FOREST AND STREAMS 



341 



inseots which the sparrow aw8llowe.il In the breeding time. More 

 Bertoua is the damige done by spin rows to the cherries and crapes, 

 which iiiwcy»have to be protected against their greediness, especial y 

 in city gardens. Bnt, not only sparrows are lovers of cherries; many 

 other kinds of birds have the same taste; and we call them, in general, 

 cherry birds, though there are amougat them starlings, thrushes, etc. 

 and a variety of other klnda. 



Mter ail, I think yon had better leave the sparrow alone, else yon 

 knight repent it. However, this world belongs to men because we ap- 

 propriated it, and not to sparrows ; therefore, we would advise to enti- 

 jecUhla bird to tire game laws, aud permit Its ehootlng during a cer- 

 tain time, in order to pn vent Its numbers from increasing immoder- 

 ately. I assure you, a sparrow-sonp la a mo3t excellent dish, and, 

 even eaten roaaied, I think it quite as good as any reor>blrd. To con- 

 clude, I shall give you a prescription for such a sonp, and, at the same 

 time, one to get easily the material for it. 



When snow is covering the ground, lay on it a longboard, put on it 

 some oats or barley, and place youiseliinsnch a manner as to look 

 over tne whole length of the board. Load your fowling piece with the 

 finest shot yon can get— we caillt " Vcgeidnnst"— and you will kill 

 ten or twenty eparrows at one shot. After having properly feathered 

 and cleaned tho birds, have them roasted in butter rather sharply. 

 These roasted sparrows are crushed in a mortar to a pulp, and from 

 which soup is made. This soup Is strained through a line hair sieve 

 and served hot. 01 course a skillful cook will know how to improve it, 

 bnt I assure you it la good, and people here believe that Eome of the 

 most admired qualities of the sparrow are transferred to the eater of 

 anch an invigoratii.g dish. Corvin. 



HABITS' OF RATTLESNAKES. 



Cjukt Tnojoa, A. T., Oct. 11, 18T8. 



BWTOk FoBBST AND STllBAJl ! 



I will be glad If you will tell me how the rattlesnake of the eastern 

 slope wears Its rattles. My impression 1b it Is with the braid' side 

 down ; here It is with the edge or narrow Bide. A gentleman connected 

 with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe K. R. Survey recently asked 

 me if I had observed that rattlesnakes always coil to the left. I had 

 not ; but since then my observations and those of my friends whom 

 I have asked confirm It, and I believe it as constant as the law which 

 determines the direction climbing plants take: 1 do not know whether 

 it has been noticed before or not. Tne season fur observing the habits 

 of reptiles la about over, I am glad to say ; one gets a little too much of 

 it. on a march I made in Ju y and August I killed eight rattlesnakes 

 without leaving the road, and often heard tnem mile when it was too 

 dark to see them. The day before I got back to my post I killed two 

 large rattlesnakes— one with seveu rattles, the other with nine— at one 

 shot with a carbine, aomethirjg rather unusual. Arizona is rich In rep- 

 tiles and poisonous inserts, but the ugliest brute I have seen is the Gila 

 MonBter. It is a lizard, I think, and grows to be about two feet long ; Is 

 black, and curiously marked with pile yellow z gzag lines. It Irtli bite 

 anything It csn reach, and holds on lo a stick umil lifted from the 

 ground ; but is not at all poisonous. It lives on Insects, young rabbits, 

 or anything of the sort it can get, and is a voracious feeder. 1 forgot 

 to say I stuffed a rattlesnake a short time ago, which measure* 6ft. 

 Sin. in length, and Sin. in circumference at tho largest part ; number 

 cf rattles, seven. T lately killed one halt the size with fourteen. 



G. H. Moras, M. D. 



We believe that the rattlesnake of the East carries his 

 sounder broadside to the ground, though we hare never seen 

 one of these snakes east of the Missouri except when coiled 

 and ready for a fight. The coiling always to the left has not, 

 we think, been previously noticed. — Ed. 



THE GOOSE-FISH. 



Maldbn, Mass., Oct. 22, 1878. 

 ^. Editor Forest and Stream : 



Please flud mclosed a little sketch which I madeof a most remarkable 

 looking flah which was taken at Wells' Beach, Me., while on a shooting 

 trip last month. He measured 43in. in length ; width of head, 19in.; 

 weight, 52 lbs.; color, very dark brown, and belly white. The local 

 fisherman pronounced it a monk-lieh. Is that the correct name for It ? 

 What are its habits, etc.? Any information you can give me will be 

 thankfully received, A. H. Jonas. 



The fish is the Angler (Lophius Americanus), sometimes also 

 called goose-fish. It occasionally atlains a weight of seventy 

 pounds. It is extremely voracious, and devours great num- 

 bers of fish. Sea birds, too, are often captured by it, and we 

 call to mind one instance in which no less than seven large 

 dueks (Oid&nia) were taken from the stomach of one oi these 

 monsters. 



This reply has been unavoidedly delayed, for which accept 

 our upologies. — Ed. 



MR. DAVIDSON AND HIS ACCUSER. 



THE editor of a Western contemporary has brought a di- 

 rect charge of fraud against Mr. John Davidson, one of 

 the judges at the late Minnesota Field Trials. The charge is 

 that Mr. Davidson so altered tho judges' scores as to bring a 

 certain dog from the position which he fairly occupied to 

 another to which he was not entitled, while another dog was 

 thus placed below where he, or she, should have been. This 

 charge, strange to say, does not emanate from the owner or 

 ownera of any of the dogs entered and presumably wronged ; 

 nor does it originate with any officer or member of the Minne- 

 sota State Sportsman's Association, under the auspices of 

 which the trials were held. The accuser is that great upholder 

 and defender of public morals, the editor of our esteemed 

 Western contemporary. Notwithstanding the fact that ihe 

 columns of our esteemed contemporary have contained several 

 of those anonymous communications for which our contem- 

 porary is famous, and which have the impress of never hav- 

 ing been burdened with one of Unfile Sam's postage stamps, 

 and in all of which the tenor is loyally in conformity with the 

 original accusation, we believe that the sportsmen of ihe coun- 

 try who investigate dispassionately the evidence in the case, 

 and are awate of the animus which exists on the side of the 

 accuser, will be satisfied of Mr. Davidson's entire innocence. 

 For four or five years past no man .has been bo prominently 



before the public, or at least that portion of it interested in 

 dogs, as John Davidson, and no man ever earned a more 

 honorable record for sterling integrityand unswerving honesty. 

 Wby, it has passed into a proverb almost that he could be 

 neither coaxed nor bought, and that his dearest friend stood no 

 better chance of receiving an award from him than the merest 

 stranger. Now we are suddenly confronted with an accusa- 

 tion which, if it could bo sustained, would at once Bhatter 

 this fabric and cause men to ask, *' Whom can we trust ?" 

 But there are wheels within wheels, and those who ate enabled 

 to read between, tho lines can Bee plainly into the whys and 

 wherefores of these charges. There is a "ring" in this 

 country which seeks to control everything connected with 

 dog matters, field trials and bench shows, una which would 

 even dictate the stud flogs to be used by breeders. John Da- 

 vidson was a man whose independence placed him beyond the 

 reach of this ring. They could not use him for their pur- 

 poses, and his popularity and influences were such that 

 lie was a thorn in their sides. So the fiat went forth that 

 he was to be crushed, and hence this accusation. For our- 

 selves, our confidence in him is uoshaken, and we are greatly 

 mistaken if this confidence is not shared by a large majority 

 of sportsmen in this country. Our contemporary suggests 

 that his days of judging are over ; we do not believe so, and 

 confidently expect to see him appointed to judge the sporting 

 classes in the large bench shows that will be held in Boston, 

 Philadelphia and New York during the coming spring. Not 

 long since, wheD an English judge was proposed for the 

 New York Bhow, our esteemed western contemporary ener- 

 getically protested, and it published a letter from one of its 

 firmest adherents, in which he— the firm adherent— stated 

 that none of his dogs should ever be exhibited at any dog 

 show where John Davidson was not judge. We can see no 

 reason, as yet, why the writer of that letter should have rea- 

 son to change his mind. 



Our esteemed western contemporary seeks to revive the 

 almost defunct National American Kennel Club, and in ac- 

 cordance with the policy shadowed in the accusation against 

 Mr. Davidson, suggests to exhibitors of dogs that they should 

 decline to show them at any show not held under the juris- 

 diction of the N. A. K. C. This is dictation with a vengeance. 

 We believe that had the National American Kennel Club been 

 originally organized upon a proper basis, and could it have 

 secured a membership of several hundred, so that breeders 

 and exhibitors could feel as though they had some represent- 

 ation, it might possibly have been productive of some good, 

 and its committee appointed for the purpose might have acted 

 as a court of arbitration whose decisions might have met with 

 respect. But we have it from the lips of one of the founders 

 that it was intended to be a close corporation. We were in- 

 formed last spring— and the information came from the secre- 

 tary—that the N. A. K. C. was composed of nine members. 

 This was previous to the election of members at the meeting 

 in this city in May. Where are the many persons whose 

 names have been proposed and who have been elected mem- 

 bers? The inference is that, not having paid their dues 

 within the time mentioned in tho constitution and by-laws of 

 the club, their names were dropped from the list. This being 

 the case, we believe that the meeting at Syracuse, in June, 

 1877, for the purpose of electing officers, when, after much 

 tribulation, the necessary quorum of five members was ob- 

 tained, was not legally constituted, and that at least two of 

 those present were not members at nil. 



We apprehend that at the principal dog shows, which will 

 be held at Boston, Philadelphia and New York, under clubs 

 the membership of any one of which exceeds that of the N- A. 

 K. C, the rules in force will be those which seem most satis- 

 factory to such clubs, or shall have been prepared and adopt- 

 ed by a committee composed of delegates from the Massachu- 

 setts Kennel CJub, the Philadelphia Kennel Club and the 

 Westminster Kennel Club. 



DETROIT BENCH SHOW. 



Dktkoit, Mich., Nov, 16, 1878. 

 Editor Fobest and Stkkam i 



1 inclose you the prize list of this show. I have no doubt 

 we shall hold a very successful one. Detroit was the first to 

 hold a regular classified bench show in thiscounlry and it was 

 very successful. We have changed rule 7 to read that all the 

 progeny of imported setters shall go into the imported class , 

 also that no dog is to be entered in more than one class, ex- 

 cept that they can enter in the special classes. This we think 

 a very good beginning for the next, year. Our vice-presidents 

 and committee are composed of the best sportsmen, who will 

 do all in their power to make the show a success. 



All the railroad companies have been written to with the 

 view of getting the dogs transported free of charge, a full ac- 

 count of which I will forward you for next week's paper. 



The prize lists ate now reauyaml can ho bad by addressing 

 me at room 15, Uerril Hall. Entries close Dee. til 



Since writing you last week, we have received replies from 

 the railroad companies which we communicated with. The 

 followiug railroad companies will cam i ■■■-. free when ae- 

 Peim. Cemral, Erie, Wabash, 

 t Canada, Mich. Central & 



companied by their 

 Grand Trunk, Great Westerr 

 Canada Southern. Lake Sho. 

 25 cents for the first 100 mile; 



I tti 



10? d ■ additional 



ny fractional part ihe New York Central has 

 mortant instructions lo i ■ , ,, ., ;i ,-,i '.■- ■■ 



'- that th ■ rjj di ' ■:,. | char ;i 



ionipanii d iy tneii uwaers, bu tin; ba-aa 

 A more than pi. rite Great Western and the 

 Railroads will also is ue return ticket I 

 tare ana a tnrrd to all parties who wuu to visit the show. 

 Certificates nmst previously he ubtao a for presenta- 



tion to the ticket agent. 



The committee will publish a separate Special Prize List, 

 The followingjspecials have already ten promised s Mci*rs. 



100 r 



Gran 



M. S. Smith &Co., jewelers, etc., will give a very handsome 

 silver cup. value $60; Messrs. Parker Brothers donate one of 

 their fine guns, value $150, they will name the class of dogs 

 which it is to be given to at an early date ; the Dead Shot 

 Powder Co. and ihe Austin Powder Co. each donate a keg of 

 their best powder. 



The committee wish through your columns to invite all 

 dealers in sportsmen's goods to make an exhibition of their 

 goods, as a room will be assigned to them for that purpose. I 

 will send you some prize lists, which please give out to any 

 parties who wish them. 



Yours truly, Chas. Lincoln, Supt. 



The rules and regulations of the show are about the same 

 as those in use at previous shows. 



Division 1, — Spouting Doos. 



Class 1— Imported English SBtter Dogs,— For the beBt, silver 

 cup or fi20 00 ; second best, eilver cup or $10. 



Clans 2— Imported English Setter Hitches.— For the boBt, silver 

 cup or $20 00 j second best, silver cup or $10 00. 



Class 3 (From imported stock)— English Setter Puppy, Dog or 

 Bitch, under 12 monthB.— For the beat, silver cup or $1000. 



Ctasa 4— Native English Setter Doga. — For the best, silver oup 

 or $30 00 ; second best, silver cup or $ 10 00. 



Class 5— Native English Setter Bitches.— For the bast, silver 

 oup or $20 00 ; Becond best, silver cup or $10 00. 



Class 6— Native English Setter Puppy (Dog or Bitch), nndar 12 

 months.— For the beet, eilver cup or $10 00. 



Class 7— Imported Irish Setter Dogs.— For the best, silver cup 

 or $20 00 ; second best, silver enp or $10 00. 



Class 8— Imported Irish Better Bitches.— For the best, silya 

 oup or $20 00 ; aeoond boat, Bilver cup or $10 00. 



Class 9 (From Imported stock)— Irish Setter Pappy (Dog or 

 Bitch), under 12 months.— For tho best, silver oup or $10 00. 



Class 10— Native Irish Setter Dogs.— For the best, silver cup or 

 $20 00 j second best, silver oup or $10 00. 



Class 11— Native Irish Setter Bitehei.— For the boat, Bilver cup 

 or $20 00 ; sooond best, Bilver onp or $10 00. 



Class 12— Native Irish Setter Puppies (Dog or Bitch), under 12 

 months.— For the beat, silver cup or $10 00. 



Class 13— Gordon Setter Dogs.— For the best, silver cup or 

 $20 00 ; Becond beat, silver cup or $10 00. 



Class 14— Gordon Setter Bitches.— For the best, silver cup or 

 $20 00 ; second beBt, silver cup or $10 00. 



Class 15— Gordon Setter Puppies (Dog or Bitoh), under 12 

 months. — For the beat, silver cup or $10. 



Class 16— Pointer Dogs over 55 lbs. weight.— For the beat, silver 

 cup or $20 00 ; second best, silver cup or $10 00. 



Class 17— Pointer Bitches over 50 Iba. weight.— For the beat, sil- 

 ver cup or $20 00 ; second best, silver cup or $10 00. 



Class 18— Pointer Dogs under 55 lbs. weight For the best si'« 



ver cup or $30 ; aocoud beat, silver enp $10 00. 



Clasa 19— Pointer Bitchea under 50 lba. weight.— For the bast 

 silver cup or $20 } second best, silver cap or $10 00. 



Class 20— Pointer Puppies (Dog 

 For the best, ailver cup or $20 HO. 



r Bitch), under 12 months.— 



Clasa 21— Irish Water Spaniels.— For the beat, silver cup or 

 $10 00 ; second best, silTer cap or $5 00, 



Class 22— Retrieving Water Spaniels (other than Pure Irish) 



For tho best dog or bitch, ailver cup or $10 00 ; for the boat doe or 

 bitch, ailver cup or $5 00. 



Class 23— Cocker Spaniels.— For the best dog i 

 cup or $10 00 ; second beat, silver medal. 



bitch, silver 



Claaa 24 — Field Spaniels (other than Cookers). — For the best 

 dog or bitch, eilver cup or $10 00 ; aecond beat, silver medal. 



Clasa 25— Fox Hounds.— For the best couple (doga or bitches) 

 ailver oup or $15 00 ; second best, silver medal. 



Class 26— Beaglee.— For the beat dog or bitch, silver cud or 

 $10 00 ; second beat, silver medal. 



Class 27— Dasohunde.— For the best dog or bitch, silver oud or 

 $10 00 j second beBt, silver medal. 



Clasa 28— Fox Terriers.— For tho best dog or bitch, silver ohd or 

 $15 00 ; second best, silver cud or $5 00. 



Class 29— GreyhouDda.— For the beat dog or bitch, ailver oun or 

 $10 00 ; aecond best, silver medal. 



Clasa 30— Scotch Deerhounds.— Best dog or bitch, ailver cun or 

 $10 00 ; second beat, silver medal. 



Divisios 2.— Non-Spoktino Dogs. 



Claaa 31— Si. Bernards. —For the best dog or bitch, $10 00 • 

 second beat, silver medal. 



Claaa 32— Newfoundlands.— For the beat dog or bitch 810 no • 

 aecond beat, silvar medal. 



Class 33-Shepherd or Collie Doga (Rough or smooth ooated. _ 

 For the best dog or Ditch, ailver cup or $10 00 ; second best Bilver 



Class 34- Bull Terriers.— For the beat dog or bitoh, $10 00 • 

 second best, ailver medal. 



Class 35— Black and Tan Terriers. -For the beat doi? or bitch 

 $10 00; second beat, silver medal. 8 D ' 1011 ' 



Clasa 36— Skye Terriers.— For the best dog or bitch $10 00 ■ 

 aecond beat, ailver medal. 



Class 37— Yorkshire Terriers.— For the beat dog or bitch $10 00 

 aecond best, silver medal. 



Class 38— Scotch Terriei 

 second best, silver medal. 



Clasa 39-Toy Terriers. (Bough or smooth coated, under 5 lba. 

 weight).— For the best dog or bitch, $5 00 ; aecond beat, silver 

 medal. 



Claas 40-Pugs.-For tho best dog or titeh, $10 00 : second best 

 silver medal. 



Class 41— Miscellaneous.— For any breed of dogs that have not 

 been assigned a regular claas ailver medals will be awarded. 



Class 42— Triolc Doga.— For the boat performing trick doc the 

 Judges will award a silver medal. 



The Pittsburgh Dog Snow. -la answer to inquiries re- 

 garding this show we would say that it will be held about. 

 January 8 and last three days. 



b.— For the beBt dog or bitch, $10 00 j 



A Hint von Bueedehs.— Whether u bitch should be served 

 more than once is a question which is wry frequently asked 

 and has been answered in the negative by most noted breTtil 

 ers. as Lavcrac.t, Llewellyn, etc. 



iwi»lly r rmim- s "\r l ' i rn? Z^'r'*'^* "'^ * MC8?d ServicQ U 

 print. Furthest of prXrvirS'Sle "'n^'ai/'V' , SCCn ". 

 In me mi, i W rem forfuos^ 



' 'Uror lotly-cight,' hour.', udSSSSSry 

 oeuig .in ui.iki essarj drain on the dog's strength. 



"V reueived notions, the spcrma- 

 ole on "Breeding for Sex" in issue- 



oy these organs, and pass forward through th. speWiciwrda 



