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Fed — # Bed s) ‘ : ele al ele a ee +e : rhe be Be) * “cs ee ee ee ase wet : ~ ’ Pe, : orn Ses? owes? “9 ° e439 : , ere - wre aka leletatets® : : ood pee ee ee Ow ws es oP ath prprerheeraeed sky le pees tee se ee esse Porte sh oe oe tee ae ie OP FOr a aE ae eee le sale ie eo ges g : ‘ « ree Stee ee te Soe ee ee . : = F : t+" “* © o- 429-9" 6 - : : tie ote le 9c 0 telece oo8 ; set . a 2 e-e, - : ore ets . sie ‘ Bound S9VY HARVARD UNIVERSITY LIBRARY MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY AX, RHA J ” hate «: 4» © - Py ~ ie . vhs vie oa! *\ Ay Date Cie f ees } Wriae ve MER +a? ph eis ¢ So Tr No. 1. MARCH AND APRIL, 1903. THE q | > | ye | || Atlantic Slope Naturaiist. ; Lina tie (ee {| SUBSCRIPTION: 30 CENTS PER YEAR. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY, BY W. E, ROTZELL, M.D, NARBERTH, PA, a al A se a : res an eau Te, ie a =e es —— LTT 4 Sa at in ie a casey Pe ACN ‘8S4sSHO0"N mes : - : pee ‘SANNBAVY GNVHS Sty ~ & 4 % ‘dwie}s 10} suatutoads jo jsi’] efesojoy AA Mou Aur Joy puss . | ‘sjoalqns 10y}0 Jo ai0ds B pur ‘sprig ‘sjewIuy ; Aeyy, ‘JUWIUIOD OU pas aso, ‘OS'z ‘obgr ! oo'SF ‘VggI ! oo ‘Eggt os ; -Sanynousy ‘KSojoax) ‘Auvjog ‘sjjaysS ‘spissoy ‘speroury uo soumnjoa | ‘ oo'e¢ ‘6Lgr ! oo-z$ ‘glgr SoS-zf “pa, isso SLgi : oS L$ *ABOjooZ ~ ouy Auejy ‘Jsanber uo yuas aq [[IM ‘postsop Aue yo uonduoseap yng | Sgr SoS 1¢ ‘pZgr ‘sydvi8ouoyy jo syioday jeuly s,uepkey{ “oo'org VY ‘“puey uo ssury} poos oy} jo Aueur jo jsi [eysed b st sAOQe Ot], oo Sf . 104 jusIoyip [je “payiosse soumnjoaA of dn ayew [IM aM ‘punog yO] . qe ‘Aeains joar) ‘Bvuuag JO SewNjOA ppo Jo Joquinu & SUIAP TT ‘oS cg 4Of SouUINJOA OI “GS ‘f) 9Y} JO SadIMOSayY [esoUlfY “oo'/F 1OF soumnjoA Sr ‘syzodsy jesnypnousy ‘euusg ‘oo Vg 10; souINfOA gI ‘UOTPONpyY jo IOUOISSItUWIOD) Jo sIOday. ‘oo0'SF 104 ‘St9ded ‘soumyjoa or ‘Aa9AInG “[Oa+y JO} yas oy} ‘sased puesnoy} AjUIM} 0} Uda] WIOIf SOLUNIOA DAISSPUT ‘Y10K MON Jo AIOYSIEY TeIUO[OD ‘oo'S1¢ AOZ satUMjOA gz “ABAING Aasiof MAN ‘oo'org ry satuNOA LI ‘AaAins [edISojoey eueipuy “oo Sig JO} saumypoa g ‘AasainsG yearsojoeyy o1yQ oS “ZF 10 sauNJOA II ‘sol -O}I12 |, 9Y} JO ADAANG [BOLSOTOINH “S "—) ‘OS “ZF 10} SauINJOA gz ‘sj1oday UOISSIUUUIOT) YS “S “FQ. 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Ajqsedns puv jyasy ur ojajduroo ydessououl yove -I[[] wo1y syiodai [eisaes = ‘4aA09 Aay} syafqns ay} uO ajqenteaur aie | ‘soumyjoa gf ‘sydeisouoyy AdAinS [ed1sO[Oa4) “S “ OY} JO Jos VY em ti? = _- + Burmoyjoj ay} aI0N “pasnyat aq [JIM uOoToafes a51v] e UO JOYO sqeuOsvar ~ ‘ely oo L$ sof “sjoa S ‘uelpiuay YOor Jo JsoM ADAMS "YBOa “S ‘oo PF 10 “S[OA S ‘UOLSay “IY \YOOY Jo Avainsg “ysoory pue “[o9yH °S ‘9 ‘oo P$ ‘eJOSaUUIFY PUB BMOT ‘UISUODSIAA JO ABAING $,UaMG) _‘oo'SF ‘S TOA : 0S: L$ ‘bv jo, So0'c$ ‘z ‘jon {oS-Z¢ ‘tT JOA ‘jalfereg ior ‘syioday ‘soorid Moy AOA ye suoLnely pue Ansa Oru Awl yo. eurlpes wie |] ‘ssouIsng 19430 UI padedsua MOU WR |] SY ‘surUIddG pur syoog ui suIeSieg OU JOR] Ul] ee a: aS ete The Atlantic Slope Naturalist. Vol. 1. 7 NARBERTH, PA., MARCH AND APRIL, 1903. No. 1. A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE EMBRY- OLOGICAL FORMATION OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. "By Frank H. Widman, M. D., Lecturer on Embryology, in the Hahnemann Med- ical College of Philadelphia. The formation of the central nery- ous system takes place in a tolerably uniform manner in Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals. The process has been quite thoroughly worked out in the study of the development of bird embryos; the chick, owing to the comparative ease with which the embryos can be ob- tained at any desired age, has become a classic in the study of embryonic development, and will serve as the basis for the following description: The embryonic fundament of the central nervous system is known as the Neural Canal. This canal extends, as a hollow tube, along the entire dor- sal surface of the circumscribed area in which the body of the embryo will develop. The development of the Canal commences very early, in fact it is one of the very first of the embry- onic structures to become differenti- ated; it is developed from the outer of the three primary germ layers, the Kctoderm—the remaining two layers —the Mesoderm and the Entoderm— taking no part in the formation of the neural canal. The first differentiation of the Ecto- derm to form the neural canal is the formation of a flat plate of cells, which is known as the Medullary Plate. This plate extends from the head end to the tail end of the devel- oping embryo along its dorsal aspect, and is continuous on either side with the remaining portion of the Ectoderm from which it is formed. By a de- pression of the central portion of this flat Medullary Plate, and by an up- ward growth of its edges, the plate is converted into a shallow groove which is known as the Medullary Groove, the upward grewing edges being known as the Medullary Folds. These medul- lary folds finally unite along their edges and over the dorsal surface of the embryo, thus forming a closed tube, whose walls are composed of several layers of epithelial cells. This tube is the Neural Canal, and from this simple tube the entire nervous system is developed. The ectoderm from which the Neural Canal was formed, later grows over the closed canal, all connection between the two being severed; in that way the Canal comes to lie under the surface. The union of the Medullary Folds takes place first at the future cervical region of the embryo, the closure proceeding from that point both forward and back- ward; in the chick the closure com- mences as early as the second day of incubation. In the Mammalia the process of closing commences some- what later, in the Rabbit, for ex- ample, the closure does not commence until the ninth day of development. The next step in the development of the nervous system is the differenti- ation of the Neural Canal into the brain and spinal cord. At a very early period in birds, even before the Canal is everywhere a closed tube, there begins to be a noticeable change in the lumen of the Canal, approxi- mately the anterior half of the Canal undergoes a dilation, this dilated por- tion ultimately forming the brain, 2 THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. whilst the remainder of the canal forms the spinal cord. The dilation of the anterior half of the Canal is at first uniform; this uniformity is very shortly interrupted by the appearance of two constrictions, which are simple ingrowths of the lateral walls of the Neural Canal at this point. These constrictions divide the future brain into three sacs or vesicles, the cavities of these sacs being in broad communi- cation with one another. These sacs are known as the Primary Brain Ves- icles, or as the fore- mid- and hind- brain vesicles. This condition is very shortly followed by the appearance of two other infoldings, which divide the three primary brain vesicles or sacs into five vesicles or compartments—the primary Fore-brain being divided into the fore- and inter-brain vesicles, the primary Hind-brain being divided into the hind and after-brain vesicles, which with the undivided Mid-brain Vesicle constitute the five elementary brain vesicles or sacs which will ultimately form the entire adult brain structure. Up to the time of the completion of the three vesicle stage of development, the brain vesicles lie in a straight line, one behind the other, with the formation, however, of the five vesicle stage, there takes place a change in the relationship of the brain vesicles with one another, which has an im- portant bearing on the ultimate adult condition. This change is the appear- ance of a bend or flexure which brings the fore- inter- and mid-brain vesicles on a line which is at right angles to the remaining vesicles. In following out the subsequent development of the brain it will be found that the parts of the brain developed from the differ- ent embryonic brain vesicles are thus brought into the permanent position occupied in the adult brain. From the fore-brain are developed the Cerebral Hemispheres, enclosing the Lateral Ventricles, the two hemi- spheres are foreshadowed very early by a constriction antero-posteriorly, and which: bisects the fore-brain and di- vides it into equal halves, into this constriction a band of connective tissue —which surrounds the Neural Canal— grows, and forms the dividing band of the hemispheres, namely the Falx Cerebri. From the inter-brain vesicle are formed all of the structures which surround the cavity of the Third Ven- tricle, the cavity itself being simply that portion of the Neural Canal em- braced by the inter-brain vesicle. From the next succeeding vesicle—Mid-brain Vesicle—are formed all of the brain structures surrounding the Aqueduct of Sylvius. From the Hind-brain Vesicle are formed a part of the floor of the Fourth Ventricle, together with the Pons and Cerebellum, and from the After-brain Vesicle the remainder of the Fourth Ventricle and the Medulla Oblongata are formed. The object of this article is simply to give a brief description of the mor- phological formation of the nervous system, I will not, therefore, go into a detailed description of the histologi- cal changes that go hand in hand with the grosser ones, I will simply add that the Essential Nerve Constituents of the brain and cord are formed from the epithelial elements composing the wall of the embryonal neural canal, the ventricles and the aqueduct of sylvius simply being subdivisions of the cavity originally contained in the neural canal. WANTED: WORKERS IN SCIENCE. The great need of science in this country, we are told by a writer in the Popular Science Monthly, is not so much buildings or endowments, but men. There are not nearly enough workers to investigate properly all the new objects, facts, and principles that are coming to light every day. Science has work cut out for the whole lifetime Of many more investigators than are willing to devote themselves to her cause. All of which means THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. 3 ' that we are after the dollar, first, last, and all the time. Says the writer :— ‘* After all, the real question is, not whether we are doing as much as other people, but whether we are doing what we might andought. From this stand- point our deficiencies are serious enough. We are not, as yet, nearly able to cope with the work that lies ready to our hands. When the writer was a boy he used to read and reread such works as Wallace’s ‘Malay Archi- pelago,’ and look forward to the time when he, too, would travel, and would discover something new. To-day, in New Mexico, he would undertake to find something new every day of the year, if he had no other occupation ; and hardly a day passes in the labora- tory without the determination of some new fact. But, alas! thousands of specimens remain in closed boxes be- cause there is nobody to work upon them; dozens of promising investiga- tions are never undertaken because there is nobody to undertake them. Buildings, apparatus, and books are well enough in their way; but the great need is for workers to make use of what is already gathered and ready for use, and to take up the threads of thought which flow from every investi- gation and follow them to the end. While we are seeking to add to the number of workers something should also be said about their quality. Un- doubtedly, there is too much narrow- ness, and too little general culture, an outward and visible sign of which is the bad Latin published by many of the younger men in the form of zoo- logical names. At the meetings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science there are sections of zoology, botany, geology, anthropology, etc., all in session simultaneously. . The writer found it extremely annoying that he could not be in two or more places at the same time, but very few seemed to see any objection to the arrangement. This indicates limitations which must be regretted, and it is hard to believe that they are inevitable. When the zoolo- gist ceases to know anything about the plants animals eat, or the physical en- vironment in which they live, or even the animals of other groups than his own specialty, the broader ideas of biology will become obscure and evolu- tion itself will cease to be intelligible, just as architecture is nothing to him who studies only single and isolated Bricks.*’ THE MOCKING BIRD IN MONT- GOMERY COUNTY, PENNA. Near Colmar, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, on July 9, 1902, I took an adult male mocking bird (Af@imus polyglottos), which was in rather poor condition, the primaries and tail feathers being considerably worn. The bird had been noticed for two or three days previously in company with several robins, feeding in the barn-yards of a farm-house, about a mile and a half from Colmar station on the Reading Railroad. Walton [. Mitchell, 1721 Mt. Vernon Street, Philadelphia, Pa. AN UNUSUAL FLICKER ABODE. The most unusual site for a yellow- shafted flicker (Colaptes auratus) to take for its abode that I ever observed, or heard of, was one which came under my observation some few years ago, it being in a telegraph pole, which had been hollowed out, along the New York Division of the Reading Railroad. The pole was situated about the usual distance from the tracks that poles usually are; trains were passing here every few minutes during the day, and it seemed to me very strange and inter- esting that a pair of flickers should select such a site for their abode and resting place. The locality was in Montgomery Co., Pa., about a dozen miles north of Philadelphia. W. E. R, 4 | THE ATLANTIC -SLOEBE NATURALIST. Atlantic Slope Naturalist. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY pap eas W.E. ROTZELL, M. D., Narberth, Pa. Articles of interest to the observer of Nature solicited from all. SUBSCRIPTION RATES Single subscription - 30 cents per year Special club rates‘on application. ADVERTISING RATES Five cents per nonpariel line each insertion. 12 lines in every inch, 7 inches ina column, and 2 columns to the page. Advertisements for less than one-half inch will not be taken. Remittances should be made by post office noney order, registered letter or postal note. Unused U.S. postage stamps will be accepted for sums less than one dollar, where it is not conven- ient to remit money in any other form. Address all communications to DR. W. E. ROTZELL, MONTGOMERY COUNTY. NARBERTH, PA. MARCH AND APRIL, 1903. The object of this little journal is to afford those interested in nature studies a medium through which obser- vations may be recorded, opinions may be expressed, questions may be asked, and specimens announced for. ex- change. Owing to the fact that the enterprise is necessarily an experiment it is deemed advisable that the journal should start on a small scale, and if the support which we hope to receive be forthcoming, gradually grow in size or issue more frequently. Articles and mere brief interest to the naturalist are solicited from all. Nothing will be too short to receive our attention so long as the observation is interesting and authen- tic. Very frequently an observation recorded in a few words is of more im- portance than an elaborately prepared essay. For these short items we intend to devote the necessary space in each issue to Correspondence. When illustrations are of vea/ value items of | | utilized providing the author will fur- nish the necessary photographs or drawings with the manuscript, but, mere pictures of animals and birds’ eggs only because they are pictures and look well we do not care for. The name we have assigned to our journal, Zhe Atlantic Slope Naturalist, might lead one to infer that our atten- tion will be limited to the geographi- cal region indicated in the name, but such is not altogether our intention. It will be devoted to natural history in general and that of the Eastern United States in particular. For the use of our subscribers an Exchange Column will be main- tained; nothing, however, in the na- ture of an advertisement will be in- serted therein. So much by way of introduction, and explanation for the existence of one more small bark on the seas of nat- ural history journalism where so many worthy predecessors at various times have foundered. * We have received from Professor A. E. Verrill, of Yale University, an an- nouncement of his forthcoming work on Zhe Bermuda [slands which, with- out a doubt, will at once be recognized as a standard work on these islands describing the scenery, climate, pro- ductions, physiography, natural his- tory, and geology; with details of their discovery and early history, and the changes in their fauna and flora, due to man. The book will be pro- fusely illustrated. It will contain over 500 pages and be published by the author. Price in paper covers, $4.00. Cloth, 75 cents extra. The reappointment of Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock, of West Chester, as Forestry Commissioner, meets with unanimous approval. To him belongs the credit of originating the Forestry Department in this state; and had he not been re- appointed, or had he insisted upon the in elucidating the text they will be | acceptance of his resignation, our For- THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. 5 estry interests would have greatly suf- fered for it is not probable that anyone could have been found in Pennsylvania as competent to administer the affairs pertaining thereto as Dr. Rothrock. If this copy of the Vaturalist is of no special interest to the reader of this item it would be a favor to hand it to some one interested in natural science. It would certainly be appreciated by the publisher, and also, probably by the party to whom it is given. The Harpswell Laboratory of Tufts College which is a summer school of biology announces that the course for the present year will begin July 1, and will continue until September 12. The Laboratory is located at South Harps- well, Maine, in Casco Bay, sixteen miles from Portland. The region has a very rich fauna and flora. Particu- lars as to the course may be obtained from the Director, Prof. J. S. Kings- ley, Tufts College, Massachusetts. Among others this number of the Naturalist will reach a great many of the old contributors to journals which have since ceased publication, such as the Ornithologist and Oologist ; Tid- ings from Nature; Random Notes in Natural Fiistory ; the Nidologist and others; we would be pleased to receive from any of these gentlemen such in- teresting notes as they used to write in the days gone by. The American Ornithologists’ Union will hold a special meeting in San Francisco, California, May 15 and 16, in conjunction with the Cooper Orni- thological Club. Special railroad rates have been secured and the pros- pectus of the trip indicates that it is going to be a very enjoyable one. In order that as much can be seen as pos- sible various stops will be made in New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Mr. S. E. Cassino of Salem, Massa- chusetts, writes us that a new edition of his Vaturalists’ Directory is in the course of preparation and will probably be published sometime during the com- ing summer. This work is the oldest and best that has been published in America and those interested in natu- ral science who have not sent their names to Mr. Cassino should do s) at once, mentioning their special lines of work, and as to whether they have a collection and care to exchange. It should be borne in mind that the value of a journal, like the value of many other things, does not necessarily depend upon its size; therefore, we would respectfully suggest to our crit- ics, if we are of sufficient importance to have any, to deal gently with us in this particular. If there is a place for our little journal, and we feel that there is, it is probable, as we have pre- vously mentioned, that it will grow. All of our obligations will be fulfilled. Our friends, therefore, need have no hesitancy in sending in their subscrip- tions and advertisements. The most recent publication we have seen to make its appearance in the or- nithological field is Zhe Warbler, published bi-monthly by Mr. John Lewis Childs, of Floral Park, New York. It is edited by the Rev. H. C. Munson, and contains much interesting information. By this journal we see that Mr. Childs has recently purchased ‘‘for a sum exceeding $1000’’ a mounted male specimen of the Labra- dor Duck. The second number of Cassznza: Proceedings of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club of Philadelphia, is issued. It isan annual publication and a very creditable one as only Mr. Witmer Stone, whom we presume is the editor would supervise. Mr. Stone contributes an important ‘‘ Report on the Spring Migration of 1902.’’ Mr. Samuel N. Rhoads contributes a paper on Henslow’s Bunting (Ammodramus Sui THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. henslowit) in New Jersey which gives a summary of our knowledge of this bird in the region stated, although we note that Mr. Frank L. Burns’ record of finding Henslow’s bunting breeding along Peck’s Beach, Cape May County is omitted. (Auk, Vol. XII. p. 189.) There are a number of other inter- esting papers in this issue. The price of Cassinza is fifty cents, and may be obtained from Mr. Stone, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania. : This number of Zhe Naturalist is quite late being issued, barely getting out—on next to the last day—before the expiration of the last month stated for publication. The May-June issue will appear about June 1, and subse- quent numbers on time. Our Exchange Column will begin in the next issue. It will be necessary for us to limit each notice to not more than 25 words. Subscribers desiring to make use of this department, in order to secure insertion in the next issue, wili please send in their notices so that they wlil reach us prior to May 20. pu a THE CANDIDATES FOR ECONOMIC ZOOLOGIST IN PENNSYLVANIA. The candidates for the position of Economic Zoologist of Pennsylvania to be appointed by the Governor, the Hon. Samuel W. Pennypacker, were Dr. B. H. Warren, of West Chester; Prof. H. A. Surface, of State College; and W. E. Rotzell. Dr. Warren was appointed Dairy and Food Commiss- ioner; Prof. Surface received the ap- pointment of Economic Zoologist; and Dr. Rotzell ‘‘ got left.’’ The latter gentleman had many very gracious, loyal, and influential friends who ex- erted their influence in his behalf in the matter and to them all he here desires to most sincerely thank them for their kind support. THE WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. The Wilson Bulletin, of the New Series, Vol. X, No. 2, for March, 1903, conntains an announcement which will probably be of considerable interest to ornithologists who have watched this organization for some years past as the Wilson Ornithological Chapter of the Agassiz Association. The latter associ- ation has been defunct for several years and the connection therefore of the Wilson Chapter with it has been merely nominal. The announcement we refer to as being made in the March 4udletin, is that the Chapter has abandoned its old name and now becomes the Wilson Ornithological Club. This change of name seems to have been a wise one and will in all proba- bility, still further increase the pop- ularity of the organization. From a very humble beginning the Wilson Ornithological Club originated, it has struggled long and hard, at the present time it seems to have attained the most important position it has yet reached but still it probably has not as yet attained the zenith of its career; for, if it continues in the future the character of good work which it has done in the past few years it is destined to become a still stronger organization. Quite a number of new applications for membership also indicates pros- perity. Among some of the interesting ar- ticles in this number of the Azd/letin might be mentioned ‘‘ Notes on the Lencostictes,’’ by P. M. Silloway; ‘* The Motacillidae of Germany,’’ by W. FEF. Henninger; ‘‘ Notes on the Winter Birds of Wayne County, Mich- igan,’’ by Bradshaw H. Swales; and ‘‘A Few Additional Notes on the Flicker,’’ by Frank L. Burns. In the latter article the following paragraph seemed especially interesting in rela- tion to the Yellow-shaftea Flicker: ‘* Under the head of migration some interesting notes relative to the retro- THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. 7 grade movements of the bird, are con- tributed by Dr. Walter W. Maires. In South New Jersey, in the region of the upper Delaware Bay, which runs due south, sometime in October of every year the migrating Flickers are found flying, north just previous to and dur- ing a northwest storm. At this time the wind is generally high and the birds fly against it. This peculiarity of flight affects a large territory ex- tending inland from the east shore of the bay some fifteen or twenty miles. While the birds prefer to breast a wind, it is also probable that they are reluctant to cross the lower part of the bay during such a storm which would tend to drive them seaward rather pre- ferring to return northward to the more narrow river where they could cross in comparative safety.’’ The New Year’s Day Bird Census suggested by the editor of the Bulletin was carried out by observers in various sections of the country with a variable amount of success. Those desiring further particulars relative to the Wilson Ornithological Club as to requirements for mem- bership, etc., may obtain that informa- tion by writing to Mr. Lynds Jones, Oberlin, Ohio. W. EL R. CORRESPONDENCE. AS TO RHUS POISONING. Mr. C. F. Saunders, in 7he Amert- can Botanist, for March, 1903, writes that it is claimed that the full blood American Indians are said to be im- mune to Ahwzs poisoning. Will you let me know what you think about the matter? Also in the same number of this journal another correspondent writes that the eating of a leaf of the poison ivy has been used as a prevent- ive against the poisoning of that plant, thereby protecting the individual that comes in contact with the ivy. Does this seem likely ? M. A. W. a In reply to the first inquiry it would seem to us not at all probable that the American Aborigines as a race, are immune to AAus poisoning, although constant association and re- peated effects of various poisons will in many instances develop immunity in the zzdzvzdual. Our inquirer has not mentioned another statement made by Mr. Saunders in the same article, which is: ‘‘ Nature intended them and the Indians to dwell together, and that it is the white man’s own fault if he gets poisoned.’’ This is nonsense, and is an explanation which does not ex- plain, for the reason that the Ahus genus probably flourished in America ages before the country was populated by any variety of mankind. As to the second query, we have never heard of eating the leaves of poison ivy to prevent poisoning there- by. Nearly all, if not all, of the varieties of Rhus have a very pro- nounced physiological action and this would seem to indicate that there is nothing in the above observation. WILD DUCKS AND GEESE AT READING, PA. Thinking the enclosed clipping taken from a Philadelphia paper might be of interest to some of the readers of the proposed Atlantic Slope Naturalist I sabmit the same for your consideration. ae: ee ‘* Excitement was caused here to- day by the appearance of a large flock of wild geese and ducks. They flew very low, and were unable to gain much headway owing to the heavy rain. Many took refuge in barns, on house tops and trees and nearly every man who owned a gun was out trying to shoot them. At Leisz’s bridge six were captured. A farmer near Riverside caught four in his smokehouse. The rains caused the Schuylkill river and its tributaries to rise rapidly, and in a short time the streams overflowed their banks. Some 8 THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. of the geese floated down stream at a rapid rate. The members of the East Reading ’Coon and ’Possum Club, under the leadership of Captain Harry Kemp and William Batt, turned out in full force, and killed eighteen wild ducks and geese. It is believed by many that this flock of geese is the same that flew eastward over the city the day before last Thanksgiving, when upwards of 200 families secured a wild bird for the Thanksgiving dinner.’’ Clippings are always acceptable. Sometimes valuable items of a scien- tific nature are recorded in the daily press, which are more accessible and more readily preserved when recorded elsewhere. In the present instance the migration referred to has been observed in a number of sections of Pennyslvania. The article fails to note the species observed. The Mal- lard and Wood Ducks are frequently | recorded in the above section, and sometimes the Canada Goose or occa- sionally the Brant. A QUERY. I have a very large willow tree on .my farm within six feet of my well from which we get all of the water for household purposes. The roots of this tree have formed such a mass that we are obliged to clean them out and in so doing find that they come into the well through every little crevice and have resulted in giving to the water a very peculiar taste. This tree is about fifty years old and will meas- ure in circumference about six feet. Some of the limbs are dead and I would cut it down but am afraid the roots will still live. Can you tell me how to kill these roots? It is not practical to dig them all out. X. This question is too much for us. Can any of our botanical friends give any information ? ANTHROPOLOGICAL NOTES. According to the newspapers the investigations which have been con- ducted by Dr. Max Uhle in Peru prom- ises to be of great interest to anthro- pologists indicating that ancient Peru- vian culture was even greater and older than it has long been known to have been. The investigations which Dr. Uhle has carried on for many years past among the Central and South American tribes guarantees that any- thing that he may announce relative to the ancient Peruvians will bear great weight. Dr. Emile Houze, the well known president of the Societe d’Anthropol- ogie de Bruxelles, has been appointed to occupy the chair of Anthropology at l’Ecole des Sciences Sociales de Bruxelles which is a department of the University. The meeting of the American Associ- ation for the Advancement of Science at Pittsburg last year was of especial interest to anthropologists; for the reason that it resulted in the creation of a special organization under the name of the American Anthropological Association. The necessity for an or- ganization of this character has been apparent to the members of Section H, of the A. A. A. 8. for some years past, and the formation of the new associa- tion will probably designate an epoch in the history of Anthropology in America. Mr. Charles H. Ward, of Roch- ester, New York, writes that he has just obtained from the Musee de Palaeontologie Animale, Universite de Liege, a copy of their cast of the in- terior of the brain cavity of the Nean- - derthal skull, copies of which he has added to his stock and is prepared to furnish. The writer would doubt very much whether any z7/erzor cast of this skull is of any special import- ance. W. EH. R. GIBBS’S CELEBRATED PROCESS OF RAPID TAXIDERMY In Practical Use for Over Twenty-five Yeurs. Start a Class. Toney in It. Be Your Own Taxidermist. Naturalists, Collectors, Gunners, Anglers, Outers, Boys, Girls, and all others interested in nature and anxious to preserve the specimens taken in wood and field, have all felt the need of a simple method of preservation, whict: is free from intricacies and inexpensive. f There is a method of rapid taxidermy now in extensive use, which meets the requirements of all | amateurs who wish a practical and inexpensive method of preserving the trophies of the outing and col- lecting trip. This is not the old system of so-called stuffing, so expensive, laborious and disappoint- ing, but isa rapid system, which anyone can learn at once and which is guaranteed to give satisfaction. By this process you may preserve the beautiful plumage of the grouse and woodcock, or the pike’s or buck’s head, or the showy feathers of the tanager. Boys, girls and all others can do good work and may make money, as mounted heads and birds find a ready sale, and besides you may teach your friends and decorate the school room, office and dining room with native birds and other attractions. If you are in doubt, then get your friends to go in with youand start a class, for when several work together there is an advantage, and the expense is next to nothing. On the receipt of $1.00, cash or stamps, I will send full printed instructions for mounting birds, heads, mammals, ete.,and all materials for mounting and preserving specimens—including prepared compound, together with full directions for dressing skins with the hair on for rugs and robes, so that you will not be to the expense of one cent. Remember I Guarantee Satisfaction or Money Refunded. Mention ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST and address MORRIS GIBBS, M. D., 3 Kalamazoo, Mich. ‘Benjamin Hoag, JAMES P. BABBITT, | Stephentown, f. Y. DEALER IN Tools, Specimens, Supplies and Su ppl 16S 3 Publications for Oologists, Natural History Books and FOR THE Magazines. Pyblications | Naturalist and OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. e e No aaeen is so easily earned as that saved in Taxidermist buying. Here isa good place to save. Coves’ Key to N. A. Birds, and Chapman’s Handbook of Birds of Ea. N. Am., or Bailey’s FINE IMPORTED GLASS EYES. * Handbook Birds Western U. S., A SPECIALTY. Both Prepaid for $12.00. a Davies Nests and Eggs N. A. Birds $150 ALSO BIRD SKINS AND EGGS. Davies Taxidermy - 2 50 Good Field Glass, in case with strapS 500 Some fine sets of Rare Species from the Arctic Egg Drills, set of 4 ; wae Ocean, Labrador, Newfoundland and Alaska just Nickel Blowpipes - 25 Received. A Year’s Subscription 4: The Auk and Monthly Bulletin of Skins and Eggs Free. Any $1.00 Magazine Published for | Illustrated Catalogue of Naturalists’ Supplies, Only $3.50. Full line of Taxidermists and Dissecting Instru- } 10 Cents. ments. Fine stock of Eggs, insets. All my lists and bulletins free for the asking. Everything quoted here is prepaid. t 10 Hodges Ave., Taunton, Mass. Used Everywhere in America. Hundreds of Testimonials. Try, and be Convinced. , Medical Colle ge : and i 2 CHARTERED 1848 PHILADELPHIA The Leading Features of this the Old- est Homeopathic School are as follows: * 1.—New and complete College and Hospital opegbae with every modern Paes convenience. : ? * ~% % *h 2,—Reading room for students, and Liban of 15,000 volumes. 3.—-Anatomical museum, unexcelled in size and variety. s 4.—A four years’ graded course of seven months each. 5.—-Laboratory work in all the practical branches. 6.—Unusual clinical facilities afforded by the Hospital in the wards and © dispensary oe in which over 35,941 patients were treated last year. : | a! a * / / ag ie “son > Ww x « Maile. as iar ho ! ye Ae ae ape. ; 5 3 vam a he "i s 7,.—The special practical or bedside teaching given to the students of the ‘ graduating class is not excelled by any other college. 3 : 8.—Lectures commence in October and end i in May. For Announcement address Hahnemann Medical College, PEMBERTON DUDLEY, M. D., LL. D., Dean. PHILADELPHIA. CHARLES MOHR, M. D., Registrar. MAY AND JUNE, 1903. THE df U« Atlantic Slope e Natu talist, SUBSCRIPTION: 30 CENTS PER YEAR. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY, BY W. E, ROTZELL, M.D., =“ J NARBERTH, PA. — bg ed + 6 Our Pose IN THEIR HAUNTS. The best of all popular guides to the study of Ferns. tories given. Price, postpaid $2.25; with THE AMERICAN BOTAN-.|, - IST one year, $3.00. FOR Botany: Yi pear ’ A. series AY eae THE AMERICAN _ROTANIST for all young students who wish to know) why as well as_ how. all Explains about flowers without the use of technical language. It designed expressly for the general 4 reader. Well Illustrated. for a 2-cent stamp. A Little Book Free ‘Botanical Works Select Them,’ by the editor of THE AMERICAN BOTANIST tells which books are. best and How to for various purposes and gives a list of American publications. Send for it. Address, The American Botanist BINGHAMTON, N. Y. Full life his-' is) Sample! BARGAINS IN ———e Books and Specimens — As I am now engaged in other busi- — ness, I am selling off my entire library and collections at very low prices. lection will be refused. lowing: lna® fact no reasonable offer on a large se- Note the fol- © A set of the U. S. Geological Survey — Monographs, 38 volumes, each mono- — graph complete in itself ‘and superbly | illustrated, the lot for $75.00, much less — than list price. A set of Bulletins of the Geological Survey, Nos. 1 to 150 nearly — complete, probably 145 numbers, the lot for $20.00. Pacific Railroad Survey for only $11.00, A set of Natural History of New York, complete for $75.00, or separately as de- sired. Pennsylvania Geological Survey over 110 volumes for $25.00, worth $60.00. Set of U. S. Fish Commission Reports, 28 volumes for $7.50. U.S. Geological Sur- — II volumes for Ohio Geological Survey, 8 vol- Indiana Geological — Survey, 17 volumes for $10.00. New Jer- — vey of the Territories, $7.59. umes for $15.00. sey Survey, 28 volumes for $15.00. Colonial History of New York, 10 mas- sive volumes ‘from fifteen to twenty » thousand pages, the set for $10.00. Hayden’s Final Reports of Monographs, 1874, $1.50; 1875 Zoology, $7.50; 1875 Fossil Vert., $2.50; 1876, $2.00 ; 1879, $3.00; 1883, $3.00; 1884, $5.00; 1890, $2.50. These need no comment. They are invaluable on the subjects they cover. Several reports from Illinois, Michigan, California, Missouri, etc. List on appli- cation. King’s Reports, 4oth Parallel, Vol 1, $7.50; Vol, 2, $3.00; Vol. 4, $7.503 Vol. 5, $5.00. The above is a partial list of many of the good things on hand. A full descrip- tion of any desired, will be sent on request. Many fine volumes on Minerals, Fossils, Shells, Botany, Geology, Agri- 4 culture, Animals, Birds, and a score of other subjects. A set of 13 volumes of the Send for my New Wholesale List of — Specimens for stamp. Walter F. Webb, 416 Grand Ave., Rochester, N. Y. a “4 i The Atlantic Slope Naturalist. Vol. 1. cls Sa eb Cosmopolitan Nuisances. By Morris Gibbs, M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. There are many nuisances and pests in all parts of the world, but fortunately most of them are local, or at least not of general dispersion. Many, like the locust of the old world, the so-called Kansas grasshopper, and the Lemming rat of Northern and Eastern Europe, are peri- odical pests. Then there are the pests which come to us, or we might with more propriety say, have been introduced. Strange to say these nuisances have al- ways proven the most troublesome. The Mongoose, a species belonging to the weasel family, and native to North Africa, has been introduced into some of the Caribbean islands for the purpose of lessening the great number of noxious snakes, a work to which it is well quali- fied. But in its zeal for extermination, the creature has as well greatly lessened the valuable game birds, particularly in the island of Martinique. This animal, if given the transportation, would undoubt- edly overrun the whole world in a short time, or at least inside the tropics. Then there is the European House Sparrow, generally known as the English Sparrow; a bird which has extended its limit to the confines of the civilized East- ern Continent. Introduced into America, it has already become a great nuisance on this Continent as it has ever been in Europe, Asia and Africa. The gratifica- tion of some crank’s whim in importing this pertinacious interloper has resulted in the annual destruction of millions of dol- lars worth of grain, besides which we are annoyed by the presence of the pest, and as well, our familiar birds of the door- yard and garden are driven out of the town and city, and often from the orchard and grove. But though the sparrow bids fair to spread all over the civilized world, and has ‘largely accomplished this universal presence, still it is as nothing compared to the world-wide destruction of property accomplished by that worst of all nuis- ances—the common rat. Rats and mice are ‘‘cosmopolitan’’ pests, and are found wherever ships visit a port; and they are found in abundance at several points within the arctic circle, and multiply as well throughout the tem- perate and torrid zones, and to the south- ern extremities of both Continents. It is reasonable to suppose that the well known common rat was not indigenous to Europe, but just where they came from will never be known, for like the horse and camel they are now only found as followers of man. It has been shown that a black rat appeared in Germany, and was followed by the brown rat, known also as the Nor- way rat. The stronger Brown rat quickly exterminated the Black rat, which is now rarely seen. The Black rat was known in the thirteenth century, and its devasta- tions became so pronounced that Bishop Auton excommunicated it from the Cath- olic Church in the fifteenth century (his- tory). It is quite probable that the Black rat came from Persia, where it is still found in prodigious numbers. Up to the first half of the last century it reigned alone in Europe. The naturalist Pallas first describes the Brown rat, and says that it appeared in Europe in 1727, coming from southern Asia in immense hordes just after an earthquake. It rapidly spread westward, In 1755 it appearing in England in 1732. To THE ATLANTIC SLGBE NATURALIST. was brought to America where it has in- vaded every part of the civilized portions of the Union, and is estimated to destroy about $4,500,000 worth of property vearly. There is scarcely a thing that man eats which the rat will not devour, and as well they will eat many things that man con- siders refuse. Leather, horn, bone, the bark of trees and all other vegetable sub- stances, including valuable grains and fruits ; and furthermore, what they do not eat they gnaw and ruin. Shipping is badly injured by rats, and all ships are infested, and it is by this means that these pests are transported all over the globe. When Dr. Kane’s ship was frozen in near the 8oth parallel, North latitude, during his arctic explorations, the rats increased so rapidly that they caused grievous damage. Go where you will, by land or sea, and you will find rats. There are hundreds of species on the globe, but most of them are locally distributed, and only one, the common brown rat, has _ be- come a veritable cosmopolitan nuisance. The mouse is a good second, and from its smaller size does some damage which a larger animal could not find means of accomplishing. In their natural state rats are sometimes subject to a strange affliction which causes the tails of several rats to grow together, and they form the so-called king-rat. One can see in European museums these pecu- liar agglomerations, for it is true that we may sometimes meet with a group of rats joined together by their tails. It is be- lieved that a contagious disease causes an exudation of serum on the surface of the tails, and in consequence of this serum forming into cell tissues the tails coalesce and grow together. No less a renowned authority than Brehm, the celebrated naturalist, tells us that in Altberg, Ger- many, there is preserved the remains of a King Rat which is formed of twenty-seven different rats, and many others have been found. This isa kind of grafting, so to speak, which is wholly without a parallel, so far as I can learn. A Morning in South Florida By W. J. Hoxie, Fort Myers, Florida. It is too bad that visitors to this garden spot of ‘‘Continental United States’’ most all take their northward flight so early. The winter tourist sees Florida at its worst. The Spring lingerer gets its full glory. ; This morning I turned out just as the morning star rose. The big dipper swung low in the tops of the pines, and far off in a little bunch of cypress a chuck-wills widow was singing the last few bars of his nightly serenade. Then there was a few minutes of dead silence. The fog rose a little way from the ground making a white stretch across the forest with the high branches showing black against the sky, and the masses of lower growth com- ing out slowly and distinctly below it. Then up from the westward prairie arose the rattling cry of a sandhill crane. Rap- idly—two or three times—it rang out above the stillness, waiting, it seem to be, for an answer. At last it came. A big turkey gobbler along the other side of the river responded, and a lark woke up just as the east began to flush. Grackles, quail, crows and cardinals soon joined in, but until after breakfast the larks were the dominant feature of the whole melody. Just as the sun peeped up I was away for the river. First came a long stretch of scrub saw palmettos from knee to shoul- der high. Much of it is in bloom now. So also are the air plants, perfect dreams in scarlet, orange and purple, that crowd every solitary tree that is strong enough to hold them up. Wherever a space is free from scrub it is filled with pink, white and yellow flowers of varieties quite unfamiliar to my eyes and which I| cannot | get time to study and identify. In sandy spots gophers have buried their eggs, and often the chewed up shells show where pole-cats have dug them up. The scrub ends abruptly at a ridge of tall cabbage palmettos, and a mile of deep braze and fog extends clear to the mangroves at the bank of the Caloosa- hatchee. Here the seaside finches are just fairly warbling the whole atmosphere THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. full. An occasional red-winged blackbird contrives to make his note heard, while overhead flocks of Ibis—two species—are going from their roosts to their feeding grounds. Approaching the river side, the big continued croak of bull frogs adds a bass note, and some scattering grackles, purple and boat-tailed, interject a bar or two of their fashion of melody. A pair of purple Martins are making futile efforts to build in the hammer of the big pile driver. Though routed out every day fora week they are strongly persistent and utterly refuse to take pos- session of the boxes that the workmen took such pains to erect for them Sunday. Some one shouts ‘‘Manatee,’’ and I catch a glimpse of a big shining black thing off in the river beyond the unfinished centre pier of the bridge. 2 “4 Nesting of the Little Black Rail in New Jersey. By A. R. Justice, Philadelphia, Pa. On the Rancocas Creek, about five miles from Mt. Holly, New Jersey, is the farm of the late Charles L. Mather. Ex- tensive meadows border on the creek, which for many years have been, and are still, noted among sportsmen for reed and rail shooting. In May, 1872, my uncle, Charles L. Mather, was mowing meadow grass in one of the meadows, when a miniature rail bird jumped up from a tus- sock of grass close by. Stooping down and parting the grass, a nest was dis- closed containing eggs. Knowing of my interest in ornithology and recognizing that the rail bird was a rare species, he proceeded to his house, obtained a gun, and returning, shot the rail as it arose from the nest. It turned out to bea Iit- tle black rail (Porzana jamaicensis). The eggs, eight in number, were per- fectly fresh, the ground color creamy, but covered with fine reddish brown dots col- lected chiefly at the larger end. Two of the eggs were given to Edgar C. Howell by Mr. Mather’s instructions ; the others I retained in my collection, but was finally induced to part with them—two went to If John Krider and the others I presented to Captain Charles Bendire. I have made many a search since in hopes of finding another set, but without success. + The Carrier Pigeon. By Morris Gibbs, M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. It is interesting in times of war to note the advantage we take of schemes that have been devised in times of peace; and in this tendency we see developed many qualities which are most admirable, and in the case of the animals employed we are especially entertained by the intelli- gence displayed, and also by the methods followed by man the master. Every form of scientific training and branch of up-to- date tactics is brought into play. For example, the carrier pigeon has been employed, and to an extent with success in modern warfare, and there have been few wars since the French- Prussian trouble, where pigeons have not been used in sending messages. But modern use of the pigeon in war times is not up to the ancient methods employed. There is nothing new under the sun, and we find that pigeons were in use a thou- sand years ago, and probably fully two thousand years ago. There was another method of using birds in an early day, namely, hawking, followed for sport, and strangely enough the educated falcons were used to catch the homing pigeons sent out by the enemy. In the history of the crusades the Christian falcons often pulled down the Mohammedan pigeons, and so expert were those hawk trainers that they even taught their falcons to bring down the homers without injuring them. The message was then read, a misleading message substituted for it and the cap- tured bird then liberated and sent on its way with the incorrect information. One of the greatest victories in the fluctuating fortunes of that three hundred years’ war, the Crusades, resulted from sending in a misleading message on a pigeon captured from the Mussulmen by a Christian hawk. The dove is called the bird and emblem of peace, and yet in this instance a 12 THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. rapacious hawk was the winning card in the campaign against the overthrow of Chris- tianity in the holy land. The hawk might be said to have saved the day asin the case of the geese in the eternal city. There are many instances in the history of the world where birds have played an important part. ng! Nature’s Equipoise. A LITTLE STUDY IN CLIMATE. By H. K., Philadelphia, Pa. That scene, I am sure, will never leave me. It was a typically perfect tropic night. From my window the town and harbor of Montego Bay (Jamaica, W. I.) lay spread, like a fairy picture, sunken deep in frame of hills. How often had I sat nearly the night through watching the endless magic of changing lights with ever a fresh delight—the air freighted with the fragrance of growing things, vital with the unceasing whisper of life’s mystery where nature is confidential. Slowly, from above the screen of the mountains opposite, the Southern cross ascends, dominating the heavens. It is one of those white nights when everything is visible in detail, nothing is real or com- mon-place. Suddenly the night was rent with the distant ‘‘Helloo!’ from a_ steamer’s whistle, caught up by the hillsides and sportively bandied back and forth across the great amphitheatre whose domain was thus rudely invaded. Long ere the antiphony ended, or the rattling of anchor chains mocked the harmonies, the wharves were in commotion—a Babel of voices, of lash of oars, chanty of lines of porters, each bearing on his, or her, head a great bunch of bananas, refilling the great un- gainly lighters, already plying back and forth between dock and steamer. Within the hour, about 2 a. m., I was on her deck, viewing regretfully the scene I was leaving. The mercury was among the upper eighties, costume accordingly. The mate and I forgathered on the bridge —‘‘And the weather four days ago, when you left Philadelphia?’ ‘‘Well”’ drawled ‘maintained ; ‘whereby the many elements, great and the oracle, ‘‘we left the slip all right, though the river was full of ice, but had to anchor off Lincoln Park, twenty-two hours ; snow too thick to pick our way.”’ Then I remembered it was March, only four days northward of all this voluptuous tropic. I recalled a picture of a maiden, all clad in sables, snow-balling a tropic village under a palm grove. It was ‘‘only advertisement,’’ but suggestive. Ex- tremes do—nearly—meet; and we are mostly extremists. After a series of vears’ residence in Minnesota, where the winters are so long, so deep, so uncom- promising, I was ready to ‘‘swear oft’’ from further winters, from snow and ice. It was in that strenuous Northwest I witnessed an absurd panic. Both spring and summer were unusually dry (that State depending less upon rain than upon the residuum of the winter’s snow) caught and held in storage by a ‘“‘hard-pan’’ breath the top soil. The ground soil grew harder and cracked. Farmers and producers raised the calamity howl. The churches were importuned to pray for rain (but, wisely, refused) ; the irre- ligious railed against Providence with many words. But, in spite of the panic, harvests were the largest and cleanest known for many years precedent. Query. Had men disturbed nature’s equipoise, how much of damage might have resulted ? Were it in human hands—each desirous to regulate the weather to suit his private purposes—what would become of that complementary interaction of nature’s forces making her equipoise, which we call climate? The skill with which the balance is the nicety of adjustment small—agents, diverse in character, dis- tant in location—are made to act, react, and interact in the service of this equi- poise of nature ; these things all point to intelligence present and active in the ordering of every-day Providence. Sometimes a purely local adjustment has been made to meet a local condition. For instance, there is that little bridge of THE ATLANTIC SUGRE NATURALIST. mountain chain, with its nestlings of protected valleys along the eastern coast of Mediterranean Sea—Syria and Pales- tine. Between the desert and the deep sea, the adjustment of conditions would seem to offer a problem of no small diffi- culty ; especially where man_ has dis- turbed the balance by ruthlessly denud- ing the hills of their timber, thereby de- creasing the rainfall. And yet it is by the interchange of cour- tesies among these seemingly irreconcila- ble elements that the solution is formed. The prevailing winds of winter are from the west—all moisture-laden from the sea, caught by the mountain ridge and de- spoiled of their freight. So come the rains (the ‘‘early and latter’). In sum- mer the winds are from the north and northwest, carrying less of moisture. The ‘dry season’’ is on—for man intolerable, for vegetation fatal, unless some adjust- ment mitigate the rigor. But such adjustment is made. ‘The regularity of those winds is itself the sav- ing element and is brought about by those very mountains. Something like a compensating pendulum is this device. That poma lime stone heats, and likewise chills, more rapidly than the sea, on the one side, and the desert, on the other side. This agency is sufficiently power- ful to work by the simple process of con- densation, expanding, contracting. So the air currents are lured to the direction de- sired ; so are they robbed of their moist- ure, to produce the copious night mists and early dews. So is nature’s equipoise produced not by chance, but by intelli- gence. --@ - Oysters on Trees. By Morris Gibbs, M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. Did you ever hear of oysters growing on trees? I have asked this question of many observers, and unless they had been in certain quarters in the South they all thought that I was joking them. But oysters do grow on trees, and I will explain the peculiarity to your satisfac- tion. 13 Oysters are salt-water inhabitants, and they like to find localities where they can come to the surface and inspect the sur- roundings. This is possible in the lagoons or arms of the sea at the South where the Mangrove trees line the banks and in- fringe on the lagoons. These mangroves are odd trees, and the common kind is provided with long runners or descending stems, which drop from the limbs above, enter the water and then grow up again. And this peculiar formation continues until the whole section is a mass of stems and trunks and makes a quarter where no one but an Indian or very enthusiastic collector will venture. The Mangrove is small, but is much like that peculiar tree, the banyan of the East. In many sections the Mangroves hang their descending branches in the water where the oysters thrive, and these curi- ous bivalves grasp the branches when the water is at high tide and hang on with their clamp arrangement. Then when the tide goes out and the lagoon is at what is | termed low-water, the oysters may be seen for several hours hanging on trees, or until the next tide returns to cover them up. I have seen thousands of these oysters of variable taste, hanging from the branches in the salt-water lagoons in Florida. It is not uncommon to pull these oysters off the branches and use them for bait when fishing, and therefore the expression ‘‘pick oysters from trees’’ is true. > Folk-lore of the Albino Robin In the N. Y. Suz of May 14, Dr. D. S. Kellogg, of Plattsburg, N. Y., after re- cording an Albino robin, writes as follows: “Now comes an interesting bit of folk- lore. This afternoon I was telling a gen- tleman of this city about this bird, and he said : ‘If you see a white robin it is a sign you will live to be a hundred years old.’ He had learned this from an old French- Canadian here, who died some years ago, at the old age of 103 years. This old man had always claimed that he should live a hundred years because he had seen a white robin when he was a young man.”’ 14 THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. THE It is stated in some of the nev ‘ 1 papers that Dr. Frederick W. True, § Atlantic Slope Naturalist. the Smithsonian Institution, is Dp: paring to exhibit at the Louisia} Purchase Exposition, 1000 live bir: A mammoth bird cage will be erec} near the site of the Government Bui The birds will be collected < Te I Ua EDITED AND PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY —— BY——_ W. E. ROTZELL, M. D., Narberth, Pa. NEE Ss Deen ee eee ee caer Articles of. interest to the observer of Nature ing. solicited from all. : F ane furnished by Dr. Frank Baker, ofg: A BUBSCE TEN RATES National Zoological Park. They vj Single subscription i zo cents per year | yenresent the most characteristic sf Special club rates on application. . P cies of North America and the trop} ADVERTISING RATES The cage will be fitted up Five cents per nonpariel line each insertion. 1 12 lines in every inch, 7 inches in a column, and 2 trees and shrubs, pools and runny columns to the page. Advertisements for less than streams. : one-half inch will not be taken. Dr. Pemberton Dudl has | Remittances should be made by post office : He or) i oa order, registered letter or postal note. signed as Dean of the Hahnem] nused U.S. postage stamps will be accepted for * = 2 sums less than one dollar, where it is not conven- Medical College of Philadelphia. | jent to remit money in any other form. has been Dean of this institution} Address all communications to es t 4 a fe DR. W. E. ROTZELL, : e€ pas Beyer years, ae a p q MONTGOMERY COUNTY. NARBERTH, PA. | 1% the same since 1876, and prio) ? ; _ | hcthat 6time,, in 1868, was for a s} MAY AND JUNE, 1903. time professor of Chemistry and | ames icology 1n the old Homoeopathic ] The reception accorded the initial | j¢al College of Pennsylvania. | number of THE. ATLANTIC GaLOPE NATURALIST is very gratifying in- deed, and we thank our constituents one and.all for their support in the enterprise. There are some exceedingly s| ling, illogical, and humorous di tions being made at present rel to the human osseous remains {| f : near Lansing, Kansas, last year. Many suggestions —and suggessi0ns haps, after all, this Lansing man} are always welcome— have been re- | have been the individual who | ceived, one being that our little jour- the Nampa images of Idaho some a nal enlarge, and the other that it be ago, which were so thoroughly issued more frequently. — The former asunder by the late Major 3 we have done with this issue, but the | powell. ) latter it is deemed advisable not to consider at present. As a matter of ‘‘historical’’ ir} 7 ; ‘ perhaps we might be pardone ssl serie Z a he old Ornitholog pu mentioning that our friend Dr. 2 wy eaeinaree ere | . Je D. Bayley, of Philadelphia, wé i rs is issue r . ; - | first subscriber. Morris Gibbs aud Mr. Walter J. Hoxie, ‘i ; two names that helped to make that journal famous. Our next issue, for July-Augus} nothing preventing, appear abo We regret to announce that the east ie a ppt ice a is to lose that well known ornitholo- | yyy Fully 10th gist, Dr. Walton I. Mitchell, who , xy, graduated from the Hahnemann Medi- cal College, of Philadelphia, on May 14. Dr. Mitchell expects to shortly return to his home in Minnesota, By special arrangements V offer Zhe American Botanist ai ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIS year for one dollar. ) THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. Forest Fires and Tree Planting. The recent forest fires in Pennsyl- vania and New Jersey were but mere bonfires compared with some of the fierce conflagrations that occur in the vast landed areas of the West. The very latest statistics gathered by the Bureau of Forestry conservatively place the annual loss of the United States from forest fires at from $25, 000, - 000 to $50,000,000. During the past fall, inside of two weeks over $12,000, - 000 worth of merchantable timber went up in smoke in Washington and Ore- gon. Pennsylvania and New Jersey are supposed to have comparatively efficient systems of fire protection, yet during a short ride to the seashore hundreds of acres of burned-over pine lands are seen in New Jersey. The Government is determined to do its utmost to assist the lumbermen of the country to guard against this enor- mous monetary loss and waste of val- uable and much-needed material. To this end experts are to be despatched this year to all parts of the country where forest fires are reported. Their duties will be to gather data as to the causes producing the fires, how long the fires last, what conditions favor or hinder them, and just what damage is done to the soil and tree growth. In addition field parties will be main- tained in Northern Florida, Southern Alabama, Georgia, Minnesota, Wis- consin and Michigan and the Pacific coast States, who will study the meth- ods in vogue for fire prevention and protection. The fire warden system of States having forest fire laws will be studied, and the practice of railroads for the protection of timber lands ad- jacent to their tracks will be observed. It is hoped that these first-hand in- vestigations will enable an efficient method of forest fire protection to be developed. Not merely is the Government en- deavoring to protect its forests but in various sections where trees are few tree planting is the latest method of | ing can be carried out 15 rendering unproductive ground profit- able. Land that is not readily ac- cessible to convenient transportation facilities is apt to have an insignifi- cant value. Owners of vast estates 30,000 to 100,000 acres, and even more, are not infrequent in some of the Southern and Western States, yet such lands often are not worth more than a dollar an acre. In order to foster the growth of correct forestry methods the Government has undertaken, through the Bureau of Forestry, to help the owners of great tracts of unprofitable lands to transform these deserts, thick- ets, swamps and hillsides into produc- tive timber lands. One of the most extensive plans recently worked out by the forestry experts covers an estate of 1800 acres in Cullman County, Ala- bama. Several hundred acres of this land are to be planted this season in loblolly pine, chestnut, white and post oak. The pine will furnish merchant- able lumber, the chestnut, telegraph poles and fence posts and the oak rail- road ties. Inasmuch as labor in this locality is exceedingly cheap—fifteen dollars a month—the extensive plant- with compara- tively little expense. A fire patrol system will, of course, be necessary to insure the success of the undertaking. The Mourning Warbler in Pennsylvania. By A. R. Justice, Philadelphia, Pa. In June, 1875, in company with my uncle, the late John H. Mcllvain, I spent two weeks at Tobyhanna, Pa., in the j Pocono mountains. I well remember our arrival at Chase’s Hotel. The next morn- ing 1 was up bright and early, and could § hear the songs of various birds from the woods near by; several were strange to me. lIawakened Mr. Mcllvain and called his attention to the unknown birds. He was much excited and declared that one { | , | of the songsters was a Mourning Warbler.} He had never heard the note but once, and that was twenty years before, and yet he unhesitatingly pronounced the song as belonging to this rare bird. His memory j | ! } | a — While musical for bird songs was astonishing. not deficient in memorizing sounds, I have sometimes found it diffh- cult to distinguish between certain species; for instance, the note of the Yellow War- bler (Dendroica cstiva) and the Chest- nutsided Warbler (LD. pennsylvanica) are very similar, but I never knew my uncle to make a mistake. In this case I proved the accuracy of his memory by securing both songsters; one proved to be an olive-sided Flycatcher (contopus borealis ) and the other a fine specimen of the Mourn- ing Warbler ( Geothlypis philadelphia), as he had surmised. We collected six males of this Warbler. They were unquestion- ably breeding in the vicinity, but the most diligent search failed to disclose the nest. Mr. Chris. Wood made a trip to Toby- hanna immediately after our return, but found a forest fire raging and failed to secure a single specimen. On our way horne we stopped at the Delaware Water Gap; here I found a nest of the Black and White Creeper (J/1otilla varia) con- taining young; the nest was on the side of a hill upon the ground, and was a fine specimen of bird architecture. PT gan. Leprosy from Eating Fish. Jonathan Hutchinson, F. R.S., says the New York Sun, has returned to Eng- land after a tour of investigation in India as to the cause and prevention of leprosy, especially in reference to the hypothesis which assigns the foremost position among the causes of the disease to the use of unwholesome food. Twelve years ago the Prince of Wales’s committee, which was sent to India, re- jected this hypothesis, but Dr. Hutchin- son’s latest investigations have convinced him that the committee, if it had pursued its researches more deeply, would not have rejected it. Dr. Hutchinson’s gen- eral conclusion is that the facts do not controvert the hypothesis, while some of them afford unassailable support of it, the truth of which his inquiries in South Africa last year convinced him. Dr. Hutchinson’s tour of India included visits to Colombo, Madras, Lahore, Cal- cutta and Bombay, where he held public 16 THE ATLANTIC SLGBE: NATURALIST: meetings and discussions, and also visits to the Ieper asylums at Colombo, Madras, Calcutta, Purula, Asonsal, Agra, Tarn- taran, Jullundur and Bombay. He visited in Ceylon all the lepers who had been fish eaters. In Madras and Cal- cutta each of the lepers, with the single exception of a high-caste Brahmin, denied that they had ever eaten fish. In Bom- bay there was one doubtful exception. In Agra, Tarntaran and Jullunder there were several exceptions. Of the 500 in- mates of the Purulia asylum, all had habitually eaten of fish, and many be- lieved that this had caused the disease. Some had left off eating it on that ac- count. The majority of those who had not eaten fish were patients who had con- tracted the disease in early life. — In accounting for these, Dr. Hutchin- son suggests ‘‘commensal communica- tion’’ spreads the disease to a slight ex- tent in a community where it has once originated, without it becoming con- tagious in the ordinary sense of the word. Commensal or mouth communication conveyed the disease by eating food di- rectly from the hands of a leper, or other- wise receiving the bacillus by the mouth. The prevalence of the disease in the whole population of India is not greater than five in 10,000, which is about the same percentage as in Norway, but nota single district is entirely free from the dis- ease. It is always more prevalent in or near the fishing places. In Ceylon, where the fisheries are so unproductive that the greater portion of fish consumed must be imported, the incidence of leprosy is less than two per 10,000. In Minicoy, the ad- jacent fish-exporting island, where the inhabitants eat fish four times a day, the percentage is 150 in 10,000, In the Bom- bay asylum there are 4oo inmates, the majority of whom are from the great fish- ing district of Konkan. During eight years there have been no Jains and only one Parsee patient. The Jains are strict vegetarians. During the same period the island of Salsette, which has a population of 50,000, was the only Christian com- munity which sent patients to the asylum, The Salsetters are all Roman Catholics who observe all fast days, and the major- ity of them are actually engaged fn the fishing trade. A Book About Ferns One of the most delightful of books on natural history which it has been my good fortune to become acquainted with is ‘‘Our Ferns in Their Haunts,’’ by Wil- lard N. Clute, and published by the Fred- erick A. Stokes Co., of New York City. The author is well and favorably known by his many ornithological and botanical writings, including his ‘‘ Flora of the Upper Susquehanna,”’ and his editorship of Zhe American Botanist. In ‘‘Our Ferns ’’ is described and illustrated every species of fern that has been found in North America north of the Gulf of Mex- ico and east of the Rocky Mountains. This book in a manner better than any work we have ever seen very happily com- bines the popular and technical aspects of the subject without a sacrifice of either. To him who has never studied ferns the matter of the identification of species becomes comparatively easy with this volume in hand. To the student of Folk lore this book must also appeal on account of the many curious virtues and properties which have been associated with ferns in the past. One of many quotations will serve to illustrate, refer- ring to the moonwort ( Botrychium Luna- yia) the author quotes the famous old botanist Culpepper who back about 1650 wrote ‘* Moonwort is an herb which they say will open locks and unshoe such horses as tread upon it ; these some laugh to scorn, and these no small fools neither, but country people that I know, cal it Unshoe the Horse; besides I have heard commanders say that on Whitedown in Devonshire near Tiverton there were found thirty hors-shoes pulled from the feet of the Earl of Essex, his horses being there drawn up in a body, many. of them being but newly shod and no reason known which caused much admiration, and the herb described usually grows upon heaths.”’ WER. THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. i7 The Effect of the April Storm on the Distribution of Birds By W. E. Rotzell, [. D., Narberth, Pa. Large portions of the north temperate region, in both the old world and the new, were during the middle of April past visited by severe storms, in some sections it being snow and in other sections rain. In the region of the Eastern United States the rain storm with northerly winds which began on April 12th and continued for the next three days hada very marked effect on the distribution of probably all of our birds. The weather for some days prior to this storm had been delightful with many pleasant Spring days. The maximum temperature for the 24 hours averaging 60° F. and above. On April r2th the maximum temperature was 48°, with a rain precipitation of .o6 inches for the 24 hours ; on April 13th the maximum tem- perature was 52°, and the precipitation 56; on April 14th the maximum tempera- ture was 46°, and the precipitation .62; and on April 15th, the last day of- the storm, the maximum temperature was 48° and the precipitation .1o. This particular section of Pennsylvania, just a few miles west of Philadelphia, topographically consists of small hills in- terspersed with a number of small streams. There is comparatively little woodland, and the region is rather thickly populated as would: be expected in being in such close proximity to a large city. Some years ago I recorded 108 species of birds in this region and the surrounding coun- try, and since then others. have been added to the list. Prior to the storm a large number of our summer residents had arrived from their southerly winter homes and had assumed that spirit of apparent content- ment which it has always seemed to me the birds do not show until a short time after their arrival in the Spring time. During these rainy days it was difficult to find any birds, even the English spar- rows being perceptibly scarcer. The day following this storm, April * 18 THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. 16th, the scarcity of birds was still quite pronounced. I was out fora number of hours at various portions of the day in sections where ordinarily at this season of the year many varieties can be observed, but on this particular day I was able to record only the following species:— Argialitis vocifera.—Killdeer. Accipiter cooperi.—Cooper’s Hawk. Dryobates pubescens.—Downy Wood- pecker. Colaptes auratus.—F licker. Corvus americanus.—American. Crow. Agelaius pheniceus. — Red-winged Blackbird. Sturnella magna.—Meadow Lark. QOuiscalus quiscula.—Purple Grackle. Spizella socialis.—Chipping Sparrow. Passer domesticus.—English Sparrow. Passerella thaca.—Fox Sparrow. — Progne subts.—Purple Martin. Merula migratoria.—American Robin. Siaha sialis.—Bluebird. These were the only species I was able to find, although, of course, there must have been some others, but at this season of the year we should find many more. Some of the above birds on this date seemed common, while in other instances but a single bird was noticed. It is pro- bable that some of these birds, as the crow, for example, were not particularly affected by the storm, as it occurred dur- ing their breeding season, and it is not likely that they would leave their eggs or young. The Fox Sparrows, of which there was a small flock, were of interest, as at this season of the year they have usually passed northward on their Spring migration. They may have been driven backward. The next day the number had decidedly increased, both as to species and individuals, and by the following day, the 18th of April, the distribution of bird life for this time of the year in this region seemed about normal. The importance of storms on the geo- graphical distribution and also the migra- tion of birds has been variously estimated by ornithologists, some considering it to be an important factor and others a com- paratively slight one. , This we do know: Storms modify tem- perature, and temperature certainly has an effect on the distribution of life. Peculiar Site for Robin’s Nest. While at Grenlock, New Jersey, during the latter part of March I came across a robin’s nest in a most peculiar situation. Near the summit of a hill a farmer had built a triangu- lar fence around a small tree, for pro- tection, I presume. On a rail that projected through the post and abutted against it, was the mud and grass nest of merula migratoria, The usual complement of four eggs was present. The nest could be seen for quite a dis- tance, it being about two feet two inches from the ground. ‘Two weeks later I returned in anticipation. But, alas! Some vandal had been there. Nothing remained. W. A. Poyser, Philadelphia, Pa. The Late Paul B. Du Chaillu Paul Belloni Du Chaillu, the explorer, naturalist and author, died at St. Peters- burg, Russia, on April 3oth, last. Many years ago his announcement of the discovery of gorillas and pigmies in Central Africa led to a fierce controversy among naturalists, many of whom de- nounced his accounts as pure fabrications. Later discoveries, however, fully vindi- cated him. He was born in New Orleans, La., July 31, in 1838. He was early taken to Africa by his father, who held a consular ap- pointment in the Gaboon. He was edu- cated in a Jesuit institution and acquired a smattering of many native dialects. In 1852 he visited the United States with a cargo of ebony and published a series of newspaper articles about the Gaboon country which attracted much attention. In 1855 he returned to the west coast of Africa to explore the territory lying on both sides of the equator, and traveled, unaccompanied by any white man, a dis- tance of 8000 miles in a_ practically unknown country. He killed and stuffed 2000 birds, including many new species, and many gorillas, of which he brought the first accounts to Europe. It was his vivid and eloquent description of these huge and ferocious apes that excited the incredulity of critics. In 1859 he returned to New York, bring- ing with him a valuable collection of natural specimens, native arms and im- plements, etc., many of which found their way finally to the British Museum. Two years later he published his ‘‘Exploration and Adventure in Equatorial Africa.’’ The accuracy of many of his statements was again assailed. Professor Gray, of the British Museum, being one of his bit- terest critics. As his observations had been made from compass bearings only, he was unable to confute the testimony of existing maps, and therefore resolved to make another expedition, for which he prepared himself by a course of scientific study. But in the meanwhile his original story was confirmed by a French expedi- tion exploring the Ogobai river, and by €aptain Burton, who verified his account of the cannibalism practiced by the Fan tribe. He started on his expedition, how- ever, but lost all his outfit by the swamp- ing of his canoe at the mouth of the Ogobai river, and was obliged to send home for a new supply. While awaiting this he again hunted the gorilla with suc- cess. When his instruments arrived he again penetrated into the unknown inter- ior, but unfortunately had an encounter with the natives and was compelled to retreat. He published an account of his adventures in ‘‘A Journey to Ashango Land,’’ the district where he was the first discoverer of the pygmies. After spending some time in the United States, where he was in great request asa lecturer, he paid an extended visit to Sweden, Norway, Lapland and Finland, the fruits of which were manifested in his books, ‘‘The Land of the Midnight Sun,”’ “Tvor the Viking,’’? and ‘‘The Viking Age.’’ He declared that the latter of these cost $56,000 before it was published, the information in it being the result of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. 19 the excavation of many hundreds of mounds on the coast of Norway. In 1901 Du Chaillu started for Russia, where he had since been. One of the grievances of Du Chaillu’s life was the failure of Henry M. Stanley to give the weight of his authority to the support of the stories, which when first told were denounced as _ fabrications. When Stanley rediscovered the pygmies and wrote about them, he did not refer to the earlier discovery by Du Chaillu, or betray any knowledge that he had been anticipated. - The versatility of the man and his mar- velous ability to adapt himself to all sorts of conditions of environment was very exceptional. He was equally at home with children, of whom he was very fond; or with an African savage; or before a geographical society meeting delivering | an address upon some technical subject. The body of Du Chaillu will arrive in America about June zoth. Arrangements to receive it are being perfected. Details of his last hours and death are given in a letter from W. R. Holloway, the Ameri- can Consul General there, to Henry R. Hoyt, of New York City. Du Chaillu was eating breakfast in the restaurant of the Hotel de France, St. Petersburg, on April 30, when two gentle- men near him heard him exclaim: “TI can’tsee. There must be something the matter!”’ In attempting to rise he exhibited signs of feebleness. Toaclose personal friend, a brother of the great Russian military paintef, Vassili Verestchagin, Du Chaillu said, ‘‘I am dying!’’ and was taken to his room. He soon expired. Ambassador McCormick received a cable message from Charles Robinson Smith, asking that the body be sent to his home, 34 West Sixty-ninth street, New York; another of the same character from John Anderson, publisher of The Scandi- navian, Chicago, and a third came from Senator P. P. Somenov, President of the Imperial Geographical Society, who offered interment in the Novo-Dievitchy Cemetery, which is reserved for eminent literary men. 20 THE ATLANTIC SLGOEE NATURALIST: ANTHROPOLOGICAL NOTES. Mr. Warren Upham in the Amerz- can Anthropologist goes on record as considering that ‘‘The loess and the Lansing skeleton are of Late Glacial age, but are probably twice or perhaps three times as ancient as the traces of man in his stone implements and quartz chips occurring in glacial gravel and sand beds at Trenton, New Jersey, and Little Falls, Minnesota. In the Somme Valley and other parts of France, as also in southern Eng- land, stone implements in river drift prove that man eixsted there before the Ice age, that is, probably 100,000 years ago, or doubtless four or five times longer ago than the date of the skeleton at Lansing, Kansas.’’ This is guessing dates rather closely( ?). The Imperial Diet of Japan has ap- propriated a sum of money for a ‘‘lin- guistic commission’’ for the revision of the Japanese language and its dia- lects and also for the reduction of the Chinese idiographs in common use. Prince P. Kropotkin’s ‘‘ Memoirs of a Revolutionist’’ contains much in- teresting and original information for those who are interested in the present disturbances in Manchuria and the ethnic modifications which perhaps may result therefrom. Professor Dr. E. Bala has left his docentship in the University of Tokio and will devote his time to anthropolog- ical study inthe islands of Eastern Asia. Dr. Alfredo Chavero has been ap- pointed Director of the Museo Nacional of Mexico. Kor centuries it has been told that the American aborigines smoked the bark of red-willow, either plain or mixed with tobacco as necessity or taste might dictate. Now, however, Dr. Washington Matthews, in the American Anthropologist for January- March, 1908, brings forth strong evi- dence which seems to indicate that the Indians did not smoke red-wil- low bark. Dr. Matthews, during many years spent among tribes in- vestigated this question quite closely and never found an instance where red- willow bark was smoked, although he did find other plants besides tobacco so used. Dr. A. Hrdlicka has received the appointment of Assistant Curator in the United States National Museum. W. E.R. pos Prehistoric Hammers. The box containing some two dozen stone sledge hammers, which Professor W.H. Holmes picked up from a pile of 1300, discovered by miners employed by a Mr. Lewis Cox in his iron mine at Les- lie, Mo., lying about in tunnels driven by | prehistoric man, will probably reach the National Museum at an early date, says a Washington exchange. Professor Holmes states that the hammers are made of black hematite and have no other finish than a groove about the mid- dle of each, showing where formerly they were bound by wythes to wooden han- dles, The arrow points which he found , in the neighborhood of this aboriginal paint mine were all of flint and quartz, and the reason, doubtless, why the ham- mers, which are mere roughly-squared stones, were made of the black hematite instead of greenstone, jasper and other stone of which the pre-Columbian Indians fashioned their war axes, was owing doubtless to the fact that the only material hard enough to peck and chip away the hard hematite in reaching the pockets of red oxide was the hematite itself. The discovery of a mummy in an ancient cop- per mine in Chile, together with the im- plements which had been employed in life—a discovery made some few years ago, in time to show the remains at the Buffalo Exposition— revealed the fact that, in mining, the pre-Columbian In- dians had a way of hafting a large stone hammer with two separate handles so that it could be wielded with both hands, and from the shape of the hammers from the old Leslie works Professor Holmes thinks that many of them were wielded as two-handled hammers.— x. ~ GIBBS’S CELEBRATED PROCESS OF RAPID. TAXIDERMY In Practical Use for Over Twenty-five Years. Used Everywhere in America. Hundreds of Testimonials. Try, and be Convinced. Start a Class. Money in It. Be Your Own Taxidermist. Naturalists, Collectors, Gunners, Anglers, Outers, Boys, Girls, and all others interested in nature and anxious to preserve the specimens taken in wood and field, have all felt the need of a simple method of preservation, which: is free from intricacies and inexpensive. There is a method of rapid taxidermy now in extensive use, which meets the requirements of all amateurs who wish a practical and inexpensive method of preserving the trophies of the outing and col- lecting trip. This is not the old system of so-called stuffing, so expensive, laborious and disappoint- ing, but isa rapid system, which anyone can learn at once and which is guaranteed to give satisfaction. By this process you may preserve the beautiful plumage of the grouse and woodcock, or the pike’s or buck’s head, or the showy feathers of the tanager. Boys, girls and all others can do good work and may make money, as mounted heads and birds find a ready sale, and besides you may teach your friends and decorate the school room, office and dining room with native birds and other attractions. If you are in doubt, then get your friends to go in with you and start a class, for when several work together there is an advantage, and the expense is next to nothing. On the receipt of $1.00, cash or stamps, I will send full printed instructions for mounting birds, heads, mammals, etc.,and all materials for mounting and preserving specimens—including prepared compound, together with full directions for dressing skins with the hair on for rugs and robes, so that you will not be to the expense of one cent. Remember I Guarantee Satisfaction or Money Refunded. Mention ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST and address MORRIS GIBBS, M. D., © Kalamazoo, Mich. Benjamin Hoag, JAMES P. BABBITT, Stephentown, 1. Y. DEALER IN Tools, Specimens, Supplies and | Su ippliesss 1CS 4 Publications for Oologists, Natural History Books and Magazines. Publications OF EVERY DESCRIPTION, FOR THE Naturalist and Taxidermist PINE IMPORTED GLASS HYVES A SPECIALTY. No money is so easily earned as that saved in buying. Here isa good place to save. Coues’ Key to N. A. Birds, and Chapman’s Handbook of Birds of Ea. N. Am., or Bailey’s Handbook Birds. Western U. S., Both Prepaid for $12.00. Davies Nests and Eggs N. A. Birds $150 ALSO BIRD SKINS AND EGGS. Davies Taxidermy SP Wae-50 Good Field Glass, in case with straps 500 Some fine sets of Rare Species from the Arctic Egg Drills, set of 4 : - 100 Ocean, Labrador, Newfoundland and Alaska just Nickel Blowpipes = - 25 received, A Year’s Subscription to The Auk and Any $1.00 Magazine Published for Only $3.50. Full line of Taxidermists and Dissecting Instru- ments. Fine stock of Eggs.in sets. All my lists and bulletins free for the asking, Everything - quoted here is prepaid, ? _10 Hodges Ave., Taunton, Mass. Monthly Bulletin of Skins and Eggs Free. Illustrated Catalogue of Naturalists’ Supplies, 10 Cents. s A ee Ser eR Ae MEE RRR OF ES NL SS RE ARR OLE CE Pe oN = Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital * # CHARTERED 1848 be (Paes ay meg % 3 ei te 98 oe r ip ats oe a ziaia! 4 ye =| h ir ‘mi amen Fil eect BROAD STREET ABOVE RACE © #3: PHILADELPHIA The Leading Features of this the Old- est Homeopathic School are as follows: 1.—New and complete College and Hospital buildings, with every modern convenience. Beate 2.—Reading room for students, and Library of 15,000 volumes, 3.—Anatomical museum, unexcelled in size and variety. 4.—-A four years’ graded course of seven months each. 5.—Laboratory work in all the practical branches. 6.—Unusual clinical facilities afforded by the Hospital in the wards and dispensary department in which over 35,941 patients were treated last year. 7.—The special practical or bedside teaching given to the students of the graduating class is not excelled by any other college. 8.—Lectures commence in October and end in May. For Announcement address Hahnemann Medical College, © PEMBERTON DUDLEY, M. D., LL. D., Dean. CHARLES MORR, M. D., Registrar. : i H ILADELP HIA, JULY AND AUGUST, 1903. ” a s THE EDITED AND PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY, BY 4 W. E. ROTZELL, M. D., : JY NARBERTH, PA. NOTICE ! ae i Desired. HE publisher of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST in order to : increase the circulation of his journal is desirous of obtaining representatives in all sections of the world for the solicitation of sub- scriptions. Special inducements and liberal commission will be granted. The publisher, of course, recognizes that it would not be practicable for anyone to take time from their regular occupation for the purpose of — soliciting for THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST, but canvassing during outside hours would consume but little time, and would be remunerative. Many subscriptions can be obtained merely for the asking of them. This issue, as the two previous ones did, goes to nearly every civilized country in the world. This notice will probably be read in every latitude and every clime and at least a few subscriptions could be secured by any- one having the time and the inclination to make the endeavor. It is our ambition that THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST secures if possible a subscription list larger than that of any natural history journal published, past or present. This is our ambition, whether we succeed or fail, of course, remains to be seen. For further particulars and sample copies address the publisher, Dr. W. E. ROTZELL, NARBERTH, PA., U. S. A. sconwers We and Immortalit Botany: secnmers Life and Immortality! A series of articles in THE | OR | AMERICAN BOTANIST for all | SOUL IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS. young students who wish to know why as well as how. Explains all about flowers without the use of technical language. It is designed expressly for the general | reader. Well Illustrated. Sample for a 2-cent stamp. By THOMAS G. GENTRY, Sc.D. I have at my disposal the remaining copies of the author’s private edition. The book isa large octavo, 489 pages, cloth, profusely illustrated. _ Formerly the price was $2. 50, but by an arrange- ment with Dr. Gentry I can send an autographed copy A LITTLE BOOK FREE "Postpaid for $1.00. “Botanical Works and How to Select Them,” by the editor of THE AMERICAN BOTANIST | might suppose from the title—a_ controversial tells which books are best for | treatise, packed with metaphysics, bristling with : dei li thesis and theory with disputatious argument. Variqus Purposes and eivesA ISt | Thetheme is hand!ed with skillful simplicity by a of American publications. Send master hand. for it. Address, Explanatory circular can be had upon applica- tion to 6 “ The American Botanist, | BINGHAMTON, N. Y. The intelligence of plants and animals is de- W. Aldworth Poyser, 1941 Waverly Street, Philadelphia, Pa. picted as never before. The work is not as one . eS ee —~—. ve 2S panne «3 . T he Atlantic Slope Naturalist. Vol. 1. NARBERTH, PA., JULY AND AUGUST, 1903. No. 3 Distribution of Forest Trees on the | | the elevation above the sea rises from Nebraska Plains. By Charles E. Bessey, Ph.D., LL.D., Professor of Botany in the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb. I have been studying the forest problems of Nebraska for many years and have been able to make out a few interesting things in regard to them. In the first place, Nebraska has a very small forest area, but it is exceedingly interesting for all that. The forest trees of the State number between sixty-five and seventy, depending somewhat upon the interpretation of ‘‘tree’’ which is given by the observer. These trees have all come into the State, as I think, within comparatively recent times, and we have excellent opportunity for observing the mode of their entrance. The species have entered the State very largely from the southeast. Missouri River and its tributaries south- eastwardly we find an increasing number | of species, and many species which are found within a short distance from the southeastern corner of Nebraska do not enter it. A map showing the distribution of the species of trees in Nebraska shows fifty Or more in the extreme southeastern corner of the State, and going northward than eight or ten continue across the State. the Missouri River is bordered by an extension of the eastern forest area, and that Nebraska lies with its eastern edge in this eastern forest extension, while its western edge is next to the Rocky Mountains. If we pass down the | | forms. and westward trom this point the number | rapidly decreases until finally not more | As we pass westward across the State less than a thousand feet to about five thousand feet. The western portion of the state is really an extension of the eastern foot-hills of the Rocky Moun- tains. Now it isfound that ten species of the Rocky Mountain trees have in- vaded Nebraska trom the west and have pushed down eastward on the ridges which maintain longest the foot-hills conditions. Thus, the Bull Pine, so common in the Rocky Mountains, the western Red Cedar, four species of Cottonwood, the Buffalo Berry, one maple, and two birches have invaded Nebraska from the west. This short note will serve to give the botanist some idea of the interesting distribution of forest trees which Ne- braska shows. a Crossing and Infertility. By Morris Gibbs, [1. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. In the study of evolution of the species it is interesting to note the changes that are the result from crossing among birds and animals. Among the lower forms of animal life we find a condition of con- stancy, equal, and sometimes superior to the standard observable in the higher For instance, there is a condition of dimorphism and polymorphism in many of the insects; a condition of sea- _ sonal change in form or size in different It should be remembered that | broods of the same species. But this change is almost invariable from year to year, as carefully observed, and no radical variation is seen, the types of each brood maintaining the standard as previously noted. Again we have the peculiar con- dition of what is known as parthonogen- 22 THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. esis, or generation by the females alone, as illustrated in the aphis fly.or plant louse. This insect has the unusual method of reproduction, whereby it produces several successive generations of females (nine according to some observers) after which a generation of males and females appear together and the peculiarity repeats itself. But this insect, as well as others, keeps its individuality, and insects rarely cross, so far as known. These instances are presented as variations from what we con- sider standard, yet the peculiarity is con- stant. In mammals the condition is well known in the case of the horse and ass, and their product, the mule. The off- spring is infertile in the case of these two animals, excepting in a few instances, and from this well known example of infer- tility, the infertile offspring of all cross breeding are ordinarily called ‘‘ mules.”’ Now the horse and ass are distinct spe- cies, and infertility is the almost invariable result in all cases of crossing of distinct species, whereas the crossing of varieties does not result in infertility usually. For instance, the variety of men, or more properly races, may cross and the progeny is fertile, as is the product of any and all varieties of dogs and horses. This may be taken as quite conclusive evidence that the horses of whatever breed all came from a common source, and as well, that the dogs all came from a common orign. It is even said that the dog and wolf may produce fertile progeny, but that the offspring of the dog and fox are infertile. Turning to the cat tribe, we find that in different species the fertility in offspring is in evidence. The common domestic cat may cross with the Angora and get fertile progeny. But then it may be claimed that these are simply varieties of common origin, so I will mention the crossing of the Manx cat with the com- mon cat. The Manx cat, as is well known, has _ no tail, and is an undoubted distinct species in this large family, and yet it crosses with the common domestic cat and the progeny are fertile. I have a case in mind where a Manx cat crossed with acommon cat in my native town. The result was that of the litter, two kittens were provided with tails like their mother, and one was tailless like the sire. It is fair to say that this is an in- stance where different species have crossed and produced fertile offspring. But it may be added that some natural- ists have shown that the Manx cat with its lack of a tail is the result of domesti- cation and breeding, which, however, I do not believe. Thereis a breed of cats in this country called ‘‘coon cats’? which are now being cultivated. I do not know of their origin, but they are mentioned here, as the ridiculous notion prevails with the ignorant that they are the result of a cross between the common cat and the raccoon. from the truth, as the two animals be- Nothing could be farther | long to different families, and there isno | evidence that crossing has occurred in animals of widely separated species. The common domestic hog has been known to cross with the wild boar of | Europe, and as well with the wild hog of India, and the offspring have proven fertile, but crosses of common swine with the barbaroussa have proven in- | fertile, according to reports. The same has been found to be the case with the » progeny of domestic hogs and the wart hog of Africa, while the offspring of hogs | and peccaries has proven fertile. Among the large game animals of the } world, the American Wapeti or elk has | been crossed successfully with the fallow _ deer, but the products proved infertile, according to reports. the domestic cattle, and though the progeny proved infertile in almost every instance, still the products were remark- ably docile and there are great numbers — being raised in the Union today as the } cross readily fatten and are tractable and easy to care for and withstand hardships | better than do the range cattle. Among smaller animals, the commen mouse has been crossed with the white mouse, and the result has proven fertile, The -bison “has@ been crossed with amazing success with — THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. 23 and I know of a case where there was a collection of mixed breeds in various degrees of cultivated blood, and of varied colored coats. In reptiles there is litthe evidence of mixing of varied or allied forms and species, and I do not recall an instance of cross-breeding in frogs, turtles, snakes or lizards. However, it is suspected that crossing has occurred in the genus eutainia, which embraces the common striped snakes, a genus of well known snakes that have shown many variations, and several varieties of which are not constant and which have at different times been called varieties and again species. In the birds we have many instances where there have been crosses, and while this occurs mainly under domestication, there are also instances where crossing has occurred among the wild _ birds. There is one genus, helminthophaga, in which the birds have produced several odd mixtures, and given rise to dispute and speculation ; some claiming the pro- ducts were new species, previously un- | discovered, while others called them vari- eties. There are three forms or more properly bird paradoxes in this one genus of warblers. It is supposed that these crosses are infertile, judging from the known results in domesticated birds. For instance, there are several species of canaries, and when some among them cross, the progeny is infertile ; and these are known to bird fanciers as mule birds. It is said that all the many varieties of domesticated pigeons are from common stock, and that notwithstanding the ex- treme variations, that any of the birds may cross and the result will be fertile young. It would be a most interesting experiment if a male ring dove and a female mourning dove were mated and the actions of the progeny noted. I think they would mate, but doubt if the product would be fertile. The Chinese are noted for crossing ducks, and it is said that they secure infertile products which are the best for fattening for the market. Ducks and geese are much given to mix- ing, and this has been observed in the wild species where we have occasional instances of remarkably marked speci- mens taken by hunters. It is inferred that these crosses are infertile as the crosses are infertile in most of the in- stances, not a few, where wild geese have been confined and crossed with others, either tame or wild. For instance, the Canada goose has repeatedly crossed with the domestic goose of the barn-yard, and the cross has proven infertile in nearly every instance. There are flocks of geese in the country at present which embrace wild and tame ducks and the cross, all of which are contented and the wild fow!s are fairly domesticated, but the captives need to have their wings clipped each spring to keep them from flying to the north for the nesting season. Investigation has proven that many species of birds cross, but that most of these matings have produced infertile young. The subject is an interesting one to those who are interested in evolution. o “An Unusual Nesting Site of the Carolina Chickadee.” By Mark L. C. Wilde, Camden, N. J. On May 2oth, 1903, I spent the day in the extreme northwestern part of Cape May County, New Jersey, at a point about two miles below Belle Plain Station, on the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad. ; The object of the trip was to determine whether the Swallow-tailed Kites were breeding in the timber, bordering the swamps in this neighborhood, where some ten years before during the month of June, I had observed one of these birds flying overhead carrying a snake which I believe was for the purpose of feeding its young. The trip proved most disappointing as far as the Kites were concerned, as the timber had been ruined by forest fires, except where protected by running water in the swamps proper. However, I turned my attention to other interesting species, and among other things I found the odd nesting site 24 THE ATLANTIC SEOPE NATURALIST. of the Carolina Chickadee which is the basis of this short article. The nesting site was among the scrub oaks, through which the fires above referred to had raged, and the tree itself which escaped destruction, was about three or four feet in from a well-worn wood road, and located at least a quarter of a mile from the nearest small stream or swamp. The tree, or stump I had better say, was a dead oak, only two feet high, and four inches in diameter. It contained a natural cavity and was broken out on one side for a foot anda half down, so that the real entrance to the nest was only six inches above the ground, and the nest proper being in the bottom of the cavity was only two inches above the ground level. The reader of this article will of course see that the poor birds were compelled on account of the destruction of the timber, to use this broken off dead tree for a nesting site, or else move away from a locality where they themselves were no doubt hatched and raised. Be that as it may, this nest was_ placed nearer to the ground than any other nest of this species which I have ever found, and I have examined many of their nests in this section of the State of New Jersey. My only wonder is that the black- snakes had not devoured the eggs-as I had seen them do in years gone by not far from this nesting site. I might add right here that I flushed a Ruffed Grouse from very near ber nest, which I was surprised to find empty, with the bird on guard, until I observed the head of a black snake protruding through the leaves in the nest. I then knew where the eggs were, so 1 took my gun, shot the snake in the head, cut it open, and removed five broken eggs and one whole one, which I replaced in the nest to photograph. I left the egg and returned several days after but the bird had deserted the nest probably to complete her set in a more desirable breeding locality. In closing I would say the Carolina Chickadees’ nest was composed of the usual soft materials used by chickadees © in general and contained six badly in- cubated eggs. wage The Quail Trap. By C. L. Rawson, Norwich, Conn. ‘The owls and hawks are carrying away all our chickens,’’ is the rather exaggerated cry from many a New Lon- don county farm today. Asa matter of fact, the great horned and barred owls hunt in the woods and do not approach. the coops. Their young are now out of the nests and are foraging exclu- sively on vermin and game in their forest homes. Of the buteos, the red tailed and red shouldered are too wary to stoop from their lofty soarings to the poultry yard, and the broad-winged | is too rare to be thought of in this connection. The sparrow and sharp- — skinned are too small, and the fish- hawks and marsh hawksarecommonly | held guiltless by the rural jury. So nothing now remains but the bold long-tailed cooper’s hawk. And this is indeed the privateer that does most of the damage. Breed- | ing a little later than the big buteos, — its large family is clamoring for food: just as chickens begin to wander from | the brooders. It will come once, twice, and thrice, if not stopped with . cold lead. He does not hover high in : the air like the big hawks, but, with- — out warning, slips over the walls and cuts out his prize with a courage and — dash which has earned the local sobri- — quet of ‘‘privateer.’’ The farmer must be a crack shot and have a, trained eye to shoot this accipiter on his poultry forage. | Bounties on ‘‘owls, hawks and. crows’’ were formerly offered by nearly all our neighboring towns, and many innocent and useful birds were: killed and sold to the town clerks for a trifling sam. At that time I remem- ber meeting a North Stonington farmer who was watching a marsh hawk’s. i nest till the young harriers should break the shell, when he intended to wring the nestlings’ necks and sell them to the selectmen. Tosave them from a worse fate, I took these eggs. It was a large set of seven, with un- usually fine markings, and it is now safe in Washington. The bounty- hunter at first said he would shoot me, but finally threatened to sue me for | trespass, stealing and birds’-egging. He solaced himself later by going down into Gungawamp and trying to kill harmless ospreys, for this same small, ill-advised town bounty. With | wider knowledge of the food and hab- its of the birds, at their doors, our farmers, instead of giving bounties for the destruction of fancied feathered enemies, will offer premiums for the protection of every kind of rapacious bird. But now the bird lover is confronted by another serious question. If the standing timber continues to be cut off at its present rate, where will the birds of prey breed? By deforestation the great horned owl is already driven to our remotest limits. A few years ago I knew the homes of ten pairs of barred owls; but now I cannot locate but three pairs. The sparrow hawk could better adapt itself to new environment, for it will now on occasion breed in marten boxes, dove cotes, and tele- graph poles. Though scarce locally, Mr. Thomas Trumbull finds this little falcon common and breeding abund- antly within three miles of Hartford. Up there every shagbark grove shelters one or more pairs. In April and May, Mr. Trumbull saw holes containing sets of five, four and three fresh eggs, and May 16, one hole with four young falcons. The red shouldered hawks might find temporary homes in swamps with the accipiters. Butthe red-tails will goif the large trees disappear. Mr. Trum- bull found a red-tailed hawk breeding this season in an unusual position. It had an immense nest in an isolated THE ATLANTIC SLGRE:- NATURALIST. cr ——— 25 pine, on the edge of a cliff, on the side of Talcott Mountain, several rods from the main woods. Here, in the middle of April, the female was cover- ing three incubated eggs. No one could approach this site without being seen. And from their sightly eyrie, these wary birds could see for miles up and down the picturesque Farming- ton valley. Marsh hawks are reported very scarce around Hartford, but in this county every suitable box supports a pair. I can name seven well known trout streams, frequented by scores of Norwich fishermen, where marsh- hawks breed every season. Approach- ing a local marsh lately, two of these big harriers swooped down with fierce cries within eight feet of my fox ter- rier. Then one hawk soared high in the air, still uttering its note of alarm, away above the dizziest flights of the buteos, until absolutely lost in the sky. Repeatedly I have known a sitting marsh-hawk to remain covering her eggs from sight till I had passed her, when she would softly spring into the air and silently steal away. Not till she supposed she had secured her home from harm would she seek her own safety. 2 The Mourning and Connecticut Warblers in New York. By Ernest H. Short, Rochester, N. Y. THE MOURNING WARBLER, Geothlypis philadelphia. I have noticed in the last number of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST the article on the Mourning Warbler, by Mr. A. R. Justice, and, as I was for- tunate in helping to secure one of the few absolutely authentic sets of this bird’s eggs it may be that my experi- ence will interest other collectors. On the 31st of May, 1897, I was out in a swampy tract of woods about one mile northwest of the village of Gaines, in Orleans county, this state, in company with Mr. J. Ritenberg. After having worked the ground over separately for some time we met and THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. 26 Mr. Ritenberg said that he had left a nest which he suspected might prove to be that of the Mourning Warbler. As I had seen these warblers in the locality several times I was naturally much interested and promptly accom - panied him to the place. To avoid any question I regarded it advisable to secure the bird if possible. As Mr. Ritenberg had his gun, I had him stand back and I carefully, but quickly approached the spot he designated. A small greenish bird flew out to- ward a low brush pile nearby and he shot it near the edge of the pile. It proved to be a female Mourning War- bler, and I knew that we had found the nest of one of the rarest of western New York’s summer birds. The nest was in a clump of woody nightshade and nettles growing on ground that is covered with water nearly one-half of the year. It was entirely concealed, built up of layers of dead leaves for a distance of several inches. On top of the pile a cup- shaped hollow was well-lined with skeleton leaves, fine weed stems and dry, dead grasses, and last of all an inner lining of fine black rootlets. The eggs, five in number, did not tally with the description of many supposed sets of this bird. They are now in my hands and do not in any way closely resemble those of the yel- low-throat, nor in fact, any other species of Geothlypis, as far as my ex- perience goes. They have not the white ground of the Maryland yellow-throat, but show the creamy ground of the Kentucky Warbler’s eggs, although much smaller and finer in type of markings than that bird’s eggs. The markings are all of the light shades of brown, 70 black spots or lines, and are distrib- uted over the entire egg, though in- clined to group or wreath at the larger end. The whole effect is more delicate than the sets of the Kentucky Warbler I have seen, and entirely dif- ferent from sets of the Yellow-throated or the only set of the Connecticut War- bler I have seen. I have seen one set of four eggs, and an incomplete set of two eggs of the Mourning Warbler, besides this set, which were undoubtedly right, al- though the birds were not secured. Both sets showed the lack of back markings though they averaged larger in size and coarser in markings. The creamy ground was evidence in all cases. I regard all of the so-called sets of this bird showing black marks on a white ground as unquestionably sets of the Maryland Yellow-throat. THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER—Geothlypis agilis. This Warbler is more retiring in disposition and habits than the Mourn- ing, and hence even more difficult to locate while nesting. Here in Monroe county, N. Y., I noted a pair I felt certain were breeding last summer, but after repeated efforts I gave up the search for the nest and had to satisfy myself with the skin of the male bird as evidence. On the 30th of May, this year, I accidentally stumbled on to the only set of this bird’s eggs I have ever been fortunate enough to see. I was crossing an opening in a large swamp about one-half mile south of where I saw the pair of Connecticut Warblers last year, and was amusing myself by switching the tops of the sedges, grow- ing in a few inches of water, with a short stick I carried, when something that looked like a small mouse slipped out of a clump of sedges in front of me and disappeared at once. My stick had uncovered a nest containing four eggs built up a foot in the center of a clump of sedge that would certainly never have been discovered but for the stick. I was obliged to stand then in the | water for quite a long time, probably for half an hour, before the bird came back and even then, after I heard her chipping around me, it took some time to get her off the ground, or rather out of the sedges far enough to identify her. She finally flew up into a patch THE ATLANTIC’ SLOEE NATURALIST, of briers and prickly ash and I knew that I had found Geothlypis agilis beyond question. The nest was built entirely of the stems and blades of some variety of swamp grass. The base and outside were of coarser stems, while the lining was of the finer blades. The eggs were decidedly of a green- ish tint in ground color and the mark- ings run to much darker shades of brown than those I have seen on the eggs of the Mourning or Kenutcky Warblers, while the largest size and greenish ground entirely differentiate them from the eggs of the Maryland Yellow-throat. Of course, if we had a series of sets of this bird the ground color might be found to run more to the creamy shade of the Mourning and Kentucky Warblers. My set may not be typical, as we would hardly look for the greenish | tint in this group of Warblers, though | the tint in philadelphia and formosa . is so different from ¢vichas and allies that it is not impossible that agz/zs would run too greenish. One egginmy | set is abnormal, almost immaculate greenish. in Southern New Jersey. By Mark L. C. Wilde, Camden, N. J. It may be of interest to the readers of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST to know that the Pileated Woodpecker has been found breeding in New Jersey with- in the last ten years. This noble bird is exceedingly rare in the State referred to and has been | practically exterminated in this section of the country. This may no doubt be at- tributed to the cutting away of the forests. The bird prefers seclusion and is very | | of the birds. shy. When the young are _ hatched, should the nesting site be approached by man, the female will not desert her offspring, but will fly about from tree to tree ‘‘in fear and trembling,’’ appearing terribly worried and particularly nervous, . taking care not to come too near the intruder. She will keep out of view as much as possible, by hanging on to the 27 opposite side of a tree trunk, uttering her peculiar note continually, and frequently peep around the tree to keep watch on the intruder. It was on June 4th, 1893, while collect- ing notes and recording data on the breeding of the birds of Western Cape May County that I established my first breeding record of this bird in New Jersey. Mr.-J. Harris Reed accompanied me and just after crossing over the north- western boundary line of the county above referred to, into the extreme southeastern part of Cumberland County, along the West Creek, Mr. Reed went into the woods to watch several hooded warblers, while I walked on about a hundred yards further into the swamp, and just got there in time to see a large woodpecker with food, fly into the woods. Hastening to the exact spot I observed that my presence was very annoying to her. Fearing lest I should not be able to keep her in view owing to the uncertainty of my footing, I called to Mr. Reed who came over at once to where I stood and after getting a good look at the bird through field glasses, and seeing it was a ‘* Pileated,’’ we hid ourselves as best we could at different points in the swamp, and after waiting a long time, we saw her Breeding of the Pileated Woodpecker 0 to an oak tree and disappear through a hole into the nesting cavity. We waited still. The male bird did not appear at all. I shall never forget the pleasure the mosquitoes had with us while we were cramped up in our hiding place. My poor neck was raised with lumps for several days thereafter. Finally when the female bird had dis- posed of what food she had and reap- peared, we proceeded to investigate. The nesting cavity contained five young birds just about ready to fly and we left them undisturbed expecting to return a day or two later to more fully observe the habits This record has already appeared in _ published form in Major Bendire’s ‘‘ Life History of North American Birds’’ page 107 of the second volume, but is given here in more accurate detail, for the bene- fit of those students who do not happen to be fortunate enough to possess a copy of the valuable book above referred to. 28 THE ATLANTIC SEQGEE NATURALIST: Be on | —* Atlantic Slope Naturalist. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY py W.E. ROTZELL, M. D., Narberth, Pa. Articles of interest to the observer of Nature solicited from all. SUBSCRIPTION RATES Single subscription,.50 cents per year to all parts of the Postal Union. ADVERTISING RATES Five cents per nonpariel line each insertion. 12 lines in every inch, 7 inches ina column, and 2 columns to the page. Advertisements for less than one-half inch will not be taken. Remittances should be made by post office money order, registered letter or postal note. Unused U.S. postage stamps will be accepted for sums less than one dollar, where it is not conven- ient to remit money in any other form. Address all communications to DR. W. E. ROTZELL, MONTGOMERY COUNTY. NARBERTH, PA. Application has been made for entrance in the mail as second-class matter. JULY AND AUGUST, 1903. The first number of this journal con- sisted of an edition of 1000 copies. Num- ber 2 consisted of 2000 copies ; and of this, July-August issue, Number 3, 3000 copies are issued and the major portion of them circulated. Less than too copies of num- bers 1 and 2 remain. To those of our readers, excepting personal friends, that have received nos. 1 and 2 and also this issue but have not as yet subscribed, or acknowledged receipt of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST, we are compelled to state that this is the last issue they will receive until their subscriptions are forth- coming. By this it must not be inferred that our circulation will suffer for such is not the case, we will merely change our field of operation by sending to other addresses, of which we have an abundant supply. We are under obligations to Mr. Thomas H. Jackson, of West Chester, Pa., for a very beautiful photograph of the nest and eggs of the Worm-eating Warbler ( Helmitherus vermivorus) which he secured on June 6th, 1903. ° The election of Dr. Charles M. Thomas as Dean of the Hahnemann Medical Col- lege of Philadelphia must be exceed- ingly gratifying to all of the graduates and friends of that institution. The esteem, confidence, and loyalty that was possessed by the late Dr. A. R. Thomas, who shed unequalled lustre on the posi- tion as Dean from the year 1874 until his decease in 1895, become, not through relationship, but through ability, the por- tion of his distinguished son, Dr. Charles M. Thomas. Dr. Charles E. Bessey, the distinguished Professor of Botany in the University of Nebraska has gone to Europe, where he expects to remain until October. The major portion of his time will be spent in various portions of Russia. It is hardly necessary to state that, in common with his many thousands of friends, students and readers, THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NAT- URALIST wishes him a most pleasant and profitable sojourn. The Michigan Ornithological Club has again become an active organization. Its journal, the Audletin of the Michigan Ornithological Club for March, 1903, in- dicates the prosperity of this organization. The wonder is, not in the fact that this club is active, but, that it should ever have been otherwise with such ornitholo- gists as the state of Michigan has at its disposal. Please note the change in our subscrip- tion price. Ifthe reader of this note is not a subscriber and desires a complete file of the journal it would be well for the subscription to be sent at once as our supply of Nos. 1 and 2 is very low and without doubt will soon be exhausted. We are very grateful to Prof. Conway MacMillan, the State Botanist of Minne- sota, for Minnesota Botanical Studies, Third : Series, Part -1;. March i, tiges issued under the auspices of the Geologi- cal and Natural History Survey of Min- nesota. It is not, and will not be, a policy of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST to boom its advertisers, they must speak for themselves, but we would especially remark on the advertisement of Mr. Abbott H. Thayer in this issue. This gentleman has made a special study on Protective Coloration among Animals ; his views were partially published in 7%e Auk of April and October, 1896. At present Mr. Thayer is engaged in writing a book on this subject and any photo- graphs that our readers might be able and willing to furnish him with we are sure he will be very grateful for. Prof. T. J. Fitzpatrick, of Iowa City, Iowa, has very kindly favored us with a number of his pamphlets on the flowering plants of that state. These pamphlets are very interesting and we regret that lack of space will not permit a further reference to them in this issue. Pennsylvania is fortunate in possessing in Governor Pennypacker an executive who fully realizes the great importance of the preservation of our forests. A portion of his time this month has been spent with Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock, For- estry Commissioner, tramping over some of our forest areas for the purpose of making a careful inspection of the same. Mr. J. Warren Jacobs, of Waynesburg, Pa., in his ‘‘ Story of a Martin Colony’”’ recites in an extremely interesting manner his efforts, which were attended ultimately with success, in the establishment of quite a colony of these birds. The Purple Martin (Progne subis) as we all know, in thickly settled districts is no longer com- mon and Mr. Jacobs during a period of seven years from 1896 to Igo2 erected bird-houses for them and in every manner catered to their comfort. The detail of his work cannot be described here, but suffice it to say that a census of his mar- tin colony taken May 28th, 1go2, states the following: Rooms occupied, 72; containing eggs, 50 ; containing both eggs and young, 2; nests being constructed, 20; total eggs and young to date men- tioned, 245. All interested in the study of bird life should possess this pamphlet. THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST, 29 It may be obtained of Mr. Jacobs, price 35 cents. Mr. Willard N. Clute has favored us with a copy of his ‘‘Fern Collectors’ Guide.’’ It is a volume of convenient size for field work and covers in an excellent manner the subject upon which it treats. —__-@ ee Dr. Carl Gegenbauer. Carl Gegenbauer, the famous Ger- man anatomist, died at Heidelberg on June 15th, 1903. Carl Gegenbauer was born at Wurz- burg on August 21, 1826. He studied in the gymnasium of his native city, and was a pupil of Koelliker and of Virchow at the university of the same place. He received his doctor’s de- gree in 1850, and began life as an assistant physician in the Wurzburg Hospital, but soon abandoned medical practice to devote himself exclusively to anatomical studies. After study- ing the organization of the infe- rior animals of the Mediterranean region, he became a private docent at Wurzburg in 1854, was called thence to the Chair of Anatomy at the Uni- versity of Jena, and was transferred in the same capacity to the University of Heidelberg in 1863. Professor Gegen- bauer was the author of many valu- able works on anatomy. > Early Risers. By Thos. G. Gentry, Sc.D., Philadelphia, Pa. While recovering from an attack of typhoid pneumonia, sleep being banished from my eyelids by the weariness incident to a protracted illness, my early morning hours were spent listening to the strains of music which in the June breezes delightfully bore to my bedside through the half-open many years ago, | windows. Observing for some time that the same feathered choristers were, by some good genius, thus made to contribute to my pleasure and happiness by drawing my 30 thoughts from self and fixing them on the outer world, and also that these entertainments were given at about the same hour of the day, ‘arrangements were made for noting the time when each singer should commence his per- formance. Accordingly, a burning lamp was so placed with respect to the timepiece that the figures could be clearly seen upon the dial. Everything being now in readi- ness, developments were anxiously awaited. As usual, the robin took the lead. His first note was exactly struck at three and thirty of the o’clock, and for nearly a half-hour he ruled the realm of song. Two weeks and more was he thus timed, but he seldom, if ever, varied from these figures. The hour of five found the summer yellowbird and song sparrow sufficiently awake to add their quota of delight. But scarcely had they thrilled the fields and groves around with their sweet cadences, than they were hushed into silence by sounds more shrill than jay or crow e’er uttered, for the sparrows—those hateful, saucy gamins from Albion’s shores—had now essayed their matins. At five, outdone by heat and worry, they ceased awhile their clatter, and anon was heard the twitter of the redstart as he glided in and out among the tree- branches, or the titter of the barn swallow as he gracefully cleaved the ether. Six o’clock ushered in the tinkling, bell- | ' themselves, when four or five months like utterances of the wood thrush, and, as he poured from lofty ash or oak his matchless music, all other minstrels slunk | away, or hid themselves for shame. The catbird and the thrasher, in the intervals of his silence, would, by their many-voiced language, command atten- tion, but always did their best when he had sought the bush for shelter. Later on, the wren and bluebird charmed me with their notes, but, by the time the clock had pealed the hour of ten, my friends had flown, I knew not whither, and I was left alone, my thoughts my only solace. | or 4 days. | never. THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. The Homing Pigeon. By W. Aldworth Poyser, Philadelphia, Pa. The Homing Pigeon and its per- formances seem to have escaped the eye of the ornithologist. Our present American type of homing pigeon was originated in Belgium during the early part of the past century, and is the result of cross-breeding several fancy varieties. To the non-fancier the flying powers of our subject seem nothing short of miraculous. During the spring of 1902, a club of fanciers in Chicago shipped some birds to Mexico, air-line to Chicago, 1370 miles. Thirty days after liberation one bird returned to the loft of its owner. Several birds have flown 600 miles in one day, at- taining in some cases an average speed of over 1400 yards per minute. Wav- erly Boy, a bird two years old, belong- ing to the writer, flew in the spring of 1902: 100, 300, 400 and 505 miles. Each journey was completed the day of liberation; the 505 miles in a little | over 13 hours. Yet, he was but an average bird. Pigeons that have flown 500 miles on the same day are probably numbered by hundreds in Philadel- phia alone. So much for the matured specimen—now its life-history. Homing pigeons mate for life. Two eggs constitute a set. Incubation, both birds participating, lasts from 16 to 18 days. At the age of six weeks the youngsters are able to care for old they are shipped 5, 10, 20, 40, 60 ( miles from home at intervals of 3 This usually constitutes their training as youngsters. The fol- lowing spring brings a repetition with careful and protracted exercise about the home loft. Following at inter- vals of a week to ten days come the 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mile races, many returning in good time, some to The writer once owned a bird that returned to its home in Philadel- phia a year after being liberated in THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. Gainesville, Georgia, 614 miles dis- tant. What mysterious power prompts or enables the bird to seek its home. Instinct? Surely not sight; nor smell; nor hearing! What? A manifesta- tion of force in the form of a myste- rious magnetism? Or shall we ascribe it to the sense of direction! The speed attained by a bird varies. Being influenced by the wind and weather conditions. An average speed for 100 miles, of 1976 yards a minute was recorded in 1897, while 1603 yards per minute is the record for 505 miles. The endurance of a trained homing pigeon is beyond compre- hension. a A Year With a Cat-fish. By Edgar S. Jones, Lovington, Illinois. After the ice in the river has melted and the rains of April have caused the creeks and rivers of the Mississippi valley to rise, just that soon you will find the cat-fish coming from his home in the mud-bed of the stream or from beneath the logs that are very common in the slow-flowing streams of the west, and starting up the stream in search of food as well as seeking his home of the year before. This migratory movement of fishes of inland waters as compared with that of birds is more pronounced in the cat-fish than in any other species. He has had but little to eat during the winter months and is always alert to secure food, such as bits of grass, insects or smaller fishes. He travels up_and down the river as it rises and falls, but by the first of June has chosen a part of the river in which he generally stays until the rise of the river in the autumn. and downward migrations (the first general movement does not begin how- ever, until the hatching season is prin- cipally over), but by the first of July at farthest they begin to isolate them- Great | schools of cat-fish make their upward | 31 selves, excepting the younger ones, which stay in schools. By the first of June he has gotten over his hungry spell, going in quest of food during the night, beginning shortly after dusk, along the shallow water near the banks or ripples procuring frogs, cray-fish and other species of fish, lying in wait for fish, often capturing those equalling him in size. Fishermen find that bait placed two or three inches from the top of the water near the edge of the boat is gen- erally safe from the turtle and cray- fish, but easily found by. the cat-fish in his nightly journey. His summer home is commonly found in hollow logs or small recesses in the sides of the banks. Very often, during the months of August and Sep- tember, when the water is at the low- est, men who are engaged in capturing the cat-fish for market, place hollow logs in favorable positions for the fish and also make excavations in the banks, making tempting places for the larger ones to take up their abode on their return inthe spring Thecat-fish has been captured by this method weigh- ing as much as fifty pounds. In the early summer, quantities of grain are placed near these places, to further attract the attention of the fish. Frequently, the king-fisher mis- judges the size of the cat-fish when near the surface, and consequently is very often seized by him and drawn beneath the water. He is the scavenger of the river fishes. His principal food dur- ing the fall months being decayed ani- mal matter, seeming to relish most that which has undergone the most putrefaction. In the late summer, if the streams become very low, cat-fish of considerable size may be seen making the ripples; but if the rivers do not lower, this is seldom seen. As the fall rains begin he starts down the stream, collecting in small schools during the winter months. Many times he can be seen through the ice at the edge of the water, remaining 32 THE ATLANTIC SH@RE NATURALIST, there for days at a time. When open- ings are made in the ice, great numbers congregate near, remaining for a short time, then returning to their homes in the mud to emerge again at the com- ing of spring. a The Sora Rail (Porzana carolina) in Captivity. By J. Harris Reed, Alden, Pa. During October, 1895, while Charles Marter, of Beverly, N. Y., was out gun- ning, his setter dog caught a live Rail bird among the tussocks of meadow grass. The following day he gave the bird to Mrs. Louis N. Walton, who put it ina large square cage, in the bottom of which she put soil and sowed canary seed. E’er long the seed formed a sod, and as the grass grew taller the bird would nestle down in it and sleep there instead of on the perch. He was fed on rice, chickweed, apples and occasionally earth worms, and he became so tame as to take food from the hand. His cage was kept in the bathroom and he would take a bath in his little tub or splash in it whenever the water was run from the spigots. Occasionally he was left out of his cage into a closed room for exercise, but as he was a professional spinster this luxury was not indulged in very often. As spring approached he became more restless and would emit a small quiet call note. The following June he met his death through a cat. He was in good condi- tion, which shows that there is no diffi- culty in keeping them in confinement, although this is the only occurrence I ever met with. . i re The Water Ouzel. By A. R. Justice, Philadelphia, Pa. In the year 1886 I travelled through California, and while at Santa Cruz I re- called the name of an old ornithological correspondent, George H. Ready. Making inquiries, I found he was then Postmaster of thetown. I hunted him up, introduced eee myself, and was received very cordially. Mr. Ready inquired if I was fond of trout fishing ; on my responding in the affirma- tive, he suggested that we take a buggy ang drive to the mountain seven or eight miles from the town. Accordingly we Started early the next morning, and reached our destination about eight o’clock a.m. Fishing was A 1, and we caught between us about one hundred trout within a few hours. The brook was rapid and interspersed with numerous waterfalls and pools, an ideal trout stream. As we were making our way along the stream, a large salmon darted out from near the bank and made its way into a deep pool, but no amount of coaxing would induce it to strike. Intent on the capture of the salmon, we had failed to notice a nest on the side of the rock, directly over the pool, until Mr. Ready’s eye glanced in that direction ; at the same time a Water Ouzel flew from the nest and lighted on the edge of the stream a short distance away. The reader can imagine we were not long in devising ways and means for securing the eggs. It was no easy task however, the rock with precipitous sides was full twelve feet high and the pool quite deep. We were, however, not to be deterred by difficulties and Mr. Ready being the lightest in weight, I held on to his legs while he lowered himself down head first. He managed to reach the nest and found it to © contain five eggs, fresh. They were white in color without marking and rather pyriform in shape. We afterward found another set further up the stream. Rain set in shortly after and we availed our- selves of the spreading branches of a large redwood, fully twenty feet in diam- eter, to protect us from the downpour, and although we remained under this shelter for several hours, not a drop reached us. Numbers of Valley Quail sought shelter under the same tree and manifested little or no fear in our pres- ence. The redwoods in the vicinity of Santa Cruz are not the Sequocas proper, but grow straight and are much more symmetrical. We reached the town about THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. six o’clock very wet (outside) and very hungry, but with a change of attire and a trout supper I felt better and thus rounded up one of my pleasant expe- riences. ni The Tennessee Warbler in Pennsyl- vania. By W.E. Rotzell, M. D., Narberth, Pa. One of the rarer of our migrants which it has twice been my good fortune to record in this vicinity is the Tennessee Warbler (Helminthophila peregrina). For geographical reasons this bird when observed at all, in common with many others, is usually met with during the autumnal migration, and such was the case with both of my records. One of the birds was obtained on Sep- tember the 2oth, 1895, from among a few fruit trees, hardly of sufficient number to denominate as an orchard, in company with a number of other species. The other specimen was taken on September the 19th, 1897, in the orchard of Mr. E. N. Manning of Lower Merion Town- ship, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. During this particular season for several days around the date mentioned the mi- gration of the smaller birds was, it seemed to me, rather more extensive than usually occurs even at that season of the vear. oe CORRESPONDENCE. THE BALD EAGLE IN PENNSYLVANIA. Williamsport, Pa., June ro, 1903. Editor of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATUR- ALIST, Dear Sir: The second number of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST has reached me and I am very much pleased and interested with it. On the 23d of May a party from Wil- liamsport shot within the borders of our city an adult Bald Eagle. The Bald Eagle is now rare here and I should have purchased this bird for my collec- tion, but it was uncommonly small (ex- tent of wings only six feet, one inch) which dimension is the same as the smallest specimen I collected in southern Florida. 33 The tail of this eagle was very much worn, having the same appearance as the southern eagles, which frequent the racoon oyster beds, on the edge of which they are on the lookout for fish. The above mentioned bird appeared very light in color on the back and had not near the dark appearance of south Florida specimens; though it must cer- tainly have been driven from some southern locality, by stormy weather or high wind, as eagles from Pennsylvania generally range much larger in size. With best wishes, Yours truly, AvuGusT KOCH. A CRITICAL NON-SUPPORTER. Buffalo, N.e¥:, June: $, 1903. Editor of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATUR- ALIST, Dear Sir: Your little journal has been received and I would like to be a sub- scriber but really do not approve of killing birds to find out their names. The article by A. R. Justice states that he shot six males of the Mourning Warbler and undoubtedly he says they had young. The best way to study birds is by note, and not by the shotgun. If you will make an effort to stop the slaughter of birds you can put me down as a long subscriber. Very truly, D. MINEHAN. The editor handed this letter to his friend Mr. Justice and the following is that gentleman’s reply: Philadelphia, June 10, 1903. Editor of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATUR- ALIST, Dear Sir: I have read the comments of Mr. D. Minehan on the article ‘Mourning Warbler in Pennsylvania,”’ which appeared in the recent issue of your magazine. I can heartily endorse his sentiments so far as it applies to in- discriminating slaughter. I do not, how- ever, object to the killing of birds for 34 THE ATLANTIC SE@BE NATURALIST. scientific purposes. The study of bird life by means of the opera glass is to be commended, and of recent years I have confined my own studies in Ornithology entirely to observation. With the ex- ception of an eagle I shot three years ago I have not killed a bird for cabinet purposes for many years. I. think, however, the majority of Ornithologists avail themselves of their opportunities in collecting rare birds or eggs. To carry out literally Mr. Minehan’s recommendations we would unquestion- ably pass by new species through in- ability to make as careful examination as a closer inspection would afford. What say your readers in this issue ? Very respectfully, . ALFRED R. JUSTICE. ee eae Prehistoric Hammers of Michigan. By Morris Gibbs, M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. In the May-June issue of THE ATLAN- TIC SLOPE NATURALIST reference is made to a box of stone sledge-hammers from a pile of 1300 found in Missouri. - These are reported to be made from black hematite and showing no other finish than a simple groove about the middle for the holding of the stone in place probably at the end of the handle. We have many of this same class of so-called sledges in Michigan and more particularly north of the 46th parallel. There are many sections in this state where sledges may be found but they are very common in the Upper Peninsular and are not to be found in many quarters in Southern Michigan. I know of one field on the Kalamazoo river between the 42nd and 43rd parallels, perhaps a battle- field, where over one thousand flint arrow and spear heads have been gathered and yet not a stone axe, so-called, or sledge has ever been taken from the field. This would seem to indicate that certain tribes did not make use of axes and sledges, at least to any great extent, while the thou- sands of arrow and spear points prove that the early tribes used them in the chase and as well, probably, in warfare. Many well-formed axes have been found in our state but the so-called hammers or sledges are the roughest kind of imple- ments imaginable, being simple small stones from five to eight inches long and eight to twelve inches in circumference, with a groove fashioned about the middle where it is probable that a withe bound them to the handle. This groove is gen- erally well defined but is often barely to be detected. These implements are gen- erally more or less battered and chipped and are formed from common hard-head of drab, greenish or brownish hues and are never made from conglomerate, gran- ite or any flaky material. What were these implements used for? We do not know ; but it is reasonable to suppose that they were used in warfare probably as other tribes used the more artistic and shapely stone axe, but it is fair to judge that the tribes which made the shapely axe seldom if ever made use of the rough sledge, for it has been, shown generally that where one style is common that the other is rare. The Smoking of Red-willow Bark by- the American Aborigines. In the last number of THE ATLANTIC SLtopE NATURALIST among the ‘An- thropological Notes’ on page 20 it was stated that Dr. Washington Matthews, in the American Anthropologist for January- March, 1903, announced that it was his opinion that the American Indians did not use the bark of the red willow for smoking as they are considered to have done ever since their manners, habits, and customs have been investigated by numerous travelers, naturalists and an- thropologists. Since the publication of the note re- ferred to in THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST the writer has been the recipient of several communicatons which perhaps may throw some light on this interesting subject. Under the date of June 13th, 1903, Mr. J. Alden Loring, of Owego, N. Y., wrote as follows: eg THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. 35 ‘‘Noticing in Number 2 of THE Ar- LANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST that you quoted the opinion of Dr. Washington Matthews to the effect (in the American Anthropologist) that the Indians did not smoke the bark of red-willow, I wish to say that I am confident that this is an error. “During the two summers which I spent (1895 and 1896) among the Cree and Stony Indians of Northwestern Canada I repeatedly saw them using the bark of red-willow for smoking. They would trim the long branches, and, after scraping off the thin dark colored outer bark, which left a green bark exposed, they would carefully (with a blunt-edged knife) scrape it almost the entire length of the limb, leaving it attached to the lower end where it hung in coil-spring like shreds, clustered in a whorl. The limbs were then stuck in the ground about a camp-fire and the bark allowed to dry. When thoroughly dry it was taken between the palms of the hand and rubbed until broken into fine particles, and was then ready for use. “My half-bred guide smoked large quantities of red-willow bark mixed with tobacco and it was in general use among the Indians we met. My memory fails me as to whether it was used without | being mixed with tobacco or not. “This information is not given be- cause I wished to deny the statement, but because I thought that my observa- tion might be of value to your readers.” Mr. J. R. Barton, of Minneapolis, Minn., on June 15th, 1903, wrote : , ‘There is one little note on page 20 that I must take exception to. As regards the article of Dr. Matthews in the Jan- uary-March issue of the American An- thropologist, from which you make a statement. I cannot bring myself to be- lieve that the Doctor conducted his re- searches as thoroughly as stated. In the time I have spent among the Chippewa and also among the Sioux Indians I find that a large number of the older genera- tions still smoke the red-willow bark and prefer it to tobacco. I believe that it was also much used among other tribes. I would be pleased to furnish you corroborations of this statement, if you will.”’ These two interesting and important communications came unsolicited from gentlemen with whom I had not pre- viously corresponded and to whom thanks are here very gratefully extended. Recognizing the importance, to the ethnologist, of the subject involved and desiring further evidence on the question, I wrote to that distinguished and versa- tile naturalist, Dr. Robert W. Shufeldt, of New York city, and the following is an extract from his reply: ‘‘T had already read the note on what Dr. Matthews had to say about Indians smoking the bark of the red-willow in THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. I believe my distinguished confrere to be wrong in this matter, but it is difficult for me to imagine how ke could have fallen into such an error of statement. [ have not been among the Indians for a num- ber of years now, but I do know that I saw a great deal of the Sioux in Dakota and Wyoming during the years of 1877-82 and was in the field with them constantly. With parties numbering from five to thirty, I have ridden over the prairies with them for miles, day in and day out, when I was the only white man in the bunch. When thus riding I have smoked with them over and over again, the big Indian pipe being passed from horseman to horseman, as we silently rode along. They were using nothing then but the dried bark of the red-willow. The older Indians all preferred it. The young bucks sometimes, however, smoked pure tobacco (Durham, Lone Jack, etc.), and sometimes they mixed it with the willow bark.”’ It seems to me that this statement of Dr. Shufeldt’s settles, for all time, that the American Aborigines did smoke the dried bark of the red-willow. He not merely saw them smoking red-willow bark but he also smoked red-willow bark with them as well, W. Be Rorze.r. 36 THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. Ate St ea aa ear lt ANTHROPOLOGICAL NOTES. The Society of Anthropology of Paris is the recipient of four skulls from Bolivia, one of which is alleged to be that of Atahualpha, the last Inca of Peru. They were presented by M. Senechal de la Grange through Dr. Chervin. M. R. Anthony took for his subject ‘““ The Evolution of the Human Foot’? at the annual Broca conference. He con- tended that the deviation from the arbo- real type was particularly shown in the feet of new-born infants. The angle of separation of the head of the astralagus he found to be in the chimpanzee 35 de- grees, the gorilla 30 degrees, the new- born European 29 degrees, the negro 24 degrees, and the adult European 17 to 18 degrees, Ina comparative table of>stature, ar- ranged according to nationalities, the United States Indian stands higher than any Other race of the world, though the Patagonian runs him very close, says American Medicine. The white comes next, At the top of the list of countries, arranged in order of stature, the first seven, after the United States white men, are Norway, Scotland, British America, Sweden, Ireland, Denmark, and Holland all northern nations. The N. Y. Sw under the date of May goth last, from Norman, Okla., states that Prof. C. N. Gould has returned from southwestern Missouri, where he inspected a cave which promises to be of archaeological value. The cave is four miles north of the Arkansas line and twelve east of Indian Territory. It is 70 feet long—a hole dug out of the solid rock. The bottom is covered with a coating of ashes three feet deep, esti- mated in all at some 5,000 cubic feet. It is believed that the cavern was in- habited and that the ashes are those left by the fires they built. Out of the debris of ashes and clay have been dug four human skeletons, together with the bones of several animals. Flint instruments of all kinds, knives, spear heads, and drills, as well as bone and stone instruments, have been found in great profusion. ) According to the Kansas City Journal it is reported that a new word has origin- ated from the characteristics of a certain plant, namely the Loco weed. This plant is said to be unusually abundant on the prairies this year and its physiological action on the animals which partake of itis curious. When an animal has ac- quired the loco habit it becomes ema- ciated and wild somewhat after the manner of a person sometimes affected by morphine or liquor. On the prairie the word ‘‘ Locoed”’ is applied to persons. who are intoxicated or who have lost their minds, and it has moved eastward where it is doubtful if many are familiar with its origin. . Captain Kozloft recently lectured at St. Petersburg on his scientific expedi- tion to Central Asia and Tibet, lasting from 1899 to 1901. Asa result of the ex- pedition the central steppe of the Gobi Desert and the country of Han-su and Tsaidam were traversed. Numerous an- thropological observations were made, as. well as a great many notes with regard to the flora’ and fauna of the country. After establishing a meteorological sta- tion in the Tsaidam, where the collec- tions were left, the party started for the heights of Tibet. Captain Kozloff’s ex- pedition was at first allowed to enter the territory of the Dalai-Lama, but it was. stopped on reaching districts strictly re- served. It was, consequently, compelled to winter for five months in the Mekong Valley. The expedition traversed and made a study of parts of Tibet, which had never before been visited by Euro- peans, and made collections which will have an important bearing on the study’ of the ethnography and the flora and fauna of that country. WeEoR ae ee EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT. Exchange notices of not more than 25 words. will be inserted free of charge once annually to subscribers. The right to reject a notice is re- served. Exchange: American Ornithology, Vol. I, Bird’ Lore, Vols. I, II, III and IV for sets O. and O. books or publications which I need to complete: files. - E. R. FORREST, Washington, Pa. It seems to have escaped the notice of our readers that editorially we announced that we would establish an exchange department in this journal for their use, Thus far the only notice- received is the above. Is there a demand for this: department? “Used Everywhere in America. Start a Class. poney in It. Hundreds of Testimonials. IBBS'S CELEBRATED PROCESS OF RAPID TAXIDERMY In Practical Use for Over Twenty-five Years. Try, and be Convinced. Be Your Own Taxidermist. Naturalists, Collectors, Gunners, Anglers, Outers, Boys, Girls, and all others interested in nature : is and anxious to preserve the specimens taken in wood and field, have all felt the need of a simple method we of preservation, which is free from intricacies and inexpensive. There is a method of rapid taxidermy now in extensive use, which meets the requirements of all ~ amateurs who wish a practical and inexpensive method of preserving the trophies of the outing and col- ' lecting trip. This is not the old system of so-called stuffing, so expensive, laborious and disappoint- A - ing, but is a rapid system, which anyone can learn at once and which is guaranteed to give satisfaction. t ; By this process you may preserve the beautiful plumage of the grouse and woodcock, or the pike’s or buck’s head, or the showy feathers of the tanager. Boys, girls and all others can do good work and ' may make money, as mounted heads and birds find a ready sale, and besides you may teach your friends and decorate the school room, office and dining room with native birds and other attractions. ' are in doubt, then get your friends to go in with you and start a class, for when several work together there is an advantage, and the expense is next to nothing. On the receipt of $1.00, cash or stamps, I will send full printed instructions for mounting birds, ' heads, mammals, etc.,and all materials for mounting and preserving specimens—including prepared — ~< If you © compound, together with full directions for dressing skins with the hair on for rugs and robes, so that ves you will not be to the expense of one cent. _ MORRIS GIBBS, M. D., WANTED — Short-Range Photographs of Wild Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles in _ nature (excluding the commonest passerine birds ' of the eastern United States,as robins, bluebirds, _ chickadees, etc.) Good prices paid for satisfactory | pictures. - ABBOTT H. THAYER, : Monadnock, N. H., U.S. A. FOR SALE | FOSSILS FROM EOCENE AND CRETACE- " _OUS HORIZONS OF MISSISSIPPI AND * ALABAMA. | TWO EARLY REPORTS OF BUREAU OF | ETHNOLOGY (Powell). _ State and Government Reports of Geo- ‘ logical Surveys; various dates and E States. te ONE SET STEVENS YUCATAN; ARCHAE- ie OLOGY. : e NORMANS YUCATAN;; 50 fine Illustrations of ae ruins, images and hieroglyphics; date, 1842. E Address a eee) E. E. NICHOL, _ 723 Carondelet, St., New Orleans, La. rea AW Sx: * a’ "ee eke be F : Remember I Guarantee Satisfaction or Money Refunded. Mention ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST and address Kalamazoo, Mich. My Specialty BIRDS EGGS; SETS. SINGLE OR COLLECTIONS PRICE LIST OF ALL Naturalists’ Supplies ON APPLICATION Ernest H. Short, Rochester, New York. | Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital # es CHARTERED 1848 — an MMW sees a os ald BROAD STREET ABOVE RACE = os PHILADELPHIA The Leading Features of this the Old- est Homeopathic Sehool are as follows: — 1.—New and complete College and Hospital buildings, with every modern convenience. 2.—Reading room for students, and i biaty of 15,000 volumes, , ae 3.—Anatomical museum, unexcelled in size and variety. | | 4.—A four years’ graded course of seven months each. 5.—-Laboratory work in all the practical branches. 6.—Unusual clinical facilities afforded by the Hospital in the wards and dispensary department in bi over 35,941 patients were treated last. year. é a 7.—The special practical or bedside ching given to the students of the. graduating class is not excelled by any other college. 8.—Lectures commence in October and end in May. For Announcement address ; at Hahnemann Medical College, CHARLES M. THOMAS, M. D., Dean. PHILADE LPHIA. | CHARLES MOHR, M. D., Registrar. a 3 Be a. SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER, 1903. Atlantic Slope N aturalist SUBSCRIPTION: 50 CENTS PER YEAR. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY, BY W. E, ROTZELL, M. D,, 77 NARBERTH, PA, Ww American Consolidated Mining Company | CAPITAL STOCK, $600,000.co All Common Stock Full Paid and Non-Assessabie Par Value, $1.00 Per Share 6 . ot ae , Iron ore We seas’ us the most profitable industries in the country}. \ IRON and STEEL are acknowledged the leading industries of the world, and the demand for iron and steel is growing greater every year. This company was organized for the purpose of mining Hematite and Magnetic Iron Ores and the milling of Oxides of Iron. The estimated profit of the! company from all its mines ane Oxide plants will exceed 50 per cent. of the capitalization of the company per annum. _ A limited number of shares will be sold in blocks of 25 shares and upwards at PAR VALUE, $1,00 PER SHARE. Owing to the estimated earning capacity of the company, the stock will be selling above par value in a very short time. | 3 Write for prospectus which gives all details. Free on application. American | Consolidated Mining Company 847 Drexel Building, PHILADELPHIA, : PENN., U. S. A. — z =r pr carer a eer eg enn lp LS ny ty 4 “al na ase 1 ¢ 1908 The Atlantic Slope Naturalist. - NARBERTH, PA., SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER, 1903. _ Wo. a Vol. 1. THE STUDY OF NESTLING BIRDS. By R. W. Shufeldt, .D., New York City, N. Y. Perhaps a better title for the article I am about to write would have been —the study of young birds—as I do not think that all ornithologists are agreed as to what is exactly meant by a nestling bird in all cases. With respect to those birds that build nests, as for example, a jay, or a flycatcher, or a hum- ming bird, I consider the nestling stage of the young to extend from the time of hatching to include the time that it either voluntarily quits the nest, or is forced out of the same by the parent birds. After the bird once leaves the nest and up to include the time it looks out completely for itself, I take to be the subadult stage of its existence. For practical purposes this is exact enough for the kinds of birds I have just cited, but no such rule can be applied to a great many other members of the class. For instance in plovers, sandpipers, and the like, the younglings also immediately leave the shallow, shiftless ex- cavation upon the ground where they were hatched and follow the mother wherever she may fancy to lead them. Again some birds build no nests at all, as in the case of auks, murres and others, ana simply lay their one to three eggs, as the case may be, upon the bare rock or ground. It is clear that no very hard and fast: line can be drawn for the nestling stage in such species as these. Arbitrarily, as in the case of the Lz7zco/@ and others, it may be con- sidered to extend and to include the time from hatching, until the bird is fully able to take care of itself. However, in whatever light we may regard these questions, I contend, and I have contended for many years past, both in my writings and out of them, that we have not in this country paid near attention enough to the study of the nestling bird. It has not received anything like the scientific examination that it deserves or that it should receive in order that the science of ornithology may, as time passes on, progress in an equa- ble manner, and to do this the science should be studied and investigated from every possible viewpoint. In so far as nestling birds are concerned, we have done very little of this in our country. In England they have done more, and when my old friend William Kitchen Parker, F. R. S., was alive, there was no one in the world that plied a more tireless scalpel than he did in making his hundreds of dissections upon immature specimens of bird-forms. Most of these researches were published, and they are of inestimable value, but at the time of his death, he had anatomical work of this character planned out for himself that no two ardent workers could possibly have completed in a cen- tury. His achievements were great and the results will be lasting. Work of the kind to which I refer must from its very nature be thoroughly illustrated by means of plates and text-cuts. The figures in many of the plates must be colored true to nature; those setting forth the anatomy of nestlings are often better for being colored, though some may be published plain; in the case of nestlings’ plumages, however, these should be colored with the greatest possible fidelity, employing the most skillful means now at our command. In Zhe Auk for July, 1903, there is a very ex¢éellent article by Allan Brooks, entitled ‘‘Notes on the Birds of the Cariboo District, British Colum- r ia FIGURE 1.—Nestling of the Sparrow Hawk (falco sparverius ) downy stage. Photo from life by the author. THE ATLANTIC SLOPHRNATURALIST. 39 bia,’’ (pp. 277-284, plate X). The colored plate that illustrates this contribu- tion presents us with six admirable figures of the nestling plumagzes of well-kuown American ducks. They are Charitonetta albeola, Aythya vallis- neria, -rismatura janeaicensis, Glaucionetta tslandica, Aythya collaris, and Aythya affinis. Scarcely anything is said about these young birds in the text, but they tell fairly well their own story, and as far as they go they are ex- tremely useful. They are all in the downy plumages, and it would be deci- dedly interesting had we a similar plate, made later on, illustrating these same six nestling ducks, by giving colored figures of them, showing what the first feather plumages were. Investigations of this nature are precisely what I would like to see undertaken in the cases of our entire United States ornis. More than this—for it is the duty of our naturalists and morphologists to make exhaustive researches upon the anatomy of bird-nestlings, carrying such inves- tigations through all the stages, from the time of hatching to include the sub- adult individuals. To do this it would not be necessary to include @// the spe- | cies and subspecies we have in our avifaunna, for in many groups and genera, this would simply mean unnecessiry duplication of labor, time, expense, and facts. An exhaustive memoir on the morhpology of the various growth stages, as above indicated, for a single characteristic species of certain groups would be ample, and cover the ground. In some instances, however, several such memoirs would have to be done within the limits of some of the natural groups; in others we have but the one species in this country representing whole aggre- gations of families in other parts of the world. As an example of this I may mention our nearly exterminated Carolina paroquet (Corurus carolinensis). The nestling stages of a Grebe (.7. occidentalts) and a Loon ( U. zmber) should thus be worked out, as well as several members of the d/c@. One good gull would answer for the Lonugipennes (Larus argentatus), while the Black Skim- mer (Ahynchops nigra) should be most exhaustively handled. Mind, I am only referring now to the anatomy—the A/wmage phases from the very earliest stages, up to include the subadult stage, must be studied in a// the periods of the bird’s growth at the times of changes taking place. These, as I say, must be shown by faithful colored figures. We want the developmental anatomy of nestling Albatrosses, (2). a/batris) ; of a fulmar (/. glacialis); of a petrel (Procellaria pelagica); and passing to the Steganopodes, of a tropic bird (P. flavirostris); a gannet (S. bassana) ; a cormorant, (7. carbo); a pelican, (P. fuscus); and of the man-o’-war bird, (Fregata). Kitchen Parker worked out and published the various stages for the duck tribes (Anseres), and many others, but we need most emphatically a complete memoir, morphological in its widest sense, of the Flamingo (P. ruber), And, so we might go on through the other families and some of the minor groups. Of course, among the immense host of /asseres, the labor, apart from the study of nestling plumages, external characters and contours, would not be as extensive as it would appear on first sight. A typical, or I had better say, a characteristic thrush, a tit, a nuthatch, a wren, a warbler, a shrike, a swallow, a sparrow, an icterine form, and a flycatcher, would go a long ways towards throwing light upon the subject, in so far as the multitu- dinous so-called ‘‘perchers’’ are concerned. Every form thus worked out, how- ever, lightens it for all the others, rendering the necessity for exhaustive work less and less necessary, as representative after representative of the groups are thus dealt with and disposed of in their turn. For instance, if we know the structure of the nestling of such a species as the crow, we may fairly presume, that, at the corresponding stages of growth, it would be nearly the same in a LT Tiss from Photo cr we, rst pluma fi ‘ASCOPS S10) « Meg screech Owls ( ing stl life by the author. . 2.—Ne Fic — THE ATLANTIC SLOPESMATURALIST. 4I jay, a magpie, a nutcracker, and perhaps in a starling, an oriole and so on, but we must not run into the danger of carrying this theory of presumption too far. That is a very common danger, and one that in times past has led some anatomists into the deepest pitfalls of error. In the example given, or exam- ples rather, taken as a whole, the summation of the knowledge of the nestling of the crow at all of its stages constitutes a very good peg to hang other mor- phological facts upon, as they refer to closely allied species, but as I have just intimated, the capacity of the aforesaid peg must not be overcrowded. If this is done disaster will follow, and suspicion be cast, sooner or later upon some of the statements hung upon it that never had a right to be supsended there in the first place. The sa/ura/ classification—that is the real relationships ex- isting among the immense number of representatives of the class birds since they first became more or less completely differentiated from the rep- tiles up to include the world’s existing ornis—a classification we all hope to be unanimous about some day—would be that part of the science of ornithology that would suffer, indeed be the chief sufferer, from such unsubstantiated deduc- tions. That young crows are black like their parents when they quit the nest and that the nestlings at a similar time in the case of many species of jays also have a plumage more or less like the old birds is no reason that such will be found to be the case throughout the family Corvid@ although it may be but these very ‘‘may be’s’’ and ‘‘presumably so’s’’ are the very class of dangers to which I refer. That a young crow is black when it quits the nest is no reason why a young oriole in its first feather plumage should resemble either of its parents simply for the reason that the Corvvzdae and the /cferidae are re- lated families. In my time, I have known, however, anatomists, or those who considered themselves to be anatomists to jump at conclusions in their own special fields of labor quite as hazardous as this. What has been said in the last paragraph or two, brings me directly up to the next point to be considered, and that is this—our work throughout must be made comparative to be of value or to fulfill its greatest use and highest pur- pose—namely, to meet the ends of taxonomy, classification. Series of facts, or even single facts, must be compared and intercompared, and contrasted, within the limits of known afiinities and within the range of more or less near relationshivs. s, for example, L seston, aie : : : ; Fic. 3.—Nestling Blue Jay (Cvanocitta cristata). Photo from life by the author. THE ATLANTIC SLOPESRATURALIST, 43 tells us nothing in his ‘‘Key’’ about what a nestling flamingo lools like at the time it is first hatched, and when it quits the nest; nor the common eastern _ Fic, 4.—Red-eyed Vireo (Viz e0 olivaceus). At the time of leaving nest. Photo trom lite by the author. fruby-throated humming bird; nor our trogan; nor kingfisher; nor the chapar- ral cock; ner the principal woodpeckers; nor any nuwber of others I might 44 THE ATLANTIC SHOPEONATURALIST: enumerate. Soon for other authors. It is the rarest thing iu the world to find nestlings figured in ornithological works anywhere. There is no longer any excuse for this now, for between camera, and perhaps later on color pho- tography we can capture anything of the sort nowadays as the illustrations to this article will vouch for, they being examples of some of my own attempts in this line—four, selected from many others. The jay and the vireo are out- door pictures the other two were taken in my studio but they all show apart from color and this may be described, the nature of the plumage of the several forms photographically portrayed at the time of their taking. It is not the object of the present article to touch upon this question here, either in the case of these species or any others. What I do hope this contribution will effect, however, or help effect, and that is to again invite the attention of avian anatomists and ornithologists to the real importance of more thoroughly cultivating this important field than has hitherto been done. If it starts one man, one camera, one scalpel going, and that in earnest and in the right direc- tion, I shall be well satisfied with the result of the labor it required on my part, to prepare this contribution and its illustrations. Crayfish By [lorris Gibbs, M.D., Kalamazoo, [lich. In wandering about the lowlands, an observant person may find a num- ber of little mounds, generally near to the edges of ditches and _ streams. These little heaps vary from three to six inches in height and are some- times nearly a foot across and are made up of small pellets of mud and clay. In the centre of each is a hole of an inch or more in diameter, which is an outlet or inlet for the little architect who inhabits the well. These little tunnels or wells are gen- erally known as snake holes, for they are supposed by the ignorant aud un- observant to be filled with snakes, and they are avoided by scary children or broken into by the bolder ones, but to the thoughtful stroller they are ever asource of instruction and interest. It is very difficult to discover the well digger at work, for it is believed that these little fellows mainly work at night. Still I have twice observed the sly fellows carrying out the soil from their burrows in broad daylight, and the workers may be busy all day long in their underground abodes. The makers of these wells are the fresh- water lobsters or crayfish, often called crabs by the boys. If au observer is quiet for a time while sitting near to these heaps, or chimneys as they are called, he may see a claw carefully raised out from the hole and then one to four pairs of legs follow, together with a pair of bead-like black eyes. If the least suspicious movement is seen by the tunnel inhabiter, he drops back into the burrow, and only reap- pears after quite a lapse of time—if at all for that day. A new observer is surprised to find that the maker of these tunnels is the same creature that he has often seen crawling about on the bottom of the streams and ditches; just a smaller relative of the big lob- ster that we eat. | It is probable that these wells are begun at the top, but I cannot learn that anyone has seen the beginning of a tunnel. Then, as the well gets | deeper, the pellets are brought up and deposited at the sides and in time these accumulations form walls at the sides of the well and take the form of chimneys. The limey nature of the material found in the deeper soil in lowlands causes the pellets to stick together and the result is quite like a mud chimney. These tunnels always lead to water which is generally found at a depth of two feet or less, but at times the well is all of four feet deep. VLE et — Some of the Birds of Cripple Creek, Colorado. By Frank A. Hassenplug, [1. D., Cripple Creek, Colo. Many people go through the world with their eyes closed so far as seeing things that appeal to lovers of nature, while in other respects the same indi- viduals are bright and active and fre- quently good financiers. The habit of being a good observer may be inherited, but in children it undoubtedly can be developed with proper care and training like any other faculty. > To illustrate, permit me to relate the following: A lady told me a few days ago that she had seen a blue bird in her yard just previous to our inter- view and that it was the first bird she had seen in or around Cripple Creek during her nine years’ residence. It was indeed difficult for me to believe the latter statement, because I can see from five to eight species of birds in or around my yard every day in the proper season and it is less than two hundred yards from her house to mine. The lady in question is a very schol- arly woman, but evidently one who sees nothing in nature beyond moun- tains and lakes, and they would prob- ably be directly in her line of vision or be missed altogether. My state- ment that I could locate at least twenty-five varieties of birds in a half day’s trip through the hills was re- garded asa huge joke. Partly to prove to her that I was correct and partly to satisfy myself, I took a saddle horse, note book and pencil and jotted down the names of the various birds as they were encountered. The list does not represent at all the number of birds to be found here, nor even one third of them, but just those seen during a ride of several miles down one gulch and up another, with but a single dismount. THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. 45 A number of other birds were seen but not identified owing to distance, density of foliage on some of the pinon or other evergreen trees. There was at least one specimen of each of the following, and in many cases from a half dozen to several score cliff swal- low, tree swallow, blue bird, phoebe bird, robin, American cross bill, Car- olina dove, mocking bird, house wren, ring neck plover, water ousel, Eu- ropean sparrow, white throated spar- row, fired sparrow, junco, chickadee, Northern shrike, magpie, raven, West- ern blue jay, red-winged blackbird, yellow-winged blackbird, cow bird, downy woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, red-shafted flicker, meadow lark, horned lark, red-tailed hawk, sparrow hawk and golden eagle. One would naturally suppose that birds would not care to live at an altitude of nine and a half thousand feet, where the nights are always cool and during the greater portion of the year absolutely cold and insect life inconsequence not at all plentiful. Such, however, is not the fact, as anyone can see by reading over the list and by taking into consideration the disadvantage unto which I. was placed by not stopping and examining the trees, bushes and rocks more thoroughly. All of these birds with the possible exception of the mocking bird breed within eight miles of town, and as I have seen several during the nesting season, believe that they also are in our immediate neighborhood rearing their brood at this writing. If the readers of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST are at all inter- ested in Colorado birds, I can in some of the coming numbers describe briefly a few of the peculiarities of the more interesting feathered inhabitants such as the eagle, ousel, leucosticte grebe, magpie, and horned lark, because those living in the Eastern States have little or no opportunity to study them. “16 THE ATLANTIC SUOPE NATURALIST. Dn) — Atlantic Slope Naturalist. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY ee aoe W.E. ROTZELL, M. D., Narberth, Pa. Articles of interest to the observer of Nature solicited from all. SUBSCRIPTION RATES Single subscription, 50 cents per year to all parts of the Postal Union. ADVERTISING RATES Will be furnished on application. Send copy for estimate. Remittances should be made by post office money order, registered letter or postal note. Unused U. S. postage stamps will be accepted for sums less than one dollar, where it is not conven- ient to remit money in any other form. Address all communications to DR. W. E. ROTZELL, MONTGOMERY COUNTY. NARBERTH, PA. Application has been made for entrance in the mail as second-class matter. SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER, 1903. We are very grateful to the large number of well known naturalists who have favored us with so many valuable literary contributions. A number of authors, whose manuscripts we have received, will observe that their ar- ticles have not as yet been published. The reason is apparent, i. e., Jack of space, but give us time and we will endeavor to publish uearly all that we have received. In the meanwhile it will be our endeavor to select as judiciously as possible, just such man- ‘uscripts as we consider are of especial interest to our readers. Several of our correspondents have sent us poetical contributions. A poor poem we would not take and a good one can be published to greater advan- tage elsewhere. We do not desire poetry; it is out of place in a journal such as ours, and we will not pub- lish it. For two reasons we are thinking of issuing two separate numopers of THe ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST in November and December. One rea- son being that by so doing it will permit us to complete our volume at the end of each year and the other reason is that it will aid us in catch- ing up in the publication of a number of interesting articles. If we do de- cide to do this it is probable that the November issue will be some- what smaller as to the number of pages than we have published recently ; the December number, how- ever, will be of the usual size. It is too early as yet to formulate our plans for next year. We will state, however, that we would like very much to,decidedly increase the size of our journal and we will do so if our subscription list will permit. Subscriptions are absolutely necessary for success, whether the journal en- larges or remains its present size. We have received numerous letters of appreciation and commendation rela- tive to this journal and we are very grateful for them all, but unless our subscription list increases we cannot hope to succeed. If each reader of this editorial will sena in one subscri- ber our success for next year will be assured, and it will be our endeavor to give our readers a journal com- mensurate with their most sanguine desires. Mr. Edward P. Valentine, of Rich- mond, Va., has very kindly favored us with his ‘‘Report of the Exploration of the Hayes Creek Mound, Rock- bridge Co., Va.,’? which he - very thoroughly examined two years ago, and which he now has very carefully written up. The report is all that could be desired and the accompanying plates are very fine. All field naturalists should read the journal Recreation. Each issue is filled with matter of interest to the student of nature, and the August number seems especially fine. Among the many interesting articles in this number there is one on ‘‘The Giant Brown Bears of Alaska,’’ by Mr. J. A. Loring, whose letter on the red- 47 willow bark smoking controversy was published in the last issue of this journal. Just as we go to press we have re- ceived from our esteemed contributor, Mr. Walter J. Hoxie, an extremely valuable and original article, being, “‘A Seminole Vocabulary,’’ among which Indians he has spent consider- able time. A copy of number 2 of Zhe Zoolo- gical Quarterly Bulletin, which is being issued apparently under the sup- ervision of Prof. H. A. Surface, the Economic Zoologist of the Penn- sylvania Department of Agriculture, for gratuitous distribution 1s before us, and we have not the slightest hesitancy in pronouncing it to be, in our judgment, of not much account. It is without a designated editor, but as Prof. Surface is Econo- mic Zoologist, and the author of the ‘*Salutation,’’ which is in this second number as well as the single article which it coutains entitled ‘‘The Eco- nomic Value of Our Native Birds,’’ we presume he is the editor thereof; but curiously enough no editor is designated and it looks to us as though the Salus-Grady libel law has been violated in the omission. In the words of this presumed editor it is ‘‘the commonplace and reliable citizens for whom these 2//etins are expressly prepared.’’ This may in- clude the butcher, the baker and the candle-stick maker; in fact nearly everybody. Had the A#z/letin been prepared for farmers and the infor- mation been practical, and judiciously selected, it would in our judgment, have been far more sensible. Later on, in the same ‘‘ Salutation, ’’ we find ‘‘ Readers may decide for them- selves, after perusing the following pages, as to the class of persons for whom we have written.’’ Our guess would be that the Az/letin was writ- ten in the endeavor of its author to eS encourage the people to think that some importaut work is being done in this department, rather than to satisfy any demand that existed for the information contained therein. We can find absolutely nothing of practical value to the agriculturalist in this fz/letin, and the ‘‘ Key’’ of avian families is useless, as it necessi- tates the killing of birds before it can be used. The author himself recognizes this, and yet he says: ‘‘but many birds are found dead, and these can be utilized in scientific examination.’’ This is nonsense. Who ever heard of a natu- ralist depending upon the finding of dead birds for the conducting of his ornithological studies. The only place to find dead birds without the direct use of a gun, so far as we know, is in a museum or in a collector’s cabinet. The old suggested method of the days of our childhood of sprinkling a little salt on the bird’s tail and then being able to catch it, would be just about as satisfactory as looking for dead birds and legal exception would hard- ly be taken. ; The Az2zdletin consists of 16 pages, and in the obscure phraseology of its author—‘‘ We shall continue this un- til all Orders and Families of birds treated are at least briefly in their economic aspects or relations to man, although we wish to say now that it is not our intention to make an unin- terrupted series of this treatment in this Bulletin.’’ Taking into consid- eration the many years that Dr. B. H. Warren gave to the study of our birds prior to the publication of his rather exhaustive work from the stand- point of the economist, along with his many examinations of the stomach contents of birds, and finally the pub- lication of his well written work ‘*The Report on the Birds of Pennsyl- vania,’’ renders 7he Ouarterly Zoolo- gical Bulletin useless so far as birds are concerned, if the future numbers are to be judged by the copy before us. 48 ; THE ATLANTIC SKOPEVNATURALIS®E: Tree Preservation. The great benefit that.is conferred by trees is steadily becoming more and more recognized as the efforts towards their preservation in the forestry movement show; besides the work done by the national govern- ment, many of the States have taken the matter up and are now as dili- gently endeavoring to preserve and increase our wooded areas with as much zeal, as a generation or so ago, our ancestors endeavored to clear the trees away. That forests are closely associated with the development of life is now quite generally recognized; they puri- fy the atmosphere by increasing the production of oxygen and ozone; they afford protection from extreme cli- matic conditions, of both summer and winter; and as a regulator of rain supply the forest areas are the most important factor of those which can be controlled by man. Forest land is also known to exert a very powerful influence against the development of disease germs, probably largely on ac- count of the fact that wind and dust storms, which are such great factors, in the dissemination of the patho- genic microbes, are absent to a great extent in forests. After urgent demand, Congress in 1891, provided that the President could set apart and reserve such public for- est areas as he considered necessary, and President Harrison at once desig- nated over a million and a quarter of acres in the Yellowstone Park as a timber reserve. Since that time, in the United States the movement is being sup- ported from all directions. States are passing and enforcing laws relative to the preservation and protection of the trees; forestry is being taught in many of our colleges and universities, and special schools of forestry have been established; in many of the States for- estry societies have been organized; journals of forestry have been started and are being supported; arbor days for the voluntary planting of trees are appointed in many of our States, and in fact, the great interest taken in the work indicates that the movement has taken such a strong hold among the people and that it is bound to continue. The writer remembers well the time when the office of Forestry Commis- sioner was created in Pennsylvania through the almost unaided efforts at. first of our present Forestry Commis- sioner, Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock. All credit is due to him in this matter, and the compliment which was re- cently conferred in designating ten thousand acres of woodland in Mifflin, Juniata, and Huntingdon counties as the Rothrock Forest Reserve is one which is richly deserved and most ap- propriately given. Governor Pennypacker takes an ex- ceedingly active interest in the for- estry movement and fully appreciates the great importance of this subject. He approved and signed a number of bills passed by the recent legislature in relation to and in support of the forestry movement; he and the Com- missioner have tramped over our for- est areas together and Pennsylvania forest lovers have reason to be proud of both; as in these two gentlemen, working hand in hand, we probably have a power tor forestry unequaled by any other of the American Com- monwealths—excepting none, not even Massachusetts. W. E.. RoTzeum Potpourri. By Richard C. McGreger, Philippine Museum, Manila, P. I. In Colorado, the coilector is taken to task for not putting glass eyes in skins; in California, he is called upon to tell what he “puts in *em,’’ or, how much, hie makes. I had answers for most of these questions, but they are of little use here. With remarkable uniform- ity the American in the Philippines THE ATLANTIC SLOPEANATURALIST. 49 has sprung a new one: ‘‘How do you catch ’em?’’ The editor of Zhe Condor has re- ferred to my type of the Mendocius song sparrow as ‘‘an extremely worn, faded and generally disreputable look- ing female.’’ Granted, Mr. Fisher, put please do not say that I made an unfortunate choice. The few speci- mens I have were collected about West- port and Cleone, late in May or June, and fresh plumaged birds were not to be found. At the time I puzzled over these birds and sent some to Washing- ton. They were returned marked samuelis. I long intended going into the same country again to look for this bird but never had time. The type was the best skin I had—therefore, Hobson’s choice, not mine. In so remote a place as Masbate I thought one might be safe from the voice of the anti-bird skinner, but see here what I found in the Dazly Local News, of West Chester, Pa. ‘*Dr. Schmucker gave a talk on birds to the patients of the Chester County Insane Hospital on Sunday last. It was a plain, simple discourse that held their attention throughout, and a gave an appreciative listener an excel« lent opportunity to distinguish the old nature study and the new. When the writer was a boy the chief impulses moving those who took an interest in such matters were collec- tion and classification. Here and there a gentle voice was raised for observa- tion, but it was scarcely heard amid the banging of guns and the clatter of drill and blowpipe. There is as much difference between then and now as between the Old Test- ament and the New. The dominant note of one is slaughter, of the other sympathy. The collector is giving way to the observer, the gun to the camera, and we who teach, or if you | please, preach, the nature study of to- day, do it less for the knowledge to be gained by its devotees than for the spiritual enrichment that comes of sympathetic observation. ’’ Among the many and confusing spe- cies of Philippine birds it isa pleasure to meet a few with which we feel at home. The island crow is one of these, and his habits mark him as of the family. No matter what the bird men say about his name, he is just ‘‘crow.’’ Nearly every other bird is against him, the bulbuls taking espec- ial delight in pestering him—there are no kingbirds here. He has an eye for garbage of any kind, and is by no means above appropriating discarded rat bodies. He hangs about the house waiting for a chance to rob the domes- tic pigeon or to carry off a young chicken, which he does with as great skill as any hawk: that ever worried Otto Emerson. I have repeatedly seen crows try to rob the slow going and in- dustrious red-breasted fish hawk. In fact, the Philippine crow is so much like the black fellows at home that his very crimes are a constant delight. The following contribution to orni- thology, from the /apan Times is not without interest. I see they have the bird a ‘‘bulbut.’’ meaning un- doubtedly, ‘‘bulbul,’’ a name applied to several Eastern genera. In this case probably a species of //ypsefetes is in- tended, which is abundant in Japan. It is a gray, thrush-like bird about ten inches long. Here is the story: ‘*A tradition handed down from time immemorial has it that in Japan the worst enemy of the snake family is the common land slug, an unseen something exhaled by the slimy little object being a deadly poison to the crawler tribe. But it remained for a pair of brown-eared bulbuts to prove the truth of the popular belief, if a story the ‘‘Kobe Yushin’’ report is true. That journal says that recently a couple of these birds were seen care- fully rearing their two young ones in a nest which they had constructed on 50 - THE ATLANTIC SROPE NATURALIST. a projecting cliff at Kajitori promon- tory, in the province of Kii. Unfor- tunately the birdlings became the ob- jects of a cruel design on the part of a snake residing nearby. One day, this snake made bold to come out of its hole and make a luncheon of them, before the parent birds had time to fight for their young. The bulbuts then flew away shrieking sadly and presently came back, one of them car- rying a slug in its beak. They saw the snake had returned into its hole and thither they brought the worm. In a way that they knew, they shoved the slug into the hole and waited to see the effect of their opera- tion. It was no time before they saw their children’s murderer stagger—if a snake can stagger—out of its hole in a dying condition. Down came the birds and soon despatched the wicked reptile with their sharp bills, trium- phantly avenging their little ones. ’’ Ants? Yes, there are a few and sev- eral subspecies. An antologist would make his tortune in Luzon Island alone. There are white ants, black ants, brown ants, brown and blacks, big ants, little ants, jumping ants— well, there is no use to name all of them. One delightful species build nests of leaves, which appear to be held in a bunch by a sort of web. This kind is always looking for trouble. The busi- ness end is ready for use in short no- tice, and while you stand in the shade of a tree looking for some bird, ants by dozens swarm over your neck and arms. Half a dozen or so will sting you before you can get them all off. They even try to drill a gun if they happen to get on it. To the collector, the most trouble- some species is aminute ant that comes into the houses and eats any and all sorts of soft material. Bird’s skin when fresh are especially subject to attack and ruin. Plenty of naptha- line is the best preventative. Red-Letter Days on the Caloosahatchee. By W. J. Hoxie, Savannah, Ga. IT should have explained to the readers of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST, that my recent visit to Florida was not in the role of a naturalist, but as a railroad man, employed in the con- struction of a new line from Punta Gorda to Fort Myers. A description of the hardships of the trip wou'd not be of any interest in these pages, but the ‘‘Red Letter Days,’’ that came in at times—mostly Sundays—and occa- sionally breakdowns in the pile driver, gave me the much coveted opportuni- ties to indulge my old taste for ram- bles and collecting. I had no gun, but only an old rifle of the ‘‘Hunter’s Pet’’ style, but with- out any skeleton stock. In this I used the dust shot cartridges so dear to the heart of owners of auxiliary barrels, but I must truly say that the combin- ation did not work well. To my sur- prise one day, I found in the outfit a tall young Cracker who was the very best shot with a rifle that I have ever seen and the feats he performed with the ‘‘Baby’’ as my weapon was chris- © tened in the camp, were the wonder of all the boys. Off days we took to the woods together and seldom failed to replenish the larder, as well as to secure something of more than com- mon interest to me. We had to use ball cartridges mostly, for my supply of shot gave out very early in the game. His skill was such, however, that it was very little detriment, and I have some nice fox squirrel skins that he killed without a hole in them. He could ‘‘bark’’ everything that was ‘*barkable,’’ even some warblers and woodpeckers. Over to the east of the camp was a piece of flat woods through which some little branches wound their way down to the Caloosahatchee. This was our playground—Jim and I, and Trash. Trash was my dog. I found him sick and nearly dead in the woods and brought him to camp, where he was THE ATLANTIC SLOBE NATURALIST. 5.1 very popular , and soon got fat and sassy. His pedigree was vast and var- ied but he was a good hunter, and some of his ancestors had furnished him with a most unerring nose. Peace to his ashes. A snake got him. : Up among the cypress heads where the branches all originated were some darling little spots. Deer were plenty and turkeys far from scarce. There were big soft shell turtles in some of the black water holes, and in the near- by pine barren we always ran upon squirrels, both grey and fox. song of the meadow lark was forever in the air. scrambled up and down the pines, and if we ever found a mocking bird we wasted valuable time listening to his song. The variety of pleasing ‘‘mo- tifs,’’ that the flat woods mocker suc- ceeds in picking up from any and all of his neighbors, would make any of his poor caged city cousins die of envy. Such unpromising subjects as wood- peckers even, I have heard remodeled by him into a most pleasing melody, and oue close to camp used to wake up nights and do his little roundelay with the chuck wills widow for a basis. Often we would come upon a little bunch of water birds—blois, herons, and anhingas—and when I had selected the victim, Jim would proceed to ‘‘make a kill’’ as he called it, so as not to ‘‘tare up the hide too much.’’ Then Trash would fetch it and I would fall to skinning. For in that hot cli- mate specimens had to be attended to at once. In the hot noon time we sought out a shady place to ‘‘brile something,’’ smoke, and take a bit of a nap. Sometimes I would botanize a bit or browse on huckleberries, in which Trash would eagerly join—the browsing of course, I mean—and get quite gory looking about the muzzle. Those long lazy restful noons away up in the wild woods came closer to Lotus Land, than anything I have ever experienced. It seemed to be longer than two or three days of work. The | Brown-headed nuthatches | The sky looked higher and bluer than it did on week days, and the big white masses of clouds seemed to roll about up there and play with each other. I think the lower Gulf coast must be noted for its splendid clouds. Possi- bly I may have hit upon a specially fine streak of them, for, though at first, I thought it was merely my own whim and fancy and because I was en- joying myself so mightily, since I have begun to develop my photographs I find very few of them show the ‘‘ bald- headed’’ skies so much affected by a certain class of amateurs. Noon was a famous time too, to watch the bees, and try to line them down to their tree. The joke was on me once for this. I spent hours one day to the west of camp and had two lines nicely fixed up which when I followed them, led to a hive in a set- tler’s back yard. Then the day would at last begin to get older and cooler. The shadow would glide a little way off from the foot of our pine and small breezes now and then carry the smoke of our pipes off to one side instead of letting it go straight up. The afternoon wind was something to be watched, for our hunt for venison depended on which wavy it blew, and whether it was strong enough to carry our scent away from the deer. Jim depended on me for all the planning for the whole sum of his accomplishments seemed to consist in using straight powder. He was no hunter. A man that is going to train a dog must first learn to ‘‘think dog.’’ And so a man that is going to kill a deer, must think both dog anddeer. A feed- ing buck can always be reached up wind, if you watch his tail close. When he flicks it keep still. He will look up and you must wait till he has satisfied his mind that all is serene be- fore he begins to feed again. Don’t erack a stick. That will sure start him off. The chances are about three to one he goes away from you, but 52 THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. once in a while he makes his rush straight at you. Quick work then does it. Flicking is pretty fine work. Very few white men ever learn to do it right. A white rag must be flicked in exact imitation of the motion of that other tail. The upward whisk with a sort of flutter before the slower downward drop must be perfectly true to life, or your buck grows suspicious, instead of curious, and dances round you till he gets your wind, and then it’s good-bye. Sundown generally caught us toting our game to camp. Tired and happy, Jim polished up the ‘“paby,’’ while I put away my speci- mens, and some of the boys skinned and ‘‘briled’’ by the fire, doing a lit- tle grumbling sometimes, because ‘“granpa’’ was so late. Being the only old man in the outfit I was ‘‘sranpa’’ to the whole camp, and I question if half of them will ever know me by any other name. Lincoln’s Sparrow in Western New York. By Ernest H. Short, Rochester, N. Y. For many years I have kept a close watch for this bird during the breed- ing season, as I have suspected that, like the hermit and _ olive-backed thrushes, the Connecticut and mourn- ing warblers, etc., they might be in- duced by the 70-mile flight across Lake Ontario, to breed on the south shore of the lake, though a little south of their normal range. On the 30th of May, this year, I flushed a bird from the base of a bush growing in a second growth woods, or ‘‘slashing’’ near the banks of Big Black Creek, in this county, (Mon- roe), which I supposed was a song sparrow, until I examined the four eggs in the nest. The eggs were so small that I sat down a short distance away and awaited the return of the bird. She soon came skulking back and after much patient effort, I suc- ceeded in getting her off the ground into a small sapling, and in plain view. I knew I had added finally another bird to the list of breeders in Western New York as the one before me was unmistakably Lincoln’s spar- row. The eggs are like heavily marked eggs of the song sparrow, but very small, and more rounded in shape. Inside of ten minutes I found an- other nest in a low clump of briers nearby, on which the bird sat, while I parted the vines and stood within two feet of her. She allowed me to examine her closely and was reluctant to leave when I finally flushed her. The nest contained two eggs, and one of cowbird. Both of the sparrows are abnormal. One is like the eggs in the set of four, but isa runt in size. The other is normal in size, but markings are fine and it has a wide green band encircling the centre. They were partly incubated indicat- ing a complete set. The set of four, I believe to be typ- ical, as it is an exact copy of a Michi- gan set of five eggs [ had been hold- ing until I could feel certain of iden- tity. Should the rounded shape prove to be fairly constant in the eggs of this bird, it would, in connection with the small size, be a great assistance in identifying the eggs of the smaller sparrows. CORRESPONDENCE. WASHINGTON MATTHEWS, M. D., LL.D,, ON THE ALLEDGED SMOKING OF RED-WILLOW BARK. Hawthorne Inn, Gloucester, Mass., July 18th, 1903. Dr. W. E. Rotzell, Editor ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST, Dear Sir: I have had my attention called recently to an article in THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST, Vol. I., No. 3., entitled ‘‘The Smoking of Red Willow Bark by the American Abori- gines.’’ I have not seen the article in No. 2, to which you refer in No. 3; but I conclude that it must have been a very imperfect and misleading no- tice of a short paper of mine, on the same subject which appeared in a re- cent number of Zhe American Anthro- pologist. My article refers to a widespread error in botanical identification. I do not deny that the Indians smoke the inner bark of a shrub whose sev- ered branches look much like those of the red willow; I do not deny that the ignorant ¢all this red willow and believe it to be a willow; neither do I deny that Indians may occasionally smoke the bark of true willow. But I hold that the usual source of the so- called red willow and the chief ingre- dient of kinnekinnik, belongs to the genus Cornus, or dogwood, and not to the genus Sa/zx, or true willow. Not one of your three correspondents claims to have more than a hearsay knowledge, derived from unlettered sources, as to the name of the shrub they call red willow. Let one of them go into the woods with an Indian, dur- ing the season of flowering or fruiting, or even after that, before the leaves have fallen. Let him watch the In- dian cutting his twigs for kinnekinnik. Let him there and then analyze the shrub with the aid of a standard work on botany; or if he is not a botanist, let him preserve some good specimens and forward them to some centre of botanical knowledge, such as Harvard University or the Department of Agri- culture, in Washington. Let him thus determine the character of his shrub —not once, and in one place; but with many different tribes and in many dif- ferent places as I have done, and then you are welcome to balance his evi- dence against mine. Until that is done, I shall not admit, even upon the evidence of the most ‘‘distinguished and versatile naturalist’’ in the world, that this question is ‘‘settled for all time,’’ against me. Yours truly, Washington Matthews. THE ATLANTIC SLOBE NATURALIST. 53 letter from Dr. Matthews seem neces- sary. The reference in No. 2, of this journal, to his article in Zhe Amert- can Anthropologist was not ‘‘a very imperfect and misleading notice’’ as anyone can see by comparing the two, although, because of its brevity, it was not as complete as could be de- sired. The No. 3 of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST, containing the criticisms on this subject was sent to Dr. Matthews at Washington, but, he being away did not receive it. Other copies of both Nos. 2 and 3 have since been mailed to him. On the receipt of this letter we again consulted our good friend Dr. Shufeldt, and he re- plied as follows: ‘‘I have never actu- ally analyzed what the Sioux Indians gave me tosmoke, but I dzd know that it was zot tobacco and they told me it was willow bark.’’ This seems to indicate that the edi- tor was perhaps a little hasty in writ- ing that this question was ‘‘settled for all time.’’ MR. MANLY HARDY ON THE SMOKING OF RED-WILLOW BARK. Brewer, Me., July 20, 1903. W. E. Rotzell, M. D., Narberth, Pa. Dear Sir: By your politeness I am in receipt of No. 3, of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. I see that Dr. Matthews doubts that the Indians ever smoked red willow. I have been very intimately acquainted with the Pen- obscot and Passamaquaddy Indians ever since I was a very small child. I can distinctly remember when every man carried a stone pipe hung from his belt, and used flint and steel to light it, and I know that they smoked the red willow over sixty years ago. They scraped and prepared it exactly as your correspondent, Mr. J. A. Loring de- scribes — they sometimes smoked it clean—but usually mixed it with from 1-8 to 1-2 tobacco, the proportions varying with the individual taste or the scarcity of tobacco. They very A few remarks on this interesting | rarely used tobacco alone as they said 54 THE ATLANTIC SEMPER NATURALIST. it was too strong. The mixture of willow bark and tobacco they called ‘““nespe pungo.’’ When the red wil- low could not be obtained they used the bark of the alternate cornel. Very truly, Manly Hardy. MR. WITMER STONE ON THE CONNECTI- CUT WARBLER—A DOUBT. Academy of Natural Sciences. Philadelphia, July 24, 1908. Editor ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST, Dear Sir: While not wishing to ad- vocate the useless killing of birds, I should like to register a protest against the publication of the discovery of such a rarity as the nest of the Con- necticut warbler, without more con- vincing evidence than that given by ° Mr. Short in the last number of your journal. There is I believe but one authentic nest and set of eggs of this bird on record, and yet the identifica- tion in the present case rests ona s7ght of the female. There have already been a number of captures of female Connecticut warblers, which have turned out to be female mournings, and so closely do they resemble one another that many persons fail to identify them when they have them in hand. Perhaps Mr. Short has more evidence, if so it should certainly be put upon record in order to dispel the very natural suspicion of a possible error in identification. It would at least seem advisable to have waited for a sight of the male before collect- ing the set. Yours very truly, Witmer Stone. MR.J.R. BARTON ON COLLECTING. Minneapolis, Minn., July 21, 1903. W. E. Rotzell, M. D., Narberth, Pa. My Dear Sir: I have your last issue of the ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST before me as I write, and I wish to compliment you upon the increased size of same. All the articles in the July-August number are very interest- ing—in fact Iread the entire magazine through at one sitting. I read the letter of Mr. Minehan and also Mr. Alfred R. Justice, under the caption ‘‘A Critical Non-Sup- porter,’’ with much interest. I trust that a few further words appropos this interesting subject may not be amiss. I should like (like many other readers) to have your personal opinion on this issue. Personally, it is repugnant to me to harm any form of animal life. This is probably accountable largely to my belief and knowledge of evolution and involution—the recognition of souls of different degrees of development in every animate form of life. Probably some of your readers would contend that there can be no recognition of this principle in ornithology, yet the know- ledge of this absolutely correct prin- ciple facilitates the study of all forms of life. We recognize that most orni- thologists do not figure from an ethical viewpoint—so we are not going to sup- ply a digression on this subject. Most ornithologists, I think, consider that the ‘‘result justifies the means’’—in the same respect that a great many ‘“scientists’’ even in this advanced age, favor vivisection as a means to determine hypothesis and promote knowledge’’ in the medical sciences. But, considered from a_ practical point of view, in what way does the | result justify the means in the willfuk slaughter of rare or any other species of birds? There are amateur orni- thologists by the thousands, and more each continuous year, who are not sat- isfied to study from notes and existing records, who, to satisfy their curiosity, submit to slay really rare species of birds, when records of them have already been made. If every student of ornithology is to bag a species 72é7 to him, or to satisfy his curiosity, or to determine whether or not he has really discovered rare species, in a few years the ‘‘rare species’’ will cease to be even rare, and in the course of a few years will be absolutely annihi- lated. If a person is to study birds with the shotgun, such person should be discrete and have a very complete knowledge of all previously recorded species. He should be able to study by note first, and then, if advisable —with a shotgun. I am heartily in accord with Mr. Justice’s opinion in respect to indis- criminate slaughter. Mr. a man of knowledge, scientific attain- ments and discretion. Undoubtedly, he would know a rare species when he saw it. But there are thousands and thousands of birds killed every year that are not of a ‘‘new’’ species, by ‘*amateurs’’—and some others that profess to greater attainments. I do not believe, however, that in any case it is necessary to slay a bird, in order to make a ‘‘careful examina- tion and closer inspection.’’ I have secured a great many rare species with the aid of a net after a careful study of their habits for two or three days (this, of course, in the nesting season when they do not fly far). Some I have succeeded in taming and ‘‘domesticat- ing’’ to a remarkable degree by keep- ing them in natural environments in a small area enclosed by cotton net- ting. Some I have kept for one or two years and have raised young birds. Others it was necessary, owing to their habits, to liberate after I had made a complete examination. And in this way they were in no wise injured. In nocase do I consider it justifiable to kill birds which have young. They should be killed, if at all, before the eggs are hatched or after the young are able to take care of themselves. In fact, I have never but once cap- tured any form or species of bird under other conditions. I find it very profit- _able to study the young birds and the habits of the old ones by staying in their vicinity for a few days. A good field glass is an invaluable aid in this Justice is | THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST, 55 study, in fact it is nearly indispensi- ble to a comprehensive study of orni- thology. Wishing you and the magazine con- tinuous and increasing prosperity, I am, my dear sir, Yours very truly, J. R. Barton. MR. FRANK BRUEN ON COLLECTING. Bristol, Conn., Aug. 11, 1908. W. E. Rotzell, M. D., Narberth, Pa. Dear Sir: I enclose 50 cents for | THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. I hope to see it take a decided stand against the killing of rare specimens —anywhere—except when especially commissioned for some for the public collections. The barter of birds, eggs and nests (taken before the birds have left them) is essentially wrong in my opinion— because it is unnecessary with the great number of good collections all over the land. It is no wonder that rare birds soon become extinct in a region—when the birds are shot and the eggs stolen— because the findec has not the patience to use a glass instead of a gun. That the glass can be used, one of your correspondents in No. 3, shows conclusively. He found the nest of a mourning warbler and shot the female; supposing it the only one in that re- gion, he destroyed the chance of finds in other years—whereas there might otherwise have been several nests and in a few years the species might have become fairly abundant. His second would have been all right—and it was more necessary that* the bird should live than that it should have been taken that particular year. Let him get the specimen when it can _ be spared. But my point is this. A short time afterwards this same person found a Connecticut warbler’s nest, and studied the bird, either with or without a glass and did not collect, as I under- stand. He says the Connecticut warbler 56 THE ATLANTIC SLOPE’ NATURALIST, is more shy and difficult to study than the mourning warbler. His record is as valuable to science in one case as the other. When the cause of science is veally furthered I say nothing, however much I regret the growing necessity of kill- ing and robbing, but it is safe to say ‘there are one hundred unnecessary cases to one that is necessary. Yours truly, Frank Bruen. ANTHROPOLOGICAL NOTES. It is reported that Dr. W. J. McGee has recently resigned his position in the Bureau of Ethnology, at Washing- ton, in order to assume charge of the Department of Anthropology and Eth- nology, of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. If this resignation has been accepted it means a great loss to the department. Why could not a leave of absence have been granted Dr. McGee? Under his able super- vision the exhibit of the Department of Anthropology and Ethnology at the Exposition, promises to be very fine. In order to illustrate development in the arts, it is designed also to exhibit family groups of peoples living in the stone age, others just at the begin- ning of metal working, others engaged in primitive pottery making, basket weaving, etc. Special attention will be given to the aborigines of the Lou- isiana purchase. In addition to a model Indian school, various tribes will be represented by family groups living in houses of native type and engaged in occupations developed be- fore jthe coming of the white man. At least one tribe (the Muskwaki) will plant and cultivate on the Expo- sition grounds corn, beans and other crops of native stock still preserved, by the methods pursued in prehistoric times. Prof, Arthur Thompson delivered an address before the International Medi- cal Congress, at Madrid, on April 25th last, on ‘‘Man’s Cranial Form,’’ to- gether with some remarks on the ‘*Attitude of the Medical Profession towards Anthorpology.’’ He contend- ed that the medical practitioner could render much service to anthropology, if he would but avail himself of the opportunities for making observations which are placed at his disposal, in the practice of his profession. He illustrated his meaning by taking up the question of the cranial form and the significance of the cephalic index. Information on the prognathism of the adults and children of the various races could be obtained. The muscles connected with the mandible have an influence on the production of cranial form, and he generalized that long heads are, as a rule, furnished with more powerful temporal muscles than the short heads. The journey to the West Indies made by Dr. J. Walter Fewkes, in the in- terest of the Bureau of American Eth- nology and the National Museum, has been productive of very gratifying re- sults. Much data was secured both on notes, photographs and specimens. The collection is one of the largest that has ever been brought to the United States from the West Indies. ‘In Sczence | for July) Sictaeieee Prof. Charles N. Gould, of the Univer- sity of Oklahoma, gives an account of his examination of Jacob’s Cave in southwest Missouri. This cave, like the majority in this country, is situ- ated in limestone formation and con- tained human bones, pottery, imple- ments, shells, and other things which clearly indicate that at one time it was the domicile.of man. Reference was made to this cave in the last issue of this journal. Prof. von Richthofen, of Berlin, has been awarded the Vega medal of the Stockholm Society of Anthropology and Geography in recognition of his researches. W. E. R. new chapters has just been published. It brings vi? ee i re GIBBS’S CELEBRATED PROCESS OF RAPID TAXIDERMY In Practical Use for Over Twenty-five Years. Used Everywhere in America. Hundreds of T estimonials. Try, and be Convinced. Start a Class, Money in It. Be Your Own Taxidermist. Naturalists, Collectors, Gunners, Anglers, Outers, Boys, Girls, and all others interested in nature and anxious to preserve the specimens taken in wood and field, have all felt the need of a simple method of preservation, which is free from intricacies and inexpensive. There is a method of rapid taxidermy now in extensive use, which meets the requirements of all amateurs who wish a practical and inexpensive method of preserving the trophies of the outing and col- lecting trip. This is not the old system of so-called stuffing, so expensive, laborious and disappoint- ing, but is a rapid system, which anyone can learn at once and which is guaranteed to give satisfaction, By this process you may preserve the beautiful plumage of the grouse and woodcock, or the pike’s or buck’s head, or the showy feathers of the tanager. -Boys, girls and all others can do good work and may make money, as mounted heads and birds find a ready sale, and besides you may teach your friends and decorate the school room, office and dining room with native birds and other attractions. If you are in doubt, then get your friends to go in with you and start a class, for when several work together there is an advantage, and the expense is next to nothing. On the receipt of $1.00, cash or stamps, I will send full printed instructions for mounting birds, heads, mammals, etc.,and all materials for mounting and preserving specimens—including prepared compound, together with full directions for dressing skins with the hair on for rugs and robes, so that you will not be to the expense of one cent. : Remember I Guarantee Satisfaction or Money Refunded. Mention ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST and address MORRIS GIBBS, M.D., —«Kalamazoo, Mich. FOR wf ut aay nm Me Botany: Vs BEGINNERS Q af ge SU A series of articles in THE AMER- ICAN BorTAntstT for all young stu- dents who wish to know why as well as how. Sample for a 2-cent stamp. The The American Botanist, BINGHAMTON, N. Y. ee om ™, 4ge; ; yD) ( es gi Sy Sas Ex Ayia Beck S y TWENTY-THIRD YEAR rs At pe eA x 4 Ym“ a ITHE WARBLER| A 16-page, bi-monthly magazine devoted to the study and protection of North American Wild ‘Birds. Edited by REV. H. C. MUNSON, Buckfield, Me. Published by the E Mayflower Pub. Co., Floral Park,N.Y. } The American Antiquarian and Oriental Journal Edited by Rev. F. D. Peet, Ph.D., Published Birmonthly, $4.00 per year. The Mound Builders, Taneir Works By Stephen D. Peet, Ph.D. Asecond edition of this work, containing five the subject up to the present date aud throws much light upon the mound-builder problem. PRICE, $4.00. By the same author The Cliff-Dwellers and Pueblos. Address PRICE, $4.00. THE AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN, 5817 [adison Avenue, CHICAGO, Iil. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE Only 30 Cents for Three Years. : First number issued January, 1903. The k * WARBLER” as a department of the Mayflower | Magazine has made hosts of friends, and is now able to walk alone. Address [THE WARBLER, Floral Park, N. Y. HF ad OR RE Se NE A AO RN RS Fe Re me rae ome Hahnemann Medical Collese and Goeeral i CHARTERED 1848 BROAD STREET ABOVE RACE ~ PHILADELPHIA The Leading Features of this the Old- — est Homeopathic School are as follows: t,_New and complete College and Hospital buildings, ees every modern convenience. 2.—-Reading room for students, and Library of 1 5,000 une 3. Anatomical museum, unexcelled in size and variety. | 4.—-A four years’ graded course of seven months each. 5.—Laboratory work in all the practical branches. 6.—Unusual clinical facilities afforded by the Hospital in the was aud dispensary department -in which over 35,941 patients were Rhixec : last year. 7.—The special ‘practical or bedside teaching given to the sHidene on th graduating class is not excelled by any other college. ; 8.—Lectures commence in October 7 end i in May. For Announcement address Hahnemann Medical College, Re CHARLES M. THOMAS, M. D., Dean. PHI 1: ADE LPH th CHARLES MOAR, M. D., Registrar. Se No. 5. NOVEMBER, 1903. THE Atlantic Slope Natural ist. SUBSCRIPTION: 50 CENTS PER YEAR. ee ed EDITED AND PUBLISHED BLMONTHLY, BY W. E, ROTZELL, M.D., NARBERTH, PA. saa . 2 ‘ Call Te American Consolidated Mining Company CAPITAL STOCK, S655 bee 00 All Common Stock Full Paid and Non-Assessable Par Value, $1.00 Per Share " \ it ras 4} t : J Tron ous qnining (ss one jof the most profitable industries in ‘the co try. IRON and STEEL are acknowledged the teasing itdbstries of the world, and the demand for iron and steel is growing greater every year. This company was organized for the purpose of mining Hematite and Magnetic Iron Ores and the milling of Oxides of Iron. The estimated profit of the company from all its mines and Oxide plants will exceed 50 per cent. of the capitalization of the company per annum. A limited number of shares will be sold in blocks of 25 shares and upwards at PAR VALUE, $1,00 PER SHARE. Owing to the estimated earning capacity of the company, the stock will be selling above par value in a very short time. Write for prospectus which gives all details. Free on. application. American Consolidated Mining Company 842 Drexel Building, a PHILADELPHIA, _ PENN., U.S.A. | _ The Atlantic Slope Naturalist. Vol. 1. Insects. By Morris Gibbs, M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. ‘“ So. naturalists observe a, flea Has smaller fleas that on him prey; And these have smaller still to bite ’em. And so proceed ad infinitum.” These lines have produced a ples- ing feeling with all readers ever since Swift penned them, for there is a NARBERTH, PA., NOVEMBER, 1903. spirit of revenge that asserts itself — when suffering from the sting of a. bug or a flea, and we glory in the thought that all insect pests are sub- ject to annoyance as well as we. And campers, outers, fishers and hunters | are particularly critical as to the merits of a locality, for they know that there are drawbacks in all cases | where the fishing and hunting is good. | A fellow, who was not an entomolo- | gist, but was a philosopher, once gave his crude opinion to me in this way: ‘*Where the fishin’s good there’s bugs, and where there ain’t no bugs there | ain’t no fishin’.’’ And as a general thing, he struck it just right. Now my experience with bugs, var- mints and sich is extensive, and though I am no bugologist, and don’t care about the classification of deer | flies, chiggers, etc., I can tell you the truth blood sucking tendencies, for ‘‘I know their ways and their manners,’’ as Jenny Wren said of the men of her regarding all these critters of | day, and I have learned by sad ex- | perience just the extent of the pizen | that a critter can instill into the hole which they bore into your hide. But | there are all grades to misery, and | there are choice positions even in pur- gatory, and it is a fact that there are many species of insects which we | No. 5 would rather have bite us than others of a still wickeder kind. To one who has worried through a night without a tent where the mosquitoes are thick the chances are that he will stake his duckets that the old-fashioned hum- ming mosquito is the worst nuisance out; and yet take this same man into a good country for black flies and about the third day, when the back of his ncek begins to swell, and he would be happy to hear a mosquito hum. Sand flies of the south also claim a tribute of love from their admirers. The sand fly is one of the smallest pests which make men frantic; but small as they are, they are numerous enough to make amends for their lack of size. Their minuteness is to their advantage, not ours, for they are so small that they are not seen as they go silently to work. The bite is scarcely felt, and an afternoon or evening is passed pleasantly out of doors. Next day, however, the reck- oning is summed up in a serious irri- tation of the skin on the wrists and the sides of the neck, which continues and intensifies for at least forty-eight hours. If the assault continues day after day you will have a _ beautiful collection of bumps and lumps which you will spend most of your time in alternately soothing and scratching. When you scratch the bites of a sand fly brigade it only augments the swel- ling and irritation, but this knowledge does not prevent you from digging your nails into your skin for momen- tary respite. Fortunately for tourists, and especially campers, the slightest breeze will immediately dispel the 58 hords of these pestiferous insects. a breath of air is stirring they are gone instantlv. The sand fly is a kind of gnat, and nearly allied to the ‘‘no- see-ems’’ of the north. There are horse flies down south also, so large and fierce that no horse can stand the bite, and so in many parts they use the patient mule for the work, as it can live through a siege of fly bites that would kill a horse. I have seen a man cultivating beans in southern Florida who had a negro boy accompany him | to kill the insects that fed on the mule, and the mule’s sides would be gashed and spotted. One of these flies probed me one day as I was writing, and I jumped high enough the ceiling of the Cracker cabin. Then there are cock roaches in plenty, and it does seem that the farther south you get the larger the insects get, and I have twice as large as any that eat the edi- tor’s paste at the north. Two inches is a common length, and many are much longer, and when a swarm of | them get out for an evening drill, the | noise made is noticable as they run about rapidly. We used to have ‘‘roach hunts’’ with prize to the best man; small specimens under an inch not counted The best way to swipe | them off the wall and ceiling is with a coat or broom, and the man who could scoop two or three at a smash was considered skillful. We killed hundreds but they seemed just as plentiful afterwards, and about com- pared with the inumerable chameleons which skipped around just outside the door and sometimes inside. Fleas! Bless your soul, they are all over the cat, dog, and chickens, and I have counted over one hundred hang- ing on the head of a fowl. They are as thick as ticks on a Mexican mus- tang. Then there are tchiggers, gen- erally spelled jiggers; little critters which burrow under the skin. Also the grampus, scorpion and centipede, but if you keep away from the business THE ATLANTIC SEOPE NATURALIST. If. to strike | seen cockroaches down there | end of these pizen dispensers you are Oe But none of the insect varmiUts of the south can give a worse stab than a deer fly of northern Michigan, and none possesses a more virulent poison than that left by the Lake Superior black fly. I have seen hardy little injun papooses with a thick crust formed on their necks by the poisonous bites of the black fly. The best way to prevent bites is to wear a covering of mosquito netting, Which is attached to the hat rim all around and drawn in at the neck. Nothing equals this as a protection at the north against flies and mosqui- toes, but at the south, in certain sec- tions, one must use cheese cloth in order to keep out the sand flies, which can enter through the mosquito net mesh. As a preventive to be applied, the best preparation that I have learned is of what is known as ‘‘Nesmik’s Dope,’’ which is composed of three ingredients, viz: One part of penny- royal, two of castor oil, and three of oil of tar. This is not an elegant. prepration, but it serves the purpose if well rubbed in. To those who are disgusted at the smell and sticky sen- sation, let me say that they had _bet- ter stay away from the insect infected quarters, for there are two many de- tractions of a serious nature to admit of comfort with a man who has a delicate nose and is anxious to shine as an aesthete with white hands and good clothes. In conclusion, let me say that in nearly all quarters where fishing is good, there are almost certainly serious drawbacks, and if my readers do not care to risk their skins for their pleas- ure, then they had better keep out of the wilds. Let me add that good gloves are a necessity in many sections, and dress is of great impor- tance in the woods on an outing. No furbelows, but sensible covering, and not the least important item is to let THE-ATEANTIC SLOPR NATURALIST. the hair grow long onthe neck. When you need to apply the insect dope, rub | in to stay, and do not wash it off at — each meal. Its efficacy is in its sta- bility as well as the sweet fragrance | exhaled. The Yellow-Throated Vireo at Listowel, Ontario. By Wm. L. Kells, Listowel, Ont., Canada. The Yellow-throated Vireo [ Vireo flav- | ifrons| is generally found as a summer | resident of the high, hardwood forests of Southern Ontario, and is common in the vicinity of Listowel. It haunts chiefly the the upper branches of jhe trees, and here amid the green foliage it gleans its insect fare, and sends forth upon the sunlit air its peculiar flute-like notes, without which | its presence would hardly be suspected. It occasionally pays a visit to the orchard, or to the city shade-trees, but such visits are short, and after a few serenades as it tlits from tree to tree, it returns to its | wild-wood retreat. It is towards the end of May, when the | earlier species of flowers are in bloom, | and the underwoods are filled with the many-noted melodies of other wood-dwel- ling members of the avifauneari race,that | the rambler in the remnant of our Canad- | ian forest, becomes aware that the woods are once again tenanted by this active | tree-top piper. About two weeks after its arrival, the work of building the nest— | which is an admirable specimen of bird architecture—begins. In this work the male renders assistance, as it is probable he does also in inculcation, and in the feeding of the young he takes a very act- tive part. The young are hatched towards the end of June, and the song of the male ceases, and is heard no more | The nest of the species, | for the season. like that of all other Vireos, is in the form | ofa small basket, and is composed of various fine materials, such as strips of | bark, dry leaves and insect webs in the compacting of which the builders emit a | glewy saliva. forked branch of a leafy bough, generallv pretty high off the ground. The nesting site is the | The set of | 59 eggs is usually four; these are of a clear white hue, with a few dots of a dark col- our towards the larger end. Both nest and eggs are larger than those of the other Canadian Vireos. Early in Sep- tember the Yellow-throated Vireo leaves for sunny southern climes. Vs Meee The Snakes of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. By C. Few Seiss, Philadelphia, Pa. This list contains the names of all the species and sub-species of Snakes found iu the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to authentic records. The descriptions are brief, but sufficient for amateurs to identify the species nam- ed Non-Venomous. Carphophis amoenus. Ground snake. About one foot or Jess in length; body quite round, glossy and opalescent; above chestnut color, beneath salmon red. Is found under logs and stones, rarely seen abroad; mountainous districts. Diadophis punctatus. Ring-necked snake. Length ten to fifteen inches. Black above, orange beneath; a yellowish white ring at the base of the head. Gen- erally aseries of spots on the abdomen. Found under logs, stones and bark, most- ly in thickly wooded sections. Heterodon Platyrhinus. Hog-nose snake, Blowing viper. Easily recognized by its turned-up snout or rostral. Color dark clay to reddish brown, with dark blotches. Some individuals uniform black. Length two feet to thirty inches. Flattens itself when disturbed and blows and hisses terrifically; often feigns death. Liopeltis vernalis. Green snake, slen- der, length seventeen to twenty inches. Dark green above, yellowish beneath. The dorsal scales are smooth, never keel- ed. Cyclophis aestivus. Summer green snake. A slender species with conical head and small neck. Green above, yel- lowish beneath; scales rough or carinat- ed. Length of adult twenty-four to thir- ty-three inches. Not common, found only in the southern portions of Pennsyl- vania and New Jersey. 60 Zaments consti ictor. Black snake, rac- er. Glossy black above, beneath slate color; lower jaw and chin white. three to six feet. of birds, squirrels, young rabblts and frogs. Coluber obsoletus. gheny black snake. mountains. in length. Pilot snake. Mostly found in From five to over seven feet Length | Destroys vast numbers | Alle-¥ THE ATLANTIC SHOP a NATURALISTS: Black or lead color above, oft- | en marked with a series of quadrangular | blotches; some scales edged with white. | Beneath greenish white mottled with dark slate blue. Pityophis melanoleucus. Pine snake, Bull snake. Ground color white or pale brown; head often spotted with black; a dorsal series of brown blotches margined with black before and behind; beneath dull yellow with dark patches. Length five to eight feet. Pine forests of New Jersey. Ophibolus doliatus triangulus. Milk | snake, house snake. Ground color light | grey, with about forty-five rounded | brown blotches on the back, bordered | with black. Inthe young snakes these are red. Beneath white with checker- board spots. Length twenty-five to for- ty-two inches. Devours great numbers | of field and meadow mice; does not steal | milk from cows, as frequently stated by | farmers. Ophibolus getulus getulus. snake, King snake. Black, crossed by about thirty narrow continuous yellowish Chain white lines, which bifurcate on the sides; | beneath pale yellow with black blotches. | Length four feet and over. ous in southern New Jersey. cannibal among snakes-—devours vast numbern of garter snakes and other spe- Most numer- | A noted | cies which it is strong enough to capture. | Natrix fasciata sipedon. water snake. Common | Brown wiih narrow trans- | verse light bands margined with black; | beneath yellowish, with spots of pale | Length two | A great destroyer of | brown margined with black. to over three feet. fishes and frogs. Natrix fasciata erythrogaster, bellied water snake. Red- | Head long, narrow- | ing forward; uniform bluish or red-black above; beneath copper red. Western Pennsylvania. Natrix leberis. Striped water snake, leather snake. Brown above with three narrow black stripes; beneath yellowish with four black stripes. Length two feet and less. Found under partly submerged stones along creeks and rivers. Natrix rigida. Rough water snake. Greenish brown above; two dark brown stripes along the dorsal region; beneath reddish yellow with two series of black spots in the middle region. Length twelve to twenty-two inches. Storeria dekayi. De Kay’s brown snake. Color above, brown to greyish with a clay-colored dorsal band margined by dotted lines. A blackish patch on each side of the occipital; a dark bar be- tween this and the eye; beneath dull white with a few black specks. Length eleven to thirteen inches. Feeds on earth worms Storeria Occipitomaculata. Red bel- lied storeria. Above chestnut brown to grey, sometimes with a paler vertebral stripe; beneath salmon red; three distinct light colored spots behind the head. Length one foot and less. Eutaenia saurita. Swift garter, ribbon snake. Slender in form; above pale brown to chocolate, with three yellow stripes; beneath greenish white. The length of the tail is generally more than one-third the total length, which in the adult is a little less than three feet. Eutaenta sivtalis, Common garter snake. Stout inform; greenish grey or brown above the laterel stripes, which are not conspicuous; two or three rows of small dark spots; beneath pale green- ish white, each abdominal plate with a dark blotch at each side. Length about two feet. Feeds upon toads and frogs; the young upon earth worms. Eutaenia sirtalis ordinata, Stripeless garter snake. Olive green with three rows of blackish spots on each side; dor- sal stripe faint; lateral stripes absent. Not common. VENOMOUS SNAKES. Ancistrodon contortrix, Copperhead. THE Ground color pale chestnut to light brick- | clay, with inverted Y-shaped dark blotch- es on the sides. nearly three feet. Crotalus horridus. Common rattle- snake. Above sulphur yellow to dark yellowish brown, with two rows of con- fluent brown lozenge-shaped_ blotches; tail black; a light line at the angle of the mouth. Length three to five feet. There are at least two other harmless snakes which are probably found. within our limits, although the writer has no records of their occurrence, viz:— Coluber vulpinus. Fox snake. four to over five feet in length. Pale brown, with subquadrate dark brown blotches, three or four scales long. The writer has seen specimens labeled ‘‘near Baffalo, New York.’’ It may be found in north-western Pennsylvania. Virginia valerie. Valeria Blaney’s snake. Yellowish brown above, with From Length of adult two to | ATLANTIC SLGPE NATURALIST. small irregular black dots, sometimes in | two rows. to eleven inches in length. A small, slender snake, eight © Has been | found in Maryland and Virginia, and like- | ly inhabits southern New Jehsey. ed eae} A Few Notes on The Oven-bird. By A. B. Klugh. Sec’y Wellington Field Naturalists’ Club, Guelph, Ont., Canada. Among all the sounds of the bush there none more unique, or which strike the ear more forcibly than the song of S7zui- us auricapillus. This remarkable song, like most other bird notes, cannot be ad- equately represented on paper, but more | than anything else resembles the syllables | ‘“‘“cher-whack—cher-whack—cher- whack’ | repeated rapidly many times in a rising scale, growing louder and increasing in emphasis from beginning to end. It has also a ventriloqual quality, and often ap- pears to proceed from a direction oppo- | site to its real source. is located we see a handsome, softly-col- ored bird, about six and one-quarter inches in length, olive green above, white When the singer | beneath, with the breast spotted with | dusky, and ii we are enjoying the privi- | ege of a close inspection, we notice that | 61 the crownis golden-brown. The song is usually delivered from the lower branches ofatree, but the singer sometimes mounts to a bough twenty feet from the ground to deliver his emphatic serenade. This bird has the dainty manner of walking charac- teristic of the portron of the Wizoti/ide to which it belongs. It arrives here about May 6th and leaves about Sept. r5th. While probably more abundant in the up-land woods than anywhere else, it is to be met with in swamps, and _ occasion- ally even in sphagnum bogs. The bird’s common name was given to it, as is’ well known, on account of its domed nest, which is supposed to resem- ble an old-fashioned oven. This domi- cile is placed in various situations, as I have found them at the edge of woods, in thickets, in swamps and in_ bogs, though the favourite site appears to be at the edge of woods composed of decid- uous trees. The material used in construction varies with the location, but usually consists of grass, leaves, plant-stems, and a few twigs, while the lining is usually leaves, fine grass and a very little hair. The dome is as a rule composed of fine, wiry grass and a few leaves. One nest which I found was composed almost entirely of pine [/. strobus| needles, lined with leaves and a few hairs. It was the most compact, strongest and altogether hand- somest nest of the species which I have ever seen. It was placed in a Tamarac swamp, in rather a deep depression, so that the bottom of the inside of the nest was below the level of the carpet of dead Tamarac leaves, and the dome only show- ed slightly above the surface. The nest is built here from about the middle to the end of May. All the eggs which I have taken here average larger than type, which is given as .48x.58; mine average .80x.63. In some Sets they are very vari- able in size, one of mine ranging from .78 to .85 by .60 to .53. The eggs are creamy white, with a slight gloss, and very variable both as to size, dispositon and tint of markings. These usually con- sist of spots and blotches of various shades of brown, and blotches of pale lav- ender, mostly collected in the form ofa wreath on the larger end. The usual number of eggs in a set is tive. ON 2 THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. 0 oe ft — Atlantic Slope Naturalist. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY ae py es W.E. ROTZELL, M. D., Narberth, Pa. Articles of interest to the observer of Nature solicited from all. SUBSCRIPTION RATES Single subscription, 50 cents per year to a parts of the Postal Union. ADVERTISING RATES Send copy for Will be furnished on application. estimate. Remittances should be made by post office money order, registered letter or postal note. Unused U.S. postage stamps will be accepted for sums less than one dollar, where it is not conven- ient to remit money in any other form. Address all communications to DR. W. E. ROTZELL, MONTGOMERY COUNTY. NARBERTH, PA, NOVEMBER, 1903. As mentioned might be the case separate issues of this journal for the months of November and December are being issued in order mainly to permit volume two to begin at the first of the year. It was not so very many days ago that the editor met in Philadelphia one of the friends of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST Who inquired, owing to the lateness of this issue, if the journal had suspended publication. We assured him that it had not and, furthermore, that it was not going to so long as it continued receiving the support commeasurable with that which has thus far been ex- tended to it. THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST was not started with the intention of suspending publication until a fair trial has been made to ascertain if there is a demand for a journal of its character. An issue should not be considered as being late in appearing until after the month of publication has expired and the num- ber has not been issued. This number ts late, being issued De- cember 3rd. The next issue will be out about December the 20th. We have seeh many newspapers containing departments devoted to natural history and in the majority of instances these departments have been interesting and original,for the reason that they are sure to contain observa- tions, especially field notes, which never find their way into the journals. The Daily Herald of Guelph, On- tario, Canada, contains just such a department entitled ‘‘Notes from Thicket and Swamp.’’ It is, in our judgment, the best department of this character that it has been our privi- lege to see and is well worth the sub- scription price of the paper. The department is edited by Mr. A. B. Klugh. The proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for the 52nd annual meeting have just reached us and the usual merit of the work is, of course, maintained. The only criticism we would have to make is that the supplemental list of members, arranged according to geographical distribution, is unneces- sary and that the space occupied by the same could be more _ profitably utilized, especially when we consider that so many of the papers are pub- lished merely by title. We are indebted to Dr. R. W. Shu- feldt for reprints on avian osteology and to Mr. Stewart Culin for reprints on American archaeology; on account of lack of space we are unable to re- view any of these papers in this issue. In a circular letter Dr. Frank H. Lattin, of Albion, N. Y., announces that his well known journal Zhe Oologist which has not been issued for a number of months past, will about December the Ist resume publi- cation with Dr. Lattin as publisher and Mr. Ernest H. Short, of Roch- ester, N.Y., as editor. This journal, as Zhe Young Oologist, began pub- lication back in 1884 and at once be- came the guiding star of hundreds of young naturalists in all parts of the THE. ATLANTIC SHBRE NATURALIST. United States. Well does the editor of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST remember the impatience that accom- panied the awaiting of the next issue each month. Later the name of the journal was changed to Zhe Oologist and for a few years quite a degree of excellence was maintained, until the business interests of its editor appar- ently necessitated a neglect of his edi- torial position. That the resumption of publication will give us Zhe is the sincere wish of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. If THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST meets with your approval it desires and needs your support. If you are not already a subscriber and if you are interested in natural science you are very respectfully solicited to sub- scribe at once. If you are already a subscriber try and send with your re- newal for 1904 one new subscriber. If each of our subscribers will do this we will promise positively that this journal will either become a monthly publication or that its size will be enlargea. ——_____- Errata. The following errors recently crept into this journal and the corrections are as follows: In No. 3 the article entitled ‘‘The Sora Rail’’ by Mr. J. Harris Reed, is Beverly, N.Y.; it should be Beverly, N.J. In No. 4 the name of Mr. Richard C. McGregor is incorrectly spelled. In The Study of Nestling Birds by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt in the last issue the illustrations should have been pro- duced much better than they were, as the half-tones were perfect, as all would know who are at all familiar with Dr. Shufeldt’s work. In W. E. Rotzell’s records of the Tennessee warbler in No. 3 the dates should be September the 19th, 1895, instead of September the 20th, 1895; and September the 20th, 1897, instead | | | | of September the 19th, | scription price, 50 cents, 63 1897. The former specimen was reeorded in 7%e Nidologist for June-July, 1896. FC LOLS AR ST Oe NOTICE. In order to increase the circulation of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST we offer the following inducements :— 1. Those who remit to us the sub- will have their subscriptions recorded’ as being for 1904 and the number for December : F Bias _ will be sent without charge. Oologist as it was’in its palmy days | # 2. To anyone sending us four sub- scriptions, and remitting two dollars in payment of the same we will give a year’s subscription. 3. To those who are already sub- scribers we will grant a commission of 20 per cent discount on all subscrip- tions sent us. A number of our readers have al- ready interested themselves in the welfare of the journal by sending in subscriptions and of names to whom sample copies have been sent. $< ————_—— The Passenger Pigeon. By August Koch, Williamsport, Pa. Every year we hear more or less about wild pigeons, sometimes they are seen in the Eastern States and other times just this side of the Rocky Mountains, but in most or perhaps every case, they turn out to be either Mourning or other southern doves and possibly the Yellow-billed and Band- tailed pigeon. It was the 15th of September, 1885, when several friends and myself arrived at Lakefield, Minnesota, to spend a week at chicken hunting. A few days later I was standing alone on the prairie and taking pleasure in observing the industrious work of my dogs, when a single grey bird ap- proached from the far distance, it was coming low along the short grass, in rapid flight. As the bird came closer, it had the appearance of a blackbellied planer, as they appear at that season —when it arrived within range and was rolled over on the grass, my sur- 64 THE ATLANTIC SLOPE: NATURALISI. prise was great, to have met with a single female passenger pigeon and on this extensive expanse of prairie. eo The Suspicion of A Quechua Literature. By W. E. Rotzell, M. D., Narberth, Pa. In the origin and development of any special line of culture among any people there are probably two imypor- tant factors or causes in suggesting and developing that culture. -~These are zlernally the mind itself, which must be sufficiently developed to recog- nize that it is possible to invent new methods for the accomplishment of particular purposes; and externally the environment which renders this accomplishment necessary. Without either capable mind or suitable environment culture cannot develop, and, conversely, with capable mind and suitable environment cul- ture will inevitably result, and it is not at all remarkable that it does so. This may be illustrated by the methods of writing as practiced by some of the American Indian tribes in the curious and interesting manuscripts which have been preserved showing the literary capacity of these primi- | tive people. The Red, or American race throughout North, Central, and South America, from the Arctic Ocean to Tierra del Fuego, presents such re- markable uniformity of physical type that the anthropologist in attempting to classify the race, being unable to find sufficient physical criteria, is compelled to resort to linguistics. Psychologically the various tribes of American Indians seem to have been on about the same plane of develop- ment. The art of writing serves admirably to illustrate the relationship existing between the mind and the environ- ment. All of the American Indians men- tally were sufficiently developed to be able to record their ideas to an extent at least and the reason that writing was not more generally cultivated outside of Mexico, Central America and Yuca- tan was that environment did not ren- der it necessary. The writing of the hunting tribes of both Americas was limited mostly to picture-writing or, as they are termed, pictographs, which were carved on stone, bone, shells and wood, or made with colors from various plants and painted quite frequently upon skins. This primitive method of writing was quite generally em- ployed by the North American tribes. The historic Dighton rock along the bank of the Taunton river in Bristol County, Massachusetts, which at one time was supposed to have been in- scribed by the Norsemen, but which now is generally conceded to have been done by the Algonkins, illustrates this method of writing. The culture of the Aztecs or Nahuas of Mexico is well known and their literature was preserved in manuscripts written upon the fibrous leaves of the magney plant. The hieroglyphic characters in which these manuscripts were written have received much attention from students of American archeology and were far beyond anything done in the way of writing by any other of the North American tribes. Among the Maya Indians of Yucatan there was employed a method of writ- ing even superior to that of the Aztecs and which 1s generally considered to be of quite a high order as may readily be recognized by an examina- tion of any of the existing Codices and the books of the Chilan Balam which escaped the destruction of the early missionaries who in their zeal in what they considered to be in their line of duty destroyed nearly all records that were known or suspected as referring to native religions. The Aztecs and the Mayas devoted their attention largely to agriculture and the pursuits of peace, and the re- sults accomplished by both peoples were in many cases really quite re- markable. The geographical distribu- : | THE ATLANTIC SLGE NATURALIST. tion of both of these peoples was such that they were not surrounded by savage neighbors and, therefore, the metiiods of war did not to any very great extent demand their attention and they were consequently able to direct their attention very largely to the development of knowledge along non-warlike lines. In Peru the Que- chuas were the equals in many re- spects of the Aztecs and the Mayas. They devoted much attention to the agricultural arts, raising maize, cot- ton, cocoa, potatoes and tobacco; they used fertilizers and recognized the im- portance of the rotation of crops. They domesticated the llama, the dog and a few other animals. They were skilled in the weaving and coloring of fabrics. In the handling of stone for the erection of buildings their work in some instances was very remark- able. They were familiar with cer- tain methods for the working of metals. In the making of beautiful pottery they were quite skilled. They , were acquainted with certain methods for the mummification of the dead and the practice of it was at least some- times given certain religious signifi- cance. With all this, and more, knowledge it is considered that they were not familiar with any method of writing. It being considered that the quipus, ’ which consisted of strings knotted in certain ways and which had certain Significance, represented the only method they knew for the recording of ideas; although the Muyscas of Col- umbia and the Moxos of Western Bol- ivia are said to have employed picto- graphs. Taking into consideration the prac- tical equality in mental capacity and in a general way the similarity of culture, although not identical environ- ment of the Quechuas in comparison with the Aztecs and the Mayas, does it not seem doubtful that they were not acquainted with any other method of writing except by the necessarily un- 65 satisfactory method of the quipus, especially when they were apparently so well qualified to produce a native literature. Had the few Maya manuscripts which have escaped destruction been destroyed it would probably have been considered that they were unacquaint- ed with their method of writing. Could such a fate have befallen any Peruvian manuscripts? Reasoning by analogy is it not legitimate to suspect that the existence of such manuscripts might have been possible ? —————_2>— The Wellington Field Naturalists’ Club, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. This organization is second to none in America from the standpoint of the activity and ability of its members and also in the broad scope which it utilizes in its investigations. It not being in any sense restricted to one or to even to afew lines of investigation. It is a society old-fashioned enough to consider that the study of the whole domain of nature is of more interest and importance than being restricted to the study of a part. We have re- ceived and take pleasure in publishing the following report from the Secre- tary, Mr. Klugh, which was received just in time to be included in this issue. At the meeting of the Club held on Wednesday evening, Noy. 11, 1908, the following papers were read :— “The genus Hadéenar7za in Welling- ton County,’’ by L. Beattie. ‘‘The Butterflies,’’ by R. Redwin. ‘‘The Pine Grosbeak,’’ by Pres. T. D. Jarvis. ‘‘Some notes. on P2forzus novebor- acensis,’’ by Sec'y A. B. Klugh. ‘‘The Genus Picea,’’ by Dr. Mul- drew. ‘‘The Genus Salix at Galt,’’ by W. Herriot. Each paper was followed by a dis- cussion during which many valuable points were brought out. 66 THE. ATLANTIC: SL@BE NATURALIST: | A Seminole Vocabulary. By W. J. Hoxie, Savannah, Ga. Compiled mainly from memory with some assistance from notes made in 1888 and 1898. Air plant—Ahsonslahco Alagator—A lapata Anus—Leechee All gone—Sukashay Beard—Socaschee Boat—Pistlow Big—Ojies Bad—Holwagas Bottle—Flasko Black Vulture—Sohaly Blue Jay—Tashka Blue-bird—Yohiska Bone—Fonee Black Snake—Istalusteelogachee Barren (female )—Hohkteeteeho Black— Lustee Boot—Tallapika-neeha Bee—Foh Bear—Noccasee Belly—i Chefastay Bill—i Tofwa Bald Eagle— Hadki-tikfunga Cigar—Chilbogchee Cape (woman’s)—Supposka Cardinal— Ostata .Caracara Eagle—-Chulee legachay Compass—Ishkeelka Cat—Poshee-Foshhee Cards (pack of )}—Chacopanga Child—Pickaninny Camp— Pogee Cow— Wocca Corn—Hotchee Creek—Hatchee Cornbread—Tuckalag Crow—Ossihawa Cool—Cosuptita Cold—Coosaw To drink—Linkum Dont’ konw—Kitlockshay Duck—Fotchow Dung—Willenewa Dog—Efaw Deer—Echow to Dig—Copilay Egg—Istostockay—Suschakay To eat—Humbukshay East—Ahltea Finger-rng—Sinkosakateeka Finger—Chinkishimilka Foot Ledobikshay—(i Lay) Fish—Schlatlo _ Fly—Domno —— eee | Flea—Tufco Femaelo—Hohtkee _ Foulrbraed—Tuckalagay Fat—Teeneeha _ Fiddle—Haheechka Fox—Chula | Fish-hawk—Hansochugwa | Fowl | Florida Jay—Tuschelaco Tutaloshee Gourd—Efipee Ground Owl—Opah-copilay Gun—Seteebokta Goldenwinged Woodpecker—Talpanani Ginger—Coha God almighty—Seelektomassee —Hiepas away—Hiepaschay ried—Hiepas lanschay Good—Inklas Hungry—Loco very— Inklaschay | Hominy—Sofkay Honey — Fohjumpy House wren—Taflocochee Hide—Sohokpay Horn— Yapee Hat—Kapataka Hornet—Foh lanee Horse—-Chaloko Head——i Ka Hunting shirt—Yokafkeeta Ivry-billed Woodpecker—Titkka Knife—Slofko Lie down—Legaschay Leggings—Afotkeeka Lightning—totee Leather—Socha Suark—Hahnahtseelo Loggerhead——Kussepako Lookkkingglass—Shuckhaitska Live Oak—Locosum po Male—Hohnneewah Meat-—Pissewa Milk—Pissee Mud—-Ocalee Moccasin—Talapika Mule—Chalokapika Man— Ista Manatee—Eehashwa I go hur- THE ATLANTIC SLGBE NATURALIST. 67 Moon—-Hateshee North—Hometha Nest— Mooganaga No—Stunsto Need (want)—-Niskee Numbers 1—Humkin 2—Ohkohlin 3—Tuchinny 4—Oshetn 5—Chahkeebin 6—Epahkin 7—Chinnipahkin 8—Kollipahbkin 9—Tillipahlin 10-—Pahlin 11—Pahlin-humkin 20—Pahlin-pahlin 30—Tuchiny-pahlin 44— Osten-pahlin-osten Orange—Yalaha Ocean—Hypoluxo Otter—Oseena Owl—Opah Plume—Ngashamoma Panther—Kacha Pig—Sukka Possum—Sukkahadka Pumpkin—Sashay Privates—Tuliwa-Hossawa Pants— Hadikpika Peas—Talokchopko Pen (for cattle )—Hootee Poop (to break wind)—Hoakshita Pole cat—Konaw Pins—Cumstutsee Palm-warbler—Fastinochee Parakeet—Puzzilanee Pencil—Nakoseeshaka Quail—Quoachay Rabbit—Chopee Rattle snake—Tchikalogalogachee Red-shouldered hawk—Sukhah Tsnt- sokawa Red-beliled woodpecker— l'santsola Red-cockaded woodpecker—Taskoka Run—Lipkas Rock—Shatto Red-tailed hak—-Keeaka Raccoon— Woodko Rain—Huskay Rope—Fuka Rice—Aloso Red pepper— Homa River—Waha Red—Chata Rat—Hotcheetaka Snith—Wahaha Snake—Logachee Sparrow hawk—Chulagowa Sand-hill Crane—Watala Sugar-cane—Opijumpy Small—Chee See—Ichita Sleep—Salochka Starch soup—Afkay Stink—Munskee Squirrel—Kloheelyay Shoe—Talapikanonhay Slough—Esfahaka Sweet potatoes—Aha Seed—Neeska Spur—Siftika Salt—Hoakchoniwa Swamp—Okee Sun—Hoshee—Hossay Spy-glass—Sheetska Shirt--Homoska Screech owl—Opah eefolachee Safety pin—Setokakepta Stone—Shatto Thnuder—Tinetkay Tail—i Hatchay Turkey—Pinnewa Tin-ware—Polekona Tobacco-pipe—Echeepukawa Testes—Tuckaneenay Terrapin—Lotcha Tree—Chili Trout—Shilo Turkey-buzzard—Chtlee Tobacco—Eechee West— Walatapay Waist. (jacket )—-Yokopta Water-moccasin—Hadsologaa Wing—i Talpah Woman—Squaw Wolf—Yahah © Wind—Hotalay Water—Weewa White—Hadki Wild-cat——Cocoochee White crane —Fosetka Towhee—Chahamiska Warm—Hiyay Well (strong )—Sassy Watch—Shagayka Yellow—Lanee Yes—Nka Melon—Chustalee 68 ANTHROPOLOGICAL NOTES. Mr. Adolf F. Bandelier, who eleven | years ago went to Peru, and Bolivia to make archeological and anthropo- logical investigations has returned to the United States. York City has received extensive ma- terial in these lines as the result of Mr. Bandelier’s labor. Muesum ot Mexico, has been conduct- ing some important archaeological and ethnological investigations in the State of Coahuila. Near the preseut town of Paredon, which is about 500 — miles north of the City of Mexico, it is considered that the remains of an ancient city have been found, which was at one time destroyed by a flood. Walls have been unearthed which were covered with a layer of earth sixty feet in thickness. According to The American Antiquarian, which does not vouch for the accuracy of the account, the indications are that this city was a large one, with possibly a population of 50,000. The osseous re- mains of man and some of the lower animals have been found, the most re- markable of which is the elephant. Dr. George H. Pepper, the Secretary of Section H of the American Associ- ation for the Advancement of Science, and Dr. George A. Dorsey, Secretary of the American Anthropological As- sociation, conjointly announce in a circular thet there will be a meeting of the anthropologists of both associa- tions at St. Louis, Mo., from Decem- ber 28, 1903, to January 2, 1904. Dr. George J. Engelmann died on Monday, Noy. 16, in Nashua, N. H., where he was stricken with pneumonia while on a visit. He was fifty-five years old. He was born in St. Louis, and was the son of Dr. George Engel- mann, who a generation ago was recognized as one of the foremost of American botanists. Dr. George J. Engelmann was educated in this country and in Europe and served as a The American | Museum of Natural History in New | _ lected a very fine series of Missouri THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. | surgeon in the Franco-Prussian war 1870-71; he was for some years profes- sor of obstetrics in the Post-Graduate | School of the Missouri Medical Col- lege. He was an author of ability, his best known work being ‘‘ Labor Among Primitive Peoples.’’ He col- Flints and Pottery which is now in _the Peabody Museum at Cambridge, Dr. Nicholas Leon, of the National | Mass. During the later years of his _ life he devoted a good deal of atten- | | —_——— —_--——————— tion to demography and ethnology. It is but afew years since he moved from St. Louis to Boston. Dr. Richard Andree, the German anthropologist, who for a number of years past has been the editor of Globus has retired from that position and is succeeded by H. Singer. The voiume just issued of the Pro- ceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science indi- cates that the section, section H, of Anthropology received some very in- tresting papers. The address of the chairman of the section, Mr. Stewart Culin, is entitled ‘‘ America the Cradle of Asia,’’ and it contains quite a number of suggestive thoughts based largely upon the author’s studies of the games of the American aborigines. There are a number of interesting titles published of papers read before the section but which unfortunately, spart from Mr. Culin’s, are not pub- lished, not even abstracts. In the American Anthropologist for July-September, 1903, Mr. Samuel P. Verner contributes an article on ‘‘The Yellow Men of Central Africa’’ in which he states that individuals whose skin is of a bright copper color are by no means rare. He estimates that fifteen per cent of the entire popula- tion are of a light color and that they are distributed from the Central Sou- dan to the Cape of Good Hope. They do not comprise separate tribes but are families in various tribes. W. E. R. ae The MEDICAL ADVANCE GIBBS’S CELEBRATED PROCESS OF RAPID TAXIDERMY In Practical Use for Over Twenty-five Years. Used Everywhere in America. Hundreds of Testimonials. Try, and be Convinced. Start a Class. Money in It. Be Your Own Taxidermist. Naturalists, Collectors, Gunners, Anglers, Outers, Boys, Girls, and all others interested in nature and anxious to preserve the specimens taken in wood and field, have all felt the need of a simple method of preservation, which is free from intricacies and inexpensive. There is a method of rapid taxidermy now in extensive use, which meets the requirements of all amateurs who wish a practical and inexpensive method of preserving the trophies of the outing and col- lecting trip. This is not the old system of so-called stuffing, so expensive, laborious and disappoint- ing, but is a rapid system, which anyone can learn at once and which is guaranteed to give satisfaction. By this process you may preserve the beautiful plumage of the grouse and woodcock, or the pike’s or buck’s head, or the showy feathers of the tanager. Boys, girls and all others can do good work and may make money, as mounted heads and birds find a ready sale, and besides you may teach your friends and decorate the school room, office and dining room with native birds and other attractions. If you are in doubt, then get your friends to go in with you and starta class, for when several work together there is an advantage, and the expense is next to nothing. | On the receipt of $1.00, cash or stamps, I will send full printed instructions for mounting birds, heads, mammals, etc.,and all materials for mounting and preserving specimens—including prepared compound, together with full directions for dressing skins with the hair on for rugs and robes, so that you will not beto the expense of one cent. Remember I Guarantee Satisfaction or Money Refunded. Mention ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST and address | MORRIS GIBBS, M. D., | Kalamazoo, Mich. pA A series of articles in THE AMERICAN BOTANIST for all young students who wish to know why as wellas how. Sample for a 2-cent stamp. The AMERICAN BOTANIST, BINGHAMTON, N.Y. __ mete Fe (I S xy CO y »* \ Lys StH i A monthly Journal devoted to Homeeopathic . Medicine in its 3oth year of publication. Subscription, $2 per annum. Edited by DR. H. C. Lan 5142 Washington Avenue, Chicago, Ill. |THE WARBLER TWENTY-THIRD YEAR A 16-page, bi-monthly magazine devoted to the FOR &. & Botany : peciwners The American Antiquarian | study and protection of North American Wild ° Birds. Edited by and Oriental J ourna! REV. H. C. MUNSON, Buckfield, Me. Edited by Rev. S. D. Peet, Ph.D., RUruaned Fy the PAUMchad Br inontiiv' 44. OG per year. Mayflower Pub. Co., Floral Park,N.Y. SUERTE Sas Rt ee SUBSCRIPTION PRICE The Mound Builders, AND RELICS. Only 30 Cents for Three Years. By Stephen D. Peet, Ph.D. Bue uo: First number issued January, 1903. The ; By the same author | | | ‘““ WARBLER ” as a department of the Mayflower he Cliff-Dwellers and Pueblos. / Magazine has made hosts of friends, and is now PRICE, $4.00. | able to walk alone. Address “THE AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN, THE WARBLER, Floral Park, W. Y. 5817 Madison Avenue, CHICAGO, Iil. Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital # + CHARTERED 1848 ul af fag That ?h | that iN BROAD STREET ABOVE PHILADELPHIA The Leading Features of this the Old: - est Homeopathic School are as Rapin. convenience. 2.—Reading room for students, and Library of 1 5,000 volurnes. 3. Anatomical museum, unexcelled in size and variety. 4.—A four years’ graded course of seven months each. 5.—Laboratory work in all the practical branches. 6.—Unusual clinical facilities afforded by the Hospital in the wards and — dispensary department in which over 35,941 patients were treated last ith | si graduating class is not excelled ie any other college. 8.—Lectures commence in October and end in May. For Announcement address Hahnemann Medical College, be CHARLES M. THOMAS, M. D., Dean. PHIL ADELPHIA: CHARLES MOHR, M. D., Registrar. MARCH and APRIL, 1904. THE || Atlantic Slope Na i fo ti DAO G| ralis. . \ SUBSCRIPTION: 50 CENTS PER YEAR, EDITED AND PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY, BY -W.k. ROTZELL, M. D., NARBERTH, PA, key American Consolidated Mining Company CAPITAL STOCK, $600,000.00 All Common Stock Full Paid and Non-Assessable Par Value, $1.00 Per Share Se Lei ee BL : Tro ore mining, is. gne of the most profitable industries in the country... Ik RON and. STEEL are acknowledged the leading fhdustries of the world, and the demand for iron and steel is growing greater every year. This company was organized for the purpose of mining Hematite and Magnetic Iron Ores and the Sens of Oxides of Iron. The estimated profit of the company from all its mines and Oxide plants will exceed 50 per cent. of the capitalization of the company per annum. | | A limited number of shares will be sold in blocks of 25 shares and upwards at PAR VALUE, $1,00 PER SHARE. Owing to the estimated earning capacity of the company, the stock will be selling above par value in a very short time. Write for prospectus which gives all details. Free on - application. . American Consolidated Mining Company 842 Drexel Building, PHILADELPHIA, PENN., U. S. A. The Atlantic Slope Naturalist. Volt. The Anthropological Aspect of the Russo-Japanese War. By W. E. Rotzell, M. D., Narberth, Pa. The old and familiar expression that ‘‘self-preservation is nature’s first law,’’ is in the majority of instances, if not in all, true; and the truth of the saying applies not only to man- kind but probably to many of the lower animals as well. As a natural sequence to this familiar expression, as a method for the accomplishment of this ‘‘self-preservation,’’ comes the ‘‘struggle for existence and the sur- vival of the fittest.’’ The application of the principle herein involved begins with the indi- vidual in his efforts tending for his self preservation and the accomplish- ment of his desires. In the case, however, of civilized man, his affec- tions and his duties act asa modifying influence, differing according to the environment and the character of the individual and his feeling for his fam- ily, and thus the struggle of the indi- vidual becomes obscured in the strug- gle of the family. From the individual, or the family group; through association the strug- gle for life and happiness manifests itself between other family groups, be it on the farm, in the old-time vil- lage, at the cross-roads, or in some of the great cities of the world, in all of which we find competition. The geo- graphical grouping of certain sections results in the state, and by the union of states the nation results with all of its numerous and varied national and international questions which contin- uously present themselves for adjust- ment and upon which may rest the NARBERTH, PA., MARCH AND APRIL, 1904. No. 6. peace and prosperity of the nation. As to the relative importance of questions which may arise for set- tlement, those between individ- uals, as a rule, are of least im- portance and the easiest to adjust; and, on the other hand, those between nations present sometimes the gravest and most difficult problems which must be handled most delicately in order that the peace of the world may be preserved. It must not, however, be inferred that this sruggle for existence between individuals, families, states and na- sions is limited to mankind ina state of war, for such is by no means true. Instead of such being the case, it is an expression which, while it had its origin as a principle applicable in the domain of natural science, like all other scientific facts, is not restrictive, but is universal in its application, its scope including art, language, litera- ture, agriculture, architecture and, in fact, all departments of human knowl- edge, all of which arose in one way or another through competition or synon- omously through ‘‘the struggle for existence,’’ the invariable sequence or corollary of which we must always remember is and absolutely always must be ‘‘the survival of the fittest.’’ A few disconnected and miscella- neous illustrations may be taken in order to facilitate the understanding of this great truth by those who have never given the subject any special consideration. As an _ illustration of this principle, outside of the domain of biology, literature may be taken. The invention usually credited to Gut- 70 enburg made possible through the printing press, the recording and pres- ervation of the thoughts of men in such a manner as would not have oth- erwise been possible. With it litera- ture has been preserved that otherwise would have been lost. In the strug- gle between the writing of the old manuscripts and the printing of them, the latter being the fittest has sur- vived, and the former, in the sense here used, has succumbed. The universality of the application of this principle may be easily illus- trated in almost any department of human knowledge, but it is to the naturalist and to the anthropologist that it especially appeals. Another illustration of a different character may be taken Suppose, for example, we take the growth of the plant from the seed. With the incipiency of growth, the struggle for existence, although it is an unconscious one, begins. Environ- ment on every hand affec:s it in some way; it may be supposed a favorable effect, and if so, in a very short time it makes itself manifest. From the seed comes the miniature plant with all of its root, stem and organs of veg- etation which later, if the favorable environment still continues ultimately gives rise to the organs of reproduc- tion, the flower, fruit and the seed, and with the proper performance of the physiological functions through these organs, we have for the plant its complete cycle of life accom- plished, its work is finished, and its destiny is completed; it has lived and grown and had its being. This life history of the plant is not a simple one, nor is it easily lived. It may have been a short one accom- plished in a single season, or it may have occupied years. It matters not which it may have been, it has been surrounded on all sides’ by innumerable difficulties, both external and internal, and that it should have survived is truly wonderful. Exter- gives them THES ATLANTICSEOPE; NATURALIST, nally other plants, temperature, lu- midity, soil and animal life have been factors of importance, and internally the growth and the relative develop- ment of the different plant tissues have been features of the greatest import- ance. Not merely do we find in plants and other organisms a struggle with environment and other life forms for existence, but we actually find in most, if not all, “an internal struggle within the plant or ani- mal body of its own different struct- ures for their development and sur- vival. Reverting to the plant again, an illustration may be taken from the buds. In most plants that have leaves we find that in the axil of each leaf a bud is present and the tendency of a bud is that it should grow and develop into a branch with its leaves the sue- ceeding season. This is never fully accomplished. Were it so, the branches would in a few seasons be- come so numerous as to interfere with, if not stop growth entirely. Some of the buds start growth in the spring time and others remain dormant. Those growing have some slight favor- able condition usually difficult to rec- ognize, as size or position, which an advantage, and these are the ones which grow; should, for any reason, as frequently happens with the ocenrrence of a late spring frost, they be destroyed; the dormant buds are at once placed in an advanageous position in the struggle for existence, they then become the more fit and they consequently survive. Any other por- tion of the plant may be taken to il- lustrate the same principle. Among the lower animals illustra- tions of this principle may be found ad infinitum. Take for example, the young of any species of animal all of which possess some characteristic i which they differ from one another; for, it is an established fact, that no two individuals are alike in all par- ticulars; and, being different, it fol- lows that some will possess certain variations which are favorable. for their existence; and,on the other band, others will exhibit certain character- istics which are unfavorable for their existence and for the performance of their life functions. In the struggle for existence between these two groups, which in a state of nature probably cannot be as clearly separated as we have done here, which will survive? Certainly those possessing the favora- ble variations. These variations may be of various kinds and, in many in- stances, they may be rather difficult to appreciate. The greater the dif- ferences in the animals compared the easier becomes the recognition of the variations; and, conversely, the closer the resemblances between the animals compared, the more difficult it is to recognize the variations. In the study of mankind we must never lose sight of the fact that man isananimal, an organized being; and, being such, is subject to the-same laws and conditions of other animals or or- ganized beings. In certain respects he is the superior of all other animals, but in other respects he may be their inferior. The great superiority of mankind over the lower aninals lies especially in the wonderful development of his brain, in which particular he so far surpasses any of the lower animals that psychologically a comparison can hardly be made although anatomically we do find a similarity. but not an identity, of structure in the brains of some of the anthropoid apes which is quite interesting. In the consideration of mankind it has been found that the different va- rieties of the human species may be grouped into several sections or as they are designated races. The members each race strongly re- semble one another’ physically and mentally, and while differing very materially in geograhical distribution, language, habits and customs at the Lit ATLANTIC SLOER(NALURALIST. 71 they are grouped together as consti- tuting a race, the salient points of differention being based upon physical criteria, which are as valid as any of the criteria used in zoological classifi- cation. In the classification of mankind the factors, or criteria, used are both physical and psychological, to those considering the latter to be entirely de- | pendent upon the former it might be said that for present purposes it mat- ' ters not what view is held. In anthropological classification, as in botanical or zoological classifica- tion, physical, or anatomical varia- tions are recognized to be of far more importance than any or all other vari- ations. The classification of mankind, which somewhat modified, is now usually adopted, is the one proposed in the year 1775 by Johann Friedrich Blu- menbach (1752-1840), who is generally considered to have been the founder of modern anthropology and who for a period of nearly sixty years lectured on natural history, comparative anat- omy, physiology, and the history of medicine in the University of Gottin- gen. This classification divides mankind into five varieties or races, based mainly on the color of the skin. These being the Caucasian, or White of Europe; the Mongolian, or Yellow, of Asia; the American, or Red, of the Americas;the Ethiopian, or Black, of Africa, and the Malay, or Brown. The Malay, owing to their decided admixture of blood, is noe longer giv- en separate status as a race; and the American Indian, owing to the circu- lar cross section of their hair, in com- mon with the Mongolian peoples, and only the Mongolian peoples, are con- sidered to have been of Asiatic origin. This, however, is another matter which does not concern us in this con- nection other than to state that, by eliminating the Malay and the Indian same time their affinities are such that | we have left as the three very distinct sf3 and clearly defined races of mankind: The White, or Caucasian, of Eu- rope; the Yellow, or Mongolian, of Asia; and the Black, of Africa. The doctrine of the equality of man, which is made so much of by politi- cians in their attempts at the decep- tion of their constituents, is an absurd- ity. Inthe United States we have, on paper, established the equality of the White and Black races but it is only on paper that this equality ex- ists. It is to be doubted if any two organisms could be found that are ab- solutely equal in all particulars; unless it would be in some of the microscopic forms of life, and here apparent equal- ity might be due to the methods of ob- servation. : As the White and Black races are unequal, it follows that the features of difference become the basis of com- parison between them. Measured by all anthropological criteria, anatomi- cal ‘and otherwise, the Black race is the lowest of any of the races of man- kind. The negroes of Africa, without the aid of other races, never reduced any of their languages to a written form; they never introduced any im- portant food plant; they never domes- ticated any variety of animal; they never developed in the stightest man- ner any structures which indicated originality in architecture. In the working of iron and copper they did show some originailty. As a result of the pecunious system of human slavery in the United States we have now about 8,000,000 negroes equal be- fore the law. Nearly all thoughtful people recognize that for sentimental and political reasons the United States in the 14th amendment committed an error, the effects of which are beginn- ing to be recognized. The resalt also shuws that the negro has not been benefited by legal equal- ity for the reason that he is compelled to endeavor to maintain a position equal to that of the White in a civili- zation for which he is not competent. THE ATLANTIC SLOPE; NATURALISE. 8 ee Eee The negro problem is one of the great, if not the greatest, questions that confronts the American people at the present time, and the Yellow question confronts the whole Cauca- sian world. In the case of the former the error was to an extent an avoida- ble one; but, guided by sentiment the mistake was made. A question of ex- actly the same character but not, of course, an identical case is involved in the present conflict between Russia and Japan. The people of Russia, of course, are members of the White race; and the Japanese, while to an extent a mixed people, are members of the Yellow race and are so considered by all an- thropological authorities. If neces- sary to mention authorities, Keane, Brinton, Deniker, De Quatrefages might be cited. The people of China, Thibet, Indo- China and East Asia also belong to the Yellow race, and while different degrees of culture are found among the different peoples of the Yellow race, at the same time there is the same plane of mental development present in all of the various members of the race and the capacity for devel- opment that has been shown by Japan is present in all; and if the awaken- ing which has made Japan a world power should have also occurred syn- chronically with China, the Yellow race at the present time perhaps would be, or could be, a world master. Owing to the fact that it is so fre- quently denied by the Japanese that the so-called ‘‘Yellow Peril’’ is a re- ality seems to indicate that they may perhaps consider it true. Among the rulers of the world, apart from those of Russia, the Emperor of Germany seems to be the only one that fully appreciates the seriousness of the sit- uation. The science of anthropology teaches the inequality of the races of man- kind; it also teaches that the White race is a more highly developed race THE ATEANTIC. SLOPEPRATURALIST. than is the Yellow race; it also teaches that the Japanese are members of the Yellow race; and it also teaches, from zoological analogy, that there is a struggle for existence between races; if these factors are true, there is in- deed a Yellow peril. It is always true that whatever affects a part of a whole affects the whole. Should Japan be victorious in the present war with Russia, it would shed lustre on the whole Yellow race; and the defeat of Russia would inevitably result, to what an extent no man can tell, in a lowering of the whole White race. __ a ae — The Aphis Fly. By Morris Gibbs, M.D., Kalamazoo, [lich. A constant and most entertaining little friend is the Aphis Fly. Nearly all flower lovers have a well grounded grudge against this small insect, and the young are killed by the million every year. Yet, nevertheless, like the poor it is always with us, and you might as well attempt to kill off the last so-called English Sparrow. as to eradicate this little pest from the house plants. The little fellows may be seen running and flying about at all seasons of the year, and as well in the coldest weather as in the season of sunshine. They are of perpetual in- terest to me, and a few lines may be of interest to the readers of your paper. My study window faces the east. It is a bow window, and in the colder months is adorned with many pots of plants which rest on shelves and brackets. There are begonias, helio- tropes, fuchsias, and a number of scrub shoots of decidedly uncertain promise, and which are not to be identified from appearances. The Aphis flies, which are known as plant ‘lice, are very common about this in- door collection of plants, and may be seen flying or feeding throughout the winter months. To those who only recognize the species as a small plump green ‘‘bug’’ on the leaves and stems 73 of plants, the mature form, or fly, which is a delicate, graceful little in- sect would prove a revelation. It is a fly, so small that it would take twenty-five or so to equal the weight of a house fly. These little gauzy- winged creatures are with us through- out the winter and thrive in the cold- est weather, and have been repeatedly seen flying about in the morning when the temperature of the room was as low as forty degrees in the cold days of January. The fly is as lively at night as in the day time and it is not rare for them to alight on the page of the book when one is reading by arti- ficial light. Plant lice thrive on all kinds of daelicate and tender plants but have their preferences, and strangely enough the especial object of their attacks is the Avcotiana, a member of the same genus embracing the tobacco, and having like it the rank taste and prop- erties. Tobacco smoke will destroy the aphis, so that we may draw the conclusion that smoking is more deadly by far than chewing, reasoning from the case in hand. The Aphis fly illustrates that un- usual condition in animal life known as parthenogenesis, in which in this species there are nine successive gen- erations of prolific females to every generation of winged or mature form of insect. This is asserted by investi- gators, and though I have not satisfied myself of the exact number of wingless generations, the peculiarity is evident. Wnen the full-grown form of the immature stage of the insect is ready to perform its metamorphosis, it de- scends from the plant and enters the ground where in varying periods ac- cording to the temperature it changes from a fat green or brown plant louse to a graceful active fly. This change is often ‘performed in the middle of winter, and I was once so fortunate as to witness the emerging of the fly from the cold ground in the month of February. When the tiny fly threw THE ATLANTIC SEOPE NATURALIS®I: off its old shell, or pupal covering, as the entomologist would call it, it crawled to the surface of the dirt in the flower pot, where it rested while its wings unfolded. The sprouts of the deli- cate wings were hardly to be detected at the first, but within twenty minutes the wings were fully unfolded or developed, and in less than an hour from the time that the delicate creature emerged from the ground it was flying about the room. Thinking to test the ability of the spe- cies to withstand the severity of the tem- perature outside, I caught a specimen and made some experiments, which proved so interesting that the results are offered here. As a comparison to this test, I se- cured an earth worm who was so toolish as to come to the surface of the soil in the pot which was probably too liberally watered for its comfort. The worm and fly were set outside in the month of Feb- ruary with the mercury at two degrees above zero, Fahrenheit, the insect being confined in a gauze covered glass, so that I could watch the movements. Inside of three minutes the movements of the worm had ceased, and the creature was quickly frozen stiff. The rigid, frozen mass was taken inside and an effort made to resus- citate it, but without success as it was killed by the cold. The little Aphis Fly ran about for three minutes, and all motion did not cease for over eight minutes. After twenty min- utes it was taken into a room at a temper- ature of over [70] degrees, and within a few minutes it was as lively as ever. It was again submitted to an outside tem- perature and left there over an hour, and when brought in was with difficulty re- stored. But I do not doubt that if these little insects were slowly brought under the change of a low temperature that they might stand it-as well as the many outside species which are hibernating in millions all about us every winter. Inthe colder months the earth worms burrow deep in the ground, and below the frost line and thus protect themselves from the cold; yet this little insect which it was judged weighed about one six-hundredth of the weight of the worm was capable of with- standing a much greater degree of cold. But the difference between the aphis and worm is not as great as the difference in weight in man and the delicately built chickadee which is about one twenty-five hundredth part of an ordinary sized man’s weight. Yet the titmouse will thrive in a temperature where a man would certain- ly succumb if he were kept in it continu- ously. Anyone may study the aphis at home. All that is necessary is a few house plants. There is mutch that is interesting about them, and they should not be wholly con. demned. I Breeding of the Least Bittern in New Jersey. By Mark L. C. Wilde, Camden, N. J. It is surprising how common a breeder the Least Bittern may be in a suitable locality, and yet remain almost entirely unknown. This is due principally to the lack of investigation on the part of the bird student; for, as far as others are con- cerned, these birds might go on breeding and never be discovered unless by acci- dent. The reason for this is obvious. Least Bitterns feed during the night, and in the day time they are scarcely ever seen exposed, but skulk in the rushes or small bushes in reedy swamps and marshes close to their breeding grounds. These birds are very common breeders in suitable localities in New Jersey, and I have found them all over the southern portion of the State, from the Rancocas Creek to Cape May County, even within the limits of the city of Camden. They are very common during the breeding season along all three branches of the Newton Creek, which empties into the Delaware river, between South Cam- den and Gloucester. Along this creek I have found as many as eight or ten pairs nesting within an area of one hundred square yards. i Lae ALEANTIC SLOPRONATURALIST. 75 Several pairs were breeding for years in a swamp close to Pavonia Station, Cam- den, N. J., on the Amboy Division of the P. R. R. This swamp is located between two branches of the railroad, and here the Bitterns and Swamp Sparrows resided, seemed contented, and apparently they did not mind the noise of the trains which passed at frequent intervals. ° The upper portion of the Big Timber Creek is also one of their favorite breed- ing grounds, and also the marshes along the Delaware River, between Delair and Delanco. Fresh eggs may be found from late in May to early in July. They raise at least two broods in a season. For some years past | have never failed to find fresh eggs on the fourth day of July. [In order to locate the breeding grounds of these birds it is sometimes necessary to wade knee-deep in mud and water, and you are sure to flush a bird or see a nest suspended among the rushes or reed- maces, about one to three feet up. When a bird is flushed it will fly but a short distance and take shelter again in the reeds, and the same bird may be flushed several times betore getting out of reach. The nest, which is attractive, is an odd structure and must be seen to be appre- ciated. It is a suspended platform of dead rushes, about six inches in diameter, tied to growing cat-tails or reeds, and the birds almost invariably bend down the over-hanging blades of the growing rushes and weave these ends into the nest, forming an open arch over the structure, The arch over the nest ts quite irregular and open, so that the bird can at all times be seen sitting on the eggs, if the breed- ing site is approached quietly and with caution. The green blades of the arch being woven into the dry dead platform makes a beautiful effect. While the above is what I consider the typical nest of the Least Bittern, I have found some nests without any arch what- ever, being simply a flat mass of dead rushes placed on clumps of dead grass, or in small bushes on the borders of swamps, streams, and marshes. The eggs are elliptical in shape and of a pale bluish or greenish white color. Four and five egys usually constitute a complete set. In one handy locality where I go to study the breeding habits of these birds they appear to have gotten quite used to me. This is probably due to the fact that I never disturb their eggs or young. In this connection I would like to say that, while rambling through marshes and Swamps has its disadvantages, such as mud, mosquitos, and other biting insects, the reward for the intruder, providing his eyes are kept wide open, is well worth all the little troubles referred to. ee Tree Culture in Canada. From the Washington Post. E. Stewart, of Ottawa, Canada, who is Superintendent of Forestry for the Do- minion Government, is at the Shoreham. He has come to attend a meeting of the National Forestry Association, which meets in this city. ‘‘My office,’’ said he, ‘is one of recent creation in my country. The older parts of Canada are beginning to realize the need of replenishing their timber, just as you have in the United States. The Government’s principal work, however, is in the Northwest. ‘It supplies the the farmers with trees and gives them every aid along the line of tree culture, and they are generally taking advantage of this assistance.”’ It is reported from Paris, under the date of March the 19th last, that an old man who was digging in a garden of a home for the aged in the village of Nanterre discovered an antique vase decorated with paintings, containing 2000 gold coins of the Gallo-Roman period. It will probably be added to | the collection at the Louvre. 76 THE ATLANTIC SROPE NATURALIST: @ lise == Atlantic Slope Naturalist. PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY F eel W.E. ROTZELL, M.D., Narberth, Pa. EDITED AND Articles of interest to the observer of Nature solicited from all. SUBSCRIPTION RATES Single subscription, 50 cents per year to all parts of the Postal Union. ADVERTISING RATES Willi be furnished on application. Send copy for estimate. Remittances should be made by post office money order, registered letter or postal note. Uiiused U. S. postage stamps will be accepted for sums less than one dollar, where it is not conven- ient to remit mohey in any other form. ’ Address all communications to DR. W. E. ROTZELL, MONTGOMERY COUNTY. NARBERTH, PA. MARCH aAnp APRIL, 1904. With this issue THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST completes its first volume. It was, as stated in the last issue, our intention to complete volume one with a separate issue for December, and it was with this object in view that we issued a separate number for Novem- ber. Owing to the pressure of other duties our plans in this particular were not executed. The editor-pub- lisher of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NatT- URALIST has other duties which are more imperative than those in con- nection with the journal, and conse- quently they must be given precedence, no matter how desirous we are that the journal should succeed and im- prove in every particular. With the next issue, that is the May-Juye number, the size of the journal will be permanently increased to sixteen or twenty pages, varying according to the amount and character of the material we may have for pub- lication. With this increase in size the natural sequence is an increase iu the amount of our subscription rate and after May the Ist this will be one dollar per annum. We are reluc- tant to make this more, but for the | continued success of the journal it is absolutely imperative that it is done. Several patent medicine concerns have had no better sense than to send us advertising copy for either inser- tion or estimate, and hence it becomes necessary for us to announce that ad- verfisements of this character will not, for a moment, be seriously con- sidered . The majority of our subscriptions expire with this issue and we hope that our readers, one and all, will re- new their support for another year as promptly as possible. It may not seem to be altogether within our province to recommend an almanac to our readers, but neverthe- less, When such an excellent one as ‘*The American Almanac, Year Book, Cyclopeia and Atlas’* comes along, we will not hesitate todoso. Itisa work of over 900 pages and is on the same plan as most other almanacs, but for diversity of information and com- pleteness it far surpasses anything of the character we have ever seen. It is profusely illustrated and abundantly supplied with maps. It is published by Mr. W. R. Hurst, of the ‘‘New York American and Journal.’’ It is bound in cloth and costs only 50 cents. The majority of the articles con- ritbuted to our columps are ornitho- logical. They are always welcome and much appreciated, but, at the same time we would impress upon our correspondents that it is our desire to conduct a journal devoted to general natural history rather than limit it to any one of the specialties. The medical profession furnishes us more subscribers than does any other class; the ornithologists constitute a close second; and next are the anthro- pologists. We cannot carry the group- ing beyond this, as a great many overlap; that is, do not confine them- selves to anyone subject in natural science, THE ATEANTIC SLOPELNATURALIST. The third number of Cass7zza Pro- | ceedings of the Delaware Valley Or- | nithological Club is issued and it maintains the merit of the two pre- ceding numbers. It is edited by Mr. Witmer Stone, who the first article which is a sketch of John K. Townsend, acompanied with his portrait. Other artilesare: ‘‘The Red-Headed Woodpecker as a Pennsyl- vania and New Jersey Bird,’’ by Spenser Trotter; ‘‘Exit of Dickcissel,’’ by Samuel N. Rhoads; Crow Roasts and Flight Lines,’’ by H. L. Coggins. Our supply of Volume One of this | We have a | journal is very limited. few complete files. Price $1 for the set of six numbers. Material intended for the next issue should reach us not later than May the Ist to secure insertion in that number. With the March number of 7he Medical Visitor Dr. Harvey B. Dale becomes its editor, succeeding Dr. Wilson A. Smith. No reason for the change is given. The date of the issue of this num- ber is April the 7th, 1904. Je = CORRESPONDENCE. MR. THOMAS H. JACKSON ON THE EFFECT OF HAIL STORM ON BIRDS. West Chester, Pa.,October 1, 19038. Editor of THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NAT- URALIST, Dear Sir: The enclosed clipping from yesterday’s Local News, of this place, I thought might be of sufficient interest to be used in THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. Doubtless a great many birds were killed in the hail storm of September 27 last. Indeed, none of our birds could withstand the blows of such stones as fell on that date. After it was over I saw nundreds of them that would measure from two to two and | : | similar also contributes | fi one-half inches in diameter the largest Most of them seemed to have a from which lines being sliced lemon; many of them were as_ hard and solid as artificially frozen ice. way. core in the centre, radiated to the circumference, in appearance to a How and at what height these im- mense chunks of ice were formed in | so short a time would be most interes- ting facts to know. Truly yours, Tuomas H. JACKSON. ‘‘In the section east of this place the hail of Sunday killed a large num- ber of birds of various species. Ac- cording to George Adams, the man- ager of the Colonel Joseph Brinton farm, a large number were destroyed. there. When the hail began to fall a large flock of blackbirds took refuge in a cornfield, and they were struck down by dozens. Mr. Adams says at least two hundred were killed, and wounded ones were found all about the field the next morning. Several robins were also destroyed, while at one point three partridges were found huddled together, all dead, they being probably the dead ones of a covey which had gathered together for pro- tection.’ Philadelphia, Pa., October 30, 1908. Editor of THe ATLANTIC SLOPE NAT- URALIST, Dear Sir: The enclosed clipping, taken from the Philadelphia Lnguirer, I thought might be of interest to some of the readers of the journal: Susquehanna, Pa., Oct. 29—-Thomas Sumner, of Red Rock, and his two sons felled a tree on a timber tract at Hickory Grove. The tree seemed alive at the top, but dead and hollow at the base. After the trunk had fallen one of the boys began sawing it into sections. Suddenly his saw struck a hard, impenetrable substance. 78 The log was split and to Sumner’s surprise the skeleton of a large-sized bear fell from the cavity. With it came a swarm of bees which had built their nest in the bear’s skull where they had _ stored several pounds of honey. It is supposed that years ago the bear crawled into the tree to steal honey which the bees were making in the hollow trunk, and, being unable to extricate itself, slowly starved to death. Very truly yours, ALFRED S. WRIGHT. The Genus Nephrodium in Wellington County, Ontario, Canada. By A. B. Klugh, Secretary Wellington Field Naturalists’ Club, Guelph, Ont. The genus Nephrodium is. by far the best represented genus in our fernflora, both as to number of species and _indi- viduals. Everywhere in marsh, swamp, wood, and thicket we meet its members. Nephrodium uoveboracense, the New York Fern, is one of our most attractive and scarcest ferns, and in shape of blade is unique, as the pinnae taper down to mere lobes at the base. It inhabits drv open woods, and so far only two stations for it are known in the county. NV. thelypteris, the Marsh Fern, is one of our most abundant species, as in marshes and bogs it forms immense beds. The great length of the stipe is diagnostic of the species. Early in the year only the sterile fronds are to be seen, as the fertile ones do not appear until about July 7. In these latter the segments seem narrower and pointed on account of their velvet margins. The fronds of both this and the pre- ceding species wither at the approach of winter, N. marginale, the Marginal Shield Fern, is a clean-cut and attractive species, with thick, beathery fronds of a peculiar dark green (almost blue-green) color, and sori covered with a thick indusium, which is lead-color when young, born near the margin of the pinnules. This species is very common, especially in the THE. ATLANTIC SEOPE.NATURALISE | 1 | talus at the bottom of cliffs, and in dark swamps. It is evergreen, as are all the following species, but of them all this one stands the winter best. In wet woods and swales .V. cristatuim, the Crested Fern, is very common, and its habit of bearing the pinnae of the | fertile fronds with their plane at almost right angles to the plane of the frond, easily distinguishes it from any other species. The fertile fronds’ are. much taller than the serile and bear the longest sori of any of our Nephrodiums. The blade is narrow, and pinnate with pin- natifid pinnae. During winter the sterile fronds will be found fresh and green, while the fertile ones will have disap- peared. The variety clintonianum is occasional- jy found in this locality. It is disting- uished from type by its larger size, the pinnae being from four to six inches in length, while those of cv7?sfatum are from two to three inches in length. The difference in size between fertile and sterile fronds is very noticeable in the variety. By far the rarest fern in this county is N. boottit, Bootts’ Shield Fern, as but one station is Known for it, and even there it is very scarce. In everything this species is inter- mediate between cristatum and spinulo- sum. In shape of frond it most re- sembles the former, while in cutting it is nearer the latter. The one station at present known for it is a little open spot in a spring sphagnum swamp. N. spinulosum, the Spinulose Shield Fern, is a very abundant and _ variable species. It may be found ia all our woods and swamps, and is at its best in damp, high-timbered land. ‘The blade is more finely divided than that of any other of our ferns, giving it a very light and beautiful appearance. A form with the scales of the stipe pale brown with a dark centre, and the indusium beset with stalked glands, has been named the var- iety intermedium, but its characters are certainly not of enough importance to warrant distinction as a variety, or in fact THE ATGANTIC. SLOPE SMAGURALIST. any designation whatever. To say that the species is extremely variable as to color ot scales, number of glands on indu- sium, obliquity of pinnae, and cutting of blade, is far preferable to founding varie- ties on unimportant characteristics. The form most frequently met with here has the scales of stipe pale brown, indusium glandular, pinnae oblique to the rachis, and blade about tri-pinnate. Predicaments. By Morris Gibbs, M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. One of the queerest predicaments that {| have seen an animal place itself in) was where an investigating feline ran its nose into a can which had contained lobsters. This cat was very fond of canned lobster and would at any time make great efforts to secure the prized food. Upon finding a can which had been pitched into the back yard this greedy animal proceeded to lick out the delicacies and in her eager- ness failed to notice how closely her head fitted the inside. There was a little rough edge around the top where the tin had been cut away and the cat’s ears were finally forced inside the can and then she found that she could not withdraw her head, tor there she stuck. Then began a series of motions and gyrations which attracted the attention of the whole housé- hold and that convulsed the spectators with laughter. Poor Tabby began to back and wiggle her head from side to side and later to meow in a pitiful manner. At times she would turn rapidly about, tail first, then pause and scratch aimlessly at her tin mask. Finally we liberated her from the trap and she disappeared under the shed from which she did not issue un- til the next day. Her love for lobsters and fish was not lessened but she could never be induced to eat from a dish that interfered with her freedom of movement. One day as we sat at breakfast our fa- vorite cat rushed into the room in a fit, or at least so we thought it. for when a cat rushes about like mad and runs against objects in its path it is customary to say that cat’s got a fit. There were two 79 on the receipt of the news that the cat had a fit, they gave wild yells and mounted their chairs ina panicky state. Ordinar- ily a cat with a fit runs aimlessly about, here and there and winds ‘up by getting into some corner and dropping into a somnolent state after its convulsions. Now this cat was a mature pet and long past the cat-fit age and it surprised us that she should havea fit. Moreover she kept up her crazy movements—here, there and everywhere without intermission. I no- ticed that as our Minerva flew by me she appeared enveloped in a hazy raiment which rustled as she ran, but which could not be distinguished from the rapidity of her movements. At last after the cat had been cavorting over the house for several minutes we managed to corner her and braving the danger of the frenzied ani- mal’s claws managed to strip the flowing habiliments from her, and found the cause of the trouble. Pussy had seated herself on a sheet of sticky fly paper and become adherent to the tangle-foot, then lost her head and began performing. Henslow’s Bunting in New Jersey. By A.R. Justice, Philadelphia, Pa. During the latter part of May and first week of June, 1875, in company with several ornithological friends, I visited Seven Mile Beach, near Cape May Court House, New Jersey. Our purpose was to secure specimens of the eggs of the Fish Hawk, and if possi- ble, find the nest of Henslow’s Bunt- ing, which we had reason to believe nested there, a number of specimens having been taken previously by Mr. John H. Melivain and Mr. Chris. Wood. We found one nest which probably belonged to this species, but were unable to establish its identity to oar satisfaction. There was no doubt about the birds breeding there, as we saw several in the meadow where we found the nest. We were very successful in finding the nests of the Fish Hawks. We counted over 100 on a strip of land not young ladies, strangers, inthe house and | over two miles in length, and had our choice of a number of beautifully marked set. One of the Type speci- mens used by Major Bendore in his ‘Life History of North American Birds,’’ was take from sets. I was a very enthusiastic collector in those days, as your readers may judge from the following anecdote: Several days after our arrival, I heard there was a heronry in the swamp about a mile from the fisher- man’s house where I was stopping. 1 determined to investigate. My route led through a thicket of pines and dwarf oak, the latter covered with a long hanging moss, an ideal place for a ‘nest of the Blue Yellow Back Warb- lers. JI could not find the heronry, but during the trip I must have come in contact with a poison sumac (Rhus Venentata), as shortly after I found myself badly poisoned. My face was swollen almost beyond recognition. One eve was closed and the other I was obliged to hold open with both hands in order to see. In this fashion I walked for miles along the beach, collecting the Sea Bird’s eggs. To make matters worse, I have always been very susceptible to sunburn, and the exposure to the sun’s rays did not add to my beauty. The fisherman’s wife was somewhat of a doctor and suggested that an oyster placed on the eye would relieve the inflammation and reduce the swelling. Anything, thought I, to enable me to proceed with my collecting, so I permitted her to try the experiment. The next morning, in removing, the oyster, the skin was so tender that it came off with it. I was certainly a sorry look- ing object. I obtained many very desirable sets of eggs from this location. I succeed- ed in interesting the fisherman finan- cially in securing sets for me, but as he did not understand how to remove the contents through a single drilled hole, I suggested that he send the fresh eggs to me by express. He fol- So THE ATEANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST, one ot these lowed out this idea, but overlooked the fact that eggs do not improve by age. I will remember the look of disgust on the expressman’ face when he delivered the box. When I started in to blow the eggs they would geuer- ally explode with the entrance of the drill, and the odor arising was suffi- cient to drive everyone out of the house. I finally overcame the diffi culty of breakage by holding the egg under water while drilling. In this I way managed to save all the most desirable in the box. The Mitchella Repens. By W. E. Rotzell, M. D., Narberth, Pa. The JAfitchella repens, named by Lin- neaus in honor of Dr. John Mitchell, who for a number of years resided in Virginia, belongs to the order Rubi- aceae. It has a number of vernacular names, among which are partridge berry, checker berry, winter clover, deerberry, sqauw vine, one berry, and possibly others. It is found through- out almost the whole of the United States east of the Mississippi river, from its extreme northern region to the Gulf of Mexico and around into Mexico. It is a perennial indigenous ever- green herb, found especially in the woods, the stem is branched and creep- ing. the leaves are variable, being generally round and _ oviate. It is interesting to note in this connection that between these varieties of leaves an intermediate gradation may some- times be found The flowers are in pairs and rest on a double ovary. The corolla is funnel shape, usually four-lobed and is either white or some- times tinged with red. It is quite fragrant. The fruit is a droup, composed of united ovaries. The berries are double and in color are red, although white ones have at times been found. The origin of the common name, Partridge berry, applied to this plant, seems to have had its origin for the : | THEARULANTIC SLOPE reayon that the partridge and other birds feed quite extensively upon them. It flowers in June and July in this region, miliar with it, it having been men- tioned by Ray in 1704. Plukenet de- scribed the plant and gave a figure of the plant in 1769, and gave as its hab- itat ‘‘the Province of Florida.’’. In William Bartram’s narrative of his ‘‘Travels through the Carolinas and Georgia to Florida,’’ published in 1791, reference is made to it. From the earliest days in American history JZitchella repens has been used as a medicine, and like the vast ma- jority of our American medicinal plants, it was first used by the In- dians. According to Rafinesque, the berries were used in New England as tea to cure dropsy and gout, and in North Carolina as a remedy for diarrhoea and dysentery. In ‘‘The American Dispensatory,’’ which is the authoritative work on this subject in the Eclectic school of medicine, Dr. John King states that the Partridge berry is a parturient, diuretic and astringent. It is a plant which seems to have an especial action on the uterus and has been, and is still, used by eclectic and homoeo- pathic physicians in the treatment of various uterine disorders. Among the Indians it was used by the squaws to assist parturition. A decoction was made and taken several times daily two or three months prior to the expected time of confinement, in order that the period of labor ‘might be rendered more easily accom- plished. I have, in quite a number of in- stances, used in his practice, a tinct- ure made from the fresh plant for this purpose, with apparently beneficial results in some instances. Dr. Finley Ellingwood, an eclectic authority, in his work, ‘‘A Systematic Treatise on Materia Medica and Therapeutics, ’’ Botanists have long been fa- | NATURALIST. SI endorses JZ/chella very strongly as a parturient. Among homoeopathic AMTitchella does not seem to be used to the extent that it is used by the eclectics, although fairly satisfactory provings are found in Allen’s ‘‘The physicians | Encyclopaedia of Pure Materia Med- ica,’’ and also in Hale’s ‘‘Materia Medica and Special Therapeutics of the New Remedies.’’ These provings were made some years ago py Dr. P. H. Hale and Dr. T. C. Duncan. The especial field of action which Mitchella repens seems to occupy, be- sides its uterine action, is on the mucous Membranes in various Ca- tarrhal conditions, especially bron- chitis. I have used it with apparently beneficial results in such cases; and, also in several cases of gastritis. The provings of this plant indicate that it should be of service in these cases and practice bears it out. Bald Eagle Freed By Frank E. Parks, Stoneham, Mass. A bald eagle was liberated on Sun- day afternoon, December 20, 1908, from the Appalachian Mountain Club observatory on the top of Bear Hill, Stoneham, Mass. The eagle had been in the possession of Ernest Harold Baynes for several months, while he has been studying it. Mr. Baynes is well known as a naturalist and writer illustrating his articles with photo- graphs taken by himself. He writes for Munsey, Outing, Woman’s Home Companion, Collier’s Weekly, New York Times, Boston Herald, Photo - HKra and many others. The eagle measured seven feet one and one-half inches from tip to tip of its wing when spread, and weighed twelve pounds. The eagle was taken from Mr. Bay- nes’ places with his talons tied to- gether and his wings strapped to his body. This was done so he would not hurt anyone, for the minute Mr. Baynes untied him he snapped and { larger insects, but by July there is a 82 THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALISE. tore any clothing within reach. He sank among the trees first, then rose and sailed away toward the north- west, disappearing over a hill in the distance. It is to be hoped that no one will shoot him, as he would not be good for anything, his feathers being in poor condition and his tail about gone. Several of Mr. Baynes’ friends were present with cameras, and when Mr. Baynes let him go they took snap shots at him. The Timber Owl of the Mississippi Valley. By Edgar S. Jones, Principal of Schools, Lovington, Illinois. As the twilight turns into darkness a solemn stillness seems to pervade the woods along the waterways in the early summer eves, and the daybirds have taken up their abode for the night, while the nocturnal ones are just coming forth. This stillness is broken by my cry of ‘‘Who, who are you?’’ I utter these immediately after making a swoop through the trees,so that if any animal be near it will take its flight, hence giving me an opportunity of capturing it as it is by sound prin- cipally that I am able to locate my prey. After listening a short time I change my position from on the lower limb of a tree or on the top of a tall stump to a similar one at quite a dis- tance, for by so doing it makes it more difficult for my enemies to lo- cate me, besides giving mea better chance to get food, although I gener- ally hunt in the same locality each night. My downy wing feathers al- low me to make these rapid flights through the air without making scarcely any noise. In the early summer I have some trouble in capturing quadrupeds and birds, as that is the hatching season for most birds, while the rabbit, opossum and other nocturnal animals do not come to the streams for water, as they do later in the season, therefore my meals then often consist of the general movement of the parent as well as of the young. As I do not eat oftener than once a day, it is necessary that I procure at least three or four. birds or other animals each evening, especially when there are young owls to be fed, as it takes several weeks to teach them how to hunt. The wood-pecker is a bird that I do not molest, as he is about the only close neighbor, often having his home in the same tree and many times in the same limb. I use my claws in grasping animals, holding them firmly while I use the bill asa weapon of de- struction, also using it when necessary in defense. In the summer months [ am back home before dim night, but during the autumn I[ remain out longer, as the birds have begun to migrate and it now requires more food on the ac- count of the approach of winter. On windy nights or during rainfall it is nearly fruitless for me to search for food as I would be unable to dis- tinguish sounds. There are but three animals that ‘ause me much fear, the raccoon, mink and weasel. The raccoon aims to find me in my home, just at twi- light before I leave in the evening or just before dawn after I have returned and eaten my meal, The mink lies in wait along the sandy shore where I go each evening either for a drink or a bath. It is When taking my bath that he is most likely to catch me, as his approach through the water is nearly noiseless.., The weasel, my greatest enemy, is liable to attack me at any and all times, often destroying an entire fam- ily in one night. He also makes many day attacks. Many times we mis- take him for a rabbit or a vat, and an owl would be very fortunate, should he come out the victor. During the winter months my home is in a hollow limb that is often par i i i i | THe ATLANTIC SLOPE. NATURALIST. 83 allel with the earth’s surface. This makes a very secure place for winter quarters, if just the end of the limb is hollow, for my enemies seldom at- tempt an entrance under these ditions. con- Kris: A Chapter in the Life of a Young Screech Owl. By W. Aldworth Poyser, Philadelphia, Pa. Whilst sojourning during the spring of 1899 in the vicinity of Lester, Del- aware county, Pa., my attention was directed to a nest of J/egascops asto in the hollow of an old oak which had once been the domicile of some time-honored woodpecker. The nest contained but a single occupant, clad in a simple garb of gray. From the size and plumage of the birdling, I judged him to be old enough to remove from the home ecir- cle; so accordingly transferred the timid, fluffy youngster, notwith- standing the strenuous. resistance which he made wit! bill and claw, to my huge coat pocket. Arriving home in the early evening I released my unwilling prisoner from his gloomy dungeon and placed his little lordship upon a table. A more indignant bit of flesh and feathers, as evidenced by the vicious snappings of his bill, could ‘ardly be conceived. But the fuss and fury which my pres- ence had evoked soon spent itself, especially after I had landed my feath- ered captive in acage, and a holy calm succeeded. Settled an easy position in a -corner of the cage, as remote from my contaminating touch as it was possible to get, he cassumed a demeanor of philosophical complacency, blinking and blinking, and all the time trying to look exceeding wise. It was the peculiar quaintness of his look and attire that led me to give him the name of Kris—a name which his characteristic dress alone was suffi- cient to suggest. in 3 Kris, while in many respects a re- markable bird of his kind, was, above everything else, a great feeder. The amount of food he daily consumed was enormous. Chunk after chunk of beef would be taken until it seemed that his capacious craw woud never be filled. Some kinds of fare were more desirable than others. Mice to him were racy tidbits. He would seize a proffered morsel with wonderful quickness, proceed with great skill to disembowel it, the viscera being in variably the first portion of the victim to disappear. Passer domesticus whether lean or fat, was eaten with equal avidity and apparently with as much gusto. When Kris was eight months old I took him, of course in his cage, on a gunning trip into the country among the scenes of his early childhood days, much to his great delight and infinite satisfaction. They were gala days to him and are long to be re- membered. There was no scarcity of game, and Kris came in for the full lion’s share. Every tempting bit of game went his way, and no human epicure ever enjoyed an outing with keener relish. But all exhibitions of gourmandism are sure to be followed by periods of drowsiness and stupidity, and Kris’ case was no exception to the rule. He had had a good time, and the next two days showed he was paying the penalty for his injudicious actions. During the long, weary autumnal and winter months Kris and I lived happily together. We were close friends and boon companions. But when the first warm breath of spring had come to gladden the earth with its genial smiles and _ refreshing blooms, I restored Kris to his native heath. Most unceremoniously the little ingrate left the roof that had sheltered him so long, not even deign- ing the merest apology of a good-bye look to the one who had so kindly nourished and befriended him. 54 ANTHROLOPOGICAL NOTES. Prof. H. M. Saville, of the Ameri- can Museum of Natural History of New York City, has recently been in Mex- ico, devoting time to the study of ruins of Mitla, and obtaining photographs of the same, for the report on the ex- plorations of the Loubot expedition, * and making additional studies of Za- potecan antiquities. Mr. John G. Withnell, of Roe- bourne, Western Australia, has pub- lished a monograph, entitled ‘*‘The Customs and Traditions of the Abor- iginal Natives of Northwestern Aus- tralia.’’ The author has had over twenty years’ experience among the people, and has recorded much per- taining~to their old manners and cus- toms which in recent years have undergone much change owing to the discovery of gold and consequently the influx of a white population. Prof. C. V. Hatrman, of the Car- negie Museum, is conducting ethnolog- ical investigations in Costa Rica. It is aunounced that Mr. Warren K. Moorehead is engaged in writing what may be a very elaborate work entitled ‘‘ The Stone Age: An Archaeo- logical Encyclopedia of the Imple- ments, Ornaments, Etc., of the Pre- historic Tribes of the United States. ’’ Data relative to this subject is solici- ted. It is to be published by the Rob- ert Clarke Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Benjamin Ide Wheeler, presi- dent of the Jniversity of California, and Prof. F. W. Putnam announce that the Ethnological and Anthropo- logical Survey of California is sparing no efforts for the preservation of data and relics pertaining to the aborigines of that State. Examination of the gravel deposits and shell heaps has been made most carefully with the in- tention otf obtaining, if possible, the date of occupancy of the region. The languages of this region were probably a THE ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST. more numerous than those of any other region of equal geographical area in the United States, and the liv- ing Indians are being studied in this particular. The religions, customs and mythology are being recorded. The collection of implements of vari- ous kinds is being made, which later will be on exhibition in the museum at Berkeley. It is claimed that dur- ing the past five years more work has been accomplished than during all previous time. It is announced that the ethnological survey of the Philippine Islands of which Dr. Albert Ernest Jenks, for- merly of the Bureau of American Eth- nology, is director, will shortly pub- lish a preliminary report on some of the tribes of these islands. It is an- ticipated that an ethnological collec- tion of the Philippines will be brought to the St. Louis Exposition, and accompanying it will be several groups of the natives. A bill has been introduced into the House of Representatives at Washing- ton, for the preservation of the Cliff Dwellings in the National Park. It was introduced by Representative John A. Shafroth, of Colorado, who, a short time since received the commen- dation of all honest men by voluntar- ily resigning his seat in the House of Representatives because he considered that he had been fraudulently elected. The American Antiquarian for January-February, 1904, mentions a discovery of great interest which has recently been made in Babylonia. It consists of a fully equipped with tab- lets, hymns in the Sumerian lan- guages, meteriological tests, list of words, nautical problems and con- tracts; all of the texts were signed with the name of Hammurabi. Pere Schiel, of the French Archeological Institute, of Cairo, endorses the gen- uineness of the discovery. W. E. R. ee a) P Ny. ay GIBBS’S CELEBRATED PROCESS OF RAPID TAXIDERMY In Practical Use for Over Twenty-five Years. Used Everywhere in America. Hundreds of Testimonials, Try, and be Convinced. Start a Class. Money in It. Be Your Own Taxidermist. Naturalists, Collectors, Gunners, Anglers, Outers, Boys, Girls, and all others interested in nature and anxious to preserve the specimens taken in wood and field, have all felt the need of a simple method of preservation, which is free from intricacies and inexpensive. There is a method of rapid taxidermy now in extensive use, which meets the requirements of all amateurs who wish a practical and inexpensive method of preserving the trophies of the outing and col- lecting trip. This is not the old system of so-called stuffing, so expensive, laborious and disappoint-. ing, but isa rapid system, which anyone can learn at once and which is guaranteed to give satisfaction. By this process you may preserve the beautiful plumage of the grouse and woodcock, or the pike’s or buck’s head, or the showy feathers of the tanager. Boys, girls and all others can do good work and may make money, as mounted heads and birds find a ready sale, and besides you may teach your friends and decorate the-school room, office and dining room with native birds and other attractions. If you are in doubt, then get your friends to go in with you and start a class, for when several work together there is an advantage, and the expense is next to nothing. On the receipt of $1.00, cash or stamps, I will send full printed instructions for mounting birds, heads, mammals, etc.,and all materials for mounting and preserving specimens—including prepared compound, together with full directions for dressing skins with the hair on for rugs and robes, so that you will not be to the expense of one cent. Remember I Guarantee Satisfaction or Money Refunded. Mention ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST and address MORRIS GIBBS, M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. The MEDICAL CENTURY The Leading Periodical of the Homoeopathic School. 2# t# Subscription price $2.00 9 East 42d Street, NEW YORK WANTED TO BUY Pre-historic copper relics, and extra large MY ‘i Sy \ stone spear-heads and knives REV. E. C. MITCHELL, 534 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, CMINNESOTA at | As 5 ot. ae ye > By ti Ss vo? ng hie THE WARBLER A 16-page, bi-monthly magazine devoted to the study and protection of North American Wild Birds. Edited by REV. H. C. MUNSON, Buckfield, Me. Published by the Mayflower Pub. Co., Floral Park,N.Y. TWENTY-THIRD YEAR The American Antiquarian and Oriental Journal Edited by Rev. 8S. D. Peet, Ph.D., Published Bi-monthly, $4.00 per year. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE Only 30 Cents for Three Years. First number issued January, 1903. The “ WARBLER ” as a department of the Mayflower Magazine has made hosts of friends, and is now able to walk alone. Address THE WARBLER, Floral Park, N. Y. The Mound Builders, {#=8 Worxs By Stephen D. Peet, Ph.D. By the same author ee Cliff-Dwellers and Pueblos. PRICE, $4.00. “THE AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN, 5817 Tiadison Avenue, CHICAGO, III. Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital 2 # CHARTERED 1848 BROAD STREET ABOVE RACE Mer os PHILADELPHIA — The Leading Features of this the Old:- est Homeopathic School are as follows: 1.—New and complete College and Hospital buildings, with every modern — convenience. i -2.—Reading room for students, and Library of 15,000 volumes. 3.—Anatomical museum, unexcelled in size and variety. 4.—A four years’ graded course of seven months each. 5.—Laboratory work in all the practical branches. 6.—Unusual clinical facilities afforded. by the Hospital in the wards and dispensary department in which over 35,941 patients were treated — last year. 7-—The special practical or bedside teaching given to the students of che ae graduating class is not excelled by any other college. : 8.—Lectures commence in October and end in May. For Announcement address - Hahnemann Medical College, CHARLES M. THOMAS, M. D., Dean. : PHILADELPH IA. CHARLES MORHR, M. 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