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p A R n^ I . 
 
 Diseases of Poultry 
 
 BY 
 
 LBONARDlPEARSON, b. s., v. m. d. 
 
 STATE VETERINARIAN. 
 
 CLARENCE M. BUSCH, 
 
 STATE PRINTBR OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 1897. 
 
 (A 
 
?5^ 
 
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Pay.-. 
 
 Larvae of Chicken Flea — Railliet, 17 
 
 Head of Chicken Flea— Railliet 18 
 
 Chicken Lice— 
 
 Goniodes dissimilis ^Paiget, lit 
 
 Goniocotes gigas -NV umann, 20 
 
 Goniocotes hologaster — Xeumiann 21 
 
 JAjyeurus variabilis —Neumann, 22 
 
 Men02i07i pallidum —Railliet, 23 
 
 Red Poultry Mite— Delaf end, 25 
 
 Pigeon Tick— Railliet 27 
 
 Pai'asites of Body Mange — 
 
 Epidermoptes &i7o6a<«5— female— Neumann, 29 
 
 Epider')noj>tes bit obatus— male — Neumann 30 
 
 Sarcoiytes ?aeci5 -Railliet, '^^ 
 
 Protozoa from a Fo*vl's Intestine— Perroncito, 33 
 
 Head of a fowl with Favus— Neumann, 31 
 
 Parasite of Favus— Neumann, "^-^ 
 
 Pair of Gape Worms— Railliet 40 
 
 Pair of Gape Worms Attached to Windpipe— Megnin 41 
 
 Windpipe Containing Gape Worms— Megnin 43 
 
 Air Sac Mite— Railliet .' ^^ 
 
 Tape Worm — Zurn, °^ 
 
 Intestine Containinig Tape Worms— Goeze 55 
 
 Pin Worm of the Pigeon — Neumann 60 
 
 Digestive Apparatus of Birds— Smith 61 
 
 Parasite of Mange of the Legs and Feet— 
 
 Sarcoptes mw^an*— Neumann, 83 
 
 Foot of Fowl with Mange— Neumann, 84 
 
 Floor of Mouth, Showing Diphtheria— Moore n 
 
 Roof of Mouth. Showing Diphtheria— Moore, 94 
 
 Caeca of Healthy Turkey— Moore 101 
 
 Caeca of Turkey, Showing Effect of Protozoan Disease — 
 
 Moore l'^*2 
 
 lyiver of Turkey, Showing Effect of Protozoan Disease — 
 
 Moore 1 "13 
 
 Plate 1 — Skeleton of Fowl— Chauveau ln<) 
 
 Plate 2 — Digestive Ai'paratus of a Fowl^Chauveau Ill 
 
 (3) 
 
 M3720K8 
 

 (4) 
 
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 
 
 Department of Agriculture, 
 
 Harrisburg, Pa., March 8, i8gS. 
 To the Houoiable Senate and House of Kepiesenta lives 
 of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania: 
 Gentlemen: In ccmpliance with the following con- 
 current resolution I have the honor to transmit here- 
 with Part I, entitled "Diseases of Poultry." 
 
 LEONARD PEARSON. 
 
 In the House of Representatives, 
 March 1, 1897. 
 Resolved (if the Senate concur), That there shaU be printed 
 at the earliest possible date, in pamphlet form, fifteen thousand 
 copies of Bulletin No. 17, of the Department of Agriculture, 
 entitled "The Diseases and Enemies of Poultry," with such ad- 
 ditional matter and chang-es as the authors may deem nec- 
 essary to more fully explain this important subject; five thou- 
 sand for the use of the Senate and ten thousand for the use of 
 the present members of the House of Representatives: Pro- 
 vided, That the authors shall receive no extra compensation for 
 preparing-, writing, editing, proof reading, revising and index- 
 ing this pamphlet. 
 
 A. D. FETTEROLF, 
 Re.=;ident Clerk of the House of Representatives. 
 
 In the Senate, March 2. 1897. 
 The foregoing lesoliition in the House concurred in. 
 
 E. W. SMILiEY, 
 Chief Clerk of the Senate. 
 
 Approved— The 9th day of March. K. D. 1S97. 
 
 DANIEL H. HASTINGS. 
 (5) 
 
(6) 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 This report on the Diseases and Enemies of Poultry 
 is written in answer to an extensive demand for intctr- 
 niation on tlie subject of which it treats. While a 
 larg-e number of articles on diseases of poultry may be 
 found in poultry jouinals, live stock papers and poul- 
 try books, there has been no recent attempt in this 
 country to produce a comjirehensive, popular but ac- 
 curate description of the 'diseases of fowls, together 
 with the means to be employed to cure and prevent 
 Ihem. 
 
 In preparing the Jii-st part of this Bulletin, the Vet- 
 erinai'ian has made free use of all of the works on dis- 
 eases of poultry that lie has been able to secure, and has 
 drawn upon the English, French and German litera- 
 ture. 
 
 Special acknowledgment must be given to the agri- 
 cultural and poultry jieriodicals, to the following au- 
 thors: Ztirn. Friedberger and Frohner, Neumann, Kail- 
 liet, Nocard and Leclainche, and the publications of the 
 U. S. Department of Agriculture by Drs. Salmon, 
 Smith, Moore and Stiles. 
 
 There is a great deal to learn in reference to^ these 
 subjects, and a promising field for investigation and re- 
 search is offered. It is hoped that some of the numer- 
 ous imperfectly understood diseases of poultry may be 
 carefully studied, and a future more complete report 
 upon this subject issued under the auspices of the 
 State De])artraent of Agriculture. 
 
 (7) 
 
(8) 
 
PARX I. 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 IMPOHTAKOE OF THE POULTRY INDUSTRY 
 
 Tha pi'odnction of e*?gs and poultry is one of the 
 most important branches of agriculture. To those who 
 have not given this subject especial attention, the state- 
 ment that the annual poultry products of the United 
 States are equal in value to the wheat crop, may ap- 
 pear something startling. 
 
 According to a recent estimate of the American Agri- 
 culturist, based on the last census and on an extensive 
 inquiry, the nuuiber of fowls in the United States is 
 about 383,000,000; these produce U141,OO0,0O0 dozen 
 eggs each year, and the value of both amounts to $343.- 
 000.000,00. 
 
 Pennsylvania is one of the leading states in the pro- 
 duction of poultry. According to the same authority, 
 there are in this State 15,317,000 fowls of all sorts — 
 rurkeys, geese, ducks and chickens— valued at $8,236, 
 000, and these produce 68,818,000 dozen eggs each year 
 worth, at 20 cents ]>er dozen. |13,763,600. making a 
 total value for ]»oultry and eggs of nbout $22,000. 
 000.00. 
 
 At a very conservative estimate, one-tenth of the 
 poultry, young and old. is carried away by disease each 
 year. Hence the iiii]>oi tanc(> of this subject is mani- 
 fest. 
 
 (9) 
 
 1»--I 
 
10 
 TREATMENT OF SICK FOWLS. 
 
 A uunibcr of difficulties are met with in treating 
 fowls that do not confront the veterinarian or live stock 
 owner in treating most of the other domestic animals. 
 Fowls are not accustomed to being handled. They are 
 of a semi-wild disposition, so that when it becomes nec- 
 essary during illness to examine and administer medi- 
 (nne to them they are apt to resist. However, fowls 
 can be treated as successfully as any other animals, 
 provided they receive the same amount of careful, in- 
 telligent attention. 
 
 On all faims where poultry is kept in large numbers 
 it is advisable to have a small building or room fitted 
 up as a hospital for the care of sick and disabled birds. 
 If such a place is at hand it will be possible to achieve 
 much better results than when attemp'ts are made to 
 treat fowls in the buildings where their companions 
 are, and where they are constantly annoyed by them, 
 or than can be reached if the fowls are placed in a 
 dirty box in soine damp, out of the way place, under 
 the impression that anything is good enough for a sick 
 chicken. 
 
 CAUSES OF DISEASE. 
 
 The causes of diseases of }M)ultry are various and at- 
 tention is directed to the cause of each one treated upon 
 in the following. It will be noticed that in mcvst cases 
 diseases are avoidable, tliat thev result from misman 
 
11 
 
 agement in the way of feeding, liousing or cleanliness. 
 Some of them, bowever, are contagious and cannot be 
 wholly prevented even when the feeding and sanitary 
 conditions are of tlie best, but experience teaches that 
 where co-nditions are good for birds tliey are bad for 
 disease germs and vice versa, so that when contagious 
 diseases prevail, tlieir ravages are much greater among 
 fowls that are poorly kept than among those that are 
 cared for properly. 
 
 Contagious diseases and })a,rasites are usually intro- 
 duced by new fowls brought into the Hock, and it is 
 worth while, especially where pure bred fowls are 
 grown, to place all neAv acquisitions in quarantine away 
 fi'om the flock for a few days, and until it has been 
 shown that they present no evidence of disease. Great 
 care should be used, also, in purchasing only from 
 sound stock kept under favoiable conditions. 
 
 SYMPTO.MS OF DISEASE. 
 
 Birds shc'W disease in a variety of ways, but in most 
 cases if the affection is at all severe, they become list- 
 less, sluggisb, torpid, inclined to keep away from tlieir 
 fellows, they are apt to stand with the head drawn 
 down, the wings and tail pendant and feathers ruffled. 
 Tn many diseases, diarrhoea is the first symptom, and in 
 all cases of diarihoea, attention should be paid to the 
 droppings for the ])urposp o>f noting their color and 
 whether they contain A\'orms or an admixture of mucus 
 or blood. Sometimes loss of apju'tite is the first sym])- 
 
12 
 
 torn of disease, sometimes paleness of the comb and 
 visible membranes. In the skin diseases, the first 
 symptoms appear on the surface and consist in a loss 
 of gloss on some of the feathers and stiffness and brit- 
 tleness of the feathers, and sometimes the appearance 
 of naked spots. 
 
 The examination of the throat is important in manv 
 cases because it is the seat of two common and very 
 serio'us afflictions of domestic fowls,, namely, roup and 
 gapes. In examining the mouth and thoat the bill can 
 bo opened by pressing the thumb and finger on the 
 angle at either side; then if the windpipe is pressed up- 
 ward from the neck, the larynx can be forced into the 
 back of the mouth and examined easily. It is fre- 
 quently of advantage to have an assistant hold the fowl 
 while the examiner carries out these manipulations and 
 also holds the tO'Pgue down by bearing upon it with a 
 wooden toothpick or some similar small object. 
 
 The temperature of the fowl is rarely measured, be- 
 cause fevej- is shown by symptoms of cliilliness, etc.. 
 but it is well to know tliat the noa-mal temperature of 
 the domestic fowls varies between 106 and 107.5 de- 
 grees F. This is considerably higher than the tempera- 
 ture of the larger animals. If it becomes desirable to 
 measure the temperatuie. if: can be done by inserting 
 a clinical thermometer into the cloaca. It should pene- 
 trate for about two inches and remain two or three 
 minutes before it is withdrawn and read. 
 
 The heart beat of the fowl is quite rapid, varying 
 from 110 to 140 per minute, but the determination of its 
 rapidity is of liltle importance in diagnosing the dis- 
 ease of fovsls, because when they are grasped for the 
 purpose of counting the bent, it becomes so rapid that 
 it is sometimes almost impossible to count it. running 
 
13 
 
 up in manj' cases to 300 pulsations per minute. The 
 heart beat can be easily felt by applying the fingers to 
 the sides of the chest wall. 
 
 The rapidity of respiration is of more importance 
 than the rapidity of the lieart beat, because it can be 
 determined at a distance from the fo-wl. and without 
 anrjoying it and thus quickening this function. The 
 normal breathing rate of the fowl at rest is from 50 to 
 60 respirations per minute. In diseases of the breath- 
 ing organs and obstructions of them by growths or 
 parasites, the respirations become quickened. 
 
 POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. 
 
 Very often it is not j)0ssible to determine the char- 
 acter of a disease affecting fowls nntil after they are 
 dead, and as many of the poultry diseases are conta 
 gious, it is always advisable to open and examine every 
 fowl that dies in the flock. This may enable the owner 
 to check a contagious disease in its incipiency and avoid 
 great loss. But in any case, it is advisable to know 
 what fowls die from, so that similar occurrences may 
 be recognized and prevented in the future. The ana- 
 tomy of the fowl cannot be described at this time for 
 lack of space, but anyone who is in the habit of opening 
 and cleaning chickens, knows the general appearance 
 of the healthy organs, will usually recognize marked 
 departures from the normal. 
 
 If fowls die from unknown diseases, and particularly 
 if they die in large numbers from disease that seems to 
 
14 
 
 be contagious, information in regard to these affections 
 may be obtained by correspondence witli tlie State 
 V'eterinariau, and it is desired tliat fowls dying from 
 vague diser.ses shall be expressed as soon as possible 
 after they are dead to the Veterinary Uepartment of 
 the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. They 
 should be v.'ra}>i)ed in cloth and heavy paper, packed in 
 straw, nailed up in a box with a cake of ice and ex- 
 pressed as promptly as possible. A letter should 
 always be forwarded either in the box or by mail ex- 
 l)la!ning the general symptoms and characteristics of 
 the disease. Such shipments may be made C. O. D. 
 
 THE MEDICATION OF FOWLS. 
 
 The medication of individual fowls is not ditticult, 
 but requires care and patience. There are several forms 
 in which medicines may be administered. Pills can be 
 given most readily. It is only necessary to secure the 
 bird, open its bill and drop the pill into the back of the 
 mouth, then close the bill and if the bird resists, hold 
 it together until the pill has been swallowed. 
 
 Fluids are sometimes administered from a spoon, but 
 if the fowl is badly frightened this may be a matter of 
 considerable difficulty. The best way is to introduce a 
 small rubber tube, about a third of an inch in diameter, 
 into the mouth, pass it into the oesophagus and dow'n 
 to the crop. A little ex])erience will enable one tO' do 
 this quickly and without discomfort to the bird. Fluid 
 medicines in any desirable quantity can be introduced 
 through this tube. 
 
15 
 
 Pasty mixliii-es are sometinip.s ^iveii. Medicines are 
 mixed \Nitli sticky materials, as molasses, honey, etc., 
 made into pasty masses and placed in the back of the 
 mo-uth witli a small wooden paddle. Flocks can be 
 treated, when the birds avIH eat, by mixing medicines 
 with the food or dissolving them in water. Sometimes 
 powders are given by si)rinkling them on moist grain. 
 Chalk is frequently given in this way to birds with 
 diarrhoea by mixing it with rice that has been moist- 
 ened. It thus adheres to the kernels and is eaten with- 
 out reluctance. 
 
 When a very iAck fowl is under treatment, it is bet- 
 ter to give small doses at frequent intervals than large 
 doses at long intervals, for in this way the action of the 
 medicine can be measured more accurately and the 
 proper dose can be ascertained by trials. Fowls of 
 different breeds and different sizes and ages require 
 different doses. It is not always possible to determine 
 these accurately, but the judgment cf the poultry 
 keeper must be called into play in all instances. 
 
 DISINFECTION. 
 
 Disinfection is alluded to very frequently in the fol- 
 lowing pages and is often of the greatest importance. 
 Many poultry keepers are under the impression that it 
 •s sufficient to scatter strong smelling jmwders or li- 
 q.iids about the cC'0j)S or poultry houses, and that so 
 long as the odor of these materials is in the air. the 
 premises are undergoing disinfection. Nothing could 
 
16 
 
 be more inisJeadii'g or further from the truth. Disiu 
 fection is practised for the purpose of destroying dis 
 ease producing germs and disinfectants, or the mate- 
 rials used for disirfeeting, will only destroy germs that 
 they come in eortact with. It is perfectly evident that 
 when disinfectants are scattered about carelessly tkey 
 oome in coDtact with a very small fraction of the entire 
 surfaces that may harbor germs, and unless all of these 
 surfaces are covered and all of the germs reached the 
 disinfection is apt to be fruitless. In order that dis- 
 infection may be carried out properly it is essential, 
 ilrsit of all, to remove the manure, litter and rubbish of 
 all /dnds. This should be mixed with lime and placed 
 in barrels, or it should be spread on fields at such a dis- 
 tance from the poultry runs that it cannot possibly 
 contaminate them. However, if the disease is a viru- 
 lent one it is always best to bum manure rather than 
 take any chances with it. Then the interior of the 
 building should be thoroughly swabbed or scrubbed 
 out, and afterv. ards the disinfectants can be employed. 
 Disinfectants are best used in solution because they 
 can then be applied more evenly and perfectly. They 
 can be a])plied with a Itrush, with a sprinkling pot or, 
 best of all, with a spray pump, such as is used for 
 spr.aying fruit trees. The disinfectants to be employed 
 in special cases are mentioned hereafter in connection 
 with the prevention of the different diseases. White- 
 wash is always a good disinfectant, but its value can 
 be greatly increased for this purpose by adding chloride 
 of lime to it, one pound to three or four gallons, or car- 
 bolic acid, one pint to the bucketful. 
 
CHAPTER 1. 
 
 DISEASES OF THE SKIN, 
 
 A. I'hoae caused by parasites. 
 
 1. FLEA8. 
 
 The bird Ilea, known as Pulexavium, is a very small, 
 brownish insect. It has six legs but is without wings. 
 Its body is somewhat elongated and flattened from 
 side to side. This little parasite is exceedingly annoy- 
 ing to poultry and especially to pigeons. It is very 
 active and lives not only on the bird but also on the 
 perches and in the nests and crevices of poultry houses. 
 By its constant biting it keeps fowls awake and causes 
 them to scratch and hop about so that their rest is 
 disturbed and eventually they become thin and weak 
 and if they are not actually killed by the fleas, which 
 occurs very rarely, they are so harassed tliat they are 
 predisposed to other diseases and in this way the flea 
 may be an indirect 
 cause of death. Pig- 
 eons are annoyed by 
 fleas far more than 
 other poultry. 
 The remedy is to al- 
 
 2-1 
 
 Labva or THE Chioken Flea. 
 Twenty times natural slze.l 
 
 (17) 
 
18 
 
 low llie birds a (lusliug J)1ucl' and if the parasites are 
 very nmueroiis insect powder or sulphur should be 
 mixed with the dusi and when the fowls scratch and 
 burroiw in this i^owder it enters the spaces between the 
 feathers, reaches the skin and so obstructs the breath- 
 ing openings on the surface of the flea that it finds the 
 conditions very disagreeable and becoines stu])efied 
 and falls off or goes away. 
 Or insect powder can be 
 blown by means of a powder 
 gun or blower between the 
 feathers of the alflioted fowl. 
 It is also necessary to so 
 treat the roosting places, 
 nests and poultry houses 
 that the fleas will be either 
 destrojed or driven away, liecause if this is not done 
 they return to the birds as soon as the dust is shaken 
 from their feathers. Disinfection can be accomplished 
 by spraying the interior of the building with a solu- 
 tion of carbolic acid (one part to twenty parts of 
 water). Or a kerosene emulsion, such as is used for 
 spraying fruit trees, can be employed for the same pur- 
 l)ose. 
 
 Head op the Chicken Flea. 
 Thirty times natural size. 
 
 2. LTOE. 
 
 Bird lice differ considerably from the ordinary lice 
 of haired animals. They do not suck blood as those 
 do and cannot, for they are proyided with a mouth 
 
19 
 
 that ouh" eiables llioin to bite. Tliey live on the 
 crusts, scales and dead cells that gather on the surface 
 of the skin and that are prevented from falling off by 
 the featliiers. 
 
 There are several vai'ieties of lice belonging to four 
 principal genera: these are Goniodes, Goniocotes, Lip- 
 eurus and Menopen. While these parasites differ eon; 
 siderably as regards their shape and size they resem- 
 ble each other very closely in their habits. All of 
 them are very small insects, from 1-100 to Id incli 
 l&ng and their bodies are plainly divided into three 
 I)arts; the head is very large and fiat, the thorax, or 
 second segment, is roundish and considerably smaller 
 than the head ; the abdomen, oi 
 most posterior segment, is long, 
 oval and plump. Their color 
 is usually grayish or yellowish, 
 but some of them show differ- 
 <?rit shades of brown. Although 
 these parasites do not pene- 
 trate the skin and suck the 
 blood as fleas do, and as the 
 lice of mammals do, they cause 
 a gieat deal of itching and an- 
 noyance while ci'awling about 
 over the sui-faee and sometimes chicken louse. 
 
 they bite the skin and in that Goniode><disximiu.% m&ie. 
 
 , . . , _ One ol' the most common va- 
 
 way occasion mi.eh irritation, neties. 20 times natural size. 
 
 At one time it was thought that lice were bred by 
 filth and that tbey generated themselves, as it were, 
 in dirty places, but it has been shown that this is not 
 the case and that they are only produced by like para- 
 sites and luive the property of reproducing themselves 
 
20 
 
 Chicken Louse. 
 (iinniiciitex yiiins, female. 
 Ten times natural size. 
 
 with great rapidity. It lias 
 been estimated that tlie third 
 o-eneratioii springing' from a 
 single individual may reach 
 the enonnous number of 125,- 
 000 within twelve weeks. 
 
 While it is true that ne- 
 glect, dirt, fllth, etc., favor the 
 growtli and propagation of 
 lice, it should always be re- 
 membered that they cannot 
 appear in the poultry yard 
 unless they are brought in by 
 an infested fowl or by a cage 
 that a fowl has been in or 
 some other object that an in- 
 fested fo^^l lias been in contact with. I»ut foAvls are 
 interchanged so frecpiently and fowls of ditferenl 
 owners oome in contact in so many wayis at poultry 
 shows, in markets, etc., that it is not at all difficult foi- 
 a yard that was previously free from these parasites to 
 become infested when least suspected. 
 
 These parasites occasion as much loss as any disease 
 that fowls are subject tO'. ^^'hile they alone do not 
 often kill birds, in many cases they so annoy them b\ 
 their constant irritation that they ]>revent sleep and 
 rest so thai fowls and especially young ones do not 
 grow and thi-ivc' as they should, and Ix'comc thin and 
 delicate. In this condition they do not produce eggs 
 noir are they good for food, and so long as they con- 
 tinue to remain badly infested with lice they are ab- 
 solutely unproductive and worthless. 
 
 The conditions that are most favorable to the pro- 
 pagation of lice have already been mentioned briefly. 
 
21 
 
 Attention should also be called to the fact that poultry 
 houses that are dark and damp fninish very favorable 
 places for the growth of these insects. Tlien, also, 
 fowls that are poor in condi- 
 tion are jnore apt to be in- 
 fested with lice than those 
 that are in goiod condition, 
 healthy and sturdy. It has 
 been noticed fre(iuently that 
 where there are a number of 
 fowls in an infested pen 
 tlnose that are least rugged 
 harbor tlie most lice. The 
 probable reason fcir tliis is 
 that fowls in poor condition 
 have a somcAvhat drv and 
 
 „ ■ . Chicken Louse. 
 
 SCniTy Skm which provides CJonwcotes hrAouastei; male. 
 
 Forty times natural size. 
 
 more hiding places and more food for lice than the 
 smooth, pliable skin of the perfectly healthy bird. 
 When fowls are afflicted in this way it can be noticed 
 that they are uneasy and restless, they are constantly 
 pecking at different parts of the body and scratching 
 and shaking themselves. They also have an inclina- 
 tion to dust themselves and when caught and ex- 
 amined the lice can frequently be seen, when tlie feath- 
 ers are spread apait. and especially about the head 
 and neck, where they cannot be reached by the bill of 
 the animal, beneath the wings and sometime* on all 
 parts of the body. They may also be found in many 
 cases, if a careful search is made, in the nests, on th<' 
 perches and in cracks and out-of-the-way places at any 
 point in the building. 
 
 In attemjiting to destroy lice it is necessjiry not only 
 to treat the fowl but also the j)remises occu]iied by it. 
 
22 
 
 because if we simply destroy those 
 that ane on the bird they will retiini 
 aj^ain from the surroundings just as 
 lleas do. In treating an animal lor 
 the purpose of destroying lice two 
 metliods may be employed. We may 
 use substances that will poison the 
 lice outright or we niay use sub- 
 stances that are not poisonous in 
 themselves but which destroy lice by 
 obstructing the jiores on the surface 
 of the insect and thus shutting off its 
 supply oif air and suffocating it. The 
 latter plan is pieferable in the case 
 of young and weak birds. Little chick- 
 ens but a few days old frequ.Mitly ^"^ ^^^°g^f '^'"'^^ 
 accpiire lice from their mothers or L'pcurmvm-iabiUs, 
 their surroundings and are sometimes annoyed ser- 
 iously by them. In these cases it is advisable to apply 
 a siuiall quantity of bland oil, such as sweet oil or cot- 
 ton-seed oil, to the chicken's head and perhaps to the 
 sides of the neck if the i)arasites are very numerous, or 
 lard maj be used for the same puri)ose. In the case of 
 older fowls sulphur ointment is a very efflcient remedy. 
 It should be applied in small quantity about the head, 
 sides of the neck, beneath the wings and around the 
 vent. Or insect powder {pyrethrum) may be blown be- 
 tweent the feathers and this will destroy or drive away 
 the lice. If the fowl is to be liberated immediately af- 
 ter the powder is apjjlied it is well to first dampen the 
 feathers so tiiat ii will not be at once sliaken oft\ A 
 dust bath should always be provided, and this goes a 
 very long way toward keeping fowls free from all sorts 
 of skin parasites. It is frequently advisable to add in- 
 sect x^O'Wder oi' sulphur to tlie dust. 
 
23 
 
 Ncuiiiaiin records a c. a s o 
 wlicie a fariiUM* took Ihe plaster 
 fioiii a l)uildin<i- thai was beiu|j; 
 toiii down and threw it into the 
 I'oad so that it nii<;ht be thor- 
 ouGihlv i)nlverized by passinjj; 
 wagciis. This powdered plaster 
 was thrown into a poultry house 
 infested with lice and a dust 
 bath was made of it, with the re- 
 sult that the lice disappeared 
 completely within a short time, the pale chicken loose. 
 
 . ,, "^ 1 „ . ,. Mennuen pallidum, female. 
 
 Another plan for removing lice Probabiy the most common 
 
 is to place the body of the^*"®*^- 20 times natural size. 
 
 fowl in a box provided with an opening through 
 which the head can project. The box is then filled 
 with sulj)hur fumes which destroy the lice very 
 quickly, A wash of very w'eak carbolic acid solution 
 or of weak creolin solution has also been recommended 
 for this purpose, but it is not well to dampen the fowl 
 if it can be avoided because they are so very prone to 
 take cold. 
 
 The destruction of the lice in the poultry house ne- 
 cessitates the thorough cleansing of the building. The 
 movable lixtures should be removed, the walls should 
 be thoroughly swabbed or washed down, the floor 
 shfMild be scraped and scrubbed and then the entire in- 
 terior should be whitewashed with a withwash to 
 whi(t;h chloi-ide of lime (one pound to four gallons) has 
 been added. Or prior to the whitewashing the inter- 
 ior of the building may be s])rayed with a solution of 
 carbolic acid (one part to twenty of water) or fumi- 
 gated by burning suljihur after all of the cracks and 
 
24 
 
 crevices have been carefull.v clo!<ed. Kerosene emul- 
 sion is also highly etlicienl as a spray for the interior 
 of an infested poultry house. The perches and nests 
 should be scrubbed with a strong solution of washing 
 soda or lye or scalded with hot water. If this treat- 
 ment is carried out and if the poultry house is white- 
 washed two or three times a year there will be little 
 trouble in keeping the fowls free from lice. 
 
 3. MITES AND TICKS. 
 
 These parasites are usually, though improperly, de- 
 scribed as lice. They are exceedingly annoying to all 
 kinds of poultry and sometimes cause such loss of con- 
 dition that lice are suspected but none can be found. 
 
 THE COMMON POULTRY MITE, the Dermanyssus 
 gallince, is a small, oblong parasite, about 1-32 of an 
 inch long and 1-70 of an inch broad. It it provided 
 with eight legs and each foot has two claws. 
 
 The abdomen is surrounded by short bristles. The 
 color is yellowish or brownish, but when the animal 
 is full of blood it becomes dark brown or dull red. 
 The back sometimes «ihows little white spots. This 
 parasite is one of the most destructive known. It af- 
 fects all varieties of domestic fowls and sometimes 
 when present in large numbers passes to other ani- 
 mals, cattle, dogs, cats, horses and sometimes to peo- 
 ple. One of the striking peculiarities in regard to it 
 is that it does most of its work at night. Upon the ap- 
 
proach of dav it leaves its victim and retires to a dark, 
 secluded spot. A space beneath tlie end of the perch 
 or under the nest or between the cracks of the floor 
 
 The Ked Poultky Mite. 
 Dermanyssus oaUinoe— Female— 80 times natural size. 
 
 or vv'alls nuiy sometimes contain a large number of 
 these parasites, both male and female, together with 
 a quantity of eggs and young. They multiply so rap- 
 idly that after a few have been introduced into the 
 poultry house it may become overrun within a few 
 weeks, lliis mite is very resistant and difficull to de- 
 stroy. Some of them have been prescivcil alive with- 
 out food for more than a year. 
 
 In contradistinction to the habit of the bird lice, this 
 
26 
 
 I)arasite sucks tho blood of its victim and one tif tlicMn 
 may rt-movt' (juilc an ap])iet'iable (juantity. It is es- 
 pecially liard on young chickens and tui-keys and on 
 setting liens. In tlie former case, by preventing rest 
 at night and by removing blood from the weak and 
 grooving bird, it i)roduces weakness and sometimes 
 death. In the latter (•as(\ by constantly distuibing the 
 setting ken during the night when she should have pei'- 
 fect rest, the annoyance may be so great that she will 
 be impelled to leave the nest and allow the eggs to be- 
 come chilled or in lier endeaver to lelieve herself of 
 the parasites, the eggs may be broken. The remedies 
 to be employed to destroy these parasites are similar 
 to those employed for destroying bird lice. But in 
 this case the disinfection and cleansing of the sur- 
 roundings are of even greater importance. Special 
 pains should be employed to introduce whatever dis- 
 infecting solution is used into all cracks and s])aces 
 where these parasites might lodge. Carbolic acid so- 
 lution (1 to 20) especiall valuable for this purpose, and 
 if a good treatment of the building with it is followed 
 by the application of whitewash the insets can be 
 thoroughly eradicated. 
 
 The iniil) TK'K (^Argas marginaius) is in some 
 respects similar to the parasite above described. It 
 is confined to pigeons. It is of an oval shape, of a 
 brownisli color, and its head is located beneath the 
 body. It sucks the blood from its victim and some- 
 times o ecu res in such large numbers that it destroys 
 ])igeons in two weeks, producing death from exhaus- 
 tion. It is found most frecjuently about the neck and 
 beneath the breast, but it may also appear on other 
 jtarts of the body. Sometimes it |)asses to those who 
 have to handle infested ])igeons. and in these cases it 
 
27 
 
 iiiiiv cjuist' by its bile a vcrv |)aiiifiil ilcliiuj^' spot tlial 
 
 2 H 
 
 N\ill i\-maiii soru for several da^s. ^^'lu'U these i)ara- 
 sites are found adherent fo tlie slviii of llie pigeon, they 
 should be covered willi oil or with benzine. This ena- 
 bles one to ])ull Ihem off without leavinji' the head in 
 the skin. If the head is broken off a soi'e place re- 
 sults. Tlic deansinii: and disinfection of the pigeoji 
 house is of the {greatest importance and should be 
 
28 
 
 carried out in tlie most thorough manner. The inte- 
 rior should be thoroughly scraped and scrubbed and 
 then fumigated or spraved and whitewashed. 
 
 4, MANGE. 
 
 Mange of birds is of two Ivinds: Tliat affecting the 
 feathered parts of the body and that atfecting the legs 
 and feet. Of the first kind there are two principal 
 varieties, whieli have such prominent cliaractenstics 
 that they can usually be distinguished williuut diffi- 
 culty. Marge of the legs and feet is considered on 
 page 83, in eoiiUection with the diseases of the legs 
 •ind feet. Foi'turatel3% mange of poultry is not com- 
 uron in this country, but as we are constantly import- 
 ing fow^ls ocf all descriptions from all parts of the 
 \vorld, and corstantly interchanging them, the disease 
 may be introduced into any locality at any time, and 
 it is therefore important that it should be understocxl 
 so that its ravages may be checked before extensive in 
 jury has been occasioned. 
 
 MANGE OF THE iiODY. 
 
 The first vaiicty of body man.ue is caused by an ex- 
 ceedingly small parasite Icnowii as Epidermopter bilo- 
 batus. Tlie first indication (tf this ilis<*ase is the ai» 
 
•2*J 
 
 I)wiiaiie(.' of a ban-e S]>ot about the ueelc O'l- ou the head. 
 The feathei'S become dry and brittle and either break 
 off or fall out. Then tlie skin becomes covered with 
 .Yellowish scales which giadually increase in thickness 
 as the disease advances until they sonietimes reach a 
 thickness of an eiahtli of an inch. AVlien old, these 
 
 The Parasite of One Form of Body— Mange of F'owls. 
 Epidermoptes hiJofiatiix, Female -150 times actual size. 
 
 scales are grayish and have the appearance of thick 
 scabs. If they are pulled off it is found that the skin 
 beneath is red and bleeds easily. As a rule these 
 areas do not ilch, but sometimes they do, and then the 
 bird scratclies them vijxorously. After becominp: es- 
 tablished about llie head and neck the disease may 
 spread io the body and sometimes covers a very large 
 surface. The symplonis of this affection resemble 
 those of fiivus so close] v that it has been thought bv 
 
:5i) 
 
 some thai ihc discnsi' is in facl pi educed by a v<'jj;(*- 
 table par.asito. biil as yet 
 this has not been proven. 
 The other v;iriety of 
 body nranuc is caused by 
 a parasite i;n;)\\ii as 
 Sarcoptes hvvis. Of 
 
 hite years it lias bei-n 
 coininon in Kurope. aiid 
 has jt.revr.iled espceiallv 
 dnrinfj thc^ sprinji- and 
 summer. It may be<;in 
 on any part of the body 
 and usually spreads un 
 tit the entire skin is af- 
 fected. When it has 
 reached this stase the 
 
 The PAKAsiTi; of One Form of Boot 
 
 whole body is bare and -mange of fowi-s. 
 
 the only feathers that re- ;;;^ actual size. 
 
 main are a few in the tail and some in the w inj^s. 
 The skin is healthy in appearance, with the exception 
 that it is devoid of covering. It is smooth, flexible 
 and noiiual in color. There is no itcliino: and the gen- 
 eral health of the f oa\ 1 is usually good, although some- 
 times, after having l)een afflicted for a long time it nuiy 
 become thin and gradually waste away. When feath- 
 ers are pulled out ou the border of the diseased area 
 it is noticed that the lower end of the sheath is covered 
 with scaly^ layers and the i)arasite can usually be dis- 
 covered among them. 
 
 SchaelTer has recently reported a case where this 
 disease ajjpeared among a Hock of 70 hens and nearly 
 all of them lost all of their feathers, with the exception 
 of those in tlu^ wings and tail. The parasite could 
 
31 
 
 easilv'be found Uv piilliiiji out :i ffuthef and t'xamiii 
 iu? its base. 'Plies*' fowls Ii.hI 1»h<-ii l<e[>t in dirtv pens 
 
 The Pakasite of One Form of Body— Mange of Fowls. 
 Sarcoptea Iwvis, male— 200 times natural size, 
 
 and were also afflicted uith mauj^e of the legs. Tlic 
 pens were re-arranged and cleaned and the fowls were 
 sprinkled twice a week with a weak solution of creolin 
 poured on to them from a watering pot, with the result 
 that in about four months they had recovered and 
 feathered out again. 
 
 The treatment to be employed in these eases is first 
 of all to isolate the afflicted fowls. Then disinfect 
 the premises that they have occupied, and afterward 
 give them individual treatment if they are worth it. 
 The local treatment consists in the application to the 
 diseased skin of remedies that will destroy the para- 
 site pi'oducing the disease. One of the best applica- 
 
32 
 
 tio-n.s for this j)iirit().s<^ i.s a solnlion of balsam of l*eru 
 in aJc(>hoI (1 part to 5). This can be applied Avith a 
 sponge oi' soft brush, and should reach not only the 
 diseased area but the healthy skin for a distance of 
 about an inch on all sides. Another eflicient applica- 
 tion is sulphur ointment, or a solution of creolin (1 
 j)art to 50) may be used, but shctuld be ap])lied lij^htly 
 and not rubbed in, because if apjilied too fieely or 
 energetically it may poison the fowl. 
 
 .'j. PROTOZOA. 
 
 liarnyard f(>\vls, tr.ikeys. and especially pigeons, are 
 sometimes attacked by a peculiar wart-like growth 
 That apiicars about the head, the base of the beak, the 
 eyelids and ilie orifices of the nose, and sometimes 
 spreads to the base of the wings and the general sur- 
 face of the body. These growths are yellow and 
 smooth and resemble the warts that frequently appear 
 on the hands. They are contagious, spreading from 
 one bird to another, usually slowly, but sometimes 
 with considerable rapidity, and aie caused by a minute 
 animal parasite belonging to the Protozoa. 
 
 That these growths are contagious has been fre- 
 quently proven by experimentation. One of them can 
 be removed and a small portion of it rubbed over the 
 scarified skin of a healthy fowl. Within eight or ten 
 days the surface will show a perceptible elevation at 
 ihe point of inoculation, and a few days later the new 
 warty growth ^^ill be plainly developed. These warts 
 
33 
 
 iii-*' not (I( stiuc1iv( lo the j)ioeon unless tlioy are yovy 
 Uiimci'ous. 01- occMii- so jdcnt ifnlly iiboul tlic eyes and 
 nose as to obstruct those o.peninjys. or spre.ul from the 
 
 Protozoa, from a Fowls Intestine. 
 Coccidivm ]J67\f(rram, 
 a. b. coccidia extracted from the epithe'ial cells of the intestine and rep- 
 resenting the flrst phases of development ; 0. encysted coccidium found 
 tree in the intestine ; d. adult coccidium encysted in an enlar"-ed and de- 
 formed epithelial cell. 
 
 (•i)rners of the beak into the mouth. If they are num- 
 erous in tliese localities they cause serious inconven- 
 ience, the bird becomes thin and weak and finally dies. 
 The English poulterers sometimes refer to this disease 
 as a pox of the chicken but this designation is very 
 misleading because fowls do not suffer from pox in the 
 sense that maniirais do. 
 
 The remedy for these warts is to remove all infected 
 birds from the pigeon loft, renew the nests, clean the 
 interior and treat the individual by burning the wart 
 out with a hot iron or apply tincture of iodine or tur- 
 pentine. Creolin is also efficient, but it is neces.sary 
 that the top of the growth should be sliced off before 
 the creolin is applied, then by placing a drop on the 
 end of the wart and reneAving the application every 
 three or four days as long as necessary, the condition 
 may be permanently ciii-ed. Tincture of iodine con- 
 stitutes bv far the best remedv. 
 
 3-1 
 
'M 
 
 «). FA\'i;s. 
 
 In some respects lliis disease i-eseiubles inaiiti:<\ It 
 is, however, produced by an entirely different parasite, 
 and on dose exsnMnation it can be seen that the condi- 
 tion of the skin is different from that whicli exists in 
 mange. The parasite 
 of favns is a vegetable 
 «j:rowth, known as Acho- 
 
 rion schorleinii, 
 
 Favus usually com- 
 mences about the comb, 
 
 head and neck. It causes 
 
 the feathers to become 
 
 brittle and break off and 
 
 fall out, and when these 
 
 are examined clO'sely it 
 is seen that their interior 
 is filled with scales and 
 
 with branching threads 
 
 cesembling minute roots. 
 
 These are the filaments 
 of the vegetable parasite 
 
 or fungus. When the 
 comb is involved, it becomes swollen, its surface be 
 comes scaly, whitish and powderly. The eyelids are 
 frequently afl'eeted, ajid in some rare cases the feath- 
 ered surfaces are involved to such an extent that the 
 bird becomes almost naked. tTpon the skin there de- 
 velops a thick yellowish or grayish crust or scab in the 
 form of rather small, roundish disks, depressed at the 
 centre. Tlie odor of tli<' diseased bird is peculiai- and 
 
 Head and Neck of a Fowl, Affected 
 WITH Generalized Favus. 
 
85 
 
 disagreeable and resembles that of a mouldy or musty 
 grain bin. It becomes tliin, weak, exhausted, and uu 
 less relieved it dies. 
 
 If a small poi-tion of a crust or the contents of a 
 feather growing on the diseased skin is mioistened with 
 a weak solution of acetic acid and placed under the 
 microscope it will be seen tliat it is made up of cells 
 
 Thk Achorion Scho)ilein of the Favds of Poultry. 
 Bight hundred times natural size; tv, empty tubes; tp, tubes containing 
 protoplasm and spores; s, isolated spores. 
 
 from the skiu among ^^bich thread-like branching fila- 
 ments penetrate in all directions. There are also nii 
 merous little round bodies which are the spo-res or 
 seeds of the parasitic plants. Favus is contagio-us 
 and spreads from one animal to another. It is more 
 apt to affect animals that are in poor health and weak 
 than those which ;ue hearty and strong. It is also 
 more apl to star-t at a ])oint where the skiu is broken 
 than where it is intact. Tliere are numerous observa 
 
36 
 
 lions (III i(M(n-(l wliicli scciii to indie;! Ic lluil f;i\iis nniy 
 be I'onininnifaUd from I'owls lo man ami il is impor 
 tant thei'cfo'i'e that birds in (his condition slioiihl be 
 handled very carefully. 
 
 The diseased fowls should in ail cases be reuioved 
 fr>m the flock as Sioon as this malady is reeojiuized. 
 Then they may be treated by applying oil or glycerine 
 (o soften the scab, and when this has been removed an 
 a [(plication of creolin (1 part to water 30 parts), or car- 
 bolic aoid (1 part to water 100 parts), should be used, 
 or the suiface may be ])ainred with tincture of iodine, 
 or an ointment coanjiosed of benzine, 1 i)ait, and soft 
 soap, 20 parts, may be ai»plied and thoroufjlily rubbed 
 in. 
 
 B. Those not caused by parasites. 
 
 I. IKKITATIOX OF THE SKIN. 
 
 It sometimes happens that when fowls are exposed 
 to cold rains or to draughts while ^hey are wet or to an 
 accidental a])plication of irritant drugs, such as car- 
 bolic acid, kerosene (H' similar substances, sometimes 
 used fO'F the purpose of killing lice, that the skin be- 
 comes- iriitated and i-ed. The redness may continue 
 for several days and Mmw feathers mwy droj) from 
 the affected parts. This condition is not very serious, 
 and can easily be remedied by ap])lying mild ointments 
 such as the oxide of /inr ointment or cosmoline. The 
 removal of tlic canse is usually sniticieut to etfecl a 
 cure. 
 
37 
 
 1'. INFLAMAIATIOX OF TIJK .^KIX. 
 
 The eai:ses of ilie previous aifeetioii when uimsuallv 
 severe, w when they rontinue to net for a considera- 
 ble time, piodnce not only the mild condition above 
 described, but also an inflammation of the skin that 
 is miore or less intense. A similar condition may re- 
 sult from the accumulation around the posterior por- 
 tion of the body. In cold weather these accumulations 
 alternately thaw and freeze and pull upon the feath- 
 ers they are attached to, thus leading to an inflanima 
 tiou of the adjacent skin that can be recognized by red 
 ness, swelling, tenderness to pressure and discharge 
 from the surface. 
 
 The remedy consists in cleansing the skin by the use 
 of soap aiul water, cutting off the feathers if necessary, 
 and then ap])lyiug the ointment al>ove mentioned. 
 
 DISTrKP.ED MOULTING. 
 
 During the spring while fowls are shedding their 
 feathers they ai'e in a delicate condition and are moae 
 apt to become diseased u])on exposure to deleterious 
 influences than at any other time. Their tendeniess 
 and loss of vitality is shown by the fact that they lose 
 their spirits and activity to some extent. Their ap 
 pptifps ai'p somewhat ca]>rioious, and the ]H'oduction 
 of eggs falls off very greatly. If the loss of c(mdition 
 
iit this time is iiuusually great, or if the fowl is poorly 
 nourished or weukeued fixjiu any cause, moulting is 
 retarded and the old feathers remain in the plumage, 
 giving the fowl an unkempt, faded, weathei'-beaten ap- 
 pearance. This result is frequently dependent upon 
 improper feeding at this critical time. 
 
 To achieve the best results, fowls must ahvays be 
 fed carefully and their rations should be as nearly bal- 
 anced as possible. During the moulting season espec- 
 ial care is neecessary, and the food should be more 
 tiitrogerous than at other times. Unless fowls have 
 the material in them and in their food for the produc- 
 tion of new feathers the old ones will not be shed. In 
 order that unusually nutritious food may be 
 thoroughly digested it is necessary that the fowls 
 should have free exercise in the open air, but they 
 should also be protected from bad weather, from 
 cold rains and ^^hen delicate should be housed early 
 in the evening. A diet containing meat, either raw or 
 cooked, and bones, is appropriate for moulting fowls, 
 and it is also well to give some stimulating food, such 
 as chopped onions or garlic, or a small quantity of 
 pepper. Some of the English poulterers recommend 
 stale bread soaked in ale for valuable fowls during 
 the moulting season, and the Douglas mixture is also 
 in high rejtute among them. This mixture is made 
 by dissolving 1 oz. of sulphuric acid and half a pound 
 of sulpliate of iron in two gallons of water. One or 
 two table.^poorsful of this solution are placed in 
 each pint of the drinking water, and the effect is that 
 of a genth^ tonic. One should always pay pai"ticular 
 attention to the cleanliness of I he poultry house dui-- 
 ing the moulting season, bccanso if lice or mites ai-o 
 [)rpsent then they will do moi-e hai'ni than at other 
 times. 
 
39 
 
 4. OBSTKUCTION OF THE KUMP GLAND. 
 
 There is a glaud at the poiut of the rump that se- 
 cretes an oily substance that tends to keep the feath- 
 ers in this region oily and sleek. This gland is the 
 largest of the sui)erficial glands of the body and some- 
 times the orifice through which it discharges its secre- 
 tion becomes obstructed. Then the region of the 
 gland swells and becomes painful. It may swell to 
 such an extent that it reaches the size of a walnut. 
 This causes considerable ])ain, the afflicted fowl be- 
 comes sluggish and generally indisposed and when it 
 is caught and examined the local swelling can be 
 readily disoO'vered. 
 
 If the gland cannot be emptied by gentle pressure a 
 small incision should be made into it with a sharp 
 knife and its contents removed. If, however, the con- 
 dition has existed for a long time, the gland may fill 
 with a thick, cheesy-like material that cannot be 
 stpieezed out. It then becomes necessary to make a 
 somewhat larger opening and scoop the substance out 
 with the handle of a small spoon or some similar ob 
 ject. Then the cavity should be washed out by in- 
 jecting into it a vei'y weak solution of carbolic acid 
 d part of carbolic acid to 200 of water), or a solution 
 of boracic acid (15 grs. to the ounce). To prevent the 
 parts from becoming hard while healing an ap])lica 
 tion of oil or cosmoline should be made. 
 
 3-1 
 
CHAPTER 11. 
 
 DISEASES OF THE BREATHING 
 ORGANS. 
 
 A. — Those caused by parasites. 
 1. GAPES. 
 
 Gapes undoubtedly destroy more young chickens 
 than any other disease. Tt is a disease caused by a 
 small worm that occu])ies the upper air passages. This 
 womi \\as first discovered near Baltimore by Wiesen- 
 thal in 1791). Sicce then it has been described by nu- 
 merous zoologists and is at present found in all parts 
 of this couuti-y and Europe. All of the domestic fowls 
 
 Gape Worm.— Syngamustrachealis. 
 Natural size and five times natural size. 
 
 are attacked by it and some of the semi wild birds. 
 In Europe it causes great loss among the pheasants. 
 
41 
 
 The worm is kiio\\u as Syngamous irachealis, is of a 
 reddiish color and the feiiiak^ is about Gine-lialf to three- 
 fourths of an inch long, while the male is about one- 
 fifth of an incli long. The male is constantly attached 
 to the female, the fuuuel-shapped lower end surround- 
 ing a pore on the side of tlie female a little less than 
 one-tliird of the distance from its head. On account 
 of this ])eculiar iiiiion a gape-woi'm is sometimes de- 
 scribed as a "branch-worm" and on account of its color 
 it is in some places known as the "red-worm." The 
 head is broad and flat and arianged for sucking. This 
 disc-lilve liead is placed against the lining membrane of 
 
 Ihe wind-pipe at any point between 
 
 the mc'Uth and the bivnchial tubes. 
 
 Souietimes there are as many as 30 
 
 or 40 worms in a single fowl, but 
 
 usually not so many. Three or four 
 
 of th(-m suffice to destroy a young 
 
 chick but a greater number are nec- 
 
 essiary to destroy an adult. 
 
 When tlie worms are coughed out 
 
 othcM' fowls eat them greediiy and in 
 
 this way they become infected in 
 
 turn, because the miature females 
 
 are full of eggs. It has been shown 
 
 by experiment that after birds are 
 
 fed upon worms containing eggs 
 
 they may develop gapes within two 
 
 to three weeks. Another and per- 
 haps the principal way in which the 
 
 disease is spread is through the 
 
 agency of earth- wonns. Many of 
 
 the eggs of the gape-worm when a pair of gape worms 
 
 throAvn out on the ground gain ac- ti'S'n ofTvi™ Vivy^ 
 
42 
 
 cess to the icteiioi" of tlie earth-worm, then when the 
 earth -woiin is eaten by a chicken yonng gape-worms 
 develop from these eggs and the chicken becomes dis- 
 eased. Some of the gape-worms are partially couglicd 
 up and then s^^ allowed by the fowl; the eggs in them 
 pass thrO'Ugli tlie digestive tract and are voided with 
 the faeces so that in this ^^'ay. also, the soil of the 
 barn-yard or the water may become contaminated. 
 
 The symptoms of gapes are very easy to recognize. 
 Tlie afflicted fowl has difficulty in breathing; it opens 
 its mouth frequeitly and gaps, or gasps for breath. 
 This manner of O'pening the month is the characteris- 
 tic from which the disease derives its name. There 
 is some coughing accompanied by the expulsion of 
 frothy slime. Somietimes the miature wonns are 
 coughed out. The afflicted bird loses its spirits, it 
 stands about with the feathers ruffled and head down, 
 at intervals opening its mouth as thcugh gasping for 
 air. If there is am* doubt as to the nature of the dis- 
 ease an examination of the throat should be made. 
 Tliis is done by catching the bird and holding the 
 moutli open by pressing with the thumb and finger on 
 each side of the beak. This forces the mouth open and 
 exposes the throat. Then by introducing a small ob- 
 ject to depress the tongue the larynx may be exposed 
 ajul the interior examined. Pressure upon the larynx 
 from below will force it up into i)lainer view. Death 
 results in some cases quickly, from suiTocation, and in 
 other cases slowly, from exhaustion and secondary dis- 
 eases. When this disease appears in a flock, the 
 afflicted fowls should at once be removed in order to 
 ])i'event the distribution of the parasite. The worms 
 <'an frequently be removed from tlie wind i>ipe by in- 
 troluoiiig a In^op mndo by doubling a hois(^-li;iir. ITiis 
 
r.', 
 
 when iiilioduced and liirucd aiOLiiid disl(*dg(,*s tlie 
 warms and draws them out. Or, a feather from which 
 all of tlie barbs have been removed with the exception 
 O'f those at the point, may be nsed for the same pui'pose. 
 Some recommend a timothy head from which the sedds 
 have been remoA'ed by rolling between the hands or 
 by shaking-, but tliis is so large that it is difficult to 
 use it except in mature fowls. For chickens, the pro- 
 jections on the lower part 
 of the timiothy head may 
 be removed and onl}' those 
 on the tip alloAved to re- 
 main. This appliance has 
 the advantage over the 
 horse hair and feather 
 that its siharp s])ines oi' 
 hooks are miore likely to 
 adhere to the worm and 
 permit its removal. Some- 
 times oil or turpentine are 
 applied to these various in- 
 struments before they are 
 introduced into the wind- 
 pipe. It is advised in some 
 cases to cause the diseased 
 fowls tO' inhale tlie smoke 
 of tobacco. This is done 
 by ])lacing them in a 
 closed box and blowing 
 smoke into it from a pipe. 
 Tlie worms are in this way 
 stapefied luit unless care is 
 used tlic fowls will also '^'^'^ wind i>ii»k of a Pheasant, 
 
 UbtU im lOVMN >M11 <^li^S>U (^p^Qpg^j^^j^^jj^,jjyjj^,^j J Y, SHOWING 
 
 be stupiiied and pcrliaps^^Pf^^^oRMs attachei. to its in- 
 
44 
 
 suffoiiatod. Ho^\evel•, tho fowl can stand mwe to- 
 bacco smoke tlian the worm so that after its release 
 from the box it usually coughs up the wealcened para- 
 sit'^^s. Powdered lime is also used for removing the 
 gape worm by dusting it in such a way that the fowl 
 is caused to iiLhale some of the fine particles. Some 
 times the fo\Als are placed in a box over which a .sheet 
 of muslin is spread and lime is sifted throug-li this 
 Hidslin top and the fowl is obliged to inhale the dust. 
 This procedure is somewhat dangerous unless great 
 care is exercised, and cannot be very highly recom- 
 mended. 
 
 In the A\ay of internal treatment, camphor, asafoet- 
 ida and garlic are all of value. Camphor should be 
 given in pills of about one grain each. Asafoetida 
 should be given in one grain pills and garlic should be 
 chopped in flue pieces and fed with the food. 
 
 Tlie treatment of the soil over which the infected 
 fowls roamed is of great importance and especially if 
 they were kept in confined .spaces. By treating the 
 soil with lime and spading or ploughing it up fre- 
 quently the eggs of the gape-worm may be desti'oyed. 
 Or the ground may be thoroughly soaked ^^'ith a solu- 
 tion of sulpliuiic acid Cone part to one hundred). The 
 water troughs and feeding places should all be thor- 
 oughly cleansed and disinfected Avilh coperas solution 
 (one pound to two gallons of water). The bodies of 
 the dead fowls should be buried deeply at a distance 
 from tlie barn-vard. or burned. 
 
45 
 
 2. DISEASES OF THE AIR PASSAGES CAUSED 
 KY MITES. 
 
 There is a minute parasite similar to tlie parasite 
 of mange that infests the air passages and specially 
 the windpipe, the bronchial tubes and the large air 
 spaces in the chest. It is known as Cytodties nudus. 
 Sometimes these parasites penetrate beyond the air 
 sacs and reach the air spaces in the bones. When 
 present in large numbers, they cause an inflammation 
 of the parts they infest, but when pre.«»ent in small 
 
 Thb Air-sao Mite of Fowls. 
 Cytodites nudus, one hundred times natural size. 
 
 numbers the}- seem to produce no disturbance. The 
 disease produced by (hem in the bronchial tubes is of, 
 the nature of a bionchitis of a severe type and some- 
 times there is inflainmatic-n of the lungs, or pneumonia, 
 
46 
 
 as well. Tiiese conditions are indicated bv difficult 
 and rapid brcafhing and, Zurn says, by a peculiar tone 
 that is similar to that produced by fowls when a for- 
 eign body ei.ters the windpipe. Otherwise the birds 
 seem lively and have a fairly good appetite. It is only 
 when tliese parasites are present in enormous num- 
 bers that the disease they produce is sufficiently severe 
 as to cause death. 
 
 The treatnu'ut of these cases is not at all satisfac- 
 tory, so that it is cheaper in the end to destroy the 
 afflicted fowls than to attempt to cure them. Upon 
 opening a bird that has died of this disease the para- 
 sites can be seen in great abundaiice in the parts men- 
 tioned. 
 
 If treatment is attempted the inhalation of the vapor 
 of tar or of burning sulphur is as promising as any- 
 thing. 
 
 3. PNEUMONIA CAUSED BY MOULDS. 
 
 Several varieties of the common moulds that grow so 
 plentifully in dark, damj) places have been known to 
 enter the air passiiges of fowls, penetrate to the lungs 
 and grow there, causing a fatal pneumonia. The 
 moulds that have been discovered in this k>cality are 
 of ihree viuieties of Aspergillus and one of Mucor. It 
 is probable that they enter the lungs in the form of 
 dusl. because their spores are exceedingly small and 
 could readily pass into the lungs in this way. Then, 
 if they find the coiiditious there favorable to their 
 growth they multiply and cause little spots of disease 
 
47 
 
 wherever they grow. Sometimes thev spread out over 
 the lining membrane of the air tubes and cause a 
 diffuse inflammation and thickening that somewhat 
 resembles the change that takes place in diphtheria. 
 In the lungs, the growths are characterized by the ap- 
 pearance of little round nodules, where the tissue dies 
 and becomes yellowish and of the consistency of 
 cheese. In old cases, these spots sometimes become 
 loaded with lime salts and then they are ha id and even 
 stony. Tlie principal symptom is difficult breathing. 
 The respiratory movements are rapid and accompanied 
 by a hoarse sound. The appetite is diminished, the 
 spirits are depressed, the bird is disinclined to move, 
 its feathers become ruffled, it loses flesh rather rapidly 
 and towards the end develops a diarrhoea that hastens 
 it to its fatal termination. The entire course of the 
 disease is rallier long and usualh' covers several weeks. 
 
 Tr'eatment in these cases is not to be recommended 
 because the outlook for recovery is poor. However, if 
 anything is done the best results can be obtained by 
 causing the bird to inhale the vapor of iodine. This 
 plan of treatment is carried out b}' mixing equal parts 
 of tincture of iodine and hot water. The steam as it 
 rises can ies the iodine vapor and by holding the vessel 
 beneath the bird's head it is obliged to inhale this 
 medicine. Iodide of potash may be administered in- 
 ternally in doses of one to two grains twice daily. 
 
 It is far better, however, to prevent the disease than 
 to allow it to develop and then attempt to cure it. 
 When it is remembered that moulds occur principally 
 in damp, dark places, it will be seen that good drain- 
 age, ventilation ai>d light will prevent their growth 
 and thus ward off the disease. Disinfection and white- 
 washing are also of the highest value in this direction. 
 
48 
 
 B . Those not caused by parasites. 
 1. OATAKKH OF TJIE NASAL PASSACiKS. "I'll'.' 
 
 All sorts of fowls, and especially the joiiug, take 
 cold easily wheii exposed in damp i)laces. An earth 
 lloor in the poultry house, particularly if it is poorly 
 drained, is a fruitful source of colds. Poorly con- 
 structed buildings with cracks in the walls or broken 
 window panes, permitting a draught to blow through 
 and strike the fowls while roosting at night, is a com- 
 mon cause of cold. 
 
 Odds are recognized by the well-known symptoms of 
 discharge from the nose, sometimes also from the 
 mouth, swelling of the eyelids, depression of spirits, 
 shown by disinclination to move about actively, 
 marked loss of appetite, inclination to stand in a warm, 
 bright place, with the head drawn down and feathers 
 ruffled, and, if the fowl is a laying hen, cessation of egg 
 production. Since the nasal passage is stopped up the 
 fowl breaths more or less through the mouth, and this 
 may lead to di-yness and hardening of the tip of the 
 tongue. This condition is often described by poulter- 
 ers as ''pip," and especially when young chickens are 
 affected. 
 
 The treatment is simple and consists first of all in 
 bettering the conditions to which the fowls are sub- 
 jected, and thus removing the cause of the disease. 
 Holes in the ro^of and jsides of the buildings should be 
 patched, broken Avindow ])anes replaced, and if it is not 
 |)0ssible to keep the flcoi- of tlie ])oultry house dry at 
 all times it should be removed to another location. 
 The fowl should be placed in a warm, dry cooj), where 
 
49 
 
 the sun can shine in freely, supplied with small (]uaii- 
 tities of tempting food and clean water in clean v«'s- 
 sels, to which may be added a small amount of chlorate 
 of potash (15 gTS. to the pint). A little onion or gar- 
 lic in the food is also of advantage. If the discharge 
 from the ncse collects about the orifices and obstructs 
 them, or if the eyelids are swelled to sucli an extent 
 that they cannot be opened, the collection of matter 
 should be removed by means of a spoaige or soft cloth 
 moistened with ^\arm water. 
 
 2. LARYNGITIS AND BRONCHITIS. SORE 
 THROAT. 
 
 If the cold is of an especially severe type, on account 
 of the fact that the exposure to which the fowl was 
 subjected was intense or of long standing, or if the 
 fowl is young or of a naturally weak constitution, the 
 membi'anes of the air passage may become afflicted 
 with catarj-h that reaches beyond the head into the 
 throat, and into llie branching bronchial tubes that 
 penetrate the lurgs. In these cases, the discharge 
 from the nos<:' is more profuse, the depression of the 
 fowl's spirits is greater, there is considerable difficulty 
 in breathing, and in severe cases the bird m.ay gasp for 
 breath very much as though its windpipe were ob- 
 structed by gape worms. 
 
 The general ti-eatment in these cases is the same as 
 for pip, but more attention should be devoted to the 
 fowl because it is in a more serious condition. In 
 4-1 
 
50 
 
 place oi cl'-loratt' of potash in tlu' di-inkinj;- water it is 
 better in these severe eases to add small (jnantities of 
 baking soda (bicjirbonate of »oda) and Ulauber's salt 
 (i dracUni to each pint). It is also of advantage to 
 give small doses of sal ammoniac (1 grain) mixed with 
 honey. 
 
 Since roup, a very contagious disease of fowls, com- 
 mences in a similar way, it is very important to imme- 
 diately remove from the Hock all birds showing the 
 symptoms described above, because if it should j»rove 
 that they were afflicted with roup the extension of the 
 disease might in this way be prevented. 
 
 a. LUNG FEVER OR PNEUMONIA. 
 
 If the exposure to which a fowl is subjected is of an 
 unusually severe character, it may result that the bird 
 will develop inflammation of the lungs oa- pneumonia. 
 Symptoms of this very severe affection are at first sim- 
 ilar to those of the two preceding diseases, but they 
 rapidly become worse, and within a short time the 
 patient evirces great difficulty in breathing. It loses 
 all ambition and sense of fear, remains stubbornly in 
 one place and when caught and examined it will be 
 noticed that the muscles in the lower part of the body, 
 those of the abdomen, contract and expand with each 
 respiration and in this way assist the muscles of the 
 (^hest to expel and renew the air in the diseased lungs. 
 Pressure on the sides of the bird will cause considera- 
 ble ]>ain. If the fowl dies, and unfortunately most of 
 
51 
 
 them do when afllicted with pneumonia, it will be 
 found that the lungs are very red and full of blood, 
 and portions of them when cut off and placed in a 
 vessel C'f water will sink instead of floating as pieces 
 of healthy or slightly diseased lungs do. The air tubes 
 are filled with a yellowish or reddish frothy fluid 
 which in some eases is expelled in small quantities 
 during life. 
 
 The treatment of these cases is not profitable, be- 
 cause so few of them recover. If, however, one wishes 
 to treat an especially valuable fi^wl, and will consent 
 to devote the time and care to the ciisc rliat it requires, 
 good results may follow. 
 
 Half a teasyKtoT.ful of whiskey in a little warm 
 water, together with from 2 to 3 grains of saltpetre 
 and ammonium carbonate may be administered at in- 
 tervals of frcm three to four hours. It is also well to 
 cause the fowl to inhale fumes of burning sulphur, but 
 ihis vapor should not bo administered in a concen- 
 trated form. The fo'wl must be kept in a warm, dry 
 place. 
 
 ;i* 1 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE OR 
 CANS. 
 
 A. Those caused by parasites. 
 
 There are a great many parasites that iufest the di- 
 j^estive organs of fowls. Some of these are of but lit- 
 tle moment, because they occur in small numbers and 
 do but little harm; while others are of the greatest 
 consequence because they are sometimes exceedingly 
 numerous and seriously affect the health of the af- 
 flicted bird or cause death. The number of parasites 
 that sometimes infest fowls without producing appre- 
 ciable effects is almost incredible; while in other cases 
 a much smaller number of parasites of the same 
 species may not only cause great inconvenience but 
 may destroy the life O'f the infested bird. So it is evi- 
 dent that the effects of parasites depend not only upon 
 the number and activity of the parasites themselves, 
 but also upon the strength and resisting powers of the 
 bird affect<*d 
 
 TTsually. Ilic nun.bc-r of fowls in a flock that harbor 
 parasites of the same kind is considerable. So that 
 when one (vf a tlock is killed by parasites, and the cause 
 
 (52) 
 
53 
 
 of death is disclosed by a dissection of the bird, it is 
 fair to assume that other fowls that present the sjnap- 
 toms shown by the dead one, suffer from the presence 
 of the same kind of parasite. 
 
 Of all varieties of poultry, guinea fowls and pea 
 fowls are least subject to the ravages of parasites. Of 
 the other varieties, those that live on dry land seem to 
 be more troubled with parasites than those that swim 
 in The water, as ducks and geese. 
 
 1. TAPEWORMS— CESTODES. 
 
 A tapeworm is a row of more or less distinct organ- 
 isms joined together in the form of a band or tape. 
 At one end there is a s»omewhat conical or globular 
 segment supplied, at its free end, with four suckers, 
 and in the center between these with a crown of 
 thorns. This segment is usually termed the head of 
 the tapeN\orm, but in reality it is not a head for the 
 tapeworm has and requires no head. It has no mouth, 
 no eyes, no nervous system, no intestinal canal. It 
 derives its nourishment from the Huids surrounding 
 it by absorbing them through its outer skin. The first 
 segment; popularly termed the liead, is known in scien- 
 tific language as the Scolex, and its function is to at- 
 tach itself to the lining membrane of the intestines by 
 its suckers and hcoks. and by a process o-f division de- 
 velop tapeworm joints from its other extremity. 
 
54 
 
 The s;('<;ineiils close to the scolex are 
 siuull aud immature, further away 
 they are larger and more developed, 
 at the end of the chain they are ma- 
 ture or ripe. The ripe segments are >• 
 detached from time to time and pass ► 
 into the contents of the intestinal ^ 
 car.al and escape from the body g 
 with the faeces. These mature seg- ^ 
 raents are provided with contractile ^ 
 fibres in their walls and are able to % 
 move about. They contain eggs. "C 
 Their- life outside of the animal in & 
 which they are developed is short, and s 
 when they die and break open the | 
 eggs escape. If these fall in a damp 2 
 place, thev retain their vitalitv and c 
 power to mature for a long time, in | 
 some cases many months. | 
 
 A remarkable and interesting fact^l 
 in connection with the life historv of I 
 the tapeworm is that the eggs will not 
 develop into mature worms in the 
 body O'f an animal belonging to the 
 species of the one in which they were 
 produced. It is necessary that they should first enter 
 the body of an animal of a different species and there 
 develop into embryos, whicli ])ass through the walls 
 of the intestinal canal and j)enetrate to distant parts 
 of the body. There the embryos remain in a some- 
 what more advanced state of development until their 
 host dies and is consumed by an animal belonging to 
 th(^ species of the original host. 
 
 This can be illustrated bv brief! v describing the life 
 
55 
 
 history of one of the comimou tapeworms of man 
 {Tcenia soleum) usually called the "pork tapeworm." 
 The eggs from the mature tapeworm oi this species 
 pass from the body of a person harboring it and some 
 of them are consumed by swine. They hatch out in 
 the stomach or intestines of the swine, penetrate tlie 
 intestinal walls and reach the muscular portion of the 
 animal. There, they constitue the so-called "bladder 
 worm" or "measles" of pork. 
 The hog is slaughtered and if 
 its flesh is eaten raw or imper- 
 fectly cooked, the consumer £• 
 swallows the living parasites g 
 which develop in the intestinal 5 
 canal into mature tapeworms, o 
 In the same way it is neces- > 
 sary for the tapeworms of fowls o 
 to pass through the body of an ^ 
 intermediate host before they g 
 can re-appear as tapeworms in | 
 fowls. It has been shown by 5* 
 definite experiments and numer- 5 
 ous observations that the inter- o 
 mediate hosts in some cases are *^ 
 small animals such as snails, ^ 
 molluscs, worms and insects § 
 and it seems probable that these ^ 
 animals are the intermediate % 
 
 hosts for bird tapeworms in all ^ 
 
 o 
 cases. » 
 
 s 
 
 A single ta]>eworm in the in- " 
 testinal canal of a fowl may do 
 no harm. But when they are 
 numerous symptoms of disease appear. One of tlu' 
 
5fi 
 
 first effects is the initatioii of tlie momhrane lining; 
 the digestive tract. Tliis produces diarrhoea and may 
 lead to loss of liesh. Znrn lias observed that towls af- 
 tlicted with tapeworms have an unusual thirst and an 
 especial lilcing- for co-Id water of which they drink large 
 quantities and he claims that this symptom should 
 always be regarded with suspicion. In time, as the re- 
 sult of the continued irritation of the intestinal canal 
 and the fact that much of the nourishment that it con- 
 tains is diverted to the worm and lost to the fowl, the 
 bird becomes weak and thin. Its droppings are fre- 
 quently mixed with mucus and sometimes with blood. 
 A close examination of them sometimes reveal seg- 
 ments of the tapeworm and a careful microscopic exam- 
 ination may reveal eggs in large or small quantities. 
 Sometimes the tapeworms indirectly produce an irrita- 
 tion of the nervous system that is characterized by fits. 
 
 If the afflicted fowl dies, it will be fonnd that its 
 organs are pale and contain but little blood. If the 
 intestinal car-al is opened the tapeworms can be dis- 
 covered hanging by their thin ends to the mucous mem- 
 brane, with the rest of the body floating in the canal. 
 It is easiest to discover the wonns when the intestine 
 is opened with a pair of scissors while it is held below 
 the surface of warm water. 
 
 Illinger has described an outbreak of tapeworm dis- 
 ease among geese that was so extensive that it be- 
 came almotst impossible to raise these fowls in a cer- 
 tain district. When the goslings reached the age of 
 ten or twelve weeks they would commence to become 
 thin, notwithstiinding the fact that their appetites con- 
 tinued good, and finally they would develop epilepti- 
 form fits and severe diarrhoea and shortly thereafter 
 would die. Death usually occurred within two weeks 
 after the appearance of the first symptoms. T'pon 
 
r)7 
 
 dissecting tliese birds, tapewoiuis (Taenia lancolata) 
 were found in the intestines in great numbers. 
 
 As to the treatment of fowls afflicted witli tape- 
 worms, a large number of remedies are recommended 
 and used with more or less profit. 
 
 One of the standard remedies among European poul- 
 terers is powdered bark of the i>omegranate root, of 
 which one teaspoonful is apportioned for the feed of 
 eacli fifty chickens. Powdered areca nut may also be 
 used in doses of from thirty to forty grains, mixed 
 with butter to form a pill. This quantity should be 
 administered to each bird, but it is not a good remedy 
 for turkeys. Dr. vStiles of the Bureau of Animal In- 
 dustry has recently experimented with the oil of tur- 
 pentine as a remedy for fowls and finds that the larg- 
 est safe dose is about one tablespoomful. This remedy 
 is very useful for the purpose of removing parasites of 
 all kinds from the intestinal canal of most of the do- 
 mestic animals and it is altogether probable that it 
 will prove of considerable value in treating fowls with 
 tapewoi-m. It should be followed by an equal quantity 
 of castor oil. As with most other diseases of poultry 
 it is very much better to prevent than to attempt to 
 cure, and knowing what we do with reference to the 
 development and life history of tapeworms, it is quite 
 possible, in n ost cases, to avoid their effects. 
 
 To prevent tapeworm disease among fowis it is im 
 portant, first of all, to keep no birds in the fiock tliat 
 are supposed to be infested by tapeworms. It is also 
 important that fowls should not be allowed to roam 
 where other fowls are known to have contra ctcd or 
 carried these parasites. Especial attention sliould be 
 devot-3d to the removal of droppings of fowls that may 
 ])Ossibly be infesttd and these dro])]>ings should eitliei- 
 be destroyed or treated in such a manner that the tape- 
 
58 
 
 worm eggs in Iheui in;iy bo killed. This can be done 
 by disinfecting tliem with a strong solution of carbolic 
 ucid, quicklime, or as Dr. Stiles suggests, by keeping 
 them in a dry place for several months or through the 
 winter, for it is probable that they can not withstand 
 this treatment. 
 
 If fowls are raised on fresh uncontaminated land 
 there is but little danger that they will become in- 
 fected. 
 
 Dr. V. A. Moore, of the Bureau of Animal Industry, 
 lias recently called attention to a peculiar disease of 
 chickens that is characterized by the development of 
 small nodules in the walls of the intestine. These 
 nodules ^\ere about a sixth of an inch in diameter and 
 quite hard. AVhen opened it is found that the larger 
 ones contain greenish pus. Tliese nodules were pro- 
 duced by a small t?peworm recognized as Davaince tet- 
 ragona. Tliis dis &se has been recognized in fowls 
 from the District >f Columbia, North Carolina and 
 Virginia but has nut as yet been discovered among the 
 poultry of Pennsylvania. It is quite destructive. 
 
 2. SUCKING WORAIS— TREMATODES. 
 
 These woims are of an oval shape, have rather 
 phnnp bodies and are provided on their ventral sur 
 faces with suckers by means of which they attach 
 themselves to the part they are in contact with. 
 
 Tliere arc several species that infest the domestic 
 fowl but it is not known that any of them are very prev- 
 alent c>r very destructive in this country. Their mode 
 of development is similar to that of tapeworms; thai 
 is, it is necessary for the embryo to pass through an 
 
59 
 
 iuteriuediate host, as a worm, before it can develop 
 into a mature parasite in the body of the fowl. The 
 symptoms occasiored by these jjarasites are similar to 
 those produced by tapeworms but are of a less violent 
 and serious character. 
 
 The remedies and means of prevention are prac- 
 tically the same. 
 
 3. ROUND WORMS— NEMATODES. 
 
 The round worms are elongated and usually quite 
 slender parasites, mostly of a whitisli color and are 
 provided with a mouth and digestive canal. When 
 present at all they are apt to exist in considerable num- 
 bers, and sometimes occur in vast quantities. There 
 is one form of round worms known as Trichosoma con- 
 tortum, a little white worm from one-half to three- 
 fourths of an inch long, that has been found beneath 
 the mucous membrane lining the oesophagus and crop. 
 Sometimes as many as thirty of these worms have been 
 found in the oesophagus in a single bird. They inter- 
 fere seriously with the passage of food through this 
 tube, affect the digestion and apjjetite and cause wast- 
 ing and \\eakness. At length, the oesophagus be- 
 comes engorged with food, it cannot contract or pass 
 its contents along and the animal dies within a few 
 days. 
 
 Some species of round worms collect in the intestine 
 in great nun'bers, in fact, as many as five hundred have 
 been removed from the body of a single fowl. By their 
 presence they occasion a good deal of irritation of the 
 digestive tract, intref ere with nutrition, cause diarrhoea 
 and weaki.ess and death. Sometimes the disease 
 caused by these parasites follows a long course anjl 
 
60 
 
 does not terminate fatallv for a number of weeks or 
 l)erbaps not at all. In other cases, death results very 
 quickly. The ternciDation depends upon the strength 
 of the fowl and the number and variety of the worms. 
 If the worms are present in sufficient numbers to eo- 
 tire occlude the intestine, death is i)roduced very 
 quickly. 
 
 Another species of round worm, Heterakis maculose, 
 has occasiored great loss amo-ng birds. This worm is 
 white, cylindrical and 
 pointed at each end; the 
 male is about an inch 
 long and the female one 
 and a quarter inches. 
 Sometimes several hun- 
 dren of them are found 
 in the intestine of a sin- 
 gle pigeon. 
 
 Birds with round 
 worms may be treated 
 
 by administering the common pi u; worm, a, male ; B, female. 
 
 remedy reoommeided by Baronio, consisting of equal 
 parts of the root of male shield fern, tansy and savory, 
 of whicli mixture one drachm is made into a tea with 
 six ounces of water and this fluid is mixed with suffi- 
 cient flour to form pills and these are administered to 
 the infested fowls. Or, the powdered areca nut may 
 be given in doses of from thirty to forty grains for 
 chickens and fifteen grains for pigeons. 
 
 The prevention of disease resulting from the pres- 
 ence of the round worms may be accomi)lished by en- 
 forcing the general regulations recommended above, 
 in connection with the discussion of tapeworms. The 
 frequent removal and the care of the maiiuie is very 
 ijnportanl. 
 
 A Round Worm of the Pigeon. 
 Heterakis »iacw?o»a— Natural size. The 
 
61 
 
 A. Those not caused hy parasites. 
 
 1. CATAHKH OF THE CROP. 
 
 When, for any reason, 
 (lie contents o-f the crop 
 stagnate for an unusual 
 length of time it mav 
 undergo fermentation, 
 just as food accumu- 
 lated in any other 
 warm, moist place 
 would undergo fermen- 
 tation, and this results 
 in the production of a 
 rather irritative com- 
 pound which, acting for 
 a more or less pro- 
 longed period upon the 
 lining membrane of the 
 crop, produces a superfi- 
 cial inflammation 
 known as catarrh. The 
 same result may occur 
 when parasites are em- 
 bedded in the lining 
 membrane of the crop 
 or when fowls eat irri- 
 tant materials. 
 
 This condition may be 
 recognized by the ap- 
 pearance of a swelling 
 in front of the breast 
 
 DiGKSTivE Apparatus of biros. 
 
 A. oesophagus: B. crop; C. infundio 
 ulum; D. gizzard; E, liver; F, gall blad- 
 der; G, pancreaB: H. duodenum; I, small 
 Intestine; K, caeca; L, large intestine; M, 
 which is soft to pressure ureters; N, oviduct; 0, cloaca. 
 
62 
 
 and sometimes so very soft and dinm-Iike that it is 
 «'vidi'nt that it contains *;as. TJie appetite is entirely 
 lost or becomes abnormal, the fowl is mopish, its feath- 
 ers are rnffied and it may attemi)t to vomit. If the 
 crop is preitsed upon forcibly, sour and o-lfensive smel- 
 ling material may be expelled through the mouth. 
 
 The cure of this condition is not difficult unless it 
 has continued for such a long time that the fowl is 
 considerably T\eakened. The irritant, fermenting or 
 putrefying contents should be expelled by pressure 
 from witl)'Out while the fowl is held with the head 
 down. Then a small quantity of salicylic acid (two 
 grains) dissolved in water should be administered for 
 the purpose of checking further fermentatio-n or 
 hydrochloric acid may be given in one drop doses di- 
 luted with two teaspoonfuls of water. The fowl 
 should be kept from food for a day or tvNo and usually 
 this is all that the case requires. 
 
 2. OBSTRUCTION OF THE CROP. 
 
 If a fowl has gorged itself with food that is ditlicult 
 of digestion, such as old and dry grain or hard and in- 
 digestible substances, as straw, wood, stones, etc., and 
 this material remains in the crop for several hours the 
 walls of the crop will become exhausted by the un- 
 usaal distention and then the fowl is unable to remove 
 the obstn.-ction in any way. The recognition of the 
 condition is not difficult because there exists a large, 
 firm, hard swelling in the region of the crop. T'j)on 
 
63 
 
 feeling of it, the natiii-e of its eonteuts can frequently 
 be determined. 
 
 If it is not possible to remove the contents by pres- 
 sure, as in the case above, and if it does not pass away 
 naturally within a day, it becomes necessary to per- 
 form an operation for the i)urp<>se of emptying tiie 
 organ. To do this, the feathers should be removed by 
 clipping them off with a pair of shears from a vertical 
 line about half an inch wide alo-ng the most prominent 
 portion of the crop. Then with a sharp, clean knife 
 an incision about one inch long should be made 
 through the skin and down to the obstructing mate- 
 rial. This can then be removed with the handle of a 
 spoon, or_with the finger, o^r with the loop of a hairpin. 
 When the crop is thoroughly enipliid. its walls should 
 be united by sewing them with, white silk. Care 
 should be taken to avoid including anything besides 
 the walls of the crop in the first seam. After this is 
 perfectly ui'ited the other tissues and the skin may be 
 drawn together with a second set of stitches. The 
 sewing should be done neatly and the tissues should 
 lict be dra^^ u together so that they pucker. The ends 
 of the first set of stitches should be left long and al- 
 lovN'ed to h£ing outside of the wound. In five or six 
 days union will have taken place and the stiches can 
 then be removed by cutting through them with a pair 
 of sharp scissors and drawing them out. After this 
 operation, the bird should be allo-wed no food for 
 twenty -four hours, and only a small amount of water, 
 to which a few grains of salicvlic acid have been added. 
 
64 
 
 :}. SIMPLE INDIGESTION AND LOSS OF APPE 
 
 TITE. 
 
 These conditions result from such a variety of 
 causes that it is rather difficult to classify them as a 
 disease. Usually they are merely symptoms of dis- 
 ease in different organs or o<f general disease. If, after 
 a careful examination, no cause for loss of appetite 
 can be discoA'ered it may be that it merely results from 
 indigestion and will respond to appropriate treatment 
 for this condition. But in all cases, a very careful ex- 
 amination should he made for other diseases. Fre- 
 quently, indigestion is produced by too rich food given 
 in large quantities and especially when the bird is un- 
 acoustomed to it. Sudden changes of diet are also 
 detrimental and when birds are exposed to weakening 
 influences, such as sudden changes of weather, unsani- 
 tary conditions, etc., they may find it impossible to di- 
 gest the food that they are accustomed to and have 
 been thriving upon. Or, indigestion may result from 
 feeding things that cannot be digested or that are di- 
 gested vei'y slowly and ferment while passing through 
 the digestive canal. Putrid food of all kinds will come 
 within this class. Sometimes, fo-reign bodies lodge in 
 the crop or gizzard or other point in the digestive tract 
 and if they are sharp and cannot be digested or dis 
 solved, they may remain stationary for a long time, 
 causing serious inflammation and possibly death. If 
 it is discoveied that substances, such as large pieces 
 of glass, or ]>ie('ps of m<'tal, etc.. are ])resent. tlicy 
 should be removed by an operation similar to the oper 
 
65 
 
 ation performed in impaction of the crop, provided 
 they are in the upper or neck portion of the gullet. 
 
 When the cause of loss of appetite is known the se- 
 lection of an appropriate foi-m of treatment is a mat- 
 ter of but little dimculty. If it is decided that the 
 fowl cannot be cured it will be best in all cases to kill 
 it at once so that it may be saved for food. If the dis- 
 ease is allowed to jj;o on until serious changes take 
 place it will not be safe to use the tlesh. 
 
 It is well to begin treatment by giving two or three 
 teaspoonfuls of castor oil to empty the bowels and re- 
 move irritant substances. 
 
 One of the best general remedies is hydrochloric 
 acid. This substance is very strong and must be ad- 
 ministered in very small quantities freely diluted with 
 water. The dose for an adult fowl is from one to two 
 drops given with at least a dessert spoonful of water. 
 Pills of either black or red pepper, are in high repute 
 among p'oultry keepers and are undoubtedly quite effi- 
 cient in stimulating the secretion of digestive juices 
 and in that way leading to restoration of appetite. 
 Chopped onion or garlic in the food are also good. 
 
 1. IRRITATION OF THE DKIESTIVE CANAL AND 
 DIARRHOEA. 
 
 This subject has been considered in part in connec- 
 tion with the condition produced by intestinal worms 
 and with the subject above. Similar irritations of the 
 membrane lining the digestive canal may be produced 
 5--I 
 
66 
 
 by otlier foreig^i bodies in the intestine or, wluil 
 amounts to the same thing, by indigestible or imper- 
 fectly digested food that remains there for an unusual 
 length of time. The first evidence of irritation of the 
 digestive tract is loss of appetite and general depres- 
 sion. This is quickly followed by diarrhoea, and the 
 voidings are sometimes mixed with mucus or, in bad 
 oases, with blood. When this symptom appears the 
 fowl loses flesh very ra[>idly, becomes weak and soo-n 
 dies. 
 
 The first measure in the way of treatment is to place 
 the bird in a warm dry place where it will not be an- 
 noyed by its companions and supply it with small 
 quantities of food that is easy of digestion. This 
 should be given in a fresh state in clean troughs or 
 vessels and all of the surroundings should be kept 
 clean. If the diarrhoea is severe, cooked food should 
 be preferred, such as boiled meal, rice or barley; oat 
 meal is also good. Small pieces of, chocolate consti- 
 tute a useful remedy for this condition in cage birds. 
 Linseed meal is also good and the gelatinous substance 
 that separates from linseed when it is boiled is of 
 great value in diarrhoea. It is g(»od of itself, and it 
 also furnishes an excellent medium for the administra- 
 tion of other more active remedies. Opium can usually 
 be relied upon to check this disease unless it has gone 
 so far that no treatment will avail. Opium is best 
 used in the form of the tincture, known as laudanum. 
 Tlie dose is from five to ten drops. Tincture of catechu 
 is very efficient and may be given in doses of five to 
 twenty drops wMth n little water for each fowl, or foi- 
 fiftv fowls, half ounce in meal. 
 
67 
 
 5. CONSTIPATION, 
 
 Constipation is the opposite of diarrhoea, but it is 
 frecjuently produced by tlie same conditions. If para- 
 sites obstruct the intestinal canal, of course nothing 
 can pass and the result is constipation of a most ob- 
 stinate form. Sometimes the intestine becomes un- 
 usuall}' dry, particularly after a bird has been afflicted 
 with diarrhoea for some time; then its coaitents accum- 
 ulate in hard masses and form obstructions. These 
 obstructions of dry intestinal contents may appear at 
 any point of the canal but frequently develop close to 
 the lower opening, in the diverticulum known as the 
 cloaca. 
 
 Constipated birds give evidence of the condition by 
 uneasiness, loss of appetite, frequent, unsuccessful at- 
 tempts and general depression. If the obstruction is 
 in the lower part of the bowel the treatment consists 
 in injecting small quantities of warm water b}' means 
 of a rubber syringe, or water in which linseed has been 
 boiled may be used for this purpose and should be pre- 
 ferred in cases where there is considerable irritation. 
 Sweet oil or glycerine may also be injected, all of 
 which tend to soften and facilitate the removal of the 
 impacted masses. When this treatment is applied to 
 hens, great care should be exercised to prevent the in- 
 troduction of tlie nO'Zzle of the syringe into the open- 
 ing of the oviduct. Sometimes it is necessary to em- 
 ploy a small blunt instrument, such as the handle of a 
 small spoon to facilitate the removal of the faecal 
 masses in this location. 
 
68 
 
 Intern:! lly, castor oil is a valuable remedy. It 
 should be j;iven in doses of two teaspooufuls; or, the 
 eommon compound cathartic pill may be administered, 
 ('alomel is also a good laxative ov purgative for fowls 
 and is giveji in doses of from one-half to two grains 
 mixed with sufficient butter to foam a pill. Small 
 cage birds should receive a fragment of a cathartic pill, 
 the size depebding upon the size of the patient. 
 Epsom salts are good and safe; the dose for an adult 
 fowl is one tablespoonfnl of a satui'att'd solution. 
 
 ♦>. POISOMXC. 
 
 Fowls may be poisoned by the same chemicals aud 
 agencies tliat poison larger animals. 
 
 Poisoning with Arsenic— One of the most frequent 
 poisons is iuseiiic in one of its numerous forms. 
 Arsenic is u.sed so freely on farms for the ])urpose of 
 po'isoning potato bugs, wonns that infest tre^s, rats, 
 etc., that it frequently liappens that it comes within 
 the reach of poultry and poisons them. The symp- 
 toms of arsenic poisoning are loss of appetite, great 
 thirst, discharge of saliva from the mouth, attempts 
 to vomit, anxiety, restlessness and diarrhoea. Before 
 death the bird may evidence considerable pain, breathe 
 with difficulty, tremble and it may have convulsions. 
 
 After death, the examination of the digestive tract 
 will show that it is considerably inflamed. It is red. 
 full of blood and its contents are mixed with blood. 
 
 The treatment to be employed when it is known that 
 
69 
 
 fowls liavc been poisoned with arsenic is to administer 
 the white of an agg every hour ov the thicic liquid in 
 which flaxseed has been boiled. If possible, the chemi- 
 cal antidote, iron sesquioxide or dialized iron, should 
 be given. If there is much diarrhoea and pain tincture 
 of opium in doses of five to ten drops is useful. Pow- 
 dered chalk given in ^^■ater is also good. 
 
 Poisoning with Salt. — Small quantities of salt are 
 very beneficial for fowls but large quantities may cause 
 serious illness or even death. From half an ounce 
 to an ounce of salt is fatal for a chicken. This quan- 
 tity will cause loss of appetite, great thirst, redness of 
 the membranes lining the mouth and throat, pain and 
 diarrhoea, and if the poisoned fowl is opened after 
 death it will be found that the intestines are in a con- 
 dition resembling that found when death results from 
 arsenical poisoning, but usually the inflammation is 
 not of quite such a severe type. Such substances as 
 mackerel brine, beef pickle, etc., are even more pois- 
 onous than pure salt and smaller quantities will pro- 
 duce the same symptoms. 
 
 Tlie treatment consists in the administration of the 
 remedies recon.mended for arsenic poisoning, with the 
 exception of the iron compounds. 
 
 Poisoning ivitli Mould. — T\'hen fowls are permitted 
 to eat food that has undergone decomposition or has 
 become very mouldy they are sometimes poisoned. 
 This subject has been referred to under the head of 
 irritation of the digestive canal and diarrhot^a. 
 
70 
 
 7. DROPSY. 
 
 Tli€^ membiaiie liniu*;- Ihe abdomiual cavity »ome- 
 times becomes intiamed as the result of external inju- 
 ries or severe irritation of the intestinal canal or the 
 penetration of a foreign body thro-ugh the intestinal 
 wall. Sometimes this condition is caused by parasites. 
 Usually' the disease is of a severe tj^pe and cannot be 
 treated successfully. It may produce death within a 
 very short time. But sometimes it follows a chronic 
 course, causing prolonged illness, and in these cases. 
 fluid usually collects in the abdominal cavity consti- 
 tuting the c(indition known as ascites or abdominal 
 dropsy. The evidence of this condition consists in an 
 enlargement of the abdom.en ; it is distended in all di- 
 rections but particularly downward and sometimes to 
 such an extent that the lower part of the belly reaches 
 the ground. It is hardly necessary to say that in these 
 cases the fowl is spiritless and disinclined to moveabout 
 actively; Avhen it is caught and the swelling is ex- 
 amined by the touch it will be noticed that it is soft 
 and that by pressing upon one side weaves can be felt 
 on the other side indicating that it contains fluid. 
 
 8. JAUNDICE OK THE YELLOWS. 
 
 When the action of the liver is interfered with the 
 bile may not be poured out into the intestine in a nor- 
 mal manner and its retention leads to a yellow disco! 
 
71 
 
 oration of all parts of the body, shown especially about 
 the comb, orifices of the nose and membrane liniuj^ 
 the mouth and throiit. This condition is frequently 
 produced by parasites but sometimes it results from 
 too hijc^h feeding and too little exercise. In these lat- 
 ter cases, a dose of ealo-mel should be administered; the 
 food, which must be cut down in quantity, should be 
 of a simple character and contain green substances, 
 and the fowl should be allowed plenty of exercise. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 DISEASES OF THE EGG-PRODUCING 
 ORGANS. 
 
 1. PARASITES AND FOREIGN BODIES IN EGGS. 
 
 The egg is produced as follows: the yolk develops in 
 the ovary, which is a large conglomerate mass, the ap- 
 pearance of which may be compared roughly to that of 
 a bunch of grapes of different sizes. When the yolk 
 reaches its full development in this organ, the mem- 
 brane containing it breaks and it is discharged into 
 the o-viduct. In passing through the oviduct it be- 
 comes surrounded by albumin, known as the white of 
 the egg. The development of the albumin requires 
 about six hours. In the lower part of the oviduct, it 
 remains for about twenty-four hours and during this 
 time it becomes covered with a membrane and a shell. 
 
 If foreign bodies, or parasites of any kind, are pres- 
 ent in the oviduct, they may readily become incorpo- 
 rated with the albumin and in that way become en- 
 closed in the egg. There are a number of parasites of 
 poultry that have been found enca]>sulated in this way. 
 The imprisonment of parasites in the egg is not a very 
 serious matter, however, because it occurs quite in 
 
 (72) 
 
73 
 
 frequently; but it is serious when the germs of decay 
 are present in the oviduct and become imprisoned in 
 the egg, because this leads to the early decomposition 
 of the egg. The organism that may enter the egg in 
 tins manner and produce decomposition are of several 
 kinds, but as their effects are about the same it is not 
 important to discuss them separately. They cause 
 the yolk to become light in color and cloudy and cause 
 the liberation of gas that is usually taken up by the 
 fluid parts of the egg, but escapes when the shell is 
 broken, and is of a most unpleasant odor. 
 
 These germs do not get into the oviduct by passing 
 into the fowl with its food, water or the air that it 
 breathes, but enter through the cloaca, and are often 
 introduced by the organs of the male during the act 
 of copulation. This condition may be avoided by the 
 enforcement of cleanliness in the poultry houses and 
 poultry yards. Hens and cocks should never be al- 
 lowed to go about with masses of fllth adhering to the 
 feathers about the vent nor should they be compelled 
 to roost in filthy places or walk about and scratch in 
 masses of decaying and putrefying material. 
 
 Cleanliness and disinfection enable the poulterer to 
 avoid this infection of the egg. 
 
 2. MALFORMED PJGGS. 
 
 One of the most frequent malformations of eggs is 
 the so-called "double egg," the egg containing two 
 yolks. Tliese eggs are usually of very largo size and 
 develop when two yolks rtnuh maturity in the ovary at 
 
74 
 
 the same time and are dischar <;ed into the oviduct to 
 gether. Cases have been known in ^^hi(•h three yolks 
 have been found in the same egg. 
 
 Sometimes eggs of unusual shape are noticed; they 
 are pear-shiij.ed, spherical, tlattened, pointed at each 
 end or bent. Sometimes they contain projections 
 at some point on the surface. All of these conditions 
 result from accidental influeuces, and as a rule they do 
 not recur. 
 
 An important malformation, or rather lack of devel- 
 opment, corsists in the production of eggs without 
 shells or with soft shells. This condition usually re- 
 sults from the fact that the hen which ])roduced the 
 egg laid it before the shell had time to develop or that 
 she was not supplied with the proper kind of nourish- 
 ment, and therefore could not produce the lime salts 
 necessary for the secretion of the shell.* 
 
 The treatment in the latter case consists in giving 
 fowls ground oyster shells, broken egg shells or ])ieces 
 of ground bone. 
 
 3. EGG BOUND. 
 
 Sometimes an egg becomes caught in the oviduct 
 and cannot be expelled. K may be that this comes 
 from the fact lliat Ihe egg is too large oi' that irritation 
 or inilammation has caused a swelling that obstructs 
 the passage, or that the cloaca is obstructed with a 
 mass of faeces. In these cases, it is necessary to sup- 
 
 *See Inflammation of the Oviduct. 
 
75 
 
 \>ly assistance. If it is fouiul that \Uv cloaca is ob- 
 structed, the faecal masses should be removed in the 
 manner described under constipation. If the egj^ is 
 large, or the passage small, the injection of oil or 
 glycerine may enable the hen to expel it. If, however, 
 it cannot be removed in this manner an attempt should 
 be made to expel it by placing the hen upon her back 
 and pressing above the egg through the abdominal 
 walls and in that way forcing it out. If it cannot be 
 removed in this way, the only alternative is to break 
 it and remove tbe shell piece by piece. The fragments 
 of shell should be removed with the finger or a pair of 
 forceps. When the pieces of shell cannot be removed 
 at once, sweet oil should be injected in order to- lu 
 bricate the passages as freely as possible and facilitate 
 the removal of the sharj), broken pieces. 
 
 4. INFLAMMATION OF THE OVIDUCT. 
 
 The oviduct sometimes becomes inflamed as the re- 
 sult of the manipulations necessary to overcome the 
 condition of egg-bo-und, and sometimes it becomes in- 
 llamed from causes that are not understood. When 
 this inflammation exists, the hen makes movements as 
 though she were attempting to lay an egg, is very 
 uneasy, rubs the posterior portion of the body along 
 the ground, and in these ways indicates irritation of 
 that part. Sometimes the first symptoms of beginning 
 infhimmation of the oviduct is the production of eggs 
 with soft shells. This condition has l>een found not 
 5-1 
 
70 
 
 only aiDoiiLj chickens, but also among ducks, geese and 
 turkeys. 
 
 The treat IE ent of this disease is not very satisfac- 
 tory. Tt consists in placing the bird in a quite place 
 where it will not be annoyed and, in acute cases, in- 
 jecting a weak solution of tannic acid (1 part to 100). 
 to which a small quantity of chlorate of potash (2 or 
 3 parts to 100) has been added. This tluid should be 
 made warm before it is injected, and should be admin- 
 istered carefully and in small quantities. The best 
 syringe for this purpose is a soft rubber bulb supplied 
 with a hard rubber nozzle. Laxatives, such as castor 
 oil or calomel should be administered in sufficient 
 quantities to keep the bowel loose. The food should 
 be non-stimulating, and given in small quantities. 
 
 5. PROLAPSUS OF THE OVIDUCT. 
 
 As a result of great straining to expel an unusually 
 large egg, the oviduct may be turned inside out and 
 project from the body of the hen. It can then be seen 
 as a red swelling protruding from the rear part of the 
 body, the hen becomes very uneasy, and it is impossi- 
 ble for her to lay eggs while in this condition. In ex- 
 amining these cases, particular attention should be 
 paid to the color of the inverted membrane. If it is 
 very dark, and of a purplish or bluish tinge, treatment 
 should not be attem]»ted. for this indicates that gan- 
 grene is about to begin, and in these cases the fowls 
 can not be saved, so that it is better to destroy theni 
 
77 
 
 while still fit for food. If the membrane is red. it 
 should be washed off with warm water, covered with 
 a thin coating of vaseline and pushed back very care- 
 fully. If it is expelled again it should be again re- 
 turned and a small piece of ice placed in the opening. 
 This will usually cause the parts to contract to such 
 an extent that they will not fall out. From the be- 
 ginning of the treatment, the hen. must be kept in a 
 quiet place and allowed very little food. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND EYE. 
 
 1. CONGESTION OF THE BRAIN. 
 
 Congestion of the brain may be caused by extreme 
 excitement, by blows on the head or sunstroke. It is 
 characterized by staggering, stupor, unusual move- 
 ments, such as v.alking backwards or walking in a cir- 
 cle, unusual and irregular movements with the wings 
 and feet and tv^isting the head backwards or to the 
 side. Sometimes the bird will fall on its side and 
 make peculiar movements with its feet and wings, as 
 though attempting to run or fly. 
 
 Tlie treatment consists in keeping the animal per- 
 fectly quiet in a dark place, the administration of laxa- 
 tives, such as two teaspoonfuls of castor oil or one and 
 one-half grain doses of calomel, and the application of 
 cold cloths or ice to the head. 
 
 EPILEPSY. 
 
 Epil('|»sv is uot a veiv ((niiiiKm (lis<';is(' jiiiKnig pout 
 try, but still it is met with fium time to tiiiic and 
 
 (78) 
 
70 
 
 aiuuiij; all vaiiclics of barnyard I'owls. It is charader- 
 ized by the occasioual oceur-rpnte of tils which do not 
 terminate faljilly, disappear after a time and leave the 
 fowl in a normal condition. During the fit, the fowl 
 will make beating movements with its wings, its legs 
 will draw up and it will fall down, sometimes turn over 
 on its back, or it may stand upright with its legs apart, 
 head turned backwaid and the mouth and eyes open- 
 ing and closing spasmodically. Epilepsy is sometimes 
 caused by intestinal ])arasites, and is cured by the re- 
 moval of these ^orms. It is claimed that bromide of 
 potash given in quantities of a few grains each day in 
 the drinking water is of value in these cases, but it is 
 not probable that treatment will prove to be at all 
 profitable. 
 
 3. FEATHER EATING. 
 
 This habit is classed among the affections of the ner- 
 vous system because if it is not nervous disease it is 
 such an overpo\^enng habit that it can scarcely be dis- 
 tinguished from the disease. 
 
 Where this habit is prevalent in a poultry yard, the 
 fowls present a most untidy appearance, the feathers 
 about the neck and upper part of the breast are 
 plucked out. and sometimes they are partially removed 
 from other parts of the body. If the flo-ck is watched 
 for a little while it will be noticed that the birds pluck 
 the feathers fr(»m each othei'. Tliis habit usuall.v 
 starts with one fowl and sjtrcads by foi-ce of examj)le 
 to Ihe others. 
 
.so 
 
 ill oidfi' U) pievfut it, a lovvi tliat is iioticod pluck 
 iug- feathers should be at once removed from the liock 
 before the others litive had time to learn the habit. If 
 it is not dtsirable that the bird should hv killed, several 
 methods for preventinn' the continuation of the habit 
 are recommended. The best and most humane is to 
 tile awav the bill in front and on the sides so that it 
 will not close tightly, but when shut leaves a space of 
 about one-tenth of an inch. This will prevent the bird 
 from grasping the feather with sufficient force to re- 
 move it, but will not interfere with eating. Another 
 remedy that has been suggested is to place a piece of 
 wire through the mouth as a bit and carry the upper 
 end of wirt through a liole that has been punctured 
 in the oomb. Tliis has the effect of preventing the 
 fowl from closing the beak tightly, and therefore from 
 palling out the feathers, but is rather a cruel proced- 
 ure and cannot be recommended. In all cases, fo^wls 
 inflicted in this way should be allowed a large yard, 
 so that they may have plenty of exercise. 
 
 4. EGG EATING. 
 
 This is another habit that spreads from fowl to fowl 
 similar to the above. If eggs are allowed to remain 
 too long" in the nests so that they become broken, or if 
 soft shell eggs are produced by any of the hens in the 
 tlO'Ck some of the fowls may get into the way of eating" 
 them, and the habit once started spreads from bird to 
 bird until in some cases it becomes almost impossible 
 lo secni'c anv eggs at all. 
 
81 
 
 The Ireatnieiil in tbt'se should be to lenuivc the bird 
 that spreads the habit as sooii as il is delected, or if this 
 is not done, and the habit becomes well established, a 
 special form of nest should be used which permits the 
 egg to roll out and escape from the reach of the hen 
 as soon ns it is deposited. 
 
 o. TUMORS OF THE EYELIDS. 
 
 Sometimes wart growths appear upon the eyelids and 
 they may become large enough to interfere with the 
 vision or by pressure upon the eye balls destro-y the 
 sight. Not only warty growths appear in this region, 
 but also other tumors of a variety of kinds. When it 
 is evident that they are becoming large enough to l)e- 
 corae harmful, they should be snipped o<ff with a pair 
 of sharp scissors, and the wound cauterized with lunar 
 caustic. 
 
 (;. INFLAMMATION OF THE EVE. 
 
 Inflammation of the eye is sometimes caused by par 
 asites and sometimes by mechanical irritation such as 
 blows, wounds received in fighting, etc. Or, the eyes 
 may become inflamed as a result of taking cold. These 
 inttammntions are of different kinds and different de- 
 grees of severity, dei)endent u])on the y)art (if the eye 
 6-1 
 
82 
 
 jilVcclcd and tlie extent ol the iiijiii v. lii most cases. 
 they are eliaraelerized by .sAvelliii<; of tlie eyelids, in- 
 terference with vision, cloudiness of the front of the 
 eye, sometimes, total blindness. Jn the halter case, 
 treatment is not to be recommended; the fowl should 
 be destroyed at once. lint if the trouble alfects only 
 one eye, or is not an unusually severe type, it may be 
 treated by cleansinj? the eyelids with warm water, to 
 which boracic acid has been added in the ju^oportion of 
 15 grs. to the ounce. The fowl should be kept in a 
 dark place and fed small quantities of food and al- 
 lowed plenty of fresh air until it is recovered. Cloudi- 
 ness of the f\\ nt of the eye — the cornea — may be 
 treated by dusting a small quantity of calomel over the 
 surface and repeatinu the application once daily as 
 long as necessary. 
 
 A strong solution of comnjon salt is a good eye wash 
 for simple ti'oubles. 
 
CHAPTER VL 
 
 DISEASES OF THE LEGS AND FEET. 
 
 A. Those caused by parasites. 
 
 MANGE OF THE LEGS AND FEET. 
 
 Marge of the legs, or chalk legs, is a contagious dis 
 ease caused by a parasite known as Sarcoptes mutans. 
 It it confined exclusively to the legs and feet and never 
 extends to other parts of the body. 
 When the parasites of this disease 
 are placed on the legs of a healthy 
 fowl they work their way under the 
 large scales on the front of the leg or 
 on the upper part of the toes. They 
 multiply rapidly and within a short 
 time it may be noticed that the scale 
 commences to rise and a little yellow- 
 ish crust forms about its edge. In 
 time, other scales become involved, 
 the crust increases in thickness and 
 scurfy, powdery material piles up in 
 considerable quantity until in old andFeet 
 cases the entire feet and legs may be J:inm%meBnH^rH\ 
 involved and to such an extent that ^"^'■• 
 they seem to be several times their normal thickness. 
 When this Uiick crust is pulled off it is found that tlic 
 surface is I'iiw ;ind ttlccding. The interior of the crust 
 
 (83) 
 5'--T 
 
 The Parasite of 
 Mange of the Legs 
 
84 
 
 is hollowed out by a great uiiiuber of small cavities 
 and a close examiuatiou O'f these cavities will show 
 that they contain parasites. Frequently, a cavity will 
 contain an old female and a large number of young. 
 These young are born alive, so that no eggs are present 
 in the scabs unless a female has been crushed and the 
 eggs have escaped from her body. 
 
 In time, the disease be- 
 comes so bad that the bird 
 cannot walk. It lies on its 
 breast, hops about from 
 place to place, becomes 
 thin and at last dies from 
 exhaustion. 
 
 It is not very ditticult 
 to cure this disease, pro- 
 vided careful attention is 
 devoted to it. The first 
 thing to do is to remove the 
 diseased fowl from the 
 flO'Clv, disinfect the poultry 
 house, the nests and 
 perches. The treatment of 
 the individual begins with 
 the removal of the scab so 
 that the parasite may be 
 leached and destroyed. 
 The scab may be removed 
 by soaking it with oil, 
 either swc^t oil or cotton- 
 seed. This should be ap 
 plied fi'ccly and alloAved to 
 remain for twenly-foui- 
 lioMi-s. after which large 
 so<-ti(nis of the cnist mav be taken away without ()ain 
 
 The Foot of a Fowl Afkectkh 
 With Mange. 
 
85 
 
 to the bird, or vaseline or soft soap may be used for 
 the same purpose. The action of the oil may be iu 
 teusified by wrappinjj^ the le<is in cotton after it is ap- 
 plied and binding the co-tton on with a narrow band- 
 age or witli a soft oord. Following the removal of 
 the scab, the legs should be treated with a solution of 
 balsam of Peru in alcohol, equal parts. Or strong sul- 
 phur ointment or creolin solution oue part, water, teu 
 j)arts, may be applied once daily. 
 
 B. Those not caused hy parasites. 
 1. OOKNS. 
 
 As a result of standing on too sharp or too narrow 
 perches or having to fly from heights on to a hard 
 floor, the feet of fowls are sometimes irritated in such 
 a way that the skin becomes thick, hard and painful. 
 These thickenings constitute corns and occasion some 
 lameness and when the bird is caught and examined 
 closely the cause of the trouble can be recognized with- 
 out difficulty. 
 
 The treatment consists in paring the elevation off 
 with a sharp knife. i>Minting the surface with tincture 
 t)f iodine and removing the cause by making the 
 perches wide and smooth or lowering them, as may bo 
 required. 
 
86 
 •2. HUMBLEFOOT. 
 
 The causes that produce cunis will, if of au espe- 
 cially severe type, cause deep and serious bruises of the 
 joints of the feet and legs. These bruises are followed 
 by swellings of the joints, the parts become very ten- 
 der and sore so that it becomes diBicult for the bird to 
 walk. The piincipal joint of the foot may become very 
 much enlarged so that the deformity can be seen from 
 a considerable distance. A close examination will 
 show that the swelling is very painful to pressure and 
 is sometimes feverish and soft. If it does not termin- 
 ate within a short time, germs from the injury may 
 enter the bones or pass to joints further up the leg 
 and lead to swelling, great soreness and sometimes 
 to abscess formation or gangrene. 
 
 The causes of bumblefoot should be avoided and the 
 treatment of the -condition consists in applying flaxseed 
 poultices, by tying a bag of cheesecloth containing the 
 poultice around the foot, or applying an ointment 
 made of cieolin and vaseline (one part to forty). If 
 the swelling becomes soft, so that it is evident that 
 it contains pus it should be opened by making 
 au incision into it with a sliarp knife and its 
 contents should then be syringed out with a solu- 
 tion of creolin and water (one part to fifty). In the 
 more severe cases, accompanied by the formation of 
 large abscesses of grangrene, no treatment can be suc- 
 cessful. Scmi cases of buniTilefo-ot develop to a cer- 
 tain extent and then continue in the same condition 
 for a long time, leaving the fowl wilh ;i rhronic de- 
 formity of the f<-et. Tliese old cases nic best frcntcd 
 by painliiig the enlarged joints willi iddiuc or by ()]m'ii 
 irig file swellings and applying iodine to I heir inleiior 
 
87 
 
 3. GOUT. 
 
 Fowls of the heavy breeds, when kept in a liigli con- 
 dition and allowed but little exercise, may develop a 
 disease that is practically identical with gout in man. 
 It usually develops rather slowly, beginning as a some- 
 what indefiiiite lameness that might be mistaken for 
 rheumatism. But shortly the joints of the feet and 
 legs, and sometimes of the wings as well, swell, be- 
 come painful to pressure, the bird becomes disinclined 
 to move; later, little tunio-rs, that are rather hard, ap- 
 pear about the affected joints and still later the skin 
 covering these enlargements becomes dry, brittle and 
 breaks, exposing a yellow or grayish crumbling, chalky 
 mass which is composed principally of uric acid and its 
 salts. Sometimes, the toes dry up, lose their life and 
 fall of. The general spirits of the fowl are, of course, 
 depressed, because it is difficult for it to get around. 
 It becomes feverish, loses its appetite, wastes away and 
 toward the end develops a diarrhoea that hastens 
 death. 
 
 Treatment of gout consists in removing the enlarge- 
 ments by scraping them off with a blunt instrument or 
 cutting them away with a knife, and, internally, bicar- 
 bonate O'f sode should be administered. This can be 
 supplied by adding it to the drinking water in quanti- 
 ties of about a ter.spoonful to the pint. 
 
8S 
 
 4. FREEZING 
 
 The feet, coiubs and wtiltles of fowls exposed during 
 very cold weather are frequently frozen. Usually but 
 little can be done after the injury has taken place un 
 less the condition is detected early, at which time it 
 may be possible to save the frozen parts by remo'ving 
 the fpost with applications of snow or cold water, 
 annointing the frozen parts with cosmoline g>v camphor- 
 ated oil and placing the fowl in a reasonably, though 
 no-t \er\, warm place, and keeping the frozen parts 
 moistened with the applications mentioned. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 DISEASES OF THE BONES. 
 
 1. RICKETS. 
 
 Rickets is a disease of the bones that prevents their 
 becoming hard and stift as they should, thus allowing 
 them to bend and become deformed under the weight 
 of the fowl. The bones that are most frequently sub- 
 ject to deformity in cases of rickets are those of the 
 legs and the breast bone because these carry the most 
 weight. Rickets usually results from improper feed- 
 ing. A growing fowl should not only have food to 
 make flesh but also to make bone, and unless this is 
 supplied in sufficient quantity and in an available 
 form, the imperfectly nourished bones develop the con 
 dition above described. 
 
 The treatment consists in giving sufficient food of a 
 proper sort, such as grains of all kinds, ground bone, 
 ground shells, wallplaster from old buildings, broken 
 egg shells, etc. A composition in high repute among 
 ihe poailterers of England is Parrish's chemical food. 
 Phosphate of lime, which is the princi]>al and mosr 
 valaable ir.gredient of Parrish's chemical food, can Itr 
 administered in doses of two oi- three grains |)cr day 
 to each young chick that is notic<d to be rickety in 
 the least degree. 
 
DO 
 
 •-'. b^J{A(jriIIiKS. 
 
 ITraetures of the legs and wiiigs are uot infreqiieul. 
 As a rule, it does uot pay to treat them unless the fowl 
 is unusually valuable or a cage bird that there is es 
 pecial reason for saving. Fractures of the legs can 
 usually be splirtered and the bones kept in position 
 with little difficulty by applying a splint of cork, 
 leather or quill. The leg should be wrapped in absor- 
 bent cotton, the bones placed in a proper position, the 
 splint applied and then wrapped with soft wool, yarn 
 or with a narrow muslin bandage. After splinting, 
 the bird should be kept as quiet as possible. If it is 
 a large adult fowl it may be necessary to place it in a 
 small box or basket for from two to three weeks. At 
 the expiration of this period union has usually taken 
 place. 
 
 Fractures of the wing are somewhat more difficult 
 to treat, because the muscles and feathers interfere 
 with the application of a bandage, so that the best 
 method is merely to fold the wing in its natural posi- 
 tion against the side of the bird and hold it there by 
 a bandage passed around the body, until the fracture 
 has united. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 CONTAGIOUS DISEASES. 
 
 1. DIPHTHERIA OR ROUP. 
 
 Uiplilheria, croup or loaip, is a very common dis- 
 ease among' poultry, and undoubtedly destroys millions 
 of dollars worth ot fowls in tlie United States every 
 year. Tliere are two forms of roup, one caused by 
 bacteria and the other by pr&tozoa. but since the symp- 
 toms, remedies and means of 
 prevention are very much 
 alike in both cases it is not 
 necessary that they should 
 be considered separately in 
 this report. 
 
 Roup is, in all cases, a 
 contagious or "catching" 
 disease. It spreads from 
 one fowl to another and 
 ma}' be carried from flock 
 to flock by the interchange 
 of birds. It is thought by 
 some that roup may be pro- 
 duced by exposure, and that 
 it is merely a severe cold or 
 catarrh, but careful observa- 
 tion shows that this view is 
 not cnrr(H't. and that roup 
 
 (91) 
 
 The Floor of the Mouth of 
 A Fowl, Showing Diphthk- 
 RiTic Patches. 
 
1)2 
 
 can only hv produced by the siK'cilic oij^anisnis of tlic 
 disease. Jt is undoubtedly tiu(! that unfavorable in 
 tluences, svch as those that cause colds predispose 
 poultry to roup and i)lace the birds in such a condition 
 that they are more a})t to develop it when exposed to 
 it, and jteiJiaps cause tlie appearance of the disease in 
 a severe and tatal form wlien it would have followed a 
 mild course if these unfavorable conditions had not ex- 
 isted. Young fowls, tender breeds, and birds in poor 
 co-ndition, and especially thoise that are poorly cared 
 for, are most predisposed to roup. All varities of do- 
 mestic fowls may contract it. It also affects cage 
 birds and outbreaks have been described among wild 
 birds. 
 
 The characteristic symptom from which this disease 
 derives its name consists in the appearance of wliite 
 patches (m the membrane lining the moaith and nose, 
 the air passages; and these same patches occasional! v 
 develop on the sldn, in the intestines or in the lungs. 
 The patches or roup are at first white and resemble a 
 white mould. The size of the patch is indefinite and 
 never the same in two individuals. Tt may be very 
 small, or it n.ay extend over the entire lining mem- 
 brane of the mouth. Sometimes, it appears first on 
 the sides of the tongue, sometimes on the roof of the 
 month, sometimes in the throat or about, or in. the 
 nose or eye, on the skin of the head, or in the deeper 
 ]»arts of iho body. At tii-st, the fowl does not show 
 mncli iiicoii\('iiience. As the i)atch nialuies it V»e- 
 comes yellow, its borders dry and adhere closely tt) 
 tlie mucous membrane, and if it is large enough, it 
 may obstruct the air passages oi" the mouth and cause 
 s<'rious difficulty in breathing. At this stage of the 
 disease the fowl icfuses food, becomes sluggish and 
 
03 
 
 presents the usual well-known appearance of a sick 
 «;hieken. The patches sometimes putrefy and beconu^ 
 exceedingly otleisive. ^^'hen they are scraped away 
 it is noticed that the tissues beneath are raw and sore. 
 The interference with breathing may be so serious that 
 the bird will hold its mouth open and struggle for air 
 like a chicken wilh gapes. The entire face is some- 
 times covered with i)atehes of false membrane, the 
 eye may become affected or destroyed and the air 
 passages may be completely obstructed so that death 
 is caused by suffocation. The corner of the mouth 
 seems to be a favorite seat for the development of diph- 
 theritic false membrane. 
 
 The disease usually follows a chronic course lasting 
 several days or several weeks. In some outbreaks, 
 however, the germ of the disease seems to be more 
 virulent than in others, and in these cases the birds 
 may die after the lapse of but a fcAv days. In strong 
 individuals, and especially where the general type of 
 the outbreak is not of a very virulent character, the 
 tendency is toward recovery, but the disease is never- 
 theless destructive, because recoveied birds are fre- 
 quently thin and unproductive for a long period. The 
 fact that fovls suffeiMng from roup do not show evi- 
 dence of general disturbance until the local changes 
 are quite obvious, is due to the fact that roup is es- 
 sentially a local disease of the mu<-ous membranes, 
 and general disease does not result until the air or 
 food passages are obstructed or interfered witli by the 
 patches, or general infection takes place. 
 
 The treatnunt of roup must begin with the isol.ition 
 of tlie afflicted fowl and thorougli disinftM-tion of tlu^ 
 poultry house and yards. This disinfection should be 
 carried out with great care, and should be |>r('ced('(l by 
 
94 
 
 .1 ihoiimgh ck'j;i.sinji of the droppings. The yards 
 should be spriidvled wilh lime, tlic feeding place should 
 be scrupulously cleansed and disinfected, and the 
 water sujiply should be looked to carefully, in order to 
 avoid possible impurities or coutaniinat ion. The fowls 
 that die should be cremated 
 or deeply buried at a dis- 
 tance fr(nu the poultry 
 grounds. Tlie individual 
 l)atients need not be de- 
 sitroyiMl. as is sometimes 
 done, because it is fre- 
 quently possible to save 
 them by means of very sim- 
 ple treatment. It is impor- 
 tant to place them in warm, 
 dry (luarters, and feed nu- 
 tritious, attractive food. 
 Douglass mixture, referred 
 to on page 38, is useful. The 
 diphtheritic patches should 
 be removed by scraping 
 lightly witli a blunt metal or 
 wooden instrument, or by 
 rubbing them otf with a 
 swab made by Avrapping a snmll pledget of cot- 
 ton about the end of a toothpick. After they 
 are removed, the raw surface thus exposed should 
 be treated with an antiseptic, for the purpose 
 of destroying the disease germs that remain. One of 
 the best ;i]'i>lications for thi.s j)nrp(>se is a 10 per cent. 
 solution of nitriite of silver, to be applied cautiously 
 and in small quantities, with a camel's hair brush. 
 (ir. a 2 j)er cent, solution of creolin or carbolic acid 
 
 I 
 
 h 
 
 i 
 
 m 
 
 1 
 
 m 
 
 1 
 
 m 
 
 The Hoof of the Mouth of a 
 Fowl, showing Diphtheritic 
 Patches. 
 
95 
 
 may he used. A solution of corrosive siiblimnle (1 part 
 to J, 000 of water) is also sufficient, but must be used 
 with gieat care. Iwersen recommendg petroleum in 
 this disease and advises that a drop of this substance 
 shall be placed in the nasal passage of the diseased 
 fowl, and that the diseased membranes be treated with 
 light applications applied with a small brush. If the 
 nose is stopped up, peroxide of h\'drogeu, diluted with 
 an equal amount of water, may be injected with a glass 
 and rubber medicine dropper. If the dropper has a 
 bent point, the medicine may be squirted into the back 
 of the nose through the openings in the roof of the 
 mouth. 
 
 Roup or diphtheria may be prevented by avoiding 
 unsanitary conditions, by enforcing cleanliness, disin- 
 fecting frequently and preventing the introduction of 
 foreign fowls into the flock until they have been kept 
 isolated long enough to make sure that they are 
 healthy. 
 
 Cases have been reported from time to time in which 
 it lias been claimed that diphtheria of fowls has been 
 conveyed to people and vice versa. Recent investiga- 
 tions, however, indicate that this disease in man and 
 birds is caused by different organisms, and that the 
 probability of tracsmission is not very great. 
 
 With reference to this matter. Dr. V. A. Moore 
 writes as follows:* "Altho-ugh the number of reported 
 cases of the transmission of diphtheria to the human 
 species and vk-e versa is small in comparison with the 
 extent of the disease in poultry, the evidence that such 
 a transmission is possible is quite sufficient to discour- 
 age the careless handling of diseased fowls. It is 
 quite a common practice, usually in the rural districts. 
 
 ♦Bulletin No. 8, V. S. Depiartmpnt of Agriculture, 1S9.T. 
 
96 
 
 to bring sick (.liiciceiis into the house for treatment 
 where the children of tlie household are allowed lo 
 fondle them al will. It is not improbable that when 
 this disease is tt-orouj^hly investigated the number of 
 cases of direct infection from this source will be found 
 to be much larger than is at present supposed. Until 
 such invesligaticns are satisfactorily completed the in- 
 discriminate handling of diphtheritic fowls, especially 
 by children, and the exposure of fowls to tJie infection 
 of diphtheria in the human species whereby they may 
 become carriers of the virus, should be strenuously 
 avoided." 
 
 2. FOWL CHOLERA. 
 
 The desigr-ation fowl cholera includes several in- 
 fectious diseases of poultry, none of which have been 
 thoroughly studied in this country during recent years. 
 The fowl cholera that occurs in France and Germany 
 is very well understood, but its symptoms do not agree 
 fully with those of the various diseases known as fowl 
 cholei-a in this country. The Bureau of Animal In- 
 dustry in Washington has made some investigations 
 of outbreaks of fatal contagious diseases among chick- 
 ens and pigeons but the work is not yet completed. 
 So far as it has gone, it indicates that one of the af- 
 fecrions known as fo.wl cliolera is caused by a rod- 
 shaped bacillus that is exceedingly resistant to ex- 
 tremes of tempei-atui'c, and can probably live in ])ro- 
 tected places for a long period.* 
 
 ♦Bulletin No. S, U. S. Departmont of Asrirultuie, 1S9.'). 
 
97 
 
 The syiDptcmfci of .Uucrieuii fowl eholeia were first 
 (lesciibt'd by Di. tSalmou iu 1S80. 'I'iicv iiicliule the 
 voidiug of faeces ot w liich the part that is normally 
 white is yellow. The white part of tlie faeces is ex- 
 creted by the kidneys, and the yellow discoloi'atiou of 
 this excreraeut is usually the first indication of dis- 
 ease. 'Shoi-tly thereafter the droppings become thin 
 and fluid, they are voided frequently and envelop by 
 a layer of tlin mucous. The fowl becomes depressed, 
 it stands still or assumes a sitting posture, goes into 
 a sunny, warm place if possible. The plumage be- 
 comes ruffled, the head is drawn down, the comb be- 
 comes pale and bloodless, and the appetite is depressed 
 O'r lost. The depression and torpidity of the fowl in- 
 creases until it seems to become unconscious and can- 
 not be aroused by objects that usually frighten it. The 
 bird becomes thin and weak and sometimes passes into 
 a stupor and dies. In other cases, it may have convul- 
 sions prior to death. 
 
 The symptoms of the European fowl cholera, which 
 may also occur in this country, although it has never 
 been proven definitely, are in many respects similar 
 to the above. In many cases, the disease runs such a 
 vecj short course that no evidence of illness is dis- 
 covered until the bird tumbles over in convulsions and 
 dies. Somxetimes, the co-urse. of the disease is so rapid 
 that more than half of a large floclv of apparently 
 healthy chickens will die during a single night. 
 Usually, however, the disease lasts from one to three 
 days, and is evidenced by loss of appetite, depression, 
 ruffling of the feathers, hanging wings, inclination to 
 get away from the flock, high temperatur(\ discharge 
 of mucous from the mouth, diarrhoea, thin faeces, that 
 are at first slightly yellowish, but later on greenish and 
 7-1 
 
98 
 
 haviiijj;' an olTensive odor; ij;reat tliirst, hlnisli disco-lora 
 tion of the comb, and doath either in a stupor or pre- 
 ceded In- c(>i'Vulsion.s. Alter death, the disscrliou of 
 the bird reveals niiiueidiis i"d spots on the internal 
 organs and especially on the inteslinos. Tiie lungs 
 are congested, .led, full of blood; (he liver is full of 
 blood and somewhat enlarged, and the blood itself is 
 dark and thick. The intestines sometimes contain a 
 red mass of clotted bloo-d. 
 
 Another disease that is usually included with fowl 
 cholera is a form of infectious enteritis of chickens, 
 which consists in an inthimmation of the bowels that is 
 of a very severe type, and causes death witliin one or 
 two days after tlie beginning o-f the attack. The lirst 
 symptom is diarrhoea, tliere is loss of appetite and de- 
 pression, but the torpor is not so profound as in the 
 disease described above. 
 
 MoFadyean has recently described an outbreak of 
 disease among turkeys that was characterized by an 
 inflammatioi of the lungs and pericardium. The 
 symptoms were general stiffness of the neck and 
 limbs, hanging of the wings and tail, roughness of the 
 feathers, ditlficult breathing, discliarge of frothy mucous 
 from the mouth, diarrhoea, with thin, whitish or yel- 
 low faeces and death. In this outbreak, a germ was 
 found that was in many respects similar to the germ 
 of fowl cholera, but presented points of difference that 
 were suffici( ntly well marked to enable him to classify 
 it as another organism. 
 
 Eqizootic dysentery has been discovered among 
 chickens and ducks and reported upon by veterinarians 
 in a number of places. The disease begins as a 
 diarrhoea, usvially attacking young chickens first. 
 There is depression, chilliness, ruffling of the plumage, 
 
99 
 
 lo.ss of appetite, j2;i'aduiilly becuiniui; more iuteii.sc uiilil 
 the animal dies, during the second week of the attack. 
 
 All of the above conditions are popularly known as 
 fowl cholera, and, moreover, the term as commonly 
 used, undoubtedly includes a number of other diseases 
 that are not contagious at all. When fowls die in 
 large nun bers it is usually said that the disease affect- 
 ing them was fowl cholera, although it may have been 
 produced by mismanagement of almost any kind. 
 
 The treatment of individual fowls afflicted with such 
 a highly contagious disease as true fowl cholera is not 
 to be recommended, because in the first place, so long 
 as the infected fowl remains around, there is danger 
 that its poisonciis products may be carried to healthy 
 birds. Secondly, there is little chance of curing it 
 and it is hardly worth while to try. 
 
 The important point in this connectio-n is the pre- 
 vention of disease, and fowl cholera can usually be pre- 
 vented by preventing the introduction of fowls suffering 
 from it or that come from infected localities. If the dis- 
 ease is once introduced, the most stringent measures 
 should be enforced as regards cleanliness, disinfection 
 and the total destruction of the carcasses of the dead 
 birds. The birds that are still healthy should be re- 
 moved from the flock and placed in a wholesome local- 
 ity. The droppings from the diseased fowls should be 
 burned or thoroughly disinfected by mixing with a ten 
 per cent, solution of sulphuric acid or with a quantity 
 of lime equal in amount to the manure. Th(^ building 
 should be disinfected by cleaning it very thoroughly, 
 flushing the Hoor with a saturated solution of copperas 
 and spraying the interior with a 5 per cent, solution 
 of carbolic arid followed by white-washing. Tf the 
 pens and inns can 1)0 abandoned for a year and grass 
 
lUU 
 
 j;T()V\n ill tlu'iii, this is the best plan, but if it is not pos- 
 sible to do this they should be cleaned vvitli as great 
 thorO'Ughntss as possible and slacked lime scattered 
 ovei* the surface of the earth, which should be plowed. 
 It should be remembered that the germs of fowl- 
 cholera may be carried in the feathers, so that a per- 
 fectly healthy fowl, coming from a diseased flock, may 
 carry the disease to another flock a long distance away. 
 These germs may also be carried on the shoes and 
 clothing of persons; by vermin, as rats or mice, or they 
 may become attached to light objects, such as leaves, 
 and be carried long distances by the wind. If the dis- 
 ease exists among the fowls alc'ng the water course, 
 those lo^^er doA\n the stream may receive the germs 
 with their water supj)ly. So, whenever this disease 
 prevails in a locality, one cannot guard his fowls too 
 careful Iv. 
 
 :i. HLA(MvHKAI)— INFECTIOUS INTERO HEPA 
 TITIS OF TURKEYS. 
 
 The disease of turkeys po|)ular known as blackhead, 
 has prevailed for a long time in the New England 
 states and particularly in Rhode Island. Attention 
 was called to it some few years ago by Mr. Samuel 
 Cushnian, an officer of the Agricultural Ex])erinient 
 Station of Rliode Island, but all of our recent informa- 
 tion in regard to bhu'khead results from the investi- 
 gations of Drs. Theobald Smith and V. A. Moore.* 
 
 The disease is called ''blackhead" because in same of 
 the turkevs afflicted with it, the comb and head become 
 
 *T^ulletin No. 1. Civf-nlar No. 5, Bureau nf .Animal Industry, U. 
 S. Department of .Asrioulture. 
 
101 
 
 dark. The desigiicitioii is not a good one, however, be- 
 cause this discoloration of the liead may come from 
 other causes than this particuhir disease, and some- 
 times in this disease the head does not become darl^. 
 As yet, a good popular, descriptive name lias not been 
 suggestd. 
 
 Infectious entero-hepatitis is caused by protozoa, 
 minute animal parasites so small and simple that they 
 can scarcely be distinguished from some members of 
 the vegetable kingdom. 
 These gain access to the di- 
 gestive tract of turkeys and 
 enter the caeca, which are 
 two prolonged pouches 
 springing from the union of 
 the small and large intes- 
 tines. Within the caeca, 
 the protozoa of this disease 
 irritate the mucous mem- 
 brane and cause it to be- 
 come thickened and ulcer- 
 ated. The caeca also be- 
 come distended and some- 
 times extraordinarily large. 
 The protozo<a penetrate to 
 the liver and cause there the 
 formation of yellowish spots 
 resembling small abscesses 
 filled with cheesy pus. This 
 appearance results from the 
 death of localized areas of 
 liver tissue. The surround 
 in<|- jiarts of the liver are full 
 of blood, and the entire organ is considerably enlarged 
 
 C^CA OF Healthy Turkey. 
 
 The central tube is the small in- 
 testine, the food passings down- 
 ward in the direction of the arrow. 
 At the junction of the c£Bca with 
 the intestine, the food is drawn 
 Into the ciuca by suction. The 
 thickness of the caecal wall is 
 shown in a. One-half natural 
 size (Moore). 
 
102 
 
 Tliese ar«' tin- |>rinci|>al featurcfs revc^alcd l».v a post 
 inoi'tem exaiiiiiiatiou. Thv syiupluins are lather iii- 
 deliiiite because the disease does not follow a regular 
 course, so that a slightly affected turkey may present 
 certain symptoms, while one in a more advanced stage 
 of the disease may present entirely different symp- 
 toms, that may be so different from the first that no 
 connection betvAeen the cases would be suspected by 
 an ordinary observer. It 
 has been noticed by those 
 who have investigated this 
 disease, that turkeys fre- 
 quently appear to recover 
 from it; this is, after having 
 been afflicted, sometimes 
 quite seriously, they pick up 
 in condition thereafter and 
 apparently recover, but a 
 post mortem examination of 
 these fowls will show dis- 
 tinct evidence of the disease. 
 The walls of the caecum are 
 still thickened, the spots in 
 the liver remain, and a mi 
 croscopical examination of 
 the contents of the caecum 
 reveal the living parasite of 
 the disease, so that these ap 
 parently recovered birds 
 continue as sources of infec 
 tion and can convey the dis 
 ease to other fowls. 
 
 ^'onng turkeys are most 
 
 C.4!:cA OF Turkey Showing Ef- 
 fect OF Protozoan Disease. 
 
 The upper two-thirds of one 
 Cci'cum is affected, also an area, as 
 near the union with tlie colon. 
 The other ciecuin is thickened at 
 the points. I). The thickness ol 
 the affected cn-cal walls is shown 
 in section c. One-tninl natural 
 size (Moore I. 
 
1(K{ 
 
 predisposed to tlie disease. W'heu it is severe, they 
 lose condition, develop diarrhoea, become thin, weak, 
 ragged-looking-, their heads sometimes become dark, 
 and they gradually die in an emaciated, exhausted con- 
 dition. The disease can be recognized positively after 
 death by discovering the conditiQns described above. 
 
 Blackhead has been discovered among turkeys in 
 eastern New York, and altho-ugh its presence has not 
 been demonstrated positively among the turkeys of 
 Pennsylvania, it is quite pos- 
 sible that it exists here and 
 some outbreaks of disease 
 that have been described 
 closely resemble blackhead. 
 Our knowledge of this dis- 
 ease is so recent that as yet 
 it is only possible to experi 
 ment with remedies with a 
 view to curing the affection. 
 Dr. Smith suggests the use 
 of quinine and it may be 
 that salicylate of soda, creoliu or calomel will prove ad- 
 vantageous, but as yet the use of any drug is purely ex- 
 perimental. 
 
 It has been shown by Dr. Moore's exeperiments that 
 the parasite of the disease exists in the droppings 
 from afflicted fov^ls, and that it may be transferred di- 
 rectly to healthy birds by keeping them where these 
 droppings have been allowed to accumulate. The mal- 
 ady has also been pro'duced in healthy turkeys by 
 feeding the diseased organs of its victims. These in 
 vestigation? are vein imi)ortnnt, b<'cause they indicate 
 a menus of avoiding Ihe s]»i'<'a(l of the dis(>ase. Old 
 
 Liver op Turkey. 
 
 Showing effect of protozoan dis- 
 ease. One-third natural size. 
 
104 
 
 riii'k«Ms oil affected farms should !»<• disposed of 
 whether they appear to be sound or not. The roci-stin^ 
 place should be thoroughly cleansed, droppings should 
 be collected and disinfected and the entire locality 
 should be disinfected as thoroughly as possible by 
 spraying with carbolic acid solution, saturating the 
 Moors and earth with saturated solutions of copperas 
 and covering the soil with lime. Then, if turkey breed- 
 ing is to be contiriued, fresh stock should be purchased 
 from regions where the disease does not exist cr tur- 
 keys should be hatched under hens and in this way the 
 nucleus of a new and sound tloek may be acquired. 
 
 4. TUliERCULOSIS. 
 
 Tuberculosis, or consumption, is a very commo-n dis 
 ease among people and among several species o-f our 
 domestic animals, particularly cattle and swine. It is 
 also found, although comparatively rarely, among 
 other species of the domestic animals. In some places 
 fowls are frequently found that are afflicted with this 
 disease. For a long time it was thought it might have 
 been acquired thi-ough eating the expectorations of 
 tuberculous animals or man, or feeding upon tuber- 
 culous organs of slaughtered animals, but recent in- 
 vestigations have made it pi-actically certain that tu- 
 berculosis of fowls is not the same disease as tuber- 
 
1 1)5 
 
 cuiosis of tlie hig'lit'i- aiiinial«, mid altluMi^li these are 
 similai- it is caused by a soniewliat dili'eieut germ, and' 
 it is not probable that it is ever acquired from the 
 higher animals nor that the higher auimals can acquire 
 tuberculosis from fowls. The principal symptoms o-f 
 tuberculosis are those of a lingering illness that grad 
 ually becomes more severe. Sometimes, tubercles ap 
 pear as hard and horny or as soft and cheesy swellings 
 on the skin or about the joints. There is wasting, the 
 comb and the membranes of the head become pale, the 
 strength of the fowl is gradualh' lost and finally it 
 dies, after having shrunken to a mere mass of bones, 
 skin and feathers. 
 
 After death, little white or yellow tubercles which 
 contain cheesy matter may be found in the liver and 
 spleen. About half of the fatal cases of tuberculosis 
 in birds show tubercles, which appear as rather dense 
 round masses, in the walls of intestine. They may 
 also be found in some cases in the peritoneum, the 
 membrane lining the abdominal cavity, and in the 
 lungs. Many of the birds in Zo-ological Gardens die 
 of tuberculosis, and it is very common among cage 
 birds. A number of cases in parrots have been seen 
 at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Penn- 
 sylvania. Tuberculosis of ])arrC'ts differs somewhat 
 from that of chickens, in that it may be caused by a 
 germ identical with that causing tuberculosis of man, 
 and may be derived from or transmitted to people. So 
 that tuberculous parrots are a menace to human 
 health. 
 
 There is no cure for tuberculosis, and the most effi 
 cient means of {)reventing it r-onsists in killing and 
 burniiii:' fovls that nia\' Itc sntTci-ini; with it .hkI tlinr 
 
km; 
 
 (tu.nlily (lisiiiftM-linj; llir iMciiiiscs prcviniislv <ic(ii|»i<'(I 
 by tlieiM. 
 
 5. G()JN(j LKillT. 
 
 Pigeon fanciers spealc of a disease of pigeons Icuowu 
 as "going light/' wliicli means that tlie diseased 1:)ii-ds 
 are becoming lighter and thinner (W, in other words, 
 Avasting away. The designation is applied so gener- 
 ally^ and loosely that it has not been possible to attach 
 a definite meaning to it or discover that it relates to a 
 single disease. An outbreak of disease among pigeons 
 has been studied by l>r. Moore, who found tliat a rather 
 chionic wasting disease was })roduced by a germ that 
 in some respects resembled th(; germ that causes hog 
 cholera. "Going light" might be defined in many cases 
 as a chronic, wasting disease of pigeons, that is due to 
 a cause that is rji-kcown, but which is probably of an 
 infectious nature. In some O'f the outbrealvS, the dis- 
 ease runs a much moie rapid course than in others, 
 and causes death witliin a few days. In other cases, 
 its course is quite prolonged and the bird sometimes 
 recovers. If treatment is employed it should consist 
 in i:he administratJon of general tonics, such as qui- 
 nine, in one grain doses twice a day; cod liver oil, one- 
 half teaspoonful, 3 or 4 times daily; reduced iron in the 
 food. Warm, well ventilated, comfortable surround 
 ings. and noui'ishing and attractive food must be jtro 
 vid^^d. The pig<'(in loft slionld be thoroughly r-leaiiscd 
 
]{)7 
 
 iiiid disinfected in reference to this affection, and if 
 pigeon fanciers will notify the State Veterinarian 
 when ontbreaivs appear they will be investigated with 
 a view of discovering the exact cause and the measures 
 to be taken to cure or pievent it. 
 
108 
 
 DESCRIPTION OP OPPOSITE PLATE. 
 
 Prom A to B, cervical vertebrae. 1, spinous process of the 
 third vertebra; 2, inferior ridge on body of the same; 
 3, styloid prolongation of the transverse process of the 
 same; 4 vertebral foramen of the same; 1', 2', 3/, 
 4', the same parts in the twelfth vertebra. From B to C, dor- 
 sal vertebrae; 6, spinous process of the first; 7, crest formed by 
 the union of the other spinous processes. Prom D to E, coccy- 
 geal vertebrae. F, G, head; 8, interorbital septum; 9, foramen 
 of communication between the two orbits; 10, premaxillary 
 bone; lO', external openings of the nose; 11, maxilla; 12, os 
 quadra tum; 13, malar bone; H, sternum; 14, brisket or keel; 
 15, episternal process; 16, internal lateral process; 17, lateral 
 external process; 18, membrane which closes the internal notch; 
 19, membrane of the external notch. I, etc., superior ribs, 20, 
 posterior process of the fifth; J, inferior ribs; K, scapula; L, 
 Coracoid bone; M, forculum — m, m, its two branches; N, hum- 
 erus; O, ulna — o, radius; P, P', bones of carpus; Q. Q', bones 
 of metacarpus; R, first phalanx of the large diget of the wing. 
 r, second phalanx of the same; R, phalanx of thumb; S, ilium, 
 s'. ischium, s", pubis, 21, sciatic foramen, 22, foramen ovale; 
 T. femur; U, patella; V. tibia, x, fibula, y. single bone of tarsus; 
 
 Y. metatarsus. 23. superior process represpnting a unitf^d 
 metatarsal bone; 24, process supporting the claw; z, etc.. digits. 
 — Chauveau. 
 
SKFLKTON OF A FOWL, 
 (109) 
 
no 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF OPPOSITE PLATE. 
 
 The abdominal muscles have been removed, as well as the 
 sternum, heart, trachea, the greater portion of the neck, and 
 all the head except the lower jaw, which has been turned aside 
 to show the tongue, the pharnynx and the entrance to the 
 larynx. The left lobe of the liver, succentric ventricle, gizzard 
 and intestinal mass, have been pushed to the right to exhibit 
 the different portions of the alimentary canal and to expose 
 the ovary and oviduct. 
 
 1, tongue; 2, pharynx; 3, first portion of the oesophagus; 4, 
 crop; 5, second portion of the oesophagus; 6, succentric ven- 
 tricle; 7, gizzard; 8, origin of the duodenum; 9, first branch of 
 the duodenal flexture; 10, second branch of the same; 11, origin 
 of the floating portion of the small intestine; 12, small intestine; 
 12', terminal portion of this intestine, flanked on each side by 
 the two caeca; 13, free extremities of the caeca; 14, insertion of 
 these two organs into the intestinal tube; 15, rectum; 16, cloaca; 
 17, anus; 18, mesentary; 19, left lobe of the liver; 20, right lobe; 
 21, gall-bladder; 22. insertion of the pancreatic and biliary 
 ducts; 23, pancreas; 24, lung; 25. ovary (in a state of atrophy); 
 26, oviduct. — Chauveau. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATl'S OF 
 A FOWL. 
 
 (Ill) 
 
(112) 
 
INDEX. 
 
 A. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Air-sac mites 45 
 
 Appetite, loss of, ^^ 
 
 Arsenical poisoning' 68 
 
 B. 
 
 Bird-ticks 26 
 
 Blackheads, 100 
 
 Body-mang-e 28 
 
 Bones, diseases of the, 89 
 
 Brain, congestion of the 78 
 
 diseases of the 78 
 
 Bronchitis 49 
 
 Bumblefoot 8« 
 
 C. 
 
 Catarrh of the crop, 61 
 
 nasal passages 48 
 
 Causes of disease 10 
 
 Cholera, 96 
 
 Constipation 67 
 
 Contagious diseases 91 
 
 Corns 8!i 
 
 Correspondence with the State Veterinarian 14 
 
 Crop, obstruction of the 62 
 
 D. 
 
 Diarrhoea 65 
 
 Digestive canal, irritation of the 6fi 
 
 organs of the 52 
 
 Diphtheria. 91 
 
 Disinfection 15 
 
 Dropsj- 7(1 
 
 Dysentery, contagious 97 
 
 ( 1 1 :; I 
 
 8--T 
 
lU 
 
 E. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Egg bound 74 
 
 contamination of the 72 
 
 development of the, 72 
 
 eating 80 
 
 producing organs, diseases of the, 72 
 
 Eggs, malformed 73 
 
 parasites and foreign bodies in 72 
 
 Epilepsy, 78 
 
 Eye, diseases of the 78 
 
 inflammation of the 81 
 
 Eyelids, tumors of the 81 
 
 F. 
 
 Pa,vus 34 
 
 Feather-eating 79 
 
 Feet, diseases of the, 83 
 
 Fleas 17 
 
 Fractures 90 
 
 Freezing 88 
 
 G. 
 
 Gapes 40 
 
 General treatment of sick fowls 10 
 
 Going light 106 
 
 Gout 87 
 
 I. 
 
 Indigestion, simple 64 
 
 Inflammation of the skin, 37 
 
 Irritation of the skin 36 
 
 J. 
 
 Jaundice, 70 
 
 L. 
 
 Laryngitis 49 
 
 Legs, diseases of the 85 
 
 scaly 8" 
 
 and feet, mange of the 83 
 
 Letter of transmittal 5 
 
 Lice, 18 
 
 Tjosses of poultry annually 9-112 
 
 Lung fever 50 
 
115 
 
 M. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Mange, 128 
 
 Medication 14 
 
 Mites 24 
 
 Moulting, disturbed 37 
 
 O. 
 
 Oviduct, prolapsus of 76 
 
 inflammation of 7i> 
 
 P. 
 
 Pearson, Leonard, Report of 9 
 
 Pip 48 
 
 Pneumonia 50 
 
 caused by moulds, 46 
 
 Poisoning 6S 
 
 Post-mortem examinations 13 
 
 Preface, ., T 
 
 Protozoa 32 
 
 R- 
 
 Respiratory organs, diseases of the 40 
 
 Rickets, 89 
 
 Round worms 59 
 
 Roup, 91 
 
 Rump gland obstruction 39 
 
 S. 
 
 Salt poisoning 69 
 
 Scaly legs 83 
 
 Skin, diseases of the 17 
 
 irritation of the 36 
 
 Sore throat 49 
 
 Statistics 9 
 
 Sucking worms 5S 
 
 Symptoms of disease 11 
 
 T. 
 
 Tape worm 53 
 
 Ticks 24 
 
 Tuberculosis, lol 
 
 Turkey dlseas^o, 1 00 
 
IKi 
 
 U. 
 
 Page. 
 Unknown diseases 20 
 
 V. 
 Vomiting 61 
 
 W 
 Warts, 32 
 
 Y. 
 
 Yellows .70 
 
PART 11 
 
 Enemies of Poultry. 
 
 BIRDS OF PREY, OR THE BUZZA.RDS, EAGLEvS, HAWKS 
 AND OWLS. 
 
 CROWS, JAYS AND RAVENS THAT DEVOUR POULTRY 
 AND DESTROY EGGS. 
 
 FOXES. WILD CATS, MINKS, WEASELS AND OTHER 
 
 MAMMALS WHICH FEED ON DOMESTICATED 
 
 FOWLS, WILD BIRDS AND EGGS. 
 
 SOME FISHES THAT PREY ON DUCKS AND OTHER 
 FEATHERED SPECIES. 
 
 LOCALITIES WHERE MANY OF THESE ANIMALS CAN- 
 BE FOUND. 
 
 TAPEWORMS OF POULTRY AND THE DESTRUCTION 
 OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS. 
 
 By B. H. warren, M. D., 
 
 '/.oologiil Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture ; Ornithologist Pennsylvania 
 State Horticultural Society; Associate Member American Ornithologist' i 
 Union; Corresponding Member of the Linn^eati Society of Ne7i> York Citv ; 
 Author of the Birds of Pennsylvania, etc. 
 
 [Published by Authority of the L-egisfature.') 
 ILL US 7 RA TED. 
 
SUMMARY OF CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 MISCBLiiANEOUS INTRODUCTORY NOTES. 
 
 The Value of Pennsylvania's Poultry— The Value of 
 Fowls and Eggs In the United States— Loss in Penn- 
 sylvania from Predatory Animals — Trap or Shoot the 
 Troublesome Hawks — Keep Your Eye on the Crow — 
 Herons, Blackbirds and Jays — The Jays — The Jay 
 Killed Bii'ds and Squirrel — Jays are Notorious Nest 
 Robbers— Save the Birds— 20,000 Birds in Four Years— 
 A Protest from the Bay State— Save our Song' Birds— 
 The Snarer in Evidence in Pennsylvania — Bird Butch- 
 ery in Pike County — Bird Exterminators in Nebraska 
 and Georgia — Passing of Familiar Birds — The Pennsyl- 
 vaniaAudubon Society — Insect Ravages — Pennsylvania 
 Loses $5,000,000 a Year— The Loss in Other States- 
 Tree Inhabiting Insect Pests — ^Birds and Mammals as a 
 Class are Beneficial — The Snapper and a Brood of 
 Ducks — Odd Traits of Animal Character — Fishes that 
 Catch Ducks and Birds — Mud Hens are Caught — The 
 Voracious Pike — A Red Squirrel, Sparrow and Hungry 
 Chub — Forest Fires and Wild Animals — Forest Fires 
 Increasing — Serious Loss in 1S95 — Of Great Interest to 
 Farmers and Sportsmen — Great Destruction of Wild 
 Animals — Locomotives Not the Chief Cause of Forest 
 Fires — Railroads Adopt the Best Preventives Known — 
 A Common Cause of Forest Fires — Careless Sports- 
 men — For the Commonwealth's Weal— Will Suffer for 
 our Blunders— Turkey Buzzards Slain— Nighthawks 
 and Whip-poor-wills Killed— Shrikes and Weasels- 
 Contains an Abundance of Instructive Data— Foolish 
 and Expensive Legislation— A Serious Blunder— Don't 
 Advocate Unwise Bounty Acts — Birds of Prey as a 
 Class Beneficial— Only Five Were Detrimental Spe — 
 
 (III) 
 
olfs — iNailed on Barns— Other Birds, Etc.— Increase of 
 Destructive Rodents— Vultures, Eagles, Hawks and 
 Owls— The Buzzards, Eagles and Hawks— The Owls- 
 Public Sentiment in Favor of Bounties— Reports of 
 Counties — They Favor Killing all Hawks and Owls — 
 Start a Campaign of Popular Education— No More 
 Chickens' Heads for Hawks', pages 1-48 
 
 CHAPTER 11. 
 
 TESTIMONY FROM FUIvLY ONE THOUSAND OBSERVERS 
 General Remarte — ^What Farmers say about the Loss 
 of Poultry — Estimates of Damage by Hawks, Owls and 
 Mammals — Adams County — Allegheny County — Arm- 
 strong County — Beaver County — Bedford County- 
 Berks County — Blair County — Bradford County — 'Bucks 
 County — Butler County — Cambria County — Carbon 
 County — Centre County — Chester County — Clarion 
 County — ^Clearfield County — Clinton County — Columbia 
 County— Crawford County — Cumberland County — Elk 
 County — Erie County — ^Fayette County — Forest 
 County — Franklin County — Fulton County — Greene 
 County — Huntingdon County — Jefferson County — Juni- 
 ata County — Lackawanna County — ^Lawrence County — 
 Lancaster County — Lebanon County — Lehigh County— 
 Luzerne County — Lycoming County — McKean County- 
 Mercer County — Mifflin County — Monroe County- 
 Montgomery County — Montour County — Northampton 
 County — Northumberland County — Perry County — 
 Philadelphia County — Pike County — ^Potter County— 
 Schuj'Ikill County — Snyder County— Somerset County- 
 Sullivan County— Susquehanna County— Tioga 
 County— Union County— Venango County— Warren 
 County— Washington County— Wayne County— West- 
 moreland County— Wyoming County — York County- 
 Other States — Observations of Farmers and Sports- 
 men—What Farmers say of the Crow— Other States, 
 pages 49-13ri 
 
 CHAPTER HT. 
 
 BIRDS OF PREY. 
 American Vultures — Turkey Vulture — Devoured Grass- 
 hoppers and Beetles — A useful Bird to Mankind — Its 
 Distribution in Pennsylvania — Us Northern Breeding 
 
V 
 
 Limit — Blacl< Vulture— Feeds on Carrion, Not Poultry — 
 Well Treated in the South — Hawks, Falcons and 
 Eagles — A Valuable Group of Hawks— Detrimental 
 Species— The Cooper's Hawk — But Few Insects — The 
 Goshawk — Swallow-Tailed Kite — Does not Molest 
 Poultry — Viiews of Various Writers — The Nest and 
 Eggs— Its Flight Easy and Graceful — Mississippi Kite- 
 Feeds on Insects — The Nest and Eggs — Not a Shy 
 Bird — Marsh Hawk— The Nest and Eggs— Feeds on 
 Mice — What Various Writers Say — Feeds on Reptiles 
 and Insects— Protects the Crops^A Priend of the 
 Farmer — Sharp-Shinned Hawk — The Nest and Eggs — 
 Fond of Poultry and Song Birds — Kills Game Birds — 
 Some Small Birds it Devours — 'Cooper's Hawk — The 
 Nest and Eggs — An Audacious Poultry Thief — A bold 
 Act — A Mixed Diet — Destroys Quail — ^Feeds on Domes- 
 tic Pigeons — Kills Grouse and Other Game — Birds — 
 Mammals — At Least One Good Trait — Goshawk — 
 Breeds in Sullivan County — Goshawks and Wild 
 Pigeons — What Goshawks Prey Upon — The Destruction 
 of Poultry — An Enemy of the Wild Fowl — A Successful 
 Grouse Hunter — Ptarmigans are Easy Prey — Red- 
 tailed Hawk — They Battle in Mid-air — Handle a 
 Wounded Hawk Carefully — ^When Red-tails were abun- 
 dant — Mice Destroyed the Grape Vines — The Nest and 
 Eggs — How they Catch Squirrels — Will Take Chick- 
 ens — Red-tails are Good Mousers — Red-Shouldered 
 Hawks — The Nest and Eggs — Does Not Prey on Chick- 
 ents — Eats Frogs and Insects — Broad-winged Hawk — 
 The Nest and Eggs — Is an Unsuspicious Bird — Food 
 of the Broad-wing — What Other Writers Say about 
 its Food — Rough-Legged Hawk — An Error Corrected — 
 Subsists Mainly on Field Mice — Destroys Enemies of 
 the Orchard — Golden Eagle — The Golden Eagle as a 
 Pet — He Devoured Thomas Cats — Would Seize Grim- 
 alkin by Neck and Back — Food of the Golden Eagle- 
 Eagles Destroy Many Lambs— Adult Deer Attacked — 
 Bald Eagle— The Nest and Eggs— The Bald Eagle and 
 Osprey — Sometimes Fishes for Himself— Kills Pigs and 
 Lambs— How they Capture Geese — Will Sometimes At- 
 tack Mankind — Destroys Poultry and Game — Duck 
 Hawk — The Nest and Eggs — Kills Domestic Fowls — 
 Played Havoc With Terns— Kills Wild Fowls— They 
 Prey on Birds — Devours Many Beneficial Birds — Views 
 of Different Writers — Sparmw Hawk — Xfst. Kggs and 
 
 A * T 
 
VI 
 
 Young— Protect the Sparrow Hawk— What Other 
 Writers Have Observed— Grasshoppers a Favorite 
 Food— Feed Mainly on Mice and Insects— Fish Hawk— 
 The Nest and Eggs— A Good Fisherman— They Live on 
 Fish— The Owls— Mice Devouring Species— The Barred 
 or "Rain" Owl— Prefer to Kill Their Own Food— Barn 
 Owl— The Nest and Eggs— Feeds on Mice— Short Eared 
 Owl— Killed to Satisfy Vanity— They Devour Legions 
 of Noxious Rodents— Long-Eared Owl— Desirable Visi- 
 tors—The Nest and Eggs— A Beneficial Species— What 
 Different Writers say of its Food— Barred Owl— The 
 Nest and Eggs— Mice and Small Game— Feeds on 
 Fishes— Great Gray Owl— Its Dietary— Acadian Owl- 
 Hides in Rocky Places— The Nest and Eggs— They 
 Lived in Harmony— 'Screech Owl— AS a Pet— Facts 
 About its Habits— Fixing Breeding Places for Owls- 
 Eats Beetles and Grasshoppers— Kills the Feathered 
 Prize-Fighters— Great Horned Owl— The Nest and 
 Eggs— Its Flight and Weird Notes— What They Live 
 Upon— Snowy Owl— Its Manner of Hunting— Hawk 
 Owl— Its Food and Habits, pages 136-2r): 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 SOME OTHER BIRDS. 
 
 The Raven— A Wary Poultry Thief— They Destroy Eggs 
 and Nestlings— Capture Rabbits and Grouse — Will 
 Speak as they Pass by — Attack Lambs and Fawns — 
 Ravens a Quarter of a Century Ago— Would Attack the 
 Deer — Reliable Informants — Are Enemies of Small 
 Birds— They Consume Many Insects— Eat Berries, 
 Nuts, Frogs and Snakes — They Sometimes Prefer 
 Carrion — The Fish Crow— The Common Crow— What the 
 Crow is Charged with — Results of Critical Analyses — 
 Do Trivial Damage to Fruit — ^Devour Legions of Bee- 
 tles and Grasshoppers — The Crow Destroys Army 
 Worms — Crows and Blackbirds — Farmers Praised 
 Them— Some Bad Habits— They Eat Grubs and 
 "Bugs" — Sometimes Steal the Corn — They Devour Eggs 
 and Nestlings— The Jays — The Blue Jay — Distribution — 
 Sometimes Seen in Flocks — Its Economic Relations — 
 Mr. Beale's Summary of its Food — ^TV^hat Audubon 
 Learned — He Hunts Methodically — Why Do They Do 
 This? — They Know Their Enemies — Is Mr. Jay a 
 
VII 
 
 Feathered Jekyl and Hyde?— More "Like His Dad 
 Every Day" — They Are Omnivorous— Shrikes or 
 Butcher-Birds— The Northern Shrike— An Improper 
 Name— A Beneficial Species— The Loggerhead Shrike— 
 A Summer Bird Here — Feeds on Insects— Sometimes 
 Try to Kill Chicks— Northern Raven— 'Must Watch the 
 Fox— The Nest and Eggs— They Raise One Brood— Like 
 One Nesting Place— Left in Sorrow and Disgust— 
 "Quoth the Raven, Nevermore"— Its Distribution in 
 Pennsylvania— Common Crow— The Nest and Eggs- 
 Will Eat Eggs and Poultry— Fish Crow— Breeds Near 
 Philadelphia— Will Take Ducklings— What Audubon 
 Says of Its Food— Blue Jay— The Nest and Eggs— Suck 
 Hens' Eggs and Kill Birds— What A Massachusetts 
 Naturalist Says— Statements from Other Observ- 
 ers—Its Vegetable Food— The Shrikes— Great North- 
 ern Shrike— Loggerhead Shrike— The Nest, Eggs and 
 Young— They Squeak Like Mice— Where They Watch for 
 Prey — The White-rumped Shrike— Blackbirds— Com- 
 mon Crow Blackbird—Lead A Nomadic Life— The Nest 
 and Eggs— Select Different Nesting Sites— Food— They 
 Hunt Beetles and Grubs— They Eat Some Fruit— A 
 Thousand Stomachs Examined— They are Fond of 
 Larvae — They Catch Grasshoppers— Will Eat Wheat, 
 Oats and Corn— Will Eat Birds and Eggs— They 
 Sometimes Eat Fish — The Bronzed Blackbird— The 
 Herons and Bitterns— Great Blue Heron— The Nest and 
 Eggs — Dangerous When Wounded — Its Flesh is Quite 
 Palatable— What Nuttall Says of its Habits — Green 
 Heron — The Nest and Eggs— Eats Fish, Insects. Frogs. 
 Etc. — Stomach Examinations — Black-crowned Night 
 Herons — They Breed in Colonies — Fond of Goldfish — 
 They Subsist mainly on Fish — American Bittern — Has 
 a Loud Voice — The Nest and Eggs — Its Food, pages,.. 254-316 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 MAMMALS. 
 
 'New Faces Will Meet us" — Valuable Fur-Bearing 
 Species — Disturbing Nature's Balance — Great Errors — 
 Insectivorous Birds Driven Away — Has Agriculture 
 Profited? — Danger of Importing Foreign Species — 
 Some Troublesome Pests — Mother Eve and Her Suc- 
 cessors — Expert in Eluding Observation — Some are 
 
vm 
 
 Sound Sleepers— Abundance of Sunie Mammals — The 
 Work of Two Trappers— A Wyoming County Trapper- 
 Reports from Some Fur Dealers — Mr. Lewis, of Jeffer- 
 son County — Messrs. Jordan and Son, of Luzerne 
 County — Messrs. Weil, of Chester County— Skunks- 
 Some of its Common Names— Some of its Enemies — 
 They Do Much Good— Sportsmen Generally despise 
 iSkunks — Dr. Merriam's Observations — Sometimes Dis- 
 tresses Other Night Travellers — Interesting and Valua- 
 ble Contributions — The Sneaking Cat and Cunning 
 Hat — They Catch Beneficial Insects — These Farmers 
 Defend Skunks — Skunk Farming — The Farm — Their 
 Food — Their Nests — In Slaughtering Season — What 
 Farmers, Poulterers and Sportsmen say About 
 Skunks — Reports by Counties — Red Squirrel — Albin- 
 ism — His Last Chicken — Destroys Many Birds — Addi- 
 tional Evidence Against Him — Some of His Pursu- 
 ers — Additional Facts of His Life History — Some- 
 times Active at Night — He seeks the Fence Rails — 
 Keeps Just Out of Reach — The Gray Squirrel's Foe — 
 Opossum — Why De Ha'r Is Missin' — 3,500 a year in 
 Chester County — May Eventually Get to Klondike — A 
 Night Prowler — Its Nest — Hunts A Tree when Pur- 
 sued — A Veritable Curiosity — ^Wise Provisions of Na- 
 ture — A Prolific and Rapid Breeder — An Omnivorous 
 Animal — Some of its Enemies — Red Fox — Plentiful in 
 Many Farming Districts — Some Hunters Worried — 
 Some Things They Did — A Diversion Enjoyed by 
 Many — They Say He Does Much Good — Sheep-killing 
 Dogs and Foxes — Some of His Numerous Victims — 
 Some Animals Foxes Kill — Birds — Mammals — Foxes 
 Love Lamb Chops and Pork — Where Pheasants 
 Thrived— Foxes Did It— Talked About Foxes and Got 
 Some Votes — The Weasels — Good Foxes Are Dead 
 Foxes— They Couldn't Understand Valuable Informa- 
 tion — Andy, it was Strychnine not Disease — Birds In- 
 creased — How to Fix Them — What a Chester County 
 Farmer Believes — Hawks and Owls — Weasels, Skunks 
 and Mink — The Fox a Terror — Everybody Killed 
 Foxes Then — He Plead and Almost Cried For Foxes- 
 Hounds and a Bobtailed Horse — How He Behave? 
 Across the Ocean— They Do Far More Harm Than 
 Good— What Farmers. Poultry Raisers and Sportsmen 
 Say about Red and Gray Foxes — Gray Fox— He Circled 
 and Turned in and Out— Rare. If Found .At AH In Some 
 
IX 
 
 Counties— They Take to Trees— He Loves the Wood 
 and Underbrush— What Gray Foxes Live Upon— Com- 
 mon Weasel— Its Many Names— The Image of a Ser- 
 pent—Two Species— The Least Weasel— They Change 
 Their Coats— Hunts His Prey By Scent— Destroys Poul- 
 try—His Food— Feeds on Rats and Mice — A Rabbit 
 Hunter— He is Well Acquainted With Weasels— He 
 Kills But Don't Disfigure— A Very Restless Animal— 
 Where He Prefers to Live— Will Suck Its Own Blood- 
 Will Help Each Other Out of Traps— Attacked this 
 Bunny in the Rear— The Young— They Have Many 
 Changes of Dress — Destroys Great Numbers of Young 
 Grouse — Kills all the Quail — The Weasel Pulled and I 
 Pulled — What Farmers and Poultry Raisers Say — 
 Food of Weasels — Wildcat — A Variety of Common 
 Names — Acquire More Knowledge — The Wildcat's Fav- 
 orite Haunts — W^ildcats Increasing in Some Places — 
 They Pursue and Kill Deer — ^Many Kinds of Birds 
 Slain — Mammals, Eggs, etc, are Devoured — Hunts the 
 Quillful Porcupine — ^Methods of Catching Game — 
 Cowardly Animals — Treed Her Lover — ^Where the 
 Young Are Found— What Farmers and Hunters Tell 
 of Them — Mink — Fond of Brook Trout — Chickens 
 and Ducks are Favorite Food — Kill Pheasants, Quail 
 and Rabbits — A Muscular Animal — Fish Oil Allures the 
 Mink — The Mink as a Destroyer of Poultry and 
 Game — Additional Notes on Food of Minks — The Mink 
 as a Fisherman — Raccoon — A Poultry Thief — Feasts on 
 Corn — As a Fisherman — Feeds on Birds' Eggs — An 
 Enjoyable Recreation — Hunted for Both Flesh and 
 Fur — What Farmers and Sportsmen Say About Rac- 
 coons, pages, 317-484 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 LOCALITIES W^HERE POULTRY-DESTROYING ANIMALS; 
 ARE FOUND. 
 
 Miscellaneous Introductory Notes — A Convenient Class- 
 ification—A Grand Field for Scientific Research— 
 The Mecca of Naturalists — Over SOO Kinds of Birds- 
 Species New to Science — Fine Territory in Winter — 
 Winter Birds— Some Animals Which Have Been Ex- 
 terminated — When The Flint Lock Was Employer! — 
 Killed Forty Deer in a Day— A Menance to Life and 
 
Property— Hunted with Flails and Pitchforks— Col. 
 Stevens' Famous Hunt— "Things are Different Now"— 
 Many Yet Remain— Fifty Species of Mammals— Some 
 That Have Gone— The Last Elk— The Beaver— Beav- 
 ers in Old Virginia— The American Wolf— Wolves in 
 Tioga County— Should Such Practices Exist?— Wolves 
 Were Bad Neighbors— A Terror to Sheep Owners— Fol- 
 lowed Human Beings— A Doctor's Terrible Exper- 
 ience—Wolves on His Trail— A Desperate Battle on the 
 Rocks— Ammonia Saved" Him— The Panther— Romanc- 
 ing Scribes— Species Which are Rare— The Pine Mar- 
 ten—The Wild Pigeon— The Squirrels— Eat Eggs, Birds, 
 Ducks and Chickens— The Fox Squirrel— Where 
 Found in Pennsylvania— The Chickaree — The "Rab- 
 bits" or Hares— "Cottontails" — Don't Use Snares 
 or Ferrets— Foxes — The Wildcat— The Raccoon— The 
 Otter— The Virginia Deer— With Proper State Aid 
 Deer Will Increase— The Black Bear— The Bat's Win- 
 ter Home— The Opossum— The Porcupine — The Musk- 
 rat— The^ Chipmunk or Ground Hackey— Rats Galore— 
 The Cave Rat— The Flying Squirrel— Skunks— The 
 Most Useful Mammals— They Do Good Service— Let 
 the Millionaire Help the Poor — The Woodchuck — What 
 a Practical Farmer Wrote— They are Good for Food— 
 The Mice— Mice, Hawks and Owls— Fishes— Eastern 
 Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the Delaware and 
 Virginia Peninsula — Principal Kinds of Game^Mam- 
 mals — Birds — Principal Kinds of Fish — Salt Water — 
 Fresh Water — Rabbits— Squirrels — Raccoons — Foxes — 
 Deer — Birds — Quail — Wild Ducks — Pheasants— Reed 
 
 Birds — Snipe — Rail Birds — Woodcock — Geese — Doves — 
 Plover — Marsh Hens — Fish — Salt Water Fishing — 
 Fresh Water Fishing — Bass — Perch — Pike — Trout — 
 Carp — Catfish — Rock Fish — Sun Fish— Central Pennsyl- 
 vania, West of the Susquehanna River and Its Tribu- 
 taries, and East of the Summit of the Alleghenies — 
 Principal Kinds of Game — Mammals— Birds — Principal 
 Kinds of Fish — Fresh Water — Rabbits — Deer — Squir- 
 rels — Bears — Foxes — Raccoons — Wildcats — Pheasants — 
 Quail — Wild Turkeys— Ducks — Woodcock — Geese — Rail 
 Birds— Snipe— Reed Birds— Fish— Brook Trout— Bass- 
 Carp— Perch— Pike— Salmon— Rock Fish— Sun Fish- 
 Catfish — Western Pennsylvania, West of the Sum- 
 mit of the Allegheny Mountains— Principal Kinds of 
 Game — Mammals— Rabbits — Foxes — Squirrels — Deer — 
 
XI 
 
 Bears— Birds— Pheasants— Quail— Wi Id Turkeys — 
 Ducks— Principal Kinds of Fish— Trout— Bass- 
 Salmon— Carp— Perch— Pike— Rock Fish— Cat Fish, 
 pages, 
 
 485-548 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 TAPEWORMS OF POULTRY. 
 
 A Report upon the Present Knowledge of Tapeworms 
 of Poultry— General Discussion— Table of Tapeworms 
 Recorded for Poultry — Life History and Source of In- 
 fection—The Relation of the Tapeworms of Wild 
 Birds to Those of the Domesticated Fowls — Symptoms 
 and Pathology — Tapeworm-Infected Fowls as Food — 
 Prevention — Treatment — ^Classification — Analytical Key 
 to Families and Genera — ^Family Bothriocephalidae — 
 Subfamily Bothriocephalinae — Genus Bothriocapha- 
 !up — ^Bertken's Pigeon Bothriocephalus — Genus Both- 
 riotaenia — ^Subfamily Ligulinae — Genus Ligula — Family 
 Taeniidae— Subfamily Mesccestoidinae — Genus Mesoc- 
 estoides — Subfamily Dipylidiinae — Genus Amabilia — 
 Genus Hymenolepis — Genus Dicranotaenia — Genus 
 Dicranotaenia— Genus Davainea — Genus Echinoco- 
 tyle — Genus Ophryocotyle — ^Idiogenes — Addendum — 
 
 Explanation of Chart — Description of Plates, pages, . . 549-657 
 
 CHAPTER VTII. 
 
 SOME EGGS. 
 Plate I— Plate II— Plate III— Plate IV— Plate V, pages... 658-659 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS. 
 
 General Remarks — Some Bounty Records — The Bounty 
 Act of 1885 — Scientific Men Protected— Others Lab- 
 ored to Repeal It — Their Efforts Were Successful — 
 Why it Should be Repealed— Why the Act Should Not 
 Be Repealed — ^Where Skunks Were Paid For— A Few 
 Wolves — Crawford's Enormous Outlay — Official Re- 
 ports of Animals Killed in Different Counties — The 
 Scalp Act of 1897— An Act— Methods of Capturing 
 Birds of Prey— Shooting— The Grass Suit — When Snow 
 
XII 
 
 Covers the Ground— Shooting Hawks from Blinds- 
 Shooting- Hawks at Iloosts— Trapping Birds of Prey- 
 Methods of Capturing Mammals— To Trap a Wild- 
 cat—To Catch a Mink— How to Trap and Kill Wea- 
 sels—How to Poison Weasels without Danger to 
 Animals— How to Catch Weasels in Summer— Great 
 Increase in Game— To Trap the Skunk and Raccoon- 
 Some Methods of Destroying Rats— Shooting— Strych- 
 nine and Arsenic— Traps— The Wire Noose— The Milk- 
 Can Trap— The Barrel Traps— Owls do the Work 
 Well— The Great Horned Owl as a Ratter— The Barred 
 Owl and Rats — The Screech Owl and Mice— Some 
 Methods of Trapping Foxes— The Trap and Bed- 
 Heads — A Feathered Pest— Want Bounties for Numer- 
 ous Animals — A Bad Class of Cats— History of Heads 
 Shown on Plates — Opossum, Rabbits, Wild and Tame 
 Cats — Squirrels and Weasels — Dogs and Wolves — 
 Feathered Heads — Turkey Buzzards and Sparrows — 
 Sea Gulls, Cuckoos, etc., pages 6*50-731 
 
LISr OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 The name Fisher, which appears after names of different 
 birds of prey, indicates that the illustration has been repro- 
 duced from Dr. A.K. Fisher's report, Bulletin No. 3, United 
 States Department of Agriculture, Washing-ton, D. C, entitled 
 "The Hawks and Owls of the United States," published in 1893. 
 This document, prepared by Dr. Fisher, one of the foremost 
 Ornithologists in the United States, under the direction of Dr. 
 C. Hart Merriam, Chief of the Biological Division of the Na- 
 tional Agricultural Department, deals fully with the birds of 
 prey in their relation to agriculture. It is, without doubt, the 
 best work on this subject that has been published. 
 
 The name of Ward, which follows names of different animals, 
 signifies that the specimen from which the illustration was 
 reproduced was furnished from the valuable collection of 
 Messrs. H. A. and F. A. Ward, of Rochester, New Tork, pro- 
 prietors of one of the largest and best equipped natural science 
 establishments in the country. 
 
 The name Audubon, placed after a few name.? of birds and 
 mammals, shows that the illustration has been copied, with 
 some minor changes, from Audubon's "Birds of North America, 
 or the "Quadrupeds of North America" by Audubon and Bach- 
 man. 
 
 The remainder of the illustrations have been made especially 
 for this work from specimens. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 American Hawk Owl (adult)— Ward. 
 Bald Eagle (adult)— Fisher. 
 Bald Eagle (young) — Ward. 
 Barn Owl (adult)— Fisher. 
 Barred Owl (adult)— Fisher. 
 Broad-winged Hawk (adult)— Fishei-. 
 Cooper's Hawk (adult)— Fisher. 
 Cooper's Hawk (young)— Ward. 
 Duck Hawk (adult)— Fisher. 
 
 ( XIII ) 
 
XTV 
 
 Fish Hawk (a ilult)— Fisher. 
 
 Golden Eagle (adult)— Fisher. 
 
 Goshawk (adult)— Fisher. 
 
 Goshawk (young-)— Ward. 
 
 Great Gray Owl (adult)— Ward. 
 
 Great Horned Owl (adult)— Fisher. 
 
 Lfong-eared Owl (adult) — Fisher. 
 
 Marsh Hawk (adult)— Fisher. 
 
 Mississippi Kite (adult)— Fisher. 
 
 Pigeon Hawk (adult) — Fisher. 
 
 Red-shouldered Hawk (adult)— Fisher. 
 
 Red-shouldered Hawk (young)— Ward. 
 
 Red-tailed Hawk (adult)— Fisher. 
 
 Rough-legged Hawk (adult)— Fisher. 
 
 Rough-legged Hawk (young)— Ward. 
 
 Saw-whet Owl (adult) — ^Ward. 
 
 Screech Owl (adult; red and gray coats)— Fislier. 
 
 Sharp-shinned Hawk (adult) — Fisher. 
 
 Sharp-shinned Hawk (young) — Ward. 
 
 Short-eared Owl (adult) — Fisher. 
 
 Snowy Owl (adult) — ^Ward. 
 
 Sparrow Hawk (adults; male, female) — Fisher. 
 
 Swallow-tailed Kite (adult) — Fisher. 
 
 Turkey Vulture (adult)— Ward. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Blue Jay (adults) — Audubon. 
 Black-crowned Night Heron (adult) — Ward. 
 Crow (adult) — Ward. 
 Crow Blackbird (adult). 
 Green Heron (adults) — W^ard. 
 Great Blue Heron (adult) — Ward. 
 Great Northern Shrike (adult) — Ward. 
 Northern Raven (adult) — Ward. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Black or Silver Gray Fox (adult).. Audubon. 
 Ermine or Large Weasel (white coat) — Ward. 
 Ermine or Large Weasel (brown coat) — Ward. 
 Ermine or Large Weasel (mixed coat)— Ward. 
 Gray Fox (adult) — ^^''ard. 
 How to Fool a Fox. 
 Mink (adult)— Ward. 
 Opossum (adult) — Ward. 
 Raccoon (adults — Ward. 
 
XV 
 
 Red Fox (adult;— Ward. 
 Red Squirrel (adult)— Ward. 
 Red Squirrel (albino). 
 Skunk (adult)— Ward. 
 Wildcat (adult). 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 Along Penn's Creek. 
 Along- the Juniata. 
 Along the Susquehanna. 
 In Clinton County. 
 
 The Narrows, Pennsylvania Railroad. 
 Where Foxes Rove. 
 
 CHAPTER Vll. 
 Plate I. — Cotugnia digonopora. 
 II. — Cotugnia bifaria. 
 
 Amabilia lamelligera. 
 III. — Dicranotaenia coronula. 
 Dicranotaenia aequabilis. 
 Dicranotaenia furcigera. 
 Taenia conica. 
 IV.— Dicranotaenia sphenoides. 
 
 Drepanidotaenia lanceolata. 
 V. — Drepanidotaenia lanceolata. 
 
 Drepanidotaenia fasciata. 
 VI. — Drepanidotaenia fasciata. 
 VII. — Drepanidotaenia fasciata. 
 Drepanidotaenia gracilis. 
 VIII. — Drepanidotaenia gracilis. 
 IX. — Drepanidotaenia anatina. 
 X. — Drepanidotaenia anatina. 
 Drepanidotaenia sinuosa. 
 XI. — Drepanidotaenia sinuosa. 
 XII. — Drepanidotaenia sinuosa. 
 Drepanidotaenia setigera. 
 Taenia Krabbei. 
 Kowalewski nee Moniez. 
 XIII. — Drepanidotaenia sinuosa. 
 Drepanidotaenia setigera. 
 XIV. — Drepanidotaenia tenuirostris. 
 
 Drepanidotaenia infundibuliformis. 
 XV. — Drepanidotaenia infundibuliformis. 
 
 Davainea proglottina. 
 XVI.— Davainea proglottina. 
 
 Davainea circumvallata. 
 
XVI 
 
 X\'I I.-- Daxainea ceslieillus. 
 
 Davainea echinobothrida. 
 Davainea tetragona. 
 XVIII.— Davainea tetragona. 
 
 Davainea Friedbergeri. 
 Davainea crassula. 
 XIX.— Echinocotyle Rosseteri. 
 
 Ophryocotyle proteus. 
 XX. — Taenia contaniana. 
 Taenia Delafondi. 
 Taenia Delafondi. 
 Taenia imbutiformis. 
 Taenia megalops. 
 Taenia nigropunctata. 
 XXI. — Taenia malleus. 
 Idiogenes otidis. 
 Taenia sp. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 The following named illustrations of eggs, natural size, have 
 been made from carefully selected specimens in the collection 
 of Messrs. Ward, of Rochester, New York. 
 American Crow. 
 Bald Eagle. 
 Barn Owl. 
 Barred Owl. 
 Blue Jay. 
 
 Broad-winged Hawk. 
 Cooper's Hawk. 
 Duck Hawk. 
 Goshawk. 
 
 Great Horned Owl. 
 Long-eared Owl. 
 Marsh Hawk. 
 Red-shouldered Hawk. 
 Red-tailed Hawk. 
 Saw- whet Owl. 
 Screech Owl. 
 Sharp-shinned Mawk. 
 Sparrow Hawk. 
 'I'urkey Buzzard. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 With the exception of those after whi.-h the name Ward ap- 
 pears, the heads shown in this chapter have been reproduced 
 from heads sent to the Smithsonian Institution. Washington, 
 
XVII 
 
 D. C. or ti) the office of the author for identification. These 
 heads, with numerous remains of other birds and mammals, 
 came from county officers in Pennsylvania, who believed the 
 birds to be Hawks and Owls; and those of the quadrupeds t<i 
 be one or the other of mammals, viz., Wolves, Foxes, Weasels. 
 the Wildcat or the Mink, which were all mentioned in the 
 Scalp Act of June 23, 1886. 
 
 HEADS OF BIRDS. 
 American Herring Gull. 
 Cooper's Hawks — 'Ward. 
 Cooper's Hawk (downy young). 
 Cuckoo. 
 
 Domesticated Hen. 
 English Sparrow (adult). 
 Fish Hawk. 
 Goshawk — Ward. 
 Marsh Hawk — Ward. 
 Nighthawk. 
 
 Pheasant or Ruffed Grouse (adult). 
 Red-shouldered Hawks — Ward. 
 Sharp-tailed Grouse (adult). 
 Turkey Vulture. 
 Whip-poor-will. 
 Wild Turkey (adult). 
 
 HEADS OF MAMMALS. 
 Black Squirrel. 
 Chipmunk (partial albino) 
 Flying Squirrel. 
 Fox Squirrel— Ward. 
 Gray Squirrel— Ward 
 Jack Rabbit. 
 Opossum. 
 
 OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 A Grass Suit. 
 Waiting for a shot. 
 To Trap a Fox. 
 
 HI 
 
( XVIII ) 
 
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 
 
 Department of Agriculture, 
 Harrisburg, Yk., June 15, i8gj. 
 To the Hororable Senate and House of Kepresenta 
 tives of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania: 
 Gentlemen: In compliance with the following con 
 current resolution, I haA'e the honor to transmit here- 
 with Part II, entitled "Enemies of Poultry." 
 
 B. H. WARREN. 
 
 In the House of Representatives, 
 March 1. 1897. 
 Resolved (if the Senate concur). That there shall be printed 
 at the earliest possible date, in pamphlet form, fifteen thousand 
 copies of Bulletin No. 17, of the Department of Ag-riculture, 
 entitled the Diseases and Enemies of Poultry, with such addi- 
 tional matter and changes as the authors may deem necessarj- 
 to more fully explain this important subject; five thousand 
 for the u.se of the Senate, and ten thousand for the use of the 
 present members of the House of Representatives: Pi'ovided, 
 That the authors shall receive no extra compensation for pre- 
 paring, writing, editing, proof reading, revising and indexing 
 this pamphlet. 
 
 A. D. FETTEROL.F, 
 Resident Clerk of the House of Representatives. 
 
 In the Senate, March 2, 1897. 
 The foregoing resolution concurred in. 
 
 E. W. SMILEY, 
 Chief Clerk of the Senate. 
 Approved— the 9th day of March. A. D.. 1897. 
 
 DANIEL H. HASTINGS. 
 (XIX) 
 
^SSn. 
 
 'm 
 
 ( XX ) 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Unloi'tuuately, ignoiuiice conceiniug the true worth 
 of numerous species of wild birds aud other feral ani- 
 mals is so widespread that it is frequently impossible 
 to present in public documents the requisite informa- 
 tion which will be of real service to the citizens — es- 
 pecially farmers and horticulturists — who should be 
 fully and correctly informed of the economic relations 
 of the different forms of animal life which have such 
 an important place in nature's garden. 
 
 This ignorance is not by any means confined, as 
 many would have us believe, to those in humble walks 
 of life. The merry, light-hearted and active picca- 
 iiinnys of the south watch with especial interest birds, 
 mammals and insects iu their chosen haunts. Such 
 obs.^rvers, without books or educated instructors, have 
 learned from the great book of nature truths which 
 would make the hearts of naturalists throb with de- 
 light; and, if placed on record, some of these observa- 
 tions would, no doubt, materially add to scientific lit- 
 erature. Again, we find a class of stalwart, rough 
 bat ingenuous mountaineers and woodsmen who, 
 from their early boyhood days, have been obliged to 
 struggle and labor incessantly to maintain themselves 
 with the necessities of life. These men, good-hearted 
 and true that they are. have not had the advantages 
 of education ; they do not. of course, know the latin 
 names of the wild creatures which a Wise Creator has 
 placed in the ample field of nature, and in many in 
 stances they do not even know the proper common 
 
 ( XXT I 
 
XXll 
 
 namus of bird^, iiiainraals, inseclA (if latter possess 
 vulgar names), etc., which they see, but they do know 
 much of the life and habits of these and other forms of 
 life. Tlie information which this class of people 
 possess concerning birds, mammals and insects, if 
 ^iven wide i)ublicity, would be worth thousands and 
 thousands of dollars annually to the citizens of this 
 Commonwealth. Turn your attention in another di- 
 rectioii; go among men high in social and educational 
 rank, or those who have gained marked distinction 
 and place in the political field, and speak of the impor- 
 tance, yes, the dire necessity of issuing at public ex- 
 pense books on natural history topics, and in the ma- 
 jority of instances you will find they decry such propo- 
 sitions "as a useless outlay of public funds." During 
 the past ten years the time of the writer has been 
 largely occvpied m preparing books, reports, papers 
 and bulletins for gratuitous distribution. By such 
 work and an extensive experience in the lecture field, 
 it has been learned that to meet with popular favor 
 and have books, etc., read by the average citizen, one 
 must eliminate in his writings all technical matter pos- 
 sible, and at the same time embellish with numerous, 
 well designed and truthfully executed illustrations. 
 The naturalist who prepares books or other documents 
 which the average school child can read intelligently 
 will do much more service to the present and future 
 generations than the one who prepares strictly tech- 
 nical matter that can only be i)erused by the general 
 reader with the aid of dictionaries. In future years, 
 when the hand that pens these lines is still in death 
 or has returned tO' mother earth, the great importance 
 of the many ti'uths contained within the pages of this 
 work will become apparent. This statement last 
 made is given not because the writer is so egotistical 
 
XXIII 
 
 as to belifcV(' tliat Part II of this report is au able pro- 
 duction from a literary standpoint, but because he is 
 well aware that unless a strong public sentiment is 
 not soon cieated to correct unjust prejudices which 
 exist against many of our most serviceable birds and 
 other wild animals, these creatures will soon be ex- 
 terminated if reckless scalp acts, which so many favor, 
 are enacted and hat-bird hunters pursue their nefari- 
 ous trade. Should such a condition confront the peo- 
 ple of this Commonwealth it will be found, when too 
 late to remedy, that the annual loss from innumerable 
 insect foes would be very considerably in excess of 
 die enorn-ous less ^\e at present suffer yearly in Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 Entirely independent of the data which the writer 
 has accumulated during many years of active field 
 work and incorporated in this volumn, Part n con- 
 tains much matter of especial value from the pens of 
 some of the highest zoological authorities in the coun- 
 try. All this, together with the notes and field obser- 
 vations of hundreds of intelligent farmers, horticul- 
 tu lists, poulterers, sportsmen and naturalists through- 
 out the State, will tend to make this document a stand- 
 ard work in the somewhat limited yet exceedingly im- 
 portant field it so fully covers. In conclusion the 
 writer would extend his most cordial thanks to his Ex- 
 cellency, Governor D. H. Hastings, for his wise ap- 
 proval of the concurrent resolution which provides for 
 this publication. Ex-Governor Beaver approved two 
 bills authorizing the publication of the Birds of Penn 
 sylvania. These approvals give conclusive proof that 
 Centre county has furnished executives who, by their 
 signatures, have done more to create popular sentiment 
 in behalf of zoological matters than any of their pred- 
 ecesors. 
 
( XXIV ) 
 
POULTRY AND ITS ENEMIES. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 MlSOELLANEOUiS lNTKOi>UCrr<>HV NOTKS. 
 
 THE VALUE OF PENNSYLV ANJ AS POULTRY. 
 
 It is estimated tLat tlie value ot poultiy of all kiudf 
 and the eggs produced in Pennsylvania last year was 
 about $22,000,000. By these figures it will be seen 
 that the industry is one of great importance; in faci 
 it is one of the most important branches of agricul 
 ture. as statistics show that "the annual poultry pro 
 ducts of the United States are equal in value to the 
 wheat crop." 
 
 THE VALUE OF FOWLS AND EGOS IN THE UNITKD 
 STATES. 
 
 I'ennsylvania, one of the leading Stalts in tlu- Union 
 in the production of poultry, has, it is stated, about 
 275,000 persons engaged, on a more or less extensive- 
 scale, in the poultry raising business. My esteemed 
 colleague. Dr. Pearson, says, basing his statement on 
 a recent estimate published in the .American ,\grirul 
 tuiist, that 
 
 "According to a recent estimate of the American Agricul- 
 turt.st. base<1 f'n the las! oPiisus and on an extensive inqniri . 
 
 i-n H) 
 
the number of fowls In the United States is about 383.000,000; 
 these produce 1,141,000,000 dozen eggs each year, and the value 
 of both amounts to $313,000,000.00. There are in this State 
 15,374,000 fowls of all sorts; turkeys, geese, ducks and chickens, 
 valued at $S, 236, 000 and these produce 68,818,000 dozen of eggs 
 each year worth, at 20 cents per dozen, $13,763,600, making a 
 total value for poultry of about $22,000,000"— Pearson. 
 
 Tlie loss to poultry, both old and young, through dis 
 ease is considerable. Dr. Pearson observes that, at a 
 very conservative estimate, one-tenth of the poultry 
 of this Commonwealth is, each year, carried away by 
 disease. However, as the various diseases, with besr 
 remedies for the same, of domestic fowls, are carefully 
 discussed in Part I of this document, I deem it unnec 
 pssary to make further reference to disp'ases which arc 
 such a hindrance to success in poultry-raising, and 
 which, sometimes, destroy, if not promptly and intelli- 
 gently treated, the entire population of the poultry 
 yard. . 
 
 LOSS IN PENNSYLVANIA FROM PREDATORY ANIMALS. 
 
 When I prepared the preliminary report (Part II., 
 Bulletin No. 17, Dept. of Agriculture, issued in Nov., 
 189G). entitled ''Some Furred and Feathered Enemies 
 of Domestic Fowls." I was unable, because of insuffi- 
 cient data, (which, with a number of books and valu- 
 able papers belonging to the Commissioner of Forestry 
 and myself, had been carelessly thrown away by some 
 workmen who were making alterations about a closet 
 where our property was stored), to give even an ap- 
 proximately correct estimate of the loss to poultry an- 
 nually incurred through the depredations of predatory 
 animals. To give an accurate estimate of the money 
 lost through depredations of wild animals to the poul 
 try interest would, of course, be impossible, as probably 
 few individuals in our State, who are the possessors 
 
3 
 
 of a flock of barn yard fowls, keep any record of the 
 loss of poultry or eggs which are destroyed in the 
 course of a year by any of the wild animals which it is 
 well established subsist in part, at least, on young or 
 old poultry and eggs. However, through the aid ot 
 circulars and postal cards making inquiries as to prob- 
 able money loss annually sustained from the visits of 
 foxes, minks, weasels, wildcats, rats, certain species 
 of hawks and owls, crows, etc., it is learned that the 
 yearly loss in Pennsylvania is probably about 
 1750,000. 
 
 This sum is a large one, and, perhaps, to a person who 
 has given little thought and attention to the matter. 
 it will appear to be excessive. Such, however, judging 
 from the answers received at this office, does not ap- 
 pear to be the case, as may be seen by consulting the 
 replies of farmers and jjoulterers, which are given in 
 full on succeeding pages of this work. Well informed 
 gentlemen, who are thoroughly familiar with the poul- 
 try business, and the losses effected by the depredations 
 of the various animals commonly included under the 
 caption "Enemies of Domestic Fowls," claim that the 
 average loss yearly to each individual farmer and 
 poultry-raiser throughout Pennsylvania, through the 
 depredations of the many species of birds, mammals 
 etc., which kill poultry or destroy their eggs, is fully 
 five dollars. 
 
 If there are, as it is claimed, 275,000 poultry raisers 
 in this State and they each sustain an annual loss of 
 five dollars, the aggregate loss would be $1,375,000. 
 
 No doubt, there are hundreds, yes. thousands, of 
 farmers and other persons who are engaged in rearing 
 poultry who, individually, and perhaps yearly, suffer a 
 much greater loss than five dollars, as can readily 
 be seen by consulting reports made to this Department 
 
and printed in ditteient cliapters which appear on 
 succeeding i)ages. Such cases, however, allhougli 
 quite numerous could not, with any degree of fairness, 
 be used exelusivelv iu makiiij* up estimates. It is 
 also worthy of particular iioic to bear in mind thai 
 when proper care is taken to protect fowls from their 
 furred and feathered foes, the loss annually can be 
 very materially lessened. F'armers and other poultry 
 raisers \y]io make no efforts to have their poultry safely 
 housed at night time, naturally sustain losses from the 
 attacks of nocturnal marauders, such as foxes, minks, 
 weasels, opossums, rats, 1he Great Horned Owl, ete. 
 These losses, frequently, could easily be avoided if 
 proper precautionary measures were adopted. Thos.- 
 who reside in sections near large woods, mountaiuou.^ 
 districts, streams and ponds often suffer very great 
 losses from predatory animals, unless particular pains 
 are taken to guard the fowls and exterminate the sly 
 pilferers. I have known a single pair of Cooper's 
 hawks, in the spring when they had a nest of younji 
 in a woods about half a mile from a friend's barnyard 
 and chicken coojjs. to destroy in one week over fifty 
 young chickens. A pair of Sharp-shinned Hawks, when 
 compelled to provide food for a nest of young, have 
 been knoAsn to visit a single farm and kill, on an 
 average, five or six young chickens daily, foi- a period 
 of a week or ten days. 
 
 Goshawks will also sometimes visit farm houses fo»' 
 several days in succession and kill poultry, both old and 
 young. Usually, however, the Goshawk, when breed 
 insr, keeijis in the woods, w^liere he finds an abundance 
 of food, an important item of which, unfortunately. \* 
 that noble game bird the Ruffed Grouse. The Duck 
 Hawk, a suninicr i-esidfut, in a few l<»caliti<'s of this 
 
stale, iilsu, at times, destroys some poiilti-y, particii 
 larly ducks. 
 
 TRAP OR SHOUT THK TROUBLESOME HAWKS. 
 
 VVheu the poult ly raiser discovers that a liawk or 
 hawks of auy species are paying regular visits to his 
 poultry yard, he should, at once, begin an investigation 
 and learn, if possible, where the nest or nests of sucli 
 unwelcome visitors are located. When this informa- 
 tion is obtained the bold feathered depreaators can 
 usually be shot or ti-apped at their nests. When this 
 is done the nests and young should be destroyed as no 
 liumane person would want to leave the young hawks 
 to die of starvation, as is. so commonly done by the 
 heartless and money loving plume-hunters, who have 
 praetieally depopulated the southern states of the 
 beautiful herons. The hat-bird and plume-hunter, ii. 
 the pursuit of his nefarious business — one, kind reaaer, 
 which has been made possible because our mothers, 
 sisters and sweet-hearts, seem determined to decorate 
 tlieir headgear with showy feathers — visits the breed- 
 ing places of the herons, egrets, etc., and shoots the old 
 birds from the nests. The clamorous young, by thou- 
 sands, in some large nesting places, have been left by 
 the heartless wretches, to die by the tortures of starva- 
 tion, as the carcasses of their parents, denuded of the 
 showy feathers, lay rotting on the ground. 
 
 KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE CROW. 
 
 Fretiuently it happens that a pair of crows will set 
 up house-keeping in a woods in the neighborhood of 
 the farmer's chicken coops, and if left undisturbed they 
 will pick up a good many young chickens, and steal 
 all the eggs they can find. .\ visit to the woods will 
 irenprallv enable vou to discovei- the home of these 
 
« 
 
 black-coated poultry thieves, which, of course, can be 
 destroyed, together with the old birds. Should you fail 
 to find the nest of the crow, you can easily dispose of 
 him by drilling an egg, insert a little strychnine in the 
 hole, and phice the deadly bait in a nest he has been 
 robbing or in a conspicuous place where he will be 
 likely to^see it as he comes spying around after the 
 chirping offspring of the fussy and ever solicitous old 
 hen, who, often penned up in a coop or fastened by a 
 long cord and one leg to a peg in the ground, is ever on 
 guard to shield her family of youngsters. 
 
 HERONS. BLACKBIRDS AND JAYS. 
 
 Several species of the heron tribe occasionally de- 
 vour the young of ducks and other birds which are 
 found about streams, ponds and marshy ground fre- 
 quented by these long-legged waders. Of late years, 
 however, the herons and bitterns have so greatly de- 
 creased in numbers, that the damage they do by de- 
 stroying the young of ducks or other kinds of birds is 
 trifling. 
 
 Crow blackbirds are abundant in this State and if 
 these birds were as much given to preying on young 
 chickens and destroying the eggs of domestic fowls, us 
 they are to devouring the young and eggs of different 
 species of small insectivorous birds, they would no 
 doubt cause considerable loss annually. Fortunately, 
 however, the habit of feeding on the eggs of domestic 
 fowls and their young seems to be confined, so far as 
 my observation goes, to individual blackbirds, "black- 
 sheep," so to speak, which appear here and there in 
 different communities. Blackbirds which have acquired 
 an appetite for the eggs and young of domestic fowls 
 '•an oasilv be desi roved, but when this is done it would 
 
not, iu my opinion, be a wise procedure for the farmer 
 to place all blackbirds under ban, because of the mis- 
 deeds of a few individuals which may have developed 
 a taste for forbidden food. Although blackbirds, un- 
 doubtedly, destro3' the homes of a good many small 
 wild birds, the fact seems pretty well established that 
 these birds, during the summer season, are much more 
 beneficial than harmful to the fanner. Nine times out 
 of ten an investigation will show that when crows and 
 blackbirds visit the corn fields, when the young corn 
 blades are an inch or two above the ground, that they 
 are there, not to destroy the corn, as many suppose, 
 but to feed on the cut-worms which are often so abun- 
 dant as to ruin entire fields and render a replanting 
 necessary. 
 
 THE JAYS. 
 
 The "Scrub'' or Florida Jay (Apelocoma floridana) is 
 greatly detested in some parts of Florida where they 
 are plentiful. The enniit}' to these birds, known 
 locally as "Scrub Jays" because they are found in 
 a thick under-growth, arises from the fact that they 
 destroy the eggs of chickens. They come about build- 
 ings and destroy the eggs, and they will also, I am 
 inloinied, sometimes attack and kill young fowls as 
 well as different species of wild birds which they can 
 master. 
 
 In attacking the young of chickens or other fowls, 
 the jays, it is asserted, always strike at the head, and 
 with a few vigorous strokes of their bills, soon per- 
 forate the tender coverings of the brain. Usually when 
 not disturbed the jay will eat the brain matter, pick 
 out the eyes, and leave the rest of the fowl undis 
 tnrbed. 
 
 The habit of destroying eggs and poultry must De 
 
iiitli*'!- ('oiiiiiKiii vvilli tlu' Species under rtmsuieratiou. 
 as I found, in 1885, at several localities which were 
 visited in Orauj^e and other counties along the St. 
 Johns river, that special efforts were made by the 
 residents to destroy these birds, on account of the 
 reasons narrated in the preceding paragraphs. 
 
 The Florida Rlne Jay, a local race technically styled 
 ( Cyanocitta cristaia florincolaj, is a little smaller and 
 has less white on tips of secondary and tail feathers 
 than the Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata J. It is also in 
 had repute with Florida farmers who assort that ii 
 sncks the eggs of chickens. 
 
 THE JAY KILLED BIRDS AND SQUIRREL. 
 
 Referring to the Blue Jay, Audubon wrote: "It robsevery nest 
 it can find, sucks the eggs like the crow, or tears to pieces and 
 devours the young birds. A friend once wounded a grouse 
 (Bonasa umbellus), and marked the direction which it followed, 
 but had not proceeded two hundred yards in pursuit, when he 
 heard something fluttering in the bushes, and found his bird 
 belabored by two blue jays who were picking out its eyes. 
 
 The same person once put a flying squirrel into the cage of 
 one of these birds, merely to preserve it for one night; but on 
 looking into the cage about 11 o'clock next day he found the 
 mammal partly eaten. A blue jay at Charleston destroyed all 
 the birds of an aviary. One after another had been killed, and 
 the rats were supposed to have been the culprits, but no crevice 
 could be seen large enough to admit one. Then the mice 
 were accused, and war was waged against them, but still the 
 birds continued to be killed, flrst the smaller, then the larger, 
 until the Key west pigeons, when it was discovered that a jay 
 which had been raised in the aviary was the depredator. He 
 was taken out and placed in a cage, with a quantity of corn, 
 flour and several small birds which he had .lust killed. The 
 birds he soon devoured, but the flour he would not condescend 
 to eat, and refusing every other kind of food, soon died. 
 
 En the north It is fond of ripe chestnuts, and in visiting the 
 trees Is sure to select the choicest. When these fall it attacks 
 the beech nuts, acorns, peas, apples and green corn. In Lon- 
 isana they are so abundant as to prove a nuisance to the 
 tHiTTiers. picking the newly planted corn, the poas and sweet 
 
potatoes, attacking every fruit tree, and even dt-sliuyiriK ihc 
 eggs of pigeons and domestic fowls. The planters are in tht- 
 habit of occasionally soaking some corn in a solution of ar- 
 senic, and scattering the seeds over the ground, in conse- 
 quence of which many jays are found dead about the fields 
 and gardens." 
 
 JAYS ARE NOTORIOUS NEST ROBBERS. 
 
 Although Blue Jays have decreased greatly in uiam 
 sections of the country since that able naturalist. 
 Audubon,, penned the paragraphs last quoted, they have 
 not by any means deviated, as far as can be learned, 
 from the thieving practices of their loquacious an 
 , (restors. 
 
 The Blue Jays of the present day have had trans 
 mitted to them the same carnivorous tastes which yearw 
 of observation in the woods and chosen haunts of thp 
 jays, prompted the gifted Audubon to write so posi 
 tively about their pernicious habits. 
 
 Every farmer's boy who is familiar with the gar 
 I'ulous and inquisitive jays, is well aware that they an- 
 especially fond of eggs and young birds. Whenever an 
 opportunity offers, whether it be in woodland, orchard, 
 garden or bramble, these blue-coated robbers put forth 
 all their energies to steal the eggs and young of their 
 neighbors — birds which consume, during their summer 
 sojourn with us, myriads of noxious insects. 
 
 These numerous forms of insect-life, which are de- 
 voured by the beneficial birds whose homes are so 
 frequently despoiled by the robber-jays, would, if not 
 kept in check by their natural enemies, bring about :i 
 destruction of trees and other plant-life which oannoT 
 be computed. 
 
 SAVE THE BIRDS 
 
 The absolute necessity of protecting in every wav 
 pnssiMo the bonoficinl or the insect -eating birds oannni 
 
10 
 
 be too strongly urged upon all classes of our people. 
 Farmers and fruit-growers, particularly, should make 
 especial efforts to encourage the presence of beneficial 
 birds on their premises. The Pennsylvania I?oard 
 of Game Commissioners, assisted by the members of 
 the State Sportsmen's Association, have prepared, with 
 great care, a game bill, which is, at present writing, in 
 the hands of the Legislature. If this measure becomes 
 a law, it will afford protection to insectivorous birds 
 which has never before been given in this State. 
 
 If the section, as originally framed, of thisl bill, 
 which deals with "wild song and insectivorous birds,", 
 passes both branches of the General Assembly and re- 
 ceives executive approval, the days of the hat-bird 
 killer and the commercial bird-egg hunter will be 
 numbered, as they most assuredly should be. 
 
 The millinery taxidermists, the bird-egg-collecting 
 fad, so common with school boys, have in the last ten 
 or fifteen years caused an enormous depletion of bird- 
 life. 
 
 The millinery trade requires bright-plumaged birds 
 to satisfy its tender-hearted, charming and lovable cus- 
 tomers. 
 
 20,000 BIRDS IN FOUR YEARS. 
 
 To fill the orders received from the millinery es- 
 tablishments, taxidermists have scoured the woods, or- 
 chards, mountains and fields in search of victims. In 
 this manner immense numbers of showy species such 
 as orioles, tanagers, warblers, rose-breasted grosbeaks, 
 cardinals, indigo buntings, jays, bobolinks, wood- 
 peckers, snow birds, larks, etc., have been slaughtered. 
 Some few years ago I met a taxidermist in one of 
 our large cities, wiio, with the aid of one assistant (a 
 taxidermist) and sovpral m^n and hovs. wliom he fm- 
 
11 
 
 plojed to shoot birds during migrations and in the 
 early summer, cleared over -fH,500 iu less thau one year 
 by the sale of mounted birds for hats and bonnets. His 
 expenditures, he said, were about $1,500 in the ten 
 months he was actively engaged in the business. He 
 fiold the birds at prices ranging from one dollar and 
 fifty cents per dozen, for small-sized, dull-plumaged 
 birds, (song sparrows, hair-birds, juncos, English spar 
 rows, oven birds, etc.). to five, six, eight and ten dollars 
 per dozen, for male scarlet tanagers, red-winged black- 
 birds, bobolinks, rose-breasted grosbeaks, indigo birds 
 and bright-plumaged warblers such as the Black- 
 burnian, Kentucky, Yellow and Magnolia. This same 
 individual also, some years before, or when the craze 
 of decorating woman's headgear with birds first begait. 
 in one season obtained from the coast of New Jersey 
 1.100 (erns, chiefly the Lesser Tern {Sterna antillarum) 
 and gulls, for which he gave the gunners fifteen anO 
 twenty-five cents apiece, and then stuffed and sold 
 them for hats at twelve and fifteen dollars per dozen. 
 
 During the four years which this man engaged in 
 supplying birds to milliners he collected, mostly in 
 IVunsylvania and New Jersey, at least 20,000 skins. 
 
 AVhy produce here these statistics of the hnt-bird 
 taxidermist? 
 
 They are uivt'ii .simply to call attention of the 
 farmers of Pennsylvania, for whose especial benefit the 
 legislators directed this report should be prepared, to 
 one of the chief causes which has been in active opera- 
 tion for the past ten or fifteen years to destroy birds, 
 many of which rank among the first of all natural 
 agencies which the Wise Creator has placed in our 
 midst to keei) in check ravenous insect hosts, that, if 
 tincheckcfl. would sooti 1;iy onr crops to waste. 
 
A PROTEST FROM THE BAT STATE. 
 
 This wanton and senseless destruction of bird-life is 
 not by any means restricted to Tennsylvania. In 
 Massachusetts, where about three-quarters of a million 
 of dollars has been expended during the past four 
 or five years to repress a single insect foe — the Gipsy 
 Moth — hat-bird hunters, professional snarers, or "pot- 
 hunters," and the ubiquitious small boy with an old 
 musket, are playing havoc with the feathered popula- 
 tion, many of which, if unmolested, and allowed to 
 follow their natural inclinations would undoubtedly be 
 a potent factor to aid in keeping in check the voracious 
 Gypsy Moth. Regarding the agencies which are rapid- 
 ly bringing about the extermination of the feathered 
 tribes in the Bay State, I take the following paragraphs 
 from the annual report of the Massachusetts Game 
 Commission, for 1896: 
 
 "Reports from our deputies and other reliable sources show 
 a still further decrease in our game birds. Especially is this 
 true in the eastern and middle sections of the State. This de- 
 pletion is due to over shooting and that most destructive of all 
 weapons, the snare. In some sections snares have been set 
 by the thousands, completely clearing out the ruffed grouse, 
 and, if thisi nefarious work is not stopped, this finest of game 
 birds will be entirely destroyed. It seems useless for the State 
 to expend money for the protection of game unless this work 
 can be suppressed. All snaring should be prohibited, under 
 severe penalty of fine or imprisonment, or both, at the discre- 
 tion of the court. The time in which game can be killed should 
 be shortened, and the open season for all game be the same. 
 Unless some decided action is taken, there will be in the near 
 future no game in our woods and fields. 
 
 SAVE OUR SONG BIRDS. 
 
 "As to song and insectivorous birds, the laws should be more 
 vigorously enforced. Now, any boy who ran raise ^1.^0 to buy 
 an old Springfield musket, considers himself privileged to take 
 any wild thing he sees for a target. This, togethei- with thp 
 fashinn nf demrating ladies' hats with skins and wings of 
 
13 
 
 birds, has led to the depletion of insectivorous birds to such a 
 degree that scarcely a crop of any kind can be raised without 
 spraying with poison to kill the insects which were formerly 
 kept in check by the birds. The penalty for this destruction of 
 the balance of nature is everywhere apparent, and the hor- 
 ticulturist and farmer are heavily taxed for want of foresight 
 in protecting their own interests. 
 
 "If the destruction of these birds cannot be otherwise re- 
 strained, let the law for their protection extend to 'the posses- 
 sion of their skins or any part thereof,' except for scientific 
 purposes." 
 
 TILE SNARER IN EVIDENCE IN PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 During recent years it appears, from reports which 
 reach this office from various sections of the State, 
 that the snaring of birds has been carried on to a great 
 extent. This murderous nifC-thod is engaged in prin- 
 cipally by a class of foreigners who are apparently 
 thoroughly acquainted with all the devices of the 
 poachers of the Old World. Rufifed grouse, in some 
 regions of the State, have been almost entirely extir- 
 pated through this villainous practice. Although 
 Huffed Grouse, undoubtedly, suffer the most from 
 snares, this method of capture is, unfortunately, by no 
 means confined to these game birds. These death 
 dealing and cunningly hidden snares have, on several 
 occasions, been discovert d in swamps and meadow 
 lands, places where Woodcock and Wilson's or English 
 snipe are known to frequent. Men who make a busi- 
 ness of hunting meat or bird's skins for the market, 
 catch numbers of small song and bright-plumaged 
 birds by the use of birdlime and snares, the latter art- 
 fully placed about the nests. 
 
 A member of our State Game Commission in the 
 early part of November, 1896, visited the market stalls 
 of one of onr large cities and examined forty Ruffed 
 
14 
 
 Grouse; eight hnd been shot, the remainder had beeu 
 snared. 
 
 BIRD BUTCHERY IN PIKE COUNTY. 
 
 The following- article from the pen of the Milford Pa., 
 correspondent of the New York Sun, published Novem- 
 ber 15, 189G, will give some idea of the snarer's wort 
 in Pike county, and the same condition of affairs exists 
 in other counties of Pennsylvania: 
 
 •Hunters in Pike county complain of the scarcity of game in 
 certain sections where in years gone by it was very abundant, 
 and they attribute the scarcity to poachers. It is true that 
 large bags of birds have been captured in the present season, 
 and these lead to the stories that game is plentiful. 
 
 "This, however, is not the case," said the veteran guide and 
 hunter, Charley Mott, of this borough. "Nine out of every ten 
 of the supposed large bags of birds are the results of from 
 400 to 600 snares, covering the choicest hunting grounds for a 
 radius of five miles or more from the home, or temporary stop- 
 ping place, of the poacher. The shipments to New York city 
 usually represent the fruits of the set guns of two or more of 
 the poachers, and are the result of from four days to one week 
 with the deadly devices. 
 
 "One week ago a shipper of birds was seen travelling in the 
 woods, not with dog and gun but with a two-bushel sack 
 fastened over his shoulder and directing his course toward the 
 grounds that a few years ago were the most famous to be 
 found anywhere for that noble bird, the Ruffed Grouse. What 
 manner of cover or grounds productive of birds can long stand 
 3u:h wanton and i'bgal destruction and continue to g ve pleas- 
 ure to the sportsman? 
 
 "For many years," continued Mr. Mott, "I found great pleas- 
 ure and fine sport shooting on the grounds referred to, but the 
 wonderful scarcity of birds of late and the discovery as to 
 the cause of this scarcity have led me and sporting friends to 
 abandon the section as a shooting resort." 
 
 Mr. Mott is of the opinion that if measures are not taken 
 soon to protect young grouse from the summer wnndmck 
 shooters and to break up the marketing of snared birds, grouse 
 will be virtually extinct in Pike county in the near future. 
 
15 
 
 BIRD-EXTERMINATORS IN NEBRASKA AND GEORGIA. 
 
 According to the New York Sun: "J. H. Den and three com- 
 panions are reported to have Icilled 700 wild geese and duclis 
 in the northern part of Nebraslta on a recent hunting trip. 
 Seven hundred such birds would weigh not much, if any less, 
 than a ton. 
 
 H. J. Lamar, Jr., and a party of hunters went to Leesburg, 
 Ga., dove hunting. The amount of game that they killed 
 makes one think of the wild pigeons away back in the fifties. 
 The party killed 8,000 of the birds. The American Field says 
 of this killing that 'such fiendish work by men who claim to 
 be sportsmen makes our blood boil with indignation. • • • 
 Their Inhuman greed was unsportsmanlike." 
 
 If this kind of work is allowed to go on for a few 
 years we will have no game of any kind to shoot. 
 
 PASSING OF FAMILIAR BIRDS. 
 
 The great value of insectivorous birds cannot be 
 overestimated. The fact is evident to all who have 
 given any attention to the subject that if the wasteful, 
 cruel and useless slaughter of birds is not soon checked 
 numerous species will be obliterated from regions 
 where in former years they were abundant. About 
 twenty years ago wild pigeons bred in immense num- 
 bers in certain sections of Pennsylvania; but they are 
 now gone. Why have they left? The reason is, pri- 
 marily, because they were so relentlessly pursued by 
 netters and market hunters, and, secondly, on account 
 of the destruction of the primitive forests where they 
 resorted to breed. Fifteen years ago the beneficial and 
 euewily dressed Red-headed Woodpecker was one of the 
 most common birds to be met with on a day's outing 
 in the rural districts. Now, it is rather unusual to see 
 one of these birds in sections where, in my boyhood 
 days, they were abundant. 
 
 What has been largely instrumental in bringing 
 about this change? Why, the love of pecuniary gain 
 
Mi 
 
 aud (he saiiilv of the lair sex liave iui3i)iiec] ihe aiili 
 navy taxideiuiisls to shi lighter, Jear after year, these 
 fiolitsoiiie teuuiits of hollow trees; beautiful defeuce- 
 less cieatures, whose livelihood was earned maiuly b\ 
 destrojiug insects aud larvae destructive of forest, 
 shade and fruit trees. It is true this bird sometimes 
 \ isited the corn field or cherry tree, but the damage 
 done on such occasions was trivial when compared with 
 (he good he did in the orchard or forest. 
 
 Men, we are told, particularly a class of miserly fel 
 lows who have been married for some years, are prone 
 to comment in no favorable way about the cost of 
 lovely woman's head dress. So far as the writer is 
 (concerned he believes it is every man's duty, and if 
 he has the right kind of a wife, I know it would be a 
 l>leasure, to assist, so far as he is financially able, in 
 obtaining the requisite head attornment for his better 
 half. I do not believe, however, that any man should 
 be asked or expected to encourage the decoration of 
 his wife's head with feathers which have been torn 
 from the bodie^s of mute and lifeless birds. The chief 
 objection I have to offer to this hatandbonnet business 
 is the persistence which so many ladies have for deco 
 rating their pretty heads with beneficial birds' skins. 
 i)o away with such ornamentations, double, if you de 
 .sire, the amounts paid for feathers, add an extra quan 
 rity of artificial flowers, vines and iridescent ribbons, 
 but spare, I beg of you, the harmless and defenceless 
 fiiembers of "the summer's tuneful host." 
 
 THK PKNNSYI>VANIA AUDUBON SOCIKTV 
 
 It is certainly fortunate in many ways that the 
 Pennsylvania Audubon Society, with headquarters in 
 Phiadelphia, has lately been largely instrumental in 
 
17 
 
 arousiug iu differeut quarters of the State a stroufj 
 desire to protect souj^ birds. The officers of this or- 
 gauizatioD include a number of the best-know citi- 
 zens of Philadelphia. They are: 
 
 President. 
 WITHER STONE. 
 
 Vice Presidents. 
 MISS FRANCES E. BENNETT. 
 MRS. A. T. COPE, 
 MRS. S. C. F. HALLOWELL, 
 MRS. WM. FURNESS JENKS, 
 MRS BEULAH M. RHOADS, 
 MISS ANNE H. WHARTON. 
 EDWIN SWIFT BALCH. 
 BENJAMIN LEE, M. D., 
 S. WEIR MITCHELL, M. D., 
 HON. SAMUEL W. PENNYPACKER. LL. D.. 
 RT. REV. O. W. WHITAKER. D. D., 
 WM. ROTCH WISTER, 
 MRS. RICHARD M. CADWALADER, 
 MRS. BRINTON COXE, 
 MRS. L MINIS HAYES. 
 MISS A. C. KNIGHT, 
 MISS M. CARY THOMAS, 
 CHARLES C. ABBOTT, M. D., 
 HORACE HOWARD FURNESS, LL. D., 
 REV. HENRY C. McCOOK. D. D., 
 J RODMAN PAUL, 
 JOSEPH WHARTON, 
 JAMES D. WINDSOR. 
 
 Directors. 
 MISS E. W. FISHER. 
 MISS ELLEN L. LUNDY. 
 HENRY C. MERCER. 
 
 Secretary. 
 MRS. EDWARD ROBINS. 
 
 Treasurer. 
 \vn>LTAM L. BAILY. 
 
 This organization of ladies and gentlemen jjublish 
 
 3-rT 
 
18 
 
 and distribute gratuitously, a very interesting and val- 
 uable little pamphlet, which can be obtained by ad- 
 dressing the secretary, Mrs. Edward Robins, 114 South 
 21st St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 The good work of the Audubon Society has struck 
 a popular vein as is evidenced by the fact that within 
 a i)eriod of five montlis, from about the firs^t of -lanuarv 
 of the present year, over fourteen hundred ladies and 
 gentlemen have placed their names on the membership 
 rolls of the society. 
 
 The earnest and commendable efforts of this society 
 cannot fail to do a vast amount of good, and all classes 
 of our citizens should aid in this new field of labor, 
 which, if carried to a successful end, will be of in- 
 calculable value to this and future generations. No 
 class of our citizens would derive greater benefits 
 from the protection of birds than the farmers and 
 fruit-growers. 
 
 To successfully protect birds in this State it is 
 very essential to secure the hearty co-operation of the 
 farmers and the farmers' boys. 
 
 Unfortunately, however, in some sections of Penn- 
 sylvania, different species of birds and mammals are 
 regarded with disfavor because of a lack of knowledge 
 of their beneficent services. When these mistaken 
 opinions are corrected and the praiseworthy aim of the 
 Audubon Society is thoroughly understood, I am satis- 
 fied that the farmers of this Commonwealth will ex- 
 tend such assistance that the professional hat-bird 
 hunter, snarer, and meat-hunter, will be forced to aban- 
 don their nefarious trade. 
 
 With a view of giving a brief idea of the. magni- 
 tude of insect depredations throughout the United 
 States, a few paragraphs are added under the sub-head 
 "Insect Ravages." Such records should certainlv have 
 
19 
 
 influence to aid in staying the hand which is tm) often 
 imjustl}- raised against birds ;iud other wild auiuiais 
 which are friends rather than enemies of the human 
 race. 
 
 INSECT RAVAGES. 
 
 The plum crop in many regions of Pennsylvania Is 
 almost a total failure because of the ravages of the 
 curculio and the fungus known as black knot. Yet, it 
 orchardists would heed advice and follow the recom 
 mendations of scientific men who give special atteu 
 tion to the life histories of insects, fungi and birds, 
 plum culture could, no doubt, be condnet<d witli niucli 
 greater satisfaction and profit. 
 
 During recent years there has been a very great in- 
 crease both in number and virulence of the parasitic 
 fungi and insect pests with which the farmer and the 
 horticulturist has to contend. Besides these enemies 
 the cultivator of the soil has to combat certain species 
 of birds and mammals which annually do considerable 
 damage to the cultivated crops. The destruction of 
 forests, both by lumbermen and devasting forest tires 
 — especially the latter — has caused many insects to 
 abandon their habitations in the forests and take up 
 their abodes in the cultivated lands. 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA LOSES $5,000,000 A YEAR. 
 
 Eminent entomological authorities assure us that at 
 least one-tenth of all the cultivated crops of this coun- 
 try are annually destroyed by insects, and that the ag- 
 gregate amount of damage done is between |200,000,00<) 
 and 1300,000,000 every year in the United States. Of 
 this immense sum it is a very conservative estimate to 
 state that Pennsylvania's share, through insect ravages 
 alone, is about S.o.000.000 annnallv. 
 
20 
 
 fcsoiue four ^eais ago the Piue liaik beetle coiu 
 mitted depredations iu the pine forests of Southwest- 
 ern Pennsylvania and in West Virginia amounting to 
 fully $1,000,000, and last year, according to the esti- 
 mates of our correspondents, the army worm damaged 
 crops, chiefly cereals, to the extent of at least $300,000. 
 In 1895, "rose bugs" and English sparrows caused, 
 according to the testimony of our Erie county cor- 
 respondents, fully 150,000 loss to vineyards in the 
 famous Erie grape belt. 
 
 THE LOSS IN OTHER STATES. 
 
 In North Carolina, the insect hosts annually, it is 
 said, destroy over one and one-half million dollars 
 worth of agricultural products. In 1893, the loss from 
 granary insects to the corn crop alone in the State of 
 ^moamsL was claimed to be |1,671,882, and in the Lone 
 Star State grain weevils, according to a well known 
 writer, cause an annual loss in stored cereals of over 
 11,000,000. In 1874, the Western States were visited 
 by grasshoppers which played such havoc with the 
 crops that their depredations amounted to $45,000,000. 
 The chinch bugs were so numerous iu Illinois in 1804 
 that they cost the people of that State over $73,000,000. 
 and in Missouri in 1874 the same voracious pests de- 
 voured agricultural products to the amount of $19,- 
 000,000. In the cotton raising States the annual loss 
 through the cotton worm from 1864 to 1880 was esti- 
 mated at about |15,000,000. 
 
 Dr. Packard states that: "Each species of plant on an aver- 
 age supports three to four species of insects, and numerous 
 plants, particularly those in general cultivation, afford sub- 
 sistence to many more. Many species, which now attack gar- 
 den vegetables or fruit or vines, once lived In the forest on en- 
 tirely different vegetable life." 
 
21 
 
 TREK- INHABITING INSECT PESTS. 
 
 There is, it is said, not less than seventy-tive kinds 
 of injuiious insects inhabiting the apple orchard. Be- 
 fore the apple and other fruit trees were introduced 
 to America, many of these insect enemies lived on sucb 
 forest trees as the oak, elm, wild cherry, maple, ash 
 and willow. 
 
 Forest trees are, as Dr. Packard states, "oarticularly lia- 
 ble to depredations of insects, certain species of which attack 
 the roots, others the bark, some the wood, many the leaves 
 and a few the fruit and nuts. 
 
 The oak harbors between 500 and 600 kinds of insects; the 
 hickories afford maintenance to 140 recorded species, the birch 
 to over 100 species, the maple 85. the poplar 72, while the pine 
 yields nourishment to over 100 different kinds." 
 
 BIRDS AND MAMMALS AS A CLASS ARE BENEFICIAL. 
 
 There is, however, no doubt that certain species of 
 birds and mammals are detrimental and their fondness 
 for domestic fowls and game — both furred and feath 
 ered — as well as various kinds of small wild song birds 
 is such that no one who is acquainted with their true 
 life-histories will attempt to defend them. The num 
 ber (species) of poultry and game devouring animals, 
 dressed either in coats of light-weight feathers or of 
 soft warm fur, is small as compared with the species 
 which are serviceable or neutral. 
 
 It is unwise to overlook the great benefits conferrea 
 by the majority of our birds and mammals in th^ 
 cultivated field, the meadow, the forest and the or 
 chard, by destroying the troublesome rodents and mul- 
 titudes of insects, which, as Dr. Elliott Cones well 
 says: "singly are insignificant, but collectively a 
 scourge, wiiicli prey upon the hopes of the fruit grower, 
 and which if undisturbed would bring his care to 
 nought." 
 
22 
 
 THE SNAPPER AND A BROOD OF DUCKS. 
 
 Some years aj^o a black.siuitli lesiding near a small 
 creek on the outskirts of the bo)-oiij:^li of ^Vest Chester, 
 had a Hock of about llfttMii young ducks, which were 
 eared for by a cross old Brahma ben that always 
 scolded whenever her web-footed brood disported iu 
 the muddy water of a small dam which had V)een made 
 in the stream for their accommodation. The ducks 
 went there with great regularity, notwithstand- 
 ing the protests 'of their clucking, bad-tempered 
 and fussing foster-parent. Suddenly the ducks 
 began to disappear; one, and sometimes two. 
 were spirited away iu a day. First the tats 
 were accused and they were promptly shot. Next 
 a frolicksome setter pup was whipped when he "stood" 
 the old hen and the surviving members of her palmate 
 family. The poor, misused dog immediately after his 
 castigation, was chained in the barn. The death of 
 several cats and the confinement of a dog, whose lung 
 power, both in daylight and dark, furnished abundant 
 evidence of the entire absence of consumptive or asth- 
 matic troubles, did not put an end to the thinning out 
 of the ducklings. There were no minks, weasels, or 
 foxes about the premises, and all the hawks and owls 
 for miles around, had been killed for bounty. Sleek- 
 coated meadow mice, it is true, were plentiful about the 
 creek and in the tangled, matted grassy coverts or 
 adjoining fields. But as these little creatures, which, 
 curious to relate, had multiplied with marvelous rn 
 pidity a few months after the hawks and owls had 
 bopn sh'in, subsisted on grass roots, cereals, grape- 
 vines, etc., such vegetarians certainly did not molest 
 the ducks. At last. \ icwing the matter from every 
 imaginabh' standpoint, attention was directed' to a 
 
23 
 
 certain small boy who i)layed "hooky" to rob bird's 
 nests and went fishing when his mother sent him to 
 Sunday school. Because this mischievious urchin, 
 some days before, had been observed trying to catch 
 a snapper which he said "lived in the dam and killed 
 the ducks," he was believed to be the aggressor. The 
 boy was watched, and yet the ducks continued to do- 
 crease. One afternoon, when all but two of the flock 
 had been stolen, the blacksmith who was looking at 
 the pair dabbling in the water, was surprised to see 
 a large snapping turtle seize one and drag it to the 
 muddy bottom. This turtle, which weighed about 
 seven or eight pounds, and the dead duck were both 
 fished out of the pool with an iron rake. 
 
 ODD TRAITS OF ANIMAL-CHARACTER. 
 
 The totally unexpected discovery made by the good 
 natured disciple of Vulcan brought about a great 
 change. The small boy was presented with a new fish- 
 ing line, treated to pie and lots of "taffy." He listened 
 with boyish pride and becoming modesty to such soft 
 phrases as "Oh my! what a bright child," "Good boy," 
 "Fine little man," etc. Poor innocent little fellow: 
 he had not disturbed the old hen's brood, yet all the 
 time this "good boy" knew that he had, only the day 
 before, stood on guard, near the door of the old smith- 
 shop, while a companion had stolen a dozen hen's eggs 
 and a lot of pigeons from the industrious and frugal 
 blacksmith's barn. However, this gave him no con- 
 cern as their rightful owner never learned the facts. 
 
 The slandered and howling setter was given full 
 liberty, and in less than an hour afterward, as if to 
 celebrate the happy event. Mr. Pup killed three 
 chickens in a neighbor's garden, and. in an adjoining: 
 
•J4 
 
 yard. In- ran dovvu and mauled a kitten helon^^nnj; to a 
 sljort-haii-ed, meddlesonu' old maid. 
 
 This kitten, to repair its damaged anatomy, had to 
 retire the bahince of the week to rest in swaddlinj^ 
 bands and arnica fumes. 
 
 Expressions of regret were also uttered on account 
 of the prematura and violent demise of the Thomas 
 feline group planted at the foot of a grape vine. This 
 shaggy-coated and crooked old vine had for years 
 served as a shelter and breeding place for several 
 generations of the sparrow kind, and when these cats 
 were buried at its base to invigorate the growth, there 
 was hidden in a thick cluster of large leaves and fad 
 ing, whitish blossoms, the tenantless nest of a pair of 
 sweet-voiced Chipping Sparrows, that these same cat* 
 had destroyed the day previous to the commencemem 
 of their unexpected contract to "grow grapes." 
 
 FISHES THAT CATCH DUCKS AND BIRDS. 
 
 The taste which birds, such as the herons, cranes, 
 kingfishers, certain hawks, owls and eagles, the mer- 
 gansers and several kinds of sea ducks, gulls, terns and 
 other oceanic birds have for fishes is well known. It 
 does not, however, appear to be generally understood 
 that we have numerous members of the finny inhabi 
 tants of our rivers, lakes and ponds which seldom 
 allow a toothsome young duck or other small-sized 
 birds, which they can capture, to escape. 
 
 Small mammals, slich as mice, shrews and moles are 
 also sometimes eaten by these scaled animal-catchers. 
 On the ocean, in salt water bays and large rivers, and 
 about the Great Lakes, numerous ducks, gulls, tern? 
 and other swimming birds are gobbled up by hungry 
 fishes. Sandpipers, the smaller herons and other birds 
 whieh Wilde about in shallow waters, are likewise often 
 
25 
 
 cauglit L»v voraciuuis pike or pickerel, bass and trout, 
 in ponds and streams. I have on two different occa 
 sions seen brook trout catch young birds — one an 
 Indigo Bunting and the other an awkward Maryland 
 Yellow Throat, which had accidentally gotten into 
 the water. 
 
 Pickerel which are plentiful and which grow to good 
 size in the numerous ponds or lakes in the northeastern 
 section of Pennsylvania, often, I am told, catch 
 ducks, sometimes when nearly full grown, as well as 
 other birds which get into the water intentionally or 
 otherwise. 
 
 Last summer 1 shot a warbler, at Lake Ganogo, u 
 very pleasant, healthful and romantic resort on the 
 Lehigh Valley Railroad, in Wyoming county. The bird 
 fell into the water of the lake, and when I had almost 
 reached it with a boat, a good sized black bass seized 
 it and disappeared from view. 
 
 MUD HENS ARE CAUGHT. 
 
 I have repeatedly been informed by fishermen and 
 egg-hunters along the Atlantic coast, in New Jersey 
 and Virginia, where the Mud Hen or Clapper Rail 
 {Ballus longirostria crepitans) breeds in abundance, 
 thai eels and several species of fishes destroy many 
 of the young rails. In the Florida waters the gar and 
 some other fishes have such a keen appetite that adult 
 ducks are often killed or maimed by them. I once shot 
 a drake Wood Duck in Florida, which fell in the water- 
 about seventy-five yards from where I stood. Prob- 
 ably ten minutes elapsed before I could get the speci- 
 men, which from the way it kept moving and bobbing 
 about in the water I thought was only wounded, but 
 80 injured that it could not fly or dive. VA'hen the duck 
 was retrieved T was surprised to tiiui thai it had been 
 
struck with several pellets of No. 5 shot which caused 
 instant death. Its breast and abdomen were so badly 
 lacerated that it was valueless for cabinet purposes. 
 A guide who was with me said it was the work of a gar, 
 black bass or catfish, all of which, he claimed, would do 
 such tricks. At different limes I threw into the St. 
 Johns river, at a wharf where catfish were abundant, 
 small birds which had been too badly damaged by shot 
 to be skinned; the catfish would come to the surface 
 and carry them out of sight. The place, of course, 
 where these experiments were made, was a kind of 
 feeding ground which I had established for the cattish 
 by throwing, almost daily for nearly a month, into tne 
 water the carcasses of several hundred birds which had 
 been skinned. 
 
 THE VORACIOUS PIKE. 
 
 Tike which love to hide in still waters where lily 
 pads, tall gi-afcses and rushes grow, have on different 
 occasions been known to catch and devour small birda 
 perched on low branches, leaves and grasses resting 
 on or near the water's surface. 
 
 Ducklings of both wild and domesticated kinds arc 
 very frequently, it is asserted, captured when dabbling 
 in the water by numerous kinds of greedy fishes. 
 
 A RED SQUIRREL.. SPARROW AND HUNGRY CHUB. 
 
 In my school boy days when fishing on the historic 
 Erandywine, I heard a loud out-cry among a colony of 
 birds in a cluster of low willows and hazel bushes 
 which overhung the banks and stream where the 
 watei's rushed madly over a stony bed to form a deep 
 dark pool where fallfish or chubs lay in wait for food. 
 [ was acquainted with the spot, having repeatedly 
 
27 
 
 caughl Iht' huugrv rlmbs with grub-worms, grass- 
 hoppers or mussels, in this their favorite trysting place. 
 The birds' sharp aud angry notes induced me to hurry 
 to the spot Avheie I discovered a i)ryiug Red Squirrel 
 to be the originator of all the confusion. The squirrel 
 had detected a partly feathered young ground sparrow 
 and in endeavoring to catch it had knocked or scared 
 it into the water and it was struggling at the edge 
 of the pool when suddenly there was a splash, and the 
 bird vanished. A stone cast at the squirrel drove him 
 away as well as the birds he had annoyed. 
 
 T. then directed my attention to fishing and cast my 
 hook baited with a "willow worm" into the pool, a 
 quick jerk and a taut line, told me I had a fish, which 
 when landed proved to be a sixteen inch chub. On 
 opening the stomach of this fish I found the young 
 sparrow which had so mysteriously, about fifteen min- 
 utes before, left the water's surface. 
 
 FOREST FIRES VS. WILD AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 
 
 The time is fast approacning when the ci^i/.i-us v»f 
 this great Commonwealth will be compelled to adopt 
 some stringent measures to prevent the destructive for- 
 est fires which occur yearly, generally in the spring 
 and autumn, and often also during the dry summer 
 season. 
 
 FOREST FIRES INCREASING. 
 
 During recent years or since forest fires have in 
 creased so markedly in many of the mount ainous por- 
 tions o(f Pennsylvania, there has been a great de- 
 crease in the number of woodpeckers, nuthatches and 
 different species of wood warblers, vireos, likewise the 
 sweet voiced thrushes, many of which subsist, to a 
 large degree, ou numerous forms of forest-tree de- 
 
•2H 
 
 stroyiug- iusects. Tliis disappearaucc of avian life is. 
 110 doubt, to be attributed, iu part at least, to tiie tires, 
 which destroy so inuiiy of these birds in the bi'eediug 
 season. 
 
 SERIOUS LOSS IN 1895. 
 
 From reliable statistics, on file iu this Department, 
 we find that iu the year 1895 there were about l2i!o,U(Ml 
 acres burned over, occasioning a great loss to valuable 
 timber, aggregating fully one million of dollars. 
 
 In 1895 twenty buildings were destroyed, among 
 which were several saw-mills; two men and several 
 horses and cattle lost their lives in the fires, which 
 also consumed a considerable quantity of cut and 
 sawed timber. In the same year the farmers spent 
 $45,000 in wages alone, to pay men and boys to aid iu 
 extinguishing the flames. Besides the great loss to our 
 lumber interests and to the farmers whose fences, build- 
 ings and other personal property are continually en 
 dangered by the flames' ravages, the reducing of these 
 semi-annual conflagrations, which in the majority of 
 cases, are, from reports at hand, the result of either 
 grossly careless or maliciously inclined persons, is 
 absolutely necessary as the continued destruction of 
 our timbered areas by the woodman's axe and the de- 
 vTastating flames, will before many years sieriously 
 menace the water supply of our State. The restoratioh 
 of forest trees on thousands of acres of land, uow prac- 
 tically valueless, is a matter of the utmost importance 
 from a hygenic standpoint. The fact, however, re- 
 mains true tliat this can never be accomplished unless 
 some vigorous means, through legislative aid. are 
 taken to repress the forest fires. 
 
2» 
 
 OF GREAT INTEREST TO P^ARMERS AND SPORTSMEN. 
 
 To fanners, sportsmen and naturalists the forest 
 fire question is one of great moment, as investigation's 
 show that the amount of animal life, particularly birds 
 and mammals, destroyed yearly, is, in the aggregate, 
 ^'ery large. Persons who have followed in the path- 
 Avays oif the great hissing, crackling, smoking and 
 life-destroying flames, have found the charred re- 
 l^aiu^^ of pheasants, wild turkeys, quails, rabbits, 
 fawns, etc.. besides several kinds of small wild song 
 birds, especially such species that nest on or near 
 the ground. Last spring and summer (185)6) in almost 
 every <lislrie( where the fires burned ovei- a large 
 aci-eage numerous nests of grouse, besides many 
 turkeys, and innunii'i-ablc homes of small wild birds 
 woi-e destroyed. 
 
 GREAT DESTRUCTION OF WILD ANIMALS. 
 
 Through the courtesy of Dr. J. T. Kothrock, Forestry 
 (Commissioner of this Department, the Zoologist has 
 been enabled to collect, from the district visited last 
 sjjring and summer by forest fires, a large amount of 
 valuable data showing the great destruction caused b\ 
 these conflagrations to game of different kinds, as well 
 as to manv s])ecies of small wild song and insectivorous 
 birds which have their habitations in the fores! s. old 
 slashings, and bark peelings; localities that wert' 
 mostly burned over. 
 
 The ruinous fires that did so much damage ro animal 
 life, occurred last year much Inter iliau is nsunllv the 
 case, and the injury to small wild birds and game, 
 both furred and feathered, was. according to all ac- 
 counts, consideiably greater than is customary to be 
 noticed when the iisnal "Spriner Fiies" take placp. 
 
30 
 
 The tires, last year, raged with the greatest fury in 
 the hitter part of May and the early part of June, or 
 during a time when birds had their nests filled with 
 eggs or brood of young. 
 
 LOCOMOTIVES NOT THE CHIEF CAUSE OF FIRES. 
 
 The assertion that steam locomotives are the chief 
 cause of forest fires inthis State is not, according to my 
 observation, correct, nor is the claim proven by statis 
 tics of this Department. 
 
 My official duties are such that 1 have occasion to 
 travel at least nine months of the year through Penn- 
 sylvania. Much of this time is spent in the mountains 
 and lumbering operations where forest fires are of com- 
 mon occurrence. While it is, of course, true that 
 sparks from engines of steam cars sometimes start 
 serious conflagrations, careful investigations during 
 the past three years show that fires which originate 
 through such causes are rather exceptional. 
 
 RAILROADS ADOPT BEST PREVENTIVES KNOWN. 
 
 It is also a fact that our railroad companies not 
 only use the most improved spark arresters for their 
 engines, but they likewise give particular instructions 
 to section bosses and track walkers in their employ, to 
 adopt promptly such means as may be necessary to 
 stop any and all fires which occur along the lines of 
 their respective systems. Through ni}' own personal 
 observation and from the statements of numerous 
 close observing and reliable gentlemen who have de- 
 voted much attention to the cause and effect of forest 
 fires it has been found, except in isolated cases, that 
 many of the ruinous forest fires which have in recent 
 years been started by steam engines, origina+ed not 
 from puffing and ponderous locomotives of the well 
 
31 
 
 equipped aud admirablj conducted steam railways of 
 our Commonwealtli, but from the little (and in many 
 cases defective) "dinkey" engines, such as are in use 
 on many lumbering operations. 
 
 A COMMON CAUSE OF FOREST FIRES.. 
 
 Another and very fruitful cause of forest tires is the 
 custom, as practiced in numerous regions, of setting 
 fire in the early spring to undergrowth, dry fallen 
 leaves, and dead wood, so that grazing and pasture 
 grounds will be furaished for cattle and sheep. The 
 people who do this work know it is contrary to law, 
 but they nevertheless follow it up year after year. 
 Instances are known w^here in order to escape detec- 
 tion, men have taken lighted candles and placed them 
 under piles of leaves and other combustible materials. 
 These candles in a few hours would burn out and start 
 fires when the men who had arranged the contriv- 
 ances would be many miles from the place. 
 
 Old huckleberry patches are often fired, so a new 
 crop of vigorous bushes will come up the following 
 spring. Thus, for the sake of a few bushels of berries, 
 men will start fires that destroy many thousands of 
 dollars worth of property and much wild animal-life. 
 
 Deer hunters oftentimes, in order to clear up un- 
 derbrush so they can get better shots at deer, will 
 burn extensive tracts of land. 
 
 CARELESS SPORTSMEN. 
 
 As many of the fires can be traced to the carelessness 
 of sportsmen, it would seem an awful lesson to them to 
 read what a frightful destruction to game these fires 
 are. It should teach them to not only be careful 
 themselves, but encourajre them to give information 
 
:V2 
 
 that would result iu the punishment of those who wil 
 fully set fire to the forests. If this is not done at once 
 it will be but a short time only until j^ame will be 
 extinct, or what is left will be without forest protec- 
 tion, and consequently the ])leasure of tlie true sporta 
 man will be gone. 
 
 One frequently reads in the newspapers during tht 
 gunning season items like the following, which was 
 clipped from a Lancaster county paper: 
 
 "On Tuesday a woods belonging to Robert Black, of near Ful- 
 ton House, wa.s set on Are by gunners. They ran a rabbit into 
 an old tree, and in order to get him out built a fire around 
 the tree. The woods were soon on fire, and five acres were 
 burned over. A great deal of fence was destroyed and many 
 young trees were damaged." 
 
 The following extract is taken from an editorial 
 published in the Philadelphia Press, Dec. 5, 189G: 
 
 "The prevention of forest fires in this State appeals to many 
 interests. Most of them are affected indirectly by the changed 
 conditioHS which the destruction of the forests brings about. 
 To all sportsmen, however, the forest fires are of immediate 
 concern, since they are very destructive of game. As the 
 camp fires of careless sportsmen are among the most prolific 
 causes of forest fires, it is well for them to know that they are 
 sinning against their own Interests, and, what their shooting 
 in season would never do, making game scarcer each year. If 
 they would stay to see the damage done by the fires which they 
 have caused to ignite they would see this for themselves. In 
 the wake of the life-destroying flames in the spring and sum- 
 mer may be found the charred remains of many brooding birds 
 and young game animals. Is it too much to hope that the 
 knowledge of this will prompt some of them to have a little 
 more care about the fires they build and a little less indiffer- 
 ence to the possible results of leaving them unextinguished 
 when they break camp?" 
 
 An examination of ninety reports, on game destruc- 
 tion, received, chiefly from lumbermen, by my colleague 
 nnd loval fiiend. ]>r. .1. T Ixoihrock. .nhows nn immenso 
 
33 
 
 los8 of property as well as great desliucliuu ol aurnial 
 life. These fires uot only consume different kinds of 
 birds and other wild animals, but domestic fowls — tur- 
 keys especially — occasionally lose their lives by them. 
 The Commissioner of Forestry, under the direction of 
 Secretary Edge, in July, 1896, sent out a circular uiak 
 ing inquiry as to the extent of damage done by the 
 forest fires which took place as previously stated iu 
 May and June of last yeai-. The iuforination given on 
 destruction iu the succeeding paragraph is a summary 
 of what was sent by those who kindly and promptly re 
 sponded to the"fire circular." These reports came from 
 tANenty counties and they represent about one-half of 
 the counties of the Commonwealth which suffered from 
 the ruinous conflagrations which occasioned fully one 
 million dollars loss. Of the ninety correspondents all 
 but six testify to great damage of pheasants or Ruffed 
 Grouse, which in this State nest habitually on the 
 ground. Next in the list we find "rabbits" mentioned 
 by fifty contributors as having been destroyed; 41, tur 
 keys (wild or domestic); 18, squirrels of different kinds: 
 14, quails; 9, other birds; 12. eggs and 3. deer. 
 
 FOR THE COMMON WEALTHS WEAL. 
 
 The preceding paragraphs on bird-slaughter, the mat- 
 ter relating to forest fires and the loss occasioned by 
 them to animal-life, together with the two or three 
 pages that briefly show the enormous amount of loss 
 annually incurred from insect enemies, although some- 
 what foreign to the subject matter of this book, have 
 nevertheless indirectly an important connection with 
 the interests of the agriculturist and poultry raiscT'. 
 
 There are about 212,000 faTiiis in Pennsylvania, and 
 probably every one of the indi\'idnals who resides on a 
 
 ;i M 
 
H4 
 
 farm is engaged, to a more or less extent, iu raisin;; 
 domestic fowls. This being the case it is of the utmost 
 importance, not only for the individual farmer's ad 
 vantage, but for the general welfare of the Common 
 wealth, that every effort should be made to correct Uw 
 popular prejudice which exists, in many localities 
 against diflerent species of our furred and feathered 
 tenants. 
 
 WILL SUFFER FOR OUR BLUNDERS. 
 
 However, the lack of proper knowledge, as to the 
 true economic relations of birds and mammals, is, by 
 no means, restricted to the agricultunil people, as 
 lias been repeatedly evidenced from the fact that, 
 on several occasions, barriers have been placed, by 
 officials (no doubt well meaning but certainly not well- 
 informed), in the way of proposed efforts to educat'i 
 the masses in different branches of the natural 
 sciences. 
 
 The fruits of such blunders are manifest now, and in 
 years to follow the}'^ will be much more apparent. 
 Laboi'ing under an idle delusion that some of the 
 most serviceable birds to be found about one's premises 
 iire injurious, we see men destroxinu all l)a\>ks and 
 owls tliey find; yet there are probably not more than 
 ti\(' er six u{' lliese Itirds isjiccics) wiiich arc sutticieut ly 
 numerous in the State to do serious damage to domes- 
 tic fowls and game. The fact that some species of 
 raptorial birds live almost wholly on different forms 
 of noxious insect-life is, seemingly, unknown to the 
 great majority, and as a natural sequence these sharp- 
 eyed feathered benefactors are killed with tne same 
 zest as are their poultry-gauie-eating kinsfolk. 
 
 Tlie sninller kinds of owls which loxe an insect diet, 
 have, likewise, been liunted as eagerly liy sralp-hunters 
 
35 
 
 "for the benefit of agriculture aud for the protection uf 
 game, within this Oouinionwealth,"* as that powerful 
 night-prowling poultry and game thief, the Great 
 Horned Owl. 
 
 TURKEY BUZZARDS SLAIN. 
 
 Turkey Buzzards which subsist almost exclusively on 
 carrion, and which because of their great worth as 
 scavenger are carefully protected in southern States 
 by stringent laws and strong public sentiment, have 
 been wantonly destroyed as they were believed to be 
 "bad on chickens and young turkeys." Probably if 
 the facts were known the ''heads and ears" of these 
 dead vultures were worth at the office of some justice 
 of the peace — a man, perhaps, locally famous for his 
 profound knowledge of legal lore — fifty cents each to 
 the scalp hunter. In addition to the fifty cents bounty, 
 the wise (?) justice of the peace received twenty or 
 twenty-five cents for his services, but the elector in 
 whose presence ''were burned," the "head and ears" of 
 the "bold, bad" buzzard, whose alleged deeds of rapin'> 
 had brought sorrow into numerous poultry yards and 
 many dollars loss to the owners thereof, got nothing for 
 his signature and trouble, unless, of course, he, and th'.> 
 slayer of the predatory (?) bird had some private under- 
 standing not contemplated by the act of Assembly. 
 
 NIGHT HAWKS AND W^HIP-POOR-KII.LS KILLED. 
 
 These practical, blood-thirsty manifestations of ig 
 norance and love of pecuniary gain, have not. by any 
 means, been confined to the noble and ignoble birds 
 of prey, and their nocturnal relatives, the owl. Night 
 hawks and Whip-pooi'-wills, birds that subsist upon 
 winged Insects of most harmful habits, have been do- 
 
 *From section 1 of "Scalp Act," approved June 23, ISSio 
 
36 
 
 stroyed as poultry thieves. Oiw. toiinty (oinniissioDrr, 
 thrice elected to the office because of his wisdom, pni 
 dential and ecouoinical ways, sanctioned the paying of 
 bounties for nighthawk's heads. When the commis- 
 sioner's attention was called to the injustice of such 
 payments he claimed he favored them because the 
 "blamed bird must be a hawk otherwise it would not 
 have been named as it was." 
 
 Although the framer of the act, when he wrote "to 
 be paid for every hawk fifty cents," did not evidently 
 mean to include nighthawks, probably a legal decision 
 to pay for them was strictly proper. This incident 
 demonstrated to the writer the great importance rf 
 employing common names for wild animals which 
 would not be misleading as is the appellation "night- 
 hawk." 
 
 SHRIKES AND WEASELS. 
 
 The Shrikes or Butcher birds which feed mainly on 
 large-sized beetles, grasshoppers, other detrimental in 
 sects, mice and the pestiferous English Sparrow, have 
 been captured, it is said, in goodly numbers, and sold 
 for premiums in several counties under the "catchy" 
 but misleading names of "Little Blue" or ''Little Bird" 
 hawks. Dr. C. Hart Marriani, TT. S. Dept. of Agr., 
 Washingt(!'n, D. 0., says: 
 
 "There are two kinds of weasels in the eastern states. The 
 smaller kind feeds chiefly on mice and insects, and is not 
 known to kill poultry. The larger also preys mainly on mice 
 and rats, but in addition sometimes kills rabbits and poultry. 
 
 Both species are friends of the farmers, for the occasional 
 loss of a few chickens Is of trifling consequence compared with 
 the good that these animals are constantly doing In checking 
 the increase of mice." 
 
 Additional illustrations could be added to further 
 em]thasiz(' the imperative need of a better and more 
 
37 
 
 general understaiidiug of the ecouoiuic relations of 
 birds, mammals and insects, and tlie important bearing 
 such facts have, so far as the farmer and poulterer are 
 concerned, but time and space do not permit. 
 
 CONTAINS AN ABUNDANCE OF INSTRUCTIVE DATA. 
 
 Part n of this volume has been prepared in a manner 
 which, it is believed, will prove in future ^ears, thai 
 the mone.v ex{x^uded for its publication has ueen well 
 spent. If this document reaches the farmers, for 
 wliose especial use it has been written, and its pages 
 are carefully perused, they (or many of them) can be 
 enlightened in various directions. In addition to the 
 author's careful field observations, he has quoted freely 
 from numerous publications of the best naturalists, 
 as well as from written communications of hundreds of 
 intelligent and observant farmers and other persons 
 throughout this Commonwealth, 
 
 FOOLISH AND EXPENSIVE LEGISLATION. 
 
 Prior to the passage of the famous and odious 
 bounty act of June 23, 1885, which provided for llie 
 payment of bounties for tlie destrnctiou of various 
 kinds of beneficial animals, clothed either in fur or 
 feathers, as well as some few species of both birds 
 and mammals, which investigations of economic 
 zoologists have shown to be detrimental to the game 
 and poultry interests, hawks and owls were much more 
 uunierous, both in the summer and winter seasons, 
 than they have been since this "Scalp act" was in force. 
 
 A SERIOUS BLUNDER. 
 
 The payment of nearly ninety thousand dollars in a 
 period of less than two yea is by our citizens f<»i' the 
 tieads of liawks and owls was nncjuestionably a serious 
 
bluiider, and oue wliicli lias been I he indiicct cause ol 
 very ronsiderable l(»ss id ilie aj^riciilinial inleresls of 
 our Commonwealth, 
 
 DON'T ADVOCATE UNWISE BOUNTY ACTS. 
 
 During the past ten or twelve years a large numbei 
 of our citizens have urged Pennsylvania's lawmakers 
 to enact bounty or scalp acts, whereby premiums 
 could be given for the desti'uciion of different kinds of 
 birds and other animals, which it was very generally 
 supposed subsisted almost wholly on poultry and game 
 of different varieties. Acts of Assembly in this direc- 
 tion were passed and it was soon demonstrated after 
 they were in active operation, that the loss occasioned 
 by the killing of beneficial animals was much moi-e 
 harmful than otherwise. 
 
 BIRDS OF PREY AS A CLASS BENEFICIAL. 
 
 The note books of the writer who was authorized a 
 few years since by Secretary Thomas J. Edge to in- 
 vestigate the economic status of the raptorial birds, 
 for whose luckless "heads and ears" a premium of tlfty 
 cents each was paid, show that of about 50U of these 
 birds w^hose decapitated bodies were obtained from 
 justices of the peace and magistrates, only G9, or a 
 little less than one-seventh, were detrimental kinds, viz: 
 Cooper's Hawk, 25; Sharp shinned Hawk. 16; Great 
 Horned Owl, 13; liarred Owl. 10; DucK Hawk. 2: 
 Pigeon Hawks, 2; and Goshawk, 1. The remainder 
 were species which post-morten examinations clearl.'v 
 demonstrated were of immense value to aid in keepinij 
 in check the prolific and destructive field mice as well 
 as several kinds of insects wliicli do great injury to 
 cultivated crops. 
 
39 
 
 ONLY FIVE WERE DETRIMENTAL SPECIES. 
 
 In a period of two dnys the writer obtained from uni- 
 otticlal fifty-two hawks and owls which had been 
 killed by two hunters in a week's time on the Brandy 
 wine meadows near the borough of West Chester, Pa. 
 Tn tliis lot were three Cooper's Hawks, ontr Sharp- 
 shinned Hawk and a Great Horned Owl, or a total of 
 five birds, which subsist largely on poultry, small wild 
 birds and game. The i-eniaining forty-seven birds were 
 all of the beneficial group, namely: Screech. Short - 
 eared, and Long-eared Owls, Red-tailed, Red-shoul 
 dered, Sparrow and Rongh-legged Hawks. 
 
 NAILED ON BARNS. 
 
 During the winter of 1SJ)5 and '96 in traveling ovei 
 the State attending Farmer's Institutes, a record was 
 made of the birds of pie^ and the remains of other 
 animals to be seen nailed on barns and other out 
 buildings and hei-e it is: 
 
 BENEFICIAL. 
 
 Hawks. 
 
 Sparrow, H. 
 Red-tailed, 21. 
 Red-shouldered, (» 
 Rough-legged, ;>. 
 
 Owls. 
 
 Short-eared, !). 
 Long-eared, 7. 
 Barn. 2. 
 Screech, fi. 
 Saw whet. 1. 
 
 DETRIMENTAL. 
 
 Hawks. 
 
 (,'ooper's, 2. 
 Sharp-shinned, 9. 
 (jroshawk, 2. 
 Pigeon, ]. 
 
 Owls. 
 
 Great-Horned, ."i. 
 Barred. 2. 
 Suowv, 1. 
 
40 
 
 OTHER BIRDS. ETC. 
 
 lu additioD to the hawks aud owls particularized in 
 the two preceding eolnnms, the remains of the fol 
 lowing species of birds and other animals were seen 
 hanging to the sides of barns, sheds, &c.: 
 
 Crows, 16. Northern Raven, 1. 
 
 Great Blue Heron, 4. "Great Bittern, li. 
 
 Blue Jay, 2. Grebes, 2. 
 
 Fish Hawk. 2. Night Hawk, 2. 
 
 Kingfisher, 1. Night Heron, 'A. 
 
 Green Heron, 4. Black Bear (Skulls or 
 
 Foxes, 2. paws), 8. 
 
 Raccoons, 5. W'oodchucks, 2. 
 
 Downy and Hairy Wood- Squirrels, 27. 
 
 peckers, 7. PiJeated Woodpecker, I. 
 
 King Bird, I. Opossum, 3. 
 
 INCREASE OP DESTRUCTIVE RODENTS. 
 
 The marked scarcity in grass fields and meadow 
 lands during the winter season (when these birds for 
 raerly were most numerous in the farming districts) 
 of Red-tailed. Red-shouldered, Rough-legged and Spar- 
 row hawks, and the Long-eared and Short-eared owls, 
 for several years past, has been the cause of consider 
 able comment among thoughtful and intelligent farm 
 ers, who attribut<' the appreciable increase in hordes 
 of ravenous field or meadow mice to the wholesale 
 slaughter, as carried on under the Scalp act of 1885, 
 of their natural enemies, the hawks and owls. 
 
 VULTURES. EAGLES, HAWKS AND OWLS. 
 
 The following list embraces the rapacious birds 
 which are attributed to the fauna of I'ennsylvania. 
 This list includes species which occur here duriny: all 
 
41 
 
 reasons of the year, as well as those known a» uiigrantfi 
 and "strafrglers:" 
 
 THE BUZZARDS, EAGLES AND HAWKS. 
 
 Turkey Buzzard (Cathartes aura). 
 
 Bald Eagrle (Haliceetuti leucocephaltis.) 
 
 Red-tailed Hawk {Buteo borealis). 
 
 Broad-wing-ed Hawk {Buteo laiiHsimus). 
 
 Marsh Hawk {Girous hudsonius). 
 
 Sparrow Hawk (Falco sparverius). 
 
 Goshawk {Acciptter atricapillus). 
 
 Oooper'H Hawk (Accipiter cooperi). 
 
 Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter velox). 
 
 Duck Hawk (Falco peregrinus anatum). 
 
 Osprey (Pandion halicetus carolinensis). 
 
 Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus). 
 
 Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). 
 
 Pig-eon Hawk (Falco columbarius). 
 
 American Roug-h-legg^ed Hawk (Archibuteo lagopv^ 
 sancti-johannis) . 
 
 Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippteneis). 
 
 Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoidea for/icattis). 
 
 Black Vulture (Oatharista atrata). 
 
 The twelve first mentioned of the eighteen birds 
 named in the atyove column breed regularly in the 
 Slate. Of these, some, for example, the Turkey Buz 
 zard, Goshawk and Bald Eagle, are restricted to a 
 few localities or to certain sections of the Common 
 wealth, yet, nevertheless, they annually rear their 
 families within our borders. 
 
 The rest of this group, with, possibly, the exception 
 
 of the daring and little dove-eating Pigeon Hawk 
 
 (JFalco columbariu8\ which, it is asserted, breeds occa 
 
 sionally in certain of our remote and higher monn 
 
 tainous districts, occur in Pennsylvjini;i only, as mi 
 
42 
 
 grants, winter sojoiiriieis oi' cxtraliniitants, i. e.. birds 
 which h;ivo wandered far fioni I heir nsnal jjcoyraphieal 
 range. 
 
 THE OWLS. 
 
 Great Homed Owl {Bubo virginianus). 
 
 Barred Owl {Syrnium nebulosum). 
 
 Barn Owl (Strix pratincola). 
 
 Screech Uwl {Megascops asio). 
 
 Long-eared Owl {Asio ivilsonianus)- 
 
 Saw-whet Owl {Nyctala acadica). 
 
 Short-eared Owl {Asio accipitrinus). 
 
 Snowy Owl {Nyctea nyctea). 
 
 Great Gray Owl {Scotiaptex cinerea). 
 
 American Hawk Owl {Surnia ulula caparoch). 
 
 Of this list of owls the six species lirst named in the 
 preceding column are common residents (i. e., are found 
 during all months of the year) in Pennsylvania. Audu- 
 bon once found the Short-eared Owl nesting in this 
 State, and, probably, the species may still breed in 
 some secluded situations within the Keystone bounda- 
 ries. The three remaining species of this owl-group 
 come to us at irregular intervals in winter time from 
 the dreary, cold and banen boreal wilds. 
 
 Few, if any. of the common and native birds are 
 better known to people in general than are certain of 
 these birds of prey, some of which are rather common 
 at all times or during some period of the year, in almost 
 evei-y section of the State, 
 
 These raptoi-ial birds are, with the few exceptions 
 previously noted, serviceable rather than detrimental 
 and their presence about our farm land should be 
 encouraged. There is unquestionably a strong preju- 
 dice in the luinds of many citizens of both the city 
 and coimtiv districts aginst not onlv hawks and owls. 
 
43 
 
 l)Ut also uumerous otliei- kinds of birds aud mammals 
 which are friends rather than enemies of the farmers 
 and fruit-growers. To correct these popular and mis- 
 taken notions is highly essential. The Department of 
 Agriculture is now engaged in collecting reliable data 
 Ihrougli competent scientific specialists and otherwise, 
 which when published cannot fail to be of great value 
 as it will show beyond all possible doubt what species 
 of birds and mammals are beneficial or hamiful. Inves 
 tigations in this line, however, are necessarily slow 
 as large numbers of birds and quadrupeds must be 
 collected in the field and the contents of their stom- 
 achs examined most carefully before positive conclu- 
 sions can be safely arrived at as to their true economic 
 relations. 
 
 PUBLIC SENTIMENT IN FAVOR OF BOUNTIES. 
 
 In the early part of February of this present year the 
 Board of Ganit Commissioners distributed several 
 thousand circulars soliciting, by a series of questions, 
 information on different subjects relating to game, the 
 seasons for taking the same, violations of game laws, 
 etc. Among these queries the following concerning 
 bounties and the animals on which such premiums 
 should or should not, in the opinion of the corre- 
 spondent, be paid, appeared: 
 
 "Do you favor the paying of bounties for the killing of birds 
 and other animals which destroy game and fish?" 
 
 "What species of hawks, owls and other wild animals do 
 you think should be placed on the bounty list?" 
 
 These circulars were mailed to State Grange ofti 
 rials and all subordinate granges in the State; a num- 
 ber of Farmer's clubs: to the various organizations em- 
 bracing the Pennsylvania State Sportsmen's Associa- 
 tion, and to the numerous names of representative 
 
44 
 
 farmeis Hud sporlsiiieii which appuared on lislt* thai 
 the iiiembei s of tlie ^euate and House* had kindly sent 
 the Game Commission. 
 
 At the present wi-itiug, May 20, 1^97, about 2,000 re- 
 plies have been received at the office of the Game 
 Commission. An examination of these answers on the 
 bounty subject reveals that, on an average, about 
 twenty persons to a county made a reply, pro or con. 
 Two answers were received from one county, seven 
 from a second, and ten came in from a third; with these 
 and perhaps a few other exceptions, the answers 
 returned from the counties, ran in about the following 
 proportions: Adams, :iO; Bradford. 22; Clu'Ster, 25; 
 Delaware, 16; Erie, 27; Fulton, 20; Cleartield, 23; 
 Crawford 35; Sullivan, 22; Mifflin, 26; Lancaster, 25; 
 Luzerne, 30; Westmoreland, 28; Lehigh, 35; North- 
 ampton, 37, and Tioga, 37. 
 
 The percentage, however, in favor of bounties, as 
 Bhown by the following columns of figures, is very 
 great, and in view of this sentiment it is not at all 
 surpi'ising that a bounty act recently passed the 
 House of Representatives with but few negative votes: 
 
 REPORTS OF COITXTIES. 
 
 PercentctQe Percentage 
 Vounty. for against 
 
 Bounty. Bounty. 
 
 AdiHus 90 in 
 
 Allegheny, S^ l^ 
 
 Armstrong 75^ 24^ 
 
 Reaver 75 2^) 
 
 Bedford 100 
 
 Merks 75 25 
 
 Blair 91 9 
 
 Bradford S(;J 1.32 
 
 Bucks, SO 20 
 
45 
 
 Butler, 83^ UV^ 
 
 (Jambi-iii 100 
 
 Cameron, 100 
 
 Carbon, 100 
 
 Centre, . 100 
 
 Chester, 80 2(» 
 
 Clarion, 91! 8J 
 
 Clearlield, 100 
 
 Clinton, 70 24 
 
 Columbia 89 11 
 
 Crawford, 18i 561 
 
 Cumberland 100 
 
 Dauphin 87 i 121 
 
 Delaware, 04 30 
 
 Elk 85i U\ 
 
 Rrie, 75 25 
 
 Fayette, 70 'M) 
 
 Forest, 100 U 
 
 Franklin 100 
 
 Fulton 100 
 
 Greene, 84 10 
 
 Huntingdon 95 5 
 
 Indiana, 88 ^ Hi 
 
 .Jefferson 85 15 
 
 Juniata, 99 I 
 
 Lac'kawannii 100 
 
 Lancaster 90 4 
 
 Lawrence 25 75 
 
 Lebanon 100 
 
 Lehigh 78il 2l| 
 
 Luzerne 92? 74 
 
 Lycoming 100 
 
 .McKean 100 
 
 \fercer 90 10 
 
 Mifflin 98 2 
 
46 
 
 Monroe, 941 bi 
 
 Moiitgoinerj, S'M lU'i 
 
 Mod tour, KM) 
 
 Northampton :>4 G 
 
 Northumberland, 100 
 
 Perry, ..: 100 
 
 Philartelphiii 83i 16f 
 
 Pike, 100 
 
 Potter, 86 14 
 
 Schuylkill, 100 
 
 Snyder, 100 
 
 Somerset. 100 
 
 Sullivan, SO t^^ 19.o 
 
 Susquehanna 06§ 33J 
 
 Tioga, 801 191 
 
 Union, 100 
 
 Venango, 75 25 
 
 Warren, 82 18 
 
 Washington fi8i mi 
 
 Wayne, (>3 :{7 
 
 Westmoreland, 85 f 141 
 
 Wyoming, 100 
 
 York, 70 ;iO 
 
 By these answers it will be st-en that from iwcniy- 
 three counties not a negative reply on the bounty ques- 
 tion was returned. In this connection, however, it 
 should be stated that over one hundred circulars, a 
 number of which contained much interesting, and, in 
 3ome cases, very valuable data, were received at the 
 office of the Game Commission, with no names to indi- 
 cate who had sent them. Such anonymous communi- 
 cations, as in well-regulated newspaper offices, were 
 consigned to the waste basket. 
 
 The counties, with few exceptions, from which ovei' 
 
47 
 
 ninety per cent, of the answers are in favor of boun 
 ties, have considerable woodland and mountainous 
 territory or wildland, where the predatory animals 
 are usually much more numerous than in well settled 
 farming districts. Only two counties — ^Crawford and 
 Lawrence — show a majority of answers in opposition 
 to bounties. The citizens of Crawford county during 
 the aciive enforcement of the odious Scalp act of 1885, 
 paid in a period of about two years about $10,000, three 
 fourths of w^hich, it is reliably stated, was for "hawks 
 and owls." This expenditure of the county funds 
 created a strong feeling against such laws.- as it is as 
 serted that much of this money was o-btained for skins 
 of red squirrels and chipmunks which were called 
 "minks" and "weasels" and by divers other sharp prac- 
 tices successfully employed to fool officials who were 
 unable to recognize "heads" and "ears ' of the genuine 
 or pseudo kinds offered by the scalp-hunters or ingenious 
 SL-alp-maker. As nearly all districts along the border 
 lines of the State were made the dumping grounds to 
 pay tribute for the victims of scalp-hunters in neigh 
 boring States, it is likely that on account of such 
 practices the greater portion of the negative replies 
 (75 per cent.) were sent from Lawrence county. 
 
 THEY FAVOR KILLING ALL HAWKS AXD OWLS. 
 
 A careful examination of the answers favoring a 
 bounty on birds shows, 1 regret to say, that not over 
 fifty, of fully l,.'iOO persons, seem to be able to distin- 
 guish the beneficial from the harmful species of hawks 
 and owls, and as a result of this want of knowledge 
 or perhaps it may have been, and no doubt was, so far 
 as some individuals were concerned, carelessness, ao 
 overwhelming number of i'ei>lies say. "bounty on all 
 hawks and owls." 
 
4S 
 START A CAMPAIGN OF POPULAR EDUCATION 
 
 Here again we have another striking example of tlitj 
 urgent necessity for Pennsylvania to begin, not in 
 coming years when our benettcial feathered friends 
 are wiped out of existence, but NOW, a campaign of 
 popular education which will correct erroneous ideas 
 so generally cultivated about the raptorial birds as 
 well as many ather wild animals. 
 
 Since going over the bounty data from all counties, I 
 feel it to be a public duty to prepare a report on these 
 sorely abused birds which will enable every fair 
 minded individual who comes into possession of this 
 document to be able to readily distinguish every spe- 
 cies of the raptorial bird-kind credited to the fauna 
 of the grand old Keystone Commonwealth. 
 
 NO MORE CHICKENS' HEADS FOR HAWKS. 
 
 If bounty laws are desired by the citizens of Fenn 
 sylvania, of course they will probably be enacted, and 
 if county officials are, in the discharge of their duties, 
 called upon to determine the names of heads of differ- 
 ent kinds of birds and other animals, they should sure- 
 ly have some guide to aid them in arriving at proper 
 conclusions. To meet such an emergency, the conclud- 
 ing chapter in this work has been prepared. This 
 chapter will certainly enable any justice of the peace, 
 county commissioner or magistrate to recognize all 
 animals' heads which are likely to be presented for 
 bounty. The heads of chickens, turkeys, grouse, Eng- 
 lish Sparrows and other birds, pieces of worn-out 
 buffalo robes, the skins of colts and mules should 
 uever, in future days, be the media of depleting coun- 
 ties' exchequers as they have in former vears. 
 
44) 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 TESTIMONY FROM FULLY ONE THOUSAND OB 
 SERVERS. 
 
 Estimates Given by Hundreds of FAnMBRs and Poul- 
 try RviSERS AS TO THE MoNEY LosS ANNUALLY In 
 
 curbed to the Poultry Interests of Pennsylvania 
 Through Depredations of Predatory Animals. 
 What Several Hundred Sportsmen Say of thb 
 Poultry-Devouring Birds and Quadrupeds Which 
 They Have Found in Their Rambles Through For- 
 est, Field and Marsh. Numerous Notes and Opin- 
 ions Concerning the Crow from Farmers and 
 Poulterers. 
 
 This chapter is one of especial value, as it is made 
 up entirely of observations of practical farmers, poul- 
 try-raisers, and sportsmen, who, from many years' ob- 
 servation, are qualified to spealc with accuracy con- 
 cerning the good and bad habits of animals which de- 
 stroy poultry, game and song birds, or, on the other 
 hand, those which protect the farmers' crops. 
 
 These answers show, most conclusively, that there 
 are certain birds, as well as other animals, which are 
 a source of great loss annually to both agricultural 
 and game interests. It is, however, unfortunate that 
 so small a number of the correspondents, who so kind- 
 ly took the trouble to respond to queries sent them 
 by the Game Commission and the Zoologist, mem- 
 tioned by name the hawks and owls, which had been 
 observed committing the numerou.*! acta of violence 
 
 4-n 
 
50 
 
 cited. These records would have beeu much more 
 valuable had such instructive data been addt'd, and, 1 
 am quite confident the.v would have proven that the 
 culprits, in the vast majority of cases, were one or the 
 other of the following species: 
 
 Sharp-shinned Hawk, Pigeon Hawk, 
 
 Cooper's Hawk, Great Horned Owl. 
 
 Goshawk, IJarred Owl. 
 
 IJuck Hawk, 
 
 The failure to particularize the birds of prey by 
 their common names, is due, in many instances, to a, 
 lack of proper information concerning these grievously 
 persecuted birds. As there can be little doubt on 
 this score it certainly is high time that the State of 
 Pennsylvania, if prompted by no other reason than 
 that of economy, should give wide circulation to this 
 and other popular reports dealing in a plain way; 
 with the economic relations of our wild animals, many 
 of which are rapidly disappearing as civilization ad- 
 vances. 
 
 For many years the people of the Keystone Com- 
 monwealth gave no attention whatever to the forestry 
 (juestion and the result has been the loss of millions of 
 dollars. However, in the last five or six years the 
 gieat importance of this much neglected subject, 
 through the indefatigable efforts of our able and etti 
 cient Commissioner of Forestry, Dr. Jos. T. Rothrock. 
 the members o-f the Pennsylvania State Forestry 
 Association, assisted by the wise approvals of Govern- 
 ors, Robert E. Pattison and Daniel H. Hastings, has 
 become apparent and a strong public sentiment in be- 
 half of forest restoration and protection is the result. 
 
 In this connection it should be stated that the For- 
 estry legislation gained up to this point is merely pre- 
 paratory to the work proper. Tt provides the basis 
 
51 
 
 and j^ives encouragement bv \\ liich the citizen and the 
 State may work together toward a common end. 
 
 It is sincerely hoped that this judicious work of pop 
 ular education will not be restricted to Forestry, but 
 will expand widely and embrace the field of Zoology. 
 What would a forest be without its happy, vivacious 
 host of sweet-voiced choristeis and other tenants 
 which keep in check the hidden insect enemies? 
 
 Year by year the extermination of animal-life goes 
 steadily on, yet no systematic efforts are made to coun- 
 teract the unjust prejudices entertained by the masses. 
 If the beneficial birds and mammals, which subsist al- 
 most entirely on detrimental forms of insect-life, con- 
 tinues for a few more years, as it has in the past fif- 
 teen, crops can only be cultivated with the greatest 
 amount of labor and expense. Even now, in many 
 parts of this State, and the same is true of almost 
 every other State in the Union, numerous crops could 
 not be grown to maturity and profit, if it were not 
 for the liberal use of insecticides which modern econ 
 omic entomological science has contributed to aid in 
 staying the destruction which man, through ignor 
 ance, has brought about by disturbing nature's bal- 
 ance. 
 
 The total loss of crops in some regions has been 
 carefully investigated and found to be chiefly due to 
 the destruction of insectivorous birds. 
 
 It is not, of course, expected that farmers, poulter- 
 ers and sport-smen should be asked to protect the 
 harmful raptorial birds, which are fully described on 
 succeeding pages, but it is important, in numerous 
 ways, that they should have a better general knowl- 
 edge of many of these birds, which they now destroy 
 on all occasions, under the belief that they are doing 
 service, rather than harm, to the poultry, game and 
 ngricultural interests. 
 
52 
 
 WHAT FARMEKS SAY ABOUT THE LOSS 
 OF POULTRY. 
 
 ESTIMATES OF DAMAGE BY HAWKS, OWLS 
 AND MAMMALS. 
 
 Farmers and poultry raisers throughout the State 
 responded as follows to a question sent out by the 
 Zoologist and which reads: 
 
 "If you are engaged in raising poultry, please state about 
 what money loss you sustain annually from depredations of 
 animals, such as minks, wildcats, weasels, foxes, hawks, owls, 
 rats, etc." 
 
 ADAMS COUNTY. 
 
 C. L. LONGSDORF, Flora Dale: 
 
 Never lose any, as my poultry are securely locked In a 
 comfortable house at night. 
 
 L. M. LIGHTY, East Berlin: 
 
 I was engaged largely and never lost worth mentioning, ex- 
 cept by rats. They would sometimes kill chicks. All the 
 other so-called enemies above mentioned never destroyed one 
 dollar's worth for me. 
 
 DR. C. E. GOLDSBOROUGH, Hunterstown: 
 
 I do not think it would amount to more than ten dollars; 
 chiefly from hawks and crows. 
 
 J. V. GARRETTSON, Flora Dale: 
 
 Very difficult to estimate. Considerable annual loss from 
 foxes, rats and hawks. Hawks are the most destructive 
 birds we have on poultry, and unless the fowls are vers 
 carefully protected our yearly loss is heavy. 
 
 PETER THORN, Gettysburg: 
 Think from five to ten dollars would be within the limit. 
 
 ROBERT H. CURRENS, Gettysburg: 
 Hard to tell, but thf prows are the worst 
 
53 
 
 W. H. BLACK, Flora Dale; 
 
 We i-aiBe about five hundred chickens annually. As we 
 use vermin proof coops, we lose few from night depredators. 
 
 Foxes, one dollar; hawks, five dollars; hawks and owls 
 likely "pay their way." 
 
 J. M. BUSHMAN, Gettysburg: 
 
 My loss in poultry is at least ttl'ty dollars a year Iruni 
 hawks, rats and weasels. 
 
 ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 
 
 J. S. BURNS, Clinton: 
 
 Our loss is usually from hawks and crows, and is done when 
 the chickens are small; would amount to perhaps four or 
 five dollars per annum. 
 
 ARMSTRONG COUNTY. 
 
 D. W. LAWSON, Dayton: 
 
 Our losses are comparatively small .from above named 
 animals— say from five to eight dollars per annum. As a 
 rule, rats and crows are the most destructive; have but few 
 foxes and owls in my vicinity. 
 
 G. A. NEIDL.E, Parker Landing: 
 
 Have been troubled more from rats than any other animal; 
 some seasons have lost eight to ten dollars in chicks. 
 
 BEAVER COUNTY. 
 
 HON. IRA F. MANSFIELD, Beaver: 
 
 We lose annually from above named from twenty-five to 
 fifty dollars. Would place average loss two dollars to every 
 farm in Beaver county. On my farm we keep flock of about 
 two hundred chickens — Leghorns and Plymouth Rocks. 
 
 JEREMIAH BRITTAIN, New Galilee: 
 
 Loss would not amount to o^-er ten dollars annually; prin- 
 cipally from hawks and rats. 
 
 BEDFORD COUNTY. 
 
 J. W. SMITH, Yellow Creek: 
 
 Cannot give estimate, but my neighbors and I lose con- 
 siderable; mostly from minks, foxes and hawks. 
 
 DAVID HOLDERB.MTM. Bedford: 
 A few by rats. 
 
 KEKKS (30T'NTV. 
 
 FH1-:D. H. I1iiSSLI:H. Hamburg: 
 .At least fifty dollars' worth 
 
54 
 
 OLIVER D. SCHOCK. Hamburg: 
 Rats and cats destroy ten dollars' uiuth annually. 
 
 A. H. ADAMS, Jacksonwald: 
 
 I have lost as high as twenty-five dollars" worth a year 
 and as low as five dollars, or an average of fifteen dollars. 
 
 A. M. YOTING, Womelsdorf: 
 Five dollars, through rats. 
 
 BLAIR COUNTY. 
 
 HON. GEORGE M. PATTERSON, Williamsburg: 
 
 Thirty dollars; mostly by hawks. Crows take many turkey 
 oggs, and some chickens and young turkeys. 
 
 FRED JACKEL, Hollidaysburg: 
 
 Have never lost chickens by foxes or wildcats; a few by 
 rats, through carelessness; a few ducklings by crows; chicks 
 by hawks. 
 
 J. W. BRACKEN, Hollidaysburg: 
 
 I live in town and have some poultry. The f)nly Inss sus- 
 tained is from rats taking the young. 
 
 BRADFORD COUNTY. 
 
 A. McCABE, North Rome: 
 
 I have ina,uired among the farmers who raise poultry, and 
 they say they lose nearly forty per cent, every year from the 
 above named animals. 
 
 C. S. DAVIS. Allis Hollow: 
 
 Breed high class poultry. Lost twenty dollars* worth of 
 turkeys year before last. LasJ: year about fifteen dollars by 
 foxes and hawks. 
 
 JACOB L. BALL, Litchfield: 
 Twenty dollars on turkeys and ten dollars on chickens. 
 
 H. CHAMPLIN. Orwell: 
 
 T am raising some poultry each year. Several years ago 
 was troubled some with rats among the young chickens: later, 
 and the last pest, was skunks. Fnr the past four years no 
 loss from any animal depredations. 
 
 A. E. HAMILTON, Potterville: 
 
 Protect my poultry by wire netting^ and have no loss. 
 Those who do not use this protection occasionally lose all 
 their poultry by minks, skunks and foxes. Turkeys suffer 
 mostlv bv foxes. 
 
55 
 
 BUCKS COUNTY. 
 
 HON. H. W. RK'E. Lumberville: 
 
 About the only damage done was by blue jays eating eggs 
 of hens, and also the eggs of different kinds of wild birds. 
 
 JAMES L. BRANSON, Langhorne: 
 
 Our cats keep away the rats, but will dine on chickens for 
 a change. 
 
 HON. EASTBURN REEDER, New Hope: 
 Ten dollars; rats, crows and hawks. 
 
 JACOB CLEMENS, Doylestown: 
 
 We raise from two to three hundred chicTiens; the Imss Cruni 
 the above would be very low; about five per cent. 
 
 HARRY S. WALTON, Harts ville: 
 
 I would think at least per year, about twenty dollars; prob- 
 ably more. Hawks are the principal depredators. 
 
 WILLIAM SMITH, Richboro: 
 
 Not troubled with anything but rats, and not ninth with 
 them. A few cats will keep them scarce. 
 
 H. \V. COMFORT, Fallsington: 
 By care in shooting crows we lose but few. 
 
 ASHER MATTISON, New Hope: 
 About five dollars' worth. 
 
 BUTLER COUNTY. 
 
 EDWIN RAMSEY. Evans City: 
 Our loss does not exceed ten dollars per year. 
 
 W. H. H. RIDDLE. Esq., Butler: 
 
 I raise fancy poultry, but have no trouble with anj- of 
 the pests you mention. 
 
 J. H. FAUBEL. Butler: 
 About fiftj^ dollars. I raise several thousand annually. 
 
 R. a. GILFILLAN, Butler: 
 Damage sustained from hawks, abuut two dollars. 
 
 ISAAC H. CHRISTIE. Hooker: 
 .About five dollars. 
 
 CAMBRIA COUNTY. 
 
 DR. P. J. MANCHER. Carrolltown: 
 
 Am not engaged in poultry raising, but know that the dam- 
 age and losses sustained by those in that business runs into 
 thousands of dollars annually by reason "f hawk, mink, fox. 
 
S6 
 
 e:tc. Hope the members from Cambria counti will supp-Mt tli^ 
 scalp bill. Have written them to that effect 
 
 \. P. SANKER, Cresson: 
 
 I raise about one hundred dollars' worth of young poultry 
 in connection with my farm. By strict account last year 1 
 lost seven dollars and sixty cents from minks and two dollars 
 and forty cents from rats and siiunks. Weasels do not 
 trouble my poultry when they can get rats and mice, and the 
 same is true of owls and crows, which I regard as my 
 friends. Foxes are plentiful, but they live on rabbits prin- 
 cipally. 
 
 JOSEPH A. GRAY, Carrolltown: 
 An average of sixteen dollars. 
 
 M. F. FARREN, Ebensburg: 
 
 Loss from foxes, from twelve to fifteen dollars; from hawks, 
 fully five dollars. 
 
 P. J. DIETRICK, Carrolltown: 
 
 About fifteen dollars. There should be a bounty on foxes, 
 hawks, owls, etc. 
 
 WM. FRED. PIERSON, Dysart: 
 
 Twenty-five per cent, lost by minks; four per cent, by hawks; 
 about two per cent, in eggs, from rats and five per cent, 
 in young chickens. 
 
 LEIGHTON ROWLAND. Vetera: 
 One or two dollars' worth. 
 
 CENTRE COUNTY. 
 
 MRS. LOTTIE K. KELLER, Centre Hall: 
 On an average about fifteen dollars. 
 
 JACOB SHARER, Centre Hall: 
 
 I live near the mountains where these depredators are 
 plentiful. I lose annually about fifteen dollars. 
 
 MISS EDITH M. SANKEY. Potter's Mills: 
 
 Minks, none: weasels, none, foxes, none; hawks, about two 
 dollars, owls, none; rats average five dollars; crows do us 
 more damage. 
 
 HON. LEONARD RHONE, Centre Hall: 
 From three to five dollars, at least. 
 
 M. L. RISHEL. Farmer's Mills: 
 
 About four dollars; mostly from hawks. 
 
 WILLIAM H. MILLER, Secretary Grange 109, Bellefonte: 
 
 Have one hundred and forty-one chicks. There are a few 
 crows to contend with, and our loss is small. 
 
CARBON COUNTY. 
 
 GEORGJE T. WELLS, Rockport: 
 Thirty dollars. 
 
 CHESTER COUNTY. 
 
 EDWARD NORRIS, West Chester: 
 
 Do not raise enough to make any difference, although 
 crows seem the most annoying to the young chicks. 
 
 SAMUEL MARSHALL, West Chester: 
 Lose some chickens from rats and a very few from crows. 
 
 JOHN L. BALDERSTON, Kennett Square: 
 
 I did lose seventy-five dollars' worth per year until I took 
 effective measures to protect the half-grown birds. 
 
 HARRY WILSON, Gum Tree: 
 
 The Sharp-shinned Hawk does the most damage. One pair 
 In nesting period will take about fifty to seventy-five chicks, 
 of two and a-half to five dollars' value. Crows, likewise, very 
 rapacious. 
 
 JAMES B. KEECH, Tweedale: 
 
 Eternal vigilance is the price or cost of poultry with us. 
 Foxes and hawks cause us the most loss. We lose, I believe, 
 annually twenty-five dollars' worth. 
 
 H. H. HODGSON, New London: 
 
 I lose anually more than fifty dollars, principally by rats; 
 they become numerous periodically; foxes are hard on turkeys. 
 
 JOSEPH. S. WALTON, Ercildoun: 
 Twenty dollars' worth by minks. 
 
 EDWARD T. INGRAM, West Chester: 
 
 Formerly a few by foxes; some small ones anrl eggs by 
 ciows. 
 
 I. FRANK CHANDLER, Toughkenamon: 
 Very few, indeed. 
 
 FRANK L. BURNS, Berwyn: 
 Less than one dollar; generally rats. 
 
 JOHN H. HICKS, Avondale: 
 About ten dollars' worth last year (1896) by crows. 
 
 AUGUSTUS BROSIUS. Avondale: 
 Raise hut few: am not troubled in any way siigsfHsft-.l. 
 
58 
 
 CLARION COUNTY. 
 
 FRANK KELL, Kingsville: 
 
 Hawks, two dollars; rats, unr dollar. Indn'idually, hawks 
 are a great pest in this oounty. 
 
 D. C. KERR, Kingsville; 
 
 I sustain a loss from above named animals of twenty dol- 
 lars annually; principally from "hrnwn hawks." 
 
 JAMES C. OGDEN, Limestone: 
 
 Estimated loss, chickens, twenty dollars; tiirke\s. itii d.d- 
 Irs; ducks, five dollars. 
 
 CLEARPEELD COUNTY. 
 
 .JOHN S. JURY, Butment: 
 
 We have lost two large turkeys in the last year by owls, 
 and not less than twenty dollars' worth of poultry every year 
 by foxes. We live on the river hills, sixteen miles below 
 Clearfield. 
 
 HENRY DOTT.S, Glen Hope: 
 
 Last year lost twelve turkeys, one-third grown, by a weasel. 
 I lose by hawks, weasels, polecats, etc. A fair average for each 
 year would be fifteen dollars. 
 
 JOHN W. LEONARD, Ansonville: 
 
 Our losses are chiefly from skunks, and have been from ten 
 dollars to fifteen dollars per year during the past four years. 
 
 PHILIP DOTTS, Glen Hope: 
 
 Our loss is not less than five to ten dollars per year, prin- 
 cipally from hawks, weasels and foxes. 
 
 A. JUDSON SMITH, New Millport: 
 
 In the past year have only lost by skunks; they troubled 
 me considerably, but after losing a few dollars' worth 1 
 succeeded in shutting them out. Hawks, weasels and minks 
 destroy quite a number of chickens in this neighborhood an- 
 nually. 
 
 R. P. KESTER, Grampian: 
 
 Minks, hawks and skunks are the most destructive agents 
 to chicken raising in our locality. I keep my poultry wpII 
 guarded, so sustain little loss. 
 
 THOMAS SHIPLEY, Clearfield: 
 
 I had no loss last year. I keep a good Cox houiul in my 
 enclosure, a good cat in the barn and a good gun close at 
 hand, which accounts for it. 
 
 HARRISON STRAW, Kerrmoor: 
 
 We raise some poultry; about ten i>v twplvp dollars' worth, 
 
51) 
 
 mostly by hawks, skunks and weasels. The rabbit does much 
 damage to farmers in this section. The repeal of the law pro- 
 tecting the rabbit would be a great benefit tn farmers In 
 this locality. 
 
 S. SAMUEL HALL,, McGees Mills: 
 We lose an occasional chicken by hawks. 
 
 CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 L. M. CASTETTER, Greenburr: 
 
 I can hardly give an accurate estimate as to money loss 
 annually sustained. I can, however, give you some idea of 
 what money it does cost me to keep these animals from my 
 property, and the best way to do this I And as follows: I 
 feed and pay taxes for three good fox hounds, and have about 
 twenty-five or thirty traps, and kill them, but to do this is 
 expensive. I also lose some poultry, but not so much, as 1 
 keep on the watch for these animals. My loss is greatest from 
 the otter, mink, muskrat and 'coon. They are hard on my 
 trout, especially in the winter when ice forms over the ponds 
 and streams. There should certainly be something done to ex- 
 terminate them, the otter particularly, for he does great 
 damage to the trout, as they spawn in the fall when the 
 water is low and are easily caught. It costs me not less than 
 fifty dollars, annually, to protect my poultry, trout, etc. 
 
 DAVID MAPES, Beech Creek: 
 Between five and ten dollars annually. 
 
 COLUMBtA COUNTY. 
 
 HON. AV. T. CREASY, Catawissa: 
 
 From thirty to forty dollars" worth are lost from hawks. 
 Crows do some mischief, but nothing in comparison to 
 hawks. 
 
 R. G. F. KSITINKA, Berwick: 
 
 From hawks and owls the loss would probably amount to 
 two dollars per annum. Since keeping collie dogs have lost 
 no poultry by minks, weasels and foxes. Before my losses 
 amounted to from fifteen to twenty-five dollars per annum 
 from these animals. 
 
 A. P. YOUNG, Millville: 
 
 Minks, weasels, foxes, owls and rats do very little damage. 
 Last year we lost probably ten dollars' worth of young 
 chickens and turkeys from hawks and crows; most of it is 
 chargeable to crows. 
 
 J. P. WELSH, Bloomsburg: 
 
 I am part owner of a poultry farm eight miles distant. 
 Loss per year as above, about two dollars. Have special 
 protection from rats and all nocturnal marauders. 
 
THOMAS SEABORNE. NewUn: 
 
 Last year from minks, five per cent.; from rats, two per 
 cent.; hawks, none; foxes, none, and weasels one per cent. 
 
 HON. EDWARD M. TEWKSBURY, Catawissa; 
 
 Lose but little poultry. Hawks are somewhat troublesome; 
 king birds keep hawks from our premises. 
 
 OKAWFORD COUNTY. 
 
 MRS. J. R. HEAD, Saegerstown: 
 
 The average poultry raiser probably loses two or three 
 dollars' worth by hawks and a few more than that by rats. 
 Do not believe that crows will take fowls; it is only imagina- 
 tion by those who say so, and that those supposed to be 
 taken by crows are taken by hawks which the crows pursue. 
 
 HON. C. A. STRANAHAN, Spartansburg: 
 
 From twenty to fifty dollars. In our locality the loss is 
 mostly from hawks, owls and rats. 
 
 LUTHER GATES & SON, Beaver Centre: 
 
 Have considerable poultry; rats do most damage; next hawks, 
 then owls; a little from weasels. Think ten dollars wo\ild 
 cover our loss. 
 
 HON. J. B. PHELPS, Conneautville: 
 
 Hawks and rats destroy the most poultry; rats are the 
 worst. Amount destroyed at least five dollars per year. 
 
 SAMUEL A. MILLER, Linesville: 
 
 Minks, one per cent.; weasels, one per cent.; hawks, thirteen 
 per cent.; owls, twelve per cent.; rats, twelve per cent. 
 
 I. B. BIDDLE, Saegerstown: 
 From six to ten dollars' worth by hawks, owls and rats. 
 
 W. H. SEWARD, Rundell: 
 Three dollars. 
 
 JAMES TURNER, Meadville: 
 Five dollars' worth. 
 
 H. J. TOWER, Beaver Center: 
 
 I am not extensively engaged In the business and meet with 
 scarcely any loss except by rats, perhaps from two and a 
 half to five per cent. 
 
 F. H. POTTER, Steamburg: 
 Only a small loss and that from hawks and nwls. 
 
 F. L. LORD, Conneautville: 
 
 Some of my neighbors have lost nltif-tenths of sinins hatches 
 from hawks and rats. 
 
61 
 
 CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 
 
 HENRY S. RUPP. Rhiremanstown: 
 Probably five dollars' worth. 
 
 ELK COUNTY. 
 
 W. H. JOHNSON, Benezette; 
 
 I keep from thirty to fifty fowls. Sometimes hawks take a 
 few— one to five dollars' worth per year. 
 
 ERIE COUNTY. 
 
 ROBERT DILL, North East: 
 Twenty-five dollars worth from rats and hawks. 
 
 H. F. ARNOLD, Corry: 
 
 My loss is about five dollars from hawks per year. 
 
 A. A. HAMMOND, Corry: 
 
 I live on the flats of French Creek and keep one hundred 
 and fifty hens. Depredations have not been over five dollars. 
 Rats are not the worst things to fight. 
 
 F. E. FENTON, North East: 
 Once in a while one by hawk or rat. 
 
 H. C. HAYES, Godard: 
 
 Greatest loss is from rats; would say about twenty-five 
 per cent. Crows do less damage than any of the animals 
 named. Crows take some eggs, but they do more good than 
 harm, and, like the skunks, destroy lots of mice and insects. 
 
 FAYETTE COUNTY. 
 
 LOUIS F. ARENSBERG, M. D., Heistersburg: 
 
 We lose about half of our poultry through foxes' depreda- 
 tions, and a few by hawks. Cannot raise any turkeys on 
 account of foxes. We raise between three and four hundred 
 chickens per year. Am unable to give estimate of money loss 
 incurred annually. 
 
 HON. GEORGE W. CAMPBELL, Normalville: 
 
 I sustain a loss of probably twenty dollars annually. Hun- 
 dreds of dollars are lost every year in our township from these 
 animals. 
 
 WILLIAM W. PARSHALL, Uniontown: 
 Probably about ten dollars, by either minks or weasels. 
 
 T. J. STURGIS. Morris Cross Roads: 
 
 This depends largely upon location, as to your remoteness 
 from creeks, rivers, mountains, etc. With me the percentage 
 
62 
 
 of loss is quite low, owing to remoteness, as above noted. 
 Five per tent, will cover all loss. 
 
 JESSE O. ALL<P:N, Uniontown: 
 
 Raised poultry for six years. No loss Ironi minks, weasels 
 foxes, hawks or owls, as there are none in our section. Lost 
 four or five per cent, by rats. 
 
 FOREST COUNTY. 
 
 SAMUEL D. IRWIN, Tionesta: 
 
 Lost none myself; have an average flock of twenty chickens 
 each year; neighbors have lost on edge of town. Foxes come 
 down from their homes in rocks and kill chickens occasionally; 
 hawks kill small chicks every season; would say that the an- 
 nual damage in Tionesta borough, at low valuation, is one 
 hundred dollars; country districts much larger, of course. 
 
 FRANKLIN COUNTY. 
 
 HON. W. W. BRITTON, Upper Strasburg: 
 
 Not worth mentioning; rats are about the only depredators 
 that annoy us. 
 
 H. B. CRAIG, Welsh Run: 
 
 I farm and raise some poultry, but do not make it a special 
 business. I would place my loss from above enemies at about 
 fifteen dollars. 
 
 FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 W. L. MORELEY, Well's Tannery: 
 
 We lose about half of our young poultry by rats, skunks, 
 owls, minks and oats; about fifty dollars' worth annually. 
 
 D. W. CROMER, Fort Littleton: 
 
 Am not engaged in poultry business, but the above named 
 are very destructive to domestic fowls and game in woods. 
 
 GEORGE LEHMAN, Lashley: 
 
 We keep about one hundred hens; also several turkeys. 
 Our money loss last year was about seven dollars, mostly from 
 hawks. Our neighbors have sustained heavy losses. I consider 
 the hawk a most destructive bird on poultry. In winter hawks 
 will destroy whole flocks of quail. 
 
 W. C. BAUMGARDEN, Well's Tannery: 
 
 I lose a great deal each season; about ten to fifteen dollars' 
 worth. Hope scalp bill will pass. 
 
 JOSEPH DARLTON, Warfordsburg: 
 
 Last year three dollars' woith of chickens by skunks and 
 six dollars' worth of turkeys and settings of eggs by foxes. 
 
63 
 
 PETER MOSTON. Pleasant Ridge: 
 
 Some in the vicinity lose considerable by hawks and foxes. 
 My loss is small; will not exceed one dollar and a half. 
 
 GREENE COUNTY. 
 
 B. F. HERRINGTON, Waynesburg: 
 
 About two and a half dollars. There are 2,9:i6 farmers in 
 the county, and I think the average loss per farm would bp, 
 at a very low and conservative estimate, two dollars each. 
 
 J. A. HAPEL, Waynesburg: 
 
 Hawks destroy about twenty-five dollars' worth of my 
 poultry every year. 
 
 HUNTINGDON COUNTY. 
 
 GEORGE S. APPLEBY, Decorum: 
 
 I believe that ten per cent, of all the poultry owned and 
 raised during any year is destroyed by the above named, but 
 hawks are the most destructive to young poultry. 
 
 MILES BECK, Warrior's Mark: 
 
 Would average from five to ten dollars yearly; all done iiy 
 hawks and foxes. 
 
 JOHN D. ENYEART, Shirleysburg: 
 
 Fifteen dollars; hawks are the worst; crows are alsu very 
 bad. 
 
 J. PETER SNYDER, Huntingdon: 
 
 Would estimate my loss from above mentioned causes frnni 
 twelve to fifteen dollars. 
 
 W. M. BENSON. Huntingdon: 
 
 Crows do serious damage by stealing eggs and taking the 
 young of domestic fowls. They very frequently catch and de- 
 stroy young chickens even more than the hawks. When hens 
 nest out of doors the crows hunt for and feed on the eggs. 
 The premium should be raised on hawks, minks, weasels, 
 foxes, owls, etc., to double what it is. Few persons think 
 it worth while to bother looking after such for the mean, 
 paltry sum paid them for their trouble' Destroy the English 
 Sparrow. 
 
 GEORGE W. OWENS, Birmingham: 
 
 Minks, foxes and wildcats are not numerous here and do us 
 little damage: rats are sometimes very destructive; crows 
 take some: one kind of hawk takes many and owls a few. 
 
64 
 
 INDIANA OOUNTY. 
 
 JOSEPH MOOKHEAD, Blairsville; 
 
 Keep one hiuidred hens within Jporough limits; lost some ten 
 dollars' worth by rats and cats last three years. Others have 
 had greater losses. 
 
 P. M. HODGE, Blairsville: 
 
 Five dollars from rats and skunks on two farms with which 
 I am connected. One near woodland of some extent. 
 
 J. R. BASH, Cookport: 
 About ten dollars annually. 
 
 W. P. LEAM, Cookport: 
 About five dollars anually. 
 
 GEORGE HENRY, Cookport: 
 About five and a half dollars. 
 
 PETER LEAM, Cookport: 
 Five dollars. 
 
 JEFFERSON COUNTY. 
 
 KMMA C. McGAREY, Stanton: 
 Have no trouble with any of llie abovo naniP'l. 
 
 K. M. t.'ORBITT, Corsica: 
 
 Our losses from the above iianiL-d animals liave been very 
 slight in the last few years. 
 
 JOHN H. JOHNS, Brookville: 
 We lose a g-ood many by hawks. 
 
 JUNIATA COUNTY. 
 
 W. H. KROUSE, Swales: 
 
 No loss last year other than a few turkeys killed, presum- 
 ably by foxes, and a number of little chicks by rats and hawks. 
 Amount of damage, possibly five dollars. 
 
 WILLIAM A. THOMAS, MifHintown: 
 About ten dollars' worth. 
 
 DENNY M. MARSHALL, Walnut: 
 Five dollars. 
 
 WELLINGTON SMITH, Mifflintown: 
 Very little; not over five dollars. 
 
 H. C. HOWET, Mifflintown: 
 In the neighborhood of thirty dollars per year. 
 
rt5 
 
 G. S. L.UKiiJNS, Jiast Salem: 
 
 About ten dcllars' worth annually. 
 
 J. W. MILLIKIN, Honey Grove: 
 
 I am engaged in raising poultry and lose a great dnal every 
 year by the above. 
 
 SAMUEL SCHLEYD, East Salem: 
 Four dollars. 
 
 J. T. AILMAN, Thompsontown: 
 Very little; possibly some from hawks and rats. 
 
 WILLIAM P. BELL, Reed's Gap: 
 About five dollars. 
 
 LACKAWANNA COUNTY. 
 
 F. L. BENJAMIN, Kizcrt;: 
 
 About one year ago I commenced to raise poultry o!i a 
 small scale. Have suffered no loss from the above named 
 animals to my knowledge. 
 
 MICHAEL FOLEY, Mount Cobb: 
 
 We are not in the business very extensively, but lose on an 
 .average about ten dollars' worth. 
 
 LANCASTER COUNTY. 
 
 JOHN H. EPPLER, Elizabethtown: 
 
 While farming my losg probably was twenty dollars every 
 yaar. Here in town I raise but few and have no loss other 
 than from rats, which we destroy as soon as we know of their 
 presence. 
 
 M. BROWN, Wakefield. 
 
 From three to four dollars' worth; mostly from minks, foxes 
 and opossums. 
 
 WILLIAM M. MAULE, Collins: 
 
 Our loss has been light of late years; probably has not ex- 
 ceeded ten dollars from foxes, minks, etc. 
 
 JOHN KREADY, Mt. Joy: 
 
 My loss is a few dollars; have my poultry confined generally. 
 
 HON. JOHN. H. LANDIR, Millersville: 
 I lose about ten dollars pei- year from rats. 
 
 J. G. RUSH, West Willow: 
 R.Tts and hawks destroy a good deal. 
 
 5-Tl 
 
m 
 
 LAWRENCE COUNTY. 
 
 LEE McCOMB. Hillsvllle; 
 
 My loss would amount to about twciity linllars per ypar by 
 weasels, hawks, owls and rats. 
 
 HON. A. L. MARTIN, Knon Valley: 
 My loss per year would not l>o less than fi\<' dnjlars. 
 
 JOHN MONTGOMERY, I'lanegrove: 
 
 We suffer more from the depredations nl' the ground hog 
 and rats than all the others put together. 
 
 LEBANON COUNTY. 
 
 L. S. HOFFMAN, Schaefferstown: 
 
 Hawks, owls and rats probably destroy fully ten per cent, 
 of my poultry annually. 
 
 JOHN 3RENDLE, Shaefferstown: 
 
 About five per cent, from rats, weasels and long-tailed 
 hawks. 
 
 E. BOMBERGER, Lickdale: 
 
 The most destructive of the above named are the hawk and 
 the crow; cannot tell loss. 
 
 I. S. LONG, Richland: 
 No loss from foxes, minks or wildcats; some from hawks. 
 
 LUZERNE COUNTY. 
 
 D. K. LAUBACH, Fairmount Springs: 
 
 We generally lose about one-half or three-quarters that 
 we get hatched. One year we had forty-five turkeys killed 
 by animals. We weighed one that was killed and it weighed 
 six pounds. They were all killed in one day but fifteen, the 
 old hen among tlie killed. This was done by a weasel. 
 My neighbor had twenty-seven little chicks carried off by 
 small hawks one morning. 
 
 THOMAS O. ROBERTS, Freeland: 
 
 I breed fancy chickens worth ten dollars a pair. Weasel 
 killed in one night twenty-one chickens and one duck. My 
 neighbor, Lewis Young, lost by a weasel in three nights 
 fifty-six common chickens. He killed the weasel. 
 
 LEWIS H. KOCHER, Ruggles: 
 My anual loss is not more than five dollars. 
 
 F. F. MORRIS. Dallas: 
 
 There are some minks, weasels and skunks, but tlu' bulk 
 of the damage sustained by me results from rats and an 
 overproduction of cats. Annual loss, two dollars. 
 
67 
 
 DAVID J. LINSKILL, Plymouth: 
 We lose some by rats and house cats. 
 
 P. SUTTON. Exeter: 
 
 Lose some by skunks; crows occasionally take eggs and 
 young chickens. When a mink or weasel gets into a hen house 
 ho cleans out the whole "kit," 
 
 LYCOMING COUNTY. 
 
 HON. JOHN W. KING. Fairfield Center: 
 
 It is impossible to give you the exact figures, but would 
 place my loss at nci less than ten dollars per annum. 
 
 J. P. VANDINE. Lairdsville: 
 
 Yes, twenty-five dollars would not cover loss by minks, 
 hawks, owls and skunks during last year. 
 
 A. C. HENRY, Hughesville: 
 
 Yes, by rats more than any other; some loss by hawks, but 
 in the vicinity of Hughesville, Pa., there is very little loss. 
 
 PETER REEDER, Hughesville: 
 Losses are small; raise but little poultry. 
 
 JACOB HEIM, Hepburn: 
 
 Have never kept any account, but we lose some every 
 year. 
 
 TVIcKEAl«f COUNTY. 
 
 C. W. DICKINSON, Norwich: 
 
 Flock of about forty on an average. I lose about two dol- 
 lars' worth of chickens annually; shut up poultry at night, 
 so am not bothered with owls and foxes. 
 
 BURDETTE DICKINSON, Colegrove: 
 
 Do not raise poultry, but farmers in this vicinity lose from 
 two to two and a half dollars annually. Hawks do most of the 
 killing. 
 
 N. H. PARKER, Gardeau: 
 
 I keep dogs that protect my fowls from foxes and minks; 
 the hawks I shoot. I hear complaints from my neighbors 
 about foxes and minks. 
 
 MERCER COUNTY. 
 
 ROBERT McKEE, Mercer: 
 Ten per cent. 
 
 R. K. P.AKER, Sandy Lake: 
 About two dollars. 
 
68 
 
 JOHN P. ORR, Mercer: 
 
 Don't know of ever losing a cliickeii fmni an.\ «( tfu' nbo\p 
 rauppp; only iNiiso about fifty a year. 
 
 MIFFLIN CO LI XT V. 
 
 H. A. SPANOGL.E, Lewlstown: 
 
 Last year abom six dollars' worth by rats. 
 
 ANDREW SPANOGLE, Lewlstown: 
 Perhaps eight or ten dollars: mostly by minks and rats. 
 
 HON. GRUBER H. BELL, Lewlstown: 
 
 Not many, but the above never bother much, except minks 
 and hawks on young chicks. 
 
 S. A. HERTZLER, Belleville: 
 
 Not engaged extensively, but being located close to woods 
 I must keep a sharp lookout to save any on account of foxes 
 and hawks. 
 
 JOHN A. CAMPBELL, Belleville: 
 
 In poultry, perhaps five dollars, but the expense and 
 trouble of guarding against foxes, skunks and the big horned 
 owl is considerably more. 
 
 MONROE COUNTY. 
 
 LUTHER MICHAEL, Shawnee: 
 My losses by hawks and owls are ten dollars yearly. 
 
 TOWNSEND PRICE, Canadensis: 
 
 My annual loss would average not less than ten dollars. 
 
 HON. R. F. SCllWARZ, Analomink: 
 
 Have lost none for some years, as I have wire yard near 
 house and keep dogs. 
 
 MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 
 
 GEORGE W. RIGHTER, Abrams: 
 Ten dollars; mostly rats and crows. 
 
 WILLIAM W. POTTS, Swedeland: 
 
 I raise about one hundred chickens each year and do not 
 lose any. I tie the hens to a box and shut them up at 
 night. 
 
 R. M. TYSON, King of Prussia: 
 
 Crows are especially destructive of young poultry and turkey 
 egg^; cannot estimate the amount. 
 
«9 
 MONTOUR COUNTY. 
 
 EL.l^A V. BJTLER, Ottawa: 
 
 From depredations of hawks and crows, about five dollars; 
 minks, weasels, owls and rats, about ten dollars, and we only 
 laise poultry on the faim to a small extent. 
 
 W. M. GEARHART, Danville: 
 
 About ten dollars. An opossum destroyed twenty dollars' 
 worth in 1895. 
 
 W. D. SIEINBACII. Liintstoneville: 
 Comparatively none. 
 
 NORTHAMPTON COUNT¥. 
 
 A. L. SHIMER, Redingrton: 
 Crows and hawks ten dollars. 
 
 R. O. RITTER, Hanoverville: 
 About ten dollars' worth. 
 
 NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY. 
 
 J. O. GIFFEN, Montandon: 
 
 L.ast year v.'e losi a gieat many young chicks liy tats -aim. i; 
 three hundred, I should judge. 
 
 S. H. DEAN, Mt. Carmel: 
 About thirty dollars, chiefly from rats. 
 
 D. G. MOYER, Greenbrier: 
 
 I lose about fifty dollars' worth a yeai-, or nearly one-half 
 of all I raise. 
 
 C. M. SLEAR, Northumberland: 
 
 About ten dollars' worth, chiefly by hawks, owls and 
 crows. 
 
 A. G. MARR, Shamokin: 
 
 The only loss I sustain in that line is through, the depreda- 
 tions of hum.'iu fii:imals. Some scamps last Saturday stole 
 the last two that were left. 
 
 JOHN C. FOULK, Schuyler: 
 
 Have no loss from hawks or any cause, but hear my neigh- 
 bors complain a good deal about losing poultry by hawks. 
 
 PERRY COUNTY. 
 
 SIL^S "WRIGHT. Reward: 
 Estimated ten dollars' wortli 
 
70 
 
 D. KISTLEK, Kistler: 
 
 My loss is trifling. We lieep our poUltry in close houses at 
 night, but the average loss to our farmers can be put down at 
 five or ten dollars each. 
 
 MILTON ESHELMAN, Newport: 
 None. We are close to tovi'n. 
 
 R. M. ALEXANDER, New Bloomfield: 
 
 Our loss Is chiefly from rats and cats; don't raise many; 
 lose twenty-five or thirty chickens in a year from visits of rats, 
 cats and hawks. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY. 
 
 HON. SAMUEL CROTHERS. 1407 Filbert street, Philadelphia: 
 When I wns a boy my trust was to watch the poultry. TliP 
 Red -tailed Hawk used to carry away a good many young 
 turkeys, etc. The crow also took some. 
 
 PIKE COUNTY. 
 
 NELSON DEWITT, Rowland: 
 
 Wildcats and raccoons are the worst enemies of the feathered 
 tribe. My loss in money from them can easily be estimated on 
 an fiverage a:, ten dollars per year; some years it runs ashighas 
 twenty dollars. Wildcats also kill young deer, and around 
 swamps are very destructive of rabbits and pheasants. My 
 opinion on foxes destroying pheasants would be (taking into 
 consideration eggs and young which they destroy), fifty pheas- 
 ants per year, for each fox. 
 
 HON. LAFAYF.TTE ROWLAND. Rowland: 
 
 All the abov? are destructive; wildcats and raccoons are also 
 noxious and should be exterminated (even if we admit that 
 Noah had them along in his ride). When the female fox has 
 her young she not only preys on domestic poultry, but eats 
 eggs; also young and old birds. Foxes destroy thousands of 
 pheasants here annually. My money loss in poultry annually 
 is fully five dollars. 
 
 JUSTIN NILES, Edgemere: 
 
 I had in the woods of my vicinity a pheasant's nest and was 
 waiting for a bantam hen to be ready to take the eggs. 
 When I sent yesterday for the eggs there was nothing left 
 of the nest but a bunch of feathers. A fox had made a meal 
 of the whole. 
 
 POTTER COUNTY. 
 
 SAMT'ET> HAVEN GLASSMIRE. Coudersport: 
 
 Skunks are my worst enemies. My fowls suffer from ih>'ir 
 invasions to the pxtenf nf about ten dollars annually. 
 
71 
 
 E. O. AUSTIN, Austin: 
 
 Occasionally had chicliens caught by hawks and owls. 
 Probably two dollars annually. 
 
 CHARLES FRAUB, Germania: 
 
 Our community is troubled mostly by foxes and hawks. 
 The money loss I cannot tell. 
 
 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. 
 
 A. F. KIMMEL, Orwigsburg:. 
 Lose annually fifty dollars. 
 
 \V. H. PTOT'T, Fine Grove: 
 
 Had a few ducks destroyed by minks, and used the ducks 
 to destroy the minks. 
 
 SNY^DER COUNTY. 
 
 HENRY NOYES. Salem: 
 
 Not engaged largely in raising poultry. Think our loss is 
 about twenty-five dollars annually. 
 
 SOMERSET COUNTY. 
 
 .lEREMIAH S. MILLER, Husband: 
 
 At prices we get would say about five to eight dollars" 
 worth, by hawks, crows and minks. 
 
 PETER MILLER, Somerset: 
 
 Keep les.= than a hundred fowls; lose probably twenty per 
 cent, of the raising by minks and hawks. 
 
 DR. H. D. MOORE. New Lexington: 
 
 I raise poultry on a small scale. I have never lost any 
 poultry except by skunks, and none by tliem for several years 
 past. I guard against them by raising the coops over a foot 
 from the ground. 
 
 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 A letter dated April 8, 1S97. was received from Mr. M. J. 
 Phillips, Muncy Valley. Sullivan county, Pa. He says: "I hope 
 you will be able to help Hon. B. W. Jennings to get a bill put- 
 ting a bounty on hawks, as they are very destru(^tive to our 
 young poultry. They will dive right down in the yard and take 
 our chickens, turkeys and ducks. "Weasels and foxes do the 
 same, and they destroy the young of quail, and the pheasant 
 .'ind other birds and their eggs. We would have plenty of quail 
 and pheasants around our fields and woods if these depredators 
 were exterminited, I think the bounty should be fifty cents 
 each on hawks, weasels and owls, nnd foxes, one dollar: then 
 lots of people would hunt them. 
 
 There is a bounty now on foxes, and there aie some men whi> 
 
72 
 
 liunt iheiii. l)Ul wt- sullei greatly rium these animals. About 
 all the income a man derives now from his farm is from his 
 cows and poultry. We lost greatly last year from poultry- 
 destroying animals, and our neighbors have suffered as we do 
 from the visits of foxes, hawks and weasels. We lose ten dol- 
 lars or more annually. Try and help us out. Don't forget 
 the weasel as he robs the nest of the quail and the pheasant." 
 
 JOHN C. WITSON, Sonestown: 
 
 Foxes, one dollar; minks, one dollar and a half: hawks, one 
 dollar. 
 
 T. S. SIMMONS, Sonestown: 
 
 I raise considerable poultry and lose from ten to twenty 
 dollars' worth every year, principally by minks, hawks, 
 weasels and owls. 
 
 L. B. SPEAKER, Hillsgrove: 
 
 Weasels, none; depredations of minks, eight per cent.; foxes, 
 six per cent.; hawks, three per cent.; owls, one per cent. 
 
 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY. 
 
 E. A. WESTON and E. L. WESTON, Brooklyn: 
 
 Sometimes none, sometimes considerable, according to other 
 food supplies for these depredators; say ten dollars on an 
 
 average. 
 
 DK. H. A. TINGLEY, Susquehanna: 
 Not a dollar. 
 
 TIOGA COUNTY. 
 
 M. SORNBERGER, Job's Corners: 
 
 I do not make a business of raising poultry, but hawks 
 and crows take about twenty per cent, of the young of what 
 I do have. 
 
 D. S. DOUGHERTY, Austinburg: 
 
 Only raise a small amount of poultry. Insect parasites and 
 tame cats are more destructive to my poultry than the ani- 
 mals fwhich destroy about five dollars' worth annu.ally) 
 named in the postal you sent me. 
 
 W. H. WHITING, Wellsboro: 
 About ten- per cent, of stock (young) from skunks. 
 
 A. J. DOAN, East Chatham: 
 
 I am engaged In raising poultry In a small way; lose a few 
 chickens. They are taken by hawks and rats. 
 
 n. L.. HOYT. Elkland: 
 
 The above commit very few depredations in this neighbor- 
 hiiod. b)if gangs of hoys and young men (so-called) steal and 
 
73 
 
 "roast" chickens and turkeys from farmers. In some cases 
 this loss is from three to five dollars each. This is a fad with 
 a class, and we would shoot them, but are asleep. 
 
 UNION COUNTY. 
 
 JOHN A. CAMPBELL. Belleville: 
 
 Perhaps five dollars, but the expense and trouble of guarding 
 against foxes, skunks and the big horned owl is considerably 
 more. 
 
 GEORGE E. LONG, Lewisburg: 
 
 I have never lost any poultry by anything but rats and 
 disease. 
 
 J. A. GUNDY, Lewisburg: 
 Think very few; mostly young birds. 
 
 WARREN COUNTY. 
 
 WALTER M. SHULER, Warren: 
 I lose some poultry every year; chiefly from hawks. 
 
 N. P. MORRISON, Tidioute: 
 
 I do not raise poultry to a very great extent; only about 
 a hundred per year. Loss does not exceed five dollars. 
 
 W. B. HALE, Ackley Station: 
 About ten per cent. 
 
 CLINTON MILLER, Tidioute: 
 
 From two to five dollars' worth, mostly from hawks ami 
 owls. 
 
 P. N. ROBINSON, Scofield: 
 
 Yes, only by hawks; probably ten or twelve small chicks 
 during the spring and summer. I am not in favor of bounties; 
 the boys will kill them just the same. 
 
 W. W. WILSON, Ackley Station: 
 
 I do not lose any to speak of; not a dollar's worth in five 
 years. Never heard of such a thing as crows stealing eggs 
 and catching the young of domestic fowls. I think the crow 
 is like some men, "he has got a bad name." The crow and 
 the English Sparrow are both useful birds. 
 
 WASHINGTON COUNTY. 
 
 JULIUS LEMOYNE. W^ashington: 
 
 I keep flock of about one hundred chickens. Think the 
 average loss annually will not exceed five dollars; most of that 
 from hawks. 
 
 PHE.'^SI.Y LEECH. Bulger: 
 
 From twpntv to twentv-fivp dollars worth 
 
 5» 
 
74 
 
 WAYNE COITNTV. 
 
 PETEH COREY, Newfoundland: 
 
 I think twenty per cent, is a reasonable estimate of damage 
 to poultry by minks, weasels, foxes and hawks for me and 
 all people in this section of countiy. Skunks are also very 
 troublesome. 
 
 WESTMORELAND COUNTY. 
 
 M. K. LAIRD, Livermore: 
 
 Loss during past year about two dollars; mostly from 
 hawks. 
 
 T. RUTH, Scottdale: 
 Four dollars, by hawks. 
 
 WYOMING COUNTY. 
 
 N. P. STERLING, Meshoppen: 
 
 About five dollars, and that mostly from rats; we can 
 gnard against other animals by housing. 
 
 NELLIE LOVE, Meshoppen: 
 Minks, five dollars; skunks, two dollars. 
 
 W. N. REYNOLDS, Tunkhannock: 
 
 Am not in the business, but from inquiry learn that the 
 loss is greater from hawks than any other source. 
 
 YORK COUNTY. 
 
 HON. GERARD C. BROWN, Y'orkana: 
 
 Perhaps twenty dollars per year; chickens, ducks and 
 turkeys. 
 
 JAMES G. PATTERSON, Stewartstown: 
 More than fifty dollars annually. 
 
 H. S. TYSON, York: 
 
 Hawks should be destroyed, as they devour much poultry 
 and game. 
 
 SAMUEL SMALE, York: 
 Lose some from depredations of hawks. 
 
 OTHER STATES. 
 
 R. B. & C. H. DAYTON. Remsenburg, Suffolk county. N. Y.: 
 
 Principal loss by rats; one hundred to one hundred and fifty 
 
 dollars Tftstimflted) nnnuallv. Sli.ta:ht loss h\ hnwks. minks and 
 
opossums. Crows do good service in attacking and driving 
 away hawlvs, doing more good than liarm. 
 
 N. P. HARKY, Whiteford, Hartford county, Md.: 
 
 About ten or fifteen dollars yearly from minks, hawks and 
 skunks. Mr. Harry adds as a foot-note: "This and the other 
 questions you sent were submitted to the Pen Mar Farmers' 
 Club, and the answers given fairly express the individual 
 opinions of nearly all its members, as well as my own." 
 
 OBSERVATIONS OF FARMERS AND SPORTS- 
 MEN. 
 
 "Please give, if you can from personal observation, instances 
 of where game, fish, poultry or song birds have been destroyed, 
 and also name kind of animal committing the depredation." 
 
 In reply to this request, the following answers were received 
 at the offlce of the Game Commission: 
 
 ADAMS COUNTY. 
 
 E. D. STOVER. Cashtown: 
 
 The hawks and foxes kill off the quail in winter. Skunks 
 will kill more rabbits than the hunters. These animals destroy 
 much poultry. 
 
 H. J. LEREW, Biglersville: 
 
 Much poultry is destroyed by hawks, owls, crows, minlis, 
 weasels, skunks, wild cats and foxes. 
 
 SAMUEL HALL, Trust: 
 
 Poultry and game, as well as the song birds, suffer from 
 the wildcat, fox, red and gray squirrels, weasels, hawks and 
 owls. 
 
 AARON SCHLOSSER. Arendtsville: 
 
 Depredations of a grave character are committed in our 
 poultry yards by foxes, minks, weasels, hawks and owls. 
 
 J. P. TAYLOR, Arendtsville: 
 
 When I was hunting on South Mountain this winter ('96.1, 
 I saw several rabbits that had been caught and killed by 
 a fox, and some pheasants that had been similarly treated by, 
 to my judgment, a iiawk. 
 
 WILLIAM BUSHMAN. Gettysburg: 
 
 Have seen poultry, game and song birds destroyed l>y the 
 crow, different species of hawks, minks and weasels. 
 
76 
 
 JAMES BILLINGER. Parkers Landing; 
 
 Have seen where many rabbits have been killed by uwls 
 and hawks. Have known opossums to catch and kill full- 
 grrown pheasants, etc. 
 
 J. W. EICHHOLTZ, Gettysburg: 
 
 Have seen hawks commit considerable dt-predatiuns in the 
 poultry yard, catch quail and other birds. 
 
 S. McECHOLTZ, Arendtsville: 
 
 Have seen depredations among poultry, game and song 
 birds, from fox, mink, wvasel. hau^ and the owl. 
 
 E. MORRIS BUSHMAN, Gettysburg: 
 
 Have seen crows sucking- pheasants' and quails' eggs, weasels 
 killing rabbits and Cooper's Hawk eating poultry. 
 
 J. M. KESSELRING, Biglersville: 
 
 Hawks and crows are very hard on young chicks; have lit'leii 
 seen them catch them; also birds, and have seen them rob the 
 nest of eggs. 
 
 Z. TIPTON, Biglersville: 
 
 Depredations of an extensive kind are committed upon poul- 
 try, game and song birds by the wildcat, fox, mink, weasel, 
 hawk, owl, skunk and crow. 
 
 H. F. YOUNG, Gettysburg: 
 
 Hawks, owls, minks, weasels and skunks are a menace to our 
 poultry, game and song birds. 
 
 JAMES LAURER, Cashtown: 
 
 Have seen^ poultry, pheasants and rabbits destroyed by 
 foxes, hawks and owls. 
 
 J. CALVIN THOMAS, Arendtsville: 
 
 Many such depredations to poultry and game have been 
 brought to my observation, but space will not permit me to 
 narrate theii. 
 
 C. A. REBERT, Cashtown: 
 Deer by dogs. 
 
 JOHN R. BITTINGER, Hanover: 
 
 All along the mountain regions generally these animals com- 
 niit considerable depi-edations upon poultry and game. 
 
 L. H. MEALS. Gettysburg: 
 
 I have known a weasel tu kill whole nests of rabbits in uii^- 
 night or day, also kill the old ones. Have shot hawks in the 
 act of catching quail, larks and chickens. 
 
 AKMSTROXG COUNTY. 
 
 J. L. HELD. Neale: 
 
 .Minks, \vHas.-ls. skunks, foxes, crows and othtrs. 
 
77 
 
 WILLJAM CROSBY, Leechburg: 
 Red or pine squirrels and weasel. 
 
 DR. L. W. SCHNATTERL.Y, Freeport: 
 
 I know personally of foxes, minks and weasels destroying: 
 our game birds and game, and the polecat and ground hog 
 destroying the eggs and nests of pheasants and quail. 
 
 DR. C. JESSUP, Kittanning: 
 
 Hawks are the most destructive on poultry, pheasants and 
 quail, killing many; have caught them in the act. Foxes are 
 also very destructive. 
 
 W. K. COLBER, Leechburg: 
 
 I have personally known of instances where the chicken 
 hawk, bird hawk, hoot owl, weasel, mink, skunk and fox have 
 destroyed poultrj', game and song birds. The skunk destroys 
 the eggs of pheasants and quail. 
 
 ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 
 
 JESSE B. JONES, Pittsburg: 
 
 Poxes are destructive to poultry and game. I know of two 
 men who trapped from 25 to 30 foxes each year. They got 
 76 cents bounty and from 75 cents to $1.00 for the hide. They 
 went to considerable trouble and baited the traps with a whole 
 chicken. After the bounty was taken off they stopped trapping. 
 
 D. P. CORWIN, Pittsburg: 
 Snakes destroy a great many birds which nest on the ground. 
 
 GU STAVE A. LINK, Pittsburg: 
 
 I have only seen the hawk destroy Song Sparrow and Wood 
 Thrush. 
 
 J. W. HAGUE, Pittsburg: 
 
 Hawks killing song and game birds, owls with rabbits, .-unl 
 have known weasels to kill chickens. 
 
 BUCKS COUNTY. 
 
 SETH WALTON, New Hope: 
 
 Hawks, weasels and minks destroy many chickens and 
 pigeons. 
 
 H. H. RANATT, Pipersville: 
 
 Have seen crows take my chickens and minks catch my 
 ducks. 
 
 A. J. SNYDER, Plumsteadville: 
 
 Have seen poultry taken by large and small or pigeon hawk; 
 also saw hawk catch quail. 
 
 HARRY S. WALTON, HartsviUe: 
 
 Poultry is largely destroyed by hawks and orows, and they 
 (ieetrov many small wild birds. 
 
78 
 
 PRANK E. HESTON, Rushland: 
 The chicken hawk commris great depredations. 
 
 THOMAS SCOTT, Bristol: 
 
 Some Italians of this county are given credit for shooting 
 warblers, robins, catbirds, or anything that will go in a pot. 
 
 ARTHUR CHAPMAN, Doylestown: 
 
 Instances are so numerous of such depredations that there 
 is not room to particularize. 
 
 LEWIS H. CLEMENS, Doylestown: 
 
 The worst enemy the song bird has is the crow, who eats 
 the eggs and the small birds when hatched; will destroy a 
 whole nest. I have opened young crows and found the stom- 
 achs contained the feet of small birds, especially robins. 
 
 A. S. WEAVER, Hartsville: 
 
 Foxes and hawks commit numberless depredations on poul- 
 try and wild birds. 
 
 BRADFORD COUNTY. 
 
 CHARLES B. TAYLOR, Alba: 
 Skunks, weasels, minks. 
 
 J. F. AMMERMAN, Saco: 
 
 In this section the hen hawk destroys a large amount of 
 poultry. 
 
 ASYLUM GRANGE, Duvall: 
 
 Have noticed instances where grouse and quail have been 
 killed by foxes and owls. Domestic fowls are also often killed 
 by these and other wild animals. 
 
 A. J. STACY, Leona: 
 
 The chicken hawk and crow steal young chickens, and rob the 
 nests of birds soon after they hatch. 
 
 W. F. DITTRICH, Towanda: 
 
 Have seen hawks,, skunks and the house cat destroy poultry, 
 birds, etc. 
 
 W. W. McCAIN, Stevensville: 
 
 The occurrences are too frequent to admit of details. I have 
 personal knowledge of many hawks, owls, skunks, weasels, 
 minks, foxes, 'coons all do their share. 
 
 JAMES A. HAWTHORNE, Windfall: 
 
 Have known the hawk, mink and weasel to destroy poultry, 
 etc. 
 
 C. B. WHIPPLE, LeRoy: 
 
 1 have seen where foxes, weasels, minks, hawks and owls 
 have caught poultry, pheasants and weasels. 
 
71) 
 
 D. F. LEWIS, Gillett: 
 
 Mink destroy quail. I have caught the fox with pheasant and 
 rabbit, the weasel with rabbit and the owl with rabbit. 
 
 J. H. HAMAKER, Editor Daily and Weekly News, Athens: 
 
 Have seen foxes' tracks in the snow, in two instances, where 
 they led to the remains of ruffed grouse. 
 
 GEORGE C. CORNELL,, Col., Cross Roads: 
 
 Have seen poultry destroyed by hawks and skunks; birds by 
 hawks and crows, and ground birds by skunks and snakes. 
 
 J. BENSON WRIGHT, East Canton: 
 
 I, on one occasion, followed a wildcat who dug up and ate 
 two whole rabbits, rabbits that he evidently had killed and 
 buried some time before. 
 
 S. W. CLARK, LeRoy: 
 
 Have seen hawks catching chickens, catbirds, robbing birds' 
 nests and weasel killing rabbits. 
 
 N. A. WELLS, Wyalusing: 
 
 From tracks in the snow I have seen where foxes had 
 pounced on rabbits and on grouse; have also seen hawks eat 
 grouse. 
 
 THEO. PIERCE, Canton: 
 I have seen where foxes have eaten pheasants or grouse. 
 
 BUTLER COUNTY. 
 
 W. WATSON, Sarversville: 
 Foxes have made depredations on poultry. 
 
 C. B. McFARLAN, Argentine: 
 
 Have seen crows robbing the nests of song birds and quail; 
 have known them to rob nest with eighteen egg.s in it. 
 
 L. A. SCOTT, Sarversville: 
 
 Hawks kill large amount of quail; the mink ami other an- 
 imals kill rabbits^ 
 
 J. C. SNYDER, West Liberty: 
 
 I have seen the fox kill poultry many times and carry th" 
 same away. Weasels will kill a whole nest of young birds. 
 
 F. D. COLBERT and Others, Butler: 
 
 The chicken hawk has been the greatest destroyei- in my 
 observation. Have frequently seen them catch quail and song 
 birds. 
 
 ROBERT McBRIDE, McCandless: 
 
 The chicken hawk is the worst enemy we have to our |>oiil- 
 try and song birds. I have also seen the Sparrow Hawk take 
 a small bird on the wing. 
 
so 
 
 BEAVER COUNTY. 
 
 WlLi,lAM M. BOYLE. New Brighton; 
 Have seen quail and other small birds caught by hawks. 
 
 W. N. McNAIR, Beaver Falls: 
 
 Chicken hawks, large owls, the fox, minks and weasels de- 
 stroy poultry, game and song birds. 
 
 J. A. SNYDER. Beaver Falls: 
 I have seen the large chicken hawk catch and kill quail. 
 
 A. H. CLARKE, New Brighton: 
 
 Poultry, game and song birds are destroyed by minks, rats, 
 foxes, skunks, weasels, snakes and the common house cat. 
 
 BLAIR COUNTY. 
 
 W. F. TAPPAN, Altoona: 
 
 Have seen blue hawk attack and kill pheasants; also have 
 known foxes to have committed the same deed; have found 
 their nests torn up, etc. 
 
 WILLIAM VAN ALLMAN, East Sharpsburg: 
 
 The skunk will hunt the eggs in the laying season of the 
 quail and wild turkeys, but they suffer in winter from the 
 fox and hawk. 
 
 DR. A. L. SPAXGLE, Altoona: 
 
 Have seen red-tailed hawks with grouse in their claws, spar- 
 row hawks with woodcocks, minks in a chicken coop. Butcher 
 bird impale a Field Sparrow on a thorn bush, wildcat with rab- 
 bit, and where fox had caught rabbit; also where skunk anri 
 mink had killed rabbit. 
 
 FREDERICK JACKEL, Hollidaysburg: 
 Hawks, weasels and squirrels take eggs. 
 
 EDWARD KOTTMANN, Altoona: 
 
 Have seen the kingfisher on numeious occasions get troui : 
 al.so seen the Red-tailed Hawk capture poultry, quail ami 
 grouse; witnessed the grouse caught by blue hawk also. 
 
 S. H. DEAN, Williamsburg: 
 
 I have frequently seen hawks catch partridges, poultry him) 
 song birds. 
 
 MATTHEW CALVIN, Hollidaysburg: 
 
 Polecats, minks and weasels destroy our poultry, song anil 
 game birds. 
 
 M. D. YOUNG, Hollidaysburg: 
 
 The foxes in our county destroy much game, both by killing 
 the birds and driving them away while hatching 
 
81 
 
 G. G. ZK'J'H, Altoona: 
 
 Have seen instances too numerous to mention while afield; 
 wild cats and foxes especially. 
 
 W. G. HICKS. Tyrone: 
 Many rabbits are destroyed here by foxes. 
 
 WILLIAM L. SAXDS, Altoona: 
 
 I know of turkeys, chickens, pheasants and rabbits to have 
 been killed by foxes, skunks and hawks. 
 
 H. M. LEIGHTY, Poplar Run: 
 
 The fox, weasel, hawk and owl destroy poultry, game and 
 song birds. 
 
 BEDFORD COUNTY. 
 
 JACOB ZOOK, Saxton: 
 
 Foxes, skunks, minks, hawks and owls are very destruclivp 
 to poultry, game and song birds. 
 
 GEORGE W. YONT, Osterburg: 
 
 Hawks after poultry; smaller birds, etc.. and red squirrel 
 after the gray squirrel. 
 
 SAMUEL J. KEITH, Woodburg: 
 
 Polecats are quite destructive on fowls; foxes hunt up and 
 destroy various birds. 
 
 S. H. KOONTZ, Cessna: 
 
 Hawks and large owls after poultry, etc. 
 
 THEO. B. POTTS, Alum Bank: 
 
 I have seen owls catch and kill a wild full-grown rabbit, 
 and hawks kill birds and chase gray squirrels. Foxes, minks, 
 skunks and measles are very destructive to poultiy night or 
 day. 
 
 BERKS COUNTY. 
 
 EDWARD LAWRENCE, Reading: 
 Have seen haAvks killing birds and poultry. 
 
 O. HINNERSHITZ, Blandon: 
 
 Reported instances of poultry being destroyed by minks, 
 weasels, foxes and hawks. 
 
 CHARLES M. MINNICH, North Heidelburg: 
 Have seen hawks destroy poultry, etc. 
 
 PETER DEXTER, Reading: 
 
 Poultry, song birds, quails and pheasants destroyed by fox, 
 hawks and owls. 
 
 >; II 
 
82 
 
 C. W. KKTTKUEK. Stouchsbuia;: 
 
 In my observations ha\'e seen the Cuopei's Hawk destio.x 
 yuail and pigeons; Red-tailed Hawk, poultry, mice and rabbits. 
 
 CYRUS J. RHODES, Kutztown: 
 
 Hawks destroying poultry, etc. The domestic dog lunning at 
 large is a nuisance. 
 
 CHESTER COUNTY. 
 
 A. C. RAMSEY. Cream: 
 
 Skunks, opossums, weasels and minks destroy our poultry in 
 large quantities. 
 
 ABRAM STOUTS. Lincoln University: 
 
 Have frequently seen hawks destroy much small game and 
 killed them in the act; also foxes. 
 
 FRANCIS JACOBS, West Chester: 
 
 On the Brandywine, and through the country generally, game 
 and poultry suffer from the ravages of polecats, weasels, 
 minks and certain species of hawks. 
 
 JOS. E. GILL, Barnsley: 
 Have known hawks to destroy a whole covey of quail. 
 
 JEREMIAH PROCTER, Lincoln University: 
 
 Poultry, game and song birds are destroyed by the fox, 
 opossum, raccoon, owls and hawks. 
 
 FRANK D. DURBOROW, Oxford: 
 Chicken hawks destroy poultry. 
 
 W. G. WEST, Sylmar: 
 Hawks and foxes destroy much poultry and game. 
 
 J. B. KEECH, Tweedale: 
 
 I have always regretted the repeal of the Act of Assembly 
 paying a bounty for hawks' heads. I know they are extremely 
 destructive to poultry. From personal observations I fiimly be- 
 lieve that a few hundred dollars paid out for hawks' heads 
 would prevent the loss of many thousands of dollars' worth 
 of poultry in the southern end of Chester and Lancastfi- 
 counties. 
 
 DR. ROBERT FARLEY. Phoeni.xville: 
 Have seen hawks kill rabbits and quail. 
 
 H. L. BUCK WALTER, Spring City: 
 
 Several varieties of hawks and the weasel destroy much 
 poultry and game. 
 
 COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 H. H. BROWN. Light Street: 
 
 Poultiy, game and song birds aie deslr>>\t'i| by tish ami 
 chicken hawk, spanow. mink, weasel and skunk 
 
S.3 
 
 VV. II. SNYDER. Bloumsburg. 
 Saw recently where fox caught a ralihit. 
 
 W. B. SNYDER, Roaring- Creek: 
 Hawks, minks and weasels aie destroyers of young poultry. 
 
 A. P. YOUXG, Millville: 
 
 Have known skunks and crows to rob the nest of the tuikey. 
 quail and pheasant. 
 
 MILES EVKRHART. Secretary Waller Grange, Divide: 
 Skunks and minks destroy much poultry. 
 
 CHAS. E. RANDALL, Secretary Oatawissa Fish and Game 
 
 Protective Association. Catawissa: 
 
 Poultry by opossums and skunks; quails by hawks, owls and 
 cats; pheasants by foxes and skunks; rabbits by foxes, weasels 
 and cats, and quails" nests destroyed by red squirrels, the 
 eggs being eaten. 
 
 J. T. WILSON, Millville: 
 
 Weasels, hawks and large owls destroy chickens, and the 
 crow will kill young song birds and eat the eggs. 
 
 B. F. FRITZ, Divide: 
 
 The farmers lose much poultry by the depredations of cer- 
 tain hawks and some other animals. 
 
 R. G. F. KSHINKA, Berwick: 
 
 To my personal knowledge poultry and birds are destroyed 
 by weasels, skunks, owls and hawks. 
 
 CRAWFORD COUNTY. 
 
 PERRY BIXBY, Spartansburg: 
 
 The mink and muskrat commit serious depredations on fish, 
 and the hawk, owl, weasel and skunk are very destructive of 
 poultry and birds. 
 
 ISAAC WHEELOCK, Townville: 
 
 Have seen hawks catch our song birds and also destroy their 
 nests. Poultry is caught by hawks, owls, weasels and minks. 
 
 CHARLES DAY', Spartansburg: 
 
 Have seen wild birds and poultry destroyed by hawks, owls 
 and weasels. 
 
 C. A. SJRANAHAN, Spartansburg: 
 
 Many instances too numerous to mention by Sharp-shinned 
 Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, mink, weasel, ferret and large owl. 
 
 H. E. BLAKESLEE, Spartanburg: 
 
 Poultry, game, etc., destroyed by the mink, weasel and 
 ferret. 
 
84 
 
 F, A. MAIiVt I'l'T. Secretary Rudolph (irang.-. (Juys Mills: 
 
 Hen hawks bother our neighborhood to quite an extent; also 
 mink, possums, skunks and weasels. 
 
 J. H. SEAVY. Hayfield Grange, Saegerstowii ; 
 Poultry, etc., destroyed by hawks, owls, etp. 
 
 C. F. EMERSON, Titusville: 
 
 Have observed minks carrying trout just caught; blue jays 
 eating song birds' eggs. Have occasionally found remains ot 
 grouse which I judged to be killed by fox. 
 
 C. BROOKS, Conneaut Center: 
 
 Have seen the Cooper's and Sharp-shinned hawks many 
 times ca.tch small chickens. 
 
 GEORGE P. RYAN, Longs Stand: 
 
 Having always lived in the country and been a hunter, I 
 might give hundreds of cases where owls, hawks, foxes, skunks, 
 opossums, minks and weasels have killed game, most all kinds 
 of birds and poultry. The crane destroys more fish than king- 
 fishers, and the German carp more than all. 
 
 C. A. BURCHARD, Black Ash: 
 Hawks. 
 
 G. W. CUTSHALL, Guys Mills: 
 
 We have had some chickens killed by hawlis, but they have 
 also destroyed many meadow mice and snakes. 
 
 W. G. SARGEANT, Meadville: 
 
 Owls and hawks destroy young game birds— have seen it — 
 and also young chicks taken from the barnyard. Mammals do 
 little damage to fish, except the mink, and they are rare. 
 
 SPRINGBORO ROD AND GUN CLUB, Springboro: 
 
 A number of cases where chickens were killed by weasel.s. 
 skunks, foxes and muskrats; have also found the Meadow 
 lark, pheasants and quail destroyed; also their eggs, by the 
 above named animals. 
 
 A. A. GRAFF, Linesville: 
 Have seen crows destroy young rabbits in their nests. 
 
 JACOB HAGUE, Beaver Centre: 
 
 Hawks, owls and all fur-bearing animals prey on song and 
 game birds, but they are also scavengers of mice, rats, snakes, 
 etc. 
 
 CLEARFIELD COUNTY. 
 
 W. A. NELSON, Shawmut: 
 
 Weasel, minks and foxes destroy our poultry and game; 
 crows eat the eggs and sometimes the young of other birds. 
 
 WILLIAM T. THORPE. Grampian: 
 Foxes kill a great mqnv rabbits. 
 
86 
 
 JAMES CARNS, Clearfield: 
 
 The pine squirrel Is probably the worst, as he destroys eo 
 many pheasants' eggs. The wildcat, hawk and owl commit 
 serious depredations on poultry, game and song birds. 
 
 J. T. REITTER, Karthaus: 
 
 Much poultry and many song birds are destroyed by foxes, 
 owls and hawks. Owls are getting very scarce. 
 
 G. W. DRESSLER, Rockton: 
 
 Pheasants, poultry, rabbits and flsh destroyed by the fox, 
 mink, weasel, skunk, owl and hawk. 
 
 W. J. STULL, Coalport: 
 
 Saw this winter where a fox ate a rabbit and grouse, and an 
 owl caught and killed a rabbit. 
 
 W. F. WAGNER, Coalport: 
 
 I have seen where owls destroyed rabbit and where fox de- 
 stroyed pheasant. Captured a mink after he had killed thir- 
 teen chickens. 
 
 HON. F. G. HARRIS, Clearfield: 
 
 Have known wild cats to kiil deer and fawns and all kinds of 
 wild animals. Foxes 'kiTl our poultry, rabbits and grouse. 
 Weasels also kill grouse. 
 
 J. E. HARDER, Clearfield: 
 
 I saw a big blue heron that was killed here last sumn^er 
 near Trout Run in whose craw were thirty small trout. This 
 tributary has been nearly cleaned out of trout by these birds. 
 
 AMOS KLINE, DuBois: 
 
 Have seen hawks catching birds and lObbing the nest of the 
 young. 
 
 J. F. C.AL,LAHER, New Washington: 
 
 The crow and the Blue Jay destroy more song birds by eating 
 their eggs than all the other birds in the vicinity. 
 
 JAMES B. GRAHAM, Grahamton: 
 
 I saw a large brown hawk eating a full grown pheasant 
 which it had killed. A Cooper's Hawk carried away two or 
 three dozen of my small chickens, until I finally put an end to 
 him by setting a boy to watch the nest with a shot gun. 
 
 O. D. KRISE, Odessa: 
 
 Hawks, foxes and wildcats destroy much poultry; blue jays 
 destroy our song birds. 
 
 R. J. BROCKBANK, Luthersburg: 
 
 I have seen a fox in one night kill three or four rabbits. 
 They will also destroy all small game. So will the mink, as 1 
 have learned from observing him. Hawks and owls are very 
 destructive to poultry and game. 
 
C;. W. BEI.L. Hells Landing: 
 
 I have personally known foxes and skunks to kill pheasants 
 and rob their nests. Have seen owls with pheasants, and hawks 
 kill many chickens. 
 
 WILLIAM BUMGARDEN, Lick Run Mills: 
 
 Wildcats kill deer and small game; foxes kill small game; 
 skunks kill grouse, birds, and destroy pheasants' eggs. 
 
 J. W. KIZER, Osceola Mills: 
 
 I have seen many_instances where game birds and others 
 have have been destroyed by foxes, weasels, minks and wild- 
 cats, which also often devour poultry. 
 
 CAMERON COUNTY. 
 
 M. M. LARRABEE, Emporium: 
 Skunks, wildcats, foxes and some hawks. 
 
 J. A. MCMILLAN, Driftwood: 
 The hen-hawk is the worst. 
 
 CENTRE COUNTY. 
 
 GEORGE K. BOAK, Pine Glen: 
 
 Wild cats, foxes, minks, crows, hawks, and owls destroy- 
 ing poultry, game and small wild birds. 
 
 W. J. KRAPE AND CHARLES E. BRESSLER, Fiedler: 
 
 Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawk kill pheasants, small birds 
 and rabbits. Foxes kill rabliits and pheasants. Weasels rob 
 the nests of birds. 
 
 CHESTER M. LINGLE. Philipsburg: 
 
 I saw one pigeon hawk kill four quail; in spite of my throw- 
 ing clubs at it and driving it away it would return and invari- 
 ably catch another quail. 
 
 R. T. CORNBY. Flemming: 
 Yes; principally by hawks. 
 
 B. F. SHAFFER, Nittany: 
 Red squirrel eating the lirains of young roljins. 
 
 A. A. DALE, Bellefonte: 
 
 HaA-e known instances where wild cats and foxes have killed 
 young deer. These same animals destroy many turkeys and 
 nheasants. 
 
 .TACOB SHARER. Centre Hall: 
 
 Have seen lioth fox nnd weasel attack coop and oai-ry off 
 Tioultry and eggs. 
 
 GEORGE D. JOHNSON. Mt. Eagle: 
 
 Have had ffixes an.l minks destroy turke.\-s and i'hi<kens. 
 
S7 
 
 W. W. ROORRS. (Vntrp Hall: 
 
 My personal loss of poultry has been by tiiiiik anrl weasel 
 more than by hawks. 
 
 C. A. RACKAU, Madison burg: 
 
 Last summer the crows destroyed a good many i>t' my ynuiiK 
 chickens, and the neighbors also. 
 
 W. H. MILLER, Secretary Logan Grange No. 109, Bellelonle: 
 Hawks destroying poultry, et cetera. 
 
 J. DUXKLE HUBLEKSBURG, Hublersburg: 
 
 The quail roost on the ground in broods and become the prey 
 of the fox and skunk by the wholesale at night. 
 
 CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 DR. J. M. DUMM. Mackeyville: 
 
 Have seen where foxes and hawks have killed turkeys, but 
 they also kill many mice. If it were not for them our fruit 
 trees would need more protection. Have also known of a mink 
 killing a rabbit. 
 
 W. L. HAMILTON, Lock Haven: 
 
 In many instances, too numerous to mention, where poultry 
 has been destroyed. 
 
 GEORGE H. WILSON. Westport: 
 
 Chickens are repeatedly destroyed by hawks, and a whole 
 brood of twenty-four chickens was killed in one night by a 
 wild cat. 
 
 C. H. RICH. Woolrich: 
 
 Have seen hundreds of English sparrows tear up the nest.«; 
 of other birds and eat the eggs. Hawks will also eat eggs and 
 destroy .voung birds. Crows, too. eat eggs. 
 
 W. C. KEPLER. Westport: 
 
 Wildcats, foxes, hawks and crows commit great depredations 
 on poultry and wild birds. 
 
 C. J. SIGMUND. Salona: 
 Have seen hawks, owls, etc.. destroying game and poulti-y. 
 
 JOHN C. MERRILL. Lock Haven: 
 All kinds and at all seasons. 
 
 .\. S. TRUST. Cedar Springs: 
 
 Have frequently seen where foxes caught wild turkeys and 
 tear them up: they are ever on the alert to find the nests and 
 destroy the young of both turkeys and pheasants. 
 
88 
 
 (1AMHKIA r(MlNT^ 
 
 .». J. WEAVER. Wllmore: 
 
 The fox, mink and weasel kill iioulUy and game; skunks de- 
 stroy the egrgs and young-, and tho hawk anri owl commit spii- 
 i>us depredations to our song birds. 
 
 JOHN E. TOMLINSON, Loretto: 
 
 Skunks, foxes and minks destroy our game, poultry and song 
 birds. 
 
 J. T. TODER, Johnstown: 
 
 The skunk has caused me considerable loss; young chickens 
 especially. A few years ago they destroyed about fifty of my 
 young turkeys and their eggs, this was all done in one season. 
 
 J. B. HOLSENGER, Johnstown: 
 Poxes, skunks, owls and hawks. 
 
 JOHN F. THOMAS, Patton: 
 
 Foxes, minks, hawks and owls destroy much of our poultry 
 and game. 
 
 GEORGE W. GARRETT, Munster: 
 
 It is an every day occurrence, in the summer, for us to see 
 hawks pick up young poultry and song birds. 
 
 W. F. CUNNINGHAM. Carrolltown: 
 The pigeon hawk does great damage among the poultry. 
 
 JOHN J. REDINGER. Nicktown: 
 
 Pheasants are killed by foxes and hawks; foxes also destroy 
 rabbits; and our poultry suffers much by minks and hawks. 
 
 JOHN RICKETTS, Flinton: 
 
 Skunks, minks and weasels destroy our poultry, game and 
 song bird^s. 
 
 BLAIR ALEXANDER, Conemaugh: 
 
 Grown rabbits and quail destroyed by weasels, minks, and 
 foxes. 
 
 CLARION COUNTY. 
 
 J. T. FRAMPTON, Frampton: 
 flawks and owls destroy much poultry. 
 
 J. H. MARTIN, Valley: 
 
 Foxes do much damage, ami I have seen hawks c-arrying utT 
 young chicks and quail. 
 
 i:. M. KISER, Elk City: 
 
 I ha\-e seen a weasel kill a rabbit; and have frequently seen 
 tur and feathers lying .ibout where an owl or fox had gotten 
 in their work on a rabbit or grouse. 
 
89 
 
 H. N. FKNSTAMAKER. Clarion: 
 Have seen game destroyed by fox, tnink and owl. 
 
 FRANK a. KEATLEY. Clarion: 
 
 Weasels caught a number of rabbits. Foxes caught pheas- 
 ants and quail. Chicken and pigeon hawks are destructive to 
 our song and game birds. 
 
 J. A. T. HOY, Clarion: 
 
 More poultry, grouse, and quail are destroyed by foxes than 
 by any other means. Minks of course destroy some. 
 
 (JAUHON COUNTY. 
 
 S. M. DOWNS, Mauch Chunk: 
 
 Instances too numerous to mention from farmers over loss 
 of poultry; and very often while out gunning I see where 
 grouse and rabbits have been killed by these animals. 
 
 L. L. HULSHIZER, Mauch Chunk: 
 
 While out gunning I see where rabbits and pheasants have 
 been destroyed by these animals. 
 
 B. F. KUEHUER, E. Mauch Chunk: 
 
 Have many cases here of foxes destroying rabbits, pheasants 
 and poultry. 
 
 EDWIN F. PRY, Mauch Chunk: 
 
 The destruction of game in this section is very noticeablt^ 
 when we compare the protected to the unprotected sections. 
 
 PIERCE J. TAYLOR, Mauch Chunk: 
 
 In several instances I saw where foxes, minks, weasels, cata- 
 mounts, and snakes destroyed a great deal of game and fish. 
 
 GEORGE T. WELL. Rockport: 
 
 Have often found where a fox had caught rabbits, quail and 
 other birds. 
 
 CUMBEKLANI) COUNTY. 
 
 A. Z. HADE, Mechanicsiburg: 
 
 Hawks and foxes kill rabbits. Hawks, owls and foxes kill 
 • luail, other birds and also considerable poultry. 
 
 JACOB B. MEIXEL. Boiling Springs: 
 
 Have on two different occasions seen the work of weasels 
 killing poultry; the first time he got twenty-five, the second 
 time fifteen. I once saw a blue darter hawk fly into a flock of 
 quail, kill one and entirely scatter the rest. 
 
 DAUPHIN COUNTY. 
 
 \V. L. WEAVER. Millersburg: 
 
 I have seen goshawks kill quail and giouBf^; duck hawka and 
 
eagles kill ducks. Red-tailed kill poiilliy. Bass and salmmi 
 will kill all liie fish they can cahli 
 
 H. M. F. WORDEN, Hanisburg : 
 
 Minks destroyed German hare <n\ island at ("nvt- Station; 
 three old and seventeen youngr ones. Personally saw Red 
 Squirrel destroy a robin's nf'Ft. 
 
 RICHARD V. FOX. Harrisburg: 
 
 Have known hawks upon my own tai-ni to kill a quail or two 
 a day, until the whole bevy was exterminated. 
 
 W. H. ETTLE, Hummellstown: 
 
 Space would not permit me to instance the numei-ous depre- 
 dations of animals upon poultry. 
 
 DELAWARE COUNTY. 
 
 CHARLES P. GOODLEY, Hance: 
 
 Foxes destroy great quantities of poultry and ground birds. 
 
 JAMES NEELD, Concord: 
 Foxes after partrid.ges. 
 
 THOMAS H. HUSBAND, Elam: 
 The opossum killing poultry. 
 
 GEORGE W. POOLE, Booth's Corner: 
 Poxes, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and tnlnks. 
 
 ELK COUNTY. 
 
 G. C. T. HOPE, SR., Raughts: 
 
 In Elk county, and also in Forest county and in northern 
 .Jefferson county, fish, poultry, song birds and deer have to a 
 groat extent been destroyed by wildcats, foxes, hawks, skunks 
 and weasels. 
 
 PHILO CHRISLER, St. Marys: 
 
 Wildcats are increasing with us and are killing deer at a ter- 
 rible rate. Foxes destroy poultry and kill more small game 
 than all hunters. 
 
 J. M. HANSCOME, Ridgway: 
 
 Wildcats killing fawns, rabbits and pheasants, and foxes 
 killing rabbits and pheasants. 
 
 C. H. LAW\ Portland Mills: 
 
 In winter you can find places where foxes have destroyed 
 j-abbits and pheasants. 
 
 DR. A. MILL.HATIPT, St. Mary's: 
 
 Wildcats destroy rabbits, deer and grouse, and I know of one 
 instance where one was seen with a robin In its mouth. 
 Foxes are very destructive tf> grouse and rabbits. Polecats 
 destroy grouse and their eggs. 
 
91 
 
 DR. J. D. FULLERTON, .^idgway: 
 
 Deer, rabbits, partriclge' meadow larks and quail by wild- 
 cats and foxes. ' 
 
 IJKIE COUNTY. 
 
 I. E. TUTTLE. Union City: 
 
 Have frequently had my poultry yard invaded by the hen 
 hawkandthe chicks stolen; have seen the crow rob birds' nests 
 frequently. 
 
 JAMES RICHARDS, Corry: 
 Hawk, owl, skunk and weasel. 
 
 W. T. RYMAN, Girard: 
 Have seen kingfisher catch fish and hawks catch chicks. 
 
 MANDRED HAYES, ESinboro: 
 
 A pheasant by a mink; pheasants and smaller birds sup- 
 posedly by hawks. 
 
 FRANK BUTTON, Corry: 
 
 Have seen birds caught and nests broken up by hawks, and 
 known of pheasants' nests being robbed by minks. 
 
 J. H. KIRK, Union City: 
 
 English sparrows are very destructi\e to nearly all birds 
 when nesting and hatching their young. 
 
 G. H. CORNELL. Edinboro: 
 Pheasants killed by minks. 
 
 THOMAS STERRET, Sterretonia: 
 Hawks. 
 
 W. H. CORNELL, Wattsburg: 
 Hen hawks, owls, minks, wea.sels, etc. 
 
 H. E. DENNIS, Milesgrove: 
 Crow blackbirds destroy eggs of song birds. 
 
 W. T. ANDREWS, Milesgrove: 
 
 Crows, blackbirds destroy eggs of song birds. 
 
 F. C. FOSTER, West Greene: 
 
 The crow is the most destrucli\e; hawks next; then tli»' owl 
 and mink. 
 
 FRANKLIN COUNTY. 
 
 J. B. McAFEE, Mercersburg: 
 
 A wildcat will climb a tree at night and kill a turkey. auA :i 
 weasel will follow game into their retreat and kill 
 
92 
 
 MARTIN 1.. KO.SEiNBEKKy, Freeslune: 
 
 I have seen instances of where birds have been destroyed 
 by hawks, and two instances of where foxes entered our 
 neighbor's coop and killed chicken; time to put bounty on. 
 
 DR. W. F. TEETER, Chambersburg; 
 
 I have seen hawks, foxes and crows kill poultry, quail, grouse 
 and rabbits. 
 
 SOUTH MOUNTAIN HUNTINCJ t'LUB, Fayette ville: 
 
 Pheasants and rabbits are killed in our mountains by wild- 
 cat, weasel, and quail by the hawks. 
 
 W. H. STEWART, Secretary Game AHsociation, Roxbury; 
 
 Hawks ai-e very severe on birds; owls kill young game; foxes 
 destroy poultry and wildcats turkeys while hatching ihfir 
 young. 
 
 FRANK HOCKENBERY, Concord: 
 
 Have known poultry, quail, pheasant and rabbit to be killed 
 by fox, wildcat and skunk. 
 
 W. W. BRITTON, Upper Strasburg: 
 
 Some time last spring a mink in two nights killed forty 
 chickens for Clayton Reed, near this place. Have heard of 
 many other such instances, but cannot give figui-^s. 
 
 J. H. LEDY, Marion: 
 
 1 had sixteen quails which we fed in a thicket in 189.S, and 
 a hawk killed every one of them, one each day. 
 
 FOREST COUNTY. 
 
 FRED WEINGARD, Tionesta: 
 Have seen foxes destroying young birds and eggs. 
 
 S. H. HASLET, Tionesta: 
 
 I have seen where foxes, wildcats, owls and hawks have 
 killed poultry, pheasants and rabbits. 
 
 G. S. TURNER, West Hickory: 
 
 Have seen In the woods where owls have eaten rabbits. 
 
 FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 JOE CHAL.TON, Wayfordsburg: 
 
 Hawks kill young turkeys, pheasants and quail; opossums 
 suck eggs. 
 
 MRS. P. M. COOK, Webster Mills: 
 
 Minks and weasels are most destructive to imultry; hawks 
 prey on song birds. By the use of hoijnda wp keep the fox ai 
 £ distance. 
 
JB:RK. SPROUL, Wells 'J'aiinery: 
 
 1 have seen and found dead plenty of labblis. plicasaiils, 
 etc., killed by hawks, owls, wildcats and foxes. 
 
 DANIEL E. FORE, McConnellsburg: 
 
 Crows, hawks, minks, foxes and weasels destroy iniuiti>, 
 game, etc. 
 
 PETER KIRK, Big Cove Tannery: 
 Foxes, hawks and minks destroying poultry, game, etc. 
 
 M. B. HANKS, Emmaville: 
 
 Have seen rabbits destroyed by minks, owls and hawks, 
 poultry by all the varmints; song birds by hawks and English 
 Sparrow, fish by Fish Hawk. 
 
 PETER MORTON, Pleasant Ridge: 
 
 I have frequently seen where the hoot or big owls have killed 
 rabbits, and the fox has, to my personal knowledge, taken 
 lambs, poultry and pigs. 
 
 GEORGJE LEHMAN, Lashley: 
 
 About twenty of our old hens were killed last year by large 
 hawks; our neighbors also lost Heavily by them. 
 
 D. W. ORONNER, Fort Littleton: 
 I have seen foxes destroy poultry and birds. 
 
 M. L. MOREBERG, Wells Tannery: 
 
 Skunks are the most destructive on quails" nests and poul- 
 try; foxes will kill a turkey on her nest; wildcats will kill 
 many rabbits, but they can bo spared; are so plentiful as to 
 become a nuisance to the farmer. 
 
 W. H. PITTMAN, Big Cove Tannery: 
 
 Large hawks, minks and foxes are very destructive to 
 poultry, ganie, etc. 
 
 W. L. McKIEBIN. Buck Valley: 
 
 Many cases by foxes, wildcats, skunks, minks, weasels, owls 
 and hawks, on iioultiy, game, etc. 
 
 PAYETTE COUNTY. 
 
 L. D. WOODFILL, High House: 
 
 Your game Is stolen when you are away from home or busy 
 at work. I have seen the hawks carry off many a chick. 
 
 D. S. RICHINO, Uniontown: 
 
 I have had a great many chickens ami tuikeys taken by 
 hawks, owls and foxes. 
 
 GEORGE M. BAILY. Uniontown: 
 
 I have often found quails killed by hawks; at times have 
 scared them off. 
 
94 
 
 .JESSE O. ALLEN, Uniontown: 
 
 Have heard from reliable sources where the fox and skunk 
 have destroyed msls and young of both game and domestic 
 fowls. 
 
 (JIIEENE COUNTY. 
 
 SARHJEL DUNLAP. Maplelown: 
 
 The domestic cat destroys a wonderful amount uf voung 
 Thickens, young birds and also rabbits. 
 
 H. C. SPITZNAGLE, Brock: 
 Weasels and hawks destroying poultry, game, etc. 
 
 W. W. PARRY, Higbee: 
 
 I consider that the hawk and the crow are the most de- 
 structive to the song birds, and the red fox to the rabbit. 
 
 C. L. H. MESTSEZAT. Mapletown: 
 
 The hawks, foxes and weasels kill a great deal of game here, 
 especially quail and rabbits. 
 
 CHARLES H. CHURCH. Waynesburg: 
 
 I have often found remains of rabbits in snow that foxes had 
 killed, and oftentimes I have discovered quails' feathers when 
 the snow remains for some time, and have occasionally seen 
 the hawk making his meal off the game bird. 
 
 H. L. HOGE, Oak Forest: 
 
 All species of hawks are very destructive to game, poultry 
 and song birds. 
 
 G. A. BARCLAY, Carmichaels: 
 Foxes destro5'ing game, poultry, etc. 
 
 N. H. BIDDLE, Carmichaels: 
 Foxes destroy the quail, etc. 
 
 H. C. SAYERS, JR., Waynesburg: 
 Have seen chicken hawk catch quail and small chickens. 
 
 J. N. SCOTT, Khedive: 
 
 Cases too numerous to mention have come to my notice 
 where hawks and owls have taken poultry. 
 
 A. L. RICH, Khedive: 
 Snakes kill some birds and foxes destroy our poultry. 
 
 HUNTINGDON COUNTY. 
 
 W. N. MILLER. McAlevy's Fort: 
 
 Wildcats, foxes, hawks and sparrows, on poultry, game 
 and song birds. 
 
95 
 
 E. B. HARENEAME, Norrace: 
 
 There is a great deal (if imnltry destroyed by tlip wildcat, 
 foxes, hawks, etc. 
 
 D. B. WIL.SON, and Others. Hiiiitiiigdon : 
 
 Have known skunks to steal pheasants' eggs; have seen 
 hawks catch quail and other birds: have seen the homes of 
 owls strewed with bones and feathers: have seen turkey and 
 pheasant feathers around the dons of foxes. 
 
 J. W. MANG, Warriors' Mark: 
 
 Song birds suffer most from the pigeon hawk; the fox is 
 the worst destroyer of rabbits and small game. 
 
 W. H. BOOTH, Maddensville: 
 
 I found the nest of the Great Horned Owl by observing a lot 
 of bones under the tree — rabbit bones and kinds that I could 
 not di?linguish. 
 
 HON. T. O. MILLIKEN, Cornpropst's Mills: 
 
 I have seen where foxes destroyed rabbits and poultry in 
 daylight. In one instance a mink killed nineteen out of twenty- 
 five full-grown chickens in one night; have lost a great many 
 chickens by them. In the fall we cannot let full-grown 
 chickens roost on a tree on account of the large owls. I have 
 witnessed on many occasions the small hawk we call chicken 
 hawk kill and carry off small chickens. Once driving along the 
 road in December saw hawk (small) kill a pullet three-fourth 
 sine and eat a holo in it before I came up to it. 
 
 D. M. SUMMERS, Entriken: 
 Foxes killing rabbits, hawks killing poultry. 
 
 T. S. YASHON, Gorsuch: 
 
 Mj' opinion is that song birds are destroyed by hawks; my 
 experience is that we lose more poultry from these bird depre- 
 dations than by any other bird or mammal. 
 
 HUNTINGDON GUN CLUB, Huntingdon: 
 
 We regard the fox as the most destructive animal nf oiir 
 game, with the skunk next; hawks and owls are also very 
 destructive. 
 
 WILLIAM W. STRYKER, Petersburg: 
 
 I am satisfied that the hawks and ow'ls have killed one-half 
 of my partridges. 
 
 G. M. DEIiL, Mapleton Depot: 
 
 Rabbits and turkeys destroyed by foxes, poultry and song 
 birds by hawks and owls. 
 
 MILES BECK, Warriors Mark: 
 
 Hawks, minks, foxes and skunks are the most destructive 
 to poultry and game birds. 
 
 DAVID MONG, JR., Warriors Mark; 
 Many times I have seen I'abbits and pht-asants killed bv 
 
9H 
 
 foxes; foxes, minks, weasels are very haul mi yminK wiM 
 turkeys, pheasants and poultry. 
 
 DR. THOMAS TOBIN, Warriors Mark: 
 
 Last May a phea.=ant hawk seized a young chick not niur*' 
 than twenty feet away from me. I ran toward it and yelled 
 and the hawk dropped the chick after it had raised ten or 
 fifteen feet; in many instances they get away with them. A 
 few years ago I heard a noise among a drove of chicks in a 
 wheat field. I ran and saw a weasel catch a young chick by 
 the throat, and in an instant it was dead. I spi-ang among 
 them; they were trying to conceal themselves; the weasel run- 
 ning about my feet hunting another chick, and with all my 
 striving and stamping- T could nnt catch it. 
 
 INDIANA COUNTY. 
 
 JAMES N. STEWART. Indiana: 
 
 House cat killing rabbits; also song birds, such as robins and 
 blue birds. 
 
 EVEN LEWIS. J. C. WELLS, D. D. GOOD, Smicksburg: 
 Hawks, owls, foxes and minks destroying poultry, game, etc. 
 
 DAVID BLAIR, Indiana: 
 
 The house cat is complained of considerably in this neigh- 
 borhood, and the fox is destructive to poultry and game. 
 
 R. W. WEHRLE, Indiana: 
 
 To my own personal knowledge, I know of one lame cat 
 killing upwards of one dozen wild rabbits this year. The fox, 
 hawk and owl destroy poultry, game, etc. 
 
 KINTER FRY, Advance: 
 
 Hawks, owls, skunks, polecats and minks are a menace to 
 poultry, game, etc. 
 
 G. W. EDWARDS, Davis: 
 
 I have known hawks, owls, foxes, minks and weasels to de- 
 stroy considerable game and poultry; have known the crow 
 and blue jay to kill, and destroy also, the nests of song birds. 
 
 JEFFERSON COUNTY. 
 
 CHARLES A, MORRIS, Oliveburg: 
 
 Pheasants and quail are destroyed more by foxes, wildcats 
 and skunks than any other source. Song birds destroyed by 
 hawk and sparrow. 
 
 IRA FELT, Brockwayville: 
 
 I have on two different occasions last December (1896), while 
 hunting, rf>iiiid u luMf foxes had killed and eaten pheasants. 
 
 J. O. EDELRLUTR. Brookville: 
 
 Can go out any day on the snow and find evidences of Coxes 
 killing rabbits and grouse; and have spen quantities of 
 nests robbed, and young killed by skunks 
 
 grouse 
 
97 
 
 H. V. TRUMAiN, Brookville: 
 
 The sparrow hawk, nig-ht hawk, chicken hawk, fox, musk 
 rat, weasel, mink, king-fisher, wild cat and pole-cat are the 
 worst depredators on poultry, game, etc. 
 
 C. H. SHAWKEY, Sigel: 
 
 It is a common occurrence to see pheasants, rabbits, blue 
 birds, robins and others killed by owls, foxes, minks, weasels, 
 and chicken hawks. 
 
 D. D. GROVES, Brockwayville: 
 
 A good deal of poultry is picked up by skunks and foxes, and 
 the farmers and all the sportsmen around here favor bounty 
 on game-destroying animals. 
 
 JUNIATA COUNTY. 
 
 "^'ILLIAM D. WALLS, Peru Mills: 
 
 The fox and wild cal are very destructive on all kinds of 
 game in the mountains, except deer and bear; weasels and 
 pole cats on rabbits; hawks and owls on rabbits, pheasants 
 and quails. 
 
 J. T. ROBINSON, Waterloo: 
 
 Fish hawks, other hawks, minks and foxes on fish, poultry, 
 game, etc. 
 
 HON. WILLIAM HERTZLER, Port Royal: 
 
 Depredations on poultry, game, too numerous to mention. 
 
 WELLINGTON SMITH, Mifflintown: 
 
 Mink, polecat, fox, and chicken on game, poultry, etc. 
 
 DR. AMOS W. SHELLY, Port Royal: 
 
 I know of game and poultry being destroyed by hawks, 
 crows, foxes, skunks, and opossums. 
 
 T. S. MOREHEAD. E. Waterford: 
 
 Foxes, skunks and minks in this locality are destroying wild 
 turkeys and pheasants when hatching. 
 
 LANCASTER COUNTY. 
 
 E. B. KREADY, Mountsville: 
 
 Have seen chicken hawks after partridges. 
 
 G. S. FRANKLIN. Lancaster: 
 
 In this vicinity there is absolutely no respect paid to the law 
 against shooting insectivorous birds. I have even seen them 
 exposed for sale in front of a restaurant. 
 
 D.WID L. DEEN, Lancaster: 
 
 I know of several cases where hawks have exterminated 
 whole flocks of quail by staying around their feeding groOnds 
 and taking one at a time until the whole flock was destroyed. 
 
 7 TT 
 
98 
 
 JOSEPH H. BLACK. Columbia. 
 
 There are three kinds of small si)airow liawkH vury de- 
 structive to small birds. 
 
 H. N. HOWELL, Lancaster. 
 
 Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, (losliawk. I'igeon 
 Hawk, Duck Hawk, Great Horned Owl and Barred Owl upon 
 poultry, game, etc. 
 
 W. H. PENDRICK, Columbia: 
 
 Have seen instances of depredations on poultry, yanie and 
 song birds too numerous to mention. 
 
 A. W. SPURRICO, Lancaster: 
 
 Saw quail's nest and female biid la.st sunnner evidentlj' di- 
 stroyed by a hawk. 
 
 LEHIGH COUNTY. 
 
 CHARLES ^Y. GRAMMES, Allentown: 
 
 I have often seen hawks kill pheasants and rabbits, also„ 
 seen minks kill rabbits. 
 
 O. R. B. LEIDY, Allentown: 
 
 Personally have seen hawks destroy same. 
 
 LOUIS N. ELLENBOGER, Allentown: 
 
 Have seen quite a number of ln'tli bird.s and fish destroyed 
 by animals. 
 
 A. F. HOUNl';, Allentown: 
 
 Robbing of nests by nialiciou.s persons, wanton destruction 
 by disgusted sportsmen and the depredations done by such 
 animals as the ferret, weasel, and a few hawks. 
 
 FRANK B. SAEGER, Allentown: 
 
 The fox has killed game by the wholesale on the Lehigh 
 mountain, such as rabbit, quail and pheasant. 
 
 JOHN T. WEILER, Allentown: 
 
 I have observed that hawks follow quail; also seen where 
 hawks have caught rabbits. 
 
 L. B. GBIGER, Hoffman: 
 
 The mink, weasel, red fox and opossum sometimes. Also 
 haw'ks and crows are sometimes seen after young chickens. 
 
 L. L. RONEY, Allentown: 
 Saw a fox have a pheasant that it had killed. 
 
 L. W. MAZURIE, Dillingersville: 
 
 Fox and the long-tailed hawk have done a large amount of 
 ihimage heie to quail, grouse, poultry, etc. 
 
 A. D. BERGKR, Allentown 
 Game birds by hawks. 
 
J. B. RHOADS, Allentown: 
 
 Last fall I saw chicken hawk catch pheasant and a weasel 
 catch a rabbit. 
 
 W. M. D. HEARS, Allentown: 
 Hawk devouring- quail, fox devouring pheasant. 
 
 LEWIS F. GRAMMES, Allentown: 
 
 I have seen hawks destroy chickens, quail, dov(;s, and oilier 
 small birds and young squirrels, rabbits; ducks and the do- 
 mestic cat destroy much fish and game in our county. 
 
 H. A. GRAMMES, Allentown: 
 
 Weasels, minks, wildcats, tame cats, and ferrets on poultry, 
 game, etc. 
 
 M. G. ROTHROCK, Emaus: 
 
 Saw a kite and chicken hawk kill a quail and a red fox kill 
 a rabbit. 
 
 E. P. MILLER, Allentown: 
 I only know of foxes killing rabbits. 
 
 LUZERNE COUNTY. 
 
 C. B. MILLER, Nanticoke: 
 
 I have come across a number of places where hawks and 
 foxes have devoured pheasants, quail and rabbits this last 
 open season. 
 
 JONATHAN P. LAUBACH, Fairmount Springs: 
 
 Skunks, weasels and crows do a great deal of damage in 
 jobbing- hens' nests when they lay out away from buildings, 
 and also pheasants' nests. The weasel, fox and mink kill 
 young chickens and large ones, too. Hawks commit many dei?- 
 redations upon poultry, some are worse than others. 
 
 H. M. BECK, Wilkes-Barre: 
 
 Grouse and quail by hawks, weasels, skunks and foxes. 
 
 ELSWORTH L. RILEY, Ashley: 
 
 The owls, hawks, crows, foxes, cats, weasels and minks 
 upon poultry, game, etc. 
 
 E. DANA SUTLIFP, Bloomingdale: 
 
 Have often found pheasants that had been killed by hawks, 
 have often found where foxes have destroyed rabbits; one 
 hunting party found where seven had been killed in one night 
 by these animals. 
 
 PAUL A. OLIVER. Oliver's Mills: 
 
 Have seen weasel tracking and following rabbit; fox catching 
 grouse and rabbit; hawk pursuing and catching- domestic 
 pigeons. 
 
. 100 
 
 GEORGE R. WRIGHT, Wllkes-Barre: 
 
 Have seen I'nxes catihiiif? Runfcl Grouse and rabbits; liawks 
 catching wlng-ed groUse and quail; skunks catching- grouse and 
 weasels rabbits. 
 
 M. B. WESTCOTT, Register: 
 
 The owl, fox, mink and weasel destroy rabbits, pheasant 
 and poultry, 
 
 \Y. D. FRITZ, Huntingdon Mills: 
 
 I have tracked weasels when they killed rabbits and have 
 known minks to kill young turkeys. 
 
 F. B. PARK, Fairmount Springs: 
 
 I find frequently the carcasses of rabbits killed by weasels; 
 have often found where rabbits, pheasants and quail had been 
 killed by foxes, and where nests had been robbed by skunks. 
 
 LYCOMING COUNTY. 
 
 R. H. GRIER, Oriole: 
 
 Chicken hawks, skunks and foxes destroying game and poul- 
 try. 
 
 GEORGE D. POST, Williamsport: 
 
 Foxes and skunks are quite destructive to grouse during 
 nesting time. 
 
 C. W. YOUNGMAN, Williamsport: 
 
 On Little Pine creek in 1895 was a section teeming with 
 grouse; it burned early in the spring of 18% and in two days 
 time was burned over, and hardly a bird was seen and they 
 were old cocks. 
 
 AUGUST KOCH, Williamsport: 
 
 Grouse, killed by foxes; a skunk and also by red-tailed 
 hawks; whole coveys of quail, in winter, by fox; nestings of 
 birds taken by sharp-shinned hawks, crows, crane and black 
 bird. 
 
 G. W. CLARK, Williamsport: 
 
 Foxes, weasels, skunks, hawks, owls and crows destroying 
 poultry, game, etc. 
 
 C. J. DEWALT. Moreland: 
 
 1 have had, as well as my neighbors, a great deal oi poultry 
 killed by foxes, minks, weasels, hawks and owls; have had 
 poultry killed by skunks: have seen where rabbits and pheas- 
 ants have been destroyed by fox-^s and minks and weasels 
 by tracking them. 
 
 HENRY CODER, Williamsport: 
 Onoe saw a horned owl eating a pheasant 
 
 C. W. YOUNGMAN, Williamsport: 
 
 Have seen grouse picked to pieces by owls and torn to pieces 
 by foxes. 
 
101 
 
 LAWRENCE COUNTY. 
 
 ARCHIBALD D. DAVIS, New Castle: 
 Have seen hawks killing poultry, quail and sung Ijicds. 
 
 DAVID HAMILTON, Plain Grove: 
 
 A long-tailed chicken hawk caught a quail in its talons in an 
 open field by flying: over it and taking it up as it flew. 
 
 WILLIAM ALEXANDER AND OTHERS, New Oastle: 
 
 The polecat destroy eggs of poultry, game. etc. 
 
 W. L. McCONNELL, New Castle: 
 
 Hawks and owls are the only birds which prey on our game 
 birds. I have numbers of quail killed by hawks; one instance 
 under my observation, when I was afield my dog was pointing 
 a covey of quail and Ijefore I could flush them, a hawk swooped 
 down and picking a bird started off with it. Both hawks and 
 owls are becoming more scarce and there are but compara- 
 tively few of them in our county. 
 
 LEBANON COUNTY. 
 
 JOHN G. STAUFFER, Palmyra: 
 Hawks destroy quail when young. 
 
 JOHN. S. BRENDLE, Scheafferstown: 
 
 I have frequently noticed feathers of game and song birds 
 lying on the ground, and the bones near to them, showing that 
 they were killed by hawks; have seen hawks catching quail, 
 robins, etc. 
 
 GEORGE W. ELLIS, Jonestown: 
 Hawks and foxes destroying poultry, game, etc. 
 
 DR. KREMERER, Lebanon: 
 
 Have seen quail destroyed by hawks and owls; also grouse 
 killed by foxes. 
 
 P. H. REINHART, Lebanon: 
 
 Have observed foxes destroying pheasants and chickens; 
 hawks kill partridges. 
 
 THOMAS T. LEBE, Shaefferstown: 
 
 Rabbits by weasels and quail by hawks. 
 
 E. R. ILLIG, Millbach: 
 I know of chicken hawks killing quail and lln^ phcasani. 
 
 JOHN KISH and JOHN H. CILLY, Lebanon: 
 Hawks killing poultry, game, etc. 
 
 J. WESLEY MAZURIE, Lebanon: 
 
 I have often while hunting come across icmains ni' riuail 
 and poultry which were destroyed by owls and hawks. 
 
102 
 
 JOHN BEUSAN, Lebanon: 
 Have seen mink and i'oxhs kill pheasants and partridges. 
 
 LACKAWANNA COUNTY. 
 
 W. TURNER, Spring Brook: 
 
 We have large fires here that extend over thousands of 
 acres and destroy everything. 
 
 M. FOLEY, Mount Cobb: 
 
 The destruction in this line is incalculable. 
 
 J. F. REYNOLDS, Carbondale: 
 
 I have seen positive evidence of where rabbits and pheasants 
 have been caught and killed by foxes. 
 
 DR. ISAIAH F. EVERHART, Scranton: 
 
 Foxes, wildcats and hawks destroy a large amount of 
 grouse and rabbits; have frequently found when hunting wheie 
 they have been killed. 
 
 J. D. MASON, Scranton: 
 
 Pigeon hawks catching quails; also where fox or wildcats 
 have eaten grouse in the woods. 
 
 ZIBA SCOTT, Spring Brook: 
 
 Twice this winter I have .driven the Goshawk off of pheas- 
 ants; once he had killed it and eaten it about half up; the sei-- 
 ond time the hawk came o\er me and 1 lot the ))he;isant «o 
 and shot him. 
 
 M. FOLEY, Mount Cobb: 
 
 I have, as well as my neighbors, lost ducks and chickens 
 in large numbers by minks and skunks. 
 
 W. TURNER, Spring Brook: 
 Wildcats and foxes killing poultry, game, etc. 
 
 MERCER COUNTY. 
 
 J. A. HORNER, New Hamburg: 
 
 Have known poultry, game, etc., to be destroyed by mink, 
 weasel, owl and hawk. 
 
 LEANDER OSBORNE, Indian Run: 
 Weasel destroying game, poultry, etc. 
 
 O. T. FETTERHOFF, Greenville: 
 Hawks destroying chickens. 
 
 S. STALLSMITH, New Lebanon: 
 
 Poultry, game, etc., destroyed by hawk. owl. mink and 
 weasel. 
 
 C. A. JEW ALL, New Lebanon: 
 
 Rhie jays are most destructive to snng birds .nnd poultry; 
 
103 
 
 minks and weasels destroy rabbits and game birds; have seen 
 this in many instances. 
 
 W. V. McDOUGALL, Otter Creek: 
 The pigeon hawks kill young poultry and birds. 
 
 JAMES S. KENNEDY, Grove City: 
 
 Our song birds have no enemy as bad as the crow robbing 
 nests; our game is destroyed by mink, weasel and horned owl. 
 The greatest enemy of one of the best game birds in Amrica, 
 our woodcock, is the telephone and telegraph wires, as he is 
 a night flyer and a night feeder. 
 
 C. C. McCONNELL. Milledgeville: 
 Minks sometimes kill our chickens. 
 
 McKEAN COUNTY. 
 
 F. K. WINSHIP, Annin Creek: 
 
 The owl, hawk, crane, crow, wild and domestic cats, mink, 
 skunk, fox, weasel, coon, English Sparrow and Red Squirrel 
 destroy poultry, game, etc. 
 
 C. W. DICKINSON, Norwich: 
 
 I know personally that the wildcat kills small deer, sheep 
 and partridges, rabbits and all birds that nest on the ground: 
 the fox destroys all the above except deer and sheep, but 
 overreaches on poultry. Hawks and owls kill rabbits and all 
 kinds of birds known here. 
 
 BUKDETTE DICKINSON, Colegrove: 
 
 I have known of one hundred instances where hawks, owls, 
 wildcats, foxes and weasels have killed all kinds of song and 
 game birds, game and fish. 
 
 D. SIMPSON, Turtle Point: 
 
 Skunks and hen hawks destroying poultry, and wild cats de- 
 stroying song birds. 
 
 JAMES BIGGINS, Eldred: 
 Foxes, weasels, hawks, minks destroying game, poultry, etc. 
 
 J. J. McCAREY, Turtle Point: 
 
 Hawks, owls, minks, foxes destroying poultry, game. ^tc. 
 
 A. W. COLEGROVE, Smethport: 
 
 Hawks, especially pigeon or sparrow, have an eye for all 
 kinds of feathers. Have seen hundreds of instances of their 
 depredations. 
 
 H. C. BANCROFT. Bradford: 
 
 Pheasants by foxes and weasels; any kind of a bird or fowl 
 by mink, owls and hen hawks. 
 
 E. H. BAR1)1!:N. Eldred: 
 
 Fox destroying rabbits and grouse; minks destroying rab- 
 bits; hawks and owls destroying rabbits and grouse and song 
 birds. 
 
104 
 
 MIFFLIN COUNTY. 
 
 VV. M. Jll'JlMAClJ, Newton Hamilton; 
 The f(ix is destroying the wild turkey in this vicinity. 
 
 W. T. McEUEN, Newton Hamilton; 
 
 Foxes, hawks, skunks, weasels and uwls are very destructive 
 on poultry, game, etc. 
 
 C. E. SHULL., Lewistown; 
 
 Have often seen, while gunning, where I'abbits and grouse 
 have been killed by foxes and hawks. 
 
 S. T. MOORE, Milroy: 
 
 In my mountain trips I often see where foxes have killed the 
 turkey and pheasant while hatching and destroyed the nest. 
 
 HON. G. H. BELL,, Lewistown; 
 Have seen foxes, minks and weasels destroying poultry. 
 
 JOHNSON MUTHERSBAUGH, Lewistown; 
 
 I had been tracking a rabbit, and suddenly there was a 
 small scuffle in the snow that proved to be the end of 
 "bunny" — with the owl acting as the exterminator. I have 
 seen a hawk chase a gray squirrel up a tree and catch him 
 as he returned on his downward trip. Foxes and polecats 
 destroy the nests of turkeys, pheasants and partridges. 
 
 SAMUEL SIGLER, Paintersville; 
 
 I am informed by farmers of this section that they lose 
 chickens ©very year by foxes and hawks; also know of game 
 being killed by same. 
 
 T. J. N'OVINGER, Alfarata; 
 
 Foxes and minks are the principal animals; hawks and owls 
 are also very bad among poultry and game. 
 
 DR. S. J. BOYER, Siglersville; 
 
 Owl killing hare at night; foxes killing pheasants and hens; 
 hawks killing quail and robins. 
 
 A. T. HAMILTON, Lewistown; 
 Have seen poultry destroyed by minks. 
 
 J. P. TAYLOR, Reedsville; 
 The chicken hawk on poultry is the worst 
 
 DR. D. C. NIPPLE, Newton Hamilton; 
 
 I believe the fox destroys more game, such as turkeys, 
 pheasants, quail, rabbits, than all the sportsmen combined. 
 
 ROBERT PORGY, McVeytown; 
 
 Have had personal observation of wea.se). minU and hawk 
 destroying poultry. 
 
105 ^ 
 
 GEORGE E. CONNER, Lewistown: 
 
 Fox, owl, hawk, mink and weasel will all kill poullry, but 
 1 think while they do" that they also kill a great many mice 
 and rats that would do harm. 
 
 MONROE COUNTY. 
 
 E. E. HOOKA, JR.. Mt. Pocono: 
 
 Ferrets, foxes and skunks have frequently killed our chick- 
 ens. 
 
 JAMES M. AL.TEMORE, Effort: 
 
 Minks, foxes, catamounts, fish hawks, cranes and Green 
 Heron to poultry, game, etc. 
 
 H. T. FRANKENPIEL-D, Frutchey's: 
 
 Hunting- catamounts and foxes. I have seen where they 
 have destroyed grouse, quail and rabbits; weasels destroy the 
 same. 
 
 DR. J. B. SHAW. Delaware Water Gap: 
 Foxes and skunks often found with game partly eaten. 
 
 JOHN M. NEIR, East Stroudsburg: 
 Snaring birds with wire: 
 
 L. D. EIL.ENBERGER, East Stroudsburg: 
 
 I frequently see, from their tracks in the snow, where foxes 
 kill pheasants. 
 
 I. SELDON CASE, Tobyhanna: 
 
 I could give number of instances where foxes have killed 
 pheasants; I have tracked them to the bird and found its 
 bones remaining. They also kill poultry. 
 
 JOSEPH BROWN, Canadensis: 
 
 Hawks and owls destroying poultry: the weasel is the worst 
 little animal to kill rabbits that we have. 
 
 TOWNSEND PRICE, Canadensis: 
 
 Wildcats are the most destructive of any animal in this 
 section, killing all kinds of game, and poultry in large quan- 
 tities. 
 
 J. H. GRAVES, Delaware Water Gap: 
 Foxes kill rabbits, young pheasants and quail. 
 
 MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 
 
 H. S. ROYER, Pottstown: 
 Have known hawks to clean up a covey of quail in a winter. 
 
 WHARTON HUBER, Hoyt: 
 
 Have seen several instances where the Cooper's Sharp- 
 shinned and Duck hawks have killed birds and poultry, but 
 they kill more vermin than anythine' else. 
 
 7*-n 
 
106 
 
 C. H. KOOKER, Flourslown: 
 Opossums. 
 
 HON. HORACE W. ESHBACK. Pennsbury: 
 
 Flock of quail partially destroyed, when led by farmer.^ 
 during winter, by hawks. 
 
 JOSEPH C. SHOEMAKER, Blue Bell: 
 Skunks and opossums ai"e our disturbers of poultry at niyhl. 
 
 MONTOUR COUNTY. 
 
 C. W. ECKMAN, Howellville: 
 Pigeon hawks and nearly all hawks destroy poultry. 
 
 J. M. FORRESTER, Danville: 
 Pigeon hawks after poultry. 
 
 WILLIAM T. SPEISER, Danville: 
 
 Foxes will catch rabbits, quail, pheasants and poultry; 
 weasels and red squirrels will rob the birds' nests while hatch- 
 ing. 
 
 NORTHAMPTON COUNTY. 
 
 B. FRANK REDINGTON: 
 Foxes, minks and hawks after poultry, game, etc. 
 
 THOMAS RICHARDS, Easton: 
 Hawks and crows destroy birds' nests. 
 
 BASIL. G. BRASSINGTON. Easton: 
 
 Have seen hounds worrying and killing young rabbits dur 
 ing the summer. 
 
 HARRY C. RANDOLPH. Easton: 
 
 Hawks kill a great number of quail in winter; have seen 
 them eating them; foxes, minks and weasels kill pheasants 
 and rabbits. 
 
 J. L. PULMER, Easton: 
 
 Hawks kill lots of quail in winter; foxes, minks and weasels 
 kill pheasants and rabbits. Have seen places where hawkt 
 have caught and eaten quail.. 
 
 J. E. MESSINGER, Stone Church: 
 Hawks, foxes and fish hawk on ])iiultry and game. 
 
 JONATHAN PETERS, Edelmans; 
 
 By skunks, minks and weasels destroying poultry, etc. 
 
 T. L. REIGEL, Freemansburg: 
 Th*> mink, raccoon, skunk and hawk on poultry, game, etc. 
 
107 
 
 H. A. SANTEE, Moorstown: 
 
 The hawks and owls are mean enough for anything, and su 
 Is the mink and fox. 
 
 J. J. EALER, Morgan's Hill: 
 
 I have seen chicken hawks catch birds and partly grown 
 chickens. In my chicken house a year ago a weasel killed 
 seven ducks about one-third grown, in one night. I have seen 
 the common house cat kill, on many occasions, small rabbits in 
 the field. 
 
 JOHN C. SNYDER, Middaghs: 
 
 Hawks, large owls, foxes, skunks, opossums, raccoons, 
 minks and weasels are alike destructive to poultry and game. 
 
 E. B. MARKS, Easton: 
 An everyday occurrence. 
 
 W. G. BERCAW, Easton: 
 Hawks killing poultry, etc. 
 
 JAMES A. HARPER, Ackermanville: 
 
 Red squirrels robbing birds' nests; crows robbing nests and 
 skunks robbing" quail, pheasants' nests, etc. 
 
 GEORGE R. GROINS, Easton: 
 Find game, etc., torn to pieces; done by owls, hawks or foxes. 
 
 NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY. 
 
 EZARIAH YOCUM, Bear Gap: 
 
 I have seen where rabbits and quail have been killed by owls; 
 saw the track of the owl in the snow. 
 
 B. B. SMITH, Shamokin: 
 
 Have known gray and red fox to destroy eggs and young 
 of pheasant. 
 
 J. W. BARTHOLOMEW, Sunbury: 
 Have seen hawks strike pheasants. 
 
 S. A. PECK, Northumberland: 
 
 Hawks do us more harm than hunters, as they hunt con- 
 tinually. 
 
 PERRY COUNTY. 
 
 E. A. SHEARER, New Germantown: 
 
 I have seen at the entrance to a fox den feathers of partridge, 
 pheasant and wild turkeys, tame turkeys, chicken feathers and fur 
 of rabbits. In this community foxes have become so bold as 
 to come to the farmer's barn for chickens. I also know ol 
 wildcats killing- the tame and wild turkeys in this township. 
 
 S. A. GL'TSH.\I..L, New Germantown: 
 
 I bave known liawks, owls and fo.xes lo destroy poultry and 
 song birds. 
 
108 ■ 
 
 H. M. ALJiXANDEK, I ). D. S.. New Hloomfield- 
 
 T have known liawks to fall upon a tlock of quail until the 
 last one was ffune. Have fi-(>quenil.v founfl the remains of 
 pheasants destioyecl by foxt'S and other animals. 
 
 PIKE COUNTY. 
 
 G. McKEAN, Shohola: 
 
 In hunting- I saw where one wildcat caught three pheasants, 
 and in going one-half mile further on I shot him with one in 
 his mouth. 
 
 C. P. MOTT, Milford: 
 
 Had fox steal wounded grouse from before me before I 
 reached it; tracking snow told the story; another occasion 
 knew fox to catch rabbit that was being run by dog; dog took 
 up thcr fox tracks and gave him a long run; fox did not .give 
 up the rabbit. Knew case where fox running before hound 
 caught a grouse and carried it to hole; know cases of weasels 
 destroying eggs in nest of grouse. 
 
 GEORGE SAWYER, Mill Rift: 
 
 Have seen in snow where numerous pheasants or Ruffed 
 Grouse have been caught by foxes; rabbits also meet the same 
 fate, as is easily seen by going through woods after a light 
 snow: weasels are very destructive to rabbits. Have found 
 hundreds of rabbits that had been killed by weasels. 
 
 I. W. CHAMBERLAIN, Rowland: 
 
 Have seen that a great many song birds are caught by the 
 pigeon hawk, and poultry by the common chicken hawk. 
 
 GEORGE ANSLEY, Paupac: 
 Foxes are very destructive to turkeys and chickens. 
 
 CilA-RLES L. HELLER, Bushkill: 
 
 I have seen the feathers w^here foxes have destroyed pheas- 
 ants; have seen in the snow where foxes have pursued labbits 
 and caught them. I have picked up both pheasants and rabbits 
 killed by weasels. 
 
 R. VAN GORDAN, Dingmans Perry: 
 
 The Wildcat kills more birds and young rabbits than all ani- 
 mals put together. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY. 
 
 JOHN C. SHALLCROSS, Frankford: 
 
 On our farm we lost one hundred and thirty-two young 
 chickens last spring, and I lielieve it was done by one weasel, 
 as no more wito killid after we caught him. 
 
 HON. MAHLON L. SAVAGE, Frankford: 
 
 In Luzerne county I have obsci-xed that the Great Hoined 
 Owl is very dcsti uctive to Ruffed Grouse, and in York county 
 I have seen whtie Coo|ier's and Sharp-shinned hawks have de- 
 stroyed quail and poultry. 
 
109 
 
 HORACE ALBRIGHT, Girard Building, Philadelphia: 
 
 I have seen the chicken and pigeon hawks catch birds uf 
 different kinds. 
 
 POTTER COUNTY. 
 
 E. O. AUSTIN, Austin: 
 
 I havo known owls to catch pheasants in winter snows; 
 hawks catch poultry and song birds; rabbits are caught by 
 weasels and wildcats, but most of these are good mousers, 
 and insects and larvae are their principal food, with snakes 
 and other reptiles; the house cat eats many song birds. 
 
 P. N. NEWTON, Shingle House: 
 
 Have seen several instances where grouse were destroyed 
 by the Cooper's Hawk; also could name three instances where 
 rabbits were killed by foxes. 
 
 DR. S. A. PHILLIPS, Coudersport: 
 
 Pheasants and woodcock, destroyed by hawks, owls, wild- 
 cats and foxes. 
 
 J. S. HULL, Conrad: 
 
 Have seen a number of instances where partridges have 
 been killed by owls and foxes. 
 
 WILLIAM ARNOLD, Harrison Valley: 
 Skunk and weasel catching poultry, etc. 
 
 A. S. HECK, Coudersport: 
 
 Have many times seen places where Ruffed Grouse and rab- 
 bits have been killed by some kind of animal. 
 
 N. M. GLASSMIRE, Coudersport: 
 
 Have seen depredations committed by Fish Hawk and all 
 kinds of hawks, all kinds of owls, fox, mink, wildcat, muskrat, 
 'coon and bear. 
 
 GEORGE A. FARNSWORTH, Ulysses: 
 Have noticed the fox destroying young rabbits. 
 
 DR. E. H. ASHCRAFT, Coudersport: 
 
 The Sparrow Hawk kills many song birds; large hawks take 
 small poultry. 
 
 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 J. W. AUMILLER, Eagle's Mere: 
 
 I have had as high as forty or fifty chickens lai<i-(i in one 
 season by hawks. 
 
 R. W. WRIGHT, Eldredsville: 
 
 I had eight hens killed last fall by mink; have had hens 
 killed at other times by the same animal. 
 
no 
 
 K. S. CHASE. Eagles Mere: 
 
 Have seen Fish Hawks in (Uir lake killing; lake tnnit hitI 
 bass. 
 
 FRANK HA.VNAN. Forksville: 
 
 Have had seventeen hens killed in one night by' minks, and 
 many times six to eight at a time; foxes are death on rabbits 
 and pheasants; owls are destriirtive. 
 
 E. J. STURDEVANT. Forksville: 
 
 I have seen foxes with pheasants, rabbits and song birds 
 in their mouths; hawks kill pheasants and gray squirrels, and 
 skunks all kinds of song birds. 
 
 H. B. KILMER, Shunk: 
 
 Wildcats kill young deer and rabbits; foxes, weasels and 
 mdnks kill rabbits, pheasants and poultry. 
 
 MATNARD J. PHILIPS, Muncy Valley: 
 Hawks, weasels, skunks, owls destroy poultry, game, etc. 
 
 FRANK W. BUCK, Dushore: 
 
 My dog retrieved two pheasants last season in less than one 
 hour that a hawk had killed, full-grown birds; they just had 
 the back part of the head eaten away and were still warm. 
 
 JOHN CORCORAN, Overton: 
 
 Fish hawks, blue hawks, hen hawks and foxes. 
 
 CARL F. HESS, Piatt: 
 Hawks, foxes and skunks, destroying poultry, etc. 
 
 J. L. NOAGLAND. Lincoln Falls: 
 Have seen hawks catching poultry many times. 
 
 H. W. OSLER, Lincoln Falls: 
 Foxes, minks, wildcats, destroying game, poultry, etc. 
 
 SOMERSET COUNTY. 
 
 W. II. II. BAKER. Trent: 
 
 Hawks kill pheasants and quail; foxes destroy pheasants and 
 quail. 
 
 H. STEWART BOUCHER, Glade: 
 
 In traveling through woods I have frequently found pheas- 
 ants and rabbits that had been killed by foxes and hawks. 
 
 JEROME STOFFO, Jenners: 
 
 Hawks are very destructive to pheasants, chickens and 
 small birds, as all our farmers will testify. 
 
 WILLIAM ZREFALL and J. P. CASSELMAN, Somerset: 
 
 Chickens and rabbits by foxes, minks, and skunks; song 
 birds by hawks. 
 
Ill 
 
 J. p. BARCLAY. BakKisvlUe: 
 
 Have known skunks, weasels and minks to go to barns and 
 hen coops and kill poultry until caught and killed, and have 
 known foxes to catch young lambs and carry them off. 
 
 HAY & HAY, Attorneys-at-Law, Somerset: 
 
 Pigeon hawks are very destructive to song birds; red fox Is 
 destructive to poultry. 
 
 DR. H. D. MOORE, New Lexington: 
 
 I see the Sharp-shinned Hawk destroy song birds every 
 summer. Have knowledge of much poultry being d'^.itioyt^d 
 by skunks and minks. 
 
 JOSIAH PILE, Barronvale: 
 
 The Sharp-shinned Hawk, owl and the mink have destroyed 
 poultry to my knowledge. 
 
 P. K. MOORE, Trent: 
 
 My own and neighbors' poultry by foxes, skunks, minks and 
 weasel*. 
 
 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY. 
 
 WILLIAM D. TURRELL, Birchardville: 
 Poultry by skunks and foxes. 
 
 J AS. M. KELLY, Montrose: 
 
 Have seen weasel and mink kill chickens, yoting turkeys 
 and destroying partridges' nests. Hawks carry off grouse 
 while fighting for their young, and foxes' habitations filled 
 with skins of rabbits and grouse feathers. 
 
 W. OSTERHOUT, Harford: 
 
 Many instances by owls, hawks, foxes, minks, weasels and 
 wildcat destroying poultry, game, etc (not barn owl.) 
 
 H. S. ESTABROOK, Harford: 
 
 February 27.— Saw to-day where an owl caught a rabbit and 
 ate it, but instances are too numerous to especially mention. 
 
 G. C. HOWELL, New Milford: 
 Have found game birds and rabbits killed by foxes and owls. 
 
 A. B. BURNS, Montrose: 
 Foxes and owls destroying poultry, game, etc. 
 
 JAMES D. MACK, Lathrop: 
 Poultry destroyed by crows, skunks and foxes. 
 
 S. S. THOIVIAS, Lynn: 
 
 Have observed depredations committed by foxes, minks and 
 weasels; other predatory animals are birds, and they do some 
 good. 
 
112 
 
 CHARLES A. MAIN. Soulh Montrose: 
 Mink, weasfl and skunk, on poultry, game, etc. 
 
 J. R. BEEBE, Montrose: 
 
 Have seen plenty of cases where foxes, minks, weasels and 
 hawks had killed and eaten partridges, rahbits and itnultry 
 
 E. M. SAFFORD. Montrose: 
 
 Skunks frequently make havoc with nests and young 
 chicks; hawks and owls occasionally take a chicken, but 
 farmers will invent their own means to drive them off, 
 and they destroy ten mice to every chick. 
 
 SNYDER COUNTY. 
 
 J. G. SEIL.ER, Selinsgrove: 
 
 It has come under my observation where the skunk had 
 destroyed whole nests full of pheasants' eggs. 
 
 M. Z. STEINNIGER, Middleburgh: 
 
 In the last few years I know from personal observation that 
 quail, whole flocks, from fourteen birds down, have been de- 
 stroyed by hawks. When the snow comes that is what they 
 seem to live on. Have seen where rabbits have been taken up 
 by them, by the tracks in the snow, could see where the wings 
 struck and a few hairs and drops of blood. 
 
 JOHN P. FISHER, Lowell: 
 
 This sheet is not larg-e enough to hold all personal observa- 
 tions and instances where I have seen where game and poul- 
 try have been destroyed by the fox, mink, and weasel, all 
 speices of hawks and all owls (except the Barn Owl). As you 
 go traveling- through the woods, you see where a sly fox de- 
 stroyed a pheasant or a rabbit; a little further on another; 
 here and there in the fields you can see where a fox has 
 feasted on a quail. I say put a bounty on the above named 
 and rid the country of them and the game will soon increase. 
 
 P. J. WAGENSELLER, Selinsgrove; 
 
 Know of a fox catching a turkey hen on her nest in the field 
 and carrying her off; have seen their tracks in the snow 
 where they caught rabbits; also pheasants. Saw a weasel 
 once catch a quail; also saw one have possession of a full- 
 grown rabbit. 
 
 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. 
 
 H. D. ROEDER, Lock Haven: 
 Opossum, hawks and owls destroying game, poultry, etc. 
 
 H. F. DEIBERT. Cressona: 
 
 I know a fox to have killed three pheasants and seven rab- 
 bits in one night, and have chased him for four year-s, and h<' 
 is still at liberty. 
 
118 
 
 W. L. BRYANT, Schuylkill Haven: 
 Have found flocks of partridges destroyed by foxes. 
 
 P. C. PALMER, Schuylkill: 
 
 Frequently have noticed where foxes have killed grouse and 
 rabbits in the snow; have noticed many cases in my twenty 
 years of shooting experiences. 
 
 WILLIAM A. COCKILL, Lewellyn: 
 
 Hawks, minks, weasels and foxes have to live 365 days in the 
 year on what they can catch; the damage they do is evident. 
 Have seen hawks catch chickens and pigeons, song and game 
 birds; also many evidences where foxes, minks and weasels 
 caught rabbits in the snow. 
 
 TIOGA COUNTY. 
 
 M. V. JACKSON, East Charleston: 
 The fox gets our pheasants and the skunk our poultry. 
 
 C. H. WATROUS, Marshfield: 
 
 Have seen young chickens and birds taken by small hawks; 
 wildcats and foxes take many hares and partridges. 
 
 JAMES VANDERGRIFT, Stony Fork: 
 
 Pheasants by foxes; minks and wease.ls destroy rabbits and 
 squirrels; wildcats catch deer, pheasant and rabbits; raccoons 
 kill young game. 
 
 A. B. DOAN, Little Marsh: 
 Hawks, owls and weasels destroying poultry, game, etc. 
 
 F. C. FIELD. Balsam: 
 
 I believe nearly all the owls and hawks will at times attack 
 birds and small game, but they do more good than harm by 
 catching mice. 
 
 F. B. SMITH, Tioga: 
 
 Fall of 1896, know of two Ruffed Grouse, full grown, killed by 
 foxes 
 
 W. C. BABCOCK, Blossburg: 
 
 The destruction caused by the fox. mink, skunk and weasel 
 are too common. 
 
 C. E. GRAHAM, Lorenton: 
 
 Foxes, minks, skunks, hawks, owls destroying poultry and 
 game. 
 
 J. M. WHITCOMB, Ogdensburg: 
 Skunk, fox and coon, on game, poultry, etc. 
 
 W. W. SEAMAN, Nauvoo: 
 Many instances to poultry, game, etc. , 
 
 8-n 
 
114 
 
 D. THOMPSON, Wellsboro: 
 Hawks are the most destructive to poultiy, game, etc. 
 
 C. A. KENNEDY, Morris: 
 
 In May, 1896, I was going u|> Lung Uuii mi the log train, 
 when I saw a fox not ten feet from the track jump into a 
 brush heap, and when he raised up he had a partridge in his 
 mouth. Upon investigation I found a nest with twelve eggs 
 in it, and have often seen in the woods where foxes and cata- 
 mounts have caught partridges and rabbits. 
 
 W. WAGNER, Academy Corners: 
 
 1 have seen hawks kill song birds; one species, I ihink thf 
 long-tailed chicken hawk, destroys the young partridges. 
 
 W. E. CAMPAIGN, Wellsboro: 
 
 Have seen hawks catch song birds, and have seen in snow 
 wh€re foxes caught grouse. 
 
 W. WAGNER, Academy Corners: 
 
 In the summer of 1894 a fire burned about three thousand 
 acres of land. This destroyed the game in that section. It was 
 caused by a man burning a yellow jacket's nest. It destroyed 
 several thousand dollars' w^orth of property. 
 
 VENANGO COUNTY. 
 
 H. C. DORWORTH, Oil City: 
 
 The foxes in this neighborhood are the greatest enemies of 
 the grouse. I saw where, during a period of four weeks, 
 eight grouse had been caught and eaten by the same old fox 
 in one copse of about one hundred acres. I tracked him to 
 his hole and tried to shoot him at different times; he was 
 finally killed. This was very near Oil City. If the other foxes 
 do as well on full-grown birds, you can imagine what they 
 can do on young birds in the early summer. You cannot go 
 a mile from here without crossing fox tracks. 
 
 R. G. L.JlMBF:RTON, Oil City: 
 
 Frequently find the remains of grouse an<i rabbits partly 
 eaten by foxes and chicken, hawks. 
 
 JOHN A. WILSON, Franklin: 
 
 Have shot a number of hawks, and each one was just at a 
 meal of grouse. 
 
 WARREN COUNTY. 
 
 AL. AL/BAUGH, Tldioute: 
 
 Weasels, minks, foxes, polecats, hawks, owls and raccoons 
 destroying poultry, game, etc. 
 
 ELI S. KELLER, Warren: 
 
 I find in my hunting that minks, weasels, foxes, wildcats, 
 owls and hawks ai-e very destructive. 
 
115 
 
 J. H. WILKINS. Cherry Grove: 
 Hawks, skunks, 'coons and weasels destroying pouUiy, etc. 
 
 F. F. WELD, Sugar Grove: 
 
 Rabbits killed by fox and mink, poultiy by hawks, brooding 
 partridges greatly pestered by foxes. 
 
 H. B. BLAXDING, Barnes: 
 
 I have known of red squirrels taking small birds, skunks will 
 take eggs from under a pheasant, and sometlm.es the pheasant, 
 too; owls killed four of my hens in one night, and a sfkunk 
 took ten young chicks of mine in one night also. 
 
 W. S. PEIRCE, Warren: 
 
 Frequently see during the early snow in the winter a bunch 
 of grouse feathers on the snow with fox or wildcat tracks lead- 
 ing from them: eggs broken in the spring with the odor of the 
 skunk still about the nest. 
 
 RICHARD B. STEWART, Warren: 
 
 Hawks killing young grouse and rabbit?: foxes and wildcats 
 leave nothing but the feathers. 
 
 W. P. HUNTER, Warren: 
 Hen haw'ks and fish hawks destroying game, poultry, etc. 
 
 T. J. H. IRWIN, Warren: 
 Poultry by owls and hawks. 
 
 E. B. EVERTS, Corydon: 
 
 Last fall I shot two fish hawks in the act of taking fish. T 
 also shot about twelve kingfishers. 
 
 WASHINGTON COUNTY. 
 
 NORWOOD JOHNSTON, Canonsburg: 
 
 To see a hawk in this county is a sure sign that there Is i\ 
 covey of quail in the vicinity. 
 
 CHARLES G. McILVAINE, Monongahela: 
 
 Fox, hawk and owl are very destructive to quail, pheasant 
 and rabbit. I have found feathers and tracks, and observed 
 where large numbers of quail had been destroyed. The salt 
 and sulphur water from mines hurt the fish. 
 
 J. T. PARKINSON, Sparta: 
 
 I believe the telephone and telegraph wires destroy more 
 song birds than any other cause. 
 
 GEORGE iMONTGOMERY, Washington: 
 
 The oil industry' has been the cause of killing most of Dur 
 fish in this section. 
 
no 
 
 WAYNE COUNTY. 
 
 T. C. MADDKN, Newfoundland: 
 
 Chicken hawk, fox, mink and polecat destroying poultry, 
 game, etc. 
 
 GEORGE M. DAY, Dyberry: 
 
 Mink in former years was very destructive to poultry, wild- 
 cats very destructive to rabbits; no personal loss in past two 
 years. Higher prices for minks' fur have reduced their num- 
 ber to a minimum; wfldcat fur very low, twenty to fifty cents, 
 and they may increase in number unless bounty is raised. 
 
 TUNIS SMITH, South Sterling: 
 
 Have seen where pheasants, rabbits and birds have been 
 killed by cats, foxes, skunks, minks and hawks. 
 
 WESTMORELAND COUNTY. 
 
 S. V. SPROUL, Derry Station: 
 
 Can give information to quail killed by minks; have seen 
 many cases. 
 
 G. B. STRIPE, Bradenville: 
 Mostly by boys and foreigners. 
 
 J. B. FRY, Welty: 
 
 Rabbits killed by weasels and owls; poultry by weasels, and 
 rabbits by polecates; song birds by hawks and English spar- 
 rows. 
 
 A. B. HABERLIN, Lycippus: 
 
 I have seen many rabbits killed by the night owl. many 
 young birds killed by the crows, and nests and eggs de- 
 stroyed; have seen many killed by fox and mink. 
 
 R. H. BUSH, Paulton: 
 
 Have seen hawks and foxes carry off young chickens ami 
 kill old ones. 
 
 J. F. HANGER, Donegal: 
 
 I have seen game fish, poultry and song birds destroyed by 
 the pigeon and chicken hawk, owl, fox, mink and weasel. 
 
 JOHN Y. WOODS, ESQ., Greensburg: 
 
 Have often seen the evidences of pheasants and quail de- 
 stroyed by hawks. 
 
 W. P. DIXON, Livermore: 
 Hawks, owls and foxes destroying game, poultry, etc. 
 
 HON. J. C. CAMPBELL. Derry Station: 
 
 I find the mink, weasel and the domestic cat are very de- 
 structive of rabbits, pheasants and quail when young. 
 
1 17 
 
 JOS. M. CAHN, Derry: 
 
 I have seen chicken hawks kill (uiail ami fi-p<|iifnt casfs 
 where foxes have killed pheasants. 
 
 GEORGE F. AUSTRAW, Millwood: 
 Polecat, mink, weasel and fox destroying game, poultry, etc. 
 
 HON. AMOS TROUT, Armhurst: 
 
 Hawks and owls kill birds often in hard winters; the worst 
 enemy to fish is the seine. 
 
 WYOMING COUNTY. 
 
 HENRY YOUNG, Centremoreland: 
 
 Foxes destroy more poultry, rabbits and pheasants than are 
 sent to market. 
 
 O. O. BARNES, Lovelton: 
 
 Cannot raise ducks, geese or turkeys where I live; lose at 
 least half our chickens; hawks take the chicks, and owls, 
 minks, wildcats and raccoons take the birds when large 
 enough to roam the fields and woodlands. I lose twenty-five 
 to fifty young chicks every year, and have lost as high as 
 thirty two-thirds grown turkeys in one season by minks, owls 
 and 'coons. 
 
 C. A. OTTER, Bellasylva: 
 
 I have often seen hawks catch birds, and I saw an owl 
 catch a large squirrel on a birch tree at midday. 
 
 T. D. SCHANTZ, Ricketts: 
 Have seen fox have a white rabbit. 
 
 E. D. ROBINSON, Forkston: 
 
 Saw tracks in snow where a wildcat caught one of my sheep; 
 saw weasel killing poultry; saw were mink killed poultry 
 and rabbits. Have frequently seen bg-wks carrying off poultry; 
 owls are sure to get some of my poultry if they roost in the 
 trees. 
 
 J. T. KETCH LEDGE, Tunkhannock: 
 
 The hawk, owl and fox are very destructive to every kind of 
 game and fish, and also to poultry and song birds. 
 
 YORK COUNTY. 
 
 J. G. PATTERSON, Stewartstown: 
 
 I have had eighty chickens killed by minks in two suc- 
 cessive nights; also eighteen young goslings in one night by 
 minks, and many young ducks. Many of my neighbors have 
 suffered from the depredations of minks, weasels, foxes and 
 skunks. 
 
 CHARL.ES INES, York. 
 Have personal knowledge of hawUs killing a whole covey 
 
PS 
 
 of quail during winter inontbis. an^ lear such reports frrun all 
 over country. 
 
 HON. GERARD C. BROWN, Yorkana: 
 
 The crow, jay, polecat and 'possum; also the blacksnake eat 
 the eggs of birds; the hawk, weasel, fox and some owls eat 
 the birds. 
 
 A. C. KRUEGER, Wrightsville: 
 
 The so-called pigeon hawk has conif under my notice on 
 several occasions as a poultry destroyer. 
 
 W. H. BURNHAM, York: 
 Quail by hawk. 
 
 MARSHALL F. JONES, Slate Hill: 
 
 I often see the carcases of rabbits and the remains of the 
 nest of quail, with eggs strewn around, which, in nine-tenths 
 of the cases, was done without a doubt by the worthless cur 
 dogs which infest this community. 
 
 WHAT FARMERS SAY OF THE CROW. 
 
 In reply to the question, "Do crows commit serious damage 
 to poultry in your locality by stealing eggs and catching the 
 young of domestic fowls?" answers were received as follows: 
 
 ADAMS COUNTY. 
 
 DR. C. E. GOLDSBOROUGH, Hunterstown: 
 
 Yes, they are the most destructive of all birds, and cause 
 more loss than all the other birds and animals combined. 
 They are more audacious than hawks, and by hatching in our 
 woods, "are always with us." 
 
 PETER THORN, Gettysburg: 
 Yes. 
 
 E. MORRIS BUSHMAN. Gettysburg: 
 
 Yes, they are very bold while raising their young; after 
 that they cause no trouble. 
 
 L. W. LIGHT Y, East Berlin: 
 
 No, I was largely in the poultry business for years, and the 
 crow never did any damage to me worth mentioning. They 
 are useful birds to the farmers. Of this I am sure from ob- 
 servations. 
 
119 
 
 ROBERT H. CURRENS, Gettysburg: 
 Yes. 
 
 AARON J. WEIDNER, Arendtsville: 
 No serious damage; they often carry off little cliiciis. 
 
 C. L. LONGSDOllF, Flora Dale: 
 
 Not where the poultry is properly cared for. Crows and 
 blackbirds are destroyed only by persons who are too ignoraJii 
 to recognize their friends. 
 
 W. H. BLACK. Flora Dale: 
 
 Crows commit some damages as indicated, but wlien we fin- 
 some blank shots when they appear too audacious, they keep 
 off and are little trouble thereafter. 
 
 THEO. McAllister, Barlow: 
 
 The crow is one of the worst enemies to pri)tilable ixuillry 
 industry; they steal eggs and also young chicks. 
 
 R. WILLIAM BREAM, Gettysburg: 
 Yes; most emphatically. 
 
 ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 
 
 HON. J AS. M. B. ROBB, Oakdale: 
 No. 
 
 J. S. KEEFER, Braddock: 
 
 No ; it is a rare sight to see a crow. 1 do not think 1 liav^- 
 seen one this spring. 
 
 ARMSTRONG COUNTY. 
 
 W. R. RAMALEY, Cochran's Mills: 
 
 Yes, but I think the good they do will overbalance the 
 harm. 
 
 W. M. JACKSON, Kittanning: 
 Not much. 
 
 JACOB FISHER, Atwood: 
 
 Some times they steal a few eggs and pull a little corn, yet 
 I think they are of benefit to the farmer by gathering worms 
 and larvae that destroy our crops and small fruit. 
 
 HEAVER COUNTY. 
 
 HON. IRA MANSFIELD, Beaver: 
 Yes, very limited. 
 
 BRADFORD COUNTY. 
 
 J. W. KETCH.\M, Minnequa: 
 No. 
 
120 
 
 A. T. L.n^L.b^Y, LeKoy: 
 
 No. 
 
 BLAIK COIJNTV. 
 
 GKORGP: M. PATTERSON, Williamsbury : 
 Very much. 
 
 FRED. JAEKEL, HolUdaysburg: 
 No. 
 
 HENRY S. WERTZ, Duncanville: 
 
 I have known them to carry away hens' eggs and young 
 chicks. 
 
 BERKS COUNTY. 
 
 OLIVER D. SCHOCK, Hamburg: 
 
 The aggregate loss is not heavy. Years ago the loss was 
 much greater. 
 
 FRED. B. HOSSLER, Hamburg: 
 Yes, but at the same time feed on grubs . 
 
 GEORGE D. FAHRENBACH, West Reading: 
 
 They destroy all the eggs in nests outside of building and 
 catch young poultry. 
 
 JAMES McGOWAN, Geiger's Mills: 
 
 Yes, they do; also many a farmer loses a corn crop by the 
 crows pulling the corn out about the time it comes up; they 
 are getting too plenty. 
 
 A. M. YOUNG, Womelsdorf: 
 They do. 
 
 FRANK B. BROWN, West Leesport; 
 
 Only with farmers or poultry raisers living near the Blue 
 Mountains, or near some forest. In rare cases, isolated farms 
 that are not near a woods are troubled in this way. 
 
 R. W. SCHE;RER, Manatawny: 
 No. 
 
 A. H. ADAMS, Jacksonwald: 
 Yes. 
 
 HENRY A. MILLER, Shoemakersville: 
 Yes, especially eating eggs and catching young chicks. 
 
 M. D. HUNTER, Stony Creek Mills: 
 No, not to my knowledge. 
 
 CYRUS T. FOX, Reading: 
 
 They ai"e somewhat destructive, but compensate therefore 
 by devouring insect pests. 
 
121 
 
 CHARLES AMMARELL. Reading: 
 They do not. 
 
 BEDFORD COUNTY. 
 
 J. W. SMITH, Yellow Creek: 
 
 Very little; the most trouble we have with them is pulling 
 up the young corn. 
 
 DAVID HOLDERBAUM, Bedford: 
 Not serious. 
 
 C. J. POTTS, Bedford: 
 Yes. , 
 
 BUCKS COUNTY. 
 
 HON. EASTBURN REEDER, New Hope: 
 
 Crows are quite troublesome at times, stealing eggs, eating 
 young chickens and pulling up corn. 
 
 JAMES L. BRANSON, Langhorne: 
 Not much. 
 
 H. W. COMFORT, Falsington: 
 Crows annually destroy many young chickens. 
 
 ASHER MATTISON, New Hope: 
 
 No. 
 LOUISE D. BAGGS, Bristol: 
 
 No. 
 HARRY E. GRIM. Perkasie: 
 
 No. 
 
 CLEARFIELD COUNTY. 
 
 SAMUEL HALL, McGee's Mills: 
 
 Crows do no harm to poultry in this county: the worst harm 
 they do is to corn and grain fields. 
 
 W. S. GREENE, DuBois: 
 
 I have never known them to do so; crows are apparently 
 becoming scarcer year after year. 
 
 HARRISON STRAW, Kerrmoor: 
 The crows carry off a few chickens, but not many. 
 
 FRANK G. HARRIS, Clearfield: 
 Yes. 
 
 CARBON COUNTY. 
 
 <",. T. WELLS, Rockport: 
 
 About the only damage crows do in this locality is in corn 
 
122 
 
 fields; in ihe t^pniig Iht-y pull up Lhe corn and in the fall they 
 destroy a great deal before it is harvested, and my opinion is 
 they do more damage than they do good. 
 
 E. BAUER, East iVTauch Chunk: 
 No. 
 
 CHESTER COUNTY. 
 
 FRANCIS JACOBS. West Chester; 
 
 Yes, they are a direct enemy to the farmer, damaj^ins t h^ 
 corn crops to a great extent, and should be exterminated. 
 
 AI.Ti:XANDER HODGSON, Cochranville: 
 
 It occasionally takes eggs; they are decent birds cimipaied 
 with the sparrow. ' 
 
 JOSIAH HOOPES, West Chester: 
 
 Yes, far more damage than all the hawks, and yet he is ex- 
 ceedingly beneficial to the farmer. 
 
 JOHN H. HICKS, Avondale: 
 
 The crow will take the eggs of any fowl that don't have a 
 protected nest away from buildings, and will carry off a good 
 sized young chicken, turkey, etc. 
 
 W. H. BRINTON. Atglen: 
 
 It has been my experience that the crow does little damage, 
 except in fields of corn that are late IxMug harvested. 
 
 JOHN L,. BALDERSTON, Kennett Square: 
 They do much damage in this way. 
 
 EDWARD NORRIS, West Chester: 
 
 Yes, they do; they are great robbers, of more. than ordinary 
 cunning, and will steal the eggs and young of nearly all birds 
 as well as poultry. They are particularly hard on guinea 
 fowls who have stolen their nests away from the barn build- 
 ings. 
 
 JOS. S. WALTON, Ercildoun: 
 No. 
 
 HARRY WILSON, Gum Tree: 
 
 Yes, much damage to turkeys and guinea fowl raisers. Have 
 seen crow sit on stake of worm fence and wait for turkey 
 hen to lay, and to follow guinea fowls about until laying time 
 to ascertain the location of nest, and as they cannot break a 
 guinea egg with bill, they catch it in claws, fly up and droj) 
 it on fence or hard ground to break it. Have seen crows 
 eat four young chickens in succession; they are very bold and 
 rapacious. 
 
 SAMUEL MARSHALL. West Chester: 
 
 Carry off a few young chickens and an occasional egg from 
 nests in field, etc. 
 
123 
 
 AUGUSTUS BROSIUS. Avundale: 
 Only occasionally does damage of this kind occur. 
 
 E. INGRAM, West Chester: 
 
 Sometimes a pair of crows having a nest near are trouble- 
 some to young- chickens, but they readily fall a victim to a 
 poisoned egg. 
 
 WILLIAM H. SHARPLESS, West Chester: 
 They do not. 
 
 R. F. COCHRAN. Cochranville: 
 Yes. 
 
 J. HIBBERD BARTRAM, Milltown: 
 
 They^do considerable damage, particularly in catching young 
 poultry; have lost several this spring, but have shot some of 
 the crows. 
 
 S. E. PASCHALL. West Chester: 
 No; some complaints, but not many. 
 
 ADDISON L. JONES, Principal West Chester High School: 
 No. 
 
 I. FRANK CHANDLER, Toughkenamon: 
 
 They take eggs when laid from the buildings ami <b'sli<iy 
 young poultry. 
 
 FRANK L. BURNS, Berwyn: 
 
 Not when properly looked after; when nesting in the open 
 or wandering w'lh small young in or near woods, it is a com- 
 mon occurrence to lose eggs and young frequently, but it is 
 not always traceable to crows. 
 
 THOMAS SHARPLESS. West Chester: 
 
 Crows seldom molest my poultry, but are quite destructive 
 to our native song birds by stealing the eggs from the nests. 
 
 DR. JOHN R. EVERHART, West Chester: 
 
 Have known crows to cajtch small chickens; also to take the 
 eggs of other birds. 
 
 H. F. LEISTER, Superintendent of Schools. Phoenixville; 
 Yes. 
 
 CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 W. A .SNYDER. Salona: 
 Rarely. 
 
 B. F. FLETCHER. IjOqU. Haven: 
 
 No; they do not come into town, imt in the country the\- 
 steal eggs when possible. 
 
124 
 
 DAVID MAPES. Beoch Creek: 
 
 Crows have takon not less than lifty chickens Injni us this 
 season, and two-thirds of the first laying of eggs from eight 
 turkeys, six or seven dqz£n, and several young turkeys, besides 
 pulling up eorn to the amount of nearly an acre, which had to 
 be replanted. 
 
 CENTUE COUNTY. 
 
 WILLIAM H. MILLER, Secretai-y Logan Grange, No. 109, 
 
 Bellefonte: 
 
 They get away with all the eggs they can find, but do not 
 interfere with the chicks. When my seed corn is coming out 
 of the ground (I sow corn along the fences in the corn field), 
 then they hunt for the cut worm and do not interfere with the 
 planted corn. 
 
 CLARION COUNTY. 
 
 FRANK KELL, Kingsville: 
 
 They are somewhat addicted to catching young chickens 
 and stealing eggs; are more shy fhan the hawk. 
 
 A. G. DAVIS, Clarion: 
 No. 
 
 ED. M. McEUTIRE, Frampton: 
 They do not. 
 
 CAMBRIA COUNTY. 
 
 DR. I. MANCHER. Carrollton: 
 No. 
 
 W. R. THOMPSON, Ebensburg: 
 No; not to any extent. 
 
 LEIGHTON ROWLAND. Vetera: 
 No. 
 
 CRAWFORD COUNTY. 
 
 HARRY C. KIRKPATRICK, Meadville: 
 
 Live in town, so have not seen them, but that they do some- 
 times, I know to be a fact, being told by farmers, and I have 
 seen them destroying the nests and eggs and eating the young 
 of wild birds. 
 
 JAMES TURNER, Meadville: 
 
 No. 
 
 MRS. J. R. HEAD, Saegerstown: 
 They do not. 
 
125 
 
 J. M. BIDDLE, Saegerstown: 
 
 To no groat amount; think they do as much good as har; 
 in catching mice and grasshoppers. 
 
 W. H. SEWARD, Rundells: 
 
 No. 
 A. A. GALLUP, Dicksonburg: 
 
 No. 
 
 GEORGE T. WRIGHT, Meadville: 
 
 Have never known a crow to molest poultry. Formerly 
 they were considered pests, but they have ceased to trouble 
 poultry raisers in this immediate vicinity. 
 
 GEORGE SPITLER, Mosiertown: 
 Not much, only on small birds. 
 
 COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 PROF. J. P. WELSH, Bloomsburg: 
 
 Not serious. They do steal some eggs and chicks; have no- 
 ticed they are very likely to steal turkey eggs, as turkeys nest 
 away from buildings. 
 
 HON. EDWARD M. TEWKSBURY, Catawissa: 
 
 Not very much; some crows do, however, destroy many of 
 the nests of robins, orioles, etc. Let every man be a "law uiito 
 himself" as far as crows. Outlaw the hawks, etc., and let a 
 bounty be put on their heads: hawks never die, but like WHU- 
 lams' cat, "must be shot." Hawks do not propagate rapidly, 
 hence killing a few ends the chapter. 
 
 DR. McCREA, Berwick; 
 To some extent, but not seriously. 
 
 CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 
 
 HENRY S. RUPP, Shiremanstown: 
 No, crows do little damage to anything. 
 
 DAUPHIN COUNTY. 
 
 E. C. BRINZER, Middletown; 
 They catch young poultry when they get an opportunity. 
 
 ERIE COUNTY. 
 
 O. D. VAN CAMP, Girard: 
 
 They do but little damage in or about towns, but in the 
 country I have known them to destroy many eggs and chickens 
 
 ROBERT DILL, North East: 
 No; T think crows do more good than harm. 
 
126 
 
 r. E. FENTON, North East: 
 No. 
 
 W. W. DERBY, Erie: 
 
 Never heard of any injury being done by crows in the man- 
 ner named. 
 
 J. C. THORNTON, Avonia: 
 They dig up corn. 
 
 J. C. CAMPBELL, North East; 
 No. 
 
 C. W. PAGE, North East: 
 No. 
 
 FAYETTE COUNTY. 
 
 DR. LOUIS ARENSBERG, Heisterstovvn: 
 
 Crows steal eggs whenever they get a chance; they seldom 
 take young chickens; the corn fields suffer more than the 
 poultry. 
 
 FtJLTON COUNTY. 
 
 CLEM. CHESTNUT. Hustontown: 
 Yes. 
 
 FRANKLIN COUNTY. 
 
 HON. W. W. BRITTON, Upper Strasburg: 
 
 Not very serious. I do not V)plieve all crows steal eggs and 
 young fowls. I think there are certain individual crows that 
 are expert in the business. 
 
 CHRISTIAN W. GOOD, Waynesboro: 
 
 They steal some eggs and sometimes take quite young 
 peeps, but they are so easily scared off and kept away that 
 I am rather inclined toward saying that the matter is not 
 very serious. 
 
 H. B. CRAIG, Welsh Run: 
 Yes. 
 
 W. S. REED, Altenwald: 
 They do. 
 
 HUNTINGDON COUNTY. 
 
 E. B. HARENEAME, Nnrrace: 
 Sometimes. 
 
 GEORGE W. OWENS. Birmingham: 
 
 Not as a rule, yet occasionally a crow will learn the trick 
 of stealing eggs and little "peep" chickens. If you succeed In 
 
J 27 
 
 killing him that is the end of it. There is a certain hawk 
 which is a very bad enemy to poultry. 
 
 J. PETER SNYDER. Huntingdon: 
 They mostly steal eggs. 
 
 INDIANA COUNTY. 
 
 p. M. HODGE, Blairsville: 
 
 Not serious; occasionally commit slight depredations; black- 
 birds drive away crows. 
 
 A. M. HAMMERS, Indiana: 
 No. 
 
 HARRY LEARN, Cookport: 
 
 The crow is one of the most destructive birds in our locality 
 at the present day; he destroys more corn in one day than 
 would feed a thousand sparrows in one month. 
 
 I. D. SPICHER, Hillsdale: 
 They very often steal the eggs and young chicks. 
 
 JEFFERSON COUNTY. 
 
 KMMA C. McGAREY, Stanton; 
 
 No; they are no trouble, only as they bothor the coni when 
 coming through the ground. 
 
 H. C. HIMES. Content: 
 
 Considerable. 
 JOHN H. JOHNS. Krookville: 
 
 No. 
 
 JUNIATA COUNTY. 
 
 S. E. RHINE, Pyleston. 
 Yes. 
 
 JEREMIAH KELLER, Mifflintown: 
 
 No crows are about here, but in the townships they very fre- 
 (luently catch and carry off the young of domestic fowls. 
 
 WELLINGTON SMITH. Mifflintown: 
 
 Yes, they do more to depopulate our native birds than all 
 other agencies combined. Before the sparrow came the native 
 bird was finding shelter near the dwelling; now there is no 
 hope. Both the crow and the sparrow are great destroyers 
 and ought to be exterminated if this is possible. 
 
 WILLIAM A. THOM.VS. Miftlintown: 
 Yes. 
 
 JI. C. HOWET, Miminluwn: 
 
 They do serious damage to poultry; are noted for their fond- 
 
ness for eggs, whilst they also curry oft a gnul many youiij? 
 ducks and chickens. 
 
 J. W. MILLIKEN, Honey Grove: 
 They do. 
 
 DENNY M. MARSHALL, Walnut. 
 Yes. 
 
 SAMUEL SCHLEYD, East Saleni: 
 Yes. 
 
 G. S. LUKENS, East Salem: 
 They do. 
 
 H. J. SHALLENBERGER, McAllisterville: 
 They do some damage. 
 
 J. W. McCAHAN, Walnut: 
 
 No. 
 
 J. C. LAUTZ, Thompsontown: 
 Yes. 
 
 W. P. BELL. Reed's Gap: 
 Yes. 
 
 LANCASTER COUNTY. 
 
 A. BOWMAN, Marietta: 
 No. 
 
 MONTILION BROWN, Wakefield: 
 
 Takes occasionally a few eggs and small chicks, but he is 
 easily scared; a few shots will keep him at a distance. 
 
 JOHN CREADY, Mount Joy: 
 Yes, very much. 
 
 HON. JOHN H. LANDIS, Millersville: 
 
 No serious damage, tc the best of my knowledge. 
 
 W. P. BRINTON, Christiana: 
 In a few instances, yes. 
 
 P. S. REIST, Lititz: 
 
 Crows are considered injurious to places where they can 
 steal eggs and catch young chickens. 
 
 WILLIAM M. MAULE, Collins: 
 
 During nesting season, especially when they have young, 
 crows do cany off a considerable number of young chickens 
 and eggs. 
 
 GEORGE CR.ANE, MountvilJe: 
 Yes. 
 
I2!» 
 
 E. B. KNGLE, Marietta: 
 
 No. 
 
 H. JUSIN RODDY. Millersville: 
 No, except in more rural districts. 
 
 J. G. RUSH, West Willow: 
 No. 
 
 JOHN H. EPLER, Elizabetlitown: 
 
 Not here in town, but close to their breeding? places they are 
 bad. 
 
 LACKAWANNA COUNTY. 
 
 DR. I. F. EVERHART, Scranton: 
 
 Occasionally he is a marauder, but his many good traits 
 overbalance all the mischief he may do to early corn and in 
 the poultry yard. 
 
 LEBANON COUNTY. 
 
 J. L. LONG, Richland: 
 They steal all the young chicks and eggs they can get. 
 
 JOHN W. SNOKE, Annville: 
 Yes, much havoc is committed by this bird. 
 
 H. C. SNAVELY, Lebanon: 
 
 The crow certainly has an appetite for eggs and spring 
 chicltens; their depredations would be serious if not re- 
 strained. About this time (April) it is not well to be too 
 familiar with his crowship. A shot gun has a restraining In- 
 fluence. 
 
 LEHIGH COUNTY. 
 
 W. B. K. JOHNSON, Allentown: 
 
 I do not raise poultry. Some years ago, when with my 
 father. I know crows took eggs, but do not remember that 
 they disturbed the young chickens. 
 
 .\LVIN RUPP, Allpntown: 
 No. 
 
 LAWRENCE COUNTY. 
 
 JAMES M. WATSON. Fay: 
 
 No. 
 
 LUZERNE COUNTY. 
 
 D. K. LAUBACH, Fairmount Springs: 
 Yes, they are verv troublesome in catching small poultry; if 
 
 9-TT 
 
130 
 
 a hen or turkey make their nest away from the buildings thp 
 crow will surely steal their eggs. 
 
 LEWIS H. KOCHER, Ruggles: 
 No. 
 
 DAVID J. LINSKILL., Plymouth: 
 
 No, but they fish along the Susquehanna river and shallow 
 ponds. 
 
 W. P. KIRKENDALL, Dallas: 
 No. 
 
 LYCOMING COUNTY. 
 
 JACOB HEIM, Hepburn: 
 Yes. 
 
 P. J. VANDINE, Lairdsville: 
 
 Crows, while nesting, will sometimes carry away small 
 chickens and steal eggs occasionally, but mostly get a good 
 dose of shot from the farmer. 
 
 PETER REEDER, Hughesville: 
 
 Crows have always been thieves; they pull the newly planted 
 corn, destroy the ears when ripening and commit serious dep- 
 redations to poultry by stealing eggs and catching and de- 
 stroying young fowl. 
 
 AUGUST KOCH, Williamsport: 
 Yes, more than hawks while chicks are small. 
 
 MERCER COUNTY. 
 
 ROBERT McKEE, Mercer: 
 
 No. 
 
 R. K. BAKER, Sandy Lake: 
 
 They steal the eggs, but do not bother the young fowls to 
 any great extent. 
 
 L. R. ECKLEiS, Mercer: 
 
 They do not; they are destroyers of birds' eggs and their 
 young. 
 
 DR. J. A. MORELAND, Jamestown: 
 Very little damage is done by crows except to the corn crops. 
 
 MIFFLIN COUNTY. 
 
 HON. GRUBER H. BELL, Lewistown: 
 No; they are very useful birds to the farmer. 
 
 JOHN A. CAMPBELL, Belleville: 
 They are one of our greatest pests. I have nothing good to 
 
131 
 
 say for the ciow; he is an all-round thief, will destroy poul- 
 try, eggs, grain, birds' nests, young rabbits, pheasants and 
 wild turliey eggs. 
 
 M. li. THOMPSON, I^ewistown: 
 
 The farmers say they will steal their young chicitens: the 
 crow is rather shy and Iteeps away from barns, but neverthe- 
 less is a noted thief. 
 
 S. A. HERTZLER. Belleville: 
 A slight loss. 
 
 MONTOUR COUNTY. 
 
 W. D. STEINEACH, Limestoneville: 
 Yes. 
 
 MONROE COUNTY. 
 
 M. LUTHER MICHAEL, Shawnee: 
 
 They do: destroying- also much young corn, beans, peas, etc., 
 and the fuh'y matured ears by eating them wh3n the kernels 
 are in the milk. 
 
 HON, R. F. SCHWARZ, Analomink: 
 
 Never knew them to take eggs, but have seen them carry off 
 young chicks. 
 
 RANDALL BIBBING, Miiisi: 
 No. 
 
 • MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 
 
 V. E. THOMPSON, Swedeland: 
 No. 
 
 WILLIAM W. POTTS, Swedeland: 
 
 No, it is very easy to protect against crows. I tie up a 
 shingle, whitewashed on one side, to a limb or pole; by tying 
 it on one end and a little out of centre, it will be constantly 
 in motion. They are only bad when they have young in nest. 
 
 GEORGE W. RIGHTER, Abrams: 
 Bad on poultry if not watched. 
 
 E. M. TYSON, King of Prussia: 
 Yes. 
 
 GEORGE WALL, Norristown: 
 
 Crows are not very plentiful in this neighborhood. The only 
 damage they do is in the spring and summer months by catch- 
 ing young fowls. 
 
 NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY. 
 
 .1. A. GIFFEN, Montandoii: 
 
 Yes. by stealing eggs; havft never observed them catching the 
 young. 
 
132 
 
 S. H. DEANS, Superintendent P?ohools, Ml. Carmel: 
 No. 
 
 L. A. BEARDSLEY. Mllton: 
 No. 
 
 D. G. MOYER, Greenbrier: 
 
 Yes; they have done more damage than any other kind of 
 bird. 
 
 C. D. OBERDORP, Sunbury: 
 Not serious. 
 
 B. B. SMITH, Shamokin: 
 Yes. 
 
 IRA SHIPMAN, Sunbury: 
 Eg-gs, small chickens and young turkeys. 
 
 NORTHAMPTON COUNTY. 
 
 R. O. RITTER, Hanoversville: 
 Yes. 
 
 E. F. HEIL, Nazareth: 
 
 Yes, if they can find them away from habitation. 
 
 JOHN J. GABLE, Harper: 
 They do. 
 
 A. S. SHIMBR. Redington. 
 Yes. 
 
 PERRY COUNTY. 
 
 R. M. ALEXANDER, New Bloomfield: 
 
 Yes, they steal, in the country, all kinds of young fowls and 
 eggs. 
 
 SILAS WRIGHT, Reward: 
 
 The damage to poultry from the common crow is about six 
 hundred dollars, and yet they destroy more than six hundred 
 dollars' worth of destructive worms, bugs and insects. 
 
 MILTON B. ESHLEMAN. Newport: 
 No. 
 
 SAMUEL E. ROBERTS, Newport: 
 They do. 
 
 GEORGE A. WAGNER, Alinda: 
 They do. 
 
 H. ]\r. ERY, Newport: 
 
 None worthy of mention as to eggs, but they kill some younir 
 chicks. 
 
IH8 
 
 GEORGE L. inJCHER. Donnally's Mills: 
 Yes. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY. 
 
 WIL.LIAM DORR CARPENTER, Philadelphia: 
 
 Have noticea them visiting- pigeons' nests on several occa- 
 sions. 
 
 HON MAHLON L. SAVAGE, Frankford: 
 To a very limited extent. 
 
 POTTER COUNTY. 
 
 E. O. AUSTIN, Austin: 
 No, they are too shy to come near enough. 
 
 PIKE COUNTY. 
 
 HON. LAFAYETTE ROWLAND, Rowland: 
 Very little damage is done. 
 
 EDGAR PINCHETT, Milford: 
 They do not; the damage they do is principally to corn. 
 
 SNYDER COUNTY. 
 
 HENRY NOYES, Salem: 
 
 They do. I am positive they eat about two hundred turkey 
 eggs for us annually, and catch young turkeys and chickens. 
 
 H. J. HEISER, Shadle: 
 They catch a few young chicks. 
 
 JOHN F. BOYER, Mount Pleasant Mills: 
 Nil. 
 
 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. 
 
 A. F. KINNARD, Orwigsburg: 
 
 Yes, sir; serious damage to poultry in our locality; destroy 
 over one-half of the turkeys. 
 
 W. H. STOUT, Pine Grove: 
 
 They may occasionally get a few eggs or a young duck, hut 
 not to any extent. 
 
 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY. 
 
 E. A. & E. L. WESTON. Brooklyn: 
 Not usually. \ 
 
 S. S. THOMAS. I,yiin: 
 No. 
 
DR. A. H. TINGLEY, Susquehanna: 
 No. 
 
 SOMERSET COUNTY. 
 
 PETER MIL.LER, Somerset: 
 Not much. 
 
 JEREMIAH S. MILLER, Husband; 
 
 Considerably; they become very l)Old if thr-y lind that they 
 can get eggs and small chickens. 
 
 DR. H. D. MOORE, New Lexington: 
 
 No. 
 
 TIOGA COUNTY. 
 
 M. SORNBERGER, Job's Corner: 
 To quite an extent. 
 
 UNION COUNTY. 
 
 J. A. GUNDY, Lewisburg: 
 
 They carry off eggs when laid away from bains or buildings, 
 especially turkey eggs, and perhaps a few veiy young chicks. 
 
 VENANGO COUNTY. 
 
 JAMES J. WILLS. Franklin: 
 
 To some extent; they will steal eggs. 
 
 JOHN F. BIGLER, Franklin: 
 No. 
 
 WARREN COUNTY. 
 
 WILLIS COWAN, Warren: 
 
 N«. 
 
 WALTER SCHULER, Tv^arren: 
 No. 
 
 WASHINGTON COUNTY. 
 
 HON. JOHN C. FRENCH, Prosperity: 
 
 If fowls nest away from barns, I think Mr. Crow will lake 
 all he can steal; but, being a shy bird, he does not come about 
 our barns and chicken houses much. 
 
 H. P. MYERS, California: 
 No, we do not have enough crows. 
 
 J. P. HORN. Sunset: 
 
 No serious damage; they steal a few eggs occasionally. 
 
13G 
 
 K. B. ENOCH, Washington: 
 Yes. 
 
 B. E. Mccracken, Washington; 
 Yes. 
 
 WAYNE COUNTY. 
 
 JAMES L.ESHER. Avoy: 
 
 Yes; one crow will carry off a Hock of little chicks in one 
 day, as well as steal hen and turkey egg's; has done this for 
 tne. 
 
 WESTMORELAND COUNTY. 
 
 A. Rl'TH, Seotldale: 
 No seriiius damag(; done by them. 
 
 WYOMING COUNTY. 
 
 N. P. STERLING, Meshoppen: 
 They do some, unless ospeoially guai'ded against. 
 
 YORK COUNTY. 
 
 HON. GERARD C. HROWN, Yorkana: 
 
 Yes, in common with their cousin, the grackle. The most 
 damage they do is to the young corn as it comes up. 1 
 have had fields so raided that I had to replace the whole 
 cuncern. Crows are hard on birds' nests (eggs and young), 
 especially on the meadow lark and quail when their nests are 
 uncovered by our mowers and reapers. 
 
 JAMES G. PATTERSON, Stewartstown: 
 
 The crow is a .sreat thief; they will steal eggs of the do- 
 mestic fowl, and will catch young chicks and turkeys and 
 carry them off to their nesting places, not only when they 
 have young, but when hatchin.?. 
 
 M. S. TYSON, York: 
 
 The crow is a thieving robber, and will pull up corn about 
 hatching time, and dujing the fall of the year they injure a 
 great many wheat stacks. 
 
 OTHER STATES. 
 
 H. E. VAN DEM.\N. Parksly. Virginia: 
 Not verv often. 
 
136 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 lURDS OF PRRV 
 
 Representatives of the order of Raptores are present in every 
 part of the world, and with the feathered race they occupy a 
 position quite similar to the carnivorous animals among the 
 mammalia. All live on an animal diet. "Most of the smaller, 
 or weaker, species, feed much upon insects; others more partic- 
 ularly upon reptiles, and fish; others upon carrion; but the 
 majority prey upon other birds and small mammals, captured 
 in open warfare." — Coues. 
 
 AMERICAN VULTURES. 
 
 In the Western Hemisphere there are eight representatives 
 of the family Cathartidae, and of these but two occur in the 
 Eastern United States. North Carolina, according to Dr. Coues, 
 is about the northern limit at which the Black Vulture, or 
 Cariion Crow, is seen to occur with any degree of regularity. 
 The Turkey Vulture or Turkey Buzzard, as this species is 
 usually denominated, is quite common as far northward as 
 the southeastern section of Pennsylvania, where it is resident, 
 but it, of course, is much more plentiful in the summer season 
 than during the winter. 
 
 These cowardly, ignoble, gluttonous and partly gregarious 
 birds are found in abundance in the jvarmer countries, where, 
 frequently, thej- are protected by law and strong public senti- 
 ment because of their great value as scavengers. Vultures 
 subsist largely on carrion. They often collect in considerable 
 num.bers around the body of a defunct horse, cow, steer or 
 other large sized animal, and gorge themselves until they are 
 scarcely able to fly. When, however, their uncleanly repast is 
 finished, they usually perch on trees, rocks, fences, etc., where 
 they remain in a quiet and sleepy attitude, with wings droop- 
 ing. Frequently if these birds are wounded, or suddenly 
 frightened when feeding, and sometimes when their nests or 
 young are molested, they eject the foetid contents of the crop. 
 Two species of the family occur in Pennsylvania. 
 
TURKEY VULTURE 
 
137 
 
 TURKEY VULTURE. 
 i Oathartes aura. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Entire plumage brownish-black, and more or less glossy; 
 quills paler on under surface; skin of head and neck naked 
 and wrinkled, with scattering bristle-like feathers; head and 
 neck red. bill whitish, legs and feet pinkish, iris grayish- 
 brown nostrils large and oval. 
 
 Nestlings.— Bsive skin of head nearly white, body covered with 
 white down. Length about thirty inches; extent of wings about 
 se'^enty-two inches; wing about twenty-five; tail twelve inches. 
 
 Habitat. — Temperate North America, from New Jersey. Ohio 
 Valley, Saskatchewan region and Washington Territory, south- 
 ward to Patagonia, casually northward on the .\tlantic coast 
 to Maine. 
 
 This species is found iu some sections of Pennsyl- 
 vania at all seasons, but during the summer months is 
 much more plentiful than at other times. The Turkey 
 Buzzard usually rears its young in woods or thickets, 
 mostly near streams of water. It makes little or no 
 effort to construct a nest; the eggs — never more than 
 two in number and occasionally only one — are de- 
 posited generally in a slight concavity in the ground 
 protected by shelving or overhanging rocks. Some 
 times, however, the nests of this bird are found in 
 stumps and hollow logs. The eggs are yellowish white, 
 spotted with different shades of brown and purple, and 
 measure about (wo and three-fourths inches in length 
 by nearly two inches in breadth. It is stated that this 
 species sometimes breeds in Pennsylvania as early as 
 the last week in March. I have found nine nests in 
 Chester and Delaware counties during the past four 
 teen years; of this number seven wei-e taken late in 
 April or early in May, and all contained fresh eggs. 
 The two rciiiaiiiing nests, foiiiid in .Iiinc. eontaiued 
 9*--II 
 
13H 
 
 down.y .v()ll^J,^ 1 ;iin iiifuriiicd that tlu'se birds, in 
 I^Kuciistci- and ^urk cimiilies, aloug tlu' !r>us(iueliHiina 
 river, arc annually to be I'ound breeding in small coin- 
 uumitii's of a dozen or twenty individuals. The species 
 also breeds regularly in Adams and Cumberland coun- 
 ties; in Adams couniy it is reported to be (luite plenti- 
 ful as a summer resident. 
 
 Desoured (rrassli()])perts and Beetles. 
 
 This bird w ill resort for several consecutive seasons 
 to a favorite nesting place, and occasionally wlx^n its 
 eggs are taken will lay a second time in the same nest. 
 The Turkey \'ulture is very numerous in the southern 
 states, Avhere it resides all the year, hut in the eastern 
 United vSlales, north of Pennsylvania, it is said to be 
 quite rare. Two young which I took from the nest 
 and kept in capti\ity until full gro\\ n became exceed- 
 ingly tame. These birds often when feeding, and in- 
 variably if approached by a stranger, would utter a 
 loud hiss, the only sound which this species, as well as 
 other of the American \'ultures, is known to make. 
 They fed chiefly on fresh meat, and also devoured with 
 apparent relish earth-worms, crickets, grasshoppers 
 and other large insects; oftentimes they also ate pieces 
 of bread, cake and particles of apples or pears which, 
 were tin-own before them. The Turkey Buzzard, in 
 its natural state, according to Audubon, sucks the 
 eggs and devours the young of herons and other birds. 
 Turkey Buzzards do not. as some persons affirm, dis- 
 turb domestic fowls, and rarely are these cowardly 
 birds seen to destroy the eggs of yjoultry. T have 
 never known them to disturb either the eggs or young 
 of birds, but have observed that they subsist almost 
 wholly on carrion. The benefits which these scaven 
 jjrers render are to(» well known to need anv comment. 
 
139 
 
 A Useful Bird to Mankind. 
 
 Mr. Fi'auk M. Chapman in his valuable little work 
 entitled "Bird Life," a publication which every school 
 child and a good many adults, too, could read with 
 great profit, savs: 
 
 The Turkey Buzzard is one of Nature's scavengers, and, as 
 such, is one of the few birds whose services to mankind are 
 thoroughly appreciated. There are others of equal or even 
 greater value who daily earn their right to the good will 
 which we stupidly and persistenly refuse to grant them; but 
 of the Turkey Buzzard's assistance we have frequent convinc- 
 ing proof, and the decree has gone forth that injury to this 
 bird is punishable by fine. No other birds are so well pro- 
 tected, and as a result Turkey. Buzzards and Black Vultures 
 walk about the streets of some of our Southern cities with the 
 tameness of domestic fowls. If we should similarly encourage 
 our insectivorous birds, who can predict the benefits which 
 might accrue?" 
 
 The following list, w ith names of observers, will give 
 a very clear idea as to the distribution of the Turkey 
 Buzzard in Pennsylvania: 
 
 Its Distribution in Pennsylvania. 
 
 County. Observen. Remarks. 
 
 Adams, B. H. Warren, Resident; common 
 
 in summer. 
 
 Bradford B. H. Warren Saw one at North 
 
 Orwell, Sept., 1S%. 
 
 Berks Jonas Stern Breeds; rare. 
 
 Berks, D. F. Keller Breeds in Blue Moun- 
 tains. 
 
 Bucks Mrs. H. M. Rice Occasionally in 
 
 flocks; August, 
 September and Oc- 
 tober. 
 
 Bucks s. Edward Paschall,* .. Decidedly rare. 
 
 Chester B. H. Warren, Resident; very com- 
 mon in summer. 
 
 f"Iinton Dr. W. Van Fleet Straggler. 
 
 Cameron, B. H. Warren Straggler; saw one 
 
 in November, 1889. 
 
 Cumberland, B. H. Warren Breeds. 
 
 Delaware Robert Townsley Resident; most num- 
 
 ^ erous in summer. 
 
 Dauphin W. W. Stoey Resident. 
 
 ♦"Decidedly rare and absolutely unknown to most of our 
 people. We are but a f^w miles from Chester county, where thp 
 bird is very <omnion. but Bucks county is out of its range. 1 
 made note of having seen three (3) buzzards during the sea- 
 son."— S. E. Paschall. 
 
140 
 
 County. Observer. Remark*. 
 
 Erie George B. Sennelt Never seen here. 
 
 Franklin B. H.. Warren Saw several in De- 
 
 cennber, issn; 
 
 breeds. 
 
 Fayette. ( }. W. Linton Breeds. 
 
 Juniata B. H. Warren Saw three in Jan- 
 uary, 1890. 
 
 Lehigh J. F. Kocher Breeds. 
 
 Lehigh Dr. John W. Detwiller, Seldom seen. 
 
 Lancaster Dr. A. C. Treichler, ...Resident. 
 
 Lancaster James Galen Resident. 
 
 Lancaster H. Justin Roddy Resident. g^ 
 
 Lancaster w. H. Buller Breeds. 
 
 Lebanon, j. q. Bohn Breeds. 
 
 Lebanon, George R. Ross Resident. 
 
 Lycoming August Koch Straggler; got two 
 
 in spring. 
 Lawrence b. H. Warren Saw one in Octo- 
 ber, 1888. 
 
 McKean James A. Teulon Never seen here. 
 
 Montgomery W- P. Bolton Breeds. 
 
 Montgomery, ....Thomas S. Gillin Migrant. 
 
 ^le^'cer, s. S. Overmoyer, Straggler ; shot one 
 
 _^ September 1, 1884. 
 
 Northampton, ...Dr. John W. Detwiller, Seldom seen. 
 Northampton, ...Edmund Ricksecker, .. Straggler; spring 
 
 and summer; does 
 not breed, 
 wortnumberland. Dr. W. Van Fleet, .. , Straggler. 
 
 Perry h. Justin Roddy Seen in May, 1886; 
 
 breeds. (?) 
 
 Philadelphia H. Jamison Occasional visitor. 
 
 P'^^' B. H. Warren Saw one at Rowland, 
 
 May 9. 1897. 
 
 Philadelphia Joseph Price Ball Resident. 
 
 Philadelphia Witmer Stone, Seen mostly during 
 
 migrations. 
 
 Philadelphia Seorge Spencer Morris, Straggler. 
 
 Schuylkill M. M. MacMillian, Straggler, fall 1883. 
 
 Somerset Dr. H. D. Moore, Breeds. 
 
 Sullivan Otto Behr Straggler; seen in 
 
 1884. 
 
 Union, . .- Dr. W. Van Fleet .Straggler. 
 
 Warren H. L. Greenland ..Not found here 
 
 Westmoreland, .. Charles H. Townsend, ..Very rare; have 
 
 seen several in ad- 
 ..,,■, T .. joining county. 
 
 Washington, Tames S. Nease, Resident 
 
 Washington M. Compton Occasional; flock of 
 
 ten seen Septem- 
 ... , »r r^ „ ber, 1883. 
 
 Washington M. T. Warrick Occasional; tlock of 
 
 ten seen Septem- 
 ,. . r, ber. 1883. 
 
 York Hon. Gerard C. Brown. Breeds 
 
 Y'ork George Miller Breeds. 
 
 lork Ca.'5per Loucks Rreeds 
 
141 
 
 ITS NORTHERN BREEDING LIMIT. 
 
 The Turkey Buzzard breeds in many sections of 
 ('liester and Delaware counties. Allred P. Lee liaa 
 observed il as a common resident in the vicinity of 
 Oxford; Harry Wilson, a prominent local naturalist, 
 has found them breedinj^- at different points abotit Doe 
 Kuu, and also near Parkesburg. Within a radius of 
 about six miles from West Chester, I have found them 
 breeding" — never more than one pair in a [>lace — in 
 seven differcMit locali'ties in the counties of Chester and 
 Delaware. The records given in the ])receding 
 columns concerning the breeding of this s])ecies show 
 that it has been found nesting in at least thirteen or 
 fourteen counties of Pennsylvania, and that its 
 northern breeding range is restricted to about the 
 lower third of this State. 
 
14*2 
 
 BLACK VULTURE. 
 Catharistii atrata. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 "Adult. -l':nt:rf plumage dull hlaok, llic quills grayish 
 hasuUy (.hoai-y whitish un under surl"acf>, ihelr shafts pviii' 
 white; bill dusky with yellowish or whitish tip; naked skin of 
 head and foreneck dusky. Jjeng-th Zi-^l; extent about 54 
 inches." — Ridg-way. Manual N. A. Rird.«;. 
 
 Habitat. ■~^c,\x\.\\ Atlantic and Gulf states, north to Nortli 
 Carolina and the Lower Ohio Valley, west to the great i^lains. 
 and Soutli through Mexico and Central America and most of 
 South America. Straggling- north to New York and Maine. 
 
 A specimen of the Black Vulture or Carrion Crow, 
 as fhis bird is sometimes called, was taken in Dauphin 
 county in ]892. Stragglers have been observed in 
 Northampton county by Dr. John W. Detwiller and 
 the late Edmund Ricksecker. In relation to the 
 marked difference in the manners of the present species 
 and the Turkey Buzzard ^Nlr. 1^)1»(mi Kidgwny* jMib 
 lishes the following: 
 
 "Both in their mode of flig-ht and in theiT movements uptui 
 the ground this species differs materially from the Turkey 
 Buzzard. The latter walks steadily while on the ground, and 
 when it mounts does so by a single upward spring. The 
 Black Vulture is ill at ease on th% ground, moves awkwardly, 
 and when it essays to fly upward takes several leaps in a 
 shuffling side-long manner before it can rise. 
 
 "Their flight is more labored, and is continued by flapping 
 s<-vera! times, alternated with sailing a limited distame. 
 Their wings are held at right angles, and their feet protrude 
 beyond their tail-feathers. In all these respects the differences 
 between the two birds are very noticeable, and plainly mark 
 the species." — (Brewer.) 
 
 The following interesting account of this species is 
 f lom the pen of Thomas Nuttall :t 
 
 FEEDS ON CARRION NOT POULTRY. 
 "This smaller black and truly gregarious species of vulture. 
 
 *The Ornithology of Illinois, Part T, Robert Ridgwav SDrine- 
 fleld. Illinois. 1889. " ' 
 
 t A ^ran^)al of the Ornithology of the United States and Can- 
 ada, by Thomas Nuttall; The Land Birds; Cambridge, lS;{i;. 
 
143 
 
 in the United Slates, appears to be generally confined to the 
 narrowest limits of the Southern States, being scarcely touna 
 beyond Wilmington in North Carolina, and seems to be most 
 numerous and lamiliar in the large maritime towns of South 
 Carolina, Georgia and Florida; thus, though abundant in 
 Savannah, there are much fewer of this species at Augusta 
 than of the Turl<ey Vulture. In the tropical regions of Amer- 
 ica they are also very common, and extend, at least, as far 
 as Chili. Like the former species, with which they associate 
 only at meal-times, they are allowed a public protection for 
 the service they render in ridding the earth of carrion and 
 other kinds of filth. They are much more familiar in the 
 towns than the preceding; delighting, during winter, to remain 
 on the roofs of houses, catching the feeble rays of the sun. 
 and stretching out their wings to admit the warm air over 
 their foetid bodies. When the weather becomes unusually 
 chilly, or in the mornings, they may be seen basking upon the 
 chimneys in the warm smoke, which, as well as the soot itself. 
 can add no additional darkness or impurity to such filthy and 
 melancholy spectres. Here, or on the limbs of some of the 
 largei trees, tliey remain in listless indolence until aroused 
 by the calls of hunger. 
 
 WELL TREATED IN THE SOUTH. 
 
 "Their flight is neither so easy nor so graceful as that of 
 the Turkey Buzzard. They flap their wings and then soar 
 horizontally, renewing the motion of their pinions at short in- 
 tervals. At times, however, they rise to considerable eleva- 
 tions. In the cities of Charleston and Savannah the-y are to 
 be seen in numbers walking the streets with all the familiarity 
 of domestic fowls, examining the channels and accumulations 
 of filth in order to glean up the offal, or animal matter of any 
 kind, which may happen to be thrown out. They appeared 
 to be very regular in their attendance around the shambles, 
 and some of them become known by sight. This was particu- 
 larly the case with an old veteran who hopped upon one foot 
 (having by some accident lost the other), and had regularly 
 appeared round the shambles to claim the bounty of the 
 butchers for about twenty years. In the country, ^'here 1 have 
 surprised them feeding in the woods, they apppeared rather 
 shy and timorous, watching my movements alertly like hawks, 
 and every now and then one or two of them, as they sat in the 
 high boughs of a neighboring oak, communicated to the rest, as 
 I slowly approached, a low bark of alarm or waugh, something 
 like the suppressed growl of a puppy, at which the whole 
 flock by degrees deserted the dead hog upon which they hap- 
 pened to be feeding. Sometimes they will collect together 
 about one carcass to the number of 250 and upwards, and the 
 object, whatever it may be. is soon robed in living mourning, 
 scarcely anything being visible but a dense mass of these 
 sable scavengers, who may often be seen jealously contending 
 with each other, both in and out of the carcass, defiled wifli 
 blood and filth, holding on with their feet, hissing and clawing 
 each other, or tearing off morsels so as to fill their throats 
 nearly to choking, and occasionally joined by growling dogs- 
 the whole presenting one of the most savage and disgusting 
 scenes in nature, and truly worthy the infernal bird of Pro- 
 metheus." 
 
144 
 
 HAWKS, FALCONS AND EAULES. 
 Family Falconidae. 
 
 It is stated by reliable writers that there are at least three 
 hundred and fifty species of this family of diurnal raptorial 
 birds found throughout the world. Of this large number only 
 fourteen occur regularly in this State, and of all the numerous 
 species of bird-lile occurring in this Commonwealth, few are 
 better known to our people in general than are the Eagles 
 and Hawks, some of which are common, at all times, or during 
 some period of the year, in nearly every section of the State. 
 With a few exceptions, these raptores, as well as most of the 
 owls, particularly the smaller kinds, are highly beneticial to 
 the farmers and fruit growers, because of the immense quan- 
 tities of destructive mice and other injurious animals, also 
 large numbers of noxious insects, etc., which they devour. 
 The majority of these birds build large nests of sticks, twigs, 
 etc., on trees; some, however, nest on rocky ledges. The ]Marsh 
 Hawk breeds on the ground, and the little Sparrow Hawk, 
 like the Screech Owl and Woodpecker, breeds in hollow tre^. 
 The eggs, usually two to five, sometimes more, are generally 
 spotted and blotched, and never spherical and white, like the 
 eggs of the owls. The adult males are usually smaller than 
 the females, and with the exception of the Marsh and Sparrow 
 Hawks, are quite similar in color. The young or immature 
 birds, of most species, differ greatly from the old. These birds 
 catch their prey with their talons. Their cries are loud and 
 harsh. Occasionally they are seen in flocks — sometimes con- 
 taining several species — but usually they are observed singly 
 OT in pairs. The bill is short, stout and strongly hooked, the 
 head is completely feathered and without ear-tufts or "horns" 
 like some of the owls; the tarsus, except in the Golden Eagle 
 and Rough-legged Hawk, is naked. The feet have long, 
 strong, large, sharp and curved claws; the outer toe, except 
 in the Fish Hawk, is not reversible. The eyes are directed 
 laterally. 
 
 A VALUABLE GROUP OF HAWKS. 
 
 Birds'of the genus Buteo, especially borealis and lineatus, 
 
 are the large hawks which we see, particularly in the late fall, 
 winter and early spring, frequenting grassy fields, meadows, 
 swamps, etc. These birds are the common "hen hawks" or 
 "chicken hawks" as they are usually called; but such names 
 are highly inappropriate, as a very small percentage of their 
 food is poultry. Three species, (especially borealis and lin 
 eatua), are common residents in Pennsylvania. In order to 
 give a clear idea of the great benefits these "hen hawks" ren- 
 der the agriculturist and fruit grower, the following extracts, 
 relating to the stomach contents of 847, captured during ali 
 seasons of the year in various parts of the ITnlted States, are 
 
145 
 
 copied from Dr. A. K. Fishers Report:* Red-tailed Hawk 
 (Buteo boreali*): 
 
 "Of 562 stomachs examined, 54 contained poultry or game 
 birds; 51, other birds; 278, mice; 131, other mammals; 37, 
 batracians or reptiles; 47, insects; 8, crawfish; 1, centipedes; 
 13, offal; and 89 were empty." Hed-shouldered Hawk (Buteo 
 lineatut): "Of i'20 stomachs examined, 3 contained poultry; 12, 
 other birds; 102, mice; 40, other mammals; 20, reptiles; 39, 
 batrachians; 92, insects; 16, spiders; 7, crawfish; 1, earthworms; 
 2, offal; 3, fish; and 14 were empty." Broad-winged Hawk 
 {Buteo latissimus): "Of 65 stomachs examined, 2 contained 
 small birds; 15, mice; 13, other mammals; 11, reptiles; 13, 
 batrachians; 30, insects; 2, earthworms; 4, crawfish; and 7 
 were empty." The mammals mentioned here refer mostly to 
 mice, shrews, moles, some few squirrels and a few other kinds 
 of quadrupeds. These hawks in form are stout and heavy; the 
 wings long, wide and somewhat pointed; third, fourth and fifth 
 quills longest, the first shorter than eighth, the three outer 
 primaries in latissimus emarginate on inner webs, and borealis 
 and lineatus, tlie four outer quills emarginate on inner web. 
 The moderately long tail, conspicuously barred or highly colored 
 is quite broad and slightly rounded; the bluish black bill is short, 
 wide at base and maxilla is lobed on edges. Legs and feet 
 stout; tarsus feathered in front about one-third of length; 
 thighs have long feathers that in some individuals reach 
 nearly to the feet. Tarsi yellowish, cere yellowish or greenish; 
 the eyes vary greatly, but are usually brown or yellow. 
 Sexes similar in color; female larger than male; immature 
 birds differ greatly from the adults; the flight of these hawks 
 is quite vigorous, and that of borealis, in particular, is often 
 long continued, but they do not fly with the great rapidity 
 of the species of the genus Aecipiter. 
 
 DETRIMENTAL SPECIES. 
 
 Birds of the genus Aecipiter are rather long and slender in 
 form, and they have small heads, short wings, long tails and 
 legs. The bluish black bill is short and stout, maxilla being 
 strongly hooked and sharp-pointed; the broad ovate nostrils 
 are inserted in the greenish or yellowish cere. 
 
 The tarsi are feathered in front a little less than half in 
 length. Tarsus, especially in veloz, is slender; and in atricap- 
 illus rather stout; the toes are long and slender, the outer and 
 middle united at base by a well-developed web. The black 
 claws are very long, much curved and sharp; eyes in old birds 
 are reddish-amber and in younger birds yellowish. 
 
 The tarsus is yellowish. Birds of this genus are exceed- 
 ingly active and vigilant; they fly with great rapidity and fre- 
 quently pursue and catch, when on the wing different species 
 of wild birds, some of which are nearly as lairge as themselves. 
 The Sharp-shinned Hawk I have seen capture quail when 
 flying, and the fierce Goshawk has often been observed to 
 pursue and overtake turkeys, grouse, blackbirds, wild pigeons, 
 etc. These, and not, as some suppose, birds of the genus 
 Buteo, are the hawks that usually commit depredations in the 
 
 •The Hawks and Owls of the United States: Bulletin Xo 3 
 IT. S. Department of Agriculture, I'SS'S. 
 
 10-n 
 
14G 
 
 pouJiry yard and destroy numerous wild birds, particularly 
 grouse and quail. The ordinary plumage ot these hawks is 
 dark brown above, (very old birds, which are seldom taken, 
 have upper parts bluish), darkest on head, and lower parts 
 whitish, variously streaked and barred with dark brown, rusty 
 and pale red. In old Coopers and Sharp-shinned Hawks the 
 breast, thighs and rest of under parts, except crissum and 
 throat, whicharechiefly white, are white transversely barred with 
 ligrht red. Full plumaged Goshawks have lop of head black 
 with light grayish blue and whitish under parts with numer- 
 ous and irregular mottlings, streaks and lines of black, white 
 and dusky. 
 
 The destructive nature of representatives of the genus Ac- 
 cipiter, which have been largely instrumental in bringing so 
 much odium on the good name of all birds of the hawk kind 
 in Pennsj-lvania is well illustrated by again turning to Dr. 
 Fisher's admirable report where records of 320 postmortem ex- 
 aminations are made as follows: Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accip- 
 iter velox): "Of 159 stomachs examined, 6 contained poultry 
 or game birds; 99, other birds; 6, mice; 5, insects; and 52 were 
 empty." From this summaiy it will be observed that of 107 
 stomachs which had in them, when the hawks w'ere killed, 
 food materials, not less than 10.") contained birds (chiefly spar- 
 rows of different species, warblers, thrushes, vireos, orioles, 
 etc.) and poultry or game birds. This kind of evidence gives 
 conclusive proof that the daring and sanguinary little Sha;rp- 
 shinned Falcon does not merit the good wall or protection of 
 farmers, poulterers, sportsmen or naturalists. 
 
 THE COOPER'S HAWK. 
 
 Cooper's Hawk (^Accipiter cooperi): "Of 133 stomachs ex- 
 amined, 34 contained poultry or game birds; 52, other birds; 
 11, mammals; 1, frog; 3, lizards; 2, insects; and 39 were empty." 
 By these dissections last noted we see that of 94 stomachs 
 containing foodstuffs. S6 or all but 8 had in them poultry 
 and birds, game or other kinds. The reference to "poultry," 
 in the summary last given, refers to chickens, both adult and 
 young, pigeons, and probably to other kinds of domestic 
 fowls not particularized by name. Under the head of "gam^- 
 birds" Dr. Fisher's tables show that in the Eastern and 
 Southern states the Cooper's Hawk destroys manv Quail 
 (Bob-White) and Ruffed Grouse, while in Arizona Gambel's 
 Quail is frequently captured by this audacious hawk. An ex- 
 amination of the columns headed "other birds" in Dr. Fisher's 
 tables, gives the following species, which were identified: 
 
 Chewlnk, Purple Grackle, 
 
 Tree Sparrow. Snow-bird (Junco), 
 
 Song Sparrow, Savanna Sparrow. 
 
 Meadow Lark, ' English Sparrow, 
 
 Flicker, Nuthatch, 
 
 Goldfinch, Hermit Thrush. 
 
 Field Sparrow, Dove, 
 
 Robin, Orange-crowned Warbler. 
 
 The mammals which were found and identified In the 
 
147 
 
 eleven stomachs previously noted, are mentioned by name in 
 the order as appended:* 
 
 Mous»\, i;ccky Mountain ("liipmunk. 
 
 Chipmunlc, Rabbit, 
 
 Red Squirrel, Cotton Rat, 
 
 Gray Squirrel, Cal. Ground Squirrel. 
 
 BUT FEW INSECTS. 
 The amount of insect-food consumed by this species, if these 
 13:i examinations made of hawks captured durin? all seasons 
 of the year in" different sections of the United States, are to 
 be taken as a safe criterion, must be very insignificant. 
 Scrutinizing the tables, we see that on September 18, 188b. a 
 Cooper's Hawk, at River Dale, New Jersey, departed this life 
 and left in his stomach a single badly crushed grasshopper. 
 The natural presumption is that this particular Cooper's 
 Hawk became bewildered while in the land of "skeeters and 
 sand." otherwise he never would have condescended to takt- 
 such humble quarry. Another example, taken May 20, 1877, in 
 the township of East Goshen, Chester county, Pennsylvania, an 
 Did male Cooper's Hawk, was killed near the edge of a woods 
 by a swamp, where he often watched for Red-winged Black- 
 birds and Quail; his stomach, the records show, contained 
 mice (perhaps arvicola) and beetles. 
 
 THE GOSHAWK. 
 
 Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus) : "Of 28 stomachs exam- 
 ined, 9 contained poultry or game birds; 2, other birds; 10. 
 mammals; .", insects; 'l, centipede; and 8 were empty." Ot 
 these 20 stomachs which contained food materials, 11 had re- 
 mains of poultry (5 poultry only) Ruffed Grouse and quail or 
 other birds; 7 contained only mammals as follows, 2, rabbit; 
 1, mouse and weasel; 1, Gray Squirrel; 1, squirrel, species not 
 given; 2, red squirrels. One stomach showed remains of a 
 Kuffed Grouse and two red squirrels; another a domestic fowl 
 (not named), and with the remains of this fowl were 30 sphinx 
 larvae and 3 centipedes; a Ruffed Grouse and a Gray Squirrel 
 had satisfied the necessities of a third Goshawk: anoiher of 
 Ihese fierce hawks had eaten a rabbit and a few locusts, and In 
 the stomach of a Goshawk taken April 12. 1886, at Elmira. N'w 
 York, some mice and beetles were disclosed by diss.?ction. 
 
148 
 
 SWALLUVV-TAILKI) KITE. 
 Elanoides forficatus. 
 
 ] DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Bill ralher small and moderately stout and narrow; feet 
 small but stout; claws short but strongly curved; wings very 
 long- and pointed; tail long and deeply forked, the outside 
 feathers being more than twice as long as the middle pair. 
 On the wing this hawk looks and moves like a huge swallow. 
 Head, neck, band across rump, basal portion of secondaries 
 and entire lower parts pure white; interscapulars and lesser 
 wing-coverts purplish black; rest of back, wings and tail slaty 
 black. Bill blue black; legs and feet dull bluish-yellow; iris 
 brown; length variable; a female before me measures 24 inches 
 long; wing 17; lateral tail feathers 1214 inches. 
 
 Habitat.— iicxithein United Staos, esp.eci.illy ia the intevior, 
 from Pennsylvania and Minnesota southward, through Cen- 
 tral and South America; westward to the great plains. Casual 
 eastward to southern New England. 
 
 The Swallow-tailed Kite or "Wasp-hawk/' as it is 
 generally called in Florida, where it is common, is a 
 very rare and irregular visitor in Pennsylvania. A 
 specimen in the museum of the Linnaean Society, at 
 Lancaster city, was captured many years ago in Lan- 
 « caster county. Prof. H. J. Roddy obtained one May 
 27, 1885, in Perry county; and a straggler was also a 
 few years since found in Allegheny county by Mr. 
 R. C. Wrenshall, of Pittsburgh. In the stomachs of 
 five of these Kites which I killed in Florida in ^larcli 
 and April. 18S.j, there were found grasshoppers, bee- 
 tles, toad.s and lizards. According to different writers 
 they feed i>rincipally on grasshoppers, beetles, cater- 
 pillars, small snakes, lizards and frogs. 
 
 DOES NOT MOT^EST POULTRY. 
 
 I hav(> made many inquiiies in the south where 
 these Kites were plentiful and was invariably told by 
 jMM'sons who had been familiar with the birds all tlieir 
 
SWALLOW TAILED KITE 
 
lives lluti Ilit'^N iicvL'i- were knnuu (o distiirl* jxMiltrv 
 or game of jmy kind, 'rcsiinioiiy licmi all sides eon 
 linns (his ass'*r(ion. In post-nioi-tcni exauiinatiuns ol" 
 six stomachs of these Kites, recorded by Dr. A. K. 
 Fisher." the t(tli()\\in<; insects, lizards, etc., were 
 found : 
 
 Locality. 
 
 Hawkinsville, Fla., 
 Hawkinsville, Fla., 
 
 Dixon county, Neb. June, 1865, ... 
 Dixon county. Neb.. .June, 1865, ... 
 Sarpy county. Neb..! Sept., 1873, ... 
 Woodville, Minn.,., i April 28. 1888, 
 
 Date. 
 
 March 31, 1885. 
 March 31, 1885. 
 
 Lizard, gi-asslioppers, tree 
 toad, beetles. 
 
 Lizard, 
 beetles. 
 60 locusts 
 69 locusts, 
 75 insects. 
 Beetle, wasp 
 
 grasshoppers, 
 
 5 other insects 
 3 other insects. 
 
 VIEWS OF VARIOUS WRITERS. 
 
 Audubon speaks of often seeing these hawks with 
 long slender snakes hanging from their talons, and he 
 gives the following account (quoted from Dr. A. K. 
 Fisher's Bulletin No. H) of two stomachs collected in 
 Texas: 
 
 "In the stomach (of one bird) are six snakes, of a very slen- 
 der form and light-green color, one of them 22V2 inches in 
 length, together with one large larva, 3 inches long, and two 
 coleopterous (beetles) insects. Some of the snakes have been 
 swallowed whole, although bruised, the rest brolcen into large 
 pieces several inches long. * * * * In another 
 
 male shot in the same country, on the same day, tlie stomach 
 contained a slender snake 19 inches long, six lizai-ds. and four 
 beautiful. \ery large coleopterous insects, with two eggs of 
 reptiles m inches long."- — (Ornith, Biographv, \-ol. \-., pp. 
 372-,^74.) 
 
 This s]»eci('s laiely alights on the ground; ]\[r. H. 
 W. Heushaw states that he found these Kites common 
 on the Ariaini i-ivei', Florida, and frequently saw them 
 
 'The Hawks and Owls of the United States in Rel.ition to 
 Agricultuie; Bulletin No. 3, Division of Ornithology and Mam- 
 molcgy. United States Department of .\griculture, 1893. 
 
150 
 
 in mid air feedin;; upon snakes, which appeared to be 
 their favorite food in that locality. The writings of 
 Dr. Fisher show very positively, that this Kite never 
 disturbs poultry, birds or even small mammals, which 
 last named animals are so often preyed upon by 
 the smaller and weaker hawks. Dr. Fisher says: 
 
 "The principal food of this Kite is small snakes, lizards, 
 frogs and various kinds of insects. It never molests t.mall 
 mammals or blrd.s. Among insects it is especially fond of 
 wasp Icrvae, grasshoppers and dragon flies, and its ^jovver to 
 change the direction of flight is most inarkedly shown in 
 capturing the latter insects, for its efforts to secure them 
 is often necessary for it to turn almost completely over in its 
 evolutions." 
 
 In Florida Dr. C. Hart Merriam often saw these 
 Kites dart down and pick a wasp's nest from the un- 
 der side of a leaf of some high palmetto and fly oit" 
 with it, devouring while on the wing, the grubs it con- 
 tained.— (Am. Nat., vol. VIIT, 1874, p. 88.) 
 
 Mr. H. Nehrling speaks of these birds' food in Texas 
 as follows: 
 
 ■'In August and September the birds are often seen in cot- 
 ton fields, where they feed on cotton worms and other in- 
 sects. They are particularly fond of small snakes, such as 
 r^eptophis, Rhinostoma coccinea, lizards (Anolius carolinensis 
 and Amei\a sex-lineata.) I have never seen them take a 
 bird or small quadruped."— Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, Vol. VII, 
 1882, p. 17o.) 
 
 THE NEST AND EGGS. 
 
 "It probably breeds in suitable localities throughout its 
 range, even to the northern limit. Its nest has been takfii 
 in Minnesota, and according to a very interesting note by 
 Mr. Austin F. Park, it is very probaJble that a pair bred in 
 Rennsselaer county. New York, in 1886. (^The Auk. Vol. Ill, 
 p. 484.) In the southern part of the United States this species 
 begins to breed about the last of April or first of May, while 
 farther north it is past the middle of the latter month before 
 a full complement of eggs is deposited. The nest is situated 
 In the tops of the tallest trees and is placed among the smaller 
 branches, where it is well hidden by the thick foliago. Oc- 
 casionally it is built toward the end of a large limb, 20 feet 
 or more from the main trunk, the supporting branch usually 
 being not moie than a few inches in ditimeter. The nest 
 ofte7itimes is a r\ide structure. Jiiade of sticks only, and re- 
 sembles closely in appearance that of some of tiie herons 
 
151 
 
 while others are more substantial, from the lining of Spanish 
 mops or soft Inner bark of the cottonwood which they con- 
 tain; rarely a nest is composed almost entirely of Spanish 
 moiis. 
 
 "The number of eggs in a set is usually two, though three 
 and four, and probably even more are sometimes depositf^d. 
 Audubon found a nest near the Falls of the Ohio in 1820. 
 which contained four young. The male is very attentive and 
 assists the female in building the nest and incubating the 
 eggs, as well as in collecting a large proportion of the food for 
 the young. After the breeding season this Kite is more or 
 less gregarious; families of four or five are usually found 
 together, and occasionally flocks of fifty or more. This species 
 is quite wary and difficult to approach, l.ut if me of the 
 flock is killed or wounded, the others will fly around it. and a 
 number may be secured before they take alarm and move off. 
 
 ITS FLIGHT EASY AND GRACEFUL. 
 
 "The flight is smooth and protracted, and for grace and 
 elegance is not excelled by that of any other species. To fully 
 appreciate its superiority one must see the bird on the wing, 
 for no language can describe the beautv of the ever-varying 
 movements. No matter whether the bird is soaring far above 
 ifH earth, skimming lightly over its surface, ..r following the 
 different gyrations of some fleeting insect, the observer is 
 surprised as well as charmed at the wonderful exhibition, 
 uiten It will stop in mid air. and with half closed wings and 
 depresse.J tail, shake itself much after the manner ..f swal- 
 lows whil? bathing. Although it often alights on trees it 
 rarely IS seen on the ground, and even when capturing' its 
 prey it glides swiftly over the surface, reachhig down a* Ihe 
 proper mcment to secure the quarry. Tt gen^rallv if not 
 always, feed;., while in mid air, bending its ho.id do'wnward 
 and toward the talons to tear the object in its grasr) It 
 drinks while skimming rapidly over the surface of the water 
 Fisher B 11 T)'"'''' ^'^'''"''^''^ ^"'^ '"^"y other birds:"-(Dr 
 
1 52 
 
 .MISSISSIPPI KITE. 
 Ictinia mississippieusis. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 "General form short and compact. Bill short, tip emargin- 
 ated; wings long, pointed; tail rather short, emarginated; tarsi 
 short. 
 
 ^^Adult. — Upper parts of body dark lead color, nearly black 
 on rump; head and under parts cinereous, darkest on abdomen; 
 quills and tail brownish-black; * * * tips of secondaries 
 ashy-white; a longitudinal stripe on each web of primaries 
 chestnut rufous." (Length of male about 14 inches extent 
 about ne; female a little larger.)— B. B. of N. A. 
 
 Habitat. — Southern United States, southward from South 
 Carolina on the coast, and Wisconsin and Iowa in the interior 
 to Mexico. Rare straggler in Pennsylvania. 
 
 I have never met with it in this State. The only 
 specimen that has been taken here, so far as I can 
 learn, was shot in September, 1892, in Cumberhind 
 (;ounty. This specimen is in the museum of the Penii 
 svivania State College. 
 
 FEEDS ON INSECTS. 
 
 Dr. Fisher's examinations of the stomachs of this 
 Kite, show that it subsists like the Swallow-tailed 
 Kite, principally on grasshoppers, large beetles, katy- 
 dids, crickets, etc. It does not visit the poultry yard 
 and game birds or game mammals are never attacked 
 by it. Lizards, small-sized snakes and frogs are some- 
 times preyed upon by this Kite when insect food is not 
 readily secured. 
 
 Never having had the opportunity of studying this 
 bird in life I take the following extracts from Dr. 
 Fisher's Bulletin: 
 
 The Mif-sissippi Kite, like the other American species, in- 
 habits the more southern parts of our terrirory. It is dis- 
 tributed f!(ini Guatemala north through eastarn .\Tpxico anj 
 the soutl-ern T'nit(>d States (>ast of th-^ Rficky Mountains, 
 
M ISSISSI PI KITE 
 
153 
 
 occurring regularly as far north as Georgia, Southern UUnols, 
 Indian Territory and Kansas, and casually to Iowa and Wis- 
 confiin. A few remain In the southern United States all win- 
 ter, but the greater part pass on to Mexico during October, 
 and return again in the latter part of April. * • * 
 "Thrc^ specimens which Wilson examined at Natchez, Mi?B., 
 ccntained the remains of beetles, and he taw them flying 
 about the trees feeding on cicadas. Dr. Coues mentions one 
 sliot at Blufflon, South Carolina, whose stomach was 
 crammed with the same insects, together w'th a few katydids. 
 It is wonderful at what a distance its iceen eyes can delect 
 a conjparatively small insect. Mr. E. \V. Nelson feays: *I 
 paw them repeatedly dart with unerring aim upim some luck- 
 less grasshopper from an elevation of at least 100 yards." — 
 (Bull. Essex Inst., Vol. LX, 1877, p. 58.) 
 
 THE NEST AND EGGS. 
 
 "As regards the economic value of this Kite, much of the 
 same statement may be made as of the previous species. It 
 does little or no damage, but much good. Soon after arriv- 
 ing in its summer home it begins to remodel its old nest or the 
 deserted nest of some other bird, and more rarely, when these 
 are not available, it builds a new one. The remodeling con- 
 sists in patching up the sides with a few sticks and adding 
 a sparse lining of Spanish moss or green leaves. The nest is 
 usually situated in the tops of the tallest trees, among the 
 smaller branches, where it is well concealed by^ the foliage. 
 The full complement of eggs, usually two or three in number, 
 is deposited by the middle of May, though in some cases it 
 must be much earlier, for the writer once secured a young 
 bird in southern Louisiana the last of May which already 
 had acquired nearly the adult plumage. 
 
 NOT A SHY BIRD. 
 
 "The Kite is not at all shy, and may be secured easily as 
 it sits on some tall stub; in fact. Col. N. S. Goss tells of 
 shooting a pair from the same tree, as the second one did not 
 move at the report of the gun, but looked down with sur- 
 prise on its fallen companion. It is said to be moi-ose and ir- 
 ritable in captivity and very difficult to tame. A specimen 
 which the writer once wounded was the very picture of rage 
 as with flashing eyes and erect crest it threw itself on its 
 back and prepared to repel the aggressor with its talons. 
 
 "This species is fully as gregarious as any of the other 
 Kites, and oftentimes may be seen in flocks of twenty or 
 more circling over a favorite hunting ground. It is observed 
 most frequently around the border of woods in the vicinity 
 of water, and is particularly fond of half cleared ground 
 where dead trees still stand, these being used for perches. 
 
 "Its flight is as varied and graceful as that of the Swallow- 
 tailed Kite, is long protracted, and the bird often ascends 
 to so great a height as to be barely visible. While soaring 
 high in the air its flight simulates that of the Turkey Buz- 
 zard very closely, and as the two birds often are seen to- 
 gether the Kite looks li"ke a miniature of the other." 
 
154 
 
 MARSH HAWK. 
 
 Circus hudsonlns. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Face partly encircled by a ruff or imperfect facial disc of 
 small stiffened feathers as in the owls; nostrils large; wings 
 long and pointed; tail long; tarsus long and slender. 
 
 Male. — Light bluish gray above and on neck and breast; 
 upper tail-poverts and most of under parts white; some 
 under feathers under wings and lower part of breast and 
 abdomen spotted with rusty. Female and young are darli- 
 bi'own above, strealied on head and neck with reddish 
 brown; below reddish-brown, much brighter in some speci- 
 mens than others; upper tail-coverts white. Length of fe- 
 male about IS to 20 inches; extent about 44; tail 9 or 10 inches; 
 bill and claws blackish; legs, feet and eyes yellow. 
 
 Habitat.— ^oYi\\ America in general, south to Panama. 
 
 The Marsli Hawk, known also as Harrier and Botf- 
 trotter. is most frequently seen throughout Pennsyl- 
 vania in the spring and fall, but it breeds often in dif- 
 ferent parts of the State, and in some of the southern 
 counlies it is found during all months of the year. It:^ 
 Mcsf, with eggs or young, have been found by the fol- 
 lowing gentlemen in Iheir respective counties: Dr. 
 John W. Detwiller, Xorthamj)ton : R. C. AVrenshali, 
 Allegheny; H. J. Roddy. Perry: Dr. Van Fleet, Clin- 
 ton; Geo. S. Morris, Philadelphia; Hon. G. C. Brown. 
 York; Otto Behr, Sullivan; \\ . W. Stoey, Dauphin, 
 and J. L. Camp. Bradford. I h.ave observed the Marsh 
 Hawk to be most numerous in the fall, frequentintf 
 the extensive and grassy mend<nA- lands, chiefly about 
 the large streams. 
 
 When flying this species can easily lie distinguished 
 from other haA\ks by the white upper tail-cover! s, sd 
 conspicuous in tlu' females and immature birds, or 
 those usually met with. The old male, rare and sel- 
 dom found in this section, can be recognized by the 
 bluish white plumage. 
 
fc. 
 
 i 
 
 MARSH HAW K 
 
isr. 
 
 THE XKST AND EGGS. 
 
 The ut'st of the Marsli Hawk differs from tliat of all 
 others of the family which breed here, in beinj; |)hiced 
 on the ftronnd, and usually, it i« said, in a swamp or 
 meadow. The nest, according to different writers, is 
 composed of sticks, grasses, hay, etc., or sometimes 
 no nest is made, the eggs simply being deposited on a 
 bed of grass, moss, etc., on the ground. "Eggs, three 
 to eight, 1.80 by 1.41, white or bluish-white, usually 
 plain, but often more or less spotted oi' blotclied witli 
 pale l)ro\An." — Ridgway. 
 
 FEEDS OX MICE. 
 
 Notwithstanding the fact that these hawks rarely, 
 if ever, prey upon any kinds of game except sometimes 
 an occasional Reed bird, gunners, who so industriously 
 search over the swamps never fail to destroy every 
 -Marsh Hawk which comes within range of theii' deadly 
 weapons. 
 
 Marsh Hawks rarely disturb poultry, but subsist 
 mainly on field mice, other small quadrupeds, frogs, 
 large insects and sometimes, though seldom they catch 
 small wild birds. In writing of the food-habits, etc., 
 of this species Xuttall says: "It frequents chiefly, 
 ojten, low and marshy situations, over which it sweeps 
 or skims along at a little distance usually from the 
 ground, in quest of mic(\ small birds, frogs, lizards 
 and otiici- Kqiiilcs. which it often selects by twilight 
 as well as in the o])en day; and at times, pressed by 
 hunger, it joins the owls, and seeks out its prey even 
 by moonlight." 
 
 In fourteen examinations made by myself, seven 
 hawks had only field mice in their stomachs; three, 
 frogs; two, small birds (warblers); one. few feathers, 
 apparently of a sparrow (Melospizn) ;ind fragments of 
 
15fi 
 
 insccis; one. hirj^c iiiiihIkm' of i>i';issliO])pei's wilh ;i sniiill 
 <lii;iri(i(_v (»(■ lijiii'. cvidciidy lliiil of ;i yoniij; riibl)if. 
 
 WHAT VARIOUS WRITERS SAY. 
 
 Coiicciniii^- I lie food of this hli-d different writers 
 spenk as follows: 
 
 "When proy is discovered the hawk poises for a moment 
 over the spot and then drops quickly on it, and if successful 
 is sure to beat over tlie same place before leaving. Tt gen- 
 erally devour.s its quarry on or near the spot where captured, 
 instead of carrying- it away. Its food consists largely of small 
 rodents, such as meadow mice, half-grown squirrels, rabbits 
 and spermophiles or ground squirrels. In fact, so extensively 
 does it feed on the last named animals that the writer rarely 
 has examined a stomach from the West which did not contain 
 their remains. 
 
 FEEDS ON REPTILES AND INSECTS. 
 
 In addition to the above it preys upon lizards, frogs, snakes, 
 insects and birds; of the latter, the smaller ground-dwelling 
 species usually are taken. When hard pressed it is said to 
 feed on offal and carrion, and in the spring and fall, when 
 water fowl ai'e abundant, it occasionally preys upon dead 
 and wounded birds-left by gunners. It seldom chases birds on 
 the wing, though the writer has seen it do so in a few in- 
 stances." — Fisher Bulletin No. .3. 
 
 Audubon says: 
 
 "The food of the Marsh Hawk consists of insects of various 
 kinds, especially crickets; of lizards, frogs, snakes, birds, 
 principally the smaller sorts, although it will attack par- 
 tridges, plovers, and even green-winged teals, when urged by 
 excessive hunger." 
 
 Mr. H. W. Hensliaw, whose extensive field experi- 
 ence in the West gave him abundant opportunity of 
 thoroughly acquainting himself with the habits of this 
 species, says: 
 
 "They were seen at all hours of the day * * * * 
 in search of mice and gophers, which, when obtainable, con- 
 stitute the major part of their food. When urged by hunger, 
 it may attack birds, and I remember to have once been robbed 
 of a widgeon I had killed and kept lying in the water, by one 
 of these birds; but generally they confine their attacks to 
 the humblest kind of game. which possess neither the 
 strength to enable them to resist nur the activity l« evade 
 the sudden descent of their winged onemv." — Ornith Wheeler 
 Survev, 100 Meriii., 187;"). 
 
157 
 
 •Ml-. liohfil Kid-^wjiv found Uie slomaclis and crops 
 of (hose hawks wliicli he obtained at Pyi-aniid Lake, 
 Nevada, '^filled to Iheii- utmost capacity with tlie le- 
 niaius of small lizards, and nothing else." 
 
 PROTECTS THE CROPS. 
 
 There is another way in which it protects crops, albeit 
 unconsciously, as appears from the fonowing: 'It is also said 
 to be very serviceable in the southern rice fields in interrupt- 
 ing the devastations made by swarms of bobolinks. As it 
 sails low ana swiftly over the fields it keeps the flocks in per- 
 petual fluctuation and gi-eatly interrupts their depredations. 
 Wilson states that one marsh hawk was considered by the 
 planters equal to several negroes for alarming the rice 
 birds.'"— (Hist. N. A. Birds, Vol. Ill, p. 218.) 
 
 "Dr Merriam bears witness to the truth of the foregoing, 
 for while at Georgetown, South Carolina, he saw an immense 
 flock of bobolinks driven from a field by one of these hawks, 
 which simply passed over at a considerable height, and made 
 no movement to molest them. 
 
 "Although the hawk occasionally carries off poultry and 
 game birds, its economic value as a destroyer of mammal 
 pests IS so great that its slight irregularities should be par- 
 doned. Unfortunately, however, the farmer and sportsman 
 shoot It down at .sight, regardless or ignorant of the fact that 
 It preserves an immense quantity of grain, thousands of 
 fruit trees and innumerable nests of game birds by destrov- 
 mg the vermin which eat the grain, girdle the trees and de- 
 vour ^the eggs and young of the birds."— Dr. Fisher, Bulletin 
 
 A FRIEND OF THE PARMER. 
 
 A study; of this badly abused bird should convince 
 any fair-minded pei-son that it is one of the most bene- 
 ficial of the birds of prey. It should be aHowed to 
 niuUii»ly and not be wantonly slau^rhtored by farmers 
 and j^unners, simijjy for no better reason than that it 
 is a "hawk.' It is a most persistent hunter of meadow 
 mice, which in recent years have done so much dam- 
 age in many paits of Pennsylvania. This surely enti- 
 tles it to protection; and if farmers and otheis who de- 
 stroy (he Marsh Hawks which visit their premises were 
 aware of the benefit these birds do, I am confident 
 such <iiiel slauo-hter would cease, and great o-ood 
 
158 
 
 would suoii follow in the decrease of destructive ro- 
 dents, wliieli couuiiit .sucli serious depredations in the 
 vineyards, and in the grass and grain fields. 
 
 Consulting Dr. Fisher's tables on tiie food of the 
 .Marsli llawk we find that '*of 124 stoniaclis examined, 
 7 contained poultry or game birds; 34, other birds; 57. 
 mice; 22, other mammals; 7, reptiles; 2. frogs; 14, in 
 sects; 1, indeterminate matter; and 8 were empty." 
 
SHARP SHINNED HAWK 
 
159 
 
 SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. 
 Accipiter velox. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Adult.— Vijvar parts uniform dark bluish-gray; top of head 
 somewhat darker; tail is marked with several transverse 
 blackish bands; lower parts white; the breast and sides 
 being barred with brownish black or rufous. Ins, reddish- 
 orange. 
 
 Immature.— Vpper parts dusky; usually, with numerous 
 lighter spots, and the feathers more or less conspicuously 
 bordered with rusty; lower parts whitish, marked with brown 
 and dusky streaks. Iris, light yellow. 
 
 A large female of this species measures about 14 inches iii 
 length by 2G inches in extent; the even or slightly notched 
 tail meas'ures about SVi inches; the male is smaller. 
 
 Habitat. —Soith America at large. Common in Pennsylva- 
 nia, parlicularly in sparsely settled regions. 
 
 The Sliarp-.sliiniied Hawk is known in different sec- 
 tions of l»ennsvivania bv a variety of local names, the 
 most common of which are, ''partridge" or "little quail 
 hawk," "pi;4-eon hawk," and "brown hawk." Unfor- 
 tunately much of this hawk's destructive work in the 
 l)oultry yard and to game and small wild birds is 
 wrongfully attributed to the beautiful and servicable 
 Sparrow Hawk, which, on account of its size, is frc- 
 (luently mistaken by farmers, poultry-raisers and 
 sportsmen for the Sharp-shinned Hawk which annual- 
 ly destroys a large amount of domestic fowls, quail and 
 grouse. 
 
 This extremely daring and spirited little hawk is ono 
 of the most abundant of our North American species. 
 It is found in Pennsylvania as a resident, but during 
 the spring and fall migrations — March, April, Septem- 
 ber and October — it is plentiful, being frequently met 
 with in the mountainous and h(>avily-wnode(1 rlistrictJ». 
 ;is well as in the cultivated and rich agricultural re- 
 gions. .Mthough a native throughout the State, it is 
 
I HO 
 
 iiiijtii mull' iimiicroiis (lining (he liircdiii^j season in 
 Ihinlv scKh'd and wooded districts. The nests in tliis 
 localitv, according to my experience, are mostly built 
 in low trees, and they are made up almost entirely of 
 small twigs. 
 
 THE NEST AND EGGS. 
 
 I have taken two nests, both built in low cedar trees; 
 these nests were entirely constructed of small twigs, 
 and were loosely, but firmly made. The cavity of one 
 nest was quite superficial, but that of the other was 
 well formed. The eggs — each nest contained five — 
 are deposited about the first of May. They are nearly 
 spherical, white or bluish- white, marked with large 
 and irregular splashes or. blotches of brown, and meas- 
 ure about 1.4G by 1.10 inches. Gentry, a close ob- 
 server and facile writer, remarks in his "Life Histories 
 of Birds," that the "eggs, iji some instances, are laid 
 on consecutive daj's, but we have positive proofs that 
 sometimes a single day is intermitted, and at other 
 times, even two and three days intervene betAveen each 
 deposit." In one of my nests I found two days to in- 
 tervene after the deposition of each of three eggs, and 
 the fifth ovum w\as deposited after an intervention of 
 three days. Gentry has found them breeding in the 
 deserted nest of the common grey squirrel. Mr. J. 
 Hoopes Matlack, of West Chester, informs uie he 
 found a pair breeding in an old crow's nest; such sites, 
 however, Gentry advises us, are rarely chosen. It is 
 said this species will sometimes build on a ledge 
 of rock or on hollow and decaying tree linil)s. One 
 nest, whicli I had the oi>portunity of observing from' 
 its early commencement, was built by (he united labor 
 of both birds, whicli occupied a period of seven days. 
 Gentrv. who doubtless, has had a more extensive ex- 
 
SHARP SHINNED HAWK. (young 
 
161 
 
 perieiice, gives three and four davs, according to style, 
 as the time requisite for the construction of the nest. 
 
 Various writers assert that dry grass, leaves, moss, 
 etc., aid in the make-up of the nests; such, no doubt, 
 is the case, but as previously stated, I have found 
 sticks and twigs to solely constitute the nests. 
 
 Incubation is alternately engaged in by both birds, 
 which, while they show great solicitude for their off- 
 spring, repelling all bird intruders with the most dr 
 ((Miiiincd /(al and ])ugnacity, will, when molested by 
 man, show marked timidity, and leave to his desecra- 
 tion their nest and its contents. The young are care- 
 fully watched and fed by the parents, chiefly on a diet 
 of small birds — sparrows principally — until. Gentry 
 says, they are al)out six weeks old, when they are able 
 to provide food for themselves. 
 
 FOND OF POULTRY AND SONG BIRDS. 
 
 This hawk occasionally feeds upon insects, mice and 
 reptiles, but the greater portion of its food consists of 
 wild birds and poultry, particularly young poultry. 
 ^^'hen a pair of Sharp-shinned or Cooper's Hawks nest 
 in the neighborhood of a farm, where young chickens 
 can readily be captured, they, if not speedily killed, 
 will visit the place almost daily until the young chicks 
 have all been destroyed, and if the hawks are not mo- 
 lested after a few visits to the coo])s, they seem to bo- 
 come more bold and daring every day. 
 
 KILLS GAME BIRDS. 
 
 This hawk does not by any means devote his atten- 
 tion exclusively to young poultry Avhen lie comes about 
 the farm yard, but often may be seen to attack and 
 kill chickens when two-thirds or even full grown., 
 
 11--IT 
 
162 
 
 Pheasants or Ruffed Groase, both old and young, also 
 quail, are destroyed in considerable numbers by the 
 Sharp-shinned hawks. Young rabbits and squirrels 
 are occasionally captured by these hawks, and on on<' 
 occasion, a few years ago, a hunter of my acquaint^ 
 ance shot and presented to me a pair of these hawks 
 which had killed several young wild turkeys, which ho 
 said were about one-third grown. I have known both 
 the Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, which had 
 probably been watching coveys of quail, to suddenly 
 swoop down and seize a quail which had been shot, 
 when the spoitsnian was only a few yards from the 
 quail he liad killed or wounded. Doves, which in re- 
 cent years or since the wild pigeons have disappeared 
 from this region, are eagerly sought after by sports- 
 men in many sections of the State, are very often de- 
 stroyed by these hawks, and they also sometimes at- 
 tack domestic pigeons. 
 
 According to Nuttall: 
 
 "This species feeds particularly upon mice, lizards, small 
 birds, and sometimes even squirrels. In thinly settled dis- 
 tricts this Hawk seems to abound, and P'ro\es extremely de- 
 structive to young chickens, a single bird having been known 
 regularly to come every day until he had carried away be- 
 tween twenty and thirty." 
 
 The same writer relates a circumstances, wjiere he 
 was one day conversing with a planter, when one of 
 these hawks came down and without any cereudonv 
 or heeding the loud cries of the housewife, who most 
 I'chictantly witnessed the robbery, snatched away ;i 
 chicken directly befor<' them. 
 
 Dr. (youes says: 
 
 "It preys chiefly upon small birds and quadrupeds, captur- 
 ing in the dashing manner of all the species of this gmuj), 
 and, like its small allies, feeds to some extent upon insects." 
 
163 
 
 Since the advent and alarming increase of the Eng 
 lish Sparrow, it is not iinnsnal for the Sharp-shinned 
 Hawk to pay occasional visits to towns and villages 
 wliere lie should be heartily welcomed for the destrnc- 
 lion he causes among these featliered pests. 
 
 Dr. A. K. Fisher very properly says: 
 
 "Little can be said in favor of this hawk, althuugh its dar- 
 ing courage and impudence are to be admired. On this and 
 the two following species (Cooper's Hawk and Goshawk) 
 mainly rest the responsibility for the ill-favor with which 
 the other hawks are regarded. A score of valuable species 
 suffer because they belong to a class which includes two or 
 three noxious kinds. However, like most villains, it has at 
 least one redeeming quality, and that is its fondness for the 
 English Sparrow, our imported bird nuisance." 
 
 SOME SMALL BIRDS IT DEVOURS. 
 
 The Sharp-shinned Hawk is known to kill and feed 
 upon the following species of small wild birds which 
 are common in tliis State: 
 
 Meadow Lark, Red-headed Woodpecker. 
 
 Common Robin, Cat Bird, 
 
 Crow Blackbird, English Sparrow, 
 
 Cow Blackbird, Song Sparrow. 
 
 Blue Bird, Tree Sparrow, 
 
 Flicker, Snow Bird, 
 
 Downy Woodpecker, Fox Sparrow, 
 
 Goldfinch, Chipping Sparrow, 
 
 Savanna Sparrow, Orchard Oriole. 
 
 Baltimore Oriole, White-throated Sparrow, 
 
 Chickadee. Brown Thrush, 
 
 Hermit Thrush, Myrtle Warbler, 
 
 Red Eyed Vireo, Common Pewee. 
 Black Throated Green Warbler, Oven Bird. 
 Red-winged Blackbird, 
 
 This list could be considerably enlarged, as there are 
 many other kinds of birds which different observers 
 have idendfied among the stomach contents of this 
 hawk. Tlie list is, liowever. sntficiently large to give 
 (he general reader a very dear idea that the Sharp- 
 sliinn<>d is cvci" ready to rapture and prey upon almost 
 
164 
 
 i\uy bird lii' can luastur. The sloiuacli coiilciils of 
 IwenI v-soveii Sharp-sliiuiiod Hawks examined by the 
 N\ riter. aie uixen in (he followinu,- table: 
 
 Locality. 
 
 Kood Materials. 
 
 1.. 
 
 September 7, 1878,. 
 
 Chester county, Ta., .. 
 
 Song sparrow. 
 
 :;, . 
 
 September 14, 1S78,. 
 
 Chester county, Ta , .. 
 
 Quail. 
 
 
 November 20. ISTS, 
 
 Newark, I>ela\vare 
 
 Chicken. 
 
 i,'. 
 
 November 17, 1879,. 
 
 Chester county, I'a.. .. 
 
 Snowbird. 
 
 u, . 
 
 May 3, li.79 
 
 Chester county, I'a, .. 
 
 l'"ield mice. 
 
 6,. 
 
 September 10. ISTH,. 
 
 Chester county. Pa., .. 
 
 English sparrow .in'l 
 field niicee. 
 
 ~. • 
 
 May 30, 1880 
 
 Delaware county. Pa.,. 
 
 Chicken. 
 
 8,. 
 
 June 2, issu 
 
 Chester county, Pa., .. 
 
 Chicken. 
 
 9.. 
 
 June 3, 1880. 
 
 Chester county. Pa., .. 
 
 Chicken. 
 
 10^. 
 
 August 23, 1881 
 
 Chester county, Pa., .. 
 
 Grasshoppers and bee- 
 tles. 
 
 11,. 
 
 October 16. 1881, ... 
 
 Chester county. Pa., .. 
 
 Quail. 
 
 12,. 
 
 October 29, 18S1, ... 
 
 Chester county. Pa., .. 
 
 Quail and fragments of 
 beetles. 
 
 13,. 
 
 June 22, 1881 
 
 Lancaster county. Pa. , 
 
 Chicken. 
 
 14,. 
 
 October, 1881, 
 
 Chester county. Pa., .. 
 
 Meadow lark. 
 
 15.. 
 
 May 23, lS>b2 
 
 York county. Pa 
 
 Warbler. 
 
 16,. 
 
 December 13, 1S82, . 
 
 Chester county, Pa.. .. 
 
 Song sparrow. 
 
 IT,. 
 
 April 3, 1SS2 
 
 Chester county. Pa, .. 
 
 Robin. 
 
 18,. 
 
 September 2j. ]^81,. 
 
 Chester county. I'a., .. 
 
 Field sparrow. 
 
 19.. 
 
 October 3, 18!^0 
 
 Chester county. Pa., .. 
 
 English si>arrow. 
 
 20,. 
 
 November 26, 1S86.. 
 
 Chester county. Pa., .. 
 
 Song sparrow amU fi'X 
 sparrow. 
 
 21,. 
 
 August 15, 1887 
 
 Ijycoming county. Pa... 
 
 Mourning dove. 
 
 22,. 
 
 September 19, 1887,. 
 
 Dauphin county. Pa., . 
 
 Ruffed grouse. 
 
 23,. 
 
 November 17, 1&87,. 
 
 Delaware county, la.. 
 
 Common pigeon, chl k 
 adee. 
 
 24,. 
 
 June 20, 1888 
 
 Lackawanna county . Pa . 
 
 Red-eyed vireo an 1 
 chicken. 
 
 25,. 
 
 October 1. 1890, .... 
 
 McKean crunty. !''a . 
 
 Downy woodpeck' r and 
 snowbird. 
 
 2C, 
 
 August 27, 1891, .. 
 
 Chester county. Pa.. .. 
 
 Brown thru.'-h and bee- 
 tles. 
 
 27,. 
 
 December 10, 1895, 
 
 Luzerne county. Pa., . 
 
 Field mice and Engll?li 
 
 sparrow. 
 
COOPERS 
 
165 
 
 COOPER'S HAWK. 
 Accipiter cooperi. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Adult.— Above uniform bluish-gray, and top of head black- 
 isli; tail has several transverse blackish bands; lower parts 
 white; breast and sides being- barred with dusky or reddish- 
 brown. Iris reddish amber. 
 
 ImmaUire. —Above dusky, more or less spotted with white 
 ana reddish brown; tail banded; lower parts whitish with 
 long brown spots. Iris yellow. A large female measures 
 from 18 to 20 inches in length by o6 in extent; the long and 
 rounded tail measures about 8V-> inches; the male is smaller. 
 
 Habitat. — North America in general. Common in I'ennsyl- 
 vania, particularly in wooded and mountainous districts. 
 
 This miK'li (leslested and commonly called ''Lonp^- 
 tailed Chicken or Pheasant Hawk" — a native — is resi- 
 dent but it is not nearly so plentiful during the winter 
 season as throuoliont the late spring, summer and 
 early autumn. 
 
 THE NEST AND EGGS. 
 
 Nest building is commonly begun in this locality 
 about the middle of April, and lasts for a period of 
 from three to five days. Occasionally this bird will 
 deposit its eggs in a deserted crow's nest. I believe 
 they prefer to erect their own nests, and, from my ob- 
 servation, am quite j)Ositive they only appropriate the 
 nests of other birds wlu'n their own have been de- 
 stroyed. The building of the nest is the conjoint l-.'.bor 
 of both birds. 
 
 It is usually built in a thick woods, and when a pair 
 of Cooper's Hawks begin housekeeping in woodland 
 near the farmer's poultry yard and they are not soon 
 hunlcd lip and l<ilh'(l or (heir nt'St and its conlent--^ de- 
 stroved, tlie chances are tliey will dcslrov a good maiiv 
 
IOC 
 
 dollars worth of poultry before they aud their young 
 leave the locality. 
 
 Externally the nest is built of sticks varying much) 
 in size. It is generaly lined with the inner layer of 
 bark, although, frequently, blades of grass, feathers 
 and leaves enter into the construction of the interior. 
 While certain writers have described the nest as broad, 
 with but a slight concavity, 1 liave invariably found 
 the concavities to be well marked. The eggs measure 
 about 1.02x1.50 inches and usually number from three 
 to foui', although it is not a rare occurrence to find five. 
 In color they are a dull, bluish-white. Sets are some- 
 times taken with numerous and unevenly distributed 
 brown or reddish spots. The period of incubation is 
 given by Prof. Thomas Gentry (Birds of Eastern Penn- 
 sylvania), to be 18 days. Although in this particular 
 my observation has been somewhat limited, 1 am fully 
 convinced that the time required for this, likewise 
 other of our birds of prey, is three weeks or over. The 
 young leave the nest in about 25 days; when about 8 
 or 9 weeks old they are able to provide food for them- 
 selves; to this time, however, they are carefully guard- 
 ed by the old birds and fed almost entirely on a diet 
 of small wild birds, chickens, an occasional mammal 
 and some few insects. 
 
 AN AUDACIOUS POULTRY THIE^F. 
 
 While it is true that the Cooper's Hawk preys to a 
 much greater extent on full grown poultry than does 
 his daring little relative the Sharp-shinned Hawk, 
 there is no doubt that at times individual Cooper's 
 Hawks are equally as bad about destroying young 
 poultry }is are the Sharp shinned Hawks. For impu- 
 dent dnring this present sppcics, without doubt, rnnks 
 pre-eminent jimong the raptorial genern. Almost every 
 
COOPERS HAWK . (YOUNG) 
 
1(17 
 
 farmer or [xmltiy laisei- cau leeouut iustauces of 
 where lie or slie was ilie victim of pillage by this bold 
 and audacious robber, in the spring of 187!S ihe 
 writer was presented bv a friend with a Cooper's 
 Hawk which he had caught in a steel trap, but not 
 until he and his mate had destroyed some fifty young 
 chickens. In one day these two hawks killed twelve 
 chirkens. 
 
 A BOLD ACT. 
 
 Audulxin says: "This maramUr sometimfs attacks birds fai 
 superior to itself in weight and sometimes possessed of a 
 courage and strength equal to its own. .\s I was one morning 
 observing the motions of some parakeets, near Bayou Sara, 
 in Louisiana, in the month of November, I heard a cock 
 crowing not far from me and in sight of a farm house. The 
 next moment the hawk flew past me and so close that I might 
 have touched it with the barrel of my gun had I been pre- 
 pared. Not more than a few seconds elapsed before I heard 
 the cackling of the hens and the war cry of the cock, and at 
 the same time observed the hawk rising, as if without ef- 
 fort, a few yards in the air and again falling toward the 
 ground with the rapidity of lightning. I proceeded to the spot 
 and found the hawk grappled to the body of the cock, both 
 tumbling over and over and paying no attention to me as I 
 approached. Desirous of seeing the result, I remained still 
 until, perceiving that the hawk had given a fatal squeeze to 
 the brave cock, I ran to secure the former but the marauder 
 had kept a hawk's eye upon me, and, disengaging himself, 
 rose in the air in full confidence. The next moment I pulled 
 the trigger and he fell dead. " 
 
 A MIXED DIET. 
 
 Dr. Coues (Birds of Nortliwest) says, in speaking of this 
 liawk: "Possessed of spirit commensurate with its physical 
 powers, it preys upon game little if any humbler than that 
 of our more powerful falcons. It attacks and destroys 
 hares, grouse, teal, and even the young of larger ducks, in 
 the state in which they are known as 'flappers,' besides cap- 
 turing the usual variety of smaller birds and quadrupeds. 
 It occasionally seizes upon reptiles or picks up insects. In 
 securing its prey it gives chase openly and drives down Its 
 quarry with almost incredible velocity." 
 
 The following quotations from Dr. Fisher's Hawk and Owl 
 Bulletin No. ?,. page 39, show how extensively the Cooper's 
 Hawk feed.'^ on game and domestic birds. Nuttall says: "His 
 food appears principally to be of various kinds; from the 
 sparrow to the Ruffed Grouse, all contribute to his rapacious 
 
108 
 
 appeUle. * His (lepredatiuiis among domestic 
 
 fowls are very df.stiuctive. " (Land Birds, 1832, p. 90.) 
 
 Mr. H. Nehrling says: "This very common and impudent 
 robber is the most destructive of the Raptores to the barn- 
 yard fowls; in a shoil time all the young chicliens, turkeys 
 and ducks are killed by it." (Bull. Nutl. Ornith. Club, Vol. 
 VII, 82, p. 174.) 
 
 Mr Thomas Mcllwaith says: "This is one of the chicken 
 liawks, and it well deserves the name, from the havoc it 
 makes among the poultrj'." (Birds of Ontario, p. 137.) 
 
 DESTROYS QUAIL. 
 
 "Mr. Henshaw informs me that the Cooper's Hawk is very 
 partial to quail flesli in Calif nrnia and the southern territories, 
 and that it undoubtedly secures many victims. He once saw 
 a young female dart into a bevy of Gambel's quail and seize 
 one with the utmost ease, though the birds were flying at full 
 speed. In an instant the flock scattered in every direction and 
 sought refuge in the bushes, from which it proved next to im- 
 possible to dislodge them. They had recognized their enemy 
 and evidently knew that tht ir only chance for safety lay in 
 close hiding." 
 
 FEEDS ON DOMESTIC PIGEONS. 
 
 "Cooper's Hawk is very destructive to domestic pigeons, 
 and when it finds a cote which is easy of approach, it is very 
 troublesome. Dr. William C. Avery, of Greensboro, Alabama, 
 informs us that dui-ing one year he killed and wounded at 
 least a dozen of these hawks before the inroads among liis 
 doves ceased. Among the smaller birds, this hawk is very 
 fond of meadow larks, robins and flickers. The writer, on 
 several occasions, has secured specimens in hot pursuit of the 
 last named bird, which gave expression to their alarm by loud 
 and continued cries." 
 
 KILLS GROUSE AND OTHER GAME. 
 
 The common name of "Long-tailed Pheasant Hawk," 
 bj which this swift-wingecJ plunderer is best known in 
 the mountainous and sparsely settled regions, is giveu 
 because of the great damage this hawk does by de- 
 stroying Ruffed Grouse. For several years past the 
 writer has every season visited different localities in 
 i'enusylvania, for the purpose of hunting the Ruffed 
 Grouse or TMioasant, and from personal observation is 
 well aware (hat the Cooper's Hawk is a most destruc- 
 
169 
 
 tive foe of this toothsome game bird. Hunters and 
 woodsmen have often told me that these "pheasant 
 hawks," referring to both the Cooper's and Sharp- 
 shinned, kill almost as many birds as the average 
 sportsman, and judging from the way in which a good 
 many sportsmen "shoot" when they are in the brush- 
 after the wily grouse it is very likely that this state- 
 ment is correct. The Cooper's Hawk feeds upon the 
 gray rabbit (common cotton-tail) and the mountain 
 jack or white rabbit (Varying Hare); squirrels are oc- 
 casionally killed and young wild turkeys also suffer 
 considerably from the attacks of this bird. Besides 
 destroying poultry and game of different kinds these 
 hawks annually kill great numbers of small wild birds 
 such as woodpeckers, sparrows, thrushes, etc. 
 
 The Cooper's Hawk has been known to kill and feed 
 upon the following species of birds and mammals 
 which are present in this State: 
 
 BIRDS. 
 
 Ruffed Grouse, Meadow Lark, 
 
 Quail, Screech Owl, 
 
 Common Dove, Flicker, 
 
 Goldfinch. Red-headed Woodpecker. 
 
 Robin, White-breasted Nuthatch, 
 
 Shore-lark, Song Sparrow. 
 
 Tree Sparrow, Crow Blackbird. 
 
 Towhee, Snowbird, 
 
 Red-winged Blackbiid, Field Sparrow. 
 
 Wild Turkey, Savanna Sparrow, 
 
 Wood Duck. Blue Bird, 
 
 Yellow-billed Cuckoo, English Sparrow. 
 
 MAMMALS. 
 
 Opossum. Chipmunk, 
 
 Gray Rabbit, Red Squirrel, 
 
 Varying Hare, Common Rat. 
 
 Field Mice, Woodchuck (young). 
 
 The stomach contents of 4.S Cooper's Hawks ex- 
 amined by the writer gave the following result: 18, 
 cliickcTis ,inil plii'iisanls; 12. small birds — sparrows; 
 11* ir 
 
170 
 
 warblers, meadow larks, woodpeckers, thriishes; .'i. 
 quail; 2, doves or domestic pij^eons; 1, bullfrog; :{. 
 mice, rats jind insects; 1, opossum; 1. young wood- 
 chuck and remains of wood duck; 2, hair and otlu'i' 
 remains of .small quadrupeds. 
 
 .AT LEAST ONE GOOD TRAIT. 
 
 The Coo|>er's TTawk. sometimes lik<' tlip Sharp- 
 shinned species, visits vards and pnrks in towns and 
 vilhiges in (piest of the English Sparrow . a bird which 
 lias by reason of its pugnacious habits driven many of 
 our native and beneficial song birds fi-om the habita- 
 tifuis of man. 
 
N GOSHAWK 
 
171 
 
 GOSHAWK. 
 
 Accipiter atricapillus. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Adult.— Above dark lead color, with blackish shaft streaks; 
 top of head black; white stripe over eye, and more or less 
 indistinct about occiput (back of head); tail has four or ftve 
 indistinct blackish bars; ends of tail feathers whitish; lower 
 parts pale ashy white, with a faint leaden tint, sharply 
 streaked with blackish and finely mottled or barred with white. 
 Iris, reddish amber. 
 
 Immature. — Dark bruwn or grayish above, the feathers 
 edged and spotted with whitish and pale reddish-brown; 
 lower parts yellowish-white and marked with blackish spots 
 ur narrow stripes. Iris yellowish. 
 
 Length about 25 inches; extent, about 46; tail about V2Vz- 
 Tho male is smaller. 
 
 Habitat. — Xorthern and eastern North America, breeding 
 moslly north of the United States. Resident in a few of the 
 higher and wonded mountainous regions of Pennsylvania. 
 
 The Goshawk is not common in this State. Usually 
 this fierce, powerful and predatory bird confines him- 
 self to the mountainous and heavily wooded regions. 
 It is rather exceptional for these birds to be found in 
 the populous farming districts and when they are seen 
 in such places it is generally during severe winters, 
 when their favorite mountain retreats are visited by 
 heavy falls of snow. 
 
 Hunters and woodsmen know the adults of this spo- 
 ries by the name of "Big Blue Hawk." Audubon 
 found the Goshawk breeding in the Great Pine Swamp 
 in this State. 
 
 Some twenty-five year.s ago these hawks, it is said, 
 were veiy frequently seen during all seasons in the 
 (counties of Cameron, Warren, Elk. Potter, Wyoming. 
 Forest. McKean. and Sullivan, where they then, no 
 doubt, bred regularly. Mr. ^T. M. Larraltec. of Km 
 poiiuiii. ('anicioii coutity, says lie always saw Gos- 
 
172 
 
 hawks about the ncslinj; phiccs o-f wild |)igeons, but 
 wheu the pigeous left his localil^' these hawks also de- 
 parted, and are uuw seeu there chietly as winter visit- 
 ors. 
 
 BREEDS IN SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 Tlie Goshawk is a regular breeder on North moun- 
 tain, Sullivan county. Pa. I have seen birds of this 
 species in Clintc-n and Centre counties of this State in 
 June and July, hence am inclined to think they may 
 also breed in these counties. ]\ressrs. Otto and Her- 
 man Behr of Lopez. I'a.. liave found, during the last 
 five or six years, several nests of these hawks on North 
 mountain. ^^Mthin a radius of four or five miles of 
 their home at least three or four pairs of these birds 
 have bred regularly for many years. 
 
 In the latter part of ' May, 189G, Mr. Herman 
 Behr found the nest of a Goshawk about three miles 
 from his home; it contained three young birds. The 
 nest was a very bulky structure, probably not less 
 than three feet high by three feet in diameter, and 
 made up almost entirely of sticks. It was built on a 
 large beech tree. 
 
 During the present year (1897) the Messrs. Behr in- 
 form me they have found the nest of a Goshawk and 
 secured the eggs. 
 
 GOSHAWKS AND WILD PIGEONS. 
 
 Mr. Behr informs me that some thirty-five years ago 
 there was a wild pigeon roost or breeding ground fully 
 seven miles square, on North mo-untain, which was an 
 nually resorted to by these birds every spring. On 
 one occasion Mr Behr counted forty-six pigeons' nests 
 on a single beech tree. ^\\\^\ pigeons, until within the 
 last three years, bred regularly in small numbers on 
 
AMERICAN GOSHAWK (YOUNG) 
 
173 
 
 Xoi'lL mountain. The last wild pij^eon observed 
 in that rej^ion hy Messrs. Otto and Herman Behr was 
 taken in the spring of 1893. The Govshawk, also the 
 C'ooper's and Sharp shinned species, in common with 
 llie Great Horned and Barred owls, destroyed great 
 numbers of pigeons. Of all these raptorial birds the 
 cruel, daring and blood-thirsty GoshaAvk was by far 
 the most persistent and deslrnctive enemy to the 
 pigeons. 
 
 The owls, like other nocturnal mafauders, such as 
 the wild cat or bay lynx, the red fox, the mink and 
 agile weasel, all ])reyed upon the pigeons. The wea- 
 sels wonM frequently climb the tree to get the pigeons' 
 eggs and young, or often to capture the old birds when 
 at rest. ^The other mammals previously mentioned 
 depended mostly on catching squabs which fell from 
 the nests. 
 
 WHAT GOSHAWKS PREY UPON. 
 
 The Goshawk feeds upon chickens, turkeys, ducks, 
 grouse, quail, robins, hares and squirrels and other 
 small rodents. Although at times this bird is very 
 destructive to poultry the greatest damage done by 
 this species in the State appears to be to game, especi 
 ally gi-ouse. 
 
 The following paragraphs concerning this daring 
 and destructive hawk are taken from Dr. A. K. Fish- 
 er's Report, Bulletin No. 3: 
 
 "This species is one of the most daring of all the hawks, 
 and while in niirsuit of lis prey is apparently less concerned 
 by the presence of man than any other. It will dart down 
 unexpectedly at the very feet of the farmer and carry off a 
 fowl." 
 
 The following from the pen of the late Dr. William 
 Wood u:ives evidence of its boldness; 
 
174 
 
 THE DESTRUCTION OF POULTRY. 
 
 "The Goshawk is one of the most daring and venturesome- 
 of any of our diurnal birds of prey. A farmer who resides a 
 few miles from my office, wishing to perpetuate the old New 
 England custom ot having a chicken pie for Thanksgiving 
 dinner, caught some fowls, took them to a log, severed the 
 neck of one, and threw it down beside him. In an instant the 
 Goshawk seized the struggling fowl, and, flying off some ten 
 rods, alighted and commenced devouring his prey. The bold- 
 ness of the attack so astonished the farmer that he looked 
 on with blank amazement. Recovering from his surprise, 
 he hastened into the house and brought out his gun, which 
 secured him both the hawK and the fowl. Another instance 
 of still greater daring occurred near East Windsor Hill, Con- 
 necticut. A Goshawk flew after a fowl near a dwelling house; 
 the door being open, the hen flew inside; the liawk followed, 
 and seized her in 'the room occupied by an old gentleman and 
 his daughter. The old man hastened to the rescue, and struck 
 the hawk with a cane before it released its grasp. The 
 daughter caught the hawk as it attempted to fly out of the 
 door, and killed it." (Amer. Nat. Vol. X, 1876, p. 134.) 
 
 Capt. Charles E. Bendire informed the writer that at Fort 
 Klamath, Oregon, he once shot at a Goshawk and slightly 
 wounded it with fine shot, and in the course of a few minutes 
 it returned and attacked a chicken. Numerous cases are on 
 record where it has flown through windows to attack canaries 
 or other cage birds. 
 
 AN ENEMY OF THE WILD FOWL. 
 
 "In the general character of its flight, as well as the mode 
 of hunting and capturing its prey, it closely resembles 
 Cooper's Hawk, though it frequents the thick woods rather 
 more than the latter bird. In the fall this hawk is common 
 along the smaller water courses where it is very destructive 
 to wild ducks and other water fowl, and is able to strike 
 down a bird as large as a full grown mallard. If its prey is 
 a bird of this size it rarely eats more than the flesh from the 
 breast, leaving the rest of the carcass untouched. Scorning 
 to feed upon carrion, another victim is secured when hunger 
 returns. 
 
 A SUCCESSFUL GROUSE HUNTER. 
 
 "Of the upland game birds the Ptarmigan in the north and 
 the Ruffed Grouse in the middle districts suffer severely 
 from the attacks of this powerful hawk. Dr. William H. 
 Dall, who found it common in the valley of the Yukon river, 
 states that it feeds largely upon the White Ptarmigan, the 
 flocks of which it follows from place to place. E. W. Nelson 
 and L. M. Turner both corroborate its destructiveness among 
 these birds. In some parts of the country the Goshawk hunts 
 the Ruffed Grouse so persistently that it is known by the 
 name of "Partridge Hawk," and this bird probably has no 
 worse enemy except man. As Audubon was passing down the 
 Ohio he observed one of these hawks dive Into a flock of 
 
175 
 
 grackles which was crossing the river, and liill four or five of 
 thera. After giving each victim a fatal squeeze the hawk al- 
 lowed it to tall in the water, and at the close of the chase re- 
 turned and picked all from the surface. " 
 
 The fierce nature of this species is well shown in the 
 concluding paragraphs from the pen of my friend, L. 
 M. Turner:* 
 
 PTARMIGANS ARE EASY PREY. 
 
 "The tracts preferred by the Goshawk are the narrow val- 
 leys, borders of streams and the open tundra, which it con- 
 stantly scans for Ptarmigan and small mammals; the 
 I^emming forming a considerable portion of its food. It wi.l 
 sit for hours in some secluded spot, awaiting a Ptarmigan 
 to raise its wings. No sooner does its prey rise a few feet 
 from the earth than with a few rapid strokes of the wing 
 and a short sail, the Goshawk is brought within seizing dis- 
 tance! it pounces upon the bird, grasping it with both feet 
 under the wings, and after giving it a few blows on the head 
 they both fall to the ground, often tumbling several feet 
 before they stop, the hawk not relinquishing its hold during 
 the time. During the mating season of the Ptarmigans many 
 males suffer death while striving to gain the affection of the 
 female, for as he launches high in the air, rattling his hoarse 
 note of defiance to any other male of its kind in the vicinity, 
 the Goshawk darts from a patch of alders or willows, or 
 from the e^ge of the neighboring bluff, and with a. dash they 
 come to the ground, often within a few yards of the terror- 
 stricken female, who now seeks safety in flight as distant as 
 her wings will carry her. I have seen this hawk sail without 
 a quiver of its pinions until within seizing distance of its 
 quarry, and suddenly throw its wings back, when with a 
 crash they came together, and all the vicinity was filled with 
 white feathers, floating peacefully through the air. I secured 
 both birds, and found the entire side of the Ptarmigan ripped 
 open. 
 
 On another occasion I shot a fine individual as it rose from 
 a small clump of willows, to which I had approached un- 
 observed by the bird. It had been devouring a Ptarmigan, 
 which it had secured but a little while before. The flesh of 
 the bird was yet warm, though nearly all devoured. The 
 Goshawk was only wing-tipped with shot and proved to be 
 quite vicious, seizing my boot with its talons and striving to 
 grasp my hand with its beak. The bird was so quick that I 
 had to call the assistance of a native to detach the claws 
 from my clothing. Upon skinning the bird I found its crop 
 to be full of the flesh of the bird it was eating when I flushed 
 
 ♦Contributions to the Natural History of Alaska, results of 
 Investigations made chiefly in the Yukon district and the 
 Aleutian Islands; conducted under auspices of the United 
 States Signal Service, extending from May, 1874, to August, 
 1881, by L. M. Turner. 
 
176 
 
 it. I am under the impresF,ion that the Goshawk is not able 
 to fly with the weight of the Ptarmigan in its claws. It is 
 a resident of the int'^'-lor and comes to the coast quite early 
 in spring." 
 
 The Goshawk can fly readily with an adult Ruffed 
 Grouse or Pheasant in its grasp. Last November, one 
 of my friends when hunting grouse, saw a large bird 
 fly with great rapidity from a clump of shrubbery 
 where he had gone to look for a Pheasant which he 
 had a few minutes before flushed. He shot and killed 
 the bird, which proved to be an adult female Goshawk 
 and on going to pick it up he was surprised to find it 
 had in its claws a Pheasant. 
 
RED TAILED HAWK 
 
177 
 
 KED TAILED HAWK. 
 Buteo borealis. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 The adult is easily i-ecognized by its I'ed tail. The tails of 
 young birds are usually ashy-brown, with about ten darker 
 bands. Tail in both old and young is generally tipped with 
 white. Breast of adult mostly spotted or marked with reddish 
 brown; in the young, breast is pure white enclosed by 
 numerous dark markings. Length of male, 19 to 22 inches; 
 extent of wings, 41 to 47 inches. Female, length, 22 to 24 
 inches; extent, 51 to 55 inches. From a careful examination of 
 over one hundred of these hawks, I have found that they, 
 like other of the raptores, not only vary greatly in the mark- 
 ings of their plumage, but also show marked differences in 
 the color of the irides. The iris of the adult, though usually 
 brown, is sometimes both ))rown and yellowish. In immature 
 birds the iris is commonly straw color, but sometimes it is 
 nearly white, and occasionally, though rarely, is brown; in 
 other specimens I have seen one-half of the iris brown while 
 the remainder would be white or yellowish. 
 
 In immature birds, light-colored irides with specks of brown 
 are frequent. 
 
 B'abitat. — Eastern North America, west to the great plains. 
 Common and breeds generally throughout Pennsylvania. 
 
 This hawk, one of the most abundaut of our i-aptorial 
 birds, is the hirge ''Hen Hawk" of the farmer. The 
 Ked-tailed Hawk is exceedingly shy and wary, and is 
 laken with difficulty, unless approached on horse-back 
 or in a sleigh or wagon. Red-tailed Hawks in their 
 fall migrations are gregarious. One clear, cold au- 
 tumn afternoon in 187G, I saw, near West Chester, a 
 tlock of these hawks. The sky was destitute of clouds, 
 except a cumulus stratum directly beneath, and ap- 
 I)arently about half-way between the hawks and the 
 earth. In the center of this vapor was an opening of 
 sufficient size to enable me to watch the gyrations of 
 the birds; two of them suddenly separated from the 
 main body, api)roched each other screaming, and ap- 
 parently in great rage. They descended screaming, 
 12-TT 
 
178 
 
 ;iii<l, (o all appcaiaMccs, clinched, to wilhiii about one 
 liiiiidicd vaids of the earth, when they parted. Evi 
 deutlj neithei- hi id iiad leceived uuich injury, as they 
 both, after takinjj: short Hights across the meadow, 
 ascended in co-nipany with two or three of their com- 
 panions that had accompanied them part way down 
 to main body. Another individual closed his 
 wings until the body presented a triangular outline, 
 descended with almost lightning-like rapidity to the 
 top of a sycamore, where it alighted, and remained 
 for some seconds pluniing itself. This party of hawks, 
 Eifter performing for nearly twenty minutes these 
 and numerous other aerial antics, continued their 
 southern flight. 
 
 THEY BATTLE IN MID-AIR. 
 
 Combats in mid-air are quite common among Red 
 tailed Hawks. I have repeatedly witnessed such bat- 
 tles, and am fully convinced that in the great majority 
 of cases food is the incentive to such action. Illustra- 
 tive of the superior vision of this hawk — and the same 
 applies to other of the Rapacia — the following is given, 
 as observed by the writer: A clear morning early in 
 March, I saw a Red-tail circling over the meadows; 
 (.very circle took him higher and higher in the air, 
 until, at an altitude where he appeared no larger than 
 a blackbird, he stopped, and with nearly closed wings, 
 descended like an arrow to a tree near by me; from 
 this perch, almost the same instant he had alighted, 
 he flew to the ground and snatched from its grassy 
 covert a mouse. The momentum with which this bird 
 passed through the atmosphere produced a sound not 
 verv unlike that of the rush of distant water. 
 
179 
 
 HANDLE A WOUNDED HAWK CAREFULLY. 
 
 This species when woiiuded, like all other rapacious 
 birds, will defend itself with its claws and bill against 
 all advances. A stick or gun barrel presented to it, 
 when crippled, will be grasped, and the bird can be 
 carried pendant from the same a considerable distance 
 before it will loose its hold. With such tenacity do 
 they hold on that a friend of mine who had winged 
 one, in his endeavors 1o capture it alive, had the bird 
 to fasten on his forearm with both claws; to relieve 
 himself he was obliged to take out his penknife and 
 sever Ihe tendons of both legs. 
 
 WHEN RED-TAILS WERE ABUNDANT. 
 
 Fifteen years ago birds of the genus Buteo, especi- 
 ally the Red-tailed and Red-shouldered species, and the 
 Rough-legged Hawk, likewise the handsome little Spar 
 row Hawk, were very numerous about the fields and 
 grassy meadow lands in most of the farming districts 
 of this State. The passage of the Scalp act of 1885 
 stimulated many persons to make a regular business 
 of slaughtering these hawks, as well as other animals, 
 and as a result thousands were killed during the ac- 
 .tive enforcement of the unwise law. In the winter of 
 1884 I took a drive along the Brandywine creek, and, 
 in a distance of two miles above Chadd's Ford, Dela- 
 ware county, saw five Rough-legged Hawks, nine Red 
 tailed, four Red-shouldered, and three Sparrow Hawks, 
 or twenly-one in all. Several times, in winter, since 
 1885, I have driven over the same route and at no 
 time have I seen more than two or three of these spe- 
 cies, and generally the birds that were observed on 
 these last trips were Sparrow Hawks. 
 
 The meadows along the Brandywine, in the locality 
 
180 
 
 noted ahovo, are favorite feeding grounds for birds of 
 piey wliicli subsist on meadow-mice. 
 
 MICE Dl<:S'riiOVK]) T1IJ-: (JKAPE vinjos. 
 
 The experience of a farmer, Mr, Worth, who rt; 
 sided along the Brandywine a few miles above the 
 place last referred to, shows the utter folly of destroj'- 
 ing the mice-eating hawks and owls. 
 
 Many birds and mammals are, at times, destroyed 
 with the consent of the farmer, who evidently does 
 not realize that they come to his premises to prey upon 
 insidious foes which attack his crops. In this con- 
 nection it will not, perhaps, be out of jjlace to i;ive the 
 experience of Ebenezer Worth, a farmer who resided 
 in Chester county, Pennsylvania, along the TJrandy- 
 wine creek, a few miles from West Chester, where he 
 owned a large vineyard. 
 
 The fields and meadow lands about his grape vines 
 were frequented in the winter season by hawks and 
 owls of different kinds. During the winter of 188(5 
 and 1887 over a hundred of these birds were killed 
 within a radius of two miles of his farm, and the fol- 
 lowing winter a hawk or owl was seldom seen about 
 his premises. Field or meadow mice became abund- 
 ant in that vicinity and before the winter was over 
 several hundred grape vines were destroyed by these 
 little rodents. Mr. Worth was convinced that the^ 
 birds of prey had kept in check, during former years, 
 the mice, and had the hawks and owls that had so 
 faithfully guarded his possessions, both by day and 
 night, been left unmolested his vineyard would not, in 
 his opinion, have been almost ruined. 
 
 For generations the game-keepers of Great Britain 
 have persistently destroyed the biids o^f prey, and as a 
 
181 
 
 result we read" of great iuvasions of voles (meadov^ 
 mice) which ruiu a vast amount of property. 
 
 If the persecution of the hawk and owl tribe in this 
 country is not checked, we may expect sucn ruinous 
 invasions of these sleek-co^ited rodents. 
 
 THE NEST AND EGGS. 
 
 Nest building generally occurs in March and lasts 
 from eight to fifteen days. The nest is built in the 
 woods, commonly on a large oak or hickory tree. A 
 pair of these hawks resorted for five consecutive years 
 to a large oak tree for nesting purposes, in a belt of 
 timber adjacent to the far-famed Deborah's Rock, 
 East Bradford township. The nest, a rather bulky 
 structure, is made, externally, of sticks and twigs, 
 some of the former being an inch in thickness; inter- 
 nally, it is lined with leaves and the inner layer of 
 bark — usually from oak and chestnut trees. This 
 lining of bark is frequently torn in shreds. 
 
 Certain ornithologists, Audubon among the number, 
 have found five eggs in their nests. I have, however, 
 mostly found two, and on no occasion have I found 
 more than three to constitute tlie full complement. 
 
 The eggs, about 2.40 by 1.85 inches, vary much in 
 their markings. Their ground color is a dull white or 
 rusty white, marked with minute brown spots, or with 
 large purplish dark-brown blotches, often covering the 
 greater part of the egg. Incubation lasts about three 
 weeks. Certain writers claim that this species will 
 boldly defend invasion o-f its home on the part of man. 
 Such may have been the experience of otliers, but such 
 statement is the reverse of my experience. T have 
 taken both eggs and young, and, as yet. I have en 
 countered no opposition; but have found them coward- 
 ly, flying away, in fact, beyond gunshot at my ap- 
 
182 
 
 {)roach, uttering cries of distress, and seerainj^ly to en- 
 gage in mutual condolence over their misfortune. 
 
 HOW THEY CATCH SQUIRREI^S. 
 
 During the breeding season they frequently hunt to- 
 gether for food for themselves and young "and if, per- 
 chance, they spy a squirrel on a tree, one will drive it 
 while the other poises itself ready to seize it if it 
 dodges to the other side to evade the grasp of the first 
 liawk. From the two there is no escape. Grasping 
 it firmly by the neck, the assailant practically demon- 
 strates the possibility of garroting its victim, when the 
 ill-fated squin-el is carried to the eyrie and torn to 
 |)ieces to satiate the cravings of their rapacious 
 young." — AVood. 
 
 WILL TAKE CHICKENS. 
 
 Red-tailed hawks, when mice or other food supplies 
 are not readily obtainable, unquestionably will catch 
 poultry, and they do not, at such times, hesitate to at- 
 tack full grown fowls. It may be that they prefer to 
 make warfare on sick or weakly chickens, but, of this 
 T am not convinced, as I have known of a number of 
 instances where these hawks have attacked and killed 
 chickens in full vigor of life. Observations of this 
 bird, however, lead me to believe, that except in win 
 ter when its preferred and natural bill of fare — mice, 
 shrews and insects — are liard to obtain, or, in the 
 breeding period, when its young require so mucli focMl. 
 it is rather exceptional for the Ked-tailed to attack do 
 mestic fowls. A good many rabbits and squirrels are 
 eaten by the Red-tail, yet the farmer should not com 
 plain as tiiese mammals are no benefit to liim. 
 
183 
 
 RED-TAILS ARE GOOD MOUSERS. 
 
 In consequence of limited space it is im])racticable 
 to jrive in detail the results of dissections which I have 
 made of this species, but would state briefly that my 
 examinations of one hundred and seventy-three Red- 
 tails captured in Pennsylvania, chiefly in Chester 
 county, revealed, in one liundred and twenty-eight, 
 principally field-mice (Arvtcolce) and other small quad- 
 rupeds, also some few small birds; in nine of these one 
 hundred and twenty-eight hawks, small birds were 
 present in addition to the quadrupeds. Fourteen had 
 fed on chickens; six, small birds — meadow larks and 
 sparrows; six, rabbits; three, quail; three, red squir- 
 rels; three, mice and insects; three, snakes; two, re- 
 mains of skunk; two. carrion; one, ham skin; one, 
 meat, probably Ix-cf. T have repeatedly fi)und three 
 and four mice in tlic viscera of one bird, oftentimes 
 five, and in a few insfjinces as manv as seven of these 
 destructive little rodents were oblaine<l from the crop 
 ;in(i stomacli of one Imwk. 
 
184 
 
 RED SHOULDERED HAWK. 
 Buteo lineatus. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Total length: Female, 21 to 23 inches; extent about 44 inches; 
 wing 14; tail 9 inches. Male 18 to 20 inches; extent about 40 
 inchfs. wing-, 12; tail, S inches. 
 
 u4.dwZ<. -Shoulders rich reddish-brown; rest of upper parts 
 blackish, spotted with reddish-brown, white and dusky; pri- 
 maries blackish above and spotted with white; tail with 
 three or four broad black bars, Ijetween which are narrow 
 white bands: tip of tail whitish; under parts reddish-brown 
 more or less stitakcd with dusky and barred with white. 
 
 Immature. — The upper parts brownish, varied with rusty 
 and whilifh. The shoulders in many specimens show con- 
 siderable red, tail brownish white with several small blackish 
 bars, lower parts white and yellowish-white, with stripes 
 and lai-go oblong spots of brown. 
 
 Habitat. -F.&stern North America, west to Texas and the 
 plains, south to the Gulf coast and Mexico. Tolerably common 
 summer resident in mountainous districts of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Like the preceding species this bird is known to 
 farmers and sportsmen as "Hen-hawk." During the 
 summer season Red-shouldered liawks are quite plen- 
 tiful in many of the mountains and wooded regions of 
 the State. 
 
 In Avinter these hawks frequent principally the large 
 water courses, meadow lands, and the vicinity of 
 ponds, and not unfrequently an individual of this spe- 
 cies can be observed on its perch overlooking a spring- 
 head. When the streams and meadows are frozen I 
 have noticed that they especially resort to such lo^ 
 calities as last named. When disturbed from its 
 perch it utters, in a plaintive and impatient voice, the 
 note keeo, keeo. Tts tlight, genernlly short, is graceful 
 and very owl like. 
 
 This Hawk, like its relative, the R<-d-tnil. may be ob 
 served sifting by the hour on some favorite tree or 
 stake adjacent to swampy or boggy ground, watching 
 
RED SHOULDERED HAWK 
 
RED SHOULDERED HAWK. (YOUNG) 
 
185 
 
 for small (jiukIi iijmmIs and liaci racliiaiis, wliieli consli- 
 lute its principal fare. Vonng birds, which arc 
 known to many as Winler Falcons, are, according to 
 my experience, much inorc fi-equi^ntly met with than 
 full plumaged adults. 
 
 THE NEST AND EGGS. 
 
 Like other birds of this genus, the Red-shouldered 
 Hawk nests in trees, usually in April and May in this 
 locality. The eggs, two lo four in number, are very 
 similar to those of the Red-tail, but smaller. 
 
 "The rust cl(.<se)y resembles that of the crow, except that it 
 is larger and lacks the compact and neat appearance common 
 to the nc-^t of tie latter bird. It is composed of coarse 
 sticks loosely placed together with finer ones toward the cen- 
 tral cavity, which is lined with the bark of the grape vine and 
 ether fibres, or, in sr nx. cases, with pieces of the rougii outer 
 bark of the oak and hickory, and not uncommonly, as with 
 many of the other bird.s of prey, green twigs with leav3s at- 
 tached are used. 
 
 "Bottom landp grown up with large deciduous trees, or the 
 neighboring hillsides, are the favorite nesting sites of this 
 bird. The nest in placed in one of the larger trees 40 to SO 
 feet from the ground, and usually in the fork where the main 
 branches diverge from the trunk. A pair will inhabit the 
 same locality for years, and often occupy a nest for several 
 seasons. =■'• * * It is stated that this species -.vmains 
 mated through life, and that even during the winter months 
 mates appear very much attached to each other, differing in 
 this respect from the Red-tail." — Fisher. 
 
 DOES NOT PREY ON CHICKENS. 
 
 Although this hawk is frequently charged with de- 
 stroying domestic fowls, observation in the field and 
 numerous dissections of food-receptacles of this spe- 
 cies do not by any means justify such a statement. 
 My experience on this subject agrees in the main with 
 that of Dr. A. K. Fisher, who says: 
 
 "Some authors insist that the Red-shouldered Hawk is de- 
 structive lo poultry, but the writer in all his lield experience 
 has never seen one attacl-;. a fowl, nor has he found the re- 
 mains of one in the stomachs of those examined. In making 
 this statement, he- does nut include poultry which is eaten in 
 
186 
 
 the form of offal, for in severe weather when the ground 
 is coverod with snow and when food is scarce, the Red- 
 shouldered Hawk will devour dead chickens which have been 
 thrown out from the yard, as well as other refuse found on 
 the cumpost heaps or in the vicinity of slaughter houses. 
 At such times the writer has often captured specimens of this 
 hawk, as well as of crows, blue jays, red and flying squirrels, 
 in steel traps set near a piece of chicken, rabbit or beef 
 fastened in a tree " 
 
 EATS FROGS AND INSKCTS. 
 
 Xuttall rtmarks that this hawk lives principally on 
 frogs, and probably insects and crawfish in the wintei-. 
 Gentry tells ss that the food of the young consists uf 
 fragments of quadrupeds, besides an immense nuuiber 
 of young grasshoppers and beetles. In my examina- 
 tions of fifty-seven of these hawks which have been 
 captured in I'ennsylvania, forty-three showed field-- 
 mice, some few other small quadrupeds, grasshoppers 
 and insects, mostly beetles; nine revealed frogs and in- 
 sects; two, small birds, remains of small mammals and 
 a few beetles; two, snakes and portions of frogs. The 
 gizzard of one bird contained a few hairs of a field- 
 mouse and some long black hair which ay)peared very 
 much like that of a skunk. The bird on dissection 
 gav<^ a very decided odor of skunk. In two of these 
 hawks, shot in Florida. I found in one portions of a 
 small catfish, and in the other remains of a small 
 mammal and some few coleopterous insects (beetles). 
 
BROAD WINGED HAWK 
 
187 
 
 liROA I) WINGED HAWK. 
 
 Buteo latissimus. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Length of femalo about 17: extent about 36; tail about 74 
 inches. 
 
 Adult— Upper part umber brown and many feathers edgred 
 with rusty or whitish; tail crossed by three black and two 
 white bands, and narrow white tip, lower parts white or 
 yellowish-white, variously streaked and spotted with rusty. 
 Immature birds are duller and have showy dark cheek 
 patches; tail grayish-brown, with white tips and crossed 
 with five or six indistinct dusky bands; lower parts similar 
 to adult, but paler and spotted or streaked with black and 
 dusky. Ills brown; legs and feet yellow. 
 
 Habitat.— Eastern North America, from New Brunswick and 
 soulhvi'ard to Central America, northern South America and 
 the Saskatchewan region to Texas and Mexico, and thence 
 the West Indies. 
 
 Of the genus Buteo, in this sectiou, the Broad- 
 winged is the least abundant. It is a native and resi- 
 dent. The moTements in the air of this hawk are easy 
 and beautifnllj graceful. When in quest of food, its 
 flight is in circles. At times, when circling, like the 
 Sparrow Hawk, it will stand for an instant beating 
 the air, and then descend with great velocity upon its 
 prey, which it secures, not in its descent, but as it is 
 on the rise. I have on more than one occasion wit 
 nessed this species take aliment in the way described. 
 I incorporate it, notwithstanding that it disagreesi 
 with certain good authority. 
 
 THE NEST AND EGGS. 
 
 Nest building takes place from the first to the mid- 
 dle of May. and the four nests which I have found 
 have all been located in high trees; three in hickory 
 trees, the other in an oak. All of these nests were 
 over fiftv or sixtv feet from the ground. The nest is 
 
188 
 
 very similar to that of the Cooper's Hawk; it is made 
 of sticks, twigs, leaves, rootlets, lined with feathers; 
 one I have found lined with bark. The complement 
 of eggs are somewhat larger than those of the Cooper's 
 Hawk, with a dull white, grayish ground color, with 
 brownish red spots, which vary in size from specks to 
 large patches, frequently confluent. 
 
 IS AN UNSUSPICIOUS BIKD. 
 
 This ha\Ak is generally easily captured, appearing 
 quite tame and unsuspicious. To this fact, no doubt, 
 is largely due the scarcity of the species in many sec- 
 tions of our 8tate where in former times, or before 
 hawks were hunted for bounty', these birds were quite 
 plentiful. I have always found the Kroad-winged 
 Hawk to be cowardly, and never knew it to evince any 
 disposition to repel an invasion, by man, of its nest. 
 
 It would seem, however, that the disposition of this 
 bird, under certain circumstances, is very variable. 
 Mr. A. G. Boardman, of Maine, who has found several 
 nests and secured the eggs, finds it to be courageous 
 and spirited. A man whom lie had employed to ob- 
 tain a nest, was attacked with great fury, while as- 
 cending the tree; his cap was torn from his head, and 
 he would have been seriously injured if the bird had 
 .not been shot. Another instance is mentioned by Dr. 
 Wood, where this hawk attacked a boy climbing to 
 her nest, fastened her talons in his arm, and could not 
 be removed until beaten otf and killed witli a club. 
 In speaking of this bird. Dr. Wood says: 
 
 "Seldom, if ever, does it seize its pi-ey on the wing, but se- 
 cures it mostly on the ground, subsisting on frogs, snakes, 
 mice and small birds, devouring the latter without removiiii;- 
 the feathers. This hawk in its habits is not as neat in prepar- 
 ing its food as most of its genus; holding its prey with both 
 feet, it tears and eats without much regard to cleanliness or 
 feathers." 
 
189 
 
 FUOD UF THE BROAD- WING. 
 
 Ciiirfiil iiivfstigations in both field aud laboiatorj 
 demoustrate conclusively that this hawk does not dis- 
 turb the farnieis' poultry and that it rarely attacks 
 small wild birds. Its dietary is made up principally 
 of insects (different kinds of grasshoppers, crickets, 
 locusts, beetles and larvae) the smaller species of 
 mammals, reptiles, and batrachians. Occasionally, 
 when other food supplies are not readily obtainable, 
 this hawk will catch yo'ung or disabled birds. Toads, 
 frogs and snakes are eagerly hunted and eaten by this 
 species. Referring to its fondness for toads, frogs, 
 snakes and injurious larvae (grubs), Dr. A. K. Fisher 
 says : 
 
 "In spring, when toads frequent ponds to spawn, it devours 
 large numbers of" them, and later in the season it is not an 
 uncom.mon occurrence to see an individual with a frog or 
 snake dangling from its talons." Continuing, the same 
 writer adds: "The only act of the Broad-winged Hawk which 
 seems injurious to agriculture is the killing of toads and 
 small snaks; the former of which are exclusively insect 
 eaters, the latter very largely so. In one i-espect its enormous 
 value rank.s above all other birds, and that is in the destruc- 
 tion of immense numbers of injurious larvae of large moths, 
 which most birds are either unable or disinclined to cope 
 with." 
 
 In twelve specimens examined by myself, four re- 
 vealed mice; three, small birds; four, frogs; one, killed 
 the 22d of May, 1882, was gorged with crawfish, with 
 which were traces of coleopterous insects (beetles). 
 
 WHAT OTHER WRITERS SAY ABOUT ITS FOOD. 
 
 Audubon says: "In the stomach of this bird I found wood 
 frogs, portions of small snakes, together with feathers, and 
 the hail- of several small specimens of quadrupeds." (Ornith. 
 Biography. Vol. I, p. 463.) 
 
 Mr. J. W. Preston says: "Their food consists .of small 
 squirrels, frogs, and, in fact, any small quarry easily cap- 
 tured. Never have I known them to molest the poultry." 
 (Ornith. and Oologist, Vol. XIII, 188, p. 20.) 
 
 Mr. .7. G. Wells, speaking of the bird in the West Indies, 
 says: "Numerous; feeds on lizards, rats, snakes, young 
 
190 
 
 birds, etc. and occasionallv makes a raid on the poultry 
 yard." (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. IX. 1886, p. 622.) 
 
 Dr. F. W. Langdon says: "The stomach of a specimen of this 
 hawk tal<en in Madisonville, in April, 1877, contained the 
 t,'re3ter part of the ^l<eleton and hair of a small wood mouse 
 (Arvicola austerus), a lizard (Eumeces) about six inches long, 
 and ten or twelve small beetles, with numerous elytra of the 
 same." (.Toiirn. Cincinnati Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. I, p. 116.) 
 
T 
 
 ■1^ O^- 
 
 ROUGH LEGGED HAWK 
 
101 
 
 ROUGH LEGGED HAWK. 
 Archibnteo lagopus sancti-johannis. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 "Adult male and female: Too variable in plumage to be con- 
 cisely described. In general the whole plumage with dark 
 brown or blackish and light brown, gray or whitish, the 
 lighter colors edging or barring the individual feathers; ten- 
 dency to excess of the whitish on the head, and to the forma- 
 tion of a dark abdominal zone or area, which may or may not 
 include the tibiae: usually a blackish anteorbital and max- 
 illary area. Lining of wings extensively blackish: tail usually 
 white from the base for some distance, then with light and 
 dark barring. The inner webs of the flight feathers ex- 
 tensively white from the base, usually with little, if any, of 
 the dark barring so prevalent among buteonine hawks. From 
 such a light and variegated plumage as this, the bird varies 
 to more or less nearly uniform blackish, in which case the tail 
 is usually barred several times with white. * * Length 
 of a female, 22.00; extent, 54.00; wing, 17.50; tail, 9.0O; iris light 
 brown; bill mostly blackish-blue; cere pale greenish-yellow; 
 feet dull yellow; claws blue-black. This is about an average 
 »ize: the male averages smaller.". — Coues' Ke\-. 
 
 Habitat.— Whole of North America north of Mexico, breed- 
 ing north of the United States. Winter resident In Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 In any plumage this bird can easily be distinguished 
 from other of our hawks by the tarsus, which is thick- 
 ly feathered in front to the toes. I have found the 
 Rough-legged or Black Hawk in Pennsylvania only as 
 a winter sojourner, about the meadows and grass fields 
 along or near large streams. In the winter of 1879, 
 when hunting along the Brandy wine creek I saw seven 
 of these hawks at one time, perched about on trees in 
 a meadow of some five acres in extent. In this lo- 
 cality the species is usually found singly or in pairs. 
 Rough-legs generally migrate northward about th« 
 middle of March; T have, however, observed them here 
 late in .\pril. 
 
 "Its migrations appear to bi^ quite regular and extensive- 
 more so, perhaps, than is generally supposed— though pmb- 
 
192 
 
 abl>- it does not differ from hawks in this respect. Birds of 
 this family rmist folUiw their proy, wherever this leads 'hem. 
 and only a few of the more powerful species, able to prey upon 
 hares and ptarmlgran, pass the winter in our liighest latitudes. 
 'Phe lluugh-legged is a rather northerly species, rarely, if ever, 
 bi-eeding within the limits of the United States, and becom- 
 ing- larer towards its southern terminus." — Coues. 
 
 AN ERROR CORRECTED. 
 
 I tlcsire to correct here an error which was made, 
 hut (liioiigh no fault of mine, in tlie first issue of the 
 I'.irds of Pennsylvania, pp. !)2 -93, wlu^re T slated, on 
 the authority of jNfr. Sauuiel T>. Ladd, of West Chester, 
 Pa., that he (Mr. Ladd) had, April 5, 188(5, found a nest 
 and two eggs of this bird in a thick woods at Fite's 
 Eddy, on the Susquehanna river. A description of the 
 nest and eggs was published in my first report, as 
 given to me by Mr. Ladd, but I have since learned from 
 Mr. Ladd that he did not secure or (n'en see the hawks, 
 hence I am satisfied that this "record" was without 
 doubt based on erro-neous identification. Dr. C. H. 
 Merriam, of ITnited States Department of Agriculture. 
 Washington, D. 0., informs me that he is not aware of 
 a single authentic record of the breeding of the Rough- 
 legged Hawk anywhere within the limits of the United 
 States. 
 
 SUBSISTS MAINEY ON FIEI^D MU'K. 
 
 in the Rough-legged HaAvk, we find another exam- 
 ple of one of our larger feathered mouse hunters, which 
 is often slandered by the name of "hen-hawk." 
 
 Since the Scalp Act was in force, and thousands of 
 the most beneficial hawks were slain, this s])ecies has 
 become, T might say, almost a i-are visitor to marshy 
 lands where in former years, T have found it frequently 
 quite phmtifiil. The viscera of sixteen of these hawks 
 which the writer has examined, contained only field 
 mice and a few other small rodeurs. The food table. 
 
ROUGH LEGGED HAWK. (YOUNG) 
 
193 
 
 given by JJr. A. K. Fisher, of 49 stomachs, shows con 
 clusively that meadow mice constitute nlraost wholly 
 the food of the species. Prof. Samuel .Vnghey found 
 the remains O'f a gopher, a small lizard, and seventy 
 insects in the stomach of a Rough-leg killed in Ne- 
 braska, in September. 1872; however, such food ma- 
 terials accoi'ding to most authorities, are .seldom taken. 
 Of the 49 stomachs referred to by Dr. Fisher, 40 con 
 tained mice, chiefly meadow mice; usually. 2 or ^ in 
 each stomach, scauetimes 4 or 5, and in several 
 stomachs, each contained 6 or 7 of these little animals. 
 
 DESTROYS ENEMIES OP THE ORCHARD. 
 
 "The Rough-leg is one of the most nocturnal of our hawks, 
 find may be seen in the fading twilight watching from some 
 low perch, or beating with measured, noiseless flight over its 
 hunting ground. It follows two very diffor'^'nt methods in 
 securing i'.a food, one by sitting on some stub or low tree 
 and watching th^' ground for the appearance of its prey, as 
 tht; Red-tail dees- the other by beating back and forth, just 
 above the tops of the grass or bushes, and dropping upon Its 
 victim, after the manner of the Marsh Hawk. Its food con- 
 sists principally, if not almost exclu.iively, of the smaller 
 rodents, and most prominent among these are the arvicoline 
 mice and lemmings. As is well known, the meadow mice 
 CArvicolae) are widely distributed over the North Temperate 
 Zone, and often occur in immense numbers, overrunning cer- 
 tain sections of the country, and doing Irreparable damage to 
 crops as well as to fruit and ornamental trees. 
 
 "Repeatedly young orchards, consisting of hundreds of 
 trees, and representing great money value, have been totally 
 destroyed by these pests. The damage is done in winter, 
 under the snow, where the mice eat the bark from the trees, 
 often completely girdling them and' causing their death. 
 
 "Usually meadow mice are fairly common, if not abundant, 
 over a lai-ge part of the meadow and marsh lands of the 
 central and northern United States and tempeiate Canada. 
 To show how important meadow mice are to the Rough-leg 
 as an article of food, it may be stated in general terms that 
 the southern limit of its wanderings in winter is nearly co- 
 incident with the southern boundary of the region inhabited 
 by meadow mice. In the north lemmings are abundant over 
 the country in which the Rough-leg makes its summer home, 
 and furnish a never-failing supply of food for old and young. 
 
 "The following statements indicate to what extent the 
 Rough-leg feedr on meadow mice: "Mr. E. O. Damon, of 
 N'irthamptcn. Massachusetts. Informs the writer that he has 
 killed hundreds of these hawks on the low meadows bordering 
 tht=> Connecticut riv^r. and of the many stomachs he ex- 
 
 13-n 
 
194 
 
 amined all contained the remains of meadow mice. He further 
 states that ht- never found even a frog in its stomach or saw 
 it attack anything larger than a rat or meadow mouse. Dr. 
 Mlchaner (in U. S. Agr. Rept., 1863, p. 291), says of the Rough- 
 leg: ''The number of meadow mice which this species destroys 
 ought, one wculd think, to insure it the protection of every 
 husbandman." Dr. J. C. Merrill states that the stomachs of 
 those killed at Fort Klamath, Oregon, usually contained field 
 mice. (Auk. Vol. V, p. 145.) Mr. A. Hall, writing of thi.>^ 
 hawk 171 Nebraska, says; "This species is very abundant in 
 wintfu-. and subsists entirely upon mice, frogs and small 
 rodents. It seldom, if ever, preys upon birds." (Forest and 
 Stream, Vol. XX, May 10, 1883, p. 284.' ) (Dr. A. K. Fishers 
 Report.) 
 
GOLDEN EAG LE . 
 
195 
 
 GOLDEN EAGLE. 
 
 Aqiiila chrysaetos. 
 
 DESCRIPTIOX. 
 
 Tarsi di;nsely feathered all around to base of yellow toes. 
 Length about 3 feet; extent 61/2 to TVo feet. 
 
 Ad2ilt.—Geneia.l color dark brown; the lengthened pointed 
 feathers of hind neck golden brown; feathers of tarsi pale 
 yellowish-brown; tail blackish and grayish. 
 
 Immature — Basal two-thirds of all tall white, with a blackish 
 terminal band, U)wer parts much lighter than adult. 
 
 Habitat. — North America south to Mexico, and northern 
 parts of the Old World. A winter resident in Pennsylvania. 
 
 This large bird occiiis in Pennsylvania as a winter 
 visitant. The only species with which it is sometimes 
 confounded is the Bald or White-headed Eagle in im 
 mature plumage. The two species can always be dis- 
 tinguished at a single glance, if you remember that the 
 Golden Eagle has the tarsus densely feathered to the 
 toes, and the Bald Eagle has a bare tarsus. One of 
 the largest Golden Eagles I ever saw was captured in 
 December, 1889, by a hunter in Cameron county. This 
 bird, which was handsomely mounted by my friend, 
 Mr. M. M. Larrabee, of Emporium, weighed, ^Ir. Larra- 
 be€i informed me, twenty-five pounds. The species 
 breeds in high mountainous regions and the Arctic 
 countries. 
 
 There is a specimen of the Golden Eagle, in the 
 Museum of the Pennsylvania State College, captured a 
 few years ago in Clinton county, where for several 
 days, when deep snow covered the ground, it lingered 
 about a farm house and preyed upon chickens and 
 turkeys, and when it was shot it had just swooped 
 down on a favorite pussy which spent movst of her time 
 in a swampy, grassy thicket, near the barnyard, watch 
 iug for small birds iind r.iltbits. 
 
196 
 
 THE GOLDEN EAGLE AS A PET. 
 
 The foUowiug mention of the peculiarities of the 
 Golden Eagle in captivily I gleaned from conversation 
 with Mr, B. M. Everhart, the well-known botanist of 
 West Chester, Pa., who for several years kept one in 
 his yard. This bird, in consequence of a gun-shot 
 wound in the wing, was unable to ily off. All the yard 
 situated to the north and east of the house was known 
 as Nero's (bird's name) domain. Along the walk lead- 
 ing to my olllce was his perch, a dead tree stump some 
 eight feet high. AVhen satiated with food he would 
 sit there for hours at a time. If at any time during 
 the day a cat or domestic fowl happened to enter his 
 ground, it had to make a speedy departure or be killed. 
 The latter was mostly the case, for Nero- seldom "went 
 for'' anything without his capturing it. When I ne- 
 glected to give him his daily allowance (two pounds 
 meat), as was sometimes the case, he wandered about 
 the yard uttering a ventriloquial, gutteral sound, 
 which had the effect of bringing around him birds and 
 chickens. Occasionally the fc^rmer, and invariably 
 the latter, would be killed. Towards people, other 
 than myself, he displayed great animosity, this being 
 particularly the case with children and timorous indi- 
 viduals. One day Joshua Hoopes, a school teacher at 
 that time, brought a party of his boys to see the bird, 
 and I noticed one of their number, a j)uny and delicate 
 lad, the eagle continually eyed and several times en- 
 deavored to make at him. A female domestic, who 
 had annoyed him by throwing water on him and pok- 
 ing at him with a stick, he showed great antipathy to; 
 we were eventually obliged, for her personal safety 
 and our own convenience, to discharge the girl, ns she 
 could not go into- the yard without being attacked. 
 
197 
 
 An Iiislinian one rlav slvlv entered the yard, bul in 
 crossing Xero's province he was set upon by the bird. 
 In the fleshy part of the man's thigh he imbedded his 
 talons, and it was with considerable difflculty his hold 
 was loosened. Erin's son declared that never before 
 in his life had he met "sich a divil," and that nothing 
 short of the eagle's life could appease his injuries. 
 
 Examinntion showed that although there were ugly 
 tlesh wounds, nothing of a serious nature would fol- 
 low. This information being imparted, and a two dol- 
 lar bill tendered to the Irishman, his sufferings were 
 much relieved. He stated that although he looked 
 upon the "critter" as a "bold, bad burd," still he 
 deemed him a fit subject to "kape frum" any intrusion 
 in the back yard, and that in the future, whenever h<' 
 had any business with Bridget, he would enter the 
 front gate and make known his wants at the front 
 door. 
 
 HE DEVOURED THOMAS CATS. 
 
 The strongest and largest torn cat he could manage 
 with ease. When anyone had a specially objectiona- 
 ble cat which they wanted disposed of, they would bag 
 it up and bring it to the eagle. As soon as he saw 
 the bag the bird, which an instant before sat moping, 
 ruffed-feathered and seemingly half dead, suddenly, as 
 if by magic, changed, as it were, into a new being; 
 body erect, feathers close to the body, tail expanded, 
 the sunken eyes, with ten-fold inirea.^ed lustre, fol- 
 lowed with argus gaze every motion of the bag and 
 occupant ; soon as grimalkin was liberated the eagle 
 swooped down and grasped it. If the cat was of or- 
 dinary size, Nero displayed little concern in dispafch 
 ing il ; but if it was a Thomas feline, of Imgh dimen- 
 sions, all the powers of the l»ird were brought into 
 
11)8 
 
 requisitiou. Then the true nature of the eagle was 
 seen. The eves, before bright, now shone like balls of 
 fire, the crest feathers standing up; his voice, before 
 hushed, now added discord to the dying yells of his 
 struggling victim, so inextricably fixed in his relent- 
 less talons. He could kill a cat in from two to five 
 minutes. 
 
 VS^OULD SEIZE GRIMALKIN J3Y NECK AND BACK. 
 
 Commonly, the eagle would grasp the cat around the 
 small of the back with one foot and with the other he 
 encircled the neck, thus retaining his hold until the 
 animal had ceased its struggles, which were soon over, 
 as they were greatly augmented by fright and exces- 
 sive violence of action. When the cat became quiet 
 the eagle would raise his wings, which he had allowed 
 to drop, draw his body up as high as possible from his 
 prey, and proceed leisurely to tear off the skin from 
 his captive's back and side, exposing the muscles and 
 viscera, which he ate. 
 
 FOOD OF THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 
 
 Golden Eagles are rather rare in this State, hence 
 their depredations to poultry, game and live stock 
 occasion comparatively little loss within our State's 
 boundaries. Domestic fowls, ducks and turkeys es- 
 pecially, are often devoured; different species of water 
 birds, grouse and wild turkeys suffer chiefly among the 
 game birds. Fawns are sometimes attacked and 
 killed; occasionally it destroys young pigs, and fre- 
 quently many lambs are carried off by this eagle. 
 Many rabbits are preyed upon; in this State, the Vary- 
 ing Hare and common Gray Rabbit or "cotton-tail" 
 form a portion of its menu. 
 
 Last winter a farmer residing near Harrisburg, shot 
 
199 
 
 one of these eagles, which wjis feastiuj; on a large 
 j^ander, which he liad just killed; but as tlie uian sold 
 the eagle, a fine male, for three dollars he lost nothing 
 by the death of his goose. When other food is scarce 
 it feeds c-n oflfal and carrion Mice many other species 
 of the birds of prey are wont to do when deep snows 
 cover the ground. When there is a paucity of wild 
 game, its natural food, this powerful bird, it is as- 
 serted, often becomes very troublesome and frequently 
 attacks the young of domestic animals, such as lambs, 
 calves and i)igs. 
 
 EAGLES DESTROYED MANY LAMBS. 
 
 To illustrate the damage which eagles sometimes do 
 on sheep ranches, Dr. Fisher publishes the following 
 letter to Col. Alexander Macbeth, of (Teorgetown, S. 
 (,'., which fully explains how destructive eagles may 
 occasionally become. This letter, as Dr. Fisher ob 
 serves, "may refer in part to the Bald Eagle": 
 
 Rbems, Georgetown County, S. C, May 30, issO. 
 Dear Sir: — Yours 22cl instant at hand, and in reply will say 
 that the eagles are more destructive to the sheep-growing 
 industry in this section than dogs. On one ranch this sprinj; 
 one shepherd alone killed over forty himself, principally by 
 using strj'chnine. They were worse than we ever knew oi 
 before. We lost fully 400 or 500 lambs, as they devour them 
 as rast as they drop from the old sheep. * * * We 
 frequently see during eagle or lambing season fifteen to 
 twenty eagles in a covey (or bunch), which shows at a glance 
 that they arc very destructive. We have also a few wild- 
 cats that devour the young sheep, but can manage them better 
 than eagles. 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 T. RHEM AND RONS. 
 
 ADTTLT DEER ATTACKED. 
 
 Some years ago I saw the remains of a Golden Eagle 
 hanging, with some pelts, on a hunter's cabin in the 
 wilds of Clinton county, Pa., and on making inquiry, 
 learned that the bird had been shot in the act of at- 
 
200 
 
 tacking a small doe. Mr. C. F. Morrison writing of a 
 similar case which had been called to his attention, 
 says: 
 
 "The bird had captured and killed a good-sized black-tailed 
 deer, and was hot while sitting upon its body. (O. & 0.,Vol. 
 XIV, 18S9.) 
 
 Dr. Fisher publishes the following paragraph by Mr. Henry 
 Seebohm: "The Golden Eagle has been known on one highland 
 sheep farm alone, in the course of a single season, to carry 
 off as many as thirty-five lambs. * * * In deer for- 
 ests eagles are of the greatest service; for although they some- 
 times take a sickly deer calf, they live almost entirely on 
 blue hares, so troublesome to the deer stalker; and most cer- 
 tainly deer are better for the removal of the weak and sickly 
 ones, which would only possibly live to transmit their disease 
 to posterity. * * * The Golden Eagle (noble as he is 
 thought to be) will eat carrion when pressed for food. * 
 * * The Golden Eagle also preys upon various species of 
 birds, notably the blackcock and red grouse, ptarmigan, 
 curlews and plover, dropping upon them unawares or simply 
 taking the young and weakly ones; for never doep the bird 
 pursue or strike them like th(= true falcon." 
 
BALD EAG LE . 
 
201 
 
 BALD EAGLE. 
 
 Haliaeetus leucocephalus. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Tarsi feathered only about half way down. 
 
 Male.— 'Length about 3 I'tt-t: extent of vinirs about 7 feet. 
 Female larger, measuring sometimes 8 feet in extent. 
 
 Adult.— Head, neck, tail and upper coverts of latter, white: 
 re<5t of plumage dusky-brown; bill, feet and eyes yellow. 
 
 Immature.— Kntire plumage dark brown: some are grayish- 
 hrown. and tail more or less spotted with white; bill dark- 
 coir.red ; eyes brown. 
 
 Sabitat.— North America at large, south to Mexico. Breeds 
 sparingly in Pennsylvania. 
 
 The name "Bald" which is ^iven to this species is 
 not applied because the head is bare, but because the 
 feathers of the neck and head in the adults are pure 
 white. In Pennsylvania, as well as throughout the 
 United States, we have but two species of eagles. 
 The "Black," Gray" and "Washington" Eagles are all 
 young of the Bald Eagle. Three years, it is stated, 
 are required before this species assumes the adult 
 plumage. 
 
 The Bald Eagle is found in Pennsylvania at all sea- 
 sons of the year. 
 
 THE NEST AND EGGS. 
 
 A few of these birds annually rear their young along 
 the Susquehanna river, and also in a few other locali- 
 ties in this State. The nest, a bulkv affair, built usually 
 on a large tree, mostly near the water, is about four or 
 five feet in diametc^r. It is made up chiefly of large 
 sticks, lined inside with grasses, leaves, etc. The eggs 
 commonly two — rarely three — are white and measure 
 about 3 b.v 2^ inches. A favorite article of foo>d with 
 this bird is fish, which he obtains, chicliy by strat<^gy 
 and rapine. 
 13* -I J 
 
202 
 
 THE BALD EAGLE AND OSPREY. 
 
 The Bald Eagle is quite plentiful in the vicinity of 
 large rivers, where the Fish Hawk is eouimon; unlike 
 this last named bird, however, he cannot be called pis- 
 civoi'ous, as he subsists largely on ducks, geese, and 
 other aquatic birds. Referring to this eagle, Audu 
 bon says: 
 
 "No sooner does the Fish Hawk make its appearance along 
 our Atlantic shores, or ascends our numerous and large rivers, 
 than the eagle follows it, and, like a selfish oppressor, robs 
 it of the hard-earned fruits of its labor. Perched on some 
 tall summit, in view of the ocean, or of some water course, 
 he watches every motion of the Fish Hawk while on wing. 
 When the latter i-ises from the water with a fish in its grasp, 
 forth rushes the eagle in pursuit. He mounts above the Fish 
 Hawk, and threatens it by actions well understood, when the 
 latter, fearing perhaps that its life is in danger, drops its 
 prey. In an instant the eagle, accurately estimating the 
 rapid descent of the fish, closes his wings, follows it with 
 the swiftness of thought, and the ne.Kt moment grasps it." 
 
 SOMETIMES FISHES FOR HIMSELF. 
 
 According tO' Audubon the Bald Eagle catches tish 
 for himself. 
 
 "This bird now and then procures fish for himself by pur- 
 suing them in the shallows of small creeks. I have witnessed 
 several instances of this in the Perkiomen creek, in Pennsyl- 
 vania, where, in this manner, I saw one of them secure a 
 number of red fins by wading briskly through the water and 
 striking at them with his bill. T have also observed a pair 
 scrambling over the ice of a frozen pond to get at some fish 
 below, but without success. It does not confine itself to these 
 kinds of food, but greedily devours young pigs, lambs, fawns, 
 poultry and the putrid flesh of carcasses of every description, 
 driving off the ^'ultures and carrion crows or the do^s, and 
 keeping a whole party at defiance until it is satiated." 
 
 KII>LS LAMBS .AND PIGS, 
 
 Dr. Fisher publishes the following notes from the 
 Forest and Stream concerning the destruction of do 
 mestic animals: 
 
 A number of eagles have recently been shot In various 
 parts of Pennsylvania. One, shot by John Hodman in North 
 
 Coveiitiy, Chester county, had rnii'led off limlily a larg«- lamb 
 
BALD EAGLE . (YOUNG ) 
 
203 
 
 and returned the following day, after another." ("Vol. V. 1876, p. 
 195.) "A large White-headed Eagle swooped down on a flock 
 of sheep here (Hornellsville, New York) and made a break- 
 fast on lamb chops before he could be driven off." (Vol. X, 
 1878, p. 319.) "It (the Bald Eagle) was killed by a Mr. Towry, 
 near Smithville, Mississippi. When found by Mr. Towry it 
 had killed two of his hogs and was dining on one of them." 
 (Vol. VIII, 1877.) 
 
 Dr. Fisher also refers to an article published in the 
 Forest and Stream (Vol. IV, 1875, p. 166) in which a 
 Bald Eagle was seen to fly five miles with a live lamb 
 in its talons. 
 
 HOW THEY CAPTURE GEESE. 
 
 Dr. Fisher reproduces from Bulletin of the Nuttall 
 Ornith. Club, the following very interesting note from 
 Mr. Wm, Brewster, and which refers to the manner 
 in which the Eagles catch wild-fowl in the vicinity of 
 Oobb's Island, Virginia: 
 
 "In the winter the eagles are much more numerous than at 
 any other time of the year, and my informant has, on sev- 
 eral occasions, seen as many as eight at once. At this sea- 
 son the neighboring bays and creeks swarm with wild fowl, 
 and upon these the eagfes principally live. He has never 
 known them to catch fish of any kind, although they not 
 unfrequently rob the Fish Hawk. Geese and brant form 
 their favorite food, and the address displayed in their capture 
 is very remarkable. The poor victim has apparently not the 
 slightest chance for escape. The eagles flight, ordinarily 
 slow and somewhat heavy, becomes in the excitement of 
 pursuit exceedingly swift and graceful, and the fugitive is 
 quickly overtaken. When close upon its quarry the eagle sud- 
 denly sweeps beneath it. and, turning back downwards, 
 thrusts its powerful talons up into Its breast. A brant or 
 duck is carried off bodily to the nearest marsh or sand bar. 
 but a Canada goose is too heavy to be thus easily disposed 
 of. The two great birds fall together to the water beneath, 
 while the eagle fiterally tows his prize along the surface 
 until the shore is reached. In This way one has been known 
 to drag a large goose for nearly half a mile." 
 
 WILL, SOMETIMES ATTACK MANKIND. 
 
 If newspaper and numerous written accounts are 
 true (and unfortnnnlely many arc not") it would ap 
 ]>('ar that even man is not exemjn from the attacks 
 
204 
 
 of these predaceous birds. 1 have repeatedly seen in 
 newspapers, accounts of combats between men and 
 eagles; frequently the bird would be the aggressor. 
 While it is admitted that these reports are largely 
 due to the imaginative reporter, it is believed that such 
 occurrences do occasionally take place. Veritable in- 
 stances are related of their carrying off infants. Ac- 
 cording to Wilson: 
 
 "An attempt of this kind was made upon a child lying by its 
 mother, as she was weeding a garden, at Egg Harbor, New 
 Jersey, but the garment seized upon by the eagle giving way at 
 the instant of the attempt, the child's life was spared." Nut- 
 tall speaks of an instance said to have happened at Peters- 
 burg, Georgia, near the Savannah river, "where an infant, 
 sleeping in the shade near the house, was seized and carried 
 off to the eyry, near the edge of the swamp, five miles dis- 
 tant, and when found, almost immediately, the child was 
 dead." 
 
 DESTROYS POULTRY AND GAME. 
 
 This bird very often preys on birds and mammals. 
 I have knowledge of at least two of these birds which 
 have killed poultry (tame ducks and turkeys) along the 
 Susquehanna river. Duck hunters assured ine thai 
 they have, on several occasions, seen Bald Eagles at- 
 tack and kill wild ducks and geese which are often 
 quite numerous during migrations on the Sus(iuehanna 
 river. 
 
 Sometimes, like the Go-lden Eagle, this species will 
 attack raccoons, and skunks; and o-n one occasion I 
 found two or three spines of a porcupine in the body 
 of an immature Bald Eagle which I secured in Clinton 
 county. This led me to infer that the Bald Eagle 
 might, sometimes, attack this animal which is so well 
 able to defend himself, and which seems to be of no use 
 in our hemlock forests but to ruin hunting dogs, and 
 gnaw everything which is the least bit salty, that they 
 find in (lieii noctural I'amblings nbout the lumber 
 cjinips. 
 
DUCK H AW K 
 
205 
 
 DUCK HAWK. 
 Palco peregrinus anatum. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Size as well as colors variable. A female before me is 20 
 Inches long, and measures from tip lo tip 46 inches; tall, 8. 
 Male smaller. 
 
 Above blackish-brown or slaty-black, and many feathers 
 with paler edgings; chin, throat, forepart of neck and upper 
 breast yellowish-white, and sometimes nearly immaculate. 
 l>ut usually more or less streaked or spotted; showy black 
 ear patches; frontal feathers whitish, rest of under parts 
 barred and streaked with blackish and lighter colors. Im- 
 mature birds are more brown and lower parts are much more 
 spotted with dark and less barred. Bill bluish-black, except 
 about base, like cere is yellowish; legs yellow; iris brown. 
 
 Sahitat. — North America at large. Resident and breeds 
 sparingly in Pennsylvania. 
 
 This bold and predatory hawk, the largest of the 
 typical falcons found in this region, retires, usually 
 during the summer time, to the mountainous districts, 
 generally in the neighborhood of large streams, and in 
 the winter season (fall, winter and early spring), it is 
 found as an irregular visitor in nearly all sections of 
 our Commonwealth. 
 
 THE NEST AND EGGS. 
 
 Tli(i I)u< k Hawk breeds in several localities in Penn- 
 sylvania, and in some parts of the state it is reported 
 to be quite common. The late Judge Libhart, of Lan- 
 caster county, twelve or fifteen years ago, observed it 
 as a "resident, common on the Susquehanna." Dr. 
 Treichler, -Mr, Roddy and other more recent observers, 
 report the l>uck Hawk in Lancaster county as a rather 
 rare visitor, oommonly seen in winter. The following 
 gentlemen report this species as a native: Hon. Gerard 
 C. Brown, Casper Loucks and George Miller all of 
 
2(H'> 
 
 York couxilv, state tluit it is a n'^nlar breeder 
 on the high cliffs about I lie Sii.s<nielianna. ('oiu-erniii}^' 
 the bird Mr. (ieorge Miller furnishes the following 
 notes: "Found nest of Duck Hawk April 7, 188(». It 
 contained four eggs slightly incubated; hawk on nest 
 when discovered, along Susquehanna river near mouth 
 of Codorus creek. Nest about one-third down from 
 top of a higli cliff on shelf with overhanging rock; nest 
 made of rocky debris found lying about. Remains of 
 birds, such as tame pigeons, flickers, blackbirds, etc., 
 upon which the Duck Hawks had evidently been feed- 
 ing, were found plentifully scattered over the rocks. 
 
 I shot the male soon after collecting the eggs, and 
 have it now in my collection of birds." Dr. W. L. 
 Hartman, of Luzerne county, says: 
 
 "The Great-footed or Duck Hawk breeds regularly 
 in this locality (Pittston) in an almost inaccessible 
 ledge of rocks." Mr. Thou^as S. Gillin, Ambler, Mont- 
 gomery county, says: "I have had many opportunities 
 of observing them, having shot twelve inside of a ra- 
 dius of five miles of this place; in fact see them regu- 
 larly, and know of two nesting places in this state." 
 Dr. T. Z. Hazzard, Allegheny county; Mr. O. B. Hark. 
 Northampton county, and W. P. Bolton, Montgomery 
 county, also mention it as a breeder. Dr. John W. 
 l>etwiller and Mr. Samuel Mack, both residents of 
 Bethlehem, have, on different o-ccasions, found Duck 
 Hawks' nests. With regard to their breeding in this 
 State, Dr. Detwiller (letter November 2, 1889), says: 
 "Duck Hawk; secured set of four eggs from the cliffs 
 of Camel's Ledge, Pittston, 1880; 1886. secured two 
 sets of four eggs in each set, one at Skinner's Eddy and 
 the other at Buttermilk Falls, Susquehanna river 
 (East Branch). 1887, secured a set of four eggs, and 
 
207 
 
 another of three, at 'The Narrows," Delaware liver. 
 Month of incubation, April." Reports which 1 have 
 received from other naturalists and collectors, show 
 that the Duck Hawk has been observed in other parts 
 of the State as a straggler in the spring and fall, or as 
 a rather rare and irregular winter visitor. I have 
 never found the nest of this bird. 
 
 Dr. Coues states that it "breeds as far south as Virginia 
 at least; eggs, 2-5, oftener 3-4, 2.10 to 2.35x1.60 to 1.75, averag- 
 ing about 2.25x1.65; white or whitish, spotted, blotched, 
 wreathed, clouded, etc., with the reddish-browns, from choco- 
 late Of even purplish to the ochres." — Key, N. A. Birds. 
 
 KILLS DOMESTIC FOWLS. 
 
 This hawk, like the Cooper's and Sharp-shinned spe- 
 cies previously described, is detrimental, but fortu- 
 nately for the farmer and fruit grower the Duck Hawk 
 is a comparatively rare bird, and, except in winter, 
 is found usually about the larger rivers. However, 
 when a pair of these birds begin house-keeping on a 
 high, rocky ledge in the neighborhood of farm houses, 
 they frequently destroy a good many domestic fowls. 
 
 For several years past a pair of these hawks have 
 nested in an inaccessible nook on a high rocky bluff 
 along the Susquehanna river across from Northumber- 
 land, Pa., and several poultry raisers in that locality 
 have had a good many of their fowls killed by thein. 
 
 Two years ago, in mid-winter, a farmer living along 
 the Brandywine creek near West Chester, brought to 
 my office two of these hawks wliich he had killed one 
 evening at his carp pond where, he stated, they went 
 to watch and catch his ducks and chickens. He said 
 that this pair of hawks liad killed eight chickens and 
 three ducks for him in about a week, and that they 
 had also caught several of his pigeons. 
 
208 
 
 FLAYED HAVOC WITH TERNS. 
 
 Dr. O. Hart Merriam (Birds of Conn,, 1877, p. 82,) re- 
 ferrinj^j to a Duck Hawk which was shot on Falkner 
 island, Connecticut, says: 
 
 "During her brief visit she had made sad havoc aniung the 
 terns, and her crop was greatly distended with their re- 
 mains, which had been swallowed in incredibly large pieces; 
 whole legs, and long bones of the wings were found entire 
 and unbroken; indeed she was perfectly gorged, and contained 
 the remains of at least two terns, besides a mass of newly- 
 hatched young." 
 
 KILLS WILD FOWL. 
 
 1 have seen this species catch the Coot (Fulica) and 
 a Wood Duck on the Susquehanna river. Audubon 
 says: 
 
 "He pursues the smaller ducks, water hens and other swim- 
 ming birds, and if they are not quick in diving it seizes them 
 and rises with them from the water. I have seen this hawk 
 come at the report of a gun and carry off a teal not thirty 
 steps distant from the sportsman who had killed it, with 
 a daring assurance as surprising as unexpected. This con- 
 duct has been observed by many individuals, and is a chai- 
 acteristic trait of this species. The largest bird that I 
 have seen this hawk attack and grapple with on the win« 
 is the mallard. 
 
 "The Duck Hawk does not. liowcver, euntent himself with 
 water fowl. He is generally seen following the flocks of 
 pigeons, and even blackbirds, • causing great terror in their 
 ranks, and forcing them to perform aerial evolutions to escape 
 the grasp of his dreaded talons. For several days I watched 
 one of them that had taken a particular fancy to some tame 
 pigeons, to secure which it went so far as to enter their house 
 at one of the holes, seize a bird, and issue by another hole in 
 an instant, causing such terror among the rest as to render me 
 fearful that they would abandon the place. However, I for- 
 tunately shot the depredator. They occasionally feed on dead 
 fish that have floated to the shores or sand bars."— Audubon. 
 
 r liave examined but three of these hawks; the* 
 stomachs of two were destitute of food materials, the 
 other contained a few feathers of a domestic pigeon. 
 
 THEY PREY ON SONG BIRDS. 
 
 Dr. Fisher's report shows that of twenty stomachs 
 of Duck Hawks examined, not less than four-fifths, or 
 
209 
 
 sixteen, coutairied poultrv (chickeus oi ducks), game 
 birds (quail or wild ducks) and small wild birds of 
 which the following species were identified: 
 
 Meadow Lark, Gray-cheeked Thrush, 
 
 Warbler, Catbird, 
 
 Robin, Mourning Dove. 
 Crissal Tlirashtr, 
 
 The only raainmal eaten as shown by these records 
 were two mice which were taken from the sto-niach of 
 one of these hawks killed at Elmira. N. Y., in I)e 
 cember, 18S7. Another of this series captured at 
 Portland. Conn., in April, 1880, had the remains of a 
 tame duck and some beetles in its stomach; ''small 
 bird's" remains, wliich could not be identified, with 
 ''dra.i;on flies." were discovered in another hawk taken 
 Octobei- 1, 1884, in Brookhaven, X. Y. The fo-ur re- 
 mainin.c: stomnchs of tlie twenty lasl referred to were 
 (mi])ty. 
 
 U II 
 
210 
 
 I'lGEON HAWK. 
 Falco columbarius. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Adult Male.— Entire upper parts bluish-slate color, every 
 r'eather with a black longitudinal line; forehead and throat 
 white; other under parts pale yellowish or reddish white; every 
 leather with a longitudinal line of brownish-black; tibiae light 
 ferruginous, with lines of black; quills black, tipped with ashy- 
 white; tail light bluish-ashy, tipped with a white and with a 
 wide subterminal band of black, and with several other trans- 
 verse narrower bands of black; inner webs nearly white; cere 
 iind legs yellow; bill blue; iris brown. 
 
 Younper .—'Entire upper plumage dusky brown, quite light in 
 some specimens, and with a tinge of ashy; head above, with 
 narrow stripes of dark brown and ferruginous, and in some 
 specimens many irregular spots and edgings of the latter color 
 on the upper parts; forehead and entire under part dull white, 
 me iatitr vviin longitudinal stripes of light brown; sides and 
 flanks light brown; tibia dull white with dashes of brown; 
 pairs of circular spots of white; tail pale brown, with about 
 six transverse bands of white; cere and legs greenish-yellow. 
 
 Young. — Upper plumage brownish-black, white of the fore- 
 head and under parts more deeply tinged with reddish-yellow; 
 ilark stripes wider than in preceding; sides and flanks with 
 wide transverse bands of brownish-black, and with circular 
 spots of yellowish-white; quills black; tail brownish-black, 
 tipped with white, and with about four bands of white; eeie 
 and feet greenish-yellow. 
 
 Total length, female 12 to 14 inches; wing 8 to 9 inches; tail 
 a to 5% inches. Male, total length, 10 to 11 inches; wing 
 7"2 to 8 inches: tail 5 inches. — Baird's B. B. of N. A. 
 
 Habitat. — The whole of North America, south to the "West 
 Inuies and northern South America. 
 
 This litMe falcon breeds chiefly north of paralU^l 48 
 decrees, though, a.s Dr. Fisher adds, "in the mountains 
 it extends south of this latitude, and in the mountains 
 of some o>f the West Indian Islands it is a summer 
 resident." I have observed this hawk only as a visitor 
 during the winter season; further investigations, how 
 ever, may show that it, as some assert, occurs as a 
 native in some of our higher mountainous districts. 
 According to my experience this species is rather rare 
 
PIGEON HAW K . 
 
211 
 
 in this iState, and is uflener met with in the laouu 
 lainons and wooded districts than elsewhere. 
 
 FEEDS PRINCIPALLY ON BIRDS. 
 
 Field observations and post-mortem examinations 
 made by numerous naturalists show very conclusively 
 that although the Pijzeon HawU will sometimes de- 
 stroy poultry, tame pigeons, and even game birds as 
 large as the Piaiinigan, it preys mainly on various 
 kinds of small wild birds. It sometimes catches in- 
 sects, and small quadrupeds. 
 
 The following is taken from my note book in rela- 
 tion to a pair of these hawks: Two Pigeon Hawks dur 
 ing the late fall lurked about the southern suburbs of 
 the borough of West Chester, preying at regular inter- 
 vals on the pigeons of a blacksmith. In one week the 
 hawks killed or drove away fifty of these birds. The 
 hawks would (mter the boxes and take from them the 
 pigeons. 
 
 DEVOURS MANY BENEFICIAL BIRDS. 
 
 An examination of Dr. Fisher's food-table of this 
 species shows very conclusively that these birds prey 
 on a great varfety of birds, particularly those of the 
 sparrow family. In the stomachs of fifty-one Pigeon 
 hawks mentioned by Dr. Fisher, forty-one eo-ntained 
 small birds and of these the following speeies were 
 identified: 
 
 Song Sparrow, Swift, 
 
 English Sparrows. Flicker, 
 
 Indigo Bird, Warblers, 
 
 Field Sparrow, Bobolink, 
 
 Swamp Sparrows. Tree Swallow, 
 
 Chipping Sparrow, Red-eyed Vireos, 
 
 Goldfinchs, Brown Creeper, 
 
 Thrush, Blue-headed Vireo. 
 
212 
 
 VIEWS OF DIFFERENT WRITERS 
 
 The following parngfi'aphs are quoted from Dr. 
 Fisher's report: 
 
 "The food of the Pigreon Hawk consisls mainly of small and 
 medium-sized birds, especially the gregarious species, insects, 
 and occasionally small mammals. Pigeons, flickers and 
 grackles are about as large birds as it usually attacks, though 
 Dr. Dall, in one instance, saw it kill a ptarmigan, and Dr. E. A. 
 Mearns speaks of a specimen shot in the act of destroying a 
 hen. Among the insects dragon flies are favorite morsels for 
 this hawk, and the apparent ease with which it captures these 
 nimble-winged insects demonstrates better than anything else 
 its remarkable power of flight. The writer has also found 
 grasshoppers, crickets and beetles among the stomach con- 
 tents. 
 
 Like the Duck Hawk, the species under consideration occa- 
 sionally captures small mammals when its ordinary food is 
 scarce, though according to Dr. J. G. Cooper, it sometimes 
 feeds quite extensively on them. He says: "Though small, the 
 Pigeon Hawk has all the fierceness and coui-age of a true fal- 
 con, and captures birds fully as large as itself. It, however, 
 chiefly follows the flocks of gregarious birds, such as black- 
 birds, doves, etc., and preys much on mice, gophers and squir- 
 rels. I have not heard of its attacking domestic poultry, and 
 those farmers who shoot every 'chicken hawk' that .comes 
 around the house would do well to observe them more closely, 
 and will discover that these small species are not the young 
 of the larger ones, and should rather be encouraged than de- 
 stroyed. (Ornith. Cala., Land Birds, 1870, p. 461.) 
 
 Wilson sums up its food as follows: "When the reed birds, 
 grackles and red-winged blackbirds congregate in large flights, 
 he is often observed hovering in their rear, or on their flanks, 
 picking up the weak, the wounded or stragglers, and fre- 
 quently making a sudden and fatal sweep into the very midst 
 of their multitudes. The flocks of robins and pigeons are hon- 
 ored with the same attentions from this marauder." (Am. 
 Ornithology, Vol. I, 1831, p. 61, 62.) 
 
 Audubon speaks of its food as follows: "It seizes the re,]- 
 breasted thrush, the wild pigeon, and even the golden-winged 
 wooGD-ecKer on land, whilst along the shores it chases several 
 species of snipes, as well as the green-winged teal." (Ornith. 
 Biography, Vol. I, p. 467.) 
 
 Mr. John Murdoch mentions four Pigeon Hawks which, on 
 September 5, came out to the vessel as it was crossing the 
 Gulf of St. Lawrence, and says: "The first that appeared had 
 a Leach's petrel, dead, in his talnns. He alighted with this on 
 the fore cross-trees, and proceeded to eat it." (Bull. Nutt. 
 Ornith. Club, Vol. II, 1877, p. 79.) 
 
 Dr. Coues, speaking of the species in Labrador, says: "On 
 the 25th of the same month (August), at Henley Harbor, an- 
 other Individual was seen foraging among the Immense flocks 
 of curlews (Numenius borealis) which then covered the hills 
 In the vicinity." (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1861, p. 216.) 
 
 In Texas, Mr. George B. Sennett secured a bird whose crop 
 
213 
 
 contained nearly the whole of a ground dove. Mr. Thomas Mc- 
 Ilraith mentions seeing one of these falcons dive into a flock 
 of blackbirds on one of the marshes of Ontario, and saya: "I 
 once saw him stoop' on a flock as they hurried toward the 
 marsh for shelter. How closely they had huddled together. 
 as if seeking mutual ;notection, but he went right through 
 the flock arid came out on the other side with one in each 
 fist." (Birds of Ontario, 1SS6, p. 149.) 
 
 Occasionally the Pigeon Hawk is quite destructive 
 to youug chickens, as the following from the pen of 
 the late Dr. AVilliam Wood will show: 
 
 "In May, 1860, a gentleman who resides some five miles dis- 
 tant, informed me that a small hawk came almost every 
 day and carried off a chicken for him. * * * -p^e next 
 day the same little hawk leturned and was shot, and is now 
 in my collection, a beautiful representative of the Pigeon 
 Hawk." (Am. Nat.. Vol. VII, p. 342.) 
 
214 
 
 SPARROW HAWK. 
 
 Falco sparverius. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 "Small, wings narrow and pointed; top of head bluish-gray 
 or dark slate, the crown with or without a rufous patch. 
 
 Male. —Tail chestnut rufous, crossed by a broad black band 
 near end; wings grayish-blue, more or less spotted with black. 
 Above: Rufous, with or without black bars or spots. Below: 
 Varying- from white to deep rufous, with or without black 
 spots. 
 
 Female. -Tail, wings and back crossed by numerous narrow 
 bands of dusky." (Fisher.) 
 
 Length, 10 to 12 inches; extent of wings 18 to 23 inches; tail 
 4^- *:o rii^> inches. Iris brown; leg's and feet yellow. 
 
 .Ha&t<a^— Whole of North .America, south to northern South 
 America. Common and breeds generally throughout Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 The Sparrow Hawk is the smallest and most beau- 
 tiful of the American hawks. During- migrations in 
 the spring and autumn and throughout the summer 
 months the Spaiiow Hawk is common in nearly all 
 sections of this State, except ]»(n-haps in the heavily 
 wooded mountainous districts where, according to my 
 experience, the species is rather rare. Tn southern 
 Pennsylvania, especially in Che.ster, Delaware. Lancas 
 ter and York counties, this bird is of frequent occur- 
 rence as a winter resident, but in the central and 
 northern counties of oui" State it is regarded as a 
 I'ather unusual winter sojourner. 
 
 .M:sT, FAiGS AND YOUNG. 
 
 In southeastern Pennsylvania where this species was 
 in former years a very common summer resident they 
 begin nesting in April. The eggs, usually five in num- 
 ber, are deposited in hollow trees, generally the de- 
 serted hole of ;i woodpecker. Tlie eggs measiii-e about 
 
SPARROW HAWK 
 
215 
 
 1.33 by 1.13 inches and are of a whitish or pale -yellow 
 brown color, blot«hed all over with dark brown. 
 
 When the young or eggs are disturbed the parent 
 birds will sometimes defend invasion of their home 
 with great temerity. 
 
 Some few years ago I was endeavoring to- secure the 
 young from a nest of this species. I had climbed the 
 tree to the hole, about thirty-five feet from the ground, 
 wherein were snugly packed five young, one of which 
 I removed, when both old birds assailed uie. They 
 several times struck my head and armc with their 
 talons and wings. So persistent were their attacks 
 that I, desiring to obtain the young alive, directed a 
 companion who stood nearby to shoot both birds. 1 
 have rei)eatedly taken tlie eggs and young of this bird 
 but never, except in the above cited instance, encoun- 
 tered such determined oppo-sition. 
 
 When reared from the nest the Sparrow Hawk will 
 soon become attached to its master. I raised two. 
 which were given their fi-eedom. Both birds would 
 come at my call and alight o-n my outstretched arm 
 or shoulders, anxiously waiting fo-r a grasshopper or 
 piece of meat, which was always their recompense. 
 
 This hawk will resort for sfvoral consecutive years 
 to the same tree for breeding purposes. From Doctoi" 
 Wood's "Birds of Connecticut." the following remarks, 
 with regard to the nesting of this bird, are taken: 
 
 "One of my collector.s found a nest of four eggs in the top 
 of a stump about ten feet from the ground. This nest was 
 composed of grass, and was discovered by the grass protruding 
 through a crack in the stump. Whether this hawk constructed 
 this nest, or whether it had been made bv some other bird, it 
 IS impossible to tell, but if this hawk constructs no nest, as 
 asserted by Dr. Brewer and others, it must have obtained 
 it piratically, as the nest was new. fn another instance, which 
 occurred in Granby. Tonnecticut, the nest was known to hav.- 
 been obtained in thi^^ way: A farmer made a dove house in- 
 side of his barn, with holes through the sides of the building 
 
216 
 
 communicating with it. A pair of doves that had mated were 
 attacked and killed by a pair of Sparrow Hawks, who took 
 possession of their nest, laid four eggs and commf^ncfd in- 
 cubating." 
 
 Incubation, which lasts for about a period of fiom 
 twentv-ono to twenty-four days, is engaged in by both 
 birds, and while one is sitting its mate supplies it with 
 food. When first hatched the young are covered with 
 a white down. The food of young, while under pa- 
 rental care, I have found to consist chiefly of insects. 
 
 PROTECT THE SPARROW HAWK. 
 
 The farmer, fruit grower and sportsmen shouldj 
 learn the true value of this little hawk, as he is one 
 of the most desirable feathered visitors and should not 
 by even the most casual observer be mistaken for that 
 destructive marauder the Sharp-shinned Hawk. The 
 Sparrow Hawk preys to a very considerable extent on 
 English sparrows. 
 
 Popular ignorance of the great service which this 
 species does to the farmer and pomologist, by destroy- 
 ing myriads of noxious insects, together with the in- 
 disposition or inability to distinguish Sparrow hawks 
 from the Sharp-shinned and smaller individuals o>f 
 Cooper's hawk, which so many people have, have re- 
 sulted in placing Sparrow hawks under ban, and they 
 are destroyed by farmers and gunners in many sec- 
 tions with the same eagerness that they kill the de- 
 structive Sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks. 
 
 Tliis useless slaughter, which, of course, was mater- 
 ially aided by the inducement which a "scalp act" af 
 forded, has brought about a very noticeable decrease 
 in the number of Sparrow hawks one sees nowadays. 
 Twelve or fourteen years ago I have often counted 
 from the car windows in riding from Philadelphia to 
 Harrisbnrg from twentv to twentv five of Miese little 
 
217 
 
 lalcoiis; but in recent years, I have never observed at 
 any season of the year, when going over the same 
 route, more than four or five of these birds. 
 
 WHAT OTHER WRITERS HAVE OBSERVED. 
 
 Allen, In his "Ornithological Notes on the Birds of the Great 
 Salt Lake Valley," says: "The Sparrow Hawlc, however, was 
 by far the most numerous of the Falconidae; thirty were seen 
 in the air at one time near the mouth of Weber canon, en- 
 gaged in the capture of the hateful grasshoppers, which seems 
 at this season to form the principal food of this and other 
 birds." Audubon mentions that he had one of these birds 
 tamed. It was allowed its liberty. "In attempting lu sefure a 
 ehiclcen one day, the old hen attacked him with such violence 
 as to cost him his life. ' Dr. Wood says: "When they can- 
 not readily procure their favorite food, mice and small birds 
 are greedily devoured; and, according to a writer in the Amer- 
 ican Naturalist, they are not wholly devoid of the piratical 
 habits of the Bald Eagle. "A tame cat was crossing the 
 street and bearing a large mouse in her mouth; a Sparrow 
 Hawk came flj'ing over, and seeing a mouse in her mouth, 
 made a stidden swoop and tried to seize it with its talons, but 
 did not succeed. The hawk continued its attempts until they 
 reached the opposite side of the street, when the cat disap- 
 peared under the sidewalk.' If it catches a mouse that proves 
 to be lousy and poor, it will leave it and seek another." 
 
 The following quotations from Dr. A. K. Fisher's 
 work (Bull. No. 3, U. S. Agr. Depart.), shows the great 
 fondness this hawk has for insect food: 
 
 "The subject of the food of this hawk is one of great in- 
 terest, and considered in its economic bearings is one that 
 should be carefully studied. The Sparrow Hawk is almost ex- 
 clusively insectivorous, except when insect food is difficult to 
 obtain. In localities where grasshoppers and crickets are 
 abundant these hawks congregate, often in moderate sized 
 flocks, and gorge themselves continuously. Rarely do they 
 touch any other form of food until, either by the advancing 
 season or other natural causes, Uie grasshopper crop is so 
 lessened that their hunger cannot be appeased without undue 
 exertion. Then other kinds of insects and other forms of life 
 contribute to their fare; and beetles, spiders, mice, shrews, 
 small snakes, lizards or even birds may be required to bring 
 up the balance. In snm(> places in the west and SDUth telegraph 
 lines pass for miles through treeless plains and savannas; for 
 lack of better places the Sparrow Hawks often use these poles 
 for resting places, from which they make short trips to pick 
 up a grasshopper or mouse, which they carry back to their 
 
218 
 
 perch. At times, when giusshoppeis are abundant, such a line 
 of poles is pretty well occupied by these hawks. 
 
 "A dozen or more stomachs collected by Mr. Charles W. 
 Richmond, in Gallatin county, Montana, during- the latter part 
 of August and early part of September, 1888, ♦ * * contained 
 little else than grasshoppers and crickets." 
 
 GRASSHOPPERS A FAVORITE FOOD. 
 
 "Mr. W. B. Hall, of Wakeman, Ohio, writes: ♦ * * 
 'The Sparrow Hawk is a most persistent enemy of the grass- 
 hopper tribe. While the so-called hawk law was in force in 
 Ohio I was township clerk in my native village and issued cer- 
 tificates to the number of eighty-six, forty-six being for the 
 Sparrow Hawk. I examined the stomachs and found forty- 
 five of them to contain the remains of grasshoppers and the 
 elytra of beetles, while the remaining one contained the fur 
 and bones of a meadow mouse.' " 
 
 "Mr. W. E. Saunders writes from London, Canada: "Spar- 
 row Hawks are one of our best grasshopper destroyers; four 
 out of every five I have killed contained grasshoppers alone.' 
 The following from the pen of Mr. H. W. Henshaw substan- 
 tiates what we have said in regard to its fondness for grass- 
 hoppers: 'It finds * * * an abundant supply of 
 game in the shape of small insectivorous birds, but more es- 
 pecially does its food consist of the various kinds of coleopter- 
 ous insects and grasshoppers, of which it destroys multitudes. 
 In fact, this last item is the most important of all, and where 
 these insects are abundant I have never seen them have re- 
 course to any other kind of food' (Explor. West of 100th Merid., 
 Wheeler, Vol. V, 1875, p. 414)." 
 
 "And subsequently the same author writes: 'The west side 
 of Chewaukan VaTIey has suffered severely from a visitation 
 of that scourge of the western farmer, the grasshoppers. Here 
 in August Sparrow Hawks had assembled in hundreds and 
 were holding high carnival, and although in instances like tlie 
 present their numlbers proved wholly insufficient to coiic 
 against the vast myriads of these destructive insects, yet the 
 work of the Sparrow Hawk is by no means so insignificant 
 that it should not be remembered to his credit and earn him 
 well merited protection. His food consists almost entirely f)f 
 grasshoppers when they are to be had, and as his appetite ap- 
 Ijears never to become satiated, the aggregate in numbers 
 which are annually destroyed by him must be enormous.' (Ap- 
 pendix O. O., of Annual Report of Chief of Eng., U. S. A. for 79, 
 p. 314)." 
 
 "In the vicinity of Washington, D C, remarkable as it may 
 appear to those who have not interested themselves spec'ally 
 in the matter, it is the exception not to find grasshopprs or 
 crickets in the stomach of Sparrow Hawks, even when killed 
 during the months of January and February, unless the ground 
 is covered with snow." 
 
 "It is wonderful how the birds can discover the half-con- 
 oealed semi-dormant insects, which in color so closely resemble 
 the ground or dry grass. Whether they are attracted by a 
 slight movement or distinguish the form of their prey as it slta 
 
219 
 
 motlonlesss, it is difficult to prove, but in any case tlie acute- 
 ness of their vision is of a character which we are unable to 
 appreciate. Feeding on insects so exclusively as they do, it is 
 to be presumed that they destroy a considerable number ot 
 beneficial kinds, as well as spiders, which they find in the 
 same localities as the grasshoppers. However, examination 
 of their stomach contents show the number to be very small 
 compared with that of the noxious species, that it is hardly 
 worth considering." 
 
 "After the several frosts of autumn and in winter, when in- 
 sect life is at its lowest ebb, the Sparrow Hawks devote more 
 time to the capture of mice and small birds. As a rule, the 
 birds which they capture at this time are ground-dwellinj; 
 species, which simulate the movements of mice by running in 
 or about the di-y grass and weeds. They are mostly sparrows, 
 more or less seed-eating, and hence not among the species most 
 beneficial to the agriculturist. At this season it is common 
 to see Sparrow Hawks sitting on the poles over hay stacks oi 
 stationed where they ean command a good view of the sur- 
 roundings of a hay mow or grain crib, leady at any moment 
 to drop upon the mouse which is unfortunate enough to show 
 itself. In this way they manage to destroy a vast number nf 
 mice during the colder months." 
 
 "The following is an extract from a letter from W. P. Mc- 
 Glothlin, of Dayton, Washington: 'There is a small hawk here 
 called the Sparrow Hawk. It com<^s about the 1st of March 
 and leaves with its young about -August 1st. On their arrival 
 they are in large flocks and seem hungry. I have had a num- 
 ber follow my team all day long, and even alight ?or a moment 
 iin the plow beam. When a mouse was unearthed it was cap- 
 tured in an instant and quickly killed. The hawks seem tu 
 know just when their victims are dead. They settle on some- 
 thing suitable to their fancy and commence eating the eyes 
 and then soon finish. For two weeks this mouse catching 
 goes on. I have sometimes seen them chase and catch small 
 birds.' " (Bull. No. 3, Hawks anS Owls, by Dr. A. K. Fishei- 
 1893.) 
 
 When breeding, the Sparrow Hawk has been known 
 to captnre voung chickens; their depredations, ho-w- 
 ever, in this direction are not worthy of consideration 
 when compared with the great benefits the hawks do 
 by destroying injnrious insects and mice. 
 
 FED MAINLY ON MICE AND INSECTS 
 
 The stomach contents of fo-rty-oight Sparrow Hawk.-- 
 captured in Chester county. Pa., and examined by the 
 writer are given in the following table: 
 
220 
 
 Date of 
 Capture. 
 
 July, 
 
 July, 
 
 Apr. 3, 
 Dec. 29, 
 Dec. 28, 
 
 Dec. 29. 
 Jan. 17, 
 Feb. 8, 
 Dec. 1, 
 
 Dec. 3. 
 Dec. 9, 
 
 Dec. 9, 
 Dec. 16, 
 
 Sov. 26, 
 
 Feb. 7, 
 
 1886. 
 
 18S6, 
 1880, 
 188«, 
 
 188G, 
 1886, 
 1886, 
 
 1886, 
 1886, 
 
 1886, 
 1886, 
 
 Sparrow. 
 Song sparrow, 
 Tree sparrow. 
 
 Meadow mouse. 
 
 Mouse. 
 
 .Moii.oe 
 
 Feathers of .small 
 bird 
 
 Snow bird. 
 
 Feathers of small 
 bird, 
 
 1S86. 
 1887, 
 
 Jan. 17, 
 Jan. 6, 
 
 1887, 
 1S85, 
 
 March. 188-5, 
 
 Tree sparrow. 
 
 Jan. 
 Jan. 
 Dec. 20, 
 Jan. 10, 
 Feb. 9, 
 
 Jan. 13, 
 
 Jan. 13. 
 
 Jan. 2.j, 
 Jan. 25, 
 
 Jan. 25, 
 Jan. 27, 
 
 Feb. 1, 
 
 Feb. 
 
 Feb. 
 
 ISs , . 
 1856. 
 
 Song sparrow. 
 
 Wliite-f ooted mouse. 
 White-footed mouse. 
 .Mr-iidow mouse, ... 
 
 Meadow mouse, 
 two shrews. 
 
 MoaUow mouse, 
 Meadow mouse, 
 
 Meadow mou;=€, .. 
 Meadow mouse. 
 Meadow mouse, .. 
 
 1SS7. 
 18S7. 
 
 1837, 
 1887. 
 
 House mouse, . 
 Meadow mouse, 
 
 Tree sparrow. 
 
 Nov. 2.'), 
 July 3, 
 Dec. 50. 
 Dec. 16. 
 Jan. 17. 
 Oct. 27, 
 Deo. 23. 
 Jan. 12, 
 Jan. 17, 
 ^f.lJ. 24. 
 I''eb. ifi. 
 .Tan. 1, 
 Aug. 25, 
 July. 
 Jan. 16, 
 Feb. 7, 
 
 18S6 
 18S6 
 1879 
 1879 
 1881 
 1!;80 
 1S80 
 1881 
 1881 
 1880, 
 18.^0 
 1880 
 4876 
 1879, 
 1879, 
 1887, 
 
 House mouse, . 
 Meadow mouse, 
 
 Meadow mouse, 
 Meaduw mouse. 
 
 White-footed mouse. 
 Two meadow mice. 
 
 i 
 
 J i 
 
 
 Meadow laik. 
 1. Snow bird 
 
 Mice. 
 
 
 
 ). 1 Meadow lark 
 
 Mice 
 
 
 Mice. 
 
 
 . 1 .Mice. 
 
 .Snow bird. 
 
 Mice. 
 Bat. 
 Mice. 
 
 Insects, Etc. 
 
 Grasshopper and 
 
 cricket. 
 Grasshopper and 
 
 cricket. 
 Caterpillars 
 
 Crlckels aii.l 
 
 grasshoppeiB 
 
 Grasshopper.s ati. 
 
 larvae. 
 Beetles. 
 
 Crickets. 
 
 Crickets, caterpil 
 lars, spider. 
 
 Caterpillars, spi- 
 ■ h r. 
 
 Grasshoppers, lar- 
 vae. 
 
 8 larvae, spider. 
 I..arvae. 
 
 Grasshoppers, 
 beetles, laivue 
 
 Grasphopperf', lar- 
 vae. 
 
 Grasshoppers, 
 beetles, laivue. 
 
 Crickets, larvae. 
 
 Grasshoppers, 
 larvae, spiders. 
 
 Caterpillar, crick 
 ets, spider. 
 
 Caterpillars. 
 
 grasshopper.", 
 
 spiders. 
 Insects. 
 Insects. 
 
 insects. 
 In.sects. 
 
 Grasshopper. 
 
 Insects. 
 
 'alertilllar. 
 
FISH HAWK 
 
221 
 
 FISH HAWK. 
 
 r;iii(liou haliaetus caroliueusis. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Wings long- and pointed; second and third quills longest. 
 Three first primaries emarginate on inner webs; bill stout with 
 a very long hook and sharp end; feathers oily to resist water, 
 those of head lengthened and pointed; thighs and little of the 
 front parts of tarsi are covered with short feathers which lie 
 close; legs, tarsi and feet very strong and robust; claws all 
 ?ame length, very large and sharp. The tarsus all round cov- 
 ei'ed with rough scales; toes padded below and covered with 
 numerous hard-pointed projections to aid in holding their slip- 
 pery prej-. 
 
 Adult. — Upper parts dark brown or grayish-brown; most of 
 head, neck and under parts white (chest in female and some- 
 times in male, is spotted with brown), the tail usually paler 
 than the back, is tipped with white, and has six or seven 
 dusky bais. The immature, very similar to adults, have upper 
 parts spotted with pale reddish-brown or white. Iris in some 
 specimens reddish, but mostly yellow; bill and claws blue- 
 black; tarsi and toes graj'ish-blue. Length (female) about 25 
 inches; extent about 52. 
 
 JECabitat.—^ ovth America, from Hudson's bay and Alaska 
 south to the West Indies and northern South America. Breeds 
 sparingly in Pennsylvania. 
 
 The Fish Hawk, although most numerous about the 
 sea coast, is quite frequently met with along our large 
 rivers. This bird arrives in Pennsylvania generally 
 about the last week in March, and remains sometimes 
 as late as the first oa* November. 
 
 THK XEST AND KGGS. 
 
 Although the Fish Hawk commonly rears its young 
 along the sea coast, it is frecjuently found breeding 
 near the borders of large rivers or in the vicinity of 
 large inland lakes. The nest, a particularly bulky 
 structure (from four to eight feet in diameter) com- 
 posed chiefly of sticks, and lined with sea- weeds, 
 grasses, etc., is built usually on a large tree, near the 
 water. In Florida T have found eggs and young of 
 this bird early in March. This hawk is a regular but 
 by no means common breeder in Pennsylvania. Th»' 
 nost of this bird mny bo found almost every year along 
 
222 
 
 the Susquehanna river and about some of the larger 
 lakes in the noitheastern sectio-ns of the State. 
 
 A GOOD P'lSUKHMAN. 
 
 During the spring, summer and aulunm months- 
 these hawks, generally singly, but sometimes in pairs, 
 if not disturbed, will regularly visit mill dams and fish 
 ponds where the}^ can secure their finny prey. 
 
 Hon. Hiram Peoples, of New Providence, Lancaster 
 county, who devotes much attention to lish culture, 
 laising large quantities of bass and gold-fish for the 
 markets, informs me he loses a great many fish from 
 visits of the Fish Hawk. In fact, he says the depreda- 
 tions of these hawks became so numerous that he of- 
 fered a bounty of fifty cents each for every one which 
 was killed on his premises. 
 
 Kingfishers also annoy Mr. Peo[»les by stealing his 
 lish, but he easily disposes of lliese unwelcome visitors 
 by set-ting steel traps on stakes or posts about his 
 ponds. Last year he caught, by this means, twenty- 
 four kingfishers. 
 
 THEY LIVE ON FISH. 
 
 The writer has examined the stomach contents of 
 twenty-three of these hawks captured in Pennsylvania, 
 Xew Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Florida, 
 and found only the remains of different species of fish. 
 It may be, as some writers assert, that the Fish Hawk 
 when breeding subsists in part on reptiles and batra- 
 chians; however my opinion is that these birds never 
 touch other food unless they are unable to catch fish. 
 The Osprey. as this hawk is often called, does not, as 
 some farmers believe, disturb domestic fowls, nor does 
 it molest wild birds. Trrackles sometimes Imild their 
 nests in the interstices of the ('(immodious nest of the 
 rish Hawk. 
 
223 
 
 THE OWLS. 
 
 Ten representatives of the families Strigidae and Bubonidae. 
 are credited to the fauna of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Owls, like the eagles, hawks and other diurnal birds of prey, 
 embrace numerous species of which, it is stated, about two 
 hundred occur in different parts of the world. 
 
 The incalculable benefits conferred by this group of birds, 
 particularly the smaller species, to the husbandman, are gen- 
 erally overlooked. This is largely due, perhaps, t<;i the fact 
 that these birds prey extensively on mice and insects which 
 become most active at night time when the tiller of the soil is 
 resting fiom the arduous labors of his calling. 
 
 Some are common residents in all parts of the State; others 
 breed in boreal regions and are found with us as irregular 
 or accidental winter visitants. The little screech owl, dressed 
 in his coat of red or gray, or a mixture of both, is one of the 
 most common and best known birds of this group. He is 
 found in cities and towns, as well aa in the rural districts. In 
 the hollow limbs of trees in old apple orchards he delights to 
 conceal himself in daytime, and also to rear his family. He 
 is often found about barns and other buildings where he goes 
 in the daytime to hide, or frequently at night to catch mice, 
 one of his main articles of livelihood. The Great Horned Owl 
 inhabits the woods, but on the approach of night he goes out 
 In quest of food. His visits to the poultry yard are so common 
 that he also is familiar to residents of the country, where he 
 is usually known from his loud cries as "Hoot Owl." The Barn 
 Owl, a southern bird, breeds sparingly and most frequently in 
 the southern parts of our State. The Snowy, which rears Its 
 family in the Arctic wilds, is found here only as an irregular 
 winter sojourner. Some persons not versed in ornithological 
 matters, name both the Snowy Owl and Barn Owl "White" 
 or "Snowy" Owls. Such local names used to designate the Barn 
 O^'l are confusing and should be discarded. 
 
 MICE DEVOURING SPECIES. 
 
 Owls, other than the Long-eared and Short-eared species, are 
 usually observed singly; those that breed here, of course, are 
 often during the breeeding period seen in pairs and with their 
 young. In v.'inter Long-eared and Short-eared owls are found 
 generally in flocks. T.,ong-eared owls bi'eed in many localities: 
 In fact quite generally throughout the State, and owing to the 
 circumstances that sometimes they roost in the daytime, in 
 cedar treea, they are termed by many "Cedar" Owls. The 
 Short-eared owls frequent meadows, swamps and grassy fields, 
 Hunters who most frequently come across these birds in the 
 fall and winter time know them as "marsh" or "swamp" owls. 
 The Short-eared Owl is common in winter and is said to breed 
 here in rare instances. Both the Long and Short-eared owls 
 should be protected by the farmer and fruit grower, as theso 
 birds live almost exclusively on mice. 
 
224 
 
 THE BARRED OR "RAIN OWL." 
 
 The Barred Owl is a resident and breeds generally through- 
 out the State; it is most numerous in the mountainous and 
 wooded districts. In different parts of Wayne, Susquehanna 
 and Wyoming counties, where four or five years ago the Barred 
 Owl wa,9 very common, it is called "Rain" Owl, as it was as- 
 serted its dismal cry was most frequently heard before 
 a stoim. To distinguish an owl fiuin a hawk, remember the 
 'iwj's eviy :\rr situated in (lie I'lnnt "( ihf head and look for- 
 ward, while the hawk's eyes are directed to either side. The 
 extremely soft and downy plumage of owls is such that their 
 flight is almost noiseless. During the daylight we usually 
 find them concealed in hollow trees or dense foliage. While it 
 is generally an accepted fact that owls are nocturnal in their 
 habits, it is not true that they are exclusively so. The Snowy 
 and Hawk Owls are of a decidedly diurnal nature, and ir 
 cloudy weather or in early twilight it is not unusual to see 
 the Great Horned Owl sally forth in quest of prey. 
 
 PREFER TO KILL THEIR OWN FOOD. 
 
 Owls, unlike certain other birds of prey, never, it is stated, 
 unless reduced to the utmost extremity, feed on carrion, but 
 subsist on such food as they are able to kill. Their dietfry, 
 although variable with locality and circumstances, consists 
 mainly of small quadrupeds (principally mice), insects, chiefly 
 beetles and gTasshoppers, and some few of the smaller kinds 
 of wild birds. With the exception of the Great Horned Owl 
 and perhaps the Barred, all the owls occurring regularly in this 
 Commonwealth deserve the fullest protection which can be 
 given to them by the farmer and horticulturist. 
 
 The owls, like many other birds of prey, eject from the 
 mouth in small ball-like masses, the indigestible portions of 
 their food, such as hair, bones, etc. These little balls or pel- 
 lets are frequently to be found in great quantities about lo- 
 calities where these birds resort during the daytime. The eggs 
 are white, nearly round, and commonly number from three to 
 five. Owlsi deposit their eggs in hollow trees or in the deserted 
 nests of hawks and crows. Their cries are loud and dismal. 
 
 The general form of owls is short and heavy; the head and 
 eyes are usually very large; bill very much like a hawk's, but 
 never toothed, and often almost hidden by long bristle-like 
 feathers; eyes encircled by a ring of radiating bristly feathers; 
 tarsi (shins), and in some species toes also, densely feathered. 
 
 In some species the heads are furnished with long erectile 
 tufts of feathers, which are commonly cyilled horns; ears in 
 some species are remarkably large. 
 
BARN OW L . 
 
BARN OWL. 
 
 Strix piatincola. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Length of female about 18 inches; extent of wings about 
 43. The male is rather smaller; no ear tufts; facial disc well 
 developed but not circular; eyes black and rather small; lower 
 part of long tarsus (shin) has short stiff feathers; toes nearly 
 naked, but with some hair-like feathers; feathers of body 
 downy. Colors brownish, ashy and white. 
 
 Habitat.— Warmer parts of North Carolina, from the Mid- 
 dle States, Ohio valley, and California southward through 
 Mexico. Resident but not common in southern portions of 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 The Baiu Owl because of its supposed resemblance 
 to a monkey is frequently called "Monkey-faced Owl." 
 This bird is highly beneficial to the farmer as it sub- 
 sists chiefly on mice and rats. It never commits dep- 
 redations in the poultry yard and rarely does it de- 
 stroy insectivorous birds. Notwithstanding the good 
 this bird does by devouring legions of voracious ro- 
 dents, it, in common with other species of the owl 
 tribe, is destroyed by farmers and sportsmen who be- 
 lieve they are doing that which will be a help to the 
 IxMiltry and game interests. 
 
 Tills species breeds regularly in Chester, York, Lan- 
 caster, Cumberland and Dauphin counties of this 
 State; and no doubt in other counties also. However, 
 from the best information I can obtain it is a rather 
 rare visitor north of the southern part o-f Pennsyl- 
 vania, where in some sections, it is resident. 
 
 THE NEST AND EGGS. 
 
 I have never found the nest of this species, concern- 
 ing which Prof. Gentry writes as follows: 
 
 "In the selection of a place for nesting purposes, these owls 
 15-11 
 
226 
 
 vary in different localities. In eastern Pennsylvania, generally 
 a hollow tree, chiefly an aiipU' or an oak is chosen, but oc- 
 casionally a dilapidated and unoccupied barn; but mort' 
 rarely, an occupied building in close proximity to man. When 
 the former situations are chosen, the hollow Is lined with a 
 few diied grasses and feathers, although instances are not 
 unfrequently met with where the eggs are deposited upon bare 
 bottom. In the latter places a few rude sticks constitute a 
 framework which is lined with a few fine grasses and feathers. 
 It is deposited upon a short timber in a somewhat inaccessible 
 part of the building. Nesting ordinarily takes place early in 
 March, although we have observed newly-built nests in the 
 latter part of February. Oviposition commences about the sec- 
 ond week of March. The number of eggs laid varies from three 
 to four, very rarely more. * « * rpj^g eggs are some- 
 what sub-spherical, scarcely more pointed at one extremity 
 than the other, unless in exceptional cases; of a bluish-white 
 color, and measure 1.67 inches in length, and 1.37 in width. 
 They vary, however, in size in different localities." 
 
 FEEDS ON MICE. 
 
 Of fifteen «toinaehs of these birds examiued by the 
 vvi'iter. fourteen contained small rodents, principally 
 mice, and some few insects: the feathers of a sparrow 
 and bones of a small mammal were found in the other 
 stomach. Dr. Fisher, in the summer of 1890, examined 
 200 pellets at the nesting place of a pair of these owls, 
 in one of the towers of the Smithsonian Institution. 
 Washington, D. C, and found a total of 453 skulls of 
 the following mammals, and one Vesper Sparrow: "225 
 meadow mice; 2, pine mice: 179, house mice; 20, rats: 
 0, jumping micf^; 20, slirews; 1, star-nosHd mole." 
 
 Sucli t'Aidcnce as this certainly proves the import- 
 ance of protecting these owls about our promises. 
 
SHORT EA^RED owl 
 
SHORT-EAKEDOWL. 
 Asio accipitrinus. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Ear-tufts very short and inconspicuous; entire plumage vary- 
 ing from buff to buffy-whiite; every featlaer on tlie upper parts 
 with darlc brown stripes; under parts paler; often nearly white 
 on abdomen; bill and claws dark. Iris yellow. 
 
 Female measures about 17 inches in length; extent about 4o 
 inches. 
 
 Habitat.— North America at large; nearly cosmopolitan. Com- 
 mon winter resident in Pennsylvania. 
 
 The common name of Marsh Owl is quite appropri- 
 ate, as this species frequents principally during its so 
 journ in this region marshy districts and grass fields. 
 Oftentimes small parties of five, eight or ten individ- 
 uals will be found in grassy retreats, where meadow 
 mice are abundant. Occasionally flocks of these o^wls. 
 numbering twenty-five or thirty each, congregate in a 
 a locality where food is abundant to spend the win- 
 ter; coninionh% however, colonies of this size are sel- 
 dom met with in this State. Possibly this species oc- 
 curs as a rare breeder in favorable localities in Penn- 
 sylvania, but so far as my experience goes it is found 
 here simply as a winter resident, arriving from more 
 northern latitudes early in November and departing in 
 April. 
 
 KILLED TO SATISFY VANITY. 
 
 This species is of the greatest benefit to the 
 farmer and fruit grower, as it subsists during its resi- 
 dence here almost wholly upon destructive rodents, 
 especially mice. A colony of Short-eared Owls, if left 
 unmolested, will in n short time destroy all the mice 
 in a hirgc niMjidow. I>r. Fislici- has found ;is many as 
 six mice in tlu' stomach of a singk' owl, and I lie writer 
 
228 
 
 liiis (;ik('ii fciir mice from the stoiuacli of one of tliese 
 biids. Some few yeais aj^o when stiilltMl owi-liead.s 
 were fashionable ornauienls for ladies hats, mauy of 
 tliese uwls were slain by hiiuters in the employ of 
 niillinei's and taxidermists, on tlie farms of some of 
 my acquaintances, who afterwards informed me they 
 were coLvinced that the marked increase of field mice 
 on their premises was due to the destruction of these 
 and other birds of prey, such as hawks (Sparrow, Red- 
 tailed, Red-sliouldered and Rough-legged), which were 
 killed by hunters for the bounty at that time allowed 
 by this State. 
 
 The stomach contents of thirty-five Short-eared Owls 
 examined by the writer during the past ten years re- 
 vealed chiefly field mice, a few birds (sparrows) and 
 some insects, beetles and grasshoppers. 
 
 These owls were captured in Pennsjivania during 
 the winter season. Two had remains of sparrows in 
 their stomachs and three contained the insects above 
 mentioned in conjunction with the hair and bones of 
 small rodents; the remaining thirty owls had only mice 
 or shrews in their stomachs. Dr. Fisher states that 
 it is quite exceptional for this owl to feed upon birds, 
 and further adds that of ninety stomachs examined at 
 the National Department of Agriculture but ten con- 
 tained the remains O'f birds. 
 
 THEY DEVOUR LEGIONS OF NOXIOUS RODENTS. 
 
 The following- important evidence of the economic value of 
 the Short-eared Owl is fiom the fourth edition of Yarrall's 
 British Birds (Vol. IV, p. 165): "Undoubtedly, field mice, and 
 especially those of the short-tailed group or voles, are their 
 chief objects of prey, and when these animals increase in an 
 extraordinary and unaccountable w^ay, as they sometimes do. 
 so as to become extremely mischievous, owls, particularly of 
 this species, flock to devour them. Thus there are records 
 of a 'sore plague of strange mice' in Kent and Essex in the 
 year 1580 or 15.91, and again in the county last mentioned in 
 1647. In 1754 the same thing is said to have occurred at Hil- 
 gay, lu-ar Pownham Market, in Norfolk, while within the pres- 
 
229 
 
 ent century the Forest of Dean, in Gloucestershire and some 
 parts of Scotland have been similarly infested. In all these 
 cases owls are mentioned as thronging to the spot and ren- 
 dering the greatest service in extirpating the pests. The like 
 has also been observed in Scandinavia during the wonderful 
 irruptions of lemmings and other small rodents to which sume 
 of the districts are liable, and it would appear that the Short- 
 eared Owl is the species which plays a principal part in get- 
 ting I'id of the destructive horde." (From Fisher's Bull. 
 No. 3.) 
 
 The information contained on the preceding pages 
 concerning tlie food habits of the Short-eared Owl cer 
 tainly cannot fail to show that this species is highly 
 serviceable and justly merits the good will of the 
 farmer and orcliai'dist. 
 
'JXO 
 
 LONG EAKKI) OWL. 
 Asio Wilson ian us. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Ear tufts of eisht or ton feathers, arc Iohk and conspicuous; 
 eyes yellow and quite small. Tapper parts dusky, mottled 
 with gray, fulvous and brownish black; abdomen white; under 
 parts genei^ally grayish-white, with transverse and longitudinal 
 stiipes of black, brown and reddish-brown; feet and legs red- 
 dish-brown and upspotted; bill and claws black. 
 
 Female measures about 15 inches in length; extent of wings 
 about 38. Male rather smaller. 
 
 Habitat. — Temperate North America. Resident in Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 Owing to the fact that tliese birds oftentimes con- 
 ceal themselves during the daytime in cedar trees, the 
 local appellation of "Cedar Owl" has arisen. The 
 Long-eared owl is a resident and one of the most 
 abundant of the owl tribe in this State. While mosl 
 owls, in this region at least, usually lead a solitary 
 life or associate in pairs, we find the subject of this 
 sketch to be social and gregarious, associating often 
 in i>arties of from twelve to twenty-five individuals. 
 In winter if not molested they frequently take up a 
 residence in the dark retreats furnished by the numer 
 oils coniferous trees growing around tlie habitations 
 of man. 
 
 DESIRABLE VISITORS. 
 
 In relation to a party of tliese o\\]s l)i-. Win. K. 
 Stavely, Lahaska, Pa., says: 
 
 "For over twenty years I have had congregated in my lawn 
 from fifty to seventy-five owls. They are peaceable and quiet; 
 only on raie occasions would you know one was about, oii 
 dull days and foggy evenings tho.\- weie flying about in all di- 
 rections. Xo\er in all that time ha\c I missed any poultry 
 or ha\e they inflicted any injury on anything of value. The 
 first I noticed of their presence was the discovery of quite a 
 pile of what appeared t(-> be mice hair and bones, and on Inves- 
 tlgatiun found the Norway fir was the loosiing place of to in^ 
 
AMERICAN LONG EARED OWL 
 
231 
 
 at that time a vast luiinbei of owls. They had ejected the 
 bolus of hair and bones apparently of an army of tree-eating 
 destructive mice, aiding the fruit grower against one of the 
 worst and most inveterate enemies. * * * Their merits 
 would fill sheets; the demerits nil." 
 
 THE NEST AND EGGS. 
 
 Although it is true tliat Loug-eared owls at times do 
 ronsti'uct their own nests, I am inclined to believe that 
 these birds, in this region at least, prefer to occupy 
 the deserted nests oi other birds. I have on several 
 occasions found these owls breeding and always ob- 
 served that they occupied the abandoned nest* of 
 crows or hawks. 
 
 Audubon says: 
 
 "The Long-eareil Owl is careless as to the situation in which 
 its young are to be reared, and generally accommodates itself 
 With the abandoned nest of some other bird that proves of 
 sufficient size, whether it be high or low, in the fissure of a 
 rock or on the ground. Sometimes, however, it makes a nest 
 itself; and this I have found to be the case in one instance 
 near the Juniata river, in Pennsylvania, where it was com- 
 posed of green twigs, with the leaflets adhering, and lined 
 with fresh grass and wool, but without any feathers." 
 
 The eggs of this bird vary considerably in size; a 
 small example in my possession measures about one 
 and one-half inches by one and one-fourth inches. 
 From three to five eggs are usually found in a nest. 
 
 A BENEFICIAL SPECIES. 
 
 Like the two previously described species this owl 
 is i)articularly servicable to the farmer and horticul- 
 turist as it preys almost entirely on field mice. It 
 never disturbs domestic fowls and but a small per- 
 centage of its diet is made up of small birds. 
 
 Notwithstanding tlie great amount of good which 
 this speciv'.s does in keeping in check the hordes of 
 destructive rodents which do so much damage in the 
 
282 
 
 j;iain Ileitis and orchard, tlu'iv has, uiilurl uiialclv. diii 
 inj^- recent years been a ^rcat decrease in the number of 
 these birds in many localities in Pennsylvania. This 
 diminulion, I judge, is, to a considerable extent, due 
 10 the fact that the stuffed lieads of these harmless and 
 beneficial owls have been extensively used to decorate 
 ladies' headgear. Great numbers of these owls were 
 also killed for bounties; I knew one hunter who shot 
 in one week over twenty of these birds when the 
 bounty act was in fo-rce. The stomachs of thirteen of 
 this lot of owls were examined by the writer and they 
 all contained only the remains of mice. 
 
 WHAT DIFFERENT WRITERS SAY OF ITS FOOD. 
 
 Dr. A. K. Fisher says: 
 
 "The Long-eared Owl is une of our most beneficial species, 
 destroying- vast numbers of injurious rodents and seldnm 
 touching insectivorous birds." 
 
 Audubon writes: 
 
 "It preys chiefly on quadrupeds of the genus Avicola, and in 
 summer destroys many beetles." 
 
 * 
 
 Mr. H. W. Henshaw remarks: 
 
 "Their food consists almost exclusively nf field mice, of which 
 they kill vast numbers, a fact which should earn them the pro- 
 tection of the farmer." 
 
'*%^m 
 
 5 
 
 BARRED OWL 
 
233 
 
 HARKED OWL. 
 
 Syrnium nebulosum. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 "Large size; no ear tufts; general color deep umber-brown 
 and buffy-whitish. The plumage everywhere barred trans- 
 versely except on the belly, where the stripes run lengthwise: 
 bill yellow; eyes brown-black. Length 19 to 24 inches; extent 
 about 46 inches." — Fisher. 
 
 Habitat.— Kafitern United States, west to Minnesota and 
 Texas, North to Nova Scotia and Quebec. Resident in Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 The Barred Owl is readily distinguished from other 
 species by its large size, yellow-colored bill and its 
 black eyes. Barred Owls are exceedingly abundant 
 in many of the southern States, where they are kno-wn 
 by the names of "Hoot and Swamp Owls," In Penn- 
 sylvania this owl is found all months of the year, and 
 in many of the mountainous and heavy-wooded regions 
 it is the most common of all the owls. 
 
 THE NEST AND EGGS. 
 
 The Barred Owl lays its eggs in a hollow tree, or in a 
 deserted nest of a hawk or crow; the white eggs are a 
 little under tw'o inches long by about one and three- 
 quarters wide. The Barred and Great Horned Owls 
 are the only species, in this locality, whose depreda- 
 tions in the poultry yard bring them to the notice of 
 the farmer. Unfortunately, however, the hatred to- 
 wards these two birds and particularly the enmity 
 against Great Horned Owls, has brought all our owls 
 in bad favor; the farmer's boy and s]>ortsman, with 
 few exceptions, let no opportunity pass to pillage an 
 owl's nest or slay its owners. Tn this way. there aie 
 annually destroyed large iinnibcrs of tlu^ ScnM-ch, 
 15* II 
 
234 
 
 Tyong-eared and Short-oai'od species, simply because 
 the popular idea is that owls, large and small, prey 
 only on ])oultry and game. 
 
 MICE AND SMALL GAME. 
 
 Wilson says, although mice and small game are the 
 most usual food of Barred Owls, they sometimes seize 
 on fowls, partridues and young rabbits. 
 
 "The leaned Owl subsists principally upon small 
 birds, field mice and reptiles. He is frequently seen, 
 in early twlight, flying over low meadow lands, search- 
 ing fC'i- the mice that dwell there; he usually takes a 
 direct coui-se. and sometimes flies so low that the tips 
 of his wings seem to touch the grass. When he dis- 
 covers his prey he drops on it instantly, folding his 
 wings and protruding his feet, in which his quarry is 
 always secured; he often captures frogs that are sit- 
 ting on the shores o-f ])onds and rivers; but I am in- 
 clined to think that the statement, quoted by Audubon, 
 that he often catches fish, is incorrect."— Samuels. 
 
 FEEDS ON FISHES. 
 
 The Florida liarred Owl — a local race — is exceed- 
 ingly abundant about the almost impenetrable swamps 
 and heavily-timbered regions along the St. John's river. 
 In the winter of 1885, I was informed by two residents 
 of Florida, both gentlemen whom I consider thor-< 
 oughly trustworthy, that this owl frequently preys on 
 fish, which it secui'es, while sitring close to the water's 
 edge, by a dexti'ous movement of the foot. The stom- 
 ach contents of five of these Floi-ida Owls, which T ex 
 amined, consisted only of tlie remains of small birds 
 and coleoprernus insects. 
 
 Keferriiiii lo tliis species, Niiltall says: TIkmi' food 
 is jti'in(i|inlly rabbits, si|iiiri ds. l;iiiiisi'. i|ii;iils. ra(s. 
 
J 235 
 
 mice and frogs. From nect'ssitj, as well as choice, 
 Ihey not nnfreqnently appear around the farmhouse 
 and garden in quest of poultry, i»articularly young 
 chickens. At these times they prowl abroad toward 
 evening, and fty low and steadily about, as if beating 
 for their prey. 
 
 In the stomachs of 89 of these owls which Dr. Fisher 
 examined, 5 contained poultry or game; 13, other birds; 
 40, mice; 18, other mammals; 4, frogs; 1, a lizard; 2. 
 fish: 14, insects: 2, spiders and 0. crawfish. 
 
'SM 
 
 GREAT GRAY OWL. 
 Ulula cinerea. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 "A very large round headed owl, without ear tufls; althouKh 
 much larger, resembles somewhat the Barred Owl, but can be 
 easily distinguished from the latter. Length (female) 2S; ex- 
 tent about 56; tail 12; bill and eyes yellow; claws long and very 
 sharp and dusky. Above dark-brown, feathers variously 
 spotted, mottled or barred with fine grayish-white markings; 
 lower parts similar but more grayish, with longitudinal 
 streaks on breast, and cross bars of white and dusky on 
 flanks; face grayish-white with numerous narrow rings of 
 dvisky; a patch of black about eyes on either side of bill." 
 
 Habitat.— Arctic America, straggling southward in winter, to 
 the northern border of the United States. Straggler in Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 This owl, one of tlie largest, if not tlie largest in 
 North America, is found in Pennsylvania onh' as a 
 very rare and irregular straggler in winter. Twenty 
 or more years ago a specimen was captured in Chester 
 county in midwinter by H. B. Graves. Dr. Isaiah F. 
 Everhart, of Scranton, Pa., has a specimen in his col- 
 lection which he found some years ago in the moun- 
 tains in Lackawanna county. A specimen Avas also 
 taken some years ago from a smoke stack of a steam 
 boat at Erie city. I have also heard of two or three 
 more specimens of this s[)ecies being taken in tliis 
 State. 
 
 ITS DIETARY. 
 
 Froju i)ersO'nal observation I know nothing of the 
 habits of this bird, never having seen one alive. 
 
 Concerning this species Dr Fisher says: "The food 
 seems to consist principally of hares, mice and other 
 of the smaller mammals as well as small birds;. 
 Whelher it destroys many grouse or ptarmigans is not 
 stated bv authors who arc most familiar with llie bird. 
 
GREAT GRAY OWL 
 
237 
 
 l>r. W . JI. Dull took no less than thirteen skulls and 
 other remains of red-poll linnets from the crop of a 
 single bird. * * * Dr. Dall considers it a stupid 
 bird and slates that sometimes it may be caught in 
 the hands. Its great predilection for thick woods, in 
 which it dwells doaibtless to the very limit of trees, pre- 
 vents it from being an inhabitant of the barren grounds 
 or other open country in the north. It is crepuscular 
 or slightly nocturnal in the southern parts of its range, 
 but in the high north it pursues its prey iu the day- 
 time. In the latter region, where the sun never passes 
 below the horizon in summer, it is undo-ubtedl}- neces- 
 sity and not choice that prompts it to be abroad in 
 the daylight. 
 
 It is stated that the flight is heavy and somewliat 
 labored, and has not the bouyancy noted in tliat of 
 most of the owls. 
 
238 
 
 ACADlAxX OWL. 
 Nyctala acadica. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 "Small; wings long; tail short; upper parts reddish-brown, 
 tinged with olive; head in front with fine lines of white, and on 
 the neck behind, rump and scapulars, with large, partially 
 concealed spots of white; face ashy-white; throat white; under 
 parts ashy-white, with longitudinal stripes of pale reddish- 
 brown; under coverts of wings and tail white; quills brown, 
 with small spots of white on their outer edges, ana large siiois 
 of the same on their inner webs; tail brown, every feather 
 with about three pairs of spots of white; bill and claws dark; 
 irides yellow. 
 
 "Total length about l^o to 8 inches; extent about 18; wing 
 5%; tail 2% to 3 inches. Sexes nearly the same size and alike 
 in colors." — B. B. of N. A. 
 
 Habitat. — North America at large; breeding from Middle 
 States northward. Resident in Pennsylvania. 
 
 The Acadian is the smallest owl found in the United 
 States east of the Mississippi river. Although ap- 
 parently larger, it is in reality smaller, than our com 
 mon robin. This pigmy mass of owl-life is, I suppose, 
 the species which was regarded as not destructive to 
 poultry and game, by the author of the "scalp act," 
 when he introduced therein a clause exempting "The 
 Acadian Screech or Barn Owl." From the fact, how- 
 ever, that the decapitated heads of pheasants,* night- 
 hawks, chickens, cuckoos, shrikes, and doubtless other 
 birds, were cremated and paid for as the heads of de- 
 structive rapacious "hawks" it is but reasonable to sup- 
 
 * In December, 1SS6. Prof. S. F. Baird informed me that he 
 had received for identification from several counties in Penn- 
 .sylvania. the heads of pheasants, English sparrows, cuckoos, 
 robins, a gull and other l)irds. These heads were called by the 
 parties sending them tn Prof. Baird "Hawk heads." and as 
 such they had been presented for the fifty-cent liDunty, which 
 had b(^en i)aid. IMof. Raird also examined some Pennsyhania 
 "wolf scalps." on which [iremiums had been given, and ascer- 
 tained that the so-called "wolf scalps" had heen fashioned from 
 pelts of the common Red Fox. 
 

 m^'. i| ^ \ 
 
 jjf- 
 
 SAW -WHET OWL. 
 
239 
 
 [jose that our little Acadian Owl, when found by the 
 eager scalj) hunter, was generally slain and the bounty 
 of fifty cents given "lor the beuetit of agriculture and 
 for the protection of game." 
 
 HIDES IN ROCKY PLACES. 
 
 The name Saw-whet is applied to this bird because, 
 at times, its squeaky voice resembles the whetting or 
 tiling of a saw. Owing to the small size of this owl, 
 together with the fact that during the daytime it re- 
 mains secreted in hollow trees, thick foliage or in the 
 dark and secluded rocky retreats, it is seldom met with, 
 hence is regarded as one of our rarest residents. The 
 young of this bird, taken in the vicinity of Philadel- 
 phia, liave been seen by I'rof. Gentry, and in E. A. 
 ►Samuel's work, ''Our Northern and Eastern Birds," the 
 following interesting account is given by Richard 
 Christ of a nest that he found April 25, 1867, at Naza- 
 reth, Pennsylvania: "This, the smallest of all our 
 owls, is also the most rare, but a single specimen being 
 seen in a period of several years. It is very tame when 
 found, permitting one to approach very close to it be- 
 fore flying away. I am inclined to think that it sees 
 less in the daytime than any otlier species of our owls, 
 for one can toucli it without being noticed, the bird 
 taking fiight more from alarm to its sense of iieaiin^ 
 tlian any other cause. 
 
 THE NEST AND EGGS. 
 
 "It generally frequents stone quarries oi' j»iles of 
 rocks, beneath which it takes shelter; nnd it is from 
 this habit that the biid here is known by the name of 
 'Stone Owl.' On *he 25th of April, 18C>7, I was so for 
 tunate as to find the nest of one of these birds. Tt 
 was placed or loealed in tlie hollow of a tree, about 
 
240 
 
 Iwciuv feet from the groiiiid; the entrance to I lie hole 
 was very small, scarcely two inches in diameter, (^n 
 climbing tlie tree and loolcini;- in the liollow, I discov- 
 ered silting on the bottom wliat 1 snpposed might be 
 a small owl. Uncertain as to the truth, I introduced 
 a small stick into the hole, and turned the bird over 
 upon her side, she making no struggle whatever, but 
 remaining perfectly still as if dead. I discovered that 
 she was sitting upon a single egg. Supposing that she 
 had but just commenced laying I left her, and did not 
 mo'lest her for several days; on the fifth day after I 
 again examined the nest, and found the bird on her 
 egg. none other having been laid. I enlarged the hole, 
 and took the egg, leaving the owl quietly sitting on ibe 
 rotten chips which formed the bottom of the nest. 
 
 "The egg was white with a bluish tint, like many 
 of the other owls' eggs, nearly globular in form, and 
 consideiably smaller than the egg of the Ked oi- Mot 
 lied Owl." 
 
 THEY LIVED IN HARMONY. 
 
 Dr. Elliot Coues, in his "Birds of the Northwest," 
 says: "Mr, Gentry informs me of a curious circum- 
 stance ]n regard to this owl. Referring to the associa- 
 tion of the Burrowing Owl of the west with the prairie 
 dog, he continues: 'In the holloAv of an oak tree, not 
 far from Germantown, lives an individual of the com- 
 mon chickaree squirrel {Sciurus hudsonius), with a 
 specimen of this little owl as his sole companion. They 
 occni>y the same hole together in perfect harmony and 
 mutual goodwill. It is not an accidental, temporary 
 association, for the bird and the squirrel have rej)eat- 
 edly been observed to enter the same hole together, as 
 if they always had shared the apartment. But what 
 benefit can either derive from the other?' " 
 
241 
 
 -Mr. Otto Behr writes me as follows of this species: 
 "Tlje Acadian Owl is quite common here (Lopez, Sulli- 
 van county), though not often seen; the young leave 
 the nest about the first week in May. They make a 
 noise which sounds like a dog "sniffing" the air. The 
 noise gave me quite a scare the first time I heard it. 
 It being at night in heavy timber, and as it seemed to 
 come from overhead somewhere, I supposed it was a 
 bear or some such animal up; a tree near by." 
 
 This little owl preys chiefly on small quadrupeds, 
 principally mice. It also devours many insects and 
 occasionally catches small birds. In the stomachs of 
 19 of these o-wls which Dr. Fisher examined 17 co!i- 
 tained mice; 1, a sparrow, and 1, a moth. 
 
 10 IT 
 
1'42 
 
 SOKEECH OWL. 
 
 Megascops asio. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 "Toes more or less distinctly feathered or bristled on upper 
 side; eai' tufts conspicuous; plumage presenting two totally 
 distinct phases, having no relation to sex. age or season; one 
 grayish-white, the other bright rufous. * * * A more or 
 less conspicuous bright colored stripe runs along each side of 
 the back, and a blackish line along the shafts of the feathers, 
 sometimes throwing out transverse bars. L,ength, GV^ to 10 
 inches: extent 20 to 24 inches." — Fisher. 
 
 Habitat. — Ttmperate eastern North America, South Georgia 
 and west to the plains. Common in Pennsylvania. 
 
 This handsome little owl is one of the most common 
 of all owls found in Pennsylvania. It is resident, but, 
 unlike the lon*>-('arert species, is not gregarious. Its 
 almost spliorieal and white eggs — four to six in number 
 (mostly four) — are deposited in a hollow tree. A tree 
 in an apple orchard is frequently made use of for 
 breeding purposes, as well as a common diurual resort, 
 at all seaso-ns. The eggs measure about 1.33 by 1.18 
 inches. This bird, when taken from the nest audi 
 raised, makes a very interesting pet, one that not only 
 becomes attached to its master, but which is also capa- 
 ble of rendering him most eflficient services in the de- 
 struction of inic(s who.se vexatious ravages are fre- 
 quently so aunoyiug. Some few years ago- an ac-j 
 (|uaintance of mine placed two of these birds in his 
 cellar which was overrun with mice, and in a few 
 weeks the place was depopulated of these little foui-- 
 footed ])ests. 
 
 .\s A ri'rr. 
 
 .\ Sci<'e<li Owl uiiicli 1 kf'pl for sevcial mouths in 
 captivity Fed cagei-ly on gi-asshop|»pis and pieces of 
 
SCREECH OWL. 
 
fi-esli Ikm'T. W Ikii a mouse wa.s j;iveii to fhis bird it 
 \\(»ul(l sci/r ii with its claws, and after severing with 
 its bill the skin aboiil the hea<l and neck, would swal 
 low the whole mass, always, I think, head foremost. 
 When it fed on small birds — which were frequently 
 shot and plaeed in the box. bu( which it would seldom 
 touch — T n<»1iced that it generally tore open the skull 
 and ate the brain substance. This owl would never 
 drink water. 
 
 FACTS ABOUT ITS HABITS. 
 
 "The flight of the Mottled Owl is smooth, rapid, protracted 
 and noisele.-^s. Jt rises at times above the top l>ranches of the 
 highest of our forest trees whilst in pursuit of large beetles, 
 and at other times sails low and swiftly over the fields or 
 through the woods in search of small birds, field mice, moles 
 or wc'od rats, from which it chiefly derives its subsistence. 
 Sometimes on alighting, which it does plumply, the Mottled 
 Owl immediately bends its body, turns its head to look behind 
 it, performs a curious nod. utters its notes, then shakes and 
 plumes itself, and resumes its flight in search of prey. It now 
 and then, while on the wing, produces a clicking sound with 
 its mandibles, but more frequentl.v when perched near its 
 mate or young. This I have thought was done by the bird to 
 manifest its courage and let the hearer know that it is not to 
 be meddled with, although few birds of prey are more gentle 
 when seized, as it will suffer a person to touch its feathers and 
 caress it without attempting to bite or strike with its talons, 
 unless at rare intervals. 
 
 "The notes of this owl are uttered in a tremulous, doleful 
 manner, and somewhat resembles the chattering of the teeth 
 of a person under the influence of extreme cold, although 
 much louder. They are heard at a distance of several hundred 
 yards, and by some people are thought to be of ominous Im- 
 port. 
 
 "The little fellow is generally found about farm houses, 
 orchards and gardens. It alights on the roof, the fence or the 
 garden gate, and uttei-s its mournful ditty at intervals for 
 hours at a time as if it was in a state of great suffering, al- 
 though this is far from being the case— the song of all birds 
 being an indication of content and happiness. In a state of 
 confinement it utters its notes with as much satisfaction as 
 if at liberty. They are chiefly heard during the latter part of 
 the winter, that being the season of love, when the male bird 
 is particularly attentive to the fair one, which excites his 
 tender envitions. and around which he flies and struts much 
 in the manner of the common pigeon, adding numerous nods 
 and bows, the sight of which is very amusing."— Audubon 
 
LM4 
 
 FIXING .cri-:kding places for owls. 
 
 The following interesting accounl of I lie methods 
 employed by an enthusiastic oologist is taken fiom a 
 letter written to me, October, 1880, by Mr. O. li. Hark, 
 of Bethlehem: "Have you ever heard ol fixing holes 
 for Sparrow Hawks and Screech Owls? IMr. John 
 Mack, the best climber I ever met, every spring cleans 
 out old holes, enlarges such as are too small, etc., and 
 finds it pays him well; this spring he got ninety Spar- 
 row Hawk eggs and every one was taken out of holes 
 fixed by him; at one time he put the leg of an old 
 rubber boot in a hollow tree and several Aveeks later 
 took a batch of Screech Owl's eggs out of it. Another 
 singular experience he had with owls is, he made a 
 hole in a willow tree; when he came to look after it 
 again he found owls had taken possession of it and 
 had nearly filled it with field mice; he said there were 
 enough mice in it to fill his derby hat. This liappened 
 just before a heavy snow storm and about ten days 
 later every mouse was gone." 
 
 EATS BEETLES AND GRASSHOPPERS. 
 
 Mr. L. M. Turner informs me that he has made a 
 number of examinations of Screech Owls captured in 
 Illinois, and very generally found their food consisted 
 of such in.sects as the larger beetles and grasshoppers, 
 also many mice. Grasshoppers and olher orthopterous 
 insects are devoured in large quantities by these birds. 
 
 During the summer months and at other times when 
 insect life is al)undant Screech Owls subsist mainly 
 on an insect diet. These birds also prey on mice, 
 shi-ews, oMier small quadrupeds and small birds. 
 
 Investigations have clearly demonstrated that few, if 
 any. of Ihe owl tribe are more servicable to the farmer 
 nnd fruit gi-owei' tlinn is the Screech Owl, subsisting, as 
 
245 
 
 be does, liiineipally on insects such as {grasshoppers 
 and beetles in the summer, and in winter, when insect 
 food is scarce, on mice of different kinds, and small 
 wild birds, particularly sparrows. 
 
 KILLS THE FEATHERED PRIZE-FIGHTERS. 
 
 The English Sparrow has, perhaps, no more relent- 
 less a foe among the feathered tribe than is the much 
 abused and persecuted Screech Owl. At night, when 
 the sparrows are sleeping abo-ut buildings, the owl 
 noiselessly wings his way to their retreats and cap- 
 tures them with apparently but little effort. Last win- 
 ter I knew a pair of Screech Owls to regularly visit, 
 every night, for about a week, an ivy covered build- 
 ing where a large colony of sparrows had taken up 
 their abode. The owls appeared perfectly satisfied 
 with their work, and to- all outward appearances 
 thrived on a diet of sparrows. The sparrows, on the 
 other hand, which escaped the owls' sharp claws, after 
 nearly ten days or nights experience, evidently came to 
 the conclusion that it would be more conducive to their 
 nocturnal slumbers and safety to hunt another roost- 
 ing place, and they did so. 
 
 For a period of nearly a month the sparrows were 
 not observed to return to the ivy roost. One evening 
 a boy threw' a stone at one of the o-wls and killed it. 
 Its mate disappeared about the same time, and in a 
 short time, probably a week, after the owls had gone, 
 the sparrows returned to their old roosting place in the 
 ivy. 
 
 The farmer or fruit grower who will allow Screech 
 Owls to be destroyed, is certainly standing in his own 
 light, and the sooner he familiarizes himself with the 
 true economic relations of these birds, liie bctler it will 
 lie for his inteicsts. 
 
246 
 
 GREA'J^ HORNED OWL. 
 
 l)Ubo vii'giiiianiis. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Length (female) 21 to 24 inches; extent about 5 feet; tail about 
 9 inches; male 19 to 23 long; extent about 50 to 53 inches; can 
 be distinguished by its large size and long ear tufts; plumage 
 blackish, brownish, dusky, graying and whitish in mixture: 
 throat and middle of breast white; eyes yellow; bill and claws 
 blackish. 
 
 Habitat. — P^astern North America, west to the Mississippi 
 valley, and from Labrador to Costa Rica. Resident in Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 This well-kuown and latlier common inhabitant of 
 the forests can easily be i'ecO'j;ni/(Ml bv its biijic si/.c. 
 the conspicuons white feathers of the throat and the 
 long-ear tufts whieli measure two and one-half inches 
 or more in length. 
 
 THE NEST AND EGGS. 
 
 The Great Horned, the largest of all our native owls. 
 is the first to commence nesting. I have found its 
 eggs in February, and am told that it occasionally 
 lays in January. In this locality the Great Horned 
 Owl seldom breeds in hollow trees; sometimes 
 it constructs a rude and bulky nest of sticks, 
 lined with grasses and feathers, on tlie large horizontal 
 limbs of trees in its favorite wooded retreats. Its eggs, 
 measuring about t^vo and one-fourth inches in length 
 by two inches in width are mostly deposited in the de 
 s(U'ted nests of hawks and cro'ws. Although it is 
 stated by dflTerent writers that this species lays four 
 or more eggs, I have never found, in seven nests exam 
 ined, over two eggs or a like u umber of yoiing. Air. 
 Thomas H. Jackson, of W'csl Clicster, Pa., writing in 
 the Ornithologist :iiul Ool(><>ist. June. ISS(», savs: In 
 
^ > 
 
 '\. 
 
 5 
 
 GREAT HORNED OWL. 
 
247 
 
 thirteen nests of this bird that have come under my 
 personal notice, twelve containefl two eggs, or young, 
 and only one contained three eggs. All the nests re- 
 ferred to at)ove were placed in branches of trees and 
 were generally tlio-se of hawks or crows, renovated or 
 enlarged. Occasionally a hollow tree is nsed for the 
 purpose. Upon one occasion I replaced the owl's eggs 
 taken from a nest with those of the common hen, and 
 upon visiting them at the expiration of three weeks, 
 found that both the latter had been hatched and had 
 fallen from the nest, about twenty feet f^om the 
 ground, and that the owls had deserted the locality. 
 The Great PLorned Owls are liberal providers for their 
 young. I have fiequently found full grown rabbits 
 lying in the nest beside the young, and scarcely a nest 
 visited did no-t have a strong odor of skunk, while 
 bones and feathers were scattered around attesting to 
 the predacious habits of the proprietors." 
 
 ITS FLIGHT AND WIERD NOTES. 
 
 "The flight of the Great Horned Owl is elevated 
 rapid and graceful. It sails with apparent ease and in 
 large circles, in the manner of an (3agle; rises and de- 
 scends without the least difficulty by merely inclining 
 its wings or its tail as it passes through the air. Now 
 and then it glides silently close over the earth with in- 
 comparable velocity, and droi)s, as if shot dead, on the 
 prey beneath. At other times, it suddenly alights on 
 the top of a fence stake or a dead stump, shakes its 
 feathers, arranges them, and utters a shriek so horrid 
 that the woods around echo to its dismal sound. Now, 
 it seems as if you heard the barking of a* cur dog; 
 again the notes are so rough and mingled togetlici- 
 that they might be mistaken for the last gurglings 
 ■of a murdered y)ei-son striving in vain to call for as 
 
248 
 
 sistauce; at anothei- time, when uol iiioie than fifty 
 yards distant, it utters its more usual lioo, hoo, hoo-c, 
 in so peeuliai' an undertone that a person unaecjuainted 
 vvitli the notes of this species niiglit easily conceive 
 them to be prouced by an owl more than a mile distant. 
 During the utterance of all these unmusical cries it 
 moves its body, and more parlicularly its head, in 
 various ways, ])utting them into positions, all of which 
 appear to please it much, however {rrotesaue they may 
 seem to the eye of man. In tlie interval following 
 each cry it snaps its bill." — Audubon. 
 
 These owls, like the preceding species, are not migra- 
 tory and when not engaged in breeding lead a solitary 
 existence. Although chiefly nocturnal in babits, Great 
 Horned Owls are often seen in cloud}'; weather and in 
 the early tAvilight searching for food. On one occa- 
 sion, when the sun was shining brightly (about 10 A. 
 M.), I saw one of these owls make two attempts to 
 catch a hen and her young chicks. 
 
 WHAT THEY LIVE UPON. 
 
 Audubon says: "Its food consists cliiefly of the larger 
 species O'f gallinaceous birds, half-grown wild turkeys, 
 pheasants and domestic poultry of all kinds, together 
 with several species of ducks. Hares, young opossums 
 and squirrels are equally agreeable to it, and whenever 
 chance throws a dead fish on the shore the Great 
 Horned Owl feeds with peculiar avidity on it." 
 
 Nuttall tells us they usually prey on young rabbits, 
 squiiiels, rats, mice, quails and small birds of various 
 kinds; and when these resources fail or diminish, they 
 occasionally ju-owl pretty boldly around the farmyard 
 in quest of chickens, which they seize on the roost. 
 
 ■My own records of sixteen examinations of the 
 Gi-eat TforiKMl Owl, which, \\itii one cxccidion. wric ;ill 
 
249 
 
 taken (lurin<ij the winter montlis, revealed in eleven in 
 (lividuals only remains of poultry; two otliers, pm-tions 
 of rabbils, and of the three remaining birds of this 
 series it was found that one had taken two mice; an- 
 other showed small amount of hair, apparently that of 
 an opo'ssuni. The sixteenth and last bird contained a 
 mouse and parts of beetles. 
 
 The investigations of Dr. Fisher show that of 110 
 stomachs of this bird which contained food materials, 
 that 31 contained poultry or game birds; 8, other birds; 
 13, mice; 65, other mammals (rabbits, squirrels, rats, 
 muskrats, skunk, etc.) From such records it will be 
 seen that this species does a good deal of damage to 
 the poultry and game interests. While it is true that 
 mice and some other destructive mammals are de- 
 voured by this owl. there is little doubt tliat tlie dam- 
 age he does is much greater than tlie benefit he confers. 
 
250 
 
 SNOWY OWL. 
 Nyctea nyctea. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Length fnim 20 to 2i inches; extent 4V4 to 5 feet; tail between 
 9 and 10 inches long; tarsi and toes densely covered with long 
 hair-like feather.s; black bill almost hidden by long feathers; 
 plumage white, with brownish or blackish spots and bars; 
 throat, face, feet and middle of breast whitest. The female 
 is larger and much darker than male; eyes rather small and 
 yellow; no ear tufts. 
 
 Habitat.— yiovthern portions of the Northern Hemisphere. 
 In North America, breeding mostly north of the United States; 
 in winter migrating south to the Middle States, straggling to 
 South Carolina, Texas and the Bermudas. 
 
 The 8nowy Owl rendered so coDspicuous by its large 
 size and white plumage is a native of the Arctic re- 
 gions. This owl is found in Pennsylvania only as a 
 winter visitant. Although specimens are taken nearly 
 every winter, this species is most frequently observed 
 during excessively severe winters. Usually solitary 
 birds are observed, but sometimes parties of six, eight 
 or (?ven a dozen are seen together. 
 
 ITS MANNER OF HUNTING. 
 
 ^ViIsou says: "Unlike most of his tribe he hunts by 
 day as well as by twilight, and is particularly fond of 
 frequenting the shores and banks of shallow rivers, 
 over the surface of which he slowly sails, or sits on 
 a rock a little raised above the water watching for 
 fish. These he seizes witJi a sudden and instantaneous 
 stroke of the foot, seldom missing his aim." Nuttall 
 writes: "He ventures abroad boldly at all seasons, and 
 like tlw^ liawUs, seeks his j)rey by daylight as well as 
 dark, skimming aloft and reconnoitering his ;prey4 
 which is ((immonlv llic \\'hil(' (Irouse, or some other 
 
4^^- 
 
 S NOWY OW L 
 
251 
 
 hiiils of tlic siiiiu' jicinis. iis well a.s liarrs. On these 
 lie dfuls t'lMnii jibovc, ;in(l r}ii)idly seizes llieiii in liis 
 resistless hihtiis. Al times lie watches for lish, and 
 condescends also lo prey upon rats, mice and even car 
 rion." 
 
 This species is never sntticientiy huiikmous in this 
 State to do any s<M-ious damage to either Ihe [mnltry 
 or game interests. In the no^rlhein counties where 
 these birds are plentiful they devour great quantities 
 of small rodents which, with fish, seem to be favorite 
 articles of diet for them. 
 
252 
 
 HAWK OWL. 
 
 Siiinia iilula caparoch. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 "No ear tufts; tail rounded at tips, and indi-stinctly barred 
 with white; top of head and back of neck spotted with white 
 and black, or dark brown; a patcli of uniform blackish or 
 dark brown on each side of hind ne?k; upper parts brown, more 
 or less spotted with white; lower parts regularly barred with 
 brown. I.,ength, 14.75 to 17.50 inches; extent 31 to 33 inches." 
 
 Habitat.— Arctic America, migrating in winter to the north- 
 ern border of the United States. Rare straggler in Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 This curious bird partakes of the general appear- 
 ance, and also the habits, of both a hawk and an owl, 
 and is said to be principally diurnal, in fact writers 
 assert that it is as active in daytime as any of the 
 hawks. This species occurs in Pennsylvania only as a 
 rare and irregular winter visitor. 
 
 ITS FOOD AND HABITS. 
 
 Having never had an opportunity of studying this 
 bird in life I quote the following from Dr. A. K. Fish- 
 er's Bulletin: 
 
 "The food of this owl varies considerably at different times 
 of the year. In summer it feeds on the smaller mammals, such 
 as mice, lemmings and ground squirrels as well as insects of 
 various kinds, while in winter, when the snow is deep and its 
 favorite food is hidden, it follows the large flocks of ptarmigans 
 and subsists on them. Dr. Dall seldom found anything but 
 mice in the crops of those he dissected in Alaska, and the fol- 
 lowing from Dr. Coues mentions the same food: "It feeds chiefly 
 upon lield mice (Arvicolae) which swarm in the sphagnous 
 vegetation of arctic lands; also upon small birds, grasshoppers 
 and other insects." (Birds of the Northwest, 1S74. p. 312.) 
 
 "Mr. Henry Seebohm speaks of its food as follows: 'The prin- 
 cipal food of the Hawk Owl is mice and lemmings, and the 
 bird follows the migratory parties of the last named little 
 manimal to prey upon them. From its indomitable spirit, how- 
 ever, few birds of the forest are safe from its attack. In addi- 
 tion to the smaller birds which it captures. Wheelwright men- 
 lions the fact that he has seen the Hawk Owl strike down the 
 
7^-= 
 
 AMERICAN HAWK OWL. 
 
253 
 
 Siberian jay, and iias also disturbed it feeding on an old wil- 
 low giouse. The same naturalist has also taken insects from 
 its^tomach.' "(Hist. British Birds, Vol. I, 1883, p. 184.) 
 
 "The species is tame and unsuspicious, and may be ap- 
 proached easily without being alarmed; in fact, specimens 
 have been known to return to the same perch after being shot 
 at two or three times. It is a courageous bird, and will de- 
 fend its nest against all intruders. A male once dashed at 
 Dr. Dall and knocked off his hat as he was climbing to the 
 nest; other similar accounts show that the courage displayed 
 on this occasion was not an individual freak, but a common 
 trait of the species. 
 
 "Although the flight is swift and hawk-like, it has neverthe- 
 less the soft, noiseless character common to the other owls. 
 When starting from any high place, such as the top of a tree, 
 it usually pitches down nearly to the ground, and flies off rap- 
 idly above the tops of the bushes or high grass, abruotly rising 
 again as it seeks another perch. 
 
 "The note is a shrill cry which it utters generally while the 
 bird is on the wing." 
 
254 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 SOME OTHER BIRDS. 
 
 KAVEXS, CROWS, JAYS AND SHIilKKS. 
 
 P^ive species of tlie family CORV^IDAE are foiiiid in 
 Pennavlvaiiia, ami of these the Gommou Crow and 
 I>lue Jay are by far the best known. Indeed, proba- 
 bly no two representatives of onr bird-fauna are more 
 familiar to persons who are at all acquainted with 
 rural life than are the gaudy, garrulous Blue Jay, and 
 his suspicious, pilfei'ing relative, the Common Crow. 
 
 THK IJAVRN. 
 
 The northern Raven is a sub-species, that was first 
 recognized and described by my friend. Prof. Robert 
 Ridgway, the eminent Ornithologist of the Smith- 
 sonian Institute, Washington, D C. This bird pos- 
 sesses peculiarities which entitle it to be particular- 
 ized by the technical specific principalis to distinguish 
 the new form from that of its near kin the Common 
 Raven, {Corvus corax), of the older authorities. 
 It ranges from "Greenland to Alaska, soutli to British 
 Columbia, Canada, New Brunswick" and Pennsylvania. 
 In this State it is found as a resident in a number of 
 counties, particularly such as are mountainous and 
 which contain large areas of sparsely s<>ttled and ex- 
 tensivelv forested lands. 
 
255 
 
 A WARY POTTr.TKY THIKF. 
 
 The Raven is \prv shy, yef 1k' will oreasionnlly coraH 
 around I'aiiii Itiiildiiigs, in Ihv iicMji'liboiliood of hi.s 
 favorite haunis in the niountain wilds, to catcli vonn^' 
 poultry or hunt a hen's nest, especially that of I he 
 turkey which so often wanders some distance from 
 her owner's building to hatch. The damage, however, 
 to domesticated fowls by Ravens in Pennsylvania is, 
 I am sure, very insignificant. 
 
 TIIEY DESTROY EGGS AND NESTLINGS. 
 
 From evidence in my possession I am fully con- 
 vinced that Ravens, like their dark-coated relations, 
 the Crows, do devour the eggs and young of many 
 wild birds. Game birds, such as the Ruffed Grouse 
 and Wild Turkey, woodsmen say, suffer considerably, 
 dui'ing the periods when they have eggs and broods 
 o-f young, from sly and unexpected visits of these cun- 
 ning and able-bodied corvine birds. If a Turkey or 
 Pheasant, with her children, remains in the locality 
 and the fact becomes known to a pair of Ravens, the 
 chances are, hunters say, that the Ravens will watch 
 the place almost constantly, day after day, until they 
 have destroyed or driven away the mother and her 
 family of youngsters. 
 
 (\\PTURE RABBITS AND GROUSE. 
 
 Ravens unquestionably kill a good many young 
 Hares and they also sometimes attack and overpower 
 the old ones, particularly when the latter are en 
 feebled by disease or wounded by human hunters or 
 o1:her animals which prey on them. Rabbits and 
 Pheasants entrapped in snares, (which, by the way, 
 cannot legally be used in Pennsylvania) if found l>y 
 
256 
 
 (lie sliaip-eyed Kaveii, will be attacked and eaten by 
 liim al'ter he lias convinced himself that the nianinial 
 or bird, suspended from the co.rd or fine copper wire, 
 has not been placed there as a lure to his own destruc- 
 tion. In this State Ravens are generallv seen singly 
 or in pairs, but often, a pair with their family of in- 
 (juisitive and noisy children, of the year, may be ob- 
 served together. 
 
 WILL SPEAK AS THEY PASS BY. 
 
 I have known two or three pairs of Ravens to remain 
 for two or three years in the same locality, i. e., in a 
 district, of ])erhaps eight or ten miles square, and each 
 j)air of birds, as well as the youn^ ones, appeared to 
 evince no disposition tc< be on intimate relations with 
 their neighbors. Of course the whole Raven clan, no 
 doubt, had a speaking acquaintance, because their 
 hoarse voices could always be heard w^hen they came 
 within hailing distance, as was often the case. 
 
 ATTACK LAMBS AND FAWNS. 
 
 Ravens, like the Common Crow, will scmetiuies at- 
 tack young lambs and peck out their eyes. It is also 
 asserted by hunters that these birds have been known 
 to attack very young Fawns when their watchful 
 mothers were not near at hand. 
 
 RAVENS A QUARTER OF A CENTURY AGO. 
 
 I have been told, by old hunters and woodsmen, 
 that t wen ly- five o-r thirty years ago when the Vir- 
 ginia Deer was abundant in many sections of Penn- 
 sylvania, that Ravens were then rather numerous in 
 the romantic wilds since made barren through the 
 woodsmon's axe and devaslalinu fDicst fii"(>s. In (hose 
 
257 
 
 (lavs fai'inei's who resided in the vicinage of virgin 
 timbered areas in the mountainous districts suffered 
 co'nsiderably from the spying, argus-eyed Ravens 
 which seemed ever on the alert to pounce down from 
 some carefully cho-sen hiding place and rob the turkey 
 or the chicken of her eggs or brood. Then if the parent' 
 sheep did not keep a very close guard over their young 
 offspring the omnivorous and flesh-loving Ravens 
 would attack and kill them; they also, it is affirmed, 
 wei'c known to pounce upon, in at least two instances, 
 within the recollection of aged mountaineers, calves, 
 but a few daya old; and on another occasion, one of 
 my informants states that a band of hungry nomadic 
 Ravens attempted to make a meal of an old sow's 
 litter of pigs that were only a few days old, and so 
 persistent were their onslaughts that the owner of 
 the pigs was compelled to shoot two of the Ravens be- 
 fore they would leave the place. 
 
 WOULD ATTACK THE DEER. 
 
 Deer enfeebled by old age or reduced from disease, 
 and also when wounded by human huntsmen. 
 Panthers, Wolves, Wild-cats or other predatory ani- 
 mals which possessed sufficient courage and prowess 
 to attack them, were beset at times by Ravens which 
 would peck out their eyes and other soft parts, par- 
 ticularly portions of the poor deer's anatomy that had 
 been opened by a bullet or lacerated with teeth or 
 claws of some cruel carnivorous beast. 
 
 These observations showing the fierce and sangui- 
 nary nature of Ravens which, with labored but quick 
 flight, and loud harsh cries, over a quarter of a century 
 ago, are reputed to have brought so much misery Into 
 
 i7--n 
 
258 
 
 the hnppy homes of many of their neighbors — co- 
 dwellers in the mountain wilds — I cannot confirm 
 from personal observations in the field in recent years 
 or since Ravens have become very much less numer- 
 ous. 
 
 IlELIABLE INFORMANTS. 
 
 The statements, however, come from sources which 
 I deem thoroughly trustworthy. They are here re- 
 corded, substantially as given to me by aged inform- 
 ants, men, whose vocations of hunting, trapping, wO'od 
 chopping or bark peeling compelled them to live al- 
 most continually, the year 'round, in dense forests and 
 other wild, uninhabited places. These places, how- 
 ever, were ideal localities for a careful observer to 
 learn the life histories of wild animals which the Wise 
 Maker designed should find suitable abodes in dark 
 sylvan shades or along the banks of the cool, health- 
 ful waters of mountain streams, and by rocky and 
 mountainous pathways, vestiges of which still remain 
 in many regions of the Keystone Commonwealth, as 
 if to remind us of the bloody struggles that our an- 
 cestors; a century or two ago, were so often forced to 
 engage in with the Indians who made these "trails." 
 
 ARE ENEMIES OF SMALL BIRDS. 
 
 From the fact that I have often observed different 
 kinds of small birds, which build their summer homes 
 in regions selected by the croaking Raven for his 
 abiding place at all seasons of the year, always show 
 great concern whenever a solitary Raven, or worse 
 still a pair of them, came near their nest of young, it 
 is siafe to infer that the solicitude they manifested 
 was due to a knowledge obtained, perhaps, by bitter 
 
259 
 
 experience that, if tlie .Mephistophelean-like ejes of 
 the powerful marauder, attired in his funereal coat, dis- 
 covered their precious treasures they would soon be 
 ''gobbled up" to help supply Mr. Raven's gastrc-noraic 
 needs, which are great, and likewise most varying, as 
 is the case with all omnivorous animals. 
 
 THEY CONSUME MANY INSECTS. 
 
 The Kaven will consume annually a good many in- 
 sects, particularly the numerous ground-inhabiting 
 and wood-destroying beetles; crickets, grasshoppers 
 and "grub wcirms" he eats with great gusto. 
 
 Beetles and grubs he generally finds about old 
 stumps and dead logs. On two occasions I have seen 
 Ravens hunting in newly plowed ground for larvae, 
 beetles and mice. They feed on different kinds of 
 small mammals, besides young Hares, as previously 
 mentioned; and they have been known to attack and 
 kill Flying Squirrels and Chipmunks, but their usual 
 articles of food in the w^ay of mammals are the differ- 
 ent species of mice which abound in woods and fields. 
 
 EAT BERRIES, NUTS, FROGS AND SNAKES. 
 
 Ravens will eat, with great relish, different kinds 
 of berries which grow wild, and often in great abund- 
 ance, in the mountainous districts. Cherry, peach and 
 apple trees, which aie not uncommon in many wild 
 mountainous places remote from human habitation. 
 are often visited by Ravens to feed on the ripe or 
 T'ipening fruit. In the Autumn or Winter season, like 
 the Ruffed Grouse, Ravens may be seen at times hunt- 
 ing abO'Ut apple trees for the seeds of the fruit which 
 they collect from the ground, or by pecking into the 
 
260 
 
 rotten and frozen apples which hang on the twigs; 
 and, like tlieii* saucy relations, the Jays, dressed in 
 jaunt.v plumed hats, white vests and bright blue coats, 
 they eat chestnuts, beechnuts, acorns and other seeds 
 known as "mast." They eateh frogs and sometimes 
 kill and devour small sized snakes. They will go in 
 shallow water to catch fishes which they consume. 
 Most flesh eating animals, either birds or quadru- 
 peds, which obtain their livelihood by open warfare, 
 do not show an inclination to feed upon carrion and 
 offal unless compelled to do so by reason of the 
 scarcity of normal food supplies. 
 
 THEY SOMETIMES PREFER CARRION. 
 
 The Raven, however, has the habit of subsisting, in 
 part at least, on such a menu, even when other food 
 could be obtained with the usual cunning and activity 
 displayed by this race of pilferers. Of this I was 
 fully convinced some three years ago, when visiting 
 at Glen Union, Clinton county. Pa., where two or 
 three families of Ravens had their headquarters in 
 rocky cliffs, some four miles in the interior. At ir- 
 regular intervals some of the meddlesome tribe would 
 come down to dwellings, along the Susquehanna river, 
 and steal a young chicken or rob a hen's nest; and, 
 on one occasion, I noticed two of them in a vine, 
 along the road near the railroad station (Glen Union), 
 eating "frost" or chicken grapes, a common article of 
 diet, by the way, for the Pheasant or Ruffed Grouse. 
 These Ravens daily came to the places where the 
 woodsmen ate their dinners and fed the horses, and in 
 a short time after being allowed to pick up, un- 
 molested, pieces of bread and meat about the camp, 
 they became quite tnnie, unless they saw a stranger 
 
261 
 
 appear about the place, when they flew off in, ap- 
 parently, great anger. By some accident a horse was 
 killed and its body hurled into a deep ravine. By 
 this mishap I learned that Ravens w^ere very partial 
 to horse flesh, as they daily visited thedecayingcarcass, 
 and seemingly made little or no efl'orts to obtain othei' 
 kinds of food. 
 
 When deer are shot and eviscerated Ravens come 
 around and feed on the refuse matter. At such times 
 thej' generally are seen in pairs, but sometimes sev- 
 eral are together. 
 
 THE] FISH CROW. 
 
 The Fish Crow, smaller than the Ck>mmon Crow, 
 glossy black with green and violet reflections, occurs 
 chiefly about maritime districts of the Atlantic Coast, 
 from Long Island to Florida. In Pennsylvania the 
 Fish Crow is found, in the summer season, along the 
 shores of the Delaware river and about the Susque- 
 hanna river from Columbia, Lancaster county, south- 
 ward. The Fish Crow has the same bad habit which 
 has made such a blot on the good name of its near 
 kinsman, the Common Crow, namely, that of robbing, 
 Audubon tells us, other birds of their eggs and young. 
 However, such deeds of rapine, on the part of the Fish 
 Crow, are, it is believed, much less frequent than is 
 the case with the Common Crow. 
 
 Some observers, however, assert that ^feadowlarks, 
 T'lapper Rails, Terns, Quails and other smaller species 
 of birds suffer the loss of many of their eggs and 
 younglhroughthe thieving propensities of Fish Crows, 
 which are common about the sea coast regions. 
 
262 
 
 THE COMMON CROW. 
 
 This well-known species is common, during all 
 seasons of the year, in Pennsylvania. At times, 
 other than when breeding, these birds are gregarious 
 and often collect in large flocks. Dr. C. Hart Mer- 
 riam. Chief of the Biological Division of the U. S. 
 Department of Agriculture, Washington, D, C, in 
 briefly summarizing the food habits of the Crow, in 
 a letter of transmittal that appears in Bulletin No. 0, 
 prepared by his assistants, Messrs. W. B. Barrows and 
 E. A. Schwarz, whose exhaustive report, entitled, 
 "The Common Crow of the United States," is based 
 on nearly a thousand stomach examinations of Crows 
 taken during all seasons, and careful field notes, says: 
 
 WHAT THE CROW IS CHARGED WITH. 
 
 "The most important charges brought against the Crow are: 
 (1) That it pulls sprouting corn; (2) that it injures corn in 
 the milk; (3) that it destroys cultivated fruit; and (4) that it 
 feeds on the eggs and young of poultry and wild birds. 
 
 "All of these charges are sustained by the stomach exami- 
 nations, so far as the simple fact that Crows feed upon the 
 substance named. But the extent of the injury is a very dif- 
 ferent matter. 
 
 RESULTS OF CRITICAL ANALYSES. 
 
 "In order to ascertain whether the sum of the harm done 
 outweighs the sum of the good, or the contrary, the different 
 kinds of food found in the stomach have been reduced to 
 quantitative percentages and contrasted. The total quantity 
 of corn eaten during the entire year amounts to 25 per cent, 
 of the food of the adult Crow, and only nine and three-tenth 
 per cent, of the food of young Crows. Leaving the young out of 
 consideration, it may be said that in agricultural districts 
 about one-fourth of the food of Crows consists of corn. But 
 less than 14 per cent, of this corn, and only 3 per cent, of the 
 total food of the Crow, consists of sprouting corn and corn in 
 the milk; the remaining 86 per cent, of the corn, or 97 per cent. 
 
263 
 
 of the total food, is chiefly waste grain picked up here and there, 
 mainly in winter, and is of no economic value. 
 
 DO TRIVIAL DAMAGE TO FRUIT. 
 
 "In the case of cultvated fruits the loss Is trivial. The same 
 is true of the eggs and young of poultry and wild birds, the 
 total for the year amounting to only one per cent, of the food. 
 
 "As an offset to his bad habits, the Crow is to be credited 
 with the good done in destroying noxious insects and other 
 injurious animals. Insects form 26 per cent of the entire food, 
 and the great majority of these are grasshoppers. May beetles, 
 cut worms and other injurious kinds. It is shown that during 
 the May beetle season, in May and June, these beetles form 
 the principal insect food of the Crow. Only a few stomachs 
 do not contain them, and stomachs are often filled with 
 them. The fact that the May beetle season coincides with the 
 breeding season of the Crow is of special importance, the 
 principal insect food of nestling Crows consisting of these 
 beetles. : -f^] 
 
 DEVOUR LEGIONS OF BEETLES AND GRASSHOPPERS. 
 
 Mr. Schwarz also finds that grasshoppers occur in tlite' 
 stomachs throughout the year; during May beetle season they 
 occur in the vast majority of stomachs, but usually in mod- 
 erate numbers; that with the disappearance of May beetles 
 towards the end of June they increase in numbers until in 
 August and throughout the fall they constitute by far the 
 greater part of insect food, often occurring in astonishing 
 numbers, often forming the only insect food. 
 
 "To the same side of the scale must be added the destruc- 
 tion of mice, rabbits, and other injurious rodents by the Crow. 
 
 "In the summing up of the benefits and losses resulting from 
 the habits of this bird, it is clear that the good exceeds the 
 bad and that the Crow is a friend rather than an enemy of 
 the farmer." 
 
 THE CROW DESTROYS ARMY WORMS. 
 
 During the mouths of Jul^' and August, 1890, when 
 the writer was engaged in studying the Army Worm, 
 {Leucania vnipunda), which preyed upon cereals, 
 (particularly oats) grass, etc., in this State to the ex- 
 
2G4 
 
 tent probablv of 1^00,000 (estimated) abundant oppor- 
 tunity was afforded to learn what species of birds and 
 other animals subsisted on the voracious larvae. 
 
 While conducting these investigations, in different 
 parts of Pennsylvania, several hundred birds of 
 various species were shot and examined. These post- 
 mortem examinations, as well as observations in the 
 field, demonstrated conclusively that Crows and Crow 
 Blackbirds were, perhaps, the most useful of all birds 
 in devouring army worms. 
 
 CROWS AND BLACKBIRDS. 
 
 The viscera of twenty-three Crows, old and young, 
 which were captured in different counties of the State, 
 and in localities where army worms were abundant, 
 were in many instances, found to be gorged with the 
 remains of these larvae. Crows also ate large num- 
 bers of pupae. I noticed Crows or Blackbirds, espe- 
 cially the Common Crow Blackbird, to be quite numer- 
 ous in nearly all fields where the crawling hosts were 
 abundant, and these dark-colored and badly abused 
 birds, by their constant warfare on the worms, did 
 much to keep in check the damage to cereal and other 
 crops. Crows were generally to be observed singly or 
 in pairs, sometimes in parties, five or seven indi- 
 viduals, but the Blackbirds were often noticed in good 
 sized flocks. One flock of Blackbirds numbered fully 
 seventy-five individuals and they all seemed to be 
 intently engaged for a considerable time in the morn- 
 ing or evening, as well as at intervals in mid-day, 
 destroying the Army Worm. A Crow would eat a 
 handful of the worms at a single meal; the numbei- 
 whicli a single bird would devour in a day was im- 
 mense. 
 
265 
 
 FARMERS PRAISED THEM. 
 
 Several farmers whose premises I visited when in- 
 ve8tij!:atinff the ravages of the Army Worm expressed 
 great surprise when they were informed that Crows 
 and Blackbirds fed almost wholly on the voracious 
 insect-pests which were devastating the oats, barley. 
 corn and grass fields, "^lien specimens of these birds 
 were shot and the contents of their stomachs exposed, 
 they admitted that the birds were not as bad as it 
 was commonly supposed. 
 
 SOME BAD HABITS. 
 
 The Orow's fondness for eggs and young of domesti- 
 cated fowls, as well as his penchant for despoiling the 
 nests of numerous wild birds of their eggs and young, 
 is well known; then again the Crow visits the corn- 
 field in the springtime and in the Autumn he often 
 does considerable damage. These carnivorous tastes 
 and grain-eating habits of the Crow have caused, it 
 seems, a great many of our farmers to place Mr. Crow 
 under ban. 
 
 The Crow Blackbird, like the Ck>mmon Crow, de- 
 stroys the eggs and young of different species of bene- 
 ficial birds which nest in orchards, parks and gardens, 
 and he also often, like the Crow, visits the cornfield 
 or cherry tree. However, if farmers would take the 
 trouble in the Spring when Crows and their bright- 
 eyed relatives — the Blackbirds — are at work in corn- 
 fields to carefuully investigate, they would find, no 
 doubt, as the writer has, that these birds are not 
 there for the purpose of destroying corn, but to sav*^ 
 it from crawling toes which hide beneath the soil. 
 
 i7*-n 
 
266 
 
 THEY EAT GRUBS AND "BUGS." 
 
 Reader, if yon doubt this statement take the 
 tronble, sometime in the Sprinjr, when yon see Crows 
 and Blackbirds in a cornfield when the corn is an 
 inch or two above the ground, to shoot some of the 
 birds, open their stomachs, and the chances are ten 
 to one you will discover that these "corn-pulling" 
 birds have nothing but "cutworms," other larvae, and 
 beetles in their fo-od receptacles. 
 
 SOMETIMES STEAL THE CORN. 
 
 The Crow, undoubtedly, at times, particularly in the 
 fall when the farmer is slow about taking corn in 
 from a field, sometimes does considerable damage. 
 Tn the Spring this bird also occasionally does a good 
 deal of mischief in cornfields. This same statement 
 may likewise be made concerning the Blackbird. 
 However, notwithstanding the fact that both species 
 of birds just mentioned destroy more or less corn, the 
 great amount of good they do by destroying innum- 
 erable insect foes which prey constantly, during the 
 summer season, on grain, fruit and garden crops, is. 
 according to my judgment, considerably in excess of 
 losses incurred from casual predatory visits which 
 these omnivorous birds make to the growing or 
 ripened corn. 
 
 THEY DEVOUR EGGS AND NESTLINGS. 
 
 If it was not for the bad habit which the Crow has 
 of destroying eggs and young of both poultry and 
 wild birds, and the same is true of the Grow Black- 
 bird which has acquired quite an appetite for eggs 
 and nestlings of different species of small wild birds. 
 
267 
 
 there could be no possible reason for doubt in the mind 
 of any naturalist about both of these well-known 
 species being far more beneficial than harmful to the 
 farmer and fruit grower. Sportsmen also view the 
 Crow and Crow Blackbird, especially the former, in 
 an unfavorable light because they will often destroy 
 the eggs and sometimes the young of game birds. 
 Grouse and Quail, Meadowlarks, etc. Along the salt 
 water marshes of the Atlantic Ocean, when collecting 
 specimens with my genial and gifted friend, the 
 naturalist, Mr. C. M. Busch, we have observed Crows 
 pillaging the nests of Terns and Mudhens, or Clapper 
 Rails, as ornithologists call them. 
 
 THE JAYS. 
 
 Two species of Jays — that is, feathered Jays — in- 
 cluded in the sub-family GARRULINAE, are at- 
 tributed to the fauna of Pennsylvania. 
 
 One of these, the Canada Jay, a native of the dis- 
 tant north, is seldom found as far south as this State, 
 where it has only been taken as a rare straggler in 
 winter. 
 
 THE BLUE JAY. 
 
 This bird, of bright color, saucy, independent ways 
 and mimicking voice, is eonimon and well-known to 
 every farmer's boy, woodsman and hunter. While all 
 admire him, because of his showy coat and cunning 
 habits, he is, nevertheless very generally regarded 
 with disfavor because of his mischievous traits of 
 character. 
 
 Blue Jays, like some school boys, seem to go out of 
 their way to hunt trouble, and usually they get it, 
 
268 
 
 but, often, not until they have caused a good deal of 
 bother or suffering to others about them. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION. 
 
 The Blue Jay has an extensive range, being found 
 over the whole of the United States east of the Great 
 Plains, from the warm climate of the Gulf of Mexico 
 northward to the dreary wilds of the Fur Countries. 
 
 In Pennsj'lvania, and, it is said, in most parts O'f 
 their range, they remain throughout all seasons of the 
 year. Tliese beautiful birds commonly resort to 
 forests to breed, yet they do not live like hermits in 
 the woods, for when searching for food they frequently 
 come about orchards, gardens, meadows and farm 
 buildings. In the cold winter season when the 
 ground is covered with snows these birds will visit 
 the farmer's corn crib, and like the Crow Blackbird, 
 and Red-headed Woodpecker, peck at corn wliich can 
 be readied from the outside through the slats. 
 
 SOMETIMES SEEN IN FLOCKS. 
 
 elays when breeding commonly are seen in pairs, 
 but in ihe late summer and fall it is not unusual to 
 find them in small flocks; on different occasions I 
 have seen twenty or twenty-five of them feeding in 
 beech, chestnut or apple trees. Blue Jays, as is the 
 habit of other members of their family, will feed on 
 different cereals, but of all the grains, corn or maize 
 is the one most preferred. A pair of Jays will pilot 
 their young ones, when able to fly. to a cc^rnfteld to 
 feed; and sometimes a good-sized flock of these 
 sprightly birds may be observed at work in a corn field, 
 particularly if located along the edge of a dense woods. 
 
269 
 
 ITS ECONOMIC RELATIONS. 
 
 Mr. F. E. L. Beal, Biologist, U. S. Department of 
 Agriculture, has recently prepared and published a 
 very interesting and valuable paper relative to "The 
 Blue Jay and its Food." This paper, based on about 
 300 examinations of "stomachs collected in every 
 month of the year from 22 States, the District of 
 Columbia and Canada," places the Jay in a most 
 favorable light. 
 
 MR. REAL'S SUMMARY OF ITS FOOD. 
 
 "The most striking- point in the study of the food of the Blue 
 Jay is the discrepancy between the testimony of field observers 
 concerning- the bird's nest-robbing proclivities and the results 
 of stomach examinations. The accusations of eating eggs and 
 young- birds are certainly not sustained, and it is futile to at- 
 tempt to reconcile the conflicting statements on this point, -which 
 must be left until more accurate observations have been 
 made. Most of the predaceous beetles which it eats do not 
 feed on other insects to any great extent. On the other hand, 
 it destroys some grasshoppers and caterpillars and many, 
 noxious beetles, such as SCARABAEIDS, click beetles 
 rELATERIDS), weevils (CTJRCULIONTDS), BUFRESTTDS, 
 CHRYSOMELIDS, and TENEBRIONIDS. 
 
 The Blue Jay obtains its fruit from nature's orchard and 
 vineyard, not from man's; corn is the only vegetable food 
 for which the farmer suffers any loss and here the damage 
 is small. In fact, the examination of nearly 300 stomachs 
 shows that the Blue Jay does far more good than harm." 
 
 WHAT AUDUBON LEARNED. 
 
 The field observations of Audubon, made many 
 years ago, prompted this great naturalist and truthful 
 authority, to write in no complimentary words of the 
 manner in which Jays delight to kill birds and pillage 
 the nests of pigeons and domesticated fowls. 
 
270 
 
 HE HUNTS METHODICALLY. 
 
 It is no unusual sight, in the summer time, to see 
 a Jay quietly slip from tree to tree in a woods and 
 starting from the lower limbs of each tree he performs 
 a cork-screw-like inspection tour around the trunk 
 and along the limbs until he has inspected the whole 
 tree, when he flits to another leafy retreat to look 
 fcr eggs or young birds, or perhaps some observers 
 may say, on such occasions, he is only looking for 
 beetles, caterpillars, "bugs," wasps or flies. Of course, 
 Mr. Jay would doubtless, when on these foraging ex- 
 cursio-ns, pick up such forms of insect-life which would 
 please his palate, but my belief is that at these times 
 he is bent on mischief and wants eggs or nestlings, 
 and this same belief, it seems, is shared by Tanagers, 
 Orioles, Flycatchers, Warblers and others of the 
 beneficial feathered kind which build their fragile 
 summer domiciles in trees, for as soon as a meddle- 
 some Jay comes around, the other birds show great 
 agitation and promptly proceed to give him battle. 
 
 WHY DO THEY DO THIS? 
 
 Possibly some observers believe insect-devouring 
 forest birds such as the Scarlet Tanager, Red-eyed 
 Vireo, the ni.merous kinds of Warblers and other 
 sweet-voiced songsters, which make war on the Jay 
 that comes about their homes, do so because they are 
 prompted by jealousy, and fear the unwelcome visitor, 
 attired in his showy coat of blue, with whitish w^aist- 
 coat, black cravat, and high, peaked hat, will catch 
 too many palatable insects around their dwelling 
 places. From careful field observations of fully 
 twenty years, I am strongly of the opinion that these 
 gaudily dressed, and saucy, inquisitive Jays make 
 
271 
 
 stealthy raids in trees, etc., with murderous designs 
 in their hearts, and of this the other birds are well 
 aware, hence their cries of distress and defensive 
 actions in order to save, from ruin, their fragile eggs 
 and half-fledged young. 
 
 THEY KNOW THEIR ENEMIES. 
 
 These several species of tree-inhabiting and insect- 
 devouring birds, previously referred to, certainly are 
 not prompted by the Jay's superior size to give him 
 battle when he visits their domiciles. If they are why 
 is it that they do not pitch into the Turkey Vulture 
 which often comes in their midst? It is, kind reader, 
 because years of experience has proven that the Jay, 
 like some members of the genus homo, arrayed in fine 
 dress and with insinuating ways, is a despoiler of 
 homes, while, on the other hand, the life of the Turkey 
 Buzzard is one of honesty, though extremely disgust- 
 ing and filthy. 
 
 IS MR. JAY A FEATHERED JEKYL AND HYDE? 
 
 I am disposed to believe after learning how natu- 
 ralists — all of whom are undoubtedly thoroughly hon- 
 est and sincere — differ in their statements of the good 
 or harm which the Jay does, that this bird may be 
 like the changeable Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde, or per- 
 haps he is sometimes not unlike the servant of that 
 hunted Huguenot refugee Sier de la Tournoire, Blaise 
 Trepault by nnnie. in the play entitled "An Enemy to 
 the King." This lackey at times, as the plot goes, 
 fairly overflows with honeyed words, kind acts and 
 godly sayings, to the great pleasure and benefit of 
 his hearers; but at other times, he suddenly changes, 
 as it were, into a hideous monster attired in showy 
 
272 
 
 dress, be becomes violent, rude of speech, sanguinary 
 in acts and profane in utterance. 
 
 "MORE LIKE HIS DAD EVERY DAY." 
 
 When such versatility of words and deportment are 
 questioned by the fair French maid Jeannotte of the 
 beautiful but faltering Julie de Varion — he answers: 
 
 "My dear, I have two hearts and dispositions. When I 
 speak kindly or am modest and so good it is because I am 
 following the dictations of mother's heart and teachings; but 
 when rude and bloodthirsty, or wicked in my wants, my 
 words and deeds are inspired by a plutonian father's heart, 
 which impels to arts black as Cimmerian gloom." 
 
 Tlie thought has occurred to the writer that per- 
 haps Jays are two-hearted animals, for seme observ- 
 ers seem to have studied principally Jays with good 
 dispositions and mother's hearts, while on the other 
 hand investigators, it would appear, have been able 
 to find Jays chiefly of bad thoughts, and deeds of vio- 
 lence, transmitted, of course, from vicious sires, for, 
 most happily, it is rare to find a loyal wife and mother, 
 true and pure, who would teach her offspring to do ill. 
 
 THEY ARE OMNIVOROUS. 
 
 The Jays, like other birds of the family, are omnivor- 
 ous in their food-habits. They consume much vege- 
 table food, such as cereals, mast, berries and fruits; 
 tlieir animal food comprises" numerous insects and 
 their larvae, with spiders, snails, lizards, fish, tree 
 frogs, mice, birds and eggs. Oonsiderable mineral 
 matter, sand, gravel, etc., is often fmind in their stom 
 achs. 
 
27:i 
 
 SHRIKES OR BUTCHER-BIRDS. 
 
 Two species and one "geograpliical race,'' of Shrikes 
 are found in Pennsylvania. The name of Butcher- 
 bird is applied to these birds because of the habit 
 they have of impaling prey — insects, mice, small birds, 
 etc., — on thorns or sharp projecting twigs of bushes 
 or trees. The insects, mice or birds, which they catch 
 and impale were supposed, by some old writer, to 
 resemble the wares of the butcher on the market 
 shambles, hence the popular appellation. 
 
 THE NORTHERN SHRIKE. 
 
 This^ species, the largest of the three Shrikes occur- 
 ring in Pennsylvania, is found with us only as a winter 
 sojourner. During its residence in this region from 
 November to April, it frequents briery thickets, thorn 
 hedges, and grassy fields near trees and shrubbery. 
 The Northern Shrike breeds beyond the Northern 
 United States. This bird as well as the species called 
 Loggerhead Shrike, and its very intimate relation, 
 (specimens of which are so nearly alike the typical 
 Loggerhead that experts are unable at times to dis- 
 tinguish the "race" from the species) the "geographical 
 race," styled in common ornithological parlance, the 
 White rumped Shrike, are known, in some sections of 
 our State as the little "Gray Hawk." 
 
 AN IMPROPER NAME. 
 
 This name, of course, is highly inappropriate, as 
 Shrikes are not related to the Hawks. The name, 
 however, is given by farmers and gunners, who see 
 these birds catch small birds, mice, etc. During recent 
 years, or since the English Sparrow^ our imported bird 
 nuisance, has become so alarmingly abundant in the 
 18-n 
 
274 
 
 cities and towns, Shrilies — particularly the Nortlit^rn 
 Shrike — have learned to visit lawns, parks and gar- 
 dens, and ivy-covered buildings, to prey on these 
 passerine pests, which before many years will become 
 a serious menace to our farmers and pomologists. 
 
 This sparrow-devouring habit which the Shrike has 
 developed in recent years, has, fortunately, won for 
 him the good will of many, who, in former years, 
 through ignorance destroyed this bird, because it was 
 alleged, and generally believed that the Shrike preyed 
 on domesticated fowls. 
 
 A BENEFICIAL SPECIES. 
 
 The poor Shrike, whicb gains a livelihood principally 
 by catching destructive beetles, grasshoppers and mice, 
 was placed on the black-list by farmers and poultry- 
 raisers, who, because of insufficient knowledge, mis- 
 took this gray-coated benefactor, when he came about 
 their premises to devour insidious foes, for one or the 
 other of the two or three smaller species of Hawus 
 which are fully described on preceding pages of this 
 volume. 
 
 THE LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. 
 
 This bird is noticeably smaller than its cousin, the 
 Northern Shrike, which is so named because it rears 
 its young in boreal regions where at the close of the 
 fleeting arctic summer it is compelled, with its pro- 
 geny, to migrate southward where it can find a suffi- 
 cient supply of desirable food. 
 
 A SUMMER BIRD HERE. 
 
 The Loggerhead is a common summer bird in many 
 parts of Pennsylvania, particularly in the northwest- 
 
275 
 
 ern end of the State in the vicinity of Lake Erie, a 
 sliort distance from the busy city of Erie. 
 
 FREDS ON INSECTS. 
 
 This species feeds chiefly on insects, particularly 
 .ii;rasshoppers and ground-inhabiting beetles. They 
 destroy a good many May beetles, mice, and some small 
 birds. Occasionally they kill, I have been told, English 
 Sparrows; but their attacks on sparrows and other 
 small birds are much less frequent than is the case 
 with the Great Northern Shrike. 
 
 SOMETIMES TRY TO KILL CHICKS. 
 
 I have on two or three occasions been informed by 
 farmers that Butcher-birds (said to be the Loggerhead 
 species) had been seen to make attempts to catch 
 young chickens but a few days old. It is, however, a 
 rare thing for one of these birds to make an attack 
 on young chickens, and I think, it can be stated, with 
 absolute safety, that all the Shrikes that have been in 
 Pennsylvania during the past ten years have not com- 
 mitted depredations in the poultry yards which would 
 amount to five dollars. 
 
276 
 
 NORTHERN RAVEN. 
 Ck)rvus corax principalis. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Size large; entire plumage of glossy black with purplish 
 reflections; feathers of throat lengthened, disconnected and 
 pointed; bill large, and like the feet and legs its color is black. 
 The eyes are dark brown; length, about 2 feet; extent 4 feet 
 or more. 
 
 ila6i7a<.— iNorthern North America, from Greenland to 
 Alaska, south to British Columbia, Canada, Pennsylvania, 
 Maryland, West Virginia, etc. 
 
 This, the largest bird of its family occurring in 
 Pennsylvania, is found here as a resident. In the 
 summer season Ravens rarely leave their native 
 heather where, in a region abounding in stately forest 
 monarchs and precipitous rocky cliffs, they can rest in 
 comparative safety from enemies, especially man 
 whom they dread the most of all. 
 
 MUST WATCH THE FOX. 
 
 Sometimes when Ravens nest on rocky ledges or in 
 caverns in the mountains, as they do very often, their 
 eggs or vioung are taken by Poxes or Wildcats. If 
 Ravens build in a locality which they find is accessible 
 to the cunning Fox or sneaking Wildcat they abandon 
 the place, and if no suitable nesting site can be found 
 on some high rocky place inaccessible to these and 
 other carnivorous animals, they build high up in tall 
 trees, selecting usually the white pine. 
 
 THE NEST AND EGGS. 
 
 The nest of the Raven is a rude structure composed 
 largely of sticks, twigs, moss and bark. 
 
o 
 
 
 JJ 
 
 ; 
 
 H 
 
 ■gg 
 
 I 
 
 m 
 
 "f 
 
 X 
 
 1 
 
 z 
 
 -1- ^ 
 
 X 
 
 ^ 
 
 > 
 
 ,-3^ 
 
 < 
 
 \'. 
 
 m 
 
 3*.. 
 
277 
 
 When built under the shelter of overhanging rocks 
 much less effort is made to construct a nest than is 
 done when their home is placed high up in some tall 
 pine or other large forest tree. The eggs are usually 
 4 or 5 in number; they measure about 2 inches long by 
 1.30 inches in width. Their color is "greenish, dotted, 
 blotched and clouded with neutral tints, purplish and 
 blackish-browns." 
 
 THEY RAISE ONE BROOD. 
 
 Ravens, like other birds of their family, raise but 
 one brood of young in a year. However, if. by some 
 mishap, their nest or eggs are destroyed they will nest 
 again. 
 
 LIKE ONE NESTING PLACE. 
 
 The Raven, like the piratical Bald Eagle, will return 
 year after year to the same nesting place. 
 
 There is near Zerby station, in Centre county, a sec- 
 tion, by the way, which is noted for the number and 
 high degree of excellence of the brainy Governors it 
 has produced, a high point on one of the mountain 
 ranges, which is made up of immense bowlders which 
 weigh tons and tons. The place is practically inacces- 
 sible. Here, for fifteen years past, a pair of croaking 
 Ravens have annually raised their families. 
 
 t/p:ft in sorro^v and DisnusT. 
 At Glen Union, Clinton county, a pair of very foxy 
 Ravens, for three or four consecutive years to my 
 knowledge, every spring reared a nestful of young on 
 a high rocky bluff along the Susquehanna river. 
 About two years ago, a venturesome boy, after con- 
 siderable hard work, climbed to the nest and got a 
 
278 
 pair of the young birds, which were about readv to 
 
 fly. ^ 
 
 When the old Ravens saw their home invaded th<'.v 
 flew off and gave vent to their sorrow by harsh cries. 
 After the daring boy with his feathered captives 
 reached the river bank, the old birds came 
 back to the nesting site in the lichen covered rocks, 
 where doubtless for many generations their ancestors 
 had bred, and both the birds with evidences of sorrow, 
 anger and disgust such as only childless Ravens can 
 show, tore up the nest, dropping sticks, etc., over the 
 hanging cliff, and after making a few circles over the 
 place and saying a whole lot of bad things in Raven 
 dialect, they retired and no Ravens have since been 
 seen about the ill-fated place. 
 
 "QUOTH THE RAVEX, NEVERMORE." 
 
 This pair of ebony-rolorod croakers were evidently 
 not of the common fvorv-dny plebeian type of Ravens 
 which one is accustomed to see in the mountain fast- 
 nesses. They were, no doubt, direct descendants from 
 the wise ])luitouian bird which years ago perched on 
 the bust of Pallas over the docanvay of the atelier of 
 Edgar Allen Poe, and prompted that talented and 
 gifted wiiter of weird poetry ;)nd tales to i)eii tlic 
 famous stanzas on "The Raven." That these birds 
 were lineal descendants of this Raven there can be little 
 room for doubt, as a venerable woodsman who was 
 thoroughly familiar with Raven dialect attested with 
 great assurance to the fact that he had distinctly heard 
 these sorrowing and angry birds as they tossed the 
 dead sticks, faded mosses, etc., over the dizzy height 
 repeat the word that Poe, fifty years ago, had placed 
 in the mouth of their famous ancestor — "Nevermore." 
 
279 
 
 ITS DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 The Raven occurs regularly in the following coun- 
 ties where it breeds in suitable localities. 
 
 Bradford, Forest, 
 
 Blair, Franklin, 
 
 Columbia, Lycoming, 
 
 Cambria, Lackawanna. 
 
 Clinton, Luzerne, 
 
 Cameron. Pike, 
 
 Clearfield, Potter, 
 
 Centre, Sullivan, 
 
 Elk, ' Tioga. 
 Wayne. 
 
 This bird probably may also breed in some other 
 counties, where it undoubtedly is found as a casual 
 visitor or straggler. 
 
280 
 
 COMMON CROW. 
 
 Corvus americanus. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Bill, legs and feet black; iris brown; plumage glossy black 
 with violet reflections, brightest on wing-coverts, tail and back; 
 top of head frequently without metallic tint — young usually 
 dull black. The male is larger than the female, and measures 
 about nineteen inches in length and thirtj'-eight inches in ex- 
 tent. 
 
 Habitat. — North America from the Fur countries to Mexico. 
 
 The Crow readily recognized by its large size and 
 glossy black plumage is a common resident of Pennsyl- 
 vania during all months of the year. 
 
 This species ranges throughout different portions 
 of North America, but is found chiefly in the eastern 
 United States. In this locality the Crow commences 
 nest-building in the latter part of April; both sexes 
 engage in this work which is completed in from three 
 to five days. 
 
 THE NEST AND EGGS. 
 
 The nest, a very bulky structure, measuring about 
 twenty inches in diameter and ten inches in depth, is 
 made up of sticks, twigs, bark, leaves, etc. It is built 
 usually^ in an oak, chestnut or other tree in an unfre- 
 quented woods; nests are sometimes placed in low 
 trees or bushes in cedar thickets. The eggs vary 
 greatly in size and color; four to six in number; length 
 about ].()5 by 1.19 inches in widtli ; light-greenish, 
 spotted brown and black with purplish tints. The 
 note of this v/ell-known bird is a loud harsh caw. Dur- 
 ing the early spring, fall- and winter months tliis spec- 
 io.s is gregarious; flocks numbering fioin fifty to sev- 
 eral hniub'ed individuals are frequently observed scat- 
 
m 
 
 O 
 
 > 
 
 o 
 J} 
 o 
 
281 
 
 tered over the fields, meadow.s. aloug the highways, or 
 in the woods searching for food. At night these birds 
 resort in great numbers to favorite roosting places, 
 such as pine forests, cedar thickets, etc. 
 
 WILL EAT EGG'S AND POULTRY. 
 
 In the late spring and summer, Crows are particu- 
 larly destructive to young poultry, and the eggs and 
 young of small w^ild birds; frequently nests of domes- 
 ticated fowls, especially guineas and turkeys that often 
 wander to a considerable distance from the farm house 
 to lay, are also pillaged. These birds, as every farmer 
 is w^ell aw^are, commit more or less mischief in corn 
 fields. 
 
 Although the Crow will rob the nest of any small 
 bird which he can get at, the nests of the Robin, Wood 
 Thrush, Catbird, Meadow Lark and Dove are the ones 
 I have usually seen disturbed. The injury w^hich the 
 Grow occasions by his egg-sucking, bird-devouring 
 habits is, it is affirmed by eminent authorities, more 
 than compensated by the large numbers of noxious 
 insects and mammals which he devours. 
 
 There is no doubt, however, that when a pair of 
 Crows, in the breeding season, get in the habit of vis- 
 iting the farm yard to catch young chickens and steal 
 eggs, they will do considerable damage. Such visitors, 
 like bad individuals of the human race, which ai"e 
 found in nearly every community, should be checked 
 in their evil careers. So far as the Crows are con- 
 cerned, this can be best accomplished by the use of 
 either a good shot gun or an egg dosed with a little 
 strychnine. Their nest, which is u.snally to be found 
 in a woods near the place where the thieving practices 
 are carried on, should also be destroyed, particularly 
 if it contains young. 
 
282 
 
 FI«H CKOW. 
 
 Corvus ossifragus. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Smaller than the Common Crow. Glossy black with green 
 and violet reflections; the gloss of head, neck and belly green; 
 bill and feet black; iris brown. Length fourteen to sixteen 
 inches; length of extended wings about thirty-two inches. 
 
 ECabitat. — Atlantic coast, from Long Island to Florida. Along 
 Delaware and Susquehanna rivers. 
 
 The Fish Crow is a common and abundant resident 
 during all seasons about the maritime districts of most, 
 or, perhaps, all the southern states. According to 
 Audubon this species migrates northward in April and 
 ascends the Delaware river in Pennsylvania, to nearly 
 its source, but on the approach of cold weather returns 
 to its southern winter quarters. This bird is also 
 found in summer along the Susquehanna river from 
 Lancaster county southward. 
 
 BREEDS NEAR PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 Mr. Thos, Gentry, writing in 1877, says he has ob- 
 served the Fish Cro«w nesting along the water courses 
 in the neighborhood of Philadelphia. The nest and 
 eggs of this bird, although smaller, cannot with ab- 
 solute certainty be distinguished from those of the 
 Common Crow. Small-sized eggs of Crows like skins 
 of under-sized Crows can be labelled "Fish Crow" and 
 few people will recognize the difference. The Fish 
 Crow, like the preceding species, builds in trees. 
 
 ITS VOICE. 
 
 The voice of the Fish Crow, as Wilson says, is very 
 different from that of the Common Crow, being more 
 
283 
 
 hoarse and guttural, uttered as if something had 
 lodged in the throat. Audubon describes the common 
 note of this bird with the syllables ha, ha, hae, fre- 
 quently repeated. 
 
 WILL TAKE DUCKLINGS. 
 
 The Fish Crow will sometimes pick up young ducks 
 of both wild and domesticated kinds, and they also 
 pillage the nests of Mudhens and other aquatic birds. 
 They visit shallow waters and feed on small-sized fish 
 which they capture. They eat mussels and sometimes 
 when endeavoring to extract the flesh o-f the bivalve 
 from its hard enclosure, the bird is caught by the bill 
 and held a helpless prisoner. 
 
 WHAT AUDUBON SAYS OF ITS FOOD HABITS. 
 
 In referring to the food of this bird Aubudon writes 
 substantially as follows: 
 
 While searching- for food, these birds hover at a moderate 
 height over the water; but when they rise in the air, to amuse 
 themselves, they often reach a great elevation. Like the Com- 
 mon Crow, the Fish Crow robs other birds of their eggs and 
 young. They also prey upon the Fiddler-crab, which they 
 pursue and dig out of the muddy burrows into which they re- 
 tire at the approach of danger. Small fry are easily secured 
 with their claws as they fly close over the water's surface, 
 from which they also pick up, like Gulls, any sort of garbage 
 suited to their appetite; sometimes they will pursue and at- 
 tack the smaller Terns and Gulls to force them to disgorge 
 the small fish that they have captured. Fish Crows are able 
 to capture live fish with considerable dexterity, but cannot 
 feed on the wing. During the winter and spring the Fish 
 Crows are very fond of feeding on many kinds of berries. As 
 spring advances, and the early fruits ripen. Fish Crows become 
 fond of the mulberry, and select the choicest of the ripe figs, 
 more especially when they are feeding their young. A dozen 
 are often seen at a time, searching for the tree which has the 
 best figs, and so troublesome do they become in the imme- 
 diate vicinity of Charleston, that it is found necessary to sta- 
 tion a man near a fig tree with a gun. They also eat pears, 
 as well as various kinds of huckleberries. 
 
284 
 
 BLUE JAY. 
 
 Cyanoeitta cristata. 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 Head crested; bill rather slender; length about twelve inches; 
 extent about seventeen; bill and legs black; eyes brown; crest 
 and upper back a light purplish-blue; wings and tail bright 
 blue; lower parts whitish and grayish white, crossed on lower 
 throat by a black collar which unites with black feathers on 
 sides of head and crest; narrow frontal line and lores back. 
 
 Habitat. — Eastern North America to the plains, and froni the 
 Pur countries south to Florida and eastern Texas. Resident 
 in Pennsylvania. 
 
 The Blue Jay is found in Pennsylvania during all 
 seasons of the year, but in the autumn and summer 
 months this species is more plentiful than at other per- 
 iods. This beautiful bird is an inhabitant chiefly of 
 the forests. During the breeding season Jays usually 
 associate in pairs, but in the late summer and autumn 
 it is not unusual to find them in small flocks. 
 
 THE NEST AND EGGS. 
 
 Both sexes engage in nest-building, which, in this 
 latitude, is begun about the 20th of April. A nest 
 which I saw the birds building was completed in about 
 five days. The nest, a strong bulky structure, com- 
 posed chiefly of t^\ags and fine roots, is placed com- 
 monly in a tree in the woods ; sometimes, though rarel v 
 in this locality, nests are built in low bushes. The 
 eggs, four to six in number, mostly five, are greenish 
 or brownish gray, spotted with brown. Length about 
 L15 inches, width .84 of an inch. In Florida the Blue 
 Jay nests some five or s;ix weeks earliei* than in this 
 latitude; at least I suppose this to be the case, as T have 
 
BLUE JAY. 
 
285 
 
 seen these birds collecting sticks, etc., as early as the 
 firsrt week in March. 
 
 SUCK HENS' EGGS AND KILL, EIRDS. 
 
 The Blue Jay and alsc< the "Scrub Jay" {Aphelocoma 
 floridana), are in bad repute among the Florida farm- 
 ers, from the fact that they, (particularly the "Scrub 
 Jay") suck the eggs of chickens. They also eat the 
 eggs of many kinds of wild birds and whenever a good 
 chance offers they will attack and kill the young of 
 their feathered neighbors. 
 
 WHAT A MASSACiHiUSETTS NATURALIST SAYS. 
 
 In reference to the food of the Blue Jay, Mr. E. A. 
 Samuels writes as follows: 
 
 "Its food is more varied than that of almost any other bird 
 that we have. In winter the berries of the cedar, barberry, or 
 blackthorn, with the few eg-gs or cocoons of insects that it is 
 able to find, constitute its chief sustenance. In early spring 
 the opening buds of shrubs, caterpillars and other insects, af- 
 ford it a meagre diet. Later in the spring and through the 
 greater part of summer, the eggs and young of the smaller 
 birds constitute its chief food, varied by a few insects and 
 early berries. Later in the summer and in early autumn, 
 small fruits, grains and a few insects afford it a bountiful pro- 
 vender; and later in the autumn when the frosts have burst 
 open the burs of chestnuts and beechnuts and exposed the 
 brown ripe fruit to view, these form a palatable and accepta- 
 ble food, and a large share of these delicious nuts fall to the 
 portion of these busy and garrulous birds." 
 
 STATEMENTS FROM OTHER OBSERVERS. 
 
 Mr. F. E. L. Beal in his paper on "The Blue Jay and 
 Its Food," publishes the following paragraphs from 
 three reliable field observers which show plainly that 
 the Blue Jay delights to suck eggs and carry off young 
 birds: 
 
286 
 
 "Mr. Henry M. Berry, of Iowa City, Iowa, claims to have 
 seen Blue Jays suck the contents of four eggs of the wood 
 thrush while the old bird was only a few feet distant doing 
 its best to drive them away." 
 
 "Mr. B. F. Goss, of Pewaukee, Wis., declares that they are 
 the worst robbers of all, and that their destruction of the 
 eggs and young of small birds is appalling." 
 
 "Mr. T. J. Bull, of Hot Springs, Ark., writes: While standing 
 on the observatory on Hot Spring Mountain, I saw beneath 
 me a pair of Red birds chirping in great distress, and also 
 noticed a Blue Jay fly away. Upon looking more closely, I 
 discovered a nest with one young bird in it. * * * in about 
 half an hour the jay returned to the nest, picked up the young 
 bird, and flew away with it." 
 
 Ml*. F. E. L. Beal, Biologist of the U, S. Department 
 of Ag'riculture, Washington, D. C,. has examined the 
 stomachs of nearly 300 Blue Jays, with a result which 
 justifies him in stating that this species "certainly does 
 far more good than harm." 
 
 The careful inevstigations made by Mr. Beal showed 
 that in "202 stomachs collected in every month of the 
 year from twenty-two states and the District of Colum- 
 bia," the fc od consisted "of 24.3 per cent, of animal mat- 
 ter and 75.7 per cent, of vegetable matter or a trifle 
 more than three times as much vegetable as animal." 
 The animal food Mr. Beal states 
 
 Chiefly made up of insects, with a few spiders, myriapods, 
 snails and small vertebrates, such as fish, salamanders, tree 
 frogs, mice and birds * * but remains of birds were found in 
 only two, and the shells of small bird's eggs in three of the 292 
 stomachs * * * Shells of eggs which were identified as those 
 of domesticated fowls, or some bird of equal size, were found 
 in eleven stomachs." 
 
 Mr. Beal also found that 
 
 "The great bulk of the insect food consists of beetles, grass- 
 hopers and caterpillars, with a few bugs, wasps and flies, and 
 an occasional spider and myrlapod." 
 
287 
 
 ITS VEGETABLE FOOD. 
 
 Mr. Beal found the following vegetable substances 
 in the stomachs of Blue Jays: 
 
 Grain and mast.— Coin, \\iieal, oats, buckwheat, 
 acorns, chestnuts, beechnuts, hazlenuts, sumac (Rhus), 
 knotweed (Polygonum), sorrel (Rumex). 
 
 Fruit and miscellaneous.— Apples, strawberries, cur- 
 rants (Ribes rubrum), blackberries (Rubus), mulberries 
 (Morns), blueberries (Vaccinium), huckleberries (Gay- 
 lussacia), wild cbeiiies (Pruuus serotina), choke-cher- 
 ries (Prunus virginiana), wild grapes (Vitis cordifolia). 
 service berries (Amelanchier canadensis), elderberries 
 (Sambucus canadensis), sour-gum berries (Nyssa aqua- 
 tioa), hawthorn (Crataegus), chikeberries (Aronia ar- 
 butifolia),p()ke berries (Phytolacca decandra), oak galls, 
 mushrooms, tubers. 
 
288 
 
 THE SHRIKES. 
 
 These birds, included in the family Laniidae, on account of 
 their curious habits are so often mistaken for the smaller 
 species of hawks. This error frequently leads farmers and 
 sportsmen as well as poultry raisers to slay these beneficial 
 birds when they come about their premises to hunt mice, in- 
 sects, etc. As previously stated, although Shrikes have been 
 known to attack and kill the young of domesticated fowls, the 
 damage they do in this line is very trivial. They kill various 
 kinds of wild birds, but the species which they destroy are 
 chiefly those of the Sparrow family. 
 
 Concerning these birds Dr. Elliott Coues, one of the most 
 able ornithological authorities in America says: "Shrikes are 
 bold and spirited birds, quarrelsome among themselves, and 
 tyrannical toward weaker species; in fact, their nature seemed 
 as rapacious as that of the true birds of prey. They are carni- 
 vorous, feeding on insects and such small birds and quad- 
 rupeds as they can capture and overpower; many instances 
 have been noted of their dashing attacks upon cage-birds, and 
 their reckless pursuit of other sipecies under circumstances that 
 cost them their own lives. But the most 'remarkable fact in 
 the natural history of the Shrikes is their singular and inex- 
 plicable habit of impaling their prey on thorns or sharp twigs, 
 and leaving it sticking there. This has occasioned many in- 
 genious surmises, none of which, however, are satisfactory." 
 
GREAT NORTHERN SHRIKE 
 
289 
 
 GREAT NOKTHEKN SHRIKE. 
 Lanius borealis. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Length about ten and one-half inches; extent about four- 
 teen; tail about four and three-fourths; above pale bluish-gray, 
 whitening on upper tail-coverts and scapulars; and some speci- 
 mens have upper parts faintly tinged with pale rusty; below 
 whitish (sometimes tinged with pale brown), breast and sides 
 "waved" with dusky or grayish lines; lores and a broad streak 
 back of eye black; wings and tail blackish; the primaries (large 
 wing quills) are white from base to about half their length; 
 nearly all tail feathers have white tips and outer webs of lat- 
 eral ones are w'hite. 
 
 Habitat. — Northern North America, south in the winter to the 
 middle portions of United States (Washington, D. C, Kentucky, 
 Kansas, Colorado. .Arizona, etc.). 
 
 This specios althoiigh recorded bv Dr. ^^^ P. Turn- 
 bull, as a summer resident "ou the inountaiu ridges of 
 the .VUeghenies," do<'S not, I ain (juite positive, ever 
 breed within our limits. The Slirike or r5ntcher-biid 
 whioli rears its family in F'ennsylvania, and is common, 
 particularly in the northwestern section of the Com- 
 monwealth, is the Loggerhead wliich in immy instances 
 is misiaken for its lai'^ier and more powerful I'elative, 
 which in the summer season retires usually beyond the 
 northern United States to rear its young. 
 
 The Northein Shrike is more frequently met with in 
 the upper than the lower half of Pennsylvania where 
 i( is found as a winter sojourner from Xovember to 
 April. It frequents briery thickets, thorn hedj^es. and 
 gra.ssy fields near trees and bushes. P.irds of this 
 species sometimes visit towns and ]>rey on English 
 Sparrows. Shrikes feed chiefly O'U grasshoppers and 
 beetles, and when these are not easily obt;iin(Ml they 
 
 19-n 
 
290 
 
 subsist on mice, moles and small birds. 'Hie Northern 
 Shrike, assassin like, will conceal himself in bushes and 
 imitate the cries of other birds in distress, and when 
 thay come si-flicicutly near his ambush he will, to their 
 great oomsternation, lly into their midst and seize one 
 of their numiber. He has been known to capture 
 Robin, Snow-birds (Juncos) and other kinds of Spar- 
 rows in this wav. 
 
291 
 
 LOGGEHHEAD SHRIKE. 
 Lanius ludovicianus. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Length, about eight and one-half inches; extent, eleven and 
 one-half; tail, four; above slate-colored; scapulars, rump, and 
 upper tail coverts lighter. Below white; pale grayish on sides; 
 Some specimens have lower parts partly waved with dusky 1 nas, 
 but others, especially full-plumaged adults, lack these Knes; 
 feathers about nostrils, lores, broad streak back of eye, and below 
 the eye also, likewise bill and legs (old birds), are black. The 
 wings and tail are black; tips of secondaries (second size quills 
 of wings) and basal half of primaries (large wing quillsj 
 white. Tail feathers as in the Northern Shrike are marked 
 with white. 
 
 Habitat, — More southern portions of Eastern United States; 
 north regularly to Southern Illinois, Central Ohio, Northwest- 
 ern Pennsylvania, etc. In Eastern and Central Pennsylvania, 
 this species and also the variety called White-rumped is seldom 
 met with. 
 
 The Loggerhead Shrike is a commou summer bird 
 in Erie and Crawford counties. It is said to breed also 
 iu Lawrence, Mercer and so-me other of the counties in 
 Western Pennsylvania. The following remarks con 
 cerning this Butcher-bird, as it it best known to fann- 
 ers and poultrers in the Erie region, are taken from 
 my note book. 
 
 "Erie City, May 20, 1889. To-day Mr. Geo. B. Sennett and I 
 drove out a'bout three miles east of the city; and on the road 
 shot three adult Shrikes (two males and female), and secured 
 their nests and young. 
 
 THE NEST, EGGS AND YOUNG. 
 
 Both nests were built in thorn trees. One nest in a field 
 near the edge of a woods contained four young, two or three 
 days old, and two eggs. The other nest was situated about 
 four and a half feet fro'm the ground, directly over a cow- 
 path in a meadow; it had evidently been disturbed as it was 
 
202 
 
 inswurely placod, being partly turntd over. This nest, con- 
 taining two half-fledged males, was composed almost entirely 
 of plant-fiber and chicken feathers; a few small twigs only 
 being on the outside. It measures inside of cavity four and 
 one-half inches wide and two and a half inches in depth. 
 
 "Erie, May 21, 1889. To-day Mr. Sennett and I found three 
 nests of Shrikes east of this city. They all were built in thorn 
 or wild crab apiple trees along the roadside and were from 
 ten to twelve feet above the ground. One nest contained five 
 fresh eggs; parent bird sitting on nest. When I was securing 
 this nest and eggs the old birds flew near me uttering sharp, 
 rasping cries. The eggs four, five or six in number are white 
 spotted with light brown, purplish or oliv"; they measure 
 about .97 long by .72 of an inch wide. 
 
 THEY SQUEAK LIKE MICE. 
 
 "The notes of young Shrikes are not unlike the squtak of a 
 mouse. Indeed, my friend, Mr. Sennett, yesterday, when I was 
 killing the young we had captured, stepped on a strap, and 
 hearing the squeaky voices of the birds in my hand thought 
 at first that he had trod on a mouse. When taking the nest.s 
 which contained young the old Shrikes were quite bold, and 
 when the squeaky cries of their children were heard they flew 
 directly at my head, but on finding it impossible to drive me 
 away by these attacks they alighted close by, and remained 
 silent witnesses to the despoliation of their treasures, which 
 were soon secured by me for the State Museum, and then 
 both the parent birds were shot." 
 
 WHERE THEY WATCH FOR PREY. 
 
 When feeding- these birds repair to fence-rows or 
 hedges, bushes in fields and alung the margins of 
 wo'ods and thickets; they also frequent grass fields 
 and meadows and perch on fences, dead branches of 
 trees and bushes, or on tall weeds. From these com- 
 manding and elevated watching places they readily 
 di:-?cC'Ver grassho}>peis, large ground inhabiting bee- 
 tles and small mammals which form the chief part of 
 (heir menu. Shrikes, like TJlackbiids and Orows often 
 visit plowed grounds jii (juest of inseds, mice, etc, 
 
293 
 
 THE WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE. 
 
 Tlic lacc kiiowii as the White- nun j)efl Shrike, 
 {Lanius ludovicianus excvbitorides), is very similar to 
 tlie LojJigerhead, from which it dirt'ers chiefly in ])eiii<>; 
 paler above, more like the Northern Shrike, and with 
 more whitisli on rnmp and n])j)er tail cO'verts; and.it 
 is stated that the winus. tail and tarsus (ankle) aver- 
 age a little loncei*, and tlie bill is a trifle smaller than 
 
294 
 
 BLACKBIRDS. 
 
 Crow Blackbirds belong to the family Icteridae which in- 
 cludes also the Orioles, Bob-o-link, or Reed bird, Cow Bunting, 
 Rusty Crackle, Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds 
 and Meadow Lark. In Pennsylvania we have only nine species 
 and one geographical race of this family, which is a sort of con- 
 necting link between the Crows and the Sparrows. The Cow 
 Bunting or Cow Blackbird is the only species in the State 
 which builds no nest or makes no effort to look after its young. 
 It is a veritable feathered parasite, with no musical ability. 
 Cow Blackbirds never male; they are polygamous, and are at 
 all seasons of the year seen in flocks. Like the Cuckoos of 
 the Old World the Cow Blackbird drops her eggs in the nestg 
 of other birds, such as Orioles, Warblers, Scarlet Tanager, 
 Song Sparrow, Chippy, Vireos, etc. 
 
Q 
 
 q: 
 
 CQ 
 
 u 
 < 
 
 _l 
 
 m 
 
 o 
 o 
 
295 
 
 COMMON GROW BLACKBIRD. 
 Quiscalus qniscnla. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Bill stout and about as long as head; bill and feet black; iris 
 yellow. In life may be recognized by the V-shaped tail, so 
 conspicuous when flying. Hteadl and neck all well defined, 
 steel-blue, the rest of the body with varied reflections of 
 bronze, golden, green, copper and purple, the latter most con- 
 spicuous, especially on tail, the tail coverts and wings. 
 
 ^ewiaie.— Similar, but smaller and duller, with more green on 
 the head. 
 
 Young.— Yery similar to female. The eyes of young birds are 
 brown. 
 
 Male. — Measures about thirteen inches long and eighteen 
 inches in extent. 
 
 .Hafeiiae.— Atlantic States, from Florida to Long Island. 
 Common summer resident in Pennsylvania. 
 
 It can safely be said that of tlie numerous represen- 
 tatives of tlie avian tribe abounding tlirougliout tliis 
 great Commonwealtli, no species is more abundant or 
 familiarly known than is the subject of this article, 
 Early in the month of March this species arrives in 
 Pennsylvania in large-sized tlocks from their winter- 
 ing resorts, viz: Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia and 
 other of the southern states. 
 
 During mild winters, however, I have frequently ob- 
 served them, in limited numbers, in Chester and Dela- 
 ware counties; also in the county of New Castle, Dela- 
 w^are; correctly speaking, however, we cannot properly 
 regard these birds as winter residents of the Keystone 
 State. 
 
 LEAD A NOMADIC LIFE. 
 
 For a period of about one month following their 
 vernal arrival thev roam over the country, frequenting 
 
290 
 
 I liiclly iih'ikIow s, l(t'\v liiiids iiiid phavcd fields. On the 
 ;i|>|/i(»;i(li <if iiiiihl llicv ('(dlcct ill hir^c iimiihcrs in 
 some favorite roosting place, sueli as cedar- or pine 
 t rees, thick woods or dense thickets. 
 
 THE NKST AND EliGS. 
 
 Nest-building- is usually begun about the middle of 
 April, although on two or three occasions I have found 
 nests, with full complements of eggs, as early as the 
 first week in April. 
 
 In colonies of from ten to twenty, seldom more, they 
 locate themselves for the purpose of niditi cation and 
 reproduction. In this locality (Chester county) their 
 favorite breeding resorts are apple orchards, the fruit 
 and other trees commonly about the habitations of 
 man. The nest is bulky and rudely constructed exter- 
 nally of rootlets, small twigs, dry plants, bits of corn- 
 blades, etc., somewhat loosely but quite firmly bound 
 together. Mud or mudded materials frequently enter 
 into the construction of the nest, but this is not always 
 tlie case; the interior is lined usually with fine grasses; 
 occasionally I have seen leaves and feathers constitut- 
 ing the internal lamina. The construction of the nest 
 occupies about one week; both sexes engage in its erec- 
 tion. It is built at the junction of two or more large- 
 si/.ed linihs. or ;iiiion,<; the sprouts and matted twigs. 
 The nests vary somewhat in size, but the one now be- 
 fore me — about the average — gives the following di- 
 mensions: Height (3^ inches; diameter; 7 7-S inches; 
 depth of cavity, 3 inches. Gentry observes that the 
 female begins to deposit her eggs, one ovum per day, 
 the day following the completion of the nest. Such 
 may be the case, but my observation has been that 
 oviposition does not often take place until three or 
 
297 
 
 even five days subsequent to the completion cf tlie nest. 
 The complement of eggs is commonly spoken of as six; 
 generally, however, I have found live, and regard this 
 number as the full quota. The eggs are light greenish 
 (sometimes pale rustA- brown), spotted, bloitched and 
 lined with black and dark-brown; they measure about 
 14 inches long and about .90 of an inch wide. The 
 period of incubation is from fourteen to fifteen days. 
 The parent birds evince marked solicitude foi* their 
 nest and its contents. 
 
 SELECT DIFFERENT NESTING SITES. 
 
 It is evident from the writings of various authorities 
 that the nesting sites of tbis species vary considerably. 
 By Nuttall and others we are informed that they some- 
 times build in bushes. From the works of Aubudon it 
 is learned that in the south they build chiefly in hol- 
 low trees. T have found these birds building in com- 
 mon house ivy (Hedera helix) but never in bushes, and 
 only on two occasions have T discovered their nests in 
 hollow trees; both of these nests were built in apple 
 trees. One was constructed in a limb about seven 
 feet from the ground, the other was placed about 
 twenty feet from the earth; neither of these differed 
 materially in their make up from the average nest. 
 
 FOOD. 
 
 To the agriculturist this is a subject worthy of much 
 consideration. It appears to be the prevailing oitinion 
 aiuong many fniiners — the majority in fact — that 
 Crow blackbirds are in many Avays detrimental, and in 
 no particular are they beneficial. Tliis belief, evi- 
 dently handed down from one generation to another, 
 is taken in its full meaning, widely at variance with 
 19*--1I 
 
298 
 
 positive fact. Among the first of our vernal migrants 
 come the Crow Blackbirds in large flocks which dis- 
 perse themselves over the country, frequenting, princi- 
 pally, as previously stated, meadow lands and humid 
 grounds in quest chiefly of an insect diet, that is only 
 occasionally diversified by a grain of corn, wheat or 
 oats, and such seeds as may be found in seeking the 
 hidden insect. 
 
 THEY HUNT BEETLES AND GRUBS. 
 
 In the wake of the plowman as he turns the crumb- 
 ling earth, the argus eyed Blackbirds follow closely 
 ever on the alert to seize the wriggling worm, the 
 agile beetle, and the numerous larvae thrown out as 
 each furrow is turned. Certainly at this season our 
 sable acquaintances are engaged only in that which 
 will prove of utility to the cultivator when his crops 
 are j^Towing. We repeatedly heard of how the Black- 
 birds tear up and devour the young and growing corn. 
 This, unquestionably, is sometimes the case but I am 
 confident that the destruction thus done is much ex- 
 aggerated. I am aware that on more than one occa- 
 sion I have seen the tender blades of corn lying on the 
 ground where there were actively at work Crow Black- 
 birds, a number of which were shot, and on post mor- 
 tem dissection their stomachs revealed almost entirely 
 insects. Some ten years ago I was visiting a friend 
 who had thirty odd acres of corn (maize) planted. 
 Quite a number of "blackies" as he styled them, were 
 plying themselves with great activity about the grow- 
 ing cereal. We shot thirty-one of these birds feeding 
 in the cornfield. Of this number nineteen showed only 
 cut-worms in their stomachs. The number of cut- 
 
299 
 
 worms iu each, of course, varied, but as many as 
 twenty-two were taken from one stomach. In seven 
 some corn was found, in connection with a very large 
 excess of insects, to wit: Beetles, earthworms and cut- 
 worms. The remaining five showed chiefly beetles, 
 
 THEY EAT SOME FRUIT. 
 
 Comment is frequently made with regard to the Pur- 
 ple Grackles, as these birds are sometimes called, pil- 
 laging the cherry trees. To some extent tliis is true, 
 but certainly the amount of fruit taken is small, far 
 less than that injured by the Cedar or Cherry Bird. 
 
 Strawberries, blackberries and other fruits are fed 
 upon, but to a very limited extent, by this species. 
 The diet of the young birds, while under parental care, 
 is almost exclu.sively insectivoro'us, consisting mainly 
 of caterpillars and grubs. 
 
 It is a well established fact that they are given to 
 stealing the eggs of other birds, especially the common 
 Robin; and sometimes they kill and devour the young 
 of other birds. 
 
 In referring to this species, Wilson very aptly re- 
 marks: 
 
 "As some consolation to the industrious cultivator, I can 
 assure him that were I placed in his situation, I should hesi- 
 tate whether to consider those birds most as friends or enemies, 
 as they are particularly destructive to almost all the noxious 
 worms, grubs and caterpillars that infest his fields, which, 
 were they allowed to multiply unmolested, would soon con- 
 sume nine-tenths of all productions of his labor and desolate 
 the country with the miseries of famine." 
 
 Attention is called to several series of stomach ex- 
 aminations, made at different periods during the past 
 twelve years, and fro-m such work tlio readoi* can draw 
 his own conclusions. 
 
aoo 
 
 March. Twoiil v i)ine exauiiut'd. Tlicy sliowed chii'tly 
 insects and seeds; in live, corn was present, and in lour 
 wheat and oats were found. All of these grains, liow- 
 ever, weie in connection with an excess of insect foo«l. 
 
 Api'il. Thiitythree examined. They revealed cliielly 
 insects, with but a small amo'unt of vegetable mattei-. 
 
 May. Plightj'-two examined. Almost entirely in- 
 sects, cut-worms being especially frequent. 
 
 June. Foriy-tliree examined. Showed generally in- 
 sects, cut-worms in abundance; fruits and berries pre- 
 sent, but to very small extent. 
 
 July. Thirty-eight examined. Showed mainly in- 
 sects; berries present in limited amount. 
 
 August. Twenty-three examined. Showed chiefly 
 insects, berries and corn. 
 
 September. Eighteen examined. Showed insects, 
 berries, corn and seeds. 
 
 October. During this month (1882), the writer madi' 
 repeated visits to- roosting resorts, where these birds 
 were collected in great numbers, and shot three hun- 
 di'ed and seventy-eight, which were examined. Of this 
 number the following is the result of examinations, in 
 detail of one hundred and eleven stomachs; 
 
 Thirty, corn and coleoptera (beelles); twenty-seven, 
 corn only; fifteen, orthoi»tera (graisshoppers) ; eleven, 
 corn and seeds; eleven, corn and orthoptera; seven, col- 
 (Mtptera; thiee, coleoptera and <)i-thoi»tera : three, wheat 
 and coleoptera; two, wli<»at and corn; one, wheat; on<', 
 dij>tera (flies). 
 
 The i-enmining two hundred and sixty-seven birds 
 were taken from the lOth to the ^^Ist of the montli. and 
 theii' food was found to consist almost entirelv of corn. 
 
301 
 
 A THOUSAND STOMACHS EXAMINED. 
 
 Within the past fifteen years the writer lias made, 
 during- tlie different montlis of the year, examinations 
 of nearly one thousand stomachs of Crow Blackbirds, 
 taken in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Floi- 
 ida. 
 
 In brief, it can be stated that these examinations 
 showed that in the fall when insect food was scarce 
 corn was laigcly eaten by these birds, but during jtre- 
 vii>.is jteriods of theii- residence in Pennsylvania differ- 
 ent forms of insect-life constitute by far the larger por- 
 tion of their diet. 
 
 THEY ARE FOND OF LARVAE. 
 
 Blackbirds are very partial to grub worms, cut- 
 worms and other larvae, which they find in newly- 
 plowed gpc-und, com fields and pasture. As stated 
 elesewlu re this species as well as the Bronzed Grackle. 
 a subspecies of the Crow Blackbird which is the coni- 
 mon form in the westei'n part of Pennsylvania, was 
 found to feed with gi'eat eagerness on the destructive 
 Army ^yorm whicli was so numerous and very gener- 
 ally dispersed tliroughout this State in ISOO, when this 
 crawling and voracious pest destroyed grain and other 
 cro])s to the amount of about $300,000 (estimated). 
 
 THEY CWTCH GRASSHOPPERS. 
 
 Blackbirds love to catch and eat the friskv grass- 
 hopj)ei's which often do so much damage to the farm- 
 er's crops; and they also devour numerous kinds of 
 ground beetles. They will eat the destructiv(< i.luni 
 curculio. and likewise devour its larvae. 
 
 WILL EAT U^HEAT, OATS AND CORN. 
 
 They visit the oat and wheat stubl)le or the corn field 
 
302 
 
 and feed on the giaiu tliey fiud scattered over the 
 ground, and they frequently make a meal on the cereal.^ 
 when in the milky state, or when it is cut and shocked. 
 
 WIL/L, ETAT BIRDS AND EGGS. 
 
 Crow Blackbirds destroy the eggs and young of a 
 number of species of small wild birds which nest in 
 parks, lawns and gardens. Like the Crows, they will 
 visit the meadows and grass fields and steal the eggs 
 or nestlings of Meadow-larks, Quail and other ground- 
 nesting species. They sometimes will catch young 
 chickens soon after they are hatched, and it is affirmed 
 that they will also eat the eggs of domesticated fowls. 
 The damage, howeyer, which Blackbirds do in the poul- 
 try yard is ver-y insignificant. 
 
 THBY SOMETIMES EAT FISH. 
 
 In Florida, the Blackbird, according to my investi- 
 gations, takes most kindly to a fish diet. In the spring 
 of 1885 I collected seventeen Blackbirds in Florida, 
 along the St. John's river. These seventeen examples, 
 obtained at various periods from March 1 to May 7, 
 showed generally an insect food preference — beetles, 
 principally. Six of the number, however, revealed un- 
 mistakable evidences of having taken as nourishment 
 fishes, as will be seen by this table: 
 
 Locality. 
 
 Food Materials. 
 
 1 
 
 March 3. 1885, 
 
 Volusia county. Fla. 
 
 Five small fishes; beetle and grub. 
 
 2 
 
 April 21, 1885, 
 
 Orange county. Fla. 
 
 Three fishes; beetles and mulberries 
 
 3 
 
 April 10. l(>s.'.. 
 
 Orange county, Fla. 
 
 Remains of fishes; beetles, small 
 seeds, etc. 
 
 4 
 
 March 14, 1886, 
 
 Volusia county, Fla. 
 
 Remains of fishes, beetle, oats 
 and com. 
 
 B 
 
 April 29. 1885, 
 
 Volusia county, Fla. 
 
 Cray-fish, minnow and different 
 Inssects. 
 
 8 
 
 May, 1885, 
 
 Volu«la county, Fla. 
 
 Remains of fishes and green col- 
 ored beetle. ! 
 
303 
 
 A Florida fisherman, during the early part of April, 
 1885, caught a number of ''perch" which spoiled before 
 a market could be found for them. The decaying car- 
 casses were tossed into the river, to float away or to be 
 "gobbled up" by the voracious "catties." Several of 
 these defunct fishes lodged among the shell rocks lin- 
 ing the banks. Probably an hour after the castaways 
 had Iain along the riverside, three Crow Blackbirds 
 were seen— quoting the phraseology of a "cracker" who 
 was present at the time — "to jine de fish and feast 
 'emselves to plum fulness." After the departure of 
 the sable visitants, inspection of the feeding place 
 revealed that the birds had picked out the eyes of 
 seven, or all but one, of the fishes, three of which were 
 considerably torn about the abdominal regions. The 
 mutilated condition of the belly muscles is mainly at- 
 tributed to the fact that the fish had been eviscerated 
 before having been thrown away, hence these incised 
 parts were more accessible to mandibular action than 
 other and unbroken parts of the scaly anatomy. Cer> 
 tainly there is no O'bvious reason why the abdominal 
 and neighboring pectoral portions of a "perch" should 
 be more jjalatable to the sprightly "White-eyed Jack- 
 daw," as the native Floridians are accustomed to term^ 
 the species. 
 
 THE BRONZED BLACKBIRD. 
 
 The Bronzed Grackle (Q. quiscula aenus, Ridgw.) 
 is the common Crow Blackbird found in Pennsylvania 
 west of the Allegheny mountains. Tn eastern Pennsyl- 
 vania this bird is rather rare. This variety differs 
 from the typical quiscula chiefly in having a uniform 
 brassy-colored body, and wings and tail purplish or 
 violet, never bluish. 
 
au4 
 
 THE HEUONS AND BITTERNS. 
 
 The family Ardeidae contains, it is said, about seventy-five 
 species which are very generally dispersed throughout all parts 
 of the globe. A few species wander to cold countries but the 
 great majority of these waders inhabit the lower temperate and 
 tropical countries. In different localities throughout the United 
 States about eighteen species and varieties (local or geograph- 
 ical races) are recorded by modern writers: and of these 
 nine species have been taken during recent years in Pennsyl- 
 vania. Some species occur with us as regular summer resi- 
 dents, while others are observed here only as transitory visi- 
 tors in the spring and fall migrations. 
 
 These birds frequent muddy banks of rivers, creeks, lakes 
 and ponds; they are also found about swampy meadows and 
 marshy places, particularly if the latter are well supplied with 
 pools of shallow water, protected by trees or bushes. Birds of 
 this family often remain quiet or inactive in daytime, but as 
 evening approaches, or in the night, they go out, like the Owls, 
 in quest of food, which they secure by rapid and dexterous 
 thrusts of their long, spear-like bills. 
 
 Birds of this family subsist chiefly on various kinds of fishes, 
 frogs, snakes; and they also eat other kinds of animal food, 
 such as large insects, field mice, lizards, toads, cray-fish, 
 leeches, etc., and some of the birds of this group eat rats as 
 well as the young of birds of other species which breed about 
 their favorite feeding resorts. The Great Blue Heron, the 
 Night Heron and the Great Bittern all, it is asserted, have been 
 observed to catch ducklings of both wild and domesticated 
 species. Last year a farmer near Harrisburg shot a Great 
 Blue Heron which he said had killed several young chickens 
 which were about a carp pond near his spring house. 
 
 The damage which Herons or Bitterns do to wild birds or 
 domesticated fowls is very insignificant; indeed, it is very sel- 
 dom that a Heron or Bittern attempts to capture the yoimg- 
 of any feathered animals. 
 
GREAT BLUE HERON, 
 
305 
 
 GREAT BLUE HERON. 
 Ai'doa liei'odias. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Adult. — Bill about six inches long, chiefly yellow; dusky on 
 culmen; eyes yellow; legs and feet blackish, yellowish about 
 toes; lores greenish-yellow or bluish. The color of bill, legs 
 and lores vary greatly not only with age and season but also 
 with individuals. The male, larger than female, is about four 
 feet long and about six feet from tip to tip. Forehead and 
 central portion of crown white, surrounded on sides and be- 
 hind with black; long occipital feathers black; neck chiefly 
 brownish-gray; feathers on middle (in front) of lower two- 
 thirds of neck, with a showy streak of black, white and rusty, 
 chin and upper part of neck in front white. Tibiae ("thighs") 
 and edge of wing i-eddish brown; upper parts and tail light 
 bluish slate color; long scapular feathers and long straggling 
 feathers on lower neck. The young are different in many re- 
 spects from the above, but can always be known by their 
 large size and a general resemblance to the adult. 
 
 Habitat. — North America, from the Artie regions southward 
 to the West Indies and Northern South America. 
 
 Tills bii-tl, tlie largest of our H(Moiis, is a summer 
 resident in various localities in this State. During the 
 last ten years, however, several favorite breeding re- 
 sorts in eastern Pennsylvania, which were annually 
 vis-ited hv this aiid otluM' species, have been broken nji 
 by boys and men who destroyed the birds, old and 
 young, simply because their feathers would bring a 
 few dollar's, and, as they remai'ked, "there's nc law to 
 .stop it." 
 
 I have no doubt that the time will soon c:)in(^ when 
 this beautiful Heron will be known in Ihis Common- 
 wealth only as a rare straggling visitant. 
 
 THE NKST AND E(^GS. 
 
 The uf'st is made of large sticks and twigs, and 
 jdaced oii the larger limbs of trees which grow usually 
 20 TT 
 
306 
 
 near the water. The eggs vary in number from three 
 to five; they are light blue in color, and about the size 
 of those of our common domestic fowl. 
 
 DANGEROUS WHEN WOUNDED. 
 
 This bird, and the same is true of other Herons, 
 when wounded and unable to escape, is one which can- 
 not be handled with too much caution, as it frequently, 
 with its sharp and powerful bill, inflicts severe, dan- 
 gerous, and sometimes even fatal wounds. In Florida 
 I met a hunter who had an eye destroyed by one of 
 these birds which he had winged and carelessly at- 
 tempted to pick up. 
 
 ITS FLESH IS QUITE PALATABLE. 
 
 By some, particularly residents of certain of the 
 southern states, the flesh of the Great Blue Heron is 
 considered quite a delicious morsel. Some few win- 
 ters ago, when camping in the cypress swamp® of Flor^ 
 ida, I, more from necessity than choice, eat the breast 
 meat of this bird and also that of the Water Turkey 
 (Anhinga anhinga), which preys exclusively on fish, and 
 although I did not especially relish the dish, I must 
 admit that to a hungry man it was in no way disagi'ee- 
 able. 
 
 WHAT NUTTALL SAYS OF ITS HABITS. 
 
 The following interesting observations on the food- 
 habits are given by Nuttall: 
 
 "Fish is the principal food of the Great Blue Heron, and for 
 this purpose, like an experienced angler, he often waits for 
 that condition of the tide which best suits his experience and 
 instinct. At such times they are seen slowly sailing out from 
 their inland breeding haunts, during the most silent and cool 
 
307 
 
 period of the summer's day, selecting usually such shallow 
 inlets as the ebbing- tide leaves bare or accessible to his 
 watchful and patient mode of prowling; here, wading to the 
 knees, he stands motionless amidst the timorous fry, till some 
 victim coming within the compass of his wily range is as in- 
 stantly seized by the powerful bill of the Heron « * * * 
 If large, the fish is beaten to death, and commonly swallowed 
 with the head descending, as if to avoid any obstacle arising 
 from the reversion of the fins or any hard external processes. 
 On land our Heron also has his fare, as he is no less a suc- 
 cessful angler than a mouser, and renders an important ser- 
 vice to the farmer in the destruction he makes among most 
 of the reptiles and meadow mice. Grasshoppers, other large 
 insects, and particularly dragon-flies, he is very expert in 
 striking, and occasionally feeds upon the seeds of pond lilies, 
 contiguous to his usual haunts. Our species, in all probability, 
 as well as the European Heron, at times preys upon the young 
 birds which may be accidentally straggling near. their solitary 
 retreats." 
 
 In the months of March and April, 1885, I examined 
 the stc-machs of twenty-three of these birds which had 
 been killed by plume-hunters in Orange and Volusia 
 counties, Florida. TAvelve birds had fed entirely on 
 fish; three had taken fish and crayfish; two, small 
 snakes; one, frogs and fish; one, fish and a few feathers; 
 one, traces of beetles; three birds were destitute of all 
 food materials. 
 
308 
 
 GREEN HERON. 
 
 Ardea virescens. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Length about eighteen inches; extent of wings about twenty- 
 six; bill rather stout, about two and a half inches long, and 
 about half an inch longer than tarsus (ankle). 
 
 Adult in Summer. — Top of head, and lengthened crest glossy 
 green; sides of head and neck, except a dusky streak in front, 
 bi'ight chestnut or maroon; wing coverts and upper surface of 
 wings and tail feathers glossy green, wing coA-erts edged with 
 brownish and whitish; inner primaries with narrow white tips; 
 long scapular plumes bluish-white glossed with green, lower 
 parts grayish, darkest on sides. Bill greenish-black, except 
 mandible on lower surface, also lores and eyes yellow; legs 
 greenish yellow. 
 
 Young. — Head less crested and dull greenish black, back and 
 upper parts generally greenish; long scapular plumes absent; 
 wing coveits much more broadly bordered with brown and 
 whitish than adult; many of larger wing feathers have snowy 
 white tips; chin, throat and front neck, whitish with dusky 
 streaks; sides of head rather pale raddish-brown; lower parts, 
 whitish with dusky stripes; edge of wing as in adult white; 
 color of eyes, legs and bill, very siimilar to old bird. 
 . Habitat. — Canada and Oregon, southward to northern South 
 America and the West Indies; rare or absent in the middle pro- 
 vince. 
 
 The Green Heron is known by a variety of local 
 names, some of which are much more expressive than 
 elegant. This bird, the most common and abundant 
 of all our Herons, is fc-und throughout the State, fre- 
 quenting rivers, streams and ponds. It arrives in this 
 section occasionally as early as the first week in April, 
 from the southern states, where it resides when the 
 chilling blasts of winter have frozen over our streams 
 and marshes. This s])ecies sometimes bi'eeds in small 
 companies; generally, however, but two or thi'ec pairs 
 are found nesting together. 
 
GREEN HERON 
 
309 
 
 THE NEST AND EUGS. 
 
 The nests, built of sticks aud twigs, are placed in 
 low bushes or small trees adjacent to a stream or pond. 
 The nests i'retiuently are built in apple orcliards. In- 
 deed, the largest number of nests that I ever fo-und in 
 one locality was in an apple orchard along the Brandy- 
 wine, where for several years some twenty-five or 
 thirty of these birds annually resorted. While it is 
 true that I have found these Herons breeding in small 
 numbers with the Night and Great Blue Herons in 
 Pennsylvania, aud also in Florida in company with the 
 Little Blu(\ Louisiana and Snowy Herons, and even 
 sometimes in the colonies of Water Turke.vs and Cor- 
 morants, I think, as a rule, they usually prefei" to re- 
 main by themselves during the season of reproduction 
 as well as at other times. Various writers state tliat 
 the eggs are four in number. I luive examined many 
 nests and considered the usual complement to- be not 
 less than five; frequently six eggs are laid. The eggs 
 are pale blue and larger than those of our common 
 pigeon. 
 
 EATS FISH. INSECTS, FROGS, ETC. 
 
 This species feeds much more frequently on 
 insects than other of the herons that reside with us. 
 Nuttall writes of the Green Heron in the following Ian 
 guage: 
 
 "He is also pai-ticularly attracted by artificial ponds for fish, 
 not refraining- even to visit gardens and domestic premises 
 when any prospect of fare may offer. He is, at the same time, 
 perhaps as much in quest of the natural enemy of fish, the 
 froer, as of the legitimate tenants of the pond. Thes,e bold and 
 intrusive visits are commonly made early in the morning, 
 towards twiligrht, and he not unfrequently, when pressed by 
 hunger, or after ill-success, turns out tn hunt his fare by day 
 
310 
 
 as well as dusk, and at such times, collects various larvae, 
 particularly those of the dragon-fly, with grasshoppers and 
 different kinds of insects. At other times he preys upon small 
 fish, crabs and frogs, for which he often lies patiently in wait 
 till they reappear from their hiding places in the water or 
 mud, and on being transfixed and caught, which is effected 
 with great dexterity, they are commonly beaten to death, if 
 large, and afterwards swallowed at leisure." 
 
 STOMACH EXAMINATIONS. 
 
 Nineteen birds, examined by me, were found to have 
 fed on the different materials named below: 
 
 Date 
 
 
 Locality. 
 
 Food Materials. 
 
 June, 
 
 
 1879, 
 
 Barnesat, N. J. 
 
 
 Beetles ana other insects. 
 
 Oct. 
 
 10, 
 
 1879, 
 
 Chester county. 
 
 Pa. , . . 
 
 "Pall-fish." 
 
 April 
 
 29, 
 
 18S0", 
 
 Chester county, 
 
 Pa. , . . 
 
 Frog and minnows. 
 
 April 
 
 29, 
 
 1879, 
 
 Chester county, 
 
 Pa. . . . 
 
 Fragments of insects and small 
 quantity of hair probably thai 
 of a field mouse. 
 
 May- 
 
 12, 
 
 1880, 
 
 Chester county. 
 
 Pa.. .. 
 
 Beetles. 
 
 July 
 
 3, 
 
 1880, 
 
 Delaware county 
 
 , Pa., 
 
 yrog. 
 
 June 
 
 30, 
 
 1881, 
 
 Chester county. 
 
 Pa.. .. 
 
 Pvemains of small fishes. 
 
 Aug. 
 
 IV, 
 
 1881, 
 
 Chester county, 
 
 Pa., .. 
 
 Beetles and other insects. 
 
 May 
 
 14, 
 
 1882, 
 
 Lancaster county. Pa., 
 
 Fishes and frogs. 
 
 May 
 
 29, 
 
 1882, 
 
 Chester county, 
 
 Pa., .. 
 
 Remains of small fishes. 
 
 July 
 
 29, 
 
 1882, 
 
 Chester county. 
 
 Pa., .. 
 
 Remains of small fishes. 
 
 July 
 
 29, 
 
 1882, 
 
 Chester county, 
 
 Pa. , . . 
 
 Remains of small fishes. 
 
 July 
 
 29, 
 
 1882, 
 
 Chester county. 
 
 Pa., .. 
 
 Remains of small fishes. 
 
 Sept 
 
 4, 
 
 1883, 
 
 York county. Pa 
 
 Dipterous and other Insects. 
 
 Aug. 
 
 9, 
 
 1892, 
 
 Lancaster county. Pa., 
 
 Dragon-fiy and young Rail (Sora 
 
 Aug. 
 
 12, 
 
 1S92, 
 
 Chester county, 
 
 Pa. , . . 
 
 Frog and beetles. 
 
 May 
 
 28, 
 
 1894, 
 
 Chester county. 
 
 Pa.. .. 
 
 Hair of small mammal. 
 
 June 
 
 3, 
 
 1896, 
 
 • Dauphin county 
 
 Pa., .. 
 
 Remains of fish and beetles. 
 
 July 
 
 3, 
 
 1896, 
 
 Sullivan county. 
 
 Pa., ,. 
 
 Feathers and beetles. 
 
•■SSJT'^urK^ 
 
 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON 
 
311 
 
 BLAGK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. 
 Nyctioorax nyoticorax naevius. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Bill very stout and thick; maxilla slightly curved; bill and 
 tarsus each about three inches long; head and neck large, the 
 latter quite short; body short and heavy. 
 
 Adult.— l^ength about twenty-five inches; alar extent, about 
 forty-four; bill black, lores greenish-yellow; eyes, red, legs yel- 
 lowish; top of head and middle of back glossy-greenish black 
 (sometimes dull black with little or no greenish); a narrow 
 stripe on forehead reaching to eye; sides of head chin, head, 
 throat and under parts white, often tinged with a faint yel- 
 lowish or a very delicate light purple color; wings and tail 
 ashy-blue; neck, except in front, similar but paler. The adults 
 frequently have three long and white occipital feathers, which 
 whpn rolled together, appear as one thick round feather. 
 
 Young.— BWl (dried skin) black and yellowish; iris light yel- 
 low; legs yellowish, upper part light brown, spotted or 
 streaked with whitish; tail about same as adult; sides of head 
 and neck, and under plumage generally, striped with whitish 
 and dusky. A young bird before me differs from the last 
 chiefly in having top of head and large spece between shoulders 
 dull brownish gray, without spots. 
 
 Habitat,— America., from the British possessions southward 
 to the Falkland Islands, including part of the West Indies. 
 
 Next to the Green Heron the Night Heron is unques- 
 tionably the most abundant of the family in this State. 
 The adult birds are easily distinguished from other 
 Herons by the black feathers on top of head and back, 
 red eyes, and frequently three long white feathers, 
 which grow from the base of the head. The appella- 
 tion, Night Heron, is highly appropriate, as this bird 
 is mainly nocturnal in its habits. During the day-time 
 the Night Heron is inactive, and generally is found 
 perched on a log or the limb of a tree in a quite nook 
 about the swamps and streams. As twilight ap- 
 proaches this drowsy wader becomes, as it were, a new 
 being — impelled, no donbt, by the pangs of hunger — he 
 
:ii2 
 
 stands erecr, (he loose and sliag<;;y plumage, wliich be- 
 fore seemed ill adapted to his body, now tits nc^atly and 
 closely as he carefully walks to the extremity of the 
 dead and decorticated limb on which he has been doz- 
 ing and suddenly, with a loud squawk, launches him- 
 self into the air, uttering- at short intervals his harsh 
 note, and rising above tlie trees of the forest, he speed- 
 ily visits some favorite mill-dam. These birds arrive 
 in Pennsylvania about the 25(h of April and remain 
 until the latter part of September, They seem to re- 
 pair at once on their arrival in spring to localities 
 where they are accusto-med to breed. After the 
 breeding season, i. e., about the middle of August, 
 when the young are amply able to take care of tluMu- 
 selves. these birds fiusake their nesting places and be- 
 come quite i)lentifnl along the rivers, streams and 
 busily marshes. 
 
 THEY BREED IN COI^ONIES. 
 
 The Night Heion rarely, if ever breeds singly, but 
 always in large companies. I have visited, on differ 
 ent occasions, two of tliese breeding resorts and found 
 from twenty-five to seventy-five nests, which like those 
 of the other species, were built c.f sticks and placed 
 usually in high trees. The eggs three or four in num- 
 ber are a y)ale sea-green color and measure about 2 
 by H inches. In Berks county, near Blue Rock, foi- 
 many years, this s]>ecies annually reared their young 
 in the edge of a large woods alcng the margin of which 
 was a good-sized stream. In this place many of the 
 nests were built in a bunch of saplings, some tifieen or 
 twenty foet higli and so small in diamoler that it was 
 imJ^ossib1e to climb them. AVilson has very properl.v 
 said that the noise of the O'ld and voung in one of these 
 
:^13 
 
 breeding places would induce one to suppose that two 
 oi' (hree hundied Indians were (choking oi throttling; 
 (;ach other. The same writer, in referring to examina- 
 tions wliieli he made, states that the teetli of the 
 pectinated claw were thirty-five or forty in number, 
 and as they contained particles of the down of the 
 bird, showed evidently from this circumstance that 
 they act the part of a comb to rid the bird of vermin 
 in those parts which it cannot reach willi its bill. 
 
 POND OF GOLD FISH. 
 
 A gentleman residing near West Chester, some years 
 ago, had large numbers of gold-fishes in a pond near 
 his residence. One day he caught twenty-five of these 
 fish and placed thou in a small pool, intending to re- 
 move them the following morning, "About bedtime," 
 he said, "I heard a loud squawking, and going out saw 
 two Night Herons actively engaged in catching these 
 fish. I shot one of these robbers, and on making an 
 investigation found only one of the fish remaining." 
 The late Isaac G. Darlington of West Chester, in- 
 formed me he on one occasion shot a Night Heron in 
 the act of killing his young ducks on a pond near his 
 house. 
 
 "An incident may illustiate the habits of the Night Heron, 
 and perhaps of the whole family. A Night Heron had been 
 noticed for several days sitting- on a tree near a branch of 
 White Clay creek. It was at length shot and brought to me. 
 with the tail of a large fish projecting four inches beyond its 
 bill. On removing the fish (a sucker Catostcmus, which must 
 have been twelve inches long), its head and shoulders— except 
 the bony portions— were eaten away by the gastric liquor of the 
 stomach." — Michener. 
 
 THEiY SUBSIST MAINLY ON FISH. 
 
 r liavo examined the stomachs of twenty odd of 
 tlicsc Herons, adults and young, wliicli liave been shot 
 
314 
 
 iu June at the breeding-grounds, and found in ail only 
 the remains of fishes. In two or three immature birds 
 talien in August and September, 1 have discovered a 
 few grasshoppers and portions of insects. 
 
 Hon. Hiram Peoples, of New Providence, Lancaster 
 county. Pa., who devotes much attention to fish culture, 
 raising large quantities of Bass and Goldfish for the 
 markets, says he is bothered a great deal by Pish 
 Hawks, Night Herons and Kingfishers. He states that 
 the depredations of these birds in his fish ponds be- 
 came so numerous that he offered a premium of fifty 
 cents for each Fish Hawk o^r Night Heron, and ten 
 cents for every Kingfisher which was killed on his 
 premises. This offer induced several neighbors' boy® 
 to make particular efforts to destroy the feathered 
 fishermen. Mr. Peoples estimates that he lost an- 
 nually from fifty to seventy-five dollar's worth of fishes 
 through the visits of these birds before he began kill- 
 ing them and paying bounties for their heads. 
 
315 
 
 AMERICAN BITTERN. 
 Botaurus lentiginosns. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Adult. — Bill yellowish, dusky on ridge; bare space in front 
 of eyes greenish-yellow; legs and feet greenish-yellow; eyes 
 yellow. Length, about twenty-six inches; extent, about forty- 
 five inches. General color brownish-yellow, top of head dull 
 brown; upper parts finely freckled and variegated with differ- 
 ent shades of brown, blackish and whitish; chin and throat 
 white with brown streak; a broad and glossy black stripe 
 about three inches long on upper part of neck. 
 
 Habitat. — Temperate North America, south to Guatemala 
 and the West Indies. 
 
 This as well as otlier species are very commonly but 
 erroiieously called Cranes. The American Bittern is 
 known to nimrods and fishermen in many sections of 
 the State as "G^reen-leg^ged Crane;" the name of "In- 
 dian Hen" is likewise applied to this bird as well as 
 the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, 
 
 HAS A LOUD VOICE. 
 
 This Bittern is a summer resident in Pennsylvania, 
 arriving early in April and remaining sometimes as 
 late as the early part of November. Its notes are loud 
 and quite remarkable and under favorable cii'cum- 
 (Stancea they may be heard at a distance of at least 
 three quarters of a mile. These notes are of two kinds. 
 One known as the "pumping" call is described as fol- 
 lows: pump-er-lunk, pump-er-lunk, pump-er-lunk, and 
 the other is so like the sound made by driving a stake 
 in the mud, that it has given rise to one of the com- 
 mon names of this bird, namely "Stake-driver." 
 
 With us this species is seen singly or in pairs fre- 
 quenting chiefly the thick swampy places about mead- 
 ows, rivers and la-kes. 
 
nu; 
 
 THE NEST AND EOOS. 
 
 The frail nest of tliis binl is on llie ground. The 
 ejrgs, tlirco to five in number, aie bi-ownisli-driib, un- 
 spotted and about two indies long by about one and 
 one-half inches broad. 
 
 ITS FOOD. 
 
 The Bittern feeds on fish, crayfish, frogs, tadpoles, 
 snakes, snails, different kinds of insects, particularly 
 grasshoppers and beetles. It catches mice and other 
 small-sized quadrupeds which it chances to. come across 
 in its secluded retreats, and sometimes it will kill the 
 voung of ducks aond Rails. 
 
:m 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 MAMMALS. 
 
 Keiiilv tifly well (h-fiiicd species, and a iiiiiiil)i*r (if 
 subspecies, va.i'ielies or races of four-fooled wild ani- 
 mals are found in Pennsylvania. The Bison or Jiuftali; 
 has lonj;- since been exteiniinated; the last Aniencan 
 KIk or ^Va}>iti was taken about thirty-five years ago in 
 VAk county, and the Beaver, a valuable and harmless 
 fur-bearing animal, is also extirpated. There seems 
 to be little room for doubt that the North American 
 \Volf, the Canada Lynx, or "Loup Cervier," as it is 
 railed by the French Canadians^ and the Panther are 
 no longer t€ be found in this State. 
 
 "NEW FACES WILL MEET US." 
 
 Future investigations of our modern naturalists, 
 some of whom delight to discover and name new 
 ''races," will, no doubt, if instituted with proper indus- 
 try, materially augment the number given above. A 
 Sealtaken two years ago in the Delaware river at Ches- 
 ter City, Delaware cO'unty,W'as an accidental straggler. 
 Two Leopards, a Tiger, several ^Volves, Coyotes, 
 Praine Dogs, a Badger, and Hares, w^liich have been 
 captured, according to different i'e])orts received dur- 
 ing the past four or five years, were, of course, escai>ed 
 captives, and they cannot properly be included in the 
 mammali;!!! fauna of Pennsvlvania, 
 
818 
 
 VALUABLE P"UR-BEAR1NG SPKCIES. 
 
 The mammals Avhich occur with us are pennanent 
 residents, but birds, or many of them, on the other 
 hand, reside here only during certain periods of the 
 year. 
 
 The most important and vaulable fur-bearing ani- 
 mals at ])resent found in this State are the Black Bear, 
 Minks, Skunks, Muskrats, Otter, Raccoon, Opossum, 
 Fisher and Marten. Of this list the two last men- 
 tioned are restricted to a few sparsely settled districts, 
 and even in such remote and uninhabited wilds they 
 are seldom seen. 
 
 Some mammals, for example the Wildcat, Black 
 Bear, Fo-xes, Minks, Meadow Mice, Muskrat, Wood- 
 chuck and a few others, when present in a locality in 
 any considerable number, do much damage and should 
 be destroyed. It is not, however, wise or just to 
 wrongfully condemn certain of the common animals 
 found about the farmer's cultivated enclosures, or in 
 the forests, when it is known, at least to naturalists, 
 that the good thej do far outweighs their depredations 
 to poultry, game or vegetable crops, 
 
 DISTURBING NATURE'S BALANCE. 
 
 Widespread misconception of the true relation 
 which mammals, birds and insects have to man's in- 
 terests have done much in recent years in this and 
 other countries to militate against the welfare and 
 comfort of mankind. 
 
 The truth of tliis can be shown by briefly referring 
 to some mistakes made by the introduction of species 
 with a view to naturalization or otherwise, and the 
 cruel, useless slaughter of others, thus disturbing the 
 
319 
 
 Balance of Nature, and resulting in an enormous loss 
 that falls, especially, on farmers and horticulturists. 
 
 GREAT ERRORS. 
 
 The English Sparrow, twenty-five or thirty years ago, 
 was brought to Pennsylvania because it Avas believed 
 he would destroy insect pests which defoliated shade 
 and fruit trees, and attacked cultivated crops. Since 
 this bird has become established, not o-nly in Pennsyl- 
 vania, but generally throughout the United States 
 and Canada, it has been learned ho is a most undesira- 
 ble addition to our fauna. He devours cereals, fruits, 
 buds and blossoms of fruit, shade and ornamental 
 trees, as well as different kinds of garden produce. 
 He loves the tender buds of grape vines and their ripe 
 fruit. In the fajnous Erie grape belt of this State, it 
 is estimated that English Sparrows annually destroy 
 from $30,000 to $35,000 worth of grapes. 
 
 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS DRIVEN AWAY. 
 
 These little feathered pests, great fighters that they 
 are, live continually about human habitations from 
 which they drive away numerous kinds of beneficial 
 birds that formerly did great service to the human race 
 by aiding to repress pestiferous insect foes that the 
 pugnacious, grain-eating Sparrow disdains to touch. 
 It is stated that no-t less than seventy-two kinds of 
 birds which are found throughout the wide ai*ea of this 
 continent, where this imy)orted bird nuisance is now 
 ensconced, have been di-iven by English Sparrows 
 from their old-timed nesting haunts about the habita- 
 tions of man. 
 
 The people now want the English Sparrow de- 
 stroyed, and many favor a bounty for his mischiveous 
 head. Put such a method of exterminating this bird 
 
:i20 
 
 will iicNcr (l(t, hccniisc ]K>]Mil;ir i^iHuaiicc of birds, ((!- 
 jictlui' wiili iium's yrtt'd foi* peciiiiiMrv ^ain, would 
 bi'inj^ jiboul the t-xterminalioii of great iiuiiib(;rs of 
 beneficial soug- and other birds which would be called 
 "English Spairows.'*' 
 
 HAS AGRICULTURE PROFITED? 
 
 Willi a view of "beuefiting agriculture" and ju'olecl- 
 ing i»aulti7 and game in Pennsylvania bonuty acts 
 have been enacted which alloAved hunters to slay with 
 indisci'iniinate liand many of the most useful birds and 
 mammals. This legislation, brought about by popular 
 prejudice and a deplorable ignorance of the habits of 
 animals placed under ban, has cost thousands and 
 thousands of dollars in cash paid out of the county 
 funds. While it is true the original money outlay was 
 great (indeed, it proved a senous burden to taxpayers 
 in some sections of the Commonwealth) the loss or 
 fruit of such folly will be much more from a money 
 standpoint to our faimers than the large sums first 
 expended. Even dui'ing the past three or four years, 
 as an echo of the odious scalp act of 1885, we hear, 
 from different sections of this State, of the great dam- 
 age done by Meadow ^fice, Rats and Rabbits. Strange 
 is it not that many ])eo']>le who now complain of ro- 
 dents and insects doing so much harm to their pi'Oi)erty. 
 were^ and are even yet, firm believers in ]taying l)oun- 
 ties? 
 
 When a man goes to the «hop or market place to 
 make a purchase, it is a common saying, "He pays his 
 money and makes his choice:" so it is with the bounty 
 question. Continue to ])ay ])remiums foa- beneficial 
 birds of l>rey and mammals which live largely on del 
 rimental forms of animal life, and we will have more 
 
321 
 
 mice and insects, but the farmer and iKn'ticultiiiisL 
 will, in many in&*tances, have considerably less ready 
 cash to purchase in.secticides, spraying machines and 
 other insect destroyers that are now necessary for 
 almost every sucessful farmer and fruit grower to 
 possess. 
 
 DANGER OF IMPORTING FOREIGN SPECIES. 
 
 The importation of foreign species of insects as well 
 as other forms of animal life often results disastrously. 
 Nature aims to restrain the over development of one 
 species by means of another; 
 
 "Small fleas have smaller fleas to bite 'em, 
 And these have smaller fleas ad infinitum." 
 
 and as Mr. Gerald McCai-thy* states: 
 
 "When a species is transported to some distant locality it is 
 apt to leave behind its corelated restraining species, and hence 
 in its new home it is enabled to multiply more rapidly and do 
 more damage than in its native home." 
 
 SOME TROUBLESOME PESTS. 
 
 The (jipsy Moth, introduced by accident into the 
 Bay State, has ravaged a portion of Massachusetts, 
 and over $750,000 have been spent to eradicate this 
 destroyer of foliage, thus far with only partial suc- 
 cess. Investigations proved that many kinds of birds 
 (some of which were called poultry and game destroy- 
 ers) devoured the larvae of the Gipsy Moth. When 
 this became known and it was learned that great num- 
 bers of these feathered benefactors were being de- 
 
 *The diseases and insects affecting fruit trees and plants, 
 with remedies for their destruction, by Gerald McCarthy, Botan- 
 ist and Entomologist, rublished Aug. 22, 1893, as chapter 11, 
 Bulletin No. 92, of the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment 
 Station. 
 
 2i--n 
 
322 
 
 stroyed in large iiunibers for iiiilliiicrv and other dec- 
 orative purposes a poi)iilar clamor arose against such 
 practices and the Massaeliusetts lawmakers recently 
 showed much good sense by enacting a law prohibiting 
 the killing and use of song and insectivorous birds for 
 the millinery trade. 
 
 The Elm-leaf licetle. an exotic, is another costly ex- 
 ample of meddling with "Nature's plans. 
 
 Rabbits were introduced in Australia. They in- 
 creased with prodigious rapidity, and so abundant and 
 destructive did they become that for a time their rav- 
 ages threatened to ruin the country. 
 
 German Carp have been placed in many of the best 
 fishing groui.ds in Pennsylvania. This mistake is dis- 
 covered when it is too late, perhaps, to x)revent them 
 from depojiulating the waters in which they live of 
 desirable and valuable fishes. 
 
 MOTHER EVE AND HER SUCCESSORS. 
 
 When Mother Eve started tlie first sewing society 
 over which she ruled supreme in the Garden of Eden, 
 and began to make wearing apparel she was, so rec- 
 ords say. content to dress in plain and abbreviated 
 garb. Women of the present age. particularly some 
 who "sti'ide the wheel," pattern after Eve's short skirts; 
 and lovely woman also delights to adorn her shapely 
 Unm with Nature's beauties of both plant and animal 
 kind. Of course, no one would dare to believe that 
 women of this generation could ever be induced to em- 
 ploy the pi'imitive fig leaf dress of her ancient and re- 
 nowned ancestor, even if the demands of fickle fashion 
 should eventually revert to the days when Eve did all 
 her own house work, spanked, and otherwise cared for 
 the babies, and besides all this, made her own hats. 
 
:^23 
 
 boiiiiels aud clothiug- without the aid of a single fash- 
 ioai plate; foi- history does not show that Adam even 
 once applied to Woi-(li, of Paris, or any other eostumer, 
 to get his faithful spouse guides to aid in adorning her 
 person. 
 
 \A^omen's vanity and the requii^enieuts of fashion 
 have, witMn the past tAvemty years, brought about the 
 destruction of millions and millions cf bright-coated 
 song and insectivorous birds. These beneficial feath- 
 ered creatures — servants and friends of the human 
 race — inhabit chietiy the cultivated possessions of 
 man, where myi-iads of destructive insects and larvae 
 breed so proliflcally and do inestimable damage. 
 Since the wearing of insectivorous birds on liats has 
 become i)opular, it is learned that many crops that, 
 prior to this baibarous custom, were gi"0wn without 
 much difficulty, cannot now be successfully raised to 
 maturity without the employment of insecticides 
 which, foaturalely, modern economic entomological 
 scientists have discovered to aid the husbandman in 
 supi)ressing insect enemies. 
 
 EXPERT IN ELUDING OBSERVATION. 
 
 Mammals are shy and wary, which, with the fact 
 that most of them do not move about during the broad 
 daylight, enables these creatures to readily elude ob 
 servation. With the exception of Red Squirrels, Chip- 
 munks, Gray Squirrels, Foxes, some of the Mice, Cot- 
 tontails, the Woodchuck, Muskrat and an occasional 
 Deer, the average sportsman, or fisherman, seldom sees 
 any of our mammals. This is chiefly due to the fact 
 that they so often remain hidden during the daylight 
 in secure retreats where only those who are acquainted 
 with their habits and haunts can discover them with 
 anv degree of certaintv. 
 
324 
 
 Miimmals aiv both iioctuiiiiil and diurnal. The 
 (ri-ay Squill ol, riiipniuiiks, Woodcliuck and Ki'd Sqnir 
 rels seem lo move about more in tlie daytime than any 
 others; and Dr. Meriiam says the Gray Squirrel and 
 (■hipnuink are Die only two "that have not been seen 
 after nightfall." 
 
 The Racccon, Skunks, Bats and Flying- Squirrels are 
 decidedly nocturnal in their habits; but, as Dr. Mer- 
 riam states: 
 
 "Even these are occasionally seen abroad during cloudy days, 
 and do much of their hunting in the twilight. The truth of 
 the matter seems to be that very few mammals range about 
 much during the brightest part of the day, or darkest part of 
 the night, these being the times when most of them do the 
 greater part of their sleeping. It is between the dark and the 
 daylight, before sunrise in the morning and in the dusk of 
 evening, when the faint light obscures their outlines and hides 
 their movements, that the larger number do their hunting. 
 Many of them are also out during cloudy days and moonlight 
 nights; and in winter, when the ground is white with snow, they 
 apparently circumambulate all night long." 
 
 SOME ARE SOUND SLEEPERS. 
 
 "The phenomenon of hibernation, which enables many mam- 
 mals to endure a climate to the severity of which they would 
 inevitably succumb were they to remain active throughout the 
 year, and to thrive in regions where they would starve during 
 certain seasons but for their ability to become dormant when 
 scarcity of food prevails, is well exemplified in a number of 
 our species. The following are known to pass a greater or less 
 period of the winter season in a condition of lethargy: The 
 Bear, Raccoon, Bats, Gray Squirrel, Chipmunk, Woodchuck, 
 and Jumping Mouse. Of these the Woodchuck (Ground Hog) 
 affords the most remarkable example. "With astonishing reg- 
 ularity and precision, and utterly regardless of the state of 
 weather or condition of his food supply, he sinks into his bur- 
 row about the 20th of September,* and is rarely seen again be- 
 
 *In some sections of Pennsylvania this animal does not re- 
 tire to winter quarters, it is said, before the middle of October, 
 and he is often seen in the early part of March and sometimes 
 in February. — B. H. Warren. 
 
325 
 
 fore the middle of March. It frequently, indeed usually, hap- 
 pens that the time chosen for t-ntering upon the execution of 
 this singular proclivity is during fine, warm, weather and at a 
 time when the fields are clothed with a luxuriant growth of his 
 favorite food, clover. In fact the Woodchuck retires to the cold 
 dark recesses of his cheerless subterranean abode to commence 
 a period of voluntary seclusion, to enter upon a state of com- 
 plete oblivion and absolute lethargy, at the very time when «ine 
 would naturally suppose he would most enjoy himself above 
 ground. 
 
 "The Gray Squirrel, on the other hand, remains out nearly 
 the entire winter, and withdraws to its nest in some hollow tree 
 only during the severest weather. The Raccoon and Bear fur- 
 nish examples of animals whose dormant periods are interme- 
 diate in duration between those above cited. 
 
 "Hibernation is, after all, merely a profound sleep, intensified 
 and protracted. During ordinary sleep respiration is slackened 
 and the temperature of the body is lower than when the animal 
 is awake. The longer the sleep continues the less frequent do 
 the respirations become and the lower does the temperature fall, 
 jtill finally the condition of deep and continuad sleep — the true 
 lethargy of hibernation — is attained. This apparent phenom- 
 enon, then, is a genuine physiological process, differing in de- 
 gree only from ordinary sleep. It is the result of conditions of 
 environment, and has become an hereditary habit, enabling cer- 
 tain mammals to exist during a period when their usual food 
 supply is cut off. The dormant state is sometimes brought on 
 by extremes of temperature, but this is not often the case."— 
 From The Vertebrates of the Adirondack Region, Northwest- 
 ern New York, By Dr. C. Hart Merriam, pp. 28, 29. 
 
 Animals like, the Minks, which often make long 
 journeys to good hunting grounds, or others such as 
 the Foxes, Weasels. AVildcat, etc., which frequently 
 range over large areas of territory, have no difficulty 
 to obtain necessary food supplies, consequently hiber- 
 nation with them is not a necessity to maintain exis 
 tence. 
 
 ABUNDANCE OF SO.MK M.\.%rMAI.P. 
 
 Ill iiiauy sections of Pennsylvaniji, mammals — parii- 
 cularly species which are readily disi)0sed of to fur 
 
326 
 
 tradt'i-s — ;ij)p(ai- lu be very imich iiioic abundant lliaii 
 lias been commonly supposed. The plentitude of same 
 of tihese species which destroy annually large numbers 
 of domesticated fowls, game, etc., accounts, in a large 
 degree, for the great loss whicli is every year sustained 
 by farmers and poulterers. 
 
 About three years ago the writer began to collect 
 statistics and data conceining the fur-bearing ixud 
 poultry-destroying mamninls which are found in Penn- 
 sylvania. Efforts in tliis direction were eminently 
 successful and a large amount of interesting and in- 
 structive material was obtained from fur dealers, hun- 
 ters, trappers and naturalists throughout the State. 
 
 Unfortunately, liowever, the fire whicli burned the 
 State Capitol building in February, 181)7, destroyed 
 this material which, with everything else in the office 
 of the writer, was consumed. At first, when the re- 
 |)()r(s from some sources showing great numbers of 
 animals taken yearly for the pelts or bounty began to 
 reacli the office, they were looked upon witli doubt 
 and it was thought they were sent without i)roper in- 
 (juiry or by mistakes, unwittingly made. The fig- 
 ures given, in some cases, were so surprising, that 
 after consultation with the Secretary of this Depart- 
 ment, who in common with the Zoologist, was desirous 
 of publishing for public use no misleading statistics, 
 special efforts were made to verify a number of the 
 returns wliere there w\^s any possible room for doubt 
 as to reliability, These efforts shewed — barring a few 
 reports from professional scalp hunters and over-zeal- 
 ous fur-buyers — that the returns made to this Depart- 
 ment wei'e co'rrect, and where defective, it was be- 
 cause the persons pre]iaring them had been so cautions 
 as to underestimate rather than exaggerate. Tn 
 chapter IX of this document a number of "bounty rec- 
 
827 
 
 ords" are published. While some ot them, are per 
 haps, not eutirely accurate they iievertheless show- 
 plainly that large numbers of poultry and game con- 
 suming aninuds are present in nearly every section o^f 
 the State. 
 
 From a few reports, received from several reliable 
 sources, and which luckily were not destroyed by the 
 flames, extracts as ftillows are made: In the populous 
 and rich agricultural county of York. Mr. J. G. Patter- 
 son, of vStewartstown, says: 
 
 "The fur — chiefly Muskiat?, Skunks. Opossums, Raccoons, 
 Minks and Foxes — obtained in 1895, sold for about $20,fX)0." 
 
 Hon. Jas. G. Mitchell, at Hamilton, Pa., a gentleman 
 who is esteemed by all who are acquainted with his 
 legislative career, to be one of the most loyal advocates 
 the farmers and laboring classes ever sent to the Penn- 
 sylvania Senate, writes that: 
 
 "From the township of Perry, where I reside, there was, in 
 the winter of 1895 and '96, at least $1,000 worth of fur shipped 
 to New York. These raw furs, many of which I purchased, con- 
 sisted chiefly of Skunks, Muskrats, Minks and Foxes. A good 
 many Opossums and some Wildcats are taken in our county. 
 I consider $12,000 a very conservative estimate to place on the 
 fur-bearing: animals annually taken in Jefferson county." 
 
 THE WORK OF TWO TRAPPERS. 
 
 Tn the county of Huntingdon, so ably represented in 
 our Legislative halls for many years, by Hon. P. M. 
 Lytle, who has won distinction for his rare oratorical 
 ability and persistent advocacy of all matters which 
 would benefit farmers and the workingman. there re- 
 sides an individual named John P. Swope, whO' has 
 won great local prominence because of his thorough 
 knowledge of the habits of undomeslicatiHl mammals. 
 
328 
 
 which, with his iiiarveh)iis skill as ii trapper and huii 
 ter, enables him to make a j^ood yearly income. In 
 relation to this trapper's work for the years 1895 and 
 1896 the following paragraphs are clipped from two 
 reliable newspapers of Central Pennsylvania: 
 
 "John P. Swope, the noted trapper of Alexandria, takes the 
 premium for scalps during- the year 1895. Following is the 
 recard of payments to him each month by the county treasurer: 
 February, $8; March, $25.50; April, $37.25; May, $14.50; Juno, 
 $38.50; July, $85.00; August, $49.00; September, $48.25; October, 
 $101.50; November, $81.00; December, $100.75. Total for eleven 
 months, $590.25. 
 
 "The whole amount paid to all persons for scalps during the 
 year was $1,157.00. of which Mr. Swope received more than one- 
 half. He was in town on Thursday last and received money 
 on the following: 12 foxes, 13 minks, 1 wildcat— $27.26 for Jan- 
 uary, 1896."— Huntingdon Globe. 
 
 The Bellefonte (Centre county) Deniocial. of Decem- 
 ber 3, 1890, publishes the following relative to Mr. 
 Swope's record during ten and a half months for 1896: 
 
 "John P. Swope makes a handsome living at gunning and 
 trapping. Gunners and trappers in Huntingdon county are dis- 
 playing considerable activity at the present time, but peculiar 
 interest centres in the success of John P. Swope, of Alexandria, 
 who is without doubt king among trappers in central Pennsyl- 
 vania. Mr. Swope does nothing but trap the whole year round, 
 and he makes more money at this business than the majority 
 of men receive in individual salaries; in fact, he gets each year 
 from Huntingdon county an amount that few of the "big" men 
 of the community would refuse to accept as an annual stipend. 
 Mr. Swope is well up in the art of trapping. He has many im- 
 itators, but none of the latter meet with any great degree of 
 success. It is said that Swope has about fifty traps set nearly 
 all the while, and his time is pretty much occupied in making 
 inspections at certain intervals. It is known that he can trap 
 on the same ground where others fail. This has been demon- 
 strated. His success has inspired jealousy on the part of imi- 
 tators. On one occasion, at least, he was warned by White 
 Cap notices to keep off the premises of tJiose who have vainly 
 tiled to achieve a measure of his success. 
 
320 
 
 "Mr. ^wope's record in trapping and killing animals for which 
 a premium is allowed by legislative enactment and the amount 
 he has received from Huntingdon county in the ten and onp- 
 half months of the present year, are shown in the following 
 statement: 739 foxes, at $1.00 each, $739.00; 13 wildcats, at $2.00 
 each, $26.00; 1,290 minks, at 25 cents each, $322.50. Total $1,087.50." 
 
 A WYOMING COUNTY TRAPPER. 
 
 The note books of Mr. G. F. Smith, a trapper and 
 hunter of Mill City, Wyomin*^ county, Pa., showthathe 
 has taken the following mammals in his neighborhood: 
 
 "In 1889 and 1890, 23 foxes; 43 raccoons; 37 skunks; 19 minks; 
 2 wildcats; 31 muskrats; 1 bear. 1891, 17 foxes; 21 raccoons; 42 
 skunks; 7 minks; 3 wildcats; 3 muskrats; 1 bear. 1892, 19 foxes; 
 33 raccoons; 60 skunks; 3 minks; 5 wildcats; 18 muskrats. 1893, 
 21 foxes; 61 raccoons; 58 skunks; 7 minks; 4 wildcats; 1 muskrat. 
 1894, 18 foxes; 17 raccoons; 44 skunks; 4 minks; 3 wildcats; 2 
 muskrats. 1895, 20 foxes; 30 raccoons; 51 skunks; 1 mink; 3 
 muskrats. 1896, 28 foxes; 52 raccoons; 26 skunks. Total, 146 
 foxes; 257 raccoons; 318 skunks; 41 minks; 18 wildcats; 58 musk- 
 rats; 2 bears." 
 
 In 1896 Mr. Smith cai)tured an opossum which is re- 
 ported to be a rare visitor in that region. 
 
 REPORTS FROM SOME FUR DEALERS. 
 MR. BUSH, of Mercer County: 
 
 Mr. Charles finsh. of Greenville, Mercer county, Pa., 
 writing under date of May 10, 1896, says: 
 
 "In reply to your circular can only say that I have not been 
 in the fur business during the past ten years, but from ten to 
 fifteen years previously, I handled a great many furs in this 
 section of northwestern Pennsylvania. TTie following is the 
 list and about the number handled: red foxes, from five to six 
 hundred (I should judge perhaps not more than one-fourth of 
 the number handled at present); gray foxes, from 200 to 300. at 
 present one-fourth the number; raccoons, 1,000. at present one- 
 half the number: mink, 400 to 600. at present one-half the num- 
 ber; otter, 20 to 25 pelts, they are scarce and rare at present; 
 
 2i*-n 
 
330 
 
 opossums, 200 to 300, quite plentiful at present; skunks, 2,000, 
 and they are about the same at present. 
 
 "The above figures are, to the best of my recollection, the 
 number of furs I handled. At the same time there were sev- 
 eral others buying furs through this section." 
 
 MR. LEWIS, OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 
 
 Mr. E. C. Lewis, of Reynoldsville, -leffoison county, 
 states that the numbei- of skins he annually handk'S 
 is about as follows: 
 
 "Twenty beai's: 125 minks; 150 skunks; 25 red foxes; 10 gray 
 foxes; 200 raccoons; 250 muskrats; S otters; 15 wildcats." 
 
 Mr. Le\\is also adds the following lines: 
 
 "I consider foxes, weasels, wildcats and the mink detrimental 
 to both farmers and sportsmen; am earnestly in favor of a 
 bounty on these last-named animals. I have seen where wild- 
 cats killed deer from one to two years old." 
 
 MESSRS. JORDAN & SON, OF LUZERNE COUNTY. 
 
 Messrs. N, P. Jordan «& Son, extensive hatters and 
 furriers, of 40 West Market street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., 
 in a letter of April 21, 1896, say: 
 
 "In reply to your letter of the 15th inst., we beg to state that 
 during the past few years we have obtained from, hunters and 
 trappers, in this region, pelts as follows: 1 otter, 61 minks, 25 
 red foxes, 4 gray foxes, 373 skunks, 29 'coons, 6 opossums. 4S6 
 muskrats. This represents a very small portion of the animals 
 captured in this vicinity, as a large majority of the hunters 
 send the pelts direct to the market or sell them to representa- 
 tives of different firms, who have men out continually during 
 the fur season, scouring the country to buy up raw furs. We 
 have no record of our purchases during previous year, but the 
 above is about the average annually. Our books show about 
 the same amount each year for several years in the purchase 
 of skins, which, of course, indicates an equal number of pelts." 
 
 MESSRS. WEIL. OF CHESTER COUNTY. 
 
 The Zoologist is indebted to Messrs. Morris and 
 Moses Weil, fur dealers of West Chester, Pa., for the 
 
331 
 
 following data coDcerning the number of pelts they 
 handle yearly, and which they buy in Chester and 
 neighboring counties, territory wliich embraces many 
 of the most productive and valuable farms in this 
 Commonwealth : 
 
 "There are from 300 to 500 persons in Chester county (which. 
 by the way, ranks as the third agricultural county in the United 
 States) whose chief occupation is trapping. The average yearly 
 catch of a skillful trapper of skunks is about 100, but some in- 
 dustrious and skillful trappers secure considerably more than 
 this number. Except along the Brandywine and its large tri- 
 butaries few muskrats are taken in Chester county. Exper- 
 ienced 'rat' trappers along the historic Brandywine average 
 about 100 'rats' a season. One individual last year caught be- 
 tween 200 and 300. We obtain about 200 minks annually. These 
 animals by reason of their aquatic habits, are found chiefly 
 along the Brandywine and its large feeders, and they also fre- 
 quent mill dams, where stone and rubbish are plentiful. We 
 have handled annually for the last five years not less than 
 5,000 skunks, of which 75 per cent, were taken in Chester county. 
 Our books for the last five years show that we have purchased 
 on an average each year, the following additional fur-bearing 
 animals: 8,000 muskrats, 2,000 opossums, 25 red foxes, 500 rac- 
 coons. We never got a gray fox in Chester county, from which, 
 at least, three-fourths of all the pelts we obtain come. We are 
 the largest buyers of raw furs in Chester county, and in our 
 opinion it would be a fair estimate to say we buy one-half of 
 the skins taken in this region, so by doubling the figures given 
 you can form a good idea of the number of fur-bearing animals 
 which yearly are marketed from Chester and a few districts ©f 
 the neighboring counties." 
 

 SKUNK. 
 
 Mephitis mephitiea. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 A heavily-built animal, about the size of the house cat, al- 
 though its body is shorter and more bulky; weighs about 
 eight pounds; its legs are short, ears low, eyes brown, with' a 
 long bushy tail. Color black (some examples maroon and 
 white). The white markings vary greatly in extent and de- 
 tail; some examples of the genus have a small white head 
 spot only, but the common pattern has narrow white frontal 
 (head) stripe, a broad nuchal (neck) white patch, from which 
 diverge on either side of back, and extend to or near the two 
 stripes of white. The tail may be black, but oftener it is 
 marked with white especially terminally. 
 
 Habitat. — This species, including its varieties or subspecies, 
 occurs generally throughout temperate North America. 
 
 This familiar animal generally hides in some dark 
 reti'eat during- the daylight although o-ccasionally on 
 cloudy days he is seen abroad and he also hunts in the 
 twiliglit. The species technically known as mephitiea 
 and a form or subspecies called the Carolinian Skunk, 
 Mephitis mephitiea elongata as d( fined by Mr. Bangs, 
 with perhaps other subspecies, are in Pennsylvania, 
 where many thousands of these animals are annually 
 killed for the fur trade. Indeed, the long and heavy 
 cojtt of this mammal is so valuable in the fur markets 
 that Skunk farms are conducted on an extensive and 
 profitable basis in New York, Ohio and other states. 
 The Skunk, in diffe)( nt shades of dresis, which, for the 
 l)urposes of this article, it is not necessary at this time 
 to dis(;uss, is one of the common mammals of our 
 State. 
 
 SOME OF ITS COMMON NAME'S. 
 
 Many persons know the animal by the name of Pole- 
 cat, a term ap]>lied to a small, brownish-black, ferret- 
 

 
333 
 
 like creature — a member of the Weasel group — which 
 inhabits the tern iterate zone of Europe and Asia. The 
 common domesticated Ferret, so frequently employed 
 to hunt Rabbits and Rats, is, it is believed, a descen- 
 dant of the Polecat of the Old World. Some furriers 
 sell Skunks — those lacking the white stripes on backs 
 — under the name "Alaska Sable," and many ladies 
 wear tliese pelts and never know they once covered 
 the backs of vile-smelling and insect-devouring ani- 
 mals of the genus Mephitis. 
 
 SOME OF ITS ENEMIES. 
 
 This well-known quadruped, it matters but little 
 whetlier called Canadijin Skunk, Carolinian Skunk, 
 Polecat or "Alaska Sable," has numerous enemies to 
 contend with, notwithstanding the wise provisio-n 
 nature has made to enable it to prevent their near and 
 dangerous approach. The Skunk has great confidence 
 in its battery and is often enabled, when acting on the 
 defensive, or, if aroused by either anger or fright, to 
 protect its life from preying animals, by discharging 
 from the anal glands a yellowish fluid of most pene- 
 trating and .sickening odor. This, however, is not 
 always the case, and the slow-moving Skunk often be- 
 comes a victim of its own temerity inspired, doubtless, 
 by too much coiifidenr-o in the repelling powers of the 
 contents of its perfume reservoirs. 
 
 Among carnivorous mammals, the Wildcat, Red 
 Fox, Mink and Weasel will attack and kill Skunks. 
 Large Hawks, particularly the Red-tailed species and 
 the powerful Goshawk, also capture them. The Snowy 
 Owl, when pressed by hunger, will, it is stated, some 
 times make a meal on a Skunk which happens to cross 
 its path; and the Great Horned Owl often attacks 
 
3:54 
 
 iSkuuks. Oil Iwo oecasioiis 1 have known that re- 
 mains of recently killed Skunks were discovered in 
 nests occupied by Great Horned Owls; and at different 
 times I have secured owls of this species which were 
 so strongly scented with odor that there was no room 
 to question wbat they had been feeding upon or med- 
 dling with. Mr. Thomas H. Jackson, of West Chester, 
 Pa., writing in the "Ornithologist and Oologist," June, 
 1886, says: 
 
 "Great Horned Owls are liberal providers for their young. 
 T have frequently found full grown Rabbits lying in the nest 
 beside the young, and scarcely a nest visited did not have a 
 strong odor of Skunk, while bones and feathers were scattered 
 around attesting to the predaceous habits of the proprietors." 
 
 Chief among all the enemies which the pc'or and 
 well-disposed Mephitis has to guard against is man, 
 who should often protect rather than persecute this 
 animal. 
 
 THEiY DO MUCH GOOD. 
 
 Of all our mammals this species is probably the most 
 valuable to the farmer and fruit grower. The insect 
 eating habits of this nocturnal prowler are so gener- 
 ally known to the fai'mors of the hop-growing districts 
 of the Empire State that local laws have been enacted 
 for the protection of the much abused and persecuted 
 Skunks, which Dr. C. H. Merriam verj' truly says, is 
 
 "Pre-eminently an insect eater; he destroys more beetles, 
 grasshoppers and the like than all our other mammals together, 
 and in addition to these devours vast numbers of mice." 
 
 From numerous repoits received at the Department 
 of Agriculture from farmers, poulterers and sports- 
 men in Pennsylvania it is quite evident that the odorif- 
 erous Skunk is not regarded with much favor; in fact, 
 
335 
 
 but a small niimber of our correspondenls appear to 
 know that 111' possesses anv especial inclination to eat 
 insects and destructive larvae. Tlie general impres- 
 sion seems to be that this animal reaches the acme of 
 bliss when he can gain an entrance to a hen coop and 
 devour chickens or suck eggs; and it matters but little 
 liow old the latter mny be. 
 
 SPORTSMEN GENERALLY DESPISR SKTTNKS. 
 
 A number of sportmen who spend considerable time 
 , every year in the woods and fields give the Skunk a 
 record blacker than the pelt of the most marketable 
 Foleciit. 
 
 Witli few exceptions the testimony from sportsmen 
 is that the main thing the Skunk lives for in this region 
 is to devour the eggs of Grouse, Quail and other birds 
 which nest on or close to the ground. Such opinions 
 concerning the Skunk are wrong, yet they are, unfor- 
 tunately, quite generally entertained by a large class 
 of our citizens who become unju.stly prejudiced against 
 this useful mammal and destroy him and his family, 
 when in reality these animals are of great benefit on 
 the farm wlieie detrimental insects and sleek-coated 
 rodents aie almost continually at work preying on the 
 crops. 
 
 DR. MERRTAMS ilBSERVATIONS. 
 
 Conceriiiug the food liabits of the Skunk, Dr. <.\ 
 Hart Merriam, of Washington, D. C. a gentleman who 
 is nnivereally regarded as one of the most eminent and 
 reliable economic zoologists in America, says: 
 
 "He preys upon mice, salamanders, frogs, and the eggs of 
 birds that nest on or within reach from the ground. 
 
 "At times he eats carrion, and if he chances to stumble upon 
 a hen's nest the eggs are liable to suffer; and once in a while 
 
he acquires the evil habits of robbing the hen-roost. Still, as a 
 rule, Skunks are not addicted to this vice, and it is with them 
 very much as it is with dogs and cats; for every now and then 
 a dog will get into the habit of killing sheep, and a cat of kill- 
 ing chickens and sucking eggs, and yet we do not wage a war- 
 fare of extermination against them, collectively, on account 
 of the sins of a few of their number. 
 
 "He is of the greatest practical value to the hop-grower, 
 for he frequents the hop-yard with great regularity, and greed- 
 ily devours the insect pests that, from their numbers and de- 
 structiveness, always injure, and sometimes ruin the crop. * 
 
 * * Indeed, the benefit that accrues to the farmer from the 
 occupancy of his premises by a family of these useful animals 
 can hardly be over-estimated. They are large eaters and sub- 
 sist almost exclusively upon his greatest enemies, mice and in- 
 sects. 
 
 "Of the truth of this assertion he may easily convince him- 
 self by merely taking the trouble to examine any bit of 'Skunk 
 Sign' that he happens to come across; for in the summer sea- 
 son, their dejections consist wholly of the indigestible chit<^nous 
 coverings of beetles, grasshoppers and other insects.*" 
 
 These statements from the fac-ile pen of the genial 
 and able Merriam, togetlier with such information as 
 any one can readily gain by devoting a little study to 
 the Skunk in his native haunts should cause the 
 thoughtful farmer's boy to hesitate before destroy- 
 ing every Skunk and its family which he may cora<> 
 across. 
 
 SOMETIMES DISTRESSES OTHER NIGHT TRAVELERS. 
 
 Of course we know it's very trying on a "fellow's 
 f el ins"' when he goes out, "as the shades of night are 
 falling," in a nice clean buggy drawn by a well ke]>t 
 trotter, to run over a clumsy pro-wling Skunk when he 
 is hurrying to sei' his best girl; but always bear in 
 mind it might have been much worse if that best girl 
 
 ♦The vertebrates of the Adirondack region. N. E. New York, 
 Dec. 1883. 
 
337 
 
 had been with 30U. Yet, under such circumstances, 
 the Skunk should not be too severely censured; the 
 chances are he would suffer more from the unexpected 
 meeting than you. 
 
 Remember, also, tlie Skunk tiibe should not be per- 
 secuted because you may on one occasion have been 
 unfortunate enough to have gotten a good supply of 
 perfume when "a wooing yc-u would go." 
 
 INTERESTING AND VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS. 
 
 The information on succeeding pages of this paper 
 under the caption, '^What Farmers, Poulterers and 
 Sportsmen Say About Sl;unks," is both interesting 
 and instructive, although it shows a wide difference 
 of opinion as to the go-od or evil which these mam- 
 mals do. 
 
 While it is true that many of these contributors, 
 who have kindly taken the trouble to send their views 
 on the food-habits of Skunks, condemn them, it is a 
 fact wO'rthy of note, in this connection, to observe that 
 no one of these correspondents who has examined the 
 stomachs of any considerable number of Skunks is 
 found denouncing them. According to my experience 
 Skunks, either alive or dead, are very disagreeable to 
 handle, and to this fact, no doubt, must be largely 
 attributed the censure so many persons heap on them. 
 Furthermore, Skunks are most active in the night 
 time and the many good deeds they do about the farm- 
 er's possessions are not nearly so easily seen as are the 
 results of their occasional predatory visits when they 
 kill chickens or suck eggs. 
 
 THE SNEAKING CAT AND CUNNING RAT. 
 
 T am a lover of bii'ds — game, song, insectivoious. and 
 raptorial kinds — and with the exception of a few, en 
 22-11 
 
Has 
 
 deavui', in luv ieeblc way, to piutect these beautiful 
 creatures wliieli a tlioughlful Maker placed oii earth 
 to assist mankind. I certainly would liave a much 
 higher regard for Skunks if they evinced less industry 
 in seeking the eggs and young of ground-nesting feath- 
 ered tenants of the fields, clearings and forests, when 
 they go in search of May beetles, larvae. Mice and 
 other enemies of agriculture. However, I am inclined 
 to the opinion that Skunks are often blamed for rob- 
 bingneststhat have been visited by other pilfering ani- 
 mals. 
 
 The common house cat — concerning which Dr. A. K. 
 Fisiher truly says: 
 
 "That gigantic * * * fraud, is petted and fed and given 
 a secure shelter from which it may emerge in the evening to 
 spread destruction among the feathered tribe" — 
 
 does a great deal of mischief in the poultry yard and 
 devours all the wild birds, both old and young, it can 
 catcli. It 'ih a sly robber and frequently its depreda- 
 tions are charged to other animals. 
 
 Rats, likewise, are cunning and vexatious pests, and 
 their deeds of rapine are often unjustly placed to the 
 discredit of Skunks, Hawks, Owls, AYeasels, etc. 
 
 THEY CATCH BENEFICIAL INSECTS. 
 
 It is unquestionably '.rue, as intimated by my friend 
 Dr. Thornton (see page 359), that Skunks consume bene- 
 ficial insects, particularly predaceous ground beetles 
 which, with their larvae, catch Army Wonns, Cut- 
 Worms, etc., yet the painstaking investigations of 
 economic entomologists and mammalogists, prove be- 
 yond all doubt that the noxious forms of insect pests 
 which they feed upon are the ones which in the great 
 
majority of eases so often distend the stomachs of 
 Skunks they dissect. 
 
 THESE FARMERS DEFEND SKUNKS. 
 
 The very insductiA^e i)aragi'ai>hs (see page 344) from 
 the pen of Hon. F. N. Moore, a loyal friend, and one 
 of the best and most successful advocates of the agri- 
 cultural interests that ever represented Bradford 
 county in the Pennsylvania Legislature, explains in 
 a very succinct manner the good habits of Skunks. 
 The terse communication from Mr. Moore's pen shows 
 that the Patrons of Husbandry of his locality have, 
 by a little careful observation, learned the great worth 
 of these animals which are of so much service in pro- 
 tecting their potato and corn crops from ''white grubs" 
 that in recent years have been doing a great amount 
 of damage in many parts of this Commonwealth. 
 
 SKUNK FARMING. 
 
 This industry, when properly conducted, is said to 
 be a very profitable business. The writer is unable 
 either from personal observation or practical exper- 
 ience to give any information on this matter. In view 
 of the fact that a number of requests have come to 
 this oflfice from farmers and others who desired to 
 learn some facts about Skunk farming, the following 
 extracts are made fiom an interesting paper written 
 by Mr. Arthur D. Warner, and published in the "Rural 
 New Yorker," Feb. 13, 1892: 
 
 "One of the pioneers in the Skunlc-breeding industry is Mr. 
 Henry Gurnsey, of Lima, N. Y. Mr Gurnsey has been for a 
 number of years a dealer in Skunk and other furs, and about 
 six years ago determined to attempt the breeding of Skunks 
 in confinement. He first inclosed a portion of his backyard by 
 a tight board fence, and sank planks in the ground below the 
 
fence. Then he trapped or bought a few pairs of Skunks, and 
 placed them in the inclosure. The experiment was a success 
 from the first. The Skunks increased so rapidly as to become 
 at length somewhat of a nuisance within the corporate limits 
 of a village, and Mr. Gurnsey decided to remove them to some 
 point in the country where he could engage in Skunk farming 
 on a scale worthy of the name. He found a suitable location 
 about three miles east of Lima village, and formed a partner- 
 ship with Mr. W. Shaddack, who owns a part of the land now 
 occupied by the farm and who assists in caring for the ani- 
 mals. 
 
 THE FARM. 
 
 "About five acres were inclosed. A trench was dug in line 
 with the proposed fence, and planks were sunk in it a depth 
 of two feet; then it was filled in on both sides of the fence with 
 small stones, which were covered with earth. The part of the 
 fence above ground is tight and four feet high. On a recent 
 visit to this farm a faint but characteristic odor warned us of 
 the proximity of the "ranch." On arriving, it became evident 
 at once that a steep sidehill, underlaid by a tenacious clay 
 subsoil and which would be worthless for other purposes, is the 
 proper thing for Skunk breeding. It is only on steep land that 
 the burrows can be made with ease, and all of them have good 
 drainage. The hill rises to a height of perhaps 150 feet above 
 the road which runs along the base. 
 
 "The face of this incline is honeycombed all over its surface 
 by hundreds of Skunks' "nests," but during the greater part 
 of the day a casual passer-by will see little of interest within 
 the inclosure at any season. Only occasionally will a Skunk, 
 driven out by hunger, make its way to a portion of some 
 freshly slaughtered animal that has been placed there for 
 food. But about six P. M. on summer days, and somewhat 
 earlier in the spring and fall, the colony begins to show signs of 
 activity, black heads appear, then bodies emerge and make 
 their way down zig-zag paths of their own making toward the 
 point where food is placed; from this time on during a consid- 
 erable portion of the night the hillside may be said to be 
 literally alive with Skunks. 
 
 THEIR FOOD. 
 
 "The question of obtaining food for them is the all-absorbing 
 one with the proprietors of the ranch. During the Woodchuck 
 season they are out day after day scouring the country for 
 
341 
 
 these animals, and other hunters are also kept busy. But 
 Woodchuck, 'coons and other small game are not found in 
 sufficient numbers, and a large supply of meat is obtained in 
 the shape of domestic animals which have outlived their period 
 of usefulness, or have met an untim,ely death. The wants of 
 the Skunk breeders are pretty well known all through this sec- 
 tion of county, and they are often summoned by telephone, 
 letter or verbally to go and relieve a man of a decrepit horse, a 
 dead cow, or abandoned sheep. When the supply of meat be- 
 comes too great for immediate use, it is cut from the carcasses 
 and salted down in barrels in the cellar of one of the buildings 
 which are attached to the ranch. Later on this meat is taken 
 up and boiled in a large cauldron, meal is added, and the mix- 
 ture as well as water fo-r drinking, is placed in a series of 
 troughs along the base of the hill. As Skunks become semi- 
 dormant, they consume but little food during the coldest parts 
 of winter. In spring and fall, carcasses are left out for several 
 days until consumed. As this can not be done in hot weather, 
 the cooked ration is fed largely. The Skunks breed in early 
 spring, eight or ten making a litter. By fall the young ones 
 are full-grown, and cannot be told from the old. Overfeeding 
 must be guarded against, as it reduces the size of the litter. 
 
 THEIR NESTS. 
 
 "Recently I visited the farm during the annual killing, which 
 begins about December 1. Six or eight men were at work on 
 the steep hillside digging out the Skunks, which are placed in 
 sacks, held by helpers. These holes or nests are made by the 
 proprietors with spade and shovel, by digging downward into 
 the bank for three or four feet. As it is hard to dig under it 
 without causing it to cave, an earth roof is not generally made; 
 instead, the large cavity is nearly covered with rails and boards, 
 and dirt is thown over. 
 
 "Skunks burrow but little, and in a wild state appropriate the 
 holes of Woodchucks and other burrowing animals. New 
 holes are made as fast as the colony seems to require them. 
 There is no regularity as to the number inhabiting a hole; not 
 less than two or three were found, but in some cases fifteen 
 or twenty had crowded together in one hole. 
 
 IN SLAUGHTERING SEASON. 
 
 "The males also were found collected in one portion of the 
 grounds. At the "Skunk harvest" the roofs are thrown off 
 the holes, and a little digging brings out all that are inside. 
 
342 
 
 When a bag Is filled, the man throws It over his shoulder and 
 carries it down to the skinning- room. Here the animals are 
 sorted. The best marked are saved for breeding, one in ten 
 being a male. They will be kept in the building until all have 
 been dug out, when they are turned into the inclosure. Those 
 to be killed are taken outside and dispatched by a blow on 
 the head, and skinned as soon as dead. Only rarely do they 
 throw scent at this operation. The skins are hung up to dry 
 with the flesh side out. The building contained many Fox, 
 'Coon and Muskrat skins, besides hundreds of Skunk pelts. The 
 output of the ranch will be about 800 skins this year, as many . 
 live Skunks will be kept for the next year's breeding. Before 
 the carcasses are removed after skinning, the fat is cut off 
 and tried into oil. Good black skins are worth in the neigh- 
 borhood of $1.50 each." 
 
 WHAT FARMERS, POULTERERS AND SPORTS- 
 MEN SAY ABOUT SKUNKS. 
 
 ADAMS COUNTY. 
 
 DR. C. E. GOLDS'BOROLTGH, Hunterstown: 
 
 Polecats are an abomination; they kill chickens, rob hens' and 
 birds' nests, bee nests; but they are supposed also to destroy 
 much vermin. We have Skunks or Polecats very common. 
 Woodchucks or Groundhogs rare in lowlands, tolerably common 
 in highlands. Rabbit or Cottontail numerous everywhere. 
 Wildcats common in the mcixntains of the county; field or 
 meadow mice very common; Minks, Moles and Weasels com- 
 mon, Foxes common, Muskrats very common; Squirrels, Rac- 
 coon and Opossum common. 
 
 ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 
 
 JOHN NELSON, Talley Cavey: 
 
 They will not let us get an egg if they can have thoir way; 
 have caught them in the act of stealing eggs of fowls. 
 
 ARMSTRONG COUNTY. 
 
 Dr. L. B. 9CHNATTERLY, Freeport: 
 
 They are a great enemy to the farmers' poultry and very de- 
 structive to nests of Partridge (Quail) and Pheasant. Mr. 
 
343 
 
 James Harbison tells me that he caught a Polecat destroying 
 a nest of eggs of Quail that was just ready to hatch out. The 
 Groundhog will do the same. 
 
 BRAUFOKD COUNTY. 
 
 E. M. ANGLE, Potterville: 
 
 Skunks are destructive to Rabbits, Pheasants and Quail. I 
 have known them, with the Red Fox, to be the most destructive 
 to the above-mentioned game. Proof — localities where the 
 Skunk and Fox are nearly extinct you will find said game in 
 plenty and vice versa. They are also injurious to the farmer's 
 fields; in the absence of game, poultry, etc., they will take to 
 the meadows and pastures and if the land be sidehill or slop- 
 ing will commence at the lower side and turn over every 
 movable stone that is not too large for their strength, in search 
 of ants, tumble-bugs, eggs and crickets, and some certain grubs 
 and worms. This, some may say, is beneficial; if so. the damage 
 done is so much greater than the little good, that the good sinks 
 into insignificance. I had a meadow of about three acres 
 sloping to the northeast about two years) ago, well seeded to 
 timothy and clover, and when mowed of a splendid stand; di- 
 rectly after mowing they commenced in the aforesaid way 
 at the bottom and turned the stones over a few rods of ground 
 every night (for like all evil doers they work at night) until 
 they reached the top; by that time there had accumulated the 
 same food under the stones again and they would overturn 
 every stone, placing the stone on new grass after having left 
 it just long enough to kill the graFS where it lay, the sun. wind, 
 and covering having destroyed the grass until the field was 
 ruined until taken up and newly seeded. Having witnessed the 
 aforesaid charges against this animal I have no hesitation in 
 saying they are one of the farmer's foes. Yes, sir, they are 
 worse than a mortgage on your farm drawing compound inter- 
 est, for they increase faster and in a greater ratio, and I am 
 in favor of a light bounty, say. with the present price of furs, 
 twenty-five cents per head, but please don't give a larger one 
 to the justice unless the law be so amended that the said jus- 
 tice of the peace must skin the^m. 
 
 I consider the Skunk very injurious for the following reasons: 
 In localities where farmers do not have good protection for 
 their poultry they will destroy both old and young that roost 
 low enough for Fhem to reach. They are cunning fellows and 
 show great wisdom. If a young turkey or guinea fowl are 
 
344 
 
 apt to wander to a distance that they may hide their nesting 
 place, the Skunli, keen of scent, soon locates the nest and eats 
 the eggs; should the birds be lucky enough to lay their quota 
 and commence setting, of course, the odor is still stronger and 
 the Skunks can scent at a greater distance; they will drive off 
 the birds and eat the eggs, being careful to save the birds 
 that they may keep them supplied with such toothsome food 
 and will not kill "the goose that lays the golden egg," until 
 they see they are not likely to get any more or are driven by 
 excessive hunger to attack the mother bird. This same being 
 true should they come upon the mother bird while with their 
 young they will destroy the young by piecemeal as they will 
 have need, not like the Mink or Weasel, destroy for the blood 
 and leave several dead in a pile. 
 
 HON. F. N. MOORE. North Orwell: 
 
 Skunks are quite plentiful in my locality, but twenty years 
 ago they were much more numerous, and at that time we did 
 not experience the great losses we now sustain in our mead- 
 ows through the ravages of white grubs which are the larvae 
 of the May beetle or tumble-bug. In this region we grow po- 
 tatoes extensively for the eastern markets and experience ma- 
 terial losses to the potato crops as well as to corn by reason 
 of the white grub eating them. These inroads made by the 
 white grub became of such a serious character that it brought 
 out discussion among our farmers at local grange meetings, 
 when it was learned that the potato and corn fields, most ad- 
 jacent to sections where Skunks harbored, were least damaged 
 by these larvae. Observation proved that the Skunks, to get 
 the grubs, dug small round holes in the hills and rows of the 
 potatoes. The testimony of our observing and intelligent farm- 
 ers is that the Skunk is the greatest enemy to these noxious 
 pests, for he not only seeks them in the plowed ground, but 
 will dig for them in the meadow and pasture lands. 
 
 Skunks, as is well-known to every one, will turn over flat 
 stones, pieces of wood, etc., which serve as harboring places 
 for crickets, ants, grasshoppers, army worms, may beetles and 
 other forms of insect life which subsist on the farmer's crops. 
 While it is true the Skunk occasionally wilT visit the hen roost 
 or get under the barn to the dismay of the farmer's dog, and 
 the disgust of the farmer's boy, yet the damage which he does 
 in the poultry yard is light when compared with his beneficent 
 services, rendered in destroying insects, mice and other ver- 
 min which attack the farmer's crops by day and night. The 
 
:U") 
 
 Skunk is the mosl prufltable source of revenue of any of the 
 fur-bearing animals captured by the juvenile trappers and 
 hunters in our section. Many a .boy is made happy' with a new 
 pair of skates, and a cheap shotgun, secured by barter at the 
 country store in exchange for pelts of this highly perfumed 
 animal. 
 
 My observation as a practical farmer is that these animals 
 are certainly friends, not enemies of agriculture, arvd that the 
 indiscriminate slaughter of them or a bounty which will en- 
 courage their extermination would be prejudicial to the farm- 
 ing interest. 
 
 J. S. GAY, Terry town: 
 
 Skunks are very injurious; they are very plentiful and will 
 catch all the chickens that they can find; also suck eggs. 
 
 W. R. PARK, Athens: 
 
 Injurious; destroy eggs, game and eggs of game birds. Being 
 a sportsman I desire to protect game and favor the killing of 
 Skunks. 
 
 BUTLER COUNTY. 
 
 JOHN F. WEAKLY, Slippery Rock: 
 
 I think Skunks are a benefit as they live almost entirely on 
 bugs and worms. 
 
 CARBON COUNTY. 
 
 M. E. KDMERBR, Weissport: 
 Skunks kill chickens and other kinds of poultry. 
 
 CENTRE COUNTY. 
 
 T. H. HARTER, Bellefonte: 
 
 I think the Polecat is the most destructive to our game as 
 it does its work at night and catches the birds while hatching. 
 In my opinion Skunks are injurious because they feed upon 
 game when they can get it. I consider them next to the Hawk 
 in destructivenesp to game. 
 
:un 
 
 CAM]iKIA COUNTY. 
 
 MR. PIERSON, Dysart: 
 
 Skunks eat eggs of the ground birds (the kind that are bene- 
 ficial to the farmer, such as Thrush. Catbird and native Spar- 
 row). They have killed a great amount of chickens around 
 here; have lost some myself and set trars and caught them 
 in my hen house. They are injurious. 
 
 JOHN F. THOMAS, Carrolltown: 
 
 While the Skunk devours many insects and other vermin, it 
 is obnoxious to the farmer and sportsman. They are invaria- 
 bly abroad on wet nights, when they may be found prowling 
 about the barn or hen coop, and iiave even been killed in cel- 
 lars of inhabited houses. Their methods of procuring insects 
 manifests much cunning. I have seen them go about a field in 
 the evening overturning all small flat stones in their way, and 
 quickly gather up all the surprised bugs and beetles. It is un- 
 suspecting and may be taken with a steel trap very easily. 
 
 CHESTER COUNTY. 
 
 THOS. B. DARLIlvrGTON, West Chester: 
 
 The Skunk or Polecat is a frequent visitor to the poultry 
 yard, for poultry or eggs, or both, and breaking up setting hens. 
 
 A. SHARPLESS, West Chester: 
 
 The Skunk has been pretty plentiful here in years past. I 
 think it is more beneficial to the farmer than otherwise. True, 
 old ones sometimes destroy young chickens when exposed at 
 night, but their food seems princip.ally to be noxious insects; T 
 long since forbid their destruction on my farm. There will be no 
 danger here of any surplus of these animals, as the value 
 of their pelts is such that trappers will keep their num'bers 
 down. 
 
 HARRY WILSON, Gum Tree: 
 
 In my opinion are one of the most beneficial animals; their 
 principal food as shown by their stomachs and excretions are 
 insects, such as beetles and grasshoppers. I had an illustration 
 of their food habits shown to me a couple of years since. I 
 had been hunting Groundhogs one summer evening and re- 
 turning through a clover field near a woods T saw a small black 
 
;u7 
 
 animal moving about in the grass near my intended patli. I 
 soon found on nearer approach it was a lialf-grovvn Skunk; 
 so coming to a stand I watched its methods of getting a liveli- 
 hood; it wandered first one. way and then another until it 
 came within a few feet of me standing quite still; it never took 
 the least notice of me. It was searching for grasshoppers as 
 was evident from its actions. Walking with its short steps it 
 made a sort of stiff, wrigglelike progress; when it came across 
 a grasshopper, stiffened by cold and dew after night-fall, which 
 would hop but two or three inches, it gave a short spring 
 placing both paws on the "hopper which it proceeded to eat at 
 leisure. I watched this Skunk until too dark to see its opera- 
 lions any longer and his method of capturing was always the 
 same — catching the insect with his paws first. When a Skunk 
 however, acquires a taste for hen eggs and young chickens, 
 death alone, I believe, will stop his ravages in the poultry yard, 
 and I have had annoyance given me by them; but the death is 
 easily affected; an egg containing strychnine proves very tempt- 
 ing and he commits suicide. I believe that could the Polecat be 
 educated to abandon the habit of using perfumery and eating 
 a chance chicken (which might afterwards die of gapes) which 
 might come in his way, he would become a highly beneficial 
 and useful animal to mankind. 
 
 DR. WALTER VAN FLEET, West Grove: 
 Skunks beneficial; stomach usually filled with insects. 
 
 CLEARFIELD COUNTY. 
 
 J. BLAIR READ, Clearfield: 
 Injurious. Destroying poultry. 
 
 JAMBS THOMAS, Curwensville: 
 
 I had forty young and an old turkey killed in three succes- 
 sive nights by a Skunk. I trapped it and it was not a very 
 large one either. 
 
 ABRAHAM NEVELING, Coalport: 
 Skunks are injurious; they destroy poultry and eggs. 
 
 E. GARD EDWARDS, Ramey: 
 
 Skunks are more injurious than otherwise on account of deji- 
 redations on poultry. 
 
348 
 
 W. J. STULL, Coalport: 
 Skunks injurious; destuctive to poultry. 
 
 EiNOS BLOOM, New Millport: 
 
 The Skunk or Polecat is very common and very destructive 
 to poultry and eggs. They are so bold that they will enter a 
 poultry house or anywhere else that they can, in broad day 
 light. They are very destructive to Pheasants and Partridges, 
 eating both eggs and young. 
 
 CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 L. M. CASTETTER, Green Burr: 
 
 Some people think Skunks harmless, but they are the most 
 destructive animals to birds that build their nests on the 
 ground, such as the Lark, Quail and Pheasant, as they are 
 fond of such food as birds' eggs and young birds. They visit 
 the poultry yards very often in our section and kill lots of poul- 
 try; they are very plentiful because not every one will kill them 
 on account of the offensive musk they will discharge when pur- 
 sued. Our Quail are very scarce, and I .blame nothing but the 
 Skunk for it. 
 
 CRAWFORD COUNY. 
 
 W. G. SARGE'ANT, Meadville: 
 Skunks do no especial harm; many are taken for their fur. 
 
 HON. J. B. PHELPS, Conneautville: 
 
 The Skunk is the farmer's friend. I have watched them hunt- 
 ing grasshoppers and digging out grubs in the field. 
 
 H. C. KIRKPATRICK, Meadville: 
 
 The Skunk destroys poultry and eggs; and in my opinion is 
 injurious, but to what extent I cannot tell. 
 
 COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 E. H. DAVIS and JOHN M. BUCKALEW, Fishing Creek: 
 
 Would estimate that about 1,000 skins of Skunks are obtained 
 annually in this section. 
 
 Polecats catch a few mice, bugs and insects when they can- 
 not get a meal of Quail, Pheasants or their nests of eggs or 
 
849 
 
 youngr. or rabbits or their nest of young. We sometimes offer 
 a local bounty to the boys — to the one produi'ing the most 
 scalps — and always see beneficial results in Quail and Pheas- 
 ant increasing, as well as Rabbits thereafter. 
 
 CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 
 
 JACOB MEIXEL, Boiling Springs: 
 
 Skunks are injurious; they destroy young chickens and leave 
 a disagreeable odor. I have known Skunks, Opossums, Wea- 
 sels and Mink to kill much poultry and game; they generally 
 destroy all that are at one place. 
 
 FAYETTE COUNTY. 
 
 N. W. MILLER, Uniontown: 
 
 Skunks are valuable; they exterminate field mice and rats. 
 Some of our farmers have forbidden the trapping of Skunks on 
 their farms, because they keep their meadows free from rats 
 and mice. 
 
 FRANKLIN COUNTY. 
 
 HON. A. NEVIN POMEROY, Chambersburg: 
 Skunks are injurious; destroy poultry. 
 
 GREENE COUNTY. 
 
 B. F. HERRINGTON, Waynesburg: 
 Skunks beneficial; they destroy a great many meadow mice. 
 
 HUNTINGDON COUNTY. 
 
 GEO. S. APPLEIBY, Decorum: 
 Skunks injurious; they destroy poultry. 
 
 INDIANA COUNTY. 
 
 WM. D. ROMBAOH, Saltsburg: 
 
 Skunks are very injurious to all game, while they destroy 
 many moles and mice; their pelt is big premium to kill them". 
 
 L. C. OBERLIN, Smicksburg: 
 Last winter 1 bflieve 1 haiuiU'd ovi-r 1,(mmi Skunk skins besides 
 
350 
 
 hundrods of ntlier kinds. Sknnks are iilpiitil'ul all over thf> 
 country; I am sure that they are beneficial lo the farmer; they 
 kill mice, destroy bee, wasp and yellow jacket nests. Very lit- 
 tle harm to poultry. On the other hand their hides are vei-y 
 valuable. 
 
 SAMUEL BOTHELL, Shelocta: 
 
 I think they destroy quantities of bugs, grasshoppers and 
 bumble bees, grubs, etc., that are more of a pest than they. 
 
 ]l. W. WKHRLE, Blairsville: 
 Injurious. 
 
 JUNIATA COUNTY. 
 
 W. H. KNOUSE, Swales: 
 
 I am firmly convinced that Skunks are beneficial. I have 
 known them to harbor in buildings and have not heard of a 
 single instance in which they destroyed poultry or eggs of 
 which they are somtimes accused. To the contrary, they de- 
 stroy large numbers of field mice, bugs and worms. My boys 
 catch them sometimes and upon examination we find that the 
 contents of their stomachs verify this statement. 
 
 MR. WELLINGTON SMITH, Mifflintown: 
 
 The Skunk is the boldest and most plentiful of all poultry 
 destroyers; I have really killed as many as six in one season 
 right in my barn. Last summer I shot one in broad daylight 
 in the feed entry. It is surprising how nicely they can eat your 
 eggs for a long time before you linow what becomes of them 
 and eat your chickens too. His depredations will always be 
 saddled somewhere else. 
 
 LANCASTER COUNTY. 
 
 Messrs. H. M. ENGLE & SON, Marietta: 
 
 The Skunk is quite common and the damage done by them is 
 not very great. I know they destroy eggs and poultry; whether 
 they destroy field mice, as it is claimed. I do not know. 
 
 LACKAWANNA COUNTY. 
 
 F. L. BEN.IAMIN, Kizers: 
 Skunks occasionally kill chickens and eat their eggs. 
 
351 
 
 A. C. SISSON. La Plume: 
 
 Skunks occasionally destroy poultry and eggs in a small way. 
 but subsist principally upon bugs, worms, ants, etc., and are a 
 benefit rather than a damage to farmers. The Skunk is one 
 of the farmers' best friends, and should be protected to the 
 fullest extent. He lives largely u: on insects that are detrimen- 
 tal to the farmer. The May beetle and its larvae, that are so 
 rapidly becoming destructive to many of our crops, are es- 
 pecial favorites with him, and unless the wholesale trapping 
 and killing of these useful animals is prohibited by stringent 
 legislation, strawberry growing will soon become entirely un- 
 remunerativ^e in many localities, for it is generallj' believed that 
 if the Skunk could be let alone, he would keep this pest in check 
 to a very great extent. The damage to the potato crop by the 
 white grub is i-apidly increasing, and calls loudly for prompt 
 action to suppress this evil. 
 
 In these days of agricultural depression, when new industries 
 are eagerly sought that offer profitable results, we would re- 
 commend Skunk farming. It has been demonstrated that these 
 little animals can be grown to an almost unlimited extent, and 
 at the same time afford a pleasant and lucrative employment. 
 Our American ladies delight in wearing the excellent fur of 
 these little animals, although usually under the assumed name 
 of expensive furs of animals now nearly extinct. The pelt of 
 a black Skunk will bring from |1.50 to $2.00 each, and the oil 
 of a fat Skunk $1.00. They are as prolific as swine; they usually 
 breed twice in a season, and drop from six to twelve at a litter; 
 they are easily domesticated and become as gentle as kittens, 
 and can be handled with impunity, if the tail is used as a han- 
 dle. Unlike our farm stock, they require no feeding in winter; 
 they hibernate, only making their appearance at rare intervals 
 when the weather is mild; their food is refuse meat and bones 
 from the butcher's shop, mush made of wheat bran and cows' 
 milk. When they are ready for slaughter, they are first chloro- 
 formed, and when the oil is extracted they can be fed to the 
 rest of the herd. The Ithaca Fur Company, of Ithaca, N. Y.. 
 have perhaps the most extensive Skunk farm in the United 
 States, situated about seven miles from that city, where sev- 
 eral thousands of these useful animals may be seen at any 
 time during the summer months by those who care to inves- 
 tigate this comparatively new and unique enterprise. 
 
 ZIBA SCOTT, SPRING BROOK: 
 
 The Skunk is a very mischievous animal, he is not a fast 
 runner, but sneaks around the chicken coops at night and 
 
:J52 
 
 Slicks all the eggs he can find. If a hen i)r turkey staals its 
 nest in the field and sets there he is pretty sure to get the pgs>'. 
 He serves the Quails and Pheasants the same way. 
 
 LEHIGH COUNTY. 
 
 W. B. K. JOHNSON, AUentown: 
 
 Skunks. In a poultry yard I should not want them; they love 
 eggs too well and have often come from the woods to steal 
 eggs in our tarns during winter and were caught entering a 
 square hole for cats to enter; after feasting on eggs were not 
 able to repass and were caught. 
 
 LUZERNE COUNTY. 
 
 JOHN E STOCKER, Ashley: 
 
 Skunks are injurious and dangerous. I know of a family by 
 the name of Bergers, who lived along what is know-n as the 
 middle road between Ashley and Buttonwood, about a mile from 
 here, who had a very nice flock of ducks and chickens. There 
 is a running stream about a stone's throw from the house, and 
 on the side of a small hill they had built a coop to house their 
 flock; it was not long before Mr. Berger noticed the number 
 of his flock going down; his idea was that they were stolen. 
 One night he had occasion to go out on a bright moonlight 
 night; he noticed what he thought were two dogs playing in 
 the road; he moved a little closer and soon found they were 
 Skunks; he was attacked by them and it was all he could do to 
 get away. Had it been a child instead of a man, the result 
 would have been the child would have been killed or nearly so. 
 Mr. Berger's suspicion was aroused and he made a hunt around 
 his premises; the nest containing five young was found under 
 the pen; of course they were all killed, as was one adult. 
 
 M. B. TRESCOTT, Harvey ville: 
 
 The Skunk is injurious. It is a great destroyer of eggs, rob- 
 bing hens' nests, particularly those "setting." and destroying 
 whole broods of young chickens in a night and sometimas 
 killing an old one. I have known a number of instances where 
 they have got into out kitchens and cellars, and spoiled by their 
 "scent," nearly everything stored there. I do not know of any 
 good they do. 
 
353 
 LAWRENCE COUNTY. 
 
 HON. A. L. MARTIN, Enon Valley: 
 Preserve the Polecat. 
 
 McKEAN COUNTY. 
 
 C. W. DICKINSON, Norwich: 
 
 I certainly think the Skunk does more good than harm for 
 hf 1p an enemy to the grasshopper, the cricket, the white grub, 
 and nearly all kinds of beetles. The Skunk lives on the above 
 named insects, ^nd only when they are scarce will he make 
 a raid on the farmer's poultry or eggs. I have known Skunks 
 to kill chickens and devour a whole nest of eggs. 
 
 NOAH H. PARK15R, Gardeau: 
 
 The Skunk never does any damage except he gets into the 
 chicken coop and then he will sometimes kill several in one 
 night and often will repeat his visits if left undisturbed. 
 
 G. R. BROWNE'LL, A. P. POPE and W. R. PAGE, Smethport: 
 Kill chickens and furnish material for fur capes. 
 
 A. P. BREfWER, Norwich: 
 
 Skunks are quite plentiful in this county and are considered 
 a great nuisance on account of their unpleasant perfumery, and 
 because they are destructive to eggs and young chickens. 
 
 J. B. OVIATT, Norwich: 
 
 Consider the Skunks a benefit to the farmer as they catch 
 mice, beetles, larvae, etc. 
 
 MERCER COUNTY. 
 
 A. D. McCRACKEN, New Lebanon: 
 
 We have had young chickens killed and so hav« our neighbors, 
 as many as fourteen at one time; supposed it was a Skunk or 
 Polecat, for when a Skunk was captured we lost no more chick- 
 ens that year. Skunks are considered by some beneficial to the 
 farmer; I think they are injurious. They are becoming scarce 
 which I believe will be beneficial to the farmer and poultry 
 raiser. 
 
 23-n 
 
354 
 
 M. C. OSBOURN, Henderson: 
 
 The Skunk I think is a friend to the farmer In many ways; 
 he sometimes may kill a chicken, but this is overbalanced by 
 the good he does in the field by killing mice and other harmful 
 forms of animal life. 
 
 ARTHUR MARTIN, Sandy Lake: 
 
 We have the Skunk; they are the farmer's friend; they de- 
 stroy more mice than any animal we have; we have a great many 
 mice in our clover fields; we will notice late in the fall when 
 a small skift of snow falls, the clover field is travelled over and 
 a great many mice killed in a single night by a Skunk. 
 
 MIFFLIN COUNTY. 
 
 JOS. W. KYLE, Milroy: 
 Injurious. 
 
 MONROE COUNTY. 
 
 H. T. FRANKENFIELD, Prutcheys: 
 
 I would consider Skunks beneficial to the farmer, as they 
 catch the Meadow or Field Mice. 
 
 MRS. AUMA S. WIL.L.ISTON, Frutcheys: 
 
 Last April my boy of ten years trapped a Skunk in our next 
 neighbor's chicken yard and wanting to sell her to a "Skunk 
 Park" on the Delaware, about five miles from here, he put her 
 in a box and kept her until he had a chance to send her to the 
 park; he had her two days when she gave birth to a litter of 
 seven; of course he was more anxious than ever to keep her 
 until the little ones were large enough to sell, so he tried giv- 
 ing her fresh eggs, one three times a day; she liked them well 
 and the whole family throve nicely; she would take the egg 
 between her front feet and bore a small hole in the end with 
 her teeth and suck the contents. We kept them three weeks 
 and then took them to the park. In the meantime the mother 
 became so tame my boy could handle her with impunity, take 
 out the little ones when he liked and look at them without the 
 mother interfering at all. I was sorry he did not keep them 
 until they grew large for at the park they had poor success In 
 raising the young. They said the old ones ate them; I do not 
 know why, as the one we had seemed very fond of the little 
 ones. 
 
1^55 
 
 RMIL ULRICH, Stroudsburg: 
 
 If it were not for his odoriferous propensities I should think 
 the Skunk a great friend of the farmer. He may occasionally 
 destroy a nest, eat some young birds, but his delights are 
 ground hornets' nests and grubs and worms, after which he 
 will dig in the field. I have noticed the numerous small holes 
 made by skunks when searching for grubs. 
 
 MONTOUR COUNTY. 
 
 J. L. BRANNEN, Exchange: 
 Skunks are injurious to poultry and game. 
 
 PERRY COUNTY. 
 
 p. M. McKEEHAN, Ferguson: 
 
 Skunks are tolerably common in our parts; more numerous 
 than they were a few years ago. They are certainly destruc- 
 tive of game, destroying the eggs and brood; they also destroy 
 young rabbits. They seldom now appi'oach farm buildings to 
 molest young poultry as they did fifty years ago, for as the 
 country is improved they are destroyed. 
 
 C. R. NOTES, Westport: 
 
 Skunks rob chicken and turkey nests and frequently kill tur- 
 keys and chickens. 
 
 PIKE COUNTY. 
 
 C. p. MOTT, Milford: 
 
 Skunks are not very numerous In our county, and the mice, 
 etc., detroyed by them more than compensates for the very 
 small damage that they do to poultry. 
 
 POTTER COUNTY. 
 
 O. J. JACKSON, Borle; 
 The Skunk does some damage to poultry. 
 
 SNYDER COUNTY. 
 
 F. J. WAGGENSELLER, M. D., Selinsgrove: 
 
 Skunks are injurious; have known them to kill chickens, de- 
 stroy bird? and small gramf 
 
356 
 SOMERSET COUNTY. 
 
 E. B. HOSTETTER, Kingswood: 
 
 The Skunk is a very injurious animal, will kill all the feath- 
 ered fowls, such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, etc. 
 
 JEREMIAH PHILLIPS, Garrett: 
 
 Skunks suck eggs and sometimes catch chickens and ducks, 
 but not often. 
 
 DR. H. D. MOORE, New Lexington: 
 
 Skunks. Both beneficial and injurious, but I believe the in- 
 jury outweighs the benefit. If there were not any ground-nest- 
 ing birds or fowls, I have no douibt he would make a good liv- 
 ing on grubs, bugs, etc. I have a very poor opinion of the 
 Skunk. He is entirely too familiar; when he goes on a visit 
 he is liable to stay a whole week, and if you disturb him the 
 whole neighborhood finds it out and everybody is down on him 
 and every effort is made to desti'oy him, bounty or no bounty. 
 Allow me to digress a little from your question and say that I 
 haven't the least idea in the world what the Skunk was created 
 for. He doesn't seem to have any sense at all. I never knew 
 one to turn short around and start for home; if he didn't find a 
 barn, or log, or the fence around a ten acre field to turn him 
 he would go on and on forever. I have met him at all hours 
 of the night, on the road, on the walks all around my house, 
 office and stable, and he always has the right of way. Coming 
 home late at night I have found him in possession of the prem- 
 ises. By maneuvering around and calling to my wife to hand 
 the shot gun out of the back window, I have been able to con- 
 vince him that he had been jumping my claim. 
 
 JOSIAH PILE, New Lexington: 
 
 Skunks are injurious, they will come to the farmers' barn at 
 night and if there are any young chickens about the barn that 
 are not shut up he is sure to get them; it matters not how 
 many young chickens are there he generally takes them all; 
 it is no mystery when the farmer gets to his barn in the morn- 
 ing and finds them all gone what has taken them — the smell 
 tells the story. I cannot see in what way they are a benefit. 
 
:ir,i 
 
 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 OTTO BEHR, Lopez: 
 
 Think Polecats are beneficial to the farmer; the damage they 
 do in occasionally eating the eggs out of a nest out doors, or 
 catching a setting hen is more than balanced by the insects they 
 feed on. 
 
 J. K. BIRD, Millview: 
 
 The Skunk is one of the worst pests the farmer has, often 
 coming to our doors and poultry houses and robbing eggs and 
 young chickens from under the hen, and many times killing old 
 fowls. I would recommend a bounty of one dollar on Skunks. 
 
 C. F. HUNSINGER, Colley: 
 
 I consider the Skunk more of a benefit than an injury, for the 
 reason that 1 know of many parties who trap them, making- 
 good wages selling their hides and a good fair income by frying 
 nut the oil from the carcass, which is useful and valuable. 
 
 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY. 
 
 JASPER T. JENNINGS, New Milford: 
 
 The Skunk does little or no damage to crops of any kind. 
 Their pi'incipal depredations are among the chickens and 
 young poultry. I have often known a whole brood of young 
 chickens to be destroyed by them in a single night. They often 
 burrow under some rock or go into a Woodchuck hole near the 
 farmer's dwelling and prowl forth at night in search of prey; 
 they are great destroyers of meadow mice, and they dig out 
 hornets find bumble bees' nests for the larvae of the bees; they 
 are rarely seen in the day time, but when so found will often 
 follow a person to throw their almost unendurable odor upon 
 him. Skunks bring forth several young at a time and increase 
 very rapidly. They are taken quite extensively in the fall of 
 the year when their fur is good, by means of a stone trap, 
 set with a figure four, denominated a "dead fall." The bait 
 is generally composed of a chicken's head or entrails; the boys, 
 as well as some men, derive no little pleasure, as well as some 
 profit, in running a line of traps. 
 
 S. S. THOMAS, Lynn: 
 
 Skunks very nommon; think fully S.uOO aie killtd in this county 
 
annually. Woodchucks, about one to the square acre. Rabbits, 
 quite common, diminishing before ferrets. Wildcats, quite rare; 
 in fact, almost unknown in this part of the county. Meadow 
 mice, exceedingly thick some years, in others rare. Minks and 
 Weasels quite common. Foxes, quite common, but diminishing. 
 Squirrels: Pine, common; Gray, plenty when they migrate this 
 way; Black, nearly or quite extinct. Raccoon occasionally seen; 
 less plentiful than formerly. Opossum very rare. Black Bear 
 unknown in this part of the county; one killed near here some 
 twenty-five years ago. 
 
 Am inclined to believe tlaaL the Skunk by his ceaseless war 
 on other vermin compensates for the damage he does to the 
 poultry. I have twice caught him at the bee hives scratching 
 the outside of the hive to bring out the inmates and devouring 
 them as fast as they appeared. This was just at daylight in 
 the morning. 
 
 M. B. L.YMAN, Lynn: 
 
 Skunks. Beneficial in killing mice, grasshoppers, insects and 
 other noxious insects, evidenced by upturned stones and shal- 
 low punctures in meadows where they are often seen. 
 
 TIOGA COUNTY. 
 
 p. W. REXFORD, Mansfield: 
 
 I think Skunks are injurious for they rob all birds' nests that 
 are on the ground, and they are bad on poultry. 
 
 UNION COUNTY. 
 
 GEO. W. CHAMBERS, Mifl^inburg: 
 
 Skunks are certainly of no benefit tu farmers or anybody else. 
 I know that I have a good deal of trouble with them and I 
 would be willing to help pay fifty cents for every scalp. I have 
 had to fight them for years. If they get under a floor in a 
 barn or house they destroy all the eggs and chickens in a short 
 time. The act paying fifty cents a scalp should never have 
 been repealed; if it had not there would not now be a Skunk 
 in this county and that would have been a benefit to the 
 whole country. 
 
 DR. THOS. C. THORNTON, Lewisburg: 
 
 Poultry raisers in this section suffer considerable loss yearly 
 from the depredations of hawks included in the genus Aecipi- 
 
359 
 
 ier. The Great Horned Owl and sometimes the Barred Owl also 
 destroy domesticated fowls. The Duck Hawk, and its smaller 
 relative the Pigeon Hawk, and the Bald Eagle will kill domes- 
 ticated fowls. Among mammals, the common Weasel, Mink, 
 Wildcat, and both kinds of Foxes also destroy a large amount 
 of poultry every year; and these four-footed depredators in 
 common with the raptorial birds above cited do a great deal 
 of mischief by destroying game — birds and mammals — as well 
 as many kinds of small beneficial song birds. The Mink, which 
 lives In the vicinity of water courses, in addition to doing 
 many other bad deeds, destroys fish; large-sized trout seem 
 to be most agreeable to the taste. While hawks and owls, 
 like some of their mammalian cotemporaries, do not, so far as 
 I can learn, disturb the eggs of poultry or wild birds, we have 
 the pestiferous Skunk which is a most adroit nest robber. This 
 animal, like many other evil doers, goes about in the dark to 
 kill poultry or eat their eggs, and when these cannot be readily 
 obtained he attacks the eggs and broods of all ground-nesting 
 birds he can find. Skunks do much damage to poultry, and 
 the havoc they make among game birds, especially Turkeys, 
 Quail, Pheasants and Woodcock, should prompt every lover of 
 the dog and gun to extirpate these sneaking and sly pilferers. 
 They of course prey to some extent on different forms of in- 
 sect-life, but, possibly, it may be they consume almost as many 
 beneficial species as they do of noxious kinds. Some observers 
 believe this to be the case, and if they are correct, then there 
 can be no room for doubt that the whole Skunk race should be 
 exterminated as their ravages in poultry yards, to game, and to 
 insect-devouring birds is well established. 
 
 C. K. SOBER, Lewisburg: 
 
 The Skunk, or Polecat, as this nocturnal quadruped is called 
 by many, is, according to my observation, a most despicable ani- 
 mal. While it is probably true that he destroys some destruc- 
 tive larvae and beetles which subsist on the farmer's crops, 
 the damage he and his numerous family occasion by frequent 
 visits to the hen coops is considerable. I think the loss to the 
 farmer and fruit-grower, through the destruction of the eggs 
 and young of insectivorous birds by Skunks, is much greater 
 than the good these animals do by devouring crop-destroying 
 insect pests. Sportsmen who desire to see the game birds in- 
 crease, very generally favor the extermination of Skunks be- 
 cause they devour the eggs and young of Pheasants, Turkeys, 
 Quail and Woodcock; and they sometimes eat young Hares. 
 
36U 
 
 They also catch, it is said, destructive mice in meadows where 
 they hunt for food; but in such places, I have little doubt, they 
 do much injury to small song and insectivorous birds, as they 
 will not hestitate to rob all the nests which they can reach as 
 they slowly and methodically hunt over the ground in the 
 twilight, moonlight and dark. 
 
 VENANGO COUNTY. 
 
 L,. T. WILT, Franklin: 
 
 Skunks are no doubt beneficial as well as injurious. If left 
 alone they will injure no one, except in case of extreme hun- 
 ger or on being molested. Why not rate him among the higher 
 order of mammals, on account of nature endowing him with 
 the faculty as chemist of preserving so fine a weapon of de- 
 fence and in so fine a chemical state of subdivision and in so 
 small a laboratory and capable, with, a very slight effort on his 
 part, to open his laboratory and in an instant perfume so great 
 an amount of atmosphere. 
 
 H. C. DOR WORTH, Oil City; 
 
 I consider Skunks injurious for the reason tliat they will 
 kill poultry and eat eggs. I have been told that the stench 
 from these animals is readily taken up by milk; I know that 
 local dairymen are bothered by these animals. 
 
 Many instances of Weasels and Polecats killing poultry in this 
 county have occurred. I know of a case where a farmer hearing 
 a commotion in his chicken coop went to investigate; he got 
 there in time to see a Weasel killing the eighteenth chicken. 
 James Black, of Black Siding, this county, not long ago lost 
 twenty fine White Brahmas. The Weasel had come up through 
 a. crack in the floor, killed the whole flock and dragged every 
 chicken to the crack. The owner found his twenty chickens in 
 a row along this crack with their heads drawn down through 
 it. The Polecat does not kill as many chickens at one time as 
 a Weasel; one or two usually satisfies his hunger. 
 
 WASHINGTON COUNTY. 
 
 GEORGE MONTGOMERY, Washington: 
 
 The Skunk has been very destructive at times to our poultry, 
 a few years ago one was quartered under the coal house, 
 not more than twenty feet from the kitchen door, and took 
 two dozen full grown hens before we discovered his where- 
 
361 
 
 abouts. 1 had no dog at the time and that was perhaps the 
 reason he took quarters so near the house. There was another 
 one a few years after, which was under a pig pen in the orchard 
 that gave me considerable trouble, and destroyed many eggs 
 and chickens, before I succeeded in killing him. There is one 
 at the present time staying under our barn, which we have 
 not succeeded in capturing; he has killed many chickens for us 
 the past summer and eaten a great many eggs. There have 
 been six Skunks killed on this farm this year. I have been 
 advised to let the one remain at the barn so long as he does not 
 kill the chickens, and have a dead sheep or something of the 
 kind for him to nibble at, but my sentiments don't tend that 
 way. 
 
 JAS. S. NEASE, Washington: 
 
 During the year 1870 Skunks were very abundant in Wash- 
 ington county. I saw one in the town of West Alexander in the 
 chicken coop eating a young chicken: I think it had killed two 
 or three and destroyed some eggs under a hen. This was early 
 in the evening, about eight o'clock. Father shot it while it was 
 eating the chicken. During that winter Skunks would come into 
 the yards in town and on soft nights, scratch on the bee hives 
 and when the bees came out would eat them; this weakened the 
 hive. When the ground was muddy (the kind of weather 
 Skunks prefer to travel) they would leave the hives muddy 
 where they scratched it at the hole left for bees to enter. At 
 this time the Skunk was hunted but very little for its fur, but 
 in a few years thereafter the fur brought a good price and 
 they have become very much scarcer. The incentive in obtain- 
 ing its pelt has so reduced it in numbers that it now ought to 
 be protected for the good of the farmers. They now stay far 
 from dwellings and those which remain are needed to kill 
 mice, yellow jackets, hornets and bumble bees. The Skunk 
 when not exceedingly numerous is very useful. The price of its 
 fur makes it much sought after and keeps its numbers greatly 
 reduced. It should be protected for a year or two. 
 
 WAYNE COUNTY. 
 
 G. C. BELL. Maplewood: 
 Injurious by eating up our small birds' eggs. 
 
 G. W. WOOD, Equinunk: 
 
 Skunks are odious and ordorous; destructive to poultry; wors» 
 even than Foxes. 
 ■J.i* II 
 
362 
 
 PAUL. SWINGLE. S. Canaan: 
 
 Skunks are very injurious by destroying poultry. 
 
 JOHN KELLOW, Carley Brook: 
 
 Skunks like good fat poultry, but I do not think they are very 
 destructive; they also catch mice; while we do not know how 
 many mice they catch, they might balance accounts. 
 
 E. B. GAGER, Dyberry: 
 
 Skunks kill our chickens and eat our eggs. 
 GEO. FRANC, Ariel: 
 
 Skunks, quite common. Destructive to poultry. 
 GEO. M. DAY, Dyberry: 
 
 Skunks are beneficial. They destroy many bugs, beetles, 
 squash bugs, bumble bees, nests, etc. Where do they collect 
 and bottle up their ammunition for defence if not in our fields 
 and pastures? Step on a lot of the large bugs found on the 
 squash and pumpkin vines, then interview a Polecat, at a 
 safe distance, and see if the perfume is not the same. Now 
 if they are walling to pick up a living in that way, and grow 
 fat on it, why not let them? 
 
 C. W. PENNEiLL, Hemlock Hollow: 
 
 The Skunk -is very destructive to poultry of all kinds and is 
 quite plentiful here. I have known the Skunk to destroy nests 
 of eggs and whole broods of young chickens in a single night. 
 I am sure it was a Skunk, as I put a steel trap in a nest with 
 a few eggs and caught him the next morning. Think the 
 State should pay a bounty on the Skunk. 
 
 N. F. UNDERWOOD, Lake Como: 
 
 Skunks are plenty here; do not do much damage; they will 
 occasionally kill chickens. 
 
 PETER COVEY, Newfoundland: 
 
 Skunks are common; from personal knowledge know they are 
 injurious to poultry. 
 
 WESTMORELAND COUNTY. 
 
 JOHN NICHOLAS, Bradenville: 
 
 The Polecat is an animal most unpleasant in many respects, 
 but must, like all other animals, have been created for some 
 
363 
 
 purpose. It is only within one year that I have discovered 
 their use to man. Most all animals prey upon one another, the 
 Skunk upon field mice and what is called the "hop grub;" he 
 should be protected as beneficial to man. 
 
 W. r. SLOAN, Sloan: 
 Skunks carry off young chickens. 
 
 YORK COUNTY. 
 
 DR. WM. B. BIGL.ER, East Prospect: 
 
 Skunks are injurious. 1 know they will destroy eggs and 
 sometimes chickens. 
 
 Mr. I. D. HOWELL. York: 
 
 Skunks or Polecats are plentiful, and in my opinion, based 
 on experience and observation of over fifty years, they are the 
 most destructive vermin in the whole catalogue as regards 
 wild game and all forest birds that hatch or build their nests 
 on the ground: Wild Turkey, Pheasant, Partridge or Quail, 
 Woodcock or Snipe, Lark, Whip-poor-will, or Night Hawk, 
 Sparrows, and all of the bird kind which nest on the ground. 
 They are great workers, constantly rooting over the surface of 
 the ground, turning up the leaves and decayed matter, hunting 
 bugs, "clocks," ants, worms, insects of all kinds. These habits 
 bring them in direct contact with the hatching fowl; the mother 
 bird usually escapes but the eggs or young birds are easy prey 
 for the Skunk. I have known them to take the eggs from under 
 a tame turkey and not disturb the old bird. They are a great 
 damage to all kinds of poultry, they sometimes go in families, 
 as many as eight together. 
 
 OTHER STATES. 
 
 DAKOTA. 
 
 I. H. TROCH, Watertown: 
 
 Skunks, Foxes, Muskrats, Minks, Rabbits and Mice are 
 common and Injurious. 
 
 WISCONSIN. 
 ALBERT BOEHN, LaCrosse: 
 Skunks are destructive to poultry and their eggs. 
 
364 
 
 KEI) SQUIRKEL. 
 Sciuriis hudisonicus. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Body longer than the tail; body averages 6i/4 to 71/3 inches 
 long. Weight, about half a pound. (Fox Squirrel, old adults, 
 sometimes weigh fully two pounds). Its rather broad ears, in 
 winter, are coated with long hairs, and those on back of ears 
 form a short tuft. The tail is flat and narrow. In summer, 
 soles of feet are naked, but furred in winter, except tubercles 
 at base of toes. Upper parts grayish rusty; a bright, reddish- 
 brown, broad band extends from the top of head down middle 
 of the back, and on upper surface of the tail. Lower parts, ex- 
 cept the tail, are white or whitish; under surface of tail, rusty, 
 blackish and gray. Eyes, brown; teeth (incisors) yellow. 
 
 Habitat. — This species, "including its varieties, is found over 
 most of North America, extending north to the limit of forest 
 vegetation, and south over the northern two-thirds of the United 
 States." 
 
 The Red Sqiiiii-ol or Chickaree is eominoii through- 
 out this Stal^e. M-awj pei-sons, pafticuhirly those re- 
 siding in the nwuntainous districts, call this animal 
 the Pine Squirrel, or "Piney." It is spoken of some- 
 times bv sportsmen and hunters who are not famil- 
 iar with the Fox Squirrel, as "Fox Squirrel." Of 
 course such an appellation is erroneous and mislead- 
 ing. The Chickaree is not over one-third the size of 
 an old Fox Squirrel, from whicli it can easily be dis- 
 tinguished by its white under parts, brighter-colored 
 dorsal markings, as well as its greatly inferior size. 
 
 ALBINISM. 
 
 Partial or complete albinism is common among 
 birds. We often see white or whitish colored Black- 
 birds, Crows. Sparrows, Hawks. Owls, etc. This freak 
 0^ nature — ^a result of the absence of coloring matter — 
 niay be obseiwed in many mammals; Squirrels, espec- 
 
7) 
 m 
 o 
 
 n 
 r 
 
HOW TO FOOL A FOX 
 
.{65 
 
 inlly, are often cJip(ured wliich are wliulljk' or partially 
 white. During the past five years the writer has se- 
 cured seven specimens of albino Red Squirrels. One 
 of these was taken back of a farmer's poultry house 
 where for several days he had been seen at different 
 times. When the owner of the premises first observed 
 the Squirrel he thought "it was a 'white' Weasel which 
 was after mice and rats," but as the brc>od of young- 
 chickens decreased daily it was determined to watch 
 for the depredator. 
 
 HIS LAST CHICKEN. 
 
 A l)oy took a good position near the old hen and her 
 brood. Presently a white animal was seen to come 
 from a near-by woods, and running along the fence 
 rails make a straight course to the hen ooop, where he 
 seized a young chicken and started off. The boy shot 
 I he thief, I bought it, and reader, you can see its 
 stuffed skin reproduced on the accompanying plate, 
 Xo more chickens were sto-len until a pair of bold hun- 
 gry Cooper's Hawks came that way and killed eleven, 
 inthreedays.whenthe hoy succeeded in shooting them, 
 and finding their nest with five young, nearly ready to 
 lly. This was when bounties were paid and the suc- 
 cessful boy got .f3..50 for the seven hawks from a neigh- 
 boi-ing justice C'f the peace, who on a former occasion 
 paid fifty cents each for the heads of several Night- 
 hawks, two Shrikes, which were called "bird-liawks;" 
 and, it is said, he also paid for and burned the heads 
 of turkeys and domesticated fowls, believing them to 
 be the remains of poultry and game destroying hawks 
 or owls. 
 
 DESTROYS MANY BIRDS. 
 
 .MMiouiLili tlic Red S(|iiirrel will eat mast, cereiils. 
 
berries, fruits, roots, seeds, buds, certain kinds of ten 
 der fungi, as well as other plants, and sometimes, it is 
 said, even catch insects, he is decidedly carnivorous in 
 his tastes. 
 
 Trappers despise hiin because he steals meat with 
 which they bait their traps; and he does much mis- 
 chief by destroying birds which nest in forest and 
 shade trees where he loves to live, propagate and dep- 
 redate. He is often seen in the apple or pear orchards 
 destroying fruit or robbing nests. I have several 
 times seen this noisy and agile marauder devouring 
 birds of different species. Robins, Flickers, Vireos, 
 Wilson's Thrush, Wood Thrush, Oat bird and several 
 kinds of Sparrows, as well as other species of song 
 birds are victims of this Squirrel's attacks. The able 
 and venerable Mr. John Burroughs gives the sprightly 
 and wicked Mr. Sciuius a "knock-out" blow in the fol- 
 lowing language: 
 
 "Nearly all the birds look upon it as their enemy and attack 
 and annoy it when it appears near their breeding- haunts. Thus, 
 I have seen the Pewee, the Cuckoo, the Robin and the Wood 
 Thrush pursuing it with angry voice and g-estures. If you wish 
 the birds to breed and thrive in your orchards and groves, kill 
 every Red Squirrel that infests the place." 
 
 ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM. 
 
 Many testimonials of the Red Squirrel devouring 
 native birds, and destroying — "cutting off" — growing 
 fruit, particularly pears and apples, have come to this 
 office. The impudent and frolicsome Red Squirrel also 
 sucks the eggs of birds of many species; among game 
 birds the Ruffed Grouse suffers often from his visits. 
 for he spends much time on the ground. 
 
 Mr. James Carnes, Clearfield, Pa., writes: 
 
 "The Pine Squirrel, which is so common In our woods, is one 
 of the worst pests, as he destroys so many pheasants' eggs." 
 
367 
 
 Mr. B. F. Shaffer, Nittany, Centre Oo., Pa., says: 
 
 "Saw a Red Squirrel eating the brains' of a young Robin. 
 These squirrels are a great nuisance where plentiful. They kfll 
 different kinds of wild birds and suck their eggs, and they also 
 sometimes catch young poultry." 
 
 Mr. H. M. F. Worden, of Harrisburg, and a gentle 
 man who has been one of the most earnest advocates 
 in the Commonwealth for better laws to protect game, 
 fish and insectivorous birds, says: 
 
 "For some time 1 doubted the statement that the Red Squirrel 
 would catch and kill young birds, but recently I know that a 
 pair of these squirrels killed and devoured a nest of young 
 robins. I have also learned, on making inquiry among some 
 of my friends who are well acquainted with Chickarees in 
 their native haunts, that these mammals often destroy young 
 birds, and, in the course of a year, do a good bit of damage." 
 
 SOGMOEi OF HIS PURSURERS. 
 
 The Red Squirrel has his own troubles and must not 
 only keep his eyes open for men and boys with guns, 
 or traps set for his destruction, but he has to be on the 
 alert for Hawks and Owls which often catch him in an 
 unguarded moment. Red Squirrels, in common with 
 other species of the Squirrel family, are often de- 
 stroyed by the forest fires which almost every year, in 
 this State, consume thousands of dollars worth of 
 property, besides destroying a great amount of animal 
 life. 
 
 ADDITIONAL FACTS OF HIS LIFE HISTORY. 
 
 Dr. C. Hart Merrlam makes the following remarks, 
 which portray in a most pleasing and entertaining 
 manner, much that is of interest: 
 
 "The Chickaree combines qualities so wholly at variance, so 
 unique, so incomprehensible, and so characteristic withal, that 
 
368 
 
 one scarcely knuws in what, light to regard him. His iiKjulsi- 
 tlveness, audacity, inordinate assurance, and exasperating inso- 
 lence, together with his insatiable love of mischief and shame- 
 less disregard of all the ordinary customs and civili- 
 ties of life, would lead one to suppose that he was 
 little entitled to respect; and yet his intelligence, his 
 untiring perseverance, and genuine industry, the cunning clev- 
 erness displayed in many of his actions, and the irresistible hu- 
 mor with which he does everything, command for him a certain 
 degree of admiration. He is arrogant, impetuous and conceited 
 to an extreme degree, his confidence in his own superior capa- 
 bilities not infrequently costing him his life. In fact, these con- 
 tradictions in character and idiosyncrasies in disposition render 
 him a psychological problem of no easy solution. 
 
 "From earliest dawn till the setting sun has disappeared be- 
 hind the distant hill, the Red Squirrel enlivens the silent soli- 
 tude of the forest with his merry ways and saucy chatterings; 
 and he may sometimes be discovered in the darkest hours of 
 the night stealing softly over the ground — bent, doubtless, on 
 some errand of dubious propriety. 
 
 SOMETIMES ACTIVE AT NIGHT. 
 
 "Moonlight evenings he is often as active, though not so noisy, 
 as 'luring the day, and in early autumn he vies with the Flying 
 Squirrel in nocturnal nut-husking exploits. 
 
 "Though an expert climber, delighting in long leaps from 
 bough to bough, which he executes with grace and precision, 
 he spends far more time on the ground than other arboreal 
 Squirrels, sometimes even making his home in holes in the 
 earth. 
 
 HE SEEKS THE FENCE RAILS. 
 
 "Old logs, stumps, wood-piles and brush-heaps are favorite- 
 places of resort, and by excavating burrows beneath, he con- 
 verts them into the securest of retreats. Our fences serve as 
 highways upon which he travels from wood to wood, and the 
 zig-zig rail fence in particular is one of the boons of his exis- 
 tence. It is his most frequented path, his playground, his race- 
 course, and when pursued, his readiest means of escape. It is 
 the step-ladder from which he leaps into the branches of neigh- 
 boring trees, and the place where he meets his friends at all 
 hours of the day. He frequently follows it to the farm-house 
 and takes up his abode in the woodshed or other outbuilding, 
 placing his nest between the ceiling and roof, or in some other 
 
'M\9 
 
 equally out-of-the-way spot, whence he is with great difficulty 
 dislodged. 
 
 KEEPS JUST OUT OF REAiCH. 
 
 "He is the least wary of the Squirrels, rarely taking trouble 
 to hide himself at the approach of man. In fact, on such oc- 
 casions he usually assumes an aggressive attitude, chippers, 
 shakes his tail in an impudent and wholly uncalled for manner, 
 but takes care to keep just out of reach. This daring fearless- 
 ness is clearly the result of the fact that he is not worth the 
 powder necessary for his destruction, and he is therefore tol- 
 erated, though an acknowledged nuisance. But there are times 
 when his conduct becomes so scandalous that the shot gun is 
 brought out for his suppression. He is soon deeply impressed 
 with the range and effect of this weapon, and though many of 
 his brothers may have perished before the warning was heeded, 
 he now becomes, in this particular locality, the most circum- 
 spect of brutes. He scorns the thought of running away, but 
 grows so vigilant, sly, and crafty that the farmer is put to his 
 wits end to devise means for his riddance." 
 
 THEi GRAY SQUIRREL'S FOE. 
 
 The iudefatigable, Dnt-hunting, bird-destroying Red 
 Squirrel is a relentless foe of Gray Squirrels, which have 
 good reason to fear his vicious onslaughts. In conclu- 
 sion I regret that it has been necessary to write and 
 quote as has been done, but to be accurate such a 
 course had to be followed. We can say, as has been 
 said "kill all the pesky Red Squirrels," but to those 
 who are familiar with the woods and its tenants, I am 
 sure if the merry and shrill note, chir-r-r-r-r, of the 
 (Jhickaree was forever hushed in death, we would miss 
 him greatly and be glad to welcome him — cruel, 
 wicked and bad as lie is — back to the scenes of child- 
 hood days. 
 
 24-TT 
 
'Mi) 
 
 OPOSSUM. 
 Didelpbis marsupialis viiginiana. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Variable in size; weight from six to ten pounds; measures 
 from twenty to thirty-two from end of pointed snout to tip of 
 the tail; the tail, about as long as the head and body, is very 
 flexible and, except at the base which is hairy, is covered with 
 scales, which enable the 'possum to cling with absolute security 
 to the limbs, amongst which he climbs with great dexterity. The 
 eyes are brown. Fur of body is quite soft, and woolly, thickly 
 sprinkled with long white and blackish hair that gives the 
 animal a shaggy dress. Sides of head, face, throat and chin, 
 whitish, with a more or less brownish area about the eyes; 
 legs and feet blackish brown; the ears, conspicuous, rounded 
 and lengthened, are dark-colored and naked; belly whitish. 
 The long white and blackish hairs of the body give the animal a 
 frosted, dusky appearance. In antediluvian times when father 
 Noah "lived and built himself a bark," 'tis said, the 'possum 
 had long and numerous hairs covering his long and tapering 
 tail; such a condition does not now exist, and this nakedness 
 has been facetiously accounted for in the following stanzas, 
 taken from Mr. A. M. Bray ton's report:* 
 
 WHY DB HA'R IS MISSIN'. 
 
 Go 'way fiddle — folks is tired a-hearin' you a-squawkiii'. 
 Keep silence for your betters — don't you hear de bango talkin,? 
 About de 'possum's tail she's gwine to lecter — ladies, listen! — 
 About de ha'r what isn't dar, an' why de ha'r is missin'. 
 
 De ark she keeps a sailin', an' a sailin', an' a sailin'; 
 
 De lion got his dander up, an' like to bruk de' palin' — 
 
 De sarpints hissed — de painter yelled — tell, what wi'd all de 
 
 fussin'. 
 You c'u'dn't hardly heah de mate a-bossin' roun' an' cussln'. 
 
 Now Ham, de only nigger what was runnin' on de packet. 
 Got lonesome in de barber shop, an c'u'dn't stan' de racket; 
 An' so for to amuse he-self, he steamed some wood an' bent It, 
 An' soon he had a bango made — de fust dat was invented. 
 
 He wet de ledder, stretched it on, made bridge, an' screws, an' 
 
 apron; 
 An' fitted in a proper neck — 'twas very long an' tap'rin'. 
 He tuk some tin, an* twisted him a thimble for to ring it; 
 An' de mighty question riz, how was he gwine to string it? 
 
 ♦Report of Geolog. Sur. of Ohio, Vol. IV. Zoology, page 170, 
 as a quotation from Scribner's Monthly, January, 18'78. 
 
OPOSSUM 
 
:t7i 
 
 De possum had as fine a tail as dis dat I am singin'; 
 De tia'rs as long an" thiclc an' strong — des fit for banjo-slringin '; 
 Dat nigger shaved 'em off as short as wash day dinner graces. 
 An' sorted oto'em by de size, from little e's to basses. 
 
 He strung her, tuned her, struclt a jig — 'twas "Nebber min' de 
 
 wedder"; 
 She soun' lilce forty-'leven bands, a playin* all togedder; 
 Some went to pattin', some to dancin'; Noah called de Aggers, 
 An' Ham he sot and knocked de tune, de happiest ob niggers! 
 
 Now, sence dat time — it's mighty strange — dere's not de slight- 
 est showin' 
 Ob any ha'r at all upon de 'possum's tail a-growin'. 
 An' curl's, too — dot nigger's ways; his people nebber los' 'em — 
 For where you finds de nigger, dar's de bango an' de 'possum! 
 
 Habitat. — Common and abundant in the South; generally rare 
 or of irregular occurrence north of latitude of Central Pennsyl- 
 vania. In some of the northern parts of this State the Opos- 
 sum is almost unknown. 
 
 This animal, which is so abundant in the southern 
 states where it is highly prized for food, is quite num- 
 erous in the southern parts of Pennsylvania. In the 
 the counties of Delaware, Chester, York, Lancaster, 
 Cumberland, Dauphin and several others Opossums 
 are plentiful. 
 
 3,500 A YEAR IN CHESTER COUNTY. 
 
 The Messrs. Weil, extensive fur buyers, of West 
 Chester, Pa., say they have, for the last six years, an 
 nually purchased about 2,000 'possum skins in Ches- 
 ter and neighboring counties, and that fully two-thirds 
 of this number were obtained in Chester county. A<; 
 cording to the estimates of several fur-dealers in Ches- 
 ter county it is believed that there are annually sold 
 to the "trade" about 3.500 Opossum skins taken in 
 Chester county. 
 
 MAY KVKNTUAL,L,Y GET TO KLiONDIKE. 
 
 On many of llic higlicr nioiintainnus districts of 
 northern and central T'ennsvlvania these animals are 
 
372 
 
 rarely seen; but Lhey have been captured, according to 
 reports received at this oliice, in probably every county 
 of the State. As the forests are removed, the Opos- 
 sum, hunters say, is discovered in localities north- 
 wardly, where, in foiraer years it was rarely, if ever 
 seen. 
 
 A NIGHT PROWL.ER. 
 
 The Opossum hunts in the nigiit and on bright star- 
 light or moonliglit nights, in warm weather, can often 
 be seen moving about in a rather slow and awkward 
 pace. Unlike tlie Wildcat, Red Fox, and some other 
 preying animals it does not go far from its home; and 
 sometimes, but i.ot often, according to my experience, 
 is it found traveling by daylight, yet frequently it goes 
 out in quest of food by twilight. 
 
 ITS NEST. 
 
 The Opossum's home is situated in various places, 
 sucli as hollow logs, old stumps which are hollowed 
 and protected above, or in cavities which the animal 
 makes under roots of trees or stumps; and they have 
 been known to take up their quarters, like Skunks, 
 Minks and Weasels often do, under the farmer's build- 
 ings. Their nests are lined with miscellaneous ma- 
 terials, such as leaves, grasses, lichens, etc. 
 
 HUNTS A TREE WHEN PURSUED. 
 
 The mischievous small boy when discovered in 
 wrongdoing will, usually, if his capture is attempted, 
 start off for home as fast as his legs can carry him. 
 The Opossum does not do this. He climbs up the 
 nearest tree, when dogs or Foxes attempt to catch him, 
 and makes hini.self comfortable. He will sit there 
 
373 
 
 until his puisui'ers leave. When dogs are with hun- 
 ters and the latter come to the tree which the Opos- 
 sum occupies, a shot-gun ends the hunt. Sometimes 
 the Opossum is slialien from his refuge and the dogs 
 speedilj kill him. However, it is much easier to talk 
 about shaking 'possums and 'coons from trees, than it 
 is to do it. 
 
 A VERITABLE CURIOSITY. 
 
 "We can imagine to ourselves the surprise with which the 
 Opossum was regarded by Europeans when they first saw it. 
 Scarcely anything was known of marsupial animals, as New 
 Holland had not as yet opened its unrivaled stores of curiosi- 
 ties to astonish the world. Here was a strange animal, with 
 the head and ears of a pig, sometimes hanging on the limb of 
 a tree, and occasionally swinging like the monkey by the tail. 
 Around that prehensile appendage, a dozen sharp-nosed sleek- 
 headed young had entwined their tails and were sitting on 
 their mother's back. 
 
 "The astonished traveler approaches this extraordinary com- 
 pound of an animal, and touches it cautiously with a stick. 
 Instantly it seems to be struck with some mortal disease; its 
 eyes close, it falls to the ground, ceases to move, and appears 
 to be dead! He turns it on its back, and perceives on its stom- 
 ach a strange and apparently artificial opening. He puts his 
 finger into the extraordinary pocket, and lo! another brood of 
 a dozen or more young, scarcely larger than a pea, are hanging 
 in clusters on the teats. In pulling the creature about in great 
 amazement, he suddenly receives a grip on the hand — a twink- 
 ling of the half-closed eye and the breathing of the creaturo 
 evince that it is not dead, and he adds a new term to the voca- 
 bularly of his language, that of 'playing 'possum'." 
 
 WISE PROVISIONS OF NATURE. 
 
 "The whole structure of the Opossum is admirably adapted 
 to the wants of a sluggish animal. It possesses strong powers 
 of smell which aid it in the search for food; its mouth is capa- 
 cious, and its jaws, possessing a greater number and variety 
 of teeth than any other of our mammals, indicate its omnivor- 
 ous habits: its fore paws, though not armed with retractile 
 claws, aid in seizing its prey, and conveying it to th^ mMnth 
 
374 
 
 The construction of the hind foot, with the soft yielding tuber- 
 cles on the palms, and its long nailless opposing thumb, enable 
 It to use these feet as hands, and the prehensile tail aids It 
 in holding on to the branches of trees, whilst its body Is 
 swinging in the air; in this manner we have observed it gath- 
 ering persimmons with its mouth and fore paws, and devouring 
 them while its head was downward, and its body suspended 
 in the air, holding on sometimes with its hind feet and tail, 
 but often by the tail alone," — Audubon and Bachman. 
 
 A PROLIFIC AND RAPID BREEDER. 
 
 .Many curious afid mislukeii ideas are entertained 
 about the breeding of this marsupial. I secured an 
 Opossum in Chester county, Pa., early in the month 
 of March with a foetus in utero. Observations which 
 have been made show that the young remain in the 
 uterus from fifteen to seventeen d'ays — they have no 
 placenta or after birth — and when born they are 
 assisted by the mother into her pouch where at once 
 they attach themselves to the teats from which they 
 receive nourishment and grow rapidly. The Opossum 
 is exceedingly prolific, producing two or three litters 
 annually. The female when one year old, It is stated, 
 begins to raise a family. 
 
 AN OMNIVOROUS ANIMAL. 
 
 The Opcssum is a voracious feeder and where abun 
 dant often causes the farmer and poultry raiser much 
 annoyance. Like the Raccoon, he loves green com. 
 He is fond of chestnuts, and other kinds of mast are 
 consumed by him. He sometimes kills and eats rats, 
 likewise mice, and insects, and he feeds quite exten- 
 sively, hunters and trappers say, on birds and their 
 eggs; he will eat young Rabbits and he feasts 
 on different fruits and berries. Ground-nesting 
 birds such as the Quail. Pheasant and other 
 
:^75 
 
 species which build their uests low down in trees 
 or bushes aie frequently destroyed by this robber. 
 Different roots, as well as other portions of plants, 
 furnish him sustenance. This animal often visits the 
 hen-roost and destroys the farmer's fowls. Unfortu 
 nately a large amount of data which was collected 
 from farmers, poultry raisers and sportsmen concern- 
 ing the damage which Opossums do to poulti-y, corn 
 and wild birds, was destroyed by fire in February last, 
 consequently I am unable to give in this paper their 
 valuable and interesting reports. 
 
 SOME OF ITS ENEMIES. 
 
 Several of the larger species of Hawks, likewise the 
 Cooper's and the Sharp-shinned Hawks, as well as the 
 Great Horned, the Barred and the Snowy Owls, also 
 the Eagles, will attack Opossums. Foxes often surprise 
 and devour them, and Weasels have l>een known to 
 kill these marsupials; and on one occasion one of my 
 acquaintances shot a Ked Squii-rel eating a young 
 Opossum which it was supposed he had caught and 
 killed. Few animals are more easily trapped than is 
 the Opossum. Tlie steel trap, dead fall or snare may 
 all be used with success to aid in his destruction, and 
 either vegetable or animal bait can be used. 
 
376 
 
 RED FOX. 
 Vulpes pennsylvanieus. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 About as large as a medium-sized dog; weight about fifteen 
 pounds; height about fourteen inches; measures about forty- 
 four inches in length, including the bushy long-haired tail 
 which measures about seventeen inches, to the tip which is 
 generally white. The ears, behind, outside of legs, the snout, 
 and the tips of many caudal hairs, are black. The general 
 color is "a bright, clear, yellowish rufous, darker on the shoul- 
 ders and flanks." The belly quite white along its middle, dark- 
 ens laterally; the chin, throat and breast are white or whitish. 
 The Black or Silver Fox, sometimes, though rarely, taken here, 
 and the Cross Fox, which is much oftener captured in Penn- 
 sylvania are called by naturalists melanotic forms or varieties 
 of the Common Red Fox. 
 
 I know of three Black or Silver Foxes in Pennsylvania, and 
 when last heard from they were all alive, elusive and hearty. 
 One is in Clinton county, another roves near Lake Ganoga, a 
 delightful and romantic place on the Lehigh Valley Railroad 
 in Sullivan county, and the third one lives largely like a good 
 many other poachers, on Ruffed Grouse up in Pike county. 
 
 We find, not infrequently, animals with very defective coats, 
 which fur dealers and trappers call "Sampson Foxes," they 
 have little commercial value. Mr. A. M. Bray ton* says: "Re- 
 garding this peculiar condition of pelage, Mr. Allen is of the 
 opinion that it is the result of a disease which produces a 
 crisp, woolly condition of the fur much as though it had been 
 singed; hence the common name of 'Sampson' or 'Samson' 
 Foxes." Mr. Brayton referring to the Cross Fox, and the 
 Black or Silver Gray Fox, says: "Dr. Coues regards the Cross 
 Fox as a 'special state of semi-melanium' (melanism is the re- 
 sult of an excess of dark coloring matter) of the Common Fox. 
 This variety, common in northern New York, and sometimes 
 as far southward as Pennsylvania and Ohio, receives its name 
 from the presence of a black cross formed by a black band 
 along the back crossed by another on the shoulder. It shades 
 by varying and almost insensible degrees into the Black or 
 Silver Gray Fox. 
 
 "Complete, or nearly complete, melanism distinguishes the 
 Black or Silver Gray Fox. * * * -phe color is a uni- 
 form, lustrous black, with conspicuously white-tipped tail; 
 more or less of the long hairs of the back and flanks, top and 
 sides of head greyish, silvery at the end, giving a silvered ap- 
 pearance to the pelage. The perfectly black pelts are found, 
 chiefly, in high latitudes." 
 
 Such pelts are very valuable. 
 
 •Mammals of Ohio, p. 17. in Geolog. Survey of Ohio. 1S82. 
 
377 
 
 The prices of furs are always changing but those quoted in 
 a recent list of a New York fur exporter are: 
 Red Fox (Northern Pa.), $1.50 to $1.60. 
 Red Fox (Western Pa.), $140 to $1.50. 
 Grey Fox, (Penna.) .60c to .70c. 
 
 Silver Fox (Eastern, Ca., and N. W.), $20 to $110.00. 
 Cross Fox (Eastern, Ca. and N. W.), $5.00 to $10.00. 
 
 "While the Cross and Black or Silver Foxes ai-e usually con- 
 sidered different 'varieties,' they are not such, in the classifi- 
 catory sense of that term, any more than are the red, black, 
 or white Wolves, the black Marmots, Squirrels, etc. The proof 
 of this is in the fact that one or both of the 'varieties' occur 
 in the same litter of whelps from normally colored parents. 
 They have no special geographical distribution, although, on 
 the whole, both kinds are rather northerly than otherwise, the 
 Silver Foxes especially so. It does not appear to be ascer- 
 tained exactly how far the styles of pelage tend to perpetuate 
 themselves; that is to say, in what proportion of cases a cross 
 will produce a cross litter, or a black, a black litter; but the 
 inter-breeding of the several varieties, and their purely acci- 
 dental origin, from parents of the normal coloration, are incon- 
 testable."— (Coues and Yarrow, Zool., Epl., W. 100 Merid. V. 18, 
 75. 53). 
 
 Habitat. — This species, including its varieties, is common in 
 the Arctic regions and the northerly portions of the United 
 States. Found generally throughout Pennsylvania, and in sec- 
 tions of the State this predatory animal is very plentiful. 
 
 The Ked Fox surpasses all other of our mammals 
 in cunning; \\v. is also exceedingly wary and often 
 when plentiful in a section, he frequently, by watch- 
 ful and cautious ways, escapes observation. 
 
 PDENTIFUL, IN MANY FARMING DISTRICTS. 
 
 This species is much more plentiful in many highly 
 cultivated farming districts than is usually supposed. 
 This was noted in (Chester county, Pa., in 1886*, when, 
 under the scalp act of 18S5, in about four mo-nths, up- 
 ward of a hundred Red Foxes (they were tlie genuine 
 article, as no dog or other heads would "go" in Ches- 
 ter for Foxes) were presented for bounty and paid for 
 bv the oo-mmissi oners. 
 
 •See in Chapter TX uumumous locord? of Foxes in different 
 counties of Pennsylvania. 
 
•MS 
 
 SOME FOX HUNTERS WORRIED. 
 
 The publication of these bounty payments, together 
 with the killing, for premiums, of some thirty Red 
 Foxes in one week, in the West Chester Daily. Local 
 News — a newspaper which goes to nearly every home 
 in the County of Chester, with its population of 100,- 
 000 people — created quite a furore among Fox hun 
 ters who loved to pursue, but not destroy sly Reynard. 
 The objectionable scalp act was freely discussed, and 
 by some roundly "cussed." Tlie fox hunters, with, 
 possibly, a few exceptions, who condemned the bounty 
 of a dollar a head on Foxes, made little complaint 
 about the killing of Hawks, Owls and other birds 
 which had been captured and paid for, at seventy- 
 cents each (twenty cents to justice of the peace) to 
 the number of about 800. The claim was made 
 
 "that it was a waste of public funds: the Fox was a badly 
 abused animal and he furnished lots of sport: Hawks and Owls 
 were of little or no acount, and when they were killed off, the 
 large bounty payments would cease and the money spent for 
 them would, in future years be found, so far as poultry and 
 game interests were concerned, to be a wise outlay." 
 
 SOME THINGS THEY DID. 
 
 The members of the West Chester Microscopical So- 
 ciety, a body of well-informed scientific men, did not 
 concur in the expressions quoted above, as can be 
 seen by tuiijing to succeeding pages. These birds, 
 which devoured legions of destructive grasshoppers, 
 and beetles or thinned out the Meadow Mice, were not, 
 it is true, hunted by men in bright red coats, buttoned 
 high in front, nor were they followed by pedigi'eed 
 packs of baying hounds (that so often frightened the 
 sheep, and sometimes stampeded the cows) and swift, 
 high-priced, well-kept steeds, that tore the sod, or 
 
f 
 
:{79 
 
 occasionally smashed fence posts and rails, where bene- 
 ficial birds of prey »o often waited and watched, in 
 dayliglit and dark, for insidious foes which consumed 
 the land owner's crops. 
 
 Finally several of the Fox hunters — those who pur 
 sued Foxes for pleasure alone — who knew much of the 
 damage done to poultry by Foxes with young, made up 
 a purse, and agreed to pay farmers who were digging 
 out old Foxes and their whelps, for all the domesti- 
 cated fowls that were killed. It was further stipu 
 lated that Mr. and Mrs. Reynard's heirs should not be 
 slain for bounty, but when caught should be kept alive, 
 until a certain size, when they were to be liberated. 
 This arrangement saved the lives of many Foxes. 
 
 A DIVERSION ENJOYED BY MANY. 
 
 Fox hunting for pleasure — a most exhilarating and, 
 to many, enjoyable diversion — is engaged in by some 
 of the foremost citizens of Chester, Delaware, Mont- 
 gomery, Lancaster, Washington and perhaps a few 
 other counties. In these localities there is more or 
 less sentiment expressed in favor of Foxes. 
 
 THEY SAY HE DOES MUCH GOOD. 
 
 Some gentlemen, and I believe they are sincere in 
 what they say, claim that: 
 
 "Foxes subsist chiefly on mice, rats, or other rodents: and 
 also consume great quantities of grasshoppers and 'bugs'; and 
 that the consumption of these pests is of far more value, pe- 
 cuniarily considered, than is the occasional turkey, chicken, 
 duck or goose, which are rarely stolen, unless other food sup- 
 plies run short." 
 
 These persons seldom, if ever, refer to the Fox's 
 keen sense of smell, and acute hearing, which, with his 
 
380 
 
 bright, sharp eves, enable him, with wily strateg\- and 
 soft, cautious tread, to destroy nearly all kinds of ter 
 restrial birds, ranging in size from the old Wild Tur- 
 key which weiglis twenty-five pounds, to an Oven-bird 
 that weighs about a C0'U])1(! of ounces. Of course such 
 a lack of kni)w ledge is pardonable, for it is a known 
 fact that few people who hunt in bright red clothes, 
 find time to look oai the trail of death which almost 
 daily marks the Ked Fox's path. They know him sim- 
 ply as a crafty and pretty creature, which by marvel- 
 ous tricks is so often enabled to baffle the liounds, as 
 he speeds through the valleys, across broad fields, over 
 hill-tops, crossing streams, running on logs, or along 
 fence-tops, and when tired defiantly shakes his much- 
 prized "biush" and tossing his head, hides in the rocks. 
 
 SHEEP-KILLING DOGS AND FOXES. 
 
 Some sheep-killing dogs, it is asserted, will not com- 
 mit their costly aud vexatious depredations near home, 
 and many claim that the Red Fox which has his wife 
 and little ones near a farmer's hen coop will rarely 
 visit it with evil intent, unless reduced to extremity 
 by hunger's pangs. This, perhaps, is in some in- 
 stances true, but if Mr. Fleetfoot Fox does not steal 
 poultry, or young lambs near his burrow, so often 
 usurped, he certainly does plenty of this kind of work 
 away from his home. He is built for speed, and often 
 travels over a large space of conntry on foraging ex- 
 cursions. \Mien he leaves his vigilant wife and play- 
 ful children and hies away on these food-hunting ex- 
 peditions it is not uncommon for some neighboring rel- 
 ative who also left his family in a snug den — about 
 which bones, feathers, hair, and other animal icmains 
 
381 
 
 are scattered — to come and steal the poultry and lambs 
 or yoiinji: pigs of the farmer, which the other crafty 
 Fox allowed to live unmolested. Naturally the result 
 of this is that Foxes are, very generally, despised by 
 farmers and poultry raisers, and they, not unwisely, 
 destroy these ''pesky brutes." 
 
 SOME OF HIS NUMEROUS VICTIMS. 
 
 Sportsmen who have taken the pains to investigate 
 the habits of Foxes, particularly the Bed Fox, abhor 
 them and urge their extermination, because it has been 
 ascertained that where these marauders are abundant 
 game of all kinds decreases with astonishing rapidity. 
 The fact is well established that Foxes destroy, with 
 indiscriminate greed, almost all species of desirable 
 game — birds and mammals — which they can master. 
 The fact that they will kill young fawns is beyond dis- 
 pute and shows that the do« has in the artful Fox, as 
 well as the sneaking Wildcat, foes which need con- 
 stant watching. If it was customary for crafty and 
 sagacious Foxes to hunt in packs, like Wolves do, there 
 unquestionably would be a much greater paucity of 
 Virginia Deer than at present exists in Pennsylvania. 
 I have in my museum a Black Bear, about as big as a 
 large house cat, which was obtained from a woodsman 
 who said he found it at a Red Fox's den. 
 
 SOME ANIMALS FOXES KILL. 
 
 Among the numerous kinds c^ wild birds and mam- 
 mals which Foxes destroy, remains of the following 
 have been found in their stomachs or at their dens: 
 
'AH2 
 
 MAMMALS. 
 
 Fawn, 
 
 Varying Uare, 
 
 Gray Rabbit (Cottontail), 
 
 Gray Squirrel, 
 
 Black Squirrel, 
 
 Red Squirrel, 
 
 Chipmunk, 
 
 Woodchuck, 
 
 Opossum, 
 
 Skunk, 
 
 Muskrat, 
 
 Weasel, 
 
 Mice, 
 
 Rats. 
 
 BIRDS. 
 
 Wild Turkey, 
 
 Ruffed Grouse, 
 
 Mongolian Pheasant, 
 
 Quail, 
 
 Woodcock, 
 
 Field Plover, 
 
 Sora, 
 
 Wood Duck, 
 
 Mallard, 
 
 Dove, 
 
 Meadovv^lark. 
 
 Nighthawk, 
 
 Screecli Owl, 
 
 Song Sparrow. 
 
 This list, so far as the feathered animals are con 
 oemed, could be materially increased as tliere is 
 probably hardly a species of the bird family which 
 nests on the ground that has not suffered from the 
 raids of Foxes, which devour with alacrity any of them 
 — old or young — and if these cannot be caught they 
 eat the eggs. The Fox hunts in daytime as well as at 
 night. He Mill eat carrion if nothing beti:er can be 
 found, and fish, it is said, are also sometimes agreeable 
 to his palate. Some writers say he will eat ripe grapes 
 and many other kinds of fruit, which is no doubt true, 
 but I have never known either the Red or Gray Fox 
 to feed on a vegetable diet. 
 
 POXES LOVE LAMB CHOPS AND PORK. 
 
 As several gentlemen have sent communications to 
 this office defending Foxes and also asserted that these 
 animals seldom, if ever, disturbed lambs, and that it 
 
38:i 
 
 was absurd to say that tli(-y would j^o near a vicious old 
 sow when she had a litter of young, I wrote to Dr. L. 
 W. Schnatlerly, a well informed naturalist, of Free- 
 port, Armstrong county, Pa. I knew he resided in a 
 section of the Commonwealth where Foxes were said 
 to be very numerous, and much addicted to stealing 
 lambs, poultr}' and young pigs. The docto-r kindly 
 took the trouble to interview on this subject a number 
 of his farmer friends and other reliable gentlemen. 
 The facts thus obtained are told by Dr. Schnatterly in 
 the following words: 
 
 Mr. John Ehrenfelt, a farmer and stock dealer of Armstrong 
 county, tells me that every spring the Foxes stole many of 
 his lambs, and the only way he could prevent it was to take 
 a dead one, fill it with arsenic or strychnine and leave it where 
 they would get it. He says he has cleaned the Foxes out many 
 times that way. 
 
 Mr. Geo. Ralston, farmer, Armstrong county, has lost many 
 lambs by Foxes but could never catch the cunning fellows at 
 their work, but has found many lambs' pelts and skeletons at 
 their dens. Along the Allegheny river hill which adjoins my 
 farm there is a den of them now and they are around my barn- 
 yard weekly. 
 
 Mr. Geo. Sterick, formerly a farmer but now one of our 
 townsmen, who used to be a great hunter says that all along 
 the river and Buffalo Creek hills, you can see bones of lambs, 
 pigs, turkeys, chickens and other game that would make a cart 
 load at the many different Fox dens in the rocks. 
 
 Mr. Thos. Hill, farmer, Armstrong county, occasionally loses 
 a few lambs and he supposes they have been taken by Foxes, 
 but as he lives several miles back from the North hill they 
 don't molest him very much. 
 
 Mr. Homer Iseman, formerly a farmer but now an oil and 
 gas driller, relates what he witnessed only one year ago. He 
 and Abe Thompson were drilling a well in Westmoreland 
 county. Near where they were at work was a large flock of 
 sheep and lambs. The latter were out playing one morning 
 and a large Red Fox came down to the lambs. The Fox 
 crouched down as a cat does and lay there motionless. The 
 lambs played closer and closer until they camp within a few 
 
384 
 
 feet of the animal. The Fox made a leap and caught a lamb 
 and started off with it for its den on the Creek hill; the men 
 began to yell and they frightened the Fox so it dropped the 
 lamb but it was crushed so it died. 
 
 Mr. J. E. Hodel, of Allegheny county, says that he and Jas. 
 Henderson blamed a Fox for stealing their poultry; they 
 sought for her den and dug her out. It was an old she Fox 
 and they found several bushels of bones of lambs, pigs, ducks, 
 geese, turkeys in an ante-chamtoer or dining room, by side of 
 den. 
 
 Mr. Geo. Murphy, farmer, Armstrong county, tells me that 
 several years ago a drover with sheep and lambs was passing 
 his place and the lambs gave out and were left there a day; 
 during that time a large Fox paid them a visit, caught and 
 killed one, and then perched itself on the fence to bask in the 
 sunshine. He went to get a gun to kill it but when he came 
 back it had taken its prey and left. Not long- after a sow had 
 a litter of pigs In the woods; he heard them making a noise 
 one day and went to see what was the matter. A big fight was 
 on between the old sow and the Fox; the Fox would run at 
 the sow like a dog, and then the sow would run at the Fox to 
 drive it away from the pigs that were huddled in the nest; this 
 was repeated several times until the Fox got the sow real mad 
 and she made at the Fox and run it several yards from the 
 pigs. The Fox then, quick as speed would let it, bounded 
 round past the sow into the nest, grabbed a pig in its mouth 
 and was gone before the sow could get back to the nest. He 
 had to take the .cow and pigs home to keep the rest from be- 
 ing stolen. 
 
 Mr. Thos. Stroup, farmer, Armstrong county, had four lamibs 
 taken in one week by Foxes. The lambs were one week old. 
 
 Mr. Samuel Reddick, farmer, Armstrong county, had a sow 
 with a litter of pigs in the woods near house in a rail pen. A 
 Fox or Foxes, made nightly visits to the pen and took seven 
 pigs and the sow became so frantic and enraged that she tore 
 the rail pen down to get at the intruder. The pigs were a 
 week old. 
 
 Mr. Thos. Jack, farmer, says there is nearly a cart load of 
 bones of all kinds of small animals at some Fox dens along 
 the river hill near Logansport. None of the above gentlemen 
 ever heard of Foxes attacking calves or killing them. 
 
 Thesp remnrks refpr to botli the Red and Gray 
 Foxps bnt bv fai- lh(- jri'oator amount of da^iajjo 
 
385 
 
 was done by Red Foxes, as they are mucli more 
 commoiii. Dr. Scbnatterly writes that farmers 
 generally tell him they lose many lambs every 
 spring by Foxes that come about chiefly at 
 night. The indignant farmers and stock raisers 
 know that Foxes commit these depredations as they 
 find the remains of lambs at the Foxes' dens among 
 the rocks. 
 
 WHERE PHEASANTS THRIVED. 
 
 I call to mind a locality in Centre county, where all 
 the natural conditions are most favorable for Ruffed 
 Grouse to live and multiply. Second growth white 
 pine and hemlock thickets, and extensive patches of 
 large rhododendrons (buck laurel) abound; wild fruits 
 and berries, chestnuts, acorns, arbutus, ferns, together 
 with other kinds of plant-food they live oo, are plenti- 
 ful in and around the old slashings and abandoned log 
 and tram roads. But the noble Ruffed Grouse has for 
 the past three years been very scarce there. Four 
 years ago this splendid game bird abounded in this 
 locality where I have often known a good marksman 
 to shoot in a day's tramp, of eight or ten miles, from 
 six to a dozen of them. 
 
 FOXES DID IT. 
 
 Some may say hunters killed all the birds; this, how- 
 ever, is not the case, but it is very clearly shown that 
 Foxes are largely responsible for the Pheasants' dimi- 
 nution. When these birds abounded in this particu 
 lar locality, preying birds and mammals, other than 
 Red and Gray Foxes, hunters and trappers found to be 
 fully as plentiful as they now are when the Pheasants 
 are so scarce. Tlie farmers who live in the valleys 
 
 25-n 
 
386 
 
 that separate the mountains of this romantic n'gion 
 say Foxes have increased rapidly and their destruc- 
 tion of domesticated fowls, younj,^ lambs, and occa- 
 sionally young pigs, causes individual losses, estimated 
 to be from five (|5) to twenty-five ($25) per farm. These 
 depredators are so cunning and sly that even tlie most 
 experienced trapper rarely is able to catch one in any 
 of the devices no matter how artfully placed. 
 
 TALKED ABOUT FOXES AND GOT SOME VOTES. 
 
 Recently I met a man, who formerly lived in the lo- 
 cality previously referred to, and as we traveled 
 through the tangled underbrush, over old fields, and 
 across disused log roads, and saw on the snow num- 
 erous "signs" of Foxes, we met three farmers who had 
 just shot a Gray Fox which they were skinning. My 
 companion knew the men, with whom politics and 
 Foxes were discussed for a few minutes, then we sep- 
 arated. As the dinner gongs were sounding in the 
 valley below, we sat down to lunch at a spring where 
 a bright-eyed Weasel, in dark coat, peeped at us for 
 an instant, through the matted roots of an upturned 
 tree. 
 
 THE WEASELS. 
 
 My companion said: 
 
 "If you had been ready with the auxiliary barrel you could 
 have had that animal. It is one of the smaller of the two 
 species of Weasels that we have in these parts. This inquisi- 
 tive and active little fellow kills rabbits and birds, but he 
 catches great numbers of mice, and eats insects, and probably, 
 in the course of his life, does more good than harm. The 
 other species — the Common Weasel — so abundant in many lo- 
 calities and found, no doubt, all over the State, I think is a 
 nuisance as he not only kills game but, oftentimes, cleans out 
 all the chickens in your coops." 
 
387 
 
 GOOD FOXES ARE DEAD FOXES. 
 
 Seeing that I was interested in his observations, my 
 companion continued and spoke about as follows: 
 
 "During the last forty years a large portion of my time has 
 been spent in lumber camps and places like you see about us. 
 I have always taken a deep interest in wild animals, and am 
 quite farniliar with thair haunts and curious ways. Some of 
 them are, through a lack of proper knowledge, often most 
 wrongfully condemned, but Foxes should not be included in 
 this abused group. Careful observation leads me to say, good 
 Foxes are dead Foxes, but their skins, if the animals are de- 
 stroyed by poison, will not bring the highest market price; and 
 expert fur-dealers readily recognize the ones which have been 
 killed with poison. 
 
 "I am told that down in the vicinity of Philadelphia people- 
 but surely they are not farmers — love and protect the Foxes, 
 and say they are good things to have around farms to destroy 
 vermin. I, of course, don't know anything aJbout the habits of 
 Foxes which live down there, but I doubt if they are a whit 
 better thai; the ones you an hour ago heard those men talk- 
 ing about in such harsh terms. 
 
 THEY COULDN'T UNDERSTAND. 
 
 "You rememiber, I smiled and winked at you, but said noth- 
 ing, when 'Andy' talked about dead Foxes as he pulled the 
 Pheasant's breast meat out of the Fox's stomach you asked 
 him to cut open; and, no doubt, you call to mind that all the 
 men said they couldn't understand why it was that four or 
 five years ago a man with a pair of good dogs might hunt all 
 day and never start a Fox, but now, if all the 'run-ways' were 
 covered by good marksmen, a party would get three or four 
 in a day. When I first came here, about fourteen years ago. 
 Foxes were very numerous, and when I fcund they killed so 
 many Pheasants, Wild Turkeys and Rabbits, as well as all 
 kinds of poultry, and sometimes young lam'bs, I tried to trap 
 them but had poor success; they were too smart. 
 
 VALUABLE INFORMATION. 
 
 "One day as good luck would have it. I hired a man who 
 had spent much of his time, in early life, with trappers in the 
 far west. He suggested, that if I wanted to kill Foxes, it 
 
388 
 
 could easily be done by shooting- some sparrows, charging them 
 with strychnine, and placing them where Foxes rambled. Be- 
 fore beginning this (to me) new mode of warfare against the 
 cunning Foxes which had so often defeated me in former years, 
 I spent about a week shooting sparrows, and I took some 
 chickens' heads, and nearly twenty tame pigeons which I shot, 
 and scattered these about places where Foxes loved to rove. 
 These birds and heads were not poisoned; they were only put 
 out to let the sly robbers learn how easily they could get a 
 good meal by coming to my premises. 
 
 ANDY, IT WAS STRYCHNINE,' NOT DISEASE. 
 
 "The second week I followed the man's advice and soon dead 
 Foxes were found scattered around over the mountains, in 
 fields; generally, however, they were found near water. The 
 farmers and woodsmen were astonished and always believed 
 some fatal disease had attacked these animals. I followed this 
 plan, every season, with the result that Foxes, after the first 
 two years, were hardly ever seen. 
 
 BIRDS INCREASED. 
 
 "The Pheasants increased rapidly, and many of these little 
 ground birds which you know by different names, were much 
 more plentiful then than they are now. Four years ago I left 
 this place; no more Sparrows were put out for wandering 
 Foxes, and, you see, as they increase Pheasants decrease, and 
 the Wild Turkey is rarely, if ever, seen in places where five 
 years ago it was of common occurrence. 
 
 HOW TO FIX THEiM. 
 
 "If you ever want to destroy Foxes get a lot of Sparrows — 
 English Sparrows are worthless — and open the belly, pull out 
 the insides, then put in the cavity as much strychnine as you 
 can hold on the point of the small blade of an ordinary pocket 
 knife, then push the entrails back; take about three poisoned 
 birds and put them in a place together; hang them on a low 
 bush or twig, lay them on a stump, or anywhere in the Foxes' 
 feeding grounds, away from human habitation. 
 
 WHAT A CHESTER COUNTY FARMER BE'LIEVES. 
 
 "Sometime ago you sent me a circular asking about birds 
 and animals, I will 5«nd you some memoranda which can, if 
 
389 
 
 they are worth the space, be used in your books, but I do not 
 care to have my name go with them, as I make no pretensions 
 to be either a naturalist or a writer. 
 
 HAWKS AND OWLS. 
 
 "There are several kinds of Hawks and Owls about our farm 
 and most of them do little harm because they live chiefly on 
 Mice. Of course, every now and then a pair of big Hoot Owls 
 (Great Horned), which nest in February in the woods, come 
 around and steal some chickens, but they, too, eat Mice, Kats, 
 and Rabbits, all of which, when numerous, are a nuisance. 
 Then there are two varieties of slimly-built Hawks, with long 
 tails, that every spring are very troublesome when the hens 
 hatch out their broods. These Hawks will sometimes dash 
 by you and carry off a young chicken under your very eyes. My 
 son, last year, shot two, and the taxidermist who stuffed these 
 birds called them the Cooper's Hawk, and the Sharp-shinned 
 Hawk. These names may be right but we call them Chicken 
 Hawks. When they can not get chickens they kill birds such 
 as the Robin, the Lark, the Dove, and lots more of smaller 
 kinds that I call field and ground chippies; and these Hawks 
 always kill Partridges when any are about, but won't catch 
 grasshoppers and Mice as the little Sparrow Hawk does. They 
 do much mischief and I believe should be killed. 
 
 WEASELS, SKUNK AND MINK. 
 
 "When the Skunk gets in the habit of visiting the hen roost 
 or stealing eggs he had better be dead so far as the farmer 
 and poultry raiser are concerned; but Skunks generally, I be- 
 lieve, would rather eat grub-worms, June-bugs, grasshoppers, 
 crickets, other kinds of insects and Mice. When these can be 
 found they don't often come about to rob our hens. I like the 
 Weasel because he kills so many Mice and Rabbits, but then 
 he, too, frequently comes to rob us of poultry, and his visits 
 mean the death of many fowls. The Mink is a very bad neigh- 
 bor. A family of Minks did much damage to our fish in the 
 pond last year, and killed a lot of ducks, and several chickens; 
 then the boys, luckily one day, found the Minks in their nest 
 under an old building near the dam, and they killed them all. 
 There are not very many Minks about these parts, at least, 1 
 have not seen or heard of any for nearly twelve months past. 
 I never knew the Red Squirrel to disturb chickens but he kills 
 a good many Robins and some other small birds. Rats are 
 great poultry thieves; and once I saw a Mouse eating a chicken. 
 
390 
 
 two or three days old, which I believe It caught. 'Coons and 
 'Possums both catch chickens, but neither is half as bad in this 
 respect as the Red Fox. 
 
 THE FOX A TERROR. 
 
 "This wily and sagacious animal is not only fond of chickens 
 but he will catch ducks, turkeys and geese whenever a chance 
 is offered. He menaces the lives and happiness of all birds 
 which brood on the ground; he is a terror and most adroit in 
 this line of contemptible plunder. The great scarcity of Part- 
 ridges (Quail) in this and neighboring counties, where some 
 years ago they were quite abundant, I think is mainly due to 
 the Fox devouring the eggs and young, and the old birds too, 
 if he can catch them. However it may be, as some say, that 
 mowing machines have been, in part, the cause of the pleasing 
 call 'Bob-White' becoming so scarce; but as already stated I 
 blame the sharp-nosed Fox for the scarcity of the plump, 
 white-throated whistler. 
 
 EVERYBODY KILLED FOXES THEN. 
 
 "Sixty years ago, when I was a boy, everybody killed all the 
 Foxes they could; they were usually shot, as they were very 
 hard to catch in traps. About ten years ago one of our boys 
 bought a new shot gun, and early one bright spring morning 
 when the birds were singing their sweet, joyous songs of praise 
 to the Giver of all that is good, I took it and slowly made my 
 way through the dewy grass, behind a hedge row, to some rocks 
 where I knew a family of Foxes lived. Reaching the place I 
 saw an old Fox and five young ones, about half grown, devour- 
 ing one of my neighbor's ducks. I shot both barrels and killed 
 two of the young, and the rest scampered into the den in the 
 rocks. I felt well satisfied with my success and took the ani- 
 mals down to the house. 
 
 HE PLEAD AND ALMOST CRIED FOR FOXES. 
 
 "You can imagine my surprise when my nephew, a young 
 man of about twenty, nearly cried when he saw the dead Foxes, 
 which he said he had paid our hired man to watch so no harm 
 might come to them. He told me how they destroyed mice, 
 caught all kinds of harmful bugs, hunted grasshoppers, and 
 killed Rabbits which consumed the cabbage and barked young 
 fruit trees when deep snows covered the ground. Finally I 
 promised not to shoot any more Foxes, and the agreement has 
 
891 
 
 not been broken. I was at a loss to understand how he had 
 become so impressed with the good deeds which he attributed 
 to Foxes, yet seemed to know nothing of their evil ways. 
 
 ■HOUNDS AND A BOB-TAILED HORSE. 
 
 "Later on I found he had an interest in a pack of dogs, which 
 in winter season he followed with fancy dress, colored like the 
 British wore at the Battle of Brandywine where some of his 
 ancestors died; and he had a bob-tailed saddle horse, that 
 could run and jump the fences. When I was young we didn't 
 have such things, but times, and the ways of people, have 
 changed most remarkably. I sometimes think as I learn of 
 baneful results of many of these changes that it is well that 
 my eyes have grown dim, that my hands have lost their 
 cunning, my steps become tottery, and that soon I shall depart 
 this life and rest in peace, love and contentment with my God 
 above. Foxes now live unmolested on the farm and although 
 they often take chickens or ducks I never complain, as the 
 money value is small, probably not over five or ten dollars a 
 year from all Foxes, and the other kinds of poultry-catching 
 pests. When my good wife, who sleeps in the church yard over 
 the hills, and I began life ten dollars was considered a good 
 deal, but now it don't seemi to be valued by young people, par- 
 ticularly if some one else earns it, and gives it to them to 
 spend. A boy or girl rarely appreciates the true value of dol- 
 lars, unless they earn them by honest work. 
 
 "T hope you will deal fully with the birds and animals, and 
 write books without a lot of big Latin names, so that our school 
 children can read them and know more about the true relations 
 that these creatures have in the broad field of nature. The 
 lack of proper information about insects, birds, animals and 
 plants is a source of much loss to those who engage in agricul- 
 ture. 
 
 HOW HE BEHAVES ACROSS THE OCEAN. 
 
 In the Old AYoikl Foxes appear to be just as bad as 
 they are ou tliis side of the Atlantic. Tlie European 
 Red Fox, eminent writers say, has no specific identity 
 from our Red Fox. To show how the Fox acts in other 
 lands the following- extracts are transcribed from Dr. 
 Brdim's Life of Animals: 
 
392 
 
 "The Fox preys on all animals from a young roe to a beetle, 
 but principally Mice. * * * He spares neither old or 
 young, and zealously pursues Hares and Rabbits, and even at- 
 tacks young roes or Deer. He not only plunders the nests of 
 all birds brooding on the ground, devouring both eggs and 
 young, but also tries to overcome the old birds, and not infre- 
 quently succeeds in doing so. He swims and wades through 
 swamps and marshes, in order to reach the birds which brood on 
 the water, and there are cases on record where he has killed 
 brooding Swans. He also attacks tame poultry and effects an 
 entrance into isolated farm-yards at night; and if he is afforded 
 a good cover, he pursues the poultry even in broad daylight. 
 In large orchards and vineyards he is a more frequent visitor 
 than one imagines. There he catches grasshoppers, May-bugs 
 and their grubs. Rain-worms, etc., or gathers sweet pears, 
 grapes or berries. At the river bank he tries to surprise a fine 
 Trout or a stupid Crab; at the sea-shore he empties the nets of 
 the fishers; in the forest he robs the nooses spread by the hun- 
 ter. In this way his larder is always well stocked and he be- 
 comes straitened in circumstances only when the snow is very 
 deep and impairs his opportunities. Then he is satisfied with 
 anything edible, not only with carcasses, which he will feed 
 upon at any season and seems to like, as all Canid^e (dog fam- 
 ily) do, but even with an old, dried-out bone or a piece of half- 
 rotten leather. Quite frequently, also, he visits the encamp- 
 ments of wood-choppers to pick up the remains of their repast. 
 When his hunger is half satisfied, he plays long and cruelly 
 with his prey before dispatching it. * * * Only the 
 pangs of hunger can goad him into reckless actions; but when 
 he has been long deprived of food he becomes downright im- 
 pudent. In broad daylight the hungry Fox will put in an ap- 
 pearance in a yard, seize upon a Chicken or Goose before peo- 
 ple's very eyes, and hasten away with his prey. He is much 
 averse to parting with the booty so arduously procured, and if 
 he is compelled to relinquish it, he repeatedy returns to see 
 whether he still cannot make away with it. The same bold- 
 ness is occasionally displayed by him under circumstances 
 calling for immediate flight. Once a Fox, which was being 
 hunted by hounds, and had twice heard the shot buzzing by, 
 seized a sick Hare in his flight and carried it with him for a 
 considerable distance. Another was surrounded in a field; he 
 came out, attacked a wounded Hare, killed it before the eyes 
 of the huntsmen, rapidly buried it in the snow, and then fled 
 directly through the line formed by the sportsmen." 
 
393 
 
 THEY DO FAR MORE HARM THAN GOOD. 
 
 Field observation and post moitem examinations 
 show that Foxes unquestionably do far more harm 
 than good. The great destruction of wild birds is, I 
 believe, of more loss to agricultural interests than the 
 benefit such interests receive from Foxes catching de- 
 structive mammals, grasshoppers and other forms of 
 insect life. Foxes not only destroy all kinds of song 
 and insect-eating birds and eggs they can get, but they 
 consume game of all kinds — and many of the game 
 birds, at certain seasons of the year eat harmful in- 
 sects. Advices from different parts of our State, es- 
 pecially in some of western counties, show that Foxes 
 kill a great many 3'oung lambs, and sometimes destroy 
 whole litters of pigs; this means a loss of money which, 
 in the aggregate, is considerable every year. The de- 
 struction of all kinds of domesticated fowls by Foxes 
 is shown on succeeding pages to be a serious hindrance 
 to poultry raisers. There is little doubt that Foxes — 
 both species — destroy annually many thousands of dol- 
 lars worth of poultry in Pennsylvania. Gray Foxes 
 do less injury to poultry interests because there are 
 less of them in our State, and, as a rule, they seem to 
 prefer to stay in woods and thickets away from the 
 habitations of man. The Gray Fox seems to want to 
 keep away from man's improved possessions, and 
 while he often steals the poultry of farmers about the 
 outskirts of the dark thickets and tangled underbrush 
 he lives in, his evil work consists mainly in destroying 
 beneficial birds and game. The Gray Fox is a good 
 traveler, but he does not, when searching for food, it 
 appears, wander over so much territory as his red- 
 coated relative. In the southern states wheie Gray 
 Foxes are much more numerous than they are with 
 25»--II 
 
394 
 
 lis, they catch hirge numbers of Quails; and in this 
 State Quail, Wild Turkey and Knifed Grouse or Pheas- 
 ants, and their nests, are destroiyed by the sneaking 
 gray-coated deju'edators whenever they can surprise 
 the birds or find their carefully-concealed homes. 
 
 WHAT FARMERS, POULTRY RAISERS AND SPORTS- 
 MEN SAY A'BOUT RED AND GTRAY FOXES. 
 
 HON. N. B. CRITCHFIELD, Jenners Cross Roads, Somerset 
 County: 
 
 A neighbor had a flock of eighteen turkeys, consisting of 
 mother I'en and seventeen half-grown ones, destroyed by a 
 Fox in one night during last summer. It was believed to be a 
 Red Fox because a track was outlined by feathers dropped on 
 the way for a distance of over a mile into a piece of woodland 
 where it could be plainly seen that the turkeys were dragged 
 into a hole under a ledge of rocks, and around the hole were 
 feathers and bones of other fowls that had been taken. The 
 mother Fox may have had help from the paternal occupant of 
 the den, but of that we cannot be certain. On the second morn- 
 ing after this wholesale destruction my attention was attracted 
 by the vigorous barking of a Fox at a spot near where the tur- 
 keys were when they were taken and when I gave his foxship 
 chase he went directly to the den of which I have spoken. We 
 have both Red and Gray Foxes; they are detrimental; the Red 
 is much more common and destructive than the Gray. 
 
 A. W. OOLEGROVE, Colegrove, McKean County: 
 
 Both Red and Gray are found here. Red is very plentiful. 
 They are very destructive to game; they, with the Wildcats, will 
 exterminate it in a short time if something is not done to ex- 
 terminate them. A large portion of this county is old slashings 
 and bark peelings which makes an ideal haunt for them. 
 
 E. O. AUSTIN, Austin, Potter County: 
 
 Both Red and Gray Foxes are plenty. The Red predominating 
 and most destructive to poultry. The Gray and Red Samson 
 Foxes are very shy of clearings and all prefer small wild game, 
 and all are persistent mousers; either kind, as well as the 
 Wildcat, will kill and eat the Porcupine, skinning him with 
 
395 
 
 almost a single snap and jerk. They occasionally take poul- 
 try or a young lamb, but I consider them far more beneficial 
 than detrimental to the farmer. I have had young lambs 
 carried off by Foxes, but have never had or heard of calves 
 being injured by Cats or Foxes. About ten years ago an old 
 she Fox was so persistent after a weak lamb near my house 
 that she would not be frightened away and I was compelled 
 to shoot her. 
 
 The Mink, Fox and Wildcat will attack and kill turkeys, 
 ducks, geese and chickens. The Weasel also is at times very 
 destructive to poultry, yet people often take great trouble to 
 get a Weasel to put in their barns on purpose to drive away 
 the rats and mice. The Great Horned Owl is also very destruc- 
 tive to poultry, especially to young turkeys and chickens. The 
 Owl, too, is probably the worst of any creature on the Pheasant 
 or Ruffed Grouse. It matters little how many start in to 
 winter, the Owls, with the help of the Fox, will diminish their 
 numbers greatly by spring. 
 
 A. JUDSON SMITH, New Millport, Clearfield County: 
 
 Both species are found here, but the Red is more plentiful 
 than the Gray, and the Red more sly and destructive than the 
 Gray. They are not numerous enough to do much damage to 
 poultry, although I lost a setting turkey hen and her eggs last 
 season, and I hear of some others; but some parties here claim 
 they are beneficial in destroying meadow mice. They destroy 
 Rabbits and while we do not grieve over that, we would prefer 
 they leave the Pheasants alone, which they do not seem dis- 
 posed to do. 
 
 B. ALEXANDER, Conemaugh, Cambria County: 
 
 We have both species and both deemed equally destructive 
 to poultry and game and small birds. Our Grouse, Rabbits and 
 Quail are almost exterminated by the depredations of these 
 animals. Many complaints from farmers about destruction of 
 fowls and young lambs. These animals are very numerous 
 since the removal and refusal of our commissioners to pay the 
 bounty. 
 
 E. P. CAMPBELL., West Pittston, Luzerne County: 
 
 Both kinds are here: Red most common. Killed three young 
 and two old Foxes; the male was red and full grown, the fe- 
 male gray; these were the dam and sire of three pups; they are 
 
:',0(; 
 
 as strongly marked a cross gray and red as I ever saw; I ex- 
 amined the stomach of one of the two-thirds grown pups and 
 it contained Field Mice and remains of Pheasants. 
 
 GEO. \V. HILL, Media, Delaware County: 
 
 I have lived on or been interested in some farm in Delaware 
 county for sixty-five years and have noticed particularly the 
 habits of Red Foxes and believe them to be beneficial to the 
 farmer. Many of our best farmers are of our opinion, and 
 will not suffer them destroyed or disturbed. It is true where 
 they have pups they will occasionally take chickens, but never 
 until the stock of Groundhogs, Muskrats and Mice are ex- 
 hausted. I have known them to carry Groundhogs and Musk- 
 rats one-half mile to their young and have watched them catch 
 Mice and pile them up eight or ten in a heap after they had 
 eaten all they wanted, and verily believe by destroying these 
 animals they more than pay for all the poultry they eat. "We 
 have no Gray Foxes. 
 
 DR. J. E. CLEVELAND, Canton. Bradford County: 
 
 We have the Red, Gray and Cross Fox. The first quite com- 
 ■mon and all equally destructive in proportion to their num- 
 bers. Foxes destroy a great many Field Mice and not a few 
 Woodchucks; but, on the whole, I believe them detrimental 
 to the farmer. 
 
 When a boy on my father's farm I went to a back pasture to 
 drive home the sheep; as I got in sight of the flock they were 
 huddled together and looking towards the woods; I soon dis- 
 covered the cause of their fright. A Fox was making towards 
 the woods as fast as his burden would let him. The farm dog 
 gave chase and the Fox dropped his prey and scampered off. I 
 found a lamib still bleeding that the Fox was carrying off. The 
 sheep had dropped the lamb that day but it was large and 
 had apparently been on its feet and nursed. Several lambs had 
 disappeared mysteriously. Several days after while hunting for 
 drummers (no game laws then), I found a hollow log with feath- 
 ers of Geese and Turkeys, skulls of Woodchucks and bits of lamb 
 skin with the wool on scattered around. I stopped up the end of 
 the log with stones, secured help and an axe and took out of 
 the log the mother Fox and five whelps. I hear complaints 
 every year from the farmers among whom I practice of their 
 losing poultry. Grown and half grown fowls are usually taken 
 in the day time and by Foxes. If a large number of fowls are 
 
397 
 
 taken from a neighborhood a search generally reveals a den 
 of young Foxes with abundant evidence of where the lost 
 poultry has gone. Chicks that are destroyed at night are 
 generally at roost near the farm buildings where a Fox dare 
 not come. A steel trap usually proves the marauder to be a 
 Skunk. Last summer one of my patrons complained of losing 
 hens eggs and blamed the domestic cat. I took an egg and 
 with the sharp point of a knife made a small hole in one end 
 of it and worked in a grain or so of strychnine and requested 
 it to be put in the nest after the hens had gone to roost, and 
 to be looked after early in the morning. The egg disappeared 
 and a full grown Skunk was found dead a few rods from the 
 hen house. Rats destroy the eggs of poultry. 
 
 RANDALL BISBING, Minsi, Monroe County: 
 
 We have both Red and Gray Foxes. They occasionally take 
 a chicken or turkey for a change, but they fairly earn them 
 by catching large quantities of bugs and beetles and grasshop- 
 pers. Yet I believe if the bounty was taken off their heads they 
 would become so plentiful that they would be a great detriment 
 to poultry raisers. I have caught Foxes, Minks, Skunks, Opos- 
 sum, Wildcats and Weasels in the act of killing poultry. Can- 
 not remember the number killed. Foxes as a rule kill but one 
 bird at a time and carry it away if they have young to feed. 
 They will come for chickens every day or every other day. 
 A friend had ten young turkeys taken by Foxes this last sum- 
 mer; he found the family house and dug out two young ones, 
 Red and one Cross Bar, and this confirms a theory of mine 
 that the Cross Bar Fox is only a freak of nature. The Mink 
 and Weasel will kill from one to a dozen fowls at a time, and I 
 think the Weasel is the most destructive to poultry and Rab- 
 bits, yet they prefer Rats to Chickens, and- won't kill the latter 
 as long as Rats are plenty. 
 
 P. FRANK RANGLER, Lewisburg, Union County: ' 
 
 I consider the Fox the worst enemy to our game birds. Near 
 the close of the last season I was hunting Pheasants along the 
 "White Deer Creek" well up in the mountains, when just at 
 evening I shot a fine bird that fell on the opposite side of 
 the creek, and as I could not cross the creek without walking 
 at least a mile or get wet, I concluded to let the bird go until 
 morning, when I would hunt that side of the creek. The next 
 morning I started with the assurance of having at least one 
 dead bird to begin with, but what was my disappointment 
 
398 
 
 when coming to wheie I had ^marked the bird — only to find a 
 lot of feathers — a Fox having claimed the other share during 
 the night. There being several inches of snow I saw that this 
 fellow had left his trail at least thirty yards — went straight to 
 the dead bird and after devouring it returned by the same track 
 to the old road and went up on the mountain. Now then, if a 
 Fox can scent a dead bird that distance how many Pheasants do 
 you suppose one Fox will kill in a year? and how about the 
 young birds that cannot fly or protect themselves at all? Foxes 
 destroy a great many Turkeys, Chickens and Ducks for our 
 farmers. Both species of Foxes are found in this and neigh- 
 boring counties, but the Red Fox is the most numerous. The 
 Gray Fox don't often come about farm buildings, but he 
 catches all the poultry he can which wanders near his fav- 
 orite haunts in the woods and slashings, he devours large 
 numbers of ground-nesting bir3s and is probably as bad as 
 the Red Fox in destroying Pheasants. I certaijily favor a 
 bounty for the heads of these cunning rascals. 
 
 J. H. DAVIS, Water Street, Huntingdon County: 
 
 We have both Red and Gray Foxes; the former is the most 
 common. The Fox and Polecat have often taken whole broods 
 of chickens from us; the Polecats come within three rods of the 
 house and interview the occupants of the coop. 
 
 HON. CHAS. LUHR, St. Mary's, Elk County: 
 
 We have both Red and Gray Foxes, and the Red predomin- 
 ate. They will visit very often the hen roosts and are very 
 bad about destroying game, especially Pheasants and Rabbits. 
 Both detrimental. 
 
 J. R. LEHMAN, Warrior's Mark, Huntingdon County: 
 
 We have both Gray and Red Foxes. The Red is the most 
 common and destructive to chickens and turkeys. Consider 
 both kinds detrimental to the farmer. 
 
 HON. P. M. LYTLE, Huntingdon County: 
 
 Both Red and Gray occur here. Red species is the most 
 common and most destructive to game and poultry. Both 
 kinds are detrimental to the farmer. 
 
 L. WELLS, Wyalusing, Bradford County: 
 
 Both kinds found here. Red is most destructive to poultry, 
 because it is more numerous than the Gray. Both kinds de- 
 
399 
 
 vour a great deal of game and catch some Mice. Consider them 
 detrimental. 
 
 FRED. L. KRAEMER, Williamsport, Lycoming County: 
 
 We have both the Red and Gray Foxes in our county. The 
 Red is the most common and destructive in our neighborhood. 
 
 P. S. STOVER, Lavonia, Centre County: 
 
 We can hardly raise turkeys at my place because of the 
 Foxes; we have to watch them nearly all day in summer. 
 
 DR. A. D. JOHNSTON, Allegheny: 
 
 We still have the Red Fox, thanks to his superior cunning. 
 They are not very abundant. They do help themselves to the 
 farmer's chickens occasionally. No bounty should be paid 
 for them. The sportsman will take care of them that they do 
 not become too abundant. 
 
 W. C. BABCOCK, Blossburg, Tioga County: 
 
 Red Foxes are plenty, the Gray scarce; very destructive to 
 game. Are detrimental to farmers because they destroy so 
 much poultry. They catch a good many Mice and some insects 
 also. 
 
 ABNER FAOUE, Picture Rocks, Lycoming County: 
 
 I have known Wildcats to kill young Deer and Foxes to kill 
 young lambs. The Red Fox is most common and destructive 
 to poultry of all kinds. Both Red and Gray Foxes are great 
 destroyers of game, and they also consume large numbers of 
 small song birds. They are very bad tenants on the farm. The 
 Mice and other enemies we have which Foxes catch do not 
 compensate farmers and poultry raisers for fowls they lose 
 by the Foxes' cunning raids. 
 
 W. H. HERBERTSON, Brownsville, Fayette County: 
 
 I often see where Foxes have got in their work on both do- 
 mestic fowls and game birds. Foxes and Hawks are our 
 worst enemies in this section and we kill all that we can, and 
 the Gun Club has been paying fifty cents per head on all 
 killed within six miles of our town. 
 
400 
 
 A. P. YOUNG. Millville, Columbia County: 
 
 Have had Turkeys and Chickens on different occasions taken 
 by Foxes; Skunks will rob nests. There should be a bounty on 
 
 Foxes. 
 
 DAVID COPE, Leonard, Chester County: 
 
 Red Fox rather common and I consider this animal detrimen- 
 tal to the farmer. 
 
 F. H. FASSETT, Meshoppen, Wyoming County: 
 
 Red Fox common. Gray Fox rather scarce. Both are detri- 
 mental; they destroy poultry, game and song- birds which brood 
 on the ground. 
 
 OAPT. JOHN M. BUCKALEW, Fishing Creek, Columbia 
 County: 
 
 Foxes, Minks and Weasels all destroy poultry. Have many 
 times found feathers and bones of domestic fowls at dens of 
 Foxes; also have seen both Foxes and Minks carrying off 
 poultry. 
 
 Red Foxes and occasionally Gray are found here. Red com- 
 mon and quite destructive to game and song birds and their 
 nests. Gray believed to be quite as much so, as he is inclined 
 to climb. 
 
 H. K. MENSCH, Muncy Station, Lycoming County: 
 
 Foxes have destroyed many Turkeys and Chickens for me and 
 my neighbors. 
 
 W. F. WAGNER, Coalport, Clearfield County: 
 
 Both kinds are here, the Red Fox most common. Both spe- 
 cies are detrimental to the farmer. They destroy a large amount 
 of poultry and are persistent hunters of game. Pheasants and 
 all birds which build on the ground are destroyed by Foxes. 
 
 A. W. WRIGHT, Colfax, Huntingdon County: 
 
 Have known Foxes on different occasions to kill lambs, and 
 know of numerous instances where he caught Chickens and 
 Turkeys. Weasels often destroy poultry— Turkeys as well as 
 Chickens. Foxes, both Gray and Red, are certainly very detri- 
 mental to farmers. They destroy many broods of the Wild 
 Turkey, and Pheasants are one of their main articles of diet. 
 
401 
 
 PROF. H. T. FERNAL.D, State College, Centre County: 
 
 Both species are found about here, but the Red Fox is much 
 more plentiful than the Gray. They do much damage t» poul- 
 try and game. 
 
 TQWNSEND PRICE, Canadensis, Monroe County: 
 
 Foxes and Minks catch a good many Chickens and Ducks. 
 Skunks and Foxes destroy eggs. Foxes do a great deal of 
 damage to game interests by devouring so many Pheasants and 
 Rabbits. 
 
 J. E. HADLOBAUGH. Patterson, Pa.: 
 
 We have both the Red and Gray Fox; consider them detri- 
 mental to farmers. 
 
 SAMUEL M. DOWNS, Mauch Chunk, Carbon County: 
 
 Have both Red and Gray Foxes. Gray is the most common 
 and destructive to game and poultry. I consider both kinds 
 detrimental to the farmer. 
 
 I. D. HOWETL/L. 
 
 Foxes, Red and Gray, are quite plentiful and increasing; since 
 the premium for killing is stopped there is no inducement to 
 hunters to capture them. The Fox is ever prowling round im- 
 proving every chance, and is very bold and daring. Several of 
 my neighbors last year lost their hatching Turkeys and the 
 whole brood by a Fox; a few daj'S ago a neighboring farmer 
 had one killed in sight of his house by a Fox. The Fox occa- 
 sionally carries off a Lamb; would steal all of them but for the 
 old dam that is usually on guard. Last spring a year ago, 
 there were some fifty Foxes caught in this section by three hun- 
 ters. The Red Fox is the worst. 
 
 M. C. OSBORN, Henderson, Mercer County: 
 
 We have some Red Foxes, but they are no good to the farmer; 
 I think they hunt Mice and young Rabbits, but the farmer 
 can get along without them. 
 
 THOS. B. DARLINGTON, West Chester, Chester County: 
 
 Foxes are more plenty than welcome and farmers who are 
 not hunters would be glad if there was not a Fox in the county; 
 
 26--n 
 
402 
 
 they take a great deal of poultry and birds as anyone may see 
 by groing to a den when they have a litter of young to feed; 
 it has been my opinion for a long time that they destroy a lot 
 of Partridges while roosting on the ground at night; they also 
 catch the Redwing Blackbird and other species which nest on 
 or near the ground. 
 
 DR. A. B. MacCREA, Berwick, Oolumibia County: 
 
 Both kinds here; Red common; they are destructive to poultry 
 in the back districts. They are very detrimental to game. 
 
 ALFRED SHARIPIjESS, West Chester, Chester County: 
 
 Foxes are rather plenty and no doubt carry away many 
 Chickens, Ducks and Geese that cannot be accounted for from 
 the farmer's flocks. His presence here is a nuisance because 
 of his bringing out sportsmen and dogs who daily traverse the 
 country throwing down and destroying fences in their reckless 
 pursuit of him. A bounty should be placed on his scalp. 
 
 J AS. S. NBASE, Washington, Washington County: 
 
 The Red Fox only is found here. Destroys some Rabbits 
 and occasionally Ruffed Grouse and Quail. Foxes destroy bum- 
 ble bees, yellow jackets and Mice. I consider them to be bene- 
 ficial to the farmer. 
 
 GEO. MONTGOMERY, Washington, Washington County: 
 
 A farmer who lives in the western extremity of this county 
 told me he had nineteen Turkeys killed by Foxes last fall. Do 
 not know of any Gray Foxes in this county. The Red Fox is 
 very destructive to game and poultry, and has been known to 
 steal a whole litter of young Pigs. They kill a great many Field 
 Mice, but I think they might be classed as detrimental to the 
 farmer. 
 
 JOSIAH PILE, New Lexington, Somerset County: 
 
 We have both Red and Gray Foxes; the Red is the most 
 common and destructive. I consider both species detrimental 
 to the farmer. 
 
 E. B. HOSTETLER, Kingswood, Somerset County: 
 
 We have Foxes, both Red and Gray. They will kill Lambs, 
 Chickens, Turkeys, Pheasants, Rabbits, etc. 
 
4o:? 
 
 W. J. STTJL.L, Coalport, ClearHera County: 
 
 We have both Red and Gray Foxes; the Gray are very 
 rare, the Red more common and destructive to poultry and 
 game. I consider Foxes detrimental to the farmer. 
 
 JOHN KELLOW, Carley Brook, Wayne County: 
 
 The times are so numerous where I have personally suffered 
 from the depredations of the Red Fox that I cannot detail them. 
 Every year we lose from five to twenty Turkeys by them. Three 
 years ago I lost eleven out of a flock of twenty Turkeys, and in 
 the daytime while the workmen in a neighboring hay field were 
 looking on. The Turkeys were catching grasshoppers in a pas- 
 ture lot adjoining the hayfield, but at some distance from the 
 men; there was a woods close to the pasture, and when the 
 Foxes attacked them they flew in every direction. It was near 
 evening. As soon as the workmen told us we went for them and 
 recovered four or flve before dark; the next morning we found 
 four or five in the trees; in all we got nine out of twenty. 
 Sometimes the Foxes will find a hen Turkey sittting on a nest 
 of eggs, when they take both Turkey and eggs. I could tell 
 of scores of their depredations. It would take a ream of paper 
 to detail all of the mischief of the red devils. 
 
 JEREMIAH PHILLIPS, Garrett, Somerset County: 
 
 Three years ago, right in our neighborhood, there were about 
 100 young Foxes caught for premiums, and if they had made 
 their escape the farmers could not have raised any Lambs or 
 poultry. One spring there was a den of a Fox close by my fath- 
 er's, and he caught about sixty Turkeys and probably twice 
 as many Chickens in the neighborhood. One Sunday we heard 
 a racket among our hens. 'My father walked out to see what 
 was v;rong, and there was a Fox going for them. He went 
 back to the house, got his rifle and shot him; he had killed 
 eight chickens. I could name several cases like this. I have 
 on several occasions found dens which were well filled with the 
 remains of poultry, Pheasants, small song birds and Lambs. 
 
 SAMUEL BOTHELL, Shelocta, Indiana County: 
 
 Both species occur here; about eight Red to one Gray. They 
 both are very detrimental; they thin out Rabbits as nothing 
 but a very hard winter will do. 
 
 Have personal knowledge of Foxes carrying off young Lambs, 
 A few years ago I lost eight; they take them any age under 
 
404 
 
 three weeks. Crows will kill very young Lambs by picking their 
 eyes out. 
 
 I have personal knowledge of most all domesticated fowls 
 being killed, ca^rried off and injured by Foxes, Minks and 
 Hawks. Last summer a Fox reared its young within half a 
 mile of our poultry yard, and they carried off for us from 
 twelve to thirty full grown Chickens during the daytime. We 
 saw them several times. A few years ago we lost seventeen 
 half-grown Chickens in one night, presumably by a Mink — any- 
 way by a blood sucking animal. I have often noticed Crows de- 
 stroying young birds, their eggs and the eggs of fowls. 
 
 A. C. SISSON, La Plume, Lackawanna County: 
 
 Foxes, both Red and Gray are found here; Red the most 
 common and destructive to poultry and game; they are no 
 benefit to the farmer, but detrimental. Foxes occasionally take 
 young Lambs. 
 
 JAMES THOMAS, Curwensville, Clearfield County: 
 
 Foxes, both Red and Gray are very destructive and very 
 plentiful, destroying poultry and game; also carry away young 
 Lambs, and are highly detrimental to the farmer. 
 
 HARRY WILSON, Gum Tree, Chester County: 
 
 I have never seen any but the Red Fox in Chester county. I 
 have seen this Fox catch grown hens in daytime. I once saw 
 a Fox catch a hen which owing to her weight he was unable 
 to carry; the Fox after dragging it a short distance took the 
 hen by the head, threw it across his body over the shoulders 
 and ran with its head to one side. It is generally believed that 
 Foxes live in holes, but I have more than once come upon them 
 in daytime sleeping curled up dog fashion in fence corners; so 
 I believe except as a refuge, and during breeding season, and 
 while the litter is yet young. Foxes do not live in holes. I do 
 not believe that Foxes are more detrimental to farmers than 
 beneficial. They destroy a vast amount of Field Mice. I have 
 never had a Fox visit my hen roost or poultry yard except when 
 they had a litter. I have on two occasions seen a Fox chase 
 sheep, but in both cases as the sheep ran to buildings, the Fox 
 gave up the chase. I once dug out a litter of young Foxes for 
 the Fox bounty; there were five in the hole. I found along the 
 passage way leading to main burrow two pockets or recesses, 
 in the side of the hole; both, like the nest, were lined with dried 
 
405 
 
 grass, and contained Chicken feathers, bird feathers, Rabbit 
 fur, bones and a much decomposed Weasel. 
 
 DR. L. W. SCHNATTERLiY, Freeport, Armstrong County: 
 
 Both species occur here; the Red most common and destruc- 
 tive to poultry. They destroy a great many broods of young 
 Quail and Pheasants. Both kinds destroy young Lambs. 
 
 GEORGE W. CHAMBERS, Mifflinburg, Union County: 
 
 We have the Red and Gray Foxes; the Red the most com- 
 mon; the Gray stay more on the mountains, but the Red ones 
 come into the valleys and live among the rocks, where they 
 are safe. They do considerable damage, and are the most de- 
 structive to poultry and game on account of their roving dis- 
 position. A few years ago an old Fox made her home in a 
 piece of timber not far from my home. Turkeys that were 
 hatching out in the field were killed. We tried to find her but 
 could not until a little snow fell, when one evening we found 
 a hollow tree in which we supposed she had some young hid; 
 being late, we concluded we would wait until morning, and that 
 night the snow melted. In the morning we cut down the tree, 
 but she had taken them away in the night. The tree was filled 
 up with Turkey and Chicken bones. They destroy many Quail 
 and Pheasants. I do not think that the Fox scalp act should be 
 repealed, for they would become so plentiful as to become a 
 great nuisance to farmers. 
 
 F. J. WAGENSELLER, M. D., Selinsgrove, Snyder County: 
 
 We have both the Red and Gray Fox; the Red is the most 
 common and the most destructive to game and poultry. I con- 
 sider them detrimental to the farmer, and one of the chief 
 causes of the decrease of game. 
 
 W. R. PARK, Athens, Bradford County: 
 
 Both Red and Gray Foxes are present, but Red most plenti- 
 ful and destructive to game. Would consider them detrimental 
 to farmers in many ways. 
 
 F. M. McKEiE'HAN, Ferguson, Perry County: 
 
 Foxes are common, but few Gray ones; ordinarily Foxes do 
 not do much harm to poultry, but destroy much wild game. 
 When they have their den of young the old she one becomes 
 
406 
 
 very bold. A gentleman told me last spring a Fox made a raid 
 on his poultry nearly every morning-. He was on the lookout for 
 it; when he saw it coming he ran for his rifle, when the lady 
 of the house cried out "the Fox!" The Fox then turned and 
 ran for an old hen, never stopping; but as he grabbed the hen, 
 he shot; the Fox ran on, the hen rose and flew to barn dropping 
 dead; the Fox had bitten her in the head. 
 
 Mr. Isaac Orwan, who has given considerable thought and 
 attention to our mammals, says, when in Northumberland 
 county, he found a den of Foxes around which were pelts and 
 bones of Lambs. A Mr. Park residing near there had lost about 
 fifteen Lambs. Another time he found a den where a Weasel 
 had just been caught and brought in. He has frequently found 
 dens where there were plenty of poultry feathers. 
 
 JASPER T. JENNINGS, New Milford, Susquehanna County: 
 
 The Fox often destroys Partridges and other kinds of game, 
 and is probably more of an enemy to the hunter and sports- 
 man than he is to the farmer. 
 
 AARON WEIDNER, Arendtsville, Adams County: 
 
 We have both Red and Gray Foxes; the Gray are the most 
 common and destructive to game and poultry. I consider both 
 detrimental to the farmer. 
 
 C. P. MOTT, Milford, Pike County: 
 
 Foxes are quite numerous, but their natural food of Squirrels, 
 Rabbits, Birds, Mice, Moles, etc., so nearly furnish their wants 
 that their slaughter of poultry near clearings and habitations 
 are infrequent. They, like the Weasel, Mink, Wildcat and 
 Groundhog, appear to have no usefulness to compensate for 
 their depredations and should go. 
 
 JOHN F. THOMAS, Carrolltown, Cambria County: 
 
 Foxes are known to be destructive to all smaller game, par- 
 ticularly Rabbits and Ruffed Grouse (when hatching) as well 
 as to the Quail. We have in this county both Red and Gray 
 Foxes, but the Red predominates and is the most destructive. 
 I think the Fox (either kind) highly detrimental as regards the 
 preservation of our game. 
 
 H. C. KNOUSE, Swales, Juniata County: 
 
 Gray Foxes are rare; Red Fox is a great enemy of both poul- 
 try and game; they depredate in day time and make bold to 
 
407 
 
 come close to the house; but the greatest damage they do is 
 among Turkeys, since Turkeys take a wide range and are 
 therefore more exposed. 
 
 C. W. DICKINSON, Norwich, McKean County: 
 
 Have both Red and Gray Foxes in this county, but the Red 
 is the most common. They do but little damage to poultry; 
 they catch a good many Rabbits and Partridges and many 
 kinds of small birds. I think the Fox does as much good as he 
 does damage, for I know he catches a good many Squirrels, 
 Woodchucks and Field Mice. The Fox is a great hunter. I have 
 seen an old she Fox with five Mice in her mouth at one time 
 that she was carrying to her young. I have seen a Fox with 
 four Chipmunks (Ground Squirrels) in her mouth at once, 
 therefore I certainly think the Fox does more good than dam- 
 age to the farmer. 
 
 I have known of Foxes killing Turkeys, Geese and Chickens; 
 a Fox killed five setting Turkeys for me in a single season and 
 devoured all the eggs. The Turkeys were sitting on 101 egg.s in 
 the five nests. I saw the Fox tracks in the soft ground around 
 four of the nests and found where the Fox had carried some 
 of the Turkeys to its den for its young. 
 
 GEO. M. DAY, Dybcrry, Wayne County: 
 
 Mr. H. W. Adams, two years ago lost nearly 100 chickens, 
 mostly by Foxes. Red Fox is most common here. I have paid 
 bounty on seventy-two Foxes this fall and winter; sixty-nine 
 Red and three Gray Foxes, so give the Red Fox credit for 
 most good or evil as the case may be. If the farmer has too 
 many Chickens scattered around his fields, Mr. Fox is ready 
 and anxious to help him care for them, or if grasshoppers and 
 Mice abound he is ever ready to reduce the crop. I watched 
 a pair of young Foxes one frosty October morning playing, hop, 
 skip, etc., but a nearer view showed they were busy catching 
 grasshoppers, and they kept it up an hour or more; at other 
 times they are very busy looking for Mice, and do more good 
 that way than we usually give them credit for. An old time 
 way to get the^n is to go out early in the morning (say in No- 
 vember) and call them up "by imitating the squeak of a Mouse. 
 
 H. T. FRANKENFIELD, Frutcheys, Monroe County: 
 
 Red and Gray Foxes we have here and plenty of them. I 
 consider them detrimental to the farmer and sportsman. I have 
 
40S 
 
 found whole coveys of Quail destroyed in a single night; they 
 eat what they can and bury the rest, the same as a Dog does. 
 I found not long ago where a tree had blown down; the tree 
 lay high on the stump, the top on the ground; snow falling on 
 the trunk formed a hole or cavity under the tree; the Quail 
 went under for shelter or roost; the Fox sprang in the hole, and 
 I think destroyed them all. By going to their dens where they 
 have their young you can find feathers of poultry and game. 
 
 SAMUEL D. IRWIN, Tionesta, Forest County: 
 
 Reynard is well represented in the western part of Forest 
 county, on the hills and among the rocks in the neighborhood 
 of farms; both Red and Gray, the Red being the most plenti- 
 ful, constituting, I should judge, seventy-five per cent. I do not 
 consider the Fox beneficial to the farmer, especially if he wishes 
 to engage in poultry raising. Mr. Hinton, of Tionesta township, 
 in one week lost forty chickens out of two hundred, through 
 the agency of Foxes. They got so bold that they carried off 
 Chickens in daylight. They are extensively trapped and hunted 
 for their pelts and scalps, on which there is a bounty in this 
 section. 
 
 WM. D. ROMBACH, Saltsburg, Pa.: 
 
 Both Red and Gray Foxes; think Red are most numeroiis, 
 and they are the most destructive. Both detrimental. 
 
 E. GARD EDWARDS, Ramey, Clearfield County: 
 
 Foxes are common and they are more destructive to game 
 than poultry. 
 
 D. KISTLER, Kistler, Perry County: 
 
 The Fox destroys Wild Turkeys, Grouse and any other bird 
 he can get. Foxes carry off Lambs, and all of them ought to die. 
 Foxes are plentiful in this locality, and they destroy a great 
 deal of poultry. 
 
 J. K. BIRD, Mill view, Sullivan County: 
 
 We have the Red Fox. They destroy poultry of all kinds; 
 also Pheasants and young Lambs. 
 
 M. B. TRESCOTT, Harveysville, Luzerne County: 
 
 I have seen Foxes catch Turkeys by daylight out in the open 
 fields, and Chickens the same way, and carry them to their 
 
409 
 
 burrows. I have followed and caught the whole nest of Foxes, 
 both old and youngr. Several years ago my father found some- 
 thing had killed our Chickens, twenty-two in number; were all 
 gone but one. He followed the trail and found the whole 
 twenty-one dragged off to hiding places. The last one, still 
 warm, was dragged into a hollow black ash. We pulled the 
 chicken out and found a Mink (a very large one) had gone in 
 first and was still trying to drag the "old rooster" in after 
 him, but the hole was too small. I came home one night and 
 found an Owl of very large size had lit down in the back yard 
 and was feeding on a Goose. I had a whole flock of Pigeons de- 
 stroyed in one night by Owls. Their roost and boxes were in 
 a long shed; we found one Owl glutted so he could not fly; the 
 others had flown to a piece of woods about twepty rods off, 
 and after a little search we found three of the Owls there una- 
 ble to fly. I "had a brood of half-grown Guineas destroyed the 
 same way. I have seen Crows dart down into a chicken yard, 
 pick up a young Chicken and fly off, and have seen Hawks do 
 the same, and sometimes take a full grown hen. I might write 
 much more in the same line of my own experience with Minks, 
 Foxes, Weasels, Crows, Hawks and Owls. 
 
 JOHN E. STOCKER, Ashley, Luzerene county: 
 
 We have both Red and Gray Foxes; the Red is the most com- 
 mon on our mountains; they are of no value to farmers, as 
 they destroy poultry if not secured in sheds; they are very de- 
 structive to Pheasants and Rabbits — to the young Pheasants 
 especially; oftentimes along the rocks one will find their drop- 
 ping composed mostly of Rabbit hair and toenails. English 
 Sparrows were fastened to bushes with their entrails taken 
 out and stuffed with poison; some Foxes were taken in that 
 manner, also some Dogs. Oftentimes some railroaders coming 
 down the mountains would see Foxes feeding on some recently 
 killed Cow, or be running along the track in quest of Wood- 
 chucks or the Cottontail, feeding on corn or grain dropped from 
 grain cars. 
 
 GEO, FRANO, Ariel, Wayne County: 
 
 Foxes are quite abundant and very destructive to domestic 
 fowls and small wild birds. 
 
 PETER COVEY, Newfoundland, Pa.: 
 
 Foxes are numerous; we have both Red and Gray, and they 
 are about equal in their destructiveness to game and poultry; 
 
410 
 
 they are quite troublesome to farmers here. I have personal 
 knowledge of the loss of thirty-two half-grown Turkeys in one 
 night. Am confident that Foxes did it by the feathers scat- 
 tered in all directions. Have frequently seen Foxes carry off 
 poultry. 
 
 ENOS BLOOM, New Millport, Clearfield County: 
 
 Have both Red and Gray Foxes; the Red is the most plentiful 
 and is detrimental to the farmers; they kill and destroy poul- 
 try and kill young Lambs, and are also very destructive to wild 
 birds, such as Pheasants and various other species which the 
 State should protect; particularly is this true of the young 
 Pheasants. It is the habit of the young Pheasant on being first 
 alarmed to poke its head under a leaf or grass, leaving the 
 body exposed, and the Fox scents them and makes many 
 feasts on them. 
 
 N. F. UNDERWOOD, Lake Como, Wayne County: 
 
 Concerning the breeding habits of Red Foxes would say that 
 John F. Jaycox, a hunter and trapper of this place, killed a 
 female Fox here only a day or two ago, which contained six 
 young ones; the usual litter is, I think, three or four. Red 
 Foxes very common; have paid bounty on thirty or forty this 
 winter. Gray Fox rare. Foxes destroy considerable poultry 
 as well as much game. Pheasants, Rabbits and small birds. 
 
 GEO. W. WOOD, Equinunk, Wayne County: 
 
 Foxes are numerous, and very destructive to poultry. Wayne 
 county paid in 1893 over $700 as bounty on Foxes, Wildcats, etc. 
 
 EiMIL ULRICH, Stroudsburg, Monroe County: 
 
 Gray Foxes are most common and they steal many Chickens. 
 Consider them detrimental to a farmer, and favor bounty on 
 them. 
 
 DR. H. D. MOORE, New Lexington, Somerset County: 
 
 We have both Red and Gray Foxes. The Red Fox is most 
 destructive to poultry; he seems to be more cunning and bold 
 than the Gray Fox. Both are equally destructive to game. 
 Beneficial to farmers by destroying Field Mice. 
 
 DR. C. E. GOLDSBORO'UGH, Hunterstown, Adams County: 
 
 We have Red Foxes common in our lowlands, and Red and 
 Gray Foxes equally common on the mountains. Red Foxes 
 
411 
 
 are more destructive because larger, swifter and bolder. Both 
 kinds are detrimental to the farmer. 
 
 Foxes, I am satisfied, do much mischief to turkeys while 
 hatching, and with their young; am led to this belief from hav- 
 ing suffered on one occasion until I killed three Foxes, 
 when the trouble ceasect. Weasels come next in de- 
 stroying Chickens. 
 
 L. T. WILT, Franklin, Venango County: 
 
 Both Red and Gray; the Red more abundant, hence more 
 destructive to poultry and game. They prey on the Ruffed 
 Grouse during the whole year; they are experts in taking a 
 Ruffed Grouse in winter when they have plunged under the 
 snow. The Fox jumps zigzag past the hole in the snow, and 
 as the bird raises takes him on the wing. The writer never 
 saw a case where it would score a miss. Detrimental to the 
 farmer, and likewise to the game interests. 
 
 GEO. K. BOAK, Pine Glen, Centre County: 
 
 We introduced Wild Turkeys in our game preserves and the 
 Wildcats and Foxes destroyed them, both old and young, re- 
 gardless of efforts made to exterminate them by poison and 
 traps. We have both Red and Gray Foxes; they are very de- 
 str«ctive to game and poultry in tTiis region. 
 
 OTTO BEHR, Lopez, Sullivan County: 
 
 Have only seen Red Foxes in this county. Think they are 
 beneficial to the farmer. They catch multitudes of grasshop- 
 pers, beetles and insects of all kinds, and lots of Wood and 
 Meadow Mice. My brother found a nest of young Foxes not 
 more than a week old, that had forty-two Mice aijd Squirrels 
 in it, mostly all Mice. There is occasionally a Gray Fox shot 
 here, but not often. 
 
 B. F. HERRINGTON, Waynesburg, Greene County: 
 
 No Gray Foxes; the Red Fox is quite numerous and is detri- 
 mental to some extent from the fact that he preys on the 
 poultry, and has been known to carry off young pigs and 
 lambs. 
 
 J. L. BRAUNER, Exchange, Montour County: 
 
 Red and Gray Foxes are found in our county, and both are 
 destructive to the farmer's poultrj- ami game. 
 
412 
 
 M. E. KDMERER, Weissport, Carbon County: 
 
 Foxes kill great numbers of our Chickens, Turkeys and Ducks, 
 and they also destroy considerable game of different kinds. 
 
 HON. A. L. MARTIN, Enon Valley, Lawrence County: 
 
 We have both Red and Gray Foxes. They are detrimental. 
 They annually destroy a large amount of poultry. 
 
 J. S. GAY, Terry town, Bradford County: 
 
 Both Red and Gray Foxes are found with us, but the Red 
 ones are more common; both species are destructive to the 
 farmer as they catch poultry. 
 
 A. P. BREWER, Norwich, McKean County: 
 
 Foxes I consider a great benefit to farmers, as they catch a 
 great many Mice. 
 
 GEO. S. APPLEBY, Decorum, Huntingdon County: 
 
 We have plenty of both, and they do much damage to poultry 
 raisers. They also devour a great deal of game of various var- 
 ieties. 
 
 PAUL SWINGLE, S. Canaan, Wayne County: 
 
 Foxes, both Red and Gray, do a large amount of damage to 
 farmers in this region by destroying poultry. 
 
 MR. PIERSON, Dysart, Cambria County: 
 
 Have Red and Gray Foxes in quantities about equal. The 
 Foxes of Cambria county destroy more game than all the hun- 
 ters. Hav« trailed a Fox and have known him to kill and eat 
 four Pheasants in one night, and kill one Rabbit and eat the 
 head of it. Like the Wildcat, Foxes are hard on young Pheas- 
 ants, Rabbits and Turkeys. 
 
 B. F. RENNET, Pike County: 
 
 Have both Red and Gray Foxes; both detrimental to farmers. 
 They destroy a' gool deal of game, particularly Grouse. 
 
 THOS. SEABORNE, Newlin, Pa.: 
 
 Foxes are perhaps the worst animals we have, destroying 
 Chickens, Turkeys, Ducks and Geese. 
 
413 
 
 C. R. NOYES, Westport, Perry County: 
 
 Foxes are destructive to poultry and game. 
 
 ARTHUR MARTIN, Sandy Lake, Mercer County: 
 
 We have some Foxes, mostly Red; they destroy poultry and 
 wild game to a considerable extent. 
 
 CHAS. HICKOX, Oliverburg, Pa.: 
 
 We have both Red and Gray Foxes; the Red most plentiful 
 and very detrimental to the farmer. 
 
 T. B. HOOVER, Wellsville, Pa.: 
 
 We have Red' Foxes. They are considered detrimental to the 
 poultry interests. 
 
 FRED SAXE, Taxidermist and Naturalist, West Pittston, Pa.: 
 
 We have both the Red and Gray Foxes in our county. The 
 Red is most common, and is the most destructive to poultry 
 and game. I consider that both kinds are detrimental to the 
 farmer. There was a man in town that owned a Fox a couple 
 of years ago, and it got loose one night and killed four Chick- 
 ens in a neighbor's hen roost. Foxes will also eat eggs of 
 chickens. 
 
 A. D. McCRAC'KEN, New Lebanon, Mercer County: 
 
 We have both the Red and Gray Foxes; the Red most num- 
 erous and destructive to game and poultry. I consider them a 
 detriment to the farmer. 
 
 JAS. LINDSAY, Utica, Pa.: 
 
 We have both Red and Gray Foxes here and they do con- 
 siderable damage to poultry. They also destroy many kinds 
 of small wild birds. 
 
 T. H. HARTER, Bellefonte, Centre County: 
 Foxes are very destructive to Pheasants. 
 
 A. W. RHOADS, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.: 
 
 Red Foxes are common and numerous; Gray Foxes rare. The 
 Red Fox is a great destroyer of game birds and poultry. They 
 are highly detrimental to the farmer. 
 
414 
 
 HON. G. C. BROWN. Yorkana, York County: 
 
 Have known Foxes to kill and eat Lambs of forty to fifty 
 pounds weight. I have poisoned six with one Lanub carcass, 
 and all were lying dead at one time along with a Hawk and 
 three Crows. 
 
 NOAH H. PARKER, McKean County: 
 
 Foxes are the most destructive of a.ny animal we have here. 
 They prey upon domestic fowls and birds of any kind when- 
 ever an opportunity presents itself. 
 
 R. W. WEHRLE, Blairsville, Indiana County: 
 
 Farmers in this section have told me that Foxes have killed 
 large numbers of Lambs. 
 
 J. H. VAN ETTEN, Milford, Pike County: 
 
 Little different as to species. Both kinds destructive to 
 game and poultry. One hundred and eighty of both kinds 
 killed in year 1S93 in Pike county. 
 
 JACOB B. MEIXEL, Boiling Springs, Cumberland County: 
 
 We have both kinds of Foxes in our county. The Red Fox 
 does the most damage to game. I consider Foxes enemies to 
 farmers. 
 
 W. G. SARGEANT, Meadville, Crawford County: 
 
 Red Foxes are not very abundant and occasionally a Gray 
 one is seen. I consider that they should be exterminated be- 
 cause they destroy our game birds, especially young Grouse. 
 
 GEO. R. BROWNELL, A. P. POPE and W. R. PAGE, Smeth- 
 port, Pa.: 
 
 Farmers lose many Lambs by Foxes each spring. 
 
 L. C. OBERLIN, Smicksburg, Indiana County: 
 
 Foxes are common and destructive to poultry and game. 
 The Red are the worst. I never knew a Gray to kill poultry, 
 but still they may be detrimental. 
 
 JOS. W. KYLE, Milroy, Mifflin County: 
 
 Foxes are quite common and the Red Fox is the most num- 
 erous. They are very destructive to poultry and game. I re- 
 gard them to be detrimental to the farmer. 
 

 
415 
 
 GRAY FOX. 
 
 Urocyon cinereoargenteiis. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Nearly as large as the Red Fox, but perhaps a little more 
 chunky and has shorter legs. It is not subject to the marked 
 variations of pelage already described in the Red Fox. The pre- 
 vailing color is a frosted grayish-black; each of the long hairs 
 projecting above the thick coat of yellowish and grayish fur, 
 and so conspicuous on upper parts generally are starting at the 
 roots, whitish, then dusky, then white, aljout % of an inch) and 
 black (about % an inch) to ends. Cheeks and throat are whit- 
 ish. The ears behind and about base, side of neck, streak 
 across the chest, edges of abdomen, and more or less of legs, 
 reddish or cinnamon brown. Lower parts are whitish and pale 
 yellowish brown or reddish. Tail is blackish above, has dark 
 tip, and is rusty below. More or less blackish about muzzle. A 
 whitish patch on each side of nose. 
 
 Habitat. — A southern species. "Occurs in Oregon, Texas and 
 California, and with the Red extends from the Atlantic to the 
 Pacific. It is not common in New England and only accidental 
 in Maine and Canada. It is more southern than the Red Fox, 
 being the prevailing species from Virginia southward."— Bray- 
 ton, Mammals of Ohio. 
 
 The Gray Fox, when pursued by dogs does no-t, like 
 the Red, lead the barking hounds long disiances, but 
 will play hide and seek with them, oftentimes in a very 
 small area of territory. 
 
 EE CIRCLED, AND TURNED IN AND OUT. 
 
 Some years ago I was hunting Pheasants in an old 
 bark peeling along the Susquehanna river, above Lock 
 Haven, and flushed eight or ten birds which scattered 
 and hid along the mountain side, and in a deep ravine. 
 On one side of this ravine there was a dense patch of 
 laurel, with lots of decaying logs, fallen tree-tops, and 
 lichen covered bowlders. This place was nearly half a 
 mile long and about half as wide. Two hounds were 
 Id there making livelv music, and liieir excrtiouis 
 
416 
 
 caused me to lose several good shots as they flushed 
 aud drove away several Pheasants and a Wild Turkey. 
 The noisy dogs kept running to and fro in this thick 
 covert for at least two hours and I thought they were 
 after Rabbits, but finally a Gray Fox came out into a 
 path and a man shot it. When the Fox w-as killed the 
 hounds left and we were not bothered any more. My 
 companion said it was a very common habit of this 
 species, when pursued by dogs in thick underbrush, to 
 act as this one did. 
 
 RARE, IF POUND AT ALL, IN SOME COUNTIES. 
 
 Gray Foxes are frequently met with in different, in 
 fact almost all, sections of the State, but there are 
 probably fifteen times as many, if not more, of the Red 
 Foxes in Pennsjivania. I have never seen a Gray Fox 
 in Chester county where I have spent several years in 
 field work, and the Messrs. Weil, who make a special 
 business of purchasing raw furs in Chester, Lancaster, 
 Montgomery and Delaware counties, say they never 
 have had but one Gray Fox, and that was killed in 
 Maryland. Fox hunters in Chester, Delaware and 
 Montgomery counties report that they never find any 
 Gray Foxes. 
 
 THET TAKE TO TREES. 
 
 The Gray Fox to escape its enemies will sometimes 
 ascend the inclined trunk or large pendent and low 
 limbs O'f trees. Up in the wilds of Clinton county, 
 where this species is of fre(]uent occurrence and a 
 menace to the existence of its ground-dwelling feath- 
 ered neighbors, it seems some of them possess monkey- 
 like ability as tree climbers; at least, such infei'cnce 
 can be drawn from the following paragraph published 
 
417 
 
 bj Mr. S. N. Rhoads* in his list of Mammals of Cen- 
 tral Penns;ylvania: 
 
 "Regarding the dexterity of this species climbing trees the 
 junior Nelson (Seth I.) told me he had seen one ascend after 
 a Squirrel to the height of sixty feet on an erect dead pine 
 stripped of its bark. It did this voluntarily, literally 'shinning' 
 twenty-five feet up the branchless trunk and backing down 
 again as a boy would do it. He has known his dog to run 
 them up an erect tree eighteen inches in diameter, the first limb 
 of which was twenty feet from the ground. " 
 
 I have often heard of the climbing powers of the 
 Gray Fox but never knew they possessed such remark- 
 able dexterity as that which is reported to have 
 been seen by young Mr, Nelson. However, Clinton 
 county has plenty of good water, an invigorating cli- 
 mate, numerous Pheasants, plenty of other wild birds, 
 lots of Cottontails, a good many Varying Hares, an 
 abundance of small rodents, and a share of domesti- 
 cated fowls about the places where Gray Foxes sneak, 
 murder and hide, and it may be such advantages all 
 tend to give certain of these animals powers, inclina- 
 tions and elevations which Gray Foxes do not com 
 monly assume. 
 
 HE LOVES THE WOOD AND UNDERBRUSH. 
 
 Messrs. Ooues and Yarrow, in alluding to this spe- 
 cies, say: 
 
 "It is not a burrowing animal, at least to any great extent; 
 and when it digs, the burrow is simple with a single entrance. 
 It lies concealed in rank herbage, beneath or inside fallen logs, 
 under partially excavated stumps and similar retreats. This 
 habit is in evident correlation with its woodland range, for 
 having no such protection as the Red Fox, which takes to the 
 earth any where it is forced to abide where there are the nat- 
 
 •A contribution to the Mammalogy of Central Pa. Proc, .\cad.. 
 Nat.. Sci.. Phlla., April. 1897. 
 
 27-n 
 
418 
 
 ural means of concealment just mentioned. This same habit, 
 moreover, causes a certain modification of the animal's range 
 with the settling of a country; in clearing off forests the Gray 
 Fox is forced to seek elsewhere, although in effect the cir- 
 cumstances that cause removal of one species are precisely 
 those that invite the other, the Red Fox being able to exist in 
 settled regions where the other could find no suitable resorts. 
 It Is this that makes the Red a greater nuisance to the farmer; 
 It sticks close to the farm yard, being forced, in a measure, to 
 thus supply itself, owing simply to its being in more cultivated 
 districts. The Gray Fox subsists more extensively upon the 
 wild game of his habitat. Another distinctive feature is the 
 climbing powers of the Gray Fox, much greater than would be 
 expected from an animal with non-retractile claws, and no 
 great 'hugging' powers. When hard pressed the Gray Fox is 
 treed as regularly as the Red is earthed. The climbing seems 
 to be simply an agile leaping along on inclined trunk, or from 
 bough to bough, through it has been noted that the animal can 
 climb a small trunk by clasping or even with its claws like 
 a cat or Raccoon" (Brayton's Mams, of Ohio). 
 
 WHAT GRAY FOXES LIVE UPON. . 
 
 Gray Foxes feed upon all kinds of wild birds they 
 can catch; the Cottontails and Varying- Hare, numer- 
 ous Mice, other small mammals, some insects, occa- 
 sionally frogs and sometimes, it is said, non-poisonous 
 snakes, are all eaten by them. They destroy poultry, 
 and, as can be seen on previous pages, they devour 
 Lambs. Farmers and sportsmen, very generally, speak 
 of Gray Foxes as being little, if any, better in habits, 
 than the red-coated robbers. Woodsmen who have 
 learned much of their sneaking ways say they should 
 all be killed. Some good observer, Audubon I think 
 it was, said the Red Fox is a sly, bold robber, but the 
 Gray Fox is a cowardly, skulking sneak-thief, 
 
. _l 
 p UJ 
 
 ^ < 
 
419 
 
 COMMON WEASEL. 
 
 Putorius noveboracensis 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 This species varies greatly in size as well as in coloration. 
 Length of head and body nine to ten inches, tail four to six 
 inches, body long and slim. In summer pelage this species is 
 brown (usually rather dull) above, tail same color, except about 
 1-3 or % at the end which is always black. Lower parts whit- 
 ish and pale sulphury-yellow. In winter the pelage is white, 
 more or less tinged, particularly toward posterior parts with 
 pale sulphury-yellow; end of bushy tail is black. The many 
 conditions of di-ess between the two extremes above noted, give 
 rise to different common names applied to this animal, and 
 w^hich have reference to its coat. White specimens I have much 
 oftener found in the mountainous and northern sections of the 
 State than elsewhere, and as Mr. Malloy says on a succeeding 
 page. Weasels in winter are much more apt to be brown of 
 some shade than white. The male weighs, it is said from five 
 to eight ounces, and the female about four ounces. 
 
 Habitat.— "Europe, Asia and America, extending north to the 
 limit of existence of terrestrial mammals. In America south 
 to very nearly the southei-n border of the United States, but 
 no specimens seen from the Gulf States, New Mexico, Arizona or 
 Southern California." — ^Coues. 
 
 ITS MANY NAMES. 
 
 The reuHO'iis whereby this little animal j!,ets its name 
 are worthj of note and go this paper is begun with an 
 explanation of them. 
 
 The technical name Putorius is taken from "putor" 
 a "bad smell." Ii is an appropriate title for both sexes 
 have the powers of emitting a "peculiar fluid" which 
 is most offensive and only a little less pungent and 
 piercing than that of the Skunk. Skinner tells us that 
 "Stoat" comes from the Belgie "stout" (bold), and in 
 England he is called Stout to the present time. Cer- 
 tainly he deserves this name, for game larger than 
 himself deters him not; long runs through bush and 
 briar — he seldom takes to the open — carry no fear t«i 
 
420 
 
 his little heart, as he bounds along in great leaps or 
 runs with remarkable celerity in search of prey. Not 
 to the land alone does he confine himself in this search, 
 however, but in underground passages made by the 
 Rabbit or Mouse and also in the water, his long slender 
 body aiding his advance. The unwary bird who has 
 paused on some low bush to carol forth his song or 
 wet his parched throat in the running brook or rest 
 quietly on the bough in the hush of the night, have 
 frequently met their daath by the teeth of this little 
 creature. Mr. Wm. Macgillivray says of him "in pro- 
 portion to his size he is at least as courageous as a 
 lion." So much for the cognomen Stout and now let 
 us turn our attention to that of "Ph-mine." Dr. Elliott 
 Coues in his admirably written work on "Fur Bearing 
 Animals'' says of this one: "Gwillim," in his "Display 
 of Heraldrie," gives the following etymology of Er- 
 mine: 
 
 "This is a little beast lesse than a Squirrel, that hath his 
 being in the woods of the land of Armenia whereof he taketh 
 his name." 
 
 The latter word is sometimes written in Englisli 
 "ermin" or "ermelin," and the same term occurs in sev- 
 eral other languages. 
 
 THE IMAGE OF A SERPENT. 
 
 The same writer (Coues) also says: 
 
 "A glance at the physiognomy of the Weasels would suffice 
 to betray their character; the teeth are almost of the highest 
 known raptorial character; the jaws are worked by enormous 
 masses of muscles covering all the sides of the skull; the fore- 
 head is low and the nose is sharp; the eyes are small, penetra- 
 ting, cunning and glitter with an angry green light. There is 
 something peculiar, moreover, in the way that this fierce face 
 surmounts a body extraordinary, wiry, lithe and muscular. Tt 
 ends a remarkably long and slender neck in such a way that 
 it may b*> held nl riyrht nnglp with the nxis of the latter. When 
 
421 
 
 the animal is glancing around with the neck stretched up and 
 the flat triangular head bent forward and swaying from one 
 side to the other we catch the lilteness in a moment — it is the 
 image of a serpent." 
 
 So we have this sanguinary animal compared by 
 two eminent authorities in this line, as like a lion for 
 courage and a serpent in manner and appeai-ance. 
 
 TWO SPECIES. 
 
 While every farmer's boy or other person who is at 
 all acquainted with the common furred and feathered 
 denizens of the woods and fields will speak of diiferent 
 kinds of Weasels, it does not appear to be generally 
 known, except, of courj^e, to naturalists or others who 
 have taken the trouble to investigate the matter, that 
 there are, it is believed, only two distinct species of 
 Weasels in Pennsylvania, Many farmers and numer- 
 ous sportsmen are heard to speak of "white,'' "brown," 
 "black" and "yellow" Weasels, and consider them to 
 be different species. The terms big and little are 
 often applied to these animals, but those employing 
 them commonly consider the Weasels designated by 
 the particular adjective used as belonging to the same 
 species, but of different age and size. The Least Wea- 
 sel is in some instances undoubtedly mistaken for the 
 young of the Ermine whether in winter or summer 
 attire. 
 
 THE LEAST WEASEL.* 
 
 The Least Weasel, according to the best information 
 obtained from local naturalists throughout the State, 
 
 ♦The Least Weasel (Putorius cicognani) is "very small, lengih 
 of head and body six or eight inches, of tail-vertebrae two 
 Inches or less, tail-vertebrae about one-fourth or less of the 
 head and body, tail slender, cylindrical, pointed at tip, which 
 Is concolor or not obviously black; under parts white, rarely, 
 if ever, tinged with sulphury; coloration otherwise as in com- 
 mon Weasel." — Coues. 
 
422 
 
 does not apptar to be of very fioquout occtiirence. In 
 fact, quite a number of zoological students who are be- 
 lieved to be entirely competent to distinguish both 
 species report the Least Weasel to be rare or unknown 
 in Uieir localities. 
 
 Mr. George 1'. Friaut, taxidermist, of Scranton, 
 Penna., during the past ten years has had over one 
 hundred Weasels taken within a radius of twenty-five 
 miles of his home, and of these not more than three O!- 
 four were the smaller species. The experience of Mr. 
 Ohas. H. Eldon, taxidermist, of Williamsport, Penna., 
 is vev\^ similar to that of JNfr. Fiiant. During the past 
 eight years the writer has collected zoological speci- 
 mens in almost every county in the State, and in a col- 
 lection of seventy odd specimens at least six were of 
 the small kind. 
 
 In 1885 and 188G thirty-seven Weasels, on which 
 bounty had been paid in Chester county, were ex- 
 amined and all were found to be the Emiine or Com- 
 mon Weasel. From evidence at hand it seems that the 
 Least Weasel is to be found in the northern and moun- 
 tainous regions of Pennsylvania, and I am inclined to 
 think it is more plentiful than some observers and 
 writers believe. Unfortunately a series of about sev- 
 enty-five skins of Pennsylvania Weasels which I had 
 were destroyed a couple of months ago w'hen the con- 
 tents of my office was burned with the State Capitol. 
 This loss and the destruction of my note books make it 
 impossible for me to specify the Idealities from which 
 the T^ast Weasels I had came. 
 
 THEY CHANGE THEIR COATS. 
 
 In one way at least these sprightly animals are not 
 unlike some modem day politicians who have made 
 
423 
 
 very hurried and vvoudrous changes in their political 
 coats but with some of whom such change was only 
 on the surface, as their hearts were always loyal to old, 
 true and tried friends fiom whom they separated from 
 necessity, to join the ''bread and butter brigade." 
 Some Weasels change their coats, and, in winter, when 
 snow covers the ground, they are white, but in summer 
 brown. Probably sucli chianges also enable these 
 animals to obtain more easily the necessary livelihood. 
 However, in any dress. Weasels always carry death and 
 destruction to animal life about them. Their homes 
 are frequently to be found in a decayed log, tree 
 stump, under rocks, about old buildings, etc. 
 
 HUNTS HIS PREY BY SCENT. 
 
 Concerning his power of hunting his prey by scent, 
 eminent authorities are positive that he does track 
 quarry in this manner. 
 
 Mr. Hogg, in London Magazine, describes how, in De- 
 cember, 1S31, he observed a Stout hunting in this style. 
 
 "I was an eye witness to the fact of a Stout being able to 
 pursue its prey on scent." 
 
 Coues writes of it as follows: 
 
 "Swift and sure footed he makes open chase and runs down 
 his prey; keen of scent he tracks them." 
 
 DESTROYS POULTRY. 
 
 The poultry yard is frequently visited and his apparently in- 
 satiable desire for rapine is most clearly shown while on these 
 visits. One chicken will satisfy his appetite, but after that is 
 gratified he does not leave; he kills and slays without mercy 
 all the remainder of the poor frightened chickens, until there 
 are none left, and not until then does he leave the scene of 
 carnaee. 
 
 He sucks the eggs also, leaving, in some instances, the un- 
 lucky farmer, who has unwillingly and unwittingly been his 
 
424 
 
 husl, coiiiplelely routed as regards his eft'uris in the poultry 
 line. 
 
 The El mine is oonimon and present in all sections 
 of the Commonwealth. 
 
 HIS FOOD. 
 
 From the testimony of various writers and other 
 well-infoi-med and competent observers, it would ap 
 pear as if the Weasels, although undoubtedly great de- 
 stroyers of Mice and also of Rats, are extremely det- 
 rimental to poultry, especially Chickens, as well as 
 game, particularly Ruffed Grouse and Rabbits, to 
 gether with many kinds of small wild birds. 
 
 Robert Kennicott, in his report of the quadrupeds of 
 Illinois, as quote<i by Dr. C. Hart Merriam in the Mam- 
 mals of the Adirondack region of Northeastern New 
 York, says, in writing of the Common Weasel : 
 
 "A more fierce and cruel mammal does not exist in America 
 than this Weasel. The courage and sanguinary disposition of 
 the panther are insignificant in comparison, having regard to 
 the strength of the two. Without hesitation, the Weasel at- 
 tacks animals five or ten times its own size, and, not content 
 with killing enough for food, wantonly destroys whatever life 
 it can. When a Weasel has gained access to a poultry yard 
 it will frequently kill every fowl within its reach in a single 
 night. Fortunately, however, this animal, even when abun- 
 dant, does not enter the farm yard so frequently as might be 
 expected, appearing to prefer a free life in the woods to easy 
 but more dangerous feasts on domestic fowls. Meadow Mice 
 are certainly the greatest pests among mammals in Northern 
 Illinois, and of these the Weasel destroys great numbers. 
 
 FEEDS ON RATS AND MICE. 
 
 "Stacks and barnfuls of grain are often overrun with Rats 
 and Mice; but let a Weasel take up his residence there and 
 soon the pests will disappear. A Weasel will, occasionally, re- 
 main for some time in a barn feeding on these vermin without 
 disturbing the fowls. But It is never safe to trust one near the 
 
425 
 
 poultry yard, for when once an attack Is made, there Is no 
 limit to the destruction. When the animal has entered stacks 
 or barns, it has a curious habit of collecting in a particular 
 place the bodies of the Rats and Mice it has slain; thus, some- 
 times, a pile of a hundred or more of their victims may be 
 seen which have been killed in the course of two or three 
 niffhts." 
 
 The activity and strength of the Weasel are such 
 that he is able to elirab trees with great ease, either 
 to escape enemies or to search for food. 
 
 This ability as a tree climber enables him to destroy 
 both the eggs and young of different species of birds 
 which erect their homes in the forest, shade and fruit 
 trees. 
 
 The nests of Ruffed Gr-ouse, Wild Turkeys and Bob- 
 white or Qnail, besides those of other species of the 
 feathered kinds which nest on or near the ground, are 
 often, it is asserted, pillaged by the inquisitive and 
 bright-eyed Weasels. 
 
 Although Weasels hunt both by day and night, the 
 popular idea seems to be that theyi are more nocturnal 
 than diurnal. While it is doubtless true that they sub- 
 sist, to some extent, on various kinds of insects, parti- 
 cularly beetles and occasionally grasshoppers, the 
 amount of insect life which they consume is not, so far 
 as the obsei"vations of the writer have gone, very 
 considerable. 
 
 A RABBIT HUNTER. 
 
 Weasels, like the fox hound or trained and well- 
 bred pointer or setter, follow the tracks of their prey 
 by the scent. In Ihis way large animals such as Gray 
 Rabbits and even the Varying Hare are pursued and 
 overpowered in their securest retreats. 
 
 27»-n 
 
426 
 
 In regard to its power of hunting bj scent, Tlhomas 
 Bell, says: 
 
 "In pursuing a Rat or Mouse, it not only follows It as long as 
 it remains in sight but continues the chase after it has disap- 
 peared, with its head raised a little above the ground, follow- 
 ing the exact tract recently taken by its destined prey. Should 
 it lose the scent, it returns to the point where it was lost, and 
 quarters the ground with great diligence until it has recovered 
 it; and thus, by dint of perservance, will ultimately hunt down 
 a swifter and even stronger animal than itself. But this is 
 not all. In the pertinacity of its pursuit, it will readily take 
 the water and swim with great ease after its prey." 
 
 T have heard hunters and woodsmen say that 
 "white" Weasels can easily detect the Ruffed Grouse, 
 which frequently in winter has the habit of plunging 
 into the loose snow, and that they destroy many of 
 these birds in snch hiding placef?. 
 
 Audubon, ;the famousi naturalist, records an in- 
 stance that came under his personal observation, of 
 where an Ermine captured a Rabbit and after behead- 
 ing it, the fierce little depredator dragged the body 
 some twenty yards over the fresh fallen snow, beneath 
 which it was concealed and the snow slightly pressed 
 down over it. 
 
 HE IS WELL ACQUAINTED WITH WEASELS. 
 
 I am JLdebted to Mr. Hugh Malloy, of Freeland. 
 Luzerne county, Pa., for the following very interesting 
 and instructive account of liis observations of tht* 
 Weasel. T know of no person who has devoted as 
 luuch attention to these agile creatures as he has. Mr. 
 Malloy informs me he has captured during the past 
 twenty years about fifteen hundred Weasels. What 
 he says about them in the following paragraphs shows 
 
427 
 
 very conclusively that he is thorouj^hly acquainted 
 with their hauLts ai:d sangninary ways: 
 
 The Weasel is Jhe only animal to my knowledge that never 
 rests; it is always on the move and the more game he kills 
 the more he wants to kill. I have followed the track of this 
 animal every winter, for twenty years, and I was never able 
 to run one down by following the track. He never walks; his 
 jumps are from eighteen to twenty-two inches, and any person 
 following his tracks on the snow, when there has been a light 
 snow squall at intervals of two or three hours, during forty- 
 eight hours as I have done, to learn if he had any home, will 
 find that he rests only while killing his victim. The snow is 
 never too deep or the weather too cold for him. I have followed 
 his track when it was seven degrees below zero, and snow 
 eight inches deep. 
 
 HE KILLS BUT DON'T DISFIGURE. 
 
 I have followed the back track to see where he came from 
 and found eleven dead Rabbits killed by him. and all of them 
 hidden either in the hole that he started them from or pulled 
 under the snow; sometimes twenty feet to some brush pile. The 
 "Weasel, to my mind, has a great instinct. If you follow the 
 track on very deep snow, you will find frequently a small hole- 
 in the snow where he went down and came up, perhaps fifty 
 feet away; you will discover also, every time, a Rabbit hole at 
 the very spot that he went into the snow, and if a Rabbit is in 
 the hole, it will have gone only about twenty yards, when you 
 find the snow tramped for about six feet square and you may 
 see a little fur; then look sharp and you will discover where 
 the Rabbit was pulled back into the same hole, and by putting 
 a briar or rod into the hole you can twist it fast to a dead 
 Rabbit, with a small hole between the ear and eye. After it 
 has killed four or five in a few hours, you will not find any mark 
 on them, as it sucks the blood without making any visible 
 marks until you pull the skin off the head and neck. 
 
 While the "Weasel will stand any cold, when at liberty, if 
 you confine.it in a box or cage, it will be dead in a few hours, 
 by having to remain still, even when it is not zero weather. 
 
 The Weasel has great digestive powers. I find, when it is 
 getting all the blood it wants, that in about every twenty yards, 
 in the snow, you will find its excreta about three-fourths of an 
 Inch long, thick as a common slate pencil and like frozen blood. 
 
428 
 
 A VERY RESTLESS ANIMAL. 
 
 The Weasel is a restless animal. If you happen to come up 
 to it in roclis where there is no snow you will have to stand 
 only a few seconds, and you will imagine that you have found 
 a whole family of them, as his head will be sticking- out of sev- 
 eral holes almost at the same time; but if the snow is on the 
 ground to the depth of three inches, you will onl^' see him 
 once, but if you make a large circle around the place where you 
 saw him last you will find a small hole in the snow and a 
 Weasel track going away from it, that will lead you more than 
 twenty miles in every direction, and still you will not see him. 
 In the fall of 1894 I was in a barber shop in Freeland, and 
 about half shaved when several boys came running to the 
 door, telling me that a whole family of Weasels were under 
 the plank side-walk. Of course 1 pushed the barber away and 
 jumped out of the chair. There was a very large crowd sur- 
 rounding the walk, all having clubs and shovels, and a Weasel 
 head was peeping out of e\iery hole at almost the same time, 
 and a knot-hole in the sidewalk showed a head about every 
 thirty seconds and that one was supposed to be the leader. I 
 joined the crowd of watchers and sent my boy for my flobert 
 rifle. I shot the first Weasel that showed its head, and told 
 the boys that I would give them a dollar for every other Wea- 
 sel that they would see. I did not have to pay a dollar. 
 
 WHERE HE PREFERS TO LIVE. 
 
 The Weasel frequents the wildest portions of our mountains 
 and seldoms ventures into any open ground, except when it 
 has all the game killed in the thickets. It will climb a tree 
 after a bird's nest or when chased, but it cannot run down a 
 tree head foremost like a Squirrel. It will jump from branch 
 to branch until it gets to the lower branches and then comes 
 down backwards or jumps. I never saw the Weasel on a very 
 large tree or up very high on a tree. 
 
 WILL SUCK ITS OWN BLOOD. 
 
 A Weasel will suck its own blood. In the summer of 1S95 I 
 caught a very fierce looking, coarse haired, dark brown Weasel 
 In one of my wire traps, and I stabbed him through the wires 
 with the long blade of my knife in the shoulder; as soon as he 
 saw the blood he turned his neck, took hold of the wounded 
 part and sucked all the blood until he swayed back and forth 
 and fpJI dead. 
 
429 
 
 WILL HELP EACH OTHER OQT OF TRAP'S. 
 
 One Weasel will let its mate out of a trap. I had a wire trap 
 eet for a Weasel and every time I went to see it the live bait 
 was eaten and fresh droppings of the Weasel were in the trap, 
 but no Weasel. I took another trap and set the two close to- 
 gether and the next time I came I had a very dark brown 
 Weasel in each trap. One Weasel would go in first and kill 
 the bait, the other would go half way, put his fore-foot on the 
 drop, open and put his head out in the hole and come out. 
 
 ATTACKED THIS BUNNY IN THE REAR. 
 
 I was after a Weasel once when the snow was on the ground 
 to find where he had killed some game, so that I could set my 
 trap for him, I found he crossed the track of a Rabbit 
 that had just come out of a stone wall, and went right 
 back again. I was surprised to see the track of the Weasel 
 going away without killing the Rabbit. I pulled away some 
 stones and found the Rabbit squeezed tight in a very small 
 opening, between two stones, and only his hind legs sticking 
 out; but he was dead, and the blood had been sucked by the 
 Weasel from his hind legs and had made only st very small 
 opening In the leg. 
 
 THE YOUNG. 
 
 Weasels have their young between the 15th of April and 15th i 
 of June. I have never found their nest while the young were 
 in, but I have caught them during that time, with young in, 
 them, and also after having their young, with milk in their teats.. 
 The highest number I found in any one of them was six, one 
 only had three. The young will follow the old one until Sep-- 
 tember, when they seem to scatter and go on their own hook:. 
 It Is very easy to catch them after they scatter, and these are 
 the ones that generally get after the chickens before they 
 learn how to catch game. 
 
 A Weasel will always come back to the place where he hid 
 the game to feed off it when he cannot find any game to kill. 
 I put a trap by a hidden Rabbit once and I did not catch the 
 Weasel for six weeks, but in most cases you will be able to 
 catch them the second or third night. 
 
430 
 
 THEY HAVE MANY CHANGES OF DRE«S. 
 
 1 do not believe there are any White Weasels in summer, but I 
 do know that they are dark brown, light brown, dark red and 
 light red in winter and that I have caught them every week 
 from December 1 until April 1. I caught a dark brown, a dark 
 red and a pure white all in one night, but at different places. 
 1 never caught a "maltee" Weasel in winter, but have caught 
 many of them in summer. 
 
 The "Maltee" Weasel is very fine furred, no long, coarse hair, 
 and have a blue shade in ttie fur. Now this Weasel changes its 
 coat in November. 
 
 1 burned two hundred Weasel skins last winter as the moths 
 had gotten in them. I could have sent them to you had I 
 thought you cared for them. I had a card on each one saying 
 when and where I caught it. 
 
 DESTROYS GREAT NtTMBERS OF YOUNG GROUSE. 
 
 The Weasel is very hard on Grouse until the birds are six 
 weeks old and able to fly. He will follow them and some- 
 times kill the whole brood. I found thirteen out of fourteen 
 killed by a Weasel the very day they came out of the shell 
 and the fourteenth would have been killed, but I heard the 
 old Pheasant making a great noise and I killed the Weasel. 
 The birds were too young to hide under the leaves, the four- 
 teenth bird was sitting beside the nest. I never saw where the 
 Weasel killed any old Pheasants, but saw where a Pheasant 
 carried a Weasel away out of a hole in the snow where 
 the Pheasant was sitting, when the Weasel came in and at- 
 tacked it. 
 
 KILL ALL THE QUAIL. 
 
 The Weasel will kill all the Quail in February and March if 
 the snow is deep. The birds will go under windfalls and 
 brush heaps covered with snow. The Weasel will track and 
 go in after them at night, killing every one; then the farmers 
 will find them in the spring and think they were frozen. I 
 found west of White Haven one day (I was after a Catamount), 
 where a Weasel had killed over one hundred birds. I pulled 
 out with a stick fourteen of the dead birds; no marks on them, 
 but track of teeth on neck near the head. 
 
 A Weasel will follow a Rabbit on bare groun^' the same as 
 a well-trained dog. I put one off the trail several times In 
 
431 
 
 one morning when I was going fishing, and every time he 
 would find it again, and I soon heard the Rabbit squeal where 
 the Weasel was killing it. 
 
 THE. WEASEL. PUTJ.KD AND I PULLED. 
 
 I was going fishing one morning about four years ago, when 
 1 saw something going slowly across the road about one hun- 
 dred yards ahead of me. I ran to where I saw it and there a 
 Weasel was pulling a very large Rabbit through under an old 
 log; I caught the hind legs of the Rabbit and the Weasel 
 pulled at the other end. I got a club and tried to kill the Wea- 
 sel, but I could not hit him. Every time I would let the dead 
 Rabbit go, the Weasel would take hold of it and begin to pull 
 it under the log; I laid the Rabbit close to the log and held 
 my foot on side of log; when the Weasel put his head out and 
 was pulling the Rabbit again I put my foot down on top of 
 him and killed him. The Rabbit was yet warm. I opened it 
 and found nine young Rabbits almost large enough to make 
 their appearance in the world, but they were all dead. 
 
 WHAT FARMERS AND POULTRY RAISERS SAY. 
 
 The following extracts conceruiiig the liabits of 
 Weasels are taken from letters received hj tlie writer 
 from farmers, poultry raisers, sportsmen and natural- 
 ists. 
 
 JOHN F. THOMAS, Carrolltown, Cambria County: 
 
 I have known the Weasel to kill six full grown hens in one 
 night on my father's farm. It is supposed that it kills its 
 victims for their blood only, and all the fowls killed by it, that 
 I have seen, substantiate this, since, in every case, the blood 
 vessels of the neck were severed close to the head and there 
 was apparently no flesh missing. I recollect an experience, when 
 a boy, that proves them to be remarkably bold at times. I was 
 pursuing one that had in its mouth a Mouse; in an attempt to 
 strike it with a stone, I struck the Mouse with such force as 
 to throw it a distance of eight or nine feet from the fence, when 
 to my surprise, he immediately left the fence and regained the 
 Mouse and disappeared along the fence. They seem to have 
 a greater appetite for Mice and Rats than poulti-y^ as I have 
 known them to be in my father's barn for -several weeks and 
 
482 
 
 yet we never missed any poultry, but there was a noticabl<- 
 decrease of Rats. 
 
 A. W. RHOADS. Wilkes-Barre, Pa.: 
 
 The Weasel, I am sure after years of personal experience and 
 observation and careful study, is the worst enemy the Pheas- 
 ant and Quail have. I have repeatedly tracked a Weasel that 
 had followed the track of a Quail and Pheasant in the snow, 
 and at last came upon the dead birds. I, on one occasion, saw 
 a nest of thirteen Pheasant eg^gs, about to be hatched, and in 
 returning in an hour found that eleven of them had been de- 
 stroyed by a Weasel which I saw and killed. 
 
 C. P. MOTT, Milford, Pa.: 
 
 Weasels are the greatest destroyers of game and poultry, 
 and they deserve total extinction. 1 know of no redeeming 
 feature or any possible usefulness alive in their wild state. 
 They are scarce when small game is, and numerous when such 
 game is easy prey. They seem to be travelers and to such 
 parts as are prolific of game. There is no escape for the Rab- 
 bit when once they get its track, and a nest of Grouse eggs 
 furnishes him a meal, if the hen bird escapes his quick, stealthy 
 approach. I consider that the Weasel has no equal as an 
 enemy of game. 
 
 ARTHUR MARTIN, Sandy Lake, Pa.: 
 
 We have the Weasel; they destroy poultry to a great extent, 
 sometimes will or have for us, killed whole broods, but at the 
 ^me time are great hunters for Mice, Rabbits and small game. 
 
 HON. N. F. UNDERWOOD, Lake Como, Wayne County: 
 
 Some Weasels; don't do much damage; they will occasionally 
 destroy chickens. 
 
 D. KISTLER, Kistler, Pa.: 
 
 The Weasel abounds and will kill grown chickens. 
 
 ENOS BLOOM, New Millport, Clearfield County: 
 The Weasels are plentiful and also destructive to poultry. 
 
 JOHN F. WEAKLY, Slippery Rock, Pa.: 
 
 Weasels will kill a whole flock of Turkeys or Chickens at a 
 time; have known them to kill as high as twenty at a time. 
 
433 
 
 C. R. NOYES, Westport, Pa.: 
 
 Weasels kill Chickens, but I think not when they can get Rats 
 or Mice. 
 
 The following table contains the condensed reports 
 of one hundred observers residing in Pennsylvania, 
 and of these gentlemen, probably not less than eighty 
 five are practical farmers and poultry raisers. 
 
 The X indicates the animals specified in the column- 
 heading under which it occurs which the Weasels have 
 been observed to usually prey upon by the gentlemen 
 opposite to whose names said mark (X) is placed. 
 
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 WILD GAT. 
 Lynx rufus. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Fur moderately full and soft. Head moderate size and 
 rounded; body rather slender; legs long and quite stout; soles 
 of feet naked. Ears large, erect and nearly triangular in 
 shape, and tipped (in winter specimens) with coarse black 
 hairs fully half an inch long; inner surface of the ears fur- 
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 except a conspicuous patch of dull white in the centre. 
 
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 brown; whitish streaks above and below the eyes; whisk- 
 ers for the most part are white; chin and upper part 
 of throat white, lower part of throat and neck very sim- 
 ilar to sides, but paler. The upper parts and sides of the body 
 and legs (outer portions of the latter) are pale rufous or brown- 
 ish-red overlaid with grayish, which latter color is produced by 
 the whitish ends of the hairs; the rufous coloration is most 
 noticeable on sides of the body, sides of the head below and 
 back of the ears, and about the occipital (base of head) re- 
 gion. The sides are indistinctly spotted with dark brown, and 
 down the middle of the back a more or less distinct line of 
 blackish-brown extends from near the shoulders to the base 
 of the tail. Under surface of body and legs white and pale- 
 yellowish spotted with black; Inside of front and hind legs 
 banded and spotted with black. The irides (eyes) of the adults 
 are greenish-yellow in color, but in the young they are brown. 
 Individuals of this species vary greatly in coloration. In fact 
 it is an exceedingly difficult matter to find two specimens 
 exactly alike. Ten specimens, now before me, captured In 
 Pennsylvania during tlie winter season, show a marked diver- 
 sity in color, as well as in size; and two or three individuals, 
 taken in the late spring or early autumn, which I have ex- 
 amined, are decidedly more brownish-red in color, particularly 
 on the sides, than those killed in the winter. The male is con- 
 siderably larger than the female. In the month of January. 
 1890, I secured five females in Cameron and Potter counties, 
 Pennsylvania, which weighed respectively ten and one-half, 
 twelve, twelve and three-fourths, nine and one-fourth, and 
 thirteen pounds, or an average of about eleven and one-half 
 pounds each. Three adult males which T captured in Pennsyl- 
 vania during the months of January, February and April, 
 weighed respectively fifteen and one-fourth, seventeen, and 
 eighteen and three-fourths pounds, or an average of seven- 
 teen pounds each. In the winter of 1892 Senator Harry A. 
 Hall, of St. Mary's presented me with a very fine male which 
 had been killed near his home in Elk county. This animal, 
 which is the largest I ever saw weighed, tipped the scales at 
 
r 
 
 
 
 
 > 
 
 
441 
 
 Iwenty-six and one-hall: pounds. Hunters and woodsmen whom 
 1 believe to be reliable, have assured me that Wildcats are 
 sometimes taken which weigh thirty -five, forty and fifty pounds 
 each. 
 
 Habitat. — This species or its varieties occur generally 
 throughout the United States from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 
 Tolerably coimmon in the mountains and sparsely settled dis- 
 tricts of Pennsylvania. 
 
 A VARIETY OF COMMON NAMES. 
 
 The majority of hunters and woodsmeu who reside 
 in sections of Pennsylvania where the Wildcat or Bay 
 Lynx occurs, have various local names for this wary 
 and prowling animal. The appellations Bob-cat, Oata^ 
 mount, Mountain cat and Tiger cat are perhaps the 
 ones which are most frequently employed. These 
 names, or any others which may be heard, it is safe 
 to say, have reference to Lynx rufvs, which is doubt- 
 less the only species of its genus found in the State. 
 
 During the past five years I have made very careful 
 inquiries in all sections of the Commonwealth where 
 the Canada Lynx was reported to occasionally be pre- 
 sent, and I have also examined a number of specimens 
 of what were called by the owners "Lynx canadensis," 
 but, as yet, I have not been able to discover a true ex- 
 ample of the Canada Lynx, which may be distinguished 
 from its congener, the common Wildcat, by its larger 
 size, longer hair, fuller fur, grayish, hoary color, thick, 
 heavy and clumsy legs and the large-sized feet, which 
 are so densely furred (in winter) as to cover the soles 
 or pads. The ears are also very conspicuously tufted 
 with long black hairs. 
 
 There are, however, it is said, two or three well-au- 
 thenticated instances where specimens of the Canada 
 Lynx have been taken in Pennsylvania within the last 
 twenty-live years. Possibly future investigations will 
 
442 
 
 enable us to record this decidedly uorthein auiiiial as 
 a rare inhabitant of our forested areas. 
 
 From repeated interviews with hunters and woods- 
 men it is learned that the Catamount is very generally 
 believed to be a wholly different species from the Wild- 
 cat. However, on questioning these persons closely, I 
 find that size is about the only distinctive point they 
 can call to mind to support their claim, and all large- 
 sized cats are denominated "Catamounts," and, on the 
 other hand, the smaller ones are termed wild or "bob" 
 cats. 
 
 ACQUIRE MOREi KNOWLEDGE. 
 
 The indiscriminate employment of local names to 
 distinguish many of our birds and mammals, often- 
 times leads to much confusion; but, until the great 
 mass of our citizens become better acquainted with the 
 furred and feathered inliabitants, such errors are bound 
 to occur. In this connection it may be stated that, 
 through the wise effci'ts of our progressive and intelli- 
 gent State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. 
 N. 0. Schaeffer, and his able assistants, much good 
 work has been done to create a popular interest in zoo- 
 logical study throughout the Common schools of the 
 State. If Dr. Schaeffer's ideas are carried out, as they 
 should and doubtless will be, the time will soon come 
 when our school children will be readily able to rec- 
 ognize and speak intelligently of at least the common 
 birds and mammals which they see about the parks 
 and gardens, and in the fields and forests, 
 
 THE WILDCATS FAVORITE HAUNTS. 
 
 The Wildcat inhabits forests, rocky ledges and 
 briary thickets, but its favorite place is in old slashing* 
 
443 
 
 and bark peelings, where, in the impenetrable and 
 tangled recesses, it is comparatively safe from pursuit: 
 and it is also able to prey upon many varieties of ani 
 mals which ha^e a permanent or temporary residence 
 in such unfrequented wilds. 
 
 There are large tracts of land in the mountainous 
 districts of Pennsylvania, from which the marketable 
 forest trees have long since been cut. These places. 
 called slashings and bark peelings, in many instances 
 are thickly strewn with decaying logs, fallen trees thai 
 were cut down for the bark, brush piles, tree tops. 
 Such situations so overgrow-n with bushes, young trees, 
 briars, and frequently large patches of buck laurel 
 (rhodcdendrc.n) as to be almost impassable unless one 
 selects the old log roadways which traverse extensive 
 areas. In these places Rabbits and other quadrupeds, 
 Pheasants and many different kinds of small birds tind 
 an excellent cover. 
 
 WIDD CATS INCREASING IN SOME PLACES. 
 
 Through my own personal observations in the field 
 and also from the statements of thoroughly trust- 
 worthy hunters, trappers and lumbermen I am of the 
 opinion tJiat this species has been increasing during the 
 last four or five years in several of our counties, 
 namely, Elk, Clearfield, Forest, Cameron, Centime and 
 McKean, where large districts have been denuded of 
 their forest trees. 
 
 At the last session (1897) of the Legislature when the 
 bounty bill was under discussion both in committee 
 and before the House of Representatives, it was clearly 
 shown that Wildcats were not only a cause of consid- 
 eiable loss annually to poultry raisers, but that they 
 also killed many deer (both adults and fawns), great 
 
444 
 
 numbers of KuftVd Grouse, Rabbits, besides a large 
 uumber of the smaller species of insectivorous and song 
 birds. It was also clearly demonstrated to the law- 
 makers that Wildcats were increasing quite rapidly in 
 the several counties previously particularized by name. 
 The Wildcat subsists entirely on a flesh diet, and the 
 damage this species doK^s in destroying poultry, lambs 
 and young pigs of farmers who reside in the sparsely- 
 settled mountainous regions is not in any degree com- 
 pensated by the destruction of other small wild ani- 
 mals which molest the farmer's crops or his poultry. 
 
 TMEY PURSUE AND KILL DEER. 
 
 Wildcats, as will be seen by consulting the testimony 
 of numerous contributors on the latter pages of this 
 article, are very detrimental to game. They unques- 
 tionably kill many young Deer and they also not infre- 
 quently, it is said, attack and kill the adult Deer. 
 United States District Attoiney Hon. H. A. Hall, of 
 Pittsburgh, informs me that at St. Mary's, Elk co-uuty, 
 where Messrs. Andrew Kaul and J. K. P. Hall own a 
 game preserve of probably 650 acres, in which are con- 
 fined a large number of deer, there is much trouble ex- 
 perienced from the Wildcats disturbing the Deer. Mr. 
 Hall further states that small bands (probably families) 
 of these carnivorous animals, in the winter when snow 
 is on the ground, sometimes pursue, like dogs, full 
 grown Deer, which they run down and kill. 
 
 MANY KINDS OF BIRDS SL,.A.IN. 
 
 One of the few, in fact, about the only species of game 
 bird that is at all numerous, which the sportsman can 
 go in quest of in this Commonwealth without almc<5t 
 continually coming in contact with trespass notices 
 
445 
 
 warning him to "lieep off the grass" is the Ruffed 
 Grouse or Pheasant, and, unfortunately, the favorite 
 haunts of this noble game bird are in localities where 
 the Wildcat loves to sneak, hide and depredate. The 
 cautious and ravenous "cat" is passionately fond of 
 Grouse. He destroys them, both old and young, and 
 also their eggs whenever an opportunity presents itself. 
 He kills Wild Turkeys and sucks their eggs, it is 
 affirmed, whenever a nest can be found. The number 
 of small insectivorous and wild song birds, that nest on 
 the ground or in low bushes, which he destroys during 
 the summer season, about the slashings and abandoned 
 lumber camps, is considerable. 
 
 MAMMALS, EGGS, ETC., ARE DEVOURED. 
 
 Rabbits, Squirrels, Mice and Skunks are also eaten 
 by Wildcats, and in the southern States Audubon says 
 they visit sometimes 
 
 "The dry beds of streams or brooks to pick up the catfish, 
 etc., or crayfish and frogs that remain in the deep holes of the 
 creeks during the droug-ht of summer." The same authority 
 states that "the wildcat is a great destroyer of eggs, and 
 never finds a nest of Grouse or Partridge, Wild Turkey or 
 other bird without sucking every egg in it." 
 
 HUNTS THE QUILLFUL PORCUPINE. 
 
 About ten years ago I spent ten days or two weeks in 
 the winter in company with two hunters and trappers 
 in Cameron and Elk counties. We secured nine Wild- 
 cats; two with guns, the remainder with steel traps, 
 and on examining these animals I found that three of 
 them were well filled with quills of the Porcupine. 
 This led me to infer that the Wildcat does not hesitate 
 to attack an animal capable of making a pretty vigor 
 ons defense. 
 
446 
 
 METHODS OF CATCHING GAME. 
 
 Wildcats hunt both bj day and night; but, like thp 
 great majority of thieves and murderers, they appear 
 to select the darkness as the most auspicious time to 
 rommit their deeds of violence. When a Wildcat dis 
 covers a flock of Wild Turkeys, Pheasants or a Rabbit 
 running on the' ground, he will follow tbem for some 
 distance, and when he ascertains the direction in which 
 they are going, will make a quick detour and, conceal- 
 ing himself behind a log, in the brush, or on a low 
 branch of a tree, will hide, and, like an assassin, wait 
 patiently until his prey comes within reach. I once, 
 when hunting "white rabbits" in Cameron county, saw 
 a Wildcat run into a clump of laurel and lie in ambush 
 until a Rabbit, which he had been chasing, approached 
 within springing distance. The Rabbit ran up a nar- 
 row roadway and when within a few feet of the laurel 
 bed suddenly stopped. Instantly the cat sprang upon 
 it and seizing it in his mouth ran directly up the moun- 
 tain side, where my companions shot him. 
 
 COWARDLY ANIMALS. 
 
 Romancing newspaper correspo-n dents and hunters 
 with fertile imaginations have been instrumental in 
 creating an impression, which seems to be generally 
 accepted by the common mass of people who are not 
 acquainted with tie true nature of Wildcats, that these 
 animals are daring, ferocious and always on the out- 
 look to spill human gore, and that they will not hesitate 
 an instant to attack human beings, no matter how big 
 or ugly the latter may be. This, however, is not the 
 case. Wildcats are cowardly and will flee from their 
 pursuers, but if wounded and unable to escape, or if 
 surprised in a place where they cannot get away and 
 
447 
 
 forced to give battle, they will fight viciously and do 
 great execution with their strong retractile claws and 
 sharp teeth. 
 
 TREED HER LOVER. 
 
 One of oui- correspondents in southwestern Pennsyl- 
 vania wnting on this topic says: "Tlie Catamount is a 
 destructive and ferocious animal, for one attacked me 
 one night when I was going home from courting a girl 
 and treed me on a fence and I had to stay there till day- 
 light." This surely is a unique case, and it possibly 
 may be that Wlidoats are inclined to attack young men 
 who are in love. 
 
 WHERE THE YOUNG ARE FOUND. 
 
 The Wildcat usually makes its domicile or nest in a 
 hollow tree or log. The nest is well lined with leaves, 
 moss and lichens (Usnea barbata and its varieties), 
 called commonly "hair moss." Tlie nest is also some- 
 times found in rocky ledges and caves. From two to 
 four constitute a litter. It is stated that the young are 
 brought forth about the middle of May. Wildcats may 
 be caught in traps baited with Rabbits, chickens. 
 Grouse or fresh meat. Their fur has very little com- 
 mercial value. 
 
 WHAT FARMERS AND HUNTERS TELL OF THEM. 
 
 The agitation of game laws and bounty or scalp acts 
 at the session of our legislature, 1893, was largely in- 
 strumental in arousing a widespread interest in these 
 subjects on the part of farmers, fruit growers, sports- 
 men and naturalists in almost every county of the 
 State. Since the Legislature (1893), adjourned there 
 have been received at our office about five luindred com- 
 
448 
 
 munications bearing on the economic relations of dif- 
 ferent wild animals, chief among which, so far as mam- 
 mals are concerned, may be mentioned Foxes, Minks, 
 Weasels, Wildcats, Rabbits, Skunks, Woodchucks, 
 Muskrats and Raccoons. 
 
 In view of the unusual interest manifested by our 
 citizens on the bounty question and also of the habits 
 in general of our common mammals, the writer pre- 
 pared a circular soliciting information concerning the 
 life histories of mammals attributed to the State. This 
 circular, early in January, 1894, was distributed to 
 farmers, fruit growers, naturalists, sportsmen, hunters 
 and trappers in nearly every county of the Common- 
 wealth. 
 
 The following questions in regard to the Wildcat ap- 
 pear in said circular: 
 
 1. Please state whether the Wildcat is found in your county, 
 and whether it is rare, common or only tolerably common. 
 
 2. If Wildcats occur in your neighborhood or county, state 
 whether or not their depredations to game, poultry and small 
 wild birds are of a serious character? Have ypu ever known 
 Wildcats to attack persons? If so, give full particulars. 
 
 3. Have you personal knowledge of one err more cases in 
 which cattle, sheep or pigs have been killed or injured by 
 Wildcats? If so, give full particulars. 
 
 4. Have you personal knowledge of one or more cases in 
 which Wildcats have killed or injured deer, old or young. 
 Wildcats? If so, give full particulars. 
 
 5. Have you personal knowledge of the loss of turkeys, geese, 
 ducks, chickens or pigeons from the attacks of predatory 
 mammals? If so, how many, and what kinds were killed on 
 each occasion? In each case mention the animal by which 
 you suppose the mischief was done, and your reasons for this 
 belief. Also mention the kinds of mammals which destroy the 
 eggs of poultry, and give full particulars of cases which have 
 come under your personal observation. 
 
 6. Do you favor the paying of bounties? If so, on what ani- 
 mals, in your opinion, should bounties be paid? Are you in 
 favor of the bounty being paid by the countie.<5 in which thp 
 
449 
 
 animals are slain, or that said bounties should be paid by the 
 State? 
 
 Tn response to these interrogatories a considenible 
 amount of instructive and interesting information is 
 given on the succeeding pages from letters of the gen- 
 tlemen who are credited ^^"ith their observations: 
 
 GEO. M. DAY, Wayne County: 
 
 Wildcats are not plenty this winter ('94). Eight have been 
 killed that I have heard of. They are very destructive to rab- 
 bits, squirrels, ruffed grouse and other small game easily 
 caught by them in winter. A large one was tracked by a hun- 
 ter some years ago, and found to have eaten three rabbits and 
 a ruffed grouse, all fresh, caught on same day. The skins of 
 the rabbits were turned flesh side out on the snow, and the cat 
 seemed to Rave room for more, as it was still hunting when 
 the hunter gave up the chase. I have caught several of them 
 in steel traps and saved one alive. With the help of two young 
 men we drove it out of the woods, using a pitch-fork behind 
 and a fish-pole attached to a trap chain ahead, as gentle per- 
 suaders to keep the peace, etc. It would hang back behind 
 every bush at first, then a poke with the fork would send it. 
 full S'pring, at my face the length of the chain. When out of 
 the woods it sulked and lay on the snow, and was dragged to 
 a small crate, lifted in, and a board placed on the box, com- 
 pleting the capture. I have never known on« to attack any 
 one, but their sharp claws and muscular forearms make them 
 look like dangerous customers. The usual weight of Wildcats 
 is twelve to twenty-five pounds. One killed by S. Maloney near 
 Beech Pond, in 1892, weighed forty-two pounds. I caught one 
 the same season which weighed about twenty-five pounds. 
 
 MESSRS. HERMAN and OTTO BEHR, Lopez. Sullivan county: 
 
 Wildcats are common in this county. Think that they do 
 (luite an amount of damage to game, as they live entirely on 
 flesh. Have seen where they caught black squirrels, white 
 rabbits, porcupines and one deer. The deer mentioned was an 
 old doe caught in the summer time; when found it was partly 
 eaten and covered with leaves'. It was captured by the Wild- 
 cat leaping on its back and biting it on the top of neck. A friend 
 set a trap and caught the cat, which proved to be a large male. 
 
 29-11 
 
450 
 
 TIave s€eii where one chased a lawn a distance of about one 
 hundred rods, but gave up the pursuit when the deer ran up 
 a steep hill. They occasionally enter a chicken coop and do 
 some damage. Such visits, however, are rather rare. Do not 
 think that they would attack a person unless cornered. We 
 caught an old male Wildcat in a bear pen m spring of 1889, 
 which, during the six months that we kept it, became rath«T 
 tame and listened to its name, "Jim." He would eat out of 
 one's hand, if you trusted yourself, and would purr like a 
 spinning wheel when we came around its cage. 
 
 We sent him to the "Zoo" in Philadelphia, and on calling 
 there a year later we found him asleep in a cage with another 
 smaller Wildcat. On calling him by his name he got up and 
 purred, apparently recognizing us after an absence of one year. 
 
 There is very general opinion among hunters and other peo- 
 ple that there are two different kinds of Wildcats, a small and 
 a large variety. We looked this up carefully and found only 
 one kind, and came to the conclusion that whenever a half- 
 grown lynx was caught it was called a Wildcat, while a very 
 large specimen was called a Catamount. 
 
 Their fur is subject to change in color during the year. In 
 Summer it assumes a reddish tinge, while in the fall it be- 
 comes gray. We think one of the causes that Wildcats are not 
 more abundant is their habit of catching Porcupines. Nearly 
 all fhe Wildcats we caught had quills in their bodies. One old 
 male cat in particular was covered with sores caused by 
 quills, and he had some all through his body, which would 
 doubtless have been the cause of his death if left to himself. 
 We do not favor the paying of bounties. 
 
 DR. J. E. CLEVELAND, Bradford County: 
 
 Wildcats occasionally get into barn-yards and hen-roosts and 
 destroy poultry in winters of deep snow, but they prey mostly 
 on young Grouse, Quail, Rabbits and small birds. A Mr. Krise, 
 while returning from Blossburg to his home in Liberty town- 
 ship, sometime last November (1S93), had to pass over Briar 
 Hill, where there was a dense thicket of briars and brush on 
 both sides of the highway, about dusk. A large catamount 
 sprang upon the back of one of his horses and fastened its 
 teeth into the horse's flesh. The man having no weapons with 
 him, jumped from the wagon, seized the cat by its neck, tore 
 it from the horse and by sheer strength choked it to death. 
 The man's clothes were torn to shreds and his body ar>d limbs 
 were flight fully t"rn and lacerated. 
 
45t 
 
 Sometime in the sixties I was called to see a patient who 
 lived on the head waters of the Tioga river in Ward township, 
 Tioga county, Penna. When I arrived at the house, some of 
 the boys of the family had just returned from the woods with 
 a load of Are wood and reported that a "Painter" had killed a 
 large deer in their sugar camp. As there was a fresh snow 
 on the ground I investigated and found the tracks of the 
 marauder along the body of a hemlock tree, which 'had been 
 turned up by the roots. It had perched itself on the roots, 
 and had remained there until the warmth of its body had 
 melted away the snow. The deer, a two-year-old doe, had 
 been feeding and had not suspected danger until too late to 
 escape. The struggle was long and severe as shown by the 
 upturned leaves and trodden down snow. The victor had par- 
 taken of a hearty meal from the neck and fore shoulder of the 
 deer. I procured a steel fox trap and set it by the dead deer. 
 On visiting the carcass the next day I found trap and drag 
 gone. I followed the trail a few rods and found a large cata- 
 mount with the trap to his hind leg. I could cite another in- 
 stance where a Wildcat had killed a yearling deer. Am in 
 favor of a bounty. Let each county pay its jwn bounty, but 
 only to its own citizens. 
 
 JAMES THOMAS, Clearfield County: 
 
 Wildcats are very destructive to game, poultry and small 
 wild birds. I know of two cases where they have been very 
 bold. A man of my acquaintance was carrying- a quarter of 
 beef through a small strip of woods and a Wildcat attacked 
 him, tore his clothes and scratched him badly. Another man 
 once got a ham, weighing about twenty pounds, and put it in 
 a cave some twenty feet from the house and the next morning 
 it was gone. I found It in a field, and seeing the tracks of a 
 Wildcat leading to and from the ham, I set a trap and caught 
 the animal on the following night. It was about four feet 
 seven and one-half inches long and weighed twenty-eight and 
 one-half pounds. Am favorable to a bounty paid by the State. 
 
 A. W. COLEGROVE, McKean County: 
 
 Wildcats are common in this county, and are very detrimen- 
 tal to game. Rabbits and pheasants are their principal sub- 
 sistence. They will track a Rabbit like a hound and have as 
 good a nose for birds as a pointer. They usually kill more 
 than the sportsmen or pot hunter. They will not attack a 
 person unless cornered. 1 have kill*^d many and hut in one 
 
452 
 
 instance have I ever seen one show fight. I once had one 
 cornered in the rocks, and after vainly trying to escajpe he 
 turned upon me, when a shot between the eyes settled the bat- 
 tle. Wildcats will attack deer; I have killed deer that showed 
 evidences of a fight with them. Red Foxes are very numerous 
 here and exceedingly destructive to game. They, with the 
 Wildcats, will exterminate game in a short time unless some- 
 thing is done to eradicate them. A large portion of this county 
 consists of old slashings and bark peelings which make an 
 ideal home for the cats and foxes. Since the county commis- 
 sioners have refused to pay bounty on these predatory ani- 
 mals they have increased to a frightful extent. Their pelts 
 alone are not a sufficient incentive for hunters to trap 
 them. T am in favor of a bounty on Foxes, Wild- 
 cats, and also on certain kinds of hawks and owls; 
 to be paid either by county or State. When the bounty 
 law was in force, game, such as Rabbits and Pheasants, 
 increased in proportion to the depletion of their four-footed 
 and feathered enemies. Since then it has changed and un- 
 less there is an incentive for trappers the sportsmen must soon 
 hang up his gun and use his pointer for sausage. 
 
 A. KOCH, Williamsport, Lycoming County: 
 
 Wildcats have been too rare in our neighborhood for more 
 than forty years to hear of any depredations. Know of an in- 
 stance where a boy, in winter, killed a large Wildcat with a 
 stone. Favor a bounty and think it should be paid by the 
 county. 
 
 ZIBA SCOTT, Lackawanna County: 
 
 The Wildcat is one of the most destructive animals we have, 
 both to the farmers and to game. Wildcats as a general thing 
 do not trouble the farmer much in the winter time, when they 
 retire to the forests and subsist principally on rabbits and 
 Pheasants. At this season of the year, when snow is deep, the 
 pheasants live mainly on buds of the trees. When the pheas- 
 ant has gotten its crop full of buds it often dives under the 
 snow leaving a hole where it goes in. Here is where the Wild- 
 cat gets in his deadly work on the unsuspecting Grouse. He 
 sneaks along until he gets within a bound of the place where 
 the bird rests and with one leap he lands right over the hole 
 where the bird sits, and nine times out of ten he gets the 
 Phea.sant. I have seen hundreds of places in my time whe-e 
 pheasants have been caught in the manner just described. In 
 the summer time when the leaves are out the Wildcat is the 
 
453 
 
 source of much loss to the farmer. He then lurks about the 
 grass and g'rainfields waiting for chickens, turkeys or other 
 kinds of poultry, and sometimes he gets in amongst the sheep. 
 About two years ago one of my neighbors, Mr. Joshua Doran, 
 of Covington township, had three half-grown lambs killed by 
 a cat. 
 
 TOWNSEND PRICE, Monroe County: 
 
 Wildcats are quite numerous here, and their depredations to 
 game and lambs certainly are of a serious character. Never 
 knew them to attack persons and do not think they would un- 
 less they could not get away. I have personal knowledge of 
 black bears, killing cattle, sheep and pigs. Last year (1893) I 
 had the misfortune to have between thirty and forty sheep 
 killed by bears. In the northern part of Monroe county, near 
 the line of Pike county, there is a great deal of land which is 
 useless except for grazing, as the tiniher has been cut for the 
 bark and it burns over nearly every year. This is the place 
 where the bears and Wildcats have been doing their destruc- 
 tive work for the past few years. If there is not sufficient 
 bounty placed on these animals to decrease them this pasture 
 ground will have to be abandoned. I have known Wildcats 
 to bite lambs in the neck and then leave them lav Favor 
 bounty being paid by State. 
 
 J. C. HE'YLER, Nauvoo, Tioga County: 
 
 The greatest enemies the sportsman has to deal with are 
 Wildcats. They certainly destroy more Ruffed Grouse than 
 anything in the woods. I have known them to scent Grouse as 
 much as eighty yards and catch them without any difficulty; 
 and I have seen them capture Grouse on nests. They catch 
 and devour numerous other kinds of birds, and also kill small 
 deer. I lose on an average from three to seven lambs in a 
 season by them. A Wildcat sometime ago visited the home of 
 one of my neighbors and in one night killed twenty-six chick- 
 ens. 
 
 C. K. SOBER, Lewisburg, Union County: 
 
 Wildcats destroy game and poultry. At Glen Union a fam- 
 ily of these animals inhabited, until recentlyj a cavern in the 
 mountains. In this place I found the bones and remains of 
 fawns, poultry and other kinds of animals, which they had 
 carried there to feed upon. I regard Wildcats as the greatest 
 enemies we have to game, such as Pheasants, Fawns and Rab- 
 
454 
 
 bits. Am in l'a\oi of a liberal bounty being placed on their 
 worthless heads. 
 
 JOHN E. STOCKER, Luzerne County: 
 
 We have Wildcats and Catamounts and they are very de- 
 trimental to game. They occur most plentifully on the Wilkes- 
 Barre mountains in the neighborhood of Triangle and Crystal 
 lakes, and also on the North mountains; the latter are better 
 suited for them, as there more game, large and small, abounds. 
 Favor bounty being paid by the county. 
 
 GEORGE R. BOAK. Pine Green, Centre County: 
 
 Wildcats are plentiful and very destructive to our game; are 
 particularly bad about killing pheasants and they also destroy 
 young deer in our game preserve. We introduced Wild Tur- 
 keys into our preserve and the Wildcats and Foxes destroyed 
 both old and young notwithstanding the fact that we tried 
 faithfully to exterminate them through the aid of traps, poison 
 and guns. Favor a bounty being paid by the county. 
 
 WM. B. BIGLER, M. D. York County: 
 
 They are so rare in this county that little is known of their 
 depredations. One killed a few years ago, near Brogueville, 
 was said to have killed and eaten a number of chickens. 
 
 DR. A. B. MacCREA, Berwick, Columbia County: 
 
 Wildcats are comparatively common in some parts of the 
 county, and no doubt destroy game to a considerable extent, 
 but they do not, it seems, disturb poultry very often. 
 
 W. B. K. JOHNSON, Allentown, Lehigh County: 
 
 No Wildcats in this county so far as I know. Possibly spme 
 may be present in the extreme northern part of Lehigh. I 
 have travelled where the lynx was numerous; never knew of 
 grown persons being attacked, but have been told chickens 
 were. They live on game, birds, small lambs and young pigs. 
 I have helped to hunt them in Florida when lambs and pigs 
 were thus killed. 
 
 N. W. MILLER, Fayette County: 
 
 I think it would be right to put a bounty of, say, two dollars, 
 on the Wildcat, as this animal is very destructive to game. 
 One Wildcat will kill more game than six hunters in a sea- 
 
son, as animals uf this species hunt both night and day. 1 have 
 seen large Wild Turkeys killed by ihem and have taken theli 
 track from the dead turkey, following it and killed them. 
 Have never known a Wildcat to attack anyone; I have climbed 
 trees and shaken them off to the dogs at different times. 
 
 H. T. FRAXKENFIELD, Monroe County; 
 
 Catamounts are quite numerous. They kill Grouse, Rabbits, 
 and the young Deer; 1 have known Deer to be killed and 
 partly eaten by Wildcats and then covered with leaves. They 
 I'ank with Foxes in destroying poultry and game. I have never 
 known them to attack persons unless wounded. 
 
 L. M. KARSTETTER, Clinton County: 
 
 Wildcats are very destructive to game such as Fawns, Tur- 
 keys, Grouse and, in fact, birds of all kinds, and when pressed 
 by hunger they visit the barnyard for any kind of prey they 
 can capture. I have known Wildcats on several occasions to 
 catch and kill full grown Deer. A bounty of not less than 
 five dollars should be allowed. 
 
 R. S. STOVER, Centre County: 
 
 Wildcats are the worst animals we have in this locality. 
 A few years ago they killed two deer within a half-mile of my 
 place; they destroy a great many young deer. 1 favor a bounty 
 of at least four or five dollars and think it should be paid by 
 the State. 
 
 H. K. MENSCH. Lycoming County: 
 
 Wildcats are few in this locality but they should not be al- 
 lowed to exist as they possess no good traits and are capable 
 of doing much mischief. A liberal bounty should be paid foi- 
 their scalps. 
 
 CAPT. JOHX M. lU'CKALEW, Columliia County: 
 
 When woods approach near a farm house Wildcats or Cata- 
 mounts sometimes catch our chickens. They destroy the 
 Pheasant, Quail, and almost anything that comes within 
 reach, as Rabbits, Skunks, etc. Not dangerous to man but 
 will fight when wounded or cornered. They are becoming 
 rather laie hert> Yes. am in favor of a bounty. 
 
456 
 
 J. WARREN JACOBS, Wayensburff. Green County: 
 
 Wildcats are very rare; two have been recorded ^lere during 
 the past ten years. 
 
 JACOB B. MEIXEL, Cumberland County: 
 
 Wildcats do serious damage to Pheasants, and I have knuwn 
 them to kill fox hounds in a chase. I favor a bounty to be 
 paid by the county. 
 
 X. H. PARKER. McKean County: 
 
 The Wildcat is too wild and wary to visit residences much, 
 but occasionally takes a goose, chicken, or a turkey. Subsists 
 mainly on game in the woods; Rabbits and occasionally a young 
 Deer. 
 
 A. P. BREWER, McKean County: 
 
 Wildcats are quite plentiful in some localities. They do a 
 great deal of damage to Pheasants and sometimes to chickens 
 and turkeys. I never knew them to kill lambs. 
 
 MERION E. KEMERER, Carbon County: 
 
 Wildcats are numerous In some parts of our county, espec- 
 ially in the Pine Swamp. They destroy all kinds of poultry 
 and much game. I favor a liberal bounty for their destruc- 
 tion. 
 
 C. W. DICKINSON, McKean County: 
 
 Wildcats are common here. They live chiefly on small game 
 such as birds. Partridges (Grouse), Rabbits and sometimes 
 they attack larger game. I never knew one to attack a per- 
 son and I have killed lots of them. I have seen where Wild- 
 cats have killed a full grown deer. Three times in my life 
 I have known of Wildcats killing Deer. I have known Wild- 
 cats to kill sheep and poultry. I am in favor of placing a 
 bounty of three dollars on the Wildcat or Catamount. 
 
 TUNIS SMITH, Wayne County: 
 
 Wildcats are plentiful. They destroy poultry but are most 
 destructive to game and small wild birds. From personal ob- 
 servation have never known them to kill Deer, but have no 
 doubt that they do destroy many, for while hunting Deer I 
 have seen where they have followed them for miles. Have 
 never known them to kill sheep or lambs, luit I do know of 
 
457 
 
 one instance where they took young pigs. I think a high 
 bounty should be paid for their destruction because they are 
 so detrimental to game that if something is not done to ex- 
 terminate them they will destroy nearly all the game in the 
 woods, such as Pheasants and Rabbits. 
 
 J. B. OVIATT, McKean County. 
 
 Wildcats are tolerably common and very destructive to game. 
 There can be no doubt but that they kill a good many Deer, 
 especially when the snow is deep and crusty. Have known 
 them to kill lambs, fowls, etc. They would not attack a per- 
 son unless in a place where they could not easily escape. I 
 favor a bounty of not less than three or more than five dol- 
 lars. 
 
 DR. C. E. GOLDSBOROUGH, Adams County: 
 
 Wildcats are tolerably common in the mountains of this 
 county. They kill all kinds of feathered game and Rabbits, 
 and are believed to destroy young Deer. Am not in favor of 
 a bounty being paid for any animal. 
 
 JASPER T. JENNINGS, Su.=;quehanna County: 
 
 Wildcats are very rare; however, one is now and then met 
 with in the northern part of the county. Years ago when the 
 species was numerous in this vicinity poultry and lambs were 
 often destroyed. I once cut down a large birch stub that was 
 hollow at the top, where it had been broken off some forty 
 feet from the ground, and within the hollow I found nearly 
 half a bushel of bones and the skulls of Rabbits, Chipmunks, 
 Squirrels, etc., intermingled with a mass of sticks and rotten 
 wood where a Wildcat had lately had its den or nest. 
 
 LINCOLN WELLS, Bradford County: 
 
 Wildcats are present in some portions of our county. They 
 do considerable damage to game of different kinds, especially 
 Grouse, and small wild birds. Favor a bounty to be paid by 
 State. 
 
 ABRAHAM NEVELING, Coalport, Clearfield County: 
 
 The depredations of Wildcats are of serious character. They 
 destroy Turkeys and Geese, as well as game. I have known a 
 pair of Wildcats to kill a fawn. Am in favor of a bounty be- 
 ing paid by the State. 
 
 29»-n 
 
45S 
 
 J. p. 9CHALL. Northampton County: 
 
 The Wildcat is not numerous but occasionally one Is shot; 
 one of my neighbors killed one a few years ago that weighed 
 forty-two pounds. They generally live on game and will also 
 carry off poultry. 
 
 J. ALBAUGH, Forest County: 
 
 Wildcats are present in this county and they are very de- 
 structive to poultry, lambs and young pigs. 
 
 FICTH NELSON, Jr., Clinton County: 
 
 Wildcats are great destroyers of poultry and game. I have 
 seen one of them kill a deer. Am in favor of a bounty of 
 five dollars. 
 
 S. H. HASLET, Forest County: 
 
 W^ildcats kill Pheasants, Rabbits, Geese, Chickens. Lambs, 
 Fawns, etc. 
 
 THEODORE DAY, Wayne County: 
 
 Wildcats are destructive to poultry of largest size, small 
 game and small lambs. The bounty of two dollars each rhould 
 remain. A few years ago three (different ones) were seen in 
 one day near the town of Dyberrj'. 
 
 DR. E. F. BONHAM, Luzerne County: 
 
 Wildcats are very destructive to game. There should be a 
 bounty of two dollars for each one killed. 
 
 JOHN R. LEHMAN, Huntingdon County: 
 
 Wildcats destroy game and small birds; am in favor of a 
 bounty being paid by the State. 
 
 W. C. BABCOCK, Tioga County: 
 
 Wildcats destroy large quantities of game such as Grouse 
 and Rabbits. They rarely \ienture in farming localities. 
 Favor bounty l)Ping paid by the State. 
 
 A. P. YOUNG, Columbia County: 
 
 Wildcats are seldom seen or head of in nur agricultural dia- 
 trirts. 
 
459 
 
 JOSEPH P. McKELVEY. Huntingdon County: 
 
 Wildcats are rather rare and they seldom are seen in the 
 farming districts. 
 
 ROBT. H. COLEMAN, Lebanon County: 
 Wildcats are about exterminated in our hills. 
 
 DANIEL H. PERSHING, Westmoreland County: 
 Wildcats are too scarce in this locality to do much injury. 
 
 HON. CHAS. LUHR, Elk County: 
 
 Wildcats are present in considerable numbers in our woods; 
 they destroy more fawns and young deer up to one year than 
 any other wild animal. Favor bounty being paid by the State. 
 
 P. FRANK RANGLER, Union County: 
 
 Wildcats destroy game. I have killed several in this county 
 but they are rather rare. 
 
 HON. N. B. CRITCHFIELD, Somerset County: 
 
 Wildcats are found in the mountainous regions of our county, 
 but their haunts are as far from human habitations as they 
 can get. 
 
 ABNER FAGUE, Lycoming County: 
 
 Wildcats are found only in the mountains, where, in some 
 sections, they are rather plentiful. Have known them to kill 
 young deer. 
 
 A. W. WRIGHT. Huntingdon County: 
 
 Wildcats destroy poultry, game and small wild birds. Favor 
 a bounty to be paid by the State. 
 
 G. C. BELL, Wayne County : 
 Wildcats kill poultry, game and small birds of different kinds. 
 
 B. ALEX.AXDF.R, Ca/mbri;i ("ounly: 
 
 Wildcats cannot be said to he numerous in <>ur county; know 
 of one to have killed a doer. .\m in favor of a bounty. 
 
 RANDALL BISBTNG, Monroe County: 
 Wildcats are rather plentiftll In some parts of our county, 
 
460 
 
 and some years they do much damage to poultrj'. Know of 
 one instance where Wildcats killed a lamb. Am in favor of 
 a bounty. 
 
 CHAS. LOTT, Warren County: 
 
 Wildcats are not sufficiently numerous in my locality to do 
 much damage to either poultry or game. 
 
 M. B. TRESCOTT, Luzerne County: 
 
 Wildcats are of frequent occurrence in some sections of our 
 county. 
 
 GEORGE MILLER, York County: 
 
 I do not think there are any Wildcats in our county except 
 perhaps in the South mountain. 
 
 E. E. BRILHART, Indiana County: 
 Wildcats are rather numerous in some parts of the county. 
 
 JEREMIAH PHILLIPPI, Somerset County: 
 
 Wildcats or catamounts are frequently met with in some 
 S'ections of our county. They destroy a great many Wild Tur- 
 keys and Pheasants when hatching, and during hard winters 
 they kill a good many Deer. I think the State should pay a 
 premium of five dollars on every Wildcat. 
 
 J. H. VAN ETTEN, Pike County: 
 
 In 1893 nineteen Wildcats were killed in this county. Wild- 
 cats kill game and small wild birds; never heard of them 
 killing poultry. I have, however, heard from a reliable source 
 that Wildcats kill fawns, but I never heard of them killing 
 lambs or calves. 
 
 BENJ. A. FILBERT, Schuylkill County: 
 
 The Wildcat is a rather rare inhabitant of our mountainous 
 districts. 
 
 C. W. PENNELL, Wayne County: 
 
 Wildcats are quite numerous and they destroy much i)oul- 
 try and game. 
 
461 
 
 JOHN PERRY, McKean County: 
 
 "Wildcats are quite plentiful here. They live mostly on Rab- 
 bits and Partridges (Ruffed Grouse). I often hear of them 
 catching lambs in the spring. 
 
 DR. P. J. WAGGENSELLBR, Snyder County: 
 
 Wildcats are found to some extent, and where they are will 
 do very serious damage to poultry, game, and small wild birds. 
 Favor of bounty to be paid by the State. 
 
 P. D. REXFORD, Tioga County: 
 
 Wildcats are tolerably common in some parts of our county. 
 They are very destructive to poultry and small wild birds. Am 
 not in favor of paying bounties on any animals. 
 
 W. G. SARGENT, Crawford County: 
 Wildcats are very scarce in our county, hence do little dam- 
 
 W. K. PARK, Bradford County: 
 
 Wildcats are rather scarce in the .'Section of the county whore 
 I reside; have only known two to have been killed in the last 
 three or four years. Am in favor of bounty being given by 
 the State. 
 
 M. B. LYMAN, Susquehanna County: 
 Wildcats are veiy rare in this county: 
 
 W. F. WAGNER, Clearfield County: 
 
 Wildcats are tolerably common. They destroy game and 
 birds. I favor a bounty to be paid by the State. 
 
 FRED. L. KRAEMER, Lycoming County: 
 
 Wildcats are rare in many sections of this county. They de- 
 stroy poultry and game. 
 
 A. K. PIERCE, Clinton County: 
 
 Wildcats only on rare occasions attack and kill the young 
 of Deer. I do not favor a bounty on any animal. 
 
4«2 
 
 JAMES BEIHL, Union County: 
 
 Wildcats kill game and poultry. Am in favor of a bounty 
 and think it should be paid by the State. 
 
 J. B. OVIATT, Norwich, McKean County: 
 
 The Wildcat is the worst animal of the whole lot. 1 have 
 had several full-grown sheep killed during the last two sea- 
 sons by the Wildcat, and they are destroying lots of game, 
 such as Pheasants, Rabbits, etc. Have seen where Itabhits 
 and Pheasants wpve killed this winter liy Hawks, Owls rind 
 Foxes. 
 
403 
 
 MINK. 
 Putorius visjoii. 
 
 DESORIPTION. 
 
 Liaiger and stouter than the Ermine or Common Weasel; the 
 coat is shaggy and tail bushy; ears short; the tail, about half 
 as long as the body, is blackish; feet semi-palmate (half 
 webbed). General color, dark brownish chestnut. Sometimes 
 rather small-sized individuals of this genus are taken which 
 are of a very dark-brownish black color, and such are known 
 to hunters and farmers as "black minks." The back is usually 
 marked with a blackish area, running lengthwise of the body. 
 The end of the chin is white, and the edges of the upper lip, 
 sometimes, though rarely, are also white, and the throat, 
 breast and belly are fi-equently marked with irregular patches 
 of white. Average weight about two pounds; average height 
 about five inches; length fifteen to twenty inches. 
 
 Sabilat, — North America. Rather common, in suitable locali- 
 ties, throughout Pennsylvania. 
 
 The Mink is found generally throughout the State 
 and is fairly plentiful. It is expert at swimming and 
 diving, and able to remain long under water, where it 
 pursues and catches fish, which it frequently destroys 
 in large numbers. Dr. C. Hart Merriam says: "Often- 
 times its destructiveness in this resepot renders it a 
 serious obstacle to the industry of fish culture." 
 
 FOND OF BROOK TROUT. 
 
 Along some of our mountain streams, where Minks 
 are plentiful, hunters and woodsmen claim that many 
 I'.rook Trout, generally the large-sized ones, are killed 
 by these amphibious depredators. 
 
 CHICKENS AND DUCKS ARE FAVORITE FOOD. 
 
 The Mink does much damage to poultry, especially 
 chickens and ducks. Various kinds of wild birds, pai- 
 ticularly ground-nesting species, crayfish, frogs and 
 
4G4 
 
 reptiles are included in the dietary of the Mink; and it 
 is also leaiiied from the testimony of different writers 
 and observers that the eggs of domestic fowls are often 
 taken by these noctuinal plunderers. 
 
 KILL. PHEASANTS, QUAIL AND RABBITS. 
 
 Sportsmen despise and oondemn Minks because of 
 the taste these brown-coated marauders have acquired 
 for Pheasants, Quail, Rabbits and Squirrels. Rails 
 and other luarsh-inhabiting birds frequenting a locality 
 where Minks resort, are often preyed upon by these 
 blood-thirsty and keen-scented quadrupeds. 
 
 Injurious rodents, such as Mice, Rats and Muskrats, 
 so troublesome on the farm, which Minks eat, do nol, 
 we are assured by eminent naturalists who have given 
 much attention to the economic status of Minks, com- 
 pensate the loss occasioned by their attack on barn- 
 yard fowls, fish and game. 
 
 The aquatic nature of the Mink is such that it is 
 usually found inhabiting the borders of streams, mill 
 ponds or dams. When Minks take up a residence in 
 or near the farmer's poultry house, as is frequently the 
 case, they have been known 1o destroy every fowl In the 
 place in a short time. 
 
 It is claimed by sonie that the Mink feeds upon in- 
 sects; this may be true, but as I have c^nly examined 
 the stomach contents of four of tliese animals captured 
 at a period of the year when insect life was abundant, 
 and neither of tht^ni s1i(>wed,on dissection. any evidence 
 of such food, I am not, of courtse, prepared to confirm 
 or deny the statement. 
 
 A MUSCULAR ANIMAL. 
 
 The average weight of an adult Mink is about two 
 pounds, and foi* an animal so small it is astonishing to 
 
465 
 
 observe the great strength it possesses. Dr. Merriam 
 cites an instance where a Mink "was known to drag a 
 mallard duck more than a mile, to get it to its hole, 
 where it was joined by its mate." 
 
 The Mink can be easily taken in steel traps or dead- 
 falls; it is remarkably tenacious of life and will live 
 for many hours struggling under the pressure of a 
 pole or log which squeezes its body almost flat. Au- 
 dubon and ]^>achman relate a case where they found a 
 live Mink under a dead-fall with a pole across its body, 
 held down by a weight of one hundred and fifty 
 pounds, beneath which it had struggled for nearly a 
 whole day. The steel trap which is commonly em- 
 ployed for catching Minks should be concealed with 
 ordinary care, and baited with fish, a small bird or the 
 head of either a Pheasant, duck or chicken. 
 
 FISH OIL, ALLURES THE MINK. 
 
 "Professional trapipers," Dr. C. Hart Merriam writes, "find 
 the Mink attracted by the smell of an oil made from fish that 
 have been allowed to decay, in a loosely corked bottle placed 
 in the sun. 
 
 "The odor from this oil is said to be effective at a considerable 
 distance, and a few drops of it will often entice a Mink into 
 the trap when no bait is visible." 
 
 The fo'llowing extracts, taken from letters (m file in 
 our office, and which have been kindly sent us by farm- 
 ers, naturalists and sportsmen, show very clearly the 
 charaeter of depredations done by this animal. 
 
 THE MINK AS A DESTROYER OF POULTRY AND GAME. 
 
 MR. PIERSON, Dy.'^art. Pa.: 
 
 Have known of hundreds of geese, ducks and turkeys and 
 also chickens to be killed by Weasels, Minks, Skunks and 
 Foxes. A Weasel killed thirty-four chickens in one night; a 
 Mink, three ducks in one night; a Fox. two geese in one night: 
 
 .30-TT 
 
4G6 
 
 a Skunk, two chickens in one night; a Mink, two chickens in 
 one night, at different times at my place. Could cite a hundred 
 similar cases. This county loses over $6,000 a year from Foxes, 
 Minks and Weasels. 
 
 C. P. MOTT, Milford, I'a. ; 
 
 Minks too few to cut any great figure, but more than needed. 
 They love the farmer's poultry and are loath to be satisfied with 
 less than the whole coop. 
 
 F. H. FASSETT, Meshoppen, Pa.: 
 
 About one year ago one of my neighbors lost three or four 
 grown chickens by a Mink; was finally caught. 
 
 THOS. SEABORNE, Newlin, Pa.: 
 
 Minks are very destructive to poultry. When they attack 
 poultry, they kill the whole flock before they stop; only eating, 
 perhaps, part of one or two at most. 
 
 GEO. PERMAR, New Castle, Pa.: 
 
 Minks are very plentiful in some localities, and they are es- 
 pecially desti'uctive to our hen roosts. 
 
 C. K. SOBER, Lewisburg, Union County: 
 
 Minks are great desti-oyers of poultry. Some years ago on 
 the farm a family of Minks took up their abode under a pig 
 pen, and before we were aware of their presence they had 
 killed not less than one-hundred and fifty chickens, large and 
 small. Finally, when the marauders were located, we were 
 obliged to tear down the pen and killed two old and five young 
 ones, the latter about one-third grown. 
 
 JOHN L. KLINE, Liverpool, Perry County: 
 
 Minks are very destructive to game and poultry. I have 
 known the Mink to kill as high as thirty to forty ducks in onf 
 night. I have known them to enter a chicken coop and kill 
 as high as twenty chickens. 
 
 J. M. DUMiM, Mackeyville, Clinton County: 
 
 Two years ago my next neighbor had fifty young chickens 
 killed in one night; I went to his home with my dog, but we could 
 not catph the supposed Mink. The following morning my other 
 
467 
 
 neigrhbor across the way had about sixty young chickens de- 
 stroyed. The dog barked at a stone pile in the yard, and, with 
 some help, we killed six three-fourths grown Minks, the old one 
 escaping. 
 
 H. K. ME/NSCH, Muncy Station, i^ycuniing County: 
 Minks aie plentiful and do much damage to poultry. 
 
 R. S. STOVIOH, Livonia, Centre County: 
 Minks are bad on chickens in summci-. 
 
 HON. A. L. MARTIN, Enon Valley, Lawrence County: 
 
 A Mink broke in my chicken house and one night cut the 
 throats of thirty-seven chickens eight weeks old; different 
 nights did other injuries until captured. 
 
 HON. N. F. UNDERWOOD, Lake Como, Wayne County: 
 
 Minks still common here; sometimes destructive to poultry; 
 will kill more than they can eat or carry away. Know of one 
 case as follows: A brother-in-law of mine found that something 
 was killing off his chickens; after losing a number he took those 
 that were left alive and put them on the barn floor, turning a 
 large dry goods box over them; the next morning he found 
 them all killed and a Mink in the box. The Mink had squeezed 
 himself through a small aperture between one edge of the 
 box and the floor, and gorged himself on chicken until he was 
 too large to squeeze out. Fishermen here say that Minks are 
 very destructive to the trout in our streams. 
 
 JOHN F. THOMAS, Carrolltown, Cambria County: 
 
 The Mink does much damage in poultry yards, particularly 
 those situated near creeks or near the head of a minor tribu- 
 tary. In this locality they are often taken with the common 
 steel trap when on their predatory expeditions. The Mink 
 travels generally in the night, but they have been caught in 
 daylight. 
 
 A. W. RHOADS, Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County: 
 
 I had a large flock of ducks which were destroyed by a Mink 
 and Weasel which I saw along the brook frequented by the 
 ducks. 
 
 The Weasel, Mink and Red Fox destroy fowls. 
 
 It has been, for years, a custom among a few enthusiastic 
 
468 
 
 sportsmen, like myself, to poison with strychnine Skunks, 
 Foxes and Wildcats, by the use of fresh meat or sparrows im- 
 paled on a stick and placed on old roads and paths in the 
 snow. The Weasel and Mink are trapped with the ordinary 
 spring- trap. 
 
 C. W. PENNELL, Hemlock Hollow, Wayne County: 
 
 A Mink visited my mother's hen roost and killed nine grown 
 chickens the first night, and the second night finished the 
 flock; the third night they caught him in a steel trap. Think 
 the State should pay a bounty on Minks. 
 
 W. B. K. JOHNSON, Allentown, Lehigh County: 
 I saw a Mink take a chicken in broad daylight. 
 
 J. B. OVIATT, Norwich, McKean County: 
 
 Minks are very destructive to birds, fowls and game, such 
 as Partridges, Rabbits, etc. 
 
 N. G. BUNNELL. Vcsburg, Wyoming County: 
 
 Minks are scarce, but sometimes a few follow streams from 
 the river, and are bad on poultry. 
 
 GEORGE M. DAY, Dyberry, Wayne County: 
 
 We lost sixty out of eighty-five chickens the past summer 
 by Minks. 
 
 J. S. GAY, Terry town, Bradford County: 
 
 I have knowfi a Mink to catch twenty-seven hens in two 
 nights. 
 
 W. M. BENNINGER, Walnutport, Northampton County: 
 
 Minks and Weasels have done great damage to our poultry; 
 they have killed hundreds of young chickens for me and my 
 neighbors, and we find the»m very difficult to eradicate. 
 
 EMTL ULRICH, Stroudsburg, Monroe County: 
 
 My wife shot a mink when he was in the act of carrying 
 away a young brahma chicken almost as big as himself, and I 
 have missed many eggs taken by Minks; they do not destroy 
 or suck the eggs in the nest, but take them away; but when 
 it came to the nest egg made of porcelain, they found out the 
 
469 
 
 mistake and shortly dropped it. Young ducks were always 
 lost when big enough to go to water; one after another would 
 disappear, and I lay this to the Mink. 
 
 L. M. CASTETTER, Green Burr, Clinton County: 
 
 People living at a distance from streams do not know what 
 a pest Minks are, but those who live close to the streams 
 know all about them, for they have to shut their poultry houses 
 very close; if they neglect it once, they can be sure they will 
 lose the whole stock, as the Mink will not stop at one or half 
 a dozen, but as long as they can find a living chicken they will 
 kill. Not over a week ago a farmer lost forty-eight chickens 
 in one night. They really destroy more poultry on an average 
 than the Fox. There should be a good bounty on them, not 
 less than $1.00 for each Mink. 
 
 GEORGE G. HUTCHINSON, Warriors' Mark, Huntingdon 
 County : 
 
 Minks are numerous along the streams in this region. Have 
 known one Mink to kill thirty chickens in a night. 
 
 JOHN KELLOW, Carley Brook, Wayne County: 
 
 Minks are pai'tial to poultry, and act similarly to the Wea- 
 sel; that is, bite them in the neck and suck the blood an9 leave 
 the carcass; have known fifteen hens in one coop killed in one 
 night by Mink. 
 
 F. M. McKEEHAN, Ferguson, Perry County: 
 
 Tolerably common along our streams. Are destructive to 
 poultry and fish, especially if they breed near your residence. 
 I live on the Little Buffalo creek, and have lost many dollars 
 worth of poultry since here (1876.) 
 
 TOWNSEND PRICE, Canadensis, Monroe County: 
 
 Minks are destructive to poultry, game and fish, and they 
 catch a great many chickens and ducks. 
 
 ENOS BLOOM, New Millport, Clearfield County: 
 
 I think the Mink to be the most destructive to poultry of 
 any and all enemies. I could, if required, enumerate by the 
 hundreds chickens that were killed by the Minks in our valley. 
 
470 
 
 C. R. NOTES, Westport, Pa.: 
 
 The Minks destroy poultry, both chickens and turkeys, but 
 they also destroy rats and mice in large quantities; on the 
 whole, perhaps, one will balance the other. 
 
 J. K. BIRD, Millville, Sullivan County: 
 
 The Mink is scarce; he destroys poultry and is very destruc- 
 tive. 
 
 D. KISTLER, Kistler, Pa.: 
 
 The Minks are plenty and destroy a great deal of poultry. 
 
 T. H. HARTER, Bellefonte, Centre County: 
 
 The Mink is very destructive to Pheasant or common 
 Grouse. 
 
 ZIBA SCOTT, Spring Brook, Lackawanna County: 
 
 The Mink is a very mischievous little scamp; he is full of 
 tricks; he likes to kill chickens for their blood; if he gets in a 
 chicken coop he seldom leaves one alive. One got in my 
 mother's coop one night, killing thirty-five chickens, but we 
 put a dog on his trail in the morning, run him into a hole and 
 killed him. He also catches Rabbits and Pheasants. 
 
 JOHN NELSON, Talley Cavey, Allegheny County: 
 
 The Mink is notorious: he killed many of our ducks and 
 chickens; if he can get in the coop at night he leaves none ^to 
 tell the tale; will carry off chickens nearly half grown. Minks 
 are very fond of eggs. 
 
 JOSIAH PILE, New Lexington, Somerset County: 
 
 Sometime ago there were eighteen full grown chickens killed 
 in my chicken house in one night, all bit about the head and 
 neck; I found the place where the thief entered, set a trap and 
 caught a Mink. Another time there were ten killed, and still 
 another time twelve killed, all in the samp way. Caught a 
 Mink every time. 
 
471 
 
 ADDITIONAL NOTES ON FOOD OF MINKS. 
 
 Name and Address of Ob- 
 server. 
 
 Poultry- 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 L. C. Oberlln, Schmlckubure, 
 
 D<>ptroy 
 
 chickens 
 
 Have known a mink to 
 
 Pa. 
 
 and turkeys. 
 
 kill 30 or 40 in one 
 
 
 
 
 night. 
 
 J. L. Erannen, Exchange. 
 
 Destroy 
 
 chickens 
 
 
 Pa. 
 Noah H. Parker. Gardeau, 
 
 Destroy 
 
 chickens. 
 
 They also destroy fish 
 
 Pa. 
 
 
 
 and mice. 
 
 W. J. Stull, Coalport, Pa.,.. 
 
 Destroy 
 
 chickens. 
 
 20 were killed In one 
 night by a mink. 
 
 J. W. Van Kirk. Milton, Pa., 
 
 Destroy 
 
 ducks, .. 
 
 On one occasion I lost 
 eight ducks: each was 
 bitten In the neck. 
 
 Jasper T Jennings. New MU- 
 
 Destroy 
 
 poultry, . 
 
 They usually disturb 
 
 frrd, Pa. 
 
 
 
 poultry in the neigh- 
 borhood of streams 
 they frequent. 
 
 S. S. Thomas, Lynn, Pa., 
 
 Destroy 
 
 chickens. 
 
 A mink will frequently 
 kill all the chickens in 
 a roost. 
 
 G. C. Bell, Maplewond, Pa.,.. 
 
 Destroy 
 
 chickens. 
 
 They also destroy many 
 
 flsh. 
 A mink destroyed thre.- 
 
 Melanthan Mench, Mifflln- 
 
 Destroy 
 
 chickens 
 
 burg. Pa. 
 
 and ducks. 
 
 old ducks and 16 mar- 
 
 
 
 
 ketable chicken*. 
 
 C. W. Dickinson, Norwich. 
 
 D<-stroy 
 
 chickens 
 
 
 Pa 
 
 and ducks. 
 
 
 Thos B. Darlington, West 
 
 Destroy 
 
 poultry, , 
 
 Minks and weasels are 
 
 Chester, Pa. 
 
 
 
 both poultry loving 
 pests. 
 
 THE MINK AS A FISHERMAN. 
 MR. PIERSON, Dysart, Pa.: 
 
 Minks destroy an immense amount of trout here. They 
 catch them after they run them under stones or logs when 
 they have them cornered. I, on one occasion, trailed a Mink 
 that caught from fifteen to twenty trout in one night and eat 
 part of each. 
 
 A. W. RHOADS, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.: 
 
 I have personal knowledge of the catching of fish by Minks 
 and Raccoons: they 6\\e for them in shallow waters. 
 
 MR. ARTHUR MARTIN. Sandy Lake. Pa.: 
 Minks have killed many fish in our ponds. 
 
 HON. GERARD C. BROWN, Torkana. Pa.: 
 
 Minks are still around brooks and are good fishers. A Mink 
 won't take long to cl^an out a small trout pond 
 
472 
 
 JOHN M. BUCKALBW, Fishing Creek, Columbia County, Pa.: 
 Minks dostroy fish; sink down in the water to catch and 
 come to the surface to consume. Minks are numerous and 
 a damage to the communities where found. 
 
 SAMUEL M. DOWNS, Mauch Chunk, Pa.: 
 
 I have no personal knowledge, but reports of Mink depre- 
 dations to fish are common; having a semi-palmated foot and 
 being expert swimmers and divers they experience little diffi- 
 culty in capturing such prey. 
 
 FRED. W. WELD, Sugar Grove, Warren County, Pa.: 
 
 I have occasionally seen dead fish along Stillwater creek 
 killed and partially eaten by Minks, but have never observed 
 their method of capture. 
 
 E. W. CAMPBELL, West Pittston, Luzerne County, Pa.: 
 
 Trout have been killed by Minks, as they have been caught 
 at it. 
 
 H. C. KIRKPATRICK, Meadville, Crawford County, Pa.: 
 
 I have only seen the Mink fishing. Once when duck shoot- 
 ing in Conneaut Marsh I noticed a great commotion in the 
 water just beneath an oak tree which overhung the water; 
 thinking it might be a Wood Duck I made a large circle and 
 came out under the tree; crawling up to where I could look 
 over the bank I saw a large Mink about ten feet from me; it 
 seemed to be hunting in the weeds for something; in a moment 
 it disappeared under the water, in about fifteen or twenty sec- 
 onds it reappeared with something in its mouth and swimming 
 to shore jumped out on the bank where it shook it as a dog 
 shakes a rat; after it was apparently dead the Mink dropped 
 it and sniffed around it a few times and disappeared in the 
 underbrush. Then I went to where the object was lying and 
 found it to be a large species of Salamander about one foot 
 long. Although they are not a fish, it illustrates, to a certain 
 extent, the Mink's manner of fishing for that kind of game. 
 
 OTTO BEHR, Lopez, Sullivan County, Pa.: 
 
 Minks are very" good fishers. Saw one come out of the open 
 riflle in winter with a large trout in its mouth, which it had 
 caught across its back; on another occasion I caught one 
 Jragging a good-sized eel along in the snow. They sometimes 
 
473 
 
 get into chicken coops and kill a dozen or more fowls in a 
 single night. 
 
 W. J. STUL/L, Coalport, Clearfield County. Pa.: 
 
 Mr. Thomas Millen informs me that a Mink has taken quite 
 a number of fi?h from his fish pond by diving or plunging after 
 thfm. 
 
 PAUL SWINGLE, South Canaan. Wayne County, Pa.: 
 
 Minks are very destructive to fish; they swim through the 
 water and catch them. 
 
 S. S. THOMAS, Lynn, Susquehanna County, Pa.: 
 
 A few years ago I had a large number of cat-fish and one 
 eel in a box in my spring drain. Their continued disappear- 
 ance (the eel among the rest) surprised me, but I one day dis- 
 covered as many as twenty of the bull-heads (cat-fish) piled 
 up under a log near by. A steel trap stopped the theft and 
 added half a dollar to the youngsters' pocket money in the 
 way of Mink bounty. 
 
 ZTBA SCOTT, Spring Brook, Lackawanna County, Pa.: 
 
 The Mink likes fish; brook trout suits him best if hi^ can get 
 them. He is an expert swimmer; goes under the water and 
 catches them easily. I have shot two within the past year 
 with trout in their mouths. The last one had a trout eight 
 inches long. 
 
 C. P. MOTT, Milford, Pike County, Pa.: 
 Minks undoubtedly kill many fish. 
 
 GEARY C. BELL, Maplewood, Wayne County, Pa.: 
 
 A Mink got into a carp pond last winter and destroyed a 
 great many carp, some of which were nearly two feet long. 
 
 J. B. OVIATT, Norwich, McKean County. Pa.: 
 
 Have often seen where Minks have caught fish in winter 
 time and have brought them on shore and eat or hid them. 
 Minks have no trouble in catching fish when the w'ater is low. 
 
 J. C. HEYLER, Nauvoo, Tioga County, Pa.: 
 
 Minks destroy poultry and birds, but the greatest damage 
 done by them is to brook trout, which is their principal living; 
 they also catch other fish, but trout is their favorite fish diet. 
 
474 
 
 H. C. DOKWUKTH, Oil City, Venango Cuunty. Pa.; 
 
 Have seen a Mink catch a trout in one of our neighboring 
 streams, in the winter, by diving under the overhanging banks 
 (where the trout usually stay in winter) and catch the trout 
 as they attempted to swim past him. Minks, two years ago, 
 killed all the carp, forty in number, in a pond on Sage run. 
 As these fish work down in the mud in winter, the Minks had 
 no difficulty in catching them. 
 
 GEORGE FRANCE, Ariel, Wayne County, Pa.: 
 
 The Mink destroys fis^h, particularly brook trout, and he i.s 
 also very destructive to domestic fowls, especially chickens. 
 
 BMIL ULRICH, Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Pa.: 
 
 Minks destroy fish, particularly brook trout, and they usually 
 catch the largest ones they find in the deep holes. 
 
 JOHN KEKLOW, Carley Brook, Wayne County, Pa.: 
 
 Minks are at home under the water, where they readily cap- 
 ture fish. They annually destroy great numbers of trout. 
 
 W. R. PARK, Athens, Bradford County, Pa.: 
 
 Minks are expert fishermen. They kill large numbers of 
 trout. I once shot a Mink with a large trout in its mouth. 
 
 SILAS FRAMTON, Coalport, Clearfield County: 
 
 During the trout season of 1896, Mr. H. A. Wagner, of this 
 place, and myself, were fishing on Bell Run — a tributary of the 
 Juniata — when I saw a Mink dart into the water and come 
 up with a good-sized trout; we watched him make four trips 
 and each time he came up with a trout. I shot at it then with 
 an ordinary revolver, but, owing to the distance, missed it. On 
 another trip in 1896 I saw an ordinary Garter Snake come up 
 out of the water with a trout in its mouth. I tried to kill it 
 but it got under some drift and I could not catch it. 
 
 J. F. REYNOLDS, Carbondale, Lackawanna County: 
 
 Have seen positive evidence of the fact that Brook Trout 
 have been destroyed by Minks. 
 
 E. J. STURDEVANT, Fnrksville, Sullivan County: 
 Minks kill many trout. They also destroy poultry and game. 
 
475 
 
 A. VV. CuLEaRoVE. riinelhpuit, McKean County: 
 ctiiei and Mink destroy flsh. 
 
 J. S. TILLOSTON, Tilloston, Crawford County: 
 
 1 know of an instance where a Mink in one evening killed 
 from ten to fifteen carp. 
 
 H. H. RANATT, Pipersville, Bucks County: 
 
 Have seen Mink fishing. 
 K. F. FRITZ. Divide, Columbia County: 
 
 Fish in Little Fishing Creek suffer from Foxes, Minks and 
 Hawks. 
 
 G. S. TURNER, West Hickory, Forest County: 
 
 I have seen Minks catching fish in small streams; have seen 
 Cranes, Great Blue, Night and Green Herons catching fish. 
 It is common report that one Crane on a trout stream will 
 catch almost all the trout in it in one season. 
 
 PAUL, A. OLIVER, Oliver's Mills, Luzerne County: 
 
 Have seen Mink catching Brook Trout. 
 
 F. C. FIELD, Balsam, Tioga County: 
 
 Have seen fish destroyed by Minks; they also destroy much 
 poultry. 
 
 D. F. LEWIS, Gillett, Bradford County: 
 I have caught the Mink catching large fish. 
 
 GEORGE C. CONNELL, Columbia X Roads, Bradford County: 
 Have seen fish destroyed by Minks and Muskrats. 
 
 Trom these quotations it will be seen that Minks un- 
 tiuestiouablv are great destroyei-s of fish, while it is 
 well known that they will catch and feed upon almosr 
 any species of the finny tribe which they can secure. 
 These amphibious animals have, there is little doubt, a 
 preference for the toothsome and beautiful brook trout. 
 The number of trout which Minks annually kill about 
 Dur mountain streams is no doubt considerable. 
 
476 
 
 RA(X:!OON. 
 
 Procyon lotor. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 An animal of an inquisitive turn of mind, as its long nose 
 and moveable naked snout would indicate. Its nails are not 
 fuvei-ed by hair and they are also long, sharp and hooked, 
 like claws, and "are used in an almost human manner." Its 
 head is round rather than long, with low erect ears, that are 
 covered with hair on both sides and rounded above; its tail 
 is about one-third its length and is very bushy, has some 
 four or five rings of black alternating with rusty white inter- 
 spaces, all being of equal width. Its feet on the soles are 
 naked, otherwise it is clothed with two kinds of hair, the inner 
 one like wool, soft and finer than the outer, which is long and 
 coarse. Length thirty to thirty-six inches. 
 
 Habitat. — Generally distributed in United States east of the 
 Rocky Mountains. 
 
 A POULTRY THIEF. 
 
 He is a thief and annoyance to poulterer and farmer; 
 lie will feast to satiety on a nest of eggs; nor are his 
 depredations in the poultry yard confined to eggs alone, 
 for letters are constantly received at this Department 
 from A'arious counties, telling of losses amcng the 
 chickens themselves. The most serious one comes to us 
 from Mi-. A. Judson Smith, New .Millport, Clearfield 
 county, who says that in one month he Ic-st bet^^een 
 twelve and fifteen dollars worth of hens from the vis- 
 its of a Kaccoon. W. G. Bunnell, Vosburg, \\yoming 
 county, writes that a Uaccoon, which he was so fortu- 
 nate as to catch in a trap, killed sonn? twenty-five chick- 
 ens in two nights. Mr. ]\I. E. Kemerer, Weissport, Car- 
 bon county, says: "Kaccoon s kill chickens or any kind 
 of ]ioultry:'' and Xoah If. Parker, O'f McKean county, 
 asserts that this animal "will kill fowls whenever he 
 gets a good chance, and do considerable damage." 
 
> 
 o 
 o 
 o 
 o 
 z 
 
477 
 
 FEASTS ON CORN. 
 
 Audubon says: 
 
 "No negro on a plantation knows with more accuracy when 
 the corn (maize) is juicy and ready for the connoisseur in 
 roasting ears; and he does not need the aid of a fire to im- 
 prove, but attaclts it more voraciously than the Squirrel or 
 Blackbird and is the last to quit the cornfield." 
 
 Further on this same writer says: 
 
 "When the Indian corn is ripening the Raccoon invades the 
 fields to feast on the rich milky grain, as we have just stated, 
 and as the stalks are too weak to bear the weight of these 
 marauders they generally break them down with the fore- 
 paws, tear off the husks from the ears, and then munch them 
 at their leisure." 
 
 On this line advices reach us from numerous oorre- 
 spoindents throughout the State, showing tlie love these 
 animals have acquired for green corn, and the damage 
 done. 
 
 AS A FISHERMAN. 
 
 Its long hooked claws serve it in fishing, and frogs, 
 shell fish and soft-shelled turtle eggs are dainty bits 
 for him. A number of complaints have reached this 
 office from fishermen in different .^eclions of our moun- 
 tainous regions, where Brook Tl-out and Raccoons both 
 are plentiful, that tliese Ijittei- animals destroy many 
 of the speckled beauties. Our inf(>rmants claim that 
 the greatest amount of damage is do'ne to Brook Trout 
 when the 's^ aters of the streams are low. The Raccoon 
 also deslToys other si)ecies of fish which he is able to 
 catch in streams and along the margins of ponds and 
 pools. 
 
 FEEDS ON BIRDS' E.GGS. 
 
 According to different writers and observers the Rac- 
 
478 
 
 coon frequently feeds on the eggs of different species of 
 birds. He is an expert climber and by reason of this 
 fact, it is asserted, he frequently despoils the homes of 
 the feathered tribes which are built in trees. 
 Audubon says: 
 
 "The Raccoon ascends trees with facility and frequently in- 
 vades the nest of the Woodpecker, although it may be secure 
 against ordinary thieves, by means of fore-feet, getting hold 
 of the eggs or young birds." 
 
 Ground-nesting species, such as Ruffed Grouse and 
 the Wild Turkey, hunters claim, are occasionally de- 
 stroyed by the inquisitive Raccoon. 
 
 AN ENJOYABLE RECREATION. 
 
 A 'coon hunt means both, pleasure and profit for its 
 participants. The excitement attendant on the chase 
 itself — the cool night air — the; excited yelping of the 
 dogs — the false starts and then the true find; the lan- 
 terns throwing their brightest light at the base of the 
 trees around which the dogs are wildly leaping, cast- 
 ing deep shadows up and beyond; but they are neither 
 too deep nor too black to prevent our discovering, high 
 up and on the extremity of a limb, that for which we 
 left the warm house and cozy fireside. Now the excite- 
 ment is at its height; the dogs are bounding madly 
 against the tree trunk, their duty fulfilled in having 
 successfully piloted us thus far, and urging us to our 
 part of the program with sharp, shrill bark. If the 
 tree is a slight one a few shakes will bring our qu,irry 
 heavily to the ground, but if it is one of the "Monarchs" 
 then the steady stroke of the axe is heard; and we 
 watch with breathless anxiety as the tree with its ani- 
 mal food begins to bend slowly earthward, then more 
 rajtidly, until it comes crasihinti' down and the dogs end 
 — as they had begun — the doings of that 'coon hunt. 
 
479 
 
 HUNTED FOR BOTH FLESH AND FUR. 
 
 His pelt means mouev to the successful 'coon hunter, 
 for his fur is used in the manufacture of robes, coats, 
 capes, etc. In the line O'f this animal being a good arti- 
 cle for food, C. L. Herrick, in Bulletin No. 7, the Mam- 
 mals of Minn., says: 
 
 "The omnivorous and especially the insectivorous habits of 
 this animal render it especially subject to internal parasites, 
 in spite of the most remarkable precautions, which either ex- 
 perience or natural taste has developed in its eating habits. 
 An instance was seen where the body of a Raccoon which had 
 been exposed in the market with other meats, was literally filled 
 with worms of the genus Filaria, several inches long, and 
 these filled with living embryos in all stages of developm3nt." 
 
 Audubon says relating to this: 
 
 "In the dreary months of winter should you be encamped 
 in any of the great western forests, obliged by the pitiless 
 storm to remain for some days, as we have been, you will not 
 be unthankful if you have a fat Raccoon suspended on a tree 
 above your camp, for when kept a while the flesh of this 
 species is both tender and well flavored." 
 
 WHAT FARMERS AND SPORTSMEN SAY ABOUT RAC- 
 COONS. 
 
 .J. B. OVIATT, Norwich, McKean County: 
 
 Raccoons catch fish in the open spring runs in the winter 
 time; Brook Trout are frequently numerous in warm spring 
 brooks during the winter timi^. They do but littlt> damage to 
 farmers. 
 
 JEREMIAH PHILIPS, Garrett, Somerset County: 
 
 The way Raccoon, Mink and Otter catch fish is in small 
 streams and ponds when the water gets low, and the fish have 
 no chance to hide from them. 
 
 W. C. BABCOCK, Blossburg, Tioga County: 
 
 Raccoons will visit corn fields when they are located near 
 the woods. The sport they furnish the farmer and neigh- 
 liors make ii" f<»r the small loss in corn, 
 
480 
 
 JAS. S. NBASI'], Washington, Washington County: 
 
 Raccoons. I have not seen any damage done by them. They 
 are said to eat corn sometimes, when growing along the woods. 
 They are not destructive. 
 
 F. M. McKEEHAN, Ferguson, Perry County: 
 
 Raccoons, tolerably rare; do not do much damage; sometimes 
 destroy a little corn when near timber land. 
 
 E. D. DAVIS and JOHN" M. BUCKALEW, Fishing Creek, Col- 
 umbia County: 
 
 Raccoon, not plentiful. They destroy corn in the field in 
 the fall. 
 
 JOHN PERRY, Kasson, McKean County: 
 
 Raccoons are very common here; they destroy oats and corn 
 and are very fond of chickens if they can get them. 
 
 C. W. DICKINSON, Norwich, McKean County: 
 
 The Raccoon will eat sweet apples, cherries and corn, but 
 the damage by the Raccoon is not heavy. I have known of 
 'coon killing chickens two different times in my life, one at 
 each time. 
 
 H. C. DORWORTH, Oil City, Venango County: 
 
 Raccoons have destroyed considerable corn for the farmers 
 in this vicinity. In the northwestern part of this county the 
 Cottentails have not only destroyed whole gardens but have 
 attacked the growing grain. Young orchards (especially ap- 
 ples) are frequently seriously injured by these animals. Squir- 
 rels show a great fondness for corn, carrying away as much 
 as possible at a time and repeating this operation with sur- 
 prising frequency. 
 
 J. C. HEYLER, Nauvoo, Tioga County: 
 
 Raccoons are of no good; as we all know they are good fish- 
 ers and very seldom fish for any other kind of fish than trout. 
 They also destroy crops such as corn and buckwheat. They 
 are common; no bounty should be paid on them. 
 
 A. P. BREWER, Norwich, McKean County: 
 
 Raccoons are plenty, but do no particular harm; they pay 
 for catching:. 
 
481 
 
 N. G. BUNNELL, Vosburg, Wyoming County: 
 
 A few years ago had some chickens killed and supposed it 
 was a Skunk; set trap by coop; next morning trap was gone; 
 began looking for it and soon saw the dog was interested in 
 it; we followed some twenty i-ods and found Mr. Coon had 
 caught the trap in the fence. Think he must have killed 
 twenty-five chickens in two nights. Think them worse than 
 Foxes. 
 
 ABRAHAM NEVELING, Coalport, Clearfield County: 
 
 Have knowledge of their destroying fish, but cannot give 
 their methods of capturing, with" the exception of the Rac- 
 coon which captures the fish with its paws, same as a person 
 would use his hands. 
 
 \V. B. K. JOHNSON, Allentown, Lehigh County: 
 
 Squirrels and Raccoons did so much damage to my father's 
 corn that we had to watch the Squirrels by day and the Rac- 
 coons by night. 
 
 ItEO. FRANC, Ariel, Wayne County: 
 'Coons are plenty and destructive to corn and fowls. 
 
 DR. L. W. SCHNATTERLY, Freeport, Armstrong County: 
 
 I have witnessed both Raccoon and Muskrats catching fish, 
 but they can only do so in very shallow water where the fish 
 are penned up. The Raccoon catches them in his claws while 
 the Muskrat dives and catches them in his tooth. 
 
 F. WAGGENSELLER, M. D., Selinsgrove, Snyder County: 
 
 The only mammals that destroy corn to any extent are Musk- 
 rats, Raccoons, Rabbits and Squirrels. Squirrels destroy eggs 
 and young birds. 
 
 S. S. THOMAS, Lynn, Susquehanna County: 
 
 Raccoons in former years have done as much damage in 
 corn fields as pigs would. 
 
 THOMAS B. DARLINGTON, West Chester, Chester County: 
 
 The Raccoon is not very plentiful in this section of the 
 county; he likes chickens and sometimes makes a raid, but it 
 
 81 IT 
 
482 
 
 is nul very cuniiiiuii. All tlie (huuage they du tu corn aimmnts 
 to but little. 
 
 EMIL. ULHICH, Stroudsburff, Monroe County: 
 
 Raccoons will go for the corn ears occasionally, but the 
 damage is trifling. 
 
 GEO. S. APPLEBY, Decorum, Huntingdon County: 
 
 Raccoons devour corn and they are sometimes very de- 
 structive to it. 
 
 J. S. GAY, Terry town, Bradford County: 
 
 I have known 'coons to wallow the corn down equal to 
 turning the hogs in. Muskrats I have known to destroy corn 
 to a certain extent. 
 
 HON. G. C. BROWN, Yorkana, York County: 
 
 Raccoons are very fond of fresh water clams, which they 
 dig out of the sand or gravel on the banks of streams with 
 great dexterity. 
 
 L. T. WILT, Franklin, Venango County: 
 
 Submitted to Al. Simons (a colored gentleman sportsman). 
 He says: "Raccoons are great water waders, fishing with their 
 paws under small stones, and when bitten in the claw by a 
 crab or crawler, the Raccoon raises his paw to his mouth and 
 removes the object that had taken hold. The Raccoon, when 
 working on corn, scratches the husk with his paw on account 
 of the husk getting between his teeth, then cuts the grain clean 
 to the cob." 
 
 JAMES THOMAS, Curwensville, Clearfield County: 
 
 Raccoons fish from early in the spring until late in the fall; 
 they will follow a fish, wallowing like a hog, and chase them 
 under a stone, then catch them. 
 
 W. C. SLOAN, Sloan, Westmoreland County: 
 
 Raccoons destroy corn in the roasting season; Squirrels, wheat 
 in head; Muskrats and Groundhogs (Woodchucks) cut and de- 
 stroy corn, oats, wheat and grass when in the green stage. 
 Done yearly on my farm. 
 
483 
 
 OTTO BEHR, Lopez, Sullivan County: 
 
 Raccoons fish by feeling with their paws under the stones 
 and in this manner catch a good many crawfish, but the amount 
 of fisli tliey catch in this manner would be very small, as they 
 only fish in shallow water. 
 
 GEO. R. BOAK, Pine Glen, Centre County: 
 
 I have seen fields of corn one-tliird destroyed by Squirrels 
 and Raccoons. 
 
 W. A. ALBA, Bradford County, Pa.: 
 Raccoons destroy some corn in the fall when fit to roast. 
 
 PAUL SWINGLE, South Canaan, Wayne County: 
 
 Raccoons are quite destructive to corn while it is in the milk 
 by pulling down the ear and eating the same and carrying it 
 away. 
 
 R. W. WEHRLE, Blairsville, Indiana County: 
 Raccoon very destructive to crops. 
 
 CHARLES RUSSELL, Russell Hill, Wyoming County: 
 
 'Coons and Mink destroy many trout in our small streams 
 when they are low in summer. 
 
 GEO. S. PURDY, Honesdale, Wayne County: 
 Have seen Raccoons fishing in shallow pools on trout streams. 
 
 E. O. AUSTIN, Austin, Potter County: 
 Raccoons catch trout; have seen them. 
 
 G. C. MARSHALL, Uniontown, Fayette County: 
 
 The Mater Fnakes and 'Coons, during low water, are the 
 greatest enem.ies of trout. 
 
 FRANK G. KEATLBY, Clarion, Clarion County: 
 Have seen Minks and Raccoons catch trout. 
 
 A. S. HECK, Coudersport, Potter County: 
 
 Have often seen places in trout streams where Raccoons have 
 caught trnut. 
 
484 
 
 JAMES VANDERGRIFT, Stony Fork, Tioga County: 
 Raccoons kill fish. 
 
 A. B. DOAN, Little Marsh, Tioga County: 
 'Coons destroy fish. 
 
 JOHN B. TRUMAN, Wellsboro', Tioga County: 
 
 When the streams are low the Minks and 'coons kill a great 
 many fish. 
 
 I. D. REITTER, Karthaus, Clearfield County: 
 
 Raccoons are the most destructive to trout though they are 
 getting very scarce. 
 
 CHESTER M. LINGLE, Phillipsburg, Centre County: 
 'Coons in this section catch trout. 
 
485 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 LOCALITIES WHKKE POULTRY DESTROYING 
 ANIMALS ARE FOUND. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS INTRODUCTORY NOTES. 
 
 By DR. B. H. WARKEN. State ZooloyUt. 
 
 Tliis great commercial highway of the nation, with 
 branches penetrating almost every county in Penn- 
 sylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland — the 
 Pennsylvania Railroad — reaches every section of this 
 territory where the best of the present gunning and 
 llshing may be found, fro^m the bays and harbors of the 
 matchless Jersey coast with their famous fishing 
 grounds, and the islands and inlets of the Chesapeake 
 Pay with their acres of wild ducks, to the mountain 
 wildernesses of Clinton, Clearfield, Elk and Cameron 
 counties with their ideal trout streams, their deer 
 rjuiges, and their shaggy-coated Bears and predatory 
 ^^'ild Cats. Covering such a vast and diversiCcd terri- 
 tory, and affording conveniences and comforts of 
 travel unsurpassed by any other railroad in the world, 
 it holds out peculiar inducements to the gunner, the 
 angler, and tc- the naturalist in search of knowledge, 
 specimens or sport, and recreation. 
 
486 
 
 A CONVENIENT CLASSIFICATION. 
 
 For the convenience of sportsmen or zoological stu- 
 dents who would hunt the poultry and game-devouring 
 animals, the data in the following pages has been 
 dassitied under the diU'erent kinds of game and fish; 
 and, still further, it has been divided into three sections 
 in respect to U'lritorv ; llie lirst section covering tlie 
 territory east of the Susquehanna and its tributaries, 
 Xew Jersey, and the enure Delaware and Virginia 
 Peninsula; the second section covering the territory 
 drained by the Susquehanna, and that lying imme- 
 diately north and south which is reached by the lines 
 of the railroad; the third section covering all the ter- 
 ritory in the State of Pennsylvania west of the sum- 
 mit of the Alleghenies which is reached by the Penn- 
 sylvania Railroad. 
 
 The wide scope of territory traversed by the Penn- 
 sylvania Railroad system, hereinafter referred to, ex- 
 tends from the broad Atlantic southward to the fine 
 ducking grounds of the renowned Chesapeake with its 
 several large tributaries, which at certain seasons teem 
 with Rail (Sora) and Reed birds, besides numerous 
 other varieties of acquatic birds so eagerly sought for 
 by sportsmen and epicures: and westward to tlie pic- 
 turesque Allegheny Valley. 
 
 A GRAND FIELD FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. 
 
 This exi)aiisive and diversified area is, it seems 
 almost needless to remark, a grand field for the student 
 of natural history; forsooth, it matters not what special 
 branch of the systematic natural sciences he pursues. 
 Entomologists claim that probably fully 25,000 kinds 
 of insects find suitable dwelling places here; numerous 
 species of fishes — many of which furnish fine sport to 
 
iUiglers — valuiible lui- table use, inhabit the salt aud 
 fresh waters, and in some parts the rich and varied 
 deposits are especially allurinjf to the mineralogist. 
 Fei-tilesoil or other hosts give sustenance to thousands 
 of species of plants (flowering and nun-flowering) 
 hence the botanist assures us this is "a Held of milk 
 and honey'' as regards the securing of rare specimens 
 for the herbarium. 
 
 Individuals who desii-e to study the life liistories and 
 economic status of poultry-destroying birds, mammals, 
 or fish, can, by consulting succeeding pages of this 
 chapter, suiely find these creatures — made by Divine 
 hand with some good object in view — which at times 
 are so aggravating to farmers, poulterers and sports- 
 men. 
 
 THE MECCA OF NATURALISTS. 
 
 Pennsylvania, by reason of its peculiar geographical 
 position, its mountain ranges, large area of wild lands, 
 its numerous water courses, and many romantic lakes, 
 is a natural game preserve, and the home of many 
 species of the feathered tribes, which, although un- 
 known to the sportsman who goes in quest of furred 
 and feathered game, are eagerly sought after by th(^ 
 natural history student. The advantiiges which the 
 Keystone State possesses for zoological investigations 
 are manifold. .Many daiiiiy s[)ecies of nimble Warb 
 lers, the sweet-voiced Tlnnshes, cor lain fierce or, on tlu' 
 olher hand, well-disposed members of the raptorial 
 feathered races, as well as several members of the 
 Sparrow family, together with other representatives 
 of avian-life, all of which are attributed to the Cana- 
 ilian launa. make I heir suiiinicr homes in s('(]iies(«M-e<l 
 mountain fastnesses of this Common weal I h. A num 
 
488 
 
 ber ol biidis includcHl in the Cjiroliniaii t;iiiii;i fiii<l con 
 u;enial lionies within the boideis of this favored hind 
 of Penn. 
 
 OVER 300 KINDS OF BIRDS. 
 
 Oi-nithohjj^ncal research has shown that there are 
 accredited to Pennsylvania, not less than 325 species 
 and subspecies of birds, which occur here as residents, 
 migrants, si.mmer sojourners, stragglers or extralimi- 
 tants. Of this large number, the majority are of 
 great service to mankind because of their insect-eating 
 proclivities; nearly one-half of this number occur as 
 breeders yviih us. 
 
 A PARADISE FOR OOLOGISTS. 
 
 The presence of so many species in this State during 
 the season of reproduction places Pennsylvania high in 
 the list of localities to be visited by students especially 
 interested in oological science. 
 
 SPECIES NEW TO SCIENCE. 
 
 In this connection it is worthy of remark that the 
 note books and field observations of thoroughly trust- 
 worthy naturalists show, peradventure, that certain 
 species of birds, whose nests and eggs have never y(4 
 been defiled by human hands, are to be found regularly 
 during the summer or breeding seasoo, in the virgin 
 forests — so rapidly disai)pearing before the woods- 
 man's axe or ruinous forest fires — about the pic- 
 turesque and higher mountain peaks, with their stately 
 forest monarchs, their beautiful and ever green rho- 
 dodendrons, and other sweet-scented wild flowers, 
 which in the balmy eTune days are shown in all their 
 charms. This is the time the oological student should 
 take his vacation to search for desired treasures, and 
 
489 
 
 his heart may be made to bound with indesciibabU' 
 joy by fltidiu<;- the neatly constructed nests and ej?.s^s of 
 species which, the eyes of man — so far as written 
 records are concerned — have never beheld. 
 
 FINE TERRITORY IN WINTER. 
 
 The student of natural history, if his wants are in the 
 liiu' of feathered specimens for the cabinet, can travel 
 the rich ajfricultural or wild' unimproved tracts of 
 I'ennsyjvania, and secure much material. Different 
 si>eci(\s of birds retire in the summer season to the 
 boreal wilds, where they rear their young and are com- 
 paratively free fr-om man's despoilin<2: hand. Aswinter 
 ai)proaches these birds migrate southward from tlic 
 land of the Eskimo and savage Polar Bear to glean a 
 livelihood which, so far as many of them are ccn- 
 cerned, is a great boon to miankind. 
 
 WINTER BIRDS. 
 
 Besides these natives of the Arctic solitudes, nu- 
 merous other species, some residents of Pennsylvania, 
 and others which, for the most part, breed north or 
 soutli of our boundaries, are present with us in goodly 
 numbers, as is evidenced by the fact that the winter 
 birds in PenLsylvania numfber approximately about 
 one-third of the bird fauna. 
 
 SOME ANIMALS WHICH HAVE BEEN EXTERMINATED. 
 
 Manyyears ago Pennsylvania contained the massive, 
 shaggy-coated Buffalo, the bulky and big-antlered Elk. 
 and the fleet footed and clean limbed Virginia Deer, 
 which, with other kinds of furred, feathered and finny 
 game, then so abundnnt. furnished bounteous repasts 
 31*11 
 
490 
 
 lo our sturdy pioneer Muieslors who blazed throuj^li 
 unbroken foi'ests the 1 rails to the land of the seUiuj; 
 sun, 
 
 WHEN THE FLINT-LOCK WAS EMPLOYED. 
 
 Indeed, one does not have to look back to the early 
 history of this State; in Kevolutio'uary days, or later, 
 when saiTige aborijiines and wild beasts of the path- 
 less forests were constantly on the watch to waylay 
 the settler or destroy his possessions. 
 
 By refeiring to the annnal report of the Department 
 of Agriculture, (Pa.) for 1890, we find (pages 323-32G 
 and 330-334) some most interesting records concerning 
 game in I'enr.sylvania. Tn this publication, an ac- 
 co'unt, entitled *'How Onr Forefathers Hunted Big 
 riame," is given of some famous hunts which took 
 place in Bradford county, of this State, about 70 years 
 
 KILLED FORTY DEER IN ONE DAY. 
 
 On one occasion, where the })rosperous town of 
 Waverly now stands, there were killed in a single day's 
 hunt, forty Deer, eight Black Bears, thirteen Wolves, a 
 large number of Foxes and a few Panthers. In the fall 
 of 1818. a big hunt, in which the pioneer farmers for 
 miles about took part, was had in Bradford county. 
 
 A MENANCE TO LIFE AND PROPERTY. 
 
 "Fii tlidsc ila.vs wild animals were so numerous in the val- 
 ley and on the surroundingr hills as to bo a serious drawback 
 to the pioneer farmers in the growing of their crops and the 
 keeping of their live stock, to say nothing of the constant 
 fear in which they stood for the safety of themselves and 
 families." 
 
491 
 
 HUXTKD WITH FLAILS AND PITCHFORKS. 
 
 This hunt was engaged in by many men who col- 
 lected from far and near on a given day. The majority 
 were armed with flint-lock guns, but many in the ranks 
 were armed with no such weapons, and llu^y carried 
 axes, pitchforks, clubs, and even flails. These rude 
 weapons were made good use of on the march and in 
 the round up one man, Sj'lvant Decker, covered him- 
 self with honor by despatching two Bears with his 
 flail, but only after a liard battle with each animal. A 
 flail in the hands of Jacobus VanSickle, vv^as used to 
 crush the head of an immense buck as it attempted to 
 rush by; gaunt, snapping Wolves, and gauie-devouring 
 Foxes were killed in numbers with clubs and pitch- 
 forks. 
 
 COL. STEVENS' FAMOUS HUNT. 
 
 In 1818 Colonel Adin Stevens conceived the idea of 
 a big hunt. He collected together early in the morning 
 of December 4th. about 1,000 settlers, who formed in 
 line and marching from all directions, covering a large 
 circle of ton-itory. they proceeded, making all the noise 
 possible by blowing horns, etc., to a high knoll of 
 about three acres, which was reached late in the aftei'- 
 noon. 
 
 "As the hunters drew in around this knoll they killed one 
 hundred and fifty deer, fifteen bears, fifty wolves, and no end 
 of foxes. Thirty deer escaped through one gap in the ranks. 
 .\mong Colonel Stevens" hunters was Major Thereon Darling, 
 a veteran of the Revolution. He was a man over six feet 
 tall. In the chase of one of the deer on the knoll, a big doe. 
 Major Darling stood still, waiting for the deer to be driven his 
 way. He stood with his long legs wide apart. Suddenly the 
 doe started toward him. ducked her head and rushed between 
 the ATajor's legs, that being the most available opening she 
 saw for escape. The contact threw the Major forward on the 
 
492 
 
 doe's back. He mechanically clasped his arms about her 
 body. Away the perplexed deer flew through the forest, 
 bearing Major Darling, feet first, along with her. He held on, 
 and after the deer had run with him half a mile or more, he 
 managed to catch her by one hind leg and trip her up. She 
 fell heavily to the ground, and before she could regain her feet 
 the Major cut her throat." 
 
 "THINGS ARE DIFFERENT NOW." 
 
 As civilization advances and improved firearms be- 
 come every year cheaper and more numerous, the wild 
 birds and four footed (undomesticated) animals will 
 decrease. Tliis is not alone true of Pennsylvania, for 
 we see in other regions, where proper laws are not en- 
 acted and enforced for the protection of game (birds, 
 mamnmls and fish), these creatures, interesting and 
 often A^aluable from eommercial and other economic 
 standpoints, are fercquently exterminated. 
 
 MANY YET REMAIN. 
 
 Ingenuity has enabled man to make the most deadly 
 and rapid-firing arms, which, in the hands of profes- 
 sional meat or skin hunters, have, within the last fif- 
 teen years, caused much depletion of the large four- 
 footed game, and also feathered kinds, as well as the 
 briglilly-dressed song and insect-eating birds, which, 
 fashion has decreed that frail, fastidious woman — 
 lovely though she is, and, without her, terrestrial exis- 
 tence would rot be worth a farthing — shall decorate 
 her pretty head. 
 
 FIFTY SPECIES OF MAMMALS. 
 
 Natwithstarding the slaughter in the last quarter 
 of a century of wild animals, drcssi^d either in warm 
 <(»ats of fur <!•!• attra(tiv(^ f(>athpi' gaibs, one may yet, 
 with i)roi)er instructions and investigations, find many 
 
493 
 
 species of mammals (unflomesticated) in Pennslyvania, 
 where we have at the present time probably fifty well 
 defined species. 
 
 Birds, also, even in (he lace of most iieartless cru- 
 sades made auainst thrm by market hunters, (after the 
 game birds and other kinds slaughtered by the tens of 
 thousands for the millinery trade), are still to be found, 
 as stated elsewhere in this article, at certain seasons 
 and in particular localities, quite plentifully. 
 
 SOME THAT HAVE GONE. 
 
 The last Bison or Buffalo, accocrding to Mr. S. N. 
 Rhoads,* "killed in Central Pennsylvania was shot 
 about the year 1800, by Col. John Kelley, in Kelley 
 township, Union county, five miles from Lewisburg." 
 
 THE LAST EL.K. 
 
 About 35 years ago a large Elk was taken, my friend 
 and colleague, the Commissioner of Forestry, Dr. Jo- 
 seph T. Kothrock, tells me, when he was with a corps of 
 civil engineers, surveying a line for the Philadelphia 
 and Erie Railroad, in the county of Elk. 
 
 Mr. S. N. Rhoads says in referring to this species: 
 "The latter-nam(d regions (Potter, Tioga and Lycoming 
 counties), formed the liunting grounds of my veteran 
 friend, f^eth I. Nelson, whose diary, between 1831 and 
 1837, shows that he killed 28 Elk during the period." 
 
 Mr. Rhoads, quoting Setli T. Nielsen, says: 
 
 "A bull Elk was killed in Elk county In 1867 by a veteran 
 Indian hunter of the Cattaraugus Reservation, named Jim 
 Jacobs," 
 
 *A contribution to the Mammalogy of Central Pennsylvania, 
 by Samuel N. Rhoads. Published in the Proceeding-s of the 
 Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, April, 1897. 
 
494 
 
 This is believed to have been the hist ElU taken iu 
 I'eiinsylvaiiia. 
 
 THE BE AVER. 
 
 The broad-tailed IJeaver, a valuable fur-beariug 
 animal, mauy yeai's ago was abundant in different 
 sections of this State. One may at the present time 
 find renuiinss of tlieir ancient dwelling- places about 
 strean.is and dams. The former presence of these in- 
 telligent animals in numerous localities is further at- 
 tested by such familiar and suggestive names as 
 Beaver Dam, Beaver Creek, Beaver Meadows, etc. 
 According to Mr. George K. Boak, Pine Glen, Pa., the 
 Beaver was found in Centre county about 30 years ago, 
 but like the Wolk, Elk and Panther, which also occur- 
 red there, all have been exterminated. Mr. Abraham 
 Neveling, an aged and well-informed naturalist, of 
 Coalport, Pa., says, "The last Beaver was trapped in 
 Clearfield county in 1837." The latest record of the 
 capture of this species in Pennsylvania, of which I can 
 find any record of reliability, is that made by Mr. S. N. 
 Rhoads, who quotes as follows, from Mr. Seth Nelson, 
 Jr.: 
 
 "The last (Beaver taken in this State) was liilled on Pine 
 Creek, nine years ago (1884). A part of.Pine Creek is in Clinton 
 county, and part in Tioga county, but the Beaver was started 
 in Potter county and followed down through Tioga county, 
 and killed in Clinton county.' 
 
 BEAVERS IN "OLD VIRGINIA." 
 
 If the natural history student desires to study the 
 Beaver on his native heath, he can at a very moderate 
 money outlay and in a short time, find them at home in 
 the swampy woods of Surrey county, Virginia, where 
 last year the writer found freshly fallen trees cut 
 
495 
 
 down by a small colonj of these animals. To reach 
 this place from Philadelphia one can piocuie at Broad 
 Street Station, a ticket to Old I'oint Comfort by way 
 of Cape Charles, then take a James river steamer to 
 (Maremont, where guides and hotel accommodations 
 can be had. Jn the heavily-wooded swamps, about 
 two and one-half miles south of Spring Gi'ove post- 
 ollice, which is some six raih^s by wagon road west of 
 (Jlaremont, you can, I am quite conlideut, find Beavers 
 living in hollow logs, or in houses of their own make. 
 Lastyear a hunter wbom I met in this locality and who 
 had eight pelts of these animals which he had recently 
 slain and sold for $40, said he discovered no "bouses," 
 but found the Beavers living in logs and trees which 
 were hollow. 
 
 THE AMERICAN WOLF. 
 
 In view of the fact that for several years past the 
 writer has made especial efforts to verify the statement 
 that this animal is still to be found in Pennsylvania, 
 and has failed, he is very much inclined to the opinion 
 that none of the species, in a wild state, are present in 
 this Commonwealth. It is true that bounty records 
 in different counties of the State, as late perhaps as six 
 months since, show that "wolf scalps" have been paid 
 for. Such data, however, must not be taken as con- 
 clusive evidence of the presence of these animals, for 
 the ''lieads and ears" of grizzly, long-haired cur dogs, 
 etc., or the pelts of wolves brought to Pennsylvania 
 from other states, have in past years proven of consid- 
 erable value to scalp hunters, although expensive to 
 the local taxpayers. A large Wolf was lately slain in 
 Westmoreland county, but investigation disclosed the 
 fact that it had been shipped alive from the far west 
 
496 
 
 and liberated to be puiisui'd by hounds, from which il 
 escaped, lo be subsequently taken as a genuine exam 
 pie of a Pennsylvania Wolf. 
 
 WOLVES IN TIOGA COUNTY. 
 
 Up ill Tioga county, the section which for several 
 years has so well and faithfully been represented in 
 our State Legislature by Hon. W. T. Merrick, three 
 Wolves were killed in the autumn of 189G. 
 
 In support of such an important record the follow- 
 ing paragraph is clipped from the Athens (Pa.) News, 
 January 29th, 1800: 
 
 "Last fall Charles Lee"s circus and menagerie was sold out 
 at Canton by the Sheriff, and among- other animals three 
 coyotes or prairie wolves were sold for fifty cents each to 
 Charles Kerby. He kept them tied up in his dooryard for a 
 couple of months and then took them over into Tioga county in 
 a box, and a wolf 'hunt' was held. Kerby made affidavit lo 
 the killing of the wolves and collected the bounty of $30 from 
 the county commissioners, telling' them a 'fairy tale,' about 
 his exploits in the mountains of Union, where he alleged the 
 dogs ran the wolves and he shot them." 
 
 SHOULD SUCH PRACTICES EXIST? 
 
 This kind of work is "legal," that is. if I am co-rrectly 
 iiifoimed about the bounty law, which allows a pre- 
 mium of ten dolars each, with additional fees to the 
 local olticials before whom the affidavit of killing is 
 made. It was also considered to be in accordance 
 with the letter of the law, when, under the provisions 
 of the "Scalp Act of 1885," Hawks, which were caught 
 alive in traps in neighboring states and brought over 
 the line into Pennsylvania and killed, to pay for their 
 "heads." The eggs of several kinds of birds of prey 
 were, it is said, also collected in Ohio, and other ad- 
 joining states, carried into different counties of this 
 
497 
 
 Common weaKli w licre, uiidoi- domes! icaled fowls or in 
 incubatiH-s they weie hatelied out, and (lie young ones 
 were sold for the 50 eents hountv iind.*r tht- Ael of 
 I88r>. 
 
 WOLVES WERE BAD NEIGHBORS. 
 
 Years ago, when our sturdy, brave-hearted, indus- 
 trious and hard-working pioneer lathers had their 
 iliut-locks at all times by their sides, ever ready to 
 battle with the treacherous and cunning- Indians and 
 other wild forest animals, the ravenous, howling, and 
 lleet-footed Wolf held high carnival here, but now 
 this i)redatory animal, like the Indian of Revolution- 
 ary days, has passed away. 
 
 Illustrative of the destructive nature of the prowling 
 bands of Wolves which formerly infested our Com- 
 monwealth, the following extract is taken from the 
 note-book of Mr. C. W. Dickinson, of Norwich, Mc- 
 Kean county. Pa. 
 
 A TERROR TO SHEEP OWNERS. 
 "The Wolf was a terror to the sheep owners for, like the 
 Indian, he wanted to kill as long as there was a sheep left. 
 In 1869 Wolves killed twentj'-eight sheep in the month of May 
 for a neighbor of mine; they killed fourteen each night; they 
 made but two raids on them, and there were only two Wolves 
 each night. These two Wolves had a litter of whelps. I know 
 this to be a fact, for I followed them to their lair and captured 
 the old slut and five whelps. From the 18th day of May, 1869, 
 to May 15th, 1872, I caught fifteen Wolves and crippled three 
 more. I think I have seen where wolves have killed one hun- 
 dred and fifty sheep, at least. I have seen where wolves have 
 killed deer a good many times. The last Gray Wolf killed in 
 this county was taken by a boy on the Kinzua creek, in 1886." 
 
 FOLLOWED HUMAN BEINGS. 
 
 Mr. Abraham Neveling, of Coalport, Pa., mentions 
 that in 183G he knew a band of Wolves to kill, in one 
 32 -n 
 
498 
 
 iiij^ht, eighteen sheep; and to illustrate the bold and 
 blood-thirsty nature of this dog-like animal, Mr. 
 Neveling adds, "the last Wolf 1 have knowledge of 
 was killed by myself in 1858, near Janesville, this 
 county, (Cleartield). The circumstances were as fol- 
 lows: 
 
 "Mr. Joseph McCully and wife were on their way to the 
 grist mill at Janesville; a colt was following the sled and the 
 Wolf came in pursuit; it followed within a mile of the settle- 
 ment. Mr. McCully aroused me in the early morning and re- 
 lated the facts in the case, and I took the track of the animal 
 and in a few hours shot him." 
 
 A DOCTOR'S TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. 
 
 About the year 1845 Wolves were abundant in 
 Tomhickon Valley, between Catawissa and Hazleton, 
 where, according to my friend, Dr. Thomas C.Thornton, 
 they often atacked human beings, destroyed the set- 
 tlers' cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry and devoured 
 game. When the Catawissa railroad, a part of the 
 Philadelpliia and Reading system, was being built, Dr. 
 Thomas A. H. Thornton, a practicing physician and 
 the father of Dr. Thomas C, Thornton, now a promi- 
 nent medical practitioner of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, 
 one cold Autumn night was called out of bed to visit 
 a patient about twenty miles from his home. At that 
 time there were no regular roads as we now have. In 
 their fdace the traveler used narrow paths or trails, 
 which, in many jtlaces. were illy defined, and an inex- 
 perienced person often lost his way when endeavoring 
 to follow thein. This was the misfortune of Dr. Thorn- 
 ton who, in his anxiety to reach the bedside of the 
 sufferer, attempted to make ji short cut. He lost his 
 way and for one week wandered through the wilder- 
 ness; and, having no gun, was obliged to subsist on 
 
499 
 
 routs aud befbs. The doctor was ou horseback, aud 
 after wauderiug aimlessly about tlie pathless forests 
 for four or live days, they got into a large swamp 
 where the horse stepped into a quagmire, from which 
 his owner was unable to extricate him and the noble 
 animal had to be abandoned, imbedded as he was al- 
 most to his belly in the soft and boggy bed. The Doc- 
 tor removed the saddle bags containing his supply of 
 medicines, etc., threw them over his shoulders and 
 started off. In those days it was customary to wear 
 green baize leggins to protect one from the cold. 
 
 WOLVES ON HIS TRAIL. 
 
 Several hours after the Doctor got out of the swamp 
 where lie had abandoned his horse he was horrified to 
 see that he was being followed by a band of five or 
 six Wolves. At first they kept at a respectful dis- 
 tance when sticks were thrown at them, but finally as 
 if they appreciated the helpless condition of their in- 
 tended victim, aud, as darkness came on, the hungry, 
 blood-thirsty band became bolder and bolder; they 
 circled around the terrified and jaded man, and clos- 
 ing in started to attack him on all sides. One more 
 vicious and impulsive than the others made a spring 
 at the Doctor's throat, but a well directed blow from 
 a club temporarily disabled the animal and caused his 
 ravenous companions, most fortunately, to discontinue 
 at that time their premeditated and combined attack. 
 The Doctor, by this thrilling episode, and the Wolves' 
 frightened condition, succeeded in going perhaps a 
 mile unmolested, when, to his great horror, he found 
 the whole pack, led by the vicious brute he believed 
 he had maimed with his club, were hot on his trail. 
 The stunning blow administered to the leader of the 
 
500 
 
 howling band seemed to have only intensified the 
 brute's coinage and thiist for blood. The man, weak- 
 ened by long exposure and loss of food, realized that 
 he would soon be torn to pieces if he did not ado])t 
 s<»me new means of defense. 
 
 A DESPERATE BATTLE ON THE ROCKS. 
 
 Fc^rtunaiely, as the animals began closing around 
 him foi' ano{he!* onslaught, he reached a high rock and 
 nuirinli'd on its top, where a giant tree served to pro- 
 tect him from falling backward. He reached this 
 eminence in time to drop his saddle bags and provide 
 himself with some stones and two or three good clubs 
 before his piirsurers started to attack him. He stood, 
 back to the tree, and as the animals, led by the leader, 
 attempted to come up he drove them back with bis 
 primitive weapons. A large stOTie hurled with great 
 force and accuracy broke the head of one of the as- 
 sailants; this fortunate occurrence gave the Doctor a 
 breathing spell. 
 
 AMMONIA SAVED HIM. 
 
 The man, however, realized that he must soon quit 
 this refuge, and remembering that lie had in his sad- 
 dle bags a large bottle full of ammonia he determined 
 to employ it as a final report to save his life. ITi^ quickly 
 removed one of his baize leggins, tied it securely to a 
 stick, and after saturating the material with ammonia, 
 he boldly started down from the rocky pronwntory 
 toward the Wolves. Tlie cunning animals apparently 
 aware that he could more easily be overpowered on 
 level ground, separated, slunk off, and pennitted him 
 to proceed several hundred yards before they renewed 
 the pursuit. They did not, how-ever, allow much time 
 
501 
 
 to elapse before tliey took the trail of the man who 
 had thus far so successfully baffled their powers. The 
 Docloi- .«tood still and waited until one of the 
 brutes rushed within an arm's length when he struck 
 him in the face with the cloth saturated with ammonia. 
 This reception was a most novel and unique one for 
 the Wolf who ran off howling with pain; two more of 
 the band were slapped across the mouths with the sat- 
 urated baize, and they left. After this experience the 
 Wolves followed the Doctor fill daylight the next 
 morning when they gave up the chase which they had 
 continued for forty-eight hours, and which unquestion- 
 ably'^ would have resulted in a most horrible death if 
 it had not been for the contents of the ammonia bot- 
 tle. Dr. Thornton succeeded in finding a shanty oc- 
 cupied by the men constructing the Catawissa railroad, 
 where ho was carefully cared for, and in the course of 
 four or five days was taken to his home, where he was 
 ill for fully a month. 
 
 THE PANTHER. 
 
 In former times the Panther was present in all parts 
 of Pennsylvania, but now. if the animal is found 
 here at all, and I very much doubt the species' pres- 
 ence in our State, it is certainly restricted to a very 
 few of the most inaccessible mountain sections. The 
 bounty records of Centre county fo'i' 1880 shows money 
 was given for a "panther" killed there in that year. 
 Ml". Rhoads quotes the following from ^Tr. Seth Nel- 
 son: "There may be one or two yet in Clearfield 
 county; but the Askey boys and T killed two. two years 
 ago (ISOl)." Mr. Rhoads, also on the authority of Mr. 
 Sefh Xelson, makes reference to a Panther taken in 
 ISO.'*, bv I lie Tyon^- bovs on "big run of Beech Ci-eek." 
 
502 
 
 ROMANCING SCRIBES. 
 
 Tlie name o-f "Catamount" <;iven by many woodsmen 
 to larj^e-sized examples of tlie Wildcat or Bay Lynx, 
 has given nev;spaper correspondents in regions where 
 these sreaking nnd detiimental animals are i)lentiful, 
 an opportunity to send to the press some most read- 
 able and surprisingly sensational stories when a big 
 "cat" is caught and killed, of the capture of a ferocious 
 mian-eating or live stock devounng "panther." The 
 writer has. during the pnst three or four years, taken 
 especial pains to investigate these newspaper panther 
 stories and, without exception, all have proven false or 
 at least they were founded on erroneous identifica- 
 tion. Some people, not versed in natural history mat- 
 ters, consider the names "Catamount," Panther and 
 "Painter" to be synonymous. This misunderstanding 
 is perhaps the cause of so- many wrong statements 
 which find their way into the columns of some of our 
 most reputable papers, the managers of which, I am 
 well aware, strive faithfully to guard against all such 
 errors. 
 
 SPECIES WHICH ARE RARE. 
 
 The Fisher and Pine Marten or American Sable, 
 tenants of the pine and hemlock forests, and both of 
 considerable economic value for the warm and attrac- 
 tive articles of wearing apparel their loose blackish 
 or brown coals make when |)ass('d through the skillful 
 furrier's hands, are likewise about ready to be elided 
 by the naturalist from the indigenous faana of ilic 
 Keystone State. 
 
 Dr. Tsaiah F. Everliai-t, the disfinguished traveler 
 and naturalist, of Scranton, about ten yeai's ago ob- 
 tained two Fishers taken in that region by a hunter. 
 
503 
 
 In 1874, Mv. M. S. Trescott, naivcyvillc. Luzeine 
 county, says: "One was killed on tlie Loyalsock creek, 
 in Sullivan county." From reports of New York City 
 and Pennsylvania fur dealers and sliij^pers, it is 
 learned that probably not over half a dozen Fishers 
 are now annually killed in this State. At the present 
 time about the only counties where these animals are 
 to be found are in Clearfield, Cameron, Elk and prob- 
 ably Clinton, Potter and Sullivan, and in all of these 
 they are reported to be very rare. 
 
 THE PINK MARTEN. 
 
 The Pine Mai (en, an animal very mink-liko in its 
 .general apjx aiance, but which can be distinj?uished 
 from the blood-thirsty and destructive Mink by its 
 white and yellowish throat markings, seems to be pre- 
 sent, but only in very small numbers, in a few sparsely- 
 settled sections of Cameron, Potter, Clearfield, Clin- 
 ton, Sullivan and Elk counties. Fur deahn-s claim 
 from twenty-five to fifty are annuallv taken in this 
 State. 
 
 THE WILD PIGEON. 
 
 Twenty years ago the ^Vild Pigeon occurred in great 
 numbers in this Commonwealth. Nesting or roosting 
 places, covering several miles each, of these game birds 
 with which the older residents are so familiar, were 
 regularly resoited to year after year by the i)igeons. 
 
 The love of jK-cnniary gnin stimulated market hunt- 
 ers to visit these i)laces nnd with nets, axes, guns and 
 other murdciou.'^ devices, th(^y soon drove the helpless 
 pigeons from one locality to another and finallv from 
 the State. 
 
 A few of these birds are yet occasionally seen along 
 
504 
 
 the Hues of the Phihidelphia and Erie Railroad, in 
 Cameron, Elk and \\'aii'en counties, as well as in a 
 few other sections of the Commonwealth. 
 
 THE SQUIRRELS. 
 
 The game laws of Pennsylvania protect two species 
 of Squirrels ^\hich are designated by the common 
 names of Fox, Gray and "Black." Tlie Gray Squirrel 
 and the Black Squirrel are very generally regarded 
 by sportsmen as different species. Naturalists, how- 
 ever do not so consider them, but call the black in- 
 dividuals melanistic examples of the Northern Gray 
 Squirrel, (Sciurus carolinensis* leucoiis). The gray 
 form and their black-coated relatives are some years 
 very abundant in different sections in the hard wood 
 districts along the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad 
 from Williamsport to Warren. In the seasons of 1896 
 and 1897 individuals of this species, particularly those 
 with gray coats, were very abundant at different points 
 along the Northern Central Railroad from Williams 
 port to Elmira. 
 
 Besides the Squirrels named in the last above para- 
 graph we have the Flying Squirrel, a species and sub- 
 species of the Red Squirrel, and one species and a 
 geographical race of the Chipmunk or Striped Ground 
 Squirrel. These animals feed on nuts (mast), seeds, 
 roots, buds, berries and fruits; they eat cereals, but. 
 with the exception of the Gray Squirrel, which, in 
 some sections and in certain years is quite plentiful, 
 they do but little .damage to the farmer in the way of 
 destroying his crops. Squirrels, however, do not live 
 exclusively on a vegetable diet; they catch insects and 
 some of them often dovour the o<:[(;fi and vnung of birds. 
 
and ihvy have also boeii dcU-ctcd (U'lticdatin.i; in IIk' 
 poultry yard. 
 
 EAT BGGS, BIRDS, DUCKS AND CHICKExNS. 
 
 Referring- to tlie Red Squirrel's bill of fare Dr. C. 
 Hart Merriam* says: 
 
 "The propensity to suck the eggs and destroy the young of 
 our smaller birds is the worst trait of the Red Squirrel, and 
 is in itself sufficient reason for his extermination, at least 
 about the habitations of man. I have myself known him to 
 rob the nests of the Red-eyed Vireo, Chipping Sparrow, Robin, 
 Wilson's Thrush, and Ruffed Grouse, and doubt not that 
 thousands of eggs are annually sacrified, in the Adirondack 
 region alone, to gratify this appetite. Therefore, when abun- 
 dant, as he always is during the springs that follow good nut 
 years, his influence in checking the increase of our insectivor- 
 ous birds can hardly be overestimated. Dr. A. K. Fisher in- 
 forms me that on three occasions he has known these Squir- 
 rels to destroy young Robins. * * * * j have long 
 been aware that this animal was an occasional depredator of 
 the poultry yard, and find, in a journal written twelve years 
 ago, a note to the effect that a case had come to my knowl- 
 edge where one was caught in the act of killing both chickens 
 and ducks." 
 
 Numerous letters and answers to circulars received 
 at this Department from farmers, sportsmen and poul- 
 terers testify to the destruction of different kinds of 
 wild birds, especially Robins and Chirping Sparrows, 
 by Red Squirrels; and at least a dozen persons have 
 written about Squirrels destroying young chickens or 
 the young of domestic pigeons. 
 
 THE FOX SQUIRREL. 
 
 This, the largest of all our Squirrels, is known by 
 some as the "Cat Squii'rel,'' a mime which I have 
 
 *The Vertebi-ates of the Adirondack Region of northeastern 
 New York, p. 117. 
 
50(5 
 
 frequently beard applied to the mamiual in Virginia, 
 Maryland, Georgia and Florida. Mr. Bangs* in his 
 review of the Squirrels, has named this animal, that in 
 former years was quite plentiful, old hunters tell U8, 
 in different regions of Pennsylvania where stately oaks 
 were numerous, {Sciurua ludovicianus vicinua), or 
 Eastern Fox Squirrel. 
 
 WHERE FOUND IN PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 The Fox Squirrel is rapidly becoming rare in this 
 State, The species, however, may still be found in the 
 following counties: 
 
 Adams, Franklin, 
 
 Clinton, Huntingdon, 
 
 Cumberland, Juniata, 
 
 Dauphin, Miflflin, 
 
 Fulton, Perry, 
 York. 
 
 THE CHICKAREE. 
 
 The common and well-known Red Squirrel or Chick- 
 aree, of which two forms are thought by Mr. Bangs to 
 exist in Pennsylvania, is not, as many su])pose, pro- 
 t(H'tT'd by the Hari'is Came bill, ])assed at tlie TvCgis- 
 lalive session of 1897. 
 
 THiO ••ll.\l!!!ITrt" OR HARES. 
 
 The "White Rabbit," called also the "Mountain 
 Jack" and tlie "Snowshoe Rabbil" by liniiieis and 
 woodsmen, is found in many retired swamps in the 
 mountainous regions of Pennsylvania. Naturalists 
 style this animal, wliich in I he winlci- season is 
 
 * Pros., Riol., Sue, Wash. l&UG. 
 
507 
 
 dressed in a llulfy coat of white, but in the suinnier is 
 uttired in brown, the Alleghenian Varying Hare {Lepus 
 americanus virginianus). It is a southern race, a 
 smaller brother, so to speak as it were, of the Northern 
 Varying Hare which abounds in the Fur countries. 
 Thro-ugh field observations during the last five or six 
 years I know that it occurs in the following counties: 
 
 Bradford, Luzerne, 
 
 Clinton, Lycoming, 
 
 Clearfield, Mifflin, 
 
 Cambria, McKean, 
 
 Centre, Pike, 
 
 Cameron, Potter, 
 
 Elk, Sullivan, 
 
 Erie, Tioga, 
 
 Forest, Union, 
 
 Huntingdon, Wayne, 
 
 Juniata, Warren, 
 W yoniiiig. 
 
 "COTTONTAILS." 
 
 The Rabbit, as this Hare is commonly called, occurs 
 
 abundantly throughout Pennsylvania. The Rabbit or 
 
 "Cottontail" which is taken in the higher forested 
 
 mountains which are cleared and where the Varying 
 
 Hare formerly had his home, is considered by Mr. 
 
 Hangs to be entitled to rank as a subspecies which he 
 
 calls the Alleghenian Wood Hare {Lfjjm si/fvaticua 
 
 transitionali.y). 
 
 These llaies last niimed are so abnmlant in some 
 
 sections of Pennsylvania — particularly is this said to 
 be the case in Clearfield and Northumberland coun- 
 ties — as to be a serious nuisance to farmers. Tlie 
 "Cottontails" destroy, fruit growers and nurserymen 
 
508 
 
 say, j^rcal numbers of small fruit trees about tlieii- 
 premises. The tommuii everyday Rabbit, with which 
 every farmer's boy is well acquainted, is called the 
 Carolinian Wood Hi\n' f Lepus sylvaticus). 
 
 DON'T usf: snares or ferrets. 
 
 However, notwithstanding the mischief they do, it is 
 not legal to use snares, other similar devices, or Fer- 
 rets to capture these mammals which inhabit the 
 woods and cultivated fields. 
 
 FOXES. 
 
 Both the Red Fox and the Gray Fox are found in 
 Pennsylvania. They are destroyers of game birds and 
 small mamnvals. The Red Fox is particularly fond of 
 poultry; he also captures many mice and insects, and, 
 sometimes, he kills lambs and pigs. 
 
 THE WILD CAT. 
 
 This animal, which is so extremely destructive of 
 game, as well as of the farmers' poultry, that he 
 chances to meet on his foraging expeditions, is found 
 in a number of counties of Pennsylvania, and accord- 
 ing to all accounts this species is increasing quite 
 noticeably in several regions of the Commonwealth. 
 The Wild Cat is quite common in Clearfield, Cameron, 
 Clinton, Elk, Forest, McKean, and Potter counties. 
 
 Wild Cats appear to have multiplied in recent years 
 so rapidly in several counties of Pennsylvania that at 
 the last session of our Legislature C97), by the earnest 
 efforts of prominent residents of Cameron, Clearfield, 
 Lycoming, Elk and a few other counties a bounty of 
 two dollars per head was placed on these animals. 
 
509 
 
 THE RACCOON. 
 
 Tlie 'Coon' is common and well-kuowu. It occurs 
 jijenerally throvighont Ponns^'lvania, from which region 
 large nnmbery of ])elts of this coin-loving animal are 
 annually shipped. Raccoons catch fish, and they feed 
 upon mice, frogs, young birds, birds' eggs, crayfish 
 mollusks, turtles and their eggs. They capture large- 
 sized insects; nuts, fruits and poultry are dainty mor- 
 sels for these animals which are more destructive to 
 corn than any other of the farmer's possessions. 
 
 THE OTTER. 
 
 This wary and valuable fur-bearing animal, so de- 
 structive to fish, is found about stl'eams and lakes in 
 nearly every section of the State, but it is nowhere 
 abundant and may, not improperly, be classed among 
 the species termed rare. Individuals of this species 
 are, of course, much oftener found about streams and 
 lakes or old splash dams in the mountains and sparse- 
 ly-settled districts than elsewhere in Pennsylvania. 
 Two 01- three years ago two were captured along the 
 Brandywine Creek, near Chadd's Fo-rd, Delaware 
 county. 
 
 The Otter loves Brook Trout and he delights to make 
 his home in localities whei*e this toothsome food is 
 plentiful and readily obtained without continued in- 
 terference on the part of man, his most deadly foe. 
 
 THE VIRGINIA DEER. 
 
 The Virginia Deer is found in a wild state in many 
 regions of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Tn the counties of Clearfield. Potter, Pike. Elk. Clin 
 ton, Fulton, Franklin. Adams, Tioga and Tluntingdon. 
 the species is said to ho of frccpieut occurrence. In 
 
510 
 
 1890, records show tlial 119 of tliese animals were 
 killed ill Pike county; about 1892 or '9li over sixty were 
 captured in the Diamond Valley (Huntingdon county). 
 Mr. Khoads says, quoting Mr. Seth Nelson: 
 
 "In the period between 1861 and 1865 the deer became so 
 numerous in that county (Clinton) that they generally damaged 
 the crops, and snaring was employed to diminish their num- 
 bers. In contrast with this there were killed in 1895, in his 
 vicinity, all told, only ten deer, and most of these out of season, 
 by wild hounds or pot hunters. The chief agencies in the 
 extermination of deer are forest fires and wandering dogs, both 
 of which pursue their relentless course during the entire year, 
 the latter being ten times as destructive as the Gray Wolf ever 
 was." 
 
 WITH PROPER STATE AID DEER WILL INCREASE. 
 
 If the lawmakers of Pennsylvania will enact proper 
 measures which will enable county officers under the 
 direction of the State Forestry Commissioner to keep 
 in check the disastrous forest fires, game of all kindh 
 should increase rapidly, now that we have such a good 
 law for the protection of birds and mammals. 
 
 If the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners 
 receives, as it should, from the Commonwealth, money 
 to fairly compensate Game Wardens to enforce the 
 new law of 1897, it will not be long before the Virginia 
 Deer, and other kinds of game will be much more plen- 
 tiful. The days of the professional market hunter 
 were numbered in this State when the Harris Game 
 bill became a law June 4th, 1897. 
 
 THE BLACK BEAR. 
 
 This animal is found in nearly every county where 
 the Virginia Deer O'Ccurs with any degree of regularity. 
 In some sections of Pennsylvania, particularly large 
 ar-t^as of land from which the timber has been cut ami 
 
511 
 
 brash has j^rown up, there seems to be no doubt iu the 
 iiiiuds of exi)eiienced woodsmen that Bears have be- 
 come murh more numerous than tliey were fifteen or 
 twenty jears ago. Fur dealers chiim that about ]">() 
 Bears' skins are annually shipped to the markets 
 from Pennsylvania. 
 
 Tlio Bear is omnivorous. Dr. Merriam referring to 
 his food says: 
 
 "His larder consists not only of mice and other small mam- 
 mals, turtles, frogs, and fish; but also, and largely, of ants and 
 their eggs, bees and their honey, cherries, blackberries, rasp- 
 berries, blueberries, and various other fruits, vegetables and 
 roots. He sometimes makes devasting raids upon the barn- 
 yard, slaying and devouring sheep, calves, pigs and poultry. 
 In confinement he shares with the inmates of the hog-pen 
 whatever is left from his master's table." 
 
 In addition to the several species and subspecies 
 (local or geographical races) of mammals referred to 
 on preceding pages there are in Pennsylvania the fol- 
 lowing, of which but brief mention will be made: 
 
 Two species of Weasels, two kinds of Minks, eight or 
 nine varieties of soft-furred Moles and Shrews, concern- 
 ing the economic relations of which so many diverse 
 opinions are entertained by farmers and sportsmen; 
 and at least a half dozen species of insect-destroying 
 Bats. 
 
 THE BAT'S WINTER HOME. 
 
 Bals. like some other of our mammals, spend the 
 winter months in retirement. In Centre county there 
 is a cave about fourteen hundred feet long, containing 
 numerous large chambers and showy stalactites and 
 stalagmites. This immense cavern, penetrating the 
 whole length of a small mountain range, has the floor 
 
512 
 
 covered witli v.atei' .several feet deej). To explore it 
 one must go in a boat and take a ij,uide, bolli of wliicli 
 are alwa3s obtainable. The boat's bow is furnished 
 witli a large light, othei'wise it ^Yould be impossible to 
 see anything in the Stygian darkness that invades 
 every nook and corner of this weird opening that 
 penetrates the bowels of mother earth. This place, 
 called Peiai's Cave, is the soui-ce of Penn's creek. The 
 stream, with its several feeders, is noted for the 
 abundance and excellence of speckled beauties (trout) 
 they contain. Few sections of the State afford better 
 Ruffed Grouse shoo'ting than is to be found in the 
 mountains around these cool, healthful and rapidly- 
 flowing streams. Penn's Cave — a modest, old-fashion- 
 ed summer resort — can be reached by a branch of tlie 
 Northern Central Railroad, which extends from Mon- 
 tandon to Pellefonte. In the winter season the cave is 
 the harboring place of thousands of Bats which con- 
 gregate in great masses on the limestone rocks where 
 they escape the piercing winter's cold, and remain in 
 quiet, hani:ony and contentment, unless their hiding 
 place is ii.A^aded by human beings, when they crawl 
 over one another or fly aimlessly about the boat and 
 its occupants, uttering all the while, in their squeaking 
 way, tlie mc-st violent protests at being aroused from 
 their winter's nap. 
 
 Bats are beneficial. They destroy great numbers of 
 insects — particularly flying species. They do not dis- 
 turb the young of birds nor do they destroy yo'ung 
 chickens as some persons suppose they do. 
 
 THE OPOSSUM. 
 
 We have a single species of the Opossum — the only 
 marsupial in the State — and of this animal's breeding 
 
513 
 
 habits some highly erroneous ideas are prevalent. The 
 Opossum is abundant in the South, where it is greatly 
 esteemed for table use. The long shaggy coat of the 
 Opossum is considerably used by furriers in the manu- 
 facture of different articles of wearing apparel. This 
 animal subsists on both animal and vegetable food. 
 
 THE PORCUPINE. 
 
 The Porcupine whose head, back, and tail are abund 
 antly furnished with hard spines, hidden in a thick 
 coat of fur jnid straiiLily long hairs, is still to bo fre- 
 quently found in the hemlock forests of the mountain- 
 ous regions. This animal, some believe, seems to have 
 been made for one purpose and that is to add misery 
 to the lives of hunters, who take dogs in hemlock 
 districts where this dark-coated and yellow-toothed 
 animal goes, so that he can visit, in the still night 
 hours, lumber camps for salty food, or browse on the 
 tender evergreen boughs. The Porcupine does not, 
 when defending himself, discharge his spines or quills 
 as some people say he does. 
 
 THE MUSKRAT. 
 
 The Muskrat is common and generally dispersed 
 throughout the Commonwealth. Many thousands of 
 these animals are every year killed along water 
 courses; and mill ponds. Their fur. which is marketed 
 at a low price — at least in a raw state — is made into 
 different articles of wearing apparel and sold under 
 various names. This amphibious rat eats the farmer's 
 corn, if a field with this growing cereal is near the 
 stream or pond which he and his relatiws inhabit: he 
 also feeds on mussels and fish. Several persons have 
 
 3.'? n 
 
nit 
 
 informed me he will tatoii dui'Uling.s of wild and do- 
 mesticated kinds. 
 
 THK CHIPMUNK OH GHOUxND HACKEY. 
 
 The comnion ev(i',v-da.v Chipmunlv, which, in our 
 happy boyliood days we chased along the fences and 
 into his subteiraueau \un\\e under shelving rocks, 
 moss-covered stumps, and stately forest trees, has been 
 carefully studied by naturalists who have found an- 
 other Chipmunk which is denominated lysferi to dis- 
 tinguish it from the typical slriaius that occurs so 
 plentifully in the southern half of Pennsylvania, while 
 on the other hand the Canadian form {lysteri) is sup- 
 posed to be present in our northern counties. Chip- 
 munks feed largely on mast; they sometimes steal the 
 farmer's corn, but to compensate such injury they prey 
 on army worms and sometimes catch yellow butter- 
 flies. 
 
 RATS GALORE. 
 
 Rats, at least some kinds, are plentiful and most 
 vexatious. They eat a great amount of young poultry 
 and eggs; also devour grain and are a nuisance gen- 
 erally. Oftentimes when the hen coop is raided the 
 Skunks, Raccoon, 0])os8nm or little agile Weasel are 
 made to pay the penalty with their lives for the loss 
 sustained by the angi-y ownei'. who blames them for the 
 thieving act of the cunning Norway Rat, which is alike 
 abundant in coal and ii'ou mines, about farm b\)il(lings 
 and in the large cities. A black coated rat is of fre- 
 qu(Mi[ occnii(Mice in thc^ neighborhood of Scianton: 
 perhaps it is the Black Rat (Mus rattua) an introduced 
 species. 
 
ALONG THE JUNIATA. 
 
515 
 
 THE CAY 10 RAT. 
 
 There resides iu some of our mouutainous sectious a 
 large liairj-tailed and long whiskered animal called 
 the Allegheny Cave Rat {Neotoma maf/lsfer) Of the 
 habits of this mammal I know nothing from personal 
 observation. I have, however, seen the species in 
 Juniata, llnntiiigdon, Clinton ajid Centre counties. 
 Woodsmen say this rat will catch young chickens and 
 suck eggs; that it is fond of wild birds as well as their 
 eggs, and like other rats will eat grains or other vege- 
 table materials. 
 
 THE FLYING SQUIRREL. 
 
 This little animal is common and occurs generally 
 throughout Pennsylvania. It usually lives in the 
 woods, but sometimes will take up its abode in lofts 
 of farm houses or hide under a roof, back of plaster, 
 and from some convenient opening come out to steal 
 chestnuts, shellbarks, hazle nuts, etc., which the school 
 children have stored away to eat during the long, cold 
 winter nights. 
 
 SKUNKS. 
 
 In the common nomenclature of naturalists there 
 are two forms of Skunks in Pennsylvania. They are 
 designated by the names Canadian Skunk and Caro- 
 linian Skunk. Tliese animals ])rowl about in the 
 night to do good, but sometimes they find hens' nests, 
 and the riper the eggs are, the better, it is said, 
 they are to the palate of the Skunk. In their noc- 
 turnal wanderings they frequently get into trouble in 
 various ways, and often cause great inconvenience to 
 persons who have business or love matters w InVh com- 
 
51« 
 
 pel them to travel after daylight in vehicles iloiig 
 public highways. 
 
 THE MOST USEFUL MAMMALS. 
 
 Farmers and sportsmen, in fact people in general, 
 speak ill of Skunks, and alihougli they are probably the 
 most useful of all our mammals in destroying nuxiouis 
 insects and troublesome mice, farmers and horticul- 
 turists will c^nouurage their destruction. 
 
 Skunks are easily domesticated and become as gentle 
 as kittens, and they can, a writer affirms, be handled 
 Avitli impunity if care is taken to use the tail as a 
 handle. 
 
 Skunks are prolific animals, and they are abundant 
 in this Commonwealth where many thousands are 
 every year captured and their pelts shipped mostly to 
 Kew York and Philadelphia markets. 
 
 THEY DO GOOD SERVICE. 
 
 Notwithstanding the untold services which these 
 animals do in the farming districts, farmers as a rule 
 allow hunters and trappers to employ all devices which 
 their ingenuity can invent to slay these four-footed 
 l)rotector,s of cultivated ci'0])S. Strange, is it not, how 
 prejudice and ignorance, like love and confidence 
 wrongfully placed, will often lead one to do that which 
 sooner or later does him serious injury? 
 
 It would be a wise expenditure of public money if 
 the State oflScials who have full power would direct 
 subordinates who are entirely competent to do such 
 work to prepare and have published for the Avidest 
 possible circulation to school children and farmers, 
 books and bulletins which would fully explain the 
 
517 
 
 birds, mammals, iusecta, trees and plants and the value 
 which most of them are to the human race. 
 
 JSuch pnblieatiC'US). if properly illustrated, would be 
 of far more service to the people at large throughout 
 the Commonwealth than the cumbersome and tardy 
 Legislative Kecord, and certain other documents 
 which so often find Iheir way to the junk shop. 
 
 LET THE MILLIONAIRE HELP THE POOK. 
 
 Generally, however, when eliorts are made lo pro- 
 vide for such really useful publications, which will 
 be of great worth to the poorer classes, and which 
 would be paid for largely by corporations and in- 
 dividual taxpayers of large holdings, some wise (?) 
 fellow conies forward and cries ''economy,'' "job,'' etc. 
 I have known individuals to raise such protests, and 
 having been in a position to know something of their 
 official acts and broken political contracts, it occurred 
 to me that their utterances, made most guardedly and 
 by insinuation under, often, the mask of hypoci'itical 
 friendship, were given birth to hide their own ques- 
 tionable methods, even if it did injury to others who 
 endeavored to be honest and when placed in official 
 I)laces faithfully tried, to the best of Iheii- ;ibilil\. I;i 
 give to the public printed matter in an attractive and 
 useful form. 
 
 THE WOODCHUCK. 
 
 This bothersome animal, which is known to many 
 as the Ground Hog, is common and of wide distribu- 
 tion throughout the State. 
 
 WHAT A PPACTICAL FARMER WROTE. 
 
 My good old friend, the late A. C. Sisson, of La 
 Plume, Pa., about two years ago, and but a few days 
 
618 
 
 before his sudden death, which was lameated by all 
 who were acquainted with this true christian and 
 honest gentleman, wrote as follows: 
 
 "The Ground Hog, or Woowchuck, is fast bccuming one of 
 the farmer's and gardner's most destructive enemies. I would 
 most earnestly recommend legislative aid in suppressing this 
 intolerable nuisance. There should be a bounty of at least 
 twenty-five cents upon every one killed. I have looked in vain 
 for some one redeeming trait in this sneaking, groveling curse 
 to the agriculture of our State. He is a gross feeder, devour- 
 ing nearly as much clover as a full grown sheep; he eats to 
 g-ive him strength to dig holes, and then he digs holes to give 
 him an appetite for more clover. Ho takes supreme delight in 
 tearing the bark from young fruit trees, and will wipe out 
 entirely a good sized bean patch in a day, and will make 
 truck gardening impossible in many localities, and his sub- 
 terraneous excavations make it dangerous to drive teams over 
 our fields. It is said that he hibernates in the winter and 
 ceases for a time to follow his damaging occupation, but it 
 would seem that he simply retires when he can spend the 
 long winter months in making diagrams for new and more 
 extended operations for the coming season. Whether or not 
 he could be domesticated and educated so as to be utilized 
 in promoting sub-irrigation and laying drain tile, is an unex- 
 plored field for scientific investigation." 
 
 THEY ARE GOOD FOR FOOD. 
 
 The succulent vegetable diet of the burrowing 
 Woodchuck makes his flesh, particularly when he is 
 young, a most toothsome article of food for man, con- 
 sequently this species is much sought after by many 
 for the table. The thick and strong hide when prop- 
 erly cured is used, I am informed, in some sections to 
 make shoes which are said to be particularly durable. 
 Sulphur fumes, gun powder, or dynamite when ignited 
 and placed in the Woodchurk's uudcriironud retreats, 
 speedily destroy him; and a rifle in skillful hands will 
 soon enable the farmer to rid himself of these annoy- 
 \]\<X animals. 
 
519 
 
 THE MICE. 
 
 Last, and amoug the least, so far as their physical 
 developiueut is concerned, we have the Mice, which 
 in species, number nine, and this number will likely 
 be aujiiuented wlien more cari.-tiil invest igat ions arc 
 made. While these mammals, so far as size is con- 
 cerned, are insignificant to look upon, they, or at 
 least, certain species — notably those termed Meadow 
 and Field Mice — are of ijreat economic impoitance. In 
 districts where these little rodents abound they do 
 ;;i('aL (hima.ue jiud cjiiise thousands and Ihousands 
 of dollars loss nnnnally in the agricultural com- 
 munities. AVhen tlie farmer is at rest in the niglit 
 time these spiightly, sleek-coat(^ little robbers be 
 come most active and prey upon the results of the 
 husbandman's care and labor-. 
 
 The common House ^Fousc. an exotic, is omnivorous; 
 it has been known to kill cage birds and ycuing chick- 
 ens. The White-footed Mouse likes honey and he also, 
 it is said, hais been known to attack chickims but a few 
 days old. Dr. C. Hart Merrinm. writing of the White- 
 foot ^fouso, says: 
 
 ■•It is f.Jiid of fle.sh, aid, likf' tho Fl> iiii;- Sfiuiii.'l. easeily ,h'- 
 vouis dead birds placed in it.s way. Indeed, this is done so 
 naturally, that the susjiicion arises as to whether it does not 
 sometimes capture and prey ui)i->ii the smaller birds on their 
 roosts at night." 
 
 MICE, HAWKS AND OWLS. 
 
 The thoughtful person says: Why is it that these 
 nimble four-footed pests which inhabit the meadow 
 and grass fields have increased so rapidly within the 
 last few years? The answei is: In the first place 
 they are hardy and exceediugly prolific; then popular 
 
520 
 
 prejudice and widespread iguoiaiice Ihi-ougiiuut 
 Pennsylvania, a few years ago, prompted the lawmak- 
 ers to pass a measure vvliich allowed bounties to be 
 paid for all kinds of Hawks and Owls as well as some 
 other animals. These birds, with few exceptions, 
 and some of the mammals, also, which were included 
 in the bounty law, lived almost wholly on Meadow 
 Mice. These birds of prey and their copartners, or 
 the mice-destroying mammals, had voracious appetites, 
 and being numerous in agricultural districts, tliey read- 
 ily kept the Mice in check. 
 
 The stimulus which Scalp Acts gave hunters to 
 slay, seemingly without any consideration, nearly all 
 kinds of wild birds and mammals they found, re- 
 sulted in the killing of many thousands of animals 
 whose dietary consisted almo-st entirely of destructive 
 Mice. Hawks and Owls, which are foremost among 
 Nature's natural agencies to aid man iu combating 
 the voles or Meadow Mice, are not prolific like many 
 others of the feathered kind. 
 
 The cruel warfare so relentlessly v^^aged for many 
 years, with Legislative aid, against these faithful 
 guardians of the farmer's crops, is now being most 
 dearly paid for by the loss annually of thousands of 
 dollars through ravages of the rapidly increasinc 
 army of well fed, sleek Meadow or Field Mice. 
 
 FISHES. 
 
 One hundred and fifty kinds of fishes, it is said, are 
 found in the waters (Lake Erie included) of Pennsyl- 
 vania. Many of these are highly valuable for food. 
 
 The Susquehanna river al different points, fur- 
 
521 
 
 nishes excellent sport to anglers who desire to catch 
 bass, perch, salmon and other varieties of the finny 
 inhabitants. 
 
 Brook Trout, which sometimes will eat Mice, are 
 abundant in many of the cool mountain streams, and in 
 the winter season, when the numerous lakes in north- 
 eastern Pennsylvania are frozen over, fishing with the 
 "tip-up" for pickerel, through holes made in the ice, is 
 a favorite diversion with many persons. Certain spe- 
 cies of fish catch ducks and sometimes other feathered 
 animals, but the damage they do in this direction is not 
 very great. 
 
 ;U* II 
 
522 
 
 Section 1, 
 
 EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, NEW JERSEY, AND 
 
 THE DELAWARE AND VIRGINIA 
 
 PENINSULA. 
 
 Principal Kinds of Game. 
 
 MAMiMALS: 
 
 Ral)l)its, Squirrels, Raccoons, Foxes, Peer. 
 
 BIRDS: 
 
 Quail, Ducks, IMiea.sants, Reed Kiids, Snipe, Rail Birds, Wood- 
 co< k. Geese, Doves, Plover, Marsh Hens. 
 
 Principal Kinds of Fish. 
 sal,t water: 
 
 Sheepsiiead, Bass, Weakfish, Drum, Porgy, Blue Fish, F^lountier, 
 Black Fish. 
 
 FRESH WATER: 
 Bass, I'ert'ii, I'ikc, Trout, Carp, Catfisli, Rock Fish, Sun Fish. 
 
 RABBITS. 
 
 Rabbits seem to be the most geiierullv disli-ibuied 
 mammalian i;ame to be found in the territory 
 reached by the reiinsylvania Raih'oad, Tliey are 
 most plentiful in the Eastern agricultural districts, 
 in the lowlands and meadows along the Atlantic 
 (^oast, and in that long stretch of timber land com- 
 monly called "barrens,'' extending through New Jer- 
 sey from the vicinity of Raritan Bay southward to 
 near the mouth of the Maurice river. The best lo 
 calities for hunting this kind of game are near Wood- 
 
523 
 
 bine, Cape May county, New Jersey, on the Cape 
 May Division of the West Jersey and Seashore Rail- 
 road, and in the forests near Atco and Winslow Junc- 
 tion, Camden county. New Jersey, on the Atlantic 
 City Division. Good hunting is also reported in the 
 neighborhood of Spotswoc-d, Middlesex county. New 
 Jersey, on the Aniboy Division; also around Island 
 Heights in Ocean county. All of these towns furnish 
 good hotel accommodations, and with the exception of 
 Atco and Island Heights no guides are needed; at the 
 latter points guides are preferable and can be se- 
 cured. Rabbits are also reported plentiful in the 
 vicinity of Lewes and Rehoboth, Sussex county. Dela- 
 ware, on the Delaware Division of the Philadelphia, 
 Wilmington & Baltimore Raih'oad. Ample hotel 
 accommodations are afforded, and no guides are 
 needed. 
 
 SQUIRRELS. 
 
 Squirrelij, like Rabbits, are found throughout the 
 eastern section of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and 
 Delaware. They are less plentiful, however, in this 
 territory, owing to the absence of large forest trees. 
 They are, perhaps, most numerous in the vicinity of 
 Spotswood, Middlesex county, New Jersey, and along 
 the Millstone river in Somerset county. New Jersey. 
 The first point is reached via the Amboy Division, 
 and the latter via the New York Division to East Mill- 
 stone or Rocky Hill. The best Squirrel hunting, how- 
 ever, is probably found in the Allegheny Mountains. 
 
 RACCOONS. 
 
 Raccoons seem to have become (juite scarce. A few 
 may still be found along the Millstone river in Somer- 
 set county. New Jersey, reached via the New York 
 
524 
 
 Division to East Millstone or Rocky Hill; also in the 
 neighborhood of Winslow Junction, Camden county, 
 New Jersey, on the Atlantic City Division of the West 
 Jersey and Seashore. They are also reported in fair 
 numbers in the vicinity of Milford, Kent county, Dela- 
 ware, on the Delaware Division of the Philadelphia, 
 Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad. Guides are un- 
 necessary, and any of the towns named furnish good 
 hotel accommodations. 
 
 FOXES. 
 
 Foxes are reported very scarce in the eastern district 
 A few are still found in the vicinity of Hammonton and 
 Egg Harbor, Atlantic county, New Jersey, on the At- 
 lantic City Division of the West Jersey and Seashore 
 Railroad. Better fox hunting, however, is found 
 among the Alleghenies. 
 
 DEER. 
 
 At two points only in the eastern sectiou are deer 
 reported. In the wooded districts lying between Egg 
 Harbor, Atlantic county*, and Vineland, Cumberland 
 county, New Jersej", deer hunting is said to be still 
 quite good. Vineland is reached via the Cape May 
 Division of the West Jersey and Seashore, Egg 
 Harbor via the Atlantic City Division. Guides are 
 considered necessary and can be secured at either of 
 the above-named points. These towns nlso afford 
 good hole] acco.mmn(l;itious. 
 
 BIRDS. 
 
 QTTAIL. 
 
 <2uail are reported most plentiful around Spotswood, 
 Middlesex county; Port Norris, Cumberland county; 
 
Tsland Heights, Ocean couuty, New Jersey; and 
 Lewes and Rehoboth, Sussex county, Delaware. Good 
 gunning is also found around AUoway, Quinton, 
 Bridgeton, Cape May, liio Grande, Ocean View, 
 Woodbine, Helleplaiu, JManahawken, Atco, Hamraon 
 Ion and Wcnoah, New .Jersey; Milford, Seaford. Kirk- 
 w<>c<l, Clayton and Smyrna, Delaware; ('rntreville, 
 Ht)pewell, Ridgley,Trappe,Marydel,Hursleyand Berlin, 
 (Maryland; Tottstown, Spring City, liirdsboro and 
 Auburn, Pennsylvania. Guides are not usually . 
 needed, but can be secured where necessary. Good 
 hotel accommodations are afforded at all of the above 
 points, except Rio Grande, New Jersey. 
 
 WILD DUCKS.. 
 
 The Chesapeake Bay is the home of wild ducks, and 
 the shores of the Peninsula are their feeding grounds. 
 Along the bays and estuaries of the eastern shore 
 especially they may be seen in almC'St any number 
 during certain seasons of the year. Cape Charles and 
 vicinity is probably one of the best places in the coun- 
 try for wild duck gunning. Excellent shooting may 
 also be had in Hog Island Bay, Pocomoke and Tangier 
 So'unds, on Cobb's Island, and in the vicinity" of 
 Keller and Exmore. They are also reported plentiful 
 in Chinco Bay near Hursley; in the rivers near Easton, 
 and on the Blackwater marshes. Hooper's Island, and 
 Fat Bay near Cambridge, Maryland. In fact, good duck 
 shooting may be found at almost any point on the 
 Eastern shore of the Chesapeake and on the Atlantic 
 side of the Peninsula; the further south probably the 
 better. Guides are generally necessary, and they can 
 be secured at almost any ])oint on the Peninsula; 
 previous notice may sometimes be necessary. Good 
 
5'2f; 
 
 liotel ac'commodalions aro alTorded at the larger 
 towns. 
 
 PHEASANTS. 
 
 Pheasants are most plentiful in the Jersey "barrens" 
 around Jirowu's Mills Junction, Woodbine, Rio 
 (Jraudc, Helleplain, and Hainmonton ; also around 
 Quinton, Alloway, Bridgetou, Manaliawkeu and Rocky 
 Hill. Fair gunning is also reported on Welsh Moun- 
 tains near Dowingtown. (iuides are not necessary 
 and good hotel accommodations are afforded with the 
 exception of Rio Grande. 
 
 REED BIRDS. 
 
 Reed birds are very plentiful in their season along 
 the Lower Delaware, the Delaware Bay, and the larger 
 tributaries. They are reported most plentiful near 
 Linwood, Pennsylvania, Swedesboro, Burlington, 
 Quinton, Salem, Bridgeton, and Port Elizabeth, New 
 Jersey. Guides are sometimes needed and can be 
 secured. All of the above points afford good hotel 
 accommodations. 
 
 SNIPE. 
 
 Snipe are found in greatest numbers in the marshes 
 and on the river shores near the coast. They are re- 
 ported particularly plentiful along the Rehoboth Bay, 
 Rehoboth; along the Indian river and Beach near 
 Frankford, and along the Delaware & Chesapeake 
 canal near Delaware City, Delaware. Good shooting 
 is also reported in the marshes near Quinton, Sea Isle 
 City, and around Seaville, New Jersey. Guides are 
 sometimes desirable and can be secured. Good hotel 
 
527 
 
 accommodations :uc all'onlcd at all of the above 
 named towns. 
 
 RAIL BIRDS. 
 
 Rail birds are most plentiful in the marshes alonj; 
 the Dehn^are bay and river and their tributaries. 
 They are reported most abundant near Linwood and 
 Croydon, Pennsylvania; Wilmington, Delaware City, 
 and Seaford, Delaware; Port Elizabeth, Hridgeton, 
 (iuinton, Salem, Wenoah and Delanco, New Jersey. 
 Experienced pushers and good holel acconiiiuxlations 
 can be had. 
 
 WOODCOCK. 
 
 Woodcock are reported most plentiful around Belle- 
 plain, Cape May, Alloway, Quinton and Atco, New 
 Jersey; and ahmg the canal at Delaware City, Dela- 
 ware. 
 
 GEESE. 
 
 Wild Geese are most plentiful in IJciiobotli Bay, 
 Indian River near Frankford, and Isle of Wight Bav 
 near Selbysville, Delaware; in Chester River, Centre- 
 ville, and near Hursley and Berlin, Maryland. Good 
 hotel accommondations are afforded, but guides aie 
 hardly needed. 
 
 DOVES. 
 
 Turtle Doves are most plentiful in season in the vi 
 cinity of Cape May, Atco, Wenonah and Martin's 
 Creek, New Jersey; and Seaford and Selbyville, Dela- 
 ware. No guides are needed; good hotel accommoda- 
 tions. 
 
PLOVER. 
 
 Good Plover shooting is found in season near Molirs 
 ville and Leesport, Heriis county; Waverly, New Jer 
 sey, and Delaware City, Delaware. 
 
 MARSH HENS. 
 
 Marsh Hens or Mud Hens are reported most plenti 
 ful in the marshes near Angiesea, Wildwood, Sea Isl.' 
 City, and Pleasantville, New Jersey. Guides are pre 
 ferable; good hotel accommodations are afforded mi 
 all of these towns except Pleasantville. 
 
 FISH. 
 
 SALT WATER FISHING. 
 
 Excellent salt water fishing is found all along the 
 Atlantic Coast from Cape Charles, at the mouth ot 
 the Chesapeake, north to Asbury Park and Long 
 Branch. The best tishing, possibly, is found in the vi- 
 cinity of Anglesea and Ocean City, Cape May county, 
 Beach Haven and Barnegat, Ocean county, New Jer- 
 sey; Rehoboth, Lewes, and Millsboro, Sussex county, 
 Delaware; Ocean City, Worcester county, Maryland; 
 Fi'anklin City and Chincoteague, Accomac county, 
 and Cape Charles, Northampton county, Virginia. 
 Also on the eastern side of the Chesapeake at Ches- 
 tertown, Oxford, Cambridge and Crisfield. At these 
 points almost any kind of salt fish may be found in 
 large numbers. Sea Bass are perhaps most plentiful 
 in the vicinity of Anglesea; Sheepshead in Barnegat 
 Bay, Great Egg Harbor Bay, and Corson's Inlet near 
 Ocean City, New Jersey; Blue Fish in Barnegat Bay 
 and Great Egg Harbor; Blackfish at Chestertown. 
 Kent county, Maryland; Flounders in Barnegat Bay. 
 
529 
 
 Almost duy uf llie South Jersey seashore points may 
 be reached from IMiiladelphia by lutiruiiig- traius in 
 time to enjoy a good day's fishing and return again in 
 the eveninL>. 
 
 FUKSII WATER FlSFriNO. 
 BASS. 
 
 The best lilaclc Llass hshing is repo-rted along the 
 Upper Delawai'e from Lambert ville, New Jersey, 
 northward to Hancock, New York. Excellent fishing 
 is reported near Milford, Riegelsville, Carpenterville, 
 Martin's Creek, Manuuka Chunk, Delaware ^\'ater 
 Gap, and further up at Port Jer\is, Narrowsburg, and 
 Cochecton. Good fishing is also found in the Brandy- 
 wine near Wilmington, and in the Schuylkill and its 
 larger tributaries. 
 
 PERCH. 
 
 Probably the best White Perch fishing in the United 
 States is found near Betterton, Kent county, Mary- 
 land, on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay. 
 Good fishing is also found in the Delaware river as 
 far north as Milford, New Jersey, and generuilly a 
 considerable distance up all the tributaries of that 
 stream. Among the streams on the Jersey side where 
 perch abound in their season are the Rancocas, Coop- 
 er's, Timber, Woodbury, Salem, Cohansey, and Alloway 
 Creeks, and Maurice river. The Neshaminy and 
 Brandy wine near their mouths also abound with them. 
 
 PIK-B. 
 
 Pike fishing is reported good in the tributaries of 
 the Delaware river, as well as the rivers and creeks 
 
 34-11 
 
530 
 
 of the Delaware Peninsula. The Ranoocas, Cross- 
 wick and Alloway creeks allurd, perhaps, the best 
 pike lishiug. 
 
 TROUT. 
 
 The best Brook Trout fishing in the eastern district 
 is undoubted!}' found in Monroe and Pike counties. 
 In the P>ig Bushkill, Saw, Broadhead's and Lacka- 
 waxen creeks trout are quite plentiful; also in the 
 tributaries of the Upper Delaware. Henryville, 
 Cresco, and Canadensis, Monroe county, furnish good 
 headquarters for trout fishermen. 
 
 Carp are becoming quite plentiful in the tributaries 
 of the l>ela^^are, and good fishing may be found in 
 Mantua, Rancocas, Chester, Darby, and Brandywine 
 creeks; also in the Schuylkill river near Spring City. 
 Carp, like some other exotic animals which have been 
 brought to this country, have become a great nuisance. 
 Since Carp are so numerous in many of our streams 
 and ponds it is found that they have, in some places, 
 almost depopulated the waters of other kinds of very 
 desirable fishes. Fortunately the laws of Pennsylva- 
 nia, through the efforts of our efficient Board of Fish 
 Commissioners, do not give protection to the Carp at 
 any season of the year. 
 
 CAT FISH. 
 
 Cat Fish are quite plentiful in all of the streams in 
 this part of the country, and may be found in any of 
 the tributaries of the Delaware river. They are re- 
 ported quite plentiful at Alloway, Bridgeton, Port 
 
531 
 
 Elizabeth, VVtstville, Clayton, Burlington and Freucli- 
 lowu, New Jersey, and in the Neshaiuiny creek near 
 Croydon. 
 
 ROCK FISH. 
 
 Rock Fish are reported quite plentiful near Mana- 
 liawken, Burlington and Delanco, New Jersey; Berlin 
 and Centreville, Maryland; and Milford, Delaware 
 City, and Clayton, Delaware. Good hotel accommo- 
 dations can be had at any of these points. 
 
 SUN FISH. 
 
 Sun Fish are most plentiful, perhaps, near Fish 
 House Station, New Jersey. They are also (juite 
 numerous at Rocky Hill, East Millstone, Alloway, 
 Lumberton, Florence and Burlington, New Jersey; 
 also in the Schuylkill river and Manatawney creek 
 near Douglassville, Berks county. 
 
fi»2 
 
 Section 2. 
 
 CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA WEST OF THE 
 
 SUSQUEHANNA lilVER AND ITS TIUBUTA 
 
 KIES, AND EAST OF THE SUMMIT 
 
 OF THE ALLEGHENIES. 
 
 Pbincipal Kinds of Game. 
 
 MAMMALS: 
 
 Rabbits, Squirrels, Deer, Bears, Foxes, Raccoons, Wildcats. 
 
 BIRDS: 
 
 Pheasants, t^iiail, Wild Turkeys, Ducks, Woodcock, Geese, Snipe, 
 Reed and Rail Birds. 
 
 Pbinoipal Kinds of Fish, 
 freshwater: 
 
 Brook Trout, Bass, Carp, Perch, Pike, Salmon, Rock Fish, Sun 
 Fish, Cat Fish. 
 
 RABBITS. 
 
 Generally speaking, rabbits are less plentiful in this 
 section than in Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 
 They are well distributed throughout the territory, 
 however, and good hunting may be found in most of 
 the river valleys. The best rabbit hunting is reported 
 in the vicinity of Mt. Union and Huntingdon, Hunt- 
 ingdon county, and near Tipton, Blair county; also in 
 the neighborhood of Cameron, Cameron county, 
 Johnsonburj; and Rathbun, Elk County, on the Phila- 
 delphia and Erie Railroad; Snow Shoe, Centre county; 
 Gap and Peach Bottom, Lancaster co-unty, and Conn- 
 
533 
 
 wingo, Cecil count}', Marvlaud. With tlie exception 
 of Snow Shoe, Rathbun and Johnsonburg, no guides 
 are needed; at these three points guides are consid- 
 ered necessary and can be secured. With the excep- 
 tion of Tipton, Rathbun and Gap, all the above-named 
 points afford good hotel accommodations. 
 
 SQUIRRELS. 
 
 Squirrels are more numerous in this section, espe- 
 cially among the Allegheny mountains. They are re- 
 ported most abundant at Jack's mountain north of 
 Mt. Union, and in the vicinity of Huntingdon; also at 
 Snow Shoe, Centre county, and at Johnsonburg, Elk 
 county. Good shooting is also found in the neighbor- 
 hood of Peach Bottom, Lancaster county. At Snow 
 Shoe and Johnsonburg guides are considered necess- 
 ary. Good hotel accommodations can be had at any of 
 these points. 
 
 DEER. 
 
 Deer are reported most plentiful along the line of 
 the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad west of Lock 
 Haven, and while they are nowhere very num(^rous. 
 good hunting may still be enjoyed in the vicinity of 
 Snow Shoe. Lock Haven, and SinneiTwihoning (Kar- 
 thaus mountain); in the Diamond Valley near Hunt- 
 ingdon; on Tussey mountain near Sjuuce Creek, Hunt- 
 ingdon county, and also on the Seven moutains near 
 Reedsville, MifHin county, and on Pwitfalo mountain 
 near Glen Iron, r'nion rounty. Tlio best deer hunting, 
 however, is evident! \ fcund in that wild, mountainous 
 region stretching westward from T>ock Haven 
 through Clinton, Centre and Clearfield counties. Tt 
 is reached via the Philad(>lphia and Ei-ie Railroad to 
 
534 
 
 Lock Haven, Karthaus or Driftwood, or via the Penn- 
 sylvauia Railroad and Jiald Ea{,de Valley Railroad 
 to Snow Shoe. Guides are generally considered 
 necessary for deer hunting, and may be secured at any 
 of the above named stations. Good hotel accommoda- 
 tions can also be had. 
 
 BEARS. 
 
 Bears are found in various parts of the Alle- 
 gheuies, along the line of the Philadelphia and Erie 
 Railroad, and in the. neighborhood of Altoona. They 
 are reported most plentiful on Karthaus mountain in 
 the vicinity of Sinnemahoning; on the mountains 
 around Lock Haven, and in the vicinity of Snow Shoe. 
 A few may also be found near Rathbun and Renovo, 
 and aJso in the Allegheny mountains near Tipton and 
 Altoona, Blair county, and on Jack's mountain near 
 Glen Iron, Union county. As in the case of deer, the 
 best hunting grounds are evidently in Clearfield, 
 Centre and Clinton counties, especially in the aeigh- 
 b(.rhood of Snow Shoe. Guides are De.v.-?:5ary, and 
 can be secured at any of the above mentioned points. 
 Good hotel accommodations are also afforded, with 
 the exception of Tipton and Rathbun. 
 
 FOXES. 
 
 Foxes are reported most plentiful on Jack's moun- 
 tain north of Mt. Union; among the hills and moun- 
 tains around Bellwood, Blair county, and in the vi- 
 cinity of Johnsonburg. Elk county. They also ar(? 
 found in the vicinity of Milesburg, Centre county, and 
 around Montour Falls. New York. Guides are consid- 
 ered necessary at Belhvood, and can be secured. Good 
 
CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
535 
 
 hotel aceonT.niiodations ciiii be had at any of the above- 
 named phices. 
 
 RACCOONS. 
 
 Raccoons are reported plentiful at Mt. Union, Hun- 
 tingdon county, Johnsonburg, Elk county, and Kenovn, 
 Clinton count}'. Guides are considered necessary at 
 Johnsonburg, and can be secured. Good hotel accom- 
 modations are afforded. 
 
 WILD CATS. 
 
 "Wild Cats are reported quite plentiful around Jolni- 
 sonburg and in the vicinity of St. Mary's and Rathbiin, 
 Elk county. Guides are needed, and can be secured. 
 Good hotel accommodations can be had at Johnson- 
 burg and St. Mary's. 
 
 BIRDS. 
 
 PHEASANTS. 
 
 Pheasants are quite plentiful throughout this sec- 
 tion, especially in the valleys and on the hillsides at 
 the foot of the Allegheny mountains. They are re- 
 IM»rted very plentiful in the neighborhood of Bodine, 
 Lycoming county, on the Northern Central Railway; 
 also on Jack's mountain north of Mt. UniO'n, and in 
 the neighborhood of Huntingdon ; near Mifflinburg, 
 Millmont, and Glen Iron, Union county; near Coburn. 
 Spring trills, and at Zerby, Centre county; around 
 Wojfsburg, Bedford connty; along the Susquehanna 
 river at Farrensville, Clinton county: in the vicinity of 
 Rathbun, Elk connty. and around Smoke Run, Clear- 
 field county. One of the best localities I have ever 
 found in Pennsylvania for Pheasants is at Loganton, 
 
53G 
 
 Clinton county. To reach this place you drive about 
 eighteen miles from Lock Haven. Guides are not 
 usually needed, and, with the exception of Rathbun, 
 good hotel accommodations are afforded. 
 
 QUAIL. 
 
 Quail are less plentiful than in the eastern district. 
 The best shooting is evidently along the Lower Sus- 
 quehanna, in Lancaster county, and in Cecil county, 
 Maryland. They are reported in good numbers near 
 Conewago, Pennsylvania, and Rising Sun and Cono- 
 wingo, Maryland. Quail shooting is also good in the 
 vicinity of Halifax. Dauphin county. There is good 
 quail shooting in the agricultural districts of Snyder 
 county about Selins Grove, likewise in Columbia 
 county in the valley in the neighborhood of Catawissa. 
 and also in different points in York county. Propertv 
 owners. ho\^ever. in many of these places, object seri- 
 ously to gunners. The best gunning, however, is evi- 
 dently in New Jersey. 
 
 AAai.D TT^RKKYP. 
 
 Wild Turkeys are most numerous in this district. 
 The best hunting ground seems to be along Jack's 
 mountain from Mt. Union and Mill Creek, Huntingdon 
 county, northeast to the vicinity of Glen Iron. Union 
 county. They are reported quite plentiful in tho 
 mountains around Wolfsburg, Bedford county, and 
 along the Susquehanna in the vicinity of Lock Haven; 
 also at Harree, Huntingdon county. Tlu'v are quite 
 plentiful in Juniata rounty. Guides aro desirable to 
 direct strangers to the best loonjitips. and they can ho 
 secured al any of tlic above |il;iccs. Aniph- hotel ac 
 commodalions aie affoid<'d. 
 
537 
 
 DUCKS. 
 
 Diuks of vaiiu-us kiuds are, of course, most pleutiful 
 along the Lower Susquehanna and in the vicinity of 
 Chesapeake Bay. They are reported most abundant 
 at North East, Principio, Perryville, Port Deposit, 
 and Conovvingo, Cecil county, Maryland, and near 
 Quantico and Woodbridge, Virginia, on the Washing- 
 ton Southern Railway. They are also (luile plentiful 
 during certain seasons of the year in Seneca Lake, 
 Lake Keuka, and at Sodus Point, New York. Guides 
 are desirable in the vicinity of the Chesapeake Bay, 
 and they can be secured at any of the above points. 
 Good hotel accommodations can also be secured, ex- 
 cept at Principio and Perryville. 
 
 WOODCOCK. 
 
 Woodcock are apparently nowhere abundant; but 
 the best shooting, possibly, is found in Maryland in 
 the vicinity of Conowingo, Cecil county, and Chase 
 and Stemmer's Run, Baltimore county, on the Maryland 
 Division of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Balti- 
 more Railroad. This kind of game is also found in 
 fair numbers around Canton, Bradford county, East 
 Bloomsburg, Columbia county, and along the Juniata 
 river near Altoona. Guides are needed at Altoona, 
 but are not considered necessary at tke other points. 
 Gc-od hotel accommodations are afforded, except at 
 Stemmer's Run. 
 
 GEESE. 
 
 Geese may be found along the line of the Philadel 
 phia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad in the neigh- 
 borhood of Perryman, Hartford county, and Bengies, 
 
588 
 
 Chase and JStemmei's Huu, lialtimore couuly, Mary 
 land, ou the Westeru shore of the Chesapeake. Guides 
 aie haidly needed, but they cau be secured if desired, 
 liengies and Stemuier's Kun afl'ord no hotel accom- 
 modations. 
 
 RAIL BIRDS.. 
 
 The Carolina Kail, also named Sora, and often im- 
 properly called "Ortolan," is very abundant on the ex- 
 tensive marshes of the J'atuxent in the month of Sep- 
 tember. The best places to shoot these birds, in sea- 
 son along this river, are at Bristol, and Nottingham, 
 Maryland. These i)oints are best reached by the 
 Pope's Creek Branch of the Baltimore and Potomac 
 Railroad. At both of these localities sportsmen and 
 naturalists can find poultry-destroying Hawks and 
 other animals; good hotel accommodations and first- 
 class pushers (boatmen) at reasonable rates can be se 
 cured. In September, 1897, fully fifteen thousand 
 Rails, besides large numbers of Reed Birds, and a 
 goodly number of wild ducks and snipe were shot on 
 the marshes around Bristol. As many as 150 Rails 
 were credited to one boat in a day; but the average 
 was about fifty of these toothsome birds to a tide. To 
 reach liristol from Philadeli)hia go to .Marlboro by ilic 
 cjirs and drive to the river; and to visit Nottingham 
 procure a ticket for Croome and take liorso and \vag(»n 
 to the desired point. Arrangements can be made in 
 advance by mail for pushers, hotel accommodations 
 and conveyance to and from the railroad stations. For 
 such information address Wilson Owens, Leon (name 
 of postofTSre at Bns(ol), Md.. oi- Capt. .John MacCnhbin, 
 XotMugham. Md. 
 
539 
 
 SNIPE. 
 
 A few Snipe may be found along the lake shores 
 near Watkins, New York; also along the Conewago 
 creek near Conewago, Lancaster county ; on the Patux 
 ent river near Croonie, Prince George county, Mary- 
 land, and along Ramney creek near Perryman, Har- 
 ford county, Maryland. In March and April, or during 
 the A'emal migrations there is usually very good Snipe 
 shooting along the Patuxent river, especially in the 
 marshes in the neighborhood of Bristol, Md. It is 
 nothing unusual for a skillful marksman to make a 
 bag of twenty-five or thirty English or Wilson's Snipe 
 in a day at this place. You can reach Bristol by river 
 steamer from Baltimore, but the quickest way to get 
 there from Philadelphia is via the Pennsylvania rail- 
 road to Marlboro, and then drive about five miles. No 
 guides are necessary and good hotel accommodations 
 can be had. 
 
 REED BIRDS. 
 
 Reed Birds are found in good numbers along the 
 Patuxent rivcM- near Marlboro, Croome, and Glendale. 
 I'rince George county, Alaryland, and in the marshe.s 
 near Bennings, I). C. Good boatmen can be secured 
 at very reasonable rates, and the hotel accommoda- 
 tions are good. During the tirst two weeks in Septem- 
 ber Reed Birds are usually very abundant on the Pat- 
 uxent river marshes in the neighborhood of Marlboro. 
 Bristol and Croome. These places can be i-eached in 
 a few hours ride from Philadelphia. 
 
.'40 
 FISH. 
 
 BROOK TROUT. 
 
 The best Ti-out fishing is endently in Centre county, 
 and in the vicinity of Euipoi-iuni, Cameioii county. 
 In Centre county the best tishing is found in lUiffalo 
 Run and Spring Creek near Belief on te; Fishing Ci*eek, 
 Sinking Citck and IN-nn's Cn'ek.ncar T'entie TTall; and 
 (he Bald Kaglc Cieek, Moshannon Creek. Marsh 
 Creek and Beecli Creek in the western i)art of the 
 county. All of these points are reached via the Bald 
 Eagle N'alley and Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroads. 
 Bellefonte, Tyrone, and Snow Shoe affoM ample hotel 
 accommodations. In Cameron county the best fish- 
 ing is found in the headwaters of Elk creek and Clear 
 Creek, and in the numerous runs around Driftwood 
 and Emporium. Goc-d fishing is also reported in the 
 neighborhood of Westport and Renovo, Clinton 
 county; Bathbun, Elk county; Adamsburg and BeaA'er- 
 town, Snyder county, and Glen Iron, Cherry Run, 
 Union county; also in Belle Run near Frugality, Cam 
 bria county, and in Spruce creek near Penns^'lvania 
 Furnace. All of these points except Pennsylvania 
 Furnace and Ratliburn, furnish good hotel accommoda- 
 tions. Guides are usually desirable to locate the 
 streams and best fishing grounds. 
 
 BASS. 
 
 Bass fishing is reported good all along the Susque- 
 hanna, the Juniata and their principal tributaries. 
 The best fishing, however, is found in the Lower Sus- 
 quehanna from Columbia south to the Chesapeake. 
 In fact, no better bass fishing can be found in the 
 country than at Port Deposit, Octoraro, Rowlands- 
 
541 
 
 ville, and Oonowingo, in Cecil county, Maryland; and 
 at Peach Bottom, File's Eddy, McOall's Ferry, Safe 
 Harbor, and Washington Borough, I^ncaster county. 
 Excellent bass fishing is also reported at Sinnemahon- 
 ing, Cameron county, Glen Union, Clinton county and 
 at Huntingdon, and in the Sodus Bay, Sodus Point, 
 New York. Any of these places other than Glen 
 Union, furnish good hotel accommodations and guides 
 if desired. 
 
 CARP. 
 
 Carp are reported most plentiful in the Susque- 
 hanna and Juniata rivers. Good carp fishing can be 
 had at Altoona, Blair county; Barree, Huntingdon 
 county; Mill Creek and Mt. Union, Huntingdon 
 county; and Duncannon, Perry county; at Rockville, 
 Dauphin county, and Bainbridge, Lancaster county. 
 All of these tOAvns furnish good hotel accommodations 
 and guides if desired. Guides are not generally con- 
 sidered necessary, however, for this kind of fishing. 
 
 PERCH. 
 
 The best perch fishing is found along the Lower 
 Susquehanna and in the inlets and bays along the 
 western shore of the Chesapeake. Good perch fishing 
 is reported at Conowlngo and Perryville, Cecil county, 
 Maryland; at Perryraan, Harford county, and at 
 Bengies, Steinnier's Run nnd Chase. Baltimore 
 county, Maryland, on the Philadelphia, Wilmington & 
 Baltimore Railroad. Good fishing is also reported in 
 the Patuxent river near Croome, Prince George county, 
 Maryland; in the Potomac at Bennings, D. C; in 
 Seneca Lake at Watkins, New York, and in Sodus 
 Bay, Lake Ontario. With the exception of Perryville. 
 
542 
 
 Heugies and {Slemmei's Kuii, good liolel accouimoda 
 Mous are afforded at all of the above points. Guides 
 ai'e needed for iSshing along the Chesapeake, and can 
 be seemed at such points. 
 
 PIKE. 
 
 Good })ike fishing is reported at Cherrytree, Cam- 
 bria county; in the mountain streams around Altoona; 
 in Seneca Lake at Watkins, New York; in the Sus- 
 quehanna river at Williamsport and East Bloomsburg, 
 and at Eainbridge, Lancaster county; also in the 
 streams around Bengies, Chase and Stemmer's Run, 
 Maryland, on the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Balti- 
 more Railrwid. Good hotel accommodations can be 
 had at all of the above points except Bengies and 
 Stemmer's Run. Guides are considered necessary for 
 pike fishing and can be secured. 
 
 SALMON. 
 
 Salmon are found almost exclusively in the Susque- 
 hanna and Juniata rivers. They are reported most 
 plentiful in the vicinity of Middletown, Dauphin 
 county, although good fishing is also found at Cono- 
 wingo, Maryland; McCall's Ferry, Safe Harbor, 
 Wrightsville and Steelton; and as far north as Glen 
 Union, Clinton county, and Wapwallopen, Luzerene 
 county. Along the Juniata good salmon fishing is 
 found at Newport, Perry county. Guides are consid- 
 ered necessary for salmon fishing, and can be secured 
 at most any of the above-named places. Good hotel 
 accommodations are also afforded. 
 
 ROCK FISH. 
 
 The host rook fishing is found along the Lower Sus- 
 <inelianna, and in the vicinity of Chesapeake Bay; at 
 
543 
 
 Rowlandsville, Octoraio, Conowiugo, Ferrymau, lieu- 
 gies, Stemnier's Kiiu, and Chase, Md., and a I Puit To- 
 bacco and Cioonie on tlie Pope's Creek Branch of the 
 Baltimore and Potomac Kailroad. Cnides can be se- 
 cured at any of these points, as well as hotel accommo- 
 dations, witli the exception of Bonifies and Steniiner's', 
 Run. 
 
 SUN FISH. 
 
 Sun Fish are reported most plentiful at Nottiu.i;- 
 ham, Chester county; Conewago, Lancaster county; 
 at Perrynmn, Harford county, and Hollins, Baltimore 
 county, Maryland, on the Nortliern Central Railway, 
 and at Sodus Point, New York. Good hotel accom- 
 modations can be had at any of these points, except 
 Nottingham. Guides are not necessary. 
 
 CAT FISH. 
 
 Good cat fishing is reported at Rising Sun, Cecil 
 county, and Bengies, Baltimore county, Maryland; at 
 McCall's Ferry, Lancaster county; Rockville, Dauphin 
 county, and at Chenytree, Cambria county. No 
 guides are necessary, and good hotel accommodations 
 can be had at all these points except Bengies. 
 
544 
 
 Section 3. 
 
 WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA WEST OF THE 
 
 SUMMIT OF THE ALLEGHENY 
 
 MOUNTAINS. 
 
 Pbinoipal Kinds of Game. 
 
 MAMMALS: 
 Rabbits, Foxes, Squin-els, Deer, Bears. 
 
 BIRDS : 
 Pheasants, Quail, Wild Turkeys, Ducks. 
 
 Principal Kinds of Fiph. 
 fresh water: 
 
 Trout, Bass, Salmon, Carp, Perch, Pike, Rock I'ish, Cat Fish. 
 RABBITS. 
 
 West of the Alleghenies Rabbits are most plentiful 
 in the mountains in the neighborhood of Lillj- and in 
 the "Big Woods" near Summerhill, Cambria county, 
 and around Nineveh and Penn Station, Westmoreland 
 county. Guides are no-t necessary, but if desired ihey 
 can be secured. Good hotel accommodations are af- 
 forded. 
 
 FOXES. 
 
 Foxes are reported quite plentiful along the Chest- 
 nut Ridge Hillsides, Westmoreland county; also 
 around Sax(!'nburg. Butler county, ten miles west ot 
 Ebensburg, and in tlie mountains around Lilly, Cam 
 bria county. Cuides are usually considered necessary. 
 
545 
 
 and can be secured. Ample hotel accommodations 
 are afforded at all the above stations except Hillside. 
 
 SQUIRRELS. 
 
 Squirrels are most plentiful in the ueighborhuKjd of 
 Penu station, Westmoreland county; they are also 
 said to be quite numerous in the vicinity of Allegheny 
 V^alley Junction, and around Ninevah Station. No 
 guides are needed, and good hotel accommodations 
 can be secured. 
 
 DEER. 
 
 Deer are quite plentiful along the chestnut ridge 
 and Laurel Hill near Ninevah Station, Westmoreland 
 county, and they may be found in the vicinity of Kane, 
 in McKean county. Guides are necessary and can be 
 secured. Good hotel accommodations can also be had. 
 
 BEAKS. 
 
 Bears may be found in the vicinity of Groylaud, Elk 
 county, also in the mountains at Fairandsville above 
 Lock Haven, and at Lng.mtdn, which latter place is also 
 in Clinton county, and can be reached by wagon frcm 
 either Lock Haven or Coburn; and about live miles 
 northwest of Kane, McKean county. Guides are 
 needed and can be secured, as well as ample hotel ac- 
 cc^nmodations. Bear shooting, like hunting \\ild Tur- 
 keys, is generally followed with wvy unsatisfactory re- 
 sults. I would not recommend any one to go after 
 Bears unless he is able to do a lot of iiard tramping 
 over rocky, brush covered mountain land. You shonid 
 also have good dog>< \\lii<h arc experienced in pursu 
 ing Bears. Woodsmen and trappers in Pennsylvania 
 
 35 II 
 
546 
 
 who huut Hoars for their flesh and pelts secure these 
 animals cbit lly hy trap])inj;, and i\-\\ of tliein ajipear to 
 make any elfort to educate do^s lo follow and liarass 
 (licse liardy bru(es as was done It.v linntcis and Irajt 
 pei's in former years. 
 
 BIRDS. 
 
 PHEASANTS. 
 
 West of tlie summit of the Alleghenies Pheasants 
 are reported most plentiful in the mountains around 
 Lillv, Wilmore, and Ebensburg, Cambria county. 
 Good gunning is also found near Export and Donohoe, 
 Westmoreland county; Saxonburg, Butler county, and 
 Spring Greek and Youngsville, Warren county. Pri- 
 vate acccanmodations can be secured at Export; no 
 hotel accommodations are afforded at Donohoe; good 
 accommodations can be had at all the other points 
 named. Guides are not generally needed, although 
 in Candiria and Warren counties they are desirable 
 and can be secured. 
 
 QUAIL. 
 
 Quail seem to be quite scarce west of the Alle- 
 ghenies, but good shooting is reported to be around 
 Crab Tree and Penn. Westmoreland county, and in 
 the vicinity of Dunbar, Fayette county. Good hotel 
 accommodatic'ns can be secured at these points: no 
 guides ai'e needed. 
 
 WILD TURKRYR. 
 
 Wild Turkeys are reported plentiful around Wil 
 iiKMc; along Plack Lick ^^lllev. ten miles west of 
 Ebensburg, and around Conemangh. Canibi-ia (Mumty: 
 
547 
 
 also aloii^- (Micj^lii lit HicJ<,'e and Laiiiel Hill, Wesluiore- 
 laad coiintv. With thr ixceptiuu of Lockport good 
 liot<^l accouuiiodations are afforded at all of these 
 points. Guides are sometimes desirable and can be 
 secured \>here necessary. 
 
 DUCKS. 
 
 Ducks are said to be plentiful alonj;- the Couemaugh, 
 at Nineveh Station, at certain seasons of the year. 
 The town affords good liotel accommodations, and no 
 guides are needed. 
 
 FISH. 
 
 Hrook trout are reported plentiful in Forest and 
 Jefferson counties, and in the western part of McKean 
 couniy; likewise in Potter county. GC'Od fishing is 
 found along the tributaries of Tionesta creek in Forest 
 county; along the branches of the north fork in Jeffer 
 son county, and along the Kinzua creek in :McKeaii 
 county. Pretty good trout fishing can be found along 
 the Philade]i)hia & Erie Railroad from Johnsonburg 
 to Corry. Guides are generally required. 
 
 BASS. 
 
 Bass are reported most plentiful in Beaver run. tivc 
 miles west of Export, and in the Conemaugh near 
 Ninevah, Westmoreland county; in the Allegheny 
 river near Springdale, Allegheny county, and at Alle- 
 gheny Valley Junction, Westmoreland county; also 
 in the creeks around Garland, Warren county. Good 
 hotel accommodations can be secured at any of these 
 points; guides are not needed. 
 
548 
 
 SALMON. 
 
 A few salmon may be found in llie Allegheny river 
 neai'Alleglieuy Valley Junction, NN'estniorelaud county; 
 in the Monoi-gahela river near Webster, Washington 
 county and in the Ooneniaugh at Sunimerhill, Cambria 
 county. Guides are not needed and hotel accommoda- 
 tions can be secured. 
 
 CARP. 
 
 Good carp fishing is found in the Mouongaliela riAer 
 at Webster, Washington county, and in the Alle- 
 gheny river at Allegheny Valley Junction, Westmore- 
 land county. 
 
 PERCH. 
 
 Good perch fishing can be had at Webster on the 
 Monongahela river, thirty-five miles south of Pitts 
 burg. 
 
 PIKE. 
 
 Pike are reported quite plentiful in the Conemaugh 
 river near Ninevah, Westmoreland county. No guides 
 are needed and good hotel accommodations are af- 
 forded. 
 
 ROCK FISH. 
 
 Kock fisiiing is reported best in the creeks near G-ar- 
 land, Warren county. Good hotel accommodations 
 are afforded and no guides are needed. 
 
 C.\T FISFT. 
 
 Cat Fisli are reported quite plentiful in tlie Monun- 
 gahela river near Webster, Washington county. 
 
549 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 TAPEWORMS OF POULTRY. 
 
 This chapter deals quite fully with a subject of great 
 iuipurtaiKf, both fioiii a practical and scieiititic stand- 
 point. As Dr. D. E. Salmon, Chief of Bureau of Ani- 
 mal Industry, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Wash- 
 ington, 1). C, says, in referring to this matter: 
 
 "Our knowledge of the parasites of poultry is in a very unsat- 
 isfactory condition, and the contributions to it are so scattered 
 through the literature of the world that they are not available 
 to the greater part of those engaged in the investigation of 
 this and allied subjects." 
 
 The serious outbreaks of epizootics which have oc 
 currcd chiefly in Europe, among domesticated fo-wls, 
 and which have been traced to tapeworms which in- 
 fest poultrj^, has led scientific men abroad to investi- 
 gate, with great care, these internal forms of parasitic 
 life. As a result almost all the literature on the sub- 
 ject appears in 
 
 "Latin, German, French, Danish, Italian, etc, while in the 
 English language we have only a few short notices conctrning 
 these worms." — Stiles. 
 
 Within the past two or three years several speci- 
 mens of tapeworms and other entozoa have been sent 
 to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture with 
 statements that the fowls from which the specimens 
 were taken were dying from some unknown disease; 
 and that, although tlu' fowls at times showed in 
 
550 
 
 creased desire for food, tliey grew thin, dull and list- 
 less, and leaving, with ruttled leathers and drooping 
 wings, tlie rest of the Hoek, soon died. 
 
 In order that an interest involving annually in Penn 
 sylviinia about $22,()(M»,(M)(^ shall be fully dealt with 
 in a publication which the Legislature has directed 
 should be prepared to meet the great demand which 
 comes especially from farmers for sucli a document, 
 it has been deemed advisable to reproduce in this 
 chapter the carefully prepared paper of Dr. 0. W. 
 Stiles, entitled 
 
 "A REPORT UPON THE PRESENT KNOWLEDGE OF THE 
 TAPEWORMS OF POULTRY." 
 
 which was recently published as part of Bulletin No. 
 12 (Bureau of Animal Industry) of the United States 
 Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. The 
 handsome illustrations in this chapter, so true to 
 nature, have been prepared from drawings made witli 
 especial care, from s])ecimens in the National Grovern- 
 ment Museum, by Mr. Wm. S. D. Haines, an artist of 
 rare ability. 
 
 This chapter, made up as it is of the most exhaus- 
 tive report which to date has ever been printed in 
 the English language on the Tapeworms, will no doubt, 
 notwithstanding its technical character, be of great 
 service to poultry raisers of Pennsylvania, as, by its 
 teaching, they can h-arn that which will enable them 
 to recognize and guard against outbreaks of disease 
 from parasitic enemies, which have only lately been 
 investigated by specialists in this country. 
 
 Tapeworms, as well as numerous other internal 
 parasites, infest wild birds. Tlie abdominal-thoracic 
 cavity of the common Meadowlark is frequently the 
 
551 
 
 refuge of luajjises or balls of parasites (filaria?); under 
 the bony covering of the skull of the Auhinga or JSuake 
 bird a species of parasite is usually to be found. 
 These parasites are often seen in birds of prej which 
 subsist on an animal diet. Tapeworms are very com 
 mon in the intestines of Crow Blackbirds, which are 
 omnivorous. When in Florida, in 1885, the writer 
 found the intestines of several Quail fairly gorged 
 with whitish, pinkish or yellowish colored tapeworms. 
 It was noticed that the Quail lind been feeding to a 
 considerable extent on a small species of batrachian, 
 called by the natives "rain or sand frogs." In a 
 period of about three months, in 1895, the writer ob- 
 tained fully one hundred and twenty-five specimens of 
 internal parasites from land and water birds and do- 
 mesticated fowls in Florida. These specimens, pre- 
 pared in alcohol, with full data, were presented to the 
 late Joseph Leldy, M. D. Many of these specimens, 
 some of which were new to science, were fully de- 
 scribed b}' I'rO'f. Leid}', in Medical Journals, etc. 
 
 Unfortunately, the fire of 1897, which destroyed the 
 office, library, note books, etc., of the writer, consumed 
 a large amount of data concerning tapeworms and 
 other parasites of wild birds, mammals and domestic 
 fowls, which had been collected by me in the field or 
 presented by my esteemed friend and instructor. Prof. 
 Joseph Leidy, who had, a short time prior to his death, 
 accumulated a considerable amount of data concern- 
 ing tapeworms of domesticated fowls and wild ani 
 mals. 
 
 B. H. WARREN. 
 
552 
 
 REPORT UPON THE PRESENT KNOWLEDGE 
 OF THE TAPEWORMS OF POULTRY. 
 
 BV CH. WAKUKLL STII.ES. 
 
 PAKT I. 
 GENEKAL DitiUUlSSlON. 
 
 it iias beeu knowu for years tiiat tapevvoiius infest 
 domesticated poultry, and in some cases they cause 
 serious epizootics among fowls. The outbreaks thus 
 far recorded have occurred chielly in Europe, and as 
 a natural outcome almost the entire work which has 
 beeu published on these parasites is the result of 
 European investigations. The literature upon the 
 subject is accordingly in Latin, German, French, Dan- 
 ish, Italian, etc., while in the English language we have 
 only a few short notices concerning these wonns. 
 Generic and specific diagnoses of the parasites of this 
 group are almost unknown articles in the English lan- 
 guage, while as yet we have absolutely no reliable data 
 as to how many species of tapeworms are found in 
 American poultry. 
 
 Several outbreaks of tapeworm disease have been 
 noticed in fowls in different parts of the country, and 
 upon various occasions specimens have been sent to 
 this Bureau for identification. As Dr. Moore (1895)* 
 
 *A Xodular Taeniasis in Fowls, by Dr. V. A. Moore. 
 
558 
 
 has recently called atlentio-n to this disease, and as 
 we shall probably hear of its existence in various parts 
 of the country, it may be well to state at this time what 
 is known regarding the tapeworms of domesticated 
 fowls and, in response to several requests from experi 
 ment stations, to give the generic and specific diag 
 no-ses as they at present stand. 
 
 The following table shows 33 species which have 
 been recorded for poultry, but several of these are 
 doubtful and probably several forms appear in the list 
 more than once, under different names. Besides the 
 forms given, ore O'r two other forms have been re- 
 corded, l)ut can be ignored for the present. A square 
 n signifies that the parasite is recorded only from poul- 
 try; a cross + that it occurs in wild birds, but proba 
 bly not in poultry; the circle O signifies that 
 the parasite is recorded both in poultry and in wild 
 birds. 
 
 35* 11 
 
554 
 
 i 
 
 u 
 
 c 
 
 o 
 
 3 
 o 
 
 ■a 
 
 S) 
 
 1 
 
 A 
 9 
 n 
 
 t. 
 o 
 
 c 
 o 
 
 c 
 ►4 
 
 Does not normally occur In these hosts; 
 experimentally Infected by feeding 
 larvae from flsh. 
 
 Small fresh-water mussel crabs (Cyprls 
 ovum. C. cinerea, Cypria ophthalmlca, 
 Candona Candida), 
 
 See T. trillneata, p. 595. 
 
 Earthworms (AUobophora foetida). 
 
 Small fresh-water mussel crabs (Cyprls 
 ovata, C. Incongruens, C. cmnpressa). 
 
 Small fresh-water copepods (Cyclops 
 agilis). 
 
 •qoiJlso 
 
 
 
 
 
 nana 
 
 : : X 
 
 
 12 »~ : n 
 
 
 •asooo 
 
 •UBMS 
 
 
 
 
 : ; i i ^ 
 
 
 
 '. c~ '. '. '. '. 
 
 
 ■uajtomo 
 
 ': o 
 
 O I! 
 
 : :o : 
 
 
 •51000B3J 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 IMoj -Banmo 
 
 — i : 
 
 
 
 
 
 Xa^iJnx 
 
 
 
 
 ■uoaaij 
 
 c>. : X 
 
 
 
 Name of parislte. 
 
 BOTHRIOCEPHALIDAE : 
 Eothrlocephahis — 
 
 sq. ? 
 
 Bothrlotaenla — 
 
 L 
 
 3 a 
 
 '2 
 
 TAENIIDAE: 
 Cotugnia— 
 
 digonopora 
 
 Dlcranotaenla— 
 
 aeauabills 
 
 coronula 
 
 furclgera 
 
 sphenoldes 
 
 Drepanldotaenla— 
 
 anatlna 
 
 
555 
 
 Small fresh-water mussel crabs (Can- 
 dona rostrata, Cyprla ophthalmlca) 
 and copepods (Cyclops viridis). 
 
 House fly (Musca domestlca). 
 
 Small fresh-water copepods (Cyclops 
 brevicaudatus). 
 
 Flea crabs (Gammarus pulex) and cope- 
 pods (Cyclops vlrldls, C. agllis, C. lu- 
 cldulus). 
 
 Flea crabs (Gammarus pulex) and cope- 
 pods (Cyclops agilis. C. iiulcliellu;:). 
 
 Slugs (Limax agrestls, L. variegatus, L. 
 cinereus). 
 
 Probably snails (Helix carthuslanella? or 
 
 H. maculosa?). 
 Small fresh-water mussel crabs (Cypris 
 
 cinerea). 
 
 See p. 595. 
 See p. 607. 
 
 i i 
 
 • * ' ■ i 
 
 n nn • ^ •■• •*••:•. • • ^ re- ; :e-e~oo : : 
 
 o> 
 
 k-t 
 
 rA' '3 rJ : : : i • \ '■ : ': : : In • • • \ 
 
 '- 
 
 
 hi i H : M M n N i 1 M H ^ 
 
 : ^: 
 
 1 i o ino jo : : : :o ico jo : ::3 
 
 
 
 • • :..:;....,• 
 
 
 
 • I : i : ■; • • • :•::'••:::: 
 
 
 
 
 : i : ' : : :: \ '-^ ' : • ' ^- ' : :^' 
 
 « 
 
 ; "1 
 
 "z'i" 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ; 1 
 
 : < 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 
 1 I 
 
 5 
 
 sinuosa 
 
 tenulrostris 
 
 Davainea— 
 
 cesticiUus 
 
 crassula 
 
 echlnobothrida 
 
 proglottlna — ' 
 
 struthionis 
 
 tetragona 
 
 Echlnocotyle— 
 
 Rosseterl 
 
 Taenia S. 1.— 
 
 cantaniana 
 
 conica 
 
 Delafondl 
 
 exilis 
 
 imbutiformls 
 
 Krabbei 
 
 malleus 
 
 megalops 
 
 sp. (Conard, MS.) 
 
 sp 
 
 
556 
 
 From this table it will be noticed that (> ditTerent 
 tapewoi-nus have beeu recorded from pigeons, '1 from 
 iMi-kcys, 1 1 ir(nii chickciis, U from Swans, 7 from geese, 
 K) from dneks, and 1 from ostriches; 1 form has been 
 recorded as common to pigeons, chickens, and ducks; 
 5 forms as common to ducks and geese; 1 form as com- 
 mon to geese and swans; 1 as common to pigeons and 
 ducks, and 1 as common to pigeons and chickens. 
 These statistics are based upon the suppositions that 
 all the parasites mentioned are good species, and that 
 the specific determinations of the parasites were cor- 
 rect. A comparison of the original types would, how- 
 ever, undoubtedly show that both of these su])positions 
 are incorrect, for many of the species are vei*y poorly 
 described, and have been established upon very limited 
 material. 
 
 Many of the specific diagnoses existing- to-day are almost 
 worthless; some of the species rest upon very weak characters 
 and must undoubtedly fall, while the synonymy and proper 
 names of the group need thorough revision. It would be haz- 
 ardous to make any radical changes in the system at present; 
 in fact, I do not believe this should be done unless the worker 
 has a large series of specimens, with types, if possible, before 
 him. 
 
 LIFE HISTORY AND SOURCE OF INFECTION. 
 
 Fortunately the life history of a number of forms is 
 known. So far as yet worked out, the larval stage is 
 in every case a cysticercoid and lives in some inverte- 
 brate (snail, insect, crustacean, or worm). A glance 
 at the above table and the remarks under each s])ecific 
 diagnosis will show the source of infection (intei-me- 
 diate hosts) so far as known or supposed. There are 
 no grounds for believing that poultry can become in- 
 fected with tapeworms directly fi'oni the eggs con 
 tained in the droppings. 
 
557 
 
 The life liistoiy of those worms agrees with the life 
 histoiy of other tapeworius; the ova of the parasites 
 are voided with the excrement and are swaHowed bj' 
 insect) and develops iiilo a larval form known in this 
 an oncosphere) contained within the eggshell then 
 bores its way from the intestine into the body cavity 
 of the intermediate host (a worm, snail, crustacean, or 
 insect) and develops into a larval form, known in this 
 case as a cysticercoid. This larva develops into an 
 adult worm when swallowed by a chicken, duck, goose, 
 etc. 
 
 The known or supposed life history has been based upon four 
 different methods of work, i. e.— 
 
 1. Experimental infection of the fowls by feeding to them 
 known larval stages found in invertebrates, and thus raising 
 the adult stage. 
 
 2. Exep'rimental infection of invertebrates by feeding to them 
 the eggs of tapeworms found in birds, and thus raising the 
 larval stage. 
 
 3. Comparison of the hooks upon the heads of adult tape- 
 worms of birds with the hooks of larvae found in invertebrates 
 and thus associating the young and the old stages. 
 
 4. Wild speculation as to the intermediate hosts, based upon 
 negative results and totally devoid of any scientific foundation. 
 
 Of these four methods of work the first two give positive 
 pi'oof of the life history when the experiments are successful: 
 the third gives a probability to the statements, but not a 
 proof: the less said about the fourth method the bettter. 
 
 Tlio following are the data we have at present re- 
 garding the life history: 
 
 1. Experimental infection of fowls with larvae 
 in invertebrates. 
 
 Davainca prolottinai of chickens.— Gassi & Rovelli (l.SS?., 
 18S9A, 1892) fed the eggs (PI. XV. fig. lOS) of this tapeworm (PI. 
 
 JThere are as yet but few popular names for the various 
 poultry tapeworms. Se\ieral new poinilar names ai-e intro- 
 duced in the second part of this paper, but for the sake of 
 exactness and brevity it is necessary' to introduce the scientific 
 names in all cases. 
 
558 
 
 XV, lig. 194) lo slugs (Limax), and laised the larval stage (PI. 
 
 XVI, figs. 199-202) in twenty days. Slugs containing these lar- 
 vae were then fed to chickens, and within eight days the four 
 segments were formed. There can, therefore, be no question 
 that chickens become infected with this tapeworm by eating 
 slugs. 
 
 Echinocotyle Rosseteri of ducks — Small fresh-water crusta- 
 ceans (Cypris cinerea)i containing a very characteristic larval 
 tapeworm (PI. XIX, fig. 251) were fed to a domesticated duck 
 by Rosseter (1891A-B, 1892). The duck was aftenvards killed 
 and found to be infested with tapeworms possessing the same 
 characteristic head (PI. XIX, figs. 247-248). The life history 
 of this form must therefore be looked upon as experimentally 
 demonstrated. 
 
 2. Experimental infection of invertebrates by feed- 
 ing the eggs of avian tapeworms: 
 
 Davainea proglottina of chickens. — This case has been dis- 
 cussed above. 
 
 Drepanidotaenia anatina of ducks. — Schmidt (1894) has re- 
 cently demonstrated the life history of this worm in a manner 
 which places the source of infection beyond question. He fed 
 large quantities of tapeworm eggs to fresh-water crustaceans 
 (Cypris ovatai) and thus raised the larval form (PI. IX, fig. 
 110). In sum.mer these larvae developed in two weeks, but in 
 winter they required over five weeks for their development, the 
 difference in time being attributed to the difference in the 
 temperature. The same larval form is described by Mrazek 
 (1891) also from two other mussel crabs, i. e,, Cypris incon- 
 gruensi and Cypris compressai (=:2Cypria ophthalmica accord- 
 ing to Moniez). 
 
 3. Comparison of tlie liooks upon the beads of the 
 adult tapeworms in birds with the hoolvs of larvae 
 found in invertebrates, and thus associating the young 
 and old stages. 
 
 This method of explaining the life history does not 
 
 iThere are no popular names for the numerous different 
 species of small fresh-water crustaceans. The popular name 
 mussel crabs is used for the Ostracoda (Cypris. Candona, 
 etc.); water fleas for Daphnia; copepoda for the Copepoda (Cy- 
 clops, ri. VT. fig. fi?: PI. XT. fig. ir!0): flea crabs for Gammarus. 
 
559 
 
 fuiuish the data wliich are demanded in science ol lo 
 day, althougli it shows uliat tlie pr()l)al)le life history 
 is. 
 
 Davainea tetraguna of chickens.— Plana (1881, 1882) found two 
 larvae (PI. XVIII, figs. 228-229) in snails of the genus Helix, 
 which he associated with this chiclten tapeworm (PI. XVII, 
 ligs. 219-227, PI. XVIII, figs. 231-235). 
 
 Dicranotaenia coronula of ducks. ^Mrazek (1890) found larvae 
 (PI. Ill, fig. 25) in fresh-water mussel crabs (Cypris ovum and 
 Cypria ophthalmica (Cypris compressa); Rosseter (1890) found 
 a cysticercoid in Cypris cinerea, and Moniez (1891) in Cypria 
 ophthalmica and Candona Candida, which the three respective 
 authors have associated with D. coronula of ducks. 
 
 Dicranotaenia spenoides of chickens — Grass! & Rovelli (1889A, 
 1892) claim to have found cysticercoids (PI. IV, fig. 40.) in earth- 
 worms (Aallobophara Foetida) which they associate with this 
 species of tapeworm (PI. IV, Figs. 37-38). 
 
 Drepanidotaenia fasciata of geese.— Mrazek (1890, 1891) classi- 
 fied a cysticercoid (PI. VI, figs. 67-70) found in fresh-water 
 crustaceans (PI. VI, fig. 67) (Cyclops agllis) as the larva of this 
 cestode (PI. V, figs. 56-66). 
 
 Drepanidotaenia gracialis, of ducks and geese. — Cysticercoids 
 (PI. VIII, Figs. 94-99) found in fresh-water mussel crabs (Can- 
 dona rostrata by Scott, 1891, p. 314; Cypris cobpressa by Mrazek, 
 1891; Cyclops viridis by Mrazek, 1891, and Cypria ophthalmica 
 by Moniez, 1891, p. 26) and in copepods (Cyclops sp. ?) by 
 Schmidt, 1894, are looked upon as the larval stage of this para- 
 site (PI. VII, 80-85). 
 
 Drepanidotaenia infundibuliformis of chickens and ducks. — 
 Grassi & Rovelli (1SS9A, p. 104; 1892) state that the larva (PI. 
 XV, fig. 191) of this parasite (PI. XIV, figs. 173, 178) is found in 
 the house fly. 
 
 Drepanidotaenia setigera (PI. XIII. fig. 154) of geese. — Infec- 
 tion attributed by von Linstow (1S92B, p. 503), to a cysticercoid 
 found by Schmril in copepods (Cyclops brevicaudatus). 
 
 Drepanidotaenia sinuosa (PI. X, fig. 118) of ducks and geese. — 
 Supposed to develop from cysticercoids (PI. XI, figs. 130, 1.35) 
 found in flea crabs (Gammarus pulex) by Hamann (1889, pp. 
 1-7; in copepods (Cyclops \'iridis. C. agilis, and C. lucidulns) by 
 Mrazek. 
 
 Drepanidotaenia tenuirostris of geese. — Supposed larval stage 
 (PI. XIV. figs. 16.^.. 168) was found in flea crabs (Gammarus 
 
500 
 
 pulex) bj- Hamanii (1889, pp. 7-9) and V(in Linstinv (l>ii)2A. p. 
 338); antl in c'Ope>;i(ifls (Cyclnps agails and C. pulihellus by 
 Mrazek 181*1). 
 
 Ttius, chickens ai-e kuuwij to becunie iiiLecied uiiii 
 one tapeworm llirou^h eating slugs (Liniuxj. They arc 
 supposed to become iiilecUHi witii a second thiougli 
 eating snails (Helix); by a third thiongh ealing Hies, 
 and by a fourth through eating earthworms. 
 
 Ducks are known to become infected with twowonn^ 
 (hrougli swallowing fresh-water crustaceans, and art- 
 supposed to become infected with tliree other tai)e- 
 worms in the same vvav; another tapeworm is supposed 
 to be transmitted to them through flies. 
 
 Geese are suppo'sed to become infected with five 
 species of tapeworms by swallowing small fresh-watei- 
 crustaceans. 
 
 Nothing is known in regard to the source of infec- 
 tion of the tapeworms of ])igeous and turkeys, l)ut in- 
 vestigations in this field should be based upon the tape- 
 worms of chickens. 
 
 THK RELATION OF THE TAPEWORMS OF WILD BIRDS 
 TO THOSE OF THE DOMESTICATED FOWLS. 
 
 Only two of the chicken tapeworms (Dr. infundibuli 
 formis and T. malleus) have as yet been recorded for 
 wild birds, but the majority of the tapeworms found 
 in the domeslicnted ducks and geese are also recoi'ded 
 from closely allied wild birds; besides these forms, 
 however, many species have been described in wild 
 birds which are not known to occur in the domesti- 
 cated fowls. (See chart at end of text.) This renders 
 the economic side of the question of avian cestodes ex- 
 ti-emely cnmitlicaled and demands a thorough study of 
 
561 
 
 the parasites of wild biids in ccmut'ctioii with those o\' 
 onr domesticated foAvls. 
 
 SYMPTOMS AND PATI K •].( K". Y. 
 
 From a standpoint of symptomatology, practically 
 nothing- is known upon this subject. In general, how- 
 ever, it may be slated that aquatic birds are less af- 
 fected by the presence of tapeworms than land birds; 
 that young' birds suffer more than old birds; and that, 
 although a fowl ma^' harbor a small number of tape- 
 worms without showing any appreciable effects, a 
 heavy infection injures the health and may result in 
 death, as has been abundantly demonstrated by epi- 
 demics observed in different ])arts of the world. Tt 
 has also been noticed that poultry are more severely 
 infested in wet years than in dry years, and the general 
 applicaticai may be made that jioultiy kept in dam]) 
 places will be more heavily infested than fowls kept 
 in di*y places. All of these stnt(^ments nre general 
 prinoiples of painsitology. 
 
 Ziirn (1882, p. 17) gives the symptoms as follows: 
 
 If numerous tapeworms are present in the intestine of young 
 or old fowls a more or less extensive intestinal catarrh de- 
 velops, corresponding to the greater or leps number of parasites 
 present. 
 
 The intestinal catarrh shows itself, esiieeially in chickens and 
 geese, as follows: The sick animals become emaeia'-.ed, al- 
 though the appetite is not especially disturbed. At times the 
 appetite is even increased. The droppings are thin, oonLain 
 considerable yellow slime, and are passed- in small quantities 
 but at short intervals. The poultry raiser must direct his at- 
 tention to these thin, slimy, and often bloody droppings, for 
 if any treatment against the tapeworms is to be undertaken, 
 this must be done as early as possible. In observing the drop- 
 pings it should be noticed whether tapeworm segments or eggs 
 are present. The eggs can be seen, of course, only with the 
 microscope. 
 
502 
 
 After a time othei- syinptums (ie\>'lijp. 'J'he sick animals 
 become dull and listless, ivmain apart Irnm the rest nf tin- 
 flock; the feathers are ruffled and the wings drop, the appe- 
 tite is lost and the birds allow themselves to be easily caught. 
 Although it was stated that in the beginning of the trouble 
 the appetite is not disturbed, the sick animals develop an in- 
 tense thirst for cold water. When it rains they run under the 
 eaves in order to catch water, and in winter are eager far ice 
 water. 
 
 At reading this some experienced puultiy raisers will probably 
 reply that many chickens which are not sick are fond of very 
 cold W'ater. The droppings are also thicker or thinner ac- 
 cording to the food. Both of these facts are known to me 
 (Zurn). At the same time I look with suspicion of tapeworms 
 upon every chicken which shows an especial thirst for cold 
 water; and as for the droppings, the fowls infected' with tape- 
 worms have droppings mixed with mucus and blood, and pass 
 their excrements much oftener than other fowls do. 
 
 The intestinal catarrh often ends fatally. 
 
 Upon post-mortem the body is seen to be thin and anaemic. 
 The intestine generally contains no food, the mucosa is soft and 
 hyperaemic and covered with reddish yellow, moi'e or less thick, 
 purulent mucus. According to Hertwig epileptic attacks are 
 frequently noticed in chickens affected with intestinal worms. 
 
 The diagnosis by sjjnptoms seems to me very uncer- 
 tain, and although the symptoms decribed by Ziiiii 
 serve as an indication of the disease, they can not be 
 taken as proof. The diagnosis by hunting in the 
 droppings for segments of the parasite is less satis- 
 factory than would be supposed, for it is not rare to 
 find chickens badly infested with tapeworms when it 
 has been impossible to discover segments in the man 
 ure. This method is rendered doubly uncertain be- 
 cause the color of the segments is about the same as 
 the urine in the faeces. Microscopic exnmination of the 
 faeces for eggs is quite a certain though not positive 
 method for diagnosis of tapeworm disease of ])oultry, 
 but it is llmroughly impracticable for the farmer to 
 attemi»l it. The best method foi- tlie farmer to follow 
 
563 
 
 is lo kill one of the sick chicken.s, wlieu he suspects 
 tapeworms, and to cut out the intestine; he should 
 then open the intestinal tract from the gizzard to the 
 anus, in a bowl of warm water, and look for the i)ar 
 asites. 
 
 At least one species of tapeworm (Davainea tetra 
 gona) causes a serious nodular disease in the intestine 
 of chickens which upon superficial examination mav 
 easily be mistaken for tuberculosis. This disease was 
 probably first published by Rivolta & Del Prato (1880 
 or 1881?). It was afterwards described by Plana (1882) 
 as o-ccurring in chickens in Italy, and quite recently 
 Moore (1895) has recorded it in this country. The fol- 
 lowing- is extracted from Moore's article on the sub- 
 ject: 
 
 In the spring of 1894, a fowl (Gallus domesticus) died at the 
 experiment station of this Bureau with a disease characterized 
 by nodules or tuibercle-lilce bodies in the intestinal wall. Upon 
 closer inspection the lesions were found to be in the subserous 
 and muscular coats, and not, to any appreciable extent at 
 least, in the glands. In the intestinal contents there was a 
 large number of small tapeworms, many of which were firmly 
 attached to the mucosa. Later in the season about twenty 
 fowls from the same flock were used for experimental purposes, 
 and upon post-mortem examination were found to be more or 
 less affected with this disease. In addition to these, one of four 
 fowls which were examined from a flock of poultry on a farm 
 adjoining the experiment station was found to be infe.sted 
 with tapeworms and the intestinal wall studded with nodules. 
 A fowl received from Newbern, N. C, and one from Tacketts 
 Mills, Va.., were similarly affected. 
 
 Although but one fatal case came under my observation, the 
 extent of the lesions in several of the fowls examined indicated 
 that sooner or later many of them would undoubtedly have suc- 
 cumbed to this disease. The close resemblance of the nodules 
 to tubercles renders necessary a somewhat detailed description 
 of the lesions and of the means by which this disease can be 
 readily differentiated from tuberculosis without the aid of 
 laboratory facilities. 
 
564 
 
 Description of the disease. — The fowl which died apparently 
 f'rom this disease was much emaciated, and the lesions wen- 
 restrieted to the intestinal wall. In the fowls used for other 
 purposes, there were no observable symptoms by w^hich the 
 nodular affection could be detected prior to post-mortem ex- 
 amination. Diiphtheria was the immediate cause of death of 
 the fowls from North Carnlina and Virginia. All of the fowls 
 examined, affected with this disease, were from one to three 
 years old. 
 
 The nodules were invaiiably more numerous in the lowest 
 third of the small intestine. They occasionally appeared, how- 
 ever, in small numbers in both the duodenum and colon. The 
 larger and to all appearances older nodules were found in the 
 ileum near the caeca. 
 
 In the badly affected portion the nodules gave the appear- 
 ance of closely set protuberances, varying in size from barely 
 perceptible areas of elevation to bodies 4mm (i-s inch) in diam- 
 etei". In some instances they appeared to overlap one another. 
 When separated by a band of normal tissue they were round 
 or somewhat lenticular in form. In the latter case the long 
 diameter was usually transverse to the long axis of the intes- 
 tine. The larger nodules were of a pale or dark yellowish color 
 while the smaller ones varied in shade from the more highly 
 colored areas to the neutral gray of the normal serosa. To 
 the touch they gave the sensation that would be expected if 
 the subserous and muscular coats were closely studded with 
 small, oval, solid bodies. The mucosa presented similar ele- 
 vations. Attached to the mucosa over the nodules were a 
 number of tapeworms. There were also in the more advanced 
 cases a variable number of .=mall (0.5 to 1mm) areas over the 
 larger nodules in which the mucosa had sloughed, leaving small 
 ulcerated depressions. 
 
 The larger nodules contained a greenish yellow, necrotic sub- 
 stance w'hich appeared in the advanced stages as a seques- 
 trum with a roughened surface. On section it has a glistening, 
 homogenous appearance. Surrounding the necrotic substance 
 was a thin layer of infiltrated tissue. The smaller nodules con- 
 tained a more purulent-like substance and the smallest ap- 
 peared to the naked eye as ai-eas of infiltration. Sections of 
 the affected intestine showed upon microscopic examination 
 that the heads of the tapeworms had penetrated the mucous 
 membrane and were situated in different layers of the intestinal 
 wall. They were frequently observed between the villi. As 
 •would be expected the heads were not readily detected in the 
 
565 
 
 necrotic masses contained in the larger nodules, but were 
 almost invariably seen in the smaller ones. In a few sections 
 the tapeworm could be traced through the mucosa to the 
 nodule in the muscular tissue in which its head appeared. In 
 the earlier stage of the nodular development there is a cell in- 
 filtration about the head of the worm. This process continues 
 until the infiltrated tissue reaches a considerable size. 
 
 The worms attached to the mucosa were usually small. A 
 larger form was commonly found in the intestinal contents. 
 Although microscopically they appeared to be different, Dr. 
 Stiles found that they were presumably of the same species. 
 
 It appears from the literature that this disease has not 
 heretofore been demonstrated in America. In 1881, Plana de- 
 scribed a disease of fowls in Italy, due to the presence of 
 Taenia bothrioplitis. His article, however, deals more with the 
 anatomy and classification of the infesting cestode than with 
 the character of the lesions it produced. As he illustrates the 
 nodules and heads of tapeworms in the intestinal wall there 
 can be no doubt of the similaritj' of the lesions to those in the 
 disease here described. Although fowls and bii'ds are not in- 
 frequently infested with tapeworms, the lesions produoed by 
 these parasites are, with the exception indicated above, said 
 to be more or less catarrhal in naturo, 
 
 ******* 
 
 Economic importance. — The imiljortance of this disease is 
 much greater than it at fiist appears, as the close resemblance 
 of the nodules to those of tuberculosis renders it of much signi- 
 ficance from a different standpoint. As the intestines are 
 stated to be frequently the seat of the specific lesions of tuber- 
 culosis in fowls, it is of the greatest importance that a 
 thorough examination be made before a positive diagnosis is 
 pronounced. There are already several statements concerning 
 the presence of tuberculosis in fowls in which the data given 
 are not sufflcient to differentiate the disease from the one here 
 described. A somewhat analagous disease of sheepi caused by 
 a nematoid (Oesophagostoma rolumbianum Curtice) has led 
 to the deliberate destruction of many animals, the owners be- 
 lieving that tuberculosis was being eliminated from their 
 flocks. As the inquiry into the cause of poultry diseases be- 
 comes more general, it is piobable that this affection will be 
 occasionally encountered and unless its nature is recognized 
 it may in some instances, like the sheep disease, lead to an un- 
 warranted destruction of properly. 
 
 'Animal parasites of sheep. Biirf-au of Animal Indu.'^try. De- 
 partment of Agriculture, 1890, p. 165. 
 
566 
 
 In addition to its im;portance in differentiating tuberculosis 
 it is in itself a malady worthy of careful attention. The fact 
 that it has already appeared in two flocks in the District of 
 Columbia and also in the State of North Carolina and Virginia, 
 shows that the infesting cestode isi quite widely distributed in 
 this country. It is highly probable that the total loss it 
 occasions both from deaths and from the shrinkage of poultry 
 products, due to the chronic course of the disease it produces, 
 is very large. * * * 
 
 Diagnosis. — Tuberculosis is, as before stated, the only known 
 disease for which this affection is liable to be mistaken, and it 
 is of much importance that the two diseases should not be 
 confounded. The diagnosis has not, in my experience, been diffi- 
 cult, as in every case the attached tapeworms were readily 
 detected upon a close examination of the intestinal contents, or 
 of the mucous membrane of the infected portion of the intes- 
 tine. However, the worms are quite small and could easily be 
 overlooked in a hurried or cursory examination. In case of 
 doubt, if the affected intestine is opened and the mucous sur- 
 face washed carefully in a gentle stream of water, the small 
 worms will be observed hanging to the mucous membrane. 
 This discovery, in the absence of lesions in the liver or other 
 organs, would warrant the diagnosis of the tapeworm disease. 
 Although much is written concerning tuberculosis in fowls, 
 especially in Europe, the investigations of poultry diseases by 
 this Bureau have thus far shown that it is not common among 
 fowls in this country. 
 
 TAPEWORM-INFECTED FOWLS AS FOOD. 
 
 None of the tapeworms of birds are transmissible to 
 man in any stage of their development, and the pre- 
 sence of tapeworms in the intestine of fowls does not 
 in itself warrant the condemnation of their bodies as 
 an article of food. 
 
 PREVENTION. 
 
 From the nature of the intennediate hosts (fresh 
 water crustaceans) of the tapeworms of aquatic birds 
 it is evident that nothing can be done to prevent the 
 introduction of larval tapeworms into ducks and 
 geese, if these animals are nllowed to visit ponds. 
 
507 
 
 Confining the animals to frequently Hushed artificial 
 tanks will, however, prevent tapeworm infection. 
 
 With chickens, the outlook is somewhat better. An 
 extenninatiou of slugs will insure immunity against 
 Davainea proglottina, but no precise directions can be 
 given to prevent chickens from becoming infested 
 with other tapeworms until the life history of these 
 parasites is better understood. It will be well, how 
 ever, to keep chickens housed in the morning until the 
 sun is well up and the ground is dry, for they will thus 
 be less likely to meet with the supposable intermediate 
 hosts of other worms. 
 
 Absolutely nothing can be done at present looking 
 to a prevention of the transmission of tapeworms of 
 wild birds to the dcinesticated fowls through known or 
 unknown intermediate hosts, except to prevent the 
 domesticated ducks, geese, etc., from visiting ponds. 
 
 There is, however, considerable outlook for improve- 
 ment if different kinds of fowls are alternated in sue 
 ceeding years upon the same ground or if the runs and 
 yards of fowls are occasionally changed. From the 
 table (pp. 554, 555), it will be seen that thus far none of 
 the tapeworms of chickens are known to occur in tur- 
 keys. Whether this immunity of chickens to turkey 
 worms and turkey's to chicken worms is real or appar- 
 ent, however, is yet to be scientifically determined. 
 Should it prove to be real, then an alteration of flocks 
 of turkeys and chickens in diiTerent years will probably 
 insure practical immunity of both birds from any seri- 
 ous outbreaks of tapeworm disease. If. however, tur- 
 keysorchick( ns.as the case may be, are i-aised upon the 
 same grounds year after year, it is cmly natural that 
 those grounds should become thoroughly infested with 
 the lai'val stages of tapeworms and that fresh out- 
 
508 
 
 breaks of t;ipe\vui'iii disease should appear from time 
 (o time. 
 
 Alternating flocks of geese and ducks promise sim- 
 ilar but less satisfactory results. 
 
 The safest plan to prevent the spread of poultry 
 worms would be to destroy the manure from infected 
 fowls. If one is not willing to do this, however, be- 
 cause of its commercial value, he should at least take 
 steps to prevent further infection from it. If the sick 
 (thickens are confined to a comparatively small space 
 their dro])pings can easily be collected and placed in 
 a strong barrel, to which the access of snails, slugs, 
 wo-rms, etc., should be guarded against. It is not 
 known how long the eggs of poultry tapeworms will 
 Uve, but it seems very doubtful to me whether they 
 could live many months in sucli a barrel if placed in a 
 dry spot. It seems almost certain that they could not 
 live through the winter. The temperature required 
 to kill the eggs has likewise not yet been determined, 
 but probably .-.0^ C. to 00° 0. (112° F. to 140° F.) would 
 suffice. Sulphuric acid (10 per cent) or quick lime is 
 an excellent disinfectant for faeces containing eggs of 
 parasites. 
 
 The ])r()j)er care of the manure fiom infected fowls 
 is uuqnestionably the most important preventive mea- 
 sure against tapeworm disease. 
 
 'nti':ATMi:N'r. 
 
 The treatment of tapeworm disease in the domes ti 
 cated fowls must for the present be more or less ex 
 perimental, as the records in this lino are extremely 
 limited. 
 
 The firsl i-iilc to be carried ou( in ;ill cases of dis 
 eased animals, whether chickens, turkevs, ueese. 
 
509 
 
 ducks, or otliers, is to isolate IIkmii troiii (In- rest <»!' {.hv 
 lloclc aud keep IJiem conlined uutil tliey have recovered. 
 The second rule is lo destroy the droppings of all ani- 
 mals knoNMi to be infected with parasites, or if the 
 manure is needed as fertilizer, it should be treated ii» 
 such a manner so as lo kill the ova. These two rules 
 can be easily carried out, and if a poultry raiser or a 
 stock raiser is not willing lo set aside a small yard for 
 the isolaiion of the sick animals, where their drO])pings 
 can be easily collected and taken care of every day, it 
 is almost useless for him to administer anthelmintics 
 to his fowls or other animals. 
 
 The chief drugs used against tapeworms are: Ex 
 tract of male fern, turpentine, powered kamala, areca 
 nut, pomegi-anate root bark, pumpkin seeds, and sul 
 plvate of coi)per (bluest one). 
 
 Areca nut. — According to Ziirn powdered areca nut 
 is the best tapeworm remedy for fowls, but he calls 
 attention to the fact that turkeys are iinfavorably af- 
 fected by this medicine. 
 
 Ziirn advises the administration of powdered areca 
 luit in dose of L' to .". gianis (~:\() to 4.") grains), mixed 
 with butter and made into ])ills. 
 
 Liquid extract of male fern is very effectual against 
 tapeworms. ITntclieon advises a teaspoonful for 
 young ostriches three to four months old, to a table- 
 sp Muiful for a full-grown ostrich; it may be made into 
 a pill with flour. 
 
 Turpentine may be given to ostriches in doses of a 
 desertspoonful for chicks three to four months old, to 
 two tablespoonsful foa- a full-grown bird; its action is 
 much more effective when combined with a purgative, 
 such as linseed or castor oil. (Hutcheon.) 
 
570 
 
 The Bure;iii has iecen(l.y ina<le the f(»llo\viii<; rxpcii- 
 inents upon chickens to determine in wluii Moscs tin- 
 pentine may be administered to them wilhoiU danger. 
 As in the experiments witii blnestone ciled belo-w, a 
 small rubber tube was inserted throui;h the month to 
 the crop, and the medicine forced through the tube 
 with a large bulb pipette. This insured the de])0sit of 
 the entire dose into the crop, and proved to be a most 
 excellent method of administ(Ming the liquid, since it 
 caused no pain to tlie animal, n chicken's gullet being 
 (juite large and easily admitting a 3-10 inch (outside 
 measurement) rubber tube. 
 
 No. 121. Full-grown chicken. 
 
 Jan. 13, closed with 5cc turpentine. Effects: Slight diarrhoea. 
 
 Jan. 16, dosed with 15cc turpentine. Effects: Severe diarrhoea; 
 animal sick and listless; complete recovery in three days. 
 
 No. 122. One-year-old chicken. 
 
 Jan. 13, dosed with lOcc turpe'ntine. Effects: Moderate 
 diarrhoea. 
 
 Jan. 16, dosed with 25cc turpentine. Effects: Very severe 
 diarrhoea; animal quite sick and refused food; complete re- 
 covery in six days. 
 
 No. 123. Full-grown chicken. 
 
 Jan. 14, dosed with 15cc turpentine. Effects: Moderate 
 diarrhoea. 
 
 Jan. 16, dosed with 30cc turpentine. Effects: Very severe 
 diarrhoea; animal very sick and refused food; complete re- 
 covery in six days. 
 
 After performing these preliminary experiments in 
 the laboratory I requested Dr. Schroeder to treat a 
 larger number of fowls at the Experiment Station with 
 doses of IS'^^ turpentine, noting the age, sex, weight, 
 etc., of the animals. Of these experiments he has 
 handed me the following notes. 
 
 Each chicken in the following table received a dose of one- 
 half ounce (14.78'i}C<^) of spirits of turpentine injected through a 
 rubber tube directly into the crop. The experiments took place 
 from February 19 to February 25, 1896. 
 
571 
 
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572 
 
 Thus, out of ',i'2 chickt'us dosed willi Jiiili an unuiL- 
 ^aboul 15'% about J lablespoonful, about - dessert- 
 spoonsful, about 4 teaspooiisful) of spirits of turpeu- 
 tine, one died. In another case dosed with 25*='', in still 
 another dosed with 30'='= (about 1 ounce, or 2 table- 
 spoonsful) of tuipeiitine the ;!iiiinals were very sick, 
 but recovered. 
 
 It will be well, therefore, to make half an ounce 
 (about 15'*^, or 1 tablespoon ful) the maximum dose. 
 As a safe rule, we can adopt 1 teaspoonful 
 (about 4'"=, about or:e-eiirhth on an ounce) to 3 tea- 
 spoonsliil lainiui 1:^ ', about llircc-eiulillis of an ounce) 
 as the dose for chickens, the size of the dose being de- 
 termined b}' the size of the chicken. 
 
 It will be noticed that the above experiments were 
 made to determine how much turpentine could be 
 safely given to chickens. As there was no outbreak 
 of tapeworm disease among tbe fowls used in the ex- 
 periment, no observations could be made on the effects 
 of the medicine up(»n the taj)eworms which occur in 
 chickens. Turpentine is, however, one of the recog- 
 nized remedies against tapeworms. 
 
 Powered kamala. — M^gnin states that very j,"Ocd re- 
 sults followed the use of this drug, mixed with the 
 food, against tapeworms of pheasants. Hutchoon ad- 
 vises for ostrich chicks one month old 1 draclim, two. 
 months old V/z drachms, three to four months old 2 
 (Iraclims, eighteen months old 1 ounce, a full-grown 
 ostrich 2 drahms more. It does not require to be 
 mixed with a purgative. Powered kamala may be 
 given mixed in a little flour and water. 
 
 Pumpkin seeds. — These, according to Ztirn, are not 
 well borne by turkeys and not always by (thickens, but 
 it would be well to experiment further with them. 
 
573 
 
 Pomegranate root baik. — Very effective against 
 tapeworms in ostrichs, but miisi be ^iven in large 
 doses and followed by a purgativs. (Hutclieon). 
 
 Sulphate of copper (bluestone). -This is :\n excellent 
 taeniacide in calves and lambs but the doses for fowls 
 have not been determined. 
 
 In some expe'riments which are now in progress I have given 
 60cc of a solution of 1 ounce sulphate of copper to 3 pints of 
 water to a full-grown hen without noticing any ill effects from 
 the dose. Thirtycc of the same mixture killed a half-grown 
 rooster within twenty-four hours. Upon post-mortem it was 
 found that the worms in the intestine were dead. Another 
 half-grown chicken was dosed with 4oc-c of the same mixture 
 and bore the dose very well. 
 
 I am not prepared to recommend blue stone for chickens at 
 present, except in experiments, and would direct attention to 
 the danger of allowing the solution to enter the windpipe, as a 
 very small dose of this solution will kill a fowl if the medi- 
 cine reaches the respiratory organs. As a safe method of ex- 
 periment, I have inserted a thin rubber tube to the crop (a 
 catheter would answer equally as well) and forced the medi- 
 cine through this tube. This method obviates the danger 
 mentioned and is borne very well by th^e chickens. I caution 
 again, that a large series of experiments in this line is needed 
 before bluestone can be recommended for g-eneral use in dosing 
 fowls. 
 
 Perioucito advises the following treatment for tape- 
 worms in chickens (dose foi' one e-hickeu): 
 
 (1) Aloes (socotrineoi- carballine), 1.5 tc 20 centigrams. 
 The animal is fasted the same day. 
 (2) Pumpkin seeds, 40 to 50. Adniiiiisleied to each 
 chicken on the second day. Ur — 
 
 (8) Male fern, ])o\\dei'ed, 100 grams. Mi.xed in biau. 
 
 All of the above medicines should be procured as 
 fresh as possible. Many failures in treating for tape- 
 wo'rms are due to the fact that old drugs have been 
 used which had lost their anthelmintic pi'o])ei'ties. 
 
574 
 
 I'Airr 11. 
 
 CLASSIFICATION. 
 
 Part II contains the descriptions of the tapeworms 
 found in poultry and a discussion of the different 
 species, and it is placed for the most part in fine type 
 because of its rather technical nature. There are, 
 however, a number of points mentioned under the var- 
 ious species which are necessary to the poultry raiser 
 who desires to obtain a thorough knowledge of this 
 subject. I have endeavored to bring together in Part 
 II the entire history of each species, in order to show 
 the exact status of our present knowledge of the group. 
 
 The Bureau is gradually collecting the original types 
 of many of these species, with a view to revising the 
 entire group and placing it upon a more scientific 
 basis. It is our desire also to obtain all the material 
 possible from various parts of this country, and we 
 invite poultry raisers, etc., to furnish bottles of alcohol 
 or formalin, and mailing cases for such sendings. All 
 correspondence should be directed to Dr. D. E. Sal- 
 mon, Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry, United 
 States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 
 
 Worms sent to us for study or identification should 
 first be washed in warm water and then placed in 
 alcohol or in the preserving fiuid furnished by the 
 Bureau. 
 
 Tlie following classification by genera is iargely 
 based upon the papers by Blanchard (1892B and 1893). 
 In the specific diagnoses, the original descriptions nud 
 
575 
 
 figures have been cousulted as far as possible aud data 
 derived from tlieui have been combined with more re- 
 cent diagnoses and descriptions. 
 
 It would be well if authors making- and publisliiug 
 specific determinations in this group would preserve 
 their specimens in some way, so that they may be used 
 by later writers on the subject, for in many C'f the 
 species described below the determination can be 
 looked upon only as approximate and provisional. 
 The specific determination of these forms is of much 
 greater importance from a practical standpoint than 
 is generally assumed, for an exact knoAvledge of the 
 species is necessary as a foundation for general pre- 
 ventive measures. 
 
 Nomenclature. — In several places where it is per- 
 fectly evident that the parasites are now sailing under 
 wrong names, I have corrected the names according to 
 the international rules. In the majority of cases, hew- 
 ever, I postpone changes until I can complete a revi 
 sion of the entire group based upon original material. 
 
 In the systematic arrangement given below keys are 
 given not only to the species of adult tapeworms o-f 
 domestic fowls, but also to some closely allied forms. 
 The allied genera and sub-families are given in the 
 keys in order to show the general relationships of the 
 group. 
 
 The tapeworms of fowls belong to two families, the 
 Ho'thriocephalidae and Taeniidae. 
 
 Regarding the generic position of the tapeworms of 
 domesticated fowls it may be stated that up to within 
 very recent years nearly all of the forms have been 
 ])laced in the collective genus Taenia. To R. Blan- 
 chard and A. Railliot is due the chief credit of pointing 
 out the absurdity of uniting these forms genonrnllv 
 
57fi 
 
 with such forms as TiUMiia solium of man. True*, other 
 authO'i's had recognized the great dill'ereuce iu soiiie 
 characters, but the group is such a ditiicult one to han- 
 dle that helminthologists, either from lack of time, 
 material, or courage, have carefully avoided any at- 
 tempt at a natural classification. 
 
 Blanchard brought some order into the group iu 181)1 
 by proposing the new genera Davainea and Echino- 
 cotyle for certain forms, while Railliet followed up the 
 work by ]iropO'siiig the genera Drepanidotaenia Di- 
 crauotacuia, and Bothriotaenia for certain other forms. 
 These five new genera, together with Mesocestoides. 
 Ophryocotyle, Cotugnia, and Auiabilia enable us to 
 make a provisional classification by genera. It should, 
 however, be remembered that this classification is nec- 
 essaiily provisional in nature, as the internal anatomy 
 of these worms is as yet very poorly understood, and 
 a thoroug'h study of that subject will probably result 
 in great changes. 
 
 Regarding the species it may be again remarked 
 that a considerable number of different forms have 
 I)een described, but that a number of these species will 
 unquestionably fall, while new species will have to 
 be described for forms whicli are not yet recognizable 
 as distinct. 
 
 ANALYTICAL KEY TO FAMILIRS AND GENERA 
 
 / Head with two elongated 
 grooves or slit-like suck- 
 ers; rostellum wanting; 
 uterus with special pore; 
 genital pores generally- 
 dorsal or ventral BOTHRIOCEPHAT.IDAK. p. 579 
 
 ^•■^ Head with four cup-shaped 
 suckers; rostellum pre- 
 sent but not always evi- 
 dent; utejus without any 
 special pore; genitMl pores 
 
 generally n^arginal T.-M'^.NlIDAIi], p. oS4 
 
 >• Head is Calways?) absent. 
 
577 
 
 Body without external seg- 
 
 I mentation; head without 
 suckers, or two weak slit- 
 like suckers develop 
 (Ligullnae) LIGULA. p. 583 
 
 iBody with external seg- 
 mentation; head with 
 two elongate slit or 
 [ grove-like suckers BOTHRIOCEPHALINAP:, p. B80 
 
 r Genita 
 o f each 
 
 tal organs single in 
 
 segment p. 580 
 
 Genital organs double in 
 ( each segment p. 581 
 
 Genital pores lateral (mar- 
 ginal) BOTHRIOTAENIA, p. 582 
 
 Genital pores ventral or 
 dorsal P- 5S- 
 
 ( Penis, vulva, and uterus 
 
 I open ventro-median BOTHRIOCEPHALUS. p. 581 
 
 5. \ Penis and vulva ventro- 
 I median; uterine pore 
 I dorsomedian PTYCHOBOTHHIU.M 
 
 C Penis, vulva, and uterus 
 
 open ventrally KRABBEA 
 
 1 Penis and vulva ventral, 
 
 I uterus opens dorsally, ... • DIPLOGONOPORUS 
 
 Genital pores ventro-me- 
 dian (gen. Mesocestoids),; MESOCESTOIDINAE, p. 58J 
 
 M 
 
 , Genital pores lateral (mar- 
 
 l ginal) P-5^* 
 
 ' Head never provided with 
 hooks; uterus transverse 
 or reticulate; egg gener- 
 ally with pyriform body; 
 larval stage not known: 
 < adults in herbivorous 
 
 mammals ANOPLOCEPHALINAE, p. 584 
 
 Head nearly always pro- 
 vided with hooks (T. sag- 
 inata exception, see also 
 Hymenolepis). 
 
 Egg with thin outer shell 
 and thidk brown inner 
 shell; uterus median and 
 longitudinal with lateral 
 9, J branches; larval stage a 
 Cysticercus, Caenurus or 
 an Echinoccus generally 
 in herbivora; adults in 
 ,-arnivornus mammals, .. TARNIIN.VE, p. 584 
 
 37-11 
 
578 
 
 10. 
 
 ' Kg'gs with thin transparent 
 shells; frequently in egg 
 eapsules, in some cases 
 scattered through the 
 segment; head nearly al- 
 ways armed with hoo In- 
 lets on rostellum; larvil 
 stage a cystlcercoid; 
 adults in birds and mam- 
 mals 
 
 i Suckers unarmed. 
 I Suckers aimed with min- 
 { ute hooklets (with four 
 j exceptions known only in 
 i birds) 
 
 11. 
 
 (' Genital pores double 
 
 i Genital pores single, ir- 
 
 I regularly alternate or un- 
 
 l. ilateral 
 
 A 
 
 Two submedian ovaries in 
 
 22 J each segment 
 
 One median ovary in each 
 segment, 
 
 13 
 
 ( Several i-ows of hooks upon 
 
 j rostellum 
 
 1 A single row of hooks upvn 
 (. rostellum, 
 
 { Dorsall root of hook much 
 longer than ventral loot 
 or prong; ventral root 
 very short; hooks 8 to 12 
 H. { rarely to 26) in number; 
 known only in birds, .... 
 Dorsal root of hooks about 
 the same length as ven- 
 l tral root and prong, ... 
 
 ' Dorsal ^root shorter than 
 prong or ventral root; 
 hooks generally less than 
 20 in number (range from 
 10 to 26); genital pores 
 vmilateral or irregularly 
 alternate; known only in 
 birds 
 
 15. { 
 
 DIPYLIDIINAE, p. 58.5 
 
 p. 586 
 
 p. 587 
 
 p. 585 
 
 p. 586 
 AMABILIA, p. 588 
 
 DIPYLIDIUM, p. 586 
 COTLTGNIA, p. 586 
 
 DREPANIDOTAENIA. p. i}97 
 p. 591 
 
 DICRANOTAENIA, p. 591 
 
 lAs the terms anterior and posterior in referring to the roots 
 of the hooks are reversed by some authors. 1 suggest the use 
 of the words dorsal and ventral in their place. These words 
 are not open to misinterpretation, the dorsal root being a con- 
 tinuation of the dorsum of the prong; the ventral root lies 
 under the prong. 
 
579 
 
 15. <i 
 
 17. 
 
 16. <! 
 
 ' Dorsal root longer Iban 
 prong- or ventral root; if 
 rostellum is armed there 
 are 24 to 30 hooks present; 
 senital pores unilateral 
 (on left of segments); 3 
 testicles normally pres- 
 ent in each segment; re- 
 tractile rostellum armed 
 with minute hooklets or 
 rudimentary and un- 
 armed; eggs with 3 en-, 
 velopes; parasitic in man, 
 chiroptera, insectivo'ra, 
 rodents, ■a.itil insectivior- 
 ous birds; larval stage in 
 insects or myrianoda, ... 
 
 Hooks on suckers arranged 
 in circular rows on bor- 
 der; hooks on rostellum 
 resemble a hammer in 
 form and arranged in a 
 double row; with four ex- 
 ceptions knoT\'n only In 
 birds, 
 
 Hooks on suckers ari-anged 
 in several transverse 
 rows; hooks of infundi- 
 bulum very small (4 u ) 
 arranged in a single row ; 
 known only in biids 
 
 Hooks on suckers arranged 
 in one median set and 
 two lateral sets; hooks on 
 rostelluni' iprovidejd with 
 long dorsal root and ar- 
 ranged in a single row; 
 known only in birds, . . . 
 
 Anterior extremity of stro- 
 bila expanded in form 
 
 of a hammer 
 
 \ Anterior segments become 
 
 Icaliclform and function 
 as a pseudoscolex 
 
 HYMENOLEPIS, p. 591 
 
 DAVAINEA, p. 613 
 OPHRYOCOTYLE, p. 630 
 
 ECHINOCOTYLE, p. 62S 
 
 FIMBRIARIA, p. 636 
 INDIOGBNES, p. 637 
 
 Family BOTHRIOOEPHALIDAE. 
 
 Diagnosis: Head provided with two groove or slit-like suck- 
 ers; rostellum wanting; uterus with special pore; genital pores 
 generally (possibly always) dorsal or ventral. Type genus: 
 Bothriocephalus Rud.. 180S. 
 
580 
 
 The tapeworms of birds which belong to this family 
 are chissed iu two (of the several) subfamilies. The 
 forms recorded for the domesticated fowls are of little 
 importance and the records of them are very incom- 
 l>lete. Three species have been reported from poultry. 
 The first of these (Ligula) has been developed experi- 
 mentally in ducks and pigeons; a second species (Both- 
 riotaenia lougieollis) has been recorded but once from 
 ('hickens, and a third form (a "Bothriocephalide") is 
 recorded once from a pigeon. 
 
 Subfamily BOTHRIOCEPHAI.INAE. 
 
 Diagnosis: Body with distinct external segmentation; head 
 witli two elongate slit or groove-like suckers. Type genus; 
 Bothriocephalus Rud., 1808. 
 
 This subfamily contains among other forms the 
 species mentioned above (llothriotaenia longicollis) 
 from chickens, the undetermined genus and species 
 from the pigeon, and a number of species of the genus 
 Bothriocephalus found in wild birds. 
 
 Although an unimportant subfamily, so far as the domesti- 
 cated fowls are concerned, it is quite an important one in 
 human and comparative medicine. Six of its species (Both- 
 riocephalus, B. cristatus, B. cordatus, B. liguloides, B. Mansoni 
 and Krabbea grandis) occur in man, while several forms are 
 recorded from dogs. 
 
 Genus BOTHRIOCEPHALUS Rudolphl, 1808. 
 (1819, Dibothrius Rudolphi; 1850, Dibothrium Diesing.) 
 Diagnosis: Two suckers present; penis, vulva, and uterus 
 open ventro-median. 
 Type species:! B. latus (Linne 1758), Bremser, 1819. 
 
 ilf the rules of nomenclature were strictly adhered to there 
 would be a general rearrangement of the species now included 
 in Bothriocephalus. The species now known as Ptychoboth- 
 rium claviceps (C.oeze, 1782) was used by Rudolphi as the first 
 species of Bothriocephalus, but within recent years B. latus of 
 man has been tacitly unders(of>.d by zoologists as representing 
 the type species of the genus. This view, however, can not be 
 
r»8i 
 
 Xo species of this genus as at pieseut revised 
 (Blancbai'd, 1894, p. 699-702) is known to occur in do- 
 mesticated fowls, although the pigeon ''Bothriocepha- 
 lide" may conveniently be placed here at present; sev- 
 eral species (B, dendriticus, B. ditremus, B. lissiceps, 
 B. podicepedis) are found in wild birds. For Botli- 
 riocephalus longieollis see Bo+hriotaenia longicollis, p. 
 
 1. BERTKAU'S PIGEON BOTHRIOCEPHALUS, gen. et sp.. 'ncert. 
 
 Cornelius (1875) mentions the occurrence of a tape- 
 worm in a carrier pigeon at Eberfeld; hesitates that it 
 was a true Taenia, but I'.ortkau, in n footnote to Corne- 
 lius's paper, remarks that it is a "Bothriocephalide," 
 as it possessed two suckers. 
 
 The worm was yellowish white in color, 24<'"i long; two 
 suckers but no hooks on the head; neck short; anterior seg- 
 ments very short and straight, segments increasing in breadth 
 to Gmm, then decreasing again toward the posterior extremity; 
 margin of strobila serrate. 
 
 The host had been listless and dull, but regained its natural 
 condition after the expulsion of the worm. 
 
 Railliet (1893, p. 329), in referring to this form, mentions also 
 a case recorded by Itzigsohn (Neudamm. Brandenburg). Dr. 
 Itzigsohn was called to see a child which, he was assured, had 
 vomited a worm, and, in fact, a Bothriocephalus was shown 
 to him. An investigation, however, showed that the child had 
 been playing with a pigeon, killed the evening before by the 
 child's father; upon examining the bird a similar worm was 
 found. 
 
 accepted, as Rudolphi did not mention this form among his 
 species of this genus. Strictly speaking, the generic name 
 Ptychobothrium should fall into sjmonymy under Bothriocep- 
 halus (type B. claviceps) and a new generic term should be 
 given to the group of which B. latus is now taken as type. This 
 would, however, be a radical step and could be taken consis- 
 tently only in a revision. Another solution of the problem, 
 which would have the advantage of creating less confusion, 
 would be to accept another species as type of Bothriocephalus. 
 which must obviously be one named by Rudolphi in 180S-1810, 
 with penis, vulva and uterus opening ventrally. 
 
5S2 
 
 I'^nuii Ihc (laic j^iveu il is utlcilv impossible to dc- 
 1 ermine these woims, ami it appears useless to attemi»t 
 it. 
 
 Genus BOTHRIOTAENIA Railllot, 1892. 
 Diag-nosis: Two suckers present; genital pures lateral (mar- 
 ginal). Type species Bothriotaenia longicollis (Molin, 1858) 
 Railliet, 1892. 
 
 2. BOTHRIOTAENIA LONGICOLLIS (Molin, 1858) Raillet, 1892. 
 
 (IS.Ji;;, Diliulhrium luugicolle Mulin; 1878, liuthriucephalus longi- 
 collis (Molin, 1858) von Linstow). 
 
 Diagnosis: IS'"'" to 27in'ii long by imm wide. Head small, 
 claviform, thick, with 2 nrarginal oblong suckers, and a snrali 
 central depression on the summit. Neck long and very thin-. 
 Body taenioid, flat, with 2 longitudinal grooves. Anterior seg- 
 ments very short; the following segments almost square, over- 
 lapping; posterior segments transverso-ellipiic, thick with 
 rounded borders. Gravid segments show a mosaic structure of 
 dark, angular spots due to egg sacs. Genital pores unilateral, 
 about in the middle of the margin. 
 
 Development: Unknown. 
 
 Host: Chickens (Gallus domesticus), by Molin. 
 
 Distribution: Pavia, Italy (by Molin and Polonio). 
 
 Molin seems to be the only auUior who has made 
 any original observations on this worm, and these are 
 not extended enough to give us any clear idea of the 
 parasite in question. The egg sacs, unilateral pores, 
 and the central depression on the summit of the head 
 I'ecall J>a^aiuea (vide p. 613), with the query whether 
 Molin was really not in error in describing two suck- 
 ers instead of four. Huch an error would be an ex- 
 tremely easy one to fall into, as the suckers of avian 
 cestodes are frequently indistinct or lost. 
 
 At all events, Molin's original specimens sho\ild be 
 re-examined, as nearly forty years have now ])nssed 
 since the worm was first found; it has not b'^en col- 
 lec^od in recent years, although tlu^ chicken has fre- 
 • piently been examined for tapcAvoims. 
 
5Sa 
 
 Subfamily LIGULINAE. 
 
 Diagnosis : Body without distinct external segmentation; head 
 without suckers, or two slit-like suckers may develop; genital 
 pores ventral. Type genus Ligula Bloch, 1782. 
 
 Genus I-,TGULA Bloch. 1782. 
 
 Diagnosis: Body noi segmtnied exieinally, but the genital 
 organs are repeated and the three genital pores (Penis, vulva, 
 and uterine pore) of each set open \ientrally; head without 
 distinct suckers, or 2 longitudinal slit-like suckers may de- 
 velop. 
 
 Liife histo'i-y :The larval foiin lives in the abdominal cavity 
 of fish (particularly Cyprinidae), the adult in the intestine of 
 \arious piscivorous birds. 
 
 This genus does not normally occur in domesticated 
 birds, but Duchamp (1870, quoted in Duchamp, 1877) 
 infected ducks and pigeons (1877) with the laval form 
 taken from the tench (Tinea vulgaris); he also (1878A) 
 laised the adult in the peritoneal cavity of a dog. 
 Donnadieu (1877) fed young ligules to ducks, and after 
 twenty to thirty hours found adult ligules with eggs 
 in these birds in some of his experiments, although in 
 other infections of ducks his results were negative. 
 I\iehm (1882) also succeeded in infecting ducks with 
 ligules. 
 
 From a piscicultural standpoint the immature stage of this 
 parasite is of considerable importance, for it occasionally gives 
 rise to serious epizootics among fish (for historical review, 
 cf. Donnadieu, 1877). 
 
 A large number of species have been insufficien'tly described 
 by various authors. Donnadieu unites them all with Schisto- 
 cephalus under the name Diibothrium ligula; other authors, 
 however, are inclined to recognize two species, i. e., Ligula 
 uniserialis Rud.. 1810 (Syn. 1S39, L. monogramma Creplin), and 
 Ligula alternans Rud., 1810 (Syn. 1839. L. digramma Creplin). 
 The term L. simplicissima Rud.. 1802. is generally applied to 
 the sexual form in fish, 
 
 J Oenital ni-eans simple, uniserial L. uni.serialis. 
 
 i Genital organs double and alternating L. alternans. 
 
584 
 Family TAENllDAE. 
 
 Diagnosis; Head with 4 cup-shaped suckers, losiellum pre- 
 sent but not always evident; uterine pore wanting; genital 
 pores generally marginal; body always segmented. Type 
 genus: Taenia Linne, 1758. 
 
 This family is an extremely important one from an 
 agricultural standpoint as all the tapeworms of do 
 mesticated animals (with the exception of a few be- 
 lougiug to the Bothriocephalidaej are classitied here. 
 Probably all of the tapeworms normally found in puul 
 1 1 y belong to the subfamily Dipylidiinae. 
 
 The subfamily Taeniiaei (type genus: Taenia Linne, 175&) 
 contains mostly large tapeworms, the adult stage of which 
 lives in carnivorous animals (T. saginata of man, T. marginata 
 of dogs, for instance) while the larval stage lives in herbivor- 
 ous animals (Cysticercus bovis of cattle, C. tenuicoUis of sheep, 
 cattle, etcj. 
 
 The subfamily Anoplaocepholinae (type genus: Anoplocephala 
 E. Bl., 1848) contains most of the adult tapeworms of horses, 
 cattle, sheep, labbits, and allied animals. 
 
 Subfamily MESOCESTOIDINAE. 
 
 Diagnosis: Head with four suckers; segments distinct; genital 
 pores in median ventral line. Type and only genus: Mesoces- 
 toides Vaillant. 1863. 
 
 Genus MKSOCKSTOIDES Vaillant, 1863. 
 
 (1885, Ptychophysa Hamann.) 
 
 Diagnosis; Char, of subfamily; a single egg sac present. 
 Type species: M. ambiguus Vaillant, 1863. 
 
 Railliett (1893, p. 313) places Polonio's Taenia im 
 butiformis of wild geese in this genus as a species in- 
 quirenda. but I can not recognize Polonio's description 
 and figure as supporting this view (vide p. 58). This 
 genus would, therefore, according to my view, be 
 witJiout any represeutalivt' among the parasites of do- 
 
 iSyn. 1658, Sclerolepiduta Weinland (hard-shell tapewoiiiis>; 
 Cysticaae; Cystotaenlae. 
 
585 
 
 mesticated birds. The type species M. ambiguus is 
 found in Gennetta gennetta (Linn6, 1758) [Viverra 
 jjenetta], and one species. M. lineatus (Goeze, 1782) 
 Rnilliett, 1803, is found in doo^s and cats. 
 
 Subfamily DTPYLTDIINAK. 
 
 (1858. Malarolppidota Weinland— Soft-shell tapeworms: 186^. 
 Cystoideae T^iiokart; Cystoidei; Cystoddotaeniae; Taenia 
 (Miorotaenla). 
 
 Diagnosis: Head with 4 suckers: rostellum generally armed; 
 genital pores lateral Cmarginall, single or double; eg^ with thin 
 transparent shells, frequently arranged in egg sacs, in some 
 cases scattered through the segments; larval stage a cy.stlcer- 
 cold; adults in birds and mammals. Type genus: Dlpylidium 
 ■R. TyPuckart. ISfiS. 
 
 Probably all of the Taeniidae of birds belonjj to this 
 subfamily, which is at present divided into nine genera 
 The tapeworms of domesticated fo-wls are confined to 
 the five genera: Totugnia. Davainea. Dicranotania, 
 Prepanidotaenia. and Echinocotyle. 
 
 I. Genital pores double and opposite. Suckers unarmed. 
 
 Three different genera have been proposed in the subfamily 
 Dipylidiina-e for forms with double and opposite genital pores, 
 but they have been very poorly defined from one another. 
 
 The genus Dipylidium contains species which infest mammals 
 and with D. caninum as type species will unquestionably 
 stand as a good genus. In birds several forms with double 
 genital pores have also been described. Taenia digonopora 
 Pas<iuale in chiekens and Taenia bifaria Siebold In Aythya 
 nyroca (Nyroca leucophthalma) have been placed by Diamare 
 (1893A) in a new genus Cotugnia, which, however, he fails to 
 define distinctly from Dipylidium, and which must unquestion- 
 ably be suppressed unless better characters are brought to its 
 support. Diamare (1893A) has also proposed the genus Ama- 
 bilia for Taenia lamelligera in the flamingo (Phoenicopterus 
 antiquorum). 
 
 Too little is known of the other forms described as possess- 
 ing double genital pores to allow a determination of their gen- 
 eric affinities, and speculation in this direction would simplv 
 
 37»-lI 
 
580 
 
 complicate matters; the furms which must be taken iiitu con- 
 sideration are Taenia polymorpha Kudolphi, 1819, pars (as de- 
 termined by Krabbe 1869, p. 301) from Recurvirostra avocetta 
 and "Taenia lavis Bloch (Diesing)" (see Krabbe, 1869, p. 302), 
 from Aythya ferina (Fuligula ferina). 
 
 In deference to my Italian colleague Diamare, I adopt his 
 genera provisiionally, postponing final opinion in regard to them 
 until his more detailed publication appears. 
 
 a. Two s\ilmiedlan ovaries in each .seKiiieiit. 
 
 a'. Hooks on rostelluni arranged In several rows. 
 
 Genus DIPYLIOIUM K. Leuckart, 1863.1 
 
 (1858, Alyselminthus Zeder, 1800, partim Weinland.) 
 
 Diagnosis: Rostellum retractile, armed with several trans- 
 verse rows of alternating hooks; hooks with small roots, the 
 base being discoidal; mature segments elongate with double 
 sets of genital opgans; pores double and op'posite; testicles very 
 numerous, scattered through the median field; ovary bilobled; 
 vitellogene glands distal; uterus at first reticulate among the 
 testicles, finally resolving itself into independent egg sacs con- 
 taining one or several ova; ova with double transparent mem- 
 branes. Typ^e species: D. caninum (Linne, 1767). 
 
 No members of this genus have as yet been recorded 
 from birds. The type species D. caninum inhabits thi' 
 intestine of dogs, cats, and man; its larval stage lives 
 in fleas (Pulex seri'aticeps P. irritans) and lice fTricho- 
 dectes canis). 
 
 a'. Hooks on head arranged in a single row. 
 
 Genns COrtJGNIA Diamare, 18M. (Gen. Inq.). 
 
 Diagnosis: Head large, with a rudimentary retractile rostel- 
 lum armed with a large number of very minute booklets ar- 
 ranged in a single row. prong thick and short, without dorsal 
 root, with ventral root thin and elongate toiward the point. 
 Suckers large and unarmed. Mature segments broader than 
 
 iFor full ijihliography consult Damare's monograph (1893) II 
 Oenere Dipylidium I^kt. < Atti. R. Accad. Scienze fische e 
 matrmatiche. Vol. VI. ser. 2a, No. 7. 31 pages, 3 plates. Care 
 should, however, be exercised in accepting the dates given by 
 Diamare as many typographical eirors ha\e crept intu the 
 bibliogrnphy. 
 
587 
 
 long. Genital organs double, opening separately each on its 
 respective lateral margin. Uterus composed of egg sacs. Type 
 species: Cotugnia digonopora (Pas<iuale, 1S90) Diamare, 1893. 
 
 This genus \Yas established by IJiamare lor a tape- 
 worm which occurs in chickens. The diagnosis as at 
 pi-eseut given by Dianiai-e fails, in my opinion, to sep- 
 arate the genus distinctly from Dipylidium. Tavo 
 species have been described, but sufficiency of details 
 in the specific diagnoses does not allow a satisfactory 
 morphological distinction at present. 
 
 < Fitund in chickens C. digonopora. 
 
 ( Found in ducks T. hifaria. 
 
 3. COTUGNIA DIGONOPORO (Pasquale, 1S90) Diamare, 1S93. The dou- 
 ble-pored chicken tapeworm. 
 
 (1890, Taenia digonopora Pasquale.) 
 
 (PI. I, figs. 1-11.) 
 
 Diagnosis: Strobila 40ni"i to 80n^m broad and in contracted 
 condition about 1mm thick; head 1.4mm by 1.12mm; rostellum 
 with a crowded crown (in a single row) of very small hooks 8.35 
 // long; base of rostellum 0.22mm by 0.15mm; suckers glo'bular, 
 prominent, 0.35mm in diameter. Neck short. Anterior seg- 
 ments broader than long, posterior segments longer than broad. 
 Genital pores double in about the middle of the lateral margins; 
 2 ovaries in each segment; eggs evidently arranged in egg sacs. 
 
 Life history: Unknown. 
 
 Host: Chicken (Gallus domesticus) by Pasquale. 
 
 Geographical distribution: Abyssinia, by Pasquale. 
 
 Pasquale (1890) found this worm quite common in 
 chickens in Massowah and thinks it probable that the 
 poor condition of the fowls was due to its presence. 
 It was frequently present in the caeca as well as in 
 the small intestine. 
 
i. COTUtJMA BIFARIA (von Slcbuld, IS-IS) Inaiiiare, 1M3. The dou- 
 blc-iiuicU duck taueworiii. 
 
 (184S, Taiiiia lufaiia von Siebold; 1871, T. tuberculala Krefft 
 (nee Rudolphi, 1819).) 
 
 (PI. II, figs. 12-17.) 
 
 Diagnosis: Strobila 39"im to 90"im long by (?) broad. Head 
 triangular, with conical, pointed, (?) unarmed Tostellum and 
 4 small unarmed circular suckers; neck short. Proximal seg- 
 ments small, narrow, gradually enlarged, and rectangular; 
 distal segments the largest, subquadrate. Genital pores double, 
 one each side in about the middle of the margin, prominent in 
 sexually active segments. Male organs: Testicles few in num- 
 ber; each vas deferens inflated into a vesicula seminalis near 
 the anterior margin of the segment, so'mewhat laterally of the 
 median line; from here the seminal canal runs diagonally to 
 the sirrus pouch, which is large; cirrus covered with minute 
 spines. Female oi-gans: Not well understood; evidently 2 ovar- 
 ies present in the posterior portion of the segment, one each 
 side of the median line. 
 Life history: Unknown. 
 
 Type specimen: Collection Siebold in British Museum. 
 Hosts: African Teal (Aythya nyroca), by von Siebold; White- 
 eyed duck, A. australis (Gould), by Krefft. 
 
 Geographical distribution: by von Siebold; Aus- 
 
 tnalia, by Krefft. 
 
 Von Siebold (1848, p. 147) mentions. Taenia bifaria from the 
 intestine of Anas leucophthalmos (=Aythya nyroca). The 
 specimens possessed double genital pores similar to D. caninum. 
 Monticelli (1889, p. 325) examined these specimens, preserved 
 in the British Museum, and gave a short diagnosis. In another 
 paper (1891, pp. 151-153) he gives a more extended description, 
 together with figures. He did not observe hooks on the head 
 hut will not deny their presence. Monticelli states that Krefffs 
 species "T. tubercolata" (=T. tuberculata), described from 
 Aythya australis (Gould), is identical with T. bifaria. Diamare 
 (1893. p. 12) places T. bifaria in the genus Cotugnia. 
 
 b. One median ovary In each segment. 
 
 Genus AMABILIA DIamare, 1893. (Gen. Inq.). 
 
 Diagnosis: Avian cestode with double lateral genital pores; 
 double cirri; ovary single and medium. Type species: Amabilia 
 lamelligera (Owen, 1835) Diamare, 1893. 
 
589 
 
 This genus was proposed recently in a preliminary communi- 
 cation by Diamare. A more complete knowledge of the worm 
 is necessary before it will be possible to judge whether the 
 genus is well founded or not. No member of the genus has yet 
 been recorded in domesticated fowls, but the type and only 
 species Is found in the flamingo. 
 
 6. AMA3IL.IA UAMELLIGERA (Owen, 1835) Diamare, 1893. 
 
 1835, Taenia lamelligera Owen.) 
 
 (PI. II, figs. 18-20.) 
 
 Diagnosis: Strobila 120mm to 170mm long, 10.5mm broad. 2.1">m 
 thick. Head almost globular; rostellum cylindrical, obtuse; 
 armature? Neck absent; segments very short. Genital pores 
 double; ovary single and median. Ova segregated near base 
 of i)enis. 
 
 Hosts: Flamingoi (Phoenicopterus antiquorum). 
 
 Geographical distribution: ? by Sykes; France by Gervais; ? 
 Sardinia (? Cagllari) by Ficalbi. 
 
 II. Genital pores single. Suckers armed or unarmed. 
 
 A. Suckers unarmed: genera Hymenoleijis, Dicranotaenia. 
 and Drepanidotaenia. 
 
 Genus HYMENOLEPIS Weinland, 1858. 
 
 (18.58, Diplacanthus Weinland (nee L. Agassiz).) 
 
 Diagnosis: Strobila small (filiform). Head small, provided 
 with a retractile rostellum, well developed and armed with a 
 single crown of 24-30 booklets, or rudimentary and unarmed. 
 (Neck long. Segments serrate, much broader than long, rarely 
 less than 150 in number.) Genital pores marginal, sinistral, 
 the female surface of the proglottid representing ventral. 
 Testicles few, generally 3 i.n eacli segment, one left and two 
 
 lOwen states that his specimens were collected by Lieuten- 
 ant-Colonel Sykes "in a Flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber. 
 Linn." Diamare states that his own specimens were collected 
 by "Professor Ficalbi, della R. Universita di Cagliari," from 
 "Phoenicojiterus roseus." According to Dr. T. S. Palmer, the 
 Old World flamingoes are P. antiquorum Temm. (syn. P. roseus 
 Pallas), P. erythraeus, and P. minor; the New World flamin- 
 goes are P. ruber Linn., a*id P. ignipalliatus. In Owen's time, 
 however, all flamingoes were included under the name P. intber 
 Linn. As it was not stated where Sykes collected his mater- 
 ial it is impossible to determine the host species definitely, but 
 upon Dr. Palmer's advice I take P. antiquorum as host. 
 
500 
 
 » 
 
 right of the median line. Gravid segments transformed into 
 a sac full of eggs; eggs surrounded by 3 shells separated one 
 from another. Inner .^In-ll without pyriform body, but oc- 
 casionally with a small knob at each pole. Larva is a Crypto- 
 cystis or Staphylocystis; intermediate host an insect or myria- 
 pode. Type species: H. diminuta (Rud., 1S19). 
 
 (Revised generic characters from Blanchard, ISOIC, pp. 49-uO. 
 I inclose in brackets several characters which I can hardly look 
 upon as generic. For bibliography see R. Blanchard, 1891C.) 
 
 Weinland proposed this genus with Taenia flavopunctata as 
 type, but as this form is identical with taenia diminuta the 
 name H. diminuta is here inserted as type species. At the 
 same time he proposed a genus Diplacanthus (nee L. Agassiz) 
 with Taenia nana von Siebold as type species. The term Dip- 
 lacanthus must drop, as it is preoccupied, and there seems to 
 be no good grounds for separating H. nana generically from 
 H. diminuta. 
 
 Weinland divided Hymenolepis into two subgenera: (1) Lep- 
 idotrias Weinland, 1858 (with 3 eggshells) with H. murina 
 (Dujardin, 1845) Weinland, 1858, as type species, and including 
 Taenia scalaris, scutigera, tiara, pistillum, microstoma, nasuta, 
 undulata, serpentulus, cratepiformis, sinuosa and flavopunc- 
 tata; (2) Dilepis Weinland, 1858 (with 2 eggshells), with T. 
 angulata Rud. as type species, and containing T. purpurata, 
 porosa and lanceolata. Of these forms T. sinuosa (vide Drep- 
 anidotaenia sinuosa p. 604) and T. lanceolata (vide Dr. lanceo- 
 lata p. 597) occuer in domestic fowls. 
 
 Most of the species of this genus are parasitic iu 
 maiumals, but Weinland included a number of avian 
 tapeworms in Hymenolepis. Blanchard (1891 C, pp. 
 (;S-G9), Jiscusses the l'(M-ms and concludes that only 
 four avian species can be included here with any dc 
 <>Tee of probability. These species mentioned below 
 do not occur in domesticated fowls. 
 
 Hymenolepsis serpentulus (Schrank. llflS) Weinland. 1S.")S. 
 (fiyn. 1798, Taenia serpentulus Scrank [nee Duj., 1845]. found in 
 Oriolus galbula, Corvus cornix, C. corone. C. frugilegus. C. mon- 
 edula. Nucifraga caryocatartes, (larrulns glandarius. Pica cau- 
 data. Picus aurulentus. 
 
 Hymcnnlepis angulata (Rud.. ISKi) W'-inlaiid. IS.'.S, (Syn. ISIO, 
 
Taenia angulata Rud.; 1845, T. sei-pentulus Duj. [nee Schrank, 
 1798]; found in Nucifraga caryocatactes, Turdus atrigularis, T. 
 iliacus, T. merula, T. musicus, T. pilaris, T. saxatilis, T, toi- 
 quatus, T. vlscivoius, Oiiolus galbula. Pica eaudata. 
 
 Hymenolepis nasuta (Rud., 1S02), Weinland, 1858. (Syn. 1802, 
 Taenia nasuta Rudolphi); found in Parus major, P. caudatus, 
 P. Coeruleus, P. cristatus, P. palustris. 
 
 Hymenolepis farciminalis (Batsch, 1786), R. Bl., 1891. (Syn. 
 1786, Taenia farciminalis Batsch; 1845, T. undulata Duj.); found 
 in Sturnus vulgaris, Garrulus glandarius. 
 
 Genus DICRANOTAENIA Rallliet, 1892. 
 
 Diagnosis: Ru^^tellum i)ruv;ded with a single row of short, 
 uniform hooks, generally few (10-26) in number, with the ven- 
 tral root equal to or longer than the dorsal root, and farming 
 with the prong a small pitchfork. Type species: Dicranotaenia 
 coronula (Dujardin) Railliet. 
 
 Development: The larval cysticercoids develops in small, 
 crustaceans. • 
 
 From the characters thus far given it is very ditVuiili 
 to distinguish this genus from Hymenolepis. 
 
 C Genital jx)res alternate; rostellum with 12 
 
 1 < hooks 32 /I long; found in chickens D. sphenoides, p. 595 
 
 (Genital pores unilateral 2 
 
 ( Rostellum with 18 to 26 hooks IZ fi to 17 /z 
 
 2 < long; found in ducks D. coronula, p. 591 
 
 ( Rostellum with 10 hooks 3 
 
 'i< 
 
 ( Hooks 27 fi to S2 ft long; found in swans 
 
 and big scaup duck D. aequabilis. p. 593 
 
 Hooks 47 // to 66 /i long; found in wild 
 
 L ducks D. furcigera, p. 594 
 
 a. Genital pores unilateral. 
 
 6. DICRANOTAENIA CORONULA (Pujanlin. 1S4:.) Railliet. 1892. 
 
 (1.S45, Taenia coronula Duj.) 
 
 [PI. Ill, figs. 21-28.-| 
 
 Diagnosis: 120mni to 190ni'i' long. 1.5mm to :lmm broad. Heail 
 .almost rhomboidal. 0.20mm to 0.22mm; cuckers prominent, angular, 
 irregular. 0.066min to 0.09mm jn diameter; rostellum thick, 0.09mm 
 by 0.06mm. surrounded by a simple crown of 18-26 hooks 9 « 
 to 14 fi (Dujardin). 14 '/ to l.'^ // (Krabbe). 1."? ii to 17 // (Railliet) 
 
592 
 
 lung. Antei'ior segments very short; following segmenlis grad- 
 ually increase in size. Genital pores unilateral. Penis 60 ^ 
 to 80 u (Duj.) 110 fi (Krabbe) long by 30 u to 53 « broad, but 
 able to swell to 80 n covered with minute spines. Hooks of 
 embryo 8 fi. Internal anatomy? 
 
 Development: Cysticercoid, probably in mussel crabs (Cy- 
 pris ovum Jur., Cypris cinerea, Cypria ophthalmica Jur. and 
 Candona Candida. 
 
 Hosts: Tame ducks (Anas boschas dom.); Mallard duck (A. 
 boschas L.); European Golden Eye (Glaucionetta clangula). 
 
 Geographical distribution: France (at Rennes, by Dujardiii; 
 at Alfort, by Railliet); Denmark (in Zealand by Krabbe); Gei- 
 many (in Bavaria by von Siebold, after Krabbe; in Munich by 
 von Willemoes-Stihm, after Krabbe, 1882). No epidemics re- 
 ported. 
 
 Dujardin (1845, p. 574) described this species from parasites 
 found in ducks at Rennes; Krabbe (1869, pp. 317-318) found the 
 same species in domesticated ducks and adds a few observa- 
 tions, chiefly measurements; he pites it from Siebold's collection 
 (from Glancionetta clanula) and in 1882, p. 356, cites it from von 
 Willemoes-Suhm (from Anas boschas fera). Railliet (1893, p. 
 303) has found young tapeworms in the domesticated duck at 
 Alfort, which he determined as belonging to this species, al- 
 though the dorsal root of the hooks were much more slender 
 than those figured by Krabbe. These appear to be the only 
 observations upon the adult worm, which as at present diag- 
 nosed, is based entirely upon external characters, and which, 
 therefore, should be restudied anatomically. 
 
 Several authors have found larval cestodes in fresh-water 
 mussel crabs which they look upon as the young stage of Dicr. 
 coronula. 
 
 Mrazek (1890) [in a publication which on account of the lan- 
 guage I am unable to read, I quote from Moniez (1891, p. 26) 
 and Railliet (1893)] has found a cysticercoid in Cypris ovum 
 Jur. and in Cypris ophthalmica Jur. (Cypris compressa Raird) 
 which measures 140 « to 190 u in diameter, and is provided 
 with 22 to 31 hooks corresponding in form and dimensions to 
 those figured by Krabbe, except that the dorsal root is some- 
 what more slender; the tail is 3 to 5 times as long as the body 
 and bears the 6 hooks (8 /« long) of the oncosphere. Rosseter 
 (1890) describes and figures the cysticercoid of D. coronula from 
 Cypris cinerea in Kent. Moniez (1891, p. 26) states that this 
 cysticercoid is rather common in France, where he has found 
 it in Cypria ophthalmica and Candona Candida; he also records 
 it in Cy. nphthalmiia from Durham and from China. 
 
593 
 
 While it will be noticed that tliis rysticercoid is \eiy simi- 
 lar to Dicr. eoronula and that in all probability it represents 
 its larval stage, it must not be forgotten that the experimental 
 proof of the relationship of these organisms has not yet been 
 forthcoming, and fuirthermore. that even the adult form is 
 very superficially described. 
 
 7 DICRANOTAENIA AEQUABILIS (Rudolph), 1810) Rallllet, 18S3 
 
 (1810. Taenia aequabiiis Rudolph!.) 
 
 [PI. Ill, figs. 29-30.1 
 
 Diagnosis: IGOmm to SSOmm long, 3.2mm to 4.6mm broad. Head 
 subglobular; rostellum obovate, armed with a simple crown of 
 10 hooks 27 // to 32 /u long; suckers rather large, orbicular, 
 prominent. Neck very short. Anterior segments very short and 
 thin; following segments trapezoidal, much broader than long, 
 posterior angles acute, but becoming more rounded near the 
 posterior end. Genital pores unillateraJ. Development un- 
 known. 
 
 Hosts: European swan (Olor cygnus); ? domesticated swan 
 (O. cygnus dom.); Widgeon (Anas penelope); European scaup 
 duck (Aythya marila). 
 
 Geographical distribution: Pomerania (by Rudolphi and Crep- 
 lin); Schleswag (by Friis). Epidemics: None reported. 
 
 Like the preceding species, this foi'iu has been seen 
 but a few times and is established entirely upon extcr 
 nal characters. ' 
 
 Rudolphi collected it originally and described it in ISIO (pp. 
 l^fj-l.^.G) from wild swan. In 1819 (p. 15.5) he gives "Anas olor" 
 as a host. According to Diesing (1850, p. 527) Bremser found it 
 in Olor cygnus. Bellingham (1844, p. 320) quotes it for "Cyg- 
 nus ferus and Mareca penelope." Krabbe (1869, pp. 316-317) 
 examined the originals and figured the hooks; he cites in fur- 
 ther from Creplin's collection, and mentions that Friis also 
 found it. "Gervais and van Beneden. afterwards von Linstow. 
 cite it, probably erroneously, from the domesticated swan" 
 (Rallliet). Von IJnstow (1878. p. 158) records it for Fuligula 
 marila (—Aythya matila). Init does not give the collector. 
 
 :is TT 
 
504 
 
 8. DICnANOTAENIA FURCIGKRA (Riidnlphl, 1819) Stiles, 1896. 
 
 (IM'J, ■•'!'. iiiluuala Batsch" ol' Kuihilphi; lM:i, 'J. iiirriKeia 
 Rudolphi ex Nitzseh, MS.; 1845, T. rhomiboidea Duj.; 1893, 
 Dicranotaenia rhomboidea (Dujardin, 1845) Radlliet.) 
 
 ( ? 1779, Taenia lineata Bloch; ? 1786, T. trilineata Batch; ? 
 1790, T. Anatis j8 lineata Gmelin; ? 1802, T. longirostris Frolioh 
 [nee Rud., 1819] ? 1803, Halysi.s trilineata (Batseh, 1786) Zeder; 
 ? 1858, T. conlca Molin.) 
 
 [PI. Ill, figs. 31-34 (35-36).-] 
 
 Diagnosis: 100"'m to 35""" long by 0.5 to 1mm broad. Head 
 0.46mm to 0.52mni^ ihomboidal, or prolonged anteriorily in a tube 
 containing a thick ovoide, oblong, rostellum 0.22mm to 0.25min 
 long, armed with a single crown of hooks 65 fi to Q6 /i (Dujardin). 
 48 /u to 58 /U (Krabbe) long. Suckers 0.18mm in diameter. Seg- 
 ments trapezoidal, 2 to 3 times longer than broad. Genital 
 pores unilateral. Penis 9.7 fi broad, smooth. Eimbryo 36 ft; 
 hooks of embryo 14 /i (Krabbe), 16 /« to 17 // (Dujardin). De- 
 velopment not known. 
 
 Hosts: Mallard ducks (Anas boschas) by Dujardin, Nitzch, 
 Krabbe, Frils; Pochard (Aythya ferina); is erroneously stated 
 to have been found in domestic ducks, according to Railliet. 
 See also hosts for T. conica, T. lineata, and T. trilineata, in 
 chart at end of text, taken from von Linstow, 1878, and others. 
 
 Geographical distribution: France (by Dujardin), Italy (by 
 de Ninni), Iceland (Krabbe), Schleswig (Friis). Epidemics, 
 none recorded. 
 
 The early history of this worm is buried under indefinite and 
 incomplete statements upon superficially studied material. 
 We can, however, trace the species with certainty as far back 
 as Rudolphi, 1819, p. 528. Nitzseh collected some worms from 
 the Mallard in 1816, and sent them to Rudolphi. evidently under 
 the MS. label Taenia furcigera. Rudolphi determined the 
 worms as T. trilineata Batseh, 1786, which according to Krabbe 
 (1869, p. 315), (Batsch's original not at my disposal), is a name 
 Batseh introduced for Bloch's T. lineata of 1779. Krabb? after- 
 ward examined Nitzsch's specimens, and states (1869. p. 315) 
 that they are identical with T. rhomboidea Dujardin. 1845. I 
 adopt Nitzsch's name for the reasons given in the footnote. i 
 
 1A very delicate point of nomenclature is involved in this 
 ease, and one which has been entirely overlooked by helmin- 
 thologists. In the first place, the name trilineata should be 
 .suppressed because (Krabbe, 1869, p. .315) it wa'? originally in- 
 tended for a species (i. e., T lineata from A. penelope. A. circia. 
 Dafila acuta) already named and figured. Accordingly, tri- 
 
505 
 
 Dujardin (1845, pp. 574-575, T. rhombuidea) found a 30mm 
 frag-ment and 6 young worms ]omin to 18mm long in a wild duck, 
 in which 'Taenia megalops" was also present. In Iceland 
 Krabbe collected numerous young specimens of T. rhomboidea 
 from wild ducks (A. boschas fera); they were 10"im long by 
 O.omm broad; the rostellum was armed with 10 hooks, 47 " 
 to 58 /i long; genital apparatus not visible. Friis (Krabbe, 1869) 
 collected the same species in Schleswig, and Krabbe thinks 
 that the worm which Molin (1858, p. 139; 1861, p. 253, Taf. VII, 
 figs. 1-2 )found in wild ducks in Padua and described under the 
 name T. conica is also identical with Dujardin's T. rhomboidea. 
 Molin 'records his form from Anas boschas; von Linstow (1878) 
 gives it for A. boschas dom., but not for A. boschas. Railliet 
 (1893, p. 303) places T. rhomboidea in the genus Dicranotaenia, 
 and calls attention to the error in Diesing (1850 p. 543) of in- 
 cluding T. trilineata as a parasite of the domestic duck — an 
 error repeated by von Linstow Railliet thinks that T. Trilineata 
 Batsch, 17S6, is identical with T. rhomboidea, although Du- 
 jardin (1S45) thinks that T. trilineata is simply a variety of T. 
 sinuosa. 
 
 There seems no way either to prove or disprove what species 
 T. trilineata Batsch (=T. lineata Bloch) really represents, un- 
 less the types can be procured. In view of the poor descriptions 
 T intend for the present to ignore these specific names entirely. 
 
 b. Genital pores alternate. 
 
 9. DICRANOTAENIA SPHENOIDES (RaU'.Iet, 1892) Railliet, 1896. 
 (1872, Taenia cuneata von Linstow [nee Batsch, 1786 1; 189-, T. 
 sphenoides Raill.; 1893, Dicranotaenia cuneata (von Linstow, 
 1872) Raill.) 
 
 [PI. IV, figs. 37-42.] 
 Diagnosis: Body 2mm (von Linstow) to 4mni (Magalhaes) long. 
 
 lineata should never have been proposed, and hence can not 
 be taken into consideration under any circumstances. Krabbe 
 states that the description and figures of T. lineata are so im- 
 perfect that it is not possible to determine the species with 
 certainty, although fro-m Bloch's figures it is not probable that 
 his worm is identical with T. rhomboidea. This statement re- 
 lieves us from considering T. lineata further unless Blooh's 
 specimens can be found. Authors have generally accepted 
 Dujardin's specific name, but the publication of Nitzsch's name 
 by Rudolphi establishes the date of T. furcigera as 1819. and 
 associates the name with Rudoplhi's description. Krabbe's es- 
 tablishment of the identity of T. rhomboidea with T. furcigera 
 must naturally suppress Dujardin's name. Accordingly. 
 Nitzsch's specimens are the oldest types as yet consulted, 
 and nothing remains at present but to accept Rudolphi's pub- 
 lication of this name 
 
5fl() 
 
 by imm broad, wedge-shaped; head 200 Ifi long by 205 fi broad, 
 contracted posteriorly to form the neck; retractile rotellum cyl- 
 indrical, 150 fi] long by 37.5 fi broad, bearing 12 (von Linstow, 
 Magalhaes, Plana) or 12-14 Grassi & Rovelli) hooks which meas- 
 ure 25 f^ (Magalhaes) or 32 // (other authors) long; dorsal root 
 of hooks short and same length as ventral root. Suckers round 
 to oval, 75 u in diameter, unarmed. Segments 12-13 in number, 
 increasing gradually in size from the first to the last, so that 
 the entire body is wedge-shaped. Genital pores irregularly 
 alternate, situated at the anterior angle of the segments; male 
 organs appear in first segments, testicles "numerous," vitel- 
 laria seen in ninth and following segments; mature eggs seen 
 only in twelfth and thirteenth segments; they lie in 12-1:? large 
 vesicles which finally break, the eggs being scattered through 
 the segments. Eggs spherical, 42 fi in diameter, with 2 mem- 
 branes; hooks of oncosphere, 6 /i . 
 
 Development: Intermediate host is probably an earthworm 
 (Allobophora foetida Eisen). The cysticercoid has no tail. 
 
 Host: Chickens (Gallus domesticus). 
 
 Geographical distribution: Germany (von Linstow); Italy 
 (Grassi & Rovelli); South America— Brazil (Magalhaes). 
 
 Von Linstow (1872B, pp. 56-57) discovered this worm in chick- 
 ens in Germany ,and described it as Taenia cuneata. Plana 
 (1882, p. 393-394) evidently examined some of von Linstow's ori- 
 ginals, but does not add much to the diagnosis. Grassi & Rov- 
 elli (18S9A, p. 404; 1892, pp. 29-30, 88-90) found the same species 
 in Italy; they found some cysticercoids in the earthworm (Al- 
 lobophora foetida), which they believe represent the larval 
 stage of T. cuneata. They evidently, however, did not make 
 any experiments to determine this point, although they state 
 that the hooks agree with the hooks of T. cuneata. This sup- 
 posed intermediate host must therefore be subjected to experi- 
 mentation before Grassi & Rovelli's statements are giv?n full 
 credence. Magalhaes (1892, pp. 145-146) records the i^ame 
 species from Brazil, adding several important points on the 
 anatomy of the worm. Railliet (1892, p. 53) uses the term 
 Taenia sphenoides for this worm, his ground evidently being 
 that the term T. cuneata is already preoccupied. In 1893 (p. 
 304) he reverts to the specific name cuneata, placing the form 
 in Dicranotaenia. By the international rules the term cuneata 
 must fall, on which account I accept the next available name, 
 sphenoides. (See addendum, p. 637.) 
 
597 
 
 Genus DREPANIDOTAENIA Rallllet, 1892. 
 
 Diagnosis: Head provided with a single row of uniform hooks, 
 few (8-20) in number, with dorsal root much longer than ventral 
 root, the latter always small; with prong directed posteriorly 
 when the rostellum contracts. Type species Dr. lanceolata 
 (Bloch, 1782) Railliet 1892. 
 
 Development: The larval stage (cysticercaid) of several 
 species has been found in small crustaceans. 
 
 f Genital pot'es alternate; rositellum 
 
 I with 16-20 hooks 20-27 // long; 
 1. •^ Hab: chickens, ? pheasants, 
 
 I ? ducks, pigeons Dr. infundibuliformis. p. 609 
 
 I Genital pores unilateral 2 
 
 2 < Rostellum with 10 hooks .? 
 
 '( Rostellum with 8 hooks 4 
 
 Hooks 20 fi to 23 fi long; found in 
 ducks, domestic goose, and wild 
 
 3^ goosander Dr. tenuirostris, p. 60R 
 
 Hooks 35 // to 40 /« long; found in geese.. Dr. setigera, p. 605 
 Hooks 51 /i to 61 ft long; found in geese. ..Dr. sinuosa, p. 604 
 Hooks 65 ft to 72 fi long; found in ducks.. Dr. anatina. p. 601 
 
 f 
 
 Hooks 31 fi to So fi long; found in ducks 
 
 and geese Dr. lanceolata, p. 597 
 
 ^- \ Hooks 57 fi long; found in geese Dr. fasciata, p. 598 
 
 j Hooks 77 /z to SO « long; found in ducks 
 
 '^ and geese Dr. gracilis, p. 600 
 
 A. Genital pore unilateral. 
 
 a. Rcstellum with 8 hooks. 
 
 10. DREPANIDOTAENIA LANCEOLATA (Bloch, 1782) Rallllet, 1892. The 
 lanceolate tapeworm. 
 
 (1727, Taenia anserum Frisch— vide Rud., 1810; 1781, T. aeutis- 
 sima Pallas, pars— vide Krabbe, 1869; 1779, T. anservis Bloch 
 —vide Rud., 1810; 1782, T. lanceolata Bloch; 1786, T. lanceola 
 Batsch— vide Rud., 1810; 1803, Halysis lanceolata (Bloch, 1782) 
 Zeder— vide Rud., 1810; 1858, Hymenolepis (Dilepis) lanceolata 
 (Bloch, 1782) Weinland.) 
 
 [PI. IV, Figs. 43-53; PI. V, Figs. 54-55.1 
 
 Diagnosis: 30nim to 130mm long by 5nim to ISmm broad. Head 
 very small, globular; rostellum cylindrical, slightly swollen on 
 the summit, armed with a single crown of 8 hooks 31 ft to 35 /* 
 long: suckers rounded. Neck very short, can be retracted with 
 the head into the anterior portion of the strobila. Anterior 
 segments very short, the following segments increasing slightly 
 
598 
 
 in length and Ijecoiniiig gradually broader lu within a short 
 distance of the posteTior extremity when they become nar- 
 rower, giving the body a lancet shape. Genital pores unilat- 
 eral, near anterior corner of segment; penis armed with spines; 
 cirrus-pouch small; testicles 3; female organs on oivposite side 
 of segment fro^m genital pore (Feuereisen). Eggs with very 
 thin external shell 50 jJ- by ;i5 //'; hooks of oncosiphere 8 //. De- 
 \'elopment: Unknown. 
 
 Hosts: Tame duck (Anas boschas dom.); black duck (Anas 
 obscura); tame goose (Anser anser dom.); m'uscovy duck (Cai- 
 rina moschata); whi'te-headed duck (Erismatura leucocephala) ; 
 pochard (Aythya ferina); African teal (Aythya nyroca); red- 
 cresteld pochard (Aythya rufina); flamingo (Phoenicopterus 
 antiquorum). 
 
 Geographical distribution: England, Denmark, France, Ger- 
 many and Austria. Eipidemic in 1710, reported by Frisch. 
 
 Bloch (1782, p. 7-9) found this worml more especially among 
 lean geese; Goeze (1782, pp. 377-383) says that it is most com- 
 mon in lean geese which have been allowed to- roam; Dujardin 
 (1845, p. 562) mentions T. lanceolata as possessing 10 hooks and 
 irregularly alternating genital pores, which makes it probable 
 that he did not have this species before him. Krabbe (1869, pp. 
 295-296) found this form in 77 geese out of 40O examined, or 
 about 20 per cent. The Vienna catalogue gives T. lanceolata 
 and T. sinuosa together for 19 out of 139 tame geese. The epi- 
 demic of 1710 recorded by Frisch (1781, pp. 155-156) is attributed 
 to this species. It has beeni found by various German authors. 
 Megnin (1881A, pp. 29-32) has found it in ducks and geese in 
 France, Railliet (1893, pp. 299-300) in Ardennes France, Lucet 
 in Loiret, France. Railliet states that this is the most com- 
 mon form in geese. Hassall has one specimen from Liverpool, 
 England. 
 
 Authors generally consider that there is little or no difficulty 
 in recognizing this species; its anatomy, however, is very im- 
 l)ei-fectly underPtond. 
 
 n. UKfflPANIDOTAENIA FASClAlA (I? Rudolphi, 1810J Krabbe, IStiU) Railliet, 
 
 1893. 
 
 (1868, "T. setigera Fiolich," 1789 of Feuerisen [nee Frolich v. 
 
 Siebold, 1848]; 1869,T. fasciata Krabbe.) 
 ( ? 1800. Aly.«elminthus crenatusi (Goeze, 1782) Zeder pars — vide 
 Rud., 1810; ? 1S03, Halysis crenata (Goeze, 1782) Zeder pars- 
 vide Rud., 1810; Taenia fasciata Rud.). 
 
 [PI. V, figs. 56-66; PI. VI, figs. 67-76; PI. VIT. figs. 77-79.1 
 Diagnosis: Body 60"iiii to itionun king by lnnn to 2""" broad. 
 Head hemispherical, enmprpssed. 0.35mm broad by 0.25mm long; 
 
599 
 
 suckers oval, O.Umm long by 0.13mm (posterior) to 0.06mm (an- 
 terior) broad; rostellum long, thick, cylindrical O.aemm 
 by O.Oomm, armed on anterior end with simple crown of 
 8 hooks 57 /i to 60 /^ long, roots of about equal length. Neck 
 very long, much thinner than the head. Segments much 
 broader than long; anterior segments 5 times as broad as long; 
 posterior segments 3 times as broad as long, and somewhat 
 funnel shaped; segments become 0.25mm thick; thickness es- 
 pecially in the median line, which is traversed by a dark 
 longitudinal band; thinner and more transparent toward the 
 border; straighter at the angles, the strobila having a crenate 
 appearance. Genital pores unilaterar in anterior halt of mar- 
 gin. Calcareous bodies absent from the head, but present in 
 the neck and increase distally. Male organs begin to develop 
 in ca. one hundred and twentieth segment; 3 testicles present 
 in distal portion of segment, one median, two lateral; vas def- 
 erens runs diagonally toward proximal aporose corner of seg- 
 ment, swelling into a vesicula seminalis; near lateral margin 
 it turns, runs parallel to anterior margin and leads to cirrus 
 pouch, which also runs parallel to anterior margin of segment: 
 cirrus pouch lies on aporose side of median line and contains 
 a second vesicula seminalis, which communicates with a very 
 long cirrus; genital cloaca 0.2mm to 0.3mm long by 0.03mm to 
 0.09mm broad, the broader portion being next to genital pore; 
 a row of spines at the point where the penis opens into the 
 cloaca; penis covered with minute spines. Female organs not 
 well understood; begin in ca. one hundred and forty-fifth seg- 
 ment; a median oval body and two lateral lobed bodies joined 
 together; a median receptacurum seminis runs cephalad and 
 diagonally, continues as vagina, which runs parallel to anterior 
 margin nearly entire breadth of segments, and opens into 
 cloaca near cirrus; a second larger lobed body = ? uterus. 
 
 Development: Cercocystis Dr. fasciatae in Cyclops agilis, re- 
 corded by Mrazek. 
 
 Hosts: White-fronted goose (Anser albifrons); graylag goose 
 (A. anser); tame goo.se (A. anser dom.). 
 
 Geographical distribution: Denmark (by Krabbe); Germany 
 (by Feuereisen); Bohemia (by Mrazek). 
 
 Zeder referred a tapeworm which he had found in a goose 
 to T. crenata Goeze. which was reported from Picus major (see 
 Krabbe, 1869, p. 300.) Rudolphi (1810, pp. 139-140) renamed the 
 species fasciata. but does not appear to have examined it. 
 Feuerlsen (1S68. pp. 162-190) then determined von Siebolds T. 
 fasciata Rud. as T. setigera Frolich, 1789, and the year fol- 
 
600 
 
 lowing Krabbe (1869, p. 300), stating that it was impossible to 
 recognize definitely what goose tapeworm was included under 
 the specific name fasciata by earlier authors, proposed to ap- 
 ply the name to a worm in geese provided with 8 hooks on the 
 rostellum. Authors have since Krabbe's time adopted his form 
 as fasciata. I retain this name provisionally, although it has 
 no right to stand. 
 
 Mrazek (1890, 1891) records a cysticercoid from Cypris a^ilis 
 which he identifies as the larval stage of Taenia fasciata Ru- 
 dolphi. He evidently made no infections. 
 
 12. DRBPANIDDTAENIA GRACILIS i[ ? Zeder. 1«0S] Krabbe. 186?) Rallliet, 
 
 1892. 
 
 (1869, Taenia gracilis Krabbe.) 
 
 ( ? 1782, Taenia collo longissimo Bloch; ? 1803 Halysis gracilis 
 Zeder; ? 1810, T. gracilis (Zeder) Rud.) 
 
 [PI. VII, figs. 80-91; PI. VIII, figs. 92-99.-1 
 
 Diagnosis: About 270mm long by 1.5-2mm broad. Head sub- 
 globular; rostellum cylindrical, obtuse, armed with a simple 
 crown of 8 hooks 77-80 fi long (95 H and even 103 // after Lonn- 
 berg). Neck very short. Anterior portion of body very thin 
 for a considerable length; anterior segments infundibuliform, 
 the following segments gradually becoming quadrate, genital 
 pores unilateral. Receptaculum seminis pyriform; penis un- 
 armed; genital sinus provided wath large spines. 
 
 Development: Cercocystis Dr. gracilis in Candona rostrata by 
 Scott, in Cypris compressa Baird (Cypria ophthalmica Jurine) 
 and Cyclops viridls Fischer by Mrazek, in Cypria ophthalmica 
 by Moniez. 
 
 Hosts: Tame duck (Anas boschas dom.); mallard duck (A. 
 boschas); widgeon (Anas penelope); tame goose (Anser anser 
 dom.); goosander (Merganser merganser); red-breasted mer- 
 ganser (Merganser serrator); common sheldrake (Tadorna ta- 
 doina). 
 
 Geographical distribution: Denmark, Germany. No epi- 
 demics recorded. 
 
 It is impossible to tell what worm was referred to 
 under the specific term gracilis before Krabbe's time; 
 the earlier descriptions may therefore be ignored for 
 the present, the names being accepted as unidentifiable 
 synonyms; it is impossible to show that the earlier 
 wonns were not identical witli Ktabbr's foi-m from 
 
00 1 
 
 Auus boschas doiii. The oulv i)i>silivcl v Uiiowu host 
 foi- the adult up to Krabbe's time is. therefore, the 
 tame duck. 
 
 Von Linstow (1872 A, pp. 535-537) afterwards found a worm 
 in the goosander (Merganser merganser [Mergus merganser]) 
 which he identified with Krabbe's species. Lonnberg (1889, pp. 
 9-10, fig. 1) found a worm in Tadorna vulpanser which he de- 
 scribed as a new variety: T. gracilis forma Tadornae. The 
 hoolis on this worm were much larger than those of the type 
 specimen, a variation which Lonnberg explains as due to host 
 influence. Lonnberg (1890, pp. 10, 30) also records this form for 
 Mergus serrator (^= Merganser serrator). 
 
 Von Linstow (1872A, pp. 535-537) found a cysticercoid meas- 
 uring 0.14 by 0.09"ini in intestine of a perch (Perca fluviatilis), 
 which he looked upon as the young of Taenia gracilis. The 
 larva has also been found in certain fresh-water crustaceans 
 which probably represent the regular intermediate host. Thus 
 Scott (1891, p. 314) noticed an object in a mounted slide of Can- 
 donarostrata Brady & Norman, from, the Edinburg district; 
 Blanchard (1891A, pp. 303-332) examined Scott's preparation 
 from Candona rostrata, and after a careful comparison of the 
 hooks of the cysticercoid concluded that this larva belonged 
 in the life cycle of Taenia gracilis. He exiplains von Linstow's 
 linding this same larva in a perch by the fact that the fish 
 had eaten some ostracodes. He introduces the formula — the 
 length=:a — c, the base^a — b, in measuring the hooks, using it 
 as follows: For T. gracilis ab: ac=30-75. Mrazek (1891, p. 128) 
 cites the lar\'a for Cypris compre-ssa Baird and' Cyclops viridis 
 Fisch, while Moniez (1891, p. 26) mentions it from Cypria oph- 
 thalmica from China. 
 
 The larva referred to is in all probability the true 
 larva of this species, but no infections have as yet been 
 made. 
 
 b. Rostellum with 10 hooks. 
 
 13. DREPANIDOTAENIA A.VATINA (Krabbp. 1869) RallliPl. 1S93. 
 
 (18tjH, Taenia. unaliiKi Kialibe.) 
 
 [PI. IX, figs. 100-111; PI. X. figs. 112-115.1 
 
 Diagnosis: Stroblla attains 209iii'ii to SOOmm in length and 
 2mm to 3"i'i' in breadth; worm of TOmin in length has about 
 
()02 
 
 050 segments; nuniljer of segments in longest worms piobajbly 
 leaches 2,000. Head with a simple crown of 10 hooks 65 /i-72 
 u long. Neck long. Fully matured segTnents half as thick as 
 broad. Ccnital pores unilateral; copulation begins with about 
 the live hundredth segment, uterus appears ca. 70 segments 
 later. Male organs: Testicles 3 in num.ber, one on pore side, 
 two on aporose side of segment; cirrus pouch dorsal of vagina, 
 elongate, extending to or slightly beyond the longitudinal 
 canals, and possessing vesicula seminalis in its proximal por- 
 tion; vas deferens swollen to an elongate vesicula seminalis 
 near the pore-side testicle. Female organs: Vagina slightly 
 longer than cirrus pouch, swelling into an enormous recepta- 
 culum seminis ventral of pore-side testicle; ovary large, about 
 in median line; vitellogene gland distal of ovary; shell gland 
 very small, dorso-proximal of vitellogene gland; uterus trans- 
 verse, extending beyond longitudinal canals into the lateral 
 field. Ova very characteristic; elongate 125 /z-175 fi bj' 90 fJ. 
 with 3 shells; external shell thin and transparent, inner shell 
 slightly constricted at lateral borders of the oncosphere; on- 
 cospheTe elongate. 50 /i-60 /J, hooks 10 fi-ll fJ- Dorsal canal 
 small, dorsal of ventral canal; genital canals pass dorsally 
 of dorsal and ventral canals. 
 
 Larval stage: Cysticercoid develops in small mussel crabs 
 (Cypris incongTuens Raimd.; Cypris ovata; Cypris compressa), 
 and consists of three portions: (1) Scolex with (a) armed ros- 
 tellum and 2 rostellum sacs, (b) fotir suckers provided with very 
 minute cuticular booklets (Schmidt), and (c) long, narrow neck 
 provided with 30-40 calcareous corpuscles; (2) a hollow cyst or 
 sac, composed of three layers; (3) a long, thin tail, in which the 
 6 hooks Oif the oncosphere are visible. The excretory system 
 can be traced from the suckers to the end of the tail, where 
 it ends in a terminal vesicle. Extended, the entire body may 
 measure ca. 2nim, the tail being 3% to 4 times as long as the 
 cyst. The scolex is contracted into the cyst, which then meas- 
 ures 0.19mrn to 0.20mm by 0.21mm to 0.23mm, tail 0.7mm to 0.8mm. 
 
 Host: Domesticated duck (Anas bnschas dom.); mallard (A. 
 boschas); pintail (Daflla acuta). 
 
 Geographical distribution: Pomerania. by Creplin; Zealand 
 (Denmark), by Gad and Krabbe; Schle.=wig, by Friis; France, 
 by Moniez; Germany, by Schmidt. No epidemics recorded. 
 
 Krabbe (1869, pp. 287-288) found some specimens in Creplin's 
 collection under the label Taenia larvis Bloch, collected from 
 tame ducks. These worms agreed with others of Creplin's 
 collection labeled sinuosa. froim the same host, and with a third 
 lot of worms from Gurlt's collection labeled "Taenia porposa? 
 
603 
 
 Anas boschas feia," the laltfr being in a bottle with others 
 which appeared to be T. rhoniboidea. Friis found the same 
 worm in wild ducks in Schleswig, and Gad and Krabbe found 
 it in tame ducks in Zealand. The worm was found three 
 times in 100 tame ducks. Krabbe (1S82, p. 353 states that Pro- 
 fessor Reinhart found this same species in 1874 in Anas acuta 
 [ — Dafila acuta] taken in Zealand. 
 
 Mrazek (1891, pp. 110-113) describes a cysticercoid which he 
 found in Bohemia in Cypris incong-ruens and Cypris compressa 
 Baird (according to Moniez, 1891, Cypria ophthalmica); the larva 
 measured 0.40"i»> to 0.43""", and bore 10 hooks 65 fi long; the 
 tail was very long; embryonic hooks measured 10 /t. Moniez 
 (1891, p. 26) states that he found the same larva in Cypris in- 
 congruens at Lille, France, and that the species T. anatina is 
 the mosit common tapeworm of domesticated ducks of that 
 country. 
 
 It is to J. E. Schmidt (ISDl) that we owe our chief 
 knowledge of this worm and the experimental demon- 
 stration of its life history. Schmidt infected numer- 
 ous small 2.25"™ to 2.75'""' freshwater crustaceans 
 (Cypris ovata) with the eggs of adult animals taken 
 from ducks, and followed the development in all its 
 stages. He found that the ova are eaten by Cypris; 
 the embryo escapes from its shells and passes into the 
 body cavity of the intermediate host; here it growls into 
 a roundish hollow ball which gradually elongates and 
 develops the various organs of the cysticercoid; when 
 the organs are formed, the larva retracts its scolex into 
 its cyst. In summer the entire development of the 
 cysticercoid lasts but two weeks, while in winter it 
 lasts over five weeks. 
 
 Ducks naturally become infected by swallowing \\\v 
 mussel crabs. 
 
604 
 
 14 DRETANIDOTAENIA SINUOSA (Zeder. 18tK)) Rallllet, 1893. 
 
 (1782, Taenia coUari nigro Bloch— vide Hud., ISIU; I/SJ, T. intun- 
 dibuliformis (Anserum) Goeze — vide Dies., 1850; 1786, T. col- 
 laris Batsch— vide Rud., 1810; 1790, T. torquata Gmelin— vide 
 Rud., 1810; 1800, Alyselminthus sinuosus Zeder; 1800, Taenia 
 breviarticulata Goeze; 1803, Halysis sinuosa (Zeder, 1800) 
 Zeder; 1803, H. torquata (Gmelin, 1790) Zeder— vide Rud., 1810; 
 1858, Hymenol^^pis (Lepidotrias )sinuosa (Zeder, 1800) Wein- 
 land). 
 
 [PI. X, figs. 116-124; PI. XI, figs. 125-139; PI. XII, figs. 140-146; 
 PI. XIII, fig. 153.1 
 
 Diagnosis: 50mm to 160mm long by 1mm to 2mm broad. Head 
 almost globular, rostellum armed with a simple row of 10 
 hooks 51 1^ to 61 y" long. Neck very long. Anterior segments 
 of variable breadth and length; the following segments trape- 
 zoidal; posterior segments rounded. Genital unilateral, sit- 
 uate toward the anterior third of the lateral margin; in each 
 pore is found a globular sac, armed with spines, and appear- 
 ing as a black point; tliis punctate line allows an immediate 
 determination of the species. Eggs with 3 envelopes, the ex- 
 terior 42 fi to 44 II hooks of oncosphere 7/u to 8 /u. 
 
 Development: Cercocystis Dr. sinuosae found in Gammarus 
 pulex by Hamann and von Linstow; in Cyclops viridis Fisch. 
 C. agilis Koch and C. lucidulus Koch, by Mrazek. 
 
 Host: Tame dncks (Anas boschas dom.); mallard duck (A. 
 boschas); Brazilian teal (A. braziliensis); tame goose (Anser 
 anser dom.); graylag goose (A. anser); pintail (Dafila acuta); 
 tufted duck (Aythya fuligula). 
 
 Geographical distribution: P^rance. Germany, Italy, Sweden 
 and Bohemia. 
 
 The species sinuosa as at present adopted by authors 
 stands on a most peculiar footino^. 
 
 Gooze left a description and figures of this worm, with the 
 MS. name Taenia breviarticulata, from Anas fusca, which were 
 later published by Zeder (ISOO, pp. 295-298) under Alyselmin- 
 thus sinuosus. .According to Krabbe (1869, p. 298) Rudolphi de- 
 termined as sinuosa formis which differ greatlj'^ from one 
 another. Dujardin (1845) p. 573) then gave a more exact de- 
 scription of a form which he determined as T. sinuosa (Zeder) 
 Rud., taken from Anas acuta, adopting Rudolphi's synonymy 
 in all tssentials. Krabbe (1S69, i)p. 298-299) adopted Dujardin's 
 
605 
 
 determination of Zedei-Ruolplii's species, but ignored syn- 
 onymy prior to Zeder. Thus we have no way of knowing 
 whether the form now named sinuosa is identical with the 
 original sinuosa or not, and Dujardin is the earliest author to 
 whom we can trace the present sinuosa with any degree of cer- 
 tainty. Authors generally follow Krabbe in accepting Dujar- 
 din's determination of Zeder's sinuosa and it will be well at 
 present to adopt this plan. 
 
 The views concerning the life history of this worm rest upon 
 observations by Hamann, Mrazek, and von Linstow. Hamann 
 (1889, pp. 1-7, Taf. I) found some cysticercoids in Gammarus 
 pulex which von Linstow determined as the young of T. sinu- 
 osa. They were oval to spherical; tail surrounds body as a 
 yellowish border; 6 oncospheric hooks, 13 /^ long, persistent, 
 one pair at end, one in middle, and one at beginning of tail; 
 tail 0.5mm, body with tail 1.3mm long; hooks of cysticercoid 50 
 u long, 10 in number; calcareous bodies numerous, 6 ;* in diam- 
 eter, oval. Mrazek found a cysticercoid in Bohemia, 0.23miii 
 long; tail moderately long, oncospheric hooks 11 /*; 50 calcare- 
 ous corpuscles present. He identified this organism with Ha- 
 mann's larval form, and records it from Cyclops virdis Fisch, 
 C. agilis Koch, and C. lucidulus Koch. So far as I can learn 
 no infections were made with these parasites. 
 
 15. DREPANIDOTAENIA SETIGERA (FroUch, 1789) UaiUlet, 1893. 
 
 (1789, Taenia setigera Frolich; 1800, Alyselminthus setigerus 
 (Frolich. 1789) Zeder; 1803, Halysis setigera (Frolich, 1789) 
 Zeder; 1819. "Taenia sinuosa Rud.," 1810, of Rud., pars.— vide 
 Krabbe, 1869; 1848, "T. setigera Frolich," 1789, of Siebold; 1858, 
 T. fasciata Rud.," 1810, of Feuereisen; 1869, "T. setigera Fro- 
 lich" of Krabbe.) 
 
 [PI. XII, figs. 147-150; PI. XIII, figs. 154-164.1 
 
 Diagnosis: Strobila 200mni long by 1mm to Jmm broad. Head 
 subglobular, 0.24mm long by 0.2Smm to 0.33mm broad; rostellum 
 with simple crown of 10 hooks 35 // to 43 /* (40 /* to 60 /^ long, 
 prong 20 ft long, roots 20 fi apart, after Feuereisen); ventral 
 root short and plump, dorsal root longer. Suckers rather large, 
 elliptical. Neck, 0.59mm long by 1.16mm broad. (Segments very 
 short, 10 times as broad as long, Feuereisen.) Anterior seg- 
 ments very short, the following slightly longer, tunnel shaped, 
 with very prominent posterior angles; chain traversed by a 
 dark median band. Pores unilateral, small, situated tovvjir.l 
 anterior angle of the segment, frequently with extruding penis. 
 
606 
 
 Genital organs begin with eight hundred and tliirlieth seg- 
 ments; embryos begin with one thousand five hundredth seg- 
 ment. Calcareous bodies less numerous than in Dr. faseiata. 
 Male organs: Male maturity is reached about the one thou- 
 sand and thirtieth segment and is continued about 100 seg- 
 n;ents. Testicles three, 13 ji in diameter, posterior; an uncer- 
 tain body (probably vesicula seminalis) lateral but near median 
 line; vas deferens parellel and near anterior margin; cirrus 
 pouch 0.3'5mm long, more than half as broad as the younger 
 segments, parallel to and near anterior margin, 39 fi (median 
 portion) 19 fi (lateral portion) broad; broadest part is 160 ji to 
 190 II long and contains a vesicula seiminalis 0.1mm to 0.15mm 
 long by 30 fi broad; penis covered with minute spines. Female 
 lorgans: Very imperfectly understood. A boldy appears on 
 aporose side of median line, develops and divides into two 
 pyriform bodies, which remain connected ( — ovary?); from 
 their point of juncture a canal runs toward the genital pore, 
 and shows two swellings, a median (? receptaculum seminis) 
 and a lateral ( ? receptaculum seminis); an oval body (— ? 
 ovary) appears in the extreme aporose side of the segment, and 
 from this extends another body (uterus) toward the median 
 line, increasing in size as the (?) ovaries decre^use. Oncospheres 
 19/<, hooks 7.9 fi. 
 
 Development: Cercocystis Dr. setigerae in Cyclops brevicau- 
 datus Claus, found by Schmeil. 
 
 Hosts: Tame goose (Anser anser dom.); white-fronted goose 
 (A. albifrons); bean goose (A. fabalis); barnacle goose (Branta 
 leucopsis); tame swan (Olor cygnus dom.) cited by von Lin- 
 stow, but Railliet believes this erroneous; whooping swan 
 (Olor cygnus). 
 
 Geographical distribution: Germany, France, Denmark, 
 Sweden and Ireland. Lucet found it producing a serious epi- 
 demic among the young geese Doiret (Railliet, 1893, p. 301). 
 
 The na,me Taenia setigera was pr&posed by Frolich (1789, pp. 
 106-111) for a worm 3 feet long and 3 lines broad, with unilateral 
 genital pores, which he found in pastured geese. He states 
 that the rostellum is unarmed; the form is, like many earlier 
 species, not well described, and the figures are poor, so that 
 it is not possible to tell with absolute certainty what species 
 Frolich examined. Rellingham (1844, p. 320) records it for Ire- 
 land. Von Siebold (1848, p. 131) states that in this species he 
 found 10 hooks on the rostellum. There is no way of proving 
 that Siebold's worm was Frolich's petigera; at the same time, 
 as there is no way of disproving it, we may as well accept 
 
607 
 
 von Siebold's statement regarding the hooks; the species seti- 
 gera accordingly would rest upon this character. Feuereisen 
 (1868, pp. 190-200) described the anatomy of a goose taiieworm, 
 determined as T. fasciata Rud., which possessed 10 hooks an<l 
 is probably identical with von Siebold's T. setigera Frolich. 
 In 1865 and 1868 Krabbe (1869, pp. 289-290) examined 400 geese 
 and found T. lanceolata present in 77 of them, and another 
 tapeworm 9 times vi'hich possessed 40 hooks on the rostellum; 
 this latter worm Krabbe determined as T. setigera. Krabbe 
 also examined specimens from Rudolphi's collection (see Rud., 
 1819, p. 700) collected by Brosche in Dresden, and determined 
 by Rudolphi as T. sinuosa; these worms were "undoubtedly 
 identical with" T. setigera. Lonnberg (1889, p. 8) records this 
 species for Anser segetum (new host) in Kristineberg; he also 
 includes the white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons) among the 
 hosts, but does not state his authority. Railliet (1893, p. 301) 
 placed T. setigera in his genus Drepanidotaenia. Von Linstow 
 (1892B, pp. 50.3-504) states that Dr. O. Schmeil found in Cy- 
 clops brevicaudatus a globular cysticercoid 0.133mm jn diameter, 
 with a thin, long (2.14mni) tail, 10 hooks 39 n, on the rostellum, 
 which von Linstow identifies as the young of T. setigera. No 
 infections were made. The life history as given above is, 
 therefore, theoretical though probable. 
 
 16. TAENIA KRAB13EI Kowalewski, 1SS5 (nee Moniez, 1879). (Sp. dub.) 
 
 (1894, Taenia Krabbei Kowalewski [nomen nudum].) 
 
 [PI. XII, figs. 151-152.-1 
 
 Krabbe (1860, p. 290) states that he once found in the intes- 
 tine of a domesticated goose a tapeworm head with 10 hooks 
 similar in form to those of Drepanidotaenia setigera but much 
 smaller, i. e., 24 // long. He thought that perhaps it belonged 
 to another form, but figured the hooks as "T. setigera?;" the 
 hooks, as well as the head, bore a great resemblance to Drep- 
 anidotaenia tenuirostris. He also found a few heads with 10 
 similar hooks in the domesticated duck; the hooks were 28 fi 
 long. Kowalewski (1894, p. 5), in a paper which I am unable 
 to read becaufe of the language, mentioned this wohm as a 
 new species under the name Taenia Krabb?i. In a second 
 paper (1895, p. .359, Taf. VIII, fig. 27), he gives a short discus- 
 sion of the worm, and figures 2 hooks. In the Gei'man resume 
 (1894, p. 279) of this paper he simply states: ".A. species from the 
 goose >yhich was already found by Krabbe, but not described. 
 
(;i)8 
 
 is proposed as a new species (Taenia Kiabbei) and its external 
 ciiaraelers are discussed." 
 
 The status of this species cun not Ije judged at present, but 
 the slight variation in the form of the hooks is not, in my 
 opinion, sufficient to establish the form. As Kowalevvski has 
 unfortunately written in a language which is not understood 
 by many authors, it Is difficult to judge his work, and as it 
 is now necessary for an investigating helminthologist to learn 
 no less than ten languages in order to keep up with his branch, 
 it is to be hoped that Kowalewski will in the future give full 
 translations of his scientific articles in German, French, Eng- 
 lish, Italian, or some other language better known than his 
 own. 
 
 Whatever may prove to be the status of this species, the 
 name T. Krabbei can not be retained for it, as this name has 
 always been used by Moniez for another form. 
 
 17. DREr.\N/DOTAENIA TENUIROSTRIS (Rudolph!, 1819) RailUet, l89;v 
 
 (1819, Taenia tenuirostris Rudolphi.) 
 
 [PI. XIV, figs. 165-172.1 
 
 Diagnosis: 100mm to 12'5mm long, 1mm to 3mm broad. Head 
 subglobular; rostellum delicate, subclaviform, armed with a 
 single crown of 10 hooks 20 fJi to 23 /flong; suckers round. Neck 
 rather long. Anterior segments straight and short, the follow- 
 ing longer, with sharp prominent posterior angles, like the 
 teeth of a saw. Genital pores unilateral. Egg cylindrical, 85 
 u. long. Hooks of oncosphere 7 fi. 
 
 Development: Cercocystis Dr. tenuirostris in Gammarus 
 pulex, found by Hamann and von Linstow; in Cyclops agilis 
 and C. pulchellus found by Mrazek. 
 
 Hosts: Tame goose (Anser anser dom.); European scaup 
 duck (Aythya marila); tufted duck (Aythya cristata); 
 goosander (Merganser mergansei-); red-breasted merganser (M. 
 serrator); smew or nun (Mergus albellus); Greenland eider 
 (Somateria moUissima); velvet scoter (Oidemia fusca); kit- 
 tiwake (Rissa tridactyla). 
 
 Geographical distribution: Denmark, France, Germany, and 
 Bohemia. No epidemics recorded. 
 
 Krabbe (1869, pp. 291-292) examined Rudolphi's types and 
 found hooks upon the rotellum, although they had escaped 
 Rudolphi's attention. The original specimens were collected by 
 Bremser from Merganser merganser: von Siebold also found 
 this si'ecies in lh'« ^iinu' h<'Sf, in Haxaria and Krahbe found the 
 
609 
 
 same worm in Aythya marila. It is also reported from otlier 
 wild birds. Bellingham (1844, p. 320) gives Aythya cristata as 
 a host, but does not state his authority. 
 
 Hamann (1889, pp. 7-9, figs, a-c) found a cysticercoid in Gam- 
 marus pulex which he looks upon as the larvel stage of this 
 worm, and he assumes that as the domestic duck is the only 
 bird (i. e., so far as Hamann knows) which visits the water 
 in which this larval stage was found, this tapeworm is also 
 found in domesticated ducks. An argument like this has 
 value in science only in oi'der to place us on our guard fcu" the 
 parasite, but it would be going altogether too far to accept 
 this worm as a parasite of domesticated ducks until it is 
 found in that host. Hamann made no infections with his lar- 
 val form, and accordingly the demonstration that this cysti- 
 cercoid represents the larval stage of Dr. tenuirostris is still 
 lacking. Hamann describes the larva as lying in a cyst 
 fastened to the intestine of the crustacean, and possessing a 
 yellowish tail and grayish-white body; diameter 0.2mm, hooks 
 10 in numbei', 2S fi long; calcareous bodies oval 6 fi, oncospheric 
 hooks 9 fi. Von Linstow (1892A, pp. 338-339) observed the same 
 larva in the same host, and Mrazek (1891, pp. 101-103, 126-129) 
 rlescribes it from Cyclops agilis and Cycl. pulchellus in Bohe- 
 mia. His specimens were very small 0.10mm to 0.11mm; lo hooks 
 21 fi to 23 II. tail long; oncospheric hooks 8 fi. 
 
 Iv Gentlal pores Irregularly alternate. 
 
 18. UREPANIDOTAENIA INFUNDIBULIFORMIS (Goeze. 1782) RailUet. 
 
 1893. 
 
 (1771'. Globus stercoreus Seopoli — vide Parona, 1S94; 1779, Taenia 
 infundibulum Bloch— vide Goeze, 1782; 1781, T. avium Pallas 
 —vide Goeze, 1782; 1782, T. articulis convideis Bloch— vide 
 Rud.. 1810; 1782, T. infundibuliformis Goeze; 17S6, T. cuneata 
 Batsch [nee Linstow, 1872]— vide Rud., 1810; 1788, T. conoidea 
 Schrank — vide Rud., 1810; 1794, T. serrata Rosa [nee Goeze, 
 1782]— vide Parona, 1894; 1800, Alyselminthus infundibuliformis 
 (Goeze) Zeder; 1803, Halysis infundibuliformis (Goeze) Zeder. 
 
 [PI. XIV, figs. 173-186; PI. XV, figs. 187-193.1 
 
 Diagnosis: 20mm to 130mm, rarely 230ram long. Head globular, 
 rather depressed; rostellum elongate, cylindrical, or hemis- 
 pherical, swollen at summit, armed with a single row of 16- 
 EO hooks 20 ft to 27 fi long, with long dorsal and short ventral 
 foot; suckers rath&r small. Neck very short. Anterior seg- 
 ments very short, the following funnel shaped, the anterior 
 
610 
 
 border being much narrower than the posterior border; pos- 
 terior s<»g-ments almost as long as broad. Genital pores ir- 
 regularly alternate. Penis thick, covered with few spines. 
 HookP or embryo 12 (i to 17 H (See also diagnosis given below, 
 p. 611.) 
 
 Development: Acording to Grassi «& Rovelli the cysticercoid 
 develops in the ordinary house fly. 
 
 Host: Chickens (Gallus domesticus); migratory quail (Cotur- 
 nix coturnix); ? pheasants (Phasianus colchicus); mallard 
 (Anas boschas); tame duck (Anas boschas dom.); ? crowned 
 pigeon (GouTa sip.); ? domesticated pigeon (Columba livia dom.); 
 sparrow (Fringilla domestica). 
 
 Geographical distribution: France, Italy, Ireland, Zealand 
 (Denmark) (Krabbe), Pomerania (Creplin), and Saxony (Kuch- 
 enmeister). No epidemics. 
 
 The earlier decriptions of Dr. infundibulif<wmis are 
 exceedingly unsatisfactory, and in many cases it is 
 impossible to recognize what species an autlior had 
 before him when he determined it as infundibulifonnis. 
 
 Krabbe (1869, pp. 339-341) examined Rudolphi's (1810) speci- 
 mens and determined the forms from chickens as "undoubtedly 
 identical" with specimens which he collected in Zealand, and 
 with specimens from Creplin's and Kuchenmeister's collections. 
 Rudolphi's (1810, p. 124) specimens from Otis tarda, however, 
 Krabbe determined as different from the specimens from chick- 
 ens. 
 
 This seems to be the earliest exact reference to this species, 
 which, therefore, rests upon Krabbe's (1869) study of the mater- 
 ial which Rudolphi (1810, pp. 123-126) determined as Goeze (1782, 
 pp. 386-390) Taenia infundibuliformis. Unless original speci- 
 mens of authors before Rudolphi can be studied again, and un- 
 less it can be shown by this means that Rudolphi's (1810) speci- 
 mens were not really identical wnth Goeze's infundibuliformis, 
 this specific name may at present be applied to the parasites 
 as determined by Krabbe. It is useless to revert to the names 
 prior to infundibuliformis, 1782, unless the originals upon which 
 those names were based can be restudied. Bellingham (1844, 
 p. 319) records this species for Anas boschas, A. boschas dom., 
 and Fringilla domestica. The form which Dujardin (1845, p. 
 586) determined as infundibuliformis is referred to Davainea 
 casticillup. Krabbe found this worm (Dr. inf.) in 26 out of 200 
 chickens in the region of Copenhagen. Magnin (1881 .'\. pp. 33- 
 
611 
 
 35) states, that he found T. infumlibuliCorniis in large numbers 
 in the epidemics of syngamosis among pheasants, but it is evi- 
 dent that the fornx he referred to was his T. agama. Bremsci 
 also records it from pheasants, but his observation should be 
 confined. Megnin recoixls it for pigeons and in Goura, but 
 those observations also need confirmation, for Megnin remarks 
 that the specimen from Goura had three rows of hooks upon 
 the suckers, ( ? Davainea cesticillus, q. v. p. 48). Piana (1882, 
 p. 392) found this parasite the most common tapeworm of 
 chickens. Grassi& Rovelli (1889, p. 404; 1892, pp. 33-34, 89) state 
 that they found the larval stage in the house fly (Musca domes- 
 tica), but they did not prove their point experimentally. Crety 
 (1890, pp. 5-8) records Coturnix communis as a new host, and 
 'remarks upon the anatomy of the parasite. Unfortunately the 
 figures are unsatisfactory, and the description is, therefore, 
 not of such value as it otherwise would be; from his descrip- 
 tion the following characters are taken: 
 
 Diagnosis: (T. infundibuliformis) Strobila to 100mm. Head 
 very small, spheroidal, 0.387mm broad; rostellum armed with 
 20 hooks upon its cupola-like extremity; length of rostellum 
 0.137mm, breath %2 /j, to 75 /«; hooks 23 fi long; suckers 0.215mm 
 by 0.156mm. Neck very short, 0.313mm in length; middle seg- 
 ments 0.4Smm long, posterior segments 0.901mm long. Genital 
 
 pores . Male genitalia: Testicles 16 to 20 in number, 29 
 
 IM to 44 /i in diameter, situated in median field; vas deferens 
 begins about the middle of the segment, firsit portion slightly 
 sinuous, lateral portion very tortuous; cirrus pouch glo'bose, 71 
 fi in diameter; cirrus armed with numerous small spines. Fe- 
 male genitalia: Receptaculum seminis 106 fi by 39 /i, situated 
 near the ovary; ovary globose, near anterior margin, occa- 
 sionally irregularly divided into two halves; oviduct runs from 
 ovary, in median line, di.S'tally; vitellogene gland in about the 
 proglottid is globose, occasionally irregularly divided into two 
 portions, vitello-duct runs cephalad from its median portion; 
 shell gland very small, between ovary and vitellogene gland; 
 uterus forms very quickly, in the mature proglottid it oc- 
 cupies the entire median field and is composed of a large cav- 
 ity imperfectly divided into numerous small cells ( — egg cap- 
 sules?). Ova 55 n by 46 /x, with 3 shells; oncosphere 33 /*> 
 hooks 17 iJ, Krabbe: hnoks 12 /" to 17 fi.) 
 
 r.i.sqiiiilo (1800. p. 000) records the worm for cliiek- 
 eus in Massowali. Ralliet (1893, p. 302) well remarks 
 
612 
 
 that the gcueiic positian of this species is doubtful. 
 (See addeiiduui, p. (loT.) 
 
 I refrain fi-oui discussing this form further, except 
 to remark that practically nothing is definitely Icnown 
 aboit the species. Orety's description is the only one 
 which can be given the dignity of a diagnosis, and yet 
 that was not based upon originals. The earlier de- 
 scriptio-ns, which take no account of the internal ana- 
 tomy of the segments, are almost useless so far as 
 zoological descriptions are concerned. Were it not for 
 the fact that the original host (chickens) is known, I 
 have the most serio-us doubt whether it would ever be 
 possible to recognize this form; and whether even the 
 numerous specimens recorded from chickens as T. in- 
 fundibuliformis are to be considered as such is, in my 
 opinion, an open question. I have specimens o-f worms 
 from pigeons (Ck)lumba. domestica) and from turkeys 
 (Meleagris gallopavo mexicana), which I should like 
 to determine as Dr. infundibuliformis, but it seems 
 to me that this specific name, like Taenia expansa o-f 
 older authors, is only a Latinized form of expressing 
 one's doubts or ignorance as to what species is in the 
 hands of a given worker, while as for the suppo-sed 
 life history, with the fly as intermediate host, although 
 I am not willing to deny the correctness of the hypo- 
 thesis, I do insist that it is only an hypothesis, with 
 little back of it, and that it is now time to call a halt 
 on such speculative work and to distinguish between 
 what is shown experimentally to be fact, and what 
 might possibly be shown to be fact. (See also Taenia 
 nigropnnotntn.) 
 
613 
 
 B. Suckers aimiecl : gi'nera Davainea, lOchinocotyle, and 
 Ophryocoytle. 
 
 Genus DAVAINEA R. Blanchard & Rallllet, 1891. 
 
 { ? ISito, Chapmania Monti<jelli.> 
 
 Diagnosis: Worms of small or medium size. Head rounded, 
 surmounted by a rostellum or hollowed by a depression, but 
 armed in either case with a double row of numerous small 
 hooks possessing- a special form (prong and dorsal root short, 
 ventral root very long, giving them the form of a hammer). 
 Suckers rounded, bordered with several rows of small hooks 
 which are instable or persistent. Genital pores generally un- 
 ilateral but occasionally irregularly alternate; in the former 
 case (unilateral pores), the ova are generally arranged in 
 groups, in egg capsules; ovary in some species develops into 
 the uterus; eggs also isolated, scattered through the paren- 
 chyma; embryos without pyriform body. 
 
 Type species: As the type species has evidently never been 
 proposed, I propose D. proglottina (Davaine, 1860) R. Blanchard, 
 1891, as type. 
 
 Development: As yet little known; the larvae of some species, 
 however, have been found in certain arthropods and mollusks. 
 
 Habitat: Intestine of birds and mammals. 
 
 Blanchard (1891B, pp. 428-440) recognizes fourteen 
 species as belonging to this genus, and thinks that T. 
 eantaniana and T, clavulus may also be placed here. 
 Some of the forms Blanchard includes here are w<'ll 
 established, others rest upon weak character.s. 
 
 Monticelli (1893, pp. lG-17) has recently proi)Osed a 
 new genus Chapmania which seems to be very closely 
 related to, if not identical with Davainea. His diag- 
 nosis reads as follows 
 
 Head rounded, small, with a protractile anterior sucker 
 armed on i'ts anterior margin with a crown of very minute 
 hooklets. Suckers rather large, unarmed. Proglottids cam- 
 panulate. Genital pores unilateral. Testicle single. Ovary 
 hilnhed. dendritic. 
 
 Monticelli took Zs.liokke's (ISSS. pp. 2 C, 41-40) 
 Taenia argentina as basis for his genus, and considered 
 
614 
 
 I his species identical wiLli Ohapman's Taenia laiiiicol- 
 lis. In this hitter point MouLicelii is probably in 
 error, while as for the .i;eniis, it certainly rests npon 
 too weak characters to be recognized at present. The 
 ''anterior sucker" is, of course, the invaginated rostel- 
 lum and sac; the only valuable character remaining 
 is the single testicle. The bilobed dendritic ovary, 
 the form of the segments, etc., must all be rejected as 
 generic characters. 
 
 The exact status of the genus and the ? one or ? 
 two species, (taurieo'llis and argentina) must be left 
 undecided for the present. 
 
 ( Genital pores alternate 2 
 
 I Genital pores grenerally unilateral, 
 1. i occasionally alternate; rostelluna 
 
 I with about 200 hooks 6 fJ^ long- D. tetragona, p. 619 
 
 L Genital pores unilateral 4 
 
 r Segments not over 5 in number; 
 
 I strobila 1.5mm long or less; rostel- 
 2 J lum with about 80 hooks 7 /J- long-; 
 
 j found in chickens D. progloltina, i).f)14 
 
 I Seg-ments nuimerous, and strobila 
 
 [ much longer than i.5mm 3 
 
 f Rostellum with about 100 hooks 8 /J. 
 
 I long; found in chickens and (?) 
 
 I pigeons D. echinobothrida, p. 618 
 
 3. -^ Rostellum with 208 hooks 7 fi to S fi 
 
 long; found in chickens D. cesticillus, p. 617 
 
 I Rostellum with about 80O hooks 11 fj. 
 
 I long; found in quails D. circumvallata. p. 61 :i 
 
 r Rostellum with 150 hooks 12.8 fi long; 
 
 I found in pheasants D. Friedbergeri. p. 621 
 
 4.'' Rostellum with ca. 60 hooks 11 fi 
 
 I long; found in pjgeons and (?j 
 
 L ducks D. crassula, p. 62;; 
 
 a. Genital pores Irregularly alternate 
 
 19. DAVAINEA PROGLOTTINA (Davaine, 1860) R. Blanchard. 1S91. 
 
 (I860, Taenia proglottina Davaine; 1881, "T. proglottidina Dav." 
 of Plana.) 
 
 [PI. XV, figs. 194-198; PI. XVI, figs. 199-202.") 
 Diagnosis: 0.5mm to 1.55mm long by O.lSmm to O.50mm bmad. 
 Head club shape to quadran.gular, 140 fi to 250 ft jrng by 135 /i to 
 200 fi broad, rather rounded in front and slightly consticted in 
 
G15 
 
 bark Id fnrm neck (108 fi broad); apex armed with retractile 
 hemispherical rostellum 55 // in its antero-posterior diameter and 
 tiO fi to 85 u in its lateral diameter; base of rostellum armed with 
 about 80-95 hooklets measuring- 6.5 [i to 7.5 fi. Suckers circu- 
 lar, small (25 n to 35 fi)^ armed with a single row of hooklets 
 (6 [i), with rather large, bilobed base. Strobila composed of 
 2-5 segments, first segm-3nt only about 56 fJ- long, the following 
 segments increasing in length and width. Genital pores irre- 
 gularly alternate, situated at the anterior angle. The second 
 .segment possesses well-developed male organs and the anlagen 
 of the female organs. In the third segment the testicles are 
 atrophied, the female organs (median posterior vitellarium, two 
 ovaries, recept. sem.. vagina) well develored, but no uterus 
 present. In the fourth segment all the genital glands are 
 atrophied, and the segment is filled with numerous isolated 
 eggs (not in ess caipsules); ova 35 /^ to 40 j«; hooks of oncosphere 
 10 /i to 11 //. The segments have a great tendency to separate 
 more or less completely; the last segment, after separating, 
 remains in the intestine and grows to 2mm long by 1.25mm 
 broad (larger than the entire worm). 
 
 Develcipment: Larval stage is found in slug^s (Limax cinerous. 
 L. agrestis, and L. variegatus, and develops from the oncos- 
 phere in less than twenty days; fed to chickens, the cysticer- 
 coid beco'mes adult with 4 segments at the end of eight days. 
 
 Host: Chickens (Gallus domesticus). 
 
 Geographical distribution: France (Rennes by Dujardin), in 
 le Nord by Davaine, in Loiret by Lucet, in Indre-et-Loire by 
 R. Blanchard, and Italy by G-rassi & Rovelli. 
 
 Epidemics: Lucet observed a serious epizootic enteritis In 
 fowls produced hy this parasite in Loiret (Railliet. 1893, p. 305). 
 
 The life hisloi y of tliis worm has been ex[)eriraentally 
 demonstrated and this is one of the few tapeworms of 
 fowls which can be said to be comparatively well 
 known from a scientific standpoint. 
 
 20. DAVAINEA CIRCUISTVALLATA (Krabbe, 1869) R. Blanchard, 1891. 
 
 (1S19, Taenia linae Rud., pars; 1869, T. circumvallata Kraltlx; 
 1890, T. pluriuncinata Crety.) 
 
 [PI. XVI, figs, 203-211.] 
 
 Diagnosis: Strobila 40mm to 150mm long. Head pyriform 
 0.627mm to O.Smiii long by 0.598mm to 0.65mm broad. RosteUum 
 
iirnieil with a double row <if about 800 ininule liookh-ts, of two 
 different sizes, the larger and smaller alternating, the larger 
 hooks 11 fi (Krabbe), 16 fi (Crety); smaller hooks 8 yu (Krabbe). 
 12 fi (Crety). In the earlier stages (see below T. pluriuncinata) 
 the suckers are armed with 6-8 concentric rows of instable 
 hooks which vary in size, but of similajr form. Suckers small, 
 0.186mni to 0.196nim in diameter. Neck present, thin. Anterior 
 segments 0.195mm broad by 0.40mm long (after Crety, 1890, p. 2. 
 the figures should undoubtedly be reversed); middle segments 
 2mni\ to 3mm broad by 1mm long; posterior segments 1.5mm long 
 by 2.5mm broad. Genital pores irregxilarly alternate in about 
 the middle of the lateral margin. Male genitalia: In posterior 
 portion of segment; testicles 15-20 in number, 45 ^ in diameter, 
 distributed regularly in median field; the common vas deferens 
 takes origin in about the middle of the segment, medium por- 
 tion more or less sim.ple, lateral portion convoluted; upon enter- 
 ing the cirrus pouch it swells into a vesicula seminalis, 53 ^ 
 long by 39 a broad, distinct only in the younger segments; cir- 
 rus covered with extremely minute spines, visible only with an 
 immersion lense. Female genitalia: In anterior portion of seg- 
 ment. Ovary median near anterior margin, at first transverse, 
 in the older segments it becomes globose and occasionally ir- 
 regularly divided into two lateral halves, connected by a me- 
 dian portion which leads into the oviduct; in middle proglottids 
 transverse diameter of ovary 0.186mm; oviduct short, runs dis- 
 tally; vitellogene gland distal of ovary, in youngest segments 
 appears as a globular sac next to ovary, in older segments 
 further removed from it and much smaller than it, occasionally 
 divided; vitelloduct runs from middle of vitellogene gland prox- 
 imally; shell gland very- small, situated between ovary and 
 vitellogene gland; vagina swells into a receptaculm seminis 58 
 /< by 39 /* near the ovary; uterus formis rapidly, suppresses 
 genital glands, eggs arranged 4-6 or more in egg capsules. Ova 
 28 n by 24 fi\ hooks of oncosphere 11 n to 17 ^ (Krabbe), 3 fi 
 to 4 /i (C^rety), oncosphere 11 fi. 
 
 Type specimen: Berlin museum. 
 
 Life history: Unknown. 
 
 Host: Migratorj' quail (Coturnix coturnix) by Rudolphi and 
 Crety; (C. dactylisonans) by Ninni [Stossioh]. 
 
 Ceographical distribution: Italy, by Rudolph!. Crety. and 
 Minni. 
 
 Rlanchard (1891B. p. 434) looks upon Crety's Taenia pUiriiin- 
 oinata as synonymous with D. circumvallata. Crety's descrip- 
 tion of T. pluriuncinata is as follows: 
 
617 
 
 Diagnosis: Strobila up to ll>5'"'" long. Head very small 
 0.313mm broad. Rostelluni armed with a double row of altt^r- 
 nately larger and smaller hooks, the larger S /i, the smaller 
 5 fi long, in form very similar to those of T. circumvallala : 
 suckers very small, 98 // in diameter, armed with 6-8 concen- 
 tric rows of hooks, the latter varying in size, but of similar 
 form. Neck 2.5nim long, thin. Young segments 0.32.3mm broacj 
 by 0.2mm long; middle segments trapezoid, 3mm broad; poster- 
 ior segments 2mm long; middle segments trapezoid, 3mm broad, 
 posterior segments 2mm broad by 1mm long. Genital pores ir- 
 regularly alternate; genital apparatus (very sufficiently de- 
 scribed); cirrus pouch pyrifarm, 127 (i by 20 /*; ova in egg cap- 
 sules same as in T. circumivallata; diameter of ova 22 /* by 
 16 It; oncosphere 9 ft. 
 
 Host: Migratory quail (Cotumix coturnix.) 
 
 Whether Blanchard is correct in his opinion can be deter- 
 mined only by a comparison of specimens, but in the mean- 
 time one is bound to admit that T. pluripunctata can ha;rdly 
 be admitted as a species upon its present diagnosis. 
 
 21. DAVAINEA CESTICIL.LUS (Molln, 1868) R. Blanchard, 1891. 
 
 (1845, "Taenia infundibuliformis Goeze," 1782, of Dujardin; 1858, 
 T. cesticillus Molin; 1881, T. infundibuliformis pars of Meg- 
 nin.) 
 
 [PI. XVII, figs. 212-216.1 
 
 Diagnosis: Length, 9mm to 45mm (according to Molin), 100mm 
 to 130mm (according to others). Head globulai, 0.5mm to 0.55mm 
 broad; rostellum convex or hemispherical, not prominent, 
 0.28mm to 0.32mm broad, armed with about 208 hooks 1 ft to 8.8 
 f* long, arranged in two rows; these hooks have a very short 
 dorsal and a long ventral root; suckers W ft to 11 ft not proon- 
 inent. Neck very short (Duj.) neck absent (Railliet). Anter- 
 ior segments 3-5 times as broad as long, being broader than the 
 head, but very short; the following segments increasing grad- 
 ually in size and becoming nearly as long as broad, borders 
 overlapping. Genital pores irregularly alternate. Eggs ellip- 
 tical 75 ft to 85 ft; hooks or oncosphere 16 fi to 17 ft (Railliet) 18 
 u to 2Z ft (Dujardin). Development unknown. 
 
 Hosts: Chickens. 
 
 Geographical distribution: France (by Dujardin); Italy (by 
 Molin, Gras.ei, Rnvelli): Denmark (by Krabbe); Turkestan (by 
 Fedtschenko); Abyssinia (by Pasquale). Epidemics: None re- 
 corded. 
 
 39*"n 
 
618 
 
 Dujardin (1845, pp. 586, 609, PI. IX, fig. H, 1-2) erroneously de-- 
 termined this worm as T. infundibuliformis; Moliu (1858, p. 139) 
 described it as T. cesticillus. Krabbe (1869, pp. 342-;J43) found 
 it in 16 out of 200 cliicltens in Denmark, and mentions a some- 
 what similar worm from Siebold's collection, taken in Egypt 
 by Bilharz. Plana (1882) records T. cesticillus in Italy and Pas- 
 quale (1890) says it is the most com^mon form at Massowah 
 (Abyssinia), where he in one instance took about 300 from one 
 chicken. Grassi & Rovelli (1892, p. 88) suspect that the inter- 
 mediate host is a lepidopteron (butterfly) or a coleopteron 
 (beetle), but this is wild speculation. Stossich (1890A, p. 39; 
 1890B, p. 53) records the same species in two different piiblica- 
 tions, once as being- collected in Venice by Ninni, and a second 
 time as being rather rare in chickens in Trieste. Blanchard 
 (1891B, p. 434) looks upon part of Megnin's T. infundibuliformis 
 as belonging here; the worm in question has, according to 
 Megnin (1881A, pp. 27-44) 3 rows of hooks on the suckers. 
 
 For Neumann's (1888 and 1892) combination T. cesticillus var. 
 phasianorum which he attributes to Megnin (1887, p. 828), vide 
 p. 53 (Taenia infundibuliformis var. phasianorum Megnin, 1887, 
 p. 825 ff.. under T. Friedbergeri). 
 
 22, DAVAINEA ECHINOBOTHRIDA (Megnin, 1881) R. Blanchard, 1891. 
 
 (1880, Taenia infundibuliformis of Megnin (pars); 1880, T. 
 echinobothrida Megnin, nomen nudum; 1S81, T. echinoboth- 
 rida Megnin.) 
 
 [PI. XVII, figs. 217-218.1 
 
 Diagnosis: 50mm to 100mm long, 1mm to 4mm broad. Head 
 small, cuboid, its 'Summit presenting an infundibulum armed 
 with about 100 hooks, 8 fi long, arranged in a double row. 
 Suckers large, armed with 7 circular rows of hooks, the hooks 
 of the middle row being the largest; with age these hooks fall 
 and the suckers gradually become indistinct. Neck nil. An- 
 terior segments very thin, 50 times broader than thick; fol- 
 lowing segments increasing gradually in size, the posterior 
 border overlapping, so that the margin of the strobila appears 
 .^errate. Eggs spherical, 90 fi in diameter, arranged in groups 
 of 6-7 in roundish egg capsules. Development unknown. 
 
 Hosts: Chickens (Megnin), ? pigeons (Megnin— possible 
 another species of worm according to Railliet), and ? pheas- 
 ants (see Blanchard). 
 
 Geographical distribution: France by Megnin. Epidemics: 
 Megnin states that this did not produce any serious effect in its 
 hosts. 
 
619 
 
 The types of this species should be compared with D. tetra- 
 gona, and T. bothiioplitis, as the worms are very similar, if 
 not identical. The character of the genital as a specific 
 difference I can hardly admit for this form. (See the discus- 
 sion under D. tetragona.) Meg-nin states that the hooks of 
 the middle rows of the suckers are the larg-est and this, if the 
 observation is confirmed, would separate the species from T. 
 bothrioplitis. 
 
 b. Genital pores unilateral, occasionally alternate. 
 
 23. DAVAINEA TETRAGONA (Molin, 1858) R. Blanchard, 1891. 
 
 (1858, Taenia tetragona Molin; 1881, T. bothrioplites Plana 
 (nomen nudum); 1882, T. bothrioplitis Plana.) 
 
 [PI. XVII, figs. 219-227; PI. XVIII, figs. 228-235.1 
 
 Diagnosis: 12mm to 90mm long (Molin) or to 200mm (Plana) or 
 to 250mm (Krabbe), by 1.6mm to 3mm broad. Head small, tetra- 
 gonal; retractile rotellum armed with a double row of about 
 200 hooks, 6 /i long. Suckers circular, armed with seven or 
 eight concentric rows of books of varying size. Neck very 
 long. Anterior segments very short; the following subquad- 
 rangulai', the posterior edges overlapping. Genital pores uni- 
 lateral or irregularly alternate, situated in or about the middle 
 of the imargin. Eggs arranged irregularly in groups of 5-20 
 in egg capsules. 
 
 Development: According to Piana, the larval stage (Mono- 
 cercus Davaineae tetragonae) develops in snails (Helix carth- 
 usianella or H. maculosa). 
 
 Hosts: Chickens. 
 
 Geographical distribution: Italy (by Molin, Piana), Turkestan 
 (by Fedtschenko), Abyssinia (Pasquale), America (Washing- 
 ton, D. C, by Moore). 
 
 Epidemics: Italy by Piana; Washington, D. C, by Moore. 
 
 I include T. botlii*ioplitis in the species D. tetragona 
 and retain D. ecliinobotlirida as a distinct species, 
 chiefly in deference to the opinion of my friends R. 
 Hlanchard and Railliet. Personally I do not see why 
 the species D. tetragona should be recognized, or why 
 two of these forms should be united while the third 
 is kept distinct, for the descriptions of all three forms 
 
620 
 
 are incomplete, and, as will be shown in the following 
 historical review, any arranj^emeut of the three worms 
 can be looked upon at present only as provisional. 
 The historical review is given in detail, as these three 
 (()!• one?) species represent very important parasites. 
 Molin (1858, p. 139) first described as Taenia tetra- 
 gona some tapeworms which he found in chickens in 
 Padua in December, 1857, as follows: 
 
 Caput tetrag-onum, minimuTn, acetabulis quatuor angularibus, 
 alveolo ad basim rostelli excavatum; rostellum inerme, brevis- 
 simum, obtuso-conicum. in alveolum retractile; collum breve; 
 articuli supremi brevissimi; rnstremi subquadrati, imbricati; 
 aperturae genitales marg-inales, secundae, in apice papillae 
 prominulae. Longit. 0.012-0.090; lat. ad 0.002. 
 
 Habitaculum. Phasianus Gallus: in intestine tenui, Decembri, 
 Patavii (Molin). 
 
 Like most of Molin's descriptions, this diagnosis gives us but 
 little information concerning the parasite he had before hion. 
 It should be noticed, however, that he (probably erroneously) 
 describes the rostellum! as unarmed, the neck as short (a char- 
 acter of little or no value), the posterior segments subquadrate 
 and imbricate, the genital pores as unilateral, the length of the 
 worm as 12mm to 90mm, breath as 2mm. in other words, there 
 is neither a single distinctive character nor a collection of char- 
 acters given in this diagnosis. In his second paper (1860, pp. 
 254-255; Taf. VII, 5-8) Molin repeats this diagnosis, gives four 
 figures of the worm which are almost useless, except fig. 7, in 
 which the genital pores are figured in the middle of the lateral 
 margin, and in which some irregularly-shaped masses are 
 drawn, which evidently represent egg capsules. He also adds 
 three observations to the effect that he collected 42 specimens 
 from one chicken, of which number only 2 were mature, the 
 others being very small. He describes a mosaic structure of 
 the segment caused by egg capsules, each of which contains 
 from 5 to 20 ova. Although the TOSteHum is unarmed, the form 
 differs in organization from the other unarmed forms. These 
 are all of the characters ever given by Molin to the species, 
 and it must, indeed, be admitted that they are not sufficient 
 to determine any worm with certainty. Molin's diagnosis, 
 without the type specimens, is therefore useless. 
 
621 
 
 As far as any original ubservations are concerned Molin's 
 species T. tetragona then rested for a number of years. 
 In 1880 Megnin (1880, p. 119) mentioned T. echinobothrida as a 
 nonien nudum. In 1881 two parasites of chickens, very similar 
 to if not identical with T. tetragona, were described as new. 
 Megnin described and figured T. echinobothrida as new species 
 with the characters given in the diagnosis above (p. 618.) A 
 careful study of both figures and description shows that the 
 most important characters at present to be considered are the 
 hooks upon the rostellum, said to he about 100 in number, 8 
 H long, the rows of hooks upon the suckers (6-7 rows), those of 
 the middle row being the largest; genital pores irregularly al- 
 ternate; eggs 90 /x in diameter, spherical, arranged in groups 
 of 6-7 in 'roundish ess capsules. 
 
 In March of the same yeari (1881) Plana (1882, pp. 387-391, I 
 plate) presented a paper before the Accademia delle Scienzei di 
 Bologna, in which he described as a new species T. bothriop- 
 litis, a cestode which he found causing serious damage to poul- 
 tiT, producing tubercles in the intestine. The chief zoological 
 characters taken as a basis for the species are as follows: 
 
 Head 0.35mm jn diameter; retractile hemispherical rostellum 
 armed with hooks (number not given, but evidently ca. 200, 
 form shown in drawing); suckers with seven or eight concen- 
 tric rows of hooks (form as per drawing), hooks not all of same 
 size; neck very long, containing ovoid calcareous corpuscles; 
 genital pores unilateral, situated somewhat below (distally) the 
 middle of the lateral margin; cirrus short, pyriform; eggs in 
 egg sacs. 
 
 Plana states that Rivolta and Delprato (in Ornitojatria, 1880, 
 T. I., f. 5a— not accessible to me) picture the head of a cestode 
 which produced similar nodules in the intestine of a chicken. 
 Plana found 2 cysticercoids in Helix (whether in H. carthu- 
 sianella or H. maculosa is not clear to me) which agree quite 
 closely with the head of the parasite found in chickens; no 
 experiments were made to demonstrate that this cysticercoid 
 is the larval form of the worm in question, but their specific 
 
 iThe date of publication of the volume for 1881 is given upon 
 the cover as 1882, but a preliminary notice of this paper ap- 
 peared in the Rendiconto in 1881. This preliminary notice, 
 however, is altogether too incomplete to hold should the ques- 
 tion of priority be raised between Megnin's T. echinobothrida 
 and Piana's T. bothrioplites. Further, as Plana cites Megnin's 
 article in the final paper, Megnin's name must be given prece- 
 dence, should these two forms prove identical. Piana's T. 
 bothrioplites of 1881 is to all intents an<T purposes a nomen 
 nudum, and his species T. bothrloplitis should be dated 1882. 
 
r)22 
 
 identity is assumed from their similarity. Plana was ac- 
 quainted with Megniu's i>:ii.fi-, ))Ut separated his form from 
 Meg-nin's species chiefly nn account of the form of the hooks 
 on the suckers, the number of hooks on the rostellum, and the 
 arrang-ement of the genital pores. Krabbe (1882, pp. 361-364, 
 Tab. II, figs. 5.')-60) published as Taenia tetragona Molin, some 
 cestodes whicih Fedschenko had found in chickens in Turke- 
 stan. He admits the total inadequacy of Molin's figures and 
 descriptions, but determines his specimens as T. tetragona on 
 account of the egg capsules. The characters given are as fol- 
 lows: 
 
 Length to 250>iini, breadth, 1.6mn'; posterior segments, 1.2mm 
 long by 1.6mm broad. Head provided with a short and broad 
 retractile rostellum, surrounded by about 200 hooks arranged 
 in a double row; hooks measured 6 /" long from the apex of 
 the prong to the end of the dorsal root; ventral root 11 fi long; 
 suckers surrounded by several rows of similar instable hooks 
 of different form from those of T. australis. Genital pores 
 unilateral; cirrus smooth, 21 a long by 8 /i thick. Eggs ar- 
 ranged in egs sacs, 10-12 ova in a group, 40 to ca. 90 groups in 
 a segment. 
 
 Since Krabbe's paper authors have as a rule accepted T. tet- 
 ragona as a good species. Blanchard (1891B, pp. 433, 436) rec- 
 ognized D. echinoibothrida as a distinct species; recognized D. 
 tetragona (Molin) as valid, and made T. bothrioplitis a syn- 
 onym of D. tetragona. Grassi & Rovelli (1892, p. 84) claiim to 
 have recognized both T. tetragona Molin and T. bothrioplitis 
 Piana, and state that they have found both forms; T. echino- 
 bothrida Megnin they did not find, but they think it is possi- 
 bly identical with T. bothrioplitis Piana. Railliet (1S93, pp. 306- 
 307) has followed Blanchard (1891). 
 
 Fromi the above it is questionable whether Molin's specific 
 name teti"agona can be retained, unless the originals can be 
 found and redescribed, for the description given by Molin is 
 unrecognizable without the types. It might possibly be re- 
 tained upon the ground that it is impossible to show that T, 
 tetragona of present authors is not identical with T. tetragona 
 Molin. I refrain temporarily from suppressing the name, as 
 I hope the types may be re-examined. Krabbe's description of 
 T. tetragona can hardly be taken into consideration in this 
 question, as there is nothing to show that his specimens are 
 identical with Molin's forms, and asi Krabbe himself admits the 
 uselessness of Molin's description and figures. The differences 
 between the species described by these three authors- (Megnin. 
 
623 
 
 Plana, and Krabbe) are very slight and can for the most part 
 be explained by contraction, insufficiency of material, and lack 
 of details. The description of the hooks of the suckers of T. 
 echinobothrida (as being so simple) should, I believe, be taken 
 with reserve. The hooks are very small and are not easily 
 studied. The fact that the genital pores are described as ir- 
 regularly alternate by Megnin and unilateral by Plana and 
 Krabbe is not, in my opinion, a serious difference in this genus. 
 This opinion, radical as it may appear, is based upon the fol- 
 lowing observations: 
 
 The worms which Dr. Moore found producing a nodular dis- 
 ease in chickens give rise to the same pathological conditions 
 as the form described by Plana, and agree with Piana's species 
 in regard to the armed rostellum, the form and size of the 
 hooks, both on the rostellum and suckers, and in almost every 
 other character mentioned by Plana. The genital pores vary 
 in different specimens. In some specimens they are entirely 
 unilateral; in other specimens all but one or two may be on 
 the same side of the worm; in fact it is often necessary to 
 mount the entire strobila before it is possible to find an al- 
 ternating pore; in still other sipecimens the pores are extremely 
 irregular. The specimens with irregularly alternate genital 
 pores agree in all other respects, so' far as I can see, with 
 Piana's form. The only difference between these specimens 
 and Megnin's description appears to be (1) the num.ber of 
 hooks upon the rostellum (Megnin estimates them at about 
 100, the American forms possess ca. 200-20S); (2) the form of the 
 hooks on the suckers (possibly due to misinteipretation as the 
 form of hooks Megnin describes is otherwise unknown in this 
 group); and (3) the arrangement of the hooks on the suckers 
 (in Megnin's form the largest hooks are in the center row, in 
 the American form the largest hooks are those of the external 
 row). This latter point of difference should not be given too 
 much weight, as Megnin evidently made no microtome sections, 
 and this point could hardly be established definitely otherwise. 
 
 In short, I incline to the belief that tetragona, echinobothrida, 
 and bothrioplitis all represent one and the same species. 
 
G24 
 
 c Genital pores unilateral. 
 
 24. I'AVAINKA FRIEDBERGKRI (von Linslow, 1878) R. UlHiicha.d, IKSl. 
 
 (1878, Taenia Friedbergeri von Linstow [May 16]; ? 1878, Taenia 
 agama Megmin [Augrust]; ? 1878, T. infundibulifonmis vai. 
 phasianorum Meg-nin [September"]; 1888, T. cesticillus var. 
 phasianorum Neumann.) 
 
 [PI. XVIII, figs. 236-242.1 
 
 Diagnosis: trobila up to 200nin> and more long by 2mm to Smm 
 wide. Head pyriform, 0.386mm broad by O.SOmm long; rostellum 
 armed with a double row of hooks, 75 in each row, 12 « long; 
 suckers elliptical, armed with 4-5 rows of hooks, of which those 
 on the middle row are smallest. Neck thin, 2mm to 3mm long. 
 Anterior segments very short, the following gradually increase 
 in length, the distal borders projecting so as to give a serrate 
 appearance to the worm; in the posterior sixth the segments 
 become moniliform, the last segments almost globular, fre- 
 quently orange in color. Genital pores unilateral, in middle of 
 the margin. Ova 34 /* to 38 /i, onccspheric hooks 6.5 ft. 
 
 Development: Unknown; Friedberger and Megnin think that 
 ants ("Formica rufa?") form the intermediate host, but ex- 
 periments (Friedberger) were negative. 
 
 Hosts: Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). 
 
 Geographical distribution: Geirmany and France. 
 
 Epidemics: Friedberger (1877, pp. 99-112) gives quite 
 an extensive account of an outbreak of disease among 
 pheasants which he attributed to the presence of the 
 large number of tapeworms. A remarkable difference 
 in the development of the young pheasants was 
 noticed. Many of them became sick. The appetite 
 remained good for the most part, but the animals grew 
 dull and their feathers became ruffled. Suddenly the 
 animals would wake up, run around, and take food; 
 then they would quiet down again, close their eyes, and 
 finally die. 
 
 Several post-mortems were made, and in all cases 
 numerous tapeworms were found in the intestine. A 
 
625 
 
 pui'uleut, desquamative, intestinal catarrh and general 
 anaemic condition were constant. 
 
 In August, 1878, M^gnin (1878A, p. 825) described 
 as a new species (T. agama, afterwards (September, 
 1878B, p. 927) proposing (o make it a variety (T. in 
 fundibuliformis var. phasianorum), a tapeworm which 
 he found creating considerable trouble in the })heas- 
 antries near Paris and Fontainebleau. He gave the 
 following characters: 
 
 Not over 60mm long; head small, with about lOO hooks; neck 
 variable, long and filiform or short. Head not over l-4mm broal ; 
 body imm to 3mm broad. Ovary fills the entire posterior half 
 of the body without being- localized in each segment; segments 
 detach themselves as round discs, rather thick, and 1.7mm to 
 2mm in diameter, filled with eggs, collected in egg-sacs, about 
 7 eggs being present in each sac and about 80-100 sacs in each 
 segment. Megnin suggests that ants form the intermediate 
 host. 
 
 The parasites injured their hosts by stopping up the 
 bowels, but good results in treatment resulted from 
 administering powdered Tvamala mixed with the food. 
 Fn the second note Megnin states that the pores are 
 unilateral. 
 
 Neumann (1888, p. 433; 1892A, p. 471; 1892IB, p. 485) erroneously 
 attributes the combination Taenia cesticillus var. phasianorum 
 to Megnin (1887, p. S28) ; (this reference given by Neumann 
 should undoutbtedly read 1878, p. 928, as there were only 823 
 pages in the Recueil of 1887, and Megnin apparently did not 
 publish upon this species in 1887, i. e., so far as I have been able 
 to trace). Railliet (1893, pp. 308-309) thinks it probable that 
 Megnin's species is identical with the worm described by 
 Priedberger (1877) and named by von Linstow (1878). 
 
 40-11 
 
026 
 
 25. DAVAINEA CRASSULA (Rudolphl. 1819) Rallllet, 1893. 
 
 (ISlit. "T. sphenoof^phala Rud.," ISIO of Riulolphi; 1819, T. 
 crassula Rud., 
 
 (?17X9, Taenia seipentiformks i. T. turturis Gmelin; 7 1800, 
 A'lyselminthus Columbae Zeder; ? 1803, Halysis Colunxbae 
 (Zeder, 1800) Zeder; ? 1810, Taenia sphenocephala Rud.; ? 
 1891, Davainea Columbae (Zeder, 1800) R. Bl.) 
 
 [PI. XVIII, figs. 243-246.1 
 
 Diagnosis: 200mni to 400mm long by 4mm broad. Head oval, 
 rostellum obtuse, armed with about 60 hooks 10 fi to 11 f^ long. 
 Suckers rounded, armed with spines. Neck rather long. An- 
 terior segments very short, the following segments a little 
 longer and very wide, the posterior segments infundibuliform. 
 Gen.ita/1 pores unilateral. Elggs united in groups of 10-12 in 
 capsule. Development urknown. 
 
 Hosts: Domestic pigeon. (Columba livia domestica); EuTOpean 
 rock pigeon (Coluim,ba livia); turtle dove (Turtur turtur); rock 
 partridge (Caccalbis saxitilis); ? tame duck (Anas boschas 
 dom.); parroquet (Psittacus erithacus) [perhaps D. leptosoma?]. 
 Epidemics: None recorded. 
 
 Little more is known of tliis worm than the actual 
 fact that the parasites described under the synonymy 
 above are found in pigeons. 
 
 Zeder (1800, pp. 281-282) found a worm in the turtle dove which 
 he named Alyselminthus columbae, changing the name three 
 years later to Halysis columbae. This worm Rudolphi (1810, pp. 
 94-95) renamed Taenia sphenocephala, so there is evidently no 
 doubt that these three terms are synonymous. Rudolphi in- 
 cludes in his literature a worm which Goeze (1782, p. 394) men- 
 tioned in a footnote as having been found in the turtle dove 
 and which Gmelin (1790, p. 3070) quoted from Goeze as Tenia 
 turturis under T. serpentiformis. It is entirely an assumption 
 that Goeze's form is identical with Zeder's worm, although 
 Gmelin's name refers to Goeze's species. Rudolphi (1819. pp. 
 154, 506-508) described as T. sphenocephala. evidently consider- 
 ing them identical with his sphenocephala of 1810, some worms 
 obtained by Bremser; these were preserved in the Berlin 
 Museum, were restudied by Krabbe and propounced identical 
 with Rudolphi's supposed new species (1819, pp. 702-704) Taenia 
 crassula, types of which Krabbe also examined. 
 
627 
 
 T. sphenocephala Rud., 1819 and crassula Rud., 1819, are evi- 
 dently the earliest specific names to which we can refer with 
 certainty, although the earlier names may be looked upon as 
 probable but unid en tillable synonyrms. According to page- 
 priority T. sphenocephala should stand, but as that is an un- 
 certain earlier synonym, and as Railliet has already used 
 crassula, I retain the latt<?r name for the present. 
 
 There are certain other species which must be con- 
 sidered in couuecticn with this genus, but most of 
 which are but little known at present. The followinj; 
 characters are talcen from Krabbe (1869) and Blan- 
 chard (1891, pp. 434-438): 
 
 A. Avian parasites: 
 
 Davainea struthionis (Parona, 1885)— Syn. 1810, Taenia 
 sti-uthio cameli Rudolphi, nomen nudum; 1819, T. struthionis 
 Rudolphi, nomen nudum; 1819, T. struthionis Rudolphi, nomen 
 nudum; 1885, T. struthionis Parona; 1893. T. (Davainea) 
 struthionis von Linstow.) Parona's description of this para- 
 site from ostriches is not accessible to me. 
 
 Davainea insignis (Steudener, 1877) R. Bl., 1891 (Syn. 1877. 
 Taenia insignls Studener). lOOmm to ISOmm long; rostellum 
 armed with double crown of minute hooks; suckers also armed 
 with gyriniform hooks, smaller than those of the rostellum, 
 points directed inward; host: Carpophaga oceanica. (Original 
 not at my disposal, I quote from R. Blanchard, 1891, pp. 434- 
 435.) 
 
 Davainea australis (Krabbe, 1869) R. Bl., 1891 (Syn. 1S69. 
 Taenia australis Krabbe). Strobila 400mm long. 1.2mm broad; 
 rostellum with a double row of 340-360 hooks 12 fi to 14 fi long: 
 suckers with hooks, 5 fi to 11 fi long; genital pores unilateral; 
 host: Dromaius Novae-Hollandiae. 
 
 Davainea urogalli (Mode^r, 1790) R. Bl.. 1891. (Syn. after 
 Krabbe 1869, p. 344; 1846, Taenia tumens Mehlis; 1850, T mi- 
 crops). Strobila 300mm long; rostellum with double crown of 
 ca. 100 hooks 10-11 fi long; genital pores unilateral; hosts: 
 Tetrao urogallus; Tetrao tetrix; Cacabis saxatilis; Centrocerus 
 urophasianus; Tetraogallus himalayanus. 
 
 Davainea frontina (Dujardin, 1845) R. Bl.. 1891. (Syn. after 
 Krabbe, 1869: 1810, Taenia crateriformis Rudolphi. pars; 1845. 
 T. frontina Dujardin.) Strobila 100mm long by 1mm broad; 
 head 380 fi broad, rostellum 126 /i surrounded by a double crowr 
 of about 300 hooks 8 /" long; suckers 140 fi in diameter, armed 
 
628 
 
 with a large number of small hooks; genital pores unilateral; 
 hosts: Oriolus galbula, Picus viridis, ? P. major. 
 
 Davainea circumcinota (Krabbe, 1869) R. Bl.. 1S'.»1. (1869, 
 Taenia circumcincta KraJbbe). Strobila 120mm long by 2mni 
 broad; rostellum armed with a double crown of about 300 hooks 
 11 fi to 12 fi long; suckers armed; genital pores ? ; eggs in egg 
 sacs; host: Ardea garzetta. 
 
 Davainea leptosoma (Diesing, 1850) R. Bl., 1891. (1850, Taenia 
 leptosoma Diesing.) Strobila 160mm long by 2mm broad; ros- 
 tellum with a double (?) crown of hooks 11 ^ to 13 /* long; 
 hooks on suckers?; genital pores unilateral; host: Psittacus 
 erithacus.) 
 
 B. Mammalian parasites 
 
 Bavainea madagascariensis (Davaine, 1870) R. Bl.. 1891. (1869, 
 Taenia madagascariensis (Davaine), found in man. 
 
 Davainea Salmon! Stiles, 1S95, found in Lepus sylvaticus and 
 Lepus melanotis. 
 
 Davainea retractilis Stiles, 1895, found in Lepus arizonae. 
 
 Davainea contorta Zschokke, 1895, found ni Manis pentadac- 
 tyla. 
 
 Genus ECHINOCOTTLE R. Blancha'rd. 1891. 
 
 Diagnosis: Body short and thin. Head elliptical or subspheri- 
 cal, provided with a long rostellum capable of being completely 
 retracted, and armed with a single row of 10 hooks; dorsal 
 root much longer than feeble ventral root. Suckers armed 
 with three series of hooks, whose prongs point posteriorly; one 
 series situated in the longitudinal axis of the sucker, one series 
 on the borders of each side. Type species, E. Rosseteri R. Bl., 
 1891. 
 
 Development: Cysticercoid (Cercocystis) in the cavity of 
 Ostracodes. 
 
 Hosts: Domestic ducks (Anas boschas dom.); Bengal ducks. 
 
 26. ECHINOCOTTLE ROSSETERI, R. Blanchard. 1891. 
 
 (1891, "Taenia lanceolata Goeze" of Rnsseter.) 
 
 [PI. XIX. figs. 247-251.-| 
 
 Diagnosis: Strobila (young specimens) 1.5mm long with 26 .seg- 
 ments present; breadth, 0.18mm. Head suibspherical. 85 /i to 155 
 
 fi long by 75 ft to 105 ^ broad; rostellum long, with single crown 
 of 10 hooks on extremity, hooks measure 31 ^ to 38 /U long; 
 
 suckers oblong. 67 ^ to 90 /i by 27 u to .^2 fi ; muscular wall 
 
629 
 
 much reduced, concavity nearly effaced and visible only on 
 account of the hooks; 100-130 hooks on each sucker with base 
 7 u to 8 fi, prong 3 /i to i u. Neck 90 ;*to 140 /^ by 45 u to 70 ft. 
 One specimen with 20 segments, last segiment 153 /J- long by 195 
 /i broad. Genital pores near anterior corner of segment; cirrus 
 pouch large, extending over halfway across the segment. 
 Type specimens: Collection Rosseter; Collection Stiles. 
 Life history: Cysticercold in Cypris cinera Brady. 
 Hosts: Adults in tame duck (Anas boschas dom.), experi- 
 mentally by Rosseter; Bengal duck (Anas sp ?) by Rosseter. 
 
 Geographical distribution: Canterbury (Kent), England, by 
 Roisseter. 
 
 Rosseter (1891A., p. 438) presented a communication to the 
 Royal Microscopical Society stating that he had infected ducks 
 with a cysticercus and thus raised Taenia lanceolata. There 
 were from 180-200 minute hooks on the head. A fuller account 
 is given in his second paper, in which Rosseter (1891B., pp. 
 224-228) states that he examined the Cypridae of a pond near 
 Canter'bury for cysticercoids, and noticed that Cypris cinera 
 Brady contained two species of parasites. One was the larval 
 form of Taenia coronula (=Dieranotaenia coronula); a less 
 commoh form occurred in about 2 per cent, of those examined. 
 The latter form is oval, invaginated anteriorly and provided 
 with a long caudal appendage; cyst is not fenestrated. While 
 developing, its substance submits to active conti'actions, 
 but when fully developed to a point where it can be trans- 
 mitted to vertebrates it remains quiescent; rostellum invag- 
 inated, bearing a crown of 10 hooks 32 fi long, of which three- 
 fifths are occupied by the dorsal root; ventral -root rather trun- 
 cate; prong short and slightly curved. Suckers oval, armed 
 with about 132 booklets, arranged symmetrically around the 
 suckers; the hooks are very delicate, about 5 /i long. 
 
 A large number of crustaceans were fed to a duck daily from 
 February 19 to March 21. Upon killing the duck a considerable 
 number of tapeworms, which showed the same characters as 
 the cysticercold, were found in the upper portion of the small 
 intestine. The largest was 1.27mni long; the greater number of 
 specimens possessed 17 segments. Male organs were well de- 
 veloped, but the female organs were not visible. Rosseter be- 
 lieved that the adult parasite which he had thus developed was 
 Taenia lanceolata Goeze. 
 
 Blanchard (1S81B, pp. 420-42S, figs. 1-2) examined some of 
 Rosseters material and recogrnized that this form was not 
 identical with T. lanceolata. He romparpd it with all the 
 
630 
 
 other species recorded for ducks, and with other avian, tape- 
 worms possessing- 10 hooks on the head an'd unilateral genital 
 pores, and concluded that liosseter's cestode represented the 
 type (E. Rosseteri R. Bl.) of a new genus (Echinocotyle R. Bl.). 
 He added that Rosseter had recently informed him that he 
 had sometime previous to the discovery of the cysticercoid 
 placed some ducks imported from Calcutta on the pond in 
 which he had discovered the parasites; upon making- an au- 
 topsy on one of these ducks Rosseter found it infested with 
 Echinocotyle. Blanchard concluded from this that the Bengal 
 ducks imported the parasites with them and infected the pond 
 in question. Blanchard discusses the adult worm, and from 
 this description the specific diagnosis given above is written. 
 Rosseter (1892, pp. 361-366, Pis. XXII-XXIII) again discusses 
 this species and fig'ures it. 
 
 Regarding the supposed introduction of this parasite into 
 England by ducks fro^m Calcutta, the idea advanced by Blan- 
 chard seeims very plausible. At the same time however, Blan- 
 chard states (p. 424) that neither he nor Rosseter have been 
 able to examine any adult specimens. Now, had the Bengal 
 ducks brought the parasites with them, would not the duck 
 examined by Rosseter have been infested, in all probability, 
 with the adult form, although they unquestionably could also 
 have become infected -with a new generation from the crusta- 
 ceans? I hardly see why the fact that two Bengal ducks were 
 placed upon this pond a short time before Rosseter discovered 
 the parasites in the crustaceans bears anything more than a 
 possible (but not necessary or probable) connection with the 
 presence of this species in England; the parasite has not yet 
 been recorded from Bengal. 
 
 Genus OPHRTOCOTTLE Frlis, 1869. 
 [PI. XIX, figs. 252-2&5."l 
 
 Diagnosis: Head enlarged anteriorily, without rostellum, but 
 with several infundibula whose borders are armed with a very 
 large number of small hooks; suckers armed with several 
 transverse rows of hooks; genital pores irreg-ularly alternate. 
 Tj-'pe species: O. proteus Friis. 1S69. Development unknown. 
 
 Hosts: Birds. 
 
 No mcinlKM-s of this genus are kiiown from ddiiK's- 
 tieated birds ov fi'om veiy closely allied wild birds, 
 
631 
 
 but two species, O. proteus Fiiis, 1SG9 (Syn. 1875, O. 
 Laeazii Villot), and O. insiguis LoiinlK'i-g, are described 
 fiom wild birds. 
 
 I Infundibulum divided into 5 parts; strobila 10mm 
 
 to 25mm long", with about 19 segrnents; hooks on 
 
 I suckers arranged in three rows; found in 
 
 ! Tring-a alpina, Charadrius hiaticula, CalidTis 
 
 I arenaria. Larus canus. Limosa rufa O. proteus. 
 
 Infundibulum not divided, but its order undu- 
 I lated;; strobila .^0"lm to 100mm and more long; 
 t foumd in tlaematopu-s ostrealegus O. insignis. 
 
 GENUS INCERT. TAENIA S. L. 
 
 A number of other tapeworms have been described 
 from domesticated fowls, but their generic ]»()sition 
 can not be determined with the data at hand. 
 
 27. TAENIA CANTANIANA Polonio, 1860. 
 [PI. XX, fig. 256.] 
 
 Polonio (1860, pp. 21-22) describes a supposed new 
 species of tapeworm as follows: 
 
 1. T. Cantaniana Polonio. Caput globosum, centro unbona- 
 tum; acetabulis cruciatim oppositis ob majorem capitis circu- 
 lum; collum nullum ;corpus retrorsum dilatatum, articulis 
 supremis campanaeformibus, setquentibus campanaeformibus 
 imbricatis trapezoidalis; aperturae genitales marginales. Long, 
 0.013. 
 
 HabitiQculum: Meleagris Gallopavo, in intestina, Octobri 
 Patavi (Polonio). 
 
 In his second paper (1860, p. 221) this form is cited and is 
 figured on Taf. VII, 2 (vide PI. XIX. fig. 256 of this paper). 
 The pores are evidently unilateral. Von Linstow (1878, p. 122) 
 includes this among the parasites of the pheasant Phasianus 
 colchicus, but does not give his authority. 
 
 All subsequent remarks upon this species are based upon 
 Polonio's statemlpnts. Blanchard K1891B pp. 4.39-440) thinks 
 this form may possibly belong to the genus Davainea, and 
 takes the following characters from Polonio's figure: 
 
 Suckers large and round; the head seems to be surmounted 
 by a very short rostellum, probably retractile. The neck is 
 quite long, distinctly separated from the head. Segments num- 
 
632 
 
 ber about 60. Genital pores unilateral; cirrus pouch visible in 
 twenty-sixth to forty-fifth segments; forty-sixth to sixtieth seg- 
 ments are gravid. The eggs, so far as can be judged from the 
 figure, are scattered and isolated as in D. proglottina. 
 
 I can not see (hat rolonio's description and figure 
 are sufficient to compel or even to allow the recogni- 
 tion of this specific name. If the types can be obtained 
 and restudied, it would of course be proper to rede- 
 scribe them under the specific name cantaniana, but 
 until those types can be found it is useless to waste 
 time speculating as to the possible generic or specific 
 relations of the parasite. I propose to ignore the 
 species entirely, on the ground that the specific name 
 has not been accompanied by a recogni/.able descrip- 
 tion or figure. 
 
 28. Taenia Delatondl Rallllet, 1892. 
 
 (1891, "Taenia sphenocephala Rud.," 1810, of Megnin.) 
 
 [PI. XX, figs. 257-262.-1 
 
 Diagnosis: Strobila 7cm to IScm long, 3mm to 4mm broad. 
 Head hemispherical, rostellum. and hooks absent. Suckers 
 large. Neck O.Smm or more long, at first as broad as head, en- 
 larging distally. Proximal segments very short, following seg- 
 ments slightly longer and very broad, lateral margins convex. 
 Genital pores irregularly alternate, situated near the anterior 
 quarter of the lateral border; two lateral ramefied uteri visible 
 as two longitudinal rows of opaque spots; another submedian 
 series formed by recaptaculum seminis; testicles rather num- 
 erous. Ova globular 62 fi to 65 fi hooks of oncosphere 11 ^ 
 long. Development: Unknown. 
 
 Type specimens: In Alfort collection. 
 
 Hosts: Domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) by Del- 
 fond, Railliet, Megnin, and von Linstow. Geographical dis- 
 tribution: France and Germany. 
 
 Tliis appears to be a very peculiar form. Its syste- 
 matic position, as well as its synonymy and anatomy, 
 seem io me extremely uncertain. 
 
f533 
 
 29. TAENIA EXILIS UuJarUlii 1815. 
 
 Dujaidin j>roposed this name for a tapeworm found 
 in chickens, but the description is so insufficient that 
 the species should be i«;nored entirely. The original 
 description reads : 
 
 "Je proposerai de nommer Taenia exilis un autre taenia de 
 la poule, bien different aur-si des precedents, mais dont je 
 n'ai pas encore eu la tete: il est long de 20mm a (?). large de 
 0.l5"im en avant ,et de 0.95iiim en arriere, forme d'articles courts, 
 transverses; les orifices genitaux sont unilateraux; les penis 
 sent lisses, assez longs, larges de 0.015mm precedes par une 
 ample vesicule seminale. remplie des spermatozoides en eche- 
 veau; les oeufs, presque globuleux, ont trois enveloppes; 
 I'externe longue de 0.0r)6mm a 0.065mm; la moyenne de 0.054mm: 
 I'interne de 0.032mm; remlbryon, long de 0.025mm, a des crochets 
 long de 0.0125mm." 
 
 Airlong (1875, pp. 427-431) claims to have found the 
 same worm, although it is not at all evident why he 
 should think his form identical with Dujardin's 
 species. He gives the following characters: 
 
 Head is 0.48mm long by 0.60mm broad, suckers orbicular 0.20mm 
 diameter; rostellum short 43 fx in diameter, with a simple crown 
 of 60 hooks 8 fi long; neck 5mm long by O.lSmm broad; segments 
 much broader than long; anterior segments 0.33mm to 0.37mm 
 by 49 p. to 50 fi. then Immi by 0.12mm; middle segments 1.5mm 
 (anterior border) to 1.8mm (posterior border) by 0.6mm. Genital 
 pores unilateral in anterior third of segment. Penis 36 /* by 6 
 fi. Eggs globular, outer memibrane 58 fi to 64 //. inner mem- 
 brane 30 fi to 32 fi: hooks of oncosphere 16 fi. 
 
 80. TAENIA IMBUTIFORMIS Polonlo, 1860. 
 
 (1893, Mesocestoides imbutiformis (Polonio, 1860) Raillict.) 
 
 [PI. XX, fig. 263.") • 
 
 Diagnosis: 8mm long, head small, suckers circular. Neck ab- 
 sent. Posterior portion of strobila thick, anterior segments 
 linear; following segment.s bell or funnel shaped; posterior seg- 
 ments linear bell-shaped. Genital pores situated on one of the 
 surfaces of the segments. Development: Unknown. 
 
G34 
 
 Hosts: Wild geese (Anse.r anser) by Polonio, ISfiO; von Lin- 
 stow (1878, p. 155) records it in do.m/esticated <lu(ks (Anas 
 boachas dom.), but I can not trace his authority. 
 
 Geogi-aphical distribution: Padua (by Polonio). Polonio is 
 apparently the only author who has seen this worm. 
 
 Polonio (1860A, p. 22) gives the following as original 
 diagnosis: 
 
 ;;. T. imbutiformis Polonio. Corpus retrorsum inerassatum; 
 caput minimum; acetabulis orbicularibus anticis; collum 
 nullum; articuli supreml lineares, posteriores campanulato- im- 
 butiformes, ultimi campanulati, aperturae genitales laterales 
 elliptica-?. Long, 0.01. 
 
 Habitaculum: Anser ferus, in intestlnis, Octob. et Nov. 
 Patavii (Polonio). 
 
 Polonio (1860B, p. 121) simply mentions the parasite in his 
 list, and gives a very unsatisfactory figure of the worm. In 
 this figure a prominent body near the lateral margin is looked 
 upon as the genital pore. This body has much mo're the ap- 
 pearance of a testicle, cirrus pouch, or of a receptaculum 
 semlnis than it has of a genital pore. I am therefore inclined 
 to doubt very much whether this species is correctly placed by 
 Railliet (1893, pp. 313-314) in the genus Mesocestoides. Foirther- 
 more, the form is altogether too insufficiently described to be 
 recognizable. The figure shows extreme contraction near the 
 head. 
 
 31. TAENIA MEGALOPS Nitzsch, 1829. 
 
 (1825, Taenia anatis marila Crei)lin.» 
 
 [PI. XX, figs. 264-267.] 
 
 Diagnosis: Strobila up to 52mm long by O.omm brt)ad proxi- 
 mally, and 0.75mm broad distally. Head very lai'ge. rather tet- 
 ragonal, 1.4mm broad; suckers 0.57mni to 0.64mm in diameter; 
 rostellum absent (?) or not prominent and (?) without hooks. 
 Anterior segments very short, 12 trmes as broad as long; pos- 
 terior segments twice as broad as long, "narrowed at the base, 
 spread in form of a bell," colored yellowish by small longi- 
 tudinal lines. Genital po-res unilateral. Penis smooth, tubu- 
 lar, 70 /i hy 23 fi "situated on a very prominent and swollen 
 tubercle." Ova globular with 2 membranes; outer membrane 
 47 fi. inner 3S (/ in diameter: oncosphere 32 fi. hooks 15 /z; the 
 
635 
 
 eg-g-s are scattered through the median portion of the seg-ments. 
 Development: Unknown. 
 
 Hosts: Tame ducli (Anas boschas dom.); Brazilian teal (A. 
 braziliensis); European teal (A. crecca); pintail (Dafila acuta); 
 white-headed duck (Eris.matura leucocephala) ; tufted duck 
 (Aythya fulig-ula); European scaup duck (A. marila); African 
 teal (A. nyroca). 
 
 The chief character for this worm is the large head, 
 but it seems extremely doubtful whether this should 
 be taken as the basis of a species. The parasite cer- 
 tainly can not be recognized \Yith certainty from thc^ 
 present description, and should be considered as a 
 doubtful species until some of the original specimens 
 can be restudied. 
 
 32. TAENIA NIGROPUNCTATA Crety, 1890. 
 [PI. XX. figs. 268-270.^ 
 
 Diagnosis: Strobila to 140mm in length. Head small, 0.382m"i 
 broad; (?) rostellum and hooks absent; suckers 0.166mm by 
 0.137mm. Neck short, about same breadth as head. Young: 
 seg-ments rectang-ular, 0.5mm long by 1mm broad; older seg-- 
 ments almost quadrangxilar, 2mm long by 1.5mm broad; mature 
 segments 2.5mm to 3mm long by 1mm broad. Genital pores ir- 
 regularly alternate, slig'htly posterior to the middle of the mar- 
 gin. Male genitalia: in posterior portion of segment, testicles 
 12 in number, diameter 58 fi. equally distributed at sides of the 
 uterus; vas deferens convoluted in its lateral portion and in- 
 flated to vesicula seminalis 0.176mm by 0.098mm within the cirrus 
 pouch; cirrus pouch pyriform, 0.313mm by 0.137mm. Female 
 genitalia: Ovary vitellogene gland, shell gland? At anterior 
 border of the segment a spot is observed in the median line; 
 from this a median stem runs distally and is divided near the 
 height of the pore into two portions; the posterior portion, at 
 least, represents the uterus. Ova 62 n. with 3 shells; oncos- 
 phere 46 fi by 40 /i;. hooks 15 fi. 
 
 Host: Migratory quail (Coturnix coturnix). 
 
 33. TAENIA sp. Conard, MS. 
 [PI. XXI, figs. 275-276.] 
 
 ^Iv. Henry S. Conard (Haverford College) has re- 
 cently studied some tapeworms from chickens, evi- 
 
636 
 
 deullj liuding inure tJian one species. He has kindly 
 placed the following abstract of his work upon one 
 of these forms at my disposal, })rior to the publication 
 of his article. 
 
 Head round-conical, somewhat four-angled, broader than 
 long- (0.098mm to 0.136mm long; O.llmm to 0.192mm broad). Aceta- 
 bula round to elliptical, 0.06mm in diameter, directed slightly 
 forward. Neck distinct, terete, 0.5cm long. Proglottides trape- 
 zoidal, broader than long. Genital apertures marginal, always 
 on the right-hand side of the segment, slightly in front of the 
 middle. The male organs comprise a testis; veslcula semina- 
 lis, cirrus sac and cirrus, vesicula and cirrus being the most 
 prominent organs of the whole segment. Cirrus very short, 
 roughened with minute prickles about perpendicular to its sur- 
 face. Female organs consist of a narrow vagina, large recep- 
 taculm seminis, and a comimon ovary and uterus (See von Lin- 
 stow, 1893). Vagina and cirrus sac are in the same trans- 
 verse plane and pass dorsal to both longitudinal canals. 
 Length 35mm; breadth 0.046mm to 0.47mm; thickness 0.046mm to 
 0.113mm. Number of segments about 600, becoming as much as 
 0.39mm long. Egg about 0.026mm in diameter; embryos ellip- 
 soidal, 0.016mm in diameter; emibryo ellipsoidal, 0.016mm by 
 0.0225mm; hooks about 0.008mm long. 
 
 Hab: In small intestine of comimon fowl, shortly back of 
 g'izzard. 
 
 Mr. Conard looks upon this form as a species of 
 Davainea "with unilateral pores," although lie has 
 not as yet found any liooks upon rlie head. Final de- 
 cision regarding the form must be reserved until tlie 
 appearance of Mr. Conard's paper. 
 
 FIMBRIARIA Frollch, 1802. 
 
 1892, Epision Linton.) 
 [PI. XXI. fig. 271.1 
 
 This genus was proposed first by Frolich, and later 
 by Linton, for tapeworm with an anterior hammer-like 
 extremity. The scolex is generally (? always) wanting. 
 Three species F. malleus ((loeze, ITSii) Frolich. F. mi- 
 
637 
 
 trata, and E. plicatns have Ixhmi described, but most 
 autliors include them all under llie general term Taenia 
 malleus, which souie writers look upou as a patholo 
 gical condition rather than a distinct species or genus. 
 34. F. malleus has been recorded from a large num- 
 ber of \N ild birds as well as from domesticated fowls, 
 but so far as known it does not play any important 
 pathogenic role. (vSee Dujardin, p. 587, for the earlier 
 literature.) 
 
 IDIOGENES Krabbe. 1868. 
 [PI. XXI, figs. 272-274.1 
 
 The genus Idiogenes with the type and only species 
 I. otidis was j)ro[»osed by Krabbe for a tapeworm in 
 which the scolex is wanting; the anterior segments be- 
 come caliciform and function as a pseudo-scolex. (For 
 an anatomical description see Zschokke, 1889, pp. 114- 
 127. PI. Ill, figs. 30-47.) 
 
 This avian tapeworm had not yet been recorded from 
 poultry. 
 
 -ADDENDUM. 
 
 During the final proof reading of this paper, I have 
 received a recent ai'ticle by Kailliet (1896), in which 
 several new propositions are made concerning certain 
 parasites mentioned in this report. 
 
 Dipylidiinae: The name of the subfamily, Cystoi- 
 dotaeniae, is changed to Dipylidinae. This change is 
 in accordance with the International Code and should 
 be adopted, the word, however, being written Dipyli- 
 diinae. 
 
 Choanotaenia : Railliet proposes a new genus, with 
 Taenia infundibuliformis Goeze as type, in the follow- 
 ing words: 
 
638 
 
 Le Taenia infundibuliformis Geoeze, que j'avais i)lace prov- 
 isoirement dans le genre Drepanidotaenia, s'en distingue par 
 Ic grand aiombre des testicules, et d'une maniere generale par 
 la constitution de I'appareil repruducteur (Crety). II merite 
 done do devenir le type d'un nouveau genre Choanotaenia (de 
 xSavov entonnoi'r). Ch. infundibuliformis, intestin de la poule. 
 (P. 159.) 
 
 Although I recognized the great dili'erence iu orgau- 
 izatiou between T. infundibuliformis (as described by 
 Grety) and the other species of Taenia which have been 
 placed in Drepanidotaenia, and am inclined to consider 
 it geuerically distinct from these worms (see p. 012), 
 and although I have the highest regard for the opin- 
 ion of my colleague and for his keen foresight, parti- 
 cularly in systematic questions, I prefer to reserve 
 judgment upon his new genus until its type species 
 and a few allied forms are more thoroughly under- 
 stood, especially as it appears to me that T. Infundi- 
 buliformis, as determined by various authors^ is rather 
 a heterogenous and collective species, 
 
 Dicranotaenia spheuoides: Railliet correctly sup- 
 presses the specific name cuneata Linstow uec Batch 
 (see p. 595). 
 
 EXPLANATION OF CHART. 
 
 In the following chart I have given the records of 
 the tapeworms found in the domesticated poultry and 
 in the allied wild birds. The sign d signifies that the 
 parasite is recorded only for domesticated birds, >< for 
 wild birds. O both domesti'\nted and Avild birds. 
 
 The nnmes of the hosts are given at the left, those 
 of the parasites at the top. The fii'st row of numbers 
 refers to the numbers in the A. O. TT. check list of 
 North Ameiican biids, the second column of numbers 
 
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639 
 
 to the eoiTespaudiiig numbers in von Linstow's Com- 
 pendium of Helmintliology (ii^T8, 1885)). 
 
 Fm- the revision of tlie host names I am indebted to 
 Drs. Fisher and Palmer, of the Division of Ornithology. 
 As many of the host names used by helminthologists 
 are not used by modern ornithologists, these gentle- 
 men have traced out the proper names of the birds in 
 question from the host names given in helminthologi- 
 cal articles. 
 
 In noting the species of parasites under the various 
 hosts, it has been extremely difficult to determine what 
 records should be accepted and what ones should be 
 rejected. As nearly all of the older records are based 
 ui)on determinations by external form instead of in- 
 lerunl anatomy, I believe the time has come when we 
 sliould begin an entirely new series of records of 
 hosts.^ 
 
 All records of tapeworms, except in the case of typi' 
 s[)ecimens where the determination has been made 
 solely upon external form, should. I believe, be taken 
 only as approximate and provisional. 
 
 iThis can easily be accomplished if helminthologists will des- 
 ig'nate all new records in some way. In the Revision of the 
 Adult Cestodes of Cattle, Sheep, and Allied Animals, and also 
 in my recent article on Fasciola magna, I have commenced 
 such a new series of host determinations for the parasites of 
 the domesticated animals by starring (*) the parasites under 
 each host in those cases where I have examined the species 
 of parasites from the host in question (or from ntaterial said 
 to liave come from that host, as T. denticulata. for instance. 
 This latter record is. in my opinion, erroneous.) 
 
R40 
 
 DESCKIPTION OF PLATES. 
 
 IMate 1. Figs. 1-11. — Cotugnia Jigunoiioia. 
 
 Fig. 1. Head and neck. x8. 
 
 Fig. 2. Head and neck in press preparation. Zeiss 2, A. 
 
 Fig. 3. View of armed rostellum, enface, pTcss preparation; 
 
 cgl., ? glandular cells of rostellum. Zeiss. 3, C. 
 Fig. 4. View of hooks on rostellum. Zeiss 2, 1-12. 
 Fig. 5. Side view of isolated hook. Zeiss 3, 1-12. 
 Fig. 6. Four young segments with genital anlagen. x8. 
 Fig. 7. Three j'oung segments: d., vas deferens; ov., ovary. 
 
 Zeiss, 1, a3. 
 Fig. S. Segments from middle of strobila with organs more 
 
 completely developed: d., vas deferens; t., testicles; 
 
 tp., cirrus pouch; ov., ovary. Zeiss I, aS. 
 Fig. 9. Still older segments in which the "ovaric ca/psules" 
 
 (^egg sacs) ai'e developing: ag., genital pore; co., 
 
 "ovaric capsules"=:egg sacs; d., vas deferens; ov., 
 
 ovary; p., cirrus; tp., cirrus pouch; v., vagina. Zeiss 
 
 1, a3. 
 Fig. 10. End segments with oncosphere: ag., genital pore; co., 
 
 eggs. 
 Fig. 11. Longitudinal section of mature segment: co., "ovaric 
 
 capsules,,=egg sacs; em., oncosphere; ie, eggshell; g., 
 
 eggshell; pr., parenchyma. Zeiss 2. 1-12. 
 All figures from Pasquale, 1890, figs. 1-11. 
 
 Plate II, Figs. 12-29.— Cotugnia bifaTia and Amabilia lamelli- 
 
 gera. 
 
 [Figs. 12-n.* Cotugnia bifaria, after Monticelli. 1891, Taf. VIII. 
 figs. 8-13.] 
 
 Fig. 12. Head and anterior segments, greatly enlarged. Mon- 
 ticelli, fig. 8. 
 
 Fig. 13. Young segiments. enlarged on same scale. Monticelli, 
 fig. 9. 
 
 Fig. 14. Middlf segments enlarged nn same scale. Monticelli, 
 fig-. 10. 
 
 Fig. ir>. Knd segments, enlarged i>n sanv «<;il«', Monticblli, 
 fi.?. 11. 
 
641 
 
 Fig. 16. Segment mounted in glycerine and acetic acid, showing 
 genital organs; ag., genital pore; df.. vas deferens; 
 ov., ovary; rse., vesicula seminalis; t., testicles; v., 
 vagina. Greatly enlarged. Monticelli, fig. 12. 
 
 Fig. 17. Armed cirrus, greatly enlarged. Monticelli, fig. 13. 
 
 [Figs. 18-20. Amabilia lamelligera. Owen's (1835) original 
 figures.] 
 
 Fig. 18. Adult strobila, natural size. Owen's fig. 21. 
 
 Fig. 19. "Four segments of the same magnified." Owen's fig. 
 22. 
 
 Fig. 20. "Longitudinal section of 3 posterior segments, show- 
 ing the ova collected near the base of the lemniscus." 
 Owen's fig. 23. 
 
 Plate III, Figs, 21-36.— Dicranotaenia coronula, Dieranotaenia 
 aequail)ilis. Dicranotaenia furcigera, and Taenia conica. 
 
 [Figs. 21-28. Dicranotaenia coronula: 21-24 after Krabbe. 1869; 
 25-28 after Mrazek, 1890.] 
 
 Fig. 21. Anterior portflon of scolex with hooks. x240. After 
 
 Krabbe, 1S69, Tab. VIII, fig. 216. Host: Domesticated 
 
 duck. 
 Pig. 22. Isolated hook. x920. After Krabbe, 1869. Tab. VIII, fig. 
 
 217. 
 Fig. 23. Isolated ovum with oncosphere. x240. After Krabbe. 
 
 Tab. VIII, 1869, fig. 218. 
 Fig.24. Isolated hook. x920. After Krabbe, 1869, Tab. VIII, fig. 
 
 219. From Coll. Siebnld. Host: European golden 
 
 eye (Glaucionetta clangula). 
 
 [Figs. 25-28. Cysticercoids from Cypris <ivum and C cnm- 
 
 liressa. 
 
 Fig. 25. Fully developed larva, showing the scolex invaginated 
 in the cyet; and the long tail with the 6 oncospherlc 
 hooks; ex.. excretory system: li.. cuticle; "X'U? "pores 
 of the cuticle" or ? muscles; hp., hypodermis; p.. 
 I arenchyma of neck, with calcareous corpuscles. 
 After Mrazek. 1890, Tab. V. fig. Tl. 
 
 Fi.g. 26. Another view of a cysticercoid. After Mrazek. 1890. 
 Tab. V. fig. 12. 
 
 Fig. 27. a-c. Isolated hooks. After Mrazek. 1890. Tab. V. fig. 
 13a-c. 
 
 41-11 
 
042 
 
 V\g. 28a-o. Onons|>hfi-ir hodUs. Al'l.i .Miaz<'k, \XW. Tali. \'. lig. 
 14a-c. 
 
 IFifTP. .'!'-:!n. Dicraimta'. nia aeriuabilis. 1 
 
 Fig. 29. Five hooks from the rostellum. x240. Afttr Krabhe. 
 1869, Tab. VIII. fig. 212, fiom RiKloiphi's oiiigrinal ma- 
 terial in the Berlin Museum. 
 
 Fijr. .-^.n. Isolated hn.ik from- the roptpllum. x920. After Krabbe. 
 1869, Tab. \'1I1. Hk- -'-. finm sixM-inT-ii in <'re))lin's 
 eollection. 
 
 [Figs. .31-34. Dicranntacnia furcigeirt.| 
 
 Fig. .'U. Lsolated hook from the rostellum. x20. After Duj.ir- 
 din, 1845, PI. IX. Fig. A. Host: Wild duck. 
 
 Fig. 32. Isolated hook from the rostellum. x920. After Krabbc 
 1869, Tab. VIII, fig. 206, from Nitzsch's original ma- 
 terial. (See Rudolphi, 1819, p. 528.) Host: Mallard. 
 
 Fig. 3.3. Ovum with oncosphere. x240. After Krabbe, 1869. Tab. 
 YIII, fig. 207, from Nitzsch's original material. 
 
 Fig. 34. Ten hooks on rostellum. x240. After Krabbe, 1869. 
 Tab. VIII, fig. 206, from material collected in Iceland 
 in 1863. Host: Mallard. 
 
 Fig. 35-36. Taenia conica=? Dicranotaenia furcigera. ] 
 
 Fig. 35. Natural size: a, head; b, rostellum; c, body. After 
 
 Molin, Tab. VII, fig. 1. 
 Fig. 36. Enlarged. After Molin, 1861, Tab. VII, fig. 2. 
 
 Plate IV, Figs. 37-53. — Dicranotaenia sphenoides and Drepani- 
 dotaenia lanceolata. 
 
 Figs. 37-42. Dicranotaenia sphenoides. 
 
 Fig. 37. Strobila, natural size. After von Linstow, 1872, Taf. 
 
 III. fig. 9a, of Taenia cuneata. 
 Fig. 38. Scolex and anterior segments, enlarged. After von 
 
 Linstow. 1872, Taf. Ill, fig. 9, of T. cuneata. 
 Fig. 39. Isolated hook from the rostellum. After von Linstow. 
 
 1872, Taf. Ill, fig. 10, T. cuneata. 
 Fig. 40. Cysticercoiif from an earthworm. Koritska, or. 3. obj. 
 
 4. After Grassi & Rovelli, 1892. Tav. IV, fig. 12. 
 Fig. 41. TransAeise section of the same: cav., "cavity of the 
 
 gastrula;" cis., cyst; par. est., external wall: par. int.. 
 
 internal wall; ros.. restellum; ven., sucker. Koritska. 
 
 oc. 3. obj. 7. After Orassi Rovelli, 1X92. Tav. IV, fig. 
 
 11. 
 
043 
 
 Fig-. IL'. Tliivf h'loks- (b, c, aiul d) from rnstr-llum of T. ouiicata; 
 Kuritska, oc. o, obj. 8; a fourth hook ca) greatly tii- 
 Urgea. After Grassi & Rovelli, 1892, Tax. IV, lig. i:i. 
 
 LFigs. 4X-5:i. Dreiianidotaeiiia lanfeolata.) 
 
 Fig. 43. Original type figure. After Bloch, 1782. Tab. I, Hg. 5. 
 Fig. 44. Anteri(jr portion, enlarged. After Blorh. 17S2, Tab. I, 
 
 tig. 6. 
 I'-ig. 4.".. Worm from a goose. Natural sizv. Aftf^r (ioe/.f, 1782, 
 
 Tab. XXIX, fig. 3. 
 Kig. 4H. The eight hooks upon the rostelluiii. x24(». .XfttT 
 
 Krabbe, 1869, Tab. VI fig. 143. 
 Fig. 47. Two isolated hooks. x920. After Krabbe, 1869, Tab. 
 
 VI, fig. 144. 
 Fig. 48. Extruded cirrus. After Feuereisen, 1868, Taf. X, fig. 8. 
 Fig. 49. Cirrus pouch with cirrus. After Feuereisen, 1868, Taf. 
 
 X, fig. 9. 
 Fig. .')0. Isolated segment: a, cirrus pouch; c, testicle; i, 
 
 vitellogene gland; k, ovary; m, receptaculum seminis 
 
 and vagina. After Feuereisen, 1868, Taf. X, fig. 17. 
 
 Some misinterpretations have undoubtedly been made 
 
 in this figure. The genital system must be restudied. 
 Fig. 51. Head and anterior segments. . xlOO. After RaiUiet, 
 
 1886, fig. 16.3A; also Railliet, 1893, fig. 195A. 
 Fig. 52. Ovum with oncosphere. x300. After Railliet, 1886, fig. 
 
 163B; also Railliet 1893, fig. 195 B. 
 Fig. 53. Heaid and anterior segments. xlOO. After Megnin. 
 
 1881, PI. IV, fig. 3. 
 
 Plate V, Figs. 54-66.— Drepanidotaenia laneeolata and Drepan- 
 idoteania fasciata. 
 
 [Figs. 54-55. Drepanidotaenia laneeolata. "| 
 
 Fig. 54. Transverse section of segment. x20. After Megnin. 
 
 1881, PI. IV, fig. 6. 
 Fig. 55. Isolated cirrus. x50. After Megnin, ISSl, PI. IV, fig. 7. 
 
 [Figs. 56-66. Drepanidotaenia fasciata.] 
 
 Fig. 56. Rostellum with 5 of the 8 hooks. x240. After Krabb°. 
 
 1869, Tab. VII, fig. 156. 
 Fig. 57. Isolated hook. x920. After Krabbe, 1869, Tab. VII. fig. 
 
 157. 
 Fig. 58. Head with extended rostellum possessing 8 hooks. 
 
 -After Feuereisen .1868, Taf. X. fig. 1. ("T. setigera" 
 
 :=Drep. fasciata.) 
 
()44 
 
 Fi^-. r.it. Isolati'fi hodk. After Feuorc-isen, 1868, Taf. X, fig. 2. 
 ("T. setig:era"=Drep. fasciata.) 
 
 FiK. HO. (Mrrus pouch. After Feuereisen, 1S6^, Taf. X, tijj. 1. 
 ("T. setig-era"^Drep. fasciata.) 
 
 Figs. 6l-fi2. Ciirus from above and from tlu- n'.dir. After 
 Feuerei-sen, 1868, Figs. r>, 6. ("T. setigera'"=:Drpp. 
 fasciata.) 
 
 Figs. 6;!-t;6. Isolated segments: a, cirrus pouch; b, genital pore; 
 c, testicles; d, cirrus; e, vas deferens and vesicula 
 seminalis; g, vagina; h, genital cloaca; i, vitellogene 
 glands; k, ovary; m, receptaculum seminis; n, uterus 
 (?). After Feuereisen, 1S68, Taf. X, figs. 10-13. Feuer- 
 eisen has probably misintenpreted some of these 
 organs and they should be restudied. 
 
 Plate VI, Figs. 67-76. — Drepanidotaenia fasciata. 
 
 Fig. 67. Body of Cyclops agilis, containing a larval tapeworm. 
 
 After Mrazek, 1890, Tab. V, fig. 1. 
 Fig. 68. Larval tapeworm, with enormously long tail, isolated 
 
 from the crustacean. After M'razek, 1890, Tab. V, 
 
 figr. 2. 
 Fig. 69. ( ? Side view.)After Mrazek, 1890, Tab. V, fig. 3. 
 Fig. 70. Cysticercoid, with anterior portion of the tail. After 
 
 Mrazek, 1890, Tab. V, fig. 5. 
 Figs. 71-72. Hooks fromi rostellum], greatly magnified. After 
 
 Mrazek, 1890, Tab. Y, figs. 7-8. 
 Figs. 73-75. Hooks as seen in position on the rostellum. After 
 
 Mrazek, 1890, Tab. V, figs, 6 and 9a-b. 
 Fig. 76. After Mrazek, 1890, Tab. V, fig. 10. 
 
 Plate VII, Figs. 77-91. — Drepanidotaenia fasciata and Drepani- 
 dotaenia gracilis. 
 
 [Figs. 77-79. Drepanidotaenia fasi-iata.] 
 
 Fig. 77. Cysticercoid with anterior portion of tail. After 
 
 Mrazek, 1890, Tab. V ,fig. 4. 
 Fig. 78. Cysticercoid with extended head; the oncospheric hooks 
 
 are still visible in the tail. After Mrazek, 1891. Tab. 
 
 V, flg. 1. 
 Fig. 79. Isolated hook from lostellum. After Mrazek, 1891, 
 
 Tab. V, fig. 2. 
 
 [Figs. SO-91. Dieiianidofaenia giacilis.") 
 
 Fig 80. "Taenia collo longi.ssimo." After Bloch. 1872, Taf. III. 
 fig. 3. Is perhaps identical with Drep. gracilis. 
 
(>45 
 
 Fig-. SI. HeueJ of same, enlaiKvl. AfU-r tUn.li. 1TS2. Taf. Ill, 
 
 fig. i. 
 Fig. 82. Anterior portion of head, showing the arrangement 
 
 of the hooks upon the rostellum. x240. After Kiabl>?, 
 
 1869, Tab. VIII, flg. 154. 
 Fig. 83. Isolated hooit. x920. After Krabbe, 1869, fig. 155. 
 Fig. 84. Strobila, natural size. After von Linstow, 1872A, 
 
 Taf. XXI, .fig. 3. Host: Goosander. 
 Fig. 85. Head. x90. After von Linstow, 1872A, Taf. XXI, fig. 5. 
 Fig. 86. Isolated hook. x500. After von Linstow, 1872A, Taf. 
 
 XXI, fiff. 2. 
 Fg. 87. End of proglottid with extruded ciiTus. xl50. After 
 
 von Linstow, 1872A Taf. XXI, fig. 4. 
 Fig. 88. Head of Taenia gracilis tadornae from the common 
 
 sheldrake (Tadorna tadorna). After Lonnberg, 1889, 
 
 PI. I, fig. 1. 
 Fig. 89. Free cysticercoid in the perch (Pei'ca fluviatilis). x350. 
 
 After von Linstow, 1872A, PI. XXI, fig. 1. 
 Fig. 90. ExcretOTj' system of the head and neck After Mrazek, 
 
 1891, Tab. V, fig. 16. Zeiss 3, D. 
 Fig. 91. End cell of excretory system. After Mrazek, 1891, Tal>. 
 
 V, fig. 17. Zeiss 3, F. 
 
 Plato VIII, Figs. 92-99.— D'ltpanidotaenia gracilis. 
 
 Fig. 92. A cysticercoid in process of development. A differen- 
 tiation is noticed into the body and the tail, and a 
 small knob is noticed on the anterior extremity. The 
 6 oncospheric hooks are present in the tail. After 
 Mrazek, 1891, Tab. VI, fig. 25. 
 
 Fig. 93. Another stage of the cysticercoid. An invagination is 
 noticed on the anterior extremity; the middle portion 
 of the body is occupied by a cavity filled with a 
 spongy tissue. After Mrazek, 1891, Tab. VI, fig. 26. 
 
 Fig. 94. Cysticercoid with the anterior portion of the tail: h., 
 peripheral hyaline layer; e., excretory canals; pr., 
 vibratory cells (see PI. VII, fig), "Pronephriostomes." 
 Zeiss 3, D. After Mrazek, 1891, Tab. V. fig. 13. 
 
 Fig. 95. Normal form of hook. Zeiss 3, F. After Mrazek, 1891, 
 Tab. V, fig. 14. 
 
 Figs. 96-98. Three hooks, with variously arranged chitiii. Zeiss 
 3, D. After Mrazek, 1891, Tab. V, fig. 15a-c. 
 
 Fig. 99. A cysticercoid with extended head: r., rostellum; c, 
 cyst: pr., tail with oncospheric hooks. Zeiss 1, D. 
 After Mrazek, 1891, Tab. VI, fig. 18. 
 
(;4i; 
 
 Plate IX, Figs. 100-111.— Urepanidotaenia anatina. 
 
 Fi«. 100 Rostellum with 5 of the 10 hooks. x240. After Krabbe. 
 1S69, Tab. VI, fig. 114. 
 
 Fig. 101. Isolated hook. x920. After Krabbe, 1869, Tab. VI, fig. 
 115. 
 
 Fig. 102. Ovu.m. x240. After Krabbe, 1869, Tab. VI, fig. 116. 
 
 Fig. 103. Transverse section of a portion of one segment, to 
 show the anatomy: h., testicles; vd., vas deferens; 
 bk., fertilization canal; ut., uterus; Im., longitudinal 
 muscles; s. bl., vesicula seminalis; gz., ganglion cells; 
 ri. s., praeputial sac; c, cirrus; cb., cirrus pouch; 1. 
 k., longitudinal canals; (small dorsal canal; large 
 ventral canal); r. sem., receptaculum seminis; ov., 
 ovary; eig., oviduct; d. st., vitellogene gland; d. g., 
 vitello-duct; sch. dr., shell gland; af., canal of same. 
 After Schmidt, 1894, Taf. VI, Fig. C. 
 
 Fig. 104. Ovum with oncosphere. After Schmidt, 1894, Taf. VI, 
 fig. 1. 
 
 Fig. 105. The oncosphere has developed into a round mass in 
 which a cavity appears. After Schmidt, 1894, Taf. 
 VI, fig. 2. 
 
 Fig. 106. Stage in which the round mass has become elongate; 
 ebl., terminal vesicle. After Schmidt, 1894, Taf. VI, 
 fig. 3. 
 
 Fig. 107. Stage with anlage of the rostellum and puckers; the 
 body has become constricted into the scolex, cyst, 
 and tail ; the excretory system is partly developed. 
 After Schmidt, 1894, Taf. VI, fig. 4. 
 
 Fig. 108. Transverse section in the second period of develop- 
 ment. After Schmidt, 1894, Taf. VI, Fig. a. 
 
 Fig. 109. Longitudinal section of a later stage of the second 
 period of development. After Schmidt, 1894, Taf. VI, 
 Fig. b. 
 
 Fig. 110. Extended cysticercoid; s., anterior point of rostellum; 
 r., rostellum; ex., excretory organ; h. r., posterior 
 rostellum sac, ebl., terminal vesicle. After Schmidt, 
 1894, Taf. VI, Fig. B. 
 
 Fig. 111. Two isolated hooks from the rostellum. Aftei' Mrazek, 
 1891, Tab. VI. fig. 20. 
 
C47 
 
 I'Uit.' X. Fif^s. llL'-liilb.— Diepanidutaenia anatina and Drepani- 
 dotaenia sinuosa. 
 
 [Figs. 112-115. Drepanidotaenia anatina.] 
 
 Fig. 112. Cysticercoid with anter;or portion of the tail: rm.. 
 circular muscles; p., (third), parenchymatic layer; 
 h., fourth layer^neck; hr., posterior rostellum sac; 
 r., rostellum; ex., excretory system. After Schmidt, 
 1894, Taf. VI, Fig". A. 
 
 Flg.113. C>-sticercoid with anterior portion of the tail; h., peri- 
 pheral layer; ku., cuticle; vU., muscular fibers; pchi., 
 paranchymatic layer; vl2., second layer of fibers; 
 pch2., internal paranchymatic layer (=^ neck) with 
 calcareous corpuscles (v); e., excretory apparatus; 
 pr., caudal appendage; j., nuclei of cells in the tail; 
 he, hooks of oncosphere. Zeiss 3. D. After Mrazek. 
 1891, Tab. VI, fig. 19. 
 
 Fig. 114. Isolated young hook. After Mrazek, 1891. Tab. VI. 
 fig. 21. 
 
 Fig. 115. Ten hooks taken from the outline of cyst of cysticer- 
 coid, showing the hooks in position on the rostellum. 
 After Mrazek, 1891, Tab. VI, fig. 22. 
 
 [Figs. 116-"l24b. Drepanidotaenia sinuosa.) 
 
 Fig. 116. A young worm, natural size. After Zeder, 1800, Tab. 
 
 Ill, fig. 5. 
 Fig. in. Distal end of a young worm enlarged, a. b, two knobs. 
 
 After Zeder, 1800, Tab. Ill, fig. 6. 
 Fig. 118. An adult worm, natural size. After Zeder, 1800, Tab. 
 
 Ill, fig. 7. 
 Fig. 119. Short segments enlarged. After Zeder, 1800, Tab. Ill, 
 
 fig. 8. 
 Fig. 120. Scolex enlarged: f, the long rostellum with hooks; c 
 
 c, d d, suckers; a a, b b, neck. After Zeder. 1800, 
 
 Tab. Ill, fig. 9. 
 Fig. 121. Two large segments, enlarged: a a, b b, the "vermi- 
 form sacs;" c c. cirri; d. posterior corners of the 
 
 segments. After Zeder, ISOO, Tab. Ill, fig. 10. 
 f\g. 122. Isolated eggs, enlarged. After Zeder, 1800. Tab. III. 
 
 fig. 11. 
 Fig. 123. Rostellum of Drep. sinuosa x240. After Krabhe, 1869, 
 
 Tab. VII, flg. 151. 
 
(548 
 
 Fig. J 24. Two i.solatud hooks. x;)20. a, from a parasite in the 
 domesticated duck; b, from a parasite in the mal- 
 lard. After Krabbe, 1869, Tab. VII, fig. 152a-b. 
 
 Plate XI, F;g.s. 125-139.— Drepanidotaenia sinuosa. 
 
 Fig. 125. Segment with genital organs and extruded cirrus. 
 
 xib. After Krabbe, 1869, Tab. VII, fig. 153. 
 Fig. 126. Bloch's original figure of "Taenia collar! nigro," from 
 
 the domesticated duck; possibly identical with Drep. 
 
 sinuosa. After Bloch, 1782, Taf. IV, fig. 11. 
 Fig. 127. Anterior portion of the same, enlarged. After Bloch, 
 
 1782, Taf. IV, fig. 12. 
 Fig. 128. Segments from the middle of the same, enlarged. 
 
 After Bloch, 1782, Taf. IV, fig. 13. 
 Fig. 129. Cirrus. x210. After Dujardin, 1845, PI. 9, Fig. D. 
 
 Host: Goose. 
 Fig. 130. A Cyclops viridis containing 3 cysticercoids of Drep. 
 
 sinuosa: vc, eggs. Zeiss 3, A. After Mrazek, 1891. 
 
 Tab. V, fig. 7. 
 Fig. 131. Isolated cysticercoid, to show the pioportional sizes 
 
 of the cyst and the tail. Zeiss 3, A. After Mrazek, 
 
 1891, Tab. V, fig. 8. 
 Fig. 132. Isolated hook, greatly enlarged. Zeiss 3, F. After 
 
 Mrazek, 1891, Tab. V. fig. 10. 
 Fig. 133a-c. Young- stages of hooks. Zeiss 3, F. After Mrazek, 
 
 1891, Tab. V, fig. 11. 
 Fig. 134. Two isolated hooks of a cysticercoid which otherwise 
 
 corresponds in fonm to Drep. sinuosa. The form and 
 
 size (35 u) of these hooks resemble those of Drep. 
 
 setigera. Zeiss 3, F. After Mrazek, 1891, Tab. V, fig. 
 
 12. 
 Fig. 135. Cysticercoid with anterior portion of tail, drawn from 
 
 life. Zeiss 3, D. After Mrazek, 1891, Tab. V, fig. 9. 
 Fig. 136. Two isolated hooks from fully developed scolex of 
 
 cysticercoid. Zeiss 3, F. After Hamann, 1889, Taf. 
 
 I, fig. 9. 
 Fig. 137. The 10 hooks of the rostellum in position. Zeiss 3, F. 
 
 After Hamami, 1889, Taf. I, fig. 10. 
 Fig. 138. Calcareous corpuscles from the parenchyma of the 
 
 scolex. Zeiss 3, F. After Hamann, 1889, Taf. I, 
 
 fig. 11. 
 Fig. 1.39. A hook of the oncosphere from the tail of a cysticer- 
 coid. After Hamann, 1889, Taf. I, fig. 12. 
 
041) 
 
 Plate XII, Figs. 140-152.— Dref-anidolaenia sinuosa, Drepani- 
 dotaenia setigera, and Taenia Kiabbei Kowalewski nee 
 Moniez. 
 
 [Fig-s. 140-146. Drepanidotaenia sinuota.] 
 
 Figs. 140-142. Three successive stages in the development of the 
 
 cysticeroid in Gummarus pulex. Zeiss 1, A. After 
 
 Hamann, 1889, Taf. I, figs. 4, 5, 6. 
 Fig. 143. Median longitudinal section through fig. 140. Zeiss 4, 
 
 A. After Hamann, 1889, Taf. I, fig. 7. 
 Fig. 144. Median longitudinal section through a stage nearly 
 
 corresponding to fig. 142. Zeiss 4, 4. After Hamann, 
 
 1889, Taf. I. fig. 8. 
 Fig. 145. Fully developed cysticercoid, surrounded by its tail, 
 
 s, and a cyst h. Zeiss 3, A. After Hamann, 1889, 
 
 I, fig. 1. 
 Fig. 146. The same without surrounding cyst. Zeiss 3, A. 
 
 After Hamann. 1889, Taf. I, fig. 3. 
 
 [Figs. 147-150. Drepanidotaenia setigera.] 
 
 Fig. 147. Scolex with 6 of the 10 hooks. x240. After Krabbe, 
 
 1869, Tab. VI, fig. 117. Host: Domesticated goose. 
 Fig. 148. Isolated hook of same. x920. After Krabbe, 1869, 
 
 Tab. VI, fig. 118. 
 Fig. 149. Isolated hook from Rudolphi's 1819, p. 700B, "Taenia 
 
 Tab. VI, fig. 120. 
 
 sinuosa"=DTep. setigera. x920- After Krabbe. 1869, 
 Fig. 150. Cirrus. x240. After Krabbe, 1869, Tab. VI. fig. 119. 
 
 [Figs. 151-152. Taenia Krabbei Kowalewski nee Moniez.] 
 
 Fig. 151. Two isolated hooks of a tapeworm, which Krabbe 
 
 (1869, p. 290) found in a goose and determined as "T. 
 
 setigera?;" this form has since been described as T. 
 
 Krabbei by Kowalewski, 1895. x920. After Krabbe, 
 
 1869, Tab. VI, fig. 121. 
 Fig. 152. Two isolated hooks from T. Krabbei Kowalewski, 1895 
 
 [nee Moniez, 1879.] xlOOO. After Kowalewski, 1895, 
 
 Tab. VIII, fig. 27. 
 
 Plate XIII, Figs 153-164. — Drepanidotaenia sinuosa and Drep- 
 anidotaenia setigera. 
 
 Fig. 153. Drepanidotaenia sinuosa. Cysticercoid with anterior 
 portion of tail; a, b, c, d, layers of the cuticle. 
 Glycerine prei aration. Zeiss I, D. After Hamann. 
 1889, Taf. 1, tig. 2. Host: Gammarus ^^u\ex. 
 
650 
 
 fPigrs-. l.'.4-164. Urepanidotaenia setig-era.] 
 
 Fig. 154. Adult \vn.;Tn. natural size. After Frnlioh, 1789. Tab. 
 IV, fig. 1. 
 
 Fig. ]'."."). Head of same, enlarged, with (a) rostellunn and (b) 
 suckers. After Frolich, 1789, Tab. iV, fig. 2. 
 
 Fig. iHQ. Three young segments of same, greatly enlarged. 
 After Frolich, 1789, Tab. IV, fig. 3. 
 
 Fig. 1,')7. Six segments from posterior end, enlarged, with (a) 
 extruded or (b) pa-rtly extruded cirri. After Frolich, 
 1789, Tab. IV, fig. 4. 
 
 Figs. 158-160. Three isolated segments with genital organs: a, 
 cirrus pouch; c, testicles; e, vas deferens with vesi- 
 cula seminalis; g, vagina; i, vitellogene gland; k, 
 ovary; m, receptaculum seminis. After Feuereisen, 
 1868, Taf, X, figs. 14, 15, 16, of "Taenia fasciata." 
 
 Fig. 161. Hook from scolex. After Feuereispn, 1868. Taf. X, 
 fig. 2. 
 
 Fig. 162. Transverse section of segment: p., cii'rus; v., vagina; 
 1. m., longitudinal muscles; k., excretory (longitu- 
 dinal) canals; ov., ovary. Hartnack2, 2. After 
 Lonnberg, 1889, Taf. 1, fig. 7. 
 
 Fig. le."?. Oysticercoid, with very long tail, from Cyclops brevi- 
 caudatus. After von Linstow, 1892B, fig. 1. 
 
 Fig. 164. Hook from the same. After von Linstow, 1892, fig. 2. 
 
 Plate XTV, Figs. 165-186. — I>:-epanidotaenia tenuirostris ami 
 Drepanldotaenia infundibuliformis. 
 
 [Figs. 165-172. Drepanidotaenia tenuirostris.] 
 
 Fig. 165. Cysticercoid with tail. x325. After Hamann, 1889, 
 
 Fig. A. From the body cavity of Gammarus pulex. 
 Fig. 166. Calcareous corpuscles of same. x800. After Hamann, 
 
 1889, Fig. B. 
 Fig. 167. Hooks from the rostellum. xSOO. After Hamann, 
 
 1889, Fig. C. 
 Fig. 168. Cysticercoid with long tail. Zeiss 3, A. After Mrazek, 
 
 1891, Tab. V, fig. 3. 
 Fig. 169. Cysticercoid with anterior portion of tail. Zeiss 3, D. 
 
 After Mrazek, 1891, Tab. V, fig. 4. 
 Fig. 170. Two hooks, of same. ZeiFs 3, F. After Mrazek, 1891, 
 
 Tab. V. fig. 5. 
 Fig. 171. The same, greatly magnified. After Mrazek, 1891, 
 
 Tab. V, fig. 6. 
 Fig. 172. Very young stage of cysticercoid of Drep. tenuirostris 
 
 (?). The oncospheric hooks are preserved. After 
 
 Mrazek. 1891, Tab. VI, fig. 24. 
 
[Figs. 17:;-1S6. Dieiianidotaema inl'uiulihuliforniis. | 
 
 I''i.i;. 17:J. Goeze's or.ginal figure of worm, natural sizn. After 
 
 Goeze, 1782, Tab. XXXI, A, fig. 1. 
 Fig. 174. Head of same, enlarged, showing hooks and suckers. 
 
 After Goeze, 1782, Tab. XXXI, A, fig. 2. 
 Fig. 175. Posterior segments, enlarged. After Goeze, 1782, Tab. 
 
 XXXI, A. fig. 3. 
 Fig. 176. Posterior segments with eggs, enlarged. After Goeze, 
 
 1782, Tab. XXXI, A, fig. 4. 
 Fig. 177. Eggs, enlarged. After Goeze, 17S2, Tab. XXXI. A, 
 
 fig. 5. 
 Fiff. 178. An inverted piece of chicken's intestine, with numer- 
 ous tapeworms attached. After Goeze, 1782, Tab. 
 
 XXXI, A, fig. 6. 
 Fig. 179. Scolex with hooks. x240. After Krabbe, 1869, Tab. 
 
 X, fig. 287. 
 Fig. 180a-c. Three isolated hooks. x920. Fig. 180c from Kuch- 
 
 enmeister's collection. After Krabbe, 1869, Tab. X, 
 
 fig. 288a-c. 
 Fig. 181. Cirrus. x240. After Krabbe, 1869. Tab. X, fig. 289. 
 Fig. 182. Egg. x240. After Krabbe, 1869, Tab. X, fig. 290. 
 •Fig. 183. Hjea,.d ,of "T. infunddbulum." x80. After Cabbold, 
 
 1859, PI. LXIII, fig. 25. 
 Fig. 184. Rostellum. After Crety, 1890, fig. 5. 
 Fig. 185. Isolated hooks. After Orety, 1890, fig. 6. 
 Fig. 186. Mature egg. After Crety, 1890, fig. 8. 
 
 Plate VX, Figs 187-198. — Drepanidotaenia infundlbuliformis and 
 Davainea proglottina. 
 
 [Figs. 187-193. Drepanidotaenia infundlbuliformis. ] 
 
 Fig. 187. Bloch's "Taenia articulis convideis." After Bloch, 
 
 1782, Tab. Ill, fig. 1. 
 Fig. 188. Head of same, enlarged. After Bloch, 1782, Tab. III. 
 
 fig. 2. 
 Fig. 189. Transverse section of mature proglottid. After Crety, 
 
 1890, fig. 15. 
 Fig. 190. Part of a longitudinal section of the larval stage from 
 
 the body cavity of a fly: cav.. "cavity of the gas- 
 
 trula;" lac, "primitive cavity;" sec, scolex; ven., 
 
 sucker. Koritski 3, 8. After Grassi & Rovelli, 1892, 
 
 Tav. IV, fig. 14. 
 Fig. 191. Cysticercoid partly extended: par. int., internal wall; 
 
 par. est., external wall; sco., scolex. Koritska. 3, 4. 
 
 After Grassi & Rovelli. 1R92. Tav. IV, fig. 15. 
 
<)52 
 
 Fig. 192. Anterior exliLinity nf tiy. J'.M. I\i>iit;-ki. :;, S. Alt.-r 
 
 Grass! & Rovelli, 1892, lig. 16. 
 Fig-. 193. Segmenls from Rudolphi's specimen of "Taenia in- 
 
 fundibuliformis" in Otis tarda. After Krabbe, 1868, 
 
 Tab. Ill, flgr. 5. See text p. 44. 
 
 [Figs. 194-198. Davainea proglottina.] 
 
 Fig. 194. Adult worm: g., ovary; p., cirrus pouch; r., recepta- 
 culum seminis; t., testicle; v., vagina; vi., vitello- 
 gene gland. x95. After R. Blanchard, 189B, fig. 4. 
 
 Fig. 195. Head of same with extended rostellum and one partly 
 detached segment. After R. Blanchard, 1891B, fig. 5. 
 
 Fig. 196. Head with retracted, rostellum; the first segment is 
 forming from the neck. After R. Blanchard, 1891B, 
 fig. 6. 
 
 Fig. 197a-b. Three isolated hooks: a, from rostellum; b, suckers. 
 After R. Blanchard, 1891B, fig. 7. 
 
 Fig. 198. Isolated egg. After R. Blanchard, 1891B, fig. 8. 
 
 Plate XVI, Figs. 199-211. — ^Davainea proglottina and Davainea 
 circumvallata. 
 
 [Figs. 199-202. Davainea proglottina.] 
 
 Fig. 199. Cysticercoid, in which the oncospheric hooks are still 
 
 visible: ros., rostellum; ven., suckers; Koritska 3, 8. 
 
 After Grassi & Rovelli, 1892, Tav. IV, fig. 7. (Fresh 
 
 specimen.) 
 Fig. 200. The same, preserved: boc, opening of the cysticercoid; 
 
 cav., "cavity of the g^astrula;" lac, "primitive 
 
 lacune;'-' sco., scolex. Koritska, 3, S. After Grassi 
 
 & Rovelli, 1892, Tav. IV, fig. 8. 
 Fig. 201. Longitudinal section: boc, opening of cysticercoid; 
 
 cav., "cavity of the gastrula;" sco., scolex. Hart- 
 
 nack, 2, 7. After Grassi & Rovelli, 1892, Tav. IV, 
 
 fig. 9. 
 Fig. 202. Young cysticercoid: ven., sucker; cod., tail. Kori'tska, 
 
 3, 5. After Grassi & Rovelli, 1892, Tav. IV, fig. 10. 
 
 [Figs. 203-211. Davainea circumvallata.] 
 
 Fig. 203. Ovum. x240. After Krabbe, 1869, Tab. X, fig. 295. 
 Fig. 204. Head and neck: pr., rostellum; r, line of hooks; v, 
 
 sucker; c, neck. After Crety, 1890, fig. 9. 
 Fig. 205. Hook from rostellum. After Crety, 1890, fig. 10. 
 Fig. 206. Ovum. After Crety, 1890, fig. 11. 
 
G53 
 
 Fig. 1'07. Frontal section of side of segment, through the cirrus 
 l)ouch and vagina: ci., cirrus; va., vagina: sg.. geni- 
 tal sinus; sb., cells of subcuticula. After Crety, 
 1890, fig. 12. 
 
 Fig. JOS. Longitudinal section through egg sac: m, external cap- 
 sule; c, granular content; ov., ovum. After Crety, 
 1890, fig. 13. 
 
 Fig. 2(19. Scolex of "T. pluriuncinata." x ca. 50. a, hook from 
 rostellum; b, hook from sucker; pr., rostellum; v, 
 sucker; s, head; c, neck. After Crety, 1890, fig. 4. 
 
 Fig. 210. Ovum of same. After Crety, 1890, fig. 7. 
 
 Fig. 211. Frontal section of segment of same: cl., ventral canal; 
 ct., transversecanal; ur., egg sacs. After Crety, 1890, 
 fig. 14. 
 
 Plate XVir, Figs. 212-227.— Davainoa cesticillus. Davainea 
 echinobothrida, and Davainea tetagona. 
 
 [Figs. 212-216. Davainea cesticillus."] 
 
 Fig. 212. Strobila. After Molin, 1861, PI. VI, fig. 10. 
 
 Fig. 213. Anterior portion of same, and two posterior segments 
 (middle portion of worm ff, omitted): A, head; b, 
 ring surrounding the rostellum; c, rostellum; d, 
 sucker; E, anterior portion of segmented body; ff, 
 dotted line of omitted segnfients; GG, two posteiror 
 segments; h, extruded pen's; i, vulva. After Molin. 
 1861, PI. VI, fig. 11. 
 
 Fig. 214. Hook from rostellum of Dujardin's "T. infundibuli- 
 formis Goeze." x210. After Dujardin, 1845. PI. IX. 
 Fig. H. 2. 
 
 Fig. 21.'. Hook from rostellum. x920. After Krabbe. 1S69. Tab. 
 X, fig. 293. 
 
 Fig. 21 fi. Ovum. x24n. After Krabbe. 1S69, Tab. X. fig. 294. 
 
 [Figs. 217-21S. Davain-''a Pcbinobothrida. | 
 
 P'ig. 217. Strobila. natural size. After Megn'.n. 1SS1A. PI. V. 
 
 fig. 1. 
 Fig. 21Sa-d. Head/ with appendages: a, head an'd neck; b. 
 armature of suckers; c, hook from sucker: d. hook 
 rostellum. After Megnln, 18S1A, PI. V, fig. 2. 
 
 [Figs. 219-227. Davainea tetragona.") 
 
 Fig. 219. Head D, with rostellum (a) and suckers <r). followed 
 by neck (K). Enlarged. After Molin. 1861. Tav. VIT. 
 fig. 6. 
 
654 
 
 Viti. I'L'ii. Thi-et- j)osterior segments A, shdwiiin- KiMiital pmi'S d) 
 and egg- sacs (b). England. AfttM' Mulin, ISKl, 'I'av. 
 VII, tig-. 7. 
 
 Kig. liL'l. Isolated egg sac with (a) transijaient metnbrane; l>, 
 granular substance; c, embryo in ovum (d). Kn- 
 larged. After Molin, 1861, Tab. VII, tig. s. 
 
 Kigs. 222-223. Head and neck showing armed rostellum and 
 armed suckers. x35. After Krabbe, 1882, Tab. II, 
 tigs. 55, 56. From material collected by KedtschMiku 
 in Turkestan. 
 
 Fig. 224. Hook from rostellum "f same. x920. After Krahbc, 
 1882, Tab. II, fig. 59. 
 
 Fig. 225. A segment showing two longitudinal canals, several 
 testicles, vas deferens cirrus pouch and genital pore. 
 x3S. After Krabbe, 1882, Tab. II, fig. 57. 
 
 Fig. 226. Posterior segment, showing genitl pore and egg sacs. 
 x35. After Krabbe, 1882, Tab. II, fig. 58. 
 
 Fig. 227. Female genital organs: vg., vagina; r s., receptaculum 
 seminis; bd trsv., transverse collecting canal; cl. ov., 
 opening of the ovarian tubules; c. s., seminal canal; 
 ovd., disc, descending oviduct; glv., vitellogene 
 gland; vt. Id., vitello-duct; ovd. asc, ascending ovi- 
 duct; sb. ovd,, opening of the ascending oviduct; ebc. 
 vtld., opening of the vitello-duct; ootp,, ootyp with 
 shell gland. After Diamare, 1893, fig. 4. 
 
 Plate XVIII, Figs. 228-246.— Davainea tetragona, Davainea 
 Friedbergeri and Davainea crassula. 
 
 [Figs. 228-235. Davainea te.tragona.) 
 
 Figs. 228-229. Supposed larvae of "Taenia bothrioplitis" (=Da- 
 vainea tetragona) from a snail (Helix). Treated 
 with acetic acid. After Piana 1882, Figs. F, 8, A., 
 and F, 8, B, reduced. 
 
 Fig. 230. Piece of the intestine of a fowl showing the nodules 
 (reduced one-third). After Moore, 1895, fig. la. 
 
 Fig. 231. The mucosa of the intestine showing ulcerated areas; 
 also several small and one larger tapeworm attached 
 to the intestine (reduced one-third). After Moore, 
 1895, fig. lb. 
 
 Fig. 232. A cross section of the intestine illustrating the thick- 
 ening of the wall, due to a parge number of the 
 nodules; also a portion of a tapeworm which has 
 penetrated the muco»— > mpmbran" (enlarged), .\fter 
 Moore, 1885, fig. Ic 
 
655 
 
 Fig-. T.i3. A floss section (if a iiodiilo cDiita^niiig a sequestrum 
 situated in tlic dutei- or longitudinal muscular layer 
 (circular layer of the muscular wall not affected). 
 After Moore, 1895, fig. 2a. 
 
 Fig. 2.';t. A section showing a tapeworm and a necrotic mass 
 within the mupcular wall. After Moore, 1895. fig. 2b. 
 
 P'ig. 2.35. A portion of a cross section of. the intestine showing 
 the head of a tapeworm within the muscle and one 
 lying between the villi with its head resting on the 
 basement membrane of the mucosa. Enlarged. 
 After Moore, 1895, fig. 2c. 
 
 [Figs. 2S6-242. Davainea Friedbergeri. | 
 
 Fig. 236. Hook from rostellum. After Friedberger, 1877, fig. I. 
 
 Fig. 237. Hooks from the suckers. After Friedberger, 1S77, 
 fig. 2. 
 
 Fig. 238. Hook of oncosphere. After Friedberger, 1877, fig. 3. 
 
 Fig.239. "T. infundibuliformis var. pharisarum," seu "T 
 agama"=? Davainea Friedbergeri. Natural size. 
 After Megnin. 1878, PI. IV, fig. 1. 
 
 Fig. 240. View of head of same, en face, showing armed rostel- 
 lum and 4 armed suckers. xl20. After Megnin, 1878, 
 PI. IV, fig. 4. 
 
 Fig. 241. Hook from rostellum of same. x725. After Megnin, 
 1878, PI. IV, fig. 4. 
 
 Fig. 242. Segments of same species. x20. After Megnin, 1878. 
 PI. IV, fig. 4. 
 
 [Figs. 243-246. Davainea crassula.] 
 
 Fig. 243. "Eggs" (^Egg sacs) magnified. After Kudoiphi, 1819, 
 
 Tab. Ill, fig. 19. 
 Fig. 244. Hook from rostellum. x920. After Krabbe, 1869, Tab. 
 
 X, fig. 301. From Rudolphi's original specimens. 
 Fig. 245. Anterior end of worm, showing rostellum and twc 
 
 suckers. x35. After Krabbe, 18S2, Tab. II, fig. 66. 
 
 From material collected in Turkestan by Fedts- 
 
 chenko. 
 Fig. 246. Hook from rostellum of same. x920. After Krabbe. 
 
 1869, Tab. IT. fig. 67. 
 
 Plate XIX. Figs. 247-255. — Et-hinocotyle Rosseteri and Ophryo- 
 cotyle proteus. 
 
 [Figs. 247-251. Echinncntyle Rosseteri.] 
 
 Fig. 247. Strobila. xl20. After R. Blanchard, 1891 B. fig. i. 
 
656 
 
 Fig. 248. Head with extended rustelluni. x50C. AftcM- R. Hlaii- 
 
 chard, 1891B, fig. 2. 
 Fig. 249a-b. Hooks: a, from rostellum, x400; b, from sucker, 
 
 x2,500. After R. Blanchard, 1819B, fig. 3. 
 Fig. 260. Isolated segment: 1, evaginated cirrus with spines; 2, 
 
 genital tubercle; 3, orifice of game with sphincter; 
 
 4, cirrus pouch, with ring of minute sharp spines; 
 
 5, seminal canal; 6, mass of spermatozoa. x600. 
 After Rosseter, 1892, PI. XXIII, fig. 8. 
 
 Fig. 251. Cysticercoid taken from the body cavity of Cypris 
 cinerea; a hooks on rostellum; b, hooks on suckers. 
 x360. After Rosseter, 1892, PI. XXII, fig. 1. 
 
 Figs. 252-255. Ophryocotyle proteus. After Friis, 1869, taken 
 from R. Blanchard. 1891B, fig. 20. 
 
 Fig. 252. Strobila. 
 
 Fig. 253. Head and neck with retracted infundibulum. 
 
 Fig. 254. Head and neck with extended infundibulum. 
 
 Fig. 255. Sucker with armature. 
 
 Plate XX, Figs. 256-269. — Taenia cantanian. Taenia Delafondi, 
 Taenia imbutiformis. Taenia megalops, and Taenia nigrop- 
 unctata. 
 
 Fig. 256. Taenia cantania: a, head; b, suckers; c. organ taken 
 by Polonio for the "genital pore?"; d, well-developed 
 eggs. After Polonio, 1860, Tav. VII fig. 2. 
 
 [Figs. 257-262.— Megnin's (1891, Figs. A-F.) figures of "Taenia 
 sphenocephala"=Railliet's Taenia Delafondi.] 
 
 Fig. 257. Strobila natural size. 
 
 Fig. 258. Head and neck. x60. 
 
 Fig. 259. Three sexually segments. xl4. 
 
 Fig. 260. Eggs. x375. 
 
 Fig. 261. Isolated oncosphere. 
 
 Fig. 262. Segmenting egg. 
 
 Fig. 263. Taenia imbutiformis: a, suckers; b., middle portion; 
 
 c, caudal portion; d. "genital pores" (?). After 
 
 Polonio, 1860. Tav. VII, fig. 3. 
 
 [Fig. 264-267. — Taenia megalops from Brazilian teal (.-\nas 
 braziliensis). Coll. Vienna Museum.] 
 
 Fig. 264. Strobila natural size. Original. 
 
 Figs. 26"-267. Three views of head, enlar.ged. Origiml. 
 
PLATE I 
 
 l-ll. COTUGNIA DIGONOPORA 
 
plate: IV. 
 
 14. 
 
 »(( 
 
 45. 
 
 t-\ 
 
 . .-.-TTT - 
 
 47. 
 
 45. 
 
 -^'Ov.L./v/-^'^-' 
 
 37-42, DICRANOT/ENIA SPHENOlDES. 
 4-3-53. DREPANIDOT/ENIA LANCEOLATA 
 
PLATE V. 
 
 [X^. 
 
 I 
 
 ^i,-vii"'''^i"vy ^^U\// 
 
 ) •:) 
 
 5^=1-55. DREPANIDOT/CNIA LANCEOLATA 
 56-66. DREPANIDOT/ENIA FASCIATA. 
 
PLATE VI 
 
 7(). 
 
 y 
 
 
 >v^ 
 
 V;V^ 
 
 .#^;^'«P^ 
 
 P W^- ''%'- 
 
 '■^^ 
 
 r^LC. 
 
 1 , -•'-, 
 
 _^ 
 
 68. 
 
 c y 
 
 ^, 
 
 # 
 
 70. 
 
 07 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 67-76, DREPANIDOT/ENIA FA5CIATA 
 
PLATE IX 
 
 10.3 l<).->. 
 
 lOO-lll. DREPANIDOT/EN lA ANATINA. 
 
PLATE X. 
 
 IIZ-I 15. DREI^ANIDOT/tN lA ANATINA 
 IIG-IZ'I- DREPAN I DOT/EIN I A SINUOSA. 
 
PLATE X! 
 
 125-139. DREPANI DOT/ENI A SINUOSA, 
 
plate: VIII 
 
 !)>!. 
 
 
 
 
 ^■^•vv'; '5."*-i'* 7-'-''>'0 
 
 v*:-«;': 
 
 >A' 
 
 ::;^v 
 
 
 \)}. s: 
 
 ^=t. 
 
 '.):>. 
 
 •N 
 
 92-99. DREPANIDOT/tNlA GRACILIS 
 
PLATE VII. 
 
 
 77-79, DREPANIDOT/ENIA FASCIATA. 80-91. DREPAN I DOT/EN I A GRACILIS. 
 
PLATE III, 
 
 ■^^^'wi'^') 
 
 m. c O*" 
 
 r^^ 
 
 28. '\ 
 
 
 -V 
 
 
 -^^A 
 
 V 
 
 /"-; 
 
 ■V 
 
 27 a) 
 
 30. 
 
 1^. 0^ 
 
 ^A 
 
 I { ] 
 
 m)> 
 
 50. 
 
 i 
 
 24. 
 
 '^•> 
 
 29. 
 
 
 21, 
 
 51. 
 55. 
 
 32. 
 
 ^w^ 
 
 54 
 
 2!-28, DICRANOT/ENIA CORONULA, 3I-34,DICRAN0T;ENIA FURCIGERA, 
 29-30, DICRANOT/ENIA ./EQUABILIS. 35-36. T^NIA CONICA, 
 
PLATE 
 
 12-17. COTUGNIA BIFARIA, 18" 20. AM AB I LI A LAMELLIGERA. 
 
PLATE XV. 
 
 187-19 3. DRE PAN I DOT/ENIA INFUNDIBULIFORMIS. 
 194-198 DAVAI N EA PROGLOTTINA. 
 
PLATE XVI. 
 
 I99-20E.DAVA1NEA PROGLOTTINA. 203 -21 1. DAVAINEA CIRCU MVALLATA. 
 
PLATE XII 
 
 14-5 
 
 149 
 
 140-146, DREPANIDOT/ENIA SINU05A. 147-150. DREPANIDOT/ENI A SETIGER A. 
 151-152. T/ENIA KRABBEI KOWALEWSKI. 
 
PLATE XX 
 
 2')!. 
 
 '^59. 
 
 2i5y. 
 
 2m 
 
 250. 
 
 HYJ 
 
 256. T/ENIA CANTAN'iANA 257-262. T/^EN I A DELAFONDI. 
 
 263. T/ENIA I M B UTI FOR M I 5. 264-267 T/ENIA MEGALOPS. 
 
 268-270. T/ENIA NIGROPUN CTATA 
 
PLATE XXI. 
 
 ■<il{ 
 
 ' f^/. 
 
 £71. FIMBRIARIA MALLEUS 272 -274, 1 D 1 G EN E5 OTI D I S 
 275-275, T^NIA SPOFCONARD 
 
PLATE XVI 
 
 212-216. DAVAINEA CESTICILLUS. 217-218. DAVAINEA ECHINOBOTHRIDA. 
 219-227. DAVAINEA TETRAGONA 
 
PLATE XVI 
 
 1^51. 
 
 •^40 
 
 •^4^. 
 
 •^45. 
 
 228-835 DAVAINEA TETRAGONA 236-242. DAVAINEA FRIEDBERGERI 
 243-246, DAVAINEA CRASSULA. 
 
PLATE XIX 
 
 •>50. 
 
 247-251. ECHINOCOTYLE ROSSETERI. 252-255. OPHRYOCOTYLE PROTEUS 
 
PLATE XMI 
 
 I53.DREPANID0T/ENIA SINUOSA. 15^-164. DREPANIDOT/ENIA SETIGERA. 
 
PLATE XIV, 
 
 
 165-172 DREPANIDOT/ENIA TENUIROSTRIS. 
 173-186. D RERAN I DOT/ENIA INFUNDIBULIFORMIS 
 
[Figs. 26S-270. Taenia nigropunctata. After Crety, 1890.] 
 
 Fig. 268. Head: v, sucker; c, neck. After Crety, 1890, fig. 3. 
 Fig. 269. Isolated segment: 1, eggs; m, ovary; p. genital pore; 
 
 u, uterus. After Crety, 1890, fig. I. 
 Fig. 270. Kgg witli oncosphere. After Crety. 1890, fig. 2. 
 
 Plate XXI, Figs. 271-274.— Taenia malleus, Idiogenes otidis and 
 Taenia sp. Conard, MS. 
 
 Fig. 271. Taenia malleus, head and anterior segments. Aftar 
 Goeze, 1782, Tab. XXX, fig. 3. 
 
 [Figs. 272-274. Idiogenes otidis.] 
 
 Fig. 272. Pseudoscolex and anterior portion of strobila. The 
 first four segments form the pseudoscolex. After 
 Zschokke, 1888, PI. Ill, fig. 39. 
 
 Fig. 273. Segment with male and female organs: ed., vas defer- 
 ens; c. e., vas efferens; ci., cirrus; t., testicles; f. d. 
 v., end of vagina (receptasulum seminis); gl. g., 
 ovary; gl. v., vitellogene gland; va.. vagina. After 
 Zschokke, 1888, PI. Ill, fig. 42. 
 
 Fig. 274. Segment with developed uterus: cap. ut., superior 
 uterine cavity; c. d., vas deferens; p. d. c cirrus 
 pouch; va., vagina After Zschokke, 1888, PI. III. fig. 
 46. 
 
 [Figs. 27.5,276. Two diagrams of Taenia sp. from chickens. 
 After Conard, unpublished.] 
 
 Fig. 275. Dorsal view; fig. 276, transverse section: n.. nerve; d. 
 c, dorsal canal; v. c. ventral canal; t. c. transverse 
 canal; g. c, genital cloaca with pore; c. cirrus; c. 
 p.. cirrus pouch; v. s.. vesicula seminalis; t., testicle; 
 ut., "probably uterus" for testicle?); v., vagina; r. s.. 
 receptaculum seminis; ov.. probably ovary; s. g., 
 probably shell gland; 1. m.. longitudiral muscles. 
 
 42 II 
 
«58 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 SOME EGGtS. 
 
 Tlie five accompanying plates contain twenty-nine 
 Hsiires of eggs, natural size, of the following species, 
 all of which occur in Pennsylvania as natives: 
 
 PI. ATE I. 
 Sharp-Sfinned Hawk. 
 
 Barn Owl. 
 
 Screech Owl. 
 
 Oreat Horned Owl. 
 
 Sparrow Hawk. 
 
 PLATE II. 
 
 Marsh Hawk. 
 
 Red-Tailed Hawk. 
 
 Common Crow. 
 PLATE III. 
 
 Cooper's Hawk. 
 
 Barred Owl. 
 
 Blue Jay. 
 
 Long-Eared Owl. 
 PLATE IV. 
 Broad-Winged Hawk. 
 
 (lOSHAWK. 
 
 Red-Shouldered Hawk. 
 
 Saw-Whet Owl. 
 PLATE V. 
 
 Turkey Buzzard. 
 
 Bald Eagle. 
 
 Du<K Hawk. 
 
PLATE 
 
 BARN OWL, 
 
 HARP-SHINNED HAWK 
 
 SCREECH OWL 
 
 GREAT HORNED OWL. 
 
 SPARROW HAWK 
 
 SPARROW HAWK 
 
PLATE 
 
 MARSH HAWK 
 
 MARSH HAWK 
 
 RED-TAILED HAWK 
 
 
 
 t- I h 
 
 RED-TAILED HAWK 
 
 AMERICAN CROW. 
 
 AMERICAN CROW. 
 
PLATE 
 
 *V 'i'' .*>•'. 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 COOPER'S HAWK 
 
 COOPERS HAWK 
 
 
 BLUE JAY. 
 
 BARRED OWL 
 
 ^, '. ''J V 
 
 BLUE JAY 
 
 AMERICAN LONG-EARED OWL. 
 
PLATE IV 
 
 
 m «)« 
 
 
 BROAD-WINGED HAWK 
 
 BROAD -vViNGED HAWK 
 
 RED-SHOULDERED HAWK 
 
 RED-SHOULDERED HAWK 
 
 SAW-WHET OWL 
 
PLATE V. 
 
 TURKEY BUZZARD 
 
 
 BALD EAGLE. 
 
 DUCK HAWK 
 
 DUCK HAWK 
 
659 
 
 The lUMiiv d'aii^cs of |tluTTi;ij;e wiiicli hiids have are 
 fully explained Id foiiiiei' cliapteis, aud as there are. 
 with certain species, great variations in their eggs — a 
 nest will sometimes contain eggs wholly different in 
 markings — it has been deemed best to show how- 
 marked these variations are with several of our com- 
 mon birds. The author is very greatly indebted to 
 Messrs. Ward, of Rochester, New York, for having 
 kindly selected and loaned from their collection the 
 specimens fi-om which the a('C(»ui]>anying illustrations 
 have been made. 
 
fifiO 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS. 
 
 This chapter contains several i)apers which deal 
 with a number of snbjects of especial interest. The 
 Bounty Records given here, although unfortunately 
 no't complete, are without doubt more accurate than 
 any which have been printed or ever can be published 
 in connection with the notorious bounty act of 1885. 
 Tills statement is made because in a number of coun- 
 ties the records were destroyed after the data given 
 in this chapter were compiled. 
 
 The seal}) act of 1897, which allows premiums for 
 Wildcats, Foxes and Minks, is given in full. The au 
 thor of this Measure, Representative G. W. Campbell, 
 of Fayette county, ])repared it with particular care, 
 and persons who may attempt tO' practice fraud under 
 it will likely get into a great deal of trouble. 
 
 Some of Ihe best methods known to trappers and 
 hunters, of capturing and destroying wild animals 
 which commil so ifnuch damage in (he i)i)nltry yard, 
 and to game and song birds, ai'" (piil*- fully explained. 
 
 The seel ion devoted to Ik^ads is one which, Avith tin- 
 carcfiilly }>repared illustrations made rirMii specimens 
 (»n wliich bounties were ])aid. shows dearly the great 
 necessity of liaving some jtublic document that will 
 enable otTicials and sc.alp hunters 1o recognize one ani- 
 lual from anotlier. It is lidiciilciis. t(> say the least, 
 that the ta.\i>ayeis of any comity in this Common- 
 
601 
 
 woallli slionld pnv piciiiiimis for liciuls of j;jinio birds, 
 domestical ted fowls, Sliril;es, Wliip-pooi-wills, Sea 
 Gulls, etc., because local officials may, throufrh i<«;no- 
 rance, accept them as Hawks or Owls. House cats and 
 cur dogs, Squirrels and other mammals should never 
 again be used to answer for Wildcats, Wolves, Minks 
 and Weasels. 
 
 The citizens of this State are, it appears, strongly 
 in favor of jsiying l)ounties, and while such a feeling 
 • exists it is but ])i-o]ier that this wC'i'k should be pre- 
 pared, not only to correct wrong impressions, which 
 are so widesj'read about many birds and mammals, 
 but, at the same time, sliow what s|>ecies are chieHy 
 res[)onsible for the enormous destruction of poultry, 
 "ame and snuill S(Uig birds. 
 
m'2 
 
 SOME liOUXTY RECORDS. 
 
 The tabnliited bouuty records which appear on suc- 
 ceeding pages were paid under the act of June 2;i, 
 1885, and the amended act of 1889 which repealed that 
 portion of the act of '85 that allowed bounties for 
 HawlvS, Owls and Weasels. These laws caused an 
 enormous expenditure of money. It is believed to be 
 a conservative estimate to state that fully $150,000 
 M'ere paid out in bounties, and considerably more than 
 half of this amount was expended for birds of prey or 
 other kinds of feathered animals w^hich were believed 
 to be Hawks and Owls. It has been absolutely im- 
 possible toi secure fromi a number of .counties any 
 records which would show the number of each species 
 of bird or mammal on which premiums were paid. In 
 the majority of cases this is due to the fact that county 
 officers did not preserve the bounty cer-tificates after 
 their accounts were audited at the end of each yeiir. 
 Tlie writer has expended a great deal of time, consider- 
 able money and experienced a lot of trouble to obtain 
 all the facts possible in connection with recent scalp 
 acts, and as a result the records which follow are un- 
 doubtedly the most complete that have ever been pub- 
 lislied in connection with the scalp act of June 23, 1885. 
 
 THE BOUNTY ACT OF 18S5. 
 
 The sc^lp act of June 23, 1885, under which so many 
 birds, etc., were slain reads as follows: 
 
 "An act for the destruction of Wolves, Wildcats, Foxes, Minks. 
 Hawks, Weasels and Owls in this Commonwealth 
 
 "Section 1. That" for the benefit of agriculture and for tht- 
 protection of game within this Commonwealth, there is hereby 
 established the following premiums for the destruction of cer- 
 tain noxious animals and birds, to be paid by the respective 
 
0(;3 
 
 counties in which the same are slain, namely; for every Wild- 
 cat, two doliarE; for every Red or Giay Fox, one dollar; for 
 every ^.link, fifty cents; for every Weasel, fifty cents; for every 
 Hawk, fifty cents; and for every Owl, except the Arcadian, 
 Screech or Barn Owl, which is hereby exempted from the pro- 
 visions of this act, fifty cents." 
 
 "Section 2. It shall be the duty of any person having killed 
 any animal or bird mentioned in the first section of this act, 
 and who is desirous of availing- himself of the premiums therein 
 provided, to produce such slain animal or bird before any mag- 
 istrate, alderman or justice of the peace of the county in which 
 the same was killed, and make affidavit of the time and place 
 of killing the same: Provided, That the pelt, if entire from the 
 tip of the nose of any such animal, may be produced in lieu of 
 the same when so preferred; and upon the reception of any 
 such animal or pelt, or bird, it shall be the duty of such mag- 
 istrate, alderman or justice of the peace, in the presence of 
 said person killing such animal or bird, and one elector of the 
 county, to cut off the ears of such animal or the head of such 
 bird, and in the presence of said persons burn the same. 
 
 "Section 3. Upon the destruction of the ears or heads as 
 aforesaid, the magistrate, alderman or justice of the peace 
 shall give to the person producing such animal or bird, a certi- 
 ficate of compliance with the provisions of this act directed to 
 the commissioners of the county in which such animal or bird 
 was slain, which certificate shall contain the following facts: 
 the kind of animal or bird killed; when, where and by whom 
 killed, and the date by whom and in the presence of what elec- 
 tor the ears of said animal or head of said bird was destroyed, 
 and u; on the production of such certificate the said commis- 
 sioners shall give an order upon the county treasurer for th; 
 payment of the premium or premiums provided by thi.s act, and 
 it shall be the further duty of the magistrate, alderman or 
 justice of the peace taking the affidavit, provided in the second 
 section of this act, to file the same forthwith, or cause the 
 same to be filed in the office of the commissioners of the county, 
 and upon filing the same, the said magistrate, alderman or 
 justice of the peace shall receive from the county treasurer, the 
 sum of twenty cents, in full compensation for all services under 
 this act." 
 
 SiCTENTIFir MKN PROTESTED. 
 
 Thisniijiistiind expensive not bad only ht-i^n in force 
 a few niOLths wlien luitiirnlists .-nui othor scientific 
 
()()4 
 
 geiitlciucn rcsidiiij; in the hoi-oni;!! (if \\'"sl Clicslcr he 
 gan lo oppose it most vij^oi-ously ; ind. ed tin- liist ('ITorts 
 made to have the noxious ''Scalp Act of 1885" repealed 
 were begnu in Chestei- county, wlien early in 188r» the 
 members of the West Chester Mici'(t'Sco]tical Kociely, 
 under the leadership of sncii pi-oniincul ;iu<l able gen- 
 tlemen as Dr. .Jos. T. l\o(lirock, Dr. -lesse C. (rreen. Ex 
 congicssnian W ashington To\\us(Mid, Addison .May and 
 others called a s]Kcial meeting, willi the view of crea- 
 tingsentimentlobring about the repeal of that jvoition 
 t)f the ac! which allowed lu-emiunis for the heads of 
 beiu'ticial biids. This society published in February, 
 188(>, a jiampldet confainiug strong resolutions con- 
 demning tlu' act, with uuuuM'ous letters from s(rme of 
 the most eminent ornithologists in the United States, 
 together with a brief description of the birds of prey 
 and their food habits. This re])Oi-t was widely circu- 
 lated thi-oughout Pennsylvania, and as many of the 
 leading newspapei's of the State quoted quit(^ exten- 
 sively fr(un it a sentiment was soon stai^ted in almost 
 every cornity of the Gommonwealth in favor of, at least, 
 tlie beneticial species of Hawks and Owls. 
 
 OTHERS LABORED TO REPEAL IT. 
 
 Tin* members of the State TJoard of Agrlculturf, 
 thr<uigh Secretary Thos. J. Edge, assisted by the writer, 
 who at tliat lime had made dissections of over 1. ')()() 
 stomachs ol Hawks and Owls, labored most indus- 
 triously ro show the economic value of the raptorial 
 birds, and secur( the repeal of that part of the odious 
 measnie whicli prompted the destruction of certain 
 birds which wei'e c^f the greatest value to farmers and 
 fruitj::rowers. 
 
()(>0 
 THKIR EFFORTS WERE SUCCESSFTTL. 
 
 These e(»UMiieiidal>leeft:oi-ts which, aspreviously staled, 
 originated aiiioug- scientitir men in West Cliester, re- 
 sulted in the abrogation, at tlie Legishitive session of 
 1887, after a most sj)irited contest, of Ihat jjorlion of 
 the act which related to Hawks and Owls. Secretary 
 Tho^. J. P^dge and tlio writer corresponded with county 
 commissioners, prominent farmers, naturalists and 
 sportsmen throughout the State, and a condensation 
 
 of this correspondence, both for and against the re- 
 
 jteal, follows: 
 
 WHY IT SHOULD BE REPEALED. 
 
 We bi'lieve the act should be repealed on account of 
 the following reasons: 
 
 1. It causes a drain upon the treasuries of the respective 
 counties which is not warranted by the results produced. 
 
 2. Collectively considered the Hawks and Owls by the de- 
 struction of injurious rodents and insects, confer a benefit 
 which is much more than an offset for the poultry, game and 
 small wild birds, which certain of these birds of prey destroy.' 
 
 3. The Cooper's Hawk, the Sharp-Shinned Hawk, the Gos- 
 hawk, the Duck Hawk, the Pigeon Hawk and the Great Horned 
 are detrimental, but if a bounty should be placed on the heads 
 of these birds all species of Hawks and Owls would be destroyed 
 by scalp-hunters. 
 
 4. The payment of all bounties should be discontinued until 
 officials can acquaint themselves with birds and mammals so 
 that premiums will not be paid for heads of Chickens, T\irkeys, 
 Pheasants-. Robins, Sparrows, etc., under the belief that they 
 are Hawks and Owls; and on the other hand officials should 
 know enough about mammals that the ears of Opossums, Red 
 Squirrels, house Cats, cur Dogs or pieces of Buffalo skins. Mule 
 hides, etc., should not be accepted by them for such detrimental 
 animals as Wolves, Wildcats. Foxes, Minks and Weasels. 
 
 5. Increased duties are iniiiosed ui'"n munty otflceis (m- which 
 no additional compensation has lieiii provided. 
 
6. In a, number of cases county officials ha\'i- been imposed 
 on and bounties illegally drawn. 
 
 7. It encourages a certain class to follow hunting as a means 
 of livelihood, and to the exclusion of other labor. 
 
 8. Self-interest would lead to the destruction of the detrimen- 
 tal birds and mammals. 
 
 9. Farmers and poultry-raisers need no bounty to induce 
 them to trap and kill birds and other wild animals which de- 
 stroy their poultry. 
 
 10. The repeal of the act will, by the increase of the birds of 
 prey, cause greater destruction to field mice, which do much 
 mischief on the farm. 
 
 11. The payment of bounties for any purpose is based upon 
 wrong principles and should be discouraged. 
 
 WHY THE ACT SHOULD NOT BE REPEALED. 
 
 We believe the act should not be repealed because: 
 
 1. This being the first year of its action, the total amount paid 
 will be greatly in excess of that of any subsequent year, and 
 owing to the increased scarcity each year, the amount annually 
 paid will every year be less. 
 
 2. By a repeal the good effects of bounties already paid would 
 be practically lost. 
 
 3. The destruction of these birds and other animals is a great 
 protection to game; Pheasants, Quail and Wild Turkeys, besides 
 many kinds of Wild Ducks, Snipe and Woodcock, in the way 
 of feathered game, are destroyed by both Hawks and Owls and 
 many of these game birds are also killed by Foxes, Wildcats, 
 Minks and Weasels. Great numbers of Rabbits are annually 
 devoured by the Hawks, Owls and other animals for which 
 premiums are paid; the Wildcats destroy many Deer, and Squir- 
 rels are also killed by Hawks, Owls, Foxes, etc. Game of all 
 kinds w'ould, no doubt, be much more plentiful if all Hawks, 
 Owls, Foxes, Minks, Wildcats and Weasels were killed. 
 
 4. If Hawks and Owls do not disturb poultry and game, why 
 is it that all kinds of domesticated fowls. Pheasants, Quail, 
 Rabbits, etc., show signs of alarm and hurry to cover w'hen a 
 Hawk or an Owl comes near them? 
 
 5. If Hawks and Owls are such great destroyeis of insects and 
 Mice, why is it they will so readily abandon the pursuit of these 
 pests and get into traps baited with Chickens or small 
 birds? 
 
6. Many experienced Quail and Pheasant hunters claim that 
 ihey often find these game birds by watching for places where 
 Hawks are waiting, and in the majority of cases the covy of 
 Quail or Pheasants will be discovered in the vicinity where 
 Hawks are. Hawks will follow day after day a flock of Quail 
 and often, especially in severe snowy weather, kill all the 
 birds. 
 
 7. Hawks, particularly the smaller species, kill large numbers 
 of small song birds, which are valuable as insect destroyers. 
 
 8. All laws are liable to abuse and violation, and this one is 
 no exception to the general rule. 
 
 9. The effect of a continuance of the law as it now is will be 
 to increase the production of poultry and decrease its price. 
 
 WHERE SKUNKS WERE PAID FOR. 
 
 The records on succeeding pages indicate that in the 
 county of Clinton, bounties were paid in the year 1885, 
 1880 and 1887 for 294 Skunks, and during the same 
 years premiums were allowed in Centre county for 3,370 
 Skunks. Frcan this it seems evident that both of these 
 counties had local laws in force which enabled the 
 cotinty commissionei-s to pay for these animals. The 
 Tanther, which is included among other animals paid 
 for in 1886 by Centre county, was, no doubt, another 
 species which was covered by a local scalp act or some 
 general law wliich was repealed in 1889. 
 
 A FE!\Y \VOL.VES. 
 
 The Lackawanna county recoids show that four 
 Wolves wei'e paid for in 1890. Di-. Isaiah F P^verhart 
 and Mr. Geo. P. Friant, two well infonned naturalists, 
 of Scranton, Lackawanna c®unty, have for many years 
 collected specimens in this section and they are in- 
 clined to believe there is some mistake about these ani- 
 mals, as neither of these gentlemen have heard of a 
 genuine wild Wolf in that locality within the last 
 twenty years. Tioga county paid for three Wolves, but 
 as shown elsewhere in this work they had been bi-ought 
 fi'om the far uest and liberjited in Tioga and killed. 
 
(i()S 
 
 CRAWFOUD S lON'i )II.M( >I'S or'n.AV. 
 
 The county of Crawford leads all other couiilies in 
 the State in the amount of money expended under the 
 act of 188."). This county paid, it is said, between $10,- 
 000 and $1:^.000 in bounties and fees to local otticials. 
 The incomplete leooids from Ci in\ ford show that 
 nearly J 1,000 Hawks and Owls and over 10,500 Minks 
 and Weasels were paid for in about two years. The 
 members of the Senate and Hduse of Representatives 
 from Craw ford have always, in recent years, vigorously 
 opposed all bounty measures which have been under 
 consideration in our General Assembly and one of the 
 chief arouments they used was that such legislation, 
 with tlie lack of popular knowledge of wild birds and 
 mammals, enabled designing persons to practice fraud 
 in numerous ways; R(^d Squirrels and Chipmunks w^ere 
 killed for Weasels, Butcher-birds and other feathered 
 animals were called Hawks and Owls, and their lieads 
 were often of as much value to scalp hunters as the 
 genuine heads. 
 
 PIKE AND LYCOMING COUNTIES. 
 
 IMke county is one of the best localities in Pennsyl- 
 vania for game of different kinds, but unfortunately 
 this county is infested with a number of market hun- 
 ters wh'O are skilled in snaiing and trapping game. 
 These poachers, together with Foxes, Wildcats, Minks, 
 Weasels and Hawks of the genus Accipitor, with the 
 Great Horned Owl, have almost entirely exterminated 
 Ruffed Grouse during recent years in some parts of 
 Fike and neighboring counties. From best information 
 w'hich can be obtained no effoi'ts were made to practice 
 fraud in Pike county wherc^ under bounty laws since 
 1885, 1,110 F(..\es (both species), 1.S2 Wildcats and 207 
 Minks have Iteeu killed for premiums. 
 
(509 
 
 The members of tlie State Bojinl of diiiin' Comiiiis 
 sioiKM'fs hiivc jT^iven esi)eeial atteulion to the prDfi'Ssional 
 snarei's aud market hunters in tlie Pike county district 
 and reports received show that tliis illegal work has 
 decreased during the past year. 
 
 In the county of Lycoming, through the energetic ef- 
 forts of Game Ooraniissioner Mr. E. B. Westfall, mar- 
 ket hunting and the illegal sale of game has been prac- 
 tically stopped. This is fortunate, and if the game-de- 
 vouring Foxes were thinned out Ruffed Grouse would 
 be much more plentiful and farmers would lose much 
 less poultry. Lycoming county has a larg(^ amount of 
 territory especially suited to Ruffed Grouse and if it was 
 not for Foxes, which Mr. Chas. H, El don, Taxidei-mist. 
 of Williamsport, says are increasing rapidly, these 
 birds, as well as other kinds of game and small wild 
 birds, would be much more abundant. 
 
 ADAMS COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 to 
 
 
 !L 
 
 
 
 
 cS 
 
 
 
 X 
 
 
 to 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 ctf 
 
 V 
 
 
 O 
 
 
 i 
 
 2 
 
 
 1885. . . 
 
 828 
 
 1 
 
 186 
 
 14 
 
 8 
 
 10 
 
 1886, . . 
 
 2,976 
 
 422 
 
 125 
 
 81 
 
 4 
 
 319 
 
 1887, . . 
 
 1,510 
 
 695 
 
 134 
 
 78 
 
 2 
 
 194 
 
 1889, . . 
 
 
 
 70 
 
 112 
 
 7 
 
 
 1890, . . 
 
 
 
 264 
 
 199 
 
 6 
 
 
 1891, .. 
 
 
 
 361 
 301 
 315 
 
 138 
 55 
 89 
 
 2 
 4 
 4 
 
 
 1892, .. 
 
 
 
 
 1893. .. 
 
 
 
 
 1894, . . 
 
 
 
 344 
 57 
 
 78 
 10 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 ■ 25 
 
 
 1895, . . 
 
 
 
 
 1896, . . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total, 
 
 5,314 
 
 1118 
 
 2 057 
 
 854 
 
 66 
 
 523 
 
 During the fiist twelve months of act of 1885 Adams county 
 l>ai(l $::,S(i(i in bnuntii-s. 
 
670 
 
 ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 
 
 This county paid but little bounty under the act of 
 1885. During sixteen months Allegheny county paid 
 out only 153.00 in bounties. 
 
 ARMSTRONG COUNTY. 
 
 Have not been able to get from this county records 
 but there is little doubt that a considerable amount 
 was spent for premiums. During the first thirteen 
 months of the act of 1885 Armstrong county expended 
 in bounties no less than |1, 255.30 for heads of Hawks. 
 Owls, Foxes, Minks and Weasels. 
 
 BEAVER COUNTY. 
 
 Commissioners' OfQce 
 Beaver, Pa., May 28, 1897. 
 Dear Sir: Your favor of the 27th inst. is just at 
 hand and in repl}' I would say: prior to the year 1889 
 I cannot give the information you ask for in detail, but 
 I give such facts as our records show as follows: 
 
 1885, total amount paid for premium $15 75 
 
 1886, total amount paid for premium 234 25 
 
 1887, total amount paid for premium 228 25 
 
 1888, total amount paid for premium 50 
 
 1889, five minks and eleven foxes 12 25 
 
 1890, 40 minks and 183 foxes, 193 00 
 
 1891, 23 minks and 249 foxes 254 75 
 
 1892, 46 minks and 262 foxes 273 50 
 
 1893, 80 minks and 133 foxes 1S3 00 
 
 1894, 53 minks and 178 foxes 19125 
 
 1895, 59 minks and 159 foxes 173 75 
 
 1896, 33 minks and 79 foxes 87 25 
 
 Total sum paid $1.817 50 
 
 FRANK A. JUDD. 
 
 Ooinmissioners' Clerk. 
 
671 
 
 BERKS COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Yfar. 
 
 
 
 C8 
 
 '/J 
 
 ~ 1 
 K 1 
 
 
 K 
 
 
 o 
 
 c 
 
 
 r 
 
 ^i , 
 
 CS 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 fc 
 
 <^ 
 
 ■^ 
 
 " 
 
 |j 1 
 
 tr 
 
 
 1885 
 
 48 
 50« 1 
 35 I 
 
 117 
 76 
 
 4 
 10 
 3 
 1 
 5 
 2 
 4 
 1 
 
 J 
 
 9 
 
 108 
 100 
 
 
 
 1886 
 
 99!t 
 479 
 
 42 
 
 1887, 
 
 52 
 
 18S9 . . . 
 
 
 1890 
 
 68 
 86 
 95 i 
 102 ; 
 72 
 56 
 
 22 
 40 
 
 41 
 80 
 51 
 58 
 
 
 
 
 1891 . . 
 
 
 
 
 1892, 
 
 
 
 
 
 1893 
 
 
 1894 
 
 
 
 
 
 1895 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 210 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 612 
 
 486 
 
 30 
 
 1,478 
 
 94 
 
 
 
 No bounties were paid in Berks county, according to records, 
 in 1888 or 1896. Eleven "Catamounts'' paid for in 1885, 1886 and 
 1887 are included in column under Wildcat?. 
 
 BL,AIR COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 
 CO 
 
 ta 
 
 
 
 Year. 
 
 
 to 
 
 .5 
 
 to 
 
 ni 
 
 OS 
 
 to 
 
 X 
 
 to 
 
 ri 
 
 
 h 
 
 e^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 ■^ 
 
 E 
 
 O 
 
 1885, . . . 
 
 1886 
 
 1887 
 
 1888 
 
 1889 
 
 1890 
 
 1891 
 
 1892 
 
 1893 
 
 1894 
 
 1895 
 
 Total 
 
 23 
 
 460 
 
 185 
 
 1 
 
 47 
 293 
 307 
 250 
 169 
 216 
 
 96 
 
 •017 
 
 4 
 36 
 37 
 41 
 36 
 41 
 ■ 41 
 
 341 
 
 7 
 
 155 
 
 36 
 
 198 
 
 20 
 390 
 71 
 
 481 
 
 72 
 15 
 
 90 
 
BRADFORD COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 
 Year. 
 
 X 
 
 o 
 
 fa 
 
 si 
 
 o 
 
 2 
 
 4) 
 
 to 
 
 a 
 
 10 
 
 C 
 3 
 
 to 
 
 X 
 
 CO 
 
 O 
 
 1886 
 
 302 
 209 
 235 
 234 
 291 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 6 
 
 9 
 
 ID 
 
 641 
 
 343 
 
 1 
 
 345 
 212 
 315 
 462 
 69'5 
 
 841 
 144 
 
 925 
 
 232 
 
 1887 
 
 117 
 
 ]890 
 
 
 1891 
 
 
 1892 
 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 1,271 
 
 45 
 
 985 
 
 2.029 
 
 349 
 
 BUCKS COUNTY. 
 
 Year. 
 
 o 
 
 fa 
 
 [0 
 
 a 
 
 m 
 
 01 
 
 > 
 
 
 1- 
 
 1886 
 
 19 
 21 
 
 69 
 47 
 
 111 
 71 
 
 654 
 276 
 
 58 
 
 1887 
 
 43 
 
 1888,* 
 
 
 1889 
 
 3 
 
 16 
 38 
 
 47 
 
 •107 
 
 117 
 
 37 
 
 50 
 
 6 
 9 
 
 17 
 52 
 88 
 59 
 14 
 73 
 
 
 
 
 1890 
 
 
 
 
 1891, 
 
 
 
 
 1892 
 
 
 
 
 1893 
 
 
 
 
 1894 
 
 
 
 
 1895 
 
 
 
 
 1896 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 930 
 
 
 Total 
 
 455 
 
 434 
 
 182 
 
 101 
 
 
 
 *No premiunus paid. 
 
673 
 
 BUTLER COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 <l\ 
 
 Year. 
 
 OJ 
 
 :£ 
 
 
 X 
 
 c 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 fc 
 
 s 
 
 1891, 
 
 1892 
 
 1893 
 
 1894, 
 
 1895 
 
 1896, 
 
 Total, 
 
 64 ; 
 
 338 
 
 49 
 
 400 
 
 59 
 
 219 
 
 88 
 
 205 
 
 39 ; 
 
 180 
 
 30 : 
 
 120 
 
 329 
 
 1,462 
 
 The bounty records of previous years could not be found in 
 county commissioners' office. Butler paid from about Novem- 
 ber 1, 1885, to November 1, 1886, $833.75 for Hawks, Owls and 
 other animals. 
 
 CAMBRIA COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 
 
 vi 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 M 
 
 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 C/; 
 
 V 
 
 ci 
 
 ■y. 
 
 
 ■D 
 
 y, 
 
 
 
 c 
 
 3i 
 
 0) 
 
 'O 
 
 aw 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 fc 
 
 rS 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 - 
 
 O 
 
 1885 
 
 286 
 
 11 
 
 9 
 
 31 
 
 12 
 
 3 
 
 1886 
 
 793 
 
 207 
 
 180 
 
 47 
 
 62 
 
 98 
 
 1887 
 
 373 
 
 135 
 
 84 
 
 11 
 
 44 
 
 81 
 
 1888 
 
 9 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 188'^ 
 
 32 
 490 
 541 
 438 
 134 
 
 20 
 188 
 132 
 120 
 
 28 
 
 
 5 
 4 
 4 
 11 
 12 
 6 
 2 
 
 
 
 1890 
 
 
 
 18<t1 
 
 
 
 
 189?^ 
 
 
 
 
 1893 
 
 
 
 1894 
 
 
 
 18% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Tot 
 
 al, 3,086 
 
 843 
 
 275 
 
 136 
 
 120 
 
 185 
 
 In 1893 the county commissioners declined to pay any boun- 
 ties on Foxes and Minks, claiming the act of 1889 to be un- 
 constitutional. A "case stated" was submitted to the court 
 43 II 
 
G74 
 
 for an opinion, and March 2G, 1895, opinion of the court was 
 filed sustaining the county commissioners. No appeal having 
 been taken to a higher court this county has not paid any 
 bounties under act of 1889, except fur Wildcats; no Wolves hav- 
 ing been l<illp(l in the cnunty from 1SS5 to 1896, ini-lusive. 
 
 CAMERON COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 EC 
 
 
 
 
 oi 
 
 
 Year. 
 
 !0 
 0) 
 
 o 
 
 ■3 
 
 X 
 
 
 X 
 
 
 c 
 
 
 o 
 
 ^ 
 
 § 
 
 1894 
 
 1895 
 
 1896 
 
 Total, 
 
 The total amount of money paid in Cameron county for 
 Foxes, Minks and Wildcats from 1890 to 1896, inclusive, is given 
 as follows: 
 
 1890 ,$129 82 
 
 1891, 160 50 
 
 1892 173 15 
 
 1893 17145 
 
 1894 13100 
 
 1895 139 45 
 
 1896 84 50 
 
 Total sum paid $989 87 
 
 These amounts include fees of justice of peace. 
 
 After the act of 1885 was passed Cam.eron county paid to 
 November 1, 1886, at least $130 in premiums, and from Novem- 
 ber 1, 1886, to 1890, It is said, a consideraible additional amount 
 was paid, but these certificates could not be found by commis- 
 sioners' clerk. Mr. Franklin Housler, who sent me the records 
 nriven abo\e. 
 
675 
 
 CENTRE COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 
 «j 
 
 n 
 
 
 
 
 
 Vtnir. 
 
 03 
 
 X 
 O 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 2 
 
 C 
 3 
 
 in 
 X 
 
 o 
 
 c 
 
 1885, 
 1886, 
 1887, 
 1888, 
 1889, 
 1890, 
 1891, 
 1892. 
 1893, 
 1894, 
 1895, 
 
 Tota 
 
 612 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 362 
 
 147 
 
 168 
 
 348 
 
 99 
 
 93 
 
 65 
 65 
 
 
 
 20 
 
 
 511 
 
 70 
 
 1 
 
 590 
 
 133 
 
 
 474 
 
 110 
 
 
 
 471 
 
 91 
 
 , 
 
 443 
 
 148 
 
 1 
 
 145 
 
 52 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 4,086 
 
 872 
 
 265 
 
 20 
 14 
 24 
 13 
 38 
 21 
 37 
 16 
 17 
 38 
 14 
 
 252 
 
 1,245 
 
 1,355 
 
 770 
 
 16 
 
 381 
 
 90 
 
 3,370 I 487 
 
 56 
 
 42 
 
 2 
 
 100 
 
 CHKSTER forXTV. 
 
 1885, 
 
 1886, 
 
 1887,* 
 
 1890, 
 
 1891, 
 
 1892, 
 
 1893, 
 
 1894, 
 
 1895. 
 
 1896, 
 
 
 02 
 
 
 
 
 oi 
 
 
 X 
 
 
 03 
 
 to 
 
 4; 
 
 
 5: 
 
 K 
 
 il 
 
 X 
 
 m 
 
 Year. 
 
 i 
 
 X 
 
 c 
 
 a 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 <v 
 
 
 X 
 
 
 
 fc 
 
 s 
 
 ^ 
 
 Total, 
 
 30 I 
 908 
 445 i 
 
 108 
 79 
 
 1,383 1S7 220 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 111 
 
 231 
 
 334 
 
 16 
 
 434 
 
 212 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 
 7 
 
 6 
 
 
 29 
 
 15 
 
 
 19 
 
 5 
 
 
 27 
 
 14 
 
 
 723 
 
 551 
 
 ♦January 1 to March 18 only, were bounties paid in 1887. 
 No bounties were paid in Chester county in 1S8S and 1889. The 
 above records include a small number of Nighthawks. 
 
Yfar. 
 
 676 
 
 CLARION COUNTY. 
 
 M 
 
 
 
 ., 
 
 
 Ctf 
 
 
 
 
 K 
 
 O 
 
 ■n 
 
 
 
 X 
 
 2 
 1 
 
 o 
 
 S 
 
 
 
 1885, 
 1886, 
 1887, 
 1888, 
 1889, 
 1890, 
 1891,* 
 1892, 
 1893, 
 1894, 
 1895, 
 1896, 
 
 
 
 21 
 285 
 146 
 
 "57' 
 269 
 
 11 
 143 
 
 62 
 1 
 7 
 
 54 
 
 4 
 299 
 106 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 440 
 
 38 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 f.2 
 
 
 1 
 6 
 2 
 5 
 5 
 4 
 9 
 3 
 4 
 4 
 
 43 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 , 
 
 * 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 , 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 485 
 
 
 Total, 
 
 778 
 
 278 
 
 410 
 
 76 
 
 
 *Ceased paying all bounties except on Wildcats. 
 During- the first twelve months of the act of 1885 Clarion 
 county paid $944 in bounties. 
 
 CLEARFIELD COUNTY. 
 
 Year. 
 
 Foxes. 
 
 Wildcats. Minks 
 
 1890, 
 1891, 
 1892, 
 1893, 
 1894, 
 1895. 
 1896, 
 
 
 17 
 149 
 817 
 404 
 466 
 298 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 37 
 83 
 74 
 98 
 96 
 42 
 
 31 
 
 
 118 
 
 
 89 
 
 
 98 
 
 
 87 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 )tal, 
 
 2,141 
 
 430 
 
 4''8 
 
 
 
 Wildcats or Catamounts, as many call them, are very plenti- 
 ful in Clearfield county, and many complaints have come to 
 this Department about the great damage they do poultry, 
 game, etc. 
 
077 
 
 AMOUNT OF MONEY EXPENDED BY CLEARFIELD 
 COUNTY. 
 
 In consequence of the fact that the bounty certificates for the 
 years 1885 to 1890, inclusive, were destroyed, it was impossible to 
 secure the number of each liind of animal for which premiums 
 were given by Clearfield county, except for the years 1891 to 1895 
 inclusive. The tota^l money expended is given below: 
 
 In 1885, $344.05; 1886, $1,71G.45; 1887, $874.86; 1888, $35.00; 1889. 
 $182.00; 1890, $848.30; 1891, $1,090.35; 1892, $1,112.25; 1893, $730.25; 
 1894, $974.50; 1895, $748.75. Total, $8,656.75. 
 
 In consequence of a court decision declaring that certain 
 parts of the present bounty law were unconstitutional, no boun- 
 ties were paid in Clearfield county after January 15, 1896, except 
 on Wildcats for which $92.50 were expended from January 6 to 
 March 31, inclusive. 
 
 CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 Year. 
 
 1885, 
 1886, 
 1887, 
 1888, 
 1889, 
 1890, 
 1891. 
 1892, 
 1893, 
 1894, 
 189.5. 
 1896, 
 
 Total. 
 
 160 
 162 
 119 
 
 11 
 160 
 207 
 187 
 232 
 213 
 
 135 
 
 1.586 
 
 
 ■jI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 72 
 
 ai 
 
 03 
 
 o 
 
 .li 
 
 X 
 
 'O 
 
 5 
 
 '■$■ 
 
 <V 
 
 .^ 
 
 <A 
 
 > 
 
 1 
 
 i? 
 
 X 
 
 X 
 
 25 
 53 
 23 
 
 48 
 47 
 33 
 29 
 27 
 12 
 
 292 
 
 40 
 6 
 
 4« 
 
 11 
 27 
 11 
 16 
 32 
 60 
 21 
 34 
 32 
 30 
 17 
 
 298 
 
 120 
 
 182 
 
 92 
 
 396 
 
 4 
 
 134 
 
 19 
 
 157 
 
 12 
 
 37 
 
678 
 
 COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Amount of money 
 
 Year. I'aid for all ani- 
 mals. 
 
 1885 $87 50 
 
 1886 771 90 
 
 1887 413 60 
 
 1888 4 00 
 
 1889 27 00 
 
 1890 240 65 
 
 1S91, ' 301 OO 
 
 1892 255 50 
 
 1893 205 50 
 
 1894 176 25 
 
 1895 114 00 
 
 Total sum paid $2.596 90 
 
 No bounties were paid in Columbia county in 1896. and records 
 are not in shape to show different kinds of animals on which 
 bounties were paid. 
 
 CRAWFORD COUNTY. 
 
 Year. 
 
 to 
 
 C 
 
 Weasels. 
 
 a. 
 
 •A 
 
 Hawks. 
 
 Owls. 
 
 1885 
 
 101 
 
 4,093 
 
 1,021 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 122 
 
 4,183 
 
 1.060 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 25 
 
 225 
 
 20 
 
 221 
 7,896 
 1,976 
 
 \ 
 
 58 
 530 
 103 
 
 1 
 
 188G 
 
 1887 
 
 1888, 
 
 1889 
 
 
 1891 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total, 
 
 ) 
 
 5,218 
 
 5,370 
 
 271 
 
 10,102 
 
 693 
 
 No bounties wer^ paid in Crawford county after 1891. About 
 $12,000 were paid in this county, it is said, under this act of 
 188i5; and it is reliably stated that after the act of June 23, 1885, 
 went into effect Red Squirrels and Chipmunks were as eagerly 
 hunted by some .scalp hunters as were Minks and Weasels. 
 
079 
 
 CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3; 
 
 
 
 a! 
 
 »1 
 
 a; 
 
 ». 
 
 .:»: 
 
 
 "b par. 
 
 2 
 
 X 
 
 
 
 c 
 
 0) 
 
 
 > 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 &. 
 
 i 
 
 ■? 
 
 ■ 
 
 6 
 
 1885, 
 1886, 
 1887, 
 1888, 
 1889, 
 1890, 
 1891, 
 1892, 
 1893, 
 1894, 
 1895, 
 
 10 
 
 Total. 
 
 152 
 
 102 
 
 69 
 
 14 
 125 
 
 84 
 
 5 
 176 
 
 92 
 
 20 
 464 
 124 
 
 9 
 71 
 60 
 
 92 
 159 
 369 
 373 
 283 
 168 
 109 
 
 7 
 75 
 110 
 127 
 71 
 40 
 43 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 26 1,876 696 273 
 
 608 
 
 140 
 
 X(( biiuntitrs paid in 1896. 
 
 DATPHIN rOlJNTY 
 
 
 
 
 
 cc 
 
 
 
 Yeai". 
 
 0) 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 "5 
 a 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 Ui 
 
 r< 
 
 ^ 
 
 > 
 
 X 
 
 
 
 1885 
 
 90 
 
 9 
 
 5 
 80 
 35 
 
 
 15 
 694 , 
 161 1 
 
 3 
 36 
 60 
 
 1886 
 
 46 
 
 41 
 43 
 
 9 
 
 1887 
 
 63 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 5 
 
 1 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 1888 
 
 
 1889 
 
 22 
 
 6 
 29 
 42 
 40 
 48 
 49 
 60 , 
 
 
 
 
 1890 
 
 115 
 91 
 
 102 
 83 
 85 
 
 
 
 
 1891 
 
 
 1892 
 
 
 1893 
 
 
 1894 
 
 
 2 
 2 
 
 
 
 1895, 
 
 69 
 766 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 360 
 
 120 
 
 21 
 
 .S70 
 
 99 
 
 
680 
 
 DELAWARE COUNTY. 
 
 This was probably the only county in the State where 
 many of the allej-ed noxious animals — Foxes, Minks, 
 Weasels, Hawks and Owls — were of frequent occur- 
 rence, that the citizens showed little or no disposition 
 to kill these animals for bounty. The county of Dela- 
 ware lias not, I am informed, paid out in bounties dui'- 
 ing the last ten years much above fifty dollars. Dur- 
 ing the first sixteen months of the act of 1885, Dela- 
 ware county only expended |10.20. Foxes are not at 
 all rare in some sections of Delaware county but 
 through the efforts of the members of the Rose Tree 
 and other clubs these sly animals are well protected. 
 
 EL.K COUNTY. 
 
 During the latter part of 1885 and about ten months 
 in 188(> Elk county paid upwards of |500 bounties, 
 chiefly on Foxes, Wildcats, Minks and Weasels. All 
 of these animals, likewise birds of the genus Accipiter, 
 are quite numerous in Elk county where they destroy 
 much poultry and game, as well as many species of 
 small wild birds. Wildcats and Foxes are both in- 
 creasing in this county, and as they increase Deer, 
 Grouse, Rabbits and song birds are decreasing. 
 
 ERIE COUNTY 
 
 
 
 ■y. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 d 
 
 i/i 
 
 ■X. 
 
 
 Year. 
 
 X 
 
 c 
 
 di 
 
 .iS 
 
 
 K 
 
 
 fc 
 
 ^ 
 
 «^ 
 
 K 
 
 o 
 
 1885 
 
 19 
 
 ni 
 
 51 
 
 30 
 334 
 526 
 
 58 
 231 
 371 
 
 18 
 827 
 116 
 
 20 
 
 1886 
 
 108 
 
 1887 
 
 103 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 181 
 
 890 
 
 660 
 
 961 
 
 231 
 
681 
 
 FAYETTE COUNTY. 
 
 No records received from this county. Dnrinj; the 
 first twelve months of the 1885 act Payette county paid 
 about $G5t' in bounties. From about January 1, 1886, 
 to July 1, 1886, Fayette county paid for 278 Hawks: 
 80 Owls; 82 Foxes; 24 Minks, and 6 Wildcats. 
 
 FOREST COUNTY. 
 
 Xo records received from this county. During first 
 fourteen months of act of 1885 Forest paid $350 in 
 bounties. Wildcats and Foxes are common in Forest 
 county and they destroy annually much poultry and 
 game, especially Pheasants and Rabbits. This county 
 paid in about six months from January 1, 1880, for 110 
 Foxes; 37 Hawks and 2 Owls. 
 
 FRANKLIN COUNTY. 
 
 Year. 
 
 03 
 
 X 
 
 C 
 
 o 
 
 2 
 1 
 
 in 
 
 a> 
 
 X 
 
 o 
 
 in 
 
 c 
 
 i 
 
 m 
 
 1885 
 
 22 
 268- 
 595 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 49 
 77 
 
 14 
 8 
 
 11 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 14 
 
 15 
 
 22 
 
 29 
 
 51 
 
 196 
 
 210 
 247 
 296 
 
 67 
 
 60 
 
 109 
 
 9 
 
 1886 
 
 1887, 
 
 30 
 63 
 
 1888 
 
 
 1S89 
 
 71 
 423 
 408 
 407 
 326 
 320 
 204 
 
 6 
 88 
 66 
 162 
 135 
 95 
 46 
 
 
 1S90 
 
 
 
 
 1891 
 
 
 
 
 1892 
 
 
 
 
 1893 
 
 
 
 
 1894 
 
 
 
 
 1895 
 
 
 
 
 
 1S96 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 128 
 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 886 
 
 2.912 
 
 834 
 
 10'' 
 
 
 
 13*- II 
 
682 
 
 FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Year. 
 
 to 
 
 X 
 
 o 
 
 
 'A 
 
 a; 
 m 
 
 o 
 
 2 
 
 
 Owls. 
 
 ]885 
 
 15 
 152 
 103 
 
 11 
 
 80 
 85 
 
 18 
 82 
 63 
 
 2 
 
 12 
 
 20 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 12 
 
 9 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 5 
 
 1 
 
 89 
 
 353 
 810 
 152 
 
 20 
 
 1886 
 
 90 
 
 1887, 
 
 91 
 
 1888 
 
 
 1889 
 
 1890 
 
 50 
 295 
 261 
 213 
 150 
 163 
 
 70 
 
 32 
 
 160 
 
 155 
 
 101 
 
 80 
 
 90 
 
 40 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1891 
 
 
 
 1892 
 
 
 
 1893 
 
 
 
 1894 
 
 
 
 1895 
 
 
 
 1896 
 
 
 
 
 1,472 
 
 
 
 1,315 
 
 
 Total 
 
 834 
 
 163 
 
 201 
 
 
 
 GREENE COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 lii 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Year. 
 
 ••J. 
 
 
 •J. 
 
 
 
 
 fc 
 
 ^ 
 
 % 
 
 K 
 
 O 
 
 1885 
 
 3 
 93 
 44 
 
 3 
 585 
 398 
 
 1 
 68 
 57 
 
 
 
 601 
 348 
 
 1 
 
 1886 
 
 197 
 
 1887 
 
 176 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 140 
 
 986 
 
 126 
 
 951 
 
 374 
 
 The records do not show that any bounties were paid in Greene 
 county after the year 1887. 
 
6S3 
 
 HUNTINGDON COUNTY.* 
 
 Year. 
 
 !/'. 
 
 
 
 
 cS 
 
 7, 
 
 o 
 
 .a 
 
 •d 
 
 ? 
 
 *« 
 
 Ctf 
 
 '^ 
 
 E' 
 
 1886 
 
 1887 
 
 1892 
 
 1893 
 
 1894 
 
 1895 
 
 1896, 
 
 Total, 
 
 408 
 
 135 
 
 20 
 
 10 
 
 247 
 
 
 596 
 
 
 585 
 
 
 665 
 
 
 1,112 
 
 
 3,633 
 
 145 
 
 94 
 
 1 
 
 40 
 
 93 
 
 230 
 
 928 
 
 1,341 
 
 2,727 127 
 
 748 
 20 
 
 768 
 
 126 
 3 
 
 129 
 
 *Many more animals were paid for fromj 1885 to 1896, but rec- 
 ords in county commissioners' office do not .show what they were. 
 
 In 1885, $25.65; in 18S6, $239; in 1890, $1,294.20 and in 1891, $1,025.50 
 were paid in premiums. 
 
 INDIANA COUNTY. 
 
 Year. 
 
 Foxes. 
 
 ID 
 
 X 
 
 c 
 
 Wildcats. 
 
 Amount of 
 
 Bounty 
 
 Paid. 
 
 1885 
 
 
 
 
 $215 SO 
 
 1886 
 
 
 
 
 144 25 
 
 1887 
 
 
 
 
 607 65 
 
 1894 
 
 40 
 185 
 
 45 
 
 82 
 
 
 51 25 
 
 1895 
 
 5 
 
 214 50 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 225 
 
 127 
 
 5 
 
 $1 234 4.^ 
 
 
 
 The commissioners refused to pay any bounties during the 
 years 1888, 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893 and 1896. The county records 
 unfortunately do not show what kinds of wild animals the 
 $967.70 was given for in the years 1885, 1886 and 1887, or while 
 the act of June 23, 1885, was in active operation. In a period 
 of about six months from January 1. 18S6, this county paid 
 premiums for 350 Foxes; 250 Weasels; 300 Hawks and 150 Owls. 
 
684 
 
 JEFFERSON COUNTY. 
 
 Year. 
 
 X 
 
 o 
 
 X 
 C 
 
 o 
 
 2 
 
 1885, 
 
 
 1S5 
 950 
 320 
 
 130 
 
 798 
 270 
 
 
 13 
 
 1886 
 
 
 78 
 
 1887, 
 
 
 26 
 
 1888 
 
 
 16 
 
 1889 
 
 
 
 
 40 
 
 1890 
 
 
 358 
 233 
 
 333 
 
 164 
 
 35 
 
 1891 
 
 
 18 
 
 1892 
 
 
 10 
 
 1893 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 1894 
 
 
 
 
 14 
 
 1895 
 
 
 
 
 1? 
 
 1896 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 otal 
 
 
 
 
 T 
 
 2,016 
 
 1,695 
 
 
 ?"() 
 
 
 
 
 During the years 1889, 1892 to 1896, inclusive, bounties were 
 only paid in Jefferson county on Wildcats. 
 
 LACKAWANNA COUNTY. 
 
 Year. 
 
 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 <v 
 X 
 
 o 
 
 to 
 
 a 
 
 to 
 
 1 
 
 01 
 
 > 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 2 
 
 tfl 
 
 1885, 
 
 69 
 102 
 100 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1886 
 
 63 
 
 80 
 
 40 
 82 
 
 
 24 
 24 
 13 
 19 
 10 
 8 
 13 
 31 
 19 
 29 
 16 
 
 243 
 84 
 
 29 
 
 1887, 
 
 18 
 
 1888, 
 
 
 1889 
 
 13 
 102 
 68 
 95 
 70 
 130 
 101 
 108 
 
 16 
 67 
 
 72 
 
 148 
 
 100 
 
 137 
 
 71 
 
 84 
 
 
 
 
 
 1890, 
 
 
 
 
 
 1891 
 
 
 
 
 
 1892 
 
 
 
 
 
 1893 
 
 
 
 
 
 1894 
 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 1895, 
 
 
 
 
 
 1896 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 958 
 
 838 
 
 122 
 
 4 
 
 206 
 
 327 
 
 47 
 
 
 
685 
 
 
 
 
 . O o c 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 « 00 -"r t- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 OS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 OS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 00 
 
 
 
 1^ - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 «o 
 
 
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 . CO ©<= 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 CO 
 
 
 
 O ?1 OS tt 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 OO 
 
 
 
 fe; 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (M 
 
 
 
 ss 
 
 ) • in 
 
 o O O o * o in 
 in O OT O M t- o 
 
 
 
 3 -1< 00 « 
 
 > . tH 
 
 -* t- iH «0 ■>»< t- <M 
 
 
 
 O ^ CM O- 
 
 • Csl 
 
 i-H Ca P-] ^ t-H C^ 00 
 
 
 
 S ** 
 
 
 
 (M 
 
 
 •SMUIK 
 
 ■ 3J CO r- 
 ^ T<1 ■«< -0 
 
 1 '• in 
 
 G 
 
 
 ««• 
 
 - ■»*< in ea OS 00 1 «£5 
 
 
 
 < . ^ 
 
 CO lo »«< e<5 <M in 1 <±> 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in 
 
 '" 
 
 
 > C 
 
 > •looiooooinc 
 
 > •t-oe-ooincoir 
 
 in 
 
 
 
 C r^ tH c 
 
 C«5 
 
 
 
 > •t-OOOOt-t-'-HC^ 
 
 t- 
 
 
 
 
 J •eoeqinojOitooot- 
 
 
 
 
 
 t^ 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 «^ 
 
 
 •S9X0^ 
 
 ^ C<5 « 5 
 
 t : «D t- 
 
 
 
 iH o 00 in in OC 
 
 M 
 
 
 
 j •m.-i-<j<ooi>io«oir 
 
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 s • • 
 
 
 
 
 t- in c^ PI 
 
 t- 
 
 
 
 3 • • 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 S '. '. 
 
 
 
 
 to 1^ Cl C<1 
 
 in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 69 
 
 
 
 i^l^jPHAi 
 
 •i • • 
 
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 ^ \ •: 
 
 
 
 
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 00 
 
 
 
 •j o o c 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 S S^tH OC 
 
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 0000otOSO3O>C>w)O3 
 
 H 
 
 
 
 •0 00 00 
 
 
 
 
 00 
 
 00 
 
 00 
 
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 OO 
 
 00 
 
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 00 
 
 00 
 
 00 
 
 
 etf cS 
 
 £ 2i 
 
686 
 
 LAWRElSrCE COUNTY. 
 
 Year. 
 
 Money Paid. 
 
 1885 No payments. 
 
 1886, $734 00 
 
 1887, 427 50 
 
 1888 No payments. 
 
 1889 No payments. 
 
 1890 $195 35 
 
 1891, , 234 95 
 
 1892, 534 75 
 
 1893 426 75 
 
 1894, No payments. 
 
 1895, No payments. 
 
 The following letter explains why more explicit data cannot 
 be secured from this county: 
 
 Commissioners' Office, 
 New Castle, Pa., Nov. 18, 1885. 
 Dear Sir: In reply to yours of November 7 would say we de- 
 stroyed all the scalp premium certificates on file in this ofl^ce 
 last summer when we refitted the vault with metallic shelving, 
 Am sorry we cannot furnish you the certificates, but if it 
 would be any use to you we can give you the amount paid for 
 that purpose. Respectfully yours, 
 
 C. W. CRAWFORD, 
 
 Clerk. 
 
 LEBANON COUNTY. 
 
 Year. 
 
 
 tA 
 
 X 
 
 a 
 
 
 to 
 
 2 
 
 X 
 as 
 
 72 
 
 o 
 
 1885 
 
 20. 
 38 
 64 
 
 9 
 
 4 
 
 "'ii' 
 
 20 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 8 
 
 272 
 29 
 
 
 1886, 
 
 52 
 12 
 
 1887 
 
 1888 
 
 1889 
 
 1 
 
 25 
 28 
 43 
 25 
 36 
 19 
 
 
 
 
 
 1890 
 
 
 
 
 
 1891 
 
 
 
 
 
 1892 
 
 
 
 
 1893 
 
 3 
 
 10 
 
 3 
 
 
 2 
 4 
 4 
 2 
 
 
 
 1894 
 
 
 
 1895 
 
 
 
 1896 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ....... 
 
 
 Total 
 
 299 
 
 29 1 
 
 47 
 
 20 
 
 309 
 
 64 
 
 
687 
 
 LEHIGH COUNTY. 
 
 Year. 
 
 1885, 
 1886, 
 1887, 
 1888. 
 1S90, 
 1891, 
 1892, 
 1893, 
 1894, 
 1895, 
 1896, 
 
 7 
 
 189 
 
 39 
 
 149 
 13 
 
 Total, 
 
 235 
 
 162 
 
 415 
 
 6 
 
 31 27 
 
 40 30 
 
 2 I 
 
 24 
 
 30 
 
 26 
 
 38 
 
 59 
 
 58 
 
 50 
 
 364 57 
 
 No bounties paid in Lehigh in 1889. 
 
 LYCOMING COUNTY^ 
 
 No bouiitv recoids have been obtained from tliis 
 county, many of the early ones being destroyed by a 
 flood. During the first year that the act of 1885 was 
 in active force Lycoming county paid $1,039 in boun- 
 ties, a large pt rt of which was for beneficial Hawks 
 and Owls. Foxes, Wildcats and the Common Weasel 
 are common, especially Foxes, in certain sections of 
 Lycoming and they do m.icli damage to poultry and 
 game. In a period of about six months from January 
 1, 1880, this county paid for 700 Hawks and Owls, and 
 250 Foxes. 
 
 McKEAN COUNTY. 
 
 From dale of act (.June 2.3, 188.5). to Xovcmbcr 1. ISSC, 
 ihis county paid !|;i, 02.3.50 in bounties for different 
 kinds of animals. .\ considerable additional amount 
 has been paid in McKean in bounties since the date 
 
088 
 
 above given, or i:util 1893. After 1893 bounties were 
 not paid in McKean oo-unty for any animals until 
 1897, when Judge A. G. Olmsted ruled 'That a bounty of 
 |2.00 be paid on each Wildcat." Wildcats and Foxes 
 are numerous in this county and they do much damage 
 to game and small wild birds. During first six months 
 of 188G McKean county paid for 17 Wildcats; 137 
 Foxes; 115 Minks; 120 Hawks; 81 Owls, and 22 Wea- 
 sels. 
 
 MERCER COUNTY. 
 
 No bounty records have been received from Mercer, 
 which, in the first few months of the act of 1885, was 
 one of the- banner counties in paying premiums, as indi- 
 cated by an outlay of |2,319.70. This is one of the 
 districts in Pennsylvania where the clover-loving and 
 burrowing Woodchuck gives the farmers so much trou- 
 ble, and at nearly every session of the Legislature the 
 representatives from this county make an effort to have 
 a bounty placed on this troublesome animal. A letter 
 received from Mercer county commissioners in June, 
 1886, contains this information: 
 
 "Our people did not become apprised of the passage of the 
 act to which you refer until some time after its approval, and 
 as a result we did not have any certificates presented until 
 after the first of December, 1885. Since that time we have paid 
 nut $1,300, and of this amount fully $1,000 has been for Hawks 
 and Owls; mostly Owls. Have not paid for more than ten or 
 13 Foxes." 
 
 MIFFLIN COUNTY. 
 
 No bounty records received from this county. In the 
 first eight months that act of 1885 became generally 
 known, Mifflin paid 1357.60 in bounties. This is a num- 
 
689 
 
 ber one locality for Pheasants, Wild Turkeys and llab- 
 bits, but the pro-wiinf; Foxes and sneaking Wildeals 
 keep them thinned out, and they also destroy much 
 [>oultry. 
 
 MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 
 
 Year. 
 
 Hawks. 
 
 Owls. 
 
 Minks. 
 
 vVeasels 
 
 Foxes. 
 
 1886 
 
 106 
 140 
 
 8 
 23 
 
 17 
 1 
 1 
 9 
 6 
 5 
 16 
 20 
 
 12 
 5 
 
 
 1887 
 
 
 1889 
 
 
 1892 
 
 
 
 
 •> 
 
 1893, 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 1894 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 1895 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 1896 
 
 
 
 17 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 246 
 
 31 
 
 75 
 
 17 
 
 35 
 
 No Wildcats in this county; no bounty records found for 18SS 
 lii90 and 1891. 
 
 NORTHAMPTON COUNTY. 
 
 No records obtained from Northampton where, dur- 
 ing first few months that act of 1885 was generally 
 known, $38LG0 were paid in bounties. 
 
 PERRY COUNTY. 
 
 This county paid from Decembei', 1885, to Xovembei- 
 1, 1886, 11,140.25 in bounties; since then a very consid- 
 erable sum has been expended but detailed infoi-ma- 
 tion concerning it I have not been able to secure. 
 From December, 1885, to July 6, 1886, Perry paid 
 premiums as follows: 465 Hawks; 62 Owls; 453 Foxes; 
 130 Minks and 52 Weasels. 
 
 44--TI 
 
090 
 
 PIKE COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 ' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Year. 
 
 O 
 
 
 is 
 O 
 
 o 
 
 
 c 
 
 s 
 
 1885 
 1886 
 1887 
 1888 
 1889 
 1890 
 1891 
 1892 
 1893 
 1894 
 1896 
 
 
 18 
 
 163 
 
 86 
 
 12 
 196 
 
 48 
 
 3 
 
 12 
 9 
 
 2 1 
 
 7 
 
 14 ! 
 14 1. 
 12 . 
 
 7 1. 
 10 . 
 20 
 18 . 
 
 4 . 
 24 . 
 
 1 
 
 12 
 46 
 
 1 
 
 
 40 
 
 
 14 
 
 
 
 
 16 
 133 
 122 
 147 
 185 
 117 
 129 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 29 
 
 
 I 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 64 
 
 
 
 
 44 
 
 
 54 
 
 
 i 
 
 34 
 
 
 
 otal 
 
 1,116 
 
 256 
 
 24 
 
 132 
 
 59 
 
 292 
 
 
 
 
 POTTER COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Year. 
 
 til 
 
 o 
 
 0) 
 
 > 
 
 o 
 
 2 
 
 7i 
 
 V 
 
 X 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 1885 
 
 4 
 125 
 100 
 
 
 
 24 
 34 
 
 98 
 575 
 450 
 
 62 
 
 325 
 225 
 
 
 1886 
 
 48 
 
 50 
 
 1 
 
 
 15 
 
 1887 
 
 36 
 
 IS 
 
 10 
 
 1888 
 
 
 1889 
 
 
 
 6 
 1 
 
 7 
 68 
 
 3 
 
 34 
 
 
 1890 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 1891 
 
 
 
 
 25 
 30 
 36 
 21 
 25 
 13 
 
 
 1892 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1893 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1894 
 
 
 
 
 
 .. 
 
 
 1895 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1896 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 99 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 229 
 
 1 
 
 264 
 
 1,198 
 
 649 
 
 25 
 
 
 
691 
 
 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.* 
 
 Year. 
 
 o 
 
 c 
 
 en 
 
 o 
 
 
 1885 
 
 i 86 
 
 255 
 
 1 144 
 
 9' 
 
 8 
 
 113 
 
 126 
 
 121 
 
 180 
 
 182 
 
 108 
 
 72 
 
 
 
 
 
 1886, 
 
 192 
 
 115 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 58 
 
 43 
 
 56 
 
 91 
 
 79 
 
 53 
 
 10 
 
 94 
 95 
 
 
 
 1887 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1888 
 
 
 1889 . 
 
 
 
 
 1890 
 
 
 
 
 1891, ... 
 
 
 
 
 1892 
 
 
 
 
 1893 
 
 
 
 
 1894 . 
 
 
 
 
 1895 
 
 
 
 
 1896 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 1,404 
 
 70O 
 
 189 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 •"Numerous Hawks and Owls were killed in this county of 
 which no records are on file. 
 
 SNYDER COUNTY. 
 
 Year. 
 
 to 
 
 o 
 
 to 
 
 01 
 
 'A 
 
 o 
 
 c 
 
 (0 
 .ClJ 
 
 a; 
 
 in' 
 
 O 
 
 1885 
 
 
 94 
 94 
 
 101 
 16 
 
 141 
 93 
 
 103 
 55 
 37 
 50 
 67 
 
 6 
 
 89 
 
 68 
 
 10 
 
 86 
 
 107 
 
 141 
 
 147 
 
 113 
 
 69 
 
 97 
 
 90 
 33 
 
 30 
 520 
 135 
 
 G 
 
 1886 
 
 1887 
 
 1 
 
 130 
 39 
 
 1889 
 
 
 
 1890, 
 
 
 
 
 
 1891 
 
 
 
 
 
 1892 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 1893 
 
 
 
 
 1894 
 
 1 
 
 
 1895 
 
 1 
 
 
 1896 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 8 
 
 851 
 
 933 
 
 123 
 
 685 
 
 175 
 
 
 
 No bounties paid in Snyder in 1SSS. 
 
692 
 
 SOMERSET COUNTY.* 
 
 Commissioners' Office, 
 Somerset, Pa., June 11, 1897. 
 Tlie amount of bounty paid by Somerset county each year 
 since 1885 for scalps is as follows: 
 
 1885 
 1886 
 1887 
 1888 
 1889, 
 1890 
 1891 
 1892 
 1893 
 1894 
 1895 
 1896 
 
 $450 
 
 05 
 
 1,995 
 
 25 
 
 940 
 
 05 
 
 60 45 
 
 159 
 
 60 
 
 1,006 
 
 90 
 
 809 
 
 95 
 
 833 
 
 95 
 
 649 
 
 10 
 
 26 35 
 
 13 50 
 
 18 00 
 
 Total sum paid $6,963 15 
 
 The above statement shows the amounts paid for scalps since 
 1885. Hoping- this will be satisfactory. 
 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 J. G. EMERT, 
 
 Clerk. 
 
 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 Year. 
 
 1886 
 1887 
 1888 
 1889 
 1890 
 1891 
 1892 
 1893, 
 1894 
 1895 
 1896 
 
 Total, 
 
 228 
 137 
 
 365 
 
 23 
 
 94 
 
 26 
 
 31 
 
 74 
 
 18 
 
 12 
 26 
 16 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 81 
 
 
 13 
 
 96 
 
 34 
 
 26 
 
 102 
 
 14 
 
 22 
 
 107 
 
 54 
 
 18 
 
 116 
 
 77 
 
 24 
 
 128 
 
 68 
 
 13 
 
 122 
 
 112 
 
 224 
 
 921 
 
 403 
 
 *Jn about .six months fiom January 1. 1896, Somer.'^et 
 paid bounties as follows: 14 Wildcats; 69 Owls; 410 Hawks; 250 
 Weasels; 215 Minks and 270 Foxes. 
 
693 
 
 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY. 
 
 In about ten months after act of 1885 became gen- 
 erally krovNn to residents of Susquehanna countv boun- 
 ties amountinj^ to $1,200 were paid. Considerable 
 money has since been expended but a detailed state- 
 ment concerning same has not been obtained. Sus- 
 quehanna in 1885 paid for 19 Foxes; 4 Minks; 5 Wea- 
 sels, and 6 Hawks and Owls, and in 1886 from January 
 1, to July 5, for 217 Foxes; 171 Minks; 83 Weasels; 223 
 Hawks, and 55 Owls. 
 
 TIOGA COUNTY. 
 
 Tioga county paid in first tw^elve months under act 
 of 1885, |1,160 for "scalps." A large sum has been paid 
 since then but no detailed statement concerning same 
 has been obtained. 
 
 UNION COUNTY. 
 
 Year. 
 
 
 
 
 tc 
 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 cS 
 
 vj 
 
 
 w 
 
 <u 
 
 o 
 
 X 
 
 0) 
 
 X 
 o 
 
 X 
 
 s 
 
 s 
 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 
 1885, . . . . 
 
 1886 
 
 1887 
 
 1889 
 
 1890 
 
 1891 
 
 1892 
 
 1893, .... 
 
 1894 
 
 1895 
 
 Total 
 
 111 
 59 
 85 
 14 
 75 
 71 
 70 
 75 
 66 
 61 
 
 687 
 
 
 
 t 
 
 47 
 
 52 
 
 2 
 
 48 
 
 22 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 2 
 
 34 
 
 
 2 
 
 69 
 
 
 3 
 
 57 
 
 ...... 
 
 5 
 
 93 
 
 
 6 
 
 66 
 
 
 5 
 
 87 
 
 
 5 
 
 30 
 
 507 
 
 74 
 
 6| 1 
 390 171 
 476 71 
 
 243 
 
694 
 
 VENANGO COUNTY. 
 
 Year. 
 
 <v 
 
 X 
 
 o 
 
 71 
 
 c 
 
 K 
 
 OS 
 
 If. 
 
 o 
 
 2 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 1886 
 
 58 
 
 77 
 
 6 
 
 185 
 
 112 
 
 122 
 
 105 
 
 214 
 
 52 
 
 183 
 163 
 
 "228' 
 119 
 143 
 114 
 279 
 174 
 
 483 
 226 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 416 
 
 7b 
 
 57 
 
 1887 
 
 23 
 
 1888 
 
 
 1890 
 
 
 
 
 1891 
 
 
 1 
 2 
 
 
 
 1892, 
 
 
 
 1893 
 
 
 
 1894, 
 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 1895 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 Total 
 
 931 ■ 
 
 1,403 
 
 712 
 
 14 49.^ 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 ' 
 
 
 WASHINGTON COUNTY. 
 
 Ypar Amount paid for 
 
 all animals. 
 
 }oQ?' $500 00 
 
 ]lal 48075 
 
 \lli 490 20 
 
 ^^^•^ 187 25 
 
 Total sum paid jl 658 20 
 
 Previous to 1890 no records have been retained in county 
 commissioners' office; no records of name and number of each 
 animal kept at any time. During first year the act of 1885 was 
 in active force Washing-ton county paid for all kinds of animals 
 $727.50. 
 
 TVARREN COUNTY. 
 
 Dear Sir: In reply to yoair letter of inquiry of May 
 28th, I will say that the amounts paid for bounty for 
 the years named is as follows: For 1885, |22G; for 188G, 
 11,524.40; 1887, |707.]0; 1888, |37.50; 1889, 104.00; 1890,' 
 •*1S.15; since which time this county has not i)aid any 
 bounty. 
 
695 
 
 The Conmiissioners took Hie ground in 1SS7 that the 
 hiw was not constitutional and have refused to pa^v 
 since, except such amounts as had been paid out by 
 justices to those claiming bounty, and simply refunded 
 to them. 
 
 Our accounts are such that to fully answer your in- 
 quiries would necessitate assorting each vouclier filed, 
 which would require considerble time and some ex- 
 pense, but if required will make such a report. 
 
 Respectfully yours, 
 
 J. B. JACKSON, 
 Clerk. 
 
 WESTMORELAND COUNTY. 
 
 1885 
 1886 
 1887 
 1888 
 1889 
 1890 
 1891 
 1892 
 1893 
 1894 
 1895 
 1896 
 
 . $291 
 
 50 
 
 784 
 
 80 
 
 588 
 
 40 
 
 17 
 
 70 
 
 210 
 
 20 
 
 286 40 
 
 220 05 
 
 292 15 
 
 252 
 
 90 
 
 234 
 
 90 
 
 230 30 
 
 Total pum paid $3,409 30 
 
 Commissioners' Office, 
 Greensburg, Pa., May 31, 1897. 
 Dear Sir: Enclosed please find statement of the amount paid 
 out each year for the killing of Hawks, Owls, etc. I am una- 
 ble to give you the number of each kind killed as the way the 
 records have been kept here they do not give the number and 
 kind, but only give the total amount for each year. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 HUGH HENDERSON. 
 
696 
 
 WYOMING COTTNTY. 
 
 Year. 
 
 'ji 
 
 
 X 
 
 
 
 t/j 
 
 
 
 rt 
 
 J; 
 
 X 
 
 o 
 
 1886 
 
 1887 
 
 1889 
 
 1890 
 
 1891 
 
 1892. . . . . 
 
 1893 
 
 1894, . . . . 
 
 Total 
 
 87 
 90 
 50 
 164 
 149 
 309 
 212 
 135 
 
 103 
 
 106 
 
 43 
 
 95 
 
 100 
 
 113 
 
 104 
 
 78 
 
 1,196 742 
 
 132 
 130 
 
 75 ' 262 
 
 39 
 
 The bounty certificates for 1885 and 1887, when bounty was 
 paid cannot be found, and in 1895 and 1896 the commissioners 
 refused to pay bounty for any of the above-named animals. 
 
 OTHER RECORDS. 
 
 Bounty records from some of the following named 
 counties were burned in the recent fire which de- 
 stroj^ed ray office. Those from the remainder of the 
 counties could not be obtained in time to go in this 
 chapter: 
 
 Bedford, Montour, 
 
 Carbon, Northumbeiliind. 
 
 Juniata, Philadeli)hia, 
 
 Luzci'iic, ^A'nync, 
 
 Monroe, York 
 
697 
 
 THE SCALP ACT OF 1897. 
 
 At the se&sion of 3 81)7, in consequence of the wide- 
 spread sentiinent in favor of bounties, there was a de- 
 termined elfort made 1o pass a scalp bill, which would 
 allow premiums for Hawks, Owls, Herons, English 
 Sparrows, Crows and Kiui;lishers. These efforts, of 
 course, were strongly opposed in committee and on 
 the floo<r of the Legislative halls, and, as a compro- 
 mise, the following act was passed and approved July 
 9, 1897: 
 
 AN ACT 
 
 For the d«strutcion of Wildcats, Foxes and Minks in this Com- 
 monwealth, and providing for the payment of bounties on the 
 same, officers' fees, and fixing a penalty for violation of the 
 same. 
 
 Section 1. Be it enacted, etc., That for the benefit of agri- 
 culture and protection of game within this Commonwealth, 
 there is hereby established the following provisions for the de- 
 struction of certain noxious animals, to be paid by the respec- 
 tive counties in which the same are slain, naniely: For every 
 Wildcat, two dollars; for every Fox, Red or Gray, one dollar; 
 for every Mink, fifty cents. 
 
 Section 2. It shall be the duty of any person, having killed 
 any of the animals mentioned in the first section of this act, 
 who is desirous of availing himself of the premiums therein 
 provided, to produce such slain anim.al before any magistrate, 
 alderman or justice of the peace of the county in which the 
 same was killed, and make affidavit of the time and place of 
 killing the same: Provided, That the pelt if entire from the tip 
 of the nose of any such animal may be produced in lieu of such 
 animal when so preferred; and upon the reception of any such 
 animal or pelt, it shall be the duty of the said officer, in pre- 
 sence of said person killing such animal and one elector of the 
 county, to cut off the ears of such animal, and in the presence 
 of such persons burn the same. 
 
 Section 3. Upon the destruction of such ears, the said officers 
 shall give to the person producing such animal or pelt a certi- 
 
698 
 
 ficate of compliance with the provisions of this act, directed 
 to the commissioners of the county in which such animal was 
 slain, which certificate shall contain the following facts: The 
 kind of animal, and when, where and by whom killed, and the 
 date by whom and in the presence of what elector the ears 
 of such animal were destroyed; and upon the production of 
 such certificate the said commissioners shall give an order upon 
 the county treasurer for the payment of premium or premiums 
 provided by this act, and it shall be the further duty of the 
 said officer taking" the affidavit provided for in the second sec- 
 tion of this act, to file the same forthwith, or cause the same 
 to be filed, in the office of the commissioners of the county; and, 
 upon filing the same, the said oflicer shall receive from the 
 county treasurer the sum of twenty-five cents as full compen- 
 sation for all his services under this act. 
 
 Section 4. If any person shall wilfully and fraudulently collect 
 any premium or premiums provided in this act, or shall aid, 
 abet or assist in any official capacity or otherwise in the same, 
 he, she, or they shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon 
 conviction thereof, he, she or they shall be sentenced to pay a 
 fine of not exceeding five hundred dollars, and undergo an im- 
 prisonment in the county jail of the proper county not exceed- 
 ing one year, both, or either, at the discretion of the court. 
 
 Section 5. All acts or parts of acts inconsistent herewith, be 
 and the same are hereby repealed. 
 
 If this act is faithfully carried out there should be 
 no fraud practiced under it, and individuals who may 
 desire to manufacture ''scalps" of mammals from 
 skins of wild or domesticated animals, will no doubt 
 hesitate about engaging in such ventures when they 
 know the penalty imposed by section four. 
 
 While it is a well-known fact that the writer is not 
 an advocate ot unwise scalp acts, it must be admitted 
 that this measure provides premiums only for 
 mammals which are a great nuisance. Foxes, Wild- 
 cats and Minks are common and they destroy a large 
 amount of poultry, game, and small wild birds every 
 vcai'. 
 
e99 
 
 METHODS OP CAPTURING BIRDS OF PKEV. 
 
 Oftentimes certain of the birds of pre}', as shown on 
 l»receding pages of this work, become very trouble- 
 some, and the farmer, poulterer or stockman is often 
 obliged, in order to protect himself from serious 
 losses, to adopt means whereby he can rid himself of 
 the feathered depredators. Some of the methods em- 
 ployed in this and other States to destroy Hawks. 
 Owls and Eagles are as follows: 
 
 SHOOTING. 
 
 When the scalp act of 1885 was in force, great num- 
 bers of Hawks were killed by hunters who approached 
 the birds on horseback, in wagons or in sleighs. In 
 one day a hunter shot sixteen Hawks; they were: 8, 
 Cooper's; ?>, Sparrow; 2, Red-shouldered; 2. Rough- 
 legged, and 0, Red-tailed. If Hawks are shot at and 
 missed two or three times when thus approached, 
 they become very shy and will seldom allow a wagon 
 or sleigh to get near them. At first, however, these 
 birds can easily be approached by vehicles drawn by 
 a quiet horse, so that the gunner can get within 20 
 or 30 yards before they fly; and often you can drive or 
 ride directly under them when pevfhed on trees. It 
 is much easier to shoot fiom a sleigh than a wheeled 
 vehicle. When you use the latter it is best to jump 
 cMit on the ground before shooting and take the bird 
 on the wing. It is bolter to go on horseback after 
 Hawks and Eagles than in a sleigh or wagon. 
 Never attempt to shoot when sitting on the horse un- 
 less vou know the animal will not be frightened at 
 
700 
 
 llic it'poi'l of llic ^1111 ; jiiid if von make i( a rule lo 
 slip ort' the horse before you sshoot it will he more sat- 
 isfactory in many ways. 
 
 THE GRASS SUIT. 
 
 Hawks, Eagles and other wary birds can frequently 
 be approached quite easily by the hunter attired in 
 grass suits such as are shown in the accompanying 
 illustrations. Tlie writer has employed this disguise 
 with good success in capturing birds of prey, Herons, 
 Shore birds and Ducks. In approaching birds in this 
 dress especial care must be used to prevent your gun 
 from being seen, and if the barrels are bright it is best 
 to paint or cover them with some oo-lored material 
 similar in liue to the suit which is of a dead-grass 
 color. When the game you are slowly and cautiously 
 approaching looks toward you, 3'ou should remain mo- 
 tionless until it — if it be a Hawk or Eagle — turns its 
 head in another direction, then move a little nearer 
 or crouch down as shown in illustration "Waiting for 
 a Shot." Usually, by a little careful maneuvering and 
 circling around, the Hawk or Eagle can be approached 
 sufificiently close to enable you to get a good shot. 
 Two men, one attired in a grass suit and the other in 
 ordinary dress, can have better success than a single 
 person in a grass suit in quest of Hawks or Eagles. 
 The man in plain clothes can attract the birds' atten- 
 tion, yet keep several hundred yards, if need be, from 
 it, and his companion in disguise can approach it 
 much more easily. 
 
 A good rifle shot can readily destroy Hawks, etc., 
 by using any of the above-described methods. The 
 late Truman Yarr-all. of Willistown, Chester county, 
 Pa., was an expert rifle shot; he approached his vie- 
 
GRASS SUIT. 
 
WAITING FOR A SHOT. 
 
701 
 
 tims on lioi-.seback, and would shoot them at from GO 
 to 150 3'aids dif?tance. This gentleman believed that 
 birds of pi'ev, with a very few exceptions, were the 
 worst foies that poultry and game had to contend 
 against, and all large-sized Hawks and Owls fell be- 
 fore his unerring aim, wliich caused the death, during 
 the last twerty years O'f his life, of between 1,500 and 
 1,G00 Hawks, besides a large number of Owls and a 
 few Eagles. Friend Yarnall, when seventy-four years 
 of age, killed, in one winter, 72 out of 74 Hawks that 
 he shot at with liis muzzle-loading rifle that carried 
 about 100 bullets to the pound. One hundred and 
 seventy-six Hawks was the greatest number he ever 
 killed in any one jear. Rifle-shooting, however, in a 
 populous farming community, is dangerous and, if 
 practiced, too great care cannot be taken. Indeed, it 
 is the safest plan to not do it. 
 
 WHEN SNOW COVERS THE GROUND. 
 
 When the ground is covered with snow the grass 
 suit, of course, cannot be uped as a disguise, and if a 
 horse and sleigh is not obtainable, a dress of pure 
 white material — muslin or any other light weight 
 goods, consisting of pants, loose blouse, hat and white 
 gloves — is a disguise that will enable the hunter, with 
 reasonable caution, to approach on foot birds of prey 
 in the same manner as when attired in the grass suit. 
 The gun barrels should be covered with white mater- 
 ial, paint, chalk or muslin case. 
 
 SHOOTING HAWKS FROM BLINDS. 
 
 The autlior is indebted to Dr. Isaiah F. Everhart, the 
 well-known traveler and naturalist, of Scranton, Pa., 
 for an account of a uni(iue method of killing birds of 
 prey when migrating, which is adopted by farmers 
 
702 
 
 and other country people in Lackawanna county, 
 where, it is said, several hundred Hawks are slain 
 every year in the autumn. I have been informed that 
 as many as 100 dead Hawks have been seen about 
 this blind at one time, 
 
 Scranton, Pa., June 7, 1897. 
 "B. H. Warren, M. D., 
 
 "Harrisburg, Pa. 
 
 "My Dear Doctor: In reply to your letter requesting infor- 
 mation respecting the fall migration of Hawks, I am sorry to 
 say that I am not as well informed on the subject as the matter 
 requires. About eight miles north from Scranton, Pa., over a 
 depression of mountain langes running northeast and south- 
 west, during the fall months, especially October and November, 
 the Hawks have a favorite crossing place going in their migra- 
 tions. For the past several years the county people have been 
 in the habit of shooting them from blinds on the crest of the 
 Mount of Brush. The mode is as follows: The birds can be 
 seen coming a long distance across the valley or along the 
 mountain side; when within a half mile or so a dead chicken or 
 Hawk is thrown high into the air; If seen by the Hawk it will 
 come straight as an arrow for the supposed prey and can be 
 easily shot. 
 
 "The migrations are greatest during the latter part of Oc- 
 tober and the first part of November, when the wind blows 
 strong from the north or northwest; the number of Hawks 
 shot in one day has been from twenty to thirty, while a hun- 
 dred or so may be seen that are not attracted to the blinds. 
 
 "The principal species are the Red-tail and the Goshawk and 
 Cooper's Hawk, the latter predominating. Occasionally a Gol- 
 den Eagle falls a victim to the deception; last fall two were 
 killed, while a number were seen to pass. The Bald-headed 
 Eagle cannot be allured, but passes in contempt all efforts to 
 deceive his majesty. 
 
 "In the spring migrations north they do not follow this exact 
 course, but are seen high in the air, generally over the crest of 
 the mountain, circling high on their journey. 
 
 "I. F. EVERHART." 
 
 SHOOTING HAWKS AT ROOSTS. 
 
 Another method of shootinj,^ Hawks from blinds 
 was, some years aj;o. verv suocessfnllv followed bv a 
 
703 
 
 Philadelphia laxideimist of my acquaintance who 
 killed, in one wii'ter, about a hundred of these birds, 
 chiefly Ked-tailed, Red-shouldered and Rough-legged 
 species, which frequented the meadows in the daytime 
 and at night roosted in neighboring woods. His plan 
 was to go to the woods and, by seeing the droppings 
 under the ti'ees, he could locate places where the 
 birds slept. After having marked these places the 
 man would hide in blinds made of boughs and fallen 
 limbs, brush, etc., and when the birds returned in the 
 evening they were shot. On bright moonlight nights, 
 he informed me, he often killed Hawks by walking 
 from one tree to another which he had previously 
 marked. The stomachs of thirty-five of these Hawks, 
 he thus destroyed in one month, were examined, and, 
 with t\AO exceptions, to-wit: a Red-tail that had re- 
 mains of a chicken and two- Cooper^s Hawks which 
 had small birds, all of these birds of prey had in their 
 viscera only small rodents, Meadow Mice chiefly, and 
 insects, principally grasshoppers, and a few frogs. 
 Do you think agricultural or game interests were bene 
 fitted by the slaughter of these beneficial birds? 
 
 TRAPPING BIRDS OF PREY. 
 
 Eagles, Hav^ks and Owls, as well as numerous other 
 kinds of birds, can be trapped. The following are 
 some of the most usual means adopted to capture the 
 raptorial birds. 
 
 Bii-ds of prey as well as some predatory mammals 
 "will often kill poultry or game and devour a portion of 
 it, and then go ofl" and return again to feed upon the 
 remaindci-. A si eel trap, fastened by a chain to a 
 large stone, sjji'iiig pole, or fence rail. luid placed on 
 or at one side o-f the slain animal will generallv re- 
 
704 
 
 suit in tlie captiire of the destroyer, particiilnily if it 
 be a raptorial bird. 
 
 Hawks and some oilier birds of prey can be easily 
 caught by setting a steel trap on the top of a tree 
 stump or pole and placing a bait under the trap. A 
 Mouse, small bird, or chicken can be used. Some- 
 times a live chicken or pigeon tied near the pole or 
 stump on wliich the trap rests is used to lure the 
 Hawk or Owl, which often will fly to the elevated 
 perch before swooping down upon it. The detrimen- 
 tal species of Hawks are not as apt to be caught by 
 steel traps with live bait as are the beneficial species; 
 especially tlie Red-tail species. Steel traps set in 
 grass fields or meadows slightly covered with grass 
 and weeds, and baited with dead mice or English 
 Sparrows tied to the ])an, often serve as attractive 
 baits to catch Hawks and Owls. 
 
 The Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk and Gos- 
 hawk, are the three species in this State which are a 
 scourge to the poultry yard. They all, as well as the 
 Duck Hawk, it is said, can be destroyed by the "plank 
 and wire" Hawk trap, a Yankee invention that is 
 easily constructed. It consists of a piece of plank 
 two and a half to thiee feet square, set with stiff and 
 sharp-pointed perpendicular wires each about eighteen 
 inches to two feet long. This is placed on the ground 
 in a conspicuous place and the i)lank is covered with 
 grass and dirt, or, in winter, with snow (if ground is 
 covered with snow') and a live chicken or pigeon is se- 
 cured to the centre. The Hawk seeing this pounces 
 down to be impaled on the sharp-pointed upwright 
 wires. The Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Snowy 
 Owl, and Eagles have, it is said, been successfully cap 
 tui'ed bv this contrivance. 
 
705 
 
 METHODS OF CAPTURING MAMMALS. 
 
 This paper contains brief descriptions of certain 
 methods which may be employed by farmers and poul- 
 try raisers to capture different species of mammals 
 which prey upon the inhabitants of their poultry 
 yards. 
 
 It it not the intention of the writer to give in this 
 work an exhaustive account of the great number of 
 artful devices, etc., which skillful trappers and poach- 
 ers employ to catch wild animals. Those who desire 
 such information can get it by consulting books which 
 are devoted entirely to the art of trapping. 
 
 While it is true that many kinds of good traps can 
 be made by hand, the best kind of a trap for general 
 use is a good steel trap. Experienced hunters and 
 trappers claim that none are superior to the celebrated 
 "Newhouse Steel Traps," manufactured by the Oneida 
 Community, Kenwood, New York. These traps are 
 graded by numbers. No. 1 has a spead of jaws of four 
 inches; it is designed, especially for Muskrats, Mink 
 and other animals of similar size. Size No. 2 is a little 
 larger; the spread of jaws is five inches. This will 
 hold a Fox, Raccoon or Opossum. It will also hold a 
 Wildcat, but for this powerful animal a No. 3, which 
 has a syjread of jaws of five and a half inches and pow- 
 erful double springs, is better. 
 
 Many persons seem to think the pan of the steel 
 trap should be baited. The i)an. except in exceptional 
 cases, should never be baited. The pan is intended 
 for the foot of the animal, and the bait should be 
 
 45--n 
 
706 
 
 jilacrd so lliiit (ho iiiiiiiuil nill not ii(tlic(' the tiaj*, 
 but ill t'lKii'iivoriiig tu reach I lie bait will st(']> on tlic 
 pan. 
 
 TO TRAP A WILD CAT. 
 
 \\ildc-ats may be cauj^iit in a steel trap placed at the 
 entrance of a pen made of stakes, arranged in a 
 V-sliaped manner at the base of a fallen log or by an 
 old stump, in slashings where these animals live. The 
 pen is usually covered over the top with some brush. 
 The bait, a head of a chicken, Pheasant, Rabbit, or 
 even a piece of fresh beef, is hung inside of the pen, 
 and the trap, attached to a strong chain, to one end 
 of which is fastened a small, strong log or pole, weigh- 
 ing, say, six to eight pounds, which, when dragged 
 along, will not stop the animal by its weight, but 
 which will seriously retard its progress. Sometimes 
 a strong spring pole is used. This, when the animal 
 gets into the trap, draws both the trap and its captive 
 up into the air and out of reach of the ground. Wild- 
 cats are also sometimes caught in wire snares and 
 dead-falls. This animal may be caught with a steel 
 trap hidden under snow, leaves or moss, and a bird or 
 other bait suspended from a twig above the trap as 
 shown in the illustration "How to Fool a Fox." Some 
 say it is best to place a thin piece of paper over the 
 open jaws of the trap so as to keep dirt, moss or snow 
 from preventing the trap working easily. 
 
 TO CATCH A MINK. 
 
 Minks follow the water and they hunt around e\evy 
 nook and corner for food. The steel trap is placed 
 near the edge of the water, about an inch under the 
 water's surface, directly in front of a rock or high 
 
707 
 
 bank, where Minks aic known \<v freqnent. The bait — 
 a. tish, fi'oji, bird or head of a chicken — is hnn<i about 
 eighteen inches above the trap. The bait should al- 
 ways be so pkiced that it cannot be reached from I he 
 bank or rock witliout tlie animal ste[is into the trap 
 to reach it. 
 
 The trai> may also be placed on the land and cov- 
 ered with leaves, snow, moss, etc., but be careful that 
 the covering will not stoj) the jaws from closing prop- 
 erly, and hang the bait, which can be scented with 
 fish oil or a mixture of equal parts of peppermint, 
 sweet oil and honey. Traps can also be set in shallow 
 water, and a twig can be stuck in the water near the 
 trap from which the scented bait can be suspended. 
 A trap can be set at the foot of a tree, cc-vered. and 
 the prepared bait hung abo've it. The carcass of a 
 Muskrat, a favorite article of food, by the way, of the 
 Mink, a dead chicken, fish or chunk of fresh beef can 
 be fastened to a string and dragged along the ground 
 to your trap. When a Mink strikes the trail thus left 
 he will usually follow it until caught. This is a plan 
 often pursued by professional trappers who run a line 
 of traps along water courses. 
 
 HOW TO TRAP AND KILL WEASEiLS.* 
 
 For winter trapping, the most successful is the Newhouse 
 double-spring Fox trap. Make two holes in leaf of trap, get 
 any kind of a small bird (English Sparrow is best), tie string 
 around body of bird, under feathers of back and wings, and 
 tie fast under leaf of trap; set trap under rocks, in a bed of 
 dry ground, where snow or rain/ cannot reach it, and cover all 
 but leaf and bird with gravel. The Weasel will take hold of 
 
 *The instructions concerning best methods of destroying Wea- 
 sels given here are those employed by Mr. Hugh Malloy, of 
 Freeland, Luzerne county. Pa., who is undoubtedly the most 
 successful hunter of these animals in the State. I have quoted 
 
 Mr. Malloy's methods substantially as he sent them to me 
 
 B. H. Warren. 
 
708 
 
 bird and pull and press at It and the trap will catch him by 
 the head every time. A Mouse or fresh beef-steak will also do 
 for bait. When you find a dead Rabbit which a Weasel has 
 killed and dragged to the nearest tree that is hollow at the 
 butt, cut a stick two feet long, tie hind legs of Rabbit to one 
 end of stick, stand end of stick, with Rabbit on, up in the 
 opening of the tree, put other end on the ground inside of the 
 tree; set steel trap under head of Rabbit; Weasel will follow 
 trail of Rabbit on ground, and in trying to pull the Rabbit off 
 the stick will get in the trap. Set trap lightly. 
 
 HOW TO POISON WEASELS WITHOUT DANGER TO 
 OTHER ANIMALS. 
 
 When you are hunting Rabbits and shoot one, cut the head 
 off at once while the blood is warm; put strychnine in head, 
 place it in a Rabbit or Groundhog hole, or under a rock, put 
 stone in mouth of hole, leaving space large enough for the 
 Weasel to enter, and it is sure death for either Weasel, Mink 
 or Skunk. 
 
 I found several dead Rabbits one day while hunting Foxes. 
 I always carry a small bottle of strychnine, while hunting. 1 
 put some in the wound in each Rabbit's neck and fastened it 
 in the hole. In the spring I found, around the mouth of the 
 hole, five Weasels, four brown and one white, dead. You can 
 also take English Sparrows, cut them on breast, put strychnine 
 in the opening and place Sparrow in the hole; you will have 
 game very plentiful on the grounds the next season. 
 
 You can also use the wire trap in winter by putting live 
 Sparrows in it and feeding them with bird seeds, oats and 
 wheat; all other kinds of live bait will die with cold except 
 the Sparrow. 
 
 HOW TO CATCH WEASELS IN SUMMER. 
 
 Take wire trap; it must be well-bound with extra wires or 
 Weasel will bite the wires together and get out. Put oats, 
 corn, peanuts, fresh meat and half of apple or piece of tur- 
 nip, as food and drink, for Mouse, Chipmunk or Squirrel; set 
 trap on the mountain, between rocks, or large live bait will go 
 in after the food. The Weasel will see the Chipmunk, Squir- 
 rel or Mouse in trap, and will go in and kill the bait and can- 
 not get out. 
 
 When the Weasel is caught, jiut trap in water, until it is 
 covered over and Weasel will drown. Set trap for other Wea- 
 
TOO 
 
 sels. You must feed your live bait aljout tliioe times a week. 
 Live Sparrows will do all right at any time of the year. If 
 there are no Mice or t^hipmunks when you set your trap, you 
 must catch them with a wire trap at home or some other place 
 and put them in the trap. Always keep good, lively bait in 
 your trap and you will be sure to catch Weasels. Do not be- 
 come discouraged if you have a trap set for several weeks 
 without getting a Weasel; keep feeding your bait and if there 
 are any Weasels within three or four miles of the place, you 
 will be sure to get them. Remember, if you are a hunter, that 
 killing one Weasel on your hunting grounds will save hun- 
 dreds of game. 
 
 GREAT INCREASE OF GAME. 
 
 Until 1893 I only knew how to catch Weasels in winter with 
 dead bait; when weather got warm I could not trap any. In 
 1893 I began experimenting with wire trap; I found that they 
 would go into the trap and kill the bait, but that the trap could 
 not hold them; but that difficulty I overcame. When I could 
 only catch them in winter, they were always plentiful the 
 next fall; but now I catch all I can in winter and summer, be- 
 fore they have their young and after they have their young, 
 and the result is, farmers are successfully raising poultry 
 again and game has increased 900 per cent. 
 
 In 1896 there were over 10,000 Rabbits shot within three- 
 fourths of a mile of Preeland, a town of 7,f>00 population. 
 
 TO TRAP THE SKUNK AND RACCOON. 
 
 Tlie Skunk is caught in numerous devices, and, as i( 
 is not at all v^ary, little trouble i.s experienced in 
 trapping it. Steel traps, box traps and dead-falls, are 
 the usual methods employed in this region for their de- 
 struction. A steel Irap (>an be placed at the entrance 
 of their burrows, covered over lightly with earth, 
 leaves, etc., and piece of meat, eggs, or mice placed 
 around it. 
 
 Raccoons may be caught by placing a steel tT-ajt. 
 chained to a log, on the edge of a stream or i)ou<l 
 u'liich these animals are known to frequent; the trap 
 should be set an inch or two below the water's sur- 
 
710 
 
 face. The bail : a fisli, frog, head of a l*heasau1, Tur- 
 key oi' Cliieken, seen ted witli oil of anise, and liuiig 
 about two feet and a half above the trap. The 'Coon 
 can also be caut;lit in the V-shaped pen trap, with bail 
 scented with oil of anise, and placed far back in the 
 pen and the trap covered over at entrance. 
 
 SOME METHODS OF DESTROYING RATS. 
 
 Kats aie found in all sections of the State, and llu' 
 damage they do in the poultry yard, besides commit- 
 ling great injuries in other ways, is frequently far 
 greater than that done by all other preying animals. 
 
 Rats are particularly cautious, which, in conjunc- 
 tion witli their remarkable cunning, oftentimes make 
 il a difficult and, at times, ahnost an impossible task 
 to catch or destroy them. 
 
 Common house cats, like Weasels, that often live 
 about barns and other out-buildings, frequently do 
 great service in i idding tlie places of both Kats and 
 Mice, but sometimes both the cat and Weasel will kill 
 chickens. The Weasel, when it begins to destroy 
 poultry, spares neither old or young and in a short 
 lime will slay a gi-eat number. Some farmers say 
 they like to have Weasels live about their barns and 
 haystacks, but wlien these animals frequent sucli 
 places the poulh-y is always in more or less danger of 
 b(Mng attacked. 
 
 SHOOTING. 
 
 The writer has foi- st^-eral years past been able, 
 wilh llie aid of a shot gun, to drive "Rats away from hi« 
 premises, wliere, a1 irregular intervals, 1h(>y came 
 from neigliboring buildings. About eight y(»ai'S ago 
 Ihe stable at mv liome was literallv overrun wilh 
 
7J1 
 
 Kills. I'wisou, two iiood cats, aud steel traps failed 
 lo make any pei-ce]»tible impressiou on them. Fi- 
 nally 1 took a shot ^uu aud whenever a Kat was seen 
 to poke its head out of a hole or from under a chicken 
 house or run across the la^^n a load of tine shot was 
 sent after it. Ju the course of a week about a do-zen 
 were killed. Tliis made them very shy aud they, were 
 rai-cly seen about in the daytime, but they remained 
 about llu* buildings and coutiuned to do much mis- 
 chief in the night ti)ue. I went awav from hvime and 
 was absent two weeks. During this time the Kats 
 had not bt^n shot at and they were often seen ab(tut 
 the }»lace in daytime. I determined to ado'pt a new 
 mode of waifare, as it luid Wi'u suggested to me that 
 if a Eat ^^■as crippled with shot it would be far bet- 
 ter than killing it outright. I stationed myself at a 
 point where the animals usually came out, and, in 
 (wo days, shot six with a .22 auxiliary barrel, the cart- 
 ridges for which were loaded with about 70 pellets of 
 mustard-seed shot. Two of the animals wei'e very 
 near when shot at aud both were unable to get away 
 from the holes, but the others were only crippled and 
 made their escape. Two days after the occurreuct' 
 I he Kats left the ]dace. Since that time the saun- 
 j)lan has been adopted when the Rats made their ap- 
 pearance aud as soon as two or three wounded ones 
 go-t away the rest speedily left the premises. 
 
 STRYCHNINE AND ARSENIC. 
 
 These dangerous and deadly poisons are often em- 
 ployed with good success to kill Rats. The use of 
 these agents, however, is attended with much dan 
 ger, and often the animals which eat the poisoned food 
 hide under lloors. in walls and other jjlaces wheic they 
 
712 
 
 (leconiposc iuid occasion «;ieal slencli. Stiycliuiiic, a 
 vt'j'elahlt' poison and vrry bitter in taste, kills 
 (|alckiy. It is 'generally used by cuttinji <;ashes in 
 pieces of meat and insertinji' the poison in the incisions 
 wliiclj are closed toj^etliei- and the meat is then nailed 
 to a board or phiDk and placed in runways or oilier 
 places where Rats go, and where other animals can 
 not get at it. 
 
 Arsenic, a mineral poison, is sweet to the taste; it 
 is often used in conjunction with plaster of paris and 
 mixed with butter which is spread on bread, or it can 
 be mixed with dry cornmeal for the Rats. Strych- 
 nine is far more deadly and certain in its action and 
 il destroys its victims quickly. Arsenic, on the other 
 liaiul, wliile it causes death, kills more slowly and 
 causes great irritation and iutiammation of the stom- 
 acli, etc. This action of the latter agent has induced 
 many persons to recommend its use in preference to 
 strychnine, as it is claimed the Kats will leave the 
 buildings and go to water to allay their sufferings. I 
 do not recommend the use of either of these poisons 
 for the destruction of Kats or Mice, as the use of such 
 means is attended with great danger and other objec- 
 tions. However, if you do use them it is well to bait 
 the animals for several days with meat or meal so 
 they will become accustomed to. it before you arrange 
 I he ])oisoned food for them. 
 
 TRAPS. 
 
 Different kinds of wire traps are sold by dealers for 
 catching Rats and many of them for a time answer 
 the puipose very well. Various hand-made box-tra])s. 
 snares and dead-falls are also used mo-re or less suc- 
 cessfully to aid in extenninating these rodents. The 
 
713 
 
 steel traps, smallest sized ones, hidden in bran, mciil. 
 or covered lij^btlv with dirt and placed in runways arc- 
 often very effective. When a Rat is cauj;bt in a steel 
 trap it is well to smoke it by holding it over bninin^ 
 paper or chicken feathers to remove all traces of (Ik- 
 first victim before you set it a second time. 
 
 THE WIRE NOOSE. 
 
 Kats are sometimes caught with a noose, made from 
 tine brass wire, fastened at one end by a nail above, 
 with the noose hung over the hole they come out of. 
 If this method is employed it is best to have a piece 
 of wire without a noose for several days over the hole 
 and allow the free end of the wire to hang in front or 
 at the side of the hole so the wary Rats will become 
 accustomed to it. They will then be mucli more likely 
 to get ensnared in the noose when it is set for them. 
 
 THE MILK CAN TRAP. 
 
 A faiTner in Bradford county employs the follow- 
 ing method in killing Rats with good success. Con- 
 cerning it he says: Take a large milk can — such as is 
 used to sTiij) milk— which will hold forty or fifty 
 quarts, place a board alongside of the can, so Rats can 
 run up to the toj» or mouth of can. and put a piece of 
 board inside of can long enough to reach from top to 
 bottom of the vessel : then scatter corn, wheat, oats or 
 meal over bottom of can. The bait should be replen- 
 ished for several days so that the Rats will become 
 accustomed to it and know where they can get a good 
 square meal. Tlien remove the board from the inside. 
 The Rats will run up the outside board and jum]) into 
 can and cannot get out. As many as eight or ten (»f 
 these animals have been caught in one night in this 
 45*-Il 
 
714 
 
 \v;iy; and the trap can generally he used for several 
 siiceessivc nights before llie Hats learn to keep away 
 from it. 
 
 THE BARREL TRAPS. 
 
 Rat traps made out of ordinary water-tight barrels 
 are perhaps the best kind of traps that can be used to 
 destroy these troublesome household pests. They are 
 made as follows: Take a water-tight barrel and pour 
 into it water to the depth of 12 or 15 inches; then take 
 a very thick and strong i>iece of paper, dampen it and 
 stretch it over the top of the barrel, and tie or securely 
 fasten it around the top of the barrel with rope, twine, 
 or annealed wire. The paper Avhen it gets dry be- 
 comes fiat and tightens. Place the barrel in the cel- 
 lar or barn oi- anywhere where the Rats can easily 
 jum[> on it, and put pieces of cheese, meat, cake or 
 any food thej like, provided it has no fluid in it to 
 dampen the paper, and allow the Rats to come and 
 visit it for a week or ten days until they become ac- 
 customed to regularly A'isit the barrel for their meals. 
 Of course, the foo-d materials must be renewed on the 
 l>aper as fast as they are carried off by the vermin. 
 When you are convinced that the Rats are not sus- 
 picious of the affair cut two long slits in the paper so 
 as to divide the cover into four parts then glue the 
 bait — same kinds as were used before paper was cut — 
 to the top of paper so that the Rats can see it as they 
 (lid on uianv previous occasions. Th(\v come feai'- 
 lessly to the bfirrel, jump dosvri and go into- the watei'. 
 hi this way large numV)ei-s arc caught. The ]»a]i(M- 
 will spriiiji back to its jdace wlien the Rats ])ass 
 through it. Sometimes tliin steel springs aie ar- 
 laclied to sides of linrrel and extend to point where 
 slits in paper cross; this is to make it certain that 
 
715 
 
 each ])ipce of j)apc'r will fly back in place when 
 the liats .strike it and fall thniuj;h. If these thin 
 strips o-f steel are used they should be very light. 
 
 Another kind of a barrel trap consists of a water- 
 ti^dit barrel with a platform which is fixed by hinges 
 inside of the barrel so it will fit the opening near the 
 top but not come in contact with the sides. This 
 ])latfc'rni can be locked with nails or screws and baited 
 for several days and placed in the haunts of Rats and 
 the screws or nails can be removed and the bait, fast- 
 ened to the board platform with fine wire, will attract 
 the Rats to it. When they jump upon the platfomi 
 it turns over and the animals slide into the water, 
 and if the revolving platfoiTn is properly weighted it 
 will assume its prO'per place. 
 
 OWLS DO THE WORK WELL. 
 
 \\'liile it is true that these and other methods may 
 be emj)l(ned with more or less success in destroying 
 rodents, experience proves that none of them are su- 
 perior and few are equal to Owls in ridding cellars 
 and other buildings of both Rats and Mice. When 
 your premises are infested with Rats or Mice and you 
 have a cellar or building which these rodents inhabit, 
 and th*.* jjlace can be kept closed so the bird cannot es- 
 cape, you can soon get rid of the unwelcome inhabi- 
 tants by getting a live Great Horned Owl or a Barred 
 Owl, either of AAhich will, in a short time, destroy all 
 the Rats and Mice in the place. The little Screech 
 Owl confined in the same way will destroy ^iice and 
 sometimes will attack and kill Rats, particulnrly 
 vdimu; ones, 
 
716 
 
 THE GREAT HORNED OWL AS A RATTER. 
 
 Mr. IV'ujainin M. Evcihart, the Chester county 
 hotanist and naturalist, who some years aj;o did a 
 wholesaU^ };rocery business in West Chester, Pa., j^ives 
 tlie foilowinii as his ex})erienfe with a Great Horned 
 Owl. 
 
 "The cellar and building where we had our gruceries was 
 literally overrun with Rats. I tried a barrel-trap and caught 
 a good many, but this and other devices made no perceptible 
 decrease in their numbers. One day I obtained a young Great 
 Horned Owl, nearly full feathered, and put him in the cellar 
 where the Rats were doing much mischief. The bird was fed 
 on fresh meat, birds and dead Rats and Mice, and in a short 
 time became, apparently, well contented in his new and dark 
 home, where he grew quite tame and learned to know me. He 
 occupied a perch near the middle of the cellar, and close to 
 the floor above the same. One day I took a lot of wheat, corn 
 and oats and spread them on the floor and covered these over 
 loosely withsome straw. This proved to be a most alluring bait 
 for the Rats. They came there to feed, and the Owl would fly 
 down and kill and eat them. In a short time he killed or drove 
 off all the Rats." 
 
 THE BARRED OWL, AND RATS. 
 
 Dr. A, K. Fisher, Ornithologist of the Biological Sur- 
 vey, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C, 
 says that an acquaintance of his who owns a brewery 
 in New York State, tried in vain for several years to 
 destroy the Rats and Mice which lived in the place 
 wheie Ills grains were stored. Finally one day he ob- 
 tained fronj a bo-y a live Barred Owl and put it in the 
 grain room. The Owl got down to business at once 
 and in a few months killed all the rodents in the 
 place. 
 
 THE SCREECH OWL .\ND MICE. 
 
 The Screech Owl is fond of Mice and if one is kept 
 in a cellar where these troublesome little pests are it 
 

 jf /^ Ml 
 
717 
 
 will scion clear tlieiii out. I have on two or three oc- 
 casious tried this wav of dealinj;- with .Mire, and ciu li 
 time it was successfnl. 
 
 SOME METHODS OF TRAPPING FOXES. 
 
 Foxes are exceedingly wary and they are among 
 the most difficult of all animals to catch in traps. 
 Sometimes, but not often, Foxes are caught in a dead- 
 fall. Senator Lafayette Rowland, of IMke county, 
 where Foxes are numerous, who lost a great maiiy 
 chickens and turkeys from the repeated visits of these 
 sneaking animals, which came from their dens in the 
 mountains about a half mile from his premises and 
 carried off the poultry in the daytime as well as in the 
 night, has pi'acticed a novel plan with good success 
 of capturing them. He describes it as follows: 
 
 "I built a slat pen or coop in a woods back of my house ami 
 put a rooster and duck in it and left a couple of slats at one end 
 so the Fox, by a little effort, could get in. The first night he 
 came to the coop but did not find the place to go in. He re- 
 turned the second night and got in and killed the duck but the 
 young rooster got away. I then threw some chickens' heads and 
 meat in the pen and shot some sparrows and threw them with 
 the heads and entrails of ducks and chickens on the ground 
 about the pen andi continued to bait the Foxes in this way for 
 about a week. Then I took four strong steel traps and covered 
 them over with moss, leaves and dirt — very loosely placed so 
 covering would not clog the traps and prevent them from hold- 
 ing the Fox — and set them at different places around the pen, 
 where another duck was confined. This plan worked admirably 
 and I caught several Foxes." 
 
 THE TRAP .\ND BED. 
 
 To be successful in trapping Foxes, it is absolutely 
 necessary that your steel trap should be clean and 
 free from mst, and it should not be handled with the 
 bare hands; always handle your trap with gloves; 
 
718 
 
 bucksUin uru piub;ibly the bi'st. Foxes are very wary 
 about approaching; I lie most temptiiij^- bait when they 
 discover the scent of a luniian being, and many otlier 
 animals are likewise afraid of it; hence, when handlin*,' 
 traps for any animal, cover your hands with buckskin 
 gloves. In getting- a steel trap ready to catch a Fox, 
 it should, as already stated, be perfectly clean and 
 every trace of rust removed; then washed in weak lye, 
 greased and dried. Then it should be well smoked by 
 holding over burning hens' feathers. After this is 
 done some recommend that both the trap and chain 
 should be smeared all over with beeswax. To do this 
 melt the beeswax and smear it with a feather. At- 
 tach the free end of the chain to a log, about two or 
 two and one-half feet long and eight or ten inches in 
 circumference, to serve as a drag to impede the Fox 
 when he gets into the trap. But before you fix the 
 trap as described above it is necessary to make a "bed" 
 for it. Tliis is done in the following manner: Tlie 
 bed should be made on level ground and cover a space 
 of about nine or ten feet in circumference and about 
 an inch and a-half deep. The materials used to make 
 the bed are buckwheat chaff, which experienced trap- 
 pers claim is the best, wheat chaff, or oat chaff; wood 
 ashes and moss are also sometimes used with satisfac- 
 tory results. This should be baited for at least a 
 week, before' a trap is set, with scraps of cheese, pieces 
 of fresh meat, heads of chickens, turkeys, or Pheasants 
 or Englisli Sparrows — heads and all — will answer. 
 This bed, of couise, is made in some place where 
 Foxes are accustomed to wander on food-hunting ex- 
 peditions, and when they become acquainted with the 
 place, the trap should be set and covered up in the 
 chaff; a thin i>iece of paper should be placed over pan 
 
719 
 
 of trap so that the covering will not prevent it from 
 working properly. Strew some bail on bed about tlie 
 trap and scatter some also around at some distance 
 from tlie trap. Avoid walking around or on the bed 
 and do not spit on or about the bed. If you leave any 
 tracks in the snow take a sieve and till them up with 
 fine snow. In going to and from the trap always step 
 in the same tracks. It is also a good plan, experienced 
 trappers claim, to take a feather and sprinkle over the 
 bed, after trap is set, a little oil of amber, lavender 
 water or musk. The Fox is also often caught with a 
 steel trap carefully hidden, as previously described 
 and the bait a bird — Sparrow, Pheasant or Chicken — 
 suspended above the trap as shown in illustration 
 "How to Fool a Fox." 
 
 Tlie entrails of a sheep or Deer can be dragged over 
 the ground for some distance in a field where Foxes 
 come to hunt their food, and then bury them in loose 
 earth and make a small mound over them; cover this 
 with chaff or wood ashes and set a steel trap on either 
 side of the elevation. After placing the tra])s, scent 
 with lavender water or music. A bird, fowl or Kabbit 
 can also be used in place of entrails. 
 
 Another method, and one shown in the accom])any- 
 ing illustration, is often successfully emi)loyed by ox 
 perienced trappers. The chain must not show any- 
 where, and it is better to cover chain in water, with 
 mud, stones or gravel. The trap should not be over 
 eighteen inches from the shore, and not more than 
 an inch and a-half under water. A sod just the size 
 of the inside of the trap with open jaws must be cut 
 to rest on the ]>an. In order to prevent the weight 
 of the sod from springing tho trap it is necessary to 
 
720 
 
 .su|ii)()jt it from below with an upnght stick. The 
 bait, a dead duck, snipe or rabbit, is placed on the 
 water outside of the trap and anchored there with a 
 stone or b\ a peg and twine string. The Fox is very 
 apt to slep on the sod that covers the trap to reach 
 this bait when he sees it. 
 
721 
 
 UEADS. 
 
 It has bt't'ii clearly shown on previous pages that, 
 except in the counties of Crawford and Lawrence, 
 there is a strong sentiment in Pennsylvania f(w the 
 enactment of bounty laws. 
 
 At every session of our Legislature for many years 
 past scalp o-r bounty measures were presented and it 
 was only by the most energetic work both in commit- 
 tee and on the floors of the Senate and House thai 
 bills including numerous species of birds and mam 
 mals were defeated. The fact that a few species of 
 Hawks and one or two kinds of Owls are very de- 
 structive to poultry and game, has caused such a uni- 
 versal prejudice against the raptorial birds that every 
 one which is known by the name "Hawk" or "Owl" is 
 placed on the black list and a bounty is advocated for 
 its destruction. 
 
 A FEATHKRED PEST. 
 
 The English Sparrow is justly despised by farmers, 
 horticulturists, naturalists and all other persons who 
 love and desire to protect our native song and insec- 
 tivorous birds. The bad habits of the English Spar- 
 row are s<^ well-known that a number of farmers' 
 clubs, Pomona and subordinate grange organizations 
 throughout the State have, in recent years, when 
 called upon to express an opinion concerning this bird, 
 favored, by almost unanimous votes, a bounty to be 
 paid by the State for his miserable head. Tlie enmity 
 against the English Sparrow is so pronounced in our 
 farming communities that at an annual meeting of the 
 46-n 
 
722 
 
 Pennsylvania State (j range, P. of H., the largest, and, 
 bv far, the most inlluenlial organized body of farmers 
 in the Commonwealth, resolutions were passed urging 
 the State Legislatuje to allow a bounty of a few cents 
 each on every English Sjjarrow slain. 
 
 There i& no doubt whatever that if English Spar- 
 rows were all destroyed it would be a great blessing, 
 but this is not feasible through a bounty act. A num- 
 ber of States and counties have tried this method of 
 exterminating this feathered pest and it has always 
 been a failure. 
 
 WANT BOUNTIES FOR NUMEROUS ANIMALS. 
 
 The data collected by our State Board of Game 
 Commissioners shows plainly that there is a growing 
 sentiment in favor of paying bounties for the King- 
 fislier, the Fish Hawk, Herons, Bitterns, "Fish Ducks" 
 and even Water Snakes, all of which devour different 
 species of the finny tribes. The writer has, since the 
 latter part of 1885, devoted a great deal of study to 
 the effect of bounty laws and has, during the last 
 eleven years, visited almost every county in the Com- 
 monwealth, attending institutes, grange meetings, etc., 
 where abundant ojiportunity was had to acquaint 
 himself with the views of those who engage in agricul- 
 tural pursuits. This experience, together with infor- 
 mation received through circulars, letters, etc.. un- 
 fortunately compels the writer to say that at present 
 (April, 1897) if the representatives from the counties* 
 other than Allegheny and Philadelphia (where the 
 average voter seems to pay little or no attention to 
 how his Senator or member of the House votes) were 
 
 *Pos?ibly in Crawford and Lawrence counties a majority of 
 the citizens are opposed to paying bounties on account of rea- 
 sons elsewhere mentioned. 
 
723 
 
 called upon to vole, as a iiiajoiily of their constituents 
 have said, tliev would favor bounty acts which, in the 
 main, would cause an enormous money expenditure 
 and also practically exterminate many of our most 
 benoticial animals. 
 
 Believinji:, as I do, that this is the true state of af- 
 fairs in Pennsylvania, I have prepared this document 
 in such a manner that it will be sought after, and if 
 it reaches, as it should, those who are interested in 
 agriculture, it will, I am confident, do a vast amount 
 of good by correcting many erroneous opinions which 
 exist about different birds and mammals. 
 
 Any fair minded and unbiased person must admit 
 that, with all the educational advantages of which 
 this great Commonwealth so proudly boasts, it is 
 lamentable to admit that Zoological science has been 
 so neglected that coointy officials in numerous parts of 
 the State, when called upon in an official capacity to 
 receive the heads of birds and mammals under scalp 
 acts, were unable to distinguish, in some cases, re- 
 mains of domesticated animals, such as turkeys, chick- 
 ens, dogs, kittens, ferrets, mules and colts, from 
 Hawks, Owls, Wolves, Wildcats, Poxes, Minks, Squir- 
 rels, Weasels and Rabbits. That this ignorance has 
 existed in recent years there is no doubt, as 1 have in 
 my possession the heads of a number of animals which 
 were sent to the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, 
 D. 0., and to my oltice, by county officials, as heads of 
 Hawks, Owls, Wildcats, Minks and Weasels, but ex- 
 amination proved them to be, first, in the way of birds: 
 
 Pheasant or Ruffed Grouse, 
 Sharp-tailed Grouse, 
 Common Chicken, 
 Wild Turkey (female). 
 
724 
 
 Aniciiciin IIeiiin;jf (J nil, 
 
 Shrike or Butcher liird, 
 
 Night hawk. 
 
 Whip-poor- will, 
 
 Horned Grebe (male). 
 
 Yellow-billed Cuckoo, 
 
 Common Robin, 
 
 Turkey Vulture. 
 Second, in the line of mammals, the following: 
 
 Opossum, 
 
 Jack Rabbit, 
 
 Fox Squirrel, 
 
 Chipmunk, 
 
 Flying Squirrel, 
 
 Red Squirrel, 
 
 Gray Squirrel, 
 
 Ferret. 
 
 The heads of some of these birds and other animals 
 last mentioned have been reproduced on the plates at 
 the end of this chapter. Tbese heads show much 
 better than any pen pictures could do^ the absolute 
 need of a document which will clearly show the dif- 
 ferences between domesticated and wihl animals of 
 both furred and feathered kinds. 
 
 A BAD CLASS OF CATS. 
 
 There is a certain class of common house cats, 
 which, in tiie course of their noisy and blood-thirsty 
 careers, becomei dissatisfied with the comforts and 
 trials they have about human habitations. 
 
 Some assert these felines have been disappointed 
 in love affairs; others affirm it is because they have, 
 with the assistance of the English Sparrow and hat- 
 bird hunters, practically destroyed all the native birds 
 
o 
 
 "D 
 O 
 CO 
 
 in 
 
 c 
 Z 
 
 .^^:^ 
 ■7^'^'h 
 
 I: 
 
.^■ 
 
 :A,; 
 
 ^\ 
 
 I- 
 
 CQ 
 DQ 
 < 
 
 < 
 
725 
 
 in the .yards, lawns and orchards thej fieqnent; and, 
 as the young of douiesticated fo-wls arc carefully 
 guarded by their owners, these cats thirst for feath 
 ered game, and, like hermits, hie away and live in 
 retirement in woods and thickets. 
 
 Members of the feline tribe which thus retire to live 
 become exceedingly wild and wary; and they are fre- 
 (luently met with in many sections of the State. Th(\v 
 are almost, if not equally, as bad about destroying 
 game, such as Pheasants, Turkeys, Quail and Rabbits, 
 as are the Foxes and true Wildcat or Bay Lynx. 
 
 The name of "Wildcat" is applied to these feral rep- 
 I'esentatives of the domestic cat tribe by many hunters 
 and woodsmen, and possibly when heads and ears of 
 such animals have been presented for bounties in 
 siome of the counties, it was done with no intention of 
 deception nor with a knowledge that the common 
 house cat was being substituted for the true Wildcat 
 or Uay Lynx. 
 
 HISTORY OF HEADS SHOWN ON PLATES. 
 
 The ears of several of the mammal heads illustrated 
 on the plates at the end of this chapter are wanting; 
 this is due to the fact that they were cut off and 
 burned by the? officials who accepted them and paid 
 bo-unties for them. Tliese heads are all life size. 
 
 OPOSSUM, RABBIT. WILD AND TAME CATS. 
 
 The opossum head, that of a young one about two- 
 thii-ds grown, was sent to the office of the State Board 
 of Agriculture from one of the counties in Central 
 Pennsylvania, with the statement that it was either 
 a young Wildcat or young Catamount, and as there 
 w'as a dispute abo-ut it among some hunters where it 
 
726 
 
 was shot, the justice of the peace had not burned the 
 licad, but had (•lipi)ed oft' the fats and sent the rest 
 of the head for identification and to settle tlie dispute. 
 I also had the heads of two house cats — old and 
 li'rizzled ones — which had been paid for as Wildcats. 
 The Jack Eabbit's head has its ears chopped off, and 
 a. hunter realized for this 'animal, which was also 
 called a Wildcat, two dollars. There are no Jack 
 Rabbits in Pennsylvania in a wild state; and there is 
 little doubt that this one Wiis purchased at some mar- 
 ket, "fixed uj;," and deliberately presented to deceive 
 some easy, or very i^noaant official. 
 
 SQUIRRELS AND WEASELS. 
 
 Heads, on which premiums had been paid, of both 
 the Fox Squirrel and the lij^ht-colored form of the 
 Gray Squirrel, were sent to our office at Harrisburg 
 for identification. The heads of the two Squirrels 
 shown on tlie plate have been reproduced from 
 mounted specimens, as the beads which I had of these 
 two species were consumed in the recent fire which 
 destroyed ray office. The reproduction of normal 
 heads of these two species of Squirrels, which are 
 common in the markets, will no doubt serve in the 
 future to educate officials wiio may be called upon to 
 identify "heads and ears" which ignorant or dishonest 
 scalp hunters may present for premiums. The heads 
 of the Black Squirrel (Fig. 1), the Flying Squirrel (Fig. 
 2), and the Chipmunk (Fig. 3), — a partial albino — were 
 sent to Prof. S. F. IJairrl, Secretary of the Smithsonian 
 Institution, WashingtO'n, D. C. by county commission- 
 ers or Justices of the j)eace in Pennsylvania for identi- 
 fication. The r>lack Squirrel was called a "Black 
 
FOX SQUI RRE L. ^LiFE SIZE. 
 
 2 GRAY SQUIRREL, 'i-esize 
 
LU 
 
 o: 
 
 IT 
 
 ID 
 
 a 
 
 > 
 
 _i 
 
 00 
 
727 
 
 Mink," Uic Flyinj; f^quirrel a young Weasel, and the 
 odd colored Chipmunk a "Weasel." 
 
 DOGS AND WOLVES. 
 
 There are in this 8tate cur dogs which, in general 
 color and appearance of the head, do not look unlike 
 Wolves. The lieads (of such animals, from all ac- 
 counts, have iri the past fie(iuently been used by 
 scalp hunters to deceive county oflicials, who 
 accepted them as Wolves. The resemblance between 
 these cur dogs and Wolves is so great that it is not at 
 all surprising that they were substituted for Wolves, 
 which, as already stated on previous pages, have no 
 doubt been exterminated in this State. 
 
 In 1885 or 188G, Prof. S. F. Baird, examined a num- 
 ber of "Wolf scalps" from Pennsylvania, on which 
 l)remiums had been paid. Investigation shewed that 
 these so-called "Wolf scalps" had been made from 
 l)elts of Ked Foxes and a couple of Woodchucks. 
 Many and probably all of the counties o-f Pennsylva- 
 nia which border other States were called upon to pay 
 bounties for animals killed or caught outside of Penn- 
 sylvania. Fur dealers say that many of the FO'xes 
 and Minks which they buy from hunters in the south- 
 ern part of New York State have the ears clipped off. 
 The liunter.s, when questioned about such mutilation. 
 sa\ tlie animals canie from Pennsylvania. This prob- 
 ably, in many instances, is true, but there seems to be 
 very good ground for believing that a good many of 
 I he hunters and trai)pers of the Empire State, when 
 llu'v obtain such animals as Foxes, Minks and Wild- 
 cats, carry them over the Slate line and obijiiii boiin 
 ties which the Pennsylvania lawmakers havi' j»rovided 
 each county shall pay. 
 
728 
 
 The Scranton Tribune of March 11, 1S*)7, contains 
 tiie follovving concerni))*;- a "Wolf"' on which bounty 
 was recently paid in Lackawanna county: 
 
 "John R. JoliMSon stalked into the commissioners' ofliue yes- 
 teiday and flourishing- an affidavit to the effect that he had 
 Itilled a Wolf at Waverly January 1, 1897, asked for the ten 
 dollars, which bounty the State allows for the slaughter of the 
 most detested and feared of farm pests. 
 
 "The commissioners didn't like to cast any reflections on the 
 powers of the justice of the peace of Waverly to differentiate 
 between the pelt of a Wolf and that of an overgrown dog but 
 they did not hesitate to say that they were at least loth to 
 believe that it would be generally accepted that Wolves are 
 to be found in this region. Commissioner Giles Roberts, who 
 hails from up Waverlyway, vowed that he had never heard of 
 a Wolf being seen in those parts, although there might be 
 some roaming about in raiment other than that which would 
 naturally cover a wolf. 
 
 "These misgivings, however, could not hold out against the 
 Johnson's aflidavit that he shot a Wolf; Squire Smith's alTirma- 
 tion that it was a Wolf and that its ears had been cut from the 
 pelt, that the ears: were cuti off and burned in his presence and 
 that it was unmistalcably the pelt of a Wolf. 
 
 "Johnson got his ten dollars and went forth to shoot more 
 Wolves." 
 
 FEATHERED HE^ADS. 
 
 While much deception, through both ignorance and 
 fraud, was practiced by substituting the remains of 
 wild and domesticated animals for the heads and ears 
 of mammals on which bounties were paid, this kind of 
 work was carried to the greatest extent in the way of 
 feathered animals. Owls and Hawks, from which the 
 heads were cut off, were, in some instances, so manij) 
 ulated by skillful and ingenions scalp hunters, who 
 possessed some knownledge of the art of taxidermy, 
 that in one instance which came to my notice a single 
 Long-eared Owl, was so "Nvorked ii])" that it netted the 
 hunter one and a half dollars. The neck was cut off 
 
2 ENGLISH SPARROW. S 
 
 I TURKEY VULTURE. 
 
729 
 
 close to the body uwd also al tlic base of llir sUiill, Ihc 
 flesh ol' the neck was allowed to remain and the bill 
 of some bird of prey was held securely to one end of 
 the mass by fine wiie; the second head was manufac- 
 tured from bi'east ineat (apjiarently), and feathers of 
 body with the bill of an Owl. Tliese two bogus heads, 
 with those of a lot of Hawks and Owls and three or 
 four common Weasels, twenty in all, were seen in the 
 ollice of a justice of the peace, ready to burn when he 
 j;(»l a good hot fire started in his stove. 
 
 TURKEY BUZZARDS AND SPARROWS. 
 
 The Turkey Vulture (Fig. 1). was paid for as an 
 "Eagle-hawk,'* which was described by the scalp hun 
 ter who got the bounty for it as "being very bad on 
 poultry, especially young turkeys."' The English 
 Sparrow (Fig. 2), witli the heads of some other birds — 
 Hawks and Owls— and an immature male Pine Gros 
 beak and a common Kobin — came to Prof. S. F. l^aird 
 from county commissioners or other officials in the 
 western part of Pennsylvania, in 1885 or 188(5, as the 
 heads of birds of prey. The fact that these and other 
 remains of both birds and mammals were sent to 
 Pi'O-f. Baird and officers of the Pennsylvania State 
 lioard of Agriculture for identification shows plainly 
 that the officials wlio sent them were sincere in the 
 belief that they were lieads of some species of bird or 
 mammal mentioned in the scalp act of June 23, 188"). 
 
 The heads of the Pheasant or Ruflfed Grouse (Fig. 
 1), and the Shaip-tailed Grouse (Fig. 2), came from 
 I*i'of. Baird's colled ion of I'ennsylvania heads. The 
 Sliarp-tailed Grouse is not found in this Common 
 wealiii in a wild state, but the birds are common in 
 manv of our markets. 
 
730 
 
 SEA GULLS, CUCKOOS, ETC. 
 
 At Ica.sl two heads ol' the Americjin Heriin<ji; Gull 
 were paid lor as Hawks under the act of 1885. The 
 one illustrated was ])resented to me by Prof. S. F. 
 Baird, and another of the same species, killed alonj^ 
 the Susquehanna river, was sent to my office for iden- 
 tification. The Gull received from Prof. Baird was 
 called a "AA'hite Hawk." Tlie head of the Yellow- 
 billed (Cuckoo (Fig. 3), was also sent to Prof. Baird 
 as the head of a "Small llawk" of some unknown but 
 detrimental species. The Whip-poor-will (Fig. 1), and 
 Xighthawk (Fig. 2), heads wei-e secured by the writer 
 from justices of the peace, and the heads of a female 
 Wild Turkey (Fig 1), and a eo-mmou domesticated hen 
 (Fig. 2), were sent to Prof. Baird as "Hawk heads." 
 
 The Fish Hawk, fiom which Fig. 1 has been repro- 
 duced, was shot along the Brandy wine Creek. Tlie 
 man wlio oflered it for bounty explained how much 
 damage it had done to his chickens, and how, foa' sev- 
 eral days, it had lingered near his dwelling watching 
 for and killing chickens and ducks. On examination 
 this Fish Hav/k's stomach showed it contained only 
 the remains of fish. Tlie Cooper's Hawk, in downy 
 dress, (Fig. 2), came from Crawford county where, it 
 is claimed, the eggs of this and other species of Hawks 
 and Owls were collected and hatched out under hens 
 or with incubators. 
 
 The illustrations of the adults, male and female, 
 Afarsh Hawks, are those of a beneficial species which 
 wore killed in considerable numbers by scalp hunters. 
 The heads of the Cooper's Hawks (adult and young or 
 immature) show the species in different plumage. 
 This Hawk i.- one of the worst feathered pests the 
 ]t(iullry laiser has to contend with. 
 
> 
 
 m 
 :d 
 
 n 
 > 
 
 z 
 
 I 
 m 
 
 z 
 o 
 
 o 
 c 
 r 
 r 
 
M 
 
> 
 
 
'MALE) 
 
 I FEMALE' 
 
 MARSH HAW K . aiFE sizei 
 
 (ADULT) 
 
 ( YOUNG) 
 
 COOPERS HAWK . 'LIFE SIZE! 
 
(YOUNG I 
 
 AMERICAN GOS HAWK . LIFE SIZE 
 
 ADULT) 
 
 ,( ADULT ) 
 
 I YOUNG I 
 
 RED SHOULDERED H AW K ,' life size' 
 
731 
 
 The two heads of (loshawks (adult and vonnjjj or iiii 
 iiiatmc). illustrate aiiollier species of the <leti-iiiienlal 
 Hawks which destroy much game, poultry and the 
 smaller kinds of wild son"; birds. The two heads of 
 Ked-shoiildered IJawks (adult and young, the latter 
 known to the older ornithological writers as Wintei- 
 Falcon), illustrate a species which is beneficial, as 
 it rarely j)reys on poultry or game, but subsisls 
 largely on mice, frogs, grassho])pei'S and beetles. 
 
( 732 ) 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Page. 
 A. 
 
 Alt, bounty of 1S97 6^^ 
 
 bounty of 1885 662,663,664 
 
 efforts to repeal 664,666 
 
 reasons for repeal of GG5,6')6 
 
 reasons why should not be repealed 666,667 
 
 Albinisni, 
 
 3C4 
 
 AiiiniHls ^^'^ 
 
 (leslruclion of noxious, reports by counties 669,696 
 
 Adams ^'•5 
 
 Allegheny 8^0 
 
 Armstrong ^'''^ 
 
 lieaver ^''^ 
 
 Berks ^^ 
 
 Blair 671 
 
 Bradford ^"^^ 
 
 liucks '''?2 
 
 Butier 6^3 
 
 Cambria 6"3, 674 
 
 Cameron ^'* 
 
 Centre ^5 
 
 Chester *^5 
 
 Clarion, 
 
 676 
 
 Clearfield ^^ 
 
 Clinton, 677 
 
 Oolumbia ^^ 
 
 Crawford 678 
 
 Cumberland 679 
 
 Dauphin 679 
 
 Delaware, 680 
 
 Elk 
 
 Erie, . . 
 Fayette, 
 Forest, 
 
 68(J 
 681 
 681 
 
 Franklin 681 
 
 Fulton 
 
 Greene 
 
 Huntingdon, 
 
 Indiana 
 
 .Tpfferson. 
 Lackawanna, 
 
 682 
 682 
 683 
 683 
 684 
 681 
 
 (733) 
 
734 
 
 Page. 
 
 Aiiiiiials, destruction at noxinus, re|>orts by counties— Ccnlinued. 
 
 Lancaster SSfi 
 
 Lawrence S>6 
 
 I^banon 686 
 
 Lehigh 687 
 
 Lycoming 687 
 
 McKean, fiS7, f88 
 
 Mercer 688 
 
 Mifflin 6feS, 6v» 
 
 Montgomery 6F9 
 
 Northampton 6S'J 
 
 Perrj' 680 
 
 Pilte, 6fl0 
 
 Potter 690 
 
 Schuylkill 6ni 
 
 Snyder (91 
 
 Somerset 692 
 
 Sullivan 692 
 
 Susquehanna G'.'S 
 
 Tioga 693 
 
 Union G90 
 
 Venango 691 
 
 Washington 69* 
 
 Warren 691.695 
 
 Westmoreland 695 
 
 Wyoming 696 
 
 fur-bearing :!27, 331 
 
 va'.ue of in Chester county 3''0,33l 
 
 Huntingdon county 3i7.320 
 
 Jefferson county 3J7,33n 
 
 Luzerne county 230 
 
 Mercer county 3:9, SCO 
 
 Wyoming county 32 1 
 
 York county 327 
 
 which destroy poultry 698 
 
 game 698 
 
 destroyed by forest fires 27.30,33 
 
 domestic 27 
 
 wild 27 
 
 many yet remain 49 1 
 
 those exterminated 493,496 
 
 where to hunt l»>-54g 
 
 which are rare 302, 504 
 
 Approvals, wise, 50 
 
 Army Worm, loss from in Pennsylvania 30i 
 
 Badger 317 
 
 Bass -.40.541,547 
 
 best places for, .'.40,f.41,647 
 
 Black 25, 26, 529 
 
 Sea 628 
 
 Bats 324. .il 1 
 
 food of 512 
 
 winter home of 511.512 
 
735 
 
 Page. 
 
 BPar, Black :n8, 381.510 
 
 food of 
 
 511 
 
 number of skins of, 
 
 511 
 
 Hears :,Il.^:;i.54S,Mfi 
 
 best places for, :34..545,54ti 
 
 noavers, in Virginia 
 
 where to find 191,495 
 
 . . . 1:5 
 
 lUnls. Butcher, destroyed by Fisrh Crows, 
 
 261 
 
 destruction of in Georgia ^ 
 
 destruction of in Nebraska ^^ 
 
 20.000 in four years, 
 
 10 
 
 list of raptorial 10, 4.' 
 
 save the ^'^^ 
 
 i>r pi-ey ^'■'■^- 253 
 
 how to capture 61)9,704 
 
 shooting 699,703 
 
 trapping 705.701 
 
 Rail 527, 53S 
 
 best places for, 527,538 
 
 where found, 527 
 
 rare, where to go for 487,488,48^ 
 
 1J^.,.,1 4S6.526,5:!9 
 
 best places for 526 
 
 where found 526, 539 
 
 Bison 317 
 
 Bitlern, American 31;> 
 
 description of 3'^ 
 
 food of 31* 
 
 voice of - 31o 
 
 Bitterns 6. 304 
 
 brief account of 304 
 
 food of 304 
 
 Blackbirds 6. 7. 294 
 
 brief account of 294 
 
 bronzed 303 
 
 Blackbird, Common Crow 2^ 
 
 description of 293 
 
 food of -97,203 
 
 Blackfish 518 
 
 Blunder, a serious 37 
 
 Bob-cat '•^' 
 
 Bounties, sentiment in favor of 43 
 
 paid for animals 697,6'.l'< 
 
 B<..ui.ty for Foxes 697 
 
 Minks ''97 
 
 Wildcats, 697 
 
 Buffalo 317 
 
 Bunting, indigo, 25 
 
 Butcher birds 273, 291 
 
 Buzzard. Turkey 138.139.140.143 
 
 description of. 13" 
 
 distribution of 139, 140 
 
 food of 138,139 
 
 northern breeding limit of 141 
 
 Buzzards, Turkey ,... 3.-> 
 
730 
 
 c. 
 
 ^ Page. 
 
 Carp .•.30,541,54S 
 
 best places for r^l 
 
 Catamount 502 
 
 Cat. Mountain 4)1 
 
 Tiger 411 
 
 Wild 440,4 12, f.08 
 
 description of 440,4*1 
 
 food of 4 .. 44, 446, 449, 462 
 
 haunts of 442,44"! 
 
 increasing:. 443 
 
 weight of, 440, 441 
 
 Cats, Wild 53,T 
 
 best places for 535 
 
 Catfish 2r, 
 
 Chickaree 364, 369. 506 
 
 Chipmunks 323,321 
 
 Chipmunk 514 
 
 Canadian 514 
 
 food of .=>14 
 
 'Coon 50!» 
 
 Cottontails 323, 507 
 
 Coyotes 317 
 
 Crow, watch the 5 
 
 carrion 142 
 
 fish, 2'»1. 2S2 
 
 description of 2S2 
 
 food of 2i-3 
 
 voice of 282, 283 
 
 Crows • 7,254 
 
 common 262,280 
 
 charges against the 262 
 
 description of 280 
 
 food of 281 
 
 Damage, estimates of, by birds and mammals 52-136 
 
 to poultry, game etc.. reports by counties 52-13.J 
 
 Adams, 52.53.7.5.76.118,119 
 
 Allegheny 53,77,119 
 
 Armstrong 53,76,77,119 
 
 Beaver 53,80,119 
 
 Bedford 53, 81,121 
 
 Berk8 53. 54, 81 . 82, leo, 1 21 
 
 Blair, 54. 80. 81. 12o 
 
 Bedford 54, 78. 79, 119, 13) 
 
 Bucks 55. 77,78, 121 
 
 Butler 55. 79 
 
 Cambria 55, 56, 88, 124 
 
 Cameron 86 
 
 Centre 56,86, 87, 124 
 
 Carbon 57,89 
 
 Chester 57. 82,122, 12:'. 
 
 Clarion 58,88.89,124 
 
 Clearfield. 58.59,84, 85,86, 12l 
 
i ■> I 
 
 Page. 
 Damage by birds and- mammals— Continued. 
 
 Clinton 59, 87, 12:!, 124 
 
 Columbia 59, GO, 82, 83, 125 
 
 Crawford 60,83.84, 124, 126 
 
 Cumberland , 61, 89,126 
 
 Dauphin 89,90,125 
 
 Delaware, 90 
 
 Elk 61.90, 91 
 
 Erie 61 , 91, 125, 126 
 
 Fayette. 61 , 62, 93. 94. 126 
 
 Forest 62, 92 
 
 Franklin 62, 91, 92, 1^6 
 
 Fulton 62, 63 , 92, 93 , 126 
 
 Greene 63,91 
 
 Huntingdon 63. 94, 95,96, 126, )27 
 
 Indiana 64. 96, 127 
 
 Jefferson C4, 96, 97, 127 
 
 Juniata 64, 65, 97, 127, 128 
 
 Lackawanna 65,102,129 
 
 Lancaster 65, 97, 98,12<!,129 
 
 Lawrence 66, 101 , 129 
 
 Lebanon 66, 101, 102, 129 
 
 Lehigh 98,S9, 129 
 
 Luzerne 66, 67, 99, 100, 129, ISO 
 
 Lycoming. 67, 100,130 
 
 McKean 67,103 
 
 Mercer 67, C8, 102, 103, ICO 
 
 Mifflin 68, 104, 105. 130, 131 
 
 Monroe, 68, 106, 131 
 
 Montgomery 68, 105, 1C6, 131 
 
 Montour 69, 106, 131 
 
 Northampton, 69, 106, 107, 132 
 
 Northumberland, G9, 107, 131, 132 
 
 Perry 69, 70. 107, 108, 132, 133 
 
 Philadelphia 70, 108, 109, 133 
 
 Pike 70,108,133 
 
 Potter 70, 71. 109, 133 
 
 Schuylkill 71, 112, 113, 133 
 
 Snyder 71 , 112, 133 
 
 Somerset 71, 110, 111, 134 
 
 Sullivan 71,72, 109, 110 
 
 Susquehanna 72. Ill, 112, 133, 134 
 
 Tioga 72, 73, 113. 114. 134 
 
 Unicn 73, 134 
 
 Vc-nango 114 . 134 
 
 Washington 73, 115, 134, 135 
 
 Wayne 74,-116, 136 
 
 Westmoreland 74, 116, 117. 135 
 
 Wyoming 74, 117, 135 
 
 York 74, 117,118,135 
 
 Deer 535, 54'i 
 
 best places for 524.533,534,545 
 
 where found '. 521 
 
 Virginia 509,510 
 
 how to Increase 510 
 
 Dogs. Prairie 317 
 
 HI 
 
738 
 
 Page. 
 
 Doves, Turtle 527 
 
 best places for 527 
 
 where found 527 
 
 Duck, Wood 25 
 
 Ducks, Wild, 537,547 
 
 best places for, 52."j,526,637 
 
 where found , 525 
 
 Eagles, 24, 144 
 
 Eagle, Bald 195, 201 
 
 as a fisherman, 202 
 
 description of 201 
 
 food of, 201.204 
 
 Black 201 
 
 Golden, 195 
 
 as a pet, ;96198 
 
 description of 195 
 
 food of 195, £00 
 
 Gray, 201 
 
 Washington 201 
 
 White -headed 195 
 
 Education, popular, necessary 48 
 
 Eels, ; 26 
 
 Egg-hunters T, 
 
 Eggs 658, 659 
 
 Bald Eagle 658, 659 
 
 Blue Jay 658, 639 
 
 Common Crow 658, 659 
 
 hatched for bounty, 496, 4y7 
 
 Hav,ks' 658,659 
 
 Ow Is' 658 , 659 
 
 Turkey Buzzard, 658,659 
 
 Eiieniiei?, parasitic 550,657 
 
 Epizootics, outbreaks of 549 
 
 Ermine, 420 
 
 Errors 319, 3S 
 
 F. 
 
 Falcons, 144 
 
 Farms, number in Pennsylvania 33 
 
 Farming, Skunk, 339-342 
 
 Ferrets, use of, illegal 50s 
 
 Fires, forest, 27 
 
 common cause of 31,32 
 
 railroads guard against 30,31 
 
 Fishes that catch ducks, 24 
 
 Fisher 318, 502 
 
 Fish, Blue 528 
 
 Cat, 530, 531, 543, 548 
 
 best places for 543 
 
 Fishes 520 
 
 catch ducks and birds 521 
 
 number of species in Pennsylvania 520 
 
 Fishing, fresh water 629 
 
 where to go for the best, 529,631 
 
 salt water, 528 
 
 where to go for the best, 528.529 
 
739 
 
 Pag. . 
 
 Fish, Rock 531. 542. 543, MS 
 
 best places for, 542.54a 
 
 Sun, 
 
 .r31.643 
 
 best places for ^^ 
 
 Flails, hunted with ^^^ 
 
 Flounders, ^28 
 
 Fowls, loss of, by disease 2 
 
 number of in United States 2 
 
 value of in United States 2 
 
 symptoms of, infected with tapeworms 561,562 
 
 Foxes 4,318,323,325.327.377,378.534 
 
 best places for 534.535 
 
 how to catch 717,720 
 
 what farmers, poultry raisers and sportsmen say about 394.414 
 
 T^pY Black 3^6, 3(7 
 
 Cross. 376. 377 
 
 Cross-bar 397 
 
 Gray 377, 386, 393,508 
 
 description of. ^'■^ 
 
 distribution of *15 
 
 food of, *18 
 
 hunts trees 416. 417 
 
 Red 376, 377, 508 
 
 description of 376,377 
 
 destroys domesticated animals 382,3S4,3S6.392,393 
 
 food of 370.394 
 
 how to kill the 38S 
 
 kills game 381, 382, 385. 388 , 392, 393. 394 
 
 kills many wild song birds, 382 
 
 weight of, 376 
 
 Sampson 376 
 
 Samson, ^^ 
 
 Silver 376,377 
 
 Silver Gray 576 
 
 G. 
 
 Game Commissioners, good work of 669 
 
 destroyed by snares 13 
 
 in former years 489,492 
 
 Ganoga lake 25 
 
 Gar 26 
 
 Geese 637 
 
 Wild "27 
 
 Goshawk 1*7 
 
 breeds in Pennsylvania, ^ 172 
 
 description of I'l 
 
 food of 147, 173, 176 
 
 Goshawks. * 
 
 Grouse, Ruffed * 
 
 Crackle. Bronzed 303 
 
 description of 303 
 
 Gulls 21 
 
 H. 
 
 Hackey, Ground ^1* 
 
 Hares 317,606 
 
740 
 
 Page. 
 
 Hare £0T 
 
 AiJeghenlan varying 6*7 
 
 wood 507 
 
 Carolinian wood, 508 
 
 northern varying 507 
 
 where found in Pennsylvania 607 
 
 Hawks 144 
 
 beneficial 39 
 
 detrimental 38.39.145,147 
 
 "little bird," 36 
 
 "little blue," 36 
 
 Sharp-shinned 4 
 
 troublesome 5 
 
 valuable, 144,145 
 
 Hawk, Big Blue, 171 
 
 Black 191 
 
 Broad Winged, 187 
 
 description of 187 
 
 food of, 188, 190 
 
 "Brown," 159 
 
 Cooper' s 146. 165 
 
 birds eaten by 146,147,169,170 
 
 description of IfiS 
 
 food of, 146, 147, 1 C6. 170 
 
 mammals killed by 147,169,170 
 
 Duck 4,205 
 
 birds killed by 208,209 
 
 description of, 205 
 
 food of 207, 200 
 
 ' 'Gray, " 273 
 
 Fish, 221 
 
 as a fisherman 222 
 
 description of 221 
 
 food of 222 
 
 "Little Quail," 159 
 
 Long-tailed chicken IK 
 
 Marsh, 154 
 
 description of, 154 
 
 food of 155.158 
 
 Partridge 159 
 
 Pheasant 165 
 
 Pigeon 159, 210 
 
 birds killed by 211,213 
 
 description of 210 
 
 food of 211, 212, 213 
 
 Red-shouldered 184 
 
 description of 184 
 
 food of 185, 186 
 
 Red- tailed 177 
 
 description of 177 
 
 food of 182, 18.-? 
 
 Rough-legged . 191 
 
 description of 191 
 
 food of 192. 194 
 
741 
 
 Pa«e. 
 
 Hawk — Continued. 
 
 Sharp-shinned !&• 
 
 description of l" 
 
 food of ISl.lM 
 
 email birds killed by, 163,1«4 
 
 Sparrow 114 
 
 description of 14 
 
 food of, 216, 220 
 
 Insects found In 210 
 
 Heads 721,731 
 
 American Herring Gull 724 
 
 Chickens TJS 
 
 Chipmunk 714 
 
 common Chicken 723 
 
 Dogs 783 
 
 common Robin 724 
 
 Ferret 724 
 
 Ferrets 723 
 
 Flying Squirrel 784 
 
 Foxes 723 
 
 Fox Squirrel 724 
 
 Gray Squirrel 724 
 
 Hav.ks 722 
 
 hist(ry of 725,731 
 
 Horned Grebe 724 
 
 Jack Rabbit 721 
 
 R ittetn's 723 
 
 Minks 728 
 
 Nighthawk, 724 
 
 Opossum 724 
 
 Owls 723 
 
 Rabbits 72S 
 
 Red Squirrel 724 
 
 Ruffed Grouse, 723 
 
 Sharp-tailed Grouse "23 
 
 Shrike 724 
 
 Squirrels 723 
 
 Turkeys 782 
 
 Turkey Vulture 724 
 
 Weasels 723 
 
 Wildcats t 72J 
 
 Wild Turkey 723 
 
 Whip-poor-will 724 
 
 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 724 
 
 Hen Hawk 177,l£i» 
 
 Hens, Marsh 528 
 
 Mud 528 
 
 best places for 628 
 
 where found 522 
 
 Hercns, • 6, 6,24,804 
 
 brief account of ^M 
 
 food of •<>* 
 
 Heron, Black-crowned night 211 
 
 bounty for 314 
 
 breed In colonies ^2 
 
742 
 
 Page. 
 Heron —Continued. 
 
 description of 311 
 
 food of 313,314 
 
 Great Blue, 303 
 
 description of 305 
 
 dissections of 307 
 
 food of 306.307 
 
 Green 308 
 
 description of 308 
 
 examinations of, 310 
 
 food of 309 
 
 Hibernation 325 
 
 Hog, Ground 324,517,518 
 
 Hunting, Fox 379 
 
 Hunter, bird egg, 10 
 
 Hunters, market 503, 510 
 
 meat 492 
 
 pot 510 
 
 skin, 492 
 
 I 
 
 Infection, known or supposed source of 554,557 
 
 Insects. losses from in Pennsylvania 19 
 
 loss.->s from In United States 19 
 
 losses from in different States 20 
 
 ravages of 19.31 
 
 tree-destroying 21 
 
 25,000 kinds of 486 
 
 J. 
 
 Jays 254 . 267 
 
 Blue 8,9 
 
 Jay, Blue 267, 26? , 239, 284 
 
 birds attacked by the 270,271 
 
 description of, 284 
 
 distribution of 2.58 
 
 food of the 272,285.287 
 
 Florida, 7 
 
 Florida <Blue 8 
 
 hunts methodically 270 
 
 insects eaten by the 269 
 
 scrub, 7 
 
 summary of food of 269 
 
 K. 
 
 Killer, hat-bird 10 
 
 Kite. Mississippi 152 
 
 description of 152 
 
 flight of & 153 
 
 food of, 152.153 
 
 Swallow-tailed 148 
 
 description of 148 
 
 flight of 151 
 
 food of 149. 150 
 
 Legislation, expensive 3T 
 
 foolish 37 
 
 Leopards, 317 
 
7-13 
 
 rage. 
 
 Lynx, Bay 441 
 
 Canada 317. 441 
 
 M. 
 
 Mammals, how to capture 705,720 
 
 species of 492,493 
 
 Market-hunters 1 '< 
 
 Marten. Pine 502, 503 
 
 Mice 519 
 
 destroy crops 519,520 
 
 Field 519, 520 
 
 food of 519 
 
 kill birds 519 
 
 kill chickens 519 
 
 Meadow 519. 520 
 
 Minks 4, 5U 
 
 as a fisherman 471,475 
 
 description of 463 
 
 how to catch 706,707 
 
 what farmers and sportsmen say about the 46), 471 
 
 Moles 511 
 
 Mud-hen 25 
 
 Muskrat 513 
 
 food of 513, 514 
 
 N. 
 
 Name, an improper one 273 
 
 Nest-robbers, 9 
 
 Netters 15 
 
 Nighthawks, : 3"., 36 
 
 Notes, miscellaneous introductory 1,4S 48'>.r2l 
 
 Nodular disease, caused by tapeworm r6!,566 
 
 o. 
 
 Opossums 4.322 
 
 Opossum 318, 5?7, 370, 512, 513 
 
 distribution of 371. 372 
 
 description of 370 
 
 enemies of S75 
 
 food of 374. 375 
 
 nest of 372 
 
 skins taken yearly 371 
 
 weight of 370 
 
 Ortolan 538 
 
 Otter ■!1S,503 
 
 food cf 509 
 
 Owls 21, 22{ 
 
 as ratters 715,717 
 
 beneficial, 39 
 
 detrimental 39 
 
 general account of 22?. 224 
 
 Great Horned 4 39 
 
 Mice eating ^21 
 
 Owl, Acadian 2l8 
 
 description <i3S 
 
 food of 241 
 
 Barn 22'> 
 
 description of 225 
 
 food of 326 
 
744 
 
 Owl— CcJitlnued. 
 
 Barred 2 .3 
 
 description of I'?! 
 
 food of 234, 235 
 
 Great Homed 246 
 
 description of ^46 
 
 night of 247 
 
 food of, 248, 24'J 
 
 Great Gray 23') 
 
 description of 236 
 
 food of 236,137 
 
 Hawk 252 
 
 description of, 252 
 
 flight of 25; 
 
 food of 2»2 
 
 Lor.g-Eared 230 
 
 description of 230 
 
 food of 231.232 
 
 killed for hats 232 
 
 Marsh 827 
 
 Monkey- faced 22"> 
 
 Saw-whet 239 
 
 Screech 242 
 
 as a pet 242,243 
 
 description of 242 
 
 food of 242, 244, 245 
 
 Shoi-t-eared 227 
 
 description of 227 
 
 food of 228 229 
 
 killed for hats J28 
 
 Sn<jwy 250 
 
 description of, 350 
 
 food of 250.241 
 
 Stone 2?9 
 
 P. 
 
 ■ "Painter, " 5 pi; 
 
 Panther 501 . 502 
 
 Perch 541 
 
 best places for 541 
 
 White 529, 548 
 
 Persons, number of engaged In poultry raising — 1,3 
 
 Pests, feathered, 319,721 
 
 Pheasants 53"i 
 
 best places for 526,535,536.546 
 
 gtcd locality for 512 
 
 where found 526 '.4 6 
 
 Pickerel 23 
 
 Pigeon, Wild 15,503 
 
 Pike, 520. 542 54b. 
 
 best places for 512 
 
 county, bird butchery in 14 
 
 •Plney," 3C4 
 
 Pitchforks, hunted with •ISl 
 
 Plates, descviptlrn of 040 657 
 
745 
 
 Page. 
 
 Plover, 628 
 
 best places for K8 
 
 where found 688 
 
 Plume hunter, 6 
 
 Polecat S32 
 
 food of 518 
 
 created to cause trouble 6l3 
 
 Pcullry, tapeworms of 64S 
 
 unknown disease of ^9 
 
 loss of, in Pennsylvania ' 
 
 value of. In Pennsylvania ^ 
 
 Pushers 538 
 
 Q. 
 
 Quail 636 
 
 best places for 524,526,546 
 
 whtre found 624, 625,646 
 
 Questions, on bounty, reports by counties 44-47 
 
 Rabbits t 506,507,632,644 
 
 best places for r.22, 523, 532, 533. 544 
 
 whore found 522 
 
 Rabbit, "Snowshoe," ; 506 
 
 "Mountain Jack." 506 
 
 White 606 
 
 Raccoons 509 
 
 best places for 523,684,535 
 
 food of 6W 
 
 where found 623,624.536 
 
 what farmers and others 6ay about 479,484 
 
 Raccoon 324, 327, 476 
 
 description of *76 
 
 food of 476.478. 479. 484 
 
 how to trap 709,710 
 
 steals poultry 476 
 
 Rail K.486 
 
 Carolina 638 
 
 Clapper 26 
 
 Rat, Black 614 
 
 Allegheny Cave 615 
 
 Norway 614 
 
 Rals t 4.514 
 
 food of .514. 616 
 
 how to destroy 710.716 
 
 poisoning 711 , 711 
 
 traps for 712,716 
 
 shooting 710, 711 
 
 Reports from one thousand "bservers 49.136 
 
 Ravens 254. 255. 276. 278 
 
 common 254 
 
 distribution of 279 
 
 left in di?Kn?t 277.278 
 
 northern K>i . 276 
 
 what tli-y devr.ur ^R."! J*?! 
 
TJC. 
 
 s. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Sable "Alaska," 333 
 
 American 502 
 
 number annually taken, 503 
 
 where found 503 
 
 Salmon 542,548 
 
 best places for 542 
 
 Satidpipers 24 
 
 Seal 317 
 
 Sheepshead 528 
 
 Shrikes, 36, 254. 273, 274 
 
 general account of 28S 
 
 rarelj^ disturb poultry 275 
 
 Shrike, birds killed by Zno 
 
 Great Northern 273, 274, 275, 289 
 
 description of 289 
 
 food of 274, 275 
 
 Loggerhead 273. 274, 291 
 
 description of 291 
 
 Food of 292 
 
 Wihlte-rumped, 273.293 
 
 Shrews 511 
 
 Skunks 318 324.327. 515, 516 
 
 food of 515. 516 
 
 number taken in Susquehanna 3"7 
 
 where paid for 687,675.677 
 
 what farmers, poulterers and sportsmen say about, reports by 
 
 counties 342, 36." 
 
 Adams 342 
 
 Allegheny 342 
 
 Armstrong 342.343 
 
 Bradford 343, 344. 345 
 
 Butler t 345 
 
 Cambria 346 
 
 Carbon 245 
 
 Centre 345 
 
 Chester 346-347 
 
 Clearfield 347. 348 
 
 Clinton 348 
 
 Columbia 348. 349 
 
 Crawford 34S 
 
 Cumberland 349 
 
 Fayette, 349 
 
 Franklin 349 
 
 Greene 319 
 
 Huntingdon 349 
 
 Indiana 349. 350 
 
 Juniata 3"0 
 
 Lackawanna 350,351.352 
 
 Lancaster 3-50 
 
 Lawrence, S53 
 
 Lehigh. 352 
 
 Luzerne 352 
 
 McKean 353 
 
 Mercer 353. 354 
 
 Mifflin 384 
 
747 
 
 Page. 
 Skunks— Continued. 
 
 Monroe, 354, 365 
 
 Montour 355 
 
 Perry *55 
 
 Pike ,' 3^ 
 
 Potter 35i 
 
 Snyder ^^^ 
 
 Somerset ^^ 
 
 Sullivan, 
 
 357 
 
 Susqueha nna 3o7, 3-)3 
 
 Tioga *''^ 
 
 Union 558,359.360 
 
 Venango, 
 
 36j 
 
 Washington 360, 361 
 
 Wajne, 
 
 .361,362 
 
 Westmoreland 362,36 : 
 
 York ^''-^ 
 
 Skunk ^? 
 
 Canadian 333. 515 
 
 description of. 
 
 332 
 
 enemies of the, 333-334 
 
 food of 334,339 
 
 how to trap, 
 
 709 
 
 Snapper, 22. 2:5 
 
 Snaring in Pennsylvania ^^ 
 
 Snares, illegal 5"^ 
 
 Sripe 526. 53i 
 
 best places for 326 539 
 
 English 538 
 
 where found ^26 
 
 Wilson's, 
 
 53:i 
 
 Society, Pennsylvania Audubon ^S 1^ 
 
 officers of ^' 
 
 pamphlet of '° 
 
 good work of. ^^ 
 
 Some other birds which destroy poultry, etc 25l,:!16 
 
 Sora "86.538 
 
 Sparrow, English 36, 273,319 
 
 Spcrtsmen. careless 31.32 
 
 So.ulrrels 533, 5t.5 
 
 best places for .523.533,54.) 
 
 heads, where valuable ^6S 
 
 kinds protected ^^" 
 
 where found ^^^ 
 
 Squirrel, Black ^^ 
 
 ■Cat, 
 
 505 
 
 Flying 8. 3M, 504, 515 
 
 food of. 
 
 515 
 
 Pc,x 364, 504 . 505, 506 
 
 where found ^6 
 
 weight of. 
 
 361 
 
 Qray 323 . 324. 50 1 
 
 Rej ' 26.27.323.364,375.505 
 
 birds killed by S**'' 
 
 description of, ^'^ 
 
 food of 365.368.505 
 
748 
 
 Pa**. 
 
 Squirrels— Continued. 
 
 poultry killed by ttfi 
 
 weight of 364 
 
 Stoat ^ 41J 
 
 Stout 41J 
 
 Strychnine 6 
 
 T. 
 
 Tapeworms, classification of &74,S76,67» 
 
 descriptions of 679, (C39 
 
 of birds not transmissible to man Ki 
 
 of wild birds 551,560,561 
 
 prevention of 6C6.66S 
 
 remedies for in fowls 572,(73 
 
 treatment of B€8, 573 
 
 Taxidermists 10,16 
 
 Terns 2S 
 
 Throat, Maryland Yellow, K 
 
 Trout, Brook 25,521,530,540,647 
 
 best places for 530,540,547 
 
 good locality for 612 
 
 will eat Mice 621 
 
 will catch Ducklings 58l 
 
 Turkeys, Wild 536,546, 547 
 
 best places for 536,646 
 
 Turtle. Snapping 23 
 
 V. 
 
 Vultures, American 136 
 
 review of 136 
 
 Vulture, Black 142 
 
 description of 141 
 
 flight of 142 
 
 food of 142 143 
 
 Turkey 137 
 
 W. 
 
 "Wasp Hawk," 14* 
 
 Weasel, common 419 
 
 description of 419 
 
 food of, . , 423, 431 
 
 hunts by scent 423 
 
 weight of 411 
 
 least 421, 42J 
 
 description of 421 
 
 Weasels 4,36.325,386,421.511 
 
 Black 481 
 
 Brown 421 
 
 food of, 431,43» 
 
 how to trap 7*7,T09 
 
 what fai-mers and poulterers say about them 451,43:i 
 
 White m. 
 
 Yello-w, 481 
 
 Wildcat 318,825 
 
 how to trap 706 
 
 Wildcats, what farmers and hunters say about them 449,462 
 
 where to go for 4SS 
 
 Whip-poor-wills 55 
 
74!i 
 
 Page 
 
 Woodpecker, Red-headed 15 
 
 Wolf ;il7 
 
 Wolves 317 
 
 a doctor's thrllllngr escape from 498,501 
 
 bad neighbors 497 
 
 lipstroyed sheep 497 
 
 followed people 497,i:,01 
 
 kind found In Tioga county 49J 
 
 where paid for SOT, 671. 68^,690 
 
 Woodchuck 517, 51^ 
 
 food of olS 
 
 habits of 51<; 
 
 how to destroy, BlS 
 
 Woodcock 527,5^7 
 
 best places for rJ7,53T 
 
 where fr>vind 527 
 
(750) 
 
i 7 
 
 GENERAL LIBRARY 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA— BERKELEY 
 
 RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED 
 
 This book is due on the last date stamped below, or on the 
 
 date to which renewed. 
 
 Renewed books are subject to immediate recall. 
 
 / 
 
 1959 
 
 AP & 1 7 1970 
 APi^l 5 1976 
 
 nefog^"' .O^rairy 
 
 LD 21-100m-l,'54(1887sl6)476 
 
 ^A^- 
 
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 U^'^ 
 
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