TEE TALLET IsT^.TTJ^^-LIST. 
IS 
quired the name in some localities of 4 Tain- 
crow." 
(J. (Jrythrophtlialmus. Black - billed 
Cockoo/ A summer resident, but more rare 
than the vellow- billed, they are easily dis- 
tinquishe'd by the color of the bill. Although 
these birds belong to the same family, they 
differ in some respects widely from the 
cockoo of Europe. The name fo. derived from 
the cry or notes — cuckoo, cuckoo — of the 
European species, which differs entirely 
from that of our birds. The most marked 
difference, however, is found in the fact that 
the American species build their own nests 
and rear their own young, while the other 
built no nest and their young are brought up 
as foundlings. 
[Continued.'] 
A Naturalist in Florida— Cruise of 
the " Rose Bud." 
BY W. AV. CALKINS, CHICAGO, ILL. 
[Paper No. 2.] 
The "Rose Bud" measured about nine 
tons, was flat bottomed vviih centreboard, 
drawing two feet light,* deck rail eight 
inches high only; two small masts; good 
new sails and rigging. She was manned by- 
two sailors who were her owners, and usu- 
ally employed her in sponging — a vocation 
followed by a hundred or more Key West 
vessels of the small class. She was built for 
shallow or deep water and capable of with- 
standing severe *•* blows, " as we soon found 
out. "Just the thing," as Dr. Velie re- 
marked, and Dr. Brown with our orator 
concurred. 
On January 2)th we were early aboard wiih 
our ligni baggage and numerous collecting 
traps, Mich as guns, rifles, knives, alcohol, 
barrels, Suit, harpoons and lines, etc. 1 had al- 
most omi tied to mention the supplies— \ hiuk- 
ing oi ejules Verne's submarine voyage. These 
consisted of sea biscuit and rainwater, a little 
bacon, etc. The aqueous element predomi- 
nated oi course. We could get t'resn fi.>h for 
ever) meal, and did by simply throwing out 
a hook or cast nei. Dressed in our summer 
clothing and standing on deck with broad 
sombreros on our heads, we were ready lor 
business. The lines were cast off; tne little 
schooner caught the breeze and away we 
went at the rate of six knots an hour— b.,und 
for Markesas Keys eighteen miles distant. 
The day Was glorius and in an hour we were 
six kuuis from Key West. A favoring 
breeze waited us into the midst of fields of 
floating Fuci Sargassum. Instinctively the 
dredges or dip nets were in hands and 
brought upon deck rich specimens of the 
weed, which we knew to be the home of crus- 
taceans lound no where else. Several spe- 
eie^ were ob.ained and also the shells Litio- 
pa striata. Having secured enough, more 
sail was added and about 1 P. M. we glided 
over the bar and lay inside the sallow lagoon 
of Markesas. Four days were spent here in 
collecting shells, turtles, birds and their 
eggs, harpooning saw-fish, sharks, etc. Dr. 
Veiie paid particular attention to the latter 
pastime, while Dr. Brown and myself were 
otherwise occupied. The Keys are about 
four miles long, and from a few rods to half 
a mile wide. They are uninhabited— there- 
for^ an excellent place for tne hunter and 
naturalist. Among the attractions on land, 
is an immense " rookery " of sea fowl. The 
mangroves everywhere cover the Keys, and 
the "rookery " occupies the most inacces.-d- 
ble portion where water constantly stands. 
We walked for many rods on the trees, from 
one nest to another, while the birds kept up 
an eternal clatter overhead. We saw plenty 
of Fish -hawks (Corvus assifragus) and se- 
cured their eggs. 
Weeks might be spent here delightfully. 
We rambled from one point to another, find- 
ing ever something new. Sharks afforded 
the most sport and excitement ; there are 
several species here, but the most ferocious 
are the tiger-shark (Galerocerdo tigrina); 
they are from ten to tifteen feet long, and 
woe to the unwary vie im who comes in 
their path. One day live of us were in the 
little " dingy " or small boat going from one 
part of the bay to another when along came 
one of these gentlemen; quick as thought a 
sailor threw the harpoon which took effect, 
the shark made off like lightning— faster 
than the line could be payed out. He made 
for land and before we knew it, had jammed 
our boat against the overhanging mangroves 
throwing us all pell-mell into the bottom of 
the boat. Something fell on me which I 
supposed was the shark, but on regaining 
my senses found it was the captain. On 
straightening out which did, on my word, 
occupy many seconds, we found that our 
marine friend had bitten off the line and left 
with the harpoon in his body; He was at 
least fifteen feet long. This is only one of 
many elegant Utile adventures at Markesas. 
The sting-rays {Trygon centroura) and My- 
liobatis Freminvillei; as well as saw-nsh, 
swarm in these waters. We ate our meals 
on deck— the top of ihe cabin serving for a 
table. And at these times the small fish 
seemed to know there was food for them; a 
few crumbs would bring hundreds to the 
surface, w T hile we could hook them out at 
every throw, but disdaining so slow a pro- 
cess, the cast net was usually resorted to — 
one haul bringing in generally a dozen or 
more fish. Dr. Velie secured an ample sup- 
ply of skms of all kinds. These, packed in 
salt, were shipped home. Some smaller 
species were put in alcohol. My next paper 
Will notice other wonders of these tropical 
lands and seas. 
Terrestrial Magnetism . 
BY PROF. RICHARD OWEN, INDIANA STATE 
UNIVERSITY, BLOOMINGTON, IND. 
Since the brief notice published in your 
March number, of experiments made, show- 
ing the direction and strength of electrical 
currents in the earth's crust, and from the 
atmosphere to the earth, the later researches 
tend to corroborate the statements therein 
made. 
The currents in the earth's crust would 
seem to result from two sources, the thermal 
difference between two given points on the 
same parellel of latitude, one is a thermal 
east, the other further W T est, bringing in 
consequence of the earth's revolution from 
west to east, the sun's rays 10 fall sooner 
in the morning on the eastern than on the 
western locality and thus causing currents 
to flow Irom an easterly to a westerly direc- 
tion. 
These currents diminish in strength as the 
sun reaches the meridian, at the western lo- 
cality or place of observation. But the cur- 
rents from the southerly lands to the more 
northerly on a given meridian are much more 
powerful, at least judging by the observa- 
tions made for Central Indiana. Here the 
thermal difference apparently between the 
heated regions of Central America and Mex- 
ico, and our colder north lands, produces 
currents from a southerly direction, having 
sometimes double the strength of those from 
the east, at least in the afternoon. 
The currents equ d distant each side of the 
magnetic meridian (which is here about 5 
degrees east of north) seem to be about 
equal, if we take the average of the 24 hours. 
Should this prove to be uniformly the case, 
it would appear to offer a solution of the 
problem connected with the variation of the 
needle; the equal currents each side of the 
magnetic needle holding it to its position 
sometimes (as near the centre of continents) 
holding it to the true geographical north, at 
other places varying east, again at others 
West. The slight horary variations in Ihe 
24 hours and the changes of t he needle, with 
the change of seasons, as well as the great 
regular oxcellations of the needle, w T oukl 
then be referable to any modifications in 
solar power, though sun spots in greater or 
less proximity of the sun, &e, &c, thus 
varying the strength of the earth's currents. 
Should health permit, I expect to continue 
these observations, and to test the cur- 
rents at other localities during vacation ; a 
summery of results will then be furnished 
for the Valley Naturalist. 
Missouri Weather Service. 
We have just received a summery of the 
observations of the Missouri W^eather Ser- 
vice, Prof. F. E. Nipher, Director, made in 
February last, of which the following is a 
correct report: 
The average temperature at the Central 
Station, was 40.7, which is about 3 degrees 
above the normal temperature. The lowest 
temperature was 19.5 on the 11th. During 
the month the temperature fell below the 
freezing point nine times, and below 30 de- 
grees F., three times. The highest temper- 
ature of the month was 60.5 on the 21st. 
The rainfall was 1.71 inches, which is 
about 3-4 inches below the average at this 
place. 
In the state, the rainfall was least in the 
North and greatest in the Missouri Valley,, 
the region of greatest rainfall being bounded 
by a line drawn near WrightCity, Louisiana,, 
Shelbyville, Lexington, Warrensburg, and 
thence to the East, passing North of Jeffer- 
son City. Within this area the rainfall ex- 
ceeded 3 inches. Southward, the rainfall 
diminishes at first, increasing rapidly to over 
3 inches in the extreme south — Poplar Bluffs 
and Neosho. The river counties South of 
St. Louis received less than 2 inches. 
The areas of maximum rain, were deter- 
mined by heavy thunder storms on the 20th 
and 21st. 
The thunder storm of the 19th was very 
local, occurring between Jefferson Ci y and 
Big Creek (Wright City), being visible in 
the N. W. and N. horizon of the central sta- 
tion from 4 to 7 P. M. On the 20th at about 
3 a. M. a thunder storm is reported in the S. 
W. of the state, and at Miami and Glasgow, 
and by 9 a. m. the storm had visited W., C. 
and E. Missouri, North of St. Louis, with 
severe lightning, and rain from 0.75 to 1,25 
inches, (as per report of 23 stations). At 
the Central Station no thunder was heard, 
and the rain was only 0.01 inch. In the af- 
ternoon a second thunder-cloud passed to 
the N. E. from Lebanon. 
On the 21st rams were general and very 
heavy over same region, but " thunder and 
lightning " is reported from only two sta- 
tions, It appears that the electrical displays 
were most marked on the E. of the barome- 
tric depression, and diminishing in intensity 
toward tne centre of low pressure. 
On the 24th and during the succeeding 
night, a narrow belt of snow-storm swept 
across the state from Kansas City and Pleas- 
ant Hill to St. Louis, but not reaching St. 
Charles nor Ironton. At Kansas City the 
depth was 2 inches; Pleasant Hill 4; War- 
rensburg 7£; Sedalia 6£; St. Louis and 
southward £ inch. 
Annual Report of Meteorology for the 
City of Oakland California, for the 
Year 1877. 
We have received the meteorological re- 
port of Oakland, California, of which we 
give below a short synopsis. Observations 
taken at 7 a. m., 2 P. m. and 9 P. M. of each 
day, by J. B. Trembley, M. D. Latitute, 37 
degrees, 48 minute, 20 seconds north; longi- 
tude, 120 degrees, 15 minutes, 20 seconds 
west. Height above the sea 24 feet. 
Mean temperature for the year - - 56.2S> 
" " " of warmest day, 
June 11th - - - - - - - - 73,. 
