230 
FOREST AND STREAM 
tgislj Culture. 
—A Boston correspondent advises us that smelts in large 
quantities are now being netted at night from the small 
streams in Massachusetts Bay, whither they are resorting 
to spawn, and transhipped by the Old Colony Railroad 
from Boston to New York for consumption. The Massa- 
chusetts Anglers’ Association are looking up the offgnders. 
The smelts are in greater quantity than ever known before. 
Who says that shad, salmon, and other fish will not follow 
• where small food is so abundant if tho water course bo 
clear and unobstructed? 
— A fish hatching house will be erected under the super 
vision of Mr. Klippart on the Agricultural College Farm 
at Columbus, Ohio. It will be a plain wooden structure, 
80x10 feet. Water from the spring will be cbnducted 
through a gas pipe to the hatchery. Tho object is to give 
the students of the college a practical knowledge of fish 
culture. Certainly a praiseworthy object, and one we 
should like to see carried out in other States. 
— The California Legislature has enacted a law prohibit- 
ing the taking of shad in that State until March, 1877. 
There is now no longer a question that they can have shad 
there. 
— The Pennsylvania Legislature, at its last session, re- 
enacted tho law appropriating $3,000 for the propagation 
of shad in the Delaware, the present year, in case the 
Legislature of New Jersey shall do the same, but the lat- 
ter, as on a previous occasion, has failed to respond. 
—The Centennial Commission is making extensive prep- 
aration for a display of flah and fish-breeding apparatus at 
the International Exposition, under the auspices of the 
Bureau of Agriculture, and by the Commissioners of Fish- 
eries of the various States. 
Rangeley Lakes — At the annual meeting of the Oquos 
soc Anglers' Association, which was held in (his city last 
month, the following gentlemen were unanimously re- 
elected as officers for the ensuing year: George Shepard 
Page, President; John H. Kimball, Vice President; Lewis 
B. Reed, Secretary; R. G. Allerton, Treasurer; W. P. 
Frye, Lewis T. Lazell, F. N. Otis, A. P. Whitehead, and 
James A. Williamson, Trustees. 
This association now comprises seventy-three members, 
as we learn from a list kindly furnished us by the Presi- 
dent, among whom we notice muny gentlemen prominent 
in professional, commercial, financial, and political circles. 
Probably no other body in the United Slates, devoted to 
like objects, iB conducted with the same good judgment 
and economy, or on precisely the Barno plan of internal 
arrangements. As our readers are aware, it occupies a 
large tract on the Umbagog Lake region of Maine, which 
is the home of those famous speckled trout whose individ- 
ual weights run to eight uud even to ten pounds. A eluffed 
specimen captured by Mr. Page, the founder and President 
ot the Association, of the enormous weight of ten pounds, 
can be seen by any of our readers in his office at No. 10 
Warren street. W e believe it is acknowledged to be one of 
the largest brook trout on record. The best scientific au 
thorities have pronounced it (he true tiahno fonlinalu. 
Tho association owns eight .buildings, several of them 
large and fiuely furnished with camp conveniences suitable 
for the accommodation of ladies and children. They pos- 
sess great advuulages over most of the Adirondack resorts 
in their accessibility. The iron rail conveys tho tourist to 
within thirty-five miles of the head of liaugeley Lake in 
tweuty-lour hours lrom New York. A pretty little steamer 
meets me comlortable stage, and a nine mile sail to the 
outlet ol Range-ley Lake leaves but a short walk of thirty 
minutes. Camp Keunebago, the headquarters of the asso- 
ciation, at the junction of Kenuebago and liaugeley rivers 
is reached, auu the angler is at his delightlm wilderness 
home. There aie no hardships experienced, either in the 
journey or during the stay. Angling is mainly done from 
ooals, ullhough the magnificent iiuugeley and Kenuebago 
streams cannot be surpassed as yielding rare sport to the 
angler who desires to wade the rapids. The boats are built 
on the Adirondack model, lapstieak, sharp at both ends 
sixteen feet long. In no section of the United States, Can- 
ada, or the Provinces can belter or more reliable guides be 
obtained. They are without exception sober, courteous 
and intelligent. 
Mun^ ot our readers will be gratified to learn that the 
association have assented to receive applications for enter- 
tainment of others than members during the months of 
J uiy and August at the same charges made to members 
viz: Buuui, per day; boats, 50 cents per day; good 
guides cuu be obtained at $3 per day, and they will be 
hoarded at me camp at $1 per duy. h our or live member- 
ship vacancies at *3UU each also exist. Applicants can 
communicate with C. T. Richardson, Superintendent 
Green vale, Fraukliu county, Maine, or with tne President’ 
Seoulary, or Treasurer lu New York. 
It will he ot iuteresl to knew that members of this asso- 
ciation have lukeu measures to perpetuule this noblest spe- 
cies ot the tiaouo Jontinuiui. A large hatching house has 
been erected at the lakes, and from oti.OUU to lUU.ODO young 
trout will be turned into the waters annually. Two thou- 
sand land locked salmon were placed in the Kennebugo 
River last year, and it is expected that 1U,000 will be liber 
ated tilts bpriug. Two yeans’ growth will afford the mem- 
bers and frienus of the association the only additional at- 
traction which could be added to the already unrivalled 
lucnuies lor sport 
Ihe 1 rciiiuicr s report at its late meeting shows a capital 
Block ol $u,3l)U; cost of camps and improvements, $4,109; 
cost ol boats, $1,334; cost ol luimiure and live Block,’ 
$3, .47. Receipts lor 1874, $4,130, net gain lor 1874, $ 1 , 1 ) 80 . 
>>c make our editorial acknow ledgement of a hearty in- 
vitation to accept the hospitalities of Camp Keunebago 
pie ensuing season. b 
THE DOMINION FISHERIES REPORT. 
T HIS annual report, or collection of reports, makes a 
volume of several hundred pages, and takes cogni- 
zance of a great variety of subjects, such as light houses, 
steamers, marine police, inspection and classification of 
vessels, examination of masters and mates, weather re- 
turns, shipwrecks, marine hospitals, etc. The department 
may be said to owe its creation and organization to the 
Hon. Peter Mitchell, late Minister of Marine and Fisheries, 
who brought it, in the course of his incumbency, to a very 
high degree of efficiency. It is now under charge of Min- 
ister A. J. Smith. 
The fisheries of the Dominion are one of its most impor- 
tant industries. In this department Nova Scotia stands 
first, the aggregate value of its fisheries for 1874 being 
$0,052,801; of New Brunswick, $2,085,793; of Quebec, 
$1,608,660; Ontario, $440,207; Prince Edward Island, 
$288,803, making a total of $11,081,880. It will be seen 
that the fishery industry of Nova Scotia is greater than 
that of all the other provinces put together. The cod 
fishery is much the most important and lucrative in Nova 
Scotia. The catch last year was 510,040 cwts., of the 
value of $2,295,195; herrings to the value of $024,000; 
mackerel, $1,220,580; lobsters, $1,403,130, done up in 
5,012,525 cans. The lobster business has expanded to vast 
proportions, both in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, in 
which upward of 2,000,000 cans were made up. 
The lobster trade is now equal iu value to one-fifth of all 
the fisheries of the Dominion combined, or more than 
$2,000,000. As the Americans claim the right to impose a 
duty on canned lobsters — on the ground, we suppose, that 
they are not fish — the question is a very important one to 
Canadians. It is probable, however, that the business is 
being overdone; and if these crustaceans continue to be 
fished in so merciless a manner, in a few years the yield 
may be very small indeed- This result threatens also to 
overtake the seal fishery in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. No 
close time is observed, the young, and females with young 
are indiscriminately slaughtered. Of course, the end of 
this folly will be that in a few years this description of 
fishing will become unremunerative, and u valuable indus- 
try be destroyed through thoughtless cupidity and igno- 
rance. 
A great deal is said in the report about the inland and 
river fisheries, fish ways, sawdust, wardens, overseers, and 
all the rest of it. But the truth is this part of the duty of 
the department is worse than a sham— it is a delusion and 
a snare. A large sum of money is spent in salaries and 
otherwise with no satisfactory result. Our rivers are get- 
ting worse every year. The wardens and overseers are for 
the most part political appointments, and, in some in- 
stances at least, are the worst poachers. There is scarcely 
now one good snlmou river in Nova Scotia. Upward of 
$10,000 a year is paid as salaries to wardens and overseers, 
but from the character of those generally appointed, it 
might just as well be thrown into the sea. Small sums 
from $100 to $20 are given to persons in each county for 
the supposed performance of certain duties, but as these 
sums are almost invariably given for political services, the 
rivers are little better for the oversight — Halifax Herald. 
We are indebted to the Dominion officials for a copy of 
this report, which wo hope to use to the advantage of our 
readers. 
Natu ral h istory. 
THE CANADA GOOSE — {Anser Canadersit.) 
BY JAMES 8. BAILEY, A. M., M. D. 
T HE Canada goose is the most graceful in form of any 
varieties assuming the name of goose. Some writers 
are of the opinion that it is a variety of tho swan. Cuvier 
shares in this belief. The wild goose is seldom seen in a 
domesticated state. Though fully described by ornitholo- 
gists, it general appearance is not familiar to many of us. 
Its general characteristics arc as follows: The head, two 
thirds of the neck, the greater quills, and the rump and 
(ail are very black; the base of the neck anteriorly, and 
the under plumage generally, brownish grey; a few white 
feathers are scattered about the eye, and a white, kidney 
shaped cravat forms a conspicuous mark around the throat; 
upper and under tail coverts pure white; bill, feet, and toe 
nails black. 
Audubon when living in Kentucky, discovered the nest 
of a pair of wild geese. The gander was one of singular 
beauty. He (Audubon) being anxious to observe their liab- 
its, visited the nest daily. When encroaching too closelv 
he was at first severely punished by the gander flying sud- 
denly at him and striking him with his wings; but finally 
the thought occurred to him that a full stomach might se- 
cure his confidence and appease his wrath, so whenever he 
approached the nest he threw to them some corn For 
several days it remained untouched, but finally they ate it 
in his presence. Shortly after the period of incubation 
he managed to entice the gander into a trap, and when 
the goslings were being led by their mother to the water 
he secured her in the act of defending her yonn-' They 
were turned loose in au enclosure, uud one wing of each 
was pinioned, which enabled him to keep them for several 
years. Ihe parent pair did not breed in confinement while 
lie kept them, but two pairs of the goslings mated- one 
pair reared three and the other seven goslings. 
The writer has with a shot gun brought down from aerial 
flight qjuny individuals, and although they have remained 
in his possession for several years ho can truly say that 
,‘ uary f , a “ f gg d ‘ d lhey J lay> allhou S h writers generally agree 
that after two years of domestication they lay and incu- 
bate. 
In the wild state it is reasonable to suppose that goslings 
of this year breed the next, if we judge by form, plumage, 
and such other indications as are known to practiced or- 
nithologists. The habits of the wild gooesc differ mate- 
wo ms lr i°, m ! b ° domeslic 8° 08e - They freely consume 
1 and , a( * ua “ c P lant8 » Which domestic geese 
S'f££-u"? ea d0I T‘‘ Cttled > goose is slow 
to forget its migratory habits. Ihe writer has hatched the 
eggs ot the wild goose under the domestic goose, and reared 
them together but on hearing the familiar ‘•honk” of a 
H° Ck duriug lb « “'gratory season they have mani- 
fested a disposition to join in flight the wild flock. Noth- 
l ^ e P recaul,on of amputating the first joint of one 
Wtng of each gooso saved a flock of geese reared in do- 1 
mestieation from disappearing in this manner. When 
kept confined in a park or enclosure this is the only 
safe plan to adopt when within hearing of wild flocks. 
They will remain in perfect health with comparatively 
limited bathiHg faculties. A friend in this vicinity received 
a fine flock, which were reared from eggs hatched under 
the domestic goose, and to all appearances were thoroughly 
domesticated; but after keeping them for three years, with- 
out pairing or laying, when the autumnal period for mi- 
gration came they stretched their necks, loosened their 
pinions, and to his dismay disappeared not to again return. 
Wilson says “that a Mr. Platt, on Long Island, while out 
shooting, wing-tipped a wild goose, and brought her home. 
She took kindly to a flock of tame geese, and soon became 
apparently domesticated, and the wound healed. In the 
following Spring, when flocks of wild geese were migrat- 
ing, she heard the bugle note of their leader. She spread 
her wings, joined the travelers, and soon disappeared. In 
the following Autumn, when wild geese obeyed the ii»- 
slinct of their nature aud returned southward, Mr. Platt 
happened to be standing in his yard when a flock passed 
directly over his premises. At that instant he observed 
three geese detach themselves from the flock, and after 
wheeling around several times alighted in his yard. By 
several marks he was enabled to recognize his lost fugitive, 
who had traveled many hundred miles to the lakes and re- 
turned with the family she had reared in her absence to a 
life of civilization.” 
The geographical distribution of the Canada goose is 
quite extended. Wilson remarks — “I have never yet vis- 
ited any quarter of the country where the inhabitants are 
not familiarly acquainted with the regular passing and re- 
passing of wild geese.” 
The prevailing opinion is that the great lakes is the place 
where most of them breed, though from the very best au- 
thority they go much farther north to incubate. They were 
seen by Heame iD flocks within the Arctic circle, and still 
traveling northward. They were observed in latitude SO* 
27’ north, on the coast of Spilzbergen, by Capt. Phipps. 
Audubon found them breeding on the coast of Labrador. 
Bonaparte says they breed everywhere throughout the Hud- 
son’s Bay territory. He saw them in July ou the Copper- 
mine River, followed by their goslings. 
The autumnal flight of tho wild goose lasts from the 
middle of August to the middle of November, and their 
verual flight from the middle of April until the middle of 
May. Their departure north is indicative of cold weather, 
and their return is regarded as the harbinger of Spring. 
In about a month from the time of their arrival north, or 
a sufficient time for them to recuperate their strength be- 
tween the 50th and 67th parallels, they separate in pairs to 
breed. Their eggs— six or seven, and sometimes eleven 
iu number — are of a greenish while color, and are deposit- 
ed in rude nests constructed of dried grass. The period of 
incubation is twenty-eight days. It is not until after tho 
young are hatched and able to shift for themselves, that 
the parents moult. Then they fall an easy prey to man 
aud their natural enemies. From the loss of their quill 
feathers they are unable to fly, and when chased in small 
boats they soon become tired from diving, and make for 
the shores to hide themselves in the grass. When fully 
fledged they again assemble in flocks, and thus congregate 
for a month previous to their flight seeking a more conge- 
nial clime. Their flight is peculiar, they generally flying 
in single file, or in the form of two sides of a triangle, 
the ganders leading, next the geese, and then the young. 
The leader heading both files utters his deep ‘‘honk,’' while 
the others join in the response. 
When flocks of wild geese return south to winter they 
are quite thin in flesh on arrival, but improve rapidly in 
traversing the cornfields. During their stay in Texas every 
foot of prairie land is traversed, aud it is not difficult to 
get within easy gun shot range. Many there fall a prey to 
the unerring shot of the sportsman. The writer has seen 
twenty killed and wounded at a single shot when iu range 
in single file roaming over the prairie. We have also sta- 
tioned ourselves near some prairie pond just at twilight, 
with a grey blanket thrown over us, and as one by one 
they dropped in the water to spend the night a well direct- 
ed shot would bring several at a time, aud as fast as one 
flock would disappear from fright another would settle lu 
its place. Wild geese rarely sleep ou the water, but gen- 
erally prefer to sit in the marshes near water. Vast num- 
bers ot them are destroyed solely for their feathers. One 
person during a single season in Texas shot upwards of 700 
individuals. For table consumption their flesh is entirely 
worthless, even when in good condition, aud is insipid and 
tough, thougli it may be manipulated by au experienced 
and judicious cook. 
W hen once captured they soon become accustomed to 
the presence of man, and are easily domesticated. Their 
keen vision readily recognizes strange objects, and they 
quickly give au alarm. A friend kept one confined in his 
dove yard for several years, and it was so tame that it 
would eat from its master’s hand. He remarked that liis 
goose was more certain to sound its “honk” when company 
came than his pack of hounds to bark. The goslings, when 
hatched, are active little creatures. Their down is of a 
dirty grey color, with patches darker here and there, like 
the young of the China goose. Their eyes, bills, and legs * 
are black at first, and they continue to increase in beauty ' 
for several years. The eggs of the wild goose measure 
three and a half by two and a half inches. They never 
hutch more than one brood in a season, unless their eggs 
are destroyed at an early period. 
During incubation the male never leaves his mate, ex- 
cept to procure food; he takes her place at intervals to 
allow her to feed. The young pass the night on laud under 
the mother, and are not deserted by the parents until the 
following season. 
Having one day killed a wild goose, the cook, in dressing 
it, found a fully developed egg. It was placed under a 
domestic hen, aud in due time a gosling appeared. In two 
years time it mated with a domestic gander and produced 
a brood of young, which were much larger when matured 
than either pareut, and inherited more of the characteris- 
tics of the wild than of the domestic goose. These hy- 
brids, seven iu number, when fully grown averaged eleven 
pounds each. The average weight of the male Canada 
goose is about nine pounds, and that of his mate about six 
pounds. . 
Turkey Buzzards on Long Island. — On Wednesday of 
last week Mr. F. Benner, while walking in the woods near 
Asloriu, saw a turkey buzzard — a very rare occurrence, as 
these birds seldom find their way as far aorth as this lati- 
tude, 
