FOREST AND STREAM 
355 
nearly one-third the weight of the whole fish. Carefully 
counting a fraction of this under the microscope, Mr. 
Jackson found the enormous total of 6,336,000 eggs for a 
conger of 15£- pounds weight. 
—An English gentleman named Mann, and his wife, ap¬ 
pear to have had remarkable success in taming a, female boa 
constrictor, which has just died. It came to bo a family 
pet, and was allowed the freedom of the house. It exhib¬ 
ited great attachment towards its owners not only, but also 
camo to know its friends among visitors. It never exhib¬ 
ited any fear of children, who delighted in petting it. It 
was accustomed to “ask” for food, water, aud to be taken 
to walk. It ale nothing hut pigeons, consuming about one 
a week, and always killed them by breaking their necks 
before crushing them in its coils. If a pigeon were given 
it when it was not hungry, it would make friends with it, 
and afterwards ask for a new pigeon to eat. It made great 
friends with a kitten. The snake could entirely control 
the pressure of its coils, constantly twining about its own¬ 
ers’ bodies and necks, but never hurting them. They 
often carried it about in traveling when it remain conceal¬ 
ed under the coat, as though understanding the necessity 
of keeping quiet. When it was left behind it recognized 
and welcomed its friends’ return with the greatest, joy, 
answering Lo its name, “Cleo," The boa died dilriDg a 
protracted illDess of Mr. Mann, apparently from grief that 
he could take no notice of her. 
—Up to the present time naturalists have recognized but 
very few fishes which incnbalo Ibeir eggs in the mouth or 
in the gills. Agassiz, during his voyage up the Amazon 
River, discovered ono species. Latterly the inacropode, a 
Chiuese fish of very singular characteristics, has been re¬ 
marked to have the same peculiarity. Both belong to the 
great group of labarynthvbranchia which have complicated, 
folded gills. There lias recently been discovered in Lake 
Tiberias, Palestine, in the neighborhood of hot springs, a 
fish about seven inches long, called the O/iromis paterfamil¬ 
ias which lias gills disposed in simple layers, and iB wholly 
destitute of auy special apparatus for retaining either eggs 
or I ry, aud yet the male carries upwards of 300 young fish 
in its gills and mouth. When the female has deposited 
her eggs in a sandy cavity or among the weeds, he ap¬ 
proaches and by an inspiration draws them into his mouth 
and forces them between the leaves of the gills. The gen¬ 
eral pressure on the eggs, afforded by the gill layers, 
serves to keep them in place, and there they undergo their 
changes. The y oung grow rapidly, and soon struggle to 
escape from their narrow prison. Eventually they find an 
exit through an opening into the mouth Of the parent, and 
there they crowd together as thickly as the seeds of a 
pomegranile, distending the jaws of the old fish until the 
mouth is unable to close. Sometimes I he young, although 
in a perfect state, remain in the gills, all, however, with 
their heads directed toward the mouth of their progenitor. 
—Prof. Geo. ~W- Harper and Mr. A. G. Wethcrby have 
compiled a list of the land and fresh water mollusks of 
the immediate vicinity of Cincinnati, in which they enu¬ 
merate 102 species of univalves, and au equal number (curi¬ 
ously) of bivalves. The specific value of several of the 
names is, however, questioned. The same gentlemen have 
in course of preparation a far more extensive catalogue de¬ 
signed to embrace all the species found in the Ohio valley, 
which will be published with notes of the stations, geo¬ 
graphical distribution, and classification. They solicit 
correspondence. 
Notes from ouk Correspondents. —A. K. Pislier 
(Sing Sing, N. Y..) has observed scarlet tanagers, olive- 
backed thrushes, yellow-breasted chats, and several other 
species of birds, feeding greedily upon the maggots in the 
body of a-dead horse.... Wm. L. Page informs us that a 
whil e crane was captured in the heart of Lynchburg, Va., 
on the morning of June 21st. Half of liis lower mandible 
was entirely gone, having been broken off by flying 
against some object... .Dr. T. D. Ingersoll (Erin, Pa.,) in¬ 
forms us that he has just found a toeless young robin. It 
has the rudiments of four toes on each foot but no nails. 
In every other respect the bird appears to be in a normal 
couditiou. It seems to uji probable that this is the result, 
of injury, rather than deformity. Au examination ought 
lo decide this. 
STRANGE NESTING PLACES. 
DakveespokT, Mass., June Stith, 1876. 
Editor Forest and Stream 
Tbe enclosed items may not tie without interest to those who take an 
lnlerestin. birds and their peculiarities. A pair of robins took np their 
abode in an old nest of the uolden-wingcd woodpecker ( Colaptes uuratus) 
from which I obtained the woodpecker’s eggs last season, by making 
two inrisiona with a saw and (lieu splitting out the intervening piece; 
through the opening thus formed the robins gained access to the cavity, 
and there constructed their nest. When found, May 20lh, 187S, it con 
tabled four eggs. In a kiln-honse in the town full a dozen robins’ 
nests have been wholly or partially built this spring upon the piate which 
supports the shed rafters; eight are placed near consecutive rafters, the 
rafters being not over three feet apart. As the house had to he used, the 
birds have been disturbed. Nearly every season for ten years a pair of 
robins have built in the same kiln, but I have never heard pf so many 
robins building in such close proximity before. Another robin has 
shown very little judgement by selecting the horizontal branch of a 
dead walnut tree, in close proximity to an occupied boarding bonse, 
there being no other trees to shade it, the snn pelts down upon it with 
fnll force. To-day it contains young nearly fledged which appear to be 
doing well. Mr. Albert Fowler informs me that a pair built their nest 
upon the abu tment of a railroad bridge near his house. The nest was 
under the centre of the track, and the female, though driven off by 
every passing train, succeeded in rcuringlier young. 
Arthur ff. Gray. 
—We would ask the attention of our readers to the ad- 
ertiseinent of the old established house of Messrs. Shan- 
on, Miller & Crane in another column. Church socio- 
es, Masonic bodies, hase-hfl.ll clubs, and military organi- 
alions will find at their establishments every Ihiugsuited 
i their requirements, and sportsmen can also he supplied 
dth outfits of every description. 
imttel. 
A New Kennel Club.—D r. W. S. Webb, Mr. G. De 
Forest Grant, and other gentlemen have organized a new 
kennel club, to be known as the “Westminster Breeding 
Kennel,” which will be devoted exclusively to the breeding 
of pointers. Dr. Webb’s Whisky, Daisy and May are now 
iu the kennel, and olhers will be added shortly. The club 
will not sell broken dogs, but supply young dogs of good 
blood from animals which have proved themselves staunch 
workers in the field. It is also proposed to import the 
finest dogs for stock purposes; pups will be sold from six 
weeks to two months old, simply to cover expense of breed¬ 
ing, and consequently at moderate prices, within the 
reach of all. Applications for pups may be made to Al¬ 
bert Philips, of West Springfield, Mass., and Dr. Webb, 
care of this office. Accompanying each pup will be a 
certified pedigree from the Forest and Stream kennel 
stud book. 
Judging at Bench Shows.—W e continue from last 
week the list of points adopted in judging at bench shows 
in England, and which are also used in this country. They 
are taken from the “Fanciers’ Gazette” (Eng.) * If we have 
any fault to find with them it is the small number of points 
allowed for stern, which includes tail, as we consider that 
a fine, straight, well-fealhered tail is of as much import¬ 
ance as adding to the beauty of a dog as his head, coat or 
color. 
THE IRISH SETTER. 
Head narrow, widening a little in the forehead, skull 
slightly arched; ears a fair length, slightly folded, hanging 
straight, set well back in the head, and moderately feath¬ 
ered ; eye hazel or brownish, with a sensible and loving 
look, not prominent; nose dork flesh color or black; chest 
but moderately wide, with great depth; back straight, but 
slightly receding to the hip, with gojd loins and well-bent 
stifles. Stern carried slightly up, not much flagged, but 
slightly; coat inclined to he harsh, not soft and silky, 
smooth, or wavy, and thick, but not loo long; color a deep 
mahogany red, lnit not any black; white, however, is al¬ 
lowable in some Irish breeds on chest and legs and neck. 
Head...an 
Neck. 5 
Leas. 5 
Feet. 0 
Shoulders.15 
Back..10 
Loins.10 
Hind quarters. .15 
Stern. 5 
Color.10—100 
. THE OORDON SETTER. 
Head a little heavier than the English setter, more flew; 
deeper in chest and body, and heavier all through; more 
bone, and certainly more lumber to carry; therefore we 
cannot believe them to be such “lasters” in work. The 
Gordon setter is longer in the body, not so beautiful and 
symmetrical in shape as the English setter, but is judged 
by the points as near as possible to the English dog, only 
allowing for his being heavier. Judges principally go by 
quality of coat and color, being of a glossy black, with 
clear tan of a rich red, but of course all must be symme¬ 
trical. 
POINTS IN JUDGING. 
Head .20 
Neck. 5 
Legs.5 
Feet. 5 
Shoulder?.15 
Back, Loins, and llind-quartcrs .20 
Stem. 5 
Color.15 
Coat.10-100 
Editor Forest and Stream :—The New York Kennel 
Club is rather late in claiming tbe name of Daisy for their 
lemon and white pointer pup, as I gave the name to my 
liver aud white pointer pup out of Whisky by Mr. Sckueli- 
ardt’s Jim, last December.—W. S. Webb. 
—Mr. L. H. Smith’s Field Trial setter biteh, Dart, 
visited his Leicester on the 26th June. 
A Whited Canine Sepulcher. —It has finally become 
a manifest duty to expose the true character of that hither¬ 
to generally respected beast, the Spitz dog. It is uot iu 
any spirit of anger that this unwelcome task is now under¬ 
taken. The Spitz is not precisely a popular dog, but he is 
nevertheless admitted to the best circles of society, and has, 
in too many instances, ensnared the affections of the young 
and thoughtless. To point out his true character is to in¬ 
flict pain upon those who call themselves his friends, but 
the interest of the community sternly demand that this un¬ 
welcome duty should he performed. 
The Spitz is generally understood to be a variety Of the 
Pomeranian dog. That he has some connection with the 
latter may very possibly be true, but it is more probable 
that his alleged Pomeranian relationship has been assumed 
in order to support his claim to respectability. The best 
informed dog-persons assert that the Spitz is not only a na¬ 
tive of the Arctic legions, but that his origin is" by no 
means honorable. To speak plainly, it lias been openly 
charged that lie is the result of illicit relations on the part 
of the Esquimaux dog and the Arctic fox. His personal 
appearance is in harmony with both of these charges. He 
ostentatiously wears throughout our hottest mouths the 
heavy fur of an Arctic animal, and his face bears an unmis¬ 
takable resemblance to the cunning and treacherous face of 
the fox. So far as morality is concerned, the Spitz is tho¬ 
roughly and irredeemably corrupt. He is a tireless and 
shameless thief, and exhibits a perverted skill in obtaining 
access lo forbidden cellars, aud in stealing the reserved 
bones of houest and frugal dogs, which is truly vulpine, 
Exoept in rare instances, he is completely devoid of affec- 
tiou. If he does not bite the hand that feeds him, it is from 
motives of sheer selfishness. His treachery is undeniable, 
although his friends smooth it over by applying to it the 
milder term of irritability. Though he may be bound to 
bis master by a thousand favors received, yet he will snap 
at him if there is the slightest failure to meet his views iu 
respect to cold meat, or if the least liberty is taken with 
his tail. Indeed, no cat,, however pampered, ever manifests 
so absurd a degree of vanity in regard to her tail as the 
Spitz habitually displays in regard to his own. To these 
objectionable qualities must be added that of cowardice. 
The Spitz harks from ambuscades, and bites when his vic¬ 
tim’s back is turned. At the least show of hostility he 
takes refuge in flight, and a child armed with a hoop-stick 
can safely and effectually defy his malice. 
All these, however, are minor faet9 in comparison with 
the Spitz’B conspicuous addiction to rabies. It is a startling 
fact that three fourths of all the cases of hydrophobia 
which have occurred in this city or its vicinity during the 
last few years have been directly or indirectly traceable lo 
rabid Spitz dogs. The proportion may be even greater, for 
the statistics have not been accurately kept, and, strangely 
enough, no medical.or dog-person has thought of inquiring 
whether rabies is more prevalent among one species of dog 
than among others. The increase of hydrophobia in the 
United States—an increase which has latterly become la¬ 
mentably evident—has kept pace with the increase in the 
number of Spitz dogs. Twenty years ago the Spilz was 
rarely seen among us, and the very existence of hydropho¬ 
bia was doubted. Since that time the Spilz lias become so 
common as to be nearly valueless in the dog market, and 
hydrophobia has become almost as frequent as tetanus. 
This fact alone ought to have east suspicion upon the Spitz, 
even if it had not been notorious that so huge a proportion 
of the victims of hydrophobia, including the well known 
Francis Butler, aud the child who died in Newark the oth¬ 
er day, were ionoeulated with the disease by Spilz dogs. 
It is not charged that, the Spitz wantonly or malignantly 
becomes mad, aud it is quite possible that liis proneness to 
rabies is the result of bis attempt lo live in a climate un- 
suited to him. That he is more delicate and liable to dis¬ 
ease than other dogs is admitted by all who know him, 
and his peculiar liability to rabies lias apparently escaped 
notice only by accident. That he should be for a moment 
tolerated by any one who is convinced that he is the chief 
source of hydrophobia in this latitude is, of course, out of 
the question. However white and spotless he may be ex¬ 
ternally, he is internally full of rabies and all varieties of 
distemper, and the moment the public is convinced of this 
fact the Spilz will be exterminated, and our annual panic 
concerning hydrophobia will have no longer any pretext or 
excuse .—New York Times. 
IMPORTATION OF IRISH SETTERS. 
Baltimore, June27th, 1875. 
Editor Forest and Stream 
In yonr issue of April 20th I find a letter from Killaloe, County Clare, 
Ireland, under date of March 2Id, written by one S. J. Hurley, attacking 
a certain exporter of Irish setters, whose name he does not give, lint 
who I readily recognize as Mr. John M. Niall. Having imported a pair 
of dogs from Mr. Niall the teller in question put me on nettles, and I 
immediately set to work lo llnd. out tbe truth or Mr. Hurley’s charge. 
Having bought my dogs tbrongh the kindness of Mr. John Dawson, the 
U. S. Consnl at Queenstown, I Immediately wrote him, and Bent copies 
of the American sporting papers containing Hurley’s letters, and. have re. 
ceived tetters from both him and Mr. Niall which entirely sattey me 
that Mr. Niall has sent me rxacily what he claims to have done. !udeed i 
so well am £ satisfied that Illy pair having died, I intend to negotiate 
with him for another pair. The gist of the whole tiling is tliia: Mr. 
Hurley waa aclerk to the'Grand Canal Co.. tnd Mr. Niall was Me bonds¬ 
man. Mr. Mail Sliding that Hurley waa not such a character as he' 
would wish lo endorse for, cancelled thB bonds, hence Hurley’s letters. 
I have the Limerick Reporter of Muy 28d, which gives an account of 
Mr Niah’s trial for thrashing-Mr. Hurley on account of his tHurley’s) 
letters. I extract the following:— 
“Mr. McNamara (Council for Ntall) to Hnrley. Query—Did yon ever 
write anything in papers called Forest and Stream. Rod anti &nn and 
Land and Water against my client—any defamatory, eourrilons, soanda- 
lous letter? Witness (Hurley)—I decline to ausvver. 
Query—Was Mr. Niall your friend? Ana.—He was. 
Query—Waa he not your security for a situation you held! Ans.—He 
Query—Was he not a person who had never doney on a wrong? Ans. 
He was. 
Query—And though your friend, and securing you in your siiuation, 
you never ihougbL it w r rong to write scurrilous Tetters ugainot him? Ans. 
I decline to answer that. ” 
The result of the case was, that Mr. Niall was fined ,85 and costs (one- 
third of the fine to go to Hurley), instead of being sent to Court ' ,r 
Quarter Sessions, as the magistrates hud power to do; they evidently 
thinking it a justifiable assault. 
These letters of Hurley's having been published by you and other 
American sporting papers, I think when the injnstice of the charges is 
asserted by sticb evidence as Mr. Dawson, onr Consnl at Queenstown, it 
is due to Mr. Niall that his defence he published. 
In regard to the dogs received from Mr. Niall. I have to say, that they 
were seen by a large number of tbe most piominent sportsmen in Balti¬ 
more, and without a disseuLing voice declared one of the finest brace 
they had ever seen, home of them, who had what they supposed were 
red Irish setters going so far as lo say that these compared so closely 
with the description given of the class in the sporting papers that they 
thought they had never seen the true breed before. 
Chas. F. Bancroft. 
P. B. I have In my possession the letters and papers above men¬ 
tioned, aud will forward them If yon desire to see them. C. F. B. 
[We publish the above letter with pleasure, and had ex¬ 
pected something of the kind at an earlier date. Indeed, 
as the London Meld received and published a letter identi¬ 
cal with our own, we had looked for a notice of some kind 
from that quarter. The whole affair has been a mystery 
to us, but as Mr. Hurley’s letter came to us frankly over his 
own signature and conveyed a direct statement that Ameri¬ 
can importers of dogs were being swindled, we could do 
no less than publish it.—E d.] * 
THE CENTENNIAL BENCH SHOW. 
Philadelphia, <T Line 24th, 1870. 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
Tlie 13uieau of Agriculture lias decided to hold the allow on Monday 
the 4r.h September instead of the 1st, and close on Friday the 8tli, 
this is a wise course to pursue as many owners of valuable dogs 
would not have sent dogs to remain thero for the long period of eight 
days. Instead of giving prices, the Commissioners have decided to give 
medals toeetfaer with illuminated diplomas and special reports on each 
animal of merit, certifying the points or merit, and negative poiuts the 
dog may possess, this will he signed by tbe Judges and decided by the 
Commit-slonera. Thus every exhibitor of good animals will have an un¬ 
impeachable record to refer back to, and to breeders of dogs this will be 
of inestimable value, more bo than anycnp they may chance to win. 
Each judge lr, addition to recommending awards will review tbe develop¬ 
ment of the breed over which he is called upon to preside and refer 10 its 
present characteristics, special reference beitig made to animals of super¬ 
lative merit. Thus will be given a grand chance to Intending durchaeers 
ol obtaining authentically all the polure of excellence the dogs are en¬ 
titled to. The Commissioners will appoint the very best men as judges 
