Fob, 4, 1886,] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



87 



opens clear, but a heavy bank in tbe west indicates bad and windy 

 weather. We are content to haul out two reefs in the mainsaib 

 Came to at Cedar Creek 12 M. Spent two days scouring the cove and 

 inland waters for ducks with poor success. Clark leaves us .to-day 

 for home to meet us again at Forte-cue on the following Wednesday. 

 Went to the bo el on the beach and made the acquaintance of the 

 proprietor, Captain Garrison, the self styled "Forteseue crank." He 

 recently purchased this property, with its surrounding meadow lands 

 and extensive oy-ter beds reaching for ruiles and in fine cultivation. 

 We found him courteous and entertaining, with a fund of informa- 

 tion, a polished gentleman and a terror to evil doers. His store 

 house of knowledge is al wavs full, and he has a happv way of impart- 

 ing it, proverbial witn educated seamen. Retired old salts are apt to 

 be bluff and dictatorial. Not so with our newly made friend, and yet 

 the very moment anv oue attempts to infringe upon his rights, or 

 treat bim with incivility, the calm is turned mto a cyclone. We in- 

 spected the country around behind his fast trotters, and hunted ducks 

 in his preserves (pond*) in the evening, with frequent inspirations. 

 Time was passing rapidly and we weie oblifed to bid him a reluctant 

 good bye. Wnat a delightful five days we put In -with this lord of the 

 manor. Never more will we go in theDelaware Bay without stopping 

 Just here for at least a week May he grow rich in years as he is in 

 worldly goods. 



Beat up against wind and tide to Ben Davis Point, came to in a fl urry 

 of wind afi er a led ions six hours' sail. S. A. Wood, our special artist, 

 sprnt the evening making sketches that embellish o'ir log, viz.: Our 

 captain, '-who could not eat or driuit anything, " Robert White, '-our 

 pastry cook in a dilemma." Will West, "our cook sawing the jib off 

 Jfbrtescue in a gale of wind." Clark and Wood "smiling over the result 

 of the first day's shooting," and many other amming illustrations. 

 I neglected to state our run to Forteseue from « edar Creek was the 

 roughest of the down passage. Will West, while on the end of the 

 bowsprit stowing the jib, was frequently ear deep, and liable at any 

 moment to be washed off the spar. Yet he did his work like a man 

 aud saved tbe sail. Underway at daylight, cold and wet, and as 

 usuiil wind dead on end. Came to shoot in middle .inarch; ga.ne 

 scarce. Breakf -isted thl* rooming at 4 o'clock and under way at 5. 

 Wind still blowing down the bay. Ban by several large bunches of 

 ducks on tbe wmg and at, res'. Ancuored in Salem creek. Took a 

 stroll through the city, mailed letters, and returned on board m time 

 for the evening shooting. Col. Grub's senooner yacht Cadoras from 

 Burlington is here. Report ducks scarce. 



Made sail 10 o'clock A. Al., stiff N.W. wind, which left us at New 

 Castl"; dead calm throughout the day. Anchored ac Blllingspdrt at 

 sundown; prospects of a N.E. stur in oef ore morning. Daylight; our 

 yacht is doing her best to keep on top. Botn anchors down, with a 

 full scope of chain. Yacht Tacie dragged into us, and for a lime 

 we thought both, yachts would go under. Clear at last, the Tacie 

 going up on the beach, the sea breaking clear over her. Hoisted a 

 three reefed mainsail, and with boom triced to starboard succeeded 

 in getting the anchors, aud slowly clawed off a lee shore, which was 

 in dangerous proximity. Beat up to Hog Island, where we lay com- 

 paratively easy. Our cook says it's a cold day when it snows in bed, 

 and hbs tak^-n up his lodgings on the floor, having rolled out of his 

 berth several times. T e rest of the crew concluded that sleep is not 

 healthv under present circumstances, aud are making a "ntglit of 

 it." The storm this morning shows no signs of abating, we reluc- 

 tantly again, and for the last time, get our little ship under way at 

 11.10 A.M. Much to our surprise and gratification, che never re- 

 fused stays, though the seas at times swept clear over her. Arrived 

 at Cooper's Point at 3 o'clock P, M. We nad a. very pleasant trip, the 

 crew vieing with each other iu little kindnesses, which, however, did 

 not exclude »otne pretty sharp practical jokes. Well fed men never 

 growl, however. R, G. Wilkins. 



A STEERING GEAR FOR ICE YACHTS. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



When I woke up this morning and found several inches of snow 

 over the beautiful ice f left at dark last evening, and all my anticipa- 

 tions of another glorious day on my ice yacht spoiled, I felt 

 thoroughly disgusted and out of humor generally, so thought the 

 best thing to do to recover my equanimity would be to drop jou a 

 line on the subject of ice boats. 



I have been an ice yachtsman since 1855, in which year I owned my 

 first ice boat. Up to 1868 I did my sailing on tbe frozen waters of the 

 Delaware, and since then I have been ice yachting on Maryland 

 waters, or rather ice. 



It may seem s'range to your readers that an article on ice yachting 

 should be written by one reading so far south as Maryland, but the 

 fact is we have first-class facilities for the sport on our creeks and 

 rivers, which generally freeze over smooth owing to their sheltered 

 situation aud slow running tides. Then, too, we have much less snow 

 than f rt'ter north. When we get a good thick coat of ice on our 

 waters and then have a few hours rain, afterward turning cold, »e 

 have a sheet of ice that cannot ne surpassed for ice yachting, the 

 fresh water freezing on top giving a particularly smooth and even 

 surface. 



All the above may seem a needless preamble to what I had to write 

 about, which was my manner of steering my ice boatr, but it seemed 

 necessary that I t-hould give some reasons why one living so far touth 

 as I do should know something of what 1 was writing about. 



In my loug experimenting witn ice boats I have used some dozen 

 different kinds of runners and rudders for these boats, but my present 

 manner of steering I think has advantages, over the tiller, which latter 

 I think is the method almost universally in use. 



I found the usual position of the helmsman— viz., lying nearly on 

 one side, with he id toward the bow (if an iceboat maybe said to 

 have any), resting on one elbow or shoulder— to be a very constrained 

 and tiresome one. and dangerous from th=> fact that when going very 

 fast a small push or pull on the helm makes the body swerve, when 

 the tiller is apt to be pulled to one side, making the boat change her 

 co -rse. 



My plan is as follows. I use a double set of runners for the rudder. 

 The»e runners are set under a piece of timber about 3x4in., which is 

 pivoted to the after end of boat (I inclose rough drawings of runners, 

 etc.). I have a yoke extending across (he block, to which runners 



are bolted about 4ft. long. I mike my yoke lines fast to ends of 

 yoke, then carry them forwaro, pass each through a single block, or 

 fairleader. on either side of yacht, and back to the helmsman, w ho 

 sits something like a driver in a trotting sulky, except that instead 

 of leaning forward a<* many of them do, he reclines against a back- 

 board. In this position you will see that he is tirmly braced, having 

 afoo'-rest for each foot; and sitting as he does, facing ahead, be 

 has a good chance to see and perfect control of the boat, taking a 

 good pull on the yolre lines and bracing his feet against the foot rest. 

 In addition to tbe back rest I have two side pieces just wide enough 

 for helmsman to recline against. These prevent any possible side 

 motion when the boat is going fast, or in case of a slip of the rudder 

 or runners which will occasionally take place in the best regulated 

 iceboats. 



For small boats a modification of the above steering gear may be 

 made, as follows: The yoke is fitted as before, but instead of passing 

 yoke hues through ihe single blocks bring fnem forward to a bit- 

 pivoted in the boat just under the knees of the helmsman, pass thi-m 

 through holes in the bar and tie; then, sitting in the same position as 

 before, put a hand on each side of bar and steer. This is a good 

 steering gear, but best suited to small vachts. I do not see why the 

 same system of steering would not do for the single rudder as well 

 as the double, merely substituting a yoke for the tiller. I have 

 adopted the double ruuder. as I thinK I get more i-peed than with the 

 single, and I think the former less liable to slip, 



■■ow, iu conclusion, won't some of my fellow ice yachtsmen write 

 something about tne speed of some of the fine boats on the Hudson and 

 Shrewsbury rivers and elsewheie. Over a measured course we all 

 know that we go very fast, but how fast we do go I ihink it would be 

 interesting to note. I wid say, while on this subject, that the best 

 time I have taken with my boat has been 30 .yds., measured, in 10 

 seconds, and 60,1yds. in J3 seconds. The time in both eas-s was taken 

 with a stop watch and distances accurately measured. It was made 

 with a good breeze and fine smooth ice. I know that I have often 

 made better speed than this, but the times have not been taken. 



By the way, ho w hard it is to convince the layman that you can go 

 faster than tne wind while sailing on the ice. I have had very intel- 

 ligent people scoff at tbe idea, or treat me with sileut contempt while 

 telling them of this tact, as though I was a fisherman, xsut thh 

 fact is so well known to ice yachtsmen, and the causes that lead to 

 this result bo well explained by one of our prominent icevachtraen 

 that I need not say more on the subject. I hope to hear from 6ome 

 of your correspondents through the columns of the Forest and 

 Sjiibam on the speed question, over measured distances. The cat rig 



is an old idea of miue, but I never could get the spped with them in 

 light win Js. nor make them steer steadily, although I have placed the 

 mast 4ft. ahead of the runners. For speed and easy steering in an ice- 

 boat the center of effort and center of lateral resistance must he close 

 together. Sinkboat. 

 E aston, Md., Jan. 24. 



ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS. 



Boston Y. C— Jan. 27. —Commodore, Jacob Pfaff: Vice-Commodore, 

 J. B. Mear; Rear Commodore, Washington E. Connor; Secretary. 

 Thomas Dean; Treasurer, Augustus Russ; Measurers, D.J, Lawlor 

 and J. B. Smith; Trustees, Benjamin Dean. Ebeu Denton and Thomas 

 Manning; Regatta Committee, J P Pbinney. J. A. Stetson, L. S. Jor- 

 dan, G. R. Howe and W. L. Welluian; Membership Committee, J. B. 

 Mear, Charles H. Plimpton and D. B. Curtis 



Bunker Hill T. C. Commodore, Geo. T. D. Willcox; Vice-Commo- 

 dore, J. H. Porter; Fleet Captain, W. n. Webber; Seeretary- 

 T/easurer, B. F Underbill, Jr.; Financial Secretary, Geo. W. Abbott; 

 Measurer, Harry L. Johnson; Trustees, John W. Rich, William H. 

 Tohnan and George M. Barrows, 



BUILDING NOTES.-F. Joyner, of Glens Falls, has lately built a 

 handsome little steam launch for Mr. E. E Williams, of New York, 

 for use in salt aul fresh water. Tne boat is 25ft. over all, with 5ft. 

 beam, of cedar, finished in oak a,nd buttonwood. It has air tanks 

 belo w deck and a tank for oil in the bow, the motor being a Sntpma.n 

 kerosene engine, fitted with a condenser for salt water use. 1 he ex- 

 haust and bilge syphon discharge under the couuter Messrs. Bor- 

 den & Wood, of Fall River, have lately completed the design for a. 

 yacht for Capt. C. W. Anthony of the same place, which will be built 

 this winter. She will be 43ft over all, 14ft. 6in. beam, and 5ft. draft, 

 witn an iron keel of 4 tons and 3 tons of lead inside. The cabin will 



have 6ft. head room and will be finished in cht rry Mr. J. F. Powell 



has retired from the firm of Powell & Douglas. Mr. R. J. Douglas 

 will continue the business at Waukegan, 111. 



A NEW CUTTER FOR AMERICA. — Mr. M. Roosevelt Schuyler, 

 former owner of the Y Jmde. lias lately purchased the five tonner 

 Delvin and will bring her out in time for this season's races. Delvin 

 was designed oy young Will Fife, designer of Clara, and was built by 

 Fife A Son at Fairlie in 1884, Tbe same year she won 15 prizes' out 

 of 17 starts, all but two being firsts. Her dimensions are 33 6ft. on. 

 load line, 5.4ft beam. 6.6ft. depth of hold and 6ft Sin. draft, with a 

 lower sail area of S81sq.fl; With Clara in the 50ft. class and Delvin 

 looking atter the smaller ones, some of our sailor men will have to 

 look sharp for cups next season. 



YACHT CUSHIONS.— A correspondent asks for the addresses of 

 makers of seats and cushions for yachts, both of cork and hair. 



NEW YORK Y. C —The annual election will be held to- night at 

 the club house. 



§anaeing. 



Address all communications to the Forest and Stream Publish- 

 ing Co. 



Canonists are invited to send us notes and full reports of cruises, 

 club meets, information about canoeable waters, and other com mu- 

 nications of interest. 



WIDE AND NARROW CANOES. 



Editor Forest, and Stream: 



I had not intended to enter into the controversy now in progress 

 respecting the attitude of the A. C. A. toward large canoes; but it 

 seems thai some few facts wor'h consideration are not being put for- 

 ward as they deserve, although there must be many well-known 

 canoeists who could state as well as I can the case from this aspect. 



I write to defend the A. C. A. rules and classification, yet in full 

 sympathy (apart from my canoeing enthusiasm) with those who love 

 cruising under sail ana who long to see their preferred craft of larger 

 dimensions enjoying the same fraternal association by which we have 

 benefitted so much. No one has enjoyed more a thrash to windward 

 in a small cat, when the crew of two hud all their four bands full, and 

 one or two cleats besides, when the pumps bad to be manned; nor will 

 I deny the delight of lolling or working in a boat big enough to allow 

 of earlBSsness as to one's position in regard to tbe meta-center. But 

 to an A. C. A. canoeist there is a view of all these things which to those 

 who are unfamiliar with our aims Is evidently unknown. 



First as to the facts under discussion, the premises of the argument. 

 The A. C. A. is called pon to admit larger canoes than those of Class H. 

 Now so far as my memory serves, not one of your correspondents has 

 quoted the fact (yet fact it is » that the A, O. A. does not limit the size of 

 its canoes except that they shall be capable of being paddled by one 

 man, In racing the A O. A. invites or at least allows the future ap- 

 pearance of a larger class than Class B. In 1885 I proposed and ob 

 mined a race on the official programme for larger canoes, knowing 

 that many such exist-d, and the Regatta Committee spent much 

 time ou the subject with the barren result that the race was aban- 

 doned for lack ot entiies. What does this mean? This year's com 

 mitte have some douot as to the utility of again including such a race 

 on the programme and who shall say that they are wrong. But do 

 ' Deja," and Thomas Clapham and "Hal" know thess things? I should 

 thinK not. Big canoes are seen at the A O. A meets, even canoes 

 with oars, and canoes with two men aboard in sailing and four people 

 have been afloat without a whisper of protest. More than this, cat- 

 boats ana yawls and even sloops and cutters have mixed with our 

 lesser craft in most amicable style and the owners of 30in. arks have 

 not denied them. Quite the contrary ; the sneakbox has been allowed 

 and without doubt wall be, its moorings, and the St. Lawrence skiff 

 has been welcome. Why then this warot words? -Hal" of Newburgu 

 (I salute ani-i?hbur) puts his case so it can be answered ; he quotes the 

 A. C. A. definition, waich I stand by, but he adds witn a false con- 

 struction the quotation of class rules. False or rather faulty because 

 be takes no note or has no knowledge of the fact that when canoes of 

 other sizes present themselves the A. C. A. will provide races for 

 them, as stated above the A. C. A. has gone more than half way 

 toward these .members; publishing half a year ahead a programme 

 including them and inviting from their supporters suggestions for 

 special races for them with no result at all. It is simply astonishing 

 1 hat after this the Association should be charged with controlling 

 sizes by its rules. Any one familiar with the A. C. A. and its spirit 

 anu aims will know that every canoe is welcome in its ranks. 



But there is another question involved, broadly this: Is tbe 

 American Canoe Association to be changed to an American Sailing 

 or Bowing or Cruising Association? Some clubs have attacked the 

 problem; have been canoe and boating clubs, with more or less 

 success. Some have finally adopted the canoe as their object after a 

 more comprehensive policy. The Mohicans in reforming their 

 constitution two or three years back debated the question; tbe 

 Brooklyns aud Nowburgs, I believe, have tried it, aud some others. 

 So theie has not been the unreasonable excluslveness which a reader 

 might imagine; nor need the A. O. A. approach the question without 

 some data for argument. Now our snort and happy history does 

 seem to snow that canoeing is our object, and any other craft can 

 come among us as appropriately as a buggy might enter a bicycle 

 club. I belong to a yacht club, and hive sailed a craft drawing 'less 

 water than "Deja's" keel boat; but it will be long before I ask the A. 

 C. A. to classity her as a canoe. A cruiser she may be, and if the 

 demand is made to reform our constitution and use our splendid 

 organization for advancement of all cruising pleasures, we shall 

 have a tangible question; but so long as nondescript vessels seek 

 recognition simply because they assume to be canoes, the disguise 

 of a mere name will carry little weight. The fact is, that the canoe, 

 of unwritten and unwritable definition is what the A. O. A exists 

 for. Little or big, a canoe is a canoe, and this is a canoe association, 

 glad always to welcome and fraternizi with any aquatic amateur 

 afloat, but discriminating iu regard to those who are of us, as com- 

 pared with those who are wiih us. And why? Wherein lies this 

 vague distinction? 



These questions cannot clearly be answered, but let me try to say a 

 word or two to go as far as thr.y may. First, a canoe is not a sailing 

 vessel. Most emphatically not. To sail a cauoe in racing style is l 

 more like skating than yaehiiug. It is the man who, as a unit, must 

 be fitted with his craft as he would be with his skates. Not tbe vessel ! 

 which is mauned, but the man to be shod. There is a radical differ- 

 ence between a boat built for stability steered by a man ; and another 

 built for a man and relying entirety on bim for stability, it is the 

 same aifferenee which exists between the bug^y and the' bicycle. A 

 canoe is a crank craft which we sad for the fun of sailing it (and no 

 fun equals it). But the true characteristics of tne canoe are its 

 diminutive size enabling it .o be paddled, carried and loved by one 

 man, with permission to carry sometimes a passenger and a few 

 necessaries for camping and cruisiug. and padaling is not so much 

 the point as general portability. Oars are not very dreadful. They 

 are nu more foibUden than ruddtr.s or sails, but they are not the 

 proper things for reasons which a thousand paddlers can state. The 

 test is solitary locomotion. Any craft which can be carried or 

 dragged by its crew of one and which with two or three others of its 

 kind can get shipment quickly and quietly on steamers, railroads and 



wagons, is qualified to dispute the popularity of the cauoo. But any- 

 thing which claims all these things with fifty per cent, more beam or 

 a hundred per cent, more freeboard or anything per cent, more 

 stability, wo canoeists know to be a mistake. A bigger boat weighs 

 more or it ts weak. A heavier boat costs more for portage and 

 swears more, or it is supernatural, and as for deep bos ts we Mohicans 

 know the value of light draft because we average about 4J^in. and 

 would make it less if we could. 



And laslly, to wind up tbe yarn and douse tbe glim, let me point 

 out tbat the favorite size of canoes is not that at which the A. C. A. 

 sets the Class B limit, but smaller, and tbat these favorite canoes are 

 built, not for for the races where sailing prizes are most freely open, 

 but larger. In other words, the biggest OUhb B canoes are not the 

 favorites; therefore the A. C. A. is not regulating this favor, aud the 

 Class A canoes are growing fewer, although a good sailor in a Class 

 A canoe has three times the chance of prizes that h" would have in 

 Class B, therefore something stronger than A. 0. A. rules is setting 

 the tide in favor of certain sizes, which average at about 14ft 6in. to 

 15ft. length and 30in. or little more of beam, with 10 or llin. depth at 

 gunwale. Compare these sizes with the craft claiming superiority. 

 Any one cau see that Sin. beam or draft are advantages in certain 

 ways. Are we A. C. A. men behind ? We don't want more freeboard 

 or draft or more beam than our muscles and railroad porters and 

 tariffs, and sandbanks and rocks and shoal landings will allow us, 

 with good temper and i>o profanity. And for this self-denial I for 

 one am content to let '"Deja" and Clapham and the othtrs sit in their 

 ooats while I sit on mine. 



But I should be glad indeed if they all would come to camp and 

 cruise with canoeists. Not a word should be said in derision, not 

 even when they ordered real canoes and advertised their ships for 

 sale, or when they withdrew them to such localities and uses as tbey 

 deserve, lamenting instead of boasting that the canoe did not suit 

 them. Of course a canoe does not suit everybody. Why then should 

 a canoe association be called upon to do so? R.'W. Gibson. 



NEW CANOES OF 1886.— Never before were so many canoes 

 building to special order for leading canoeists. Aiarge number of the 

 best known A. O. A. men are building new boats and all the 

 boats will have, two centerboards each. Com. R at b bun's flagship 

 has been commenced by Huggles ot Charlotte, who has just snipped 

 to Pittsburg Mr. Bailey's new boat. Gen. Oliver and Mr. Gibson will 

 have new Rushton boats. Com. Munroe will have a Class A canoe 

 from Everson, Vice-Com. Stephens has a ( lass B canoe partly com- 

 pleted. Com. Newman has a modified Sunbeam on Everson's stocKS, 

 Mr. Buddinuton will have an Ideal from the same builder and Mr. 

 Stanton of the Knickerbockers will have also a new Everson boaf 

 Commodore Whblock will have a, 16x30. with probably a single solid 

 board amidships, and a 15x28 with two boards. All of these boats 

 will be specially built and fitted, and will make a finer fleet than any 

 yet seen. None of them are ordered hap hazard from a builder's cata- 

 logue, but nearly every one is the result of a careful study by an ex- 

 perienced canoeist who knows what be wants. 



A NEW P 8 IL ADELP HIA CANOE CLUB.- Editor Forest and 

 Stream: The Quaker City C. C. was organized at a meeting held 

 Jan. 21, at which the following officers were elected: Commodore 

 J. A. Barton; Vice commodore, James K. Oshorne; Secretary- 

 Treasurer, Thomas W. Bluett. We have four cances and two 

 building, with nine members and a club bouse at Cooper's Point, 

 where we are next door neighbors to the Philadelphia C. C. This 

 club was formed last spring under the name of the Keystone C. C, 

 but owing to lack of membership was not organized. This did not ' 

 however, prevent its members frun enjoying canoeing thoroughly 

 Some of them were afloat at least once a week from May to Novembf r, 

 and tbe Commodore and I were out sailing on New Year's Day.' 

 Several short cruises were also taken during the season. A meeting 

 will be held Feb. 21 to adopt a burgee and appoint a regatta 

 committee to hold races next season. — T. W. Bluett. 



ANOTHER MODIFIED SNEAKBOX. -Erie, Pa., Jan, 26,-The 

 sneakbox through the Forest and Stream struck this neck of woods 

 pretty squarely amidships. 1 owned a sort of half-breed, built 

 according to dimensions given by Mr. Rushton in his catalogue, but 

 with a stem. She could beat anything of her inches in any weather 

 but she never suited ; and I sold her and whittled out a model to su it 

 aud was surprised ou receipt of the last Forest and Stream to find 

 we have very nearly tbe same thing. My boat will be 16ft.x5, 15in 

 deep at gunwale amidships, the stern a little wider arid rounder and 

 will have a mainsail with gaff topsail attached— one halliard— and 

 jib. I hereby challenge you for a race.— Headlight. 



MOHAWK C. O.— At the first annual meeting of the Mohawk C C 

 of Troy, N. Y., held Jan. 7, the following officers were elected: 

 Captain. William Bennett; Mate, George L. Bascom; Secretary 

 Allen Blan chard; Purser, George H. Rich; Executive Committee' 

 William Bennett, George C. Bascom, Alleu Blanchard, George H 

 Rich. Thomas E. Little. Tbe club was organized last summer and 

 has at present twelve members aud eight canoes; four more canoes 

 are being built. List summer three members— Messrs. Bennett, 

 Bascom and Little— made a very pleasant cruise from Troy to Lake 

 Champlain, returning via Lake George. • 



AN ENGLISH CANOE MEET. — The following notice has lately 

 been sent out by the Royal C. C: "Sir— It is proposed tohold a meet 

 of canoeists on tbe Norfolk Broads during the first fortnight in Au- 

 gust this year. If those members of various clubs who wid attend 

 will kindly send me their names, at the same time stating wnether 

 they would prefer camping or hiring a Norfolk wherry for meals and 

 sleeping in, I shad be happy to make arrangements and cummunicate 



with them further upon the subject. T. G. F. Winser, Secretary 



Royal Canoe Club." 



PERSONAL.— Mr. Fritz Grumbacher, a prominent amateur oars- 

 man of Prussia, and author of the standard German work on rowing 

 and training, is spending a short time in New York. Dr. O. M. Doug- 

 las of Peterboro was in New York this week and visited the N. Y. C 

 at Marmalade Lodge, going out for a short paddle on the Kills. Com' 

 G. W, Gardner of the W. A, C. A. paid us a visit last week on his way 

 from Berm uda. 



THE A. a A. TROPHY.— .Etfifor Forest and Stream: I beg to 



$mwer£ to §amspondmt$. 



tW' No Notice Taken of Anonymous Correspondents. 



W. H. S.j Winchester, Ind.— Would advise a St. Bernard. Consult 

 our advertising columns. 



T. M. D.— If you wish to do accurate shooting you must use a cart- 

 ridge shell fitting the chamber. 



Sigel, Cockeysville, Md.- The legs of the puppies will probably 

 come all right as they get older. 



Inquirer. — Stain ford, Conn.— I saw a few bluebirds yesterday (Jan. 

 23) rtiiile on the street with an old gentleman, who gave me a point 

 on a habit of this bird, wbich being new to me. I thought might also 

 be new to others, so I will give it. He says "the bluebird does not 

 migrate as our other song birds do, but they conceal themselves in 

 knot holes of trees and fence rails, where tbey pass the winter in a 

 sort of lethargic state." He claims to have observed them in this 

 state during winter, and gives this as a reason of their being the 

 earliest bird in spring. Ans. The old gentleman was gulling you with 

 imaginative nonsense. 



Kensico, Chappaqua, N. Y.— Will you kindly give the common and 

 scientific names of i tie fish which I send to you by this post? it is a 

 fair specimen of thousands recently taken in bait nets or cast up 

 dead along the shores of the reservoir pond at Kensico, and is chiefly 

 remarkable for the fact that the species seems quite unknown to the 

 fishermen and sportsmen hereabouts. None ot the local fishermen 

 has seen anything like it iu the neighboring ponds or lakes during 

 many seasons of winter fishing through the ice. The specimen sent 

 herewith was taken from the stomacb of a pickerel. Tnose captured 

 in bait nets invariably died almost immediately after being taken 

 from the water. Ans. The fish is one ot the clupeoids, but tbe 

 youth and dried condition defies a correct diagnosis. It may be a 

 shad or an aiewife ^herring)— the saw-belly tells this much. If you 

 can send a larger specimen, without its being dried up, we may 

 decide, 



INFORMATION WANTED. 

 R. J. D. wants to Know to which counties in Pennsylvania to go (1) 

 for large game, such as bear, deer, wild turkey, etc, (2) To which . 

 for trout fishing, combined with the above. (3) Which would be the. 

 best for all around work, i. e., largest variety of shooting and fish- 

 ing and pleasant spots for campitg; mountainous country preferred. 

 (4) Adoresses of parties to write to to make arrangements. 



Men in "Safe Employments" were paid a quarter of a million 

 dollars last year by the Travelers, of Hartford, Conn., for accidental 

 death and injuries.— Adv. 



