Cryptozoology

Molunkus Monster

Bangor Daily Whig and Courier Bangor, Maine January 19, 1887 WHAT WAS IT? A Strange Animal Seen Near Molunkus Mr. A. J. Darling, the well known keeper of the Exchange Hotel at Enfield, writes the Whig as follows: A lumberman by the name of Fowler started from South Molunkus, December 19th.[,] to go into his camp, five miles away. After going part of the distance he was stopped by a strange animal in the road which disputed the right of way with him. Having no weapon with which to enforce his own rights Mr. Fowler returned to Molunkus and passed [...]

Hairy Monster Kills Whales 1923

Republican Press Salamang, New York April 10, 1923 Whales are Slain by Hairy Monster Strange Battle Witnessed on the Coast of Africa. Durban, South Africa. — H. C. Ballance of the Margate estate here was walking along the seacoast when he saw two whales battling for life against a strange sea monster whose head reared up 20 feet above the surface of the sea. Ballance watched while the monster killed both whales and, exhausted, floated ashore on its back. Ballance remembered an appointment and went home, but returned to the beach next morning and found the monster stranded and unconscious. [...]

Thunderbird Spotting

In response to my recent Cryptomundo posting about unusual birds showing up in North Dakota, cryptozoologist Matt Bille, author of Rumors of Existence …and his forthcoming Spring 2006 sequel, Shadows of Existence, comments (remarks reproduced with permission) thusly: When the topic of birds comes up, I always puzzle over the contrast between the amazing ability of birders to spot – and report – small accidentals and their apparent inability to spot Thunderbirds the size of Piper Cubs. With all respect to those who have done work in this field (Coleman, Hall, etc.) I remain convinced this is strong evidence no [...]

Precursor to a Weird Summer?

What’s up with the birds in North Dakota? In the last two weeks, birders have seen, and in some cases, photographed, eight different species of birds not seen in the states for years or decades or, as it turns out, ever. These include sightings of a mountain plover (not seen in North Dakota since the 1930s), a Eurasian wigeon, two great black-backed gulls, an anhinga, a mountain chickadee, a gray jay, a red-shouldered hawk and an eastern meadowlark. Eight accidentals in two weeks is remarkable. “Typically, maybe one or two a month over a year. To see eight in two [...]

See The Jersey Devil Here!

Come on in! See the Jersey Devil. Step right up. Get your tickets here. Look inside and see the actual Jersey Devil. Actually visible below, for real… In circus, sideshow, and carnival jargon, the gaff is the gimmicked item, the taxidermy fake, the rigged prop often used by the illusionists, the sideshow artists, the showmen to turn the tip, that is, get the audience, to enter the sideshow, tent, attraction, freakshow, exhibition. The Jersey Devil and the gaff go hand-in-hand. Take what happened…a hundred years ago. In 1906 huckster Norman Jefferies, publicity manager for C.A. Brandenburgh’s Arch Street Museum in [...]