74 



FOEEST AND STREAM. 



leather medal. Company II of the same regiment had their 

 meeting on the 28th of August at Bedford, Nova Scotia, 

 eleven prizes, the first being won by Private Merson, score 

 129 points, eleventh prize by 70 points. Best score at 200 

 yards, 39 points; best score at 500 yards, 42 points. 



— A Remington rifle and complete outfit is to be shot for 

 at Halifax, N. S. 



—The Rifle Range of the 7th Division N. G. S. N. was 

 opened with very interesting ceremonies and in presence 

 of a large attendance of spectators at Rochester, Sept. 3. 



— The Sixth Division is also actively at work procuring 

 a range . 



—The 50th Baltimore 28th Brigade, 6th Division, will 

 encamp at Sheldrake, N. Y., (Cayuga Lake) September 7 

 to 11, inclusive. During the encampment a team will be 

 chosen from each company to compete for a Prize Drum, 

 offered by the Colonel commanding. The shooting to be 

 done under the direction of Captain Bradford Almy, In- 

 spector of Rifle Practice . 



— A rifle match was held in Oswego, Sept. 2, open to ail 

 comers and all military rifles. 



— A meeting was held at Buffalo, September 4, to take ' 

 measures for the establishment of a rifle range. 



— The marksman's badge was competed for on Sept. 7, 

 by the members of the 2d. and 3d Brigade who have quali- 

 fied in the first and second classes. 



— The annual competition of the Dominion Rifle Asso- 

 ciation commenced at Ottawa on the 7th of September. 



— The Chicago Rifle Club had its first practice at the 

 South Park on Aug. 28; distances, 100 and 200 yards. 

 After Saturday, 4th September, Tuesdays and Saturdays 

 will be the regular practice days of the club. 



— The Seventh, Twenty-second and Twenty-third Regi- 

 ments 'have each established a camp at Creedmoor for the 

 use of their teams. 



. 4, 



Holtoke, Mass., Sept. 4th, 1875. 

 Editor Forest anij Stream :— 



The score of 'the Holyoke Rifle Club in their eighteenth field meeting 

 is as follows. Distance, 200 yards; position, standing, off handr Creed- 

 moor third class target; seven shots, with a possible 35:— 



Name. Score. 



E. C. Smith* 31 



H. White 29 



J. Chase 29 



D. R. Smith 29 



D. Kelton. 28 



J. Snover . . 28 



J. TMnk - 27 



A. Knight 2? 



11. A.. Smith 26 J. 



E. A. Whiting 25| 



* Winning the badge . Respectf u lly, 



Name. Score. 



J. Mercier 25 



R. Goodail .24 



H. J. Friuk 24 



S. Chapman 23 



G. Parker 23 



W. II. Hey wood 22 



R. McDonald 2! 



R. Rhodes 16 



Munn 11 



S. 



AMERICAN AND IRISH RIFLEMEN AT 

 WWV1BLEDON. 



Dublin, Angifst 21st, 1875. 

 Editor Forest and Stream:-- 



I have collected for the information of your readers some details of 

 the shooting at Wimbledon, selecting only for comment those competi- 

 tions in which the members of the American team took part or were es- 

 pecially interested. I am induced to do this by noticing in yours of July 

 22d and 29th reports of the proceedings there which, in common with 

 almost all accounts of that meeting published in the daily press here, is 

 unavoidably imperfect. The fact is that unless to one who thoroughly 

 understands the system followed there, Wimbledon is a most confusing 

 place, and the information obtained from competitors or bystanders is 

 usually incorrect. Numbers of competitions pjoceed simultaneously at 

 nearly one hundred separate firing points, which are spread over a dis- 

 tance of about a mile, and even the competitors themselves require to 

 have their wits about them, and to aive to the arrangements their full 

 attention, in order to fulfill their several engagements. 



A camp had been prepared for the members of the American team 

 and the Irish eight, but owing to the incessant rain it was but thinly oc- 

 cupied. Of the Americans, Col. Gildersleeve and Major Fulton only 

 slept in camp occasionally. The attractions of London, which can be 

 reached in half an hour, proved too strong for the remainder. Of the 

 Irish, Messrs. Hamilton, Fenton, Greenhill, John Rigby, William Rigby, 

 Milner, and Doyle camped out during the whole of their stay. 



On Saturday, the 17th of July, the Americans made their debut in the 

 St. Leger— a competition with match rifles at 200 yards, any position, 

 three prizes, 130 entries. Major Fulton, J. Rigby, and Mitchell, of the 

 Scotch eight, tied with the full score, 35. Gildersleeve and a host of 

 others made 34 each. The tie was shot off on Monday, and resulted in 

 placing the three winners: Fulton first, Mitchell second, Rigby third. 

 It will thus be seen that at theii first appearance the Americans did well. 

 On Saturday, also, Coleman made the fine score of 49 out of a possible 

 50 at 600 yards for the Members 1 Cup, value £50; Gildersleeve second, 

 48 This cup remained open for several days, the members choosing their 

 time to shoot when not otherwise engaged. Coleman's score was con- 

 sidered safe to win, and was not tied until the following Thursday, when 

 a Lieut. Birch, an Irishman, of very limited experience in the use of the 

 match rifle, was fortunate enough to make ten bullseyes, and so beat it 

 by one point. 



On Monday, the 19th, some of the Americans shot in the Albert, which 

 is the most important prize competition open to match rifles. The prizes 

 amount to £500. In the first stage there are ten at 200 yards, fifteen each 

 at 600 and 900 yards, making forty prizes, varying in value from £5 to 

 £20. To these are added six prizes for the best aggregate scores at the 

 three distances. All the winners in the first stage are entitled to shoot 

 on a subsequent day for the prize of £100 which forms the second stage, 

 and is given for fifteen shots at 1,000 yards. There were over 200 com- 

 petitors. At 200 yards five made full score, including Hamilton, Rigby, 

 and Greenhill. At 600 Col. Gildersleeve took second prize (£15,) with 

 34 and Messrs. Young, Johnson, and Greenhill won prizes of £5 each. 

 At the conclusion of this range no one stood better for the aggregate 

 than Gildersleeve, his total so far being C8; J. Rigby and Greenhill and 

 one or two others were 67. None of the three were fortunate, however, 

 at the 900 yards, at which range Capt. Bruce won third prize, £15; E. 

 Johnson fifth, $10, and Hamilton one of £5. None of the Irish or Ameri- 

 can oarty secured an aggregate prize except E. Johnson, who came 

 fourth with 98. This score is in your report attributed to Sir H. Hal- 

 ford who did not win any prize, either range or aggregate.. Major Ful- 

 ton was al«o unfortunate, and so was excluded from competing at the 

 1 000 yards, where he would doubtless have been formidable. 

 ' The second stage was shot on Wednesday, and was won by Mr. E. 

 Ross Gildersleeve and Rigby commenced well, but were delayed by 

 slow shooting of others in their squads until a heavy shower of rain came 

 on and spoiled their chances. 



On the same (Wednesday) evening the cup presented to the Americans 

 was' shot for and won by Major Fulton with d fine score, Mr. Canfield 

 being a good second. In his last fifteen shots at 1,000 yards, Fulton scored 

 71 out of a possible 75, made up of twelve bullseyes, two centres, and 

 ' inner This was the best score at 1,000 yards made during the meet- 

 •^exceptingthatof Mr. Boyd, of the Scotch eight, who in the Elcho 

 Shield match made also 71 at 1,000 yards, made up of thirteen bullseyes 

 and two inners. 



While this shooting for the American Cup was proceeding the Any 

 Rifle Wimbledon Cup (£100 value) was being contested afc adjoining 



ranges by all winners of £20 prizes or upward at previous meetings. J. 

 Rigby scored 45, (ten shots at 1,000 yards,) for it, viz., two inners, one 

 centre, and seven bullseyes. This was the best score for some time, but 

 quite late in the evening Mr. Ward, a volunteer, residing in England but 

 Irish born, made two inners and eight bullseyes, thus securing the cup 

 by one point. I have now noticed all the competitions in which the 

 Americans took part, with the exception of pool and carton shooting, 

 which are always going on briskly at special targets. At the latter Mr. 

 Ballard was very successful, securing a prize at 600 yards, (value £19,) 

 for the second best shot by actual measurement made at that distance 

 during the whole meeting. 



Thursday, the 22d, was devoted to the International match for the 

 Elcho . Shield. Great interest was manifested in it by the American 

 party, and a larger number of spectators attended than on any other day 

 during the meeting. Messrs. Gildersleeve, Fulton, and Coleman gave 

 their assistance at the telescopes, and kept diagrams for the Irish team, 

 who were also supported by many well-wishers, including their Captain, 

 the Duke of Abercorn, and his adjutant, Major Fairthough, Major Leech, 

 Messrs. Foster, Bake, Mulliner, and others. The proceedings com- 

 menced at 800 yards,' and the Irish team at once took the lead, the Eng- 

 lish being second, and the Scotch third. This was the state of affairs at 

 end of tenth round. The Engiish shot rapidly, and pulled up in the 

 last five shots, but the Irish were delayed by a long stoppage to examine 

 a disputed shot on one of the Scotch targets, and were thrown into a 

 change of wind, in which they lost over twenty points during their con- 

 cluding rounds. A pause was made for lunch, and the shooting com- 

 menced again at 3 P. M. at 900 yards. The Irish now made the running, 

 beating the Englieh score at the range by 23 and the Scotch by 16. One 

 squad of the Irish, consisting of Young, Hamilton, Fenton, and John- 

 son, made the finest score yet recorded in any match at this range. The 

 1,000-yard range commenced with Ireland 10 points ahead of England, 

 and 20 of Scotland. The sun began to shine •in front, and the light be- 

 came very bad, and seemed likely to get worse; nevertheless in the first 

 three rounds Ireland had increased her lead by ten points more, when an 

 accident befell Dr. Hamilton which nearly changed the fortunes if the 

 day. He found it very difficult to see, and missed three out of four shots. 

 He then fortunately changed his foresight, and immediately began to 

 score again. A subsequent examination showed that he had bent the 

 foresight without perceiving it, and his failure to see or score was ex- 

 plained. The English finished first with 1,502; the Irish were 1,487 and 

 Ion r shots to fire. J. Rigby, W. Ri^by, and Wilson scored bullseyes, 

 bringing the score up to 1,502, and Greenhill finished with a centre, land- 

 ing his country four points ahead. In the meanwhile the Scotch were 

 shooting splendidly, and had got one point ahead of England, but fail- 

 ing to do more, finished a good second with 1,503. 



I have described the match minutely because it has been taken as a 

 test match to measure the strength of the American team. I do not 

 think, however, it is available for this purpose. The relative strength of 

 the Irish team at Wimbledon aud Dollymonnt can hardly be compared. 

 Only three of the Dollymount six shot in the eight, and their scores at 

 Wimbledon were fourth, sixth and eigh.h, indicating that the Wimble- 

 don team was the strongest, if, indeed, any comparison can be made. 

 As, however, many statements have-been made on this subject, I have 

 taken the trouble to reduce the scores for the Elcho Shield to old scor 

 ing, adopting a method which I have proved to give resuits if anything 

 unfavorable to the reduced score s —i. e., it rather underrates what the 

 scores would be if made on the old target. I find that neither the aver- 

 age per mai^of the winning eight, or the average score of the best six in 

 the winning eight, are equal to the average made by the American six at 

 Dollymount. This is due to the good scores made there at all three dis- 

 tances, and so far the remark quoted by you from the Mall is correct, 

 but the further statement that ,; atno range were the American scores 

 equaled," is not so. An examination shows that thelrish score at Wim- 

 bledon at 900 yards was slightly better than e/en the famous score of 

 the American team at Doilymount. It averages 54£ per man over the 

 whole team, or 55, omitting scores of the additional men, Young and 

 Greenhill, as against 5ti made by the Americans. Again, the Scotch 

 score at 1,000 yards at Wimbledon stands es yet unrivaled at that dis- 

 tance. It averages 51 f per man over ike whole team, and 51 per man for 

 the best six. The American score atl," l 00 yard-s averaged 50 5-6 per man. 



With one exception every member of the three eights and their Cap- 

 tains were in favor of the proposal that the Americans should shoot 

 alongside them at Wimbledon, and nothing but an impediment created 

 by the conditions under which the Elcho Shield was given prevented 

 that arrangement being carried out. It would not, however, have been 

 possible for Col. Gildersleeve to enter an eight, whose average strength 

 would have been equal to the Dollymount. six. We look forward to the 

 time when nou only an American eight but other national eights will join 

 in a grand friendly tournament at Wimbledon, and if America be as well 

 represented there as she has been this year at Dublin, it will require a 

 very powerful effort on our part to prevent the crown of victory being 

 carried again across the Atlantic. 



The principal events at Dublin and Wimbledon open to any rifles give 

 the following as the winning makers: — Irish- American Match, first score, 

 Remington; Competition A, first score, Rigby; B, Rigby. C, Rigby; D, 

 Kemington; Abercorn Cup, Rigby; Freeman's Journal Cup, Metford; 

 All Ireland Shield, Rigby; Wilkes' Medal, Rigby; Illustrated Sporting 

 News Cup, Remington; Wimbledon Cup, Rigby; Albert, first stage, 

 Metford and Ingram, tie; Albert, second stage, Metford: St. Leger, Rem- 

 ington; Members' Cup, Metford; Elcho Shield, Rigby and Ingram, tie; 

 Dudley, Rigby; Lloyd's Cup, Rigby. I am yours, John Rigby. 



POINT BLANK. 



Maple wood, Mass., Sept. 1st, 1875, 

 Editor Forest and Stream:— 



Having read in your paper the recent articles on the meaning of point 

 blank, and seeing that our friends have not presented the matter fully, 

 and consequently are inclined to dispute, I would like to give you the 

 whole matter in a very few words. I quote from Benton's Ordnance 

 and Gunnery, the text book used at West Point, which authority cannot 

 be questioned: "The point blank is the point at which the line of sight 

 intersects the trajectory. Strictly speaking, the line of sight intersects 

 the trajectory at two points; but in practice the second intersection is 

 only considered. This distance is called the point blank distance. The 

 natural point blank corresponds to the natural line of sight; all other 

 point blanks are called artificial point blanks. In speaking of the point 

 blank of a piece, the natural line of sight is supposed to be horizontal. 

 In the British service the point blank distance is the distance at which 

 the projectile strikes the level ground on which the carriage stands, the 

 axle of the piece being horizontal." 



Thus we see that the natural point blank is at a distance which is con- 

 stant and fixed for any piece of ordnance, the charge remaining the 

 same, and is a measure of the power of the piece. I hope this will set 

 this matter before your readers in a manner which can be understood 



fully. Enquirer. 

 «»-M»- 



POWDER MEASURE. 



Wilmington, Del., Sept. 2d, 1875. 

 Editor Forest and Stream:— 



In almost every number of your valued journal I find that some one is 

 perplexed with the "drachm,'" powder measure question. Allow me to 

 explain it. The drachm meant is the one-sixteenth of an avoirdupois 

 ounce, and is not an arbitrary weight at all, but such as is used for all 

 coarse articles and all metals, except gold and silver. Now one ounce 

 avoirdupois weighs 437£ grains, and one drachm avoirdupois, being the 

 one-sixteenth of an ounce, of course weighs 27 1-3 grains (as near as 

 may be). I have repeatedly tested Dixon's measures, and find them very 

 generally correct, my three drachm measure (usual load) weighing 85 

 grains. Every careful sportsman should test his measures and know 

 them to be correct. To do so requires very little time and almost ae- 



trouble. Let him take measure and powder to the nearest druggist and 

 request the weight of each gauge in grains; then, knowing that 2? 1.3 

 grains equal one drachm, he can at once prove the correctness of the 

 measure. - Lambda Sigma. 



GAME IN SEASON IN SEPTEMBER 



* 



Moose, Alces malchis. Snipe and Bay Birds. 



Elk or Wapiti, Cervus Canadensis. Caribou, Tarandus rangifer. 

 Hares, brown and grey. Red Deer, Caricxs Virgiidanw 



Wild Turkey, Mileagris gallapavo. Squirrels, red, black and grey. " 

 Woodcock, Scolopax ruslicola. Quail, Ontyx Virginia . 



Ruffed Grouse, Tetrao umbellus. Pinnated Grouse, Tet.rao cupida. 

 Esquimaux Curlew, Num^nius bo- Curlew, Numenlus arquana. 



realis. Sandpipers, Tyinganai. 



Plover, Charadraws. Willets. 



Godwit. Limosinoi. Reed or Rice Birds, M>liclwnyx ori->- 



Rails, Ball us Viiginianus. von. 



Wild Duck. 

 - ♦ ■ 



Game in Market.— The display of game on the Stalls is 

 not such as to excite the appetite of the epicure or the im- 

 agination of the sportsman. A few pinnated grouse 

 (prairie chickens) are "being received from Iowa and sell for 

 $1 25 per pair, but there is not that abundance to be seen 

 as is usual later in the year, when the thrifty granger 

 having stored his harvest can give his undivided attention 

 to netting and trapping. Ruffed grouse sell for $1 50 per 

 pair, but there is not a superabundance of this variety. 

 Woodcock are still offered for sale at $1 50 per pair. The 

 market is hut moderately supplied with bay birds, in- 

 dicating a scarcity of this game in our immediate vicinit}', 

 they sell for various prices, ranging from 75 cents per 

 dozen for the diminutive sandpiper to $1 50 per dozen for 

 the greater yellow legs. 



Snipe Shooting at Oak Island. — Oak Island is a 

 portion of that long ridge which keeps the Atlantic from 

 washing on the fertile shores of Long Island. It com- 

 mences on the west of Fire Island Inlet and extends for 

 miles in this direction. The following is an account of 

 the way in which some of our hard- worked letter carriers 

 attached to Station C enjoyed their vacation, making their 

 headquarters under the hospitable roof of Rube Anderson, 

 "a perfect host and genial coinrade." 



"We took the last train from New York to Babylon, on 

 the South Side Railroad, and were met at the depot by 

 Rube, who set us on the island by 8i o'clock. The next 

 morning we were up before daybreak, and as the house is « 

 in sight of a great many of the beds, we were not long in 

 getting to them, and when daylight did come at last, it 

 bronght with it flock after flock of yellow legs, willet 

 and tedars, of which we bagged: plent}^. We shot until 

 the signal was raised for breakfast, which consisted of 

 clams, both ruasted and fried, soft crabs and eels, cooked 

 to a turn, for Anderson keeps a good cook and the mate- 

 rial is just at hand, fresh from the South Bay, where it 

 may be had for the labor of taking. On counting up our 

 birds that night we had 86 yellow legged snipe, besides 

 other various kinds which we always cooked down there, 

 while the large ones we sent up to the city. On Monday 

 three more friends came down, and after three day's shoot- 

 ing, took away over 200 snipe. When the ducks come 

 Anderson's place will be about the centre of the feeding 

 ground, and I will predict success for any one shooting in 

 that neighborhood. Silas. 



—Wild ducks have made their appearance on the eastern 

 end of Long Island, and in two weeks there will be fun 

 among the broadbills and their cousins. 



— Rev. James Beecher, youngest brother of Rev. Henry 

 Ward Beecher, has purchased 600 acres of land on the 

 Beaverkill, Sullivan County, N. Y., and erected a log 

 shanty on the margin of Homer Lake, where he is residing 

 with his family. The nearest settlement is three miles 

 away. There is good hunting and fishing all around him, 

 and he intends to enjoy these and act in the capacity of a 

 backwoods missionary at the same time. 



Massachusetts. — WoocVs Hole, Sept. 6. — Duck shooting 

 will soon be prime in Buzzard's Bay. Saw a large flock of 

 broadbiUs and some green head plover to-day. In about 

 two weeks let the sportsmen come. Will notify you in 

 time. Take New Bedford steamers direct from pier 39, 

 New York, reaching here early in the morning. You can 

 leave New York on Saturday at 5 P.M., take the return 

 steamer on Monday at 5 P. M., and be back in New York 

 at 7 A. M. on Tuesday, thus exacting but one clay from 

 business. If you want a good bayman write to J. Lafay- 

 ette Sisson to meet you on the arrival of steamer. He can 

 furnish stools and all appliances. 



Salem, Sept. 6. — A friend and myself shot 135 birds oh 

 the 3d ult., including Winters, Summers, snipe, grass 

 birds, and other kinds. A party recently returned from 

 Rowley report a few "black- breasters," and another party 

 in a week's rusticating shot rising 200 birds. Saw a loon 

 yesterday and one coot the day before. Shot the first rail, 

 a chicken bill, {P. Carolina) on the 31st of August. Part- 

 ridges are numerous in some localities about here, one gen- 

 tleman whom your kennel editor knows, and a friend, were 

 out the other day; they say they did excellently. Others 

 also are holding up their ends. Quail are not very plenty. 

 Snipe and rail grounds are very dry, and we need rain. 

 Last Friday there was quite a flight of scattering shore 

 birds. South Boston flats are reported thick with peeps 

 and ring necks. Woodcock scarce. Teal. 



New Jersey. — Carman House, Forked River, Sept, S.-"- 

 Sport generally has improved during the past week, and 

 several good bags have been made. Mr. Oscar B. Smith 

 killed 26 snipe during the fore part of the week. Capt. 

 Potter killed in all 139 bay snipe, and Capt. Mathews, (out 

 only one day) 39. E. H. Frame killed to-day 46. Mr. 

 Fraser, yesterday 39. All the above were either rnarlin, 

 willet, yellow legs, clowitch or plover, some few robbins 

 and brant snipe. To-day we have seen a better show oi 

 bay birds than for two weeks past, and noticed several 

 good bunches coming down the bay from the North. The 

 birds have not yet come in any great numbers, therefore 

 we look for a flight every day. The indications are that 

 we will meet with good sport the coming week. The late 

 departure of the birds this Spring for the north (June 22) 

 makes their return equally behind time, but it insures 



