f, n 
birch, the lattef on ridges atid other elevated portions. 
Meadow and swamp land alternate with the wooded 
rcas, and lakes form a conspicuous featiire. The timber 
ine in the monntain valleys reaches as high as 3,000 
leet above sea level, and above Ihis the alder growth ex- 
tends 500 or 600 feet further to moss-covered slopes on 
we rock. Berries abound, including high and low bush 
cranberries, the salmon berry (which resembles the dew 
3erry in size and shape), blue berries, moss berries, bear 
merries and currants, all of fine flavor. Pack animals are 
ible to live off the native grasses during June, July, 
\ngust and a part of September. 
Cook Inlet is closed above the East Foreland by ice 
'or five months of the year. Prince William Sound, how- 
;ver, which is reached by a twelve-mile portage across 
-he isthmus at the inner end of the Kenai Peninsula, is 
ipen to navigation at all times. 
The Sushitna River fiows through the center of the 
jame country, but unfortunately the gentlemen who ex- 
sored this river have omitted to report on the game. 
Two other expeditions had to do with parts of this 
egion, however, and their reports help supply the de- 
iciency. 
The following has to do with the country to the east 
nd north : 
"In the high St. Elias Mountains on Kenai Peninsula 
ind the mainland the white mountain sheep (Ovis dalli) 
s found in great numbers. It has as yet been hunted but 
ittle, and is an important source of food for the pros- 
lector. This sheep is found also, but apparently in less 
bundance, in the Alaskan range. 
"The moose is plentiful throughout the valleys of the 
intire region explored, but is very shy and dif^icult to 
btain by the inexperienced hunter. Caribou are A^er}^ 
ilentiful in the foothills of both the coast and Alaskan 
anges. They select the hard, dry ground above timber 
ine, seldom or never descending into the valleys, and 
vere not seen at all in the broad interior basin. Al- 
hough their distribution is thus somewhat limited, they 
re easy of approach, and, within the districts where they 
re found in such numbers, form an important addition 
0 the explorer's food supply. Brown and black bear may 
e found in the mountainous districts everywhere, but are 
bsent over the interior plateau. Fur-bearing animals 
iccur in limited and constantly decreasing numbers ; 
mong the most important are the silver-gray, black, red 
nd cross fox, the wolverine, the otter, the beaver, and 
lie gray wolf. Waterfowl in great numbers and variety 
hrong the tidal marshes of the coast during the early 
pring and late fall, and are found during the summer 
eason on the innumerable lakes of the interior plateau, 
iimong the land gaine birds, ptarmigan and grouse are by 
ar the most important, the former frequenting the un- 
imbered uplands and the latter living in more or less 
liundance within the spruce and birch forests every- 
vhere." 
The explorers of the Kuskokwim who crossed over 
rom the Skwentna, which is a tributarjr of the Sushitna, 
lave an interesting not about the birds. They say: 
'The migratory birds return very early to Cook Inlet. 
Che sparrows, the robbins, the warblers, the swallows 
nd the thrushes were seen here during the early part of 
he month of May. By the end of May the birds had 
:omnienced nesting, and we frequently disturbed the 
ivild geese, the arctic tern, the ducks, and the gulls as 
ve passed by. Along the Skwentna River we found sand- 
lipers and other shore birds in plenty, with gulls and 
icrns; redpolls were very common, and several species of 
rouse were constantly met with. From the alders on the 
•iver bank the startHng "Whoo-pee" of the fly-catcher 
vas constantly sounded. On the portage at the head of 
he Skwentna we saw a number of warblers, including 
he common yellow warbler, and two species of three- 
:oed woodpeckers, which are common in all northern 
countries. The hawk owl and the goshawk were occa- 
;ionally met with in the woods. On the very summit of 
:he pass, which is about 4,400 feet high, we found very 
few birds; here, besides the ubiquitous redpoll, we occa- 
ionally came across a brood of ptarmigan, and "once we 
;aw two pretty arctic finches living among the high rocks. 
\s we approached the summit we heard the scream of a 
golden eagle, which had its aerie in a crag near by. The 
general bird life of the Kuskokwim is very nearly like 
:hat which has been noted for the Skwentna." 
The Skwentna and Ktiskofcwim. 
"The Skwentna and the Kuskokwim both flow through 
what is in general a remarkably poor game country. 
During our whole trip along these rivers we saw only 
:wo moose and one bear ; and, moreover, there were no 
signs of any great number. Small game was very scarce, 
'or although grouse and ptarmigan were occasionally met 
tvith in the woods they could not be depended upon; and 
rabbits were almost absent, only one srnall individual 
being seen. The extremel}^ scanty population of Indians 
on the Skwentna and Upper Kuskokwim shows how 
5mall the game supply must be. In an abandoned Indian 
tamp at the head of the Kuskokwim, however, we found 
splendid horns of the mountain sheep, showing the pres- 
ence of this animal in that region. 
"The mountains lying between the Kuskokwim and 
the Togiak form apparently better hunting grounds than 
the Tordrillo Range, the signs of bear being especially 
abundant. Near Cape Etolin, between Nushagak Bay and 
Bristol Bay, our natives killed two caribou, which were 
the only large game we saw between the Kuskokwim and 
the Naknek River. The Alaska Peninsula has apparently 
comparatively good hunting grounds, the bear in the 
vicinity of Katmai being very numerous ;_ we also saw two 
moose in the neighborhood of Katmai Pass. On the 
whok, however, the entire population of the country we 
traversed subsists essentially upon fish, which are usually 
plentiful, especially salmon, which ascend all the rivers in 
large numbers annually. In some of the streams, also, 
especially the Sushitna, the small greasy candlefish forms 
an important article in the diet of the natives," 
The Copper River Country. 
The Copper River country at the h^^d of Prince 
William Sound, though further south than Cook's Inlet, is 
not nearly so desirable from the sportsman's standpoint. 
The timbered lowlands are much more closely hemmed 
in by rugged mountains, and the climate is not nearly so 
Forest and stream. 
pleasani Rains and' fogs are of dommon occurrence, and 
owing to the heavy snowfall of 8 to to feet in winter the 
timber line along the coast is a thousand feet lower than at 
Cook's Inlet. 
Mr, F. C. Schrader, who incidentally lost nearly the 
whole summer as a result of the non-appearance of the 
reindeer which were to convey him into the interior, has " 
the following to say of the fish, game and other life of 
this section : 
"In the lakelets in the Copper River country several 
species of handsome lake trout occur, but the fish most 
relied upon for subsistence by the natives is the salmon, 
notably the king salmon, which normally ascends the 
Copper and its tributaries in great numbers annually. 
Large quantities had already been dried by the prospectors 
on Lake Klutena early in August, and the fish wefe still 
running late in September between Taral and Copper 
Center. 
"There is large game in the Copper Basin — several 
species of bear, caribou, and some moose. In the moun- , 
tains toward the coast Rocky Mountain sheep were shot ' 
by prospectors, and wolf are also said to occur. Beaver 
are present on most of the tributaries and lakelets. Red 
and gray squirrel, though usually of small size, are 
abundant throughout the timber. No rabbits were seen by 
us, though they were long ago reported by Allen. Porcu- 
pine. are common. A species of field mouse was seen, and 
a third-grown or dwarf frog. 
"The eagle, black crow, hawk, goose, duck, ptarmigan, 
grouse, sea gull, sandpiper, snowbird, American robin, 
brown thrush, oriole, blackbird, woodpecker and many 
other migratory species of birds were seen. 
"During the months of May, June and July the- mosquito 
is a veritable pest. Sand flies and gnats also occur later 
in the season. Flies, grasshoppers, beetles, butterflies, 
moths and several species of Neuroptera were seen on 
the mountain slopes at the foot of Lake Klutena late in 
August." 
The Tanana* 
The Tanana is a central Alaskan river flowing into the 
Yukon 800 miles above its mouth. Its general direction 
is A\>est, and it hes between the Upper Yukon and the 
coast. Game, as elsewhere in the interior, is a rather 
uncertain quantity. Messrs. Peters and Brooks state: 
"Moose, caribou and several varieties of bear are com- 
mon in many parts of the basins, while the mountain goat 
and the big-horn are found in the higher mountains. One 
of the chief sources of the food supply of the natives is 
the salmon, which ascend the White probaljly as far as 
the Klotassin and the Tanana to about the foot of Bates 
Rapids." 
Forty-Mile Creek. 
Of the neighborhood of Forty-Mile Creek, which rises 
in American territory and flows into the Yukon a short 
distance above the international boundary, the report 
presents the following interesting facts: 
"Moose, caribou, black and brown bear and mountain 
goat are found in this section, and the big-horn or moun- 
tain sheep is said to live on the east side of the Yukon. 
On the bare hill summits numerous ptarmigan are found. 
The moose are rather scarce, and as a rule are found in 
the thick brush along the streams. 
"The caribou are quite numerous and are found in small 
bands on the ridge;s during the summer. In winter they 
herd, and are said to migrate. Thev are easily killed, since 
they are curious and will approach close, and large num- 
bers are killed everj' winter by the Indians. The remains 
of a brush fence that extended for several miles were 
found by our party. There were openings at intervals in 
this fence, and some rawhide lariats cached near one of 
these openings made it clear to us that in the openings 
nooses were set and the caribou trapped. 
"Grayling are found in most of the streams, and in 
the deep pools of even small ones. King and dog salmon 
ascend the Yukon in July, August and September. They 
are caught in great numbers by the Indians and dried for 
winter use and for dog feed. The king salmon is 
especially good eating, although not very plentiful; but 
even the dog salmon is a grateful change from bacon." 
In a general way it is stated with regard to the Yukon 
district that the large game has been for the most part 
driven awa}'- from the vicinity of the mining camps and 
the more frequented routes of travel, while wildfowl are 
still abundant. In various parts of the district moose, 
barren-ground and woodland caribou, several varieties of 
bear, together with mountain goats and sheep are found; 
but the fur trade has nearly ceased. It is also stated that 
the salmon which ascend most of the tributaries of the 
Yukon for long distances furnish one of the main sources 
of the food supply of the Indians. Rabbits, which at 
times of plenty are an important article of diet, have for 
the past few years been almost an unknown quantity all 
over Alaska.. They are periodically carried of! by plague. 
A few years hence we may look for their return in con- 
siderable numbers, and count with equal confidence upon 
a renewal of the fur industry in the interior, as the foxes 
and smaller carnivora will multiply and keep pace with the 
rabbits. 
On the coast in the neighborhood of Prince William 
Sound and elsewhere the business of raising blue foxes - 
for their pelts has attained a considerable development. 
A countrj' which promises well for the sportsman and 
which seems to have been pretty generally overlooked by 
traders and prospectors is that adjacent to Bristol Bay, 
and particularly along the lower course of the Nushagak 
River. The valley of the Nushagak is said to be densely 
wooded, and in one of its tributaries trees are found 
which attain a diameter often in excess of 3 feet. Reports 
indicate that this is the coming moose country of Alaska. 
Cook Inlet is a little tod well advertised to last. 
J. B. BUKNHAM, 
443 
-^-^ . . ^YT^Trrr-'- ^ ^g 
NOTICE. 
The New York Clearing House has adopted new regulations 
governing 'the collection of checks and drafts on banks outside of 
Uie city. This entails a collection expense on those who receive 
such checks. Our patrons are requested, therefore, in making 
their remittances to send postal or express money order, postage 
stamps, or check or draft on a York city banK or other New 
York curreot (undj. 
A Nightingale's Outing in Brooklyn 
Streets. 
Just a week has passed since we extended an open- 
window invitation to Daulitis luscinia, a long-time guest 
of ours, of classical fame, to take an outing and graciously 
condescend to become acquainted with life as found in a 
Brooklyn street. 
Our offer was not hastily acted upon. 
But by certain graceful gestures, characteristic of such 
folk of gentle breeding, not easy to describe, it was plainly 
to be seen that our courtesy in the matter was well under- 
stood. 
Now, heretofore on several occasions when we have 
extended similar acts of courtesy to our guests of the 
feathered race, but of commoner sort, we have been sorely 
grieved to note with what unseemly haste our kind offices 
have been taken advantage of— indeed, with that sort of 
folk their unmannerly way amounted to nothing more 
than a sudden rush through the window and a departure 
without even a note of thanks thrown backward. 
But to be sure, from such folks — mere flyaways, any- 
how-^nothing better could have been expected of their ill 
breeding. Not thus was the way of our sedate and high- 
toned Philomela. 
From the table on which stood her cage, with door 
open, to the window sill she leisurely flitted, and then, 
standing on. the outer edge for a moment, she would 
crane her neck, cant her head with graceful turn, peer 
curiously up and down the stret and return to the start- 
ing place for further reflection. Every now and then these 
actions were repeated, until nearly an hour had elapsed 
and we had almost concluded that she was not in the 
mood for an outing. 
But finally we missed her from the room. 
Now this is the season and time when "Philomela her 
tongueless vigil keeps," as the poet expresses it, and her 
departure therefore was made without adieus. 
Dropping my pen and looking through the window, I 
presently caught sight of her as she sat on a branch of 
the maple just in front. She was calmly preening her 
feathers and seemed well pleased with the prospect. 
Now, lodged in the branches of this tree, which grows 
at the curbstone, are to be seen two nests, bulky and 
roughly made, from which during the present season sev- 
eral broods of young house sparrows have emerged, and 
while I stood watching a score or more of the feathered 
gamins were twittering and gossiping among the leaves. 
But none of them by his actions appeared to evince the 
slightest curiosity as to the presence among them of so 
distinguished a stranger. 
As I stood now an interested observer, a female sparrow 
flew up from the pavement carrying a mouthful of food 
and alighted by the side of the nightingale. Instantly 
from, a near parallel branch a pair of noisy younglings 
came fluttering and with more than half-fledged awk- 
wardness plumped themselves down, one on each side of 
dignified Philomela, who, straightening herself up to full 
height, eyed them in mild surpise. The mother bird im- 
mediately began to pop food into the gaping mouth of the 
fledgling on the right, who was crowding and twinkling 
his wings against the stately stranger, while his brother 
on the left, now frantic at being separated, began scream- 
ing and struggling in desperate effort to scramble, under 
or over the obstacle to his share of the provender. This 
crowded all four birds into a quivering bunch, and it was 
exceedingly curious and entertaining to observe how our 
gifted pet was in some measure able to maintain her equi- 
poise and calm dignity in the melee, and yet scorning to 
beat a retreat. Presently, however, the mother bird 
darted down to the pavement; the unfed scrambler from 
the left tumbled after her, and his stuft'ed brother on the 
right settled down on the branch with an air of indolent 
satisfaction to digest his meal. Our prima donna then 
quietly sidled a few inches away from the sleepy young 
gamin, leisurely rearranged her disturbed toilet and then 
softly flitted to a branch of the mulberry tree shading the 
front of the house next door below. 
Toward evening, as I again stood at the window, the 
nightingale had returned to and was resting on the same 
branch of the maple. We now tried coaxing words and 
offered tid-bits as bribes to induce our bird to come 'in 
for the night, but failed of success. 
It might here be proper to tell that the block in which 
we reside is situated about a mile eastwardly from the 
City Hall and between two of Brooklyn's busiest thor- 
oughfares; and for a residence block it is favored, or 
troubled, with about an average share of noisy traffic, ped- 
dlers, mischievous small boys and marauding cats. Our 
block, however, is notable, we think, for its goodly show- 
ing of shade trees and the houses mostly have grass- 
terraced courtyards in front. Some of these courtyards are 
also set oft', as is ours, with a few ornamental shrubs, and 
shrub-bordered alleys lead from, them to gardens in the 
rear. 
The next morning early, looking down from the win- 
dow, I espied Philomela in the courtyard searching for 
her breakfast. I immediately filled her own cup, from 
which she had long been accustomed to feed, with tooth- 
some morsels, to to speak, and hurriedly descending 
placed it under, the spirea bush, while within a few feet 
of me she stood on the ground bowing, in manner char- 
acteristic of her species, the compHraents of the morning. 
She was looking bright and chipper after her night of 
camping out. After I had backed away a few steps she 
flitted to the cup, scanned its contents and without par- 
taking of any portion turned indift'erently way. 
After we had breakfasted, and as for a while, through the 
basement window, we watched, we saw our bird dart up 
from the ground to the rim of an urn, seize and carry 
away in her bill something whitish to the concealment of 
a thick clump of mulberrj' sprouts. Was she feeding on 
the caterpillar of the tussock moth? This occurred to our 
mind only becau,se such game was quite too plentiful, to 
the detriment of the beauty of the trees in our block. But 
we could scarcely believe that our dainty warbler would 
refuse our choicest morsels in order to tickle her palate 
with such husks as these. ^ ' 
We had heretofore on many ciccasions tested the appe- 
