FOREST AND STREAMS 



87 



Coaching. — The coaching fever which has been raging in 

 New York, has reached Chicago. A four-in-hand coach 

 leaves the Palmer House every day at 10 a. in. and 5 p.m., 

 for Hyde Park, and leaves Hyde Park at 8 a. m. and 3 p. 

 m. It is run by Mr. Benjamin Ransom a la Delancey 

 Kane, and is as well patronized as Mr. Kane's coach.— 

 Field. 



Hook ma a Whale.— A singular incident occurred re- 

 cently on the coast of Scotland. One James Green, a fish- 

 erman, while angling at Portgordon for cod with a herring 

 for bait, actually hooked a whale. Feeling unequal to the 

 unusual strain upon his line, the fisherman gave it a turn 

 or two around his boat's mast, when the monster, which 

 measured nearly thirty feet in length, snapped the line and 

 went off. Both whales and seaJs have been very abundant 

 on the north coast of Scotland this summer, the former in 

 many instances passing through and destroying the fishing 

 nets. 



\tw ^uhlhztwnn. 



MAGAZINES. 



The third Bulletin of the JSuttall Ornithological Clvb of 

 Cambridge, contains an extremely interesting article on the Decrease of 

 Birds in Massachusetts, by the editor, Mr. J. A. Allen, in which a vast 

 amount of instructive information is brought oat showing the effect ©f 

 man's influence on the feathered inhabitants of well-settled countries. 

 Dr. Cones has been studying the number of primaries in the Oscines as 

 to their taxonomic value, and finds that in all Oscines those with nine 

 primaries have two little feathers, distinct from the general series, at 

 the base of the supposed first primary, while 10-primaried birds have 

 only one of these little feathers. He concludes: "A gradual reduction 

 in the number of remiges seems to be directly correlated with that pro- 

 gressive consolidation or compaction of the distal osseus segments of 

 the fore limb, which reaches its climax in the wing of the most highly 

 organized birds of the present epoch." William Brewster contributes a 

 full and sprightly account of the yellow-bellied woodpecker. We are 

 very glad to see that he is disposed to publish more out of his large ex- 

 perience in the Maine woods. The department of Recent Literature re- 

 views several late publications, and includes a searching critique of Dr. 

 T. M. Brewer's last list of New England Birds. General notes of lively 

 interest conclude the present number of this quarterly, which is keeping 

 its high position, and we hope it may soon be published more fre- 

 quently. 



"The Cricketer's Guide." — Cricket, in Canada at least, is 

 indebted to a very large extent for its success, to the encouragement af- 

 forded it, not only of a personal nature, but through the medium of the 

 "Guide," to the Rev. T. D. Philips, a gentleman who is also well known 

 to American cricketers and who has lately favored us with a visit. Il 

 cricket, as a manly pastime, has one recommendation greater than an- 

 other, it is in the fact that it receives the approbation and countenance 

 of the most conservative people, and here we have a reverend gentleman 

 acting as the "guide philosopher and friend," to all young cricketers, 

 giving them excellent advice and instructions as well as plain directions 

 as to the mode of playing the game. We write this meagre notice of 

 the "Cricketers Guide," in the hopes that it will be in the hands of every 

 lover of the game who reads our paper. The book is not only a guide, 

 but a reference, as it contains a record of the playing of all clubs in 

 Canada and the United States last season. The laws of cricket as revised 

 by the Marylibone Club in 1870 are given, by which new clubs will be 

 able to guide themselves in their play if necessary. The price of the 

 book is but 30 cents and it can be had of Messrs Dawson & Co. , Quebec, 

 or aim < st any of the Montreal book dealers, or we will procure copies. 



^mwep ^a ^or\^ondmt$ t 



No Notice Taken or Anonymous Communications. 



Jehu.— When you tell us you can "hold your own," are we to infer 

 that your roan is so fractious as to make such a feat worthy of note? 



F. L. R., Longwood. Fla.— What will keep my Parker from rusting? 

 I have used every device I know of. Ans. Rigg's Belniontyle oil, and 

 mercurial ointment. 



J.V., Brooklyn— Please let me know when robin and high -holder shoot- 

 ing commences in Kings and Queens counties? Ans. Robins, October 

 1st. It is forbidden to kiil any of the woodpecker family. 



Shell, Verona Springs, Pa.— Any practical gunsmith can, by examin- 

 ing your gun, explain the difficulty and rectify it. If you have no one 

 there to do it send it to us and we will have, it made to shoot right. 



R. C. T.j Monroe.— My dog Rap, bought of the "Squire,'' has a sore 

 in one ear. The ear seems to be closing up, can you suggest a remedy? 

 Ans. Have mailed to you a remedy for your dog's soie ear. 



D. A. H., Ashby'sburg, Ky*.— What is the meaning of the slang term 

 "slop over?" Ans. To go off at half-cock; to "gush" over much; to put 

 nine quarts of "talk" in an eight quart pail. 



W. H. A., Rochester; N. Y.— Where can I get a well-bred spanie 1 

 which is thoroughly broken to retrieve ducks in swamp shooting, and 

 for what price? Ans. We cannot inform you. By advertising in our 

 columns you could probably secure one. 



J. W. P., Milbury, Mass.— Will you be so kind as to inform me how 

 long the rail shooting lasts, and when the law is off on ducks? Ans. 

 Rail shooting from 1st September to 1st of December. You can shoot 

 ducks now. • 



Concha.— What is the best bait for black bass? I have tried minnows. 

 shrimps, &c? How would grasshoppers do? Ans. Grasshoppers and 

 crav fish are always an attractive bait for black bass. So are fresh water 

 mussels. 



A. D. H., Cleveland, Ohio.— Can you inform me where I can ootain a 

 canoe of the Rob Roy pattern and probable Drice of same, to be used in 

 Florida waters? Ans. Address I. F. We3t, E»st Orange, N. J., who 

 will give you all information. 



W. H. S., New York.— Please inform me the proper time to go shoot- 

 ing on Long Island? I would like to know if Kings county is good? 

 Also tell me what kinds of birds can be shot in that neighborhood? Ans. 

 No shooting until after October 1st unless you go to !he marshes above 

 Rockaway where you will find some bay birds. 



F. J. S., Pittsburgh, Pa.— I have a very fine bred setter bitch, but 

 she will not breed. What can be' the cause of it as she has had two lit- 

 ters before in Ohio? Can her food be the cause of it? She is very fat. 

 Ans. The reason your bitch will not breed is, no doubt, in consequence 

 of her being over f at . 



J. A., Brooklyn.— 1. Is Parker a reliable gunsmith? 2. Can you 

 mention a good place for small buds on Staten or Long Island? Ans. 

 If you mean Parker Bros., they rank among the best of our American 

 nmmifpcturers. 2. Good Ground, L. I., is an excellent place for bay 

 bird shooting. Go to Wm. Lane's. 



J. C. H., Chicago.— Can you inform me if brook trout cau be caught 

 in Northwestern Texas, and about the hunting there? Ans. They are 

 caught in the headwaters of the Canadian river, that rise in the Ratoon 

 Mountains. Hunting is excellent and in great variety, but we wouldn't 

 ike to take chances with the Indians thereabouts. 



C. V. B., Long Branch.— Is there a line of steamers from New York to 

 Philadelphia? If so, from what pier and on what days do they sail? 

 also price of passage? Ans. None from New York to Philadelphia that 

 carry passengers. The Old Dominion Line of steamers which runs to 

 Lewes, Delaware, is good. They leave here on Monday, Wednesday, 

 and Friday, at 3 p. m., from pier 37, North river, foot of Beach street. 

 Fare $3. 



G. C. P., Harrison, N. Y.— Please advise me whether I can use the 

 Fly wire cartridge to an advantage in my breech-loader, as W. W. Green- 

 er in his work on "Modern Breech-Loaders," says: "The wire frame 

 containing the shot is destroyed by passing from the cartridge case 

 through the taper into the barrels." Ans We should recommend the 

 Kay concentrating cartridge, or the Ely concentrator (not wire cartridge) 

 as best adapted for breech-loaders. 



Inquirer, Laconia.- -Please inform me, through your valuable paper, 

 if a pup frooj an Irish setter bi ch, by a spaniel deg will be likely to 

 ever make a good hunting dog for any game, and if so, what kind? The 

 pup is red, with tail and ears well feathered; in fact, shows no spaniel at 

 all. Ans. A dog bred as yours is, if properly broken, will make a good, 

 servicable cleg for any game for which a setter or spaniel is used; and 

 as yours takes after the setter he may become staunch on all game; at 

 all events, he could be made a good retriever, and be useful as such. 



Subscriber, Sturgis, Mich.— I have a very fine pointer dog which is 

 very sensitive about the roots of his tail. Flies annoy him bv lighting 

 there, so much as to cause him to bark savagely and run and throw him- 

 self in a way to make strangers think he is mad. He is very clever ex- 

 cept when touched about the tail. Patties here say it is worms. Do you 

 think it is, and if so, will yon send me a remedy? Ans. After washing 

 with Castile or carbolic soap, anoint the parts with oil of tar, and give 

 the powdered areca nut which we have mailed to you as directed. 



F. B. F., Frankfort.— 1. I would like to purchase a good spaniel dog 

 at a fair price, one par'icularly adapted to partridge shooting? 2. What 

 do you think of attaching a bell to a cocker in cover shoot'ng? Ans. 1. 

 You will have to advertise for a spaniel. We shall not hereafter recom- 

 mend either dogs or dealers. 2. In thick cover shooting the bell is a 

 great advantage as you are kept aware of the whereabouts of your dog. 

 Not so necessary however for a cocker as a setter, as the former give 

 tongue when they Hush a bird, and with the setter or pointer the silence 

 of the bell indicates a point. 



Foxall, Boonton, N. J.— 1. What is the best way to keep young 

 frogs and crawfish alive for some days, and can it be done successfully: 

 2. What is the proper dose of areca nut for a horse, if good? I tried 

 some for worms in my setter, and I only wonder that they had not eaten 

 the poor thing up the way she voided them. 3. What is considered the 

 best pattern and penetration for perfect cylinder-bored gun; No. 6 shot, 

 40 yards, 30 inches? Ans. 1. Pack tbem in wet moss. 2. For a horse 

 troubled with worms give one-half ounce of powdered areca nut every 

 two hours— three doses— four hours after give a purgative. 3. 150 pel- 

 lets. 



B. N. H. , Washington, D. C— There is a fine stream in this vicinity 

 which I think is well adapted for trout. Iff knew how; and the ex- 

 pense not too heavy, 1 should like to stock it. Please state how I should 

 proceed; whether I should get the eggs or young fry, and what to do 

 with them after I get them: also the probable cost per 1,000? Ans. 

 Your surest and best method is to employ the services of a good fish cul- 

 turist, who will stock your water and care for it at moderate expense. 

 Fry from $8 to $10 per 1,000; eggs $5 or less. Communicate with W* . H. 

 Crowell, Ludlow, McKean Co., Pa., or Milton P. Pierce, Wenonah 

 Gloucester Co., N. J. 



A. H. W., New Yo'k.— A short time ago I saw in your paper that Jno 

 game was allowed to be shipped out of the State of Iowa. Is this a 

 State law, or does it apply only to some counties? If so, what is the 

 penalty? Ans. It is a general State law, and the penalty for violation is 

 $10 for each bird. 



G. O. G., Danville, P. Q —Kindly inform me where I can find good 

 woodcock shooting on the line of the Intercolonial railway (either New 

 Brunswick or Province Quebec); also snipe and wild fowl shooting? 

 Ans. You will find the best snipe and duck shooting on the small 

 islands in the St. Lawrence below Qnebec, between Orleans and Goose 

 Islands. For woodcock Cumberland Co., N. S. is said to be an excellent 

 groun d. 



John McC, Philadelphia.— Can f you inform me where lean get R. G 

 Wood's book on Swimming and Skating? What is the cost? Ans. Prof! 

 Wm. Wood, of the N Y. Young Men's Christian Association, on 23d 

 street and 4th avenue, has edited a work entitled "Wood s Physical Ex- 

 ercise," published by Harper's. We think the third edition is just out. 

 In this work swimming and pkatiug are very fully treated. This Mr 

 Wood is quite sure there is no work on that by any R. G. Wood. 



C. H. W., Danbury, Conn.— I have a setter dog that has been troubled 

 for some time with a thick yellowish discharge from his eyes; his coat is 

 rough and he looks bad; appetite good; works well, and has plenty of 

 ambition. Have tried lotions of different kinds without any success. I 

 am of the opinion that he has worms. I have tried to get some areca 

 nut, but our druggists do not ke-p it. Please give me your opinion. 

 Ans. Your dog is in all probability afflicted with worms; but even if 

 not the areca nut we have mailed to you will put him in condition if 

 given as directed. 



W. H. S., Philadelphia.— My setter dog, four years old, is tioubled 

 with something in his ears; he shakes his head kind of sideways, and if 

 you touch it it seems to hurt him. I can't see anything by looking in 

 his ear; but he likes to have it rubbed gently. Can I do anything for 

 him? Ans. Your dog has canker. Make a solution of bine vitro], 30 

 grains to 4 ounces of water, and before applying it wash the ears out 

 thoroughly with Castile soap and warm water; then pour in the solution 

 twice a day for two or three days. Feed the dog sparingly— no meat— 

 and give him regular exercise daily. 



W. E. C, Buffalo, N. Y.— I have a skye terrier dog who has fpr some 

 months been afflicted with what I have supposed to be mange; he con- 

 tinually bites and scratches himself, so much so as to take the hair off in 

 spots. I have used a preparation I saw given in your valuable paper, 

 viz : oil tar, lac sulphur, etc., with very little effect. Can you give me 

 an idea as {p the nature of the disorder, ane state what will be necessary 

 for me to give him in order to relieve him? Ans. In addition to the 

 remedy you are using give your terrier four drops of Fowler's solution 

 of arsenic twice a day for a week. 



Inquirer, Philadelphia.— Will yon please inform an amateur fisher- 

 man, through the columns of i our valuable paper, if there is a book 

 published giving instructions and all information how to make artificial 

 flies, the price, and where the same cau be purchased? Also where I can 

 buy material for making flies, and how much, and how should I order 

 same sufficient to make a fair book? Ans. No book treating solely of 

 fly-making. In Mr. Choimondely Pennell's "Modern Practical Angler," 

 published by Seribner, price $3, you will find some hints; also in our 

 issues of March 16th and July 6th. 



B. L. B., San Francisco.— I have a setter dog nine months old who 

 had the distemper last April, but ever since the running of the eyes has 

 continued. He has an enormous appetite, but remains very lean. 

 Some days he is very feverish, aud other days not at all. Can you 

 judge from these symptoms what the disease is? If so, by sending the 

 necessary medicine C. O. LL. aud an answer in your column of Answers 

 to Correspondents you will greatly oblige an old subscriber. Ans. 

 Have mailed to you a remedy for your setter, with directions for its use. 



G. B. B., Worcester, Mass. — p an you give me sny information re- 

 garding a good hunting an < fishing locality — more particularly hunting, 

 say shore shooting--where I and a friend, can spend a week in Septem- 

 ber? Do not want to go- where there is much, walking to be done, as my 

 friend is lame. Do you know of any place in this State (Massachusetts) 

 Maine, or the Canadaa that might be reached in a day and a half from 



here or sooner, if possible? Ans. Write to John H.Thompson, P. O. 

 box 440 New Bedford, who will fit you out with yacht, etc., and give you 

 both shooting and fishing among the islands in Buzzard's Bay on your 

 coast. There are some birds at Rye Beach, N. H. 



Sweet Springs, W. Va.— Will you kindly inform me if I am not 

 right in stating that there was a trout (genuine Salmo fontinalis) taken 

 of eight pounds and exhibited in New York two or three years ago? 

 Also tell me the largest weight of Salmo fontinalis, and if the trout of 

 Moosehead and Rangeley lakes is the Salmo fontinalis or Salmo* con finis? 

 Ans. Yes. One weighing ten pounds is now to be seen, stuffed, at the 

 office of Page, Kinder & Co , 10 Warren street. The heaviest veritable 

 Salmo fontinalis that we have personal knowledge of weighed 17 pounds 

 and was caught in one of the streams ithe Anamoosa) emptying into 

 Nepigon Lake north shore of Lake Superior. Both the confinis and fon- 

 tinalis are taken at Rangely and Moosehead. 



Pigeon, York, Pa.— 1. Can Ely's wire cartridges be safely used in a 

 breechloader? (by safety I mean without danger). If so, do they give 

 better results than loose charges? 2. Please give best manner for load- 

 ing metal shells for a 12-gauge Greener choke-bored, in order to make it 

 scatter for field shooting, giving size and thickness of wads? 3. Give a 

 receipe for preparing dog bread or food? Ans. 1. There would be no 

 danger in using Ely's wire cartridges in breech-loaders, but we doubt if 

 they would shoot better than loose shot. 2. We know of no way to load 

 shells for a choke-bored gun so as to make the shot scatter except by 

 increasing the charge of powder. 3. Take beef's heads or any kind of 

 rough meat and boil it to rags, then with corn meal make a well boiled 

 mush, adding some salt to the mess while booking. 



W. H. S., Philadelphia— 1. In purchasing a breech-loading gun for 

 all kinds of shooting would yon consider a pitternof 2(0 at 40 yards 

 with number 6 shot too close, and if so what would you consider about 

 right? I am speaking of a 13-bore. 2. Which do you consider 'he best 

 for breech-loading guns Damascus or Laminated steel? 3. In ordering a 

 gun for all kinds of shooting is not about 8 pounds to 8£ a good weight 

 for a gun? Ans. 1. We consider that 200 pellets at 40 yards number 6 

 shot, 30-inch circle rather too clo^e for ordinary upland shooting. We 

 prefer a gun that would throw about 160 pellets evenly spread. 2. There 

 is very little difference between Damascus and Laminated steel barrels, 

 either are good enough. 3. Yes. 



Norfolk.— 1. What number of grouse a day would vou consider fair 

 shooting in southern or middle Illinois? Ans. Ten pair per day in Sep- 

 tember. 2. Name two localities in southern or middle Illinois, and the 

 same in Missouri and Arkansas, where you have good reasons for believ- 

 ing such shooting may be had. Ans. There is excellent shooting along 

 the M. , K. and Texas Railroad. 3. Wonld it be worth the trouble and 

 expense to take my own dog or fake the chance of hiring some apology 

 for a dog where I may hope to find my shooting? Ans. Take your own 

 dog. 4. Can you state the probable cost of a ten days' trip for one man 

 from Richmond, Ky., to Cario, 111., to some good grouse or grouse and 

 duck ground in Missouri or Arkansas? Ans. You will get no snipe or 

 duck shootiug until late in October. 



Shelley, Pittsburgh.— A friend of mine has an aquarium containing 

 some goldfish. It, holds 18 gallons of water. He wants to know how 

 many fish will thrive in it; also to know if they are ever fed, and if so 

 what is given them; whether you change the water; and in fact wants 

 concisely the modus operandi of caring for them? Ans. One of the best 

 informed men on goldfish is T. B. Ferguson, of Baltimore, one of the 

 Maryland Fish Commissioners. Seth Green and Fred Mather are good 

 authority. You can address Mr. Mather at the New York Aquarium, 

 35ih street, corner Broadway. Goldfish are very easy to raise. They 

 like warm water better than very cold, and will stand crowding tolerably 

 well, so long as you have aquatic plants in the tank to aerate the water 

 and give them food. The water should be kept in motion by a little 

 stream running through it, though this is not necessary. Read our illus- 

 trated article of July 6th showing how to treat an aquarium. 



D. G. S., Brooklyn.— 1. Is there any prospect of three young men 

 making a living at sheep or cattle raising in the southern part of Califor- 

 nia? 2. Which would you advise, sheep or cattle, for a party of three 

 who will have a v^ry small capital to commence on and no experience? 

 3: As we would like to save all the money we can would it not be 

 cheaper to go by sailing vessel than by railroad? Our object is to go out 

 there and settle. Is the fall season a good time to start? Ans. 1. The 

 sheep business is being overdone in Southern California. We should 

 recommeud in preference Colorado or New Mexico. 2. Sheep would 

 be the best. 3. Go by rail and by all means in the spring or summer 

 season, as then you see the country at its worst during the dry season. 

 If satisfied then yon will be happy in winter anrt will not be delud d into 

 settling on land which, while blooming like a garden in winter, may be 

 a barren desert without water for yourself or stock in summer. 



A. B. D., New York city.— While fishing in a small mountain brook in 

 Annapolis Co., Nova Scot ia, last month.I caught aktnd of trout new to me. 

 They were very quick to bite and would only bite at a fly or bait on top of 

 the wa'er when moving quite fast. Thev were small, none over eight 

 inches in length. Their scales appeared to be larger than the brook 

 trout and looked like specks of gold and silver leaf laying on the fish in 

 the sun. For markings, they had four or five lead colored spots on their 

 sides about the size of small peas, ana small splatter 3 of bright rect along 

 the side in a straight line? Can you inform me to what species of the 

 salmo family they belong? Ans. Alas! you have been innocently catch- 

 ing the parr or yearling salmon. Never do it auain. 2 Can you tell if 

 there is any salmon and trout fishing in the vicinity of Los Angeles, or 

 Santa Barbara. California, and what is the season therefor flyfishing? 

 Ans. Plenty of trout in the Coast Range streams, but no salmon. Will 

 take the fly at an v time. 3. Please give the address of Thaddeus Norris, 

 who wrote the articles on Fly Tying in your paper some time ago? Ans. 

 No. 208 West Logan Square, Philadelphia. 



F. L. G. , Boston.— 1. What is the most satisfactory load for a 7£-lb. 

 Scott gun, 12 bore, length 20 inches, breech-loader. and one inclined to 

 spread the shot? I am using it often on woodcock and shall now on 

 partr;dge, but it does not kill to my satisfaction 2. Is there any pref- 

 erence in wads in the loading of shells, and which make is the best? 3. 

 Does the turning in of the shells affect the shooting?? Ans. We should 

 advise for general -hooting 3j drachms powder and l£ oz. shot; but the 

 ways of guns are like those of women, often peculiar, and the only way 

 of determining their best pattern and penetration is by experimenting. 

 We have a gun made by Scoit of the same dimensions as yout's which 

 came to us with the charge stamped on the barrels— 3 drachms powder 

 and l£ ozs. shot— but it is slightly choked, and Mr. Scott informed us 

 personally to increase the charge of powder to increase the pattern; the 

 same rule would probably work both ways. 2. Use Ely's felt or pink- 

 edge wads on powder, without ramming too hard, and Baldwin wad on 

 shot. 3. It depends on the chambering of the gun; try turning your 

 shells, and afterwards some with the wads fastened down with a drop of 

 Spalding's glue and not cut or turned. In the latter case they will fit 

 the chamber, and probably give better results. 



L. R., New Haven, Ct.— Please advise me in your next issue how to 

 treat the following trouble with my setter dog: He is boared almost con- 

 stantly on chain, but I find it immpossible to keep him in good flesh. 

 Nose dry and scaly, coat rough and lark luster, and very poor, also has a 

 sore on the outside base of each ear, weich fust appeared after hunting 

 in briery cover in July, and have been unable to cure them on account 

 of flies and his constant scrarching. Have use i tar to keep off flies, nut 

 cannot heal them as he has scratched tbem all raw again? Ans. The 

 trouble with your dog arises from bad keeping. > o dog can be kept in 

 good condition if kept chained where fleas and flies abound— or is not 

 freed from his chain for exercise every day. Ballard's fllea killer adver- 

 tised in our paper, will at once destaoy those pests, but first give 'he 

 dog a thorough washing with common soap and water, and then a full 

 dose of purgative medicine— castor oil or pills. Then place him in a 

 clean shaded place. After washing his ears apply a solution of (sulphate 

 of blue vitrol to the sores, 10 grains to cm? ounee water ( 



