FOREST AND STREAM. 



41T 



•will be given to public streams and to clubs organized 

 for protecting game in the State. There are 

 numerous streams in Maryland well suited for 

 trout, and there is no reason why they should not be 

 filled with them in a few years ; but there must be protec- 

 ive laws for fish as well as game. Can it be that in our 

 rapid progress as a nation we are paying less attention to 

 the preservation of fish and game than our forefathers did 

 a hundred years ago? In the compilation of laws relating 

 to the protection of the fisheries alone it is shown that the 

 authorities of Massachusetts from 1633 to 1857 passed 359 

 acts for the protection of food fishes. Protective laws of 

 Great Britain date back to the middle ages, and certainly 

 our National Legislature, as well as State authorities, 

 should see that ample protective laws are made and en- 

 forced. The preservation and propagation of food fishes 

 especially is a subject of national importance, and deserves 

 more attention. Our able Fish Commissioner, Prof. Baird, 

 is doing all in his power to prosecute the good work, and 

 there is no man more suited to the undertaking, both by 

 nature and education, than he. , 



Mr. Morrill, of Vermont, recently presented in the Sen- 

 ate a resolution of the Vermont Legislature, declaring that 

 under existing provisions of law and treaty there is no ad- 

 equate means of preventing and punishing the wrongful 

 destruction of fish in the waters partly within the jurisdic- 

 tion of the several States and the British Provinces of 

 North America, by reason of which great injury is done to 

 an important branch of indusiry, commerce, and food sup- 

 ply of the United States. They, therefore, instruct their 

 Senators and Representatives to use all proper efforts to the 

 end of preserving and protecting such fisheries, and the in- 

 terest of citizens of the United States in the same. The 

 resolution was read and laid on the table. 



Mr. Whyte, of Maryland, recently presented in the Sen- 

 ate a petition signed by a number of prominent citizens of 

 the district, asking the passage of a law for the protection 

 of fish in the waters of the Potomac, within the District of 

 Columbia. The memorialists represent that the catch of 

 fish in the Potomac has gradually deci eased of late years, 

 until it has reached an exceedingly low point, and that there 

 have been used in the river for years past what are called 

 stake, pond, or trap nefs, placed in such a manner as to 

 impede the passage of the fish and entrap them, so that few 

 can pass up the stream. The number of this class of nets 

 increases every year, and many of them during the night 

 have been stretched entirely across the channel, when in no 

 chance of being destroyed by vessels, so that no fish can 

 pass. Gill netting is also followed to a ,great extent, but 

 this does not interfere so much with the passage of the 

 fish. Both these modes of fishing should be prohibited, 

 and a restriction placed upon fishing with drag nets. The 

 memorialists recommend that the regular fishing sea- 

 son begin on the 20th of March and end on the 20th of 

 May of each year, and that no seine be hauled from 12 

 o'clock Saturday of one week to 12 o'clock Monday of the 

 following week. They conclude by saying that if the 

 young fish hatched here are prevented from returning to 

 spawn, as they invariably do when they attain their growth, 

 the time and money spent by the Fish Commissioner to 

 restock the Potomac with shad and herring will be in vain. 



It was referred to the Committee on the District of Co- 

 lumbia. 



parting ^otes ^am ^brand. 



FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. 



London, Jan. 12th, 1877. 

 I observe that Polo has been numbered among the few 

 out-of-door sports in which Young America occasionally 

 indulges. And yet it can hardly be expected that it will 

 ever flourish except as an exotic; and the reasons are ap- 

 parent. Had you a large standing army, comprising many 

 corps of cavalry with officers bred, as are the British, to a 

 love of field sports, it might be possible; but having noth- 

 ing of this kind, the game must depend entirely for its 

 support upon civilians, with which aid alone it would 

 quickly perish even here. Fox hunting is called the school 

 of the British cavalryman, and it is a rare thing to find an 

 Englishman, unless he is an out and out cockney, who 

 cannot ride. How far is this from being the case, par- 

 ticularly at the North, with you? The personel of the 

 laraje clubs of England, that is those which are organized 

 more particularly for out-door amusement, such as polo 

 and pigeon shooting, is made up largely of army officers, 

 a class who from their leisure and as a rule, wealth, are 

 enabled to give them the heartiest support. This, taken 

 in connection with the fact of there being a large class of 

 civilians living under the same conditions as to means and 

 leisure, and also that the love of sport is as innate in a 

 Briton as lying is in a Chinaman, explains why the interest 

 in these things in kept up. The time is coming, however, 

 when similar conditions will obtain with you, and the in- 

 troduction of every new sport or means of recreation, 

 however ephemeral it may be, is another wedge driven into 

 the thick log of puritanical old-fogyism. Polo was intro- 

 duced into England from India, where it has long been a 

 national game, by the Ninth Lancers, and now the papers 

 record the death from injuries received while playing the 

 game, of Captain Clayton, ©f that corps, and one of the 

 most popular men of the army. The sad event occurred at 

 Delhi, on Christmas Day, and rather dampened the gorge- 

 ous festivities attending the durbar at which Her Majesty 

 was publicly proclaimed Empress of India. The worst 

 feature of this and kindred sports is, that only too often 



they are attended by fatal casualties. Several deaths have 

 occurred from injuries received while playing football; 

 every once in a while some one comes to grief on the 

 cricket ground, and the broken necks received while fox- 

 hunting are neither few or far between. 



By the bye, Mr. W. G. Grace, the celebrated cricketer, 

 who, it is said, is as brilliant in the hunting field as he is 

 before the wickets, had a fall from his horse the other day 

 and was severely injured. I notice from the record that 

 Mr. Grace in eight matches and twelve innings, scored the 

 immense number of 890 runs, his highest number in one 

 innings being 318 runs. This is unparalleled cricket, and 

 has given rise to discussion as to whether the batting has 

 not gone so much ahead of the bowling as to render neces- 

 sary some modifications of the game which will bring 

 them nearer together. For my part, I think such batting 

 is merely phenomenal, and not likely often to occur. 



The entries for the third Field Trial Derby for setter and 

 pointer puppies bred in 1876, to be tried on partridges in 

 Cambridgeshire on May 2d and 3d, have been published. 

 The Kennel Club are to be congratulated upon having in- 

 duced the large number of 109 entries, and the approach- 

 ing event is causing as much interest in what I may call 

 Kennel circles as the great three-year-old event does among 

 votaries of the turf. The setters outnumber the pointers 

 at the rate of more than three to one, but the very blueist 

 of the blue blood of both classes are represented. Among 

 the former are a number of puppies from different kennels, 

 the get of Blue Prince, the celebrated Laverack who, if I 

 remember right, was sired by Pride of the Border, now in 

 your country. Mr. Barclay Field has a number in from 

 his Champion Bruce. Mr. Purcell Llewellin has two of 

 Dans get; and Mr. Macdona (G. deLandre), Mr. Lort, Mr. 

 Lloyd Price, and Mr. T. Statter, all names familiar to 

 American breeders, will be represented. The Duke of 

 Westminster, Prince Albert Solm, and Lord Downe, will 

 also compete. Mr. Whitehouse sends some pointer puppies 

 by Rap (now known as Rapid), and Mr. W. Arkwright, 

 another celebrated breeder of pointers, sends two by Gen- 

 eral. Will you ever be able to have a Field Trial on this 

 scale on your side of the pond? Not, I fear, until you pay 

 more strict attention to preserving your game; not "pre- 

 serving" to the mere extent of passing a game law, and at 

 long intervals pulling up some wretch for killing a liird 

 out of season, but by "preserving" in the true sense of the 

 word; by studying the habits of your game, and aiding by 

 such means as are within the reach of every dweller in the 

 country their propagation and increase; by turning down 

 birds in districts in which they have been exterminated, 

 and by fostering by every means in your power among 

 land owners a gentlemanly interest in sports of the field. 

 The innumerable Sportsmen's Club or Game Protective 

 Societies, which are scattered over the States, should have 

 a strong influence in this direction; but I judge from the 

 reports I read, that too many of them are organized solely 

 for the purpose of trap-shooting matches among the mem- 

 bers. 



Among the "sports" which one sees recorded almost 

 weekly in Beils\ is the old-fashioned one of "Change Ring- 

 ing." It seems almost a paradox to find what one would 

 consider a portion of a religious service, chronicled along- 

 side a walking match, or, perhaps, a prize fight. How 

 would the following read in the Clipper: — 



On Monday, November 13th, eight members of the 

 Ancient Society of College Youths, established 1637, rang 

 a true peal of Stedman triples, containing 5,040 changes, 

 upon the bells of St. Stephen's, Westminster, in 3 hr. 10 mm. 

 The band as under:— J. Pettit, treble, G. Muskett, 2, F. 

 Bate, 3, S. Reeves, 4, R. French, 5, M. Hayes, 6, E. Hor- 

 rex, 7, T. Bugby, tenor. Weight of tenor 25 cwt., and 

 called by M. Hayes. On Monday last twelve members of 

 the same company succeeded in accomplishing a true r»eal 

 of Stedman cinques at St. Giles's, Cripplegaie, consisting 

 of 5,014 changes, which occupied 3 hr. 53 min., and was 

 rung by the following persons: H. W. Haley, sr., treble; 

 H. Haley, jr., 2; G. Muskett, 3, J. Pettit, 4, R. Jameson, 

 5, G. Mash, 6, R. Haworth, 7, A. Wood, 8, E. Horrex, 9, 

 J. M. Hayes, 10, h. Booth, 11, W. Greenleaf, tenor. The 

 above peal was called by H. W. Haley, sr. , and is a pro- 

 duction of his own. Weight of tenor, 36 cwt. Key C. 



But this was nothing to what the Yorkshire Associa- 

 tion did at St. Mathews Church, on October 28th, when 

 they rang 9,120 changes of Kent Treble, Bob Major with 

 the tenor together, in 5 hr. and 15 min. It must be grand 

 to hear one of these "changes" ringing from the spire of 

 some old Cathedral . Vaqueko. 



\tflt. 



THE RIFLE SEASON. 



THE shooting season is not far off and the marksmen 

 of the last busy year are beginning to reflect over 

 their practical experiences, patiently waiting for a suitable 

 time to experiment on some new theory; for American 

 marksmen never will be satisfied, and are always experi 

 menting, either with their rifle, powder, bullets, shells, 

 sights or position — a good point, and one which perhaps 

 affords an explanation of their continued supremacy over 

 their worthy foes, the Irish, Scotch, Australians, and Cana- 

 dians, in the past friendly battles with the long range 

 rifles: — 



"Industry and time their work have wrought. 



And honor crowns the skill that labor taught." 

 Those intending to become proficient in this manly, scien- 

 tific and fascinating pastime during the coming season are 

 generally occupying their spare time in making theoretical 



investigations, and when the time comes will be ready to 



make practical demonstrations:— 



"For vainly shall perceptive rules impart, 

 A perfect knowledge of this manly art. 

 Practice alone can certain skill produce, 

 And theory, confirmed by constant use." 



Last year's competitions produced some new shots, who 

 have made scores which are worthy of the admiration of 

 all lovers of good shooting. As for the veterans, we all 

 know how they shoot, and the good shots who will make 

 themselves known in this year's shooting, will make the 

 American team of '77 stronger thanj any of our previous 

 teams. 



There are more American long range breech-loading rifles 

 to satisfy the demands of the shooting world this year. We 

 have the Remington, Sharp, Ballard, Maynard and Wesson 

 to choose from. Then, the composition and weight of the 

 bullets, the quantity of powder to use, and the manner of 

 loading, are all better understood than at the beginning of 

 last year, and more confidence can be placed on the ammu- 

 nition than ever. 



The experience of past practice will be studied for the 

 future and the prospects are, that the American team will 

 hold its leading position during the coming season. 



Onicko. 

 +*+ 



An Irish-American Match.— The Irish Rifle Associa- 

 tion at a meeting held in Dublin on the 22d inst. decided to 

 extend an invitation to a team of American riflemen to 

 shoot again for the championship, the match to take place 

 in Ireland during the coming season. Of course the match 

 cannot be intended for the possession of the Centennial 

 Trophy, as it was definitely decided that this match should 

 be shot in the country of the holders. 



A New Rifle Book.— We have received from the au- 

 thor and publisher, Mr. Edwin A. Perry, some advance 

 sheets of his forthcoming work entitled "Modern Observa- 

 tions on Rifle Shooting with an Improved System of Score 

 Book, and including silicate slate for use on the Range.*' 

 Of making rifle books there is no end, and from the scanty 

 instalment before us of the one in question, we cannot 

 conscientiously speak as to its merits. Should the table 

 of contents be carried out, however, it will be unquestion- 

 ably a valuable ready reference and addition to Range lit- 

 erature. The author's address is care of G. II, Madison, 

 No. 564 Fulton street, Brooklyn. 



— A dispatch from Montreal announces that the Domin- 

 ion Rifle Association has decided to present a trophy for 

 competition at Wimbleton which will cost $750. 



The Flobert Rifle.— A Baltimore correspondent 

 writes: — "I see that one ©f your correspondents proposes 

 using a 22 cartridge in a Flobert rifle. A gentleman here 

 lost his eye in this way. There is nothing behind the 

 cartridge in the Flobert gun but the hammer, and in the 

 instance I refer to it was thrown back by the explosion, 

 and a part of the shell striiring the shooter in the eye, com- 

 pletely destroyed the sight." E. S. 



[In the new Flobert rifle there is, or should be, an attach- 

 ment, which prevents the hammer from flying back. — Ed:] 



Conlin's Gallery.— The "Experts" match, which was 

 announced for last Thursday evening, January 26th, took 

 place, and after a very close contest with several of the best 

 "gallery shots" in the city, Frederick Kessler won the 

 prize. The conditions were: 2d shots; rifle 22 calibre; off- 

 hand; distance, 110 feet ready measurement, the best 

 total measurement of the shots measuring from the center 

 of each shot to the center of bullseye to win the prize. 

 Mr. Kessler, who is considered to be one of the best "off- 

 hand" shots in this city or vicinity, made the score of 16f 

 inches, total measurement of the twenty shots. This is 

 considered very good shooting. 



Miley's Gallery. —To accommodate increasing patron- 

 age Miley, of Brooklyn, has opened a new gallery under 

 the Park theatre, in that city, and on Monday of last week 

 a rifle tournament was inaugurated there. The distance 

 was 120 feet, at a target graduated to a Creedmoor 200 

 yards target. Each competitor fired ten shots. The fol- 

 lowing is a record of the best targets made: — 



Name. Total. Name. Total 



D. T. McQuillan 39 J. F. Moon U 



John F. Bums 38 S. L. Brown .37 



James Connors 37 Charles .Reed ""*"" ."'..gQ 



The match will be kept open until February 22d, when 

 the marksman making the best six targets will receive a 

 handsome prize. 



Rhode Island. — The Attleboro Amateur Rifle Club have 

 held weekly meetings every Saturday (his winter at their 

 range on Newman's farm in South Attleboro. They have 

 erected a comfortable building 15 by 80 feet, and from that 

 can shoot 200, 300, 500 or 800 yards. Their shooting 

 through the cold weather has been mostly at 200 and 500 

 yards. On Saturday, the 20th inst., the following scores) 

 were made by members of the club. The distance 500 

 yards; two sighting 20 scoring shots The weather was 

 cloudy and misty, with occasional rain; wind blew quar- 

 tering and variable, requiring from four to eight points. 

 Rifles, Remington, Creedmoor :- 

 Name. Total. 



E. L. Freeman 96 



F. D. Freeman 95 



n N £ m T e / Total. 



G. B. Draper.., 91 



E. L. Sylvester .95 



Isn't that pretty good considering the season and the 

 weather? Amateur. 



[Four scores so nearly approaching the possible 100 are 

 rarely made. — Ed.] 



Connecticut .—A trial of skill at the humming gyro 

 took place on the ice on Community lake, Wallingford, Ct. 

 last Thursday. The trio of contestants were all of Wall- 

 ingford, and having the benefit of a fine day, the shooting 

 was very good. Tne conditions of the match were fifteen 

 ironclads each at 21 yards rise: — 



Names. Score. Tofal 



WillLane 1 llllllllillin it 



J.Hall 1 1 I 1 1 1 t 1 1 1 l l o is 



J. Spencer.. ..1 10010111 withdrew. 



■ ••■♦♦• ■ ~ 



— The Brooklyn Union has been informed by a gentle- 

 man interested in the skating rink in that city that parlor 

 skating is getting so popular that the rink was not large 

 enough to accommodate its patrons, and that in the course 

 of a week or two he should open two new places one in. 

 South Brooklyn and one in the Eastern District. 



