Aug. 18, 1894.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
187 
of .heredity and the effects of environments. For many- 
generations (of cats) they have lived where the scrub and 
the woods, while abounding in their favorite game, and 
furnishing abundant opportunity for the exercise of all a 
cat's sagacity in securing it, also abound in the larger 
animals, which in turn seek to prey on puss herself. At 
the head of this list stands the wildcat, which has long 
regarded puss as a choice morsel, and which generally 
leaveB the tail of his victim so that the family may not be 
in doubt as to pussy's fate. Other animals also will catch 
the kittens, and consequently the lightest sound, if at all 
unusual, will frighten them, and any unusual appearance 
alarm. When for some reason I gave a long whistle, a 
few days since, I was astonished to see the whole family 
of cats scud for shelter, while any sound approaching a 
growl sends them at once to the house top. 
I was witness not many days since to a migration of an 
immense army of the ordinary red ants. It was growing 
late in the afternoon when my attention was called to 
what looked like a red ribbon moving along. The column 
was perhaps a half inch in width and was made up of 
columns which came together from several directions, 
and on examination I found each smaller column starting 
from one of the numerous ant hills. When all these had 
united into one solid column it formed an army a half 
inch wide and sixteen feet long, a compact mass, along 
whose sides went those evidently directing the move- 
ments 'of the multitude. They passed over the sand of 
the garden and down the trail for more than forty feet, 
when the army again broke up into smaller bodies which 
disappeared in different directions in the scrub, each body 
in search of a new home. Was this movement because 
my work in the garden had so greatly disturbed them? 
W. 
Atlantic, Fla. 
MIGRATION OF THE BUFFALO. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
The object I had in view when I wrote the article upon 
the "Migration of the Buffalo," which you published and 
noticed editorially in your issue of June 9, was to correct 
an impression which seems to be quite universal of late 
years, that in those early days before the era of their 
extermination had come, the buffalo could be found 
within a day or two by the hunter in any portion of that 
vast tract of country between the settlements of Kansas 
and the Rocky Mountains in one direction, and from 
Mexico to Saskatchewan in the other. Many writers 
have with flowery language inculcated this fallacy 
either from a limited personal knowledge of the subject 
or because it made a most fascinating picture for an easy 
flowing pen, and it was evidently also the views enter- 
tained, partially at least, by the writer, whose article 
elicited my own convictions created by several years of 
observation in inquiry made at that period — from 1862 
forward — while I was traversing quite a portion of the 
country within those boundaries. 
That this impression, however, is a fallacious one, will, I 
think, be the testimony of all those whose familiarity with 
that section at that period admits of their opinion upon 
the subject being regarded as of any great value. I do 
not hesitate to assert that no large herd then occupied 
permanently any portion of the region south of the 
Canadian, and believe that this limit might safely be ex- 
tended to the Platte River, but at the same time I feel 
sure that small bands could be found at almost any 
season of the year, along the Smoky Hill. 
J>Torth of these points the conditions appear to have 
been reversed, or to speak more correctly, far less notice- 
able. I mentioned in that letter their love for that great 
north land with its sweet grasses, limpid waters and 
bracing climate; spoke particularly of the reluctance 
with which they turned southward, and I fully agree with 
your editorial conclusions that many, possibly very many, 
seldom if ever left it. 
That this was their favorite range can be demonstrated 
even at this date, for all through that country, along the 
Yellowstone and Missouri, clear to the northern limit of 
the vast plains of Winnipeg, their wallows and deeply 
trodden trails are more numerous and clearly defined to- 
day than they ever were in any portion of Texas. ' 
No doubt many of your younger readers will feel in- 
clined to ask how it was possible to keep any track of 
these nomadic animals, whose range covered so vast a 
territory; and I can think of no reply more concise and 
intelligible than to point at the appalling rapidity with 
which they were exterminated after their wholesale 
slaughter had fairly begun. Their gregarious habits, 
ponderous size, preference for the great treeless plains, 
the permanent character of their trails and their habitual 
sluggishness when not driven to action by outside influ- 
ences, all militated against anything like concealment 
and blazed their pathway over the land like a prairie fire. 
It was generally an easy task to find the buffalo. 
Forked Deer. 
The Sun and the Brooding Bird. 
Chicago, 111. — Some years since I was residing in a 
small town in Iowa. My house was in a large lot sur- 
rounded by shade and fruit trees. In a cherry tree in 
front of the house a pair of kingbirds made their nest. 
It was near the top and without shade from the foliage. 
I watched the birds from day to day as the nest was 
building. When it was finished and the eggs were laid 
I saw the mother bird patiently imparting the warmth of 
her body to develop and bring forth her young. Her 
-companion would take her place on the nest when she 
went forth in search of food. During this time, it was 
early June, the weather was extremely hot. When the 
sun came up and the direct rays fell upon the nest and 
eggs the bird would leave the nest and sit upon a near 
branch and watch it for hours without moving. As the 
sun descended and its rays lost their intense heat the 
mother bird would return to the nest, cover the eggs and 
impart the temperature required. 
When I discovered this I could hardly believe what I 
saw, for it seemed to be reason united with instinct. I 
watched to learn if this was uniform each day and my 
observation confirmed it, and so I was convinced that 
reason was guiding these little birds in the management 
of their domestic economies as surely as it governs the 
affairs of men. 
It seems to me that this is a fact in natural history 
that is worth preserving, and so I have written it out 
and hope it may be assigned a place in Forest and 
Stream. John C. Polley. 
HUMMINGBIRD PETS. 
Hummingbirds are so closely watched by ornithologists 
that, apparently, the only important question still un- 
settled is in relation to the domestic character of the 
male. Audubon and Wilson could hardly find words to 
express their admiration for him as a dutiful and devoted 
husband, but lately their opinions have been challenged, 
and Mr. Torrey (I think) has even had relays of watchers 
at a nest for weeks, and asserts, positively, that he shows 
no affection for his mate after the termination of his 
courtship. Now, this question I must leave for others to 
decide, for although I am, probably, the only one in the 
country who tames hummingbirds regularly every sum- 
mer, I have never been lucky enough to find a nest that I 
could watch, though I have always been inclined to agree 
with Audubon and Wilson. 
A few years ago I had a large room in New York, and 
a florist in Astoria sent me in a paper box a female 
hummingbird that had been caught in one of his hot- 
houses. He said a pair of them came in nearly _ every 
day, and I requested him to bring me her mate if pos- 
sible. In two or three days — after the first one had 
become thoroughly tame — the male bird was brought to 
me. I took him out of the box and held him in my 
hand till his mate came down from her perch to feed. 
Then, when I opened my hand and let h im go he 
seemed to be in a rapture of delight. He circled around 
her like a crazy lover, and as he was undoubtedly very 
hungry, as soon as she left the bottle he took his dinner 
without the slightest hesitation and then darted up to 
her, and renewed his demonstrations of affection for a 
long time. When I fed them, which was very often, 
he always waited for her to take the lead, then followed 
and hovered round her till she was satisfied, and then 
helped himself. I have never witnessed such gallantry 
and affection, and it is very difficult to change the opinion 
I then conceived of him as a husband. 
I was very much interested in my little pets, though I 
did not like the idea of keeping them confined in a room; 
A CONFIDING HUMMINGBIRD. 
From a photograph sent us by "Didymus." 
but the matter was soon settled, for the male bird, in his 
rapturous flights, dashed himself against the window. I 
spent nearly a day in trying to resuscitate him, but he 
had evidently injured himself internally. His mate was 
then turned out, and I have never since attempted to 
keep them in confinement. In fact it was only from 
necessity that I did it then, for I know that they cannot 
live more than two or three weeks without insect food. 
Here in my country home they can be tamed with little 
trouble, though I am suspected by some of employing 
magic. 
Now, as you intimated that my first article was not sat- 
isfactory, inasmuch as I failed to give the details of my 
taming process, I will give it in this, though of all who 
have been instructed by me not one has been able to do 
anything with them. 
In disposition they are as different as children, and 
while all of them are apparently very timid, that in most 
of them is easily overcome, and then they are very bold 
and fearless. The greater part of them go further north 
than Florida in summer, and the few that remain here to 
bring up families turn the young out of their nests about 
the middle of June. When .they start on their emigra- 
tions in early summer no temptation is strong enough to 
keep them here, and I have given up all attempts at 
training them till the young birds appear. They usually 
become so fearless that they come to us anywhere about 
the grounds, and come in and hover round us while sitting 
at the table. Undoubtedly memory is not lacking in the 
little creatures, for on two occasions our pets nave re- 
turned the following summer as tame as when they left. 
The first I mentioned in my former communication. 
This summer we had the ill luck to tame a nervous, un- 
satisfactory little fellow, and were rather glad when he 
disappeared. 
One day while my wife and I were sitting on the piazza 
a beautiful male bird lit on a twig close by, and I re- 
marked that if we could only succeed in getting him 
under control we need have no fear of his being driven 
off by a stronger bird, as is often the case. I went in and 
got the bottle, and in a few minutes he was sitting on my 
finger, to our great surprise. It was undoubtedly the one 
we had photographed last summer, only now changed 
from a speckled to a ruby throat. But I was mistaken 
about his fighting qualities, for as soon as the other one 
found him poaching on his preserves he pounced upon 
him like a hawk and drove him off. He returned two or 
three times, but finding he could not stay without a fight 
he left us, very much to our regret. The other disap- 
peared in a few days after that, but we took the loss com- 
placently. In a day or two another young male, with an 
entirely different disposition, came and took his place, 
and in one day was tamer than his predecessor. He is 
now perfectly at home with us, though he only came a 
week ago. 
The young male is easily known by having a speckled 
breast, which is changed in a few months to deep crim- 
son. His tail is tipped with white the first year, which 
also changes to brown or black. This bird has one little 
spark of fire in the center of his throat, like a ruby breast- 
pin — the first indication of a change. While I write this 
on the piazza he is either sitting near me on a twig or 
paying frequent visits to the little bottle of sugar and 
water standing by me on the table. 
The process of taming them is very simple. When I 
find them at the flowers I hang a small bottle of sugar 
and water up near the flowers and then insert a bignonia 
(or other favorite); and when they find it I move it a few 
yards at a time till I get it near the piazza, where I can 
sit and hold it. Of course some patience is required, but 
by taking a book I can pass an hour or two very well. 
After coming a few times the flower may be dispensed 
with, and then there is no further trouble. Didymus. 
St. Augustine, Aug. 4. 
FLYING SQUIRRELS AS PETS. 
In your issue of the 4th inst. "Mac" desires to know 
something about food for his flying squirrel pets. Three 
years ago, at Lake St. John, I was presented with a young 
flying squirrel by one of my Indian guides. I brought it 
home with me, and have kept in a large wire cage. With 
the peculiarity of its species, it sleeps all day and runs aH 
night. When awakened during the day, it will partially 
emerge from its cotton-filled nest and stretch out its front 
feet and gape in a most natural manner. If we try to 
remove it from the nest after awakening it, it will make 
a peculiar chattering noise, and always seizes my finger 
with its teeth. It has never done this with sufficient 
strength to puncture the skin, although the length and 
sharpness of the teeth and strength of jaw would easily 
enable it to. It has never bitten me, has become perfectly 
tame, and runs about the house, doors and windows being 
closed. The squirrel is a female and shows a disposition 
to mate in the spring, at the same time losing a greater 
part of the hair from its beautiful fiat tail. By midsum- 
mer the hair comes in again, fuller, handsomer, larger 
than ever. 
When I first obtained this pet I fed it entirely upon 
bread and milk, but after a time began to put a few nuts 
in the cage. These soon had the preference and were 
always eaten, while the bread and milk were untouched, 
except that some of the milk was drunk. I feed any 
kind of nuts — English walnuts, filberts, almonds, pecans, 
hickory nuts and peanuts — always cracking them open. 
I always leave a small glass of water in the cage, and fre- 
quently feed a piece of apple, lettuce, celery or other fresh 
fruit or vegetable. A raisin, piece of candy or anything 
sweet it will devour greedily. In fact, I find that it will 
eat almost anything, and is ready to eat at almost any 
time, even when awakened from sleep. Good fresh acorns, 
when obtainable in the fall, it also seems to be fond of. 
Last year in some manner it broke off its two upper teeth 
short; within a month they grew out perfectly again. It 
is a great pet, clean, requiring little care, and I believe 
can eat almost anything without injury. 
Eugene McCarthy. 
Syracuse, N. Y. 
On Aug. 30, 1892, while passing through a swamp with 
a friend in search of crows' eggs, we discovered a small 
nest about 20ft. from the ground in a hemlock tree. I 
started up the tree, and had. climbed about half the dis- 
tance, when Mr. T. told me that a flying squirrel had just 
left the nest, and pointed her out to me as she lay flat- 
tened against the trunk of a white birch a few feet away. 
On reaching the nest I found young squirrels, and not 
Btopping to examine, descended the tree. Mr. T, sug- 
gested that we catch the old squirrel alive, as she seemed 
to be quite tame, owing in part no doubt to the bright 
sun, the flying squirrel being strictly a night squirrel. 
We tried to catch her under our coats and hats, but to no 
purpose, so we decided to return to dinner, knowing that 
she would not attempt to remove the young until dark. 
While at dinner Mr. T. devised a plan for catching the 
old squirrel. He arm* d me with a wooden box with a 
sliding cover, and taking some strong fishline we returned 
to the neBt. Mr. T. then cut a long pole, at the end of 
which he fastened a running noose. I made a noise as if 
to climb the tree, at which the old squirrel stuck her 
head out of the nest. My friend was ready, and raising 
the pole, carefully slipped the noose over her head. She 
was apparently blinded by the strong light and only 
blinked drowsily when the loop dropped across her 
shoulders. The next instant she was dangling in the air, 
and I held up the box, into which she was quickly low- 
ered; then shutting the cover I cut the line close to her 
neck, so that it dropped off in the box. Then I brought 
down the nest, which contained five young male squirrels, 
with their eyes just opening. 
On reaching home the little prisoners were placed in a 
tin-lined box, with a glass front and a darkened apart- 
ment in one end. The mother squirrel cared for them but 
seldom came out during the day. I gave her milk, pump- 
kin and squash seeds, chestnuts and acorns, and pieces of 
apple. This family of squirrels feeds chiefly on buds, 
nuts, seeds and fruits, and they should have plenty of 
fresh water. Moss. 
Catching Mink on a Hook. 
Long Lake, N.Y., July 28. — Editor Forest and Stream 
A curious occurrence took place last Thursday evening, 
which is worth putting on record. While out fishing for 
bass with David Helm, proprietor of the Grove House, as 
guide, I noticed a mink hunting along the shore. After 
watching it for a little while, my guide chirruped and 
threw some dead fish to it, which the mink ate, and then 
came swimming out to the canoe and tried to climb in. 
While watching it the idea came to me to throw it a 
gang of hooks and see if the animal would bite. So I 
baited the hooks and tossed them overboard to the mink, 
which took them, and when I struck, was hooked. Talk 
about your 4lbs. bass! None ever fought any harder than 
that mink, but at last it was landed after a very exciting 
struggle. David said he never saw or heard before of a 
mink being caught on a fish-hook. Benjamin Man??. 
