244 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[Sept. 26, 1895. 
BO early a period as many others, but linger? behind so as 
to be nearly four weeks later than some of them. At the 
end of four weeks after our arrival all the females we met 
with had yovmg broods, which they led about the fresh- 
water ponds and along their margins, eithpr in search of 
food or to secure them from danger. None of these 
broods exceeded seven or eight in number, and, at this 
early period of their life, we found them covered with 
long soft down of a deep brown color. When alarmed 
they would dive with great celerity several times in suc- 
cession, but soon became fatigued, made for the shore, 
ran a few feet from the water and squatted among the 
grass, where they were easily caught either by some of 
our party or by the gulls, which are constantly on the 
lookout for such dainty food. At other times, as soon as 
the mother apprehends danger, she calls her young 
around her, when the little things form themselves into 
a line in her wake and carefully follow her in all her 
movements. If a hawk or a gull makes a plunge toward 
them she utters a loud cry of alarm and then runs as it 
were along the surface of the water, when the young 
dive as quick as lightning and do not rise again until they 
find themselves among the weeds or the rocks along the 
shores. When they thus dive they separate and pursue 
different directions, and on reaching the land lie close 
among the herbage until assured by the well-known voice 
of their parent that the danger is over. If they have 
often been disturbed in one pond their anxious mother 
leads them overland to another; but she never, I believe, 
conducts them to the open sea until they are able to fly. 
The young grow with remarkable rapidity, for by the 
middle of August they almost equal their parents in size, 
and their apprehension of danger keeps pace with their 
growth; for at the period of their southward migration, 
which takes place in the beginning of September, they 
are as wild and as cunning as the oldest and most ex- 
perienced of their species. Each brood migrates sepa- 
rately, and the old males, which abandoned the females 
when incubation commenced, set out in groups of eight 
or ten. Indeed, it is not common to see birds of this 
species assemble in such flocks as their relatives, the mal- 
lards, although they at times associate with almost all the 
fresh-water ducks. 
The males, on leaving the females, join together in 
small bands and retire into the interior of the marshes, 
■ where they remain until their moult is completed. My 
yoimg friend Cooledge brought me a pair shot on the 
Fourth of July in Labrador in so ragged a state that 
very few feathers remained even on the wings. On his 
approaching them they skimmed over the surface of the 
water with such rapidity that when shot at they seemed 
as if flying away. On examining these individuals I 
found them to be sterile, and I am of opinion that those 
which are prolific moult at a later period, nature thus 
giving more protracted vigor to those which have charge 
of a yoimg brood. I think, reader, you will be of the 
same opinion when I have told you that on July 5 I found 
some which had young, and which were still in full 
plumage, and others that were broodless, almost destitute 
of feathers. 
As many of the nests found in Labrador differed from 
the one mentioned above, I will give you an account of 
them. In several instances we found them imbedded in 
the deep moss at the distance of a few feet or yards from 
the water. They were composed of a great quantity of 
dry grass and other vegetable substances, and the eggs 
were always directly on this bed, without the interven- 
tion of the down and feathers, which, however, sur- 
rounded them, and which, as I observed, the bird always 
uses to cover them when she is about to leave the nest for 
a time. Should she be deprived of her eggs, she goes in 
search of a male and lays another set; but unless a rob- 
bery of this kind happens she raises only a single brood 
in the season. But although this is the case in Labrador, 
I was assured that this species rears two broods yearly in 
Texas, although, having been but a short time in that 
country, I cannot vouch for the truth of this assertion. 
The eggs are 2iin. in length, If in. in breadth, shaped 
like those of the domestic fowl, with a smooth surface 
and of a uniform yellowish white color, like that of ivory 
tarnished by long exposure. The young, like those of 
the mallard, acquire the full beauty of their plumage be- 
fore the season of reproduction commences, but exhibit 
none of the curious changes which that species under- 
goes. 
Although the dusky duck is often seen on salt-water 
bays or inlets, it resembles the mallard in its habits, being 
fond of swampy, marshes, ricefields and the shady mar- 
• gins of our rivers during the whole of its stay in such 
portions of the Southern States as it is known to breed 
in. They are equally voracious, and may sometimes be 
seen with their crops so protruded as to destroy the natu- 
ral elegance of their forms. They devour with the great- 
est eagerness water lizards, young frogs and toads, tad- 
poles, all sorts of insects, acorns, beechnuts, and every 
kind of grain that they can obtain. They also at times 
seize on small quadrupeds, gobble up earthworms and 
leeches, and when in salt water feed on shellfish. When 
on the water, they often procure their food by immersing 
their heads and necks, and, like the mallard, sift the pro- 
duce of muddy pools. Like that species also, they will 
descend in a spiral manner from on high to alight under 
an oak or a beech when they have discovered the mast to 
be abundant. 
Shy and vigilant, they are with difficulty approached 
by the gunner, unless under cover or on horseback, or in 
what sportsmen call floats, or shallow boats made for the 
purpose of procuring waterfowl. They are, however, 
easily caught in traps set on the margins of waters to 
which they resort, and baited with Indian corn, rice or 
other grain. They may also be enticed to wheel around, 
and even alight, by imitating their notes, which in both 
sexes seem to me almost precisely to resemble those of 
the mallard. From that species indeed they scarcely 
differ in external form, excepting in wanting the curi- 
ously recurved feathers of the tail, which nature, as if 
clearly to distinguish the two species, had purposely 
omitted in them. 
The flight of this duck, which, in as far as I know, is 
peculiar to America, is powerful, rapid and as sustained 
as that of the mallard. While traveling by day they may 
be distinguished from that species by the whiteness of 
their lower wing coverts, which form a strong contrast to 
the deep tints of the rest of their plumage, and which I 
have attempted to represent in the figure of the female 
bird in my plate. Their progress through the air, when 
^ fVLil Bp^, must, I tbi»k, be at the rate of more than a 
mile a minute, or about seventy miles in an hour. When 
about to alight they descend with double rapidity, caus- 
ing a strong rustling sound by the weight of their com- 
pact body and the rapid movements of their pointed 
wings. When alarmed by a shot or otherwise, they rise 
off their feet by a single powerful spring, fly directly up- 
ward for 8 or lOyds, , and then proceed in a straight line. 
Now, if you are an expert hand, is the moment to touch 
your trigger, and if you delay be sure your shot will fall 
short. 
As it is attached to particular feeding grounds and re- 
turns to them until greatly molpsted, you may by secret- 
ing yourself within shooting distance anticipate a good 
result; for even although shot at, it will reappear several 
times in succession in the course of a few hours, unless it 
has been wounded. The gunners in the vicinity of Bos- 
ton in Massachusetts, who kill great numbers of these 
birds on account of the high price obtained for them in 
the fine market of that beautiful and hospitable city, pro- 
cure them in the following manner: They keep live de- 
coy ducks of the mallard kind, which they take with 
them in their floats or boats. On arriving at a place 
which they know to be suitable, they push or haul their 
boat into some small nook and conceal it among the grass 
or rushes. Then they place their decoys, one in front of 
their ambush, the rest on either side; each having a line 
attached to one of its feet with a stone at the other end, 
by which it is kept as if riding at anchor. One of the 
birds is retained in the boat, where the gunner lies con- 
cealed, and in cold weather amply covered with thick and 
heavy clothing. No sooner is all in order than the decoy 
ducks, should some wild birds appear, sound their call- 
notes, anxious as they feel to be delivered from their sad 
bondage. Should this fail to produce the desired effect 
of drawing the wild ducks near, the poor bird in the boat 
is pinched on the rump, when it immediately calls aloud. 
Those at anchor respond and the joint clamor attracts 
the travelers, who now check their onward speed, wheel 
several times over the spot and at last alight. The gun- 
ner seldom waits long for a shot, and often kills fifteen or 
twenty of the black ducks at a single discharge of his 
huge piece, which is not infrequently charged with as 
much as ^Ib, of powder and fib. of shot. 
The black ducks generally appear in the Sound of Long 
Island in September or October, but in very cold weather 
proceed southward, while those which breed in Texas, as 
I have been informed, remain there all the year. At 
their first arrival they betake themselves to the fresh- 
water ponds and soon become fat, when they afford ex- 
cellent eating; but when the ponds are covered with ice 
and they are forced to betake themselves to estuaries or 
inlets of the sea, their fiesh becomes less juicy and as- 
sumes a fishy flavor. Daring the continued frost they 
collect into larger bodies than at any other time, a flock 
once alighted seeming to attract others, until at last hun- 
dreds of them meet, especially in the dawn and toward 
sunset. The larger the flock, however, the more difficult 
it is to approach it, for many sentinels are seen on the 
lookout while the rest are asleep or feeding along the 
shores. Unlike the "sea ducks," this species does not ride 
at anchor, as it were, during its hours of repose. 
My friend, the Rev. Dr. John Bachman, assures me that 
this bird, which some years ago was rather scarce in 
South Carolina, is now becoming quite abundant in that 
State, where, during autumn and winter, it resorts to the 
ricefields. After feeding a few weeks on the seeds it be- 
comes fat, juicy and tender. He adds that the further 
inland the more plentifully does it occur, which may be 
owing to the many steamers that ply on the. rivers along 
the sea coast, where very few are to be seen. They are, 
however, followed in their retreats and shot in great 
numbers, so that the markets of Charleston are now am- 
ply supplied with them. He also informs me that he has 
known hybrid broods produced by a male of this species 
and the common domestic duck, and that he had three of 
these hybrid females, the eggs of all of which were pro- 
ductive. The young birds were larger than either of their 
parents, but although they laid eggs in the course of the 
following spring, not one of those proved impregnated. 
He further states that he procured three nests of the dusky 
duck in the State of New York. 
The young of this species, in the early part of autumn, 
afford delicious eating, and in my estimation are much 
superior in this respect to the more celebrated canvas- 
back duck. That the species should not before now have 
been brought into a state of perfect domestication only 
indicates our reluctance unnecessarily to augment the 
comforts which have been so bountifully accorded by 
nature to the inhabitants of this happy country. In our 
eastern markets the price of these birds is fromfl to $1.50 
the pair. They are dearer at New Orleans, but much 
cheaper in the States of Ohio and Kentucky, where they 
are still more abundant. Their feathers are elastic and 
as valuable as those of any other species. 
X have represented a pair of these birds procured in the 
full perfection of their plumage. 
RECOVERY FROM RATTLESNAKE BITE. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
It is perhaps worth the space in your columns to chron- 
icle authentic facts in regard to snakes occasionally, and 
I perceive that it is done. 
I am prepared to supply an affidavit to all statements 
about snakes that I make, because it is sometimes in- 
timated that snake lore is unreliable — like that of fish and 
l^olitics. 
I solemnly assert that a Chinaman was bitten by a 
rattlesnake in this vicinity about a week ago, and at this 
writing the man survives. 
The Chinaman was engaged in placer mining, and in 
removing some stones he aroused the rattler and endeav- 
ored to kill it. The snake ran off, according to the 
Chinaman's account, but when he reached for a stone it 
turned unexpectedly and struck him above the middle 
finger on his band. The Chinaman sucked the wound, 
tied a string a,bove it on his arm and came to Shasta, 
walking about four miles. He had been bitten over two 
hours when he reached medical attendance. 
I interviewed both the patient and the physician. The 
latter. Dr. T. J. Edgecomb, of Shasta, stated his treatment 
of the case to have been as follows: Ben, the Chinaman, 
applied for treatment for a rattlesnake bite about 7 P. M , 
having been bitten about two and a half hours. He wasi 
bitten on the first phalanx of middle finger and had a 
ligature at the elbow joint, but not tight enough to be of 
much benefit, This was tightened iromediately an4 kep^ 
so for eighteen hours, being loosened for a few minutes 
every two or three hours. 
The wound was thoroughly cauterized with C. P. nitric 
acid. The forearm and hand were considerably swollen, 
and the swelling continued to extend upward until the 
chest was involved the fourth day and was much discol- 
ored. The arm was bathed once or twice with ammonia 
water and later with tincture of iodine and carbolic acid. 
For the first twelve hours whisky and quinine was given 
freely and afterward iodide of potash. 
The swelling began to subside on the fourth day after 
the man was bitten and he went to work on the tenth 
day completely recovered. 
The snake was a medium-sized rattler and ornamented 
with eight rattles. The Chinaman was of the ordinary 
variety found in the mines hereabouts. Ransacker. 
Shasta, Oal, Sept. 5. 
THE GOODNIGHT BUFFALO HERD. 
Petty, Texas, Aug 2Q.— Editor Forest and Stream: The 
domesticated buffalo, of which a small herd still remains 
in western Texas, are the property of Mr. Chaa. Good- 
night, who is one of the largest ranchmen in the State, 
He started the buffalo herd in June, 1878, by roping 
young calves from among the few wild ones that were 
left at that time near his ranch. This was done at the 
suggestion of Mrs. Goodnight. 
There are now forty full-blood buffalo in this herd, 
with a number of half and three-quarter bloods. Four 
have been lost by various accidents, and twelve head 
have been sold at an average of a little over $300 each. 
ThOfie sold were the oldest cows and oldest bulls. Mr. 
Goodnight still has for sale four very large bulls, which 
will weigh about 2,0001bs. each. 
From these facts it will readily be seen that Mr. Good- 
night's experience with the domestic buffalo has been 
very satisfactory. It shows how easily the species could 
be maintained. If a few of our enterprising ranch own- 
ers would procure a sufficient number of the young to 
get a start there would be in a few years, if handled as 
Mr. Goodnight has handled his, a great increase in the 
number of the domestic animal. It is by no means an 
improfitable venture, for all those which Mr, Goodnight 
has sold have netted him a very respectable return. 
If one could make a trip to Mr. Goodnight's ranch he 
would be treated to a rare chance of seeing and studying 
aluTcst the last remaining herd of the noblest and largest 
of North American large wild game animals. Provo. 
[Mr. Goodnight's herd is one of the largest, being only 
exceeded by those of Charles Allard (230) and Austin Oor- 
bin (75), These numbers include this spring's calves.] 
Kingsnake and Blacksnahe. 
The following is an interesting paragraph in a letter 
sent to friends here by Harry Hammond, formerly of this 
city, who is now making his home in Florida: "To-day I 
had the good luck to see a curious sight, that of one snake 
killing and swallowing another. We came on the scene 
just as a kingsnake was killing a blacksnake, each a little 
over 3ft. long. The king was tied and coiled around the 
black, and the latter's tail could just wriggle. After a 
few minutes, during which the king tied himself in the 
most curious knots and ran his head up and down his vic- 
tim's writhing body, biting it here and there as if exami- 
ning his supper, he turned to the black's head, gave it a 
preliminary bite, and then slowly proceeded to take the 
blacksnake into camp. It seemed impossible that he 
could swallow a snake as long and as large as himself, but 
he did. This is how he did it: He would stretch his head 
as far as possible, get his teeth hooked in his victim's 
scales, then slip his body up till it was in wrinkles at his 
neck and for some way down, then loose his tooth hold 
and slide his head forward for another grip, just as if you 
were putting on a tight glove, in fact. It was the most 
interesting operation I think I ever witnessed, and the 
king swallowed all but Sin, of the tail of the poor black- 
snake, and then, with that dangling from his mouth,, 
glided off into the grass. We let him go, as he is a known 
enemy of the rattlesnakes, and often kills them." — Indi- 
anapolis Journal. 
The Plates of Audubon's Work. 
Portland, Conn., Sept. 14. — Editor Forest and Stream: 
In your issue for Sept. 12 Reignolds asks about the final 
disposition of the original copperplates of Audubon's birds, 
elephant folio edition. I have two: plate XLVII., ruby- 
throated hummingbird, and plate CCLXVII,, arctic 
yager. They were given me by the Hon. Thos. R. Pick- 
ering, President of the Pickering Governor Co., of this 
place, who purchased a number of them several years ago 
for old metal in a junk shop m New York city. All of 
the plates were scratched and bent, those in my possession 
being the only ones in the lot that could be put in fairly 
good condition. J no. H. Sage. 
[We believe that some of the copperplates may be seen 
framed in the American Museum of Natural History in 
New York. These, if we recollect aright, were a gift to 
the museum by Wm, E. Dodge. There iare also some in 
the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.] 
Wild Pigeons in Illinois. 
Jerseyville, III,, Sept. 14.— Last Sunday, the 6t;h, a 
small flock of wild pigeons, seven in number, was seen 
by Mr. Fred. Bertman, of this city, flying southeast at 
an early hour in the morning. The same evening Mr. B. 
saw a bunch of like number going northwest, and from 
this fact concluded it was the same bunch he had noticed 
in the morning. 
No other notice of these birds has been taken, and it is 
not known whether they are stopping for a time in their 
annual journey south or whether it is but a stray bunch, 
the lone survivors of the great droves of pigeons that 
once made this section their regular stopping place dur- 
ing their migrations. 
Stray bunches are still occasionally seen, and three 
years ago one was killed in our camp on the Illinois 
liiver. L. S. Hansell. 
Enqounter with Mountain Xiions. 
Shasta, Oal., Sept. 5.— A German by the name of 
Sieger, living on the Sacramento River, twenty miles 
north of here, had a desperate encounter with a pair of 
mountain lions or panthers a few days ago. 
EEd shot one of the animals, fatally wounding it, but its 
cries brojjght its mate upon tUe scene, gieger feiUe4 ^lx% 
