172 
FOREST AND STREAM 
THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 
A SMALL number of birds pass the Winter with us, 
“while whole families are admonished by the chilling 
winds of Autumn and go from our shores. It is singular 
that the feathered tribe know exactly when lo migrate. 
"The stork in the heavens knowclh her appointed time, 
and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the 
time of her coming." 
It is no less wonderful that creatures devoid of reason 
know by instinct exactly how lo go, and calculate the 
time with precision without guide or compass. We have 
never witnessed their departure; wo miss them, and they 
are gone. Wo do not see them arrive, but. in Spring their 
merry song attracts us and assures us of their presence. 
We hail with joy the melody of their song, making the 
woods vocal with their music; and when the season comes 
for their departure they go in the same mysterious way. 
It is known to naturalists that migrations are chiefly per- 
formed by night. The migrations of some birds are appa- 
rent by their peculiar notes, which are distinguishable 
while passing through the air. When their forms are per- 
ceptible their peculiar manner of flight readily distinguishes 
them. The great majority of birds come and go silently, 
leaving us ignorant of their route or destination. We know 
by their direction in flight that in Spring they come from 
the South, and when cold weather approaches they return. 
Circumstances influence the direction of their flight. Some 
birds follow different routes iu autumnal migrations from 
those taken in the vernal. One variety may fly in a par- 
ticular line, adhere to it for a period, und then change for 
another route. This is apparent by observing certain birds 
plentiful in some localities, and then entirely disappearing, 
to be seen in places where they have not been observed be- 
fore in years. Other varieties, if not interrupted by inclem- 
ent weather, arrive and depart from the same localities 
with great regularity. Some birds return annually to the 
home of their birth. The writer once resorted to Spallan 
Yane’s experiment, and tied colored silk thread around the 
limb of a female robin, which by accident came iu his pos- 
session while rearing a brood of young near his residence. 
The same nest had been occupied for seven ycurs previous- 
ly, and for two years after the identification the pair con- 
tinued to build in the same nest, until the pugnacious 
English sparrows became so numerous that they gained the 
mastery and drove the robins to another locality. The 
same season the Identical robin was seen building lmlf a 
mile distant from the old nest, where they, completed their 
incubations for the season; but it remains lo be seen 
whether the pair will return to their present location another 
year. Usually, in migrating, the pair goes together, though 
sometimes the male anticipates the female a few days, when 
she joins him; but she never takes the lead. In certain lo- 
calities male bobolinks are seen in flocks for several days 
before the females appear. 
In autumnal migrations, with some kinds, the females 
and their young go a few days in advance, when the males 
follow. A few birds remain stationary. Tho mocking 
bird affords an example. The writer has confirmed this by 
the same tests as previously mentioned, and has known a 
pair lo build in the fork of a tree, where their nest, as soon 
as completed, was removed seven times in succession; but 
still they persevered in building again, and continued to 
raise their brood for years in the same pluce. 
Among gay plumaged birds the first to arrive in Spring 
arc bright in color. Unlike the flowers that bloom in 
Spring, the first are those of modest hue, while their colors 
deepen as Autumn approaches. Most birds, in migrating, 
when fully settled, begin to nest; if they do not their 
destination is’not yet reached. 
The causes of migration are various. It is observed that 
when the chill winds of Autumn destroy insect life, such 
birds us consume them migrate to a warm climate, where 
they arc again found in abundance. When graniverous 
birds find their supply of food covered with snow they go 
South, while rapacious birds follow their prey. The only 
kind that remains stationary arc those whose supply of food 
is unaffected. From this it will be noticed that stern ne- 
cessity compels birds to migrate, as well as climute. 
The mild air of Spriug awakens tho instinct of birds, 
and brings them back to their Summer retreats, where 
last Autumn they undertook a loug passage beyond the 
6eas in search of subsistence and a genial clime. 
Order is observed in the instincts of birds in their migra- 
tions. We observe that those birds which departed from us 
first arc the first to return and cause the crisp air to rever- 
berate with joyous songs, and with their tiny wings fanning 
the atmosphere into a glow of warmth, bringing health, 
vigor, and strength to their every nerve and sinew. 
The swallow returns to its nest, made the Spring before. 
The robin seeks its old habitation, bringing back her 
young of a year’s growth to enjoy familiar scenes and the 
society of friends. Wild geese, when on their northward 
flight, maintain it by night and day. Small birds, perhaps, 
may do the same thing, though the darkness may not re- 
veal their presence. 
Mr. Mitchell, the astronomer, used to speak of seeing 
small birds cross the field of his glass when it was directed 
to the moon in the dark hours of night. Other astrono- 
mers affirm the same thing, and say at certain seasons the 
field of their telescopes are obscured by birds flying south- 
ward at night during the months of September and Octo- 
ber; and aguiu in April tho same is apparent. The keepers 
of lighthouses bear ample testimony lo the amount of life 
lost among birds during the season of migration, blinded 
no doubt, by the dazzling light. Mrs. Thaxt6r, in her book 
of "Life on the Isle of Shoals,” says that "sometimes In 
Autumn, and always in Spring, when birds are migrating, 
they are destroyed in such quantities by this means that it 
is painful to reflect upon. The keeper at the island three 
years ago told me that he picked up 325 in one morning at 
the foot of the lighthouse, all dead. They fly with such 
force against the glass that their beaks are often splintered. 
The keeper said he found the destruction greatest in hazy 
weather, und he thought "they struck a ray at a great dis- 
tance and followed it up." Many a May morning have I 
wandered about the rocks at the foot of the tower, mourn- 
ing over a little apron brimful of sparrows, swallows, 
thrushes, robins, fire-winged blackbirds, many colored 
warblers, fly catchers, beautifully clothed yellow birds, nut 
catchers, cat birds, even the purple finch and scarlet taua- 
ger and golden oriole, and mauy more besides — enough to 
brcuK the heart of a small child lo think of. Once a great 
eagle flew ugainsl the lantern and shivered the glass. That 
was before I lived there; but after we came two gulls 
cracked one of the large clear panes one stormy night." 
Another writer remarks — "Yes, they coino in the night. 
We wake up some bright Spring morning to hear the wel- 
come notes of birds which were not here the day before, 
and bad not been here for half a year at least. This is no- 
tably true of the clear, mellow whistle of the oriole, those 
flying flames which come with the blossoms, but come sud- 
denly at the end of the first week in May. All our famil- 
iar Spring birds, in fact, seem to come back to us in the 
night. Tho lighthouse glare on the shore is perilous to all 
of them, little and big.” 
Longfellow, in his poem on the lighthouse, says:— 
‘ Tho sen bird, wheeling ronnd it, with tho din 
Of wings und winds und solitary cries, 
Blinded und muddened by tho light within, 
Duahcs himself against the glnrc und dies." 
James S. Bailey, A. M., M. D. 
NOTES FROM INDIANA. 
[by ocn correspondent.] 
Indianapolis, Indiana, April 14, 1875. 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
I cannot leave this great central city without penning a 
few lines illustrative of its importance as a commercial 
point, as well as its sporting interest, and its ready access to 
the fishing waters covering a radius of 150 miles by rail in 
almost any direction, though the northward seems the 
course to which the angler directs his wanderings. As a 
central city, its importance is second lo none. Its fine 
streets and public buildings will vie with those of the 
largest cities in the Union, its trade keeping pace with 
cities of greater pretensions, and its rapid growth a marvel 
to every one. The citizens claim over 100,000 inhabitants. 
This may possibly be so, for its seems to bear the imprint 
to a casual observer that this amount claimed is not an 
overdrawn statement. Being the great railroad centre of 
the mid-west, it is accessible from almost any poiut. 
While the White River, upon which the city is located, 
is filled with bass, which afford good fishing in the Spring 
and Fall, there are other points of ready access affordiug 
greater variety, which are the resort of many sportsmen 
who would rather be away from home, if only to shake 
off the sbackels of domestic felicity for a season. Not 
that they are unwilling slaves lo home restraints or its con- 
comitants, for auy true angler would gladly take tho better 
half, that perpetual luxury, in and out of season; but I am 
constrained to confess that it is not always convenient, 
though it ought to be. I can imagine no greater luxury on 
your journey, nor a more congenial companion in the 
forest and beside the rippling stream or placid lake, than a 
wife who can enter into the spirit and fully participate 
in the sports of the rod and line; and to see her angelic 
form in some sequestered nook, perched upon a shelving 
rock, casting a fly and playing with the "speckled beauties" 
—so complaisant— so happy— so contented. Were I to 
picture the pristine abode of our first parents, I would give 
them 
"A lodge In some vast wilderness— 
Some uoandlesa contiguity of shade.’’ 
Seat her ladyship upon the mossy bank with rod and line 
in hand, while tho old gent should be shying rocks at every 
creeping, crawling creature. 
On the other hand, if your "better half” has no taste for 
such things, 6end her to the sea side or "to Hoboken;’’ don’t 
encumber yourself with an incubus, that will spoil all your 
sport and bear you down with reproof aud disgust. You 
may assume to be happy to your friends, but you are not. 
They can tell what is the matter, but will not. If you are 
patient, you need not take your place on a monument. 
They know you are smiling at grief, and “may heaven 
have mercy on you." 
The Iudianapolis Hunting and Fishing Association held 
their annual meetiug for the election of officers for the en- 
suing year, April Dili. Ur. Miller was elected President, 
Banuiel Beck, Secretary and Treasurer, with the usual num- 
ber of Directors. They don’t seem to have accomplished 
much so far, but are determined to keep the lights burning. 
They labor in their Slate under the same difficulties as in 
others. It must take time to educate the people to the 
stand of propriety — indeed, I might say, interest. Any- 
thing coming from tho cities and brought before the legis- 
lature is looked upon with distrust by the grangers, 
unless it is clear to them that there is no "nigger in de- 
fence. ’’ They say the game law is good enough for them, even 
though what they have is a dead letter. But this will work 
out after a time by persisteutly bringing the question up in 
and out of season. Such has been the case elsewhere, 
and 1 can 6ee no reason why it should be otherwise here. 
I am credibly informed that the best place for fishing is 
in Lake Maxinkuckee, Marshall county, 120 miles north, 
on the line of the ludiuuapolis, Peoria & Chicago R. K. 
This lake is three miles by two and a half, and fed by living 
springs and surrounded by lulls. It is not exactly’ on the 
railroad, by ten miles. The accommodations are suid to be 
good with all the material supplied at tho hotel for fisluug. 
This’ is tho favorite resort of tho anglers of this city. 
Black bass, wall-eyed pike, croppies and striped perch, the 
usual gamo. The bass are said to be above the average in 
size for this section, aud are in plentiful supply. The sta- 
tion on the railroad to stop at is Hargos. 
Rome City twenty miles north of tort Wayne, on the 
same road, is another favorite resort. It consists ot a 
series of small lakes, and has good accommodations. 
Bass, pickerel and croppies are the game; best in May and 
June and in the Full months. In the latter time of year 
good bass fishing may be had in the Wabash, from Us 
mouth to its head. Excellent bass fishing is found in the 
White River in the Fall and Spring, up to the dam above 
the city. Several thousands of shad were put into this 
river under the auspices of Seth Green, but with what re- 
sult time aloue can tell. 
glie gifle. 
The Oom.iV Tournament.— This interesting event was 
brought to a close on Monday evening by the announce- 
ment of the winning score, and the presentation of Mr. 
John Rigby’s pin to the winner, Mr. MacDonald. We give 
below tho names of the twelve gentlemen who having 
made the highest scores now compose the short range team 
who will continue to practice, ami shortly will he prepared 
to meet any similar number in friendly competition for the 
championship. It may not be out of place to mention 
here that the nucleus is uow formed of uu association »o 
be known as the Short Range Rifle Club. There are many 
who contend that off-hand shooting is of ns much_interest 
and importance as the practice in any position at longer 
ranges, and Mr. Couliu, while ranking with the best 
at uny distance, may he called the father of short range 
shooting, as from his school have graduated some of our 
finest marksmen. The presentation of a prize for rifle 
shooting seemed most appropriate on a day which marked 
the most important anniversary in our country’s history, 
and when sprung into life that cause which made sharp 
shooting a necessity. Mr. MacDonald’s score of eight 
and seven eighth inches seems almost marvelous when we 
consider that the shots were fired at seventy-five feet at a 
bullseye one inch in diameter, and that the total deviation 
of twenty shots was but eight and seven eighth inches 
from the centre of the bullseye. Appended are the total 
scores : — 
Names and scores of the men on tho Short Range Team. 
W. McDonald. .91, 10 11-16. 11 3-10 
L. C. Bruce 01 
A. Marsh I'H 
Win Haves 16J 
G. W. Hamilton 104 
Chas. A. Cheever 11 3-16 
Thomas Lloyd 12 7-16 
Alex. Roux 13 
J, T. B. Collins 134 
G. W. Tale 13* 
T. Moore llj 
W. A. Sherman 1* 
Wc shall publish next week a record of the best twenty- 
five scores made at Mr. Conlin’s Gallery, covering a period 
of five years. 
Creedmoou.— Saturday last was a dismal day for 
rifle practice. The snow flurries almost obscured the 
targets at times, and the biting, piercing wind numbed the 
fingers. The practice at the 800 yard range was very fair, 
however, although the men frequently were obliged to 
wait for a glimpse of the bullseye and then take it "on the 
fly." No formal scores were kept, although the usual 
number of shots, fifteen at each range, (800, 1)00 and 1,000 
yards,) were fired. Among those present were Col. Gil- 
dersleeve, Col. Scott, G'apt. Fulton, C'apt. Bruce, Capt. 
Lindsay, Messrs. G. W. Yale, J. S. Conlin, E. II. Madi- 
son, L. M. Ballard, A. V. Canfield, Jr., A. J. Hennion, Jr., 
and a largo number of beginners. Several new positions 
were attempted, and several gentlemen adopted tliut of Capt. 
Fulton. Several alterations have been made in the targets 
and the top wall along the crest of tho epaulemcnt at the 
butts is approaching completion. The picket fence has 
been painted and the general appearunce of the grounds 
much improved. 
The International Match.— On Saturday next the 
gentlemen who are desirous of winning the bubble reputa- 
tion at the rifle’s breech, will assemble at Crcedtnoor to 
shoot in competition for places on the team, which is to re- 
present the riflemen of America in the approaching con- 
test at Dublin. As the six gentlemen who competed in 
la9t year’9 match have signified their intention of shooting 
in this, and as they have been permitted to stand on their 
previous records, au impression prevails that the team is 
virtually organized already, and that the competitive trials 
will partake very much of the character of the farce which 
sometimes precedes the tragedy. Such, however, is in 
reality not the ca6e. Assuming that the six who are 
allowed to 6tand on past scores can hold their positions, 
there still remains three places to be filled, this number 
being required as reserves. 
We do believe, however, that tho course pursued in al- 
lowing these gentlemen to stand on previous records will 
exert iu more ways than one an unfortunate effect upon 
the success of the undertaking; first, in discouraging mauy 
who might otherwise have taken part in the competition, 
and again, in encouragiug our opponents wlio will have in 
advance the metre of three-fourths of the team. Again, 
while admitting that the late victors have retained all their 
skill, how much more assuring would it have been for us, 
who will look with so much eagerness for the result, to 
have known this, and perhaps more. Even the practice' dur- 
ing the competition, ss partaking of the nature of a match, 
would have improved aud nerved them. 
—It is exceedingly pleasant to record the liberality with 
which the appeals lor funds have been met, and now that 
the sum of $5,000, or more, as we are informed, bus been 
