272 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[March 24 1892. 



in other birds' nests?" was answered the next season. I 

 had fastened a bit of copper wire around the young cow- 

 bird's leg, while yet in the nest, as a distinguishing 

 mart. The next year I saw this bird flitting about the 

 nests of other birds in company with an old cowbird, 

 undoubtedly the mother. Thus the young cowbird was 

 educated not to build a nest, but to appropriate the nests 

 of other birds. 



My fourth question, "How did the cowbird acquire this 

 unnatural habit?" could not be answered by my observa- 

 tions. My study of bird life, however, has led me to a 

 theory which I will give for what it is worth, I do not 

 claim that it is infallible. 



I have often observed that birds will feed the young of 

 another species, if such young are orphans. It is no un- 

 usual thing to see goldfinches feeding the English spar- 

 rows. The young sparrows, either purposely or by acci- 

 dent, keep on the same limb with a young goldfinch. 

 When the mother brings food the sparrow begs with bis 

 wings and voice. She sometimes gives him a feed but 

 not often. On this knowledge 1 have based my theory. 



Let us suppose that at one time the cowbird was a nest- 

 building species. Then it may have happened that a 

 brood of young cowbirds, after leaving the nest, were de- 

 prived of parents. The birds in their immediate vicinity, 

 hearing their cries of distress and hunger, would feed 

 them until they could hunt food for themselves. The 

 young cowbirds would hover ahotit with their friends 

 and would accompany them south, but on the return 

 everything would be changed. All the other birds would 

 mate, and whenever cowbirds approached a nesting site 

 they would be repulsed. Thus they would gain no 

 knowledge of nest building and would be likely to lay 

 their egga in the nests of others, choosing the nests of 

 former friends. While this theory does not explain why 

 all cowbirds are parasites, it is quite possible that the 

 unnatural habits of the spec ies was acquired in some way 

 similar to the foregoing. M. A. Walton. 



TAMED HUMMINGBIRDS. 



1WAS once the possessor of two of those tiny wonders, 

 the ruby-throats— 



"Is it a gem, half bird, 

 Or is it a bird, half gem?" 



While walking in the orchard one day in June I espied 

 a hummingbird's nest, (a fitting casket for the gem) on 

 a horizontal limb about 5ft. from the ground. When I 

 looked into it, two feathered mites flew out and fell to 

 the ground . As there were pigs in the orchard, I thought 

 I had better take the birds out of it. I carried them to 

 the house, made a light frame for a cage, and covered it 

 with lace: in this I kept them four months, letting them 

 out every day. I fed them upon cracker soaked in 

 Malaga wine "and sugar, and brought to them all the 

 honey-holding flowers that I could find. When I brought 

 in a boquet they immediately flew to it, buzzing joy- 

 ously. 



I gave them a snuffer tray for a bathing tub, but one of 

 them would never, voluntarily, take his bath, so the 

 other would chase him around the room, take him by 

 one leg, drag him to the tray and pull him into the water. 

 He seemed to be doing this for fun; there was never any 

 quarreling between them. As there was an open fire- 

 place in the room I always had to cover it with a shawl 

 when I let them out, but one day I forgot to cover it be- 

 fore I opened the cage door and one of them took a bee 

 line for the fireplace, but, as though frightened at the dark 

 chasm, he flew quickly back to me, alighted on my hand 

 and sat there trembling for some moments. 



When I came into the room, after leaving them for a 

 while, they would fly to me, chipping and seeming very 

 glad to see me. They never showed any fear of any one, 

 and seemed to enjoy lighting on my finger, and would 

 look in my face very intelligently. Sometimes they got 

 out of the house, but always returned and usually alighted 

 on the comb in my mother's hair. 



In the fall after the flowers were gone they did not 

 seem well. During the last weeks of their life there 

 were no blossoms but those of a few clover heads under 

 the apple trees. I was making a silkweed cape, and as 

 the feathery stuff was flying about the house, one of them 

 got some of it into his throat and died the next day. He 

 had appeared stupid for some days before. The other, 

 who had seemed a little better than this one, grew worse 

 after the death of his companion, and lived only two 

 weeks longer. 



One warm day in the middle of October, as I was going 

 into the orchard to get the few remaining clover blos- 

 soms, I took the bird in the cage with me, thinking the 

 air might do him good. I held the cage in one hand and 

 was picking clover with the other; but when I was going 

 to put the clover in the cage I found the door open and 

 no bird there. I suppose that the wind had blown the 

 door open and he had fallen out and died. I called him 

 by the pet names which he knew, and if he had been 

 living he would have answered me, I searched long and 

 carefully for him but never found him. I think they 

 died for lack of their natural food, the honey of flowers. 

 If I could have taken them to the Southern States early 

 in September, I presume they could have lived through 

 the winter. I had become very much attached to my 

 beautiful tiny pets, and felt their loss keenly. 



But I have the nest yet, a lovely wonder, of softest 

 buff-brown felt, covered externally with lichens, and 

 glued to the remnant of a broken twig, the nest forming 

 one and the twig the other prong of a fork, and the 

 lichen extending in an unbroken line from the nest along 

 the twig — a tiny twig, no larger than a straw, supports it 

 from beneath. Burroughs says "it is an event in one's 

 life to find a hummingbird's nest." I was so much in- 

 terested in the still greater event of finding and caring 

 for the young birds that I did not think much about the 

 nest until it was all that remained to me except the 

 memory of my tamed hummingbirds. 



While I had them these birds were like the adult 

 female: but when a few months older the young male 

 assumes a variety of plumage before becoming fully 

 adult. 



I once saw one which was very different from the 

 adults — much lighter colored— pale bluish green, with 

 buff breast. It was very beautiful, 



, Julia. M. Hooper. 



A Book About Indians.— The Fobest and Stream will ma 

 free on application a descriptive circular of Mr. G-rinnell'a boo 

 "Pawnee Hero Stories and Folk-tales," giving a table of oonten 

 sjnd apscimaa iUastratione from the volume.— A.$o, 



Intelligence in Hawks.— Our correspondent Mr. F. 

 T. Webber, writing from Las Animas, N. M., gives the 

 following instance of what would appear to be remark- 

 able intelligence in hawks, a new habit, which is cer- 

 tainly worth recording. He says: "There is a telephone 

 line near me running from Las Animas to a ranch. Along 

 the line are flocks of small birds, much like a sparrow, 

 which feed on sunflower seeds. Hawks are unusually 

 plentiful along the line and utilize it to secure these small 

 birds for food. By pursuing the larger flocks they drive 

 an occasional one against the wire, maiming it so that 

 they easily effect its capture." In response to our inquiry 

 as to whether this driving of the birds appeared to be 

 accident or design, Mr. Webber states that he has no 

 doubt that the hawks start the birds with the intention of 

 driving them against the wire, and that after a flock of 

 small birds have passed the wire the hawks at once give 

 up the pursuit, or else would make every effort to turn 

 the flock and drive the birds back. 



"NESSMUK'S" LOST STORY. 



SEVEBAL years ago "Nessmuk" wrote a story, which he 

 thought the best work of his life, and sent it to the edi- 

 tor of a then famous and popular literary journal. He 

 waited long for some tidings of his manuscript, hut never 

 got word of its acceptance or rejection, nor was be ever able 

 to learn what became of it. He was sorely hurt by the care- 

 less treatment which his work bad received and never re- 

 wrote it. All that is now known of it is the brief outline of 

 it as told by him to a friend two or three years before his 

 death. It was the story in which a faithful dog was the 

 prominent figure, probably one of those nondescript mon- 

 grels without a pedigree such as "Pete," a fragment of 

 whose life "Nessmuk" has graphically given us in the 

 columns of Forest and Stream. 



From his days of sportive puppyhood to the years that 

 brought soberness of mien, and on till age had grizzled his 

 muzzle and stiffened his joints, this dog had been the friend 

 and constant companion of a kind master. The man had no 

 family and few friends; the dog, none but his master, for his 

 ordinary looks, being neither handsome nor ugly enough to 

 attract attention, nor at all indicating his worth and intelli- 

 gence, drew no one to seek his friendship, while he in turn, 

 being repelled or barely tolerated by mankind at large, felt 

 a supreme indifference for all men but his master. 



Between these two existed the fullest trust and friendship, 

 and perfect understandidg. The man knew the dog's moods, 

 wants and wishes; by signs unintelligible to others, could 

 read as in a book the expressions of love in his bleared old 

 eyes, and the yearning for the power of speech, scarcely 

 needed to make known all he felt. The dog knew the man 

 as well and could almost read his thoughts. 



When it became necessary for the master to go across seas 

 on some matter of business or fortune-seeking, long before 

 the day of departure the dog felt the approach of some un- 

 defined loss, giving token thereof in alternate fits of dejec- 

 tion and extraordinary demonstrations of love. At last the 

 woeful day came, when he followed his only friend down 

 the long street to the wharf with the evident knowledge 

 that he was to accompany him no further, for he manifested 

 none of the signs of joy that he was wont to give when they 

 set forth together. He trotted close, to his master's heels 

 with wistful eyes constantly upon him, as if he would not 

 lose one moment of the little time in which he might yet 

 behold him. His master bade him farewell at the foot of 

 the gangplank and went on board of the ship, whither the 

 dog did not attempt to follow at first, but finally, as if im- 

 pelled by a power that his habitual obedience could not 

 withstand, he rushed up ou the deck, and throwing himself 

 upon his master, lavished on him every expression of en- 

 dearment that a dog can show. His master caressed him a 

 moment and then ordered him back. Sadly the poor old 

 fellow obeyed, slinking back to the wharf, and taking a 

 place apart from the hustle of the crowd, he fixed his stead- 

 fast gaze upon his master, who high above him, leaned over 

 the bulwarks. Presently a little tug laid hold of the great 

 ship and towed her out beyond the throng of shipping, then 

 one by one her white wings were unfolded, and with a fair 

 wind she went sailing away down the curling waters of the 

 bay. 



Long after the form of his master had become undistin- 

 guishable on the crowded deck, and long after the last 

 human leave-taker had. withdrawn his lingering gaze and 

 departed, the old dog's eyes were fixed upon the ship that 

 bore his master, following her past jutting headland and 

 green island, till her toweriDg canvas was but a white speck 

 on the blue rim of the ocean. When she had sunk quite out 

 of sight, he moaned an almost human expression of grief 

 and slowly went away. 



Tbe master had made provision for the dog's maintenance 

 during his absence at their old lodgings, but the poor bereft 

 creature did not return to what could no longer be home to 

 him now that its light was gone. He wandered through the 

 streets disconsolate and aimless, snatching now and then a 

 morsel at the brink of starvation, not as if he valued life for 

 itself , but for what its continuance might bring; while he 

 took with like indifference the sunshine or the pitiless pelt- 

 ing of the storm. 



Crueller than any stress of weather or pinch of hunger was 

 the constant unfriendliness of mankind and of his own fel- 

 lows, for the unowned clog seldom finds a friend among 

 either. He was set upon by every dog of high or low degree 

 with as little pity as by the rabble of street boys, more un- 

 tamed and always readier than their elders to persecute the 

 helpless and friendless, and he was driven by house owners 

 and housemaids from doorsteps where he lay down to warm 

 himself in the sun. 



Then be disappeared for a time and perhaps found the 

 country kindlier, it may be found a temporary home in some 

 farmhouse to whose boys any dog was a welcome guest. At 

 least he had the shelter of haystacks in stormy weather and 

 sunny nooks to bask in through the bright, if brief, winter 

 days. 



Somehow he lived on, kept alive more by the mysterious 

 power of hope than by any tangible sustenance, till upon a 

 bright and perfect winter day he reappeared in the streets, 

 a gaunt, unkempt, forlorn figure. Yet there was an un- 

 wonted light in his bleared old eyes as with reeling foot- 

 steps, yet holding steadfastly to his course, he made his way 

 toward the wharf, from which he had seen his beloved 

 master fade from his view. 



He had not waited long when a ship that had climbed into 

 sight over the blue edge of the horizon came beating up the 

 harbor and at last with great clamor and bustle of incoming 

 was made fast to her wharf. W orming his way through the 

 crowd, the old dog was almost first to get aboard, and in a 

 moment more was at his master's feet. With a final effort 

 of his almost spent strength he threw himself upon his mas- 

 ter's breast, once licked the beloved face, and with a cry of 

 joy, uttered with his last breath, sank dead upon the deck, 

 his glazing eyes still fixed upon the only face he loved. 



It could not have been chance that brought him back, so 

 hopefully confident, to meet his master on the very day of 

 his return, and it must have been something more wonder- 

 ful than instinct, second sight or a supernatural forecast of 

 a coming event. 



How pathetically "Nessmuk," who was as fully in sym- 



Owith man's f aithfullest friend as with man, must 

 jold the story of which we have only the bald outline, 

 we can imagine, but alas, never know. It is sad to t&infc 



of his disappointment, of his long waiting for deserved 

 commendation of his best but unheard story. 



But it is all one to him now, as he sleeps in the shade of 

 his beloved hemlocks. Bowlasd E. Robinson, 



'um$ mti §>uif. 



Antelope and Deer of America. By J. D. Caton. 

 Price $2. 50. Wing and Glass Ball Shooting with the 

 Rifle. By W. C. Bliss. Price 50 cents. Rifle, Rod and 

 Gun in California. By T. 8. Van .Dyke. Price $1.50. 

 Shore Birds. Price 15 cents. Woodcraft. By ''Ness- 

 muk.'' Price $1. Trajectories of Hun ting Rifles. Price 

 50 cents Wild Fowl Shooting; see advertisement. 



THE NEW YORK GAME BILL. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



ThaDks for your reprobation of the action of the 

 Assembly, in striking from the game bill the clause per- 

 mitting prosecutions for its violation in ( 'an adjoining 

 county." 



Such action is in the interest of lawlessness. Ifc ia a 

 direct drive at the most efficient provision the law ever 

 contained for its efficient administration. 



It is the experience of protective effort, generally, that 

 but for the right to prosecute in a locality exempt from 

 sentiment hostile to beneficent legislation, signal failure 

 is invariable, with the law brought into contempt. 



It was a wise thing to do, the extension about offenders 

 of the lines of two counties, their own and their next 

 neighbors', and so give them a chance, upon occasions, to 

 know what their neighbors think of them. There invari- 

 ably results an improvement in manners, and a diminu- 

 tion in crime. The most beneficent result of convictions 

 secured in adjoining counties — by the very limited police 

 force accorded to game protection — is the gratifying fact 

 that the game laws are beginning to challenge general 

 attention and respect in the State as a substantive and 

 beneficent part of its polity. 



And why let go so important a provision: 1 Does it 

 violate any principle? None, confessedly. It never en- 

 countered an objection on that score. It has been ap- 

 proved by the best sentiment, frequently expressed, in 

 representative gatherings, notably the codification com- 

 mission, and the late sportsmen's convention at Syracuse 

 — that best expression ever given to protective sentiment 

 in New York. 



Is it a hardship on offenders to be compelled to answer 

 across an imaginary boundary line? Such an objection 

 was never urged by. the law-abiding. It is eafe to say 

 that no abuse has attended prosecutions under the law aa 

 it stands. 



Does a necessity exist for a retention of the provision? 

 "Woodcock on Ice," cited by Forest and Stream, a re- 

 proach to protective effort in New York city, iB an 

 answer. The action should never have been brought in 

 that county to be sure. If the amendment of the Assem- 

 bly shall prevail, an [action can never be brought else- 

 where. What then can prevent other similar scandals 

 with the right to prosecute in "an adjoining county" de- 

 nied ? 



And in the Adirondacks! How refreshing the appear- 

 ance that "public opinion there sustains the laws." And 

 as a "corollary" to so happy a condition, what thoughts 

 must come of such law-sustaining sentiment, in vigorous 

 vindication of itself, ridding the woods of infesting 

 dogs "of a breed commonly used for hunting deer" when 

 the proposed bill shall take effect; and so no more water 

 butchery until later, when the hostelries are filled up by 

 the elite of the sporting gentry. 



Law-abiding people having personal knowledge of 

 conditions in the Adirondacks ought, first of all, to let 

 no false impressions of sentiment there get abroad, 

 Nothing could be more hurtful to the little there is left 

 of game protection there, and in other counties similarly 

 affected. 



May not the provision expunged by the Assembly be 

 reinstated by the Senate? 



Possibly. But be sure that mere supplication will ac- 

 complish nothing. It is not in line with the methods of 

 the political boss. He and his henchmen mean business 

 politics. 



What was it that struck out of the game bill the clause 

 against the slaughter of does? 



What expunged the Supervisors' right to legislate ad- 

 ditional protection to "wild deer," in their respective 

 counties, and this in violation of principle and general 

 policy? 



Why have such accomplishments been supplemented 

 by expunging the right to prosecute in adjoining coun- 

 ties? 



Why, counter protection, rampant in the interest of the 

 hostelries, and their swarms of patrons and purveyors in 

 the gaurdianship of the potential political boss. 



What matters it, that this is class legislation? nothing- 

 it pays. 



Detestable in its purposes and methods, making sacri- 

 fice of the noblest game in the State to glut the brutal 

 greed of swarms from the cities and over the borders, 

 how long will public sufferance tolerate a policy that by 

 vicious legislation converts the protective force of the 

 State into ministers and servants, in the exterminating 

 crusade. 



How long? Why, until the people, the delvers, begin- 

 ning now to scrutinize a purpose that calls for additional 

 protectors at enhanced salaries, in class interests, from 

 which they are and must be forever totally excluded, 

 shall kick it into splithereens, a8 it ought to be kicked, 



mahch n, Saint Lawrence. 



Arkansas Game and Fish. — Little Bock, Ark. , March 

 16. — Our quail season closed here March 1 and left us 

 with plenty of birds everywhere for next year. The 

 shooting has been excellent during the entire season. 

 Deer and turkey have been very plentiful. Large bags of 

 jacksnipe have been killed near the city the past week. 

 Arkansas, as a State, is one of the finest fields for a 

 sportsman in America with either rod or gun. Many fine 

 strings of black bass and jack salmon have already been 

 taken, from out beautiful m^untajn et;reanis,--AltKA]S'SA§/ 



