FOREST AND STREAM 
311 
tridce. bison, buffalo, and cougar, panthers. As to these 
last animals the generality of sportsmen are not aware that 
the animal called panther is not a panther but a cougar. 
America has no panthers. Few of our quadrupeds having 
so large a range as the cougar, extending from J? lorirta to 
Mexico, are so unfortunate as the cougar in being misnamed. 
Indians saw in the forest an animal that lived by browsing 
and they called it inoosa, wood-eater. 1 his name has been 
corrupted to moose. The same animal in Europe is called 
elk, while naturalists here apply the term elk to an entirely 
different species of the family corvid®, viz: the wapiti 
deer, lint why multiply examples of the wrong naming 
„f our fauna? All must ^bo convinced of the necessity of 
a nomenclature of game." 
< ■» 
SALEM INS TITUT E NOTES. 
Danvbrbfort, Mass., June 8th, 1875. 
Editor Forest and Stubam:— 
Herewith I send you an account of tlic first field meeting of the Essex 
Institute of Salem, which took place at Chebacco Fond, Essex, the 3d 
Inst. Leaving Salem by the 8:40 train they reached the pond at about 
9 : 30 , when they separated Into groups— some to ramble in the woods. 
Others to sail upon the lakes, while a few spent the morning hoars in 
searching for plants and other objects which the locality afforded. Re- 
turning at one o'clock un ample meal was served in the grove. At 2:30 
ilia company assembled in the hall of the Chebacco House, where an In- 
teresting meeting was held, Dr. Henry Wheatland presiding. Prof. F. 
W. Putnam made same remarks upon the finding of several curiously- 
formed heaps of stones on the banks of Parker River, in Ncwburyport, 
and passed around some photographic views of the different forms in 
which they were placed. Some wore of circular form, while the stones 
in one view had the form of the letter E. Owing to the carious form of 
the piles Prof. Putnam thonght they might disclose some relics of the 
Indians, but upon careful examination nothing was fonnd in them but a 
smut! piece of pottery. He said that they must have been there from 
thirty to sixty years, as stumps of trees of that ago were found which 
hud growu over and through the piles. Following Prof. Putnam’s re- 
marks an address was made on the “Ncwburyport Mines” by Mr. Alfred 
Osgood, of that city, a well-known geologist, who spoke in a rather de- 
preciating manner, saying that rich float ore had been fonnd, but no true 
fissure veins. He said that he bad been hooted on the street for express- 
ing an opinion, and had not been allowed an opportunity to investigate 
the subject as he would have done hud he been treated in a gentlemanly 
manner The Interest in mining was abating, he said, as the land was in 
the hands of speculators, who were doing their best to keep up the en^ 
thusiasui of the people, while, in his honest opinion, he thought they 
were using tinfnir means for deceiving people by burying ore mid then 
digging it np, to be followed with the announcement of the discovery of 
a new vein. He langhcd about the celebration which took place at New- 
buryport June 2d, when the first cargo of ore was shipped lo New Jersey 
to be smelted, some of which ho spoke of us "worthless trash" and 
“iron pyrites,” which the owners had better sell as soon as they reached 
their destination, for yacht ballast. An interesting description was then 
given by Mr. J. H. Stevens, of Salem, of the great canebrakes of tbe 
south. These form a belt flfly miles wide along the bottoms of the Mis- 
sissippi River and tributaries from near Memphis, Tenn., to the Gulf; 
also another belt ulong the Atlantic coast from Savannah to the Ever- 
glades of Florida. They grow from ten to thirty feet in height, and so 
close together that it is impossible for a man to pass through them with- 
out cutting his way. The young shoots, which spring up during the 
Winter, are very succulent, and afford good feed for cattle and deer. Hq 
also spoke of the American tulip tree ( Ltrtodendwn tuliplfera,) which 
grows at intervals among the canes, and presents a beautifnl appearance 
when covered by blossoms. Prof. Putnam then said that in the Audu- 
bon Gallery of ihe Mammoth Cave large numbers of canes about two 
joints long were fonnd which hud been burned at one end, mostly upou 
the side, which would ludicute that they had been carried in the hand ns 
torches. After brief remarks by Dr. J. P. Fessenden and Rev. Mr. 
Bean, of Salem, tbe meeting adjourned, and the party relumed to the 
City shortly after five, having spent an agreeable day. A. F. G. 
BLACK SQUIRRELS IN ILLINOIS. 
Salem, Mass., June 13th, 1875. 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
I noticed iu your Issue of Juno 10th a statement of the Farmington 
News of a cross between a fox gray and black squirrel. The most sin- 
gular thing w as that a black squirrel was never seen In Illinois. If those 
connected with that paper, or any other residents of that place, would 
take a trip to Waukegan, HI , a town situated on the banks of Lake 
Michigan, nnd take a stroll through the woods, which arc miles In ex- 
tent, they would find the black squirrel more plenty than they are aware 
of. I made it a place of residence from 1856 to 1861, and spent a great 
deal of time in hunting, game of most kinds being abuudant; fox and 
black squirrels very plenty. Relatives of mine who were among the 
first sealers speak of them us being very plenty. I never fancied squir- 
rel meat, so seldom took uuy. G. B. Stone. 
Jamaica Plains, Mass., June 14th, 1875. 
EmTon Forest and Stream: — 
Under the Natural History head in Forest and Stream of June 10th 
Is a notice from an Illinois paper of the capture of a cross of the black, 
gray and fox squirrel, with this addition: "The most singular thing is 
that there never was seen a black squirrel in Illinois, consequently there 
is no way of accounting for this cross.” How it may be now I do not 
know, bill thirty years ugo these three squirrels abounded In the wood- 
lands of Northern Illinois, nnd I myself had a well marked specimen of 
this cross In my collection. S. C. C. 
— -*•*- — 
MR. THEODORE GILL AND HIS HARD 
NAVIES 
June 10th, 1875. 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
Probably you and your readers are already tired of mo if not of Mr. 
Gill, and 1 will merely say in conclusion that Mr. Gill's reply to my ques- 
tion seems to me rather evasive. I inquired whether some of the mod- 
ern naturalists ure not adding to tho confusion of nomoncluture by the 
constant Invention of new names. Mr. Gill replies that amateur and im- 
perfectly educated naturalists have increased tb:s confusion, nnd tnat 
among such are several lo whom allusion Is made in my letter of May 
6th. As the names 1 mentioned were those of Storer, De Kay, Agassis, 
nnd Herbert, the last of whom with myself probably represent the guilty 
amateurs, it follows that Storer, De liny, mid perhaps Agassiz, arc, iu 
the opinion of Mr. Gill, imperfectly educated naturalists. It is some 
consolation for fulling under tho reproof of the Oracle that one suffers 
in good company. But ns all those writers preceded those of the new 
school, it is difficult to understand how l hey- Storer, De Kuy, and Agas- 
si/.— could be tho innovators aud confusion makers. Perhaps, however, 
as Mr. Gill graciously remarks, "when I more fully understand those 
mat tors," Bnd become a disciple of tho now school, some ruys of light 
may dawn upon my miud. 8. C. Clarke. 
— The Left veu worth Times says: “It is a singular fact 
that those portions of the State which were most afflicted 
by the grasshoppers last year, are now favored with the 
best crop prospects, while those sections that suffered the 
least then are now coniplainiug of grasshoppers and chinch 
bugs, and are predicting a failure of crops. The only cry 
of distress we now hear comes from sections that were fa- 
vored with good crops last year.” 
§he gSfennel. 
—The first exhibition of the National Poultry Associa- 
tion will be held in the exposition building, Chicago, from 
January 20th to the 28th, 1870, and will include all varieties 
of poultry, pigeons, dogs, rabbits, fish, singing and orna- 
mental birds, and small pets of all kinds. Dog show to 
commence January 25th aud close January 28th. The 
American Poultry Association will hold its annual conven- 
tion at the same time aud place- For premium list or other 
information, address Charles P. Willard, Secretary National 
Poultry Association, corner Itedfield and Stein streets, Chi- 
cago, 111. 
— As we go to press the Mineola Bench Show is in prog- 
ress, and as it is hold within a reasonable distance of the 
city there should not only be a full entry of dogs, but a 
large attendance of spectators. The following is a list of 
the judges:— E. 8. Carman, chairman; Charles H. Ray- 
mond, Dr. Strachan, on Irish red setters, black and tan 
Gordon setters, setters of any breed, pointers, large breed; 
pointers, small breed, and cocker spaniels. Colonel F. G. 
Skinner, chairman; N. Saltus, Dr. Rowe, on shepherd 
dogs, fox hounds, beagles, and dachshunds. Peter 
Strong, chairman; R. Arnoldi, James It. Tilley; George C. 
Colburn, alternate; on black aud tun terriers, Scotch ter- 
riers, skye terriers, bull terriers, Newfoundland, St. Ber. 
nard, mastiff, greyhounds, large breed; greyhounds, small 
breed, and Spitz. 
—Mr. W. Knight, of Philadelphia writes us saying. 
"My setter bitch, “Dot," on Thursday last pupped eleven 
dups to “Bismarck,” the famous setter belonging to Mr. 
David Brooks, of this city. All the pups are red and white 
except four, which are entirely white, and resemble the old 
dog “Biz.” The pups are doing well. 
For Forest and Stream. 
POLLY— NO. 3. 
O CTOBER 19TH.— Waller came over with the Pro 
fessor's old marc, Dexter, attached to the highest 
old kind of a high-topped buggy ; wanted me to go after 
mallard or anything else that roiffht turn up. The frosts 
had been pretty severe; no rain for two or three weeks; 
everything very dry and dusty. As we crossed the bare 
prairie just out of the city, cropped close by St. Paul’s 
numerous herds of cattle, the sun came up in a blaze and 
kept at it for the rest of the day. We could hear the golden 
plover whistling all about, and Polly ran into a flock in her 
accustomed style. We could not stop for such small game, 
for to shoot golden plover upou a close-cropped prairie 
with a white dog, and that white dog Polly, was simply im- 
possible; we had tried it. Five miles out, over roads ns 
smooth a floor, we rattled our old carryall, striking the 
brush country on the hither side of Lake Johanna, still 
three miles distant. As we passed the big wheat stubble a 
large pack of chickens were just seltliug to their break- 
fast-seventy of them at least. Polly would willingly nnd 
suddenly have disturbed their arrangements, but we were 
out for all day and did not wish to get iuto a fret. Upon 
our left the country was covered with the scrubbest kind 
of scrub oaks growing thick together, averaging from two 
to six lect in height; miniature oak trees, sturdy and stub- 
born; hard things to get about among as ever mother na- 
ture invented Through this tract, which was quite roll- 
ing, in the depressions ran a chain of grassy ponds, which 
were from one to two acres in extent, water at the deepest 
not more than two feet. Walter wore his high rubber 
boots; I had shoes and leggings, aud Walter wished many 
a time before tbe day was done that he had gone barefoot 
rather than worn his portable ovens. We tied Dexter to a 
little oak tree, where he could browse comfortably upon its 
upper branches, and went for the pouds seriatim. But, 
alas I as Mark Twain would have put it, the ducks were 
not present this morning— in fact, they were absent. We 
paddled about through the ponds; started just two mal- 
lards, one of which Walter dropped, and Polly retrieved in 
good style; two or three English snipe, very wild and un- 
shootable, an average rise at ten rods and a flight of half a 
mile. Exploring the last of the ponds, Walter four or five 
rods to my right, huppy iu his high boots, suddenly disap- 
peared; water one foot deep, grass two feet, and as thick 
as the hair upou Polly's tail. Walter! Halloa!" No reply, 
and I started toward where I had last seen him, seriously 
alarmed. A few steps and Walter’s head appeared above 
the grass, apparently upon his elbow. Soon he slowly 
struggled to the perpendicular; hat off; both arms hanging 
down away from his body, aud from the ends of every one 
of his ten fingers a muddy stream dripping freely, as might 
naturally have been expected under the circumstances. 
“Walter, where is your gun?" “Oh! it's here. lhen, 
and not till then, he stooped and groped around upon the 
bottom of that mallard pond, and soon appeared with the 
unfortunate shooting iron. , 
“What shall Ido?" he ejaculated. I mildly suggested 
that he go ashore and dry. This striking him favorably, 
ashore we went, hauled off the big boots, emptied them of 
about two pailstul apiece, wrung out his stockings aud coat- 
tails. and then with half an hour’s hard work at the gun, 
drawing the charges and manifold other expedients, we 
were once more in fighting condition, ready lo start for 
“fresh fields and pastures new,” which in this case meant 
Lake Johanna. Found Dexter had devoured about bve 
years’ growth off the young oak, and was ready to move. 
We got in aud drove along; had gone perhaps half a mile 
wheu we passed a large black warrior hawk perched upon 
a solitary oak stub some fifteen rods from the road. \\ al- 
ter, shall I try him?’’ "Certainly. Dexter stopped. I 
stepped over, putting in a No. 4 shell as I did so, advanc- 
ing about four rods wheu our friend in black spread his 
wings. I gave him one barrel, staggering him, and the 
second brought him down. He was a magnificent bird, 
and I regretted very much having killed him. As wo were 
examining him a flock of fifteen or twenty mal lards came 
flying toward us in a line to go over, but they sheered off, 
and we tiring at long range, discomposed them not at a t. 
They kept on to the ponds, and circling around for twenty 
minutes or rnore at last settled. We drove back Form- 
nately there was considerable wind blowing from the ducks 
toward our placo of approach. Taking advantage of this 
and the low scrubs we managed to get within eight rods, 
and os wc rose up, the little water in the centre of the small 
pond in which they were appeared crowded with them. 
We fired both together upon tho water, and as they 
started each singled a bird. Mine dropped, but Waller's 
went off wounded over the hills and far away. Polly 
fetched three for the first shots, and mv single bird. Tho 
flock circled arouud, two or three breaking off and settling; 
the rest departed. We weilt after the two or three, started 
them wild out of tho largest ' pond, nnd both tiring to- 
gether brought down one with a lipped wing. Polly went 
for him, and together they traversed that ten-acre pond In 
many directions in an exceedingly lively manner. With 
tho thick grass, the water and any other dog, that dnek 
would have certainly come out nliead; but no possible bhd 
without wings in perfect order had a ghost of a chance 
with Polly, aud soon she came in with the mallard— n fine 
green-headed fellow— proud enough. “We will always 
claim, Polly, that you were splendid in the duck business." 
We waited an hour but no more mallards appeared, so we 
mounted our vehicle, put Dexter to his speed, and away wo 
went for Lake Johauuti, on the road shooting one “great 
yellow shanks," and no other game did we see. Mr. Mal- 
hony, our friend in the log cabin at tho lake, welcomed us 
kindly, boasting of tbe great fishing in the lake, hut we 
were not fishing. “How about game?" "YU; the brush 
is full of chickens, and quail, and pheasants (ruffed grouse,) 
nnd pigeons.” The sun was blazing hot, but with this mass 
of game around us we were anxious to be up and doing. 
We lntBted the borders of the cornfield, and did at length 
flush a fine bevy of quail, much to my surprise; for I know 
Mr. Malhony was an awful liar, nnd that lie would have 
easily declared that he had seen a drove of elk if wo had 
asked him about them. We killed three of ihe birds as 
they rose, nnd the remainder— some fifteen or twenty— took 
refuge in two or three acres of dense scrub oaks. Polly 
took the scent, rapidly followed it out of sight in spite of 
our urgent entreaties for her return, and successfully; for 
soon we could hear repeated whirrs. Before long Polly 
came in nnd took her whipping in a way that seemed to 
imply that she had had a good lime nnd was willing to pay 
for it. Then she hunted nicely at three or four rods dis- 
tance, but again striking the scent away she went, regard- 
less of everything, and away went the birds. “Walter," 
said I. “this will not do; this dog can’t shoot quail, and 
certainly this dog and we together cannot, for the dog 1ms 
all the chances. Go to the wagon nnd get the reins; we 
will restrict her movements and hunt tho quail on our own 
hook.” I sat down and talked to Polly, explained the mut- 
ter as well as I could, and when the reins came fixed them 
around her neck, so that there were just about three p bailees 
in ten that she wouldn’t he choked in her stragglings, 
though not much did wo care if she were, and tied her se- 
curely to an oak sapling five or six rods from our centre of 
operations. “Now, Polly, see that dog whip? Keep quiet 
and it does not concern you at all; make so much as a 
whimper and your troubles will begin." We went off one 
side and with great satisfaction sat down and wuiteu fo. 
the quail to indicate. “Bob white l" to tho tight; a reply 
to the left. Soon as many as three were calling, evidently 
drawing together, not far from our station. Wo keeping 
very quiet, scarce daring to breathe, could now hear l hem 
rustling through the leaves. “Bow-wow! bow-wowl yelp! 
yelp! yelp!’* 
“Ob, Polly! why didn’t I blow your old head off then 
and there?" The dog whip was applied with vigor, with 
vim, with venom. “Why didn’t I blow you out o! your 
beautiful hide? Polly, you would try the patience of a 
saint — yes, aud try it all out of him, too." 
Back we went, enraged aud reckless, in flue condition to 
shoot quail in a Minnesota oak thicket, brush so thick that 
every other stick went straight in your eye. After much 
toil we started one quail; tired four barrels at him; seared 
him badly, Polly barking and howling in large quantities, 
Walter savage and saying “Dang ill" We did not thrash 
her; intended to get a machine for that purpose the first 
opportunity. The day was hot; we were hot und tired; 
the quail were not very fat, and ducks were more iu our 
line. So wc bid Mr. Malhony farewell, mounted our high- 
topped buegy, and set Dexter to moving. 
PRINCE ALBE RT’S D OG KENNEL. 
Sciiloss Braunfels, Prussia, May 20th, 1875. 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
Like most of tho anciout German castles, Schloss Braunfels Is situated 
upon the top of a high hill, anil is surrounded by a most charming coun- 
try, over which it commands most extensive views of endless variety. 
Americans who hove visited bare say it reminds them In tho Full of the 
yenr very much of tbe most beautiful parts of their own country . Every 
window of tho hundreds In the castle looks over ranges of undulating 
forests, lively and lovely with every shade of leaf, with patches here and 
there of wild flowers of surpassing beauty. The castle stands in -Jostle 
and supreme- a central object of attraction In the midst of the rommilc 
valley of the Lnhn. Though so much Indebted lo nature for the lavish 
way in which she has strewn her choicest gifts at Its fret, yet Schloss 
Braunfels has many other associations connected with It which enhance 
its attractiveness. It has been since 1025 tho object of many n strife, tho 
scene of mqny a romantic episode. Guslavue Adolphus of Sweden once 
stood upon its ramparts a victor and monarch of all he surveyed Brave 
aud noble scions of the Illustrious house of Snlms have fallen la mortal 
strife for tho honor of their name and for the love they bore their 
"lndyes falre." It te one of the few ancient castles In Europe that has 
remained in the possession of the direct descendants of its original 
founders. The Princes of Salms have held this their ancestral * ,ron 8- 
hold since 1025. It will interest many of your renders to know that U. 
S. Highness Prince Albert Salms hus added another feature to tho at- 
tractions of the place in the establishment of a first-class kenned of ho 
purest bred dogs to he had at any cost. My friend Prince Albert has 
traveled far aud wide seeking the best strain of end. breed of dog. Ilo 
has taken the champion Ranger ns his beau Ideal of what an English 
setter should be, and has now In two kennels nearly twenty Mucdonn 
setters all by Ranger. Ills Irish setters arc descendants of my field and 
bench 'winner Plunket, mid the Gordons from the same strain as my 
bench and Field Trial winner Lang. The St. Bernards arc descendants 
of my international champion Tell, which never wiut beaten at n show. 
1 confess I feci a certain amount of pride In wotting for and watching 
the results of the different dogs that huve emanated from my kennels to 
Germany and America, and hope the generous rivalry between the two 
countries, east und west, will only foster a genial kinship am friendly 
feeling toward the mother kennel at West Kirby, Cheshire, where, I need 
scarcely add. all true sportsmen, from whatever country they halt, will 
find a generous and hearty reception. Braunfels has another attraction 
lor Americans, for Prince Charles Salms founded the prosperous mid lm- 
Dortant city of New Braunfels In Texas, whither he sent a large colony ot 
Germans from here. J- Cukmino Macdoxa, 
