The Springdale news., 1899-07-07
ANIMAL COMMUNITIES.
Causes Which Govern Their Movements
 An Elaborate Study.


 or hocking of animals presents q fas- cinatihg subject, and the causes which govern the various movements constitute an elaborate study. Re gently the writer while duck shooting m California tue swamp become so interested in the Hooking of birds that he forgot the dncks. Before the blind extended hundreds of acres of tule swamp which resounded with the notes of the blackbirds. As the sun rose, there was concerted movement imong the birds, and as near as could be judged from 300 to 1000 birds
 would rise, as though signal had been sounded, and sweep on, filling the air with their sounds, then as sud lcnly drop into the jules on the edge of the swamp. This appeared to be the rendezvous, as though some gen eral officer was appointing the birds to certain farms and ranches for the day, as from this spot other divisions, each composed of hundreds, rose as one bird, flying off in different direc- tions-a proceeding which was kept up for several hours until every ranch within five miles must have received it's flock of red-winged blackbirds.
 Many of the birds appear to form in focks at the time of migration The Pacific brown pelican Is prone tc fly in Aocks of from ten to fifty, while its cousin of the Gulf of Mexico Is to some extent a solitary bird.
 Among the fishes the swarming oI schooling Is practically noticeable The herrings, sardines and their allie: are always banded together. in all probability for mutual support, and the study of school Is an interest ing pastime The fishes seem gov erned hy some one impulse, and the greatest order is preserved the school hurrying up, down, or to the side as single fish. Yet this schooling is often their undoing. The writer has seen a small seal So intimidate | large school that they were concentrated into Q ball of living fish not ten feet across. The seal swan around them with great velocity, preventing their escape, occasionally dashing into them with wide-open mouth
 The California barracuda is aIway; found in schools, filing the water fol acres. The Gulf of Mexico species is a solitary fish. In the Pacific the vel lowtail schools often cover the water for acres, then breaking up into pairs or trios So with the horse maekerel thousands frequently being found schooling.
 Among the mammals the collection of vast numbers is best illustrated by the American bison. which was, and which now, owing 10 the most out. rageous vandalism every perpetrated In civilized land, is almost extinct. The bison fairly covered miles of country, presenting marvellous sight.
 The most extraordinary collection of animals to be seen in America are the fur seals which gather at the Pribyloy islands in spring, at the breeding season, later going to seq. and south in February and March, as far as the Santa Barbara islands, sey. eral having been observed at Santa Catalina during the present year, sea migration of many hundred mile: being taken each year.
 \ very similar movement is seen among the penguins of the South Pa. cifie islands. At times what Is sup posed tp be millions of birds are founa on the island; later they disappear completely, making an ocean trip to some unknown land or sea for un. known purposes and reasons.-Scien tific American.