FOREST AND STREAM 
m 
well broken pointer, named Tramp, but not broken to re¬ 
trieve, Mr. H. saying he considered it all wrong to use a 
setter or pointer for that purpose. We were then shooting 
over a pointer named “Hart,” a flrst-elass retriever, but no 
better dog otherwise than “Tramp,” and after shooting 
two days on the Bridgeport meadows, in Gloucester coun¬ 
ty, N. J., where we had excellent shooting, Mr. Hubbard 
gnve us his dog and one hundred dollars for Hart, on ac¬ 
count of his retrieving qualifications. “Ibex” suggests 
that, iimtead of using tliree setters or pointers to shoot 
over, it would be better to use two and a retriever: If 
any shooter wishes to take three dogs out at the same time 
to shoot over, we agree with “Ibex" that one of them 
should be a retriever, or any other kind of dog which 
would certainly follow at heel. But we cannot believe that 
any skillful sportsman would undertake to manage three 
dogs at the same lime; for, unless dogs' are exceedingly 
well broken, and are accustomed to work together, even a 
brace are no better than a single good one. But it mat¬ 
ters not how good they may be, one good dog would give 
more satisfaction in the field than three, even if one was 
only a retriever and followed at heel- 
THE COLOR OF IRISH SETTERS. 
March 10th, 1870. 
Editor Forest and Streak:— 
In yonr issue of the ith inet., I ROtice that the valiant “Warwick” has 
taken up the cudgel to batter to pieces the color of the Irish setter, and 
replies directly to my letter in your issue of February 24th. Yes, I did 
gay, and now repeat it. that I firmly believe the only color of the genu¬ 
ine Irish dog to be red in ita different shades, and with more or less 
white, and that it is only the red dogs that have made Ireland famous for 
its setters, and it is only the red dogs which to-day are recognized as the 
genuine Irish. 1 mentioned “Stonehenge” and “id-tone,” but did net 
quote very much, as I did not deem it necessary. But since your cor¬ 
respondent has shaken the dust from off the works of his old authorities, 
pardon me if i now do, what I neglected to, in my last, quote verbatim 
W literatim from mine. I see that “Warwick" has only quoted “Stono- 
henge” in part, I win do so in fnll even at the risk of being tedious. 
"Stonehenge” says, “The color of the Irish should be a rich blood¬ 
ied, wil.li muzzle of same shade, sometimes this is actually black, butmore 
crien a rich mahogany, the samo dark shade running down the back to 
the stern, which has the short hair as dark as the muzzle, but this deeper 
stain is objected to by most breeders. Many strains have more or less 
white about (heir limbs, but the mouth should always be black, and. un¬ 
less they are white and red the less while the better.” lie also says, 
' ‘ When dog shows were first, held, the judges made several blunders In 
ilie Irish setter prize list. Carlo, the second prize dog at Birmingham, 
-was fur a considerable time the type of excellence. Mr. Birtwhlstle’s 
Jim, however, (a remarkably clever looking setter), and Mr. Watt's 
Klinger (a very handsome dog indeed), were the specimens which first 
upset all their preconoeivod notions of ItlBh breeding. Carlo had the 
wide brow, the “ehnbby" face, the large languid eye, “black tipped 
plumage” of the old school." Again, we suggested, when describing 
tile Gordon Better, ihat the Mack-tan come from Ireland. That opiulon 
has been corroborated, but the blood-red, or rich cheBtnut, or mahog¬ 
any color, the deep rich red—not golden, not fallow, nor yellow, nor 
fawn. hut deep, pure blood red—is the color of au Irish setter of high 
mark. This color must be unmixed with black, and tested in a strong 
light, thebe must not be blaok shadows, or waves, much less black 
flitige to the cat, or to the profile of the frame. "There are good Irish 
setters (notice he says simply good) nearly white, red and white, black- 
tan, or intimately crossed with black-tan, and ill the last case showing 
the distinctive marks of the cross in the black tipping of the coat, 
which Irish judges'consider a very great fault in color.” lie mentions 
tile best breeds m Ireland as the La Tonche’s, the O'Connor’s, the late 
Lord lie Frnyne’s, the late Lord Waterford’s, and Capt. Hutchinson’s, 
the latter as good as any known. 
Now certainly such a writer as “Stonehenge,” whom even “Idstone” 
acknowledges as the first of authorities, ought to know what he is writ¬ 
ing about, and he distinctly and emphatically says lhatthe Irish setter or 
high mark, is not lemon color, neither is he a dun color, or a black-tan, 
ns “Warwick” quotes from some of his antiquated writers. Yourcorres- 
pondent quotes Thornhill,. 1804, assaying that “They aro not esteemed 
unless iheir color is a deep chestnut, and white or all red.” And adds, 
but he does say that they are uot pure if thoy are other than the above 
colors. It. is welt to notice what a writer says, and not what he does not 
say, If one wishes lo arrive at the truth. 
He quotes another writer as saying that, “They may be lemon color, 
or red patched with deep chestnut.” This latter color would make a 
funny looking dog indeed. Where would the red color end and the 
patches of deep chestnut begin? 
Now a person can find an authority, or rather a would-be authority for 
moat everything. Why, 1 can find au author, and a writer of some re¬ 
puce too, (1 would say authority for all writers are not authority), who 
says that the setter is made upfrom a cross of pointer, fox-honnd and 
Newfoundland. Now 1 don't imagine "Warwick” would believe that 
author, though he did write some time ago, neither will 1 take much 
stock in the authors he haB quoted as giving the Irish dog of any color. 
Your correspondent seems to cling rather fondly to earlier writers, per¬ 
chance he is nue of those who believe that everything was better in 
former limes than now—I don’t—I believe there has been improvement, 
as well with the Irish setter as the vace horse, and thetefore choose the 
dog and i he recognized tiuihorilies on the dog of to-day, rather than 
those in years sene by. It is handed down to us by old writers and 
old prints that Flying Childers ran a mile a minnte. 1 don't lielive 
Ihat either, and no one of to-day believes it, it he has read at all our re¬ 
cent works. 
No, “Warwick,” it is best (o pnt faith in authorities of our own day, 
those' who have looked more thoroughly into the teachings of the past 
thiin either you or I have, or can, and who, after careful study, set forth 
their convictions of the truth. As 1 mentionedj “Idstoae" in -y 
former letter, let us now see whut he says:—' 
“Ishall only 6tate facta taken from undoubted authorities. 1 have 
been at great pains to find out every thing which cau set the mutter at 
rest, and i shall not speculate as lo quality or form in what I now set 
down about the breed,” He then goes on to say, “1 have said that the 
Irish setter should be of a pure rich mahogany red, without any black 
fringe or mixture of another color. He Is most handsome without white. 
BnUcw breeders cau afford to destroy a dog of high family simply be¬ 
cause lie has a white foot, or some little mixture of that color.* * * 
Having said so much about his color, let- me add that some ’correspon¬ 
dents' assert that ted and white Irish setters have been, may be, and are 
to be had pure, and of the highest caste. I do not doubt it. ” 
Now from the foregoing it Is plain that "Stonehenge" and "Idstone” 
agree in regard to color of a pure Irish Setter, and Mr. Laverack, who 
has visited Ireland four times, as he tells ns, to investigateia regard to 
the Irish dog, gives in substance the same opinion. He also mentions 
as the purest breeds in Ireland, the same that “Stonehenge” gives. 
In 18(16, that well-known breeder of Irish setters, Capt. Hutchinson, 
in u letter to the London Field, says, “I slill affirm that the only true 
color of the red in the setter in question, should bo a very deep, rich, 
blood red, and free from any 1ni.v4.ure of black hair whatever All Ihoso 
doge that exhibit, the black lmlr cropping out at the tips ami round tire 
edges of the ears, and Ibrough the coal and muzzle, are decidedly of an 
impure strain, being no unmistakable cross with the black dog at some 
period or other." The same Is the opinion of Mr. La Touche, and of 
Mr. Blake Knox, whose breeds aro of the purest known. 
That famous writer in the London Field, "Sixty One,” also says, 
though the red Irish were not his favorites: “Having known Irish setters 
for the last fifty years, I can speak to the color of the most esteemed 
breeds. It was blood red, or blood red and white. The streaky black 
lines and tips arc good lor the "Marines,” or “the fancy;” that they are 
proors of high blood is only imagination." 
Notice, "Warwick," that he says “most esteemed breeds,’' though 
further on he mentions black and white, fand black, white-and-tan set¬ 
ters as having been bred in Ireland. To my statement, that because 
they are born in Ireland it does not make them Irish setters, your cor¬ 
respondent adds. "And because they are blood red, or red white, bora 
in and imported from Ireland, it doeB not follow that they are the pure 
article.” No, I would not warrant that they are the pure article, unless 
1 knew their lineage. But should a man send me a black, or black and 
white setter, for a pure specimen of the Irish breed, I would consider 
myself sold, and the man an imposter." Would “Warwick" buy a black, 
or black-tan, or lemon and while, or liver-colored setter from any dealer 
in America, or in fact abroad, and regard the purchase as pure Irish? 
I am confident he would not. 
Now in regard to that particular blood-red setter Imported from a ken¬ 
nel in Ireland, into which a black setter from Scotland was introduced. 
Does “Warwick” know that the red setter he mentioned traces back to 
the black dog? Can not a man keep Irish Betters and yet own a black 
dog, and even breed the black to some of his red ones, withont contami¬ 
nating his whole stock? But even had the hlack dog been bred to every 
red gyp in the kennel, it is npt according to my theory at all, friend 
"Warwick,” that the red pups of the litter would be the pure article and 
the black one’e not. Every red dog is not pure Irish any more than is 
every hlack and tan a Gordon, or lemon and white a Laverack. I do not 
say, and have never said, every red dog is a pure Irish setter, hut that 
every genuine Irish setter, and the only dog that is recognized as such by 
standard authorities, is or the red strain. Now it Is just that very idea 
which your correspondent would attach to me, that has raised the deuce 
with setter breeding, and which has given the name of Irish setter to 
many a dog unworthy of It, either in looks, action, or lineage. I am 
well aware that "Carrie," being half Irish and half Laverack, has been 
entered and taken prizes in the Irish class. But it was wrong and was 
written up as such at the time. There was scarcely any need to “men¬ 
tion others,” or even the ones named, for it does uot take very long,, 
knowing the lineage, to prove that u half bred animal is not a full bred 
one. However, the mention of “Carrie" was a well timed note, for in 
last issue of Forest and Stream she is classed as the pure article 
with “PUinket.” While she might as well be called Laverack as Irish, 
though she is red. Aud by the way, when our sportsmen see "Flun- 
kel" at Springfield, they will find his color not a light red by any means, 
as is generally believed. 
- Your correspondent advances the idea that a genuine Irish setter can 
not be bought, and quotes an Irish gentleman, (for proof i suppose) 
who states his family have had the pure thing for a hundred years, aud 
never sell one or permits one to go from his kennel. “1 can go one bet¬ 
ter,” for I know of a family said to have possessed the Irish seller for two 
hundred years, but dogs have gone forth from that kennel and I have 
some of the stock in mine, only removed two canine generations. The 
fact is, a dog can be bought of most any man or family at eome price, 
else how is it, we found in the grand old dog "Plunket," the blood of the 
best Irish strains in Ireland. Oh"! no, the time is not yet when one can’t 
buy an Irish setter, and of the best blood too, (though I don’t wonder 
that some think so, (judging from certain specimens purchased) but 
snchcan not be pnrehased for a song. 
I stated in my former letter that no recognized authority gives the 
genuine Irish as of any color; and I still adhere to that opinion. What 
I mean by recognized authorities are those that we of the present time 
look to for canine information, and if “Stonehenge," “Idstone,” and 
Laverack, are not such, where can we find them? Now this letter is 
already too long, hut a few more words and I’m done. 
There are, as before stated, no doubt, breeds of setters of other colors 
iu Ireland than red, or red and white, but so thoroughly haB the red 
setter become identified with Ireland as the Irish setter, that only such 
are regarded by the most noted breeders and authorities as the true Irish 
dug. °A aog will not change his nationality just so long as he is bred 
pure aud keeps up the chief characteristics which distinguish him as a 
particular breed. When wilia Chinaman become a thorough American? 
Having noticed that some other lover of field sports, in a contempo¬ 
rary of Forest and Stream has taken my namo of “Nimrod” to him¬ 
self, and since “Nimrod" or ancient times was a mighty hunter, which 1 
am not. I renounce the name altogether, and subscribe myself uow and 
henceforth. _ Mont Clare, 
and giver 
FISH IN SEASON IN MARCH, 
eOUTHBBK WATERS. 
Pompano, Trachunolu* carolmus. Grouper, Epinephelpus nigrltus, 
Drum (two specie*.) Family Scice- Trout (black baas,) Centropristis 
nidm. atrarius. 
KlngSsh, Menticbrus nebulosus. 8triped Bass or Rockfleb, Boccus 
Sea Bass, Sctmnops ocellatus. hneafns. 
Sheepshead, Archosargus probato- Tailor fish, 
Snapper, Lufjanus caxus. 
\ Under the head of “ Game and Fish in Season” we can only specify In 
7 entral terns the several varieties, because the laws of Stales vary so much 
Ihat were we to attempt to particularize we could do no less than publish 
\hose entire sections that relate to the hinds of game in question .. This 
'Mould require a great amount of our space . In designating game we are 
Tuided by the taws of nature, upon which all legislation is founded, and 
mr readers would do well to provide themselves with the laws of their re¬ 
spective Slates for constant reference. Otherwise, our attempts to assist 
(hem will only create confusion.] 
* For Forest and Stream. 
The timorous south wind blows, 
And apring'e first buds are swelling; 
Once more the honest angler knows 
The meadow brookB aro welling. 
Fleet-footed ripples gleam, 
Where tnf t grass frets the stream, 
Gnrgling, gilding, 
Shy trout hiding I 
Meet me by the6tream. T. W. A. 
March 15/ft* 1875. 
Our poet, it is apparent, gathered his sweet inspiration 
before the cold snap of last, week froze up the sources of his 
supply. Up to the 13th of March all conditions were certain¬ 
ly favorable to a genial opening of the irouting season, 
which is permitted by law on Long Island on the 15th. Birds 
twitted; the atmosphere was mild and sunny; the ground 
almost dry enough for the plough; trout disported in a 
limpid element clear of ice or snow water; “the south wind 
blew,” and the “buds were swelling.” The heart of the 
angler was glad with anticipation, and crowds of them pre¬ 
pared to visit their favorite resorts. On the 13Lh, however, 
the mercury dropped to nineteen degrees, and sealed up 
the beautiful ponds, and the puds, and the voices of the 
birds, and the hopes of the fishermen- If has been cold 
ever Bince, and bitterly so at times. March is a capricious , 
month at best, and those who would enjoy trout-fishing in 
its perfection will do well to wait until the days are longer 
and the sun is stronger. 
Fish in Market.— The supply of all kinds of fish con¬ 
tinues abundant. Brook trout are coming in in large quan¬ 
tities from all quarters, but are selling at from 25 to 30 
percent, less than last year. We quote: Striped bass 
from 15 to 20 cents per pound, according to size; smelts, 15 
cents; hluefish (frozen) 15 cents; salmon (frozen) 50 cents; 
mackerel, 25 cents each; North Carolina shad, 65cents 
each; white perch, 18 cents per pound; Spanish mackerel, 
50 cents; green turtle, 20 cents; terrapin, $12 per 100; 
frost fish (tom cods), 6 cents perpouDd; halibut, 18 cents; 
haddock, 18 cents; kingfish, 20 cents; codfish, 10 cents; 
blackfisli, 15 cents; flounders, 10 Cents; eels, 18 cents; lob¬ 
sters, 10 cents; Bheepshead, 80 cents; turbot, 25 ceuls; 
scollops, $1 per gallon; soft, clams, 30 to 60 cents per 100; 
whitefish, 18 cents; pickerel, 18 cents; suufish, 10 cents; 
yellow perch, 10 cents; salmon trout, 18 cents; brook trout, 
(Canada), 50 cents; Long Island, do., $1; black bass, 18 
cents; ciscoes, 10 cents; pompano, $1; hard shell crabs, 
$4 per 100. 
—Anglers will do well to scan this department of our 
paper thoroughly, for we are imparting iufnrmalion con¬ 
stantly which cannot be found In hooks. The ignorance 
that prevails, regarding even the rudiments of fly-fishing, 
is most surprising, not only among confessed novices, but 
amoDg those generally regarded as expert an triers. It is a 
fact that the majority of those who enter the fly-casting 
contests at our annual State Sportsmen's Conventions can¬ 
not even deliver a line properly under circumstances the 
most advantageous; while the number of practical nngiers 
for trout (and especially salmon) can almost be counted 
upon a man’s ten fingers. We appeal to the good judg¬ 
ment of our peers to verify this usserliou. As we remarked 
in our last issue, the entomology of flyfishing should he 
well understood by every angler; and yeL very few, indeed, 
have any idea of the proper cast of flies to he selocted for 
any given season or condition of weather. We propose, 
therefore, to give a list of seasonable flies for each month, 
just as we do of fish in season, with general descriptions 
of the same, so that every augler can tie his own Dies. 
Here follow ten varieties for April. The nine first are 
imitations of natural insects; No. 10 is a spring fly. The 
remaining six are general flies,, doing good service through¬ 
out the season. We shall hereafter publish something of . 
the natural history of these flies, aud their distribution 
among the different streams. 
The numbers specified apply to the Limerick hook— 
O'Shaunessy. It is important that, this be borne in mind, 
for different manufacturers number their hooks different¬ 
ly; that is, the numbers and sizes do not always corres¬ 
pond. This fact is uot generally known. 
ELIES FOR APRIL. 
Black Gnat, or Midge.—No. 13 — Body and feet black, Wings snb- 
hyaline. 
Dark Oi.arkt Gnat.—No. 13,—Body dark claret, feet biaok, wings 
subhyaline. 
Bright Claret Gnat.— No. 13.—Body bright claret mixed with red 
fox face, feet ginger, wings of one sex hyaline, tire other ociierous 
Gray Gnat — No. 13. Body dark fox mixed with dark claret, feet 
gray, wings hyaline. 
Dauk Fox,— Nos. 10 or 11 —Body nml feel, dark fox mixed With 
lemon-colored mobuir, wings subhyaline, tail three fibres of dark gruy 
hackle. 
Poor Man's Fly.—Nos. 9 and 10.—Body nod feet hare's ear and yai 
low mixed, wings slightly mottled gray, tail the mottle of the wood 
dock. 
Olive Gnat.— No. 13.—Body dark olive mixed with bright claret 
feet ginger, wings hyaline. 
Hed Fox.-Nob. 10and 11.-Bodyfoxonb face mixed with yellmv 
feet red, (chicken red), wings pale gray or snbhyaliuB, tail molded 
feather wood duck. 
Bright Fox.— Nos. 10and 11.—Body and feet brightest part of the 
fox mixed with yellow, wings brightest hyaline, tail pale yellow. 
Black Hackled Fly.—Nob. 9 and 8.—Body orange ribbed with gold 
tinsel, hackle black wings, tail of the American partridge. 
general flies. 
Ibis.— No. 8.—A hackled lly ribbed with Bilver tinsel; body hackle, 
wiogs and tail scarlet. 
Peacock Palmer.— No. S'—Body peacock hurls, hautle block and 
red mixed. 
Gray Palmer.—No, 8.—Body peacock lieri, dark, gray hackle 
Professor.— Noe. 8 and 9.— Body bright yellow, feet golden brown, 
wings wood duck aud mallard dyed yellow, mixed, tail scarlet 1 Mb. 
QUEEN OF THE Water. -Nos 8 and 9.—A hackled lly; body orange 
ribbed with gold tinsel, hackle chicken red, wings bright motile of the 
mallard, 
Grizzly King.-Nos. 8 and 9 —A hackled tly; body green, hackle 
dark gray, tail scralet Ibis, wings mottled feather of the vin-lail, 
Trout. —It is not often that one has the pleasure of 
breakfasting on trout from half a dozen States at the same 
meal. Yet such was the felicity we enjoyed a fow days 
since, through the courtesy of Mr. Eugene G. Blackford, 
of Fulton Market. There were trout raised by Mr. Ira 
Hoyt, of Halsey Valley, N. Y.; trout from the far-famed 
ponds of Ira Smith, of Oyster Bay, Lcng Island; and more 
from Mr. Levi Hodges, of Farmington, Conn.; trout 
from far-off Wisconsin, raised by Air, A. F. Bailsman, of 
North Prairie, and trout from Mr. John Gilchrist, of Mon¬ 
treal, Canada. New Brunswick also furnished a modicum 
from Messrs. R. & A. Adams, of New Castle, and Penn¬ 
sylvania was represented by fish from tire ponds of Mr. J. 
PearonMann, of Pittsburgh. It would be almost invidi¬ 
ous to discriminate as to the quality of the fish, but we 
must candidly admit that the wild brook trout found most 
favor. Among other pisciculturists and shippers of brook 
trout who are supplying our market, may he mentioned 
Messrs. W. H. Crowell, of Ludlow, Pa.; W. A. Buchanan, 
I New Haven, Conn.; F. II. Holmes, Norway, Me.; Martin 
Van Bttreu Kevins, Setauknt, L. 1., and Uobim-i.m A Os. 
terhuut Bios., Moscow, Pa. 
