As I sat at breakfast this morning I heard the familiar call, 

 "Fhosbe," "Phaibe," and looking out of the window saw 

 the bird busily engaged in a critical examination of her old 

 home built on a shelf which I made for her four years ago, 

 after her two unsuccessful attempts to build a nest five inches 

 broad on a window frame two inches wide. 



We were all nicely seated in the library this evening, when 

 "Buster," our irrepressible ten year old, rushed in exclaiming: 

 "Papa, come to the kitchen, quick 1 What do you think 

 Hugh has caught ?" I thought instantly, and as I reached 

 the kitchen saw that I had divined the cause of "Buster's ex- 

 citement. "See, papa! he's playing 'possum! Just look at 

 him curled up there ! Isn't he a sly old fellow to try to fool 

 us and make believe he's dead?" It was a comical sight. Mr. 

 'Possum was on his back, one eye closed, the other open -, his 

 jaws apart, showing two fierce looking teeth nearly an inch 

 long ; his hind paws were curled up under him, the front ones 

 stretched out. losely as if useless. The hairless tail, bereft of 

 four or five inches, seemed to indicate that it would never 

 serve again to suspend its owner to the branch of a persim- 

 mon tree. Our entire family speedily gathered there. Some 

 insisted he was dead. I inserted a stout stick between his 

 jaws. This was a little too much for the animal. They 

 closed on it like a steel trap. We decided to add this new 

 comer to our little managerie. It seemed that he bad dis- 

 covered about as soon as we that, our hens had decided on a 

 "new lay," and in the shades of evening he was cautiously 

 making for the gate of the hennery when Neptune, our mag- 

 nificent black and white greyhound, espied him. With the 

 speed of the wind he came down upon him, and but for the 

 approach of Hugh would have left him no legitimate reason 

 for "playing possum." Hugh took him by the tail, and 

 thereby hung the termination of this tale. Now, Mr. Editor, 

 and kind readers, isn't it a thousand times more enjoyable to 

 be in Jersey, even in March, than to be confined to the dull, 

 uninteresting, ill-smelling city ? Gbo. Shephabd Page. 



P. S.— This does not stand for postscript, but for another 

 " 'Possum," which Neptune caught at half-past ten o'clock, 

 since writing above, and which also sacrificed her liberty to 

 her unlawful love for fresh laid egss worth 40 cents a dozen. 



G. S. P. 



Nesting of the Great Northern and Loggerhead 

 Shrikes tn Maine. — Last summer (1878) I came into 

 possession of a fine nest and five eggs of the north- 

 ern butcherbird. It was taken at Bangor, Maine, 

 May, 1878, and at finding contained six eggs. It is 

 a bulky, heavy walled structure, and thickly lined with 

 feathers. Writing to Mr. E. S. Bowler, the collector, for 

 further particulars, he kindly replied as follows : " The nest 

 was located in a small spruce tree, in the middle of a retired 

 field. It wjjjp about ten feet from the ground and quite well 

 concealed." And now comes a surprising statement, for he 

 continues : " This shrike is by no means common. The 

 loggerhead shrike frequently builds in this vicinity, but I have 

 heard of only three instances of the great northern nestinj 

 here — one last year and two this. It is a little more retirei 

 in building, and defends its nest with greater valir than the 

 loggerhead. I think the first debut of the latter species was 

 made in 1875, and that they have been increasing every sea- 

 son since and will soon become common." Mr. Bowler con- 

 siders that the eggs he has of Lanius (Uollurio) ludwidan.ua 

 are more roundea and the spots sma l ler than on those of L. 

 borealis. Perhaps we have now a clue to where the birds 

 taken occasionally in Southern New England late in fall and 

 winter come from. H. A, Purdie. 



Boston, Massachusetts. 



That Woodcock in the Woodpile — Bristol, Pa., March 

 28— Editor Forest and Stream —Why so gently chiding? 

 The woodcock mentioned in my note of 10th last, was caught 

 by a cat and almost killed before Strembeck captured it. I 

 should have so stated and not have led to the inference that 

 we were killing woodcock in March— vide your issue of this 

 week. C. E. S. 



Aerial Clam Crackers— Cleveland, Ohio, March 24— 

 Editor Forest and. Stream : — Being a constant reader of your 

 valuable paper, and seeing that the clam-muskrat question is 

 calling forth quite a number of letters, perhaps it would in- 

 terest your readers to know how crows and gulls get mussels 

 and other shell-fish out of their shells. Their mode of op- 

 erating is to take the shell-fish in their claw or mouth, rise in 

 the air and let it drop time after time until the shell is broken. 



Horns with Hair on — St. Maurice, Canada,, March 26 — 

 Mr. Editor .-—I have before me a pair of caribou antlers most 

 extraordinary. They are entirely covered with skin and thick 

 hair of the color and texture of such as covers the animal's 

 head. These antlers were purchased from a hunter last July 

 (1878), but the covering is not the "velvet" (which is quite 

 familiarly known to me), but is as genuine hair from skull to 

 tips as ever grows on a deer's head. The antlers are of good 

 size, rather flat laterally, fairly symmetrical and of very light 

 weight. Has a parallel curiosity ever been known ? 



Everett Smith. 

 . — -»- — . 



The Trout Perch.— A matter of much interest to the 

 ictbyologist is the late discovery of the " trout perch " (Per- 

 copsis guttata — Agassiz) in one of the streams of old Con- 

 necticut. This fish, first found and described by Agassiz 

 while on his trip to Lake Superior in 1856, up to the present 

 find has only been known to inhabit three Northern localities. 

 namely, one of the streams of Western Kanaas, Rocky River 

 of thiB State, which empties into Lake Brie six miles west of 

 this city, and a small stream in Maryland, a tributary of the 

 Potomac, but now at this late date, after the first discovery of 

 the fish on the north shore of Lake Superior, we find it in- 

 habiting a fifth locality, the Nutmeg State counting it among 

 her fauna. Theodore Lyman questions if it might not have 

 been " sent in some invoice of whitetish or black bass ?" I 

 do not think this possible, but believe it found its way to the 

 Connecticut stream in a natural way. It has been there for 

 ages but has been over-looked. This fish in the Maryland 

 Biver was first discovered eight years ago. In the Rocky 

 ' River, where it is quite abundant, it was found by the late 

 Dr. Yared P. Kirtland in the spring of 1846, long before fish 

 culture had recieved any attention, and to this day no foreign 

 whitefish, black bass or their spawn have been introduced to 

 the river or its vicinity. Two years ago a number of these 

 fish were brought to me. I quote from my note book made 

 at the time : April 25, 1877— Mr. A. Hall, of East Rockport, 

 caught in Rooky River, the 23d inst., four specimens of the 

 " perch, like salmon " (Peraopsix guttata — Agassiz). This 

 new genus was made by Agassiz, and so far contains but two 

 species, of which the Rocky River specimen is the same as 

 discovered by him on the north shore of Lake Superior. The 

 second species is, so far, only found, according to Agassiz, 

 in Western Kansas. This fish bears the same relation to the 

 ctenoid and cycloid fishes of to-day that the gar pike (Lepid 

 orteus) does to the ancient ganoids. Dr. E. Steeling. 



A WISE QUAIL. 



Jersey Citt Heights, Jan. 28, 18J0. 

 Emtoh Forest and Stream : 



In one of your late issues I read a letter on "Domesticating Quail," 

 and I have always had my doubts whether this could be done, but after 

 this morning's experience I am inclined, after noticing the 

 sagacity of one of these favorites, to believe It can be. When I have 

 stated the case, I leave it to those who have more time than I to judge. 

 Two weeks ago I sent for 12 pair of Minnesota quail and received them 

 in good order by American Express, made a coop with an extension in 

 my yard for them to enjoy the sun and fresh air. Last evening after 

 dark, while engaged at the coop, one said whirr I and was gone. Were 

 I a betting man I would have wagered about loo to 1 that that quail 

 was a goner. At break of day this morning, while feeding my dogs, I 

 heard the well-known whirr again, and could faintly see the little fel- 

 low alight on a woodshed, with about seven cats trying to catch htm, 

 Vou may think it strange that seven cats should be up so early, bnt 

 allow me to explain, that our kitten gave a concert last nigtit, as she 

 is of age to go into society, and 1 presume the company had not got 

 over their spree and were Blnglng " Home, Sweet Home " when I fired 

 some " BeaHtiful Snow " in among them, and they desisted from sing- 

 ing and also from trying to Bhake hands with my poor " Bob White." 



I got Mr. Bob down from the shed and lie flew across six fences and 

 alighted about 500 feet from my yard. I told my son (who, when I said 

 " quail," got out of bed and dressed in about sy. seconds) to go around 

 " Bob White ;" and sure enough he flew (the bird, not the boy) straight 

 to his coop and tried to get through the wires into it : this, remember, 

 without another quail being in sight, as I had not yet opened the trap- 

 door. Now, Mr. Editor, what pigeon, chicken, or any other domesti- 

 cated bird or animal could do better tban this ? Please consider 

 fences had shut out from him every view in the past two weeks ; here 

 he was free, but came back, and 1 quietly walked him into a woodshed, 

 closed the door and returned him to his friends. That quail is not for 

 sale for $99.99, and in spring he with the others shall have a trip to the 

 country. Truth. 



Bernards, 20 Ncwf > andi 

 greyhounds, 5 deerhounds, 45 fox terriers, 

 dogs, 31 bull terriers, 14 Skye terriers, 23 pugs, 11 Scotch 

 terriers, 13 black and tan terriers, 3 Dandy Dinmonts, 36 

 Yorkshire terriers, 9 toy terriers, 8 King Charles, 5 Japanese 

 spaniels and 9 Italian greyhounds. Li the miscellaneous 

 class there are 26 entries, among them some very curious ani- 

 mals. Mr. Lorillard exhibits two Cuniclte, or black poodles ; 

 then there is a specimen of the New Leonberg breed, several 

 Maltese dogs and Chinese and Mexican dogs. 



A comparison of this with the principal shows held in the 

 United States gives the following results : 



Pucss. Entries. 



New York 1879 95S 



" IMS 824 



" 1S7T 877 



BoBton 1878 G74 



Philadelphia 1S77 495 



Baltimore 1877 24J 



" 187S .. 3SS 



St. Louis 1878.. 



Another Parasite Fly.— Willmmsport, Pa., Nov. 11.— 

 Mr. Editor ■' Inclosed please find a fly found " alive and kick- 

 ing " on a chicken hawk killed this morning. Thought it 

 might interest you to compare it with the partridge flies you 

 recently examined ; also that it is found fully developed and 

 lively after such a hard winter, at this time of year. 



Bobolink. 



The specimen sent by our correspondent belongs to the 

 genus ornithomigee, and is often of the same family with the 

 partridge fly, to which it is similar in many of its habits. 



THE NEW YORK DOG SHOW. 



The Grandest Yet— 953 Dogs Entered for Competition 

 in the Regular Classes, Exclusive op Entries for 

 Special Prizes or Litters of Poppies. 



THE third annual dog show of the Westminster Kennei 

 Club, to be held at Gilmore's Garden on April 8, 9, 10 

 and 11, will eclipse all of its predecessors, even including the 

 great show of 1877. The number of dogs entered for com- 

 petition is 953, and the list could have been increased to con- 

 siderably over 1,000 if those offered on Tuesday had been ac- 

 cepted. The gratifying part of this exhibit is in the fact 

 that a large majority of these are sporting dogs, the entries 

 in these classes being in excess of any previous year. Nor 

 has there been any special effort made on the part of the 

 managers to secure entries by solicitation or extraordinary 

 means. This unusual entry of sporting dogs may be accepted 

 as an expression of the sentiments of the sportsmen of the 

 country with regard to the integrity and popularity of John 

 Davidson as a judge. The " ring" which could not use him 

 for its purposes, and which yet connived at the altering of 

 the scores at Nashville and Hampton Field Trials (of which 

 more anon), would do well to take this lesson to heart. The 

 gentlemen who have accepted the position of judges in com- 

 panionship with Mr. Davidson are Mr. Geo. C. Colburn, of 

 this city, and Mr. John S. Wise, of Richmond, Va., and 

 their names given in this way are alone a sufficient indorse- 

 ment or expression of opinion as to whether Mr. Davidson is 

 a suitable person to judge or not. And we might mention in 

 this connection that Mr. Hammond, of Springfield, Mass., 

 and others who were named in the "ring's" Chicago organ 

 as having declined to serve with Mr. Davidson, have written 

 to the club, indignantly denying such an imputation, and 

 giving satisfactory reasons for declining. 



There are no less than 516 pointers and setters entered. 

 The list comprises 128 pointers, 157 English setters, 73 black 

 and tan setters, and 158 red and red and white setters. In 

 the list are 43 champions, a number, we believe, unprecedent- 

 ed at any previous show held in this country, or, as far as 

 sporting dogs are concerned, in England. The champion 

 pointers are Snapshot, Pete, Bounce, Sleaford, Psyche, Pan, 

 Columbia Kennel Club's Belle and Fan and Mr. Orgill's 

 Romp, Sefton Rush, Rose and others. The open classes will 

 contain some very fine dogs. The Champion English Setter 

 classes will show Lark, Frank II., Royal Ben, Grouse, Jersey 

 Duke, Grace, Rhoda, Kina, Rose and others. Among the 

 black and tan setters (champions) are Knight, Belle, Nell, 

 Nellie (Copeland's), Beauty, Lou, Fan and others. The 

 Champion Red Irish dogs and bitches are Dash, Rory O'- 

 Moore, Flora, Ruby, Red Rival, Breeze, etc. In the other 

 sporting classes there are 2 Irish water spaniels, 5 Clumbers, 

 26 cockers, 9 foxhounds, 15 beagles and 8 dachshunds. The 

 non-sporting classes are represented by 20 mastiffs, 23 St. 



The following is a complete list of the special prizes. The 

 prizes in classes K, F, H, J, K, N, will follow the awards in 

 the general classes. Classes B and D will be decided between 

 the dog and bitch winning in their respective classes. Class 

 I will be decided between the winners in the champion and 

 open English setter dog classes. For the other special classes 

 entries must be made to the superintendent during the first 

 day of the show. No entrance fee will be required : 



A. For the beat native English setter dog or bitch that has 

 novor won a firBt prize, a breech-loading shotgun, valued at $200, 

 and presented by Messrs. Parker Bros., of West Meriden, CoDn. 



B. For the best rod Irish setter dog or bitch that baa never won 

 a first prize, a split bamboo fly rod, presented by Messra. Oonroy, 

 BisBett & Mallison. 



0. For the best brace of English setter dogs, a Creedmoor rifle, 

 presented by MosarB. E. Bemington & Sons. 



B. For the best pointer dog or bitch that haB never won a first 

 prize, a complete bunting suit and gun case, presented by Messrs. 

 Thomson & Son. 



E. For the beat fox terrier dog, a gold scarf pin, presented by 

 F. O. De Luze, Esq. 



F. For the beat fox terrier bitch, a gold scarf pin, presented by 

 F. O. De Luze, Esq. 



G. For the beBt toy or pet dog exhibited by a lady, a silver- 

 mounted, Bilk-wrapped club bow and arrows, presented by Messrs. 

 Conroy, BiBBett & MalliBoii. 



H. For the beBt blaok and tan setter dog that has never won a 

 firBt prize, a silver flask, value $75, presented by Louia B. Wright, 

 Esq. 



1. For the beat English setter dog, a painted China plaque, por- 

 trait of Mr. Morford'a May. value ©50, presented by MesBrs. L. 

 Straua & SonB. 



J. For the beat pug, dog or bitch, an inlaid celluloid dog collar, 

 presented by the Medford Fancy Goods Oo., BoBton, Mass. 



K. For the best Yorkshire terrier, dog or bitch, an inlaid cellu- 

 loid dog collar, presented by the Medford Fancy Gooda Go, , Bos- 

 ton, MaBS. 



L. Fox the beat Utter of pointer or setter puppies, a moar- 

 aohaum pipe, value $40, presented by F. Julius Kaldenberg, Esq. 



M. For the beBt pointer dog competing in the open class, to ba 

 shown with two of hia get, $30 in oash, presented by a friend of 

 the pointer. 



N. For the best Yorkshire terrier under five pounds weight, a 

 silver collar, value 830, presented by Geo, De Eoreat Grant, Esq. 



O. For the best brace of black and tan setters, regardlees of 

 sex or age, the " Sportsman's Library, " value $20, presented by 

 the Orange Judd Pub. Co. 



P. For the best brace of red Irish setters, regardless of Bex, a 

 gentleman's Bix-foot, two-piece anakewood and lancewood bow, 

 and one dozen beat snakewood-footed, full-nocked, parallel points 

 arrows, value $26, presented by the manufacturer, E. I. Horse- 

 man, Esq. , New York. 



Q. For the beBt dog, bitch or puppy, Blred by SenBation, an ar- 

 tist's proof of steel-plate engraving of SenBation, presented by 

 W. WeUatood & Co., of N. Y. 



The judges are, for the sporting classes, John Davidson, 

 Esq., of Monroe, Mich; John S. Wise, Esq., of Richmond, 

 Va., and Geo. C. Colburn, Esq., of New York. For oon- 

 sporting clssses, Col. DeLancey Kane, of New York • J. I. J. 

 Grainger, Esq., of New York, and Jas. B. England, Esq., of 

 Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Kennel Club will appoint 

 and send on three of its members to act with a similar number 

 from the Westminster Kennel Club as a committee of appeals. 

 The members of the latter club having the show in charge are 

 as follows: Manager— Win. M. Tileston, Dr. W. S.Webb, 

 C. Du Bois Wagstaff, II. Walter Webb. Committee— G. De 

 Forest Grant, E. 0. Stanton, Louis B. Wright, Robt. C. Cor- 

 nell, F. O. De Luze, Dr. Wm. G. Richards. Season tickets 

 will be sent to all exhibitors. 



We print on another page f ac-similes of some of the letters 



received from superintendents of railroads, in which they 



offer to carry dogs free ; also a cut of the Kennel Club medal. 



.- ■»■ ■ — 



Philadelphia Doo Show.— We are requested to advise 

 intending exhibitors at this show that all those desiring to 

 enter dogs for special prizes, after Class D, page 26 of prize 

 list, are notified that the clause requiring all pointers and set- 

 ters to be the progeny of parents bred in the United States, is 

 rescinded, and is open to all. All entries close April 1. 



Celebrated Prize Winners.— We give on another pnge 

 cuts of some of the most celebrated dogs of the day both in 

 this country and in England. Those on the right are the 

 pointer Sensation, Skye terrier Ruffles, St. Bernard Monarque, 

 pug Rex, Yorkshire terrier Kitty, bull terrier Tarquinand 

 Gordon setter Lu. In the centre, St. Bernard Alp and bull 

 dog Duke. On the left, cocker spaniel Witch, mastiff, Kjflg 

 Olaf, dachshund Diana and EDgUsh setter Lark. 



