250 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
rags and tatters, and reduced to swindling country bump¬ 
kins out of half crowns at races, behind some friendly 
hedge, with the fascinations of the three card trick. “Al- 
mack’s” has gone, and so has the Cocoanut Tree, and, ex¬ 
cepting the Argyle rooms, places “of distinction” are few 
where 
“The giddy throng whirls madly round the floor, 
Frilled skirts eclipse no longer rounded charms, 
And wicked waists are clipped by clasping arms, 
Cheeks rouged and chalked not wisely and not well, 
Leave smudges on the shoulders of the swell.” 
A sporting gazette is now tit for a drawing-room table, 
and is not “hid under a bushel.” In fact, most ladies read 
the Field , and even BelVs Life , and a dip into the Sporting 
Magazine doesn’t reveal those painfully evident “doubles 
entendres ” which constituted our forefathers’ idea of wit. 
Idstone, Jr. 
Civil and Military Club , Regent street , London. 
§fhot (§ntt iind 
JUNE IS A CLOSE MONTH FOR GAME. 
Details of pigeon shooting and scores of rifle matches , and other interest¬ 
ing matter , should be mailed so as to reach this office on Tuesday morning 
in each week. __ 
GENERAL ADVICE FOR CREEDMOOR. 
COMPILED FROM VARIOUS SOURCES. -Conclusion. 
I N' a former paper we gave some general ideas as to the 
necessary precautions to be taken by riflemen, and con¬ 
cluded by describing the position for off-hand shooting. 
We now approach rifle shooting at long ranges where any 
position is allowed. To describe the lying down position so 
as to make it perfectly clear to the uninitiated, is not so easy. 
It would be perhaps better for those desirious of acquiring 
it to go to Creedmoor and see the position for themselves. 
The lying down position is adopted by a majority of the 
most successful shots. It may appear somewhat constrained 
at first, but by a little practice you will overcome the diffi¬ 
culty. 5 The following are the two methods of the lying 
dowm position: Lie down full length on your stomach, 
face to the ground, head towards and body in a line with 
the target and the rifle in the left hand. Curve the body 
considerably and allow the legs to move rather to the left, 
giving you an easier position and causing the otherwise 
prominent collar bone to disappear so that the recoil comes 
on the muscles of the right shoulder, which saves the pun¬ 
ishment which would result from keeping the legs perfect¬ 
ly straight while using a rifle with a heavy recoil. Some¬ 
times a small pad, as a pocket handkerchief, or small 
piece of sponge, may be placed under the coat just where 
the but of the rifle comes and may soften the kick accom¬ 
panying a heavy charge or a loose hold. An important 
point is to raise the head to a proper height, (as high as 
convenient,) for taking aim, placing the left elbow nearly 
under the rifle as a support. Be careful and do not place 
the left elbow too much to the left , for fear of a sprain on the 
wrist. The right elbow should be rather close to the body 
than otherwise. The natural tendency of the elbows, es¬ 
pecially, when wide apart, is to gradually separate. This 
can be prevented by punching a small hole into the giound, 
with the heel of the boot and placing the elbow in it. 
The second method of the lying down position is much 
harder to describe and takes a longer time to become fam¬ 
iliar with than the first, but as some, of the best shooting on- 
record has been made from this position, it is worth partic¬ 
ular mention. Lay on your back or rather on the right 
side, with the feet to the target. Cross the left leg over the 
right, and rest the right elbow on the ground. There is a 
peculiar feature in twisting the left arm round the neck, 
holding the but of the rifle and giving support to the head. 
The rifle rests comfortably along the body. The but of 
the rifle may be held with the left hand without twisting 
the arm round the neck, and the support of the head and 
neck may be obtained by holding on to the left coat sieeve 
with the teeth. This may not be as constrained or compli¬ 
cated as it seems to be, but we have thought it sometimes 
unfavorable for taking aim* as the head is held too far from 
the back sight. 
Aiming requires good judgment and decision of character, 
for once the tumbler slips, reflection or wishing is all in 
vain. First gel into a natural position, then bring the rifle 
to bear on the bullseye. (You must look at the target, not 
at the sights, when aligning the rifle;) think of the light 
and wind before pressing the trigger, then make sure of the 
sights being perpendicular, take a- full breath and com¬ 
mence a steady pressure, and when satisfied that you can 
hold quite steady for a second or so longer apply the little 
extra pressure the rifle goes off as if quite unexpected. 
After firing, continue to aim for a moment, as it is bad 
practice to jump immediately to see where the shot struck. 
Never fire without being satisfied with your aim, and if 
necessary, aim your rifle three and four times before shoot¬ 
ing. Alwatfs get your sight as clear as possible and think 
where you aimed when making your last shot. Never pull 
tne trigger while sighting, as you are liable to shoot to the 
righi if you do. . 
Before and while you shoot, remember the following 
rules:— 
1. Never point a\ gun , loaded or unloaded , at any person. 
2. Never cock a rifle until you are going to shoot. 
* 3 Re sure that the signal flag is not up, “if at Creed¬ 
moor ” and don’t shoot too soon after the last shot has 
been marked, as the splash from the bullets might hit the 
marker. 
At Wimbledon prizes are taken from men who neglect 
this rule, and they are not allowed to enter in any competi¬ 
tion. A very strict but just rule. 
During a match the competitor should devote himself 
entirely to the object in view. Keep from conversing with 
any one as far as possible, for the marksman may either 
forget or over-do something. Should your score be dis¬ 
puted, refer the matter to the proper authority; never give 
way to anger or disappointment, or envy some supposed 
advantage of another competitor. Do not bother yourself 
how somebody else is shooting, for it might make you too 
anxious or too confident. A man who is constantly reckon¬ 
ing up his own score, will never do much. It is time lost 
and distracts the attention. Depend on your own judg¬ 
ment and observe the conduct of the marksmen who shoot 
before you instead of taking the advice of any one. 
Never be in a hurry, as you will destroy your steadiness, 
and mistakes are almost sure to occur. Be as careful as 
you can of what you are doing, and as careless as possible 
of the doings of others, and pay no attention to ‘ ‘chaff or 
banter,” as it is generally the sign that your adversary is 
getting frightened. 
Keep cool and unruffled when you miss, and if beaten, do 
not pretend that you don’t care, for what is worth compet¬ 
ing for is worth winning. Bull’s I. 
Creedmoor. —The matches announced in our last, did 
not take place. However, as Saturday was practice day, 
some of the experts of the Amateur Rifle Club commenced 
work at long ranges. There were present, Messrs. Backer, 
Roux, Wingate, Gildersleeve, Fulton, Crduch, Conlin, 
Bruce, and some others. Distances shot at were 800. 900 and 
1,000 yards. Thepracticewas quite satisfactory, Col Win- 
gates’s exceedingly so. We trust to see our men regularly 
at work at long ranges. -Constant coaching is a necessity, 
if we want to hold our own with the Irish team. 
Report of the National Rifle Association. —Just in 
good season, the report makes its appearance. Having 
ourselves some experience as to the difficulties and innu¬ 
merable proof readings it requires to produce a careful 
report of rifle shooting, we are more than pleased with 
the general accuracy of the report. Many of the scores at 
the various matches having been given in detail in the 
Forest and Stream, it is perhaps proper for us to state 
that the non continuance of their publication by us, was 
mainly due to our expecting that every day this report 
would be printed. Commencing with the first meeting of 
Jan. 18th of this year, the report contains a careful 
resume of the work performed in 1878, with all the scores 
made during last year. One excellent portion of the report 
is that entitled “Suggestions,” which shows how local rifle 
associations should organize, so as to act in connection 
with the National Rifle Association; As we are constantly 
in receipt of letters from all portions of the United States, 
requesting us to give parties information in regard to rifles, 
taigets, and the rules governing the National Rifle Associa¬ 
tion, we advise our friends to procure a copy of the 
report, as they will find therein in a condensed form, every 
fact having to do with Creedmoor. We must again express 
ourselves as fully satisfied with the excellence of the report, 
and the general neat appearance of its get up. If the last 
report of. the English National Rifle Association embraces 
some 300 and odd pages, it must be remembered that affi¬ 
liated to Wimbledon, Canada, China, India, Japan, Mauri¬ 
tius, New Zealand and Ireland add their scores to in¬ 
crease its bulk. In our report then of some 104 pages, we 
have made an excellent start, and when in a year or so 
from now, we shall have rifle associations in every State in 
the Union, all we trust offsprings of Creedmoor, we 
may look for an encyclopedic tome as to size. We have 
before this expressed how much is really due to the patient 
care and labor the officers of the Association have devoted 
to rifle shooting in the United States. The success of the 
enterprise and the encouragement these gentlemen have 
met with, cannot be better understood, than by the produc¬ 
tion of just such an excellent report as we have had the 
pleasure of reverting to. We append the list of officers 
of the National Rifle Association:— 
President, Col. W. C. Church; Vice President, Gen. 
Alex. Shaler; Secretary, Lt. Col. Henry A. Gildersleeve; 
Treasurer, Gen. M. T. McMahon. 
Standing committees for 1874. 
Executive Committee .—The offiers of the Association are 
Gen. Woodward, Col. Wingate, Hon. D. W. Judd. 
Finance Committee. —Gen. Ward, Hon. D. W. Judd, Gen. 
Molineaux. 
Range Committee. —Fred. M. Peck Esq., Lt. Story, Capt. 
Casey. t 
—The match for the Boylan gold medal, shot for last 
week by the officers of the 12tli Regiment, was won by 
Captain Smith of D. Company. The scores not having been 
reported we presume the shooting was not of the most bril¬ 
liant character. Perhaps it was a match enfamille , and 
not intended for public scrutiny. 
—The rules of the range of the National Rifle Associa¬ 
tion for 1874, regulating the hiring of markers, applications 
for targets, duties of superintendents, cost of ammunition, 
&c., &c., have just been issued, and may be had on per¬ 
sonal application at the office of the Association, No. 93 
Nassau street, New York. 
—The first regular match for the Long Range Badge, of 
the Amateur Rifle Club, will be held at Creedmoor, Satur¬ 
day, May 30th, 1874, at 8 p. m. Open only to members of 
the Amateur Rifle Club, distance, 800, 900 and 1,000 yards; 
all the club to shoot at 800 and 900 yards, and the eight 
highest at 900, to shoot at 1,000 yards. Position, |any, 
(without artificial rest;) rounds, five at each distance, with 
privilege of two sighting shots. 
Rifle Shooting in Germany and Switzerland.— Since 
last year rapid firing has been introduced at rifle con¬ 
tests in Germany. The target is an oblong of 105x150 cen 
timetres, within this another oblong of 75x120 cm is 
marked off, and the black centre is an oval 45x90 cm • 
range 300 metres (1,050 feet). Centre-shots count three' 
middle field two, outer one. The target is unmasked on 
a given signal. As soon as it comes to view, the marks 
man on the stand commences loading and has three min¬ 
utes firing time, at the expiration of which the target (a 
sliding one) is pulled down by the marker without warn¬ 
ing. The marker now counts and shown the hits in each 
section of the target, while another marker has the number 
of shots fired. The greatest number of hits takes the prize 
ties are decided by number of points. The first prize at 
the Leipsic shooting match of last year was won on a score 
of eight ones, eleven twos and fifteen threes, total thirty- 
four hits in forty shots fired in three minutes. 
Though, by the statute of the Swiss National Rifle As¬ 
sociation, the range for rifle contests is fixed at 1,000 feet 
the shooting committee for the grand match to be held at 
St. Gallen from July 19th to 27th next, have arranged for 
targets at 1,000 feet, and others at 1,500 feet range, both 
classes to share equally in prizes. Instead of the oval 
generally used in Switzerland and Germany, the committee 
have again adopted a circular bl ck centre. A consider¬ 
able amount of prizes are expected, besides eight hundred 
cups to be won at the bullseye targets. 
—In the B-alaxy for June, there is a continuation of Gen¬ 
eral Custer’s admirable articles of his life on the plains. The 
gallant General has long been known for his skill with the 
rifle. When Santana was held in durance, the General and 
Santana’s son, had a series of rifle matches. The red skin 
was a capital shot, but the white man beat him all the 
time, to the great chagrin|of the old chief. It seems San¬ 
tana thought he had discovered the real obstacle to the 
success of his son, by ascribing superior qualities to Gen¬ 
eral Custer’s rifle as compared with the one used by the son 
of the chieftain. “Fairness on my part then required that 
I should offer the young warrior the use of my rifle, and 
that I should use his in the next'match.-Greatly to my 
satisfaction,” General Custer adds, “my good fortune en¬ 
abled me to make a better score than did my opponent, 
and this result seemed to settle’ his opinion finally as to 
our relation.” We have ourselves frequently seen con¬ 
tests of this kind between Indians and white hunters, and 
we never saw a match in which the Indians were not beat¬ 
en. We cannot say, however, that on these occasions, 
chivalry was pushed far enough to exchange arms. In¬ 
dians are frequently exceedingly well armed, and carry 
quite as good rifles as do wffiite men. 
—Our correspondent “Bison,” at Fort Sill, Indian Ter¬ 
ritory, reques*s us to say that he is not in command at that 
post, as we stated in a recent number of this journal. 
Well, if he is not, he deserves to be in command some-, 
where. On the 16tli instant he started on a two months’ 
scout after Indians, leaving a half finished article intended 
for this paper, entitled, “The Comanches.” We sincerely 
trust that his life may be spared, for if the Redskins should 
happen to finish him, he will never survive to finish “The" 
Comanches.” The following telegram to the Associated 
Press shows the kind of company and entertainment they 
have at Fort Sill:— 
“The commanding officer at Fort Sill reports that Lone 
Wolf, the Kiowa chief, left the reservation on or about the 
1 st instant, with some forty warriors, to.remove the re¬ 
mains and avenge the death of his son, killed last Decem¬ 
ber in a fight with Lieut. Hudson. A large party of Co¬ 
manches has left the reservation and gone south along the 
eastern borders of the Staked Plain, to attack the Indians 
at Fort Griffin, Texas; that they claimed to have taken 
enough warriors along to tight the troops at Griffin in case 
they should interfere. They stated that they were going, 
to avenge themselves on the Tonkawas for the death of the 
Comanches killed in Col. Buell’s fight last winter, in which 
a small party of Tonkawas took part. Lieut. Orleman, 
who brings this report, says that the Indians of the Fort 
Sill reservation came into that post a few days before he 
left to draw their annuity goods and rations. There were 
fully 8,000 Indians—Comanches, Kiowas, and Apaches— 
and their behavior was very insolent. Some of the young 
men strung their bows and'pointed arrows at the sentinels. 
All of the warriors were excellently armed—a great many 
of them with new heavjr rifles and carbines—and their 
stock was in very fine condition.” 
—A letter from Mr. Mowat, overseer of the Restigouch 
district in Canada, says:— 
“Light snow here this winter has saved the remnant of 
our moose, as they are only killed in March and April on 
the crust: law is all right, only no person to put it in force. 
A moose inspector should be appointed for each northern 
county, “a live one, mind you,” with power to choose his 
assistant and paid to scour the woods for two months, say 
$150.00, if not, they will soon be a thing of the past. I 
believe our Kedgwick would be good for still hunting. next 
September. If you would come, would almost promise to 
go a week with you. ” 
—Our Memphis correspondent sends us the following 
score of an interesting pigeon match:— 
The Bluff City Shooting Club of Memphis, Tenn., shot 
again last week for the challenge silver pitcher, 5 double 
birds each, 18 yards rise and 100 boundary, the winner to 
hold the pitcher six consecutive months, but subject to a 
challenge once a month from any member of the club. The 
first month it was won by P. IT. Bryson, the second by K 
W. Lightburne, third by D. D. Saunders and again the 
fourth month by R. W. Lighburne. . The sport was most 
interesting, as the day was cloudy with a perfect gale from 
the south-west. When the pitcher was offered many of the 
