246 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[Sept, 25, 1897. 
For the sake of illustration we will take the swallows, 
Birds known to all, and describe their method of migra- 
tion. 
Eemember, tbat the old birds have been South, that they 
know the way and do not doubt their ability to pilot the 
young birds to the new home. They also know, from ex- 
perience, the perils and hardships of a long flight while 
battling with wind and weather. Full well they know 
that young birds, just out of the nest, wou'd not last a day's 
flight if raw and untrained. So they intelligpntly proceed 
to train the young birds into a suitable condition. Early 
in the morning, after the young are fed, th^y are marshaled 
along the wires and fences and drilled in the art of flying. 
At first they fly in small squads, just a family group, but 
later they gather into companies and practice until the 
companies are massed in one grand army corps When 
the young birds are thoroughly drilled, that is, are hard of 
muscle and capable of keeping their place in the ranks, to 
touch elbows, as it were, the old birds are ready to lead 
the way South. To avoid straggling the departure is made 
in the night. 
Up to this point we see no indications of instinct. The 
acts of the swallows are as intelligent as would be the acts 
of human beings under like circumstances. If a general 
had raw recruits to deal with he would drill them just as 
the swallows drill their raw recruits. 
Perhaps the maneuvers of swallows gave mankind the 
idea of military tactics. 
"When we consider the journey of these birds South, why 
should we claim that their acts are guided by a super- 
natural power? Why not allow intelligence in flight as 
well as in preparing for flight? 
We can readily understand how the old birds, that have 
made several journeys and must be familiar with all the 
landmarks, may make the journey without the aid of a 
supernatural power. 
We must remember that the sense of sight in birds is 
developed to a degree unknown to mankind. It often 
happens that I startle a ruffed grouse from its perch in the 
night. In such case it hurls itself through the shrubbery 
with amazing speed. When I think of the keenness of 
sight that enables this bird to avoid twigs and limbs, I 
know that my sight is nothing but blindness in comparison. 
Some birds fly high, and the earth is like a map be- 
neath them, with a well-defined line between land and 
"Water. Birds that are familiar with the route ought to 
experience no difficulty in finding the way. Even the 
limited sight of man would serve unless handicapped by a 
dark, stormy night. 
Young birds left to themselves will not go South. Young 
robins often get left in this vicinity. They are birds of the 
last brood usually; the parent birds are killed before the 
young learn to associate with the flocks in the neighbor- 
hood. They stav through the winter because they have 
no knowledge of the South and no guide to lead the way. 
Ducks hatched under hens from wild esgs will not go 
South. I once lived near a farmer that hatched out six 
black ducks. The farmer did not feed them, and they 
lived through the summer on a trout brook. In winter 
they huddled into a fence corner under some shrubbery. 
They had no instinc* to send them South, although their 
flight feathers were perfect; but they possessed intelligence 
enough to seek the cattle tie-up for warmth whenever 
they found the door open. 
Shaganoss assumes this instinct of direction in the honey 
bee, because it returns to its hive in a "bee line" after 
hours of wayward flight. He seems to infer that the bee, 
the pigeon, and some variety of ducks, rise and circle in 
the air to leave landmarks "out of sight," so that this re- 
markable instinct may work more freely. Would it not 
be well to apply natural laws to these cases? Suppose we 
infer that these animals rise and circle to find familiar 
landmarks, just as a human being would act if he had the 
power of flight and had lost his way. Human beings 
climb trees, when lost, to look for landmarks. Why 
should we deny to bees and birds the very methods we 
make use of whenever the occasion requires? 
As to bees, I do not know that they circle to find land- 
marks. After years spent in hunting, or "lining bees," as 
we called the sport in Maine, I can speak with no uncer- 
tain knowledge. The power to circle in search of land- 
marks is limited. If a bee is carried too far from its hive, 
beyond its power to circle and find landmarks, it is lost 
and never returns to the hive. I have proved this time 
after time. The carrier pigeon's power to circle is a most 
remarkable feature, but nevertheless it has its limit. 
Pigeons that are used for long distance flight are trained 
over the whole distance in short flights, so the bird may 
become familiar with landmarks. 
Our cats and dogs that return to us when carried sight- 
less to a distance, may return through the sense of smell. 
Cape Ann fishermen tell me that dogs scent the land fifty 
miles at sea. If we grant to animals the power of obser- 
vation which we possess, and then take into consideration 
their keen sense of smell, we can account for many things 
that seem mysterious. However, dogs and cats are lost 
every day in the week. 
Again, Shaganoss infers that man has lost this instinct 
of direction from the interesting fact that he sometimes 
gets his points of the compass mixed. I will not split 
hairs with him on this matter, but will let science dispose 
of it if possible. Science tells us that every object we be- 
hold — in fact, every conscious experience or observation — 
is photographed on the brain, and remains while there is 
life. Now Shaganoss is carrying around on his brain a 
picture of that lake with the points of the compass all 
wrong. As it was his first visit to the scene, the picture 
on his brain was forcibly impressed, all subsequent pic- 
tures are dim in comparison. When memory is connected 
with that lake, the first picture stands out in bold relief. 
If he is on the spot and is hurriedly called upon for any 
point of the compass, that first picture on his brain mixes 
him all up. 
Old people recall events that took place in youth, while 
they cannot remember recent events. I suppose the reason 
for this peculiarity of memory is because the picture im- 
pressed on the brain in youth, when the faculties are per- 
fect, are brighter than'the pictures impressed by faculties 
dimmed by old age. First impressions are always the 
strongest, and it is almost impossible to oust them through 
impressions that are less emphatic. 
Shaganoss is not alone in his mixed points. I know a 
section of a sti-eam where the sun rises in the west and 
sets in the east; I can swear to it. Hermit. 
^GiiOTJCasTBB, Mass. 
Brutes' Moral Sense. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
I DID not think by expressing the opinion that brute's have 
no moral sense, that I would stir up so much argument 
aerainst my proposition. I df cline to argue the subject fur- 
ther, heine unwilling to tax the patience of an indulgent 
editor. Whether or not it could be ascerfained that brutes 
have moral sense, it matters little to ns. However, a belief 
of it — as I said — would tend to make man more cruel to 
them. I must say I am unable to see the force of my oppon- 
ents' arguments, hut if their loeic is accepted by others, they 
are quite at libertv to rest in their belief. 
As to some of the emotions of brutes, we can be certain 
they are exactly analogous to those of man, such as anger, 
revenge, love, and evidently jealousy; but as to the emotion 
of pride, such as man feels, we can only suppose exists. 
What we call the exhibition of pride in the strut of the tur- 
key, the prance of the horse, or the crow of the cock, may 
be the consequence of exultation— exaltation of spirits. 
N. T. ELTiNa. 
Wild Pisreons in Nebraska. 
Last week, while drivinsr through a grove along the banks 
of the Nemaha Kiver, in Johnson rountv, Neb , about eiarht 
miles from Burr, near Cook, I saw a flock of from seventy- 
five to a hundred of the wild passenger pigeons, the first 
seen for twenty years. W. F. R. 
'^nie ^Hg md 0uit 
The "Briers" Pictures. 
There are twenty-nine illustrations in the current edition of 0am r. 
Laws in Brief, most of them full page half-tones, and all admirably 
printed. The book is a beau*^y, and well worth having: for the illus- 
trations which. Mr. Charle:? Hallock says, so well represent America's 
■wildersess sports. The Brief gives all the laws of the United States 
and Canada for the practical guidance of anglers and shooters. As 
an authority, it has a long record of unassailed and unassailable ac- 
curacy. Forest and Stream Pub. Co. sends it postpaid for 25 cents, 
or your dealer will supply you. 
A SQUIRREL HUNT IN SOUTHAMPTON. 
On Aug. 26 T left Richmond on the 8:50 P. M. train for 
Emporia, a pretty little town about sixt^-five miles from 
Richmond, situatpd on the Meherrin River in Greensville 
county, Va. At Petersburg I was joined by Mr. Dabney, 
who was also seeking sport in the way of squirrel shooting. 
We were to join C«ipt. J. R Lifsev, of the Atlantic Coast 
Line, and Mr " Barnett, M. C B of South Rocky Mt., N. C, 
shops, pt Emporia, Va ; and our point of sport was about 
fifteen miles southeast on Meherrin River, squirrel shooting. 
This is one of the best places for squirrels in the State, and 
no one living is mnre fond of the gnu and rod thai Capt. 
Lifsey and his genial companion, Mr. Barnett.. Mr. Dabney 
and myself were being royally cared for, and at 10:44 P. M. 
we reached Emporia on time. We found Capt. Lifsey on 
hand, and waited until 2:20 A. M. for Mr. Barnett, who was 
expected on the north-bound train. The time soon slipped 
quickly by, for the Captain was telling us some good stories 
about our hunting crounds, and- about the number of squir- 
rels we expected lo kill. Our intention was to spend five or 
six days shooting squirrels. 
We made an early start for the gum swamp."?, and after 
traveling three or four hours arrived in camp. The day was 
warm and brisrht. and we were agreeably surprised upon 
arriving at camp to find quite a gay turnout of old Southamp- 
ton's beaux and belles, and the old folk with the little ones, 
at a lovely green, shady nook, situated on a pretty bass 
stream called the Goose Pond. We were to have a big 
squirrel muddle— such as the Southampton farmer and 
hunter know how to prepare. I had never before been 
treated to an entertainment like this, and was at a loss at first 
to know the right thing to do; but felt free after seeing so 
many pleasant people; and the welcome tbey were extend- 
ing us made me feel at home, for they were the most polite 
and hospitable people I ever met. 
The Captain called my attention to a very fine bass lying 
in a boat which had just been brought to anchor near our 
place where the muddle was being prepared, and asked me 
if I saw any ditJ^rence between it and a chub. After ex'im- 
ining the fish 1 told him I saw no difference, for the people 
here called this fish a chub when it was really a small-mouth 
bass. Several hauls were made with a seine, and all the fish 
of diif erent varieties one would care to see were brought to 
shore. 
We were to have a fish fry also. I began to think that 
these good people intended to kill us with kindness before 
we could level our cuns at some squirrels. Hunters were 
continually coming in with three and four and sometimes a 
half-dozen squirrels; while three or four men were kept busy 
preparing the fish, others were dressing the game, and some 
were bringinar in watermelons that would make an Afro- 
American smile with joy Finally at 2 o'clock everything 
was in beautiful shape. The tables were set for a multitude, 
and about eiahty of the best people in old Soutbamnton 
county sat down to dinner. To see the delicacies piled on 
the tables which were brought by private conveyance, to- 
gether with the big squirrel muddle and fish fry combined, 
made one think of the little fancy that lingered once in a 
certain poet's mind that "the tables they groaned with the 
weight of the feast." I believe every one felt hungry, and I 
know that every one appreciated that dinner, and when it 
was over all seemed to have enjoyed themselves immensely. 
The sun was fast bidding the day adieu, and slowly the 
crowd dispersed after wishing us much pleasure and success. 
In a moment every hunter was donnins: his hunting coat and 
getting a supply of shells for an hour's squirrel hunt before 
dark, for when it gets dark in the swamps it is darkness sure 
enough. The Captain and mvself went in one direction to 
some scaly-bark trees; Mr. Barnett and one of the guides 
went another way, and Mr. Dabney and the other guide pur- 
sued another place to find the squirrels cuttins scaly-barks. 
We had not been long in the swamp before the Captain found 
two up one tree. I killed one and he the other. We then 
flushed a flock of wild turkeys and tried to get shots at them, 
i)ut they were too shy to allow us to get near enough. The 
Captain was anxious for me to get a shot ; he did not care 
much to get one himself, for be has killed a good many and 
I had my first turkey to kill. Darkness found u? all at camp, 
and only twelve squirrels had tumbled to the racket. We 
would have killed more, but owing to the lateness of the 
hour and so much shooting during ttie day by parties shoo t 
ing squirrels for the muddle, that the little scaly- bark 
rodent had sought a hiding place and failed to show himself 
freely. 
After supper, as we were seated outside the camp door 
with good cigars, the story-tellers entertained ns Oneof the 
guides ssLve us a very srraphic account of a young lawyer's 
first effort at oratory before a county jury. He grew quite 
dramatic at times and his gestures were real amu«ing. I 
was so fatigued I soon fell asleep and came near falling out 
of my seat once or twice. The Captain was lively and 
looked cheerful, for he loves a good story. 
Early in the morning we started before breakfast to get a 
shot at the turkeys we had flushed the evening before. At 
sunrise we were "busy calling turkeys and one old hen re- 
sponded, but she was so cunning we could not fool her. and 
we failed to get a shot at turkeys. We soon started for a 
large scaly-bark tree, which stood not far from camp, and 
while apnroaching we could hear the squirrels cutting scalv- 
barks. They saw us before reaching the tree and quickly 
stopped cutting to hide behind a limb or branch of the tree. 
Mr, Barnett saw one and shot it, and at the report of his 
gun the whole tree appeared to be ahve with squirrels. It 
was load and shoot as quick as you can! We liilled eight, 
and some three or four made their escape. I believe I killed 
the first squirrel and the shot was quite a good one, so much 
so that I received a very nice compliment fr'^m the genial 
Captain, who was standing near by watching the excitement. 
One old squirrel which was cut down in the early firing 
proved to be quite shot-proof. After it had been shot out of 
a tall tree, and had fallen to earth with a thump enough to 
break it up, a dog chewed on it awhile and the Captain 
struck it a heavy blow back of the head. Well, after get- 
ting to camp and pulling the squirrels out of our coat pock- 
eta, the old bellow was just getting his right mind back 
again, for he came near biting off two of my finsrers A 
quick jerk saved me from having a sore hand. I thought 
we would have to try the axe on him, but another stroke 
finished him entirely There are some of the toughest .«^quir- 
rels in these swamps T ever saw. If you have not a strong 
shooting gun and shot of good size you will not be in it at 
all. I saw some almost shot in two trying to climb trees. 
After breakfast we had a deer hunt, but. unfortunately, 
we did nnt jump any, but came upon a finck of wild tur- 
keys, and Mr. Turner, one of the guides, killed one with his 
Winchester rifle. We reached camp about 2 o'clock, and 
after a good rest went after squirrels aeain, and many were 
killpd. Mr. Barnett made two fine shots, and likewise Mr. 
Dabney made a good score with his 14 bore. The Captain 
could reach thpui in any tree at almost any distance. I have 
seen him shoot squirrels out of trees from a distance that 
looked almost unreasonable for a gun to kill so far. but such 
is the glory of bavins: a good shooting gun. The Captain is 
a fine all-round sportsman and an ideal hand with a gun. 
Monday another deer hunt was made, and Mr. Turner 
killed a very fine one A great many squirrels were brought 
also. Tuesday, after a good hunt, we broke camp and came 
home. Every one was more than pleased with bis outing. 
After summinff up the total g-ame secured during this hunt, 
we And we killed ninety-eight squirrels, one deer and one 
wild turkey. A, P. 
MAliCHESTBR, Va. 
Directions for Maklngr a Squirrel Muddle. 
By request A. P. sends irs the recipe for a squirrel muddle, 
given him by Capt. Lifsey, as follows; 
A muddle of forty squirrels should be cooked in a four- 
gallon pot, or the size of pot to be governed by the quantity 
of squirrels, say one gallon for every ten squirrels. 
The pot should be filled one-half or two-thirds full of 
water and brought to a boil. Then put in the squirrels cut 
in small pieces (say into six parts), and keep boiling in clear 
water, adding water whenever it gets low, so as to keep the 
squirrels well covered while boiling. They should be al- 
lowed to boil until they are quite cooked, then add salt and 
pepper to suit the taste. Red pepper in pods is best, one 
pod generally to every ten squirrels. If not salt enough, it 
can be seasoned to suit individual taste when served. After 
the salt and pepper have been put in, add corn and tomatoes 
(a quart of each). Young corn cut fi'ora the ears (roast ears) 
in season are preferable, but canned corn will do. 
After the corn and tortyitoes, a teacupful of fried meat 
grease tn each gallon of muddle should be added; the grease 
from a Yirginia-cured side makes the best fl ivoring. The 
muddle should then be cooked until thoroughly done, being 
continually stirred while cooking 
Before the pot is taken off the fire, the water should be al- 
lowed to boil own enoueh to bring the muddle to the pro- 
per thickness, so that when taken off it can be eaten with 
spoons. 
It generally takes from one and a half to two hours to 
prepare a squirrel muddle; and when well cooked it will be 
found a rare dish 
The word muddle comes from the continual stirring while 
it is being cooked and the appearance of the dish after it is 
cooked, J- E- 
TAKING STOCK FOR A MOOSE HUNT. 
With a week's supplies, I drove twelve miles to the river, 
where Tom was to meet me with his canoe. Tom is the 
guide wlio is going with the party for whom we are now 
cruising, and he is a good one. We started up the swift- 
running river, the water clear as crystal. Many points of 
beauty meet the eye as the canoe is poled up stream, the 
water fighting hard every inch of the way. We made thir- 
teen miles, which is a big day's work up this stream; pitched 
the tent and had supper, which was greatly added to by a 
lot of fine trout taken on the way. 
Supper over and the things snugged up, Tom says: "Guess 
we'll talk to the moose a little." Getting a piece of birch 
bark to suit his purpose, he rolled it in the shape of a horn, 
and soon the mountains and valleys for a mile around were 
echoing the sounds. Being tired with our day's exertions, 
we were soon in the land of dreams and forgetfulness. 
Something awoke me. Hearing a noise as though a large 
animal was slowly walking along thoroughly aroused me, 
and giving Tom a nudge we listened. Carefully undoing 
the strings of the tent we peered out. 'Twas so dark noth- 
ing could be seen, and fearing it was a bear which might 
carry off our grub outside the tent, I threw back the flap, 
making a noise, when we distinctly heard the footfalls of a 
large animal moving away. Our provisions were brought 
inside and we were soon asleep again, not waking till day- 
light. On going out and looking around we found that a 
small tree had been uproottd, and there in the clear earth 
were two footprints of a moose which had been so close that 
he could hare put bis nose on the tent, as perhaps he had, 
