The keeper thought he discovered particles of manure 
hanging to the eggs.” 
We feel certain that Mr. Valentine used every precau¬ 
tion, and we regret exceedingly the failure of this first at¬ 
tempt. We trust that next year Mr. Valentine will renew 
the experiment. We shall he very glad to do all in our 
power to introduce the pinnated grouse into England. If 
eggs can he sent from India to England, and a certain pro¬ 
portion of them can he hatched, there is no reason why the 
eggs of the pinnated grouse cannot stand a shorter trip, 
and under much more favorable circumstances. 
Jackson Gillbanks, Esq., informed us some time ago 1 
that a number of eggs, sent by Sergt. Bates, the American i 
flag-marching individual, had arrived in England, but our j 
informant expressed his doubts as to whether the eggs \ 
would hatch. We feel somewhat interested in the single j 
bird born in England, .and trust he may get along. After j 
these birds, however, break the egg, it is still a question j 
whether they will thrive in England. We have made up 
our mind to see the experiment fully tried. The fact that j 
the chicks of the pinnated grouse require a certain amount 
of moisture in their baby days, is at least some little 
knowledge gained. 
NATIONAL SPORTSMENS’ CONVENTION 
The following is the call issued last June for a National 
Convention to meet at Niagara Falls to revise the game 
laws: 
A CALL FOR A NATIONAL SPORTSMENS’ ASSOCIATION. 
The New York State Association for the Protection of Fish aud Game, 
believing that the time had arrived when public sentiment was in favor 
of forming a grand national organization for the protection of fish and 
game, did, in convention assembled at Oswego, N. Y., on June 23d, 1874, 
adopt the following: 
Resolved, That this Association in convention assembled do endorse 
the call for a National Association, issued in the American Sportsman of 
February 21st, 1874, having for its object the procurement of intelligent 
and efficient legislation for the protection of game birds and fish, and did 
name the 9th day of September, 1874, and Niagara Falls. N. Y., as the 
proper time and place for holding such convention, and did appoint us as 
delegates to said convention; now 
Therefoy'e , We do issue this call to all State Sportsmens’ Associations 
and local organizations, where no State Associations exist, and gentle¬ 
men sportsmen, where no local clubs exist, to take the matter in hand 
and send delegates to said convention and make the meeting one worthy 
of American gentlemen sportsmen. 
A., C. Mattoon, Oswego, N. Y. 
N. R. C. Rowe, West Troy, N. Y. 
S. T. Murray, Niagara Falls, N. Y. 
Geo. W. Flower, Watertown, N. Y. 
W. J. Babcock, Rochester, N. Y. 
We are at liberty to state that, owing to a misconception 
of facts at Oswego, by the officers of the Convention of 
June 22d, two circular letters were allowed to be issued 
simultaneously, one emanating from the State Assqciation, 
and the other from the New York City Society for the 
Protection of Game. These at first sight seem to be inhar¬ 
monious, and would be, (as to time of meeting, at least) 
were it true that two different dates for holding Con¬ 
ventions were specified. The impression evidently obtains 
that the society last named designated the 1st day of No¬ 
vember, or issued its call for a Convention on that day, as 
will be seen by the following letter from a leading sports¬ 
man of New Jersey, whose status will readily be recognized 
by the initial signature. He says:— 
Malaga, N. J., August 2d, 1874. 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
While the sportsmen of West Jersey heartily endorse the “Call fora 
National Convention,” and will send delegates, officially, through the 
West Jersey Game Protective Society to such a convention, it strikes us 
that the time named (some time in November) is unsuited. The conven¬ 
tion should, in our opinion, be held either prior to November 1st, or 
after January 1st. Sportsmen want all the time they may be able to 
spare from their business during the open season, and should the call be 
issued during that time, it will no doubt prevent the attendance of many, 
who otherwise would give the movement their individual countenance. 
Yours truly, W. B. R. 
Now the fact is, there is but one cull. The city society 
has merely suggested the 1st of November as the suitable 
time for a Convention, for the text of its circular letter 
reads, as addressed to the numerous clubs throughout the 
country:—‘ ‘ Ton will please inform us at ichat time and place 
you would prefer the Convention therein to be held.” The pur¬ 
pose and desire was, first to obtain the sense of the coun¬ 
try as to these points, and then conform to the expressed 
wish of the majority. Now, it is palpable enough that, if 
the majority of clubs desire the 9th of September as the 
day of meeting, and Niagara Falls as the place (as desig¬ 
nated by the State Association), they will so state in their 
responses to the call issued by the city society, through its 
President, Royal Phelps, Esq. Should they so elect, noth¬ 
ing can interfere to impair that harmony of feeling and 
action which is so necessary and so much desired in this 
important matter. We know that our sportsmen, from 
one end of the land to the other, have hut the main object 
at heart, and would deprecate anything that would even 
suggest discord or conflict. There is no reason why the 
action of the two organizations 'should not be strictly and 
wholly co-operative, the objects being identically the same. 
But we fear that the shortness of the time allowed to con¬ 
sider the tenor of either call is an insuperable objection to 
the immediate accomplishment of results. We admit the 
force of our correspondent’s point which he raises, and 
fear that the conventions (especially the one earliest called) 
will be hut thinly attended. If, however, it should happen 
that the attendance at Niagara Falls should be sufficiently 
large and characteristic to be considered representative, 
it could readily adjourn to a future time so far distant as 
to enable the question te be thoroughly examined and dis¬ 
cussed meanwhile throughout the country. At the No¬ 
vember meeting, under the other call, the delegates present 
could advantageously discuss their plans, of co-operative 
game laws, which they received as a legacy from the 
FOREST AND STREAM 
“American Fish Culturists’ Association,” and which is 
widely approved by gentlemen of the United States and 
Canada, and having done this much, would naturally ad¬ 
journ to the place designated by the September meeting, 
and offer or solicit that co-operation which would come 
from the united wisdom of the two bodies. This we would 
respectfully suggest to the officers of the two societies or 
associations as the proper course to be pursued, and the 
only one to effect the grand object with harmony and with¬ 
out prejudice. We feel assured, as far as our personal 
knowledge goes, that both organizations are ready to en¬ 
dorse any movement that will secure harmony and univer¬ 
sal co-operation of sportsmen. We trust the September 
meeting will be largely attended, for in a multitude of 
counsellors there is wisdom, and we think it more than im¬ 
portant that, after a purely deliberative session, it should 
adjourn as suggested above. 
The Chicago Pigeon Shooting Tournament.— The 
grand shooting tournament of Chicago, Illinois, commenc¬ 
ing on August 11th, and continuing through the week, is 
to be held at Dexter Park. The interesting programme of 
this shoot, which is appended below, is the result of the 
indefatigable exertions of S. H. Tun-ill and Abner Price, 
Chicago. There will be three days’ single bird shooting for 
amateurs only, and one day for double birds, to be shot under 
Kennicott club rules, charge of shot one and a quarter ounce, 
Dixon measurement, 1,106 or 1,107. The entrance fee for 
single and double bird .shooting will be $10 each day; birds 
twenty cents each. All the shooting will be at wild birds, 
from H. & T. plunge traps, and the sport is to commence 
each day at half past nine sharp. Entries can be made at 
the store of F. J. Abbey & Co., 43 Clark street, Chicago, 
or on the grounds. 
A new feature in this programme is the all-cash prize 
system, under which the sportsman making the best aver¬ 
age (in the shoot proper) throughout the tournament will 
be presented with $100 cash. We think the plan a good 
one for amateurs. Sweepstake and handicap money prizes 
have been in vogue in England among the most select and 
aristocratic clubs for years. Pigeon shooting, in order to 
make a sportsman a first rate field shot (it is getting rather 
too mechanical of late), is one of the most expensive 
amusements. A gentleman may win a peck of medals, but 
they don’t pay travelling expenses. Possibly enough, they 
might cost the owner hundreds of dollars. A celebrated 
rifle shot from California once called at our office to show 
us his medals, etc. These different emblems of his accu¬ 
racy as a marksman amounted to more than eighty, and on 
enquiring the expenses he had incurred to win them he re¬ 
plied, “Twice the value of each medal.” Glory is emi¬ 
nently gratifying, but we think that, as in the instance of 
this Chicago tournament, where field sportsmen have to 
travel so far, and the expense of the journey is so exces¬ 
sive, this new system of giving all-cash prizes to the win¬ 
ners will not in any way deteriorate from the character of 
the amateur sportsman, as it is not a matter of chance who 
wins, but in nearly all cases one of skill. This tourna¬ 
ment will afford a grand opportunity for those field sports¬ 
men who contemplate visiting the States of Illinois, Iowa, 
Wisconsin, and Minnesota for a few days practice before 
entering on the prairie for the pinnated grouse. The fol¬ 
lowing is the programme:— 
FIRST DAY—TUESDAY, AUG. llTH. [SECOND DAY—WEDNESDAY, AUG. 12 
Glass Shooting, 10 Single Rises. | Class Shooting, 10 Single Rises. 
First prize, cask. $175 00 ( First prize, cash.$200 00 
Second prize, cask. 100 00 Second prize, cash. 100 00 
Third prize, cash. 75 001 Third prize, cash. 75 Oo 
Fourth prize, cash. 50 001 Fourth prize, cash. 40 00 
Fifth prize, cash. 15 OOiFifth prize, cash. 25 00 
THIRD DAY—THURSDAY, AUG. 13TH. [FOURTH DAY—FRIDAY, AUG. 14TH. 
Glass Shooting, 10 Single Rises, \ Four Best Scores, 10 Double Rises. 
First prize, cash.$200 OOjB’irst prize, cash.$40 00 
Second prize, cash. 100 00 Second prize, cash. 30 00 
Third prize, cash. 70 001Third prize, cash. 20 Oo 
Fourth prize, cash. 40 00|Fourth prize, cash. 10 00 
Fifth prize, cash. 20 OOiFifth prize, cash. 5 00 
After the regular shoot is over there will be plenty of 
birds left for those who would like to participate in conso 
lation sweepstakes. The total amount of cash prizes to be 
given will be $2,435. 
“Cruising in High Latitudes.” —Lord Dufferin, Gov¬ 
ernor General of Canada, accompanied by a large party, 
has been making a tour of the Muskoka Lake region. They 
left Toronto on the 25th July, devoted some four days to 
the excursion', and then took the steamer at Collingwood 
for a cruise around Lake Superior. The loyal Canadians 
along the route did all they could to make the trip enjoy¬ 
able, exhibiting their devotion to the Queen’s representative 
by triumphal arches, pillars of flowers and evergreens, in 
one instance wreathing a lofty lighthouse from base to sum¬ 
mit. Regattas, boat races, and Indian canoe races were 
improvised, the militia turned out, salutes were fired, flags 
were dipped, the Governor’s party drove about, fished in 
the lakes, visited the Indian camps, chuckled the papooses, 
gave prizes, made presentations; all hands made speeches 
of welcome and acknowledgement, not excepting the noble 
red men, who took a hand in; there were dances and hops 
and music, and where there were no cannon to salute with, 
the inhabitants drilled rocks and touched off huge blasts to 
give tremendous emphasis to their enthusiasm. Altogether 
it was a rare holiday. 
One of the most interesting incidents of the occasion was 
the visit of Lord Dufferin to the Icelandic colony established 
this summer on Lake Rosseau. The Governor spent some 
time in conversation with them, no doubt enjoying the in- 
terview greatly, unless, perchance,, he had forgotten hie 
Latin which he once employed to such telling advantage in 
the course of his visit to Iceland-all of which is reported 
409 
ve/rbatvm in his narrative entitled : “A Cruise in High 
Latitudes.” 
This Muskoka district is certainly replete with everything 
that can contribute to the enjoyment of sportsmen or sum¬ 
mer tourists. As a fishing resort it has no equal, while for 
autumn sport it possesses advantages that few other regions 
have. Deer and grouse are very abundant, and we assume 
that any of our readers who will contrive to pass the 
glorious month of September there will return more than 
satisfied. At all events we shall follow the example set by 
His Excellency the Governor General, and go up there 
next month, though we shall not expect an equal ovation 
from the inhabitants. 
THE ETON AND HARROW MATCH—THE 
WIMBLEDON RIFLE CONTESTS. 
[from our special correspondent.] 
RICKET is no doubt a pretty amusement enough 
when a man careth not for a bailer or a broken shin, 
and can stop shooters and risk a black eye with impunity; 
but it is vee victis , and a pair of spectacles (o-o), or a duck’s 
egg is a more mortifying accomplishment than a love game 
at billiards, or the loss of a collar button off one’s only 
clean shirt. I like the hatting part of the business well 
enough, and the shandy gaff and ovations for two figures, 
but watching out two mortal hours under a broiling sun at- 
long slip, picking of daisies, and missing an easy catch by 
way of a pleasing variety every now and then, and being 
cursed for it, doesn’t suit the book of your special corre¬ 
spondent at all. The fact is, a public school routine spoilt 
my taste that way. I didn’t see the beauty of the game 
when it took all my pocket money, and I got in return 
three hours a day at “fagging out” for a prefect, and run¬ 
ning after his swipes to square leg. But let my feelings be 
smothered, for cricket is the thing just now, and every one 
is leather hunting and talking about those inevitable 
stumps. 
The season has reached its climax, however, and the 
Eton and Harrow match records the crisis in the enjoyment 
of devotees of the hat. “The king is dead, long live the 
king,” they have cried exultingly during the last months, 
as one match decided another followed quick upon its heels, 
keeping their laurels ever fresh and green; but now there 
is nothing extraordinary on the cards except the Canter¬ 
bury week in August. 
The day when the two largest of our public schools con¬ 
test for the honor of supremacy “on the turf,” but with¬ 
out blacklegs, betting, or blackguardism to mar fair play 
and love of the sport, is a gala day which all London turns 
out to eDjoy. As when on the occasion of the boat race 
they don the different shades of blue which mark their 
partizanship, so on tfiis occasion do lords and ladies of high 
degree, cabmen, costermongers, high church curates and 
Presbyterians, ruffians from the New Cut and beans from 
Bond street, all deck themselves in the pale rosettes of 
Eton, or the darker ribbons of Harrow. “Floreat Etona,” 
the grand old school on the Thames, whose playing fields 
have been for many a long year the nursery of our most 
brilliant poets, our bravest soldiers, our most skilful engi¬ 
neers, our noblest statesmen, has added one more victory 
to the glorious scroll of fame which her sons are ever and 
ever regilding with brighter letters. Now and • then rises 
the self-taught genius who, like Charles Dickens, scorns 
education and the muses’ rod, and laughs at the aid of 
pedagogue and dictionary, but many are they whose foot¬ 
prints, still indented on the sands of time, defy oblivion, 
who owe the hard won palm to perseverance taught chem 
at the school bench and the wickets. But it must not he 
understood from this flourish on my part that I am any ad¬ 
vocate for classical training, and for that atrocious system 
of grinding young fellows in Demosthenes, Cicero, Plato, 
and the like, the effect of which, after about seven years’ 
hard study, is that they are short sighted, and have not 
learnt one single thing of the slightest practical use to 
them in either law, physic, or divinity. Possibly they have 
acquired some amount of taste and refinement, though the 
latter is certainly very roughly taught by the satires of 
Horace aud the amorous verses of Ovid, hut they cannot— 
nine tenths of them—write a decent translation of the first 
iEneid without the aid of “a crib.” But let this pass. De¬ 
spite all the faults of their training, the Eton boys are 
turned out of the right sort of stuff, and no wonder that 
they are the favorites of the populace. 
The scene at Lord’s was much the same as usual. A 
broad expanse of turf, a number of white figures in the 
centre, with a little blue coloring about them, two black 
figures representing the umpire, and a band of carriages 
full of the living bouquets of beauty and fashion which 
mark the “season” in London life. There were seductive 
bonnets of lilac tulle, of blue faille and pink leghorn, 
recherche hats, coquettishly trimmed and turned up at the 
sides, and Duchess Marie and shepherdess costumes enough 
to distract even the blase loungers from the parks; but turn 
out the footlights at the theatres, and where is the elegance 
of the Louis Quatorze silks and the sparkle of the diamond 
necklaces? In fact, the arrangements for lighting were bad 
in the extreme, and the clerk of the weather had turned 
off the sun’s gas at the metre, though perhaps the dismal 
gloom of the day may be attributable to. the comet, which 
-has been flaring away with a six foot tail for the last fort¬ 
night. Just as the Etonians went to the wickets there was 
a warning peal of thunder, and down eame the rain, and 
