Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-06-08
rCcntinued from first pa-e. |


tanned. Every effort to leave his scat is unavail
ing. even with The assistance Of q colored work
man. who apparently FASTENED 10 the spot, being
minus coat and hat, and 10 pulling him by hi.
arms with all his might. The unfortunate victim
with distorted features and despair in his counte-
nance, seems also stranlng every nerve but all TO
no purpose the relentless mucilsge still holds him
fast; while the boy with hands appraised and a
comcal expression on his face is spectator of the
scene.
Along the north and south sides of The building
State exhibits which were presenied TO the EN-
hibiticn company by the citizens OF Virginia,
West Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Arksn-
sas, Colorado, Nebraska, Oregon. Wisconsin, Mis-
souri, and Iowa.
Not far from the Colorado exhibit, is Mrs. Max.
wells Natural History collection, arranged even
more beautifully than when it daily attracted the
Centennial crowds in the kansas-Colorado Ex
position building. Her representation Of Rocky
Mountaia side, is now on a grander scale; Its
trees, cave, and ripping cascade coursng down
over ragged cliffs into little lake below, mar
gned with moss, ferns and grasses, with birds and
animals upon the branches Of the trees, and wild
beasts proving among the rocks, present vivid
resemblance to the native wi,ds Of a noun
famous region. Near the lake is tieacherous
ratilesnake, coied upon a burrow of the friendly
prairie dogs, and the burrowing owl ia singular
family, also beaver and the sumps CT trees, one
of which is about two feet in diameter, cut down
by beaver, aud plainly showing the marks Of his
teeth. Mrs. Maxwell Of Boulder, Colorado Is not
only natural artist, bot possesses great courage
and perseverance. She captured many of her an-
finals and birds, and performed the taxdermic
work of the whole collection, which comprises
nearly every variety of animals inhabiting the
Rocky Mountains, Colorado, varying in size from
the buffalo TO the weasel, and about 800 birds of
many species, from the bold and powerful eagle.
TO the tmd humming birds unhedged young with
body about the size of O cranberry bean, head the
bigness Of pea. In cabinet filled with birds,
perched on moss-covered leafess branches, two of
these wee hummipg birds are shown 10 their nest
upon the bough of pine tree just as it was found,
their mouths wide open for food; there are also
variety of curious nests with eggs. In the bot
tom Of the case is q large family of the mountain
grouse, the parent birds and brood of fifteen;
some of them have strayed short distance away,
and one of the little birds is perched upon its
mothers back. as natural as possible.
Among the most peculiar specimens of birds are
the following the water ousel, which with its nest
was found under watcrfall-its chosen retreat;
the mountain blue jay. with tuft and cross beak,
which 10 placed in front Of its nest containing
three young jays; wax wings, or Bohemian chat
terers, their wings tipped with little horney scarlet
points like sealing wax, the extremties of their
tails feather tips of yellow. tufts on their heads,
and their general plumage mouse color; the wes-
tern variety OF the notified OWL the plumage ofthe
young owls downlike in appearance; and the ptar-
migaD. having feet feathered to the toes its haunt
the Rocky Mountain heights, above the vegeta
ton, ii, 800 feet above the sea level,
and chameleon like il resembles in color its
surroundings, being mottle brown like the rocks
in summer and white as the snow in winter, rem
dering it almost invisible and difficult to obtain.
These are shown In their divers spring, summer
and winter plumage. Mrs. Maxwell has several
specimens OF birds 80 rare as to be known only TO
our most distinguished naturalists.
Besides the animals previously mentioned, may
be seen mountain lion in the act of capturing a
deer, q pair Of elks, mountain sheep and their
lamb. an antelope. prairie wolf, grizzly bear, Gin.
nlmon bear and BIZ OK bear, deer with their fswns.
pair of wildcats, jack rabbits, minks and foxes,
. wolverine, lynx. badger and porcupine, skunk
and rats, also blackfooted ferret, only other
like specimen known, which is in the Natural His
tory collection Of the Smithsonian Institute at
Washington. To perform the taxidermc work of
one of the larger animals is the steady laborious
task of two or three weeks. Last, but by no
means least, is the perfection to which this lady
has attained in the art Of taxidermy. Among the
animals displayed is a domestic dog of black and
tan color, so lifeke that her sister on entering
the where she had placed il after completion,
in rocking chair, supposed it 10 be living,
breathing canine and out of place, slapped il
on the head and commanded it to leave but as
may be inferred it was not obedent. NJ. l.. G..
ITO be concluded in MONDAYS JOURNAL.