THE SHORE BIRDS(Order,Limicolae)The orderLimicolae, which is composed of the shore birds proper, is abundantly represented. They are seen wading in the shallow waters, carefully watching for worms, insects and other species of food upon which they live, boring in the soft mud, scurrying in flocks from place to place, or running along the beach as the surf recedes, picking up the jetsam of the sea, then taking wing or running back like a playful child to the higher ground as the foaming crest of the next breaker rushes up the sandy shingle. Or, as is the case of the phalaropes and some others, they may be seen riding lightly upon the restless billows far out at sea. Modest in coloring and plain in plumage, the shore birds seem to belong to the plebeians of the avafauna, for they are constant workers, always busy, always plying their slender legs rapidly as they hurry from one spot to another, never idle, never resting for a moment.Of the shore birds there are six families and twenty genera represented on the Coast. Most of them are quite abundant from Washington to Mexico on their respective feeding grounds.[Pg 111]WILSON SNIPE, OR JACK-SNIPE(Gallinago delicata)DOWITCHER(Macrorhamphus scolopaceus)THE WILSON, OR JACK SNIPE(Gallinago delicata)Of all the shore birds the jack snipe, English snipe or Wilson snipe as it is variously called, is the most highly prized as a table delicacy and furnishes the best sport with the dog and gun. Usually lying well for the dog, erratic in its flight and quick on the wing, the Wilson snipe is one of the most difficult birds to bring to bag. It is not only erratic in its flight, but it is erratic in its nature as well. One day it will be found on a given feeding ground in abundance and on the next not one is to be seen, while possibly the day following they are there again in great numbers. To this uncertainty and the corkscrew flight, peculiar to italone, is due much of the charm that jack snipe shooting affords. While these birds are commonly called jack snipe or English snipe, their proper name is Wilson snipe, but like the rose, no matter what the name, they are just as gamy and just as delicious. The Wilson snipe migrates here to but little extent, and these migrations are altitudinal rather than latitudinal. They breed commonly in all the mountain valleys and even as low down as on the Sacramento marshes south of the city of the same name. I found a pair breeding a few years ago in the low hills of San Luis Obispo county not half a mile from the ocean beach.Color—Head, black, with a central stripe of brown; back, a mixture of dark brown, pale brown, yellow and dull white; greater wing-coverts, dark brown, tipped with white; throat, dull white, barred with brown; a dark stripe running from the base of the bill across the eye to the occiput; under parts of the wings, dull white, barred with black; tail feathers, dark brown, tipped with white, and with a sub-terminal bar of black. No web between the toes.Nest and Eggs—The nest is a very crude affair made on the ground and with but little lining of any kind. It contains from three to four grayish eggs, blotched with brown.Measurements—Total length, 11 inches; wing, 51/2; bill, 3 inches.THE DOWITCHER, OR RED-BREASTED SNIPE(Macrorhampus scolopaceus)Though not of the same genus, the closet relative to the Wilson snipe is the dowitcher or red-breasted snipe. By many who are not accustomed to the Wilson snipe and its many vagaries, the red-breasted snipe is often mistaken for the former. The red-breasted snipe may easily be distinguished by the small web between the outer and middle toes. This species of the dowitcher is a western bird, breeding well to the north and migrating south to Mexico.Color—Head and back, more of a gray than the Wilson snipe, with the feathers edged with a pale buff; light gray stripe running from the base of the bill over the eye to the occiput; chin, dull white; breast, gray, with a tinge of cinnamon red; tail, banded with dark brown; a small web between the outer and middle toes, extending about one-fourth down the outer toe.Eggs and Nest—Nest made on the ground and containing from three to four dull white eggs.Measurements—Total length, 101/2inches; wing, 53/4; bill, about 21/2inches, and with a considerable swelling at the end.[Pg 113]GREATER YELLOW-LEGS (Totanus melanoleucus)THE GREATER YELLOW-LEGS(Totanus melanoleucus)The greater yellow-legs migrates throughout the entire region, being common on the beaches of Washington, Oregon and California during the fall and early winter as it works its way to Lower California and Mexico. It somewhat resembles the godwit in coloring, but it is more of a grayish tinge. Its shorter bill—not over two and a half inches in length—will always distinguish it from the godwit. So, also, will its sharp whistling note. It is nearly as delicate a table bird as the Wilson snipe.Color—Top of head and neck, brown, with whitish streaks; back, brown, with the feathers edged with white; chin, white; breast, white, lined with narrow streaks of brown; bill, black, and legs, yellow.Nest and Eggs—The nests are built close to the water's edge, containing four light buff eggs, spotted with brown.Measurements—Total length, 14 inches; wing, 73/4; bill, 21/4, to 21/2inches.MARLIN OR GODWIT (Limosa fedoa)THE MARLIN, OR MARBLED GODWIT(Limosa fedoa)The marbled godwit, or marlin as it is also called, is one of the largest birds of theScolopacidæfamily. It ranges from Alaska to Central America. This species is seen in large numbers in the early fall along the sea beaches of California as they are working their way south. They spend the winter in great quantities in Lower California and Mexico. There should be no difficulty in distinguishing the godwit from any of the other shore birds, its long upward curved bill and brownish-barred back being features by which it may always be known.Color—Top of head and back of neck, brown, streaked with paler brown; feathers of the back, brown, with ochreous edges; throat and forehead, pale buff, with faint markings of brown; bill slightly turned upward.Nest and Eggs—Nest a crude affair on the ground, containing four eggs of an ash color, mottled with a dead brown.Measurements—Total length, 19 inches; wing, 83/4; bill, about 4 inches.THE RED-BACKED SANDPIPER(Tringa alpina pacifica)The red-backed sandpiper, or American dunlin, is one of the larger members of the genus and quite plentiful on the Coast marshes, but it is seldom seen in the interior valleys except during its migrations. In its winter plumage, in which our sportsmen see it, it is of a dull light gray color. A diagnostic feature of this species is the slightly downward curved bill.Color—Head and upper parts, light gray, with a white stripe over the eye; shafts of the feathers are dark brown, producing a streaky appearance. In its summer plumage the head and back are reddish brown, wings brownish and abdomen black.Nest and Eggs—Nests on the ground without lining. Eggs, bluish white, with brown spots.Measurements—Total length, about 81/2inches; wing, 43/4; bill, 15/8.THE WILLET(Symphemia Semipalmata inornata)The willet, or stone curlew as it is sometimes called, is a resident species, breeding from Washington to Mexico. It is a western bird, ranging eastward to the Mississippi valley, where it is but a straggler. In size it is nearly as large as the marlin. Its black wings, with broad, white patches, and feet webbed for about half the length of the toes, are distinguishing features, easily recognized. It is generally found on the salt marshes.Color—The general color of the plumage is ashy white or light gray, usually with some light buff markings on the breast. When flying it shows a broad, white patch on the wings, caused by the upper part of the primaries and part of the secondaries being white. Its smoky black axillars will always distinguish it.Nest and Eggs—The nest is any place on the ground where it can deposit three or four pale buff eggs, spotted with dark brown.Measurements—Total length, 151/2inches; wing, 81/2; bill, 21/2to 23/4inches.Order, LIMICOLAEFamily SCOLOPACIDAE.GenusSpeciesCommon NamesRange and Breeding GroundsGallinagodelicataleft braceWilson snipeJack snipeleft braceThroughout the marshes of the coast.Breeds in the mountain valleys.Macrorhamphusscolopaceusleft braceDowitcherRed-breasted snipeleft braceAlong the fresh waters of the interior valleys.Breeds in British Columbia and Alaska.Tringapacificaleft braceRed-backed sandpiperleft braceFrom the Central Mexican coast north.Breeds from Washington north.Limosafedoaleft braceMarble godwitMarlinleft braceEarly and late migrant along the coastfrom Mexico north. Breeds in the far north.TotanusmelanoleucusYellow-legsleft braceEarly and late migrant along the coast,passing the winter in Southern Californiaand Mexico. Breeds in the mountainvalleys.Symphemialeft bracesemipalmatainornataleft braceWestern Willetleft braceFrom Mexico north. Breeds throughoutits range.Numeniusleft bracelongirostrisleft braceJack curlewleft braceEarly and late migrant. Winters inSouthern California and Mexico. Breedsthroughout its range.hudsonicusleft braceLong-billed curlewHudsonian curlewleft braceSame habits as the long-billed andusually found with it. But breeds farthernorth.[Pg 117]HUDSONIAN CURLEW(Numenius hudsonicus)LONG-BILLED CURLEW(Numenius longirostris)THE LONG-BILLED CURLEW(Numenius longirostris)The long-billed curlew, or sickle bill as it is often called, is a plentiful resident in all suitable localities. The young birds mature early and find their way to the marshes during August, when the season for their killing should begin. At this time and even during the month of September they are quite palatable, but later they become strong in flavor. In these months they feed largely upon the seeds and insects to be found on the plains, but later they confine themselves principally to the marshes. They breed near the mountain lakes and streams and even to considerable extent on the lower grounds. A glance at the accompanying illustration will be sufficient to enable the uninitiated to always know a curlew.Color—Head, back of neck and back, dark brown, mottled with buff; throat and under parts, pale buff, the feathers on the breast being streaked with brown; axillars, reddish brown.Nest and Eggs—The nest is usually made on the ground in tall grass and back some distance from the marsh. The eggs are about four and of an olive gray, spotted with brown.Measurements—Total length, without the bill, which varies very much, about 20 inches; wing, 9 to 11; bill, from four to eight inches, and bent downwards, with nearly as much curve as a sickle; in most specimens the bill will be about six inches in length.THE HUDSONIAN CURLEW(Numenius hudsonicus)The Hudsonian curlew, or jack curlew, by which name it is also known, is also a common visitor to our hunting grounds. It is often seen mixed with flocks of the preceding species, which leads many to suppose that they are the younger birds of that species. Unlike the long-billed, the Hudsonian curlew is not a resident species, or, at least, not to so great an extent, although it makes its appearance on our marshes quite early in the season, even as far south as central California. In markings the two species are almost identical, with the exception that the Hudsonian is somewhat paler in shade. Any doubt arising as to which species a specimen may belong can easily be settled by an examination of the axillar plumes. If a long-bill, these feathers will be a solid reddish-brown, but if a Hudsonian, theywill be of a pale buff color barred with a dull-brown, the buff and brown being nearly of the same width. Both species become less common north of southern California during the late winter months.Color—Same as the long-billed curlew, except that it is a little paler on the under parts, and the mottling shows more distinctly on the back. The axillars are pale buff, distinctly barred with light brown.Nest and Eggs—The same as the long-billed curlew.Measurements—Total length, including bill, which varies but little in this species, about 17 inches; wing, 9, and bill about 31/2inches.[Pg 120]BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Charadrius squatarola)BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER(Charadrius squatarola)The largest of the familyCharadridæis the black-bellied plover. In its plumage, both summer and winter, it closely resembles the golden plover, as the black on the sides of the head, front of neck, breast and abdomen disappear from both species in their winter plumage. But, notwithstanding this, they can easily be distinguished by the small rudimentary hind toe of the black-bellied species, the other having but three toes. A few specimens of the golden plover have been taken on the Coast, but it is of rare occurrence. The black-bellied plover is reasonably common along the coast line, but it is not seen to any great extent in the interior valleys.Color—Upper plumage, dull brown, mottled with gray, the top of the head being somewhat darker; under parts, nearly white and the sides and breast streaked with brown. In the summer the throat and belly are black.Nest and Eggs—The nest is usually made on the uplands, where four eggs are deposited of a pale olive, spotted with brown.Measurements—Total length, 11 inches; wing, 71/2, and bill, 11/4inches.[Pg 122]SNOWY PLOVER(AEgialitis nivosa)MOUNTAIN PLOVER(AEgialitis montana)RING-NECK PLOVER(AEgialitis semipalmata)THE MOUNTAIN PLOVER(AEgialitis montana)The mountain plover is very plentiful on the plains of southern California during the winter months. This little bird as a table delicacy is not surpassed by any of the long list of shore birds. In fact it is preferred by many to the far-famed jack snipe. It is an uplandbird, feeding largely on insects, and rarely found near the marshes whether salt or fresh-water. In its winter plumage, as seen here, its underparts are white with the breast and upper parts of a brownish gray.Color—Throat, breast and under parts, white; the rest of the plumage, light buffish gray; sometimes the breast will show a slight tinge of buff; axillars, white; bill, black. Three toes without web.Nest and Eggs—The nests are placed on the uplands and contain three grayish eggs, spotted with brown.Measurements—Total length, 83/4inches; wing, 6, and bill,9/10of an inch.THE SNOWY PLOVER(AEgialitis nivosa)The snowy plover is quite common from northern California to Mexico. It is a small bird and, while it is hunted but little, its flesh is quite delicate. In its winter plumage it is much lighter in color than any of the others named.Color—Top of head, back of neck and back, buffish gray; forehead and under parts, white; a patch of dull brown just above the white of the forehead, and another of the same color on each side of the throat. Three toes without web.Nest and Eggs—The nests are found throughout its range; they are nothing more than a depression in the sand and contain four grayish buff eggs, spotted with black.Measurements—Total length, about 63/4inches; wing, 41/4, and bill5/8of an inch.THE RING-NECKED PLOVER(AEgialitis semipalmata)The ring-neck plover is a fairly common visitor during the winter months. It is usually seen on the coast or on other sandy shores. It may be known by its partially webbed feet.Color—Forehead, chin and neck, white, with a faint streak of dull brown from the bill under the eye to the back of the neck; a band of dull, brownish gray on the breast; back and wings, ashy gray; under parts, white; bill, black with a spot of orange at the base. Three toes which are webbed for about half their length.Nest and Eggs—Nests are made in the sand and contain from three to four dirty white eggs, spotted with brown.Measurements—Total length, 63/4inches; wing, 43/4, and bill,3/2inch.WILSON'S PLOVER(AEgialitis wilsonia)While the Wilson plover is found to some extent on the southern Atlantic Coast, it may properly be said to be a Pacific species. Here it is seen on the beaches in large numbers, just beyond the reach of the surf, picking the insects and minute shellfish as they are washed on the sand, or flying in flocks just above the breakers.Color—Forehead and stripe over the eye, white; black stripe in front of crown; top of head and stripe from the eye to the bill, black; black band just below the throat; back, gray; under parts, white; bill black, and legs and feet, light pink.Nest and Eggs—The nest is a mere depression in the ground, with three to four eggs of a pale olive, spotted with dark brown.Measurements—Total length, 7 to 8 inches; wing, 4 to 5; bill, about3/4of an inch.Three toes with a small[Note: Unfinished sentence above inoriginal printed version.]There are a number of other plovers on the hunting grounds of the Pacific Coast, but they are either too small or the flesh too poor to interest the sportsman. Of these the killdeer plover is the most common and the best known. A description of these would be of no interest to the sportsman and therefore add nothing to the purposes of this work.[Pg 124]AMERICAN AVOCET (Recurvirostra americana)THE AVOCET(Recurvirostra americana)The familyRecurvirostridæhas but two representatives on the Coast. The American avocet breeds from Washington southward and spends its winters from central California south. They are quite plentiful in southern California during the winter months, increasing in numbers in Lower California and Mexico. Its webbed feet and long upward turned bill are features by which it may always be known. It is generally found in flocks and frequents both fresh and salt-waters.Color—Head and neck, ashy gray; back and under parts, white; the primaries and upper half of the secondaries, black, making the wing about half black;[Pg 127]bill, very slender and curved upward; legs, very long and of a lead color; feet, webbed.Nest and Eggs—The nest contains three to four eggs of a pale olive, spotted with brown.Measurements—Total length, about 19 inches; wing, 8, and bill, 31/2inches.THE BLACK-NECKED STILT(Himantopus mexicanus)The black-necked stilt is the other representative of the family. The stilt breeds as far north as eastern Oregon, but is little seen north of southern California in the winter. From there south it is plentiful. It may be easily known by the back of its head and neck, its back being black and the rest of the plumage nearly pure white. Its legs are a dark pink.Color—Wings, back, back of neck and top of head, black; balance of the plumage, white; legs, dark pink and very long. Toes, three and partly webbed.Nest and Eggs—The nest is rarely anything but bare ground on which is deposited three to four eggs of a pale brown, spotted with dark brown.Measurements—Total length, about 151/2inches; wing, 9, and bill 23/4inches.Order, LIMICOLAEFamily CHARADRIDAE - PloversGenusSpeciesCommon NamesRange and Breeding GroundsCharadriusleft bracesquatarolaBlack-bellied ploverleft braceFrom Mexico north. Breeds from Oregon north to Alaska.dominicusGolden ploverOnly an occasional migrant.Aegialitisleft bracesemipalmataRing-necked ploverleft braceFrom Alaska south to Lower California. Breeds in its northern range.nivosaSnowy ploverleft braceFrom Central California south to Lower California and Mexico. Breeds throughout its range.montanaMountain ploverleft braceInterior plains of California and Arizona. Breeds in the mountain valleys.wilsoniaWilson's ploverleft braceFrom Oregon south to Mexico. Breeds throughout its range.Family RECURVIROSTRIDAE - Avocets and StiltsGenusSpeciesCommon NamesRange and Breeding GroundsRecurvirostraamericanaAvocetleft braceFrom Mexico north to California. Breeds from Eastern Oregon south.HimantopusmexicanusBlack-necked stiltleft braceFrom Mexico to Southern California. Breeds near the mountain lakes.Fish AnatomyTHE GAME FISHES OF THE PACIFIC COASTLike in that portion of this work devoted to the game birds, this also is written in popular language, avoiding, as far as possible, all technical words and phrases, with the intention of furnishing a plain description of the game fishes of the Coast which anyone, unlearned in the science of ichthyology, may understand, and by which be able to identify any of the fishes he may capture.With fishes, like with birds, there are certain parts that must be referred to in order to show wherein one species differs from another. Wherever these parts have a common English name, that name has been used. But as there are a few parts that can only be referred to by their scientific names, a diagram has been added showing the location of all parts referred to in the text.In scope it treats only of such varieties as rise to the fly or are caught by trolling with rod and reel, whether from the stream, lake, bay or ocean, and furnish sport to the angler who fishes for the exhilarating pleasure their capture affords.The Pacific Coast is rich in game fishes, not only in the varieties found in its lakes and streams, but as well in its bays and estuaries, while the broad ocean furnishes varieties whose size and fighting qualities are not surpassed, even if equaled, in any other part of the world. To place in the hands of the young angler, and others who may not have given the subject the necessary attention, a convenient handbook by the aid of which even the novice may readily recognize the species of fish he has landed, is the object of these pages.All of the salmon, the trout, the chars, the white-fish and the lake herring have been classed by the naturalist in one family and given the name,Salmonidæ; but it is only with three genera of the subfamily,Salmoninæthat we are concerned. These are the Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus), the true trout (Salmo) and the Eastern trout and the dolly varden trout (Salvelinus). The Atlantic salmon belong to the genus Salmo, the same as the true trout, and have but one species (Salmo salar), which partake more of the habits of the trout than do their Pacific cousins.THE PACIFIC SALMON(Oncorhynchus)Notwithstanding the fact that the salmon is one of the most valuable of all the food fishes, but little is known of its habits after it leaves the stream in which it is hatched until it returns to spawn, supposed to be from three to four years afterward. Whether they remain near the mouths of the streams, or whether they migrate to distant feeding grounds are questions that have never been solved. All of the five species are caught with seins in Puget Sound in greater or less numbers all the year round. From the action of those that spawn in the Sacramento river it would seem that they migrate southward and far out to sea, for on their return to spawn they enter Monterey Bay only on its southern side, and following around it at no great distance from the shore, leave it at the northern headlands and skirt the shore northward until they reach the entrance to San Francisco Bay on their way up the Sacramento river. Where the young fish make their habitat from the time they drift down the stream in which they were spawned until they return again to spawn has never been determined. They spawn but once and die soon afterward. As I know that this last statement will be disputed by some, for reasons best known to themselves, I will quote from that excellent work by Evermann and Jordan, "American Food and Game Fishes." "We have carefully," say these gentlemen, "examined the spawning habits of both forms of the red fish and chinook salmon in the head waters of Salmon river, Idaho, during two entire seasons, from the time the fish arrived in July until the end of September, by which time all the fish had disappeared. A number of important questions were settled by these investigations. In the first place it was found that all of the fish arrived upon the spawning grounds in perfect physical condition, so far as external appearances indicated; no sores, bruises or other mutilations showing on any of more than 4000 fish examined. During the spawning, however, the majority became more or less injured by rubbing against the gravel of the spawning-beds, or by fighting with one another. Soon after done spawning every one of them died, not only both forms of the red fish but the chinook salmon as well. The dying is not due to the injuries the fish received on the spawning-grounds; many were seen dying or dead which showed no external or other injuries whatever. The dying of the West Coast salmon is in no manner determined by distance from the sea. Observationsmade by us and others elsewhere show that the individuals of all species of theOncorhynchusdie after one spawning, whether the spawning-beds are remote from the sea or only a short distance from salt-water."The angler's concern, however, is not so much with the procreative habits of the salmon as it is with their behavior while feeding and after being hooked.Salmon are rarely caught by still fishing, but they will take the spoon or a sardine or other small fish impaled upon the hook. They take the bait generally with some hesitation, though at times they strike it with all the impetuosity of the trout. Then the singing reel calls for careful and immediate action on the part of the angler, for the ten to forty pound fish on his light tackle is going to put up a fight worthy of his skill. In his mad rush for liberty the gamy fish gradually rises to the surface, and when at last checked by the skill of the angler, he will often leap out of the water to a height of from four to eight feet, his beautiful sides scintillating in the rays of the sun, forming a picture to gladden the heart of the angler, for if he be a true sportsman he will fish with such tackle only as will give his adversary a fair chance in the fight and require the fullest exercise of his own knowledge and skill to bring his fish to gaff. The salmon is a strong fighter but his rushes do not last long for a fish of its size. For this reason much of the sport of salmon fishing is lost through the use of too heavy tackle. The writer landed one without difficulty weighing 331/2pounds on a nine thread, Cuttyhunk line and a 51/2foot steel rod weighing less than six ounces, and I believe that a fifty pound fish can be landed with the same tackle. Trolling with hand lines for salmon is practiced by some, but such is not angling. Hauling in an impaled fish hand over hand with a small cable is neither sport nor sportsmanlike.[Pg 130]CHINOOK SALMON (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha)THE CHINOOK, OR KING SALMON(Oncorhynchus tschawytscha)This species has a multiplicity of names, being known in different localities as chinook, quinnat, king, Sacramento river and Columbia river salmon, besides half a dozen or more Indian names. Its distribution is the widest of any of the Pacific salmon, ranging on both sides of the ocean from the latitude of Monterey Bay to Behring Straits. The run begins on the Columbia river as early as the latter part of February, many of the fish going up its tributaries 1000 miles or more to spawn. Farther south the run becomes gradually later.The spawning season also varies with the locality, and ranges from the latter part of July to the middle of November. The date of spawning seems to be determined by the temperature of the water, for it is said that the salmon will not spawn, even if on the spawning grounds, until the water has fallen to a temperature of 54 degrees Fahrenheit.The chinook salmon is the largest of the family, specimens having been taken in Alaska waters that have weighed 100 pounds, while 50 to 60 pound fish are common. Those taken in the Columbia river are said to average 22 pounds, while the average of the Sacramento river catch is 16.Head, rather pointed; eye, small and situated a little in front of the back of the mouth; body, rounded and full, the deepest part being about midway of its length; pectoral fins, short and situated low and just behind the gills; dorsal fin, nearly midway of the back; ventral fins, a little behind the center of the dorsal; anal fin about half way between the ventral and the tail; adipose fin, a little in front of the rear of the ventrals; caudal fin, or tail, slightly forked.The back, dorsal fin and tail are generally well covered with dark brownish black spots. There are few spots as a rule on the head, and those are of a slaty color.There is always some variation in color, but usually the back is quite dark, turning to bluish on the sides and light silver below. As the spawning season approaches, the jaws of the males become lengthened and badly distorted and the color changes to more of a pinkish hue and blotched in appearance. The gills are never alike on both sides, varying from 15 to 19 in number. (See plategiving names of all parts mentioned.)BLUEBACK, OR SOCK-EYE SALMON, REDFISH(Oncorhynchus nerka)This species is next in commercial value to the chinook. It has been taken occasionally in the Sacramento river but it is not common south of the Columbia river. The run of this species begins about the first of April and the fish go as far as Salmon river, Idaho, fully 1000 miles from the sea to spawn. By a peculiar instinct this species only run up such rivers as have lakes at their heads, and spawn in the lakes or at the mouths of little streams emptying into them, in manyof the lakes of Oregon and Washington are found the young of the blue-back salmon which are commonly called redfish. These fish never leave these lakes and therefore never attain a size of more than five to seven pounds.Head, short and pointed and light olive in color; under jaw, white; body, long, slim and rather flattened; back, blue; sides, silver; belly, dull white; dorsal fin, dark; others flesh color; tail, rather narrow and well forked; gills, 13 to 15. As the spawning season approaches the whole fish takes on a decided reddish cast, which sometimes becomes as dark as a brick-red. The jaw becomes very much hooked, and a few spots appear.THE SILVER SALMON(Oncorhynchus kisutch)In line of importance the silver salmon occupies the next place. It is also known by a number of names, among which are koho, skowitz and kisutch. It is a small fish, rarely exceeding 16 inches in length and never reaching more than ten pounds in weight. Its range is from Alaska south to Monterey Bay, where it has recently been planted and seems to flourish. It spawns in the smaller coast streams, never going far from the salt water. Its run begins about the first of September, spawning in October and November.Head, short with blunt snout; opercles or gill covers, very convex; body, shaped very much like the chinook; back, bluish green; sides, silver white. It has but few spots and these are confined pretty much to the head, upper fins and tail. Gills, 13 or 14.
THE SHORE BIRDS
(Order,Limicolae)
The orderLimicolae, which is composed of the shore birds proper, is abundantly represented. They are seen wading in the shallow waters, carefully watching for worms, insects and other species of food upon which they live, boring in the soft mud, scurrying in flocks from place to place, or running along the beach as the surf recedes, picking up the jetsam of the sea, then taking wing or running back like a playful child to the higher ground as the foaming crest of the next breaker rushes up the sandy shingle. Or, as is the case of the phalaropes and some others, they may be seen riding lightly upon the restless billows far out at sea. Modest in coloring and plain in plumage, the shore birds seem to belong to the plebeians of the avafauna, for they are constant workers, always busy, always plying their slender legs rapidly as they hurry from one spot to another, never idle, never resting for a moment.
Of the shore birds there are six families and twenty genera represented on the Coast. Most of them are quite abundant from Washington to Mexico on their respective feeding grounds.
[Pg 111]
WILSON SNIPE, OR JACK-SNIPE(Gallinago delicata)DOWITCHER(Macrorhamphus scolopaceus)
THE WILSON, OR JACK SNIPE
(Gallinago delicata)
Of all the shore birds the jack snipe, English snipe or Wilson snipe as it is variously called, is the most highly prized as a table delicacy and furnishes the best sport with the dog and gun. Usually lying well for the dog, erratic in its flight and quick on the wing, the Wilson snipe is one of the most difficult birds to bring to bag. It is not only erratic in its flight, but it is erratic in its nature as well. One day it will be found on a given feeding ground in abundance and on the next not one is to be seen, while possibly the day following they are there again in great numbers. To this uncertainty and the corkscrew flight, peculiar to italone, is due much of the charm that jack snipe shooting affords. While these birds are commonly called jack snipe or English snipe, their proper name is Wilson snipe, but like the rose, no matter what the name, they are just as gamy and just as delicious. The Wilson snipe migrates here to but little extent, and these migrations are altitudinal rather than latitudinal. They breed commonly in all the mountain valleys and even as low down as on the Sacramento marshes south of the city of the same name. I found a pair breeding a few years ago in the low hills of San Luis Obispo county not half a mile from the ocean beach.
Color—Head, black, with a central stripe of brown; back, a mixture of dark brown, pale brown, yellow and dull white; greater wing-coverts, dark brown, tipped with white; throat, dull white, barred with brown; a dark stripe running from the base of the bill across the eye to the occiput; under parts of the wings, dull white, barred with black; tail feathers, dark brown, tipped with white, and with a sub-terminal bar of black. No web between the toes.
Nest and Eggs—The nest is a very crude affair made on the ground and with but little lining of any kind. It contains from three to four grayish eggs, blotched with brown.
Measurements—Total length, 11 inches; wing, 51/2; bill, 3 inches.
THE DOWITCHER, OR RED-BREASTED SNIPE
(Macrorhampus scolopaceus)
Though not of the same genus, the closet relative to the Wilson snipe is the dowitcher or red-breasted snipe. By many who are not accustomed to the Wilson snipe and its many vagaries, the red-breasted snipe is often mistaken for the former. The red-breasted snipe may easily be distinguished by the small web between the outer and middle toes. This species of the dowitcher is a western bird, breeding well to the north and migrating south to Mexico.
Color—Head and back, more of a gray than the Wilson snipe, with the feathers edged with a pale buff; light gray stripe running from the base of the bill over the eye to the occiput; chin, dull white; breast, gray, with a tinge of cinnamon red; tail, banded with dark brown; a small web between the outer and middle toes, extending about one-fourth down the outer toe.
Eggs and Nest—Nest made on the ground and containing from three to four dull white eggs.
Measurements—Total length, 101/2inches; wing, 53/4; bill, about 21/2inches, and with a considerable swelling at the end.
[Pg 113]
GREATER YELLOW-LEGS (Totanus melanoleucus)
THE GREATER YELLOW-LEGS
(Totanus melanoleucus)
The greater yellow-legs migrates throughout the entire region, being common on the beaches of Washington, Oregon and California during the fall and early winter as it works its way to Lower California and Mexico. It somewhat resembles the godwit in coloring, but it is more of a grayish tinge. Its shorter bill—not over two and a half inches in length—will always distinguish it from the godwit. So, also, will its sharp whistling note. It is nearly as delicate a table bird as the Wilson snipe.
Color—Top of head and neck, brown, with whitish streaks; back, brown, with the feathers edged with white; chin, white; breast, white, lined with narrow streaks of brown; bill, black, and legs, yellow.
Nest and Eggs—The nests are built close to the water's edge, containing four light buff eggs, spotted with brown.
Measurements—Total length, 14 inches; wing, 73/4; bill, 21/4, to 21/2inches.
MARLIN OR GODWIT (Limosa fedoa)
THE MARLIN, OR MARBLED GODWIT
(Limosa fedoa)
The marbled godwit, or marlin as it is also called, is one of the largest birds of theScolopacidæfamily. It ranges from Alaska to Central America. This species is seen in large numbers in the early fall along the sea beaches of California as they are working their way south. They spend the winter in great quantities in Lower California and Mexico. There should be no difficulty in distinguishing the godwit from any of the other shore birds, its long upward curved bill and brownish-barred back being features by which it may always be known.
Color—Top of head and back of neck, brown, streaked with paler brown; feathers of the back, brown, with ochreous edges; throat and forehead, pale buff, with faint markings of brown; bill slightly turned upward.
Nest and Eggs—Nest a crude affair on the ground, containing four eggs of an ash color, mottled with a dead brown.
Measurements—Total length, 19 inches; wing, 83/4; bill, about 4 inches.
THE RED-BACKED SANDPIPER
(Tringa alpina pacifica)
The red-backed sandpiper, or American dunlin, is one of the larger members of the genus and quite plentiful on the Coast marshes, but it is seldom seen in the interior valleys except during its migrations. In its winter plumage, in which our sportsmen see it, it is of a dull light gray color. A diagnostic feature of this species is the slightly downward curved bill.
Color—Head and upper parts, light gray, with a white stripe over the eye; shafts of the feathers are dark brown, producing a streaky appearance. In its summer plumage the head and back are reddish brown, wings brownish and abdomen black.
Nest and Eggs—Nests on the ground without lining. Eggs, bluish white, with brown spots.
Measurements—Total length, about 81/2inches; wing, 43/4; bill, 15/8.
THE WILLET
(Symphemia Semipalmata inornata)
The willet, or stone curlew as it is sometimes called, is a resident species, breeding from Washington to Mexico. It is a western bird, ranging eastward to the Mississippi valley, where it is but a straggler. In size it is nearly as large as the marlin. Its black wings, with broad, white patches, and feet webbed for about half the length of the toes, are distinguishing features, easily recognized. It is generally found on the salt marshes.
Color—The general color of the plumage is ashy white or light gray, usually with some light buff markings on the breast. When flying it shows a broad, white patch on the wings, caused by the upper part of the primaries and part of the secondaries being white. Its smoky black axillars will always distinguish it.
Nest and Eggs—The nest is any place on the ground where it can deposit three or four pale buff eggs, spotted with dark brown.
Measurements—Total length, 151/2inches; wing, 81/2; bill, 21/2to 23/4inches.
Order, LIMICOLAE
Family SCOLOPACIDAE.
[Pg 117]
HUDSONIAN CURLEW(Numenius hudsonicus)LONG-BILLED CURLEW(Numenius longirostris)
THE LONG-BILLED CURLEW
(Numenius longirostris)
The long-billed curlew, or sickle bill as it is often called, is a plentiful resident in all suitable localities. The young birds mature early and find their way to the marshes during August, when the season for their killing should begin. At this time and even during the month of September they are quite palatable, but later they become strong in flavor. In these months they feed largely upon the seeds and insects to be found on the plains, but later they confine themselves principally to the marshes. They breed near the mountain lakes and streams and even to considerable extent on the lower grounds. A glance at the accompanying illustration will be sufficient to enable the uninitiated to always know a curlew.
Color—Head, back of neck and back, dark brown, mottled with buff; throat and under parts, pale buff, the feathers on the breast being streaked with brown; axillars, reddish brown.
Nest and Eggs—The nest is usually made on the ground in tall grass and back some distance from the marsh. The eggs are about four and of an olive gray, spotted with brown.
Measurements—Total length, without the bill, which varies very much, about 20 inches; wing, 9 to 11; bill, from four to eight inches, and bent downwards, with nearly as much curve as a sickle; in most specimens the bill will be about six inches in length.
THE HUDSONIAN CURLEW
(Numenius hudsonicus)
The Hudsonian curlew, or jack curlew, by which name it is also known, is also a common visitor to our hunting grounds. It is often seen mixed with flocks of the preceding species, which leads many to suppose that they are the younger birds of that species. Unlike the long-billed, the Hudsonian curlew is not a resident species, or, at least, not to so great an extent, although it makes its appearance on our marshes quite early in the season, even as far south as central California. In markings the two species are almost identical, with the exception that the Hudsonian is somewhat paler in shade. Any doubt arising as to which species a specimen may belong can easily be settled by an examination of the axillar plumes. If a long-bill, these feathers will be a solid reddish-brown, but if a Hudsonian, theywill be of a pale buff color barred with a dull-brown, the buff and brown being nearly of the same width. Both species become less common north of southern California during the late winter months.
Color—Same as the long-billed curlew, except that it is a little paler on the under parts, and the mottling shows more distinctly on the back. The axillars are pale buff, distinctly barred with light brown.
Nest and Eggs—The same as the long-billed curlew.
Measurements—Total length, including bill, which varies but little in this species, about 17 inches; wing, 9, and bill about 31/2inches.
[Pg 120]
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Charadrius squatarola)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER
(Charadrius squatarola)
The largest of the familyCharadridæis the black-bellied plover. In its plumage, both summer and winter, it closely resembles the golden plover, as the black on the sides of the head, front of neck, breast and abdomen disappear from both species in their winter plumage. But, notwithstanding this, they can easily be distinguished by the small rudimentary hind toe of the black-bellied species, the other having but three toes. A few specimens of the golden plover have been taken on the Coast, but it is of rare occurrence. The black-bellied plover is reasonably common along the coast line, but it is not seen to any great extent in the interior valleys.
Color—Upper plumage, dull brown, mottled with gray, the top of the head being somewhat darker; under parts, nearly white and the sides and breast streaked with brown. In the summer the throat and belly are black.
Nest and Eggs—The nest is usually made on the uplands, where four eggs are deposited of a pale olive, spotted with brown.
Measurements—Total length, 11 inches; wing, 71/2, and bill, 11/4inches.
[Pg 122]
SNOWY PLOVER(AEgialitis nivosa)MOUNTAIN PLOVER(AEgialitis montana)RING-NECK PLOVER(AEgialitis semipalmata)
THE MOUNTAIN PLOVER
(AEgialitis montana)
The mountain plover is very plentiful on the plains of southern California during the winter months. This little bird as a table delicacy is not surpassed by any of the long list of shore birds. In fact it is preferred by many to the far-famed jack snipe. It is an uplandbird, feeding largely on insects, and rarely found near the marshes whether salt or fresh-water. In its winter plumage, as seen here, its underparts are white with the breast and upper parts of a brownish gray.
Color—Throat, breast and under parts, white; the rest of the plumage, light buffish gray; sometimes the breast will show a slight tinge of buff; axillars, white; bill, black. Three toes without web.
Nest and Eggs—The nests are placed on the uplands and contain three grayish eggs, spotted with brown.
Measurements—Total length, 83/4inches; wing, 6, and bill,9/10of an inch.
THE SNOWY PLOVER
(AEgialitis nivosa)
The snowy plover is quite common from northern California to Mexico. It is a small bird and, while it is hunted but little, its flesh is quite delicate. In its winter plumage it is much lighter in color than any of the others named.
Color—Top of head, back of neck and back, buffish gray; forehead and under parts, white; a patch of dull brown just above the white of the forehead, and another of the same color on each side of the throat. Three toes without web.
Nest and Eggs—The nests are found throughout its range; they are nothing more than a depression in the sand and contain four grayish buff eggs, spotted with black.
Measurements—Total length, about 63/4inches; wing, 41/4, and bill5/8of an inch.
THE RING-NECKED PLOVER
(AEgialitis semipalmata)
The ring-neck plover is a fairly common visitor during the winter months. It is usually seen on the coast or on other sandy shores. It may be known by its partially webbed feet.
Color—Forehead, chin and neck, white, with a faint streak of dull brown from the bill under the eye to the back of the neck; a band of dull, brownish gray on the breast; back and wings, ashy gray; under parts, white; bill, black with a spot of orange at the base. Three toes which are webbed for about half their length.
Nest and Eggs—Nests are made in the sand and contain from three to four dirty white eggs, spotted with brown.
Measurements—Total length, 63/4inches; wing, 43/4, and bill,3/2inch.
WILSON'S PLOVER
(AEgialitis wilsonia)
While the Wilson plover is found to some extent on the southern Atlantic Coast, it may properly be said to be a Pacific species. Here it is seen on the beaches in large numbers, just beyond the reach of the surf, picking the insects and minute shellfish as they are washed on the sand, or flying in flocks just above the breakers.
Color—Forehead and stripe over the eye, white; black stripe in front of crown; top of head and stripe from the eye to the bill, black; black band just below the throat; back, gray; under parts, white; bill black, and legs and feet, light pink.
Nest and Eggs—The nest is a mere depression in the ground, with three to four eggs of a pale olive, spotted with dark brown.
Measurements—Total length, 7 to 8 inches; wing, 4 to 5; bill, about3/4of an inch.Three toes with a small
[Note: Unfinished sentence above inoriginal printed version.]
There are a number of other plovers on the hunting grounds of the Pacific Coast, but they are either too small or the flesh too poor to interest the sportsman. Of these the killdeer plover is the most common and the best known. A description of these would be of no interest to the sportsman and therefore add nothing to the purposes of this work.
[Pg 124]
AMERICAN AVOCET (Recurvirostra americana)
THE AVOCET
(Recurvirostra americana)
The familyRecurvirostridæhas but two representatives on the Coast. The American avocet breeds from Washington southward and spends its winters from central California south. They are quite plentiful in southern California during the winter months, increasing in numbers in Lower California and Mexico. Its webbed feet and long upward turned bill are features by which it may always be known. It is generally found in flocks and frequents both fresh and salt-waters.
Color—Head and neck, ashy gray; back and under parts, white; the primaries and upper half of the secondaries, black, making the wing about half black;[Pg 127]bill, very slender and curved upward; legs, very long and of a lead color; feet, webbed.
Nest and Eggs—The nest contains three to four eggs of a pale olive, spotted with brown.
Measurements—Total length, about 19 inches; wing, 8, and bill, 31/2inches.
THE BLACK-NECKED STILT
(Himantopus mexicanus)
The black-necked stilt is the other representative of the family. The stilt breeds as far north as eastern Oregon, but is little seen north of southern California in the winter. From there south it is plentiful. It may be easily known by the back of its head and neck, its back being black and the rest of the plumage nearly pure white. Its legs are a dark pink.
Color—Wings, back, back of neck and top of head, black; balance of the plumage, white; legs, dark pink and very long. Toes, three and partly webbed.
Nest and Eggs—The nest is rarely anything but bare ground on which is deposited three to four eggs of a pale brown, spotted with dark brown.
Measurements—Total length, about 151/2inches; wing, 9, and bill 23/4inches.
Order, LIMICOLAE
Family CHARADRIDAE - Plovers
Family RECURVIROSTRIDAE - Avocets and Stilts
Fish Anatomy
THE GAME FISHES OF THE PACIFIC COAST
Like in that portion of this work devoted to the game birds, this also is written in popular language, avoiding, as far as possible, all technical words and phrases, with the intention of furnishing a plain description of the game fishes of the Coast which anyone, unlearned in the science of ichthyology, may understand, and by which be able to identify any of the fishes he may capture.
With fishes, like with birds, there are certain parts that must be referred to in order to show wherein one species differs from another. Wherever these parts have a common English name, that name has been used. But as there are a few parts that can only be referred to by their scientific names, a diagram has been added showing the location of all parts referred to in the text.
In scope it treats only of such varieties as rise to the fly or are caught by trolling with rod and reel, whether from the stream, lake, bay or ocean, and furnish sport to the angler who fishes for the exhilarating pleasure their capture affords.
The Pacific Coast is rich in game fishes, not only in the varieties found in its lakes and streams, but as well in its bays and estuaries, while the broad ocean furnishes varieties whose size and fighting qualities are not surpassed, even if equaled, in any other part of the world. To place in the hands of the young angler, and others who may not have given the subject the necessary attention, a convenient handbook by the aid of which even the novice may readily recognize the species of fish he has landed, is the object of these pages.
All of the salmon, the trout, the chars, the white-fish and the lake herring have been classed by the naturalist in one family and given the name,Salmonidæ; but it is only with three genera of the subfamily,Salmoninæthat we are concerned. These are the Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus), the true trout (Salmo) and the Eastern trout and the dolly varden trout (Salvelinus). The Atlantic salmon belong to the genus Salmo, the same as the true trout, and have but one species (Salmo salar), which partake more of the habits of the trout than do their Pacific cousins.
THE PACIFIC SALMON
(Oncorhynchus)
Notwithstanding the fact that the salmon is one of the most valuable of all the food fishes, but little is known of its habits after it leaves the stream in which it is hatched until it returns to spawn, supposed to be from three to four years afterward. Whether they remain near the mouths of the streams, or whether they migrate to distant feeding grounds are questions that have never been solved. All of the five species are caught with seins in Puget Sound in greater or less numbers all the year round. From the action of those that spawn in the Sacramento river it would seem that they migrate southward and far out to sea, for on their return to spawn they enter Monterey Bay only on its southern side, and following around it at no great distance from the shore, leave it at the northern headlands and skirt the shore northward until they reach the entrance to San Francisco Bay on their way up the Sacramento river. Where the young fish make their habitat from the time they drift down the stream in which they were spawned until they return again to spawn has never been determined. They spawn but once and die soon afterward. As I know that this last statement will be disputed by some, for reasons best known to themselves, I will quote from that excellent work by Evermann and Jordan, "American Food and Game Fishes." "We have carefully," say these gentlemen, "examined the spawning habits of both forms of the red fish and chinook salmon in the head waters of Salmon river, Idaho, during two entire seasons, from the time the fish arrived in July until the end of September, by which time all the fish had disappeared. A number of important questions were settled by these investigations. In the first place it was found that all of the fish arrived upon the spawning grounds in perfect physical condition, so far as external appearances indicated; no sores, bruises or other mutilations showing on any of more than 4000 fish examined. During the spawning, however, the majority became more or less injured by rubbing against the gravel of the spawning-beds, or by fighting with one another. Soon after done spawning every one of them died, not only both forms of the red fish but the chinook salmon as well. The dying is not due to the injuries the fish received on the spawning-grounds; many were seen dying or dead which showed no external or other injuries whatever. The dying of the West Coast salmon is in no manner determined by distance from the sea. Observationsmade by us and others elsewhere show that the individuals of all species of theOncorhynchusdie after one spawning, whether the spawning-beds are remote from the sea or only a short distance from salt-water."
The angler's concern, however, is not so much with the procreative habits of the salmon as it is with their behavior while feeding and after being hooked.
Salmon are rarely caught by still fishing, but they will take the spoon or a sardine or other small fish impaled upon the hook. They take the bait generally with some hesitation, though at times they strike it with all the impetuosity of the trout. Then the singing reel calls for careful and immediate action on the part of the angler, for the ten to forty pound fish on his light tackle is going to put up a fight worthy of his skill. In his mad rush for liberty the gamy fish gradually rises to the surface, and when at last checked by the skill of the angler, he will often leap out of the water to a height of from four to eight feet, his beautiful sides scintillating in the rays of the sun, forming a picture to gladden the heart of the angler, for if he be a true sportsman he will fish with such tackle only as will give his adversary a fair chance in the fight and require the fullest exercise of his own knowledge and skill to bring his fish to gaff. The salmon is a strong fighter but his rushes do not last long for a fish of its size. For this reason much of the sport of salmon fishing is lost through the use of too heavy tackle. The writer landed one without difficulty weighing 331/2pounds on a nine thread, Cuttyhunk line and a 51/2foot steel rod weighing less than six ounces, and I believe that a fifty pound fish can be landed with the same tackle. Trolling with hand lines for salmon is practiced by some, but such is not angling. Hauling in an impaled fish hand over hand with a small cable is neither sport nor sportsmanlike.
[Pg 130]
CHINOOK SALMON (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha)
THE CHINOOK, OR KING SALMON
(Oncorhynchus tschawytscha)
This species has a multiplicity of names, being known in different localities as chinook, quinnat, king, Sacramento river and Columbia river salmon, besides half a dozen or more Indian names. Its distribution is the widest of any of the Pacific salmon, ranging on both sides of the ocean from the latitude of Monterey Bay to Behring Straits. The run begins on the Columbia river as early as the latter part of February, many of the fish going up its tributaries 1000 miles or more to spawn. Farther south the run becomes gradually later.The spawning season also varies with the locality, and ranges from the latter part of July to the middle of November. The date of spawning seems to be determined by the temperature of the water, for it is said that the salmon will not spawn, even if on the spawning grounds, until the water has fallen to a temperature of 54 degrees Fahrenheit.
The chinook salmon is the largest of the family, specimens having been taken in Alaska waters that have weighed 100 pounds, while 50 to 60 pound fish are common. Those taken in the Columbia river are said to average 22 pounds, while the average of the Sacramento river catch is 16.
Head, rather pointed; eye, small and situated a little in front of the back of the mouth; body, rounded and full, the deepest part being about midway of its length; pectoral fins, short and situated low and just behind the gills; dorsal fin, nearly midway of the back; ventral fins, a little behind the center of the dorsal; anal fin about half way between the ventral and the tail; adipose fin, a little in front of the rear of the ventrals; caudal fin, or tail, slightly forked.
The back, dorsal fin and tail are generally well covered with dark brownish black spots. There are few spots as a rule on the head, and those are of a slaty color.
There is always some variation in color, but usually the back is quite dark, turning to bluish on the sides and light silver below. As the spawning season approaches, the jaws of the males become lengthened and badly distorted and the color changes to more of a pinkish hue and blotched in appearance. The gills are never alike on both sides, varying from 15 to 19 in number. (See plategiving names of all parts mentioned.)
BLUEBACK, OR SOCK-EYE SALMON, REDFISH
(Oncorhynchus nerka)
This species is next in commercial value to the chinook. It has been taken occasionally in the Sacramento river but it is not common south of the Columbia river. The run of this species begins about the first of April and the fish go as far as Salmon river, Idaho, fully 1000 miles from the sea to spawn. By a peculiar instinct this species only run up such rivers as have lakes at their heads, and spawn in the lakes or at the mouths of little streams emptying into them, in manyof the lakes of Oregon and Washington are found the young of the blue-back salmon which are commonly called redfish. These fish never leave these lakes and therefore never attain a size of more than five to seven pounds.
Head, short and pointed and light olive in color; under jaw, white; body, long, slim and rather flattened; back, blue; sides, silver; belly, dull white; dorsal fin, dark; others flesh color; tail, rather narrow and well forked; gills, 13 to 15. As the spawning season approaches the whole fish takes on a decided reddish cast, which sometimes becomes as dark as a brick-red. The jaw becomes very much hooked, and a few spots appear.
THE SILVER SALMON
(Oncorhynchus kisutch)
In line of importance the silver salmon occupies the next place. It is also known by a number of names, among which are koho, skowitz and kisutch. It is a small fish, rarely exceeding 16 inches in length and never reaching more than ten pounds in weight. Its range is from Alaska south to Monterey Bay, where it has recently been planted and seems to flourish. It spawns in the smaller coast streams, never going far from the salt water. Its run begins about the first of September, spawning in October and November.
Head, short with blunt snout; opercles or gill covers, very convex; body, shaped very much like the chinook; back, bluish green; sides, silver white. It has but few spots and these are confined pretty much to the head, upper fins and tail. Gills, 13 or 14.