Fearsome Critters

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3

9015

00203 999

University of Michigan- BUHR

T

FEARSOME CRITTERS

HENRY

H

.

TRYON

MUS

1617

TOWN SCIENTIA

OF THE MICH OF TINIVERSITY MICHIGAN LIBRARY

VERITAS

OF

TUEROR

VOURIS AMOENA PENINSULAM SULAM CIRCUMSPICE

FORESTRY LIBRARY

WITH VOIN DURATION WITAMIN

LUMINUMNE

ARTES

HITRITTI

PuWWWWWUWUW

IN

Forestry

SD

.

377

‫دلا‬

۱۰

275

.)‫و‬

M

87

FEARSOME CRITTERS

FEARSOME CRITTERS BY

HENRY

H

.

ILLUSTRATED

TRYON BY

MARGARET RAMSAY TRYON

THE IDLEWILD PRESS CORNWALL ,

N

. Y.

Copyright , 1939, by IDLEWILD

PRESS

DEDICATION To those who who have

have held

jumped

Treesqueak , who

the bag on

sideways

a

Snipe hunt,

at the call

of

the

Side - hill Gouger ,

have studied the trail of the and who perhaps have had a

ring - side seat at

Badger

a

fight , this little collec

tion is sympathetically

dedicated

Forestry

Talawedd 10 - 18 . 39

39378

PREFACE of preserving the various legendary woods varmints in some permanent record form first came to me about thirty years ago when making a cruise of Sandy Bay The thought

for the late Roy S . Marston . It occurred to me chiefly in the logging then that these tales , originating camps and on the drives were a definite bit of American Township

- lore ,

integral part of the history of American lumbering and and well worth recording . So I have been collecting them for a good quarter -century . folk

an

logging

Tall tales of adventure and hair -breadth escapes have al ways sprouted wherever the lumberjack has started timber operations . The logger , the North woodsman in particu

lar , is an imaginative fellow , with an inborn fondness for practical jokery of various sorts . Hence , with the adven turous yarns there has appeared an array of woods animals frequently terrifying , sometimes vicious , sometimes merely unique , whose appearance , characteristics , habits and hab itat have for long been told and re -told with a gradually increasing

degree

of

astounding

and temporary terrorization It is by no means unlikely

of

detail for the puzzlement some camp greenhorn .

an experience ,

we've

all

that a number of these tales impetus through a woodman 's being received their initial well startled by some odd noise , or perhaps by sighting some queer shape while travelling after sun -down . Such a

as

,

is

]

vii

[

.

of

tested

out

at

be

-

a

carefully embroidered tale incident into the first opportunity

to

in

to

.

no

by

a

had them rule quickly fol gratitude coupled lowed of relief with that our temporary panic had witnesses And the rest the trip camp weaving employed back has often been the whole feeling

My

first personal introduction to a specific “ critter ” was fighting while fire on Attean Lake in 1908 . Dick Fisher had landed me a summer job in the woods, but the cruising work had been suddenly interrupted by the bad fires which broke out that year . I was utterly new and green ; but it just happened that the principal introducers , Sam Clarke and Walter Laurison ( I wonder where they are now ? ) se lected another youngster as a victim . This lad opened the way by remarking that on the trail back to camp that after

noon he had heard an extraordinary , screech - like cry which he could not identify . Given this opening , the team - play developed between the two older men was simply marvel lous. “ How did it go ?" inquired Sam , full of seeming fa therly interest . “ Oh ,

the

lad .

A

I don 't

moment's

pause

I

think

.

could imitate

“ Reckon

it

, replied

it ”

was one

o

'

them

tree -squeaks , " put in Walter at the precise psychological moment ; " they re common hereabouts in July .” “ What s a

'

'

, deliberately putting his foot in the trap . “ Wa-al ” drawled Sam , and the game was on . It was like watching two highly skilled bridge players . Sam would lead with a colorful bit of description , tree -squeak like ? ” asked the victim

convinced the animals presentation widely used For

completely

.

is

This method

of

.

existence

of

,

.

that the listener was

so

,

of

set

and Walter would follow suit with an arresting spot of personal experience , every detail being forth with the utmost solemnity and with exactly the correct degree deftly had the cards been played emphasis At the end

in

an

,

in

.

,

grave corroborative nod helpful letters received brings

viii

]

[

clear that nearly

all a

to

and still flourish the Northern Forests

.

in

,

these mythical creatures originated considerable extent almost wholly

is

.

The surprising number out several interesting points

It

of

being invariably accorded

a

to

is

”

,

air

"

,

the best results two narrators who can keep the ball the are necessary and perhaps occasional general question tossed someone the audience such inquiries

Despite diligent inquiry , Southern species . It son for this scarcity . ern camps is chiefly

I have brought

light very

to

few

speculate on the rea , Of course woods labor in the South colored . Isn 't it possible that the Negro woodsman or logger , while possessed of plenty of imagination , is perhaps not given to this particular form of mental horse -play ? His imaginings art apt , I think , to stimulating

is

to

more serious lines , with a considerable dash of defi superstition nite in the mixture , and such fearsome crea tures as his mind may conceive are very likely to be accorded follow

a firm

belief. point for discussion

actual age of these tales . I must admit that thus far I have not found a satis factory answer . Some of my correspondents hold that they go back over many years, perhaps a century or longer , while others, men who were working in the woods in the '70 's and '80 's , state that they began to hear such yarns Another

is the

of the nineteenth century . It , , seems clear however that the Hodag , the Treesqueak and only along towards the end

the Side -hill

Gouger were well known

in

the Northeast

fully

seventy years ago , and have since migrated westward , ex actly as the logger followed the virgin timber , across the

West Coast . Granting the existence of these particular animals , it is not unreasonable to assume that they had various other companions . But tier

whether

they

of

states

the

to

I.

northern

as far back

Thorea climbed Mount Katahdin cult point to prove , and perhaps believe , but

I

do

wise that many

of

feel it to be

I

as the days when

cannot say .

I am

yielding

diffi the will to

It to

is a

more probable than other

are really

old

flourished

and have been handed down verbally through the years just the old Scottish and English ballads have been passed down the Southern Appalachians common knowledge rapidly that America has grown tremendous pace as

,

quite

,

]

and died

in

,

a

was born lived

ix

-

lore [

,

fact that much true folk

so

is

It

at

.

in

on

,

these tales

with

no

of

chance

ords .

ever becoming

Without

woods lore .

part of our permanent rec doubt this has happened to a good bit of

Things

sifting the host

In

have

a

just come about

of letters

out such animals as seem fairly wide distribution .

to

too

fast .

sent me, enjoy , or

I have

of

limited

Creatures

to

tried to sort have enjoyed , a range and highly un

only occasional appearance , unless possessed of usual qualities have not been included . For instance , I think I should mention here , but without detailed descrip tion , the Cross - feathered Snee , Montana , which can exist only in sub -zero weather, the Linkumsluice , Maine , the Snow

Worms , Washington ,

and

the Timberdoodle

of Pennsyl

and won 't thereafter open his jaws until he hears thunder . With these should appear the Celofay of Maine. This is a unique beastie , and it is only vania which bites savagely

after much

consideration

any

chiefly

and

because he doesn 't

well vouched for that I have not ac place among corded him a the " regulars .” He is a sort of powers , and phantom wildcat equipped with ventriloquistic project squall easily can his fearsome clear across a section , right up beside you , in fact . Or he can reverse the situation seem

be

to

too

and toss his yowl into some distant cedar swamp while he stealthily stalks you with malicious intent . His name re veals his French -Canadian origin , being an obvious corrup tion

of

“ C

'est la

fée. "

To the foregoing should be added the Will-am - alone , Maine , a small , squirrel -like animal of playful but vicious tendencies . He loves to roll up little balls of poisonous

fungi

and drop

them on the eyes or in the ears of sleeping strange causing woodsmen dreams. Parties well foxed with alcohol seem to be his especial prey . Then there is the

,

Pomola

Riley 's

, the Mount Katahdin poem

of Canada tire

poem

“

The Raggedy Man

Dr.

, the Wunk , mentioned

,"

in

the fearsome Wendigo

has devoted an en Wympsis and the Whopperknocker . You

to which

, the

area

Drummond

[

x

]

't shoot this last-named fellow . His vision is so keen that he can see the sparks in the chamber of your rifle be fore the bullet leaves the muzzle . I have striven to confine myself wholly to the woods ani mals. There are numerous other fields open for similar exploration . The lore of the cow -camps , for example , is richly studded with glittering accounts of most peculiar varmints . But I have consciously not included any of can

these

, finding

plenty

to do in

my own territory , that of the

logger and the lumberjack . To make proper and complete acknowledgment many courteous , interested and helpful suggestions

of the I have

fair - sized volume . My most sincere thanks are herewith expressed to all of these good people who have helped make this book , and in particular to Mr. William T . had would fill

a

Cox for permission to use certain information from his book " Fearsome Creatures of the Lumber Woods ,” to Pro fessor Fay Welch of the New York State College of For estry Faculty, to Mr. B . B . Bickford , the veteran guide of

Gorham , N . H ., who has generously laid at my disposal his years of experience in the White Mountains , to . Lake Shore Kearney for permission to employ certain

Mr

abstracts

his book

from

,

"

Clemens for the fascinating and to Professor Charles E

The Hodah ," to data on

the

. Browne of

Mrs.

P

.

M

.

Lunkus ,

Yamhill University of

the

Wisconsin Faculty for a whole tote - load of accurate and authentic facts . Nor should I omit mention of the “ Idaho Statesman

,” and

to reprint

Mr.

N

. C . Villeneuve , who has granted me

the story and the picture ing feline , the Wampus Cat. Without the

leave

both

and literally dozens of other kindly folk would have remained a rather thin affair .

HENRY The Black Rock Forest , Cornwall -on - the -Hudson , New York , U . S . A . [ xi ]

of that amaz help

, my H

of

these

collection

. TRYON .

CONTENTS PAGE

AGROPELTER

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

( PLUNKUS ) . . . . . . . . · · · DUNGAVENHOOTER . . . . .

·

·

FILLA -MA -LOO

.

.

..

AXE -HANDLE HOUND . BALL -TAILED

COLUMBIA

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . . .

Cat

Cactus Cat .

.

.

.

.

5

. ..

. . . . . . . . . . . .

RIVER

SAND

COME - AT - A - BODY

.

.

SQUINK

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

DINGMAUL

BIRD

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

GUMBEROO

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

HIDEBEHIND

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

HOOP SNAKE

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. .

. . . . . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. ..

RUMTIFUSEL

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

SIDE -HILL GOUGER AND SUB -SPECIES .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

SLIVER CAT

.

..

.

HUGAG

.

LUFERLANG ROPERITE U

.

.

SANTER

SNOW

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

SNAKE .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Cat

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

[

xiii

]

SPLINTER

.

.

3

PAGE

SQUONK

.

SWAMP

.

AUGER

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . . .

TRIPODERO

· · · · · ·.

WAMPUS Car

..

WHIFFENPOOF

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

WHIRLING WHIMPUS

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

IPE SNIPE

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. .

.

.

. . . .

TREESQUEAK

.

.

. . . . . . . . . ..

TOTE -ROAD SHAGAMAW

.

.

.

.

[ xiv ]

.

49

FEARSOME CRITTERS

.

‫رد‬ 2

»

=

)

‫ا‬

)

W

IM AGROPELTER

[

2

]

THE AGROPELTER in

-

.

to

in

is

,

to

forests its

.

,

coast

's

from

to

The beast

coast but limited the Northern ugly disposition part attributed

of

trusion

's

quadruped , highly resentful of logger woods home Common and well known

upon his

,

peevish

A

the

Brachiipotentes craniofractans

diet

the Agropelter

.

a

,

nimble creatures de fully established that is

.

But

it

,

these elusive

lacking

.

of

a

of

a

a

.

)

,

limb and either drop the pate the woodsman

dead

tree climber

swinging himself acrobat fashion

and

traveler

In ,

rapid

-

a

is

.

passing beneath marvellously He

or

heavy can snap off with deadly accuracy

on

it

,

tree

hurl

he

in

a

is

of

-

,

a

by

(

-

sometimes called the Widow maker has sturdy body topped villainous ape like countenance pair outstanding equipment long muscular arms His Stealthily reaching out from his lair the top hollow

to

a

.

to

,

-

,

always arrive

in

a

]

3

[

)

February

29

(

born

.

.

nest The pups odd numbers

on

.

a

a

,

,

from limb limb home site he selects tree having numerous dead dozy upper bole and which stands handy branches and roomy frequently traveled trail He quickly eats out

picking

a

.. . . .

is

with many tailed description

,

of -

As

-

Hoot owls High holes and dozy wood

NIMIN UMIDI

]

[

4

-

AXE HANDLE HOUND

THE AXE -HANDLE HOUND Canis consumens The bane of supply and depot camps on Northern logging operations . Has a head shaped like a Peavy axe . The

, with short stumpy dachshund , but really bears

body is slender and axe -handle shaped

legs. Looks a

a good deal like a closer resemblance to B . B . Bickford

's

bureau dog

an

Jim

.

Jim

Distinctly a nocturnal prowler. Frequents the camps after nightfall , hunting for axe and peavy handles , of which it is voraciously fond. One hound has been known to con sume two boxes of DB handles and sixteen six - foot peavy stocks in one night's eating . They make nice pets , but are costly to feed . Peters once tamed one That was

]

[

5

.

chopper

as

to

it

by leg

a

rid

as

of

he

he

it

.

to

,

it

-

.

-

,

short sighted because had wooden leg made from way only axe helve The could keep his whole was got feeding wear bed But the pup red heartily any experienced oak handles which dislikes

AMAN

Amman

Clirl

ma

4

.

Anni

DIOur

hanam

]

6

[

-

BALL TAILED CAT

THE BALL - TAILED CAT Felis caudaglobosa In the early days this feline undoubtedly enjoyed a much wider circulation than at present . Recent surveys indicate that it is now pretty well confined to Harney County , Ore a

wildcat , but with a

a

far

hard , heavy , bony

The feet are clawed

excellent climber

of

,

tail

is

;

of

making

.

the end

cats

an

on

true

it

ball

its

more aggressive disposition . Its chief physical characteristic

as

mal of about the dimensions of

with all

and this species on

,

In

.

to

by

fe

a

to

its

,

on

lying out has the stealthy habit limb and when the unsuspecting lumberjack passes beneath the Cat drops victim and pounds him death with the ball the rutting season the male uses this instrument call the

.

a

all

by

.

.

with both the Sliver careful study the equipment the three species shows plainly that they are been confused

of

It

and habits

has often Cat and the Dingmaul

A

argument

of

on

drumming hollow log species This has occasioned much discussion and peppery

male

]

7

[

.

of

a

-

is

is

It

;

.

no

quite possible that they are means the same distantly related perhaps the Ball tailed boy less highly developed variant the same phylum

1

M.

CACTUS CAT [

8

]

THE CACTUS CAT Felis spinobiblulosus Once very common the Pueblo and

in

the Southwest

Navajo country

living chiefly

. of

Now

,

and

well -known

in

extinct , remaining old

practically

in the memories the few timers . At one time frequently seen in the great cactus dis tricts , being especially abundant between Prescott and Tuc son . Occasionally reported from Old Mexico . The cat -like body is covered with thorny hair which

grows particularly long , sharp , and rigid on the ears and tail. The latter is branched in cactus fashion , these branches having scattered thorny hairs similar to those growing on the ears . The distal portions of the foreleg radial bones are formed into two sharp , knife -like blades which the Cat skil fully employs in making deep , slanting slashes at the bases of the giant cacti. He performs a number of these opera

tions , always

circular beat exactly 80 chains long . By the time the Cat has completed the circuit , the sap exuding from the cacti first slashed has fermented into a sweet , in toxicating pulque which is greedily lapped up by the Cat as he makes his second trip . By the timehe finishes this round in

a

he is pretty soundly pickled , and usually waltzes off into the desert , rasping the bony forelegs across each other as an ac companiment to delighted yowls .

In the earlier days when this animal was more common , thirsty Mexicans often trailed him and would anticipate him in making the second circuit . This practice became so wide

spread that

it probably

the extinction of the spe reported Occasional cases have been where the Cactus

cies . Cat overtook

the

hastened

marauding Mexican and flogged him Owing to the reddened blebs

death with his spiny tail.

hide , such deaths were usually tributed by the laity to a severe attack of prickly heat . the oldtimers knew better . It was the Cat.

pearing on

the victim

's

[

9

]

to

ap

at But

Houten

u

111

muffe

MM

wili Inic

han

MA

m

ana

SAND SQUINK

]

10

[

COLUMBIA RIVER

lit

EAS

Vaik

THE COLUMBIA RIVER SAND SQUINK Anguillamvorax coruscens

Of

distribution , but possessing most unusual characteristics . Reported to date only by prospectors , hunt ers and sheep -herders in the remote mountains of Washing ton . Built somewhat on the lines of a coyote , somewhat on limited

bobcat , but with ears like a jack -rabbit . The tail is long and bushy , and is carried recurved along the

of a

the pattern

't

isn

back the same as a squirrel ' s . Emerges after dark and slinks down A nightly prowler . particularly fussy to the river to fish . The Squink

.

.

.

stalk

or

sights

boldly along the mountain prospector returning from town

then

by

will

a

it

trails until

it

and

its

of

on

a

is

it

,

feeding

pH

a

,

great fondness for electric eels about its diet but has Probably account their higher content When hungry courage returns after timid animal But

on

of a

of

.

of

,

its

its

Thereupon the Squink will precede victim two three waving slowly touching long rods tail and one ear and heavy then the other The previous few miles travel

.

for

11 ]

[

.

,

inner tubes while the eggs were shelled with bakelite

the Squink

is

were all lined with portions

old

located and care

oviparous

)

been

of

this animal have

They

(

.

Several nests fully examined

of

is

,

a

of

a

electric

,

eels generates substantial charge static alternating produce and these contacts series brilliant discharges which invariably please and attract the traveler who follows and never seen again feed

ed

Nez

m

het

www

DDDD

COME AT

A -

12

]

-

[

BODY

un

THE COME -AT- A - BODY improvisus

Quadrupes

Mr.

. B . Bickford of Gorham , N . H . Not found outside the White Mountains . A short , stubby , rather small animal, resembling a woodchuck but having very soft , velvety , kitten - like fur . Harmless , but surpris Reported by

B

ing . Has the terrifying habit of suddenly rushing directly at you from the brush , then stopping only a few inches away and spitting like a cat . A strong mink -like scent is thrown , and the Come- at - a - Body rushes away .

[

13

]

> %

NVIN

.E

.

Tic

7

11111 A

%

.

-Arth- . MALON .

TEK

2

IS2

,

F11111

LOVE

.

www

Li

ming

DINGMAUL ( PLUNKUS ) [

14

]

\ \ \

THE DINGMAUL

( THE

PLUNKUS )

Saricatellus vociferens

Well known

in

ber line

. In fact , above tim Mt. Adams and Mt. Jefferson of

the White Mountains

in the col between the Presidential Range there is a conspicuous , flat- topped boulder which for many years has been known as “ Ding

maul Rock . ” Conclusive existence

of

, exhaustive researches two distinct varieties

have clearly proven

the

The Northeastern ( S

—

.

vociferens var . pulsens ) . Both varieties are cat -like , being long , slim , slick , sorry -looking gentlemen having wolf - like

Their bodies are long , with short , powerful legs. As Irvin Cobb has put it, “ He' s built low to the ground like a pelts .

The head is round , sessile , feline , with tufted ears and glowing eyes . Neither variety is harmful, but both possess a curious, inquiring nature. They are fond of lying out in open , sunny spots ( the top of Dingmaul Rock , for example ) , and carefully scrutinizing what goes on carpet - sweeper.”

the valley below . The tail is very long , frequently twice the length of the body ; but the California variety carries a medium -sized , bony ball on the end thereof. This is used to keep off flies , to pound on dead trees to produce a supply of soft slivers for lining the nest , and , in the mating season , to beat on the in

male 's chest to call his mate a

.

The female

also wears

a

ball

than the male ' s . But she only uses it to bean with when he gets too obstreperous .

shade bigger

him

Ranger Bill Gott once watched one of the California va riety galloping along the crest of the Siskiyous , with the ball lashing violently from side to side and striking the trees tremendous force . “ That," is the biggest kindlin ' cat I ever

with “

commented saw

.”

dreadful , horrendous the call of the Western variety sharply resem toot of a logging donkey . The females of both spe

The cry of the Eastern species is

wail , while bles the

Ranger Bill,

cies invariably

whelp on the top of [

15

]

a

a

large , exposed

rock .

WN

AMANI

IMD

]

16

[

DUNGAVENHOOTER

THE DUNGAVENHOOTER Crocodilus hauriens

.

the latter state marsh dweller

To of

the

Formerly quite common from Maine to Michigan . day only occasionally met with on Upper Peninsula

in

,

to

as

.

to

,

is

.

.

no

he

a

an

-

,

Shaped human beings alligator but curious equipment good deal like that has mouth The nostrils are abnormally large the legs short and the tail thick and powerful The only cry A

dangerous

is

and then pounded steadily until be greedily inhaled gaseous whereat he

is

senseless

entirely

,

]

17

[

is

-

.

through the wide nostrils sought with Rum sodden prey

especial eagerness

.

comes

he

knocked

,

of

.

,

a

.

a

loud snort Concealing itself with Satanic cunning behind whiffle bush the Dungavenhooter awaits the passing logger On coming within reach the dreadful tail the victim

mutta

na

so -

]

18

[

-

FILLA MA LOO BIRD

THE FILLA -MA - LOO BIRD Fulica stultusregrediens curious character , varying widely from the usual run of feathered animals . A bird distinctly low in intellectual curiosity , showing complete and consistent indifference as to A

where he's going . He prefers only to see where he 's been ; hence he always flies backwards. A rather rare species , frequently heard of, but seldom seen . Authentic reports are none too common . This is odd , for a turkey - like head on a long bottle - green neck sparsely spangled with large , silvery scales , a black right wing and a pink left one make a color combination hard to miss . The nest is usually built upside down ; the eggs ( seven to a clutch ) are invariably Grade D . The call resembles the into reverse .

Goofus Bird , the

Flu -

Bird

etc

.

the

shoved

,

called

bar being

fly

Johnson

]

a

19

of

Variously

[

clank

1155

Nokia

се

]

20

GUMBEROO

[

No

9

III

THE GUMBEROO Fornax rotor An uncommon , but nevertheless well -known and thor oughly authenticated animal . Paul Bunyan often met them in the Upside Down country . His description , given to me personally , was as follows : “ A pot -bellied body , almost ex actly like the bunkhouse stove , even to the umbilical damper , and covered with very tight, tough , black , shiny skin ; a pair long , powerful, monkey - like forearms, and a little round head and no neck . His head sets right down on to his shoulders like a hop - toad in a cool spot . He's got three bowed rear legs, each with a clawed foot clutching an iron

of

ball,

the same legs ,

as

an

There 's no speed wading dumps . for

iron stove .

in

these

rear but ' For real travel he's got eight pairs of strong , springy legs set around his middle. He' s plenty rapid on these . He' ll go to a hill top by swinging from branch to branch with his forelegs , then toss himself out a rod or two , landing sideways on the middle legs and rolling over and over down the hill, moving faster than the eye can see. That' s why he' s so rarely ob they re handy

served . The hides from the middle legs used to make waterproof boots , but they ' re pretty scarce now . ”

fine

The Gumberoo was usually found in burnt lands . Prac tically an indestructible animal . Bullets always bounced his taut hide, but heat would make him swell and plode . S . W . Allen photographed one, but the negative from

ploded

.

[ 21 ]

ex ex

//

.

‫رل‬

HIDEBEHIND

[ 22 ]

THE HIDEBEHIND

,

intense

attack

in

to

to

alcohol never known

an

the odor

be

animal, but , owing

dangerous

of of

aversion

to

highly

A

its

Ursus dissimulans

a

six

.

-

in

hide com

The pelt

ten inch tree

.

long

,

it

possible

is

the bole

a

.

pletely behind

of

A

,

The slender body makes

erect

to

.

complete

to

Uno beer has been proven safeguard even thickly infested country biggish beast standing about feet and walking One bottle

ebriate

.

-

, . . , it

Leaping

its

forelegs are

The short well muscled

-

grizzly like claws chiefly intestines

lo

to

,

any

.

—

food

is

Its

cate face equipped with

if

its

is

or

.

's

to

,

a

,

is

and black and the tail carried recurved Looks like French sheepdog Almost impossible tell whether the going coming and practically hopeless critter thick

from

hiding its

the open

.

never found

in

is

The Hidebehind

..

to

.

a

swiftly disembowels place with demoniacal laugh victim with one swipe Sometimes the fiendish howl fright prey TallS ens the death before the blow OW falls

He always

trunk His possible for him stay con stantly behind his prey quickly matter how the suspi glimpsing the cious victim may spin about the hope years marauder The beast can seven without eating to

it

23 ]

of

.

go

[

.

in

no

,

,

.

tree

a

conceals himself behind stealthy gait makes

quick

marvellously

*

]

24

[

HODAG

ΜΠΟ

T

1η

THE HODAG Deformis corniger lacrimans Reported

in

Maine many years past , and

in 1895

captured

and positively identified near Rhinelander , Wisconsin , by . F . S . Shepard , the Hodag is indubitably one of the best known of the larger and more dangerous woods varmints .

Mr

very rare , probably owing to the increased use of lemons in cookery , for Hodags and citrus fruits are in the same ratio as wolves and wolfbane - probably more so .

It is

now

distressingly ugly animal. The knobbledy head wears pair of prominent , bulging eyes and two heavy lateral A

a

horns something after the fashion of a male stag -beetle. The claws are stout and powerful , the tail carries a terminal hook , while a row of jagged , stegosaurian dorsal spines complete the picture . The smaller front teeth were for merly often used for umbrella handles . The Hodag is fully aware of his upsetting appearance , and is given to frequent fits of bitter weeping . I once had a handful of the extremely rare crystallized Hodag tears , but an acquisitive lady friend collected them , believing them to

.

She had them strung into a neck - yoke — and spilled then went and a Tom Collins on herself . Of course the lemon juice dissolved them instantly . be fine amber

This fellow can 't endure being laughed at. When angry, he is fierce and dangerously aggressive . But a pair of lem ons is ample protection against a whole herd .

[

25

]

MVN AN

w

Wu

LIEL

]

HOOP SNAKE [

Now

www MTM w

!!

!

MN

117UWIN

WN

26

MADIW

MMA

THE HOOP SNAKE Serpenscirculosus

caudavenenifer

well -known menace . Its existence is thoroughly es tablished by numerous reports from highly creditable par A

ties .

,

fortunately

fancied

a

or

prey

,

of

by its

pursuit

any other member

of

stinger carrying

of such

venom

power

to

in

in

. .

. of

remark A

of a of 1

.

.

,

to

on

.mp .

r.

.p .h .

m

60

at

about 1056 The only way

The Snake must

.

fence

ma

5923 feet cleverly de

un

.

to

to

is to

outrun him climb over hoop get through

a

of

a

all

enticed

rolling metered platform straightaway speed some

signed

or

diameter an

,

after being

clocked

needs

nothing short

pie for this Snake

,

He has been

-

, -

A

.

in

rolling The speed reached grown jack able full rabbit ture Snake when hooped has

he

of

's

just one cylinder but that is is

travel

a

on

of

.

an

up

. . .

is

p p m

.

0

a

dose but 003 sufficient make even the leather skinned Hodag turn green and swell and die side hour No wonder that folks wise woods lore are wary this circular engine destruction He may

of -

that

in

The tail ends

a

.

,

is

,

at

ing incredible speed enemy not duplicated of the animal kingdom

in

its

The characteristics appear to be about the same in all regions . Its habit of tucking its tail in mouth and roll

the stove

wood

,

'

to s

and hissed

.

.

to

it

that dang And then the

of

such dimensions

in

cords Just lay

27

.

't

946

burn

swelled

]

venom

up

it ,

stuff wouldn

a

Of

start with but the Paul cut into

[

.

a

,

of

;

of

fit

's a

in

is

of

There are many authentic cases death from this rep possibly convincing tile venom the most bit of data that Hoop Snake stung one pique Bunyan Paul peavy handles course this handle was sizeable stick

]

28

[

lipo

TIC

Take W

lallinna

MIN

ILD

au

un

Din

HUGAG

THE HUGAG Reclinor rigidus biggest animal

the Northern forest . When full grown, stands about thirteen feet high and weighs around The

in

The snout is warty , and the ears like a pair of tired gunnysacks . The bumpy lumpy curiously . The and and

sixty hundredweight . coarse

and

floppy ,

head is clean bald best phrenologist in the world would

in his hand if party asked to make a reconnaissance of this 's dome . In stead of hair he wears pine needles ; and a steady diet of pine knots makes the pitch ooze constantly from his pores .

the

throw

.

't

.

to

Hugag The legs lack knee , fetlock , or hock joints so Usually standing sleep can lie down Has braces its

. . so

If

he on

.

-

,

To

.

he

up

,

two thirds through

-

of ;

sleep trees

up

his favorite he

of

a

is

-

a

few

a

a

to

splayed feet and leans against nap tree take Such sleep trees are often badly bent usually remaining merely bristles He not dangerous when aroused heap pine and looks like slash catch one just saw

he

a

't

,

get any quicker than greenhorn falls down can The huge animal does little harm save when leans against buildings wise clean them out before erect to

is

It

.

.

skis

.

ing camps

]

29

[

,

.

a

-

.

on

as

,

up

as

,

the

,

around

in

Lake States western Wisconsin northern Minnesota and far north James Bay The young last one reported killed was Turtle River one weighing barely eighteen hundred pounds Found

LL

MWI

WWWwwveen

JVU

-

im Willow

MASO mix NIZ

-

sma

SEMI

17

waelew withi LUFERLANG [

30

]

THE LUFERLANG Spinacaerulea A

tack

tresarticulosus

fellow to meet up with . Very likely to at any provocation . Bites but once a year , but without

dangerous

the bite is sure death

.

an

up of

all

Certain unique features make it easy , however , to identify the animal. A dark blue stripe down the spine , a bushy , swivel - jointed tail set in the middle of the back ( this ap pendage is most useful in keeping off the flies ) and all four legs triple - jointed are what the traveler should look for . These legs make it possible for the Luferlang to run equally

.

,

In

in

so

a

.

fast in directions case attack the victim should large mirror suddenly hold beside himself The dou ble image will confuse the beast that he will rush off

.

disgust

.

it

any shade serves

to

of

will invari

as

at

31 ]

[

.

,

.

be

An orange

12

on

July The biting season usually occurs colored handkerchief conspicuously displayed ably afford full protection Green clothing studiously avoided should this season arouse the animal further

1A

1

.

[

l

-

32

]

[

ROPERITE

AN

THE ROPERITE Pseudoequus

nasiretinaculi

animal , about the size of an under -nour Formerly existed in herds in the Sierra foot ished pony. , hills but not reported for many years. Probably extinct by now . Extremely active and fast . The skin is leathery , giving A

gregarious

protection against sharp rocks and thorns , while flipper the -like legs are much over -developed , affording a half -bounding, half- flying gait. The outstanding peculi complete

of

old

arity is the rope-like beak and the marvellous deftness with which it is manipulated . Jack -rabbits are frequently run down and lassoed , as is now and then an unwary logger . There exists a Digger Indian legend that these creatures Spanish ranchers were the spirits of the the early

]

33

[

days

]

34

[

lidappprintedB

toppement

ota urcil

umumi

T

T ys

w

,

RUMTIFUSEL

niti

THE RUMTIFUSEL In luring

its

Villosus sumptuosus this animal employs playing one the oldest strategic devices known that prey Being the cupidity rather slow gaited cunning beast has resort some form low reach

. - of

a

of

.

its

to

to

it

,

of

on

—

of

,

within

victim

a

.

—

a

a

.

,

,

,

is

,

is

is

large strong and ferocious The Rumtifusel The pelt long fine and thick with rich color like mink The body oddly flattened somewhat the way old Hank Mc

of

, or

a

to

a

.

it

a

so

's

,

of

d

he '

rolled off the porch roof following spread himself out dinner and sort just edgeways couple flat we slid him between shed possible for the doors for coffin This shape makes drape himself closely over stump Rumtifusel about

Ginnis looked after the annual firemen

by or

-

,

.

-

a

.

,

-

.

a

have

its

its

of

velops

to

lightning fast closer look With blanket like body the Rumtifusel completely en victim The numerous minute sucking pores lin

comes over flick

in

,

-

a

-

a

he

a

of

tree standing near tote road such adroit high exactly grade fashion that looks like fur coat Naturally the passer robe that someone has dropped the butt

stump that yarn

old

.

beside and swallow

see go

't

.

by

up

little balls fur you often spit were owls Don you those

an

of

-

.

at

no

in

of

,

ing the inner ventral surface are promptly brought into ac tion and time all the bones are sucked clean Some these high ginger scientists will tell you that

]

35

[

.

's

Those balls are all that left of the clothes worn by some greenhorn who ventured too near

SANTER

[

36

]

THE SANTER Nodiocties palustris One of the few marauding varmints reported below the Mason and Dixon line . Common in western North Caro lina . Rarely dangerous to mankind , but a frequent preda tor on livestock .

His body is long , covered with reddish long hair , his head is large , round , and bald . His legs and feet are long , and his eyes are small with a mean look . His tail is almost as long as his body , and has eight hard knots in it . Looks like a string of beads. He can swing this flail with plenty of

power and skill - enough to knock out a cow or a hog with one slap . And obviously this tail can be effectively used in combat . But he can travel so fast he seldom has to put up a scrap . the neighborhood of small villages where cattle and hogs are kept . A remark ably fast animal , but rarely seen . cry piercing

wooded swamps

is

,

in

Its

in

a

Lives mostly

.

]

37

[

.

.

on

body and one the broken foreleg bruise was severely singed

on

,

to

.

,

A

-

Dogs will seldom run one baby like wail calf known have been killed by one of these varmints near Statesville showed eight distinct bruises seven the The hair about

each

SIDE -HILL GOUGER

[

AND SUB -SPECIES

38

]

THE SIDE -HILL GOUGER Membriinequales declivitatis

We' ve had

bit of perceptibly acrimonious discus sion as to the correct vulgate name of this engaging little animal . Some Easterners say “ Side-hill Badger ," some Cal ifornians insist that “ Side -hill Winder" is correct , there are some vigorous proponents of “ Godaphro ,” “ Prock , " and " Side-hill Wowser ," while a few technical parties claim that “ Gyascutus” is the one and only . The majority of the a

good

pleadings are in favor that .

of the

“ Gouger

,"

so

we'll stand

on

Always a dweller in hilly country . Hehas to be , since his nigh legs are shorter than the off pair . There are six to eight pups in a litter , and once in a great while some of them arrive with the relationship reversed . After being weaned , these sports are rarely seen again by their orthodox -legged brothers and sisters . Normal Gougers must obviously travel counter -clockwise around the hillside , and in making their daily rounds for food they wear the characteristic , partly gouged -out paths so familiar to woodsmen . These paths were once very common in New England , but to - day they are thought to be most frequently forested regions of the West.

seen

in

the partly

Mr.

Bill Ericsson of North Haven , Maine , ( and various other points ) for the following ac count of how the Gouger population migrated from New England . “ It seems,” said Bill, “ that the Gouger popula

I

am

indebted

to

tion was getting too thick . There warn 't enough food to go around , and somebody just had to move out. A pair of these ambitious little varmints , one orthodox , one abnormal legged , got together and decided to strike out for a new lo

Of

course they could navigate on the hillsides and ; but they knew mighty well they 'd bog down right all , the flats so when they struck level going they just leaned

cation . slopes on

[

39

]

the longer legs outermost , sort of going like a of drunks home from town ." This mighty smart adaptation of a natural deformity took them well across the Central States and made it possible for them to against each other with

pair

existing in the West .

found the Gouger colonies now

The well - known Chinese ecologist , Dr. has piled together much interesting data on tinct Gouger colonies

in

He Hop Hi, the now ex Nebraska . There is

northwestern

that many years ago the chalk bluffs in this by numerous such colonies . Careful populated area were excavations have revealed successive superposed Gouger ample

evidence

civilizations whose arrangement

closely resembles those

un

the ancient Greek Drs. Tsountas and Following centuries of existence here , these ani mals became geared to travel solely on the south slopes where food was plentiful . But a great climatic shift took place , with the Virginian element pushing northward and covered

cities by

in

Manatt .

food supply

to

the northern slopes .

,

while food was plentiful

,

thence ,

but

limiting the accustomed The Gougers migrated

the extremely

steep

extent southward

hills the

in

is

to

He similar most respects save that constant brushing of the nigh side .

.

M

.

some

southern Appalachians

against the

in

found only

West Virginia and declivitatis

semihirsutus

in

.

.

var

to

in

-

This sub species

decl

is

.

M

to

of

.

travel was impossible Fossil remains prove clearly that they rolled the bottoms the slopes and starved

slopes has worn the fur entirely away leaving the hide beautifully tanned and polished that unbelievably high price for alligator suitcase fetches

is

,

. of

.

a

]

40

[

.

,

.

, S

Harry

The off downhill side wears thick thatch curly brown hair much like buffalo pelt Col Knight of Camp Wood Arizona authority for

,

stock shaggy

or

an

it

so

,

steep

the statement that

“ a

Side -hill Gouger

is jest

a

burrowin

'

buffalo , sized down and growed crooked . ” This species sleeps in a shallow depression with the head pointed counter - clockwise around the slope. In hot weather the fur side is down ; in winter it is turned uppermost .

M

.

decl. var . robustissimus

Another variant species , the Yamhill Lunkus , is not un common in Oregon . This is a far larger and more power

ful animal than

either

. It has now work . Mr. G . C . L .

of the foregoing

species

a

as

,

so

.

of land

Lunki

He had four

rope around the were yoked this to

carry

a

to

a

)

.

be

to

tree

as

a

,

piece

Bubo eruditus trained removed The

(

.

owls a

top

reverse

Eades was clearing up

, of

big

Mr

.”

could

be

they

just like anything

in

but

rope

.

piece

Mr

long calf with neck about sturdy legs normally arranged The were turned about the animals could travel

nine months

a

of

of

old

and then been domesticated for farm Snyder gives an interesting account of a visit to Ab Eades' farm on Peavine Ridge where a pair had been broken to draft work . “ The Lunki,” says . Snyder , “ were the size

,

rope and with one easy heave out would come the tree roots

41 ]

[

.

and all

Пс

МАЈЛАМАСЫ

) )

anelli

насяму

иш

.

с

~

Мурман

42 ]

SLIVER CAT

[

)

-

му

THE SLIVER CAT Felis glabraspiculata northern pine -woods dweller . Harmless on the ground ,

but dangerous

a tree. A big animal , sometimes pounds weight . ears are tas

on

.

mature Sliver is

is

a

a

of

,

.

,

.

long with

-

a

with

horizontal slits

tail eleven feet hard ball the polished smooth half Half this ball studded burr like barbed growth Like the Dingmaul the

Cat carries end

eyes red with

,

its

selled and

A

Its

when up in

reaching three hundred

,

A

,

by

-

of

?

)

be

a

to

to

's

up

,

of

consumed

a

]

43

[

his

-

a

,

limb with ball tail poised startling silhouette against the

.

,

A

Sliver Cat crouched for instant action makes full moon

on

.

be

on

on

it

or

.

to

,

is

(

.

to

in

on

Cat beats the ball his chest the mating season being only careful use the smooth side secondary But the chief function should this tail obtain food Crouched limb overhanging the trail the Cat pats the passer the head with the polished side slaps his ball and then the burred side into the senseless victim hide and draws him the roost

Arab

SNAKE 44 ]

SNOW

[

no

tome

THE SNOW SNAKE tem

the

year

of

the

During

the

hieme periculosus

Aestatesomnus

,

-

or

a

,

is

deadly with Hoop the Snake the

.

that

,

, -

action

Hamadryad Hibernating

of

+

the venom

second only

to

.

of

speed

They are bad actors

;

Strait

,

to

July Two Winters when perature dropped 62° these pink eyed white bodied savage serpents crossed over from Siberia via Bering

,

in

is

.

is

is

oil

tanglefoot

,

does happen

the only

)

45

.

much used -

still

a

is

”

Snake oming

[

a

Snow

late home

-c

a

planation

of

"

I

.

.

tious When this known remedy was treed by

-

a

.

.

a

as

it

to

low

a

on

in

but becoming active winter pure the Snow Snake coils drift where its white wholly invisible color makes its prey One strike sufficient Mankind not often bitten he makes too big mouthful But sometimes Snake will get over ambi summer

ex

Hirin 3

*

]

46

[

SPLINTER CAT

THE SPLINTER CAT arbordemoliens

Nasusossificatus

How often do we see big trees that have been snapped off , split , or shattered ? Such breakage is frequently er roneously attributed to lightning , high winds, or snow and ice . These natural factors do cause some of this damage , but the experienced woodsman knows well that the bulk of

activities of the Splinter Cat . This powerful feline , harmless to mankind , is found in nearly all the timbered regions of North America . Like many of the cat tribes , he is strictly a night traveler and it results from

the moronic

But he' s often heard , and the abundance of his work is ample evidence of his existence , hence

observed .

rarely

is

numbers and activity. A heavy , chunky body with a short wheelbase , mounted on tremendously powerful legs , with the countenance termi wedge - shaped nose formed of unusually dense bone , the Splinter Cat goes a - roaming in search of hollow trees , since bees , honey and coons are favorite diet He climbs tree guns himself the desired bole and projects nating

a

with terrific

.

The bony nasal process sometimes snapping clean

stem

it

.

force

,

splinters and shatters the

,

, it

a

at

himself

at

his

in

is

,

in

. he

,

.

]

47

[

to

able

coon tree

't

,

a

meal

be

seem

to

't

doesn

gets

.

bee

-

a

,

parties

of

or he

after another until

he

in

.

is

If

the Cat finds food

.

.

If

the ruptured trunk he tem porarily appeased not he goes immediately for another tree And right there the big trouble The Cat doesn any judgment selecting just smashes one use trees

off

Unlike more intelligent learn the outward signs

уу

г

Анна

и

.1. 1

пи

SQUONK [ 48 ]

2

THE SQUONK Lacrimacorpus dissolvens

.

Sudw

Probably the homeliest animal in the world , and knows it. The distribution was once fairly wide , the usual habitat be ing high plains where desert vegetation was abundant . His

tory shows beyond dispute that , as these areas gradually changed to swampy , lake - dotted country the Squonk was forced to take to the water . Of distinctly low mentality , it counter - clockwise around

lake

it '

.

Fossil bones dredged

bottoms reveal that thousands

-

these

the submerged left only could swim in

,

,

to

on

.

,

its

tomed marches in search webbing between toes but only entering feet Hence the water circles and never got back shore from

the unaccus

of fodder . With time , it developed on

traveled constantly

of

perished

, . ill -

in

a

is

It

.

is

To of -

.

in

starvation this manner day the Squonk the hemlock for met with solely Pennsylvania ests most retiring bashful crepus

-

is

,

,

a

by

to

.

is

,

in

fitting cular animal garbed loose warty singularly always unhappy skin The Squonk even morbid He given constant weeping over his really upsetting appear

it ,

of

,

.

, -

its

in

lie

to

,

be

ance and can sometimes tracked his tear stained trail Moonlight nights are best for Squonk hunts for then the quiet animal prefers hemlock home fearing a

it

49 ]

[

.

of

the Cross

feath

-

pleading somewhat resembling the call ered Snee

a

is

.

to

.

in

,

it

may catch glimpse venture forth that some moonlit pool Sometimes you can hear one weeping softly himself The sound low note of should

self

Les NUT

WVANUIT MS

SWAMP AUGER

[

50

]

THE SWAMP AUGER Natator palustris var . perforens . This boy , often mistaken for an old snag , is found in fresh -water lakes . He carries a swivelled proboscis espe cially adapted to boring three -inch holes in the bottoms of

boats , and will do so unless stopped . But his work can be easily halted either by tickling his snout or by sprinkling it cayenne pepper . Either procedure will make the Au ger sneeze violently , which he hugely enjoys , and he will then hold his expectant nose tight in the hole until the boat

with

can be beached

.

[ 51 ]

Audicio illed

n

LINI

A

Muu

Smile

]

52

[

-

TOTE ROAD SHAGAMAW

THE TOTE -ROAD SHAGAMAW Bipedester delusissimus

Sudw

.

in Maine . At one time common , on the Allegash waters and still reported from New Bruns

Found

to -day exclusively

wick . While distinctly forbidding - looking , he is shy and quite harmless . Pretty much of a puzzle . Nobody seems to have any idea how

he originated

while his rear ones are

. His front legs

end in bear

shod with moose hooves .

paws,

He always

walks erect , sometimes using the front pair , sometimes the rear pair of legs . The change from bear to moose tracks occurs regularly every twenty chains . The shift in his trail marks has dumbfounded many an inexperienced woodsman and trapper . Since the beast is of low mental stature and probably imitative , it is believed that he makes this regular swap either from watching surveyors or because he can only

count up to 440 . His usual beat is along tote -roads , where he eats mittens , rubbers , caulked boots and other forgotten or discarded ap parel .

[

53

]

54 ]

[

1

Suusahom

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U

TREESQUEAK Wort

in

Mi cc Sumcului

TITI

S2

VYNIMUI

BOTWARTA wunn

WAN

Murgulam

Lucanum

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Luwun Minh summary

na

Mo

teret

i i

THE TREE - SQUEAK Arborexusta stridens Some folks will claim that the mating call of the Tree squeak is just a dry tree lodged in a “ school -marm .” But boys by we old know better . The sound is made an untrust worthy animal still quite common in the North Woods .

like a weasel, and with the same nice, friendly disposition , he is chameleon - like , and can wrap himself around a tree - trunk and match the bark exactly .

Built something

He spell .

is sometimes aggressive , Has a variety of calls ;

of

only

after

a

long , dry

panther ,

a whine like a a young pig , and sometimes a roar like a bunch cannon crackers at a shotgun wedding . Look out for on windy days along towards sun -down .

squeal like

him

but

a

[ 55 ]

ht ‫همسمسلبلبل‬

/

BUN

]

s6

[

TRIPODERO

// /

THE TRIPODERO Collapsofemuris geocatapeltes Sudw Usually

seen

jobs . Seldom

.

around construction camps and engineering found about logging works except where rail

road location and construction work is going on . Birds and other small animals constitute his main diet .

traveler , but his extension legs (just like a transit ) make it possible for him to prowl close to the ground . On spotting game , he slowly extends these legs

He is not a fast

eaten

]

57

[

of

He

a

is

deep student distance wind and

,

fine

judgment

.

,

ballistics and has drift

Tripodero miss

of

does the

.

Seldom

,

is

.

then slowly

.

is

its

until he gains a clear sight over the brush . Focussing the 4 - power ' scope , the rifled , gun - like beak is carefully trained on the victim , a hardened clay pellet from the magazine in the cheek - pouch is inserted in the breech and puffed swiftly way instantly knocked senseless and on The target

WAMPUS CAT

THE WAMPUS CAT Aquilamapprehendens

forcipe

Since the first specimen was discovered

scratching

false

blazes on mountain trails , the Wampus Cat has been blamed for a variety of forest tribulations. If a Wampus wades a stream , the fish won 't bite for seven days . When the Wam pus is on the prowl the only game abroad is the fool hen . The howl of the Wampus on a lonely night will curdle a crock of sourdough . Females of the species may be killed only with a crosscut saw . The males , practically indestruc tible , carry

fur the germ of blister rust . Under the influence of a full moon , the glare from their eyes starts forest fires . Their footprints are visible only in solid rock . in

their

They steal prospectors ' picks to brush their teeth . Now the Wampus — still abundant in its native Idaho and particularly

large and violent during the season when the crop of dudes yields a bushel to the picket - line - has an op portunity to redeem itself. A favorite pastime of the feline

Trappers on the Salmon River are is snatching eagles . plagued , they say , with eagles killing deer . The game de partment is angry with the eagles and seeking a solution to vexing problem . Eagle lovers — their name has been le gion — are angry with the game department . The simple solution suggested by the Wampus Society , which is composed of every man who has seen a rampant a

Wampus Cat at dusk menacing a mountain lion with a jack hammer , is that the burden be turned over to the Wampus breed . Once the Wampus reaches the eagle country the a

It

59 )

(

a

its

of

a

a

on

.

on

.

an

.fly

feathers will Nature has endowed the marvelous cat amazing right forearm folding with works like pruning hook the pantographic principle craggy promontory with its The Wampus lurks budding prongs of young goat tufted ears aslant like the and voice softened from the customary howl dis

franchised banshee to the bleat of a kid . When an eagle ap proaches , the strange arm shoots out with astonishing speed and direction . The eagle is caught and reeled in .

his mood

playful the Wampus extracts

,

is

and

If

the Wampus is hungry , he devours the prey , feathers ,

.

beak ,

all

If

.

the tail fan only and releases the bird

The feathers are

Wampus Cats are friendly with the the Indians red men That has been offered one reason why Indians Wampus fur Primitive trappers of never have turned the primitive areas who have caught them declare that the a

to

of

a

do

far from wa but climb

became

a

So

it to

beaver

There was nothing for the animal But beavers don climb trees

It

.

-

on to

dog surprised

.

.

tree

akin

Stanley Basin the authority the old fashioned beaver

't

.

ter

dates back

trapper

's

seems that

a

,

mountain men

,

Christmas necktie Origin of the Wampus

is

.

quills anyhow and the color

a

. to

runs mostly

hide

a

in

.

as

.

to

given

Wam

of

Once lured

to

.

pus Cat

bailiwick

the

the wicked Salmon River

,

an

A

.

a

as

is

.

of

, -

,

eagles the quick witted Wampus will swiftly eradicate the fowls the air perhaps not even sparing the wild turkeys Wampus knows recently planted there eagle but anticipated turkey eagle trouble when the and the cross into new species known the Turkeagle The Wampus to

its

it

of

to

is

of .

he

not tell them apart because cannot spell biggest brought puzzle The the attention the Wam pus Society dispose how the Wampus once has ex could

of

.

,

to

,

in

.

on

Gorged terminated the pernicious eagle favorite happy food and the free wild environment the Middle stay permanently Fork the Wampus might decide No is

it

a

exterminate

.

]

60

[

.

to

Only one Idaho beast has ever put the Wampus The Whiffenpoofit has the way but seldom the will

rout

.

to

upon

.

is

on

Wampus meat known that lives The Wam plague worse than the bird pus might become called predator

The

Whiffenpoofit

its

.

screech

[ 61 ]

it

,

midnight

so

into

a

itself

to

its

comes down both sides of a river at once. Wampus cannot make up deadly Even the mind which pantographic arm and resolves flank attack folds

[

DUIN

MA

WMO

fopen

hatan

ma

29

]

uu

mnm

An

DIWUM

EA

WHIFFENPOOF

wwwwanacqueyatirua

)

#

1991

2012

.

THE WHIFFENPOOF ( Sometimes called the Gilli-Galoo Fish

)

Piscisabsurdus tumescens A

tasty

fish

, found only

in

perfectly round lakes . Hence

quite rare . To catch him , row to the exact center of the lake , using the hogyoke to determine position , and bore a square hole in the water . Bait the edge of this hole with a bit of cheese , preferably Brie , Stilton , Liederkranz , or best

of all, Limburger .

The Whiffenpoof will quickly scent the bait and come for it . When he emerges, spit tobacco - juice in his eye . This will make him so swell with rage that he won ' t be able to withdraw into the hole , and you can easily net

him

.

[ 63 ]

Suundum

Sllllll ON

WHIRLING

[

64

WHIMPUS

]

THE WHIRLING WHIMPUS Turbinocissus nebuloides Sudw .

of the Southern Appala responsible is doubtless for the occasional com plete disappearance of hikers in that area . Lives along the hardwood ridges

chians , and

chunky beast , some seven feet tall, with a body about the size of a coal -oil drum and roughly furred . The equine hind legs unite at the fetlock , terminating in one broad hoof . long , sinewy and power The front legs, disproportionately , , bony paddles ful end in broad . When standing at ease , the A

Whimpus usually rests these on the ground . The Whimpus is wholly carnivorous . Deer , bear , oxen , turkeys , humans — they 're all grist to his mill. About sun down time he will take a stand by a bend in the trail and be

whirl on

his single hoof . Themaximum speed (2150 quickly r .p . m . ) is reached and is accompanied by a peculiar droning sound . At top speed the Whimpus is practically in gin to

visible , a little dust or a few leaves eddying about being the only indications of his presence . He' s often mistaken for a small twister . The unwary , home-bound hiker , on hearing droning , usually starts

the odd

stant he steps within

the circle

investigate it . The in those flying , flailing bony

to

of

in the form of an unctuous Whimpus promptly treacle . The then cuts his throttle , slows down , and crawls under a nearby patch of rhododen dron to lick off his syrupy supper . reported from Nebraska by a A Whimpus was recently

paddles he

is deposited

thereon

chap whose name , age , and previous condition

us. He swears that he saw one at precisely on June 23 , 1935 , just as he was emerging roadside mill We are dilligently seeking con this report

65 ]

[

firmation

.

a

of

11 :32

to

-

P . M .,

gin

are unknown from

of veracitude

[

99

]

MR

Hube

SNIPE

perdere

NuVic TRAN

mm

. 1

WM

NAL IN

V

'

Why

UV

3

Thun

wwwww

THE SNIPE Scolopax

inexplicabilis

common bird , occasionally seen , but never yet caught . Legions of sharp -eyed young foresters , engineers , cruisers, cookees , rodmen and hard - rock apprentices have made re A

valiant attempts to corral one , but not withstanding the bushels of careful advice and instruction handed out by the older hands in the party , success has not yet been attained . Seldom does the seasoned woodsman peated

, careful ,

and

make the attempt ; he is probably too discouraged to try again . But he is often willing to travel along with the hunt ing party just to see what happens , or perhaps to offer an occasional word of advice . Many years ago I was taken on a snipe hunt and was able

good look at one bird which strayed near the bag I carefully holding . I couldn 't get my hands on the was so study him little fellow , but I have time and find that my observations tally very closely with detailed report received from Mr Howard Gardner Here the

I

,

's

.

.

S

.

a

a

to

bit

get a

did

to

of

.

summary

.

,

,

,

:

, .

.

a

as

,

a

or

as

a

,

on

.

cm

,

,

17

,

A

marvellous coloration greens blues pinks and here and there the glint of gold Wears both fur and feath ers with the fur side inside like Mudjekeewis Stands high erect about two legs but has third auxil iary slightly aft for use either stabilizer start Lacking this additional leg permanent ing mechanism bird

mounted

on

,

,

,

alternately keeping the Snipe con His sharply hooked little beak

is

,

done

alert

.

the

in

on

stantly

is

,

.

and winking

is

a

of ,

.

unstable equilibrium would result The eyes are fired with occasionally emitting small constant sulphurous glow pupil sparks showers One vertical one horizontal

bull wheel base like

]

67

[

a

.

.

,

a

-

a

shovel making possible the capture of insects without turning the head All all most interesting and elusive animal The fur steam

and - feathers combination

makes

the ideal protective coat

for the natural marshy habitat . When the Snipe is swim ming , the ridged feathers fold back , forming a perfectly smooth

outer surface which reduces skin

. With the fur inside , the Snipe proof, fur - lined overcoat .

mum

[ 68 ]

friction possesses

to a

mini water

a