70 
Is/^Siy 1 
NOTE ON HABITS OF CERTAIN THRUSHES. 
CHAS. C. ABBOTT, M. D. 
Bead before the Nattall Ornithological Clnb, 34th April, 1875. 
On Tuesdaj, April 13th. during a beating storm of 
snow and rain; the thermometer ranging from 33® to 
39° during the day, and a strong X. E. wind prevailing, 
I noticed in the yard of m y residence, a number of 
small thrushes hopping about the ground apparently 
looking for food and undisturbed by the severity of the 
weather. I counted at one time seven individuals, and 
on shooting one found that it (and I am satisfied all 
were) was the rufus tailed or hermit thrush, (Jurdus 
paUasi cab.) Since that date, they have been very abun- 
dant in the neighborhood generally, and in the less fre- 
quented streets of Trenton, N. J. I saw several speci- 
mens, hopping about the yards of the houses 
keeping usually close to the fences, as though to 
escape observation. They constantly uttered a quick, 
shrill chirp, but no other note. 
To-day, April 18th,. I saw numbers of small thrushes, 
along a wooded hillside, having a southern outlook, and 
two specimens collected, proved to be, as I supposed 
when I shot them, the olive-backed thrushes (Turius 
$wain9oni Cab.) and Wilson’s thrush {T. fmeescens sie- 
pbemt). At this time, then, we have in fiercer county, 
X. J. in abundance, these three species of Turdut. 
On reference to my field notes of the past three sum- 
mers. I have found nothing to show that the statement 
made in the American Naturalist (Nov. 1870) Yol. lY. 
p. 541, was an error. I there stated that "Wilson’s 
thrush IS the less numerous of the three species previous 
to June 1st, and from then until October, is the most 
60 .” This, of course implies the fact that it breeds in 
New Jersey; but also does more, it] asserts indirectly 
the presence of the other two species during that time, 
i. e., from June to October. This, to refer again to the 
memoranda in my field notes, is unquestionably true; 
and I cannot but think is, of itself, evidence, that they 
too breed in New Jersey. This is not considered true 
of them, I know, and it is supposed that I have “mix- 
ed up” the three species, which in fact, one might do, 
if they trusted only to watching them at large, and 
collecting no specimens. Having made special eflorts 
durino the summers of ’72, ’73 and ’74 to learn the 
habits and abundance of these species, I feel confident 
that the statements expressed and implied, both in the 
American Natural^ and in the Geology of yew Jersey 
are substantially tine. During the three seasons 
mentioned, 1 found no material variation in their num- 
bers, but met with occasional specimens «f T. pallasi 
and T. swainsonii, in the months of June, July, August 
and September. They were hopping about on the 
ground, in dense swamps, uttering a low chirp, quite un- 
like that usually heard in the spring and autumn. Du- 
ring this time I met with no specimens " in the open,” 
but in October, when the northern birds were coming 
back from their breeding haunts, they were joined by 
the residents, aud, as usual, the species were quite 
common, even in the j'ards of cit}' residences. I am as- 
sured unquestionable specimens of T. paUasi, annually 
frequent the grounds of the Pennsylvania Hospital in 
the city of Philadelphia, and remain throughout the 
summer, ilr Cassin informed the writer, some years 
since, that he had found the nest of the "hermit” in a 
swamp in Camden County, New Jersey. 
To recapitulate, it may be stated of these three small 
thrushes, which in the spring and autumn are so numer- 
ous as to attract verj’ general attention; that the Wilson 
thrush is a common, but more retiring species, that re- 
mains in abundance throughout the state, and breeds 
here, regularly. They arrive about the 20th of AprD, 
after the others, by a week or ten days. They are a 
woodland species, but on arriving in April, and during 
the autumn, are more sociable, and associated with the 
others, are frequently seen in “the open country.” 
The Hermit thrush arrives in April, about the middle 
of the month usually. When the species generally have 
passed northward, a few remain, seeking secluded 
swamps, and are supposed to breed. 
The olive-backed thrush is less abundant in spring 
and autumn, than either of the preceding, but not rare. 
1 was probably in error, in considering that two per 
cent of their numbers remained in the state, but in 1873 
and in 1874, 1 met with three indiiiduals of this species, 
as late as August 1st, and concluded that they had bred 
here. It probably is not conclusive evidence, that every 
species of migratory bird that happens to remain a 
whole year even, in a given territory, breeds therein ; 
but it certainly is presumable, when we find that the 
habits and haunts of such birds, during the breeding 
season, accord with their habits, at the same time, in 
their usual breeding grounds. If the heimit and olive- 
backed thrushes remained all summer, in the open 
country, even to town yards, then, indeed, it would be 
doubtful if they bred; but instead, going as they do to 
just such dense swamps and swampy woodlands, and 
there remaining during the summer, instead of contin- 
uing with their brethren, it never occurred to the writer 
that it could be otherwise, than that in few and varying 
numbers, both the hermit and olive-backed thrushes 
bred within the limits of New Jersey. 
MICHIGAN STATE SPORTSMEN’S ASSO- 
CIATION. 
In response to the call of the Audubon club, noticed 
by us, 4 meeting was held at the Audubon club rooms, 
Detroit, on Monday, April 2, to form a State Sports- 
men’s Association : 
Tbe meeting was called to order by Wm. C. Colburn, 
who was appointed temporary chairman, and F. Wol- 
fenden temporary secretary . 
A Committee on Credentials was appointed, consist- 
ing of Messrs. Weeks, Osgood and Yan Duzer, who re- 
ported the following delegates present: 
Audubon Clnb, Detroit — Geo. H. Parker, Chas. C. 
Cadman, John E. Long. Lake St. Clair Fishing and 
Shooting Club, Detroit — K. P. Toms. A. M. Yan Duzer, 
Wm. C. Colburn. North Channel Family Club — Mar 
cus Stevens, Geo. Doty, D. Jarvis. Detroit Amateur 
Shooting Club — Fred J. Simmons, R. ^I. Baker, G. B. 
Mather. Diana Club, of Saginaw — J K. Rose, J. E- 
Winder. Sportsmen’s Club, Battle Creek — E. C. Nich- 
ols, N. A. Osgood. Hunting and Fishing C'ub, Mt. 
Clemens — Edgar Weeks, J. B. Eldridge, James A. 
Randal. Audubon Club, Plymouth — Fred A. Smith, 
R. Haines, M. Kenyon. Kent County Sportsmen’s 
Club — A. B. Turner, W. L. Thayer, Geo D. Barse. 
The Pontiac Club of Pontiac — Samuel 31. Liggett. Pa- 
kotink Club, Grand Rapids — E. S. Holmes Shooting 
Club, Morenci — B. F. Horton, J. H. Snow, D. M. Blair, j 
Bay County Sportsmen’s Associaii m. Bay City — D. H. j 
Fitzhugh, Jr., C C. Fitzhugh, Geo. Lewis. Ecorse— | 
George Clark. Allegan — H. A. Kellogg. Fishing \ 
Club, Nonhville — David Clarkston, J. G. Lapham. 
Clarkslf>n — N. W. Clark. South 3Iichigan‘ Shooting 
Club, Hudson — J. B. Welch. 
Letters were also read from a number of prominent 
sportsmen in the State, conveying their heart}’ co-oper- 
ation and good will. 
A Committee on Constitution and By Laws was ap- 
pointed, consisting of Chas. C. Cadman, of Detroit; 
E. C. Nichols, of Battle Creek; A. B. Turner, of 
Grand Rapids; A. J. 3Iidier, of S.iginaw; Geo. CiarKc- 
of Ecorse; and D. H. Fitzhugh, of Bay City. This 
committee reported a cons itution aud by-laws, which 
were adopted, and which provide that the association 
shall be called | 
‘ “ The ilichigan State Sportsmen’s Association for the ^ 
Protection of ^ame and Fish.’ The As.-ociation is i 
formed ‘ for the purpose of aiding in procuring all ' 
necessary legislation for the complete protection of , 
game and ti-h throughout the Slate of 3Iichigan during i 
such season as the laws of this State shall or may here- , 
after make it unlawful to kill, or pursue, or sell, or ex- , 
pose for sale, any game or fish, and for the rigid en- 
forcement of such laws as may be enacted hereafter for 
the protection and preservation of such game and fish, 
and for the purpose of promoting kindly intercourse, 
and elevating the moral standard of all legitimate 
sports of the field and stream.” "It will be composed 
of all regularly organized sportsmen’s clubs in the 
State of 3Iichigan. that shall comply with the require- 
ments of th^constitution, and all organized clubs rep- ■ 
resented byaelegates to the convention forming this ' 
constitution, and all organized clubs that shall hereafter , 
be admitted shall be entitled to three delegates each.” 
The annual meetings of the 3Iichigan State associa- 
tion will be held at such time and place as may be des- 1 
ignated by a majority vote of tbe delegates at each pre- 
ceding annual convention. Fifteen delegates wiil con- ■ 
stitute a quorum, but a less number will be competent to | 
adjourn the meeting from time to time until such a j 
number can be brought together. ! 
The election of permanent officers resulted as fol- ' 
lows: Prest., R. P. Toms, of Detroit; 1st Y. P., E. S. 
Holmes, of Grand Rapids; 2d Y. P., D. H. Fitzhugh, 
Jr., of Bay City; Sec., Edgar Weeks, of 3It. Clemens; 
Treas., C. C. Cadman, of Detroit. 
Committee on Rules and Regulations, 3Iessrs. E. C. 
Nichols, Wm. C. Colburn, A. J. Kellogg, J. K. Rose, 
and S. W. Liggett. 
The five newly selected officers were elected as the 
delegates to the National Convention, which meets in , 
® 1 
Cleveland, on the second Tuesday of June next ilessrs. ■ 
A. M. Yan Duzer, W. L Thayer, W. C Colburn, J. E. 
Winder and C. C. Fitzhugh were appointed as their . 
alternates. '■ 
It was decided to hold the next annual meeting of the | 
association at Jackson, on the second Tuesday of 3Iay, 
1876. 
After several interesting addresses from 3Iessrs. 
Toms, Nichols, Kellogg, Clark and other gentlemen 
which want of space compels us to omit, the conven- 
tion adjourned, having accomplished its object. 
Pbiladelpbia Zoological. 
Mr. G. Brown Goode of the Smithsonian Instltntion, a gentle- 
man well-known to our readers, has been in Florida, collecting ani- 
mals for the Zoological Garden, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. 
Among the mammals there are two fine specimena of tbe sonthem 
Fox Squirrel vulpinus), one gray with, black head, the other 
entirely black, rn excellent instance of the ‘'melanism'' so common 
in this species: also a Gray or “Cat" Squirrel {Sciuru4 earolirunsif) 
specifically identical with the Gray Sqnirrel of the Xorthem States, 
but smaller and more rufous upon tbe back. Also two “Salaman- 
ders" (Xr^omys pin€ti) familiar to Floridians as tbe animals which 
undermine the pine barrens so extensively, throwing up countless 
little hillocks of loose sand; they are pouched rats and closely 
resemble the Pocket Gopher ( Gtomy$ bur$arxu $ ) of the 
western plains, so great a pest to the agriculturist. Eight or 
nine specimens were obtained, but only two were domesti- 
cated sufficiently to bring north, the others dying or escap- 
ing. A young Wood Hare {Lepus SyltcUicus) is included 
and an Earth Mole {Scakfps aquatiew^) smaller and grayer than 
moles of the same species at tbe North. 
The only birds shipped were ton pairs of Quails {Ortyx tirgin 
ianus) of the Florida form, which are smaller, darker and have 
heavier bills than the Northern quails. A pair of Carolina Doves 
Zenoedura caroiinensit^ some Parokeeis (Conurw caroiinenMs) a 
Marsh Hen and a Sparrow-hawk (Faico fparreriu^,) 
were obtained, but all died in captivity before they could bo 
shipped. 
A largo Alligator {AUigaXor ) over ten feet in 
length. There are also *20 Chameleons (Anolyt carollmnsU) in 
their liveries of green and scarlet, and 25 Scaly or “Alligator" Li*- 
ards {iiceioporus vndtdatuSt) and a pair of Red-heeded Lizaros 
iPl^^fiodon erytJirocephalw) the “ Scorpions" so dreaded by the 
negi'oes. in spite of their harmless nature. Specimens of the Wood 
Lizard (LygO'Orna laieral^s) and the Snake Lizard (OphUaurvg rer - 
traiUt) the so-called “Glass Snake" or “Joint Snake," were secured, 
but did not take kindly to captivity. The collection of snakes is 
especially complete, comprising, with a few exceptions, all the spe- 
cies which have been obser\’ed in Florida. Here are all the veno- 
mous snakes of the South, a pair of Diamond Rattlesnakes (Crota* 
lua ada/nauteiis) from the Indian river country, two Ground Raitle- 
siiakci {Crotalophorus tniliarius,) a Moccasin or “Cotton-moath" 
(Ancisfrodon piscirorus^) and a pair of Harlequins {Flaps fulriut) 
gorgeous in Ihvir bands of orange, black and crimson. The Garter 
Suake >nrtalU,) tbe King Snake {Opkidotus getxdus)^ tbe 
Bead Snake {Ophibdus coccineus^) the “Calico" Snake {Abastor 
erythrojrammus) with its delicate tints of rose and purple, are here, 
as well, as a pair of the red “Chicken Snakes" of tbe Fioridiaoa 
{Col>iber guUatiu.) There are fiva slender Black Snakes {Ba^canUn 
constrictor two Bull Snakes {PityophU rrulanolcucus) the Horn 
Snake or “ Rattlesnake’s Pilot," who greets his visitors with hisses 
and puffs like a small steam engine.. “Water Moccasins," are harm- 
less water snakes, usnally confounded with the poisonous Moccasin, 
w’hich belongs to the Rattlesnake family. One is tbe Tropidonotus 
fasciaiuit. the other, w th a copper colored belly, Tro2/idonotus 
1 ryfhrogaster . Severaf specimens of two species of Spreading Ad- 
ders {Ihicrodon platyrhinos and H. aiuvrtdts.) Specimens of the 
Green Suake {OyclophU and of {Coluber condnis) eecaped 
from their cages. 
Among the turtles there are 19 “ Gophers" or Elephant Tortoises 
{Xerobates caroiinujt) the peculiar torto:8c of Florida, so much in 
favor with the peninsular negro for soups and other culinary com- 
pounds. Three large Leather-back Turt.es {Ptatypeltic ferox) such 
as Bartram described in his Florida travels published a century ago. 
Also, two fine Green Turtles {Chelotdamydae) taaen in Trout Creek, 
and thus .-aved from the Jacksonville epicures, with nine Yellow- 
bellied Terrapins \,Ptychemys ooncinna) and a si.ecimen of the Alli- 
gator Terrapin {C^nosternum pennsyltardcum.) 
To sum up: The total number of specimens was 132, representing 
32 species, distr bated as follows: Mammals, 5 species; birds, 1; 
lizards, 4; serpents, 16; turtles. 5; amphibians. 1. A number of 
Florida wild hogs have been engaged and negotiations arc being car- 
ried on lor some Manatees {Manatu* americanw) from the Indian 
River country. 
Mr. Goode also sends two large tanks containing a collection of 
the fishes of the St. John's River, made in behalf of the U. S. Cum- 
missioD of Fish and Fisheries. 
Mxtor Htde of Newton, Mass., with others rented a pond of 
only a few acres In that town, a few years since, and stocked it with 
black bass. Withone any feeding whatever, the pond is fall of these 
valaable eating fish. Mr. Hyde snggeste to farmers, and others woo 
are situated near ponds and Jakes, that they form dabs or associa- 
tions and take measures to secure leases of each waters, aud then 
stock the same with useful fish, aud there are many small streams, 
ponds, swamps and wet places That can be utilized for this purpose. 
The ^VUm^ngton X. C. Star^ says:— A gentleman of this city, 
while hunting snipe yesterday, killed a large white crane at 90 yards 
by acinal measurement The gnu used was a double-barreled 
breech-loader, 10 gauge, made by J. <fc W. Tolley, and the charge 
was 3 1-2 drams powder and 1 1-4 ounces No. 4 shot. One of tbe 
great advantages of a breech-loader was practically 8ho>vn in this 
case, when it was but the work of a moment to exchange a car- 
tridge loaded with No. 9 shot for one loaded with No. 4. Thus it 
shows what a good gun, properly charged, can sometimes ac- . 
complisb. 
A company of hunters in Nevada lately had a desperate fight 
with a herd of seven grizzly bears. The hunters, of whom there 
were six, killed five of the bears with their rifies aud then bad to 
fight the other two with their knives, but as tbe bears had been 
badly wounded, tbe hunters were able to dispatch them without 
themselves susUinlng mneh injnry. 
