The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-20
Notes On Nebr aska Territory.
By rH. JEFFERSON SUTHERLAND.
CHATTER ~.
CHATTER ~
Game-EPId ts-Bnrds-Fyshes-R,,s,i, and
Insects

Game-EpId Beasts-Brds-N shes-R,p,,i,s and
Insects.
OF tho game which once existed in tho territory
Of Nebrsska in abundance, but a more vestige re-
mains. 1t has ceased to DO in quantity sufficient for
tho Indians, or to afford profitable sport for tho
whites. Tho passage Of several thousand emigrants
annually through the territory, which has now boon
continued for four five years. and they starting from
oil tho different points on the Missouri river, and
traversing tho country in the months of April, May
and june the breeding time for the animals, has re-
suited in general destruction of the game, both of
bird and BEAST and at this time tho necessities of
the Indians drive them TO entrap chase down. and
to kill every animal which remains Of foot and wing
Enough do not escape the chase of the Indians and
tho hunt OF the emigrants for tho reproduction and
continuance OF tho species.
During the summer months the bufalees and the
anteopes, In their mi grafton from tho south, make
their appearance upon tho plains in the territory,
three or four hundred miles west Of the Missouri
killed by the Indians. Tho buffalo do not always
appear in great numbers; but when they come in
numerous herds (Which is frequently the CASEY be-
ing easily taken the Indians from all parts Of the ter
rtory supply themselves literally with flesh for their
winter support, and with hides and robes, which
they barter for bread and whskey. The antelopes
are always shy, and they arc captured only with
difficulty, consequently thoy furnish but little avail
captured by the better mounted emgrant or brought
down by his rifle, it is always at cost of la
Dor Tor which tho body Of the animal affords no APP
prOpriate remuneration.
The door which were once abundant mt oil sen
sons of Che year within the territory, are now but
seldom nst with; and those that remain have been
so frequently subjected to the chase of the Indians
and the emiGrants, that they have become shy and
difficult to bebrought within the reach of a rife.
A Few elk also remain, but they difficult to
capture rs the decr.
Within the timsered lands raccoons and SQUIRRELS
OF the gray and fox kind, are somewhat numerous
rabbits are common in the copsewood and patches
OF hazel bushes and tn ESQ easily captured with
dog and gun. But being found only Within or near
INC tmbered lands they do not exist in such guam
titles to add much for the support Of tho Indians
or often to furnish food for the hunting appetite of
the emgrant
The common little striped ground squirrel, exists
IN considerable numbers upon the praircs and there
are in like numbers large Geld MOLE called a
gopher-which is n very industrious animal They
cut channels or chambers in the SOIL under the sod
all over the praires and here and there a few feet
a part. they pierce the sod and throw up the soil in
little heaps, which called gopher hills This
animal sometimes commits depredations upon the
growing potato, and garden vegetables; but it is
said. that when castor oil beans are planted, ana
grown in potato field or garden the gophers will
leave.
In a section Of the territory far west from the
Missouri river, it is said thore many burrows OF a
little haired quadruped, called the prairie dog,
though the habits of this animal are quite different
from those of tho other members of the pussy fa-
mily
Bears, if they have there existed are now unknown
in the territory; and the fox is seldom if ever seen
| or heard of in that region. Occasionally in the
t,mbered lands panther and wild cat is seen; and
the tool-hardy courage of these animals mako them
nj al tunes easy OF capture and destruction The
out the territory, and this is the only animal that
is likely to give trouble in the least to the settler
1t Is small species of the wolf family, OF a-gray
color, and corresponds in character and habits with
gregarious-and will prey upon young pigs, lambs
and sometimes upon sheep; but it is n silly animal
without the cunning of the fox the courage of
tho large gray wolf and may be taken and destroyed
with little difficulty. Wherever the settler comes
there they to exist
1t is not known to the writer that either tho
skunk, woodchuck, or hedgehog, exists within the
territory: Yet they may be found in parts,
with which those animals taken, has led to the
entire destruction of their races in that region by
The Indians.
In the easern part of the territory, wild turkeys
still remain in considerable numbers They there
| grow to an enormous size, and present the finest
specimens OF their But they have been so
much hunted by the Indians, and their eggs of late
having been uniformly DESTROYED by the ON grants
that their numbers have not increased so rs rem
| der them game worthy Of any considerable at
tention
The prairie hen, though much hunted by the
Indians and 0migrants, still exists there in con-
siderable numbers and it is not to be doubted that
the numbers of these and the wild turkey would be
greatly increased were the Indians removed and the
| whole territory subjected to settlement by the
whites. When the young of the prairie fowl are
from three to four months old, they afford agreeable
ard profitable sport, and furnish rich and palitabe
food. The flesh of the old is tough and taste
less cartridges, quails pigeons, and turtle doves
| also, in their season, abundant throughout the
eastern part of the territory
During the months of March and April, in each
year. the Missouri river, for the distance of about
one thousand miles from its mouth, is found to be
literally alive with wild geese, prosecuting their
annual migration to the north. A few of these re-
main and nest in the northern part Of the territory.
With the myriads of wild geese which annually fol-
low ur the course of the Missouri river, there
occasionally small flocks Of swans and pecans, and
considerable numbers of brant. In the au. umn the
wild geese and brant return with their young, and
spread through the corn and wheat fields along the
river in pursuit of food. when they are easily taken
and the young onos when properly dressed, are fine
for the table. Ducks, of several varieties, not
only abundant on the Missouri river, but they in
habit all the streams of the territory and breed
there. The ducks may be reckoned among the
most common and available game Of the territory.
crane now and then shows itself on the Mis-
souri, river, and turkey buzzarls may be seen in
considerable numbers throughout the territory.
There are also many hocks of sandh cranes-a
kind of nondcscript Bird seeming cross between a
kite and n goose Hawks, ravens, crows and black
birds are there in usual numbers. OF the backord
family, there is singular breed, the head, neck,
aud breast Of which of beautiful orange color,
and in each wing there are three white feathers.
Flocks Of paroquets are frequently seen along tho
shores of the Missouri river. high up as the
mouth of the Nebraska Within the timbered
lands of the territory. birds are very numerous and
of all the varieties and descriptions which are COM
mon to corresponding attitudes.
Fish are abundant in all the streams of the terri
tory. Those of the Missouri river are pike pickerel
bass, perch buffalo, and large description Of cat
fish. In the smaller streams suckers, suntish, perch
and small kind Of catfish are taken, all Of which
are excellent. In of the streams north and
south of the Nebraska river trout of good quality
are plentiful.
The annual burnngs Of the dried prairie grass
do not allow of the existence Of large number Of
reptiles aud insects Toads are almost as rare in
Nebraska as in Ireland and the big bull-frog is
there seldom heard or seen but along the brooks
and smaller streams of water species of little
green frog exists in great numbers.
Snakes are not numerous and those q he met