun- 

 tain in search of berries, while my wife, to whom every 

 hour of exposure to the warm sunshine and light air of 

 the mountains was a blessing, surprised both herself and 

 me with her ability to climb the most rugged places, 

 almost without fatigue. 



Returning to camp in the afternoon, we found an old 

 medicine man of the Indian camp standing on an isolated 

 peak of rock, gesticulating and chanting in a weird mono- 

 tone some invocation to the unseen powers, but quite un- 

 intelligible to us. An Indian woman came to a neighbor- 

 ing camp-fire, and, when interrogated by a half-breed 

 interpreter, informed us that the old man had said that 

 he was going to make it rain, and also that he was going 

 to make the deer come right up to the camp-fires. But, 

 sbe laughingly remarked, that we need not be alarmed, 

 as she herself Avould arrange affairs so that in spite of 

 him, no rain should fall. Possibly the heavy masses of 

 clouds, now swiftly rising from the west, had given the 

 old man his cue. 



Tents and lodges Avere put in the best order to meet a 

 possible storm, large fires of dry logs built in front, and 

 as dense masses of clouds moved SAviftly on, enveloping 

 the summit of the whole range, and the thunder began 

 to mutter ominously, sure enough the rain began to fall. 

 Having eaten supper under the dripping cam r as we crept 

 to bed, and as the night deepened, the storm increased 

 and the lightning became terrific. A blinding flash, in- 

 stantly followed by a most terrible burst of thunder, for 

 an instant lighted up the mountain crest, and the fire- 

 blackened skeleton of a tall tamarack Avas seen rocking 

 in a gale, directly to windward of a camp of sleeping 

 people. Fortunately the great stub, whose roots had 



"Cast anchor in the rifted rock," 

 withstood the rising blast, and the mountain camp was 

 not turned into the scene of mourning Ave feared. The 

 stunted trees of fir and pine alone saved the tents from 

 being blown away. The rain began to creep in under 

 the tent, dampening our bed; our fires were put out, but 

 fortunately just at this time the rain changed to soft hail 

 and damp snow, the water ceased coming in, and we 

 passed the night quite comfortably. 



The morning showed a strange August scene. The 

 storm had ceased, though still dense masses of clouds sur- 

 rounded us, threatening momentarily to resume the at- 

 tack upon us, while snow and hail to the depth of two 

 inches covered all the ground. 



The fires were soon burning brightly, and my wife, not 

 a whit the worse for the rough experience of the pre- 

 vious night, was busily engaged preparing breakfast, 

 when the sharp ciy of an Indian woman rang out, call- 

 ing to the people just beyond us to shoot a deer just pass- 

 ing near the camp. I was skeptical about it, but walking 

 out in the direction indicated, found plain as daylight, 

 the sharp hoof prints of a jumping deer in the new fallen 

 snow, 40yds. distant from the next camp-fire, and Avithin 

 50yds. of our own. Another fresh track was found 7oyds. 

 further on. We felt for a moment inclined to concede 

 the pretensions of the medicine man. 



The threatening aspect of the weather warned us to 

 shorten our trip, but the dripping bushes overhanging 

 the trail menaced us with a thorough soaking in icy water 

 and melting snow, should we retreat. 



While holding a very sober council in front of our 

 camp-fire we were delighted to observe a crowd of Indian 

 women packing their ponies with berries, for a journey 

 to the settlements. They would sw-eep the bushes for us, 

 and we hastened to pack up and follow. 



Bidding adieu to the snowy camp we descended the 

 mountain, and when 500ft. below the crest, had left the 

 clouds and the snow behind us, and emerged into the sun- 

 light bright and Avarm. 



The journey home was a very pleasant one, and our 

 ten gallons of delicious berries soon sdenced the clamor- 

 ous welcome of the eager little ones. The trip was, on the 

 whole, a most delightful one, and my little wife hastened 

 to give me fan - warning that if, through the mercy of 

 God, our lives are spared through the coming year, about 

 half of the summer must be spent by us. together with 

 all of the children we can find ponies for, among the 

 wild scenery of the mountains, with Avhich she has fallen 

 hopelessly in love. And if at the close of this long tale 

 I tell a short story at her expense, of how, when on our 

 ascent of the mountain we started from the spring for 

 the final climb to the summit, she insisted, against my 

 advice, in showing her sympathy for the tired old pony 

 she rode, by walking the rest of the way, I persuaded her, 

 (after she had looked around to see that no one was in 

 sight), to Avrap the hair of my pony's tail around her 

 hand, and let him help draw her up the rocky steep, and 



how when half way up, an unexpected turn of the trail 

 brought into full view au Indian camp, where half a 

 dozen lazy Indians lay stretched in the shade, and who, al- 

 lowing their hilarity to get the better of their politeness, 

 laughed uproariously, causing her to drop the pony's tail 

 as though it were a snake, and to become immediately 

 absorbed in the contemplation of the beautiful scenery on 

 the other side of the trail; if I cannot persuade her that 

 the sin of printing such a malicious story rests entirely 

 upon the conscience of the good editor of Forest and 

 Stream, I can at least remind her of the wise proverb 

 that exhorts us never to spoil a story for relation's sake. 



She was afterward consoled by the loud spoken ap- 

 probation of an old Indian woman, avIio assured her that 

 She was "heap good Avoman ! alle same Siwash" (Indian) 

 Avoman ! 



Finally, Mr. Editor, let me say that my vom deplume 

 "Uncle Fuller," having lately become too much of the 

 nature of public property, I will drop it, and write over 

 my own name. Orin Belknal'. 



Washington Tiorrjtorf. 



HOUND AND DEER. 



WHEN on a vacation not many years ago among the 

 lakes and mountains of the Adirondacks. late in 

 the month of September, when the trees put on their 

 autumn dressing, and every hilltop looks like a rich 

 bouquet, when every sign indicated the sportsman's para- 

 dise, rifle practice, hounds yelping to be released from 

 that cruel chain, sportsmen in their hunting rigs, chatting 

 with the guides, speculating upon the chances of success 

 in every one killing a fine buck — every one was put on 

 the qui vive in a moment, by the startling announcement 

 of one of the guides who said, "I hear a hound." Every 

 ear was on the strain and a sparkle in every eye. Guns 

 of every possible shape and size made their appearance, 

 and every hunter as he firmly clutched his weapon grew 

 an inch taller in about ten minutes. When the same 

 guide cried, "I hear two hounds running like the mis- 

 chief" (only he used the name of the fellow that makes 

 all the mischief), one said, "I don't hear a sound," an- 

 other, "Your hearing must be extra fine." A third quite 

 disgusted spoilsman laid aside his gun and sauntered 

 away, Avhen the whole party were startled by the wel- 

 come sound of two hounds in full cry, just coming over 

 the mountain, on the opposite side of the lower Saranac 

 Lake. Every thing Avas on the jump in two minutes. 

 The disgusted sportsman came near breaking Ins leg over 

 a box to get back to his gun. One pale little fellow in 

 spectacles, Avho looked as if he had just been turned out 

 to pasture, and needed it dreadfully, exploded his gun 

 prematurely under the great excitement, and a general 

 rush for the boats at the landing took place, for it Avas 

 reported that the deer Avould come in on an old rumvay, 

 about three miles up the Saranac. 



The scene was a lively one, not unaccompanied with 

 danger from several green but would-be renoAvned 

 sportsmen, who started to the light boats; and in their 

 hurry one found a cold bath, going head first into the 

 lake and spoiling his fun. The rest, after considerable 

 bustle and confusion, got off, and it was really an excit- 

 ing sight. Fifteen of the graceful hunting boats on the 

 lake, handled by those stalwart oarsmen, who think 

 nothing of rowing fifty miles a day, were coursing with 

 the speed of a haAvk down the lake to head off the game. 

 They all knew it Avould certainly iioav soon take to the 

 water to throw off the dogs, which could be heard very 

 distinctly across the lake in the Avildest chase heard in 

 many days. Those of us who remained behind could 

 plainly see with the glass the whole exciting affair; and 

 we soon saw a noble buck throw himself into the Avater 

 from a bank ten feet high, and strike out boldly for life. 

 Alas! only to meet a more ^relentless foe and a certain 

 death, for by his fleetness * nature had enabled him to 

 escape his natural enemy, the hound. It seems unfair to 

 take this advantage of a deer in the water; and I will not 

 do it, preferring to take my chance on a runway, with 

 my rifle, and let the deer get away if he can. 



As the numerous boats, noAv fairly flying through the 

 water, neared the graceful creature, the sharp crack of 

 the rifle could be heard, and at length the fatal ball en- 

 tered the head of the destined victim, and the now glori- 

 ous hunter rejoiced as if he had gained a victory. 



They had scarcely taken the deer into the boat when 

 the two hounds, true to their instinct, came doAvn on the 

 track to the water's edge, and hoAvled wildly at their dis- 

 appointment; for thus far they go and no further. Their 

 prey might escape, for they do not take to the water, 



But by far the most interesting part of this hunt to me 

 is yet to come, and to tell which all this rigmarole has 

 been penned. The voices of the two dogs as they passed 

 along the mountain had been recognized by their owners, 

 and both claimed the deer. Such things have been 

 known to cause a bitter feud. One was sure it was his 

 dog, and the other Avas just as sure it Avas his; but the 

 question of most importance to be settled was. Avhich of 

 the dogs started that deer? The deer was brought on 

 shore and laid upon the green sward, where even the 

 ladies, gentle creatures, admired it. Soon the boat arrived 

 with the two dogs, and one of the old hunters cried out, 

 "Send those hounds up here, and let us see whose deer 

 this is." Never having heard so strange a story, I, half 

 in doubt, said, "What nonsense is that you are talking?" 

 "No nonsense, Doctor, wait and see." 



Being deeply interested I approached closely, that I 

 might the better observe the animals. One of them 

 walked up to the deer, smelt him all over and seemed 

 quite in doubt. Then the other dog came up with an 

 angry groAvl, smelt the deer and deliberately laid him- 

 self down by the animal, while the first dog quietly 

 placed his tail between his legs and walked away. I could 

 not help expressing my amazement, and still doubting the 

 fact I said to my old guide, "That dog that is lying by 

 the deer has been the master of the other, and has 

 cowed him." "On the contrary," said my informer, 

 "the dog that gave up the deer is the better fighter, and 

 whips that dog every time." 



We learned during the' day that the deer had 

 been started ten miles down the river by the dog that 

 claimed it, and the sound of his voice dreAv the other 

 one, about four miles beloAv the lake; confirming the 

 test, and proving the wonderful instinct of the hound. 

 Making a note of this singular fact I proposed to fol- 



low it up, which I have done to my entire satisfaction, 

 and will prove it to you and the readers of your in- 

 teresting journal by and by, if you think it worth while. 

 Tarrytown, N. Y. H. C. 



WHO KNOWS THE "FANTAIL" DEER? 



LIVINGSTON, Montana.— Editor Forest and Stream: 

 In reply to a letter from Eifle Creek, Colorado, in 

 the Forest and Stream of the 19th April, asking if there 

 is such a deer as a "fantail" deer, you say " the 'fan tail' 

 deer is a whitetail, nothing more." 



I have been waiting for some one of your many read- 

 ers in this country to reply. Fearing they will not do so, 

 I thought I would say something about the deer in the 

 hope of interesting others in the subject enough to prop- 

 erly describe the deer, as I fully believe the "fantair is 

 "more than a whitetail," is a different variety of deer. 



I was surprised not to see a description of 'this deer in 

 Dr. R. W. Shufeldt's very interesting letter on deer in 

 the Forest and Stream, and I judge from this that the 

 deer mentioned is not known to naturalists. As I may 

 be at fault in making the statement that the deer known 

 here as the "fantail," "gazelle" and "crumpled horn" is 

 another variety, I will describe them as near as possible 

 from recollection. 



In February, 1879, Henry Fancher killed five on Lit- 

 tle Timber Creek, at the foot of the Crazy Mountains, 

 three bucks and two does. They were very small, not as 

 heavy as a full-grown antelope. Darker than a whitetail 

 at that season, their tails were eight inches wide and over 

 fifteen inches long. If 1 remember correctly one of the 

 bucks had .four points, the other two, three points each. 

 Their horns were very short and very much turned in. 

 the points thicker in proportion to size than in a white- 

 tail, not as sharp and of a light bluish color; the points 

 were somewhat flattened. This peculiarity I have noticed 

 in all "fantail" horns that 1 have seen. Their legs were 

 shorter in proportion to size than antelope. I intended 

 to save a com plete hide, head and all, but neglected to do 

 so, not supposing at the time they Avere so rare a deer. I 

 have seen them m the Black Hills of Dakota and Wyom- 

 ing and in Montana. No one would mistake one for a 

 whitetail. There is a greater difference between them 

 than between the nude deer and the blacktail. It may 

 be impossible to secure specimens at this time, but there 

 are a few head scattered about this country which ought 

 to be saved and sent to some naturalist. I hope the read- 

 ers of the Forest and Stream will take an interest in 

 the subject and write up what facts they may know about 

 this little knoAvn deer. 



I will secure a set of "fantair' horns and forward to 

 the Forest and Stream for inspection. Gazelle. 



[Our correspondent's notes are extremely interesting, 

 and we hope Avith him that our readers who may know 

 of the "fantail" deer Will let us have all the information 

 about it in their poAver. It is not knoAvn as a distinct 

 species to naturalists. We have heard more or less of the 

 "fantail" and "gazelle" deer in the Rocky Mountains for 

 many years, but have ourselves never seen in the local i- 

 ites mentioned by our correspondent — through all of 

 which we have hunted — nor elseAvhere, a specimen. Let 

 us have all the light possible on this subject from hunters 

 and naturalists, and above all let us have some specimens.] 



Interesting Bird Notes.— Our correspondent, Mr. J. 

 L. Davison of Lockport, N. Y., writes us: "I have just 

 finished my report of bird observations to the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture. My list included just 125 different 

 species, twenty-two more than last year, and a few that 

 I have never found breeding here before. Among these 

 are the rose-breasted grosbeak and cerulean warbler. Of 

 tho latter I have seen but two specimens (both male) in 

 ten years' collecting, while in June I found three 

 nests within four miles of this city, and last week saw 

 two broods of young birds flying about with the parent 

 birds. The nest and eggs do not agree with Audubon's de- 

 scription quoted in Baird, Brewer and RidgAvay's "North 

 American Birds." Instead of being pensile, the nest is 

 placed on the top of the forks of the limb, and the eggs, 

 instead of being pure Avhite with a few reddish spots 

 about the large end, are a bluish Avhite quite heavily 

 marked Avith brown and lilac spots and blotches. I think 

 Audubon must have seen D. eeerrdea near the nest of 

 some vireo. On June 14 I found a redstart occupying an 

 old nest of V. olivaceus, and could hardly believe it, until 

 I had seen the female leave the nest three times; she 

 had relined the nest and had laid three eggs.— J. L. 

 Davison." 



Sharks are Frequent about New York.— The fre- 

 quent catches of sharks this season in the vicinity of NeAv 

 York is a matter of comment. The newspapers love to 

 record them as "man-eaters" whenever a shark over 6ft. 

 is taken, but evidence is lacking to show that any of the 

 different species found in our bays and harbor ever attack 

 men. It is true that several persons who have been in- 

 jured in the water have attributed their cuts to sharks, 

 but it should be widely understood that sharks, as Avell as 

 snakes, are of great variety, and most of them are harm- 

 less to man. Last Aveek a shark of 6ft. was taken up the 

 Hudson River, near Croton, and another of 1ft. less, in 

 Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, and in both cases they 

 caused much fear among the bathers. The latter fish was 

 the common "hound shark," a flat-toothed species abund- 

 ant along the northern Atlantic coast. The truly danger- 

 ous sharks inhabit tropical seas and rarely visit our coast, 

 never, to our knowledge, ascending the rivers. The fre- 

 quency of the small sharks this year seems to sIioav an 

 abundance of food, especially in' the bays and harbors, 

 and this view seems to be a true one, for small fish are 

 quite plentiful in most of the Avaters about New York. 



An Epidemic Among Hares.— Smithsonian Institution, 

 United States National Museum, Washington, Aug. 3. — 

 Editor Forest and Stream: I have recently been asked 

 to supply some information about the nature of a certain 

 epidemic disease which is said to destroy great numbers 

 of wild hares in our north Avest country,' at intervals of 

 six or seven years. Turning naturally to the files of your 

 valuable journal for some light on the subject, I am sur- 

 prised to find no reference Avhatever to the matter. Noav, 

 cannot some of your correspondents who live in the 

 Northwest furnish the required information regarding 

 the disease? If it is widespread, its ravages must have 

 been repeatedly observed. I should like very much to 

 know if it affects the hares, and if possible to'receive some 

 specimens (preserved in spirits, or otherwise) of diseased 

 individuals.— F. W. True, Curator, Dept. of Mammals. 



