FOREST AND STREAM, 



m 



M* w SttblUationB. 



BOOKS RECEIVED. 



The Complete American Trapper.— By Wm. H. Gib- 

 son, New York: James Milller, publisher. 



There has long been quite an extensive inquiry for a more complete 

 and reliable repository of information concerning traps and trapping 

 tban existing publications afforded. Mr. Gibson seems to have entered 

 with enthusiasm upon the preparation of a volume that should meet this 

 demand; for he has not only presented a vast fund of practical informa- 

 tion, but he has devoted much taste and expense to the embellishment 

 of his ideas. The book is a handsome volume of 300 pages, and con- 

 tains nearly one hundred and fifty illustrations, many of which are 

 highly artistic, and convey the cleverest idea of the snares, trap, nets 

 and devices to which the text of the work is devoted. A vast number 

 of ingenious designs are presented, many of them entirely new, and for 

 the first time here given to the public. The author has not only had in 

 view t^e guidance and instruction of sportsmen and those who wish to 

 become adepts in trapping as a business, but presents many devices of 

 utility in capturing pests which infast all premises, and more especially 

 for the instruction and amusement of youth In Ihe country. The haunts 

 and habits of large game and fur bearing animals are fully described, 

 with the most effective tricks and devices for trailing, luring and taking 

 them, and for saving their skins and preserving them for market. The 

 closing chapters are devoted to suggestions for establishing a trapper's 

 camp, including plans of huts, tents, and all the needed impedimenta 

 for a campaign through forest and stream. It is a timely volume, and 

 appears to be very complete and reliable. 



«*+» 



MAGAZINES. 



■» ■ 



We find in Bcribnera for November the usual variety of 

 entertaining and well selected matter, which the proprietors always lay 

 before their readers. The opening article is an illustrated sketch of 

 "The Charter Oak City," depicting . the various places of interest in 

 Hartford, notably the residences of Col. Colt and Mark Twain. A series 

 cf articles by Mr, Charles Barnard on Co-operation in Greai Britain are 

 commenced, and in the first the workings of "A Scottish Loaf Fac- 

 tory" were described. The series wi.l be of interest to our own econo- 

 mists. Mr. Hale's story describing incidents immediately preceding and 

 connected with the acquisition of Louisiana by this Government, is 

 continued, but will probably be concluded in anntuer month. The other 

 serial— Mrs. Burnett's "That Lass o' Lowrie's," a picture of life among 

 the miners— increases in romantic interest. Mr. Clarence Cook's inter- 

 esting talks about furniture are continued, and the minor miscellany is 

 all «jp to U> standard. Dr. Holland, in the editorial department, dis- 

 courses of "American Art Industries and Country Homes." 



St. Nicholas is brimful of good things. Little boys and girls 

 who are already thinking of Christmas will be immensely pleased with the 

 opening story, which tells how the King of Greedyland had a .tart made 

 which was as large as the capitol. Who ate it, or what became of it we 

 will not know until next month. Mrs. (we believe) Coolidge supplies the 

 historical in a sketch of Q,ueeu Matilda of England; Mr. Pieston tells 

 "About Lead Pencil," and Mrs. Carter about ''A Little Boston Girl of 

 17*6." But we cannot enumerate all the articles in St. Nicholas; the 

 quantity is large and the quality firat class. Jack in the Pulpit has his 

 usual talk with his friends, and even the little toddlers can find amuse- 

 ment in a department prepared lor them. 



"W-d are at last reconciled to the change ia Appletorts 

 Journal fro n a weekly to a monthly, arid we will venture to say that the 

 current i- boo is equal in the variety and value of its contents to any pe- 

 riodical published. If we have one fault to find with it, it is in the fact 

 of there ueiog too many continued articles— no less than five— but of 

 these, two are only in two parts. Helen B. Mather's romantic story with 

 the queer title "As He Comes up the Stairs," is finished saoisfactorily by 

 the restoration of the hmband supposed to be drowned. Mr. Julian 

 Hawthorne, in his **Out of London" papers, is very severe upon the id- 

 iosyncrasies of John Bull, whom he thinks is himself wanting in many 

 of what are usually considered English trails. Ia fact, even with "Amer- 

 ican Notes" in our mind, we think that he is almost to severe, and in 

 drawing the balance scarcely carries enough to the credit side. One 

 would almost imagine that the writer was "out in London." Washing- 

 ton Irving is brought to mind by an engraving of Katrina Van Taseel, 

 from the painting by Benjamin F. Reinhart; but we do not liko the face. 

 One of the most interesting articles is "A California Wheat Harvest," 

 by Albert F. Webster. Those who have not seen a California wheat 

 field can scarcely realize the vast expanse of grain, and the operation of 

 cutting and thrashing; the latter by si earn on so large a scale is really 

 wonderful. The ladies will read with interest Mrs. Hooper's papor on 

 "The Servant Question in Paris," where they manage things so much 

 better. In the Editor's Table we find a criticism of Prof. Huxley's lec- 

 tures, and a very excellent article on oysters. 



In LippincotV s for November L-.dy Barker's very enter- 

 taining description of domestic life (under difficulties, we should say,) in 

 South Africa are continued, and anew serial by George Macdbnald, en- 

 titled "The Mai quis of Lossie." is commenced.. Anything from Mac- 

 donald's pen can scarcely fail of being interesting, and his present story 

 promises to sustain his deservedly high reputation. The illustrated ar- 

 ticles comprise another of "The Century" series, descriptive of the 

 agricultural and horticultural features of tbe great Exhibition, and 

 "Walks and Visits in Wadsworth's Country," by Ellis Yarrell. Mr. 

 Hart discourses of "Higher Education" and Mrs. Hooper on the "Curi- 

 osities of the Parisian Post Office." The serial story is Ellen W, 01- 

 ney'e, "Love in Idleness." 



In the Galaxy for November the place of honor is given 

 to Mr. Wm. Black's story, "Madcap Violet," which promises to end, as 

 do most novels, in a happy marriage. A very interesting article is that 

 on "Burgoyne's General Order Book," in which are transcribed the gen- 

 eral orders to the British Army in days preceding the summer at Sara- 

 toga. The haughty spiiit of the British chieftain and the stern royalist 

 breathes in every Hue. The article on "Recent English Fiction," by W. 

 C. Bronnell, will be read with much interest. In it the works of Black, 

 Blackmore, and Hardy are dissected and contrasted . Joaquin Miller 

 contributes a characteristic and strong poem in "Como." Gen. Custer's 

 "War Memoirs" are continued, this last paper being one fouud among 

 his effects. Mr. Albert Rhodes contributes an article on "What We 

 Shall Eat," and Mr. Olney a very pretty story entitled "Miss Ruth." 

 Phillip Qnilbert gathers his "Drift Wood" as usual, Current Literature 

 is discussed as usual, and there is a goodly assortment of Scientific Mis- 

 cellany . 



The Eclectic as usual contains a well selected list of papers 

 from contemporaneous Reviews and Magazines. The frontispiece is a 

 fine steel engraving, Dr. Phillip Schaff, the venerable biblical scholar, 

 of whose life a brief sketch is given. For lighter reading we have the 

 concluding part or Mrs. Alexander's f 'Her Dearest Foe," and for the sub- 

 stantial an elab ra e paper from the Quarterly Review entitled "Modern 

 Philosophers on me Probable Age of the World." The other papers 

 are "South-Sea Island Mythology," "Russia in Europe," by Arthur 

 Arnold; "Society in Italy inthe Last Days of the Roman Republic," by 

 James Anliony Froude; "A Forsaken Garden," by Algernon Charles 

 Swinburne; "Sketch of a Journey Across Africa," by Lieutenant Cam- 

 eron, Part III.; "A Pontifie-tfe of Thirty Years;" "Wordsworth's 

 Ethics," by Leslie Stephen; "Zulu Witches and Witch-Finders," by Lady 

 Barker; "M'.rvaunee," by, William Allingham; "Excursion in Formosa;" 

 "Natural Magic;" "The Brigands of Bulgarian Song;" "Modern Polite* 

 »es»; M »*4 "The Chhd Violinist," by Austin Pobsow, 



%nmt\* %a §^r\t«fmimi$* 



No Notice Taken of Anonymous Communication*. 



Biz, East Liverpool.— Can you give me the pedigree of Mr. Charles 

 Lovett's setter dog Shot, Allagfceny City, Pa.? Ans. We can not. 



S. T., Philadelphia.— Please send me the name of the best treatise on 

 the breeding and rearing of dogs. Ans. Dinks, May hew & Hutchinson; 

 price. $8. We can send it. 



Tegbmsbe, Bavaria.— Will you please inform me through your paper, 

 if in o jumping match one is allowed to run ot the obstacle at an angle 

 of less than 45 degrees, and go over it sideways? Ans. Certainly not. 



E. K., New York.— Is the $50 or $60 Parker Brother's eun a safe 

 breech-loader? and where can I get a pair of barrels for a Parker muz- 

 zle loader, 10-bore, for about $12? Ans. Yes; perfectly safe. Do not 

 know where you can get barrels for that money. 



C. S. M»C., Englewood, N. J.— Be so kind as to infoimme if there is 

 pnchaplace on Che Passaic river as the "Parcippany Swamps," for 

 ducK shooting, and if so, where it is, and whether it is a good place to 

 go for ducfes? Ans. There is such a place, near Boonton, very little 

 duck shooting we should say, unless it is a few black and wood ducks. 



N. C. P., Philadelphia.— Having learned, during my sojourn here, 

 that better penetration can be obtained by using the English chilied shot 

 than from our own manufacture, I beg you to advise me in the next issue 

 of your paper where I may obtain the same? Ans. From H. C. Squires, 

 No. 1 Courtland street, this city. 



A. S. C, Philadelphia.— Please inform me through your paper if 

 Christmas is a good season for duck shooting on Barnegat Bay? also in 

 what manner they are shot there, and what are the accomodations? Ans. 

 Yes. Shot from points and sneak boat; numerous hotels at Barnegat 

 village, Waretown, &c. 



L. W. B., Randolph, Mass.— Can you accommodate a constant reader 

 by informing me of some reliable correspondent in Southern California, 

 to whom I could write for information. Ans. Address H, M. Mitchell, 

 Los Angeles, Cal. 



M. P. McK., Franklin, N. Y.— I see in this week's Fobbst and 

 Stiieam a short piece on the harmless nerve quieting effects of "caca." 

 Where can I obtain it? Ans. You can obtain either the powdered leaves 

 or fluid extract from Fraser & Lee, wholesale druggists, No. 20Beekman 

 street, this city. 



W. H. W., Lakerille.— Please inform me where I can procure live 

 quail to turn loose next tpring for breeding, and also the probable cost 

 of the same per pair or per dozen. Ans. By writing to Whiteley & 

 Morris, Washington market, New York. The price varies from $4 to $5 

 ie: dozea. 



Tudob, Ipswich.— Can you tell me if woodcock and English snipe are 

 found ir. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in any quantity? How is the 

 shooting near Quaro, some sixty miles, I Delieve, east of St. John? Ans. 

 There is good English snipe and duck shooting at Quaro, with a few 

 woodcock. Snipe are common in many parts of New Brunswick and 

 Nova Scotia, and breed there. Quaro is a favorite resort for sportsmen. 



A. P., Quebec— Could you inform me what price fresh frozen trout 

 from seven to ten inches would be likely to bring in New York per pound 

 (wholesale), in the months of February and March. Please also furnish 

 names of parties who would deal for the same. Ans. Trout in our mar- 

 ket previous to the 15th of March would be in violation of the law and 

 subject the possessor to a heavy penalty. We are happy to say that we 

 know of no party who would deal in tne same prior to that date. 



J. O. W.. New Braunfels, Texas.— Will you please inform me to 

 what make of breech-loading shot guns was given the highest award 

 for durability and shootiug qualities, and best breech fastening, Ans. 

 We presume you mean at the Centennial. Guns there shared the same 

 fate as all other exhibits, and as far as we know a l received medals and 

 diplomas without distinction. 



S. L. F., New Yoik.— 1 . Where can I go for good quail shooting on 

 the 3d and 4th, or the 10th and 11th of November, within three or four 

 hours rail from New York? 2. Are there any woodcock, (or other small 

 feathered game) around the Fulton (main Lakes (Adirondacks), to be 

 bad during the month of July? 3. Do the guides furnish pointers or 

 setters, or not? 4. Whicu is most usefel in that locality, rifle or shot gun? 

 Ans. 1st. Replied toby letter. 2. A few woodcock. 3. They do not.. 

 4. Breech-loading shot gun. 



F. J. McM., Newburgh, N. Y,— I have a small fox-hound that had 

 the distemper last summer p retty bad, but he came around all right . 

 Lately he has hot been well; he will eat hardly anything; is very thin; 

 nose dry; eyes run, and his coat is very rough. He is not near as play- 

 ful as he used to be. Is it possible that he has worms? Please tell me 

 what you think is the matter, and what medicine shall I give him. Ans. 

 Your dog is in all proability afflicted with worms. Have mailed to you 

 some powdered areca nut, which will relieve him if given as directed. 



S. C. H., Washington.— Be good enough to inform me where I can 

 get a young cocker spaniel for ruffed grouse and woodcock (a good bark- 

 er), and at what price. Would prefer one already broken, though that 

 is not indispensible. Will he make a good watch dog? Ans. We do not 

 know wnerc you can procure cocker spaniels. Perhaps some of our 

 readers can inform us. Such dogs are generally very watchful. 



Petbb, Fulton, N. Y.- To whom can I consign venison in your city t 

 and what can I get per pound? Ans. Venison in the carcass, now sells 

 at 11 and 12 cents per pound in the New York markets; short saddles 

 18 cents. The supply is in general fully up to the demand. E. & A. Rob- 

 bine, Fulten market are the heaviest dealers. You might get 10 cents 

 per pound, 



Spobtsman, New York.— Will you be kind enough to inform me 

 when tho game laws are up in New Jersey and New York. Also what 

 birds you cannot shoot when the game laws are up. Ans, In New 

 Jersiy ruffed grouse, quail and rabbits November 1st; woodcock July 

 4th, and ducks September 1st. In New York ruffed grouse September 

 1st; quail October 1st; woodcock July 3d; duck September 1st, except 

 in Suffolk County, where the law expires October let. See "Fur,; Fin 

 and Feather." 



H. C. R, Darby, Pa.— I have a pointer (young); he will find and 

 stand quail, but thinks he must fetch when the birds run ahead of him. 

 What must I do with him? Correct him in what way, or will he grow 

 out of it? Ans The only way to prevent your dog from chasing birds 

 is to punish him for the fault by whip or check cord. If he is suffered 

 to have his own way he will become worse instead of better. 



D. J. L., Boston. —My setter dog is four years old, and about two 

 years ago he had distemper very hard, and ever since has had a sore ear, 

 which is constantly running, and when lying down in the house his head 

 throbs, and once in every hour or so he will jump and shake his head. 

 Ans. Your dog has canker. Make a solution of sulphate of copper, 

 eight grains to the ounce of water. After cleansing the ear with Castile 

 soap and tepid water, pour well into the ear some of the liquid twice a 

 day for two or three days, always washing out the ear before ueino; the 

 liquid. Feed little or no meat for a while. See other recipes in kennel 

 column. . 



F. E. L. B., Ames, Iowa.— 1. I want to get a gun of all-work, some- 

 thing with which I can shoot praiiie chickens, quail, snipe, mallard 

 ducks, and also one to shoot smaller birds for stuffing. Please advise 

 me as to gauge, weight, length of barrel? 2. If the finest quality 

 of English guns cost $350, can a gun that costs only $75 be called a really 

 good gun? if I were to pay, say, $100 for a gun had I better buy an 

 English or an American make? Ans. 1. A gun of 12-gauge 30 inch bar- 

 rels, weight from 8 to 8£ pounds, varying the charge according to the 

 game, 2. For from $75 to $100 you can purchase a good safe lasting 

 gun, of either American or foreign. make f one which, will 9koot as well as 

 any gun, 



E. W., Philadelphia.— I am interested in a dog of the "Board-yard" 

 breed, as it is called here. He is of little market value. He is a good 

 soul, (if dogs have souls) a good "watch dog," and the faithful compan- 

 ion of a watchman. Well, he is sick, and has been for some weeks, is 

 weak and feeble, but not from old age, being not over six years old. His 

 symptoms are: extreme weakness, "with all that that implies;" poor ap- 

 petite; preferring crackers and refusing meat; puffs and blows like a 

 horse badly struck with the "heaves;" seems to avoid laying down, and 

 will sleep standing up and then fall to the floor, &c. Perhaps from this 

 you can guess what is the matter, and prescribe something for him. If 

 you can suggest a remedy for him you will be doing a kindness. You do 

 advise about other dogs of value, but none more highly prized or deeply 

 loved by his masier than this wretched faithful beast, whose days can be 

 but few in this world, unless something is done for him? Ans. Try the 

 condition powders which have been mailed to you and see that he is 

 regularly exercised. 



S. A. C, Lacorna, N. H.— 1. Please inform me the best kind of dog 

 for treeing partridge, that has the strongest scent, &c? 2. Is there any 

 work printed that will inform a man how to train a tree dog thoroughly, 

 if so where can I find it, and at about what would it cost? 1. Ans. A 

 ©ocUer spaniel is the best dog for treeing ruffed grouse, called partridges 

 in some sections of the country, but Scotch and English terriers will 

 answer well for that purpose. 2. There is no work published 1 upon the 

 subject of breaking dogs to tree birds'. Almost any of the smaller 

 varieties of dogs, will do it if used for the purpose. 



E. J., New York.— 1. What are the game laws of the State of New 

 Jersey ? 2. Underneath yon will find bore of my shot gun, muzzle loader. 

 What size is it, and also what would be the average charge of powder 

 and shot? 3. Please inform me what is good to take rust off a gun and 

 not injure the polish? Ans. 1. The game laws of New Jersey make a 

 close season for ruffed grouse, quail, and rabbits, to November 1st; 

 woodcock, July 4th, and wood duck, September 1st; squirrels, July 1st. 

 2. The gauge of your gun is No. 12; the charge would be determined by 

 the weight; try 3 drs. powder and 1£ oz. shot. 3. Try a raw potatoe on 

 the rust spots, or kerosene oil. 



C. A. Ward, St. Johns, N. B— I shot a wild pigeon near Tuaco on the 

 13th October. We do not have them here now in any quantity. Do 

 they ever winter here? Ans. There is nothing on record to show that 

 the wild pigeon ever winters as far north as Tuaco. 



C. W., New York.— 1 . 1 shot two fish hawks on Staten Island in the early 

 part of September, the largest measuring (from tip to tip) five feet ten 

 inches, the smallest five ieet four inches; were they not unusually large? 

 2. Of what class of birds are clape, and is there any law protecting 

 them? Ans. 1. Your birds were unusually large; tbey do not often 

 measure more, than five feet. 2. The clape, ColapLesauratm x>icidae, or 

 woodpeckers. It is piotected by law in some States, coming under the 

 head of insectivorous birds. It is locally known as flicker, yellow ham- 

 mer, i.nd highholder. 



A. B.D.,New York.— Can you tell me if there is any shooting or 

 fishing in Bermuda during the winter season, and what are the laws in 

 regard to the same on that island? Can you give me the address of any 

 party in the Western or Southern States of whom I can procure some 

 wild turkey and mallard feathers? Ans. There is no hunting of any 

 kind in Bermuda, but the fishing is excellent. The principal varieties 

 are the angel fish, gray snapper, yelting, or red-fish, rockfish, grouper, 

 butterfish, hind, chub, bream, goatshead, squirrel flsb, hoaits, mackerel, 

 round robin, goggler, buffalo jack, shad, hogfish, cowfish, barracuda, 

 sennet, mullet, anchovy, and pilchard. See Fobbst and Stkeam March 

 lGih, 1876. For wild turkey feathers^write to Dr. Rawlmgs Young, 

 Corinth, Mississippi ; and for mallards to Fred Pond, Montello, Wiscon- 

 sin. 



T. C, E , Ithaca, N. Y.— Can you tell me where and when our com- 

 mon silver or fresh water eel spawns? I have caught them at all seasons 

 of the year and have not yet been able to detect any sign of spawn, I 

 have been told that they are a hybrid, but this idea seems improbable to 

 me. Ans. Scarcely anything is known at present of the breeding of the 

 eel. Investigations on this subject are in progress, but as yet nothing 

 definite has been published. The question as to whether the eel is her- 

 maphrodite or not has been recently discussed in European journals. 

 Yarrell claims that eels are both unisexual and bisexual. Specimens 

 containing ovarian eggs have been taken at about this season of the 

 year. It is not known positively where the eggs are deposited. Wood' d 

 Natnral History says they spawn in the gravel. In May, 1875, Wm. J. 

 Wilson, of Warsaw, New £York, enclosed to us a small quantity of eel 

 spawn taken from an eel weighing about four, pounds. For intelligent 

 article on "Generation of Eels," see Fobbst and Stream, June ISth, 

 1875. 



T. W. , Leeeburg, Va.— Can you tell me how to prevent drop flies get- 

 ting entangled with the leader? to make the entanglement the exception 

 and not the rule? How are Sproat hooks numbered as to size? Do tackle 

 dealers ever have illustrated circulars so that one could know by what 

 name to order flies? Ans. We cannot imagine how droppers can be at- 

 tached to a leader in such a way as to become entangled unless they are 

 too long? The snell of the stretcher should not be over six inches long, 

 the middle dropper four inches, and the upper one five inches. In mak- 

 ing a leader, join the gut-lengths by the "water knot," and insert the 

 knotted end of the dropper into the loop provided, and draw the lengths 

 together tight. The only objection to this method is that it wears the 

 gut in changing flies. With a snell hook, pass a bight of the leader into 

 the loop, and the end of the dropper through the bight, and draw all 

 parts to place. Drops are also fastened to the casting line by a half 

 hitch. You can be taught all kinds of knots in a few minutes, but the in- 

 struction is difficult to impart in writing. Sproat hooks are numbered 

 from 20, the smallest, down to 1, and up to 10.0, the largest. We have 

 mailed you samples of 12, 9, 3, and 5.0. Hooks smaller than No. 12 are 

 seldom used. It is very minute, as you will see. Tackle dealers have 

 no circulars, such as you speak of. Accompany your order with informa- 

 tion as to the localities to be fished and the fish to be caught, and any in- 

 telligent dealer can fill it properly. 



J. M. J,, Philadelphia.— I wish to get your advice in regard to stock- 

 ing a lake in Sullivan county, Pa.. 300 acres in area. What is the best 

 game fish to put in? The water is the purest spring, but is supplied by 

 some inlet into the lake itself, and by little or no water from the sur- 

 rounding country. At present trout, sunfish, and catfish, are the only 

 fish in it. The trout are old residents and do not seem to breed very 

 fast. Can you suggest any means of keeping up the supply by assisting 

 the trout to spawn? Would land-locked salmon breed in such water, 

 and would salmon trout or black bass thrive harmoniously with the trout? 

 and would they be valuable fish to stock with? Ans. In a pond of the 

 kind you describe, it will be impossible to keep up the supply of trout, 

 as they must have running water to breed in, and cool water for the 

 young to retreat to (until they have attained two years growth) in order 

 to protect themselves from larger fish. Land-locked salmon can live in 

 water of warmer temperature than trout but require running water and 

 a clean coarse, gravely bottom for spawning; therefore Mack bass seem 

 to be the only suitable game fish for your purpose, as they will spawn in 

 the lake and protect their young. 



Last of the Modocs. — After the execution of Captain 

 Jack and several other Modoc chiefs, the tribe to the num- 

 ber of one hundred and fifty-three, were removed to a res- 

 ervation in the Indian Territory on the border of Missouri. 

 Climatic influences have proved very unfavorable, and in 

 three years fifty-eight have died. There is no physician 

 upon the reservation, and light diseases like whooping cough. 

 prove fatal 



—A "down East" paper says there k & fog»bell on that 

 coast that is "no mow ttgf ihm a bo!M carrot; hung fri % 



