FOREST AND STREAM 
185 
is a noble looking king of the forest, and will be a large 
specimen of the rare black-maned lion. 
As a general thing, a lioness is most fierce and ferocious 
looking ; but “ Marlhy ” seems to be an exception to the gen- 
eral rule, as she has a fine looking face, although her eyes look 
a trifle roughish. 
They have become very much attached to me, and are as 
well pleased to see me, after a few hours absence, as children. 
They are quite affectionate, and love to be petted, although 
they take but little notice of strangers. They have never 
shown any disposition to do me an injury of any kind. 
Yours, respectfully, M. K. Lincoln. 
Zoological Society op Cincinnati.— The Report of the 
Zoological Society of Cincinnati for the year 1877 is an 
evidence of the success of such an institution when con- 
ducted with the ability shown by the managers of this 
society. The total receipts of the Garden for the post 
year were §6,186.93 in excess of those for 1876. ThiB is an 
indication that the Gardens are gaining increasing popularity 
as a pleasure resort. The success of the present efficient 
manager, Mr. H. P. Ingalls, and his assistant, Mr. Frank J. 
Thompsop, in their care of the specimens under their charge, 
is a subject of much congratulation among the trustees. The 
total number of specimens in the Garden, Dec. 31, 1877, was 
885, of which were mammals, 317 ; aves, 528 ; reptilia, 38. 
In Cincinnati, as in New York, the sea lions are the great 
objects of interest, and curious crowds are always to be found 
about their pond. In the report we find this very curious in- 
cident : 
‘‘The successful rearing of a pair of lion whelps by a fe- 
male leopard, who acts as foster mother to them, is one of the 
most interesting features of the entire menagerie. About 
three we eks after their birth the mother ceased to take any 
notice of them. A Newfoundland slut was immediately pro- 
cured, which nursed them for a short time, after which they 
were transferred to the cage of the female leopard and young. 
She instantly to:>k them iu charge, and since has evinced the 
same love and care for them as for her own whelp. They are 
still under her motherly protection, and are growing to be fine, 
hearty specimens, constantly playiug and tumbling about the 
deu with their foster sister.” 
Tne Linnean Society -of New York. — There was organ- 
ized iu this city, on the evening of March 7, under the above 
name, a society which promises in the future to do good 
work for American science. That this is true no one will 
doubt who reads the names of the ten founders, all of whom 
are well known to workers in their several departments, while 
several of them have a reputation which is more than merely 
local. The object of this society is the promotion of the 
study of Natural History in its widest sense, and we do not 
hesitate to predict for it a future of great usefulness. The 
strength of the organization will be seen in the following list 
of original members: John Burroughs, Harrold Herrick, H. 
B. Bailey, of Cambridge, Ernest Iugersoll, Fred H. Hoadly, 
M. D., E. P. Bicknell, Will C. Osborn, Franklin Benner, C. 
Hart Merriam, Newbold P. Lawrence. The officers of the 
society are: Pres., C. H. Merriam; VicerPres., H. Herrick; 
Sec'y, E. Ingersoll ; Treas., H. B. Bailey. At a second meet- 
ing a constitution and by-laws were adopted, after which Mr. 
E. P. Bicknell read an extremely interesting paper on the 
“ Winter Fauna of Iiiverdale-on-the- Hudson and Vicinity.” 
We lender this band of young aud vigorous workers our best 
wishes for their success. 
A Large Amblystoma.— A correspondent sends us the 
following note, and desires to be informed on the points men- 
tioned. In reply we may say that the so-called “lizard ” was 
apparently not a lizard at all, but one of the Urodtla, or 
Tailed Batrachians, an order belonging to the class Amphibia , 
which includes frogs, toads, newts, sirens, etc. The descrip- 
tion applies so well to Amblystoma punctalum that there is 
little doubt that the animal belonged to that species. It was, 
however, an unusually large specimen. Lizards always have 
a rough, harsh and scaly skin, while the Urodtla is always 
soft and tender. Our correspondent’s note reads as follows : 
“ On March 7, while having an old hot-bed dug out, a very 
large specimen of the lizard tribe was unearthed by the spade. 
I would have forwarded it to you for examination, but found 
it almost impossible to touch or manipulate it in any way, as 
it was so tender and soft that its skin abraded and burst at 
the slightest touch. I inclose accurate measurements and 
description of the reptile, and would like to know what it is 
and if commonly found so large in this latitude. Total 
length, 8: } inches ; length of head, 1 inch ; breadth of head, 
4 inch ; length of body between front and hind legs, 2jf 
inches ; length of tail back of hind legs, 3$ inches ; front legs, 
3 inch long, 4 toes ; hind legs, 1 inch long, 5 toes ; color on 
upper side of head, back, tail and sides, bright bluish black, 
interspersed with thirty bright yellow spots ^ inch in diame- 
ter, two similar colored, but smaller, spots on each leg ; color 
of sides, lighter shades of blue, verging upon white on 
belly, and speckled with minute white spots ; sides were 
marked with transverse indentatrums running regularly from 
near head to nearly the end of tail ; weight, about \ lb. 
Another Little Auk.— U pon reading “ A Little Auk on 
Shore ” in a late number, I was reminded of one that 1 found 
under very similar circumstances about three months ago. 
I was spending a few days, gunning, at Chatham, Mass., in 
the latter part of November. Upon my return from a cluck- 
ing trip late one afternoon, while passing through a field just 
outside of the village, a white object In the grass struck my 
eye. Upon coming nearer I found it to be the breast of an 
odd-looking bird, still warm, but dead. It proved to be a 
little uuk, aud upon my return to the city 1 had it set up. 
The field was over half a mile from the water, and the cape 
is, I believe, at this point, from ten to fifteen miles wide. 
Boston, Feb. 23, 1878. Hunter. 
Early Snipe. — A correspondent, Mr. James Chubb, 
writing from Cleveland, Ohio, under date March 11, says : 
“ Was out shootiDg on Saturday and bagged two Wilson 
snipe, and think it early and unusual for this pluce. On 
looking over my register, which I have kept for years, dating 
back as far as 1849, 1 see in that year, or rather ’48, 1 bagged 
two snipe Dec. 29, and in the spring following, March 25, 
bagged seventeen more. This was a very mild winter indeed 
The last snipe this season I killed Nov. 20. On March 14, 
1850, I killed five snipe ; March 17, 1851, two snipe ; March 
14, 1853, nine snipe ; March 17, 1859, twelve snipe ; so you 
find this year is earlier than any year here that snipe have 
been shot at all. My sons killed a brace a lew years since, I 
believe March 12, but my experience for thirty years shoot- 
ing has been that a snipe has not been shot here as early as 
the present brace. I don't mean I’ve only shot thirty years, 
as I have shot over half a century, aud am able to day to 
travel and bag as many head of game as any young man if he 
doesn’t keep his eyes open and embrace every opportunity." 
Like all other birds, snipe appear to be coming on much in 
advance of their usual time. We killed one in Connecticut, 
March 16, which is considerably earlier than wo have ever ob- 
served them there before, aud they were reported from Mas- 
sachusetts nearly a week before that date. 
Medford Notes.— Medford, Mass., Feb. 23. — Fox hunting 
prevailed in the neighborhood this week. One that had thrice 
eluded the hounds during the past two weeks was at lost 
“ brought to bag ” on Penn Hill, Jan. 10. Early the next day 
an “ old setter ” was started in the “ backwoods," and after a 
fine run of ten hours was shot on Bear llill, in Stoneliam, 
several miles from his usual runs • • « Not until 
this week did I learn that the snow bunting ( Pkctrophanes 
nivalis), had been with us this winter. A small flock was 
seen on College Hill Jan. 13, but being rather shy and rather 
disposed to flight, only one bird was secured. I think they 
have been unusually rare this winter, for this is the only in- 
stance of the nivalis being seen in this vicinity. Memoir. 
leet or more at me with forked tongue. I «trnck without hitting several 
times. The snake ran, stopped, raised up at me again. I made several 
strokes, bntconld not hit him, although raised right In front of me. 
Ue ran again, and raised his head- with forked tongue almost In my 
face. At last, the third attack, 1 lilt him and then killed him. Before 
getiing througU the woods I heard another rattling the leaves— I aid not 
look him up. 
I made experiments with font others of the samo kind of snakes the 
same summer— none lessjthaa five to fix feet In length. I had learned 
to look but a few moments at a time after tho first adventure. As soon 
as tho prismatic colors began to appear beautiful I turned my eyes. 
Thu last ono attempting to charm me, I called two of my brothers who 
were near. \\ e all witnessed the snake's mode, one at a time. To first 
arrest the eye they rattle the loaves to make a noise. Yon turn aud 
look, aud Instantly the tail begins a rapid vibration, that destroys dis- 
tinct appearance of any form. Soon the colors begin to appear aud 
commingle so beautifully that you have no desire to look away or turn 
your eyes. The lougor you look tho more beautiful they become, and 
the more desire to look at them. Wo looked at tho snake alternately, 
and then would turn each other away. When we all looked away he 
stopped. Let any of us movo, ho rattled the leaves ; if wo looked at 
him. he began to charm till we looked off. Ho knew Instantly when 
we turned our eyes from him. 
Our experiment continued a halt hour, till we wore welt and fully 
satisfied of snakes’ powers to fascinate, and their mode. 1 have tried 
to give os clear an idea of the fact as I can. But no description can bo 
glveu so that, unseen, It can be comprehended— it must be seen. Tho 
modo l give— the tail Is used, and not the eyes. If the serpent of Eden 
produced the exquisite combination of colors In that fruit that thero li 
the oharmer's tall— well, Eve, I forgive you. Lotron, 
WHO CAN EXPLAIN IT? 
What Animal Bolts and Eatb a Fox ?— Weston, VI., 
March 11, 1878.— I think 1 can explain the mystery of the 
mutilated fox found by the Clinton fox hunters. When bitch 
foxes are caught in a steel trap during the period of heat they 
are frequently badly bitten, and sometimes killed outright, by 
dog foxes. Dog foxes are never so treated, nor are bitches, 
except in season. Why these things are thus is what no fel- 
low can find out. I have caught, by steel trap, between two 
aud three thousand foxes in the past thirty years, and have 
had many foxes badly bitten aud a few killed, as above men- 
tioned. Once I caught the dog fox in the act of killing, 
having nearly severed the head. 1 shot him “on the spot.” 
It is very common for foxes to rob a steel trnp of animals 
caught therein by gnawing off the captured leg. The fox 
never devours his prey on the spot where caught, but drags 
it some distance away. Bitches are in “season” from De- 
cember to February, according to age ; the oldest are earliest. 
If there was snow on the ground the hunters ought to have 
found tracks of the destroyer. Oorp’l Lot Warfield. 
Ornithology. — We have received from the Smithonian In- 
stitution the very valuable report of Professor Robert Ridg- 
way, on the Ornithology of the Route of the Geological Ex- 
ploration of the Fortieth Parallel. It forms a most interesting 
addition to the other special reports which have resulted from 
Professor Hayden’s survey. 
The English Sparrows in Gbobqia. — The English spar- 
rows have now spread themselves as far south as Georgia, as 
will appear from the following letter, dated 
Myrtle Grove, Bryan Go., March 17, 1S78. 
Mr. Editor: 
The English sparrows have reached as. I saw one early last week, 
and yesterday a frleDd of mine saw another. There can bo no doubt 
abont this, as we both watched the birds for some time, and noticed 
the p umage and movements carefully. These birds were seen on the 
rice fields, about fifteen miles from Savannah. 
Geo. Lyman Appleton. 
Philadelphia Zoological Gardens.— The bill recently 
introduced into the Legislature to clese the Philadelphia Zoo- 
logical Garden on the Sabbath has been defeated. 
SNAKE FASCINATION. 
St. Joseph, Midi., Feb. 25, ISIS. 
Many and marvelous are the cases I have heard related of snakes 
charming persons, birds and small animals. In most discussions Borne 
believe, some doubt, and most think If they do It at all, they do It with 
the eye. Writers on natural history, as far as I know, do not believe 
they have any such power. The best evidence to any one Is his own 
senses, the only difficulty being that senses do not clearly apprehend 
the facts and phenomena as they actually exist. To establish uuy point 
in natural history Is only to clearly apprehend facts as they are. If all 
ihe writers on science saw things as they really are, there would bo 
absolutely no disagreement. 
That there Is a power of fascination, charming .perhaps mesmerism), 
possessed by snakes Is to me a fact, and although It Is a snake story, 
jtlll I write what 1 know. Snake3 can chaim-they can fascinate ; of 
lhat I have had ample experience. At the age of about eighteen, In the 
own of Lyme, Conn., where I was brought up, my father had a shad 
fishery on the Connecticut River. One morning In April I was sent to 
,-arry a fish to my sister, about two miles distant. Part way there I 
look a wood road through a rocky and bushy place, where the timber 
pad been cut. Carrying tbe fish on a little cane stick on my shoulder, 
my attention was arrested by hearing a rattling In tho dry leaves a rod 
>r more from me. Stopping, I looked, and saw a large black snake 
■Coluber constrictor), five to six feet In length. 8ome two or three Inches 
if the end of the tall was In rapid vibration or quivering, which made 
;he noise by rattling the dry leaves. I had seen small striped snakes do 
something like It. and thought nothing of It. I stood to look at It with 
my stick on my shoulder, not conclous of any danger, having seen and 
tilled of such snakes, perhapi hundred*. Iu a few momenta the vlbra- 
Lion was so rapid that I coaid only see It without any form. It was like 
, splint or straw In a strong wind, fastened at one end. so rapid was Its 
motion. Soon after looking at It, the vibrating portion began to show 
ill the prismatic colors with such beauty of combination that no lan- 
guage cau describe It. Seemingly, they went through a million of com-, 
blnations and mingling of colors, changes and recombinations with 
every tint of shade, Instantly. I stood enchanted at the most beautiful 
sight I ever beheld, unconscious of danger I Did I say enchanted 7— 
charmed — fa^clna cQ I 
There I stood, lost in ecstacy, without, motion-bow long I do not 
\iy eyes at first seemed a little blurred or dimmed. There was 
apleasantjdizzy sensation In my forehead. The first I knew I felt rny- 
JeU falling to the ground. The partial falling frightened me. and ,n 
saving ttie fall. It turned my eyes from the snake. I felt dU/.y-eyes 
htnrred— muscles and nerves unsteady. In my fright at my condition I 
went for that snake with my staff. He stood ground, and raised up two 
New York, Feb. 27, lsrs. 
Editor Forest and Stream and Rod and Gun: 
A relative of mine purchased a farm on Long Island last summer, 
and when he took possession found thoreon among tho belongings a 
couple of drakes and one duck. It appeared that tho duok hud stolen 
her nest and was silling under tho barn, and lu due time, to my rela- 
tive’s surprise, she led forth twomy-t^ve youug aud lively ducklings. 
How she covered so many eggs was a inyBtery ; but the problem that 
suggested itself to my mind was this : If a duck only lays one egg per 
day (and 1 do not know that tlioy evor lay more), It must havu taken 
tins individual fowl twonty-flvo days to produce hor neatfui of eggs, 
which, of course, would tuuko a difference of that numbor of duys m 
the age of tho first and last egg. Please to recollect this happened 
In July, tho hottest period of tho yoar, and usually au egg becomea 
stale lu three or four days In summer, uml Is spoiled In a week or so. 
Now, my first query Is, “ How woro the first eggs preserved from spoil- 
ing ?" and my second Is, “ How did the lust laid egg hatch at tho sumo 
time that the first laid did 7” for they all came out on tho samo day. I 
urn aware that ordinarily, In puttlqg oggs under a fowl, they all usually 
hatch within a day or so of each other; but, In such cases, the eggs uro 
not brooded by the fowl previously, as most have happened in this case. 
The duck must have sat upon the eggs In the nest somo time during 
each day nntll the whole twonty-flvo wore laid. I should like somo ouo 
who Is posted on suoh matters to give an optnlou. 
Yours truly, lNQutnKij. 
[The difference in time between the laying of egg No. 1 
and egg No. 25 would not necessarily make apy difference in 
the time of hatching, provided the bird only remained on tho 
nest each day long enough to deposit au egg. Why egg No. 
1 did not spoil before incubation commenced is another and 
more difficult question.— Ed.] 
. — > 
Circular Relating to Collections op Living Reptiles.— 1 Tho 
Smithsonian Institution Is at present euguged In tho preparation, lor 
exhibition In the National Museum, of a series of plaster casts of 
American reptiles taken from the living or recently dead specimens, 
and carefully colored from nature. For this purpose It respectfully in- 
vites contributions of the following objects : 
First— Specimens of any of the turtles and terrapins found In yonr 
vicinity, with Information as to whether the collection embraces all 
the species known; and, If not, whether others may be looked for 
hereafter. 
Second— The largest procurable specimens of sorpents, with the 
exception of the polBonons kinds (such as rattlcsuakcs, copperheads 
and moccasins), In reference to tho transmission of which further and 
special correspondence Ib requested. 
Third— The various kinds of salamanders, wator-llzards or ground- 
pnpples, to Include tho largo hell-bender of tho western waters, tho 
mud-pup or water-lizard of tlio northern lakes or Mcmbranchus, tho 
Congo eel or ground puppy {Siren and Avipliiuma) of the Southern rico 
fields, oto., as well os the smaller kinds found In damp places under 
stones and logs. A series of tho frogs will also bo acceptable. 
All these animals should be suitably boxed and transmitted, as far as 
possible, alive ; or, If dead, packed In Ico, so as to Itisnro their coming 
In good condition. Tho serpents require no special precautions in tho 
way of packing; If of nearly the samo size several may Ixf sent to 
gether. If the disproportion be very great, thero Is, however, danger 
that tho larger may devour the smaller. No rattlcsDakes, copperheads 
or moccasins should bo transmitted. The turtles should he wrapped 
or sewed up In somo kind of cloth so as to prevent friction. They 
should not be sent loose with the softer objects. Serpents rcqulro no 
moisture ; frogs’ and salamanders should bo packed with wet moss. 
Among the turtles should bo Included the soR-sholl species, tho true 
terrapins, tlio land tortoises, etc. 
Single specimens of any living roptlles, as well as larger numbers, 
Including duplicates, will ulwuys be gladly reoelved, and duo acknowl- 
edgment made for the same. Tho largest procurable representatives 
of each species Is desirable. Transmissions may be made by any ex- 
press company, freight to be paid In Washington. 
Joseph Hbnry, Secretary 8. 1. 
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, Feb. 1, 1878. 
Animals Received at Central Park Menagerie for Were End- 
ing March 23, 1876.— Ono black-eared marmoset, UapaU penedllata, 
and ono apeUa monkey, Cebus apella, presented by Mr. W. R. Tice. 
Brooklyn; two Stanley cranes, TeXraptcrpx parwlisea, Uab. South Africa; 
two white-headed doves, Columba leuoerphala, Uab. Uuytl ; two wild 
cats, Lynx ru/us; three lions, Fells teo, bred lu the menagerie.. 
W. A. Conklin, Director. 
arrivals at the Philadelphia Zoological Garden, Fairmou t 
Park, March 19, i87s.-One zebu, //»» imtieus, boro lu the garden ; one 
Cuban chameleon, presented ; one tree boa, R pier alt* an, r „U/er, p c- 
•eutrd ; two ADgorB NO is, Capra hircus. born In tne Kttrd.-U ; > wo 
woodchucks, Arctumjt monax, presented; ono raccoon, Prucpon tutor , 
presented. Arthur E. Brown, Gou’l supt. 
—A few gentlemen wishing to Join a first-class shooting and fishing 
association can hear of a favorable opportunity by addressing Game. 
this office.— (/lii 
