628 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[June 29, 1895. 
just as I passed a thick bush, was startled by a deer not 
10ft. away which jumped and ran past, almost brushing 
against me. It stopped about 12yds. to look, when I fired, 
dropping it in its tracks. It was a doe, and, as might have 
been expected, big with fawn. She was of a bright red 
color and was quite small, although apparently full grown. 
Her tail was long and bushy and there was much white 
on the quarters under the tail. This gave her the appear- 
ance when running straight ahead of being almost all 
white. The red color at this season and the great amount 
of white shown by a running deer are both marked 
features of the common deer, but not, I believe, to such a 
degree as existed in these Chisos Mountain deer. The doe 
just killed would dress, I should judge, about 501bs. I re- 
turned to camp, but little satisfied with my hunt. 
Two days after I returned to the canon with private 
Hyatt, the only good hunter of my attachment. We did 
not see my three deer, but we spent most of the day chas- 
ing a bear, which finally escaped. About sunset Hyatt 
shot and killed, from his horse, a flag-tail doe; she was 
also with fawn and did not differ materially from the one 
killed two days before. About dusk I shot a black-tail 
buck — we were then out of the mountains. 
A few days later I returned to the canon with privates 
Hyatt and Kjennerud, taking pack mules with the in- 
tention of spending the night in order to get the evening 
and early morning hunting. As we approached the park- 
like valley just west of the mouth of the canon I saw 
three deer running down the mountain side about half a 
mile ahead and coming directly toward us. Dismount- 
ing, Hyatt and I hurried to a ravine and worked up, 
looking out from time to time. At last we found them 
in a small clearing about 120yds. off; we both fired and 
mine dropped ; the other two ran about 60yds. and again 
stopped. We fired again and another deer dropped, the 
remaining one running up the steep rise toward a thicket 
which grew on the side of the mountain. Hyatt followed 
this one, while I went to the second one that had dropped; 
it rose and tried to run, but could make but little progress 
and I shot it again — through the neck. Hyatt came up 
with his deer in the thicket, where he found two more, 
and from his account had very much the same experience 
as that of mine with the lone deer some days before. He 
did succeed in firing a number of shots and claimed to 
have wounded one or two very severely. He said that 
the deer were hardly able to walk, just managing to 
dodge behind rocks or bushes, and was confident that one 
or more of them would be found dead, but that for his 
part he had had enough of that kind of hunting and 
would not go back if the place were full of deer. 
Although he was a good shot, I thought, remembering 
my own experience, that owing to the difficulties of the 
ground he had generally missed and had been led to be- 
lieve, from the peculiar actions of the deer, that they 
were too hard hit to run off. • 
Both of the dead deer were does and like the others 
with fawn. This decided me to stop hunting until late in 
the season, and as I was soon after relieved and ordered 
to New Mexico, I had no further experience with the 
deer of the Chisos Mountains. 
The following year, while scouting in'New Mexico on 
the headwaters of the Gila, we followed up one of the 
western branches which rose in the Mogollons. I had as 
a guide a man named "Woods Poland, a professional 
hunter who had helped kill out the buffalo in the Pan- 
handle in 1877 and '7b. He was now engaged in hunting 
in these mountains, jerking the meat and selling it to 
miners and prospectors. While I had but little respect for 
his business, I could not help admiring his thorough 
practical knowledge of the game of the country and of 
everything that related to it. We had tired of trout 
and the sport of catching them, so I determined to go up 
into the mountains on a hunt, as it was reported that a 
band of twenty or thirty elk had wintered there. Poland 
and I took a long walk up the sides of Baldy, the main 
peak of the range, and while we saw plenty of elk tracks in 
the parks they were all old, having been made when the 
melting snow had softened the ground. They were now 
further up in the mountains. Poland fired one shot, and 
when, shortly after, I rejoined him he said that he had 
seen two little flag-tails, but they were running and 
he missed them. Questioning him further concerning 
these deer, he described them as being very much like the 
Chisos Mountain deer in size, color and habits. He 
knew they were different from the common white-tail 
deer which were plenty in the Gila valley, but could not 
say whether the difference was due to a different habit or 
because they were a distinct species. We did not kill 
any, nor did I see any. 
I have gone into these details in the hope that I might 
thereby show something concerning the habits of the 
deer. There is certainly in South-west Texas and 
thence in Northern Mexico and New Mexico a small 
red deer, with large white tail, which is found only 
in the higher mountain ranges, and then only where 
timber or underbrush exists. Personally I am strongly 
inclined to the opinion that they are the same as the 
white-tail deer, or a closely allied variety, and not a 
distinct species. The main points of difference are as 
follows: First— Their much smaller size ; none of the 
deer we killed would have dressed sixty pounds, the 
average being probably a, trifle under fifty; it is true they 
were all does. Second— The larger development of tail. 
Third— Then- habit of trusting for security to their ability 
to hide in broken and brushy ground; the black-tail deer 
will hide if it does not think that it has been observed, 
and particularly if it sees that your route will not bring 
you too close. In quail shooting I have come up suddenly 
on white-tail deer in the brush, but when once started 
they lost no time in getting away instead of dodging 
about the brush like a winged bird. Fourth— The range 
of these deer was entirely in the mountains, at an eleva- 
tion of from 5,000 to 9,000 feet, and only in those parts 
which were covered with timber— mainly pifion and 
scrub oak. 
The Chisos Mountains are the only ones that have' tim- 
ber until you reach the Guadaloupes. They rise from an 
elevated plateau, itself over 4,000ft. above the sea. All 
over this plateau, which is much cut up by canons, from 
the base of the mountains to the Rio Grande bottoms, the 
black- tail deer were found. In and near the river valley 
proper a few white-tail deer existed ; they were larger than 
the Chisos deer and similar to the common deer of eastern 
Texas. There was, therefore, between these deer of the 
valley and the mountain deer a zone of country where 
only the black-tail deer ranged, separating the two white- 
tailed varieties. . 
The small size of the mountain deer may have been due 
to their habitat, living as they do on the rugged moun- 
tain sides, although this theory is not borne out when we 
consider that the black-tail deer lives in equally broken 
but untimbered regions, and that the elk and mountain 
sheep seem to have no difficulty in spite of their much 
greater bulk in getting over ground as rough as the Chisos. 
The great point of similarity between the two white- 
tailed varieties is the color and form and the fact that 
they are only found in countries where timber or under- • 
brush exists. 
At the risk of repetition I will add that in the Big Bend 
of the Eio Grande the common deer waa found in the 
river valley proper, the black-tail deer on all the ridges 
and canons which were timberless, the antelope on the 
level plateaus, and the flag-tail only on the high and tim- 
bered mountains. H. F. Kendall, Capt. 8th Cav. 
Fort Mhu.dk, S. D., Oct. 31, 1894. 
SOME FIELD NOTES. 
A Snake Story. 
On the 21st of last April a black snake, being closely pur- 
sued by my dog and I, "shinned" up a tree as quickly as 
if it was every-day sport. There were three little trees 
growing together and limbs close to the ground. Now 
instead of going round and round, as I thought they did, 
it just reached up and took hold of a limb with its fore- 
feet, and so on to the next higher branch until it reached 
the top. I didn't see his feet, but I don't see how he did 
it unless he had feet. There seemed to be no labor con- 
nected with the act, he glided over each limb as easily as 
if the limb lay on the ground. 
Two Peculiar Points. 
One evening I killed a snake near the house and my 
Gordon setter examined it thoroughly. The next evening 
I saw him pointing, and supposing it a little bird I called 
him, and as he did not come I investigated. At first I 
could see nothing, but on looking closer I saw a few feet 
to the left of his point a black snake. I got a club and 
when I returned he had swung around and was pointing 
directly at the snake. After I killed it he seemed to be 
much pleased. Did he associate my killing the snake the 
night before with this one and thus think he ought to in- 
dicate its position to me? 
The same evening as I was coming home I found him 
standing something in the bushes, and as I came up an 
opossum walked out of a bunch of weeds and advanced 
"like a hog going to war" on the dog. The way the dog's 
flag began to drop and his final disgraceful retreat 
brought roars of laughter from me, at which "br'er pos- 
sum" seemed mildly surprised and walked coolly and se- 
dately away. Whether it had a family to protect or just 
wanted to show its independence, I do not know, but for 
cool audacity it "took the cake." 
Buck Fever. 
I have read your controversy with "Kingfisher" about 
the proper name and symptoms of buck paralysis. That 
is the name I believe proper and here are my reasons. 
I was hunting spruce grouse in the Greenhorn Mts. , Col. , 
in the fall of '91, and had a 22-15 Winchester single shot 
rifle with me. I was descending the side of a mountain 
watching for grouse, when a big-eared object jumped 
from cover and trotted away. Now I did not shake; I did 
not get up a wonderful temperature; I did not do any- 
thing, only stand and look at that deer. I doubt if my 
pulse increased a single beat. I remember thinking it 
was awful fat and saying to myself: "It's no use to shoot, 
it's 250 yards away." 
Now was not that buck paralysis? I never moved until 
that deer was out of sight, and then slowly and in a dazed 
manner. I know my mind was paralyzed, and I doubt if 
I could see a deer's side shake at 250 yards, and I certainly 
saw that one's shake. I would suggest that each call it 
just as they feel, "fevered," "agered" or paralyzed. 
A Mother Grouse. 
I was much amused this evening to see my Gordon come 
rushing out of the bushes and a ruffed grouse accelerating 
his progress, and as he came with head and tail lowered 
to heel I said: "Never mind, old boy, our turn will come in 
October." Ted. 
A HOOP SNAKE STORY BLASTED. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
Tales told by the darkies of snakes that form them- 
selves into a hoop and roll in pursuit of their victims with 
race-horse speed, and whose tails are furnished with 
horns, deadly even to the touch, are among the most 
cherished traditions of child life in the South. There- 
fore it is with deep regret that I note the recent insinua- 
tions in your valuable journal casting doubt upon the 
existence of the species. That they do exist I shall not 
attempt to prove; but I herewith produce the most 
authentic information upon the subject I have been 
able to collect. 
For very many years and until comparatively a recent 
period, the decaying trunk of a giant apple tree marred 
by its presence one of the most beautiful gardens in the 
State. Sentiment accounted for its toleration by the 
sweet-faced woman with snowy hair, whose artistic in- 
stinct created its surroundings, and, while it is not impos- 
sible that she was mistaken, no one can doubt the 
sincerity with which she relates her terrible encounter 
and narrow escape behind its friendly Bhelter from a 
savage horn snake, and that from the blow intended for 
her the tree straightway withered and died. 
Among my books there is a curious old volume printed 
in Dublin 158 years ago, entitled "The Natural History 
of North Carolina," and in which the author, John Brick- 
ell, M._ D., describes "The Manners and Customs of the 
Christian and Indian Inhabitants, and Several Strange 
Beasts, Fishes, Birds, Snakes and Insects." I regret that 
it would spoil the book to send you the woodcut given of 
the horn snake, as it is truly an object of art, so I append 
what is said of the reptile. 
"The horn snake, so called from a horn growing in their 
tail like a cock's, with which they strike and kill whatso- 
ever they wound with it. This horn in the tail is then- 
weapon. They hiss exactly like a goose when anything 
approaches. They are very venomous snakes, hardly ad- 
mitting of a cure from the Indians. These snakes are 
plenty in the Province, and I am credibly informed by 
several planters that they have seen them strike their 
horns in trees which in a few hours decayed and died, 
though before they were in full bloom." 
Eecalling the tales told of this same creature with "horn 
like a cock's" to the amazement and entertainment of my 
childhood by a venerable old negro, I called upon him to 
repeat the "reskaly capers" he has seen them perform, 
that I might fear nothing from memory at fault when I 
came to produce them in evidence. 
"Uncle Peter," I said, "I have been thinking about the 
stories of horn snakes you so often have told to the chil- 
dren. Tell me of the one that chased you the night you 
were dodging the 'pat'er-rol'ers,' and that kept you trem- 
bling in the tree-top until daylight enabled you to see that 
his horn was struck deep in the wood past hope of es- 
cape. You cut out the horn, did you not, and have since 
worn it about your neck as a charm against witches and 
tricks?" 
The old man regarded me solemnly for fully a minute 
before he replied: "De string wo' in two, an' I los' de bag 
wid dat horn in hit 'long in de spring." 
"That was a great loss, Uncle Peter. You could have 
sold that horn for more than your cotton will bring you 
this fall." 
"Who — who buys um?" 
"Anybody, everybody, particularly Forest and 
Stream, a great big newspaper published away up North ; 
but that is the story, is it not?" 
"Honey," replied the old fellow with a mournful shake 
of his head, "I'se pow'f ul sorry I dun los' dat horn, an' 
my 'memb'ance hain't so overly good fur tales an' sich dese 
days. 'Sides dat, I got 'ligion endurin' de 'stracted meet- 
in' arter de crop was laid by las' sum'er, an' I don't 
lock ter talk erbout dem sinful guine-on's er mine, way 
back yander when de debel helt me fas'. You go an ox 
sum er dese triflin' yOung niggers what's run'in' in de 
range. I lay dey can tell yer 'bout horn snakes an' whip- 
snakes an' ebry yuther debelment what de moon shin' on. 
I hain't er studdyin' 'bout nufin' now but prar." 
Greenbrier, Ala. WILL SCRIBBLER, 
FISH SENSE. 
I was once in the '40s camping at the head of Molly 
Chunkemunk Lake (one of the Eangeleys), near Beaver 
Brook, in September, and the evening being warm and 
pleasant, I thought I would try the trout where the brook 
emptied into the lake, to satisfy myself if they would take 
the bait in the night time. I baited my hook with salt 
pork — all the white bait I had — and had good luck, catch- 
ing a good string of about lib. weight trout. I had the 
best luck sinking my hook to the bottom, then jerking it 
along up toward the surface quite quick, and each time 
would either feel a^bite or bring up a trout. The night 
was quite dark. 
I was once fishing through the ice and lay down to 
watch the bait, and soon saw a lib. trout run his nose 
against the bait, then settle back and run again, butting 
his head against the hook, seeming to be playing with the 
bait; he did not open his mouth, but he soon stuck the 
hook into his head outside, and I pulled him out. 
I have frequently been fishing in a deep hole in a brook 
or river and catching trout very fast, and all at once they 
would stop biting and not another one could I get 
there that day. I suppose they found their numbers de- 
pleting so fast that it frightened them, or it might be one 
got pricked with the hook and rushed away, and the 
whole school followed like a flock of sheep. 
I was fishing one morning quite early down the Eapid 
Eiver, there being a white frost covering the rocky shore. 
I had quite good success, and as I fished from one deep 
hole to another I left my trout lying on the rocks where I 
caught them, intending to gather them up on my return. 
On returning I could not see my fish at one place, but saw 
where some animal had dragged them along, making a 
road in the white frost to a hole in the rocks. Having a 
string of trout in my hand I shoved them into the hole 
where my fish had disappeared and soon found something 
holding them. I had to pull pretty smart, but held my 
left hand close to the hole, and as the animal's head ap- 
peared above the rocks I made a grab and caught a fine 
mink by the nape of the neck, which added a couple of ' 
dollars to my before- breakfast fishing. 
I once had nearly lOOlbs. of frozen trout stolen in one 
night by a mink and carried in every direction and hidden 
under rocks, logs and brush, but the rascal paid with his 
life and his fur coat for his mischief, as I caught him in a 
trap the next night. J. G. Eich. 
Points About Moose. 
I never saw a tree that a moose had gnawed the bark 
entirely around. Had they done so the tree would have 
died. Is it moose sense or accident? 
The antlers of the moose loosen and fall off in the first 
winter thaw. Should there be no winter thaw, they will 
remain on longer, perhaps through February. Soon after 
the shedding, new horns commence to grow, and by the 
first of June have attained their full size, and one prong 
more each year. They then retire to the mountains until 
their antlers are hardened. While in the velvet state, 
when first grown, they easily get twisted out of shape and 
grow deformed. 
We have in the Maine woods two kinds of moose — the 
tall, long-geared, slab-sided, gray-colored, and the short- 
legged, round-bodied black moose, or almost black. We 
distinguish them as "black" or "gray." We have never 
known the two kinds to yard together in winter or mate 
together in summer. J. G. Eioh. 
Bethel, Me. 
The Innocent with the Guilty. 
A few days Bince two hounds were killed by the early 
morning train (sleeper) on the D. & H. E. E. at the "dry 
wall," head of Willsborough Bay. Their bodies were dis- 
covered by watchman Dennison, and a short time after- 
ward a "four prong buck" was found dead on the rocks 
just below the track. It is thought that the deer was 
forced to jump from the track on to the rocks by the ap- 
proaching train and that the dogs were run over and 
killed by it,— Elizdbethtoton (N. Y.) Post. 
The Few Song Birds. 
Watertown, N. Y., June 15. — Bluebirds and 6ong 
sparrows are remarkably few in number; bobolinks are 
also scarce. Eobins, orioles, catbirds seem abundant, the 
two last unusually so. Judging by the notes of the nightly 
travelers as they arrived, how few indeed were there com- 
pared to the hosts leaving at the close of the last season. 
