Jam. 13, tgoo.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
81 
the eagle screams its loudest. If it is the truth, why not 
admit it? It is not all of fishculture to hatch fish eggs 
znd turn the fry when, hatched into the streams and 
ponds. One of the things I have had in mind when I 
have made my oflfensive statements is contained in an 
advertisement of an English trout farm in Surrey: "The 
rearing of the larvje of May-flies has been carried out on 
a more extensive scale during the past summer, and 
we are able to offer a large quantity of these for sale. 
We can also undertake to supply fertilized May-fly eggs 
next June. Orders for these should be given early in 
June." Food for fishes, insect and crustacean, is as neces- 
.sary for the welfare of fishes almost as water, and when 
any American fish breeder breeds insect food to feed 
the fishes he hatches I will withdraw all remarks I have 
made of the nature indicated above, unless our friends 
over the water make -other advances. 
A. N. Cheney. 
Winged Enemies of Fish. 
From the Report of the New York Commissioners of Fisheries, Game 
and Forests. 
Some idea of the serious loss of fish and fish eggs caused 
by myriads of enemies in and about the waters is con- 
veyed in a paragraph of Dr. Day's book upon the Brit- 
ish and Irish Salmonidic. He says: "So enormous is 
the loss which occurs among the eggs and young, that 
in such a river as the Severn the annual produce of sal- 
mon and grilse at the present time (1887) consists of about 
20,000 fish. Were all the ova of one female salmon of 
about 20 pounds weight to be hatched and attain maturity 
they would suffice for keeping up the stock to its present 
condition." The Severn is 200 miles Ipng and receives 
five principal tributaries, 
Chief among the destroyers of fish are certain birds 
and winged insects. The common crow, the crow black- 
bird, awks, hluejay. some owls, grebes, gulls and terns 
have the reputation of poaching to some extent, but their 
depredations are much less in our State than the ravages 
of such birds for example as the herons, kingfisher, cer- 
tain ducks, loons and fish-hawk. Chief among these is 
the 
Night Heron. 
In the report of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission 
for 1897, Dr. B. H. Warren publishes some interesting 
notes on the destructive work of the black crown night 
heron.. In a small pool at Westchester, Pa., twenty-five 
goldfish were placed. Two night herons caught all but 
one of them before the following morning. A night 
heron killed near a branch of White Clay Creek, in Penn- 
sylvania, had the tail of a common sucker of about 12 
inches long projecting 4 inches beyond its bill. The head 
and shoulders, except the bony portion, were eaten away 
by the gastric juice of the stomach. Dr. Warren exam- 
ined the stomachs of about twenty of these herons which 
were shot in June near their breeding ground, and found 
fish remains in all of them. 
In July, 1883, Dr. Rttdolph Plessel shot a night heron 
containing the heads of seventy-eight young carp. This 
bird is sometimes called blue heron, and is also quite 
generally called a crane, but this is erroneous. It is 
found in large numbers, and in the breeding season forms 
rookeries which are a serious xiienace to the fishing 
waters of the neighborhood. It is extremely shy and 
cautious, fishing chiefly at night or early in the morning. 
It stands perfectly motionless in the water until a fish 
comes within reach, when it strikes with its long, sharp, 
heavy bill, which deals death to any of the fish kind. 
They have been caught in steel traps set in ponds with- 
in 20 feet of a hatchery building. The traps are set in 
shallow water, taking precaution to secure them so as 
to prevent the bird flying away with them. When a 
heron is captured in a trap he should be killed at once 
with a long club or a load of shot. Great care should be 
taken to keep out of the reach of his murderous bill. 
Once I had the misfortune to be struck by a wounded 
heron, and I am sure that if his bill had struck me 
squarely on tlie hand it wquld have gone entirely through. 
As it was, the blow was a glancing one, striking me on 
the knuckle, but it stripped oft' the flesh to the very bone. 
I have sometimes heard a great flopping and disturb- 
ance in the waters of our Caledonia trout brook at night, 
and upon going to the place in the morning found heron 
tracks in the mud and sometimes a trout from pound 
to 2 pounds in weight, and occasionally larger, with a 
hole in its back or side into which you could put your 
finger. 1 always supposed the fish escaped on account 
of its being too strong and lively for the heron, although 
mortally wounded-. I have seen as many as a dozen 
6-inch trout in the throat and stomach of a heron -killed 
in the early morning hours. 
In Germany and elsewhere in Europe herons work 
great injury to the fish culturists. In the Government 
fisheries the regulations prescribe that they must be 
killed and their roosts destroyed, but in spite of tliese 
measures their numbers are seriously large in many 
places, and owners of ponds trap them with steel traps 
baited with fish. 
The small green heron and the bittern are also in the 
list of fish destroyers, but they are less destructive than 
the night heron on account of their smaller size, but 
their presence about fish preserves is not at all beneficial 
and they should be killed. 
Ktngfishett 
The kingfisher is one of the most active, impudent and 
persistent of the enemies of fish wherever found, and it 
is only too abundant for the good of angling. According 
to Dr. Brehm/ the common European kingfisher on the 
average destroys daily ten or twelve fish, each about as 
long as a man's finger. In fourteen years a German fish 
culturist caught upwards of 700 kingfishers near his 
trout ponds. The bird is equally abundant and quite as 
destructive in New York, and may be regarded as one 
of the pests afflicting the fish culturlst. 
I have known of upwards of 180 kingfishers being de- 
stroyed on one-half mile of Caledonia Spring Creek in 
one season ; the)' were shot and trapped. 
In 1884 I rented an old mill pond in Genesee county, 
N. Y., posted it with a view of making a trout preserve, 
as the pond was fed by- cold spring brooks aad contained 
nothing but trout. I visited the pond on an average once 
in two weeks with a few friends for a day's sport. No- 
ticing that the kingfishers were quite numerous, I sug- 
gested to the farmer's son residing near by, and who also 
watched the ponds for me, that if he would trap and 
shoot the kingfishers I would give him 10 cents each. 
This was followed up until I found it most too expensive, 
as the young man produced the heads or bodies of from 
ten to thirty kingfishers every time I visited the place. 
The clattering notes of this bird are heard from early 
in the spring until cold weather, and even before the 
spring season is open, as if impatient for it to come. 
He is never satisfied, being on the lookout from daylight 
until dark, and is ever ready for a plunge into the water 
at sight of his prey, He can take as many fish as the 
average sportsman. 
In the article of Dr. Warren above referred to are some 
accounts of the destruction wrought by the belted king- 
fishers. Mr. C. K. Sober, of Lewisburg, Pa., found thir- 
teen small brook trout in one of these birds which was 
shot on Baker Run. An acquaintance of Dr. Warren 
some years ago had a large number of goldfish in a 
pond. Two pairs of kingfishers built their nests in a 
sand bank near the pond. In one summer these birds de- 
stroyed nearly all the small sized fish in the place. Out 
of thirty-eight of these birds taken about streams and 
mill ponds, thirty-six contained nothing but fish re- 
mains. 
Kingfishers can be successfully captured in traps fas- 
tened at the top of stakes driven in the bank about trout 
ponds or along trout streams. The stake or pole should 
be from 10 to 15 feet long. If the top of the stake is not 
sufficiently large to support the steel trap, nail a small 
block of wood on the end of the pole. The trap is set 
but not baited. When the trap is set the little plate tliat 
■ springs the trap when disturbed is the highest point of 
the trap. The trap must be securelv fastened to the 
stake by a cord, small wire or chain. The birds on visit- 
ing the ponds or stream will invariably fly to one of 
these stakes, light on the highest point and be captured. 
I have found a small round steel trap (one without the 
shank or tail piece) to be best for this work. One of 
these traps captured twentv-five kingfi.shers in one sum- 
mer at a trout preserve in Cattaraugus county. Of cour,se 
the pole and trap should be set up near a fishing ground 
where the bird maj'- think it is a splendid spot for ob- 
servation. 
Dtfcfcs. 
Domestic ducks as well as geese are great destroyers 
of fish, and should never be allowed on trout waters. I 
have seen a tame duck capture and devour a trout 7 
inches long. They also feed on the natural food of the 
fish. Wild ducks of some species are equally trouble- 
some and especially the mergansers, saw bills, shell- 
drnkes or fish ducks. 
_ The merganser is very destructive at all times, but par- 
ticularly in winter, when most of the streams and lakes 
are frozen over. They often congregate on small streams 
or ponds that do not freeze on account of their uniform 
temperature. These waters are invariably trout waters. 
During^ severe winters this fish duck sometimes remains 
on Ca'edonia Creek for a month at a time. At such 
tinip.s it is very shy, and it is almost impossible to get 
.-1 shot at them, or keep them away from the stream. 
Trout snawning beds arc also tempting spots for the 
fish duck to congregate and feed. I have sometimes 
found red flannel flags placed on poles stuck in the bank 
along the stream useful for scaring the ducks away. 
Loons. 
Dr. Warren examined the stomachs of sixteen loons, 
three of which were the red-throsted species, and found 
remains of fish in thirteen. Fall fish, suckers, carp, cat- 
fish and also a brook trout 7 inches long were found in 
the stomachs of loons killed in Pennsvlvania. 
On the inland lakes of New York these birds subsist 
chiefly upon fish and destrov a jjreat many. In the 
counties of Chester. Delaware. Clinton and Lehieh. Pa., 
the stomach contents of seven loons cantured during the 
winter months consisted enti'-ely of fish bones and scales. 
Loons are sometimes caught alive in pound nets s^t by 
fishermen of the Great Lak^s. or on the sep coast. Thev 
are VFry dangerous to handle on account of the strength 
and sharpness of their bill and their savage disposition. 
Grebes. 
The grebe, known also as hell divers and water witches, 
feed upon fish, frogs, aquatic insects, especially beetles 
and water plants. They nest in streams, lakes and ponds, 
usually building among reeds or rushes, and lay from six 
to eight eggs of uniform color. They are distributed all 
oyer the world, and are everywhere known as expert 
divers and swimmers, and generally destructive to fish. 
The horned or crested grebe lives principally upon 
small fish. These birds are so exceedingly cautious and 
swift in their movements that it is quite difficult to shoot 
them, but by persistent watching it can be accomplished, 
as many duck shooters know. One of the best ways to 
reduce their number is by taking their eggs from the 
rudely con.structed nests in the reeds and thickets close 
to the surface of the water. The eggs of the horned 
grebe are greenish, 
Fish Hawk. 
The depredations of the fish hawk are more frequent 
along the sea coast than on inland waters, but the birds 
are often found along our large rivers and over large 
lakes and ponds. They are usually solitary in spring and 
fall, but sometimes hunt in pairs and will remain about 
mill dams and fish ponds a few days at a time if not 
driven away, 
I have knowm of their taking trout of ^4 pound weight 
from my private trout ponds. 
Dr. Warren examined the stomachs of twenty-three 
and found nothing in them but fish remains. Fish hawks 
are auite common throughout the Adirondack region. 
Goldfish ponds are particularly liable to attack from 
fish hawks, owing to the bright color of their occupants. 
Bald Eagle. 
The national bird usually plays the role of a fish thief, 
his victim being the fish hawk, but occasionally has been 
seen fishing in shallow parts of .small creeks on his own 
account. 
Audubon states that he saw a bald eagle capture a dura-' 
ber of red fins in Ferkiomen Creek, Pa., by wading: 
briskly through the water and striking at them with his. 
bill. On the Island of Kadiak, Alaska, according to Dt. 
Bean, this eagle is actively engaged in fishing, and is 
most abundant around the salmon lakes and shallow bays. 
Many of the observing guides of the Adirondacks will 
tell you how they have seen a bald eagle attack a fish 
hawk in the air, and make him drop the fish he had just, 
captured from the lake below, and before the fish could 
strike the water the eagle would swoop down and catch 
it in his claws, but the eagle is so very scarce in New 
York that it hardly seems right to' recommend their de- 
struction, even if the law would permit it, which it does 
not. 
Barred Owl. 
Although this bird is commonly credited with the de- 
struction of fish food, such as snails, caddis [arvx and' 
crayfish, it has sometimes been accused of catching fish. 
An instance of the capture of a large brook trout at the- 
State hatchery at Allentown, Pa,, of a barred owl was re- 
ported several years ago, and Dr. Warren was informed! 
by residents of Florida, in 1855 that the bird frequently 
caught fish in that State, securing them by dextrous 
movement of the foot while sitting close to the water's 
edge. 
The common hoot owl, or screech owl, quite often 
causes trouble, I have caught them in traps set for musk- 
rats 4 inches under water. They were after the fish food 
of the stream, such as caddis larvse, crayfish, shrimp, etc. 
I have seen two or three quarts of the caddis larvje cases 
in a pile that had been collected from the water by a 
screech owl, the larva: being pulled from the cases and 
devoured by the owl. 
laj ifiotts Insects. 
The damage to fish eggs and young fish caused by in- 
sects and the larvae which pass a portion of their ex- 
istence in water is less noticeable than the injury done 
by birds, but it is much greater than one would suppose: 
without investigation. 
The larvse of the dragon flies and the great water- 
beetles and water bugs are well-known enemies of fish. 
Several kinds of water beetles, particularly the rapacious 
dytiscus. devour fry in enormous numbers, and the great 
water bug, called belostoma by entomologists, is also 
injurious in trout waters. Both the beetles and their larva; 
completely devour eggs and little fish measuring several 
inches in length, while they often eat holes into larger 
fish. This large water beetle often leaves the water, per- 
haps for a little exercise. Whether they fly during day- 
light I cannot say, but I have seen and secured them near 
an electric light located within a short distance of a 
stream. 
We do not see, and therefore do not know, the full ex- 
tent of the depredations continually going on around ns„ 
but when we stop to reahze the fruits of our labor and 
patient expectation we are astonished by the scarcity 
of fish and often inclined to place the blame where it does 
not belog. Nature's checks upon over-production are 
sometimes more efiective than man's most ingenious de- 
vices for the legitimate capture or legal destruction of 
fish; but at the present state of the fishing waters in 
New York it is safe to say that we could get along with- 
out nature's check'". 
, . • J. Annin, Jr., Supt. of Hatcheries. 
The Same Old Lie. 
The Old Sport sat in the stern of the boat. 
And the sweat ran down till the seat was afloat. 
And he wiped his brow on the tail of his coat. 
And says he, "This lake is a-working." 
His face was red and his neck was a sight, 
And he longed for the cooling shades of night, 
And says he, "The reason the fish don't bite 
Is because this lake is a-working." 
Then he got a strike and his line ran out. 
And he upset his bait as he galloped about, 
And he split the air with a gladsome shout, 
"Who says this lake is a-working?" 
He played that fish for an hour or more, 
And he tangled his line and he lost an oar, 
Then his leader parted, and Lord! how he swore. 
At the blamed old lake and its working. 
Then back to his home went the fisherman bold, 
And his hide was the color of rich red gold. 
And he told the same lie that we all have told. 
For says he, "The lake is a-working." 
There may come a time in the bye-and-bye, 
And I hope we will see it — you and I — 
Where a man will invent an original lie. 
And let up on the lake that is "working." 
Dr. F. J. Tompkins,. 
L.\NSINGBURGH, N, Y. 
Trout Fishing: on Spawning Beds. 
South Braintree, Mass., Jan. 6.— Editor Forest and 
Stream: It is seldom that we find a man so foolish as 
to sign his own name to a confession of violation of the 
laws, and worse, to confess to taking trout off their 
spawning beds. A writer in Popular Science for January 
reports : 
"Some weeks since, in company with four other gen- 
tlemen, I went on a hunting and fishing tour for a short- 
tirne in the Yew Pine Mountains of West Virginia. 
"We found the brook trout were laying their eggs in 
the high mountain brooklets and small streams; and often 
found them depositing their eggs at the foot of the small 
clear pools of crystal water. Many of the beautiful 
speckled trout were entirely pent up, as the shallows or 
riffles were entirely dry; but, on account of the leaves 
having mostly fallen, we scarcely could catch a trout. 
However, we managed to procure some fine ones, 12 
inches in length." 
If I can read Game Laws in Brief correctly, the season 
for trout closes in West Virginia on Sept. i, .and this 
man (?) acknowledges in print that he caught thern 
while spawning. Are our West Virginia brethren lost to 
;all sense of shame? This seems to be a case for the game 
I warden. F. A. Bates. 
9 
