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FOREST ^AND J STREAM. 



\ht i^ipmql 



To OOKKEspoNDKNTS.-Thosc desiring us to prescribe for their dogs 

 will please take note of and aesfcribe the following points in each ani- 

 mal : 



l.Age. a. Food and medicine given. 3. Appearance of the eye ; 

 of the coat ; ol the tongue and lips. 4. Any changes in the appearance 

 of the body, as bloating, drawing in of the flanks, etc. 5. Breathing, 

 the number of respirations per minute, and whether labored or not. 

 6. Condition of the bowels and secretions of the kidneys, color, etc 1. 

 Appetite ; regular, variable, etc. 8. Temperature of the body as indi- 

 cated by the bulb of the thermometer when placed between the body 

 and the foreleg, a. Give position of kennel and surroundings, outlook, 

 contiguity to other buddings, and the uses of the latter. Also give any 

 peculiarities or temperament, movements, etc., that may be noticed ; 

 signs of suffering, etc. 



RUSSIAN SETTERS. 



A LAS! oh, "Amicus Yeritatis," that in criticising my re- 

 -ii- marks about Clumber spaniels at the New York Bench 



Show, thou shouldsl have paved the way with a compliment 

 that has so nettled " Canonicus." 1 have just been enjoying 

 the treat of reading the numbers of Fokest axd Steam, pub- 

 lished during my two months' absence beyond its reach, and 

 after the terrible slashing at the hands of "0.," I ou°iit 

 no doubt, to feel too weak to hold a pen. "Canonicus" states 

 that he did not write his letter in a "carping spirit," and cer- 

 tainly his spirit seemed to partake less of the nature of carp 

 than of a shark that wished to devour mo for my presump- 

 tion iu daring to express an opinion. 



Thoroughbred, straight-haired Clumber spaniels I have seen, 

 but nut at the New York Bench Show. That was more my 

 misfortune than my fault. It seems I looked for them in vain, 

 and the brace described by "Amicus Veritatis," as correspond- 

 ing to the type of the class, must have been elsewhere than 

 among the spaniels at the various times I looked there for 

 them. I could not have seen them and passed them by un- 

 noticed, for, as the editor of Forest and Stream remarks, 

 their characteristics distinguish them unmistakably from any 

 other breed. Of course I knew that in making any remarks 

 other than complimentary, I was liable to tread on some one's 

 corns, and bring down contumely upon my head. I wrote 

 my letter while traveling, and acknowledging that I had not 

 the "Young Sportsman's Manual" as a guidebook, "Canonicus" 

 will be convinced that I was literally at sen— ab-initio. I did 

 read Frank Forester's writings, and some of my theoretical 

 knowledge thus acquired has been upset by practical experi- 

 ence. "WhUe sharing with "C." the admiration of Mr. Her- 

 bert as a sportsman, I do not regard him as an authority on 

 classification, nor at the present time the best authority on 

 any department of sporting matters. "C." quotes what Frank 

 Forester thinks is a " Russian setter:" 



"Rather taller than the English or Irish dog, his head shorter 

 and rounder than that of this family, and, like the rest of Ms 

 body, is so completely covered with long, woolly matted locks, 

 tangled and curly, like those of the water poodle, only ten 

 times more so, that he can hardly see out of his eyes," and he 

 adds, "I have never seen a pure one." If anyreader of Forest 

 and Stream has ever seen a pure one can he give its pedigree? 

 One frequently hears of the "cross of a Russian setter" or a 

 "half -breed," but where are the " pure ones," and their pedi- 

 grees ? Modern works on the dog make mention of the "Rus- 

 sian setter, and give some brief description usually taken from a 

 previous publication, adding the remark that "they are rare," 

 or the "pure breed is seldom seen." But little information is 

 given in regard to this dog, whose short, rounded head and 

 curly coat "like that of the water poodle, would entitle him to 

 classification as a retriever. Were such a dog sent to a 

 bench show, with no accompanying information, and it rested 

 with the committee in charge to classify it, would it be placed 

 among the setters? The lack of more definite knowledge of 

 the history of this dog, and the meagre description given by 

 Standard authorities in canine matters, tend to corroborate an 

 opinion that at the least there is much doubt if it is, as "C." 

 States, "a setter strain that has been bred and kept strictly 

 pure for the past century." I do not accept as a proof of 

 this fact "C.'s" quotation from Herbert, "Russian setters have 

 what is called more point. They crouch lower, and steal in 

 more silently on their game than any other dog, consequently 

 they are the best in the world over which to shoot game when 

 it is wild." This is neither any argument nor proof that it 

 lias been purely bred as a strain of setters. It is my good 

 fortune to have friends among the Russians, and to one of 

 them in particular, a resident of Riga, am I indebted for in- 

 formation that I considered valuable, coming, as it did, from 

 a sportsman well posted in regard to this subject. Wehad 

 much discussion upon the topic of mutual interest, held sports 

 and their accessories, and of sporting dogs in particular. 



lie assured me that all their stock of setters came from Eng- 

 land ; and that the dogs described as " Russian Setters " were 

 the result of a cross between setters and native dogs. He did 

 no! consider these dogs entitled to classification as a breed of 

 setters, for they differed from that, well established breed in 

 important characteristics. Nor did lie know of them being 

 bred lor successive generations as a pure strain without cross". 



The usefulness of this dog in the held I would not deny, 

 uor would 1 that of any other dog whose good qualities have 

 been proved. 



11 "Canonicus" has " gun-shy and timid brutes," very 

 likely a cross with the dog described would improve therm 

 if his dogs are pointers, let him trya cross with the Dalma- 

 tian breed. But I can rind Jot him plenty of setters whose 

 courage, dash, or retrieving qualities would not be improved 

 by a cross with other breeds, and whose beauty of form, 

 and Color, would be thus impaired. Pew sportsmen desire 

 great size for a setter, and "C." need not seek a cross to 

 be pleased in this respect. lean inform him of a setti 

 good field dog, that stands thirty inches at the shoulder. If 



which, for size and coat, "might have pi 

 Newfoundlands," proved to the niincl of " Canonicus, " by 

 their " dash in action, staunchness on game, crouching instead 

 of pointing the birds, and admirable retrieving qualities," that 

 they were true setters of a pure-bred strain, might not a Well- 

 trained Lurcher thus prove an equal right to the same dis- 

 tinction ? 



I know that in expressing my belief in regard to the " Rus- 

 sian _setter," I W! ,s making a statement likely to provoke dis- 

 cussion, but it is upon a subject that is of interest to sports- 

 men, and I would much like to see something from the pen of 

 " idstone" on this subject, or from some one better known to 

 the public and more competent to speak than myself. Not- 

 withstanding "C.'s" accusation of "lamentable igno- 

 rance," etc., he has failed to give me more light on the sub- 

 ject;, and I still believe that, there is no established pure breed 

 of setters peculiar to Russia. Amicus Canium. 



Does for Close Covert.— In the course of my summer 

 wandering in New Hampshire this year I had occasion, in 

 following the course of a stream in pursuit of its speckled 

 denizens, to pass through a swamp where the 'underbrush was 

 so dense as to form an impassable barrier for either man or 

 beast. Following the bed of the stream, though, I avoided 

 the brush and accomplished its length. After getting in some 

 distance, at almost every step as I proceeded woodcock flew 

 up right and left, until the place seemed fairly alive with 

 them. 



_ Now, I am not much of a shot myself, but the sight of those 

 birds set the blood tingling through my veins in a way quite 

 unusual. Of course I have marked the place and intend tak- 

 ing it in this fall. But one obstacle presents— the density of 

 the underbrush; composed as it is principally of blackberry 

 and wild tost: bushes, both of the standard and running vari- 

 eties, tangled together into impenetrable thickets, presents an 

 impassable barrier to any dog of which I have knowledge. 



A setter could not possibly accomplish it, perhaps a cocker 

 might ; but his bark is, in my mind, a great objection. I don't 

 think you want your approach so thoroughly advertised. 

 And then, too, I don't think he has bone and muscle enough 

 to push through with. 



1 am told, though, that a spaniel does exist thoroughly 

 mute and tractable, with long, low body and legs of great 

 strength, to whom a thicket presents no obstruction, but on 

 the contrary affords delight. Have I been deceived, or does 

 such a variety exist, and where can it be procured ? M. B. 



[There are such dogs, and they are cocker and springer 

 spaniels. They will work in tangled coverts, as described 

 above, and so far from the bark being objectionable, most 

 sportsmen consider it a desideratum, in order to give 

 notice that the dog is on game. Formerly this was thought so 

 important that, if a spaniel happened to be mute, he was hunt- 

 ed with a bell around his neck. The clumbers are invariably 

 mute. A thoroughbred cocker or springer properly broken 

 will not advertise one's approach any too soon, and wdl be 

 found to possess sufficient bone and muscle, backed by plenty 

 of ambition.— Ed.] 



«*<-»-. » 



Pedigrees. — Permit me to say through your columns to 

 all persons sending pedigrees for insertion in the N. A. K. C. 

 Register, it is necessary that the fall address of owners be 

 given. The address of breeders should also be given when- 

 ever practicable. I will furnish proper blanks on application. 

 Arnold Burges, Compiler of Kennel Register. 



Name Claimed.— I claim the name of Black Jack for my 

 black native setter pup, whelped Dec. 17th, 1876, by Dr. 

 Wynn's Duke out of my Black Bessie, she by Halsey's Sport 

 out of Arnold Bulges' "Belle." F. W. Jones. 



—I claim the name of "Rival" for my pure liver and white 

 pointer dog pup, out of champion Royal Fan, sired by cham- 

 pion Ranger. S. B. Dillev. 



Lake City, Minn. 



— It may be interesting to know of Daisy. This fine bitch, 

 who won the first prize at W. K, C. show, is being hunted 

 on woodcock. Dick Steward, her trainer, writes that she 

 works just like an old dog, and really needs scarcely any 

 breaking, points and retrieves her birds naturally ; her age is 

 only fourteen mouths, and she pointed when only two months 

 old. She is a great grand-daughter of George, imported by 

 Sir Fred Bruce, and daughter of Flake. 



Claiming of Names.— In our last issue Mr. F. R. Ryer 

 claims the name of ," Con" for a setter puppy, the same name 

 having been claimed by Mr. Kob't H. Morris in the issue pre- 

 vious. Mr. Ryer bases his claim on the fact that his dog was 

 named in the T. F. F. of July 8th. In reply, Mi'. Morris ap- 

 peals to us as follows : 



" As a constant and careful reader ot the Forest and Stream 

 and Rod and Gi:n, I have always considered it the only cor- 

 rect canine authority and register. I therefore claimed the 

 name of " Con" for my red Irish setter pup, the name never 

 having been claimed to my knowledge through the columns of 

 your paper before. I do not desire a controversy with Mr. Ryer, 

 but wotdd be pleased to have your opinion as to who is right." 



[When there were two or three different kennel registers, 

 the priority claim in the columns of the Forest axb Stream 

 might hold. Now all registers are merged into one, under the 

 auspices of the National Kennel Club ; therefore to it properly 

 belongs the decision. We do our share i n giving notice of the 

 baptism, without standing us Cod-father to the canines, and 

 therefore request that gentlemen settle these little matters 

 themselves.— Ed.] 



» ■«. 



Tije Newsboys' Dot;. — The newsboys of this city have 

 long been the owners of a large Newfoundland dog, which an- 

 swered to friendly salutations when addressedaB " Tige." He 

 was an intelligent animal, and enjoyed the benefits of a good 

 ei location in his peculiar line of business, lie know all t he po- 

 lice officers of the city, and whenever the boys felt like regal- 



ehuck-a-iiiri] 



die," Tige took up his position on the ramparts of safety, and 

 nsvsr fiihid to go e tit; alarm when :x peeler hove m sight. 

 During the Christmas holidays, and on all state occasions, he 

 was decorated with all the gorgeous paraphernalia that the 

 inventive talents of his keepers could suggest, and Invariably, 

 at the extremity of his caudal appendage, a "bunch of blue 

 ribbons," and of which he was very proud, if the wag of 

 his tail high in air could be taken as an iudicaliou of his in- 

 ternal emotions. Yesterday, about twelve o'clock, while 

 rambling around the city in quest of his usual amount of recre- 

 ation, Tige had the. misfortune to encounter a piece of medi- 

 cated dog meat, lie smelled of it, and concluding that it was 

 all right, he opened his mouth and took it in. It was not 

 long, however, before "Tige "began to show signs of being 

 sick. The news of his malady spread among the boys 

 rapidly. He was taken in charge and brought to the place 

 of rendezvous, in rear of the A/eioS office, and the medicine 

 man of the newsboy brigade was summoned to his re- 

 lief. He came, -and prescribed copious draughts of 

 sweet milk, which lie ordered to Ire followed by 

 heroic closes of castor oil, but the treatment was iu vain. 

 The boys rubbed him and bathed him, but it was of no use. 

 Soon Tige's intelligent eyes began to lose their lustre, and be 

 was no longer able to swallow. Mr. M. Kenefic was sent for, 

 and suggested that a dose of ipecac administered in hot water 

 would " do the business " for the sufferer; but hot water 

 could not be had, and as a dernier resort one of the boys tried 

 to catch a bottle of steam with which to wash down the 

 emetic. Before he succeeded Tige had breathed his last, sur- 

 rounded by his friends, the recipient of all the attention they 

 could bestow upon him. Late in the evening his funeral 

 took place from the residence of the boys, near the corner of 

 Twenty-ninth and Mechanic streets. They utilized the mail 

 cart of the A T <3W« as a hearse, and draping the wheels with 

 crape and all the appropriate emblems of sorrow, they place d 

 the remains of the dog in it, and covered them over with a 

 white cloth. On the rear of the cart was this inscription, 

 " Poor Tige is dead, our pet." Jimmy Heron was the mar- 

 shal of the procession, and, mounted upon a mustang, he led 

 the cortege through the streets. The hearse was drawn by 

 the boys, who kept time to the measured taps of the drum at 

 the head of their column. All the principal streets of the 

 city were paraded, and, just ns the sun went down, the boys 

 dumped "Old Tige" into the bay from the planking on Wil- 

 liam's wharf . They offer a reward of $10 for the policeman 

 wdio gave him the poison. Thus ends the existence of a well- 

 known character of this city.— Galveston. A r eic S . 



—Great Britain derives a revenue of £207,174 from the dog 



tax. 



Stolen I— A red Irish setter dog was stolen Jaly 20 from Conliu' 

 Gallery, 1,222 Broadway, Kew York. The clog is a little larger than 

 the average size of his breed, and was marked as follows: Gray streak 

 on head, large white spot on breast, and a few white spots on paws. 

 He was not broken, but would "charge," generally drawing one of Ins 

 fore paws under body. When stolen the dog wore a collar which hail 

 on it his license tag, No. 226. Any Information given in regard to the 

 whereabouts, or what may lead to his return,will be liberally rewarded. 

 —TActv. PBED'K CONLIN, 1,222 Broadway. 



fen md Stiver 



FISH IN SEASON IN AUGUST. 



rrobato- 



i'-ana. 



FRESH WATER. SALT WATEK. 



Trout. Salmn /(mtinalis. BeaBasB < 



Salmon, ScUmo salar. Sheepsli ' 



Salmon Trout, Salnw confints. 



Land-locked Salmon. ShUho ijloucri. Striped Kass, 



Grayling, Thymallu* tricolor. White Perch, Jl». ■ ■ • ■ 



^lack Bass. afiori , all wides;Vi eakflsu, Cyna 



1/ nfoftouw. Blueflsh, Pmatouua tali 



ige, EsoxnoMlior. Spanish Mackerel, Cj/bfam maatib* 



Pike or Pickerel, /•>« •••■ turn. 



Yellow Perch. J'ercaltavesoena. Cero, Cyhimn regale. 



Bo 1 1 i to, 8a rda pelamya. 



Kingfish, ' " (mloaus. 



Fish in Makket.— The market is well stocked ; fish are 

 abundant, and, with the exception of fresh mackerel, the 

 prices are low. Our quotations for the week are as follows i 



Striped bass, 20 cents per pound ; bluclish, 10 

 cents; salmon, green, 25 cents; frozen do, 30 cents j mack- 

 erel, 15 to 25 cents; weakiish, 10 cents; white perch, 15 cents; 

 Spanish mackerel, 25 cents ; green turtle, 12 cents ; 

 halibut, 18 cents; haddock, 6 cents; king-fish, 25 cents; 

 codfish, 8 cents; blackrish, 15 cents; herrings, 8 cents; 

 flounders, Scents; porgies, 10 cents; sea bass, 18 cents; 

 eels, 18 cents; lobsters, 10 cents; soft clams, 80 to 00 

 cents per 100; Long Island trout, 75 cents; sheepshoad, 20 

 cents; vhitefish, IS cents; Canada do., 50 cents; hard shell 

 crabs, $3 per 100 ; soft crabs, $1 25 per dozen; frog legs, 

 35 cents per pound. 



Trouble Among Thames Anglers.— The London papers 

 of June 27th report an extraordinary trial at Guildhall before 

 Baron Pollock and a common jury. The case was that of 

 jfanss against G rat, andwas a Ubd ease arising out ot : mum 

 stances that were of interest to Thames anglers. The plumtill 

 was a cork dealer, carrying on business at SnowhilL and the 

 defendant lives in Paternoster row. It appears that the Pisca- 

 tor j a ] s niiial prizes for those who on a certain 



day capture the largest number of barbel. The defendant 

 proposed to compete for this prize, and in September last re- 

 paired with a brother angler to Sonning, where after a careful 

 examination of the water, lie selected & "swim," which for 



hiys previous to the contest he was at much troub 

 bait with worms and grubs of a most spicy charac 

 from considerable distance for that purpose. Monday, Sept. 

 11 was the day arranged for the interesting event, by which 

 time it was hoped that a great many fine barbel, enticed by 

 the unusual supply of refreshment, would be waiting to be 

 caught. Mr. Gant took up his quarters at the French Horn, 

 and all went pleasantly enough ill! the plan his ap- 



pearance out '" "big. Thisgi lounoed 



in his evidence that he had been a fisherman from his youtb, 



