T 
the drumming. As some unhealthful or unnatural exoltement will 
cause the hen to crow, and I have seen one hen trying to render male 
services to another hen, I aee no reason why like influences might not 
cause a female partridge to drum. 
Speaking of Albino deer, It might not be Out of place to stale that a 
white deer was killed In the Adirondack region near Cranbnry Lake by 
a young man named Marsh, who was hunting In company with Jas. 
McKee, Jr., of Edwards, N. Y.. in the fall of 75. Mr. McKee requested 
me to confer with some taxidermist abou' preserving It, but what dis- 
position was made of It I have not been Informed. D. C. M. 
Lxnnban Society. — At the meeting of the Linnean Society, 
April 20, a dozen members were present. Mr. George N. 
Lawrence was elected Honorary Member. Papers were read 
by Mr. John Lawrence on the Pilgrim Islands in the St. 
Lawrence, and the birds found breeding there. The secretary 
read a review of Robert Ridgway’s “ Ornithology of the 
Fortieth Parallel.” Also the following communication from 
H. A. Purdie, of Boston, relative to a previous paper : 
“ I read with much interest the Society’s discussion on the 
nests of empidonax traillii and acadicu*. May I ask (referring 
to the eggs of 4 traillii ’ found at Great Manan by Mr. Peat" 
sal) what 4 nearly white ' means ? Does this mean that the 
eggs were not spotted at all, or that the usual creamy tint was 
wanting, though the surface was normally spotted with 
reddish? As but one species of this genus (E. forsiUus) “ 
now recognized as extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific 
coasts, it is interesting to know if both in Grand Manan and 
Dakota it sometimes produces unspotted white eggs. Ihe 
nests at least have much varied, pusdlus building in the West 
an rtcjttco-like structure, traillii , in the Last, a loose, bulky, 
euanospita-WVe home. But, if I am not very ranch mistaken, 
the bird building in hollow trees in California is E. dijjkitis, 
now considered a good species. At any rate, dtfficUu does so 
breed and if pudllus also, it will be a very interesting fact. 
Recently taken and thoroughly identified nests and eggs ot 
E rtaviventris are a great desiderata at the present moment. 
The Smithsonian Institution has three sets labeled jtamveK- 
tris, one with nest-eggs spotted, collected by Mr. Boardman at 
Calais, Me., or its vicinity ; the other sets from Halifax, N. 
8 or Grand Menan, with eggs unspotted. But Messrs. 
Ridgway and Henshaw have lately written me that these two 
6ets strongly resemble eggs of E. minimus ! 
• ^ 
The Sr arrow Vanquished at Last. —We all know that the 
sparrow is a regular prize-fighter, who can whip anything 
feathered of his weight and inches. His prowess is not only 
historical, but self -vaunted ; for does not the pugnacious fel- 
low admit his own murderous deeds in the nursery rhyme, 
where it reads : 
•• Who killed Cook Robin? 
• 1 ,’ said the sparrow." 
But the battle is not always to the strong. The tide 
of victory sometimes sets the other way, as in the in- 
stance which our Salem correspondent relates below. The 
gentleman in genteel dress of blue and buff, it seems, proved 
too much for the * 4 rough ” in rusty brown. Occasionally the 
bully is mistaken in his man. We quote : 
“Mr Editor: Last Wednesday morning a pair of blue 
birds were about my bird house. Soon appeared a troop of 
soarrows and a row occurred, in which a single sparrow and 
a P blue bird had it out, and I am happy to say the blue bird 
ton and the sparrows, all of them, soon cleared out. That 
they* are pugnacious, this fact proves; that hey are more so 
than some natives, Darticularly the swallow IT. bnolod) 1 do 
nnt mean to imply ; but, in our section of the country, I think 
they St be dispensed with. Should think the starlings de- 
Xed in last issue by R. O’C., of Dublin were much better 
birds to import, if necessary to do so at aJ), ^ch Uu^tion. 
Rooming of the Bittern — Editor Forest and Stream.— 
In one of Thoreau’s essays it is stated that the booming of the 
MttSn with which most residents in the country are familiar, 
is produced by the bird by first sucking up a quantity of 
4ate?andthen holding its head up and ejecting it in succe£ 
Iwespurts, uttering at the same time its peculiar cry, hke t^ 
of a stake Can any of your correspondents confirm 
Sro e £ statement I ne^er but on^ saw the bird m 
theact of booming, and then at too great a distance to see the 
curing of water from its bill, if there was any ; but I plara- 
f violent jerking of the head and neck at every cry. 
y Chicago, April 2, 1878. H- W. T. L. 
(This iB a very old notion, and one which has been con- 
firmed by no recent observations. A similar belief was that 
the bill of the bird was put inside of a reed to increase the 
sound. Mr. Endicott, in his admirable article on this species, 
gays: “ The truth is, of course, that the bird uses no meanB 
to produce its bellow but its own organs of v oice. ”-Ed.] 
Sprino Arrivals — Fort Hamilton, L. I., A pril 6- —The 
following species are reported : Feb. 26, bluebirds. I be- 
lieve these have been here the whole winter. They were 
heard in January in Montclair, N. J. March 2, red-winged 
blackbirds ; March 4, cow buntings; March 7, crow black- 
birds (Quiscalus versicolor): Mardh 7, pewees ; April 1, fish- 
hawks - April 5, barn swallow. In your last issue I see an 
account of a cardinal grosbeak seen in Central Park. Two 
JSrs ago my friend, H. A. Wheeler, obtiuned one on Staten 
Island in January. He supposed it to have been an escaped 
bird Your correspondent also speaks of song sparrows as 
early visitors. There is not a day of the year but they can be 
obtained here. u "* 
The European Starling— E ditor Forest and Stream— 
Seeing in your valuable journal the opinion expressed that 
the European starling is a singer, and that being not m ac- 
fordance wth my limited observations of these birds when in 
Europe I addressed the inquiry to the well known ormtholo- 
S?How£d Saunders, Esq., on this point, and here you 
have his answer : “Starling singing! No; no real song, 
but he sometimes whistles half a bar, and t f en T ^Jjf 
and is a good imitator of a whistle or squeal. I heard one on 
my housl at Reigate continually repeating the squeal .of MU- 
Jlus icUnius (kite) long after my tame bird had gone to the 
Zoo (Zoological Gardens, London). i. ai. d. 
Boston, Mass. 
FOREST A ND STREAM. 
setter camo to a point on a biding woodcock. One week 
later the young were found to be hatched and go . 
not this early for woodcock ? 
A.m» IK Cokn. Milford, April IS.-Onr 
tins have again established themselves m their old <7™ r JJ r8 Q 
Last year it was the 21st of April, being earlier th.s y^r thQo 
before in five years. Q un ' L UBIVER ’ 
Woodland, &mn and garden. 
THIS DBPABTMENT 18 EDITED BY W. J. DAVIDSON, BEO. N. Y. 
DOBTIOULTUBAL SOCIETY. 
HARDY AZALEAS. 
i HE cultivation of this beautiful tribe of plants is not so 
- general in this country as it should be. We have several 
fine species inhabiting our woods known as “ honey-suckles," 
and producing that curious growth on their leaves caused by 
the puncture of an insect known as “ May-apple and it is 
probably on account of their being natives that we so lightly 
esteem them, as well as so many other gems of our native 
flora, although abroad it is considered as furnishing more 
floricultural treasures than any other country. Experience 
has taught us that formerly it was almost useless to cultivate 
native plants, shrubs and trees for sale, as, when offered, a 
contemptuous shrug of the shoulders, and the expression, 
“Why, they grow in the woods I" was all sufficiently con 
demnatory, and the Ailanthus was taken in preference 
to the Tulip tree, and a Hydranzea in preference to an 
Azalea or Kalrnia; and yet if. the Azalea was one of the Chi- 
nese varieties it would sell readily and be universally admired. 
It is a pleasure to observe that a change has come over the 
public in this respect, and we have no doubt that the beauti- 
ful groups that adorn our principal parks and country seats 
have a great deal to do with the estimation in which they are 
now held. Our principal nurserymen grow them in large 
quantities, and some, like the Messrs. R. B. Parsons & Co., 
and 8. B. Parsons & Sons, of Flushing, make specialties of 
Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Kalmias, and other similar plants. 
Our native varieties are all well worthy of cultivation, and 
though it is somewhat difficult to transplant large planta with 
success, young plants about six inches high, if taken up care- 
fully and planted in nursery rows in the garden for a few years, 
will make good plants ready for transplanting into the shrub- 
bery, or planting in groups as individual taste or necessity 
may dictate. It is better, however, to obtain them from the 
nurseries, where they are raised from seed, and, being often 
transplanted, are furnished with a good stock of roots. The 
earliest to bloom of our native species is A. nudeflora. This 
is very common ; grows from four to six feet high, flowers m 
May and June before the leaves are produced, and from grow- 
ing in moist, swampy places, is generally called “ Swamp 
Honeysuckle." * 
A. viscosa is also a lover of swampy ground, and grows 
from four to ten feet high, bearing in June and July large 
clusters of fragrant white, rose-colored or striped flowers. 
A arborescens is a native of the mountains of Pennsylvania 
and the Blue Ridge in Virginia. It grows from five to fifteen 
feet high, the flowers, which appear in June, are large, fra- 
grant and rose-colored like A. viscosa, make their appearance 
after the leaves are developed. 
A. calendulacea grows on the mountains of Pennsylvania 
and the Carolinas, and ranges from three to ten feet in height. 
It bears in May a large profusion of large, showy flowers, of 
various shades of yellow, orange and flame-color, and is one 
of the most showy of the genus. 
As these varieties are all liable to sport in color, even in 
their native state, advantage was early taken of this tendency 
by European nurserymen to produce an immense number of 
varieties by cross fertilization, crossing each species with the 
other, and again crossing these hybrids with each other, using 
in the process another species, A. pontica, a native of Turkey, 
to aid in the operation. The Belgian nurserymen have been 
especially successful in this, so much so that the hybrid varie- 
ties they have given to the world are universally known as 
Ghent azaleas- The hybrids produced are very beautiful, 
comprising all shades and combinations of color in white, 
yellow, orange, copper, flame-color, rose, crimson, brick-red 
and purple, many of them being beautifully striped as well. 
All who visited the display made by the Messrs. Parsons at 
the May exhibition of the N. Y. Horticultural Society, at Gil- 
more’s Garden, last season, cannot but remember the fine 
specimen plants, as well as the gorgeous colors of the beautiful 
groups of these plants, there exhibited. Many of the finer 
sorts are grafted on strong growing stocks, and are perpetuated 
by name. 
There are also some other species of Azaleas which, though 
generally cultivated in the Greenhouse, prove to be tolerably 
hardy, especially in dry, well drained soils. A. ama?na is a 
very neat growing sort, with bright, rosy crimson flowers and 
small, bright, evergreen leaves. A indica alba is also quite 
hardy in some localities. There are some very large specimens 
of it to Be found in Greenwood, and no plant can be more 
chaste and effective for cemetery purposes. A. phcsnicea and 
other species and varieties from Japan may prove hardy also!; 
if so they will be valuable additions to our list of ornamental 
shrubs. 
plant Its large, thick, leathery leaves, bold and handsome m 
annearance are uninjured by dryness or dust, or change of 
temperature ; it lives contentedly, drinking m ™ l £T 
its roots largely and revelling in for itg 
leaves. It is a rapid-growing plant when it has room for Us 
roots, and even when it has become pot-bound it will main- 
tain its leaveB green and healthy for a long time if kept well 
supplied with water. But there is always danger of overdoing 
in watering, and many a plant is lost through this cause. An 
India-rubber plant should be kept near the window in the 
light • there it can grow tall, making a leafy ornament, and on 
inside edging of green to the window-frame. Then there are 
the greenhouse palms, such as Chamwrops exulta, O. for txinei, 
C humilis, which do not require fire-heat dunng the winter 
(none of the palms will stand freezing. -Ed. P £.),_ and l can 
therefore be placed in entrance-halls, corridors, etc. Palms, 
remarks Mr B. 8. Williams, in his most useful book on 
“Stove and Greenhouse Plants," “are among the easiest 
plants to cultivate with which we arc acquainted their chief 
Requirements being good drainage and an abundant supply 
of 'water to both roots and foliage. In the latter case, how- 
ever be sure it is clean. Perhaps the greatest error it is 
possible to fall into in growing palms is to keep hem dry at 
an v period of the year.” In their native habitats they are 
foundon banks of rivers, almost or quite in the water; others, 
if at a distance from springs, are yet only found in humid 
places Those who grow palms in rooms should keep them 
standing in pans of water, and be careful, to sponge the foliage 
frequently. ^ As for Dhlialurida, and its handsomely varie- 
gated variety, Yariegata , they are capital room-plants. The 
bold leaves stand well for a long time in a dry atmosphere, 
requiring to be kept cleansed from time to time. Like the 
palm, it is a water-loving plant, and should not be allowed to 
s uffer for the want of it. 
Louisiana fob Emigrants.— A bbeoiUo, April 10 Mr. Edi 
lor : I perceive from your columns, as well as those of other 
papers, that many people are looking for new homes and de- 
sirable localities. Believing that south-western Louisiana, 
and especially the Parish of Vermilion, offers as mmy induct^ 
menta as any country in the world, I present a few of the many 
advantages it offers for the consideration of those who wish 
to remove: The soil is very productive and land cheap; the 
population sparse ; the climate delightful throughout the year. 
Lying along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, and fanned by 
its cooling breezes, the summer heats are never oppressive. 
Snow and ice are seldom or never seen. The health of this 
rerion is excellent. Yellow fever has never but once) visited 
riS portion of the State. The land is mostly rich prame, of 
a black, loamy character, producing corn, cotton, rice, sugar- 
cane, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, oranges, plums, figs, 
bananas, peaches, etc., in abundance. It is a very fine stock 
country also, the grass lasting nearly the whole year. Ver- 
milion River, running through the parishjcountyj is naviga- 
ble for steamboats and schooners throughout the entire year. 
Good rich unimproved prairie land can be bought near navi- 
gation for from $1.50 per acre to $5. Game of certain kinds 
is very abundant. The game resources of this region are 
better known in London than in New \ ork, and it is visited 
every winter by English sportsmen. One hundred snipe per 
day is not a big bag to make for a good shot. One man, a 
“ Britisher,” was reported to have bagged 1,900 snipe in one 
day on the marshes of the adjoining parish of St. Mary. 
Geese, ducks, brant, curlew, etc., by the millions all winter. 
Woodcock, plover, sandpipers, partridges, smpe and prairie 
chickens abound; bear and deer few. Further information 
given on application to W. Edwards. 
A Tennessee Poultry Fabm— Nashville, April 11.— A 
farm near this city is to be devoted entirely to fowls. The 
spot selected seems an excellent one for the purpose, the 
ground is undulating, dry, sandy, and rocky, well wooded, 
and a never failing stream running through it, on the banks 
of which is enough arable land to grow what grain will be 
necessary to feed them. There are at present on the place 
2 800 hens, which number is to be increased to 5,000 when 
the improvements are finished. At present this large number 
are running together, but it is the intention of the owner to 
subdivide the farm into walks or runs large enough to contain 
each from two to three hundred hens. J. D. H. 
—A grand Stock, Agricultural and Mechanical Fair will be 
held at Nashville next October. The Stock Breeders Associa- 
tion of Tennessee and the owners of the Fair Grounds having 
agreed upon terms, the buildings are to be repaired and the 
grounds put in fine order. 
Palms as House Plants.— Land and Water ha* this to 
Early Bibds.-A Painsvilie, O., correspondent writM : | ro^er plant, Ficus elaslicus, is a splendid room 
• April 7, while two of our citizens were taking a stroll, their The lnoia-ruDPer , 
ro COBRBBroNUBNTB.-Those desiring os to presorlbe for their dogs 
will please take note of and describe the following points In eaoh ani- 
mal : 
1 Age. 9. Food and medicine given. 8. Appearanoe of the eye ; 
of the coat ; of the tongue and lips. 4. Any changes In the appearance 
of the body, as bloating, drawing In of the flanks, etc. 6. Breathing, 
the number of respirations per minute, and whether labored or not. 
6 Condition of the bowels and secretions of the kidneys, color, etc. 7. 
Appetite ; regular, variable, etc. 8. Temperature of tho body as Indi- 
cated by the bulb of tho thermometer when placed between the body 
and the foreleg. 9. Give position of kennel and surroundings, outlook, 
contiguity to other buildings, and the uses ot Ihe latter. Also give any 
peculiarities ot temperament, movements, etc., thst may be noticed, 
gns of su Bering, etc. 
FIXTURES FOR 1878— BENCH SHOWS. 
The Westminster Kennel Club (New York) Benoh Show. Gil- 
more’e Garden, May 14, 15, 16 and 17. Dr. W. Seward Webb, 
Secretary. 
BALTIMORE KENNEL CLUB. 
ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF THE BENOH SHOW OF DOGS. 
Baltimore, April 28, 1878. 
Under the best of auspices, with a most pleasant day and 
fully on time, by nine o’clock this morning the Baltimore 
Bench show was duly opened. The building in which the 
shew is held was ample as to room, the Masonic Temple 
having, If anything, more superficial area than the main room 
used in Boston. Two stories were used, the large auditorium 
being devoted to sporting dogs, and a room below to the non- 
sporting dogs. Mr. Charles Lincoln, the able superintendent, 
