Jan. 81, 1889.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



OYSTERS KILLED BY STARFISH. 



THE depredations of the starfish on oyster beds have been 

 a matter of observation and record for many years. 

 Only recently, however, has the Government been appealed 

 to for assistance in devising remedies for the evil, and, al- 

 though the impression prevails in some quarters that the 

 Congress appropriated a sum of mouev for investigation 

 and report upon this scourge of the oystermen, no funds 

 have yet been voted for this specific object. The prelimin- 

 ary work done last summer in Providence. River, Narragan- 

 sett Bay, and Lone Island Sound by the U. S. Fish Com- 

 mission'was paid for out of the general appropriation of the 

 Commission. The steamer Fish Hawk, it is expected, will 

 continue the investigation next summer after the close of 

 the shad hatching season. 



It has been stated that starfish destroy several hundred 

 thousand dollars' worth of oysters annually. They make 

 their appearance suddenly in countless numbers, and com- 

 plete their work of devastation very quickly; a day or two 

 may suffice for the destruction of an entire bed. Mussels 

 and soft shell clams are greatly liked by the starfish also. 

 We have seen a starfish devour seven medium-sized clams 

 in a half day. and apparently in preference to Oysters con- 

 tained iu the same aquarium, because of the greater ease 

 in penetrating the shell of the clartt. It is doubtless known 

 to most persons that the starfish envelopes its prey with its 

 flexible arms, suffocating it and causing the shell to open, 

 when its stomach is projected around the animal and absorbs 

 it at leisure. 



It has been suggested that small beds of oysters might be 

 protected by surrounding them with a shoal of mussels. In 

 some waters, it is asserted, however, that starfish will not 

 atack mussels. The studies of the Fish Commission staff were 

 limited chiefly to the temperatures, densities and salinity 

 of the water oh the oyster beds affected by this enemy, and 

 to the animals associated with the oyster, with particular 

 reference to the conditions of their existence and thrift. 

 The starfish cannot live in fresh water, and it is liable to de- 

 struction from the reduction of the salinity of the water by 

 the actiou of heavy freshets. The only practical method of 

 exterminating the starfish known at present is the expen- 

 sive one of dredging them as now practiced by oystermen of 

 Connecticut. 



THE GRAMPUS AT KEY WEST. — The U. S. Fish 

 Commission's schooner Grampus arrived at Key West Jan. 

 27, with the loss of seaman Brown. The particulars of his 

 death are not yet known, but it is supposed that he was 

 washed overboard. The Grampus will be engaged in the in- 

 vestigation of the fishing grounds iu the Gulf of Mexico and 

 the movement of food fishes. Dr. James A. Henshall will 

 joiu her as naturalist iu a few days. Among other things he 

 will take especial pains to collect auy of the fresh water 

 fishes that may be accessible. Capt. D. E. Collins is now at 

 Key West and will collect statistics of the fisheries there and 

 elsewhere in Florida. 



MR. ADO LP H NIELSEN, of Norway, is now on his way 

 to assume charge of the fishculture work of the Province of 

 Newfoundland. He will stop over at Gloucester, Mass., for 

 a day or two to examine the cod hatching station on Ten 

 Pound Island, then go at once to St, Johns. Mr. Nielsen 

 has a very high reputation in Norway as an accomplished 

 fishculturist, 



DR. JAMES A. HENSHALL is now in Washington re- 

 ceiving final instructions for his natural history work on 

 the Grampus. He will go to Key West in a day or two. 

 Correspondents should address him either at his Cincinnati 

 home or care TT. S. Fish Commission, Washington, D. C. 



r Aw MenneL 



F I XT U RES. 



D0& SHOWS. 



January, last week.— Western Penusvlvunia Poultrv Society's 

 Fourteenth Annual Show, Pittsburgh, Pa. C. B. Elheh. Sec'y." 



Feb. 5 to 8, 18*9.— First Annual Dog Show of the Coluihhus 

 Fanciers' Club at Columbus O. Thos. R. Smrrow, Secretary. 



Feb. 7 to 12.— First Annual Shaw of the En lson River Poultry, 

 Dog and Pet Stock Association, at Is'ewburgli, N.Y. J. H. Dreven- 

 stedt, Secretary, \Vashine:tonville, N. Y. 



Feb. 19 to 32, 1S89.— Thirteenth Annual Show of the Westminster 

 Kennel Club. New York. James Mortimer, Superintendent. 



Feb. 26 to March 1, 1889.— Second Annual Show of the Renssalaer 

 Kennel Club, Troy, N. Y. Alba M. Me. Secretary. 



March 5 to 8, 1889.— Second Annual Dog Show of the Albany 

 Kennel Club, at Albany, N. Y. Geo. B. Gallup, Secretary. 



March 12 to 15, 1889.— Second Annual Show of the Fort Schuyler 

 Kennel Club TJtica, N. Y. James W. Dunlop, President. 



March 26 to 89, 1889.— First Annual Dog Show of the Massachu- 

 setts Kennel Club, at Lynn, Mass. D. A. Williams, Secretary. 



March 19 to 22, 18S9.— First A nnual Show of the Rochester Kennel 

 Club, at Rochester, N. Y. Harry Yates, Secretary. 



April 3 to 5, 1889.— Annual Show of the New England Kennel 

 Club, Boston, Mass. J. W. Newman, Secretary, No. 6 Hamilton 

 Place. 



April 9 to 13.— First Dog Show of the Worcester Kennel Club, at 

 Worcester, Mass. Edward W. Doyle, Secretary. 



Aprils to 12, 1889— First Annual 'Dog Show of the Mascoutah 

 Kennel Club, at Chicago. 111. John L. Lincoln, Jr., Secretary. 



April 16 to 19, 1889.— Tbe Seventh Dog Show of the Philadelphia 

 Kennel Club, at Philadelphia, Pa, Win. C. Child. Secretary. 



May 22 to 25.— Pacific Kennel Club Show, San Francisco, Cal. 

 FIELD TRIALS. 



Nov. 4.— Third Annual Field Trials of the Indiana Kermel Club. 

 P. T. Madison, Secretary, Indianapolis, Ind. 



Nov. 18.— Eleventh Annual Field Trials of the Eastern Field 

 Trials Club, at High Point, N. C. \V. A. Coster, Secretary, Sara- 

 toga Springs, N. Y. 



A. K. R.-SPECIAL NOTICE. 



r PHE AMERICAN KENNEL REGISTER, for the registration 

 of pedigrees, etc. (with prize listB of all shows and trials), is 

 published every month. Entries close on the 1st. Should be in 

 early. Entry blanks sent on receipt of stamped and addressed 

 envelope. Registration fee (50 cents) must accompany each entry. 

 No entries inserted unless paid in advance. Yearly subscription 

 S1.50. Address "American Kennel Register," P. O. Box 2832, New 

 York. Number of entries already printed 6923. 



PACIFIC COAST FIELD TRIALS. 



SACRAMENTO^ Jan. 19.— The sixth annual field trials 

 of the Pacific Coast Field Trial Club commenced on 

 Monday, the 14th inst , on the grounds of Messrs. Haggin & 

 Carr, near Bakersfield, Kern county, Cal. These gentlemen, 

 who own a little patch of some 400,000 acres in Kern county, 

 kindly allowed the club the privilege of running its trials 

 on any portion of three full sections lying close to the town, 

 and on which no shooting had been "permitted during the 

 season. The local gun ciub (Knights of the Trigger) had 

 looked after all preliminary arrangements for the meeting, 

 and everything passed off harmoniously and to the delight 

 and pleasure of all, unless, perhaps, the few whose canine 

 pets disappointed them. The grounds are in the center of 

 the level San Joaquin Valley, covered with grass, light 

 weeds and some patches of low sage brush. Birds were 

 found without much trouble, except on Wednesday, when 

 some poor ground was struck. All of the work was wit- 

 nessed by the spectators, who followed the handlers and 

 judges iu carriages, buggies and on horseback. 



I The attendance was quite large, considering that most of 

 the visitors had to travel from 300 to 400 miles. Prominent 

 amoug the visiting sportsmen were the followiug named: 

 J. G. Edwards. orOakland, president of the club; G. T. 

 Alleuder, Watsonville; I. N. Aldrich, Marysville; H, H. 

 Briggs, of the Breeder and Sportsman; J. M. Barney, 

 Dut'eh Flat; J. M. Bassford and G. W. Bassford. Vacaville; 

 H Boyd, San Francisco; E. W. Briggs. Santa Clara; H. C. 

 Chipman, Sacramento: J. S. Dunham, Stockton; Hou.W.W. 

 Foote, San Francisco; H. Gerber ancF J. Gerber, Sacramento; 

 J. G. Gates, Vacaville; Alva Green, Galesburg. 111.; W. II. 

 Harris, Oakland; H. A. Hubbard, Oakland: S. D. Meri- 

 •weather, Ventura; W. DeMott. Stockton; Judge C. N. Post, 

 Sacramento; Senator J. T. Pindar, San Francisco; L. J. 

 Rose, Jr., Ventura; William Schreiber. San Francisco; 

 Judge P. J. Shaffer, Point Reyes; P. M. Scott, Oakland: W. 

 Thomas, Chico; F. A. Tai't, Truckee; R. T. Vaudevort, 

 Pasadena; F. A. Watson, Colusa; M. D. Walter, Gait; N, E. 

 White, of the Sacramento Record-Union. 



Besides those coming from distant portions of the ^tate, 

 many of the citizens of Bakersfield turned out each day to 

 witness the trials. The judges were: R. T. Vandevort, P. 

 J. Shaffer and T. N. Aldrich, and their decisions seemed to 

 meet with general approval. 



At the annual business meeting of the club the followiug 

 new members were elected: J, S. Dunham, of Stockton; R. 

 E. Auerbach* of Oakland; H. L. Borgwardt and I. L. Miller, 

 of Baker field; R. SeymOur. of Sumner; S. D, Meriweather, 

 of Ventura, and Win*. Thomas, of Butte. Propositions to in- 

 crease the amounts of the initiation fee and annual dues, 

 and to retain 20 per cent, of the purses for club expenses, 

 were voted down. Officers for the ensuing year were elected 

 as follows: President (third term), J. C* Edwards; First 

 Vice-President, J. M. Barney; Second Vice-President, L. J. 

 Rose, Jr.; Secretary and Treasurer, II. H. Briggs; Executive 

 Committee, J. S. Dunham, Wm. Schreiber. Hon. D. M. Pyle, 

 J. M. Bassford, Jr. , and Judge C. N. Post. A vote of thanks 

 was tendered the Knights of the Trigger and other citizens 

 of Bakersfield for their unremitting attentions and efforts to 

 make the occasion one of enjoyment to their guests. It 

 was decided to hold the next annual trials on the same 

 ground, to commence on the third Monday in January, 1890. 



The Derby nominations numbered twenty-four, but some 

 of the puppies failed to come up to their owner's fond ex- 

 pectations, many others fell victims to the destroyer, dis- 

 temper, and others were sold to parties who had not yet 

 learned of the advantage to be gained by field trial com- 

 petition. So the number of starters dwindled to five. The 

 trials developed at least one phenomenal piece of dog flesh 

 in J. E. Watson's pointer puppy Black Joe. He was a ver- 

 itable "dark horse," and literally walked over the rest of 

 the menagerie. There was considerable talk about his 

 alleged obscurity of breeding and age. Some said he was 

 picked up on the streets of San Franciscoj others declared 

 that he would never pass his sixth year agam, and one story- 

 was that he came as an unknown on some ship from Eng- 

 land. His handler declared that the owner of the dog had 

 written him that he was whelped in February, 1887. At all 

 events he is a wonder, ne is of medium size, and jet black. 

 His body is light, but his running is strong and speedy and 

 his movements lithe and graceful. His head is not of classic 

 mould by any means, but its thickness seems to indicate an 

 extra quantity of brains. On point he is a perfect picture 

 of the typical, high-strung pointer. He won the Derby 

 from Bassford's true-nosed, industrious little pointer bitch 

 Lottie B.. and in the All-Aged Stake he was an easy winner. 

 Whatever his age or breeding may be; he is a grand dog, 

 and if a "mougrel," as some declarej it would not be to the 

 disadvantage of some of the blue-blooded stock of the 

 country if a little of his quality of mongrel blood could be 

 infused into it. But there is every evidence that the dog is 

 of excellent breeding and purity of lineage, even though his 

 present owner knows nothing of his history, which, how- 

 ever, is not a very likely supposition. 



On nearly every day of the trials Mr. C. A. Nelson, a local 

 photographer, followed the dogs iu the field, and secured a 

 number of excellent pictures of the dogs, handlers and spec- 

 tators. Later Mr. Boyd, whose animal pictures in the 

 Breeder and Sportsman and other publications have at- 

 tracted much attention, came from San Francisco (nearly 

 400 miles), and with his field camera caught a large number 

 of pictures of the dogs when pointing and backing. Some 

 copies are promised for the Forest and Stream. 



The drawing of the Derby entries took place ou Sunday 

 night, and resulted as follows: 



THE DERBY. 



Black Joe (Jas. E. Watson), black pointer dog (said to 

 have been bred by Pape), 



against 



Pride (Albert Peri), black white aud tan English setter 

 dog (Nixie— Pearl Laverack). 



Laddie (William Schreiber), lemon and white pointer dog 

 (Tom Pinch — Lassie), 



m against 



Lottie B. (George W. Bassford), liver and white pointer 

 bitch (Professor— Grade Bow). 



Nestor (William Schreiber). lemon and white pointer dog 

 (Gladsome— Forest Queen), a bye. 



The rain which commenced falling on Suuday afternoon 

 continued during the night, but ceased shortly after day- 

 light. The ground, however, was quite wet, and the start- 

 ing of the Derby was deferred until afternoon. The party 

 left town about half past one o'clock P. M., and reached the 

 grounds a little after two o'clock. 4 

 First Series. 



BLACK JOE AND PRIDE. 



The first brace was started at 3:30. Joe was handled by 

 George T. Allender, and Pride by M. D. Walter. Within a 

 few hundred yards of where they were started the dogs 

 found birds. Joe displayed excellent rangiug qualities and 

 speed, carried his head well up. and altogether showed ex- 

 cellent style. Pride did not range so wide, and ran with a 

 low head as if seeking foot scent. He was fast enough, but 

 lacked the dash and style of his competitor. Soon after 

 coming upon the birds Pride dropped to a point in a low 

 swale covered with grass and a sparse growth of sage brash. 

 Walter flushed and killed; both dogs steady to wing and 

 shot. Pride retrieved to order iu good fashion. The dogs 

 were sent on through the sage weeds, and going over a little 

 ridge both passed some close-lying birds in the thick, low 

 grass. Joe soon pointed handsomely, aud Pride being 

 brought up flushed a cottontail. Joe pointed again soon 

 after, but no bird was found, the quail being evidently ou 

 the run. Going up a low swale some birds got up ahead of 

 Joe, who soon afterward made a very good point in the edge 

 of the grass, the bird flushing as the party moved up. Joe 

 made several points in the next few minutes, Pride doing 

 comparatively little work. At 3:10 the judges ordered the 

 dogs up, and a warded the heat to Joe. 



LADDIE AND LOTTIE B. 



This brace was put down ou the same ground at 3:35, the 

 former handled by Allender and the latter by her owner. 

 The heat can be briefly described. Laddie is a high, up- 

 standing dog, of great dash, speed and style, aud from the 

 way he started off looked for all the world like a winner. 

 Lottie, a high-strung little bitch, did not at first range 

 widely, although she was speedy and covered her ground 

 closely. It was some minutes before the birds were found, 

 when a covey of perhaps a hundred were seen skulking off 

 •-ver some smooth ground toward a patch of light brash. 



The dogs were halted, and a couple of horsemen dashed in 

 among the birds and scattered them. Tnen the dogs were 

 sent on, and some very handsome work was done Try Lot- 

 tie. Time and again she pointed in grand style, and* birds 

 were invariably found iu front of her, aud Laddie continued 

 to range in his magnificent style, but seemed to have little 

 idea othuntiug quails. On one occasion Lottie had a bird 

 pinned in the grass. Laddie ran up and ~put up a hare 

 within a few feet of the bitch, but tbe latter held her point, 

 and her handler put up and killed the quail. Both dogs 

 broke shot, Lottie retrieving the bird. Lottie made eight 

 points, and toward the close of the heat was increasing her 

 speed and range. At 4 o'clock the dogs were ordered up and 

 Lottie was declared the winner. All who saw the work 

 done in this heat were loud in their expressions of admira- 

 tion of the winner, and the owner of the beaten dog de- 

 clared that he was well repaid for his journey of 300 miles 

 by witnessing the work done by her. She had had but a few 

 weeks' real work on birds, and is inclined to be unsteady to 

 shot, but another season's experience will doubtless cure 

 this defect, and then her owner need not fear to ruu her in 

 any company. This ended the first series, Nestor having a 

 bye. 



Second Series. 



Tuesday morning opened cloudy and cool, but by the time 

 tbe cavalcade reached the grounds the sun had come out and 

 the remainder of the day was warm and comfortable. 

 . LOTTIE B. AND NESTOR. 



The first brace put down was Lottie B. and Nestor, 

 pointers. Lottie was handled by her owner. Mr. Geo. Bass- 

 ford, and Nestor by his breaker, Mr. Allender. The dogs 

 were put down at 10:25. Nestor showed great speed and 

 wide ranging qualities, and his stylish manner of carrying 

 himself elicited general admiration. He is a lemon and 

 white dog imported from Scotland by Wm. Schreiber, his 

 present owner. Lottie showed more speed than on the pre- 

 ceding day, and ranged out somewhat better. As usual, she 

 worked her ground more thoroughly than the dogs that had 

 been pitted against her, and while Nestor was far away 

 seeking coveys she was gettiug in her work on scattered and 

 hard-lying birds. A few minutes after being turned loose 

 the dogs found birds, but the ground was still wet, and the 

 quails at first evinced little disposition to lie well. Lottie 

 got in among them and made several points, but they did 

 not wait long for her. Nestor put up several and generally- 

 dropped to wing. The birds seemed be to everywhere. Several 

 points were made by each in rapid succession iu the low 

 sage-weed and grass, and to the spectators it looked like a 

 pretty close heat, but Nestor soon broke after a hare, refused 

 to obey the whistle, and indulged in a good loug chase. As 

 he came up Lottie hadpinned some birds and Nestor dropped 

 to back. Bassford flushed, shot and missed; both dogs 

 steady to wing and shot. Going up a low ridge Nestor 

 pointed and Lottie backed some 50yds. away. The bird ran 

 and the dogs soon moved on. Several birds got up before 

 Nestor, who soon pointed again. Lottie backed handsomely 

 as before, and again the birds got tired waiting and ran 

 away in the high weeds. Considerable ground was then 

 covered without finding birds, when Lottie pointed one in a 

 bunch of scrub willow. Nestor had the best of the business 

 so far as range, speed and style were concerned, but Lottie 

 outranked him in nose, staunchness, obedience and backing 

 qualities, and these won her the heat. At 11:30 the dogs were 

 ordered up. 



Final for First Place. 



BLACK JOE AND LOTTIE B. 

 At 11:50 Black Joe, handled by Mr. Allender, aud Lottie 

 B., handled by Mr. Bassford, were started off to decide first 

 place. The style of both dogs has already been described. 

 Joe had the advantage in range and speed, and although 

 Lottie did some very nice work ou scattered birds, her sable 

 competitor proved too much for her, although according to 

 many private score cards she had a little the best of it. The 

 dogs were worked twenty minutes, Lottie scoring one point, 

 when a halt was made for lunch. At the expiration of an 

 hour they were turned loose again, and Joe soon pointed, 

 but moved on to the left. Lottie came up and pointed a 

 bird a few yards from where Joe broke his point, and her 

 handler put up the bird. After covering much ground with- 

 out finding birds a covey was flushed in a swale, and tbe 

 birds scattered out through the grass. Joe soon swung to a 

 magnificent point near some bunch grass, from which three 

 birds were put up. It was a pretty piece of work, and being 

 in open ground was witnessed and admired by the large 

 party of spectators. Joe afterward roaded up some birds, 

 but later on both he and Lottie made several creditable 

 points. At 1:55 the dogs were ordered up and the heat and 

 first money awarded to Joe. 



Final for Second Place. 



LOTTIE AND PRIDE. 

 At 2:15 Lottie was put down against the English setter 

 Pride to contest for second place. The former was handled 

 by her owner aud the latter by Walter. This was Lottie's 

 third successive beat, and her speed and range increased 

 the longer she ran. Pride was about her equal in range, 

 but had less style and did not quarter his grouud as thor- 

 oughly as she did. Each made several points, which the 

 other honored. Birds were not found as readily as in former 

 heats, and many acres were drawn blauk. Toward the close 

 of the heat, however, a couple of coveys were found, and 

 Lottie doing some nice work settled the business. At 3:30 

 the dogs were ordered up, and the heat and second place 

 awarded to Lottie. 



Final for Tliird Place. 



NESTOR AND PRIDE. 

 These dogs were put down at 3:45, handled x'espectively by 

 Allender and Walter. Nestor had the best of it in every 

 way, outranging and outpointing Pride, and at 4:30 tae 

 work was ended by the judges declaring in his favor. 

 Following is the summary: 



First Series. 



Black Joe beat Pride. 

 Lottie B. beat Laddie. 

 Nestor a bye. 



Second Series. 

 Lottie B. beat Nestor. 

 Black Joe a bye. 



Fin-cd for First Place. 

 Black Joe beat Lottie B. and won first prize. 



Final for Second Place. 

 Lottie B. beat Pride and won second prize. 



Final for Third Place. 

 Nestor beat Pride and won third prize. 



ALL-AGED STAKE. 

 On Tuesday evening the dogs in the All-Aged Stake were 

 drawn. The number of starters was about half of what 

 was expected, and although there were upward of fifteen 

 dogs on hand but ten were entered. The drawiug resulted 

 as follows: 



Royal Duke II. (J. G. Edwards), black, white and taa 

 Enalish setter dog (Regent— Dolly), 



against 



SIBOOCO California Kennels), orange belton English set. 

 ter dog (Sportsman— Sweetheart). 



Dick (W. W. Foote), black, white and tan English setter 

 dog (Royal Duke XL— Bess), 



