86 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[July 30, .1898. 
Berbera, where its place was taken by the following 
species. At least that seemed to be the case, as all the 
hyenas we saw or killed there were of the striped species. 
As we penetrated the country these animals became more 
numerous, and in parts of Ogaden they fairly swarmed. 
Males seemed to preponderate, and we did not succeed 
in getting an old female, although we shot a good 
ma^y of the beasts. Of all animals I think the spotted 
hyena is the most loathsome and repulsive. It is usually 
covered with scabs and sores, caused either by fight- 
ing with each other or from the impure condition of its 
blood, or perhaps both, and some individuals were so 
offensive that it was very disagreeable not only to go 
near them, but even to stand to leeward of their car- 
casses. 
The hyena is exceedingly cowardly, and does its best 
to save its malodorous body from getting into any 
danger, but it is a great sneak, and woe betide any un- 
fortunate native it comes upon sleeping at night, for 
with one snap of its powerful jaws it will carry away 
the whole face of its victim, this being the place usually 
attacked. Donkeys, sheep, etc., are usually seized by the 
belly from behind, and the bowels torn out. The power 
of a hyena's jaw is tremendous, and with a single snap 
they are able to inflict dreadful wounds, while their ap- 
petites are boundless, and they are always asking for 
more. In the role of scavengers these animals with the 
vultures perform a most useful and necessary service 
in removing all carrion and offal from the ground, and 
birds and beasts often have a race as to which shall 
arrive at the attractive feast first. This hyena, among 
its other accomplishments, is possessed of a powerful 
voice, which it is accustomed to display in two ways; 
one by a succession of long drawn out mournful notes, 
beginning low and ending in a high key, and the other 
by sounds resembling the laughter of a maniac. The 
first is that usually heard when the animals are calling 
to each other, or when they come about the camp at 
night and scent the meat or whatever excites their long- 
ing desires; while the latter seems to be uttered gen- 
erally when the creature is laboring under great ex- 
citement either caused by hunger or sexual emotions. 
It is a good-sized beast, low in the hindquarters, which 
are weak, but with powerful shoulders, neck and head. 
Altogether it cannot be regarded as possessing any 
attractive qualities, and can only be tolerated on ac- 
count of its usefulness as a scavenger. The natives 
always expressed great delight whenever we killed one 
of these beasts, as they commit such havoc among their 
flocks and herds, often even carrying away the young 
children. From the crafty, cowardly way of the creat- 
ure the natives are not often able to get near enough 
to kill them with spears, and so are too happy to wit- 
ness their destruction by the more certain and far- 
reaching rifle. Although this species is found quite near 
to the coast, even visiting the vicinity of the markets at 
Berbera at night to steal scraps of meat, it is not found 
in any considerable numbers until the interior is 
reached. 
Striped Hyena {Hyana striata, Zimm). Native Namus, 
Dedar, Werra. 
This striped hyena was much less frequently met with 
than the previous species, although it appears to be 
about as widely distributed throughout the country. 
We did not find it on the Hand, although it is very 
probable that it is there, but the list of places recorded 
where we preserved specimens shows that it was 
met with from the vicinity of the sea to the furthest 
point in the interior reached by us. There are two 
recognizable forms of this species, known to the natives 
as dedar and werra. The latter, they say, is much more 
destructive than the other, and kills their sheep and 
goats apparently merely to indulge its propensities for 
slaughter, destroying many more animals than it can 
possibly consume at one time. It is smaller than the 
dedar and the stripes are more numerous and intense- 
ly black, standing out clearly and distinct from the 
other colors of its coat. The natives also say it is 
abroad much oftener by day than the spotted hyena, and 
does not wait for the cover of darkness to commit its 
depredations. The striped hyena is a much more cleanly 
animal than its relative, and I never saw one covered 
with scars and sores, as is often the case with the spotted 
hyena, nor does it seem to possess a like offensive- 
odor. It may be that it lives more on freshly ' killed 
animals, and has not an especial liking for carrion, but 
this of course I cannot -\»ouch for. I have known it 
to eat carcasses of animals killed the same day and 
thrown outside our camp, but as this animal is a hyena 
it is fair tD presume, I suppose, it would have eaten them 
even if tainted. , 
It is rather a handsome animal, the fur is long and 
thick, and the tail bushy, and when the stripes are 
well defined it does not present an unattractive ap- 
pearance. There seems to be a very considerable differ- 
ence in the shape and size of the skulls of this species, 
which is probably merely an individual variation, but 
as that belonging to the adult specimen of the werra 
was destroyed and the other belonged to an immature 
individual I could not make a satisfactory comparison 
with the adult skulls of the dedar. The difference in 
size and markings between the two forms may have no 
specific value, but it requires investigation when suffi- 
cient material is available. 
Jackal {Cants ant/ius; F. Cuvier). Native Name, Dowdo. 
This jackal was very common all over the country, 
and was constantly met with in our hunting trips. It 
was not especially shy, and would often trot carelessly 
along in full view and within easy rifle shot. If at 
such time one whistled, the little animal would stop 
and gaze at the intruder on his grounds often for a long 
while, and if not shot at, after satisfying its curiosity, 
would continue on its travels. But should a rifle bullet 
go whizzing in its vicinity, then it stood not on the 
order of its going, but went at once. This and the suc- 
ceeding species are very destructive to the kids and 
lambs in the flocks of the natives, and may possibly, if 
several act in concert, kill sheep and goats, though I 
fancy the latter, especially the rams, would with their 
horns be more than a match for this jackal. It seemed 
to be constantly on the move, going along in the quick, 
slouching trot so characteristic of this class of animals, 
and only breaking into a canter when alarmed. It fol- 
lows the hyena and helps them dispose of any carcass 
lying about, and sits at a respectable distance from the 
lion when engaged with his prey in hopes of obtaining 
some scraps left by the lord of the jungle from his feast. 
The jackal is keen of scent, and quickly discovers the 
presence of any flesh in his vicinity, and loses no time 
in getting to it. Its voice is often heard in a long 
drawn, plaintive howl, especially at night, when it finds 
ctttirage in the darkness to draw near the camp and 
serenade its inmates, excited by the smell of meat to this 
effort of questionable melody and song. This species 
may catch small animals, possibly does, and also various 
species of the jungle fowl, although I have no proof of 
this, but as it is constantly hunting for something to 
eat I doubt if it passes any living thing of which it is 
capable of making a meal. When captured alive it 
shrinks from any one who approaches, and in only a 
few instances have I seen it assume the aggressive and 
attempt to bite. When taken in a trap it generally lies 
quiet, and it was the exception when one struggled to 
free itself. With the hyenas and vultures, the jackal is 
a humble assistant in the necessary duties of a scavenger, 
and helps to remove all fleshy material from remaining 
exposed to the baneful effects of the sun. 
Preserving Iowa Records. 
In a late issue of Forest and Stream I read with 
much interest an article on ''Changes in the Fauna and 
Flora of Iowa," by Clement L. Webster. In perusing 
this interesting and valuable paper, an additional inter- 
est was experienced from the fact that it has been my 
good fortune to have had an intimate acquaintance with 
its author, and to know much of his work. 
Forest and Stream has long urged the necessity and 
CLEMENT S. WEBSTER. 
great importance of gathering up and preserving every 
available fact relating to the fast fading, primitive fauna 
and flora of all portions of our great country, realizing 
the impossibility of securing a few years hence much 
that is of priceless value in this line. To this journal 
certainly the scientific and sporting world owes much. 
Would that those competent to do so would follow out 
the suggestions of the Forest and Stream, and also 
emulate the example in this regard already set by Mr. 
Webster. Mr. AVebster was born on the frontier of 
Iowa "way back in the fifties," and "grew up with 
the country." He is a born naturalist, as well as one by 
profession; and his love for the "wild things of nature" 
has been a marked characteristic since his earliest child- 
hood. His early and trying experiences with poverty 
and hardships in a pioneer country, instead of crushing 
and destroying his early love, had the effect only to 
intensify it, until it finally grew to be the crowning 
passion of his life. 
Very early in life he conceived the idea of keeping 
accurate notes regarding the things in nature which in- 
terested him. A study of the fauna and flora of the 
region then, and accounts of it for long years previous, as 
given to him by old hunters and trappers of the region, 
he treasured up and preserved. 
From that early day when northern Iowa was first 
taken possession of by the whites, to the present time, his 
records in this and other lines have been kept up, until 
now he has a mass of facts, notes and drawings of price- 
less value. 
Comparatively little of this valuable material has been 
published; but for a long time he has been engaged in 
writing out and systematizing the facts, and making- 
beautiful colored drawings and sketches (for he is an 
artist of recognized merit as well), and binding all into 
large volumes for permanent preservation. 
Facts of the greatest value and scientific interest re- 
lating to the primitive fauna and flora which existed' in 
Iowa long before the first white man came, have been 
gathered by Mr. Webster from the large number of 
ancient moundbuilders, burial mounds and earthworks 
which he has carefully explored in the region. 
The material, mainly scientific, which he has collected 
during these years, and which is for the most part yet un- 
published, would fill at least ten or twelve printed vol- 
umes. His published reports and papers even now 
number more than 100 titles, and have appeared main- 
ly in leading scientific journals of the country; and he is 
now recognized as one of the foremost among our 
younger scientific workers. 
One work of his, now going through the press, and 
which will prove of much value and interest, is devoted 
to the pioneer history, the general natural history, etc., 
of northern Iowa. 
The subject of this sketch has traveled quite extensive- 
ly in the West, Southwest and in Mexico; and a better 
or more genial camp fellow I never met. He is a true 
sportsman, and an ardent lover of field sports and camp 
life; but is bitterly opposed to the wanton destruction 
of game or animal life of any kind. He combines traits 
as a naturalist and a sportsman such as are not usually 
met with. 
His earlier and later hunting and other experiences are 
most interesting, and often very amusing. He has con- 
tributed numerous articles to Forest and Stream. 
Florida. 
European Starlings on Long Island. 
Bav Ridge, N. Y., July 15. — Early this spring I 
heard a new voice among the trees, and after much pry- 
ing about succeeded in identifying the performer. 
"Wheezy, wheezy, wheezy!" then a long run down the 
scale to a finish of finely drawn out notes. Day after 
day from the tops of our largest oaks and chestnuts 
came the unfamiliar strain. I finally located one of the 
birds in a wild cherry, and to my surprise discovered 
it to be the European starling (Stumus vulgaris). Pairing 
commenced about first week in May, about the 10th the 
song ceased entirely, and save for an occasional glimpse 
of the birds as they passed in the tree tops their pres- 
ence was unnoticed. 
I knew they were nesting, but could not definitely 
locate them, as they confined themselves almost wholly 
to the larger trees. Finally I managed to locate three 
pair in a general way, and of these one was at last found, 
but not until the young were hatched and I could follow 
the old birds on their return from foraging. 
The nest was at least 40ft. from the ground, in a hole 
in the trunk of an oak. A large limb had some time been 
broken off, and though the bark had almost closed the 
wound, there was a hole left where the decayed wood 
had weathered away. The cavity concealed the nest, and 
was large enough to entirely hide the parent bird from 
view when she entered with food. 
The nestlings remained in this snug retreat until seem- 
ingly fully able to fly, for although I saw but two of 
them take their departure, there was apparently none of 
the weak preliminary flutter often seen in many of our 
native bird children. 
The first flight was a strong one, and landed them some 
50yds. away in a tall chestnut. This flight was taken 
between 9 and 10 A. M., and at intervals thereafter they 
would launch out, accompanied by both parents. They 
flew silently for short distances, circling back to point 
of departure, save once, when one youngster with a 
burst of speed darted off quite a distance, rising as he 
went. When he turned to come back, the immensity of 
space between his perch and himself seemed to appal 
him, and for an instant he lost his head. With a terri- 
fied squawk he dropped like a plummet some 10ft. In 
a flash one of the old birds was beneath him, encouraging 
him in quiet tones. He at once seemed to take heart, and 
steadying himself, regained his perch a moment later, 
where he squatted panting with open bill. 
I have seen at least twenty of these birds this season. 
They seem to hold aloof, and do not fraternize with 
our natives. Passing most of their time in the taller 
trees, I have found them difficult to observe satisfactorily. 
On the ground they hold themselves very erect, walk 
about sedately, or run for long stretches at good speed. 
Their flight is steady, with strong wing beats, and 
they have a peculiarly graceful upward glide when 
approaching to alight. 
I had heard of the English starling being seen in this 
vicinity a year ago, but not having observed them my- 
self, did not care to write you on hearsay evidence. 
We have an unusual number of birds with us this 
season. 
Nesting has been practically undisturbed in our vicin- 
ity, and at this writing the- second brood of robins are 
testing their voices. I have not seen as many of our 
native songsters in ten years past. Perchance they have 
the news that our friend Hornaday and his associates 
mean business when they say, our birds must be pro- 
tected." At any rate, their cheerful notes are ringing in 
the trees and among the hedges as I write. 
WlLMOT TOWNSEND. 
The Angler's Reverie. 
Ah! my heart is sick with wishing 
For my old fly rod — 
Wishing for my next vacation, 
Health and rest and recreation; 
Do you think it odd? 
How T long to go a -fishing 
With my old fly rod ! 
Oft in Willowemoc's Valley 
And the Beaverkills 
We have wandered and have waded, 
From the dawn till daylight faded, 
O'er the Western hills, 
With the speckled trout to dally 
And forget life's ills. 
Evermore shall we remember 
The swift Delaware, 
When the bass were freely rising 
To our lures so appetizing; 
Oh, what sport was there! 
Through October and November 
In the clear, cool air. 
Shall we have such days entrancing 
In the. coming year? 
Will the' 'trout rise to our hackle 
And the bass strain well-tried tackle 
Till a break seems near? 
Lo! the season is advancing— 
It will soon be here, — Summer Home. 
