FOREST 'AND ' STREAM. 
apeed, though not loafing. Pride was industrious, but 
did not maintain a uniform range and was going but 
fairly fast. The sun wm shining with burning intensity, 
and while it was uncomfortable to the horsemen it must 
have been still more trying to the dogs, running as they 
did in the grass and cover near the ground. 
Marie's Spokt Airo Ranee began at 11:47. Sport by 
good searching found and pointed two bevies nicely — a 
most creditable performance in the severe midday 
weather. His range, speed and endurance were superior. 
Ranee ranged wide and fast, maintaining her search well, 
but seemed to be unsuccessful in finding. In open weeds 
a bevy was seen to flush near where she was at the time, 
but whether or not she was the cause of the flush no one 
could tell. The heat ended at 12:35, and the party then 
went to limch. 
TJm'd Round. 
Tony Gale and Harwick were cast off at 2:13. Tony 
made a good point on a bevy in a cornfield and behaved 
well to shot and wing. Both ranged well, Tony the bet- 
ter. Harwick worked badly to the gun, being out of 
sight too much and not beating out his ground with suffi- 
cient reference to his handler. Up at 8:03, 
Marie's Sport and Odd Sides were started at 3:12 to 
run for first and second places. Odd pointed a bevy and 
was backed by Sport, then moved on to locate; both joined 
in the reading and both pointed, though the credit of 
the find clearly belonged to the pointer. On the scattered 
birds Odd pointed one nicely, and excusably flushed an- 
other which he had pointed a moment before, but was 
cautiously trying to locate better. Sent on, Odd pointed 
nicely an outlying single of a bevy, and all the birds 
flushed wild to the flush of the single. At the same time 
Sport was on the trail and pointed 20 or 30yd8, away. 
Odd made another good point on a single, and the heat 
soon thereafter ended. Up at 3:54, Sport was going bet- 
ter at the finish than was the pointer, but the latter had 
thoroughly outworked him in locating and pointing birds. 
Sam T. and Cincinnatus Pride were cast off at 3;59, 
though it was difficult to perceive the drift of the judge's 
purpose in running them further, as they had no chance 
in tne money. A bevy was seen to flush, but the cause 
was unknown, both dogs being out of sight at the time. 
Both behaved badly on the scattered birds, each flushing 
twice and each pointing presumably on footscent. Both 
were blown too much for point work, Sam van too 
fast for his nose, he being much blown from the exertion. 
Von Guiiii and Ranee began at 4:26. Down 25 minutes. 
Ranee again ranged well, but she had no success in find- 
ing. Von Gull worked diligently within a limited range, 
though making it easy for himself by slacking his speed. 
This heat ended the stake. B. Waters, 
THE INTERNATIONAL TRIALS. 
Chatham, Out,, Nov. 20. — ^The season of 1896 has thus 
far been one of disappointments in field trial matters, the 
entries running very light and the attendance small. In 
these latter points alone can it be said that the seventh 
annual meet of the International Field Trials Club, of 
Chatham, Ont,, follows the trend of dog matters for the 
year. The entry might have been larger, but it could 
hardly have been better, and the same should be said of 
the attendance. The trials as run were a success of un- 
qualified sort, and very well worth the emulation of clubs 
of more pretentions. It is to be doubted if in any all- 
age trials of the country a higher average of perform- 
ance was ever seen. There were only ten starters, but out 
of the ten there was not a duffer, and hardly a dog which 
would not be a killing bird dog. The character of the 
breaking was high, the handling was quiet and pleasant, 
and the whole spectacle of the trials was one exhibiting 
high-grade dogs in the act of finding birds and working 
to the gun. The "speed and range' fallacy seems about 
to die the natural death which has long been due, and 
while each of these dogs had all the range that should be 
asked, there seemed a pronounced leaning toward the 
more rational and practical features of dog work whose 
absence has been a curse to the trials and to the dogs of 
the country, inasmuch as it has led to false standards, 
false qualities and false theories of what a hunting dog 
should be. It would seem that we have had quite enougb 
of that professional side of trials work which seeks to dis- 
tinguish the good field trial dog from the good shooting 
dog, and which puts stud fees and the sale of puppies 
quite above the question of finding birds for shooting, 
which latter is the real use and purpose of hunting dogs. 
It would seem, to a plain man, that the proper purpose of 
a field trial should be not to find the dog which can run 
fastest for an hour, but to select out of the whole entry 
that dog which would be the pleasantest and most effect- 
ive servant for the amateur shooter in the field. The art 
of judging should, in the opinion of a plain man, be that 
of weeding out the poor dogs, the rattle-headed dogs, the 
weak and fooKsh and unintelligent dogs, and getting at 
the best bird dog of the lot, This is about what the 
judges did at Chatham trials. They picked out the four 
best shooting dogs in the lob. At the close of the trials I 
shot over two of these dogs, and will say that better meat 
dogs a man never saw. And this I conceive to be the 
highest praise that can be given a bird dog, setter or 
pointer, in a field trial or outside of it. 
The trials thus had a distinct and valuable amateur 
character, and seemed rather like a party of gentlemen 
out for a few days of mutual enjoyment in the field. Not 
the slightest thing occurred to destroy this pleasant 
illusion, and if all trials were run as nicely as these the 
dog world would be one of peace and good will. The 
judges, Messrs. T. Guttridge, of Chatham, and Tom Hal- 
lam, of Smithville Flats, N. Y,, did their work carefully 
and well, hurrying none and slighting none. They gave 
each brace a chance in the open and in bevy finding, and 
then a trial on the singles, and left nothing to guess- 
work. The result of their conscientious and careful 
efforts was satisfactory to all, and not a murmur was 
heard. There was a unanimous belief that they got out 
the four best dogs, and the only difference of opinion 
was in regard to their award of first and second. Some 
thought that on the showing of work done Cleopatra, 
Mr. Wells's game little bitch, should have had first, and 
Dash Antonio second, A careful review of the ruunings 
inclines me to this belief, for the scale of points for the 
brilliant little one is clearly larger, and her heat of Thurs- 
day morning was far and away tha best of the trials, I 
am openly prejudiced against so small a dog, however, 
and our prejudices blind us in^spite of all. It was very 
likely a personal admiration for the size and "sand" and 
determined courage of the dog Dash Antonio which led 
me to overlook the mistakes he made — which latter 
should be laid rather to a faulty training than to the dog 
himself. He is so headstrong and stubborn — traits which 
I like in a dog — that his handler has had to keep him 
down a great deal, or in the attempt to steady him has 
made him over cautious. The fault of false pointing, or 
of not going directly on to his birds, is a serious one in a 
bird dog. I believe we should attribute to old John 
Davidson the wise remark, "I have often killed birds over 
a flush, but I never have killed one over a false point." 
Devoid of charitable extenuations. Dash Antonio did some 
rank false pointing. Yet I should rather own him for a 
shooting dog, day in and day out the year round, and in 
all sorts of weather and conditions, than any dog at the 
trials, and therefore the decision of the judges jumped 
well with my prejudices, though one muse admic it did 
not tally with the record of the work done here, A 
short time before the trials Dash Antonio was badly bit- 
ten in the foreleg by an angry sow, and he ran a cripple, 
but had abundant courage to go. This quality is all too 
rare in the latter-day setter, and it should be recognized 
in conmon sense if not in the rules, even though we 
be unable to logically connect false pointing with a sore 
leg, 
Mr. Bangham, of Windsor, Ont,, the owner of Dash 
Antonio, Lock, and the gallant puppy Millbrook, is an 
accession of the most valuable sort to any club. He is the 
type of a quiet and pleasant sportsman, able to accept 
either a victory or a defeat. Mr. W, B. Wells, the main- 
stay of the International Club, was of course on hand all 
the time. He is a good wheel horse to have, and most of 
the success of the meet depends upon his enthusiasm, his 
care for details and his thorough knowledge and belief in 
good bird dogs. Mr. Wells trains and handles his own 
dogs, and does both well. The only criticism which 
could possibly be offered upon his handling is that his 
legs seemed about 3ft. too long for the majority of the 
field party who followed him as he strode over the coim- 
try. Mr. Wells never notices a log or a fence, and braided 
cornstalks are to him a joy and pleasure. A practical 
sportsman and the best shot of his town, Mr. Wells is not 
only an owner and fancier of setters, but also a user of 
them. He is a consistent shooter, and nearly always has 
a bit of game on hand in season. On Monday evening 
Mr. Wells handsomely entertained the field party and 
other friends to the number of twenty-five at a game din- 
ner in town, which was a very pleasant affair and one 
much appreciated. 
The trials were run off on grounds near Mitchell's Bay, 
about sixteen miles from Chatham, the party stopping at 
the post office, store and hotel of Mr. C. W. Raymond, 
who made all comfortable. This was far better than a 
long ride in and out daily, though it cut down the attend- 
ance of spectators somewhat. The field party, all of 
whom followed the good, sturdy, Canadian fashion of 
going on foot, numbered in all from fifteen to twenty- five, 
among whom one noticed besides the gentlemen above 
mentioned: Messrs, Chas. Allen, of Both well; Jos, Sprack- 
lin and son, of Sandwich (the latter handling, as was also 
James McGregor, of London,); Chas. Stone, of Toronto; 
Geo. Kime, Alphonso Wells and Dr. J. Kime, of Chatham. 
Mr. T. G. Davey, of Tiondon, was of course in the pro- 
ceedings at every stage, for this club is with him a home 
institution and bound to receive his loyal support. One 
regrets to state that Tommy this year blinked a bit of the 
walking, and sneaked off home after his own dogs were 
done with their running. 
The weather was suitable and birds quite numerous 
enough for all purposes. It was matter of general com- 
ment that everything was extraordinarily satisfactory 
and pleasant throughout. The result of this fall's meeting 
cannot fail to have beneficial effect for the club next 
year. Nor is it a negative significance which should be 
attached to this season's meet of the International Club, 
It has distinctly a character of positive interest. This 
club is working on the right lines. It is time that field 
trials ceased in the persistent effort to find the wrong dog, 
and followed the example of the semi-amateur inter- 
national organization, which sought to find the right dog, 
namely, one which should be a practical day-to-day shoot- 
ing dog, suitable for the service of a gentleman sportsman 
and not for the purposes of a dog merchant.^ Such a type 
should naturally have traits and constitution to transmit to 
its offspring, and its offspring should sell on this account, 
not on account of the meretricious and fortuitous circum- 
stance of a winning in an hour's race of ill-directed effort. 
The winners of the Chatham contests were practical 
shooting dogs, and to repeat, there can be no higher praise 
adduced in their favor or in favor of the club which bred 
and trained and ran and selected them, 
Tuesday— International Derby. 
Of the twelve nominations there were four starters, 
drawn as follows: 
Mr, S. Holmes's (Chatham) I. and w. pointer dog Spot- 
ted Star (Lord Graphic Star— Spotted Girl) with Mr. R, 
Bangham's (Windsor) b,, w. and t. English setter dog 
Milbrook (Dash Antonio — Patty). 
Mr. T. G. Davey's (London) b. and w. pointer dog Joe 
(Plain Sam— Beppo's MoUie) with Mr, H. Marshall Gray- 
don's (London) b., w. and t. English setter bitch Heather 
Bloom (Dash Antonio— Bly). 
Very mild and pleasant weather marked the opening 
day of the trials, and it was a pleasure to be afield. The 
party walked out from Mr. Raymond's hotel at Mitchell's 
Bay, and needed to go only a mile or so before work was 
begun. Birds were abundant (seven bevies being found), 
and the country proved in every way suitable and pleas- 
ant for field trial purposes. The Derby entry was not im- 
posing in numbers, but included good timber, the work of 
the nine-months' puppy Milbrook being of exceeding high 
class for a dog so young. Mr. Bangham could not ask so 
youthful a dog to win first, but if the young 'un comes on 
as fast for the next year he will prove dangerous com- 
pany for his sire. Dash Antonio. Moreover, he is a very 
handsome puppy, with great promise for his mature ap- 
pearance. The first brace down were: 
Spotted Star— Heather Bloom —The latter was han- 
dled by Joe Spracklin, She proved faster and better in 
range. Star soon slowed up and came to heel. Heather 
flushed a partridge a couple of times and then flushed a 
bevy of quail. She flushed a single and failed to score 
several points which were natural. Down 35 minutes. 
Milbrook- Joe.— Spracklin handled Milbrook, J. Mc- 
Gregor handled Joe. Tried on stubble. In cover Joe 
put up a partridge. At a creek he pointed a single. He 
pointed again, but no bird could be found. On a weed 
field he pointed footscent of a bevy. Milbrook came up, 
fiushed and chased, Milbrook broke after a single. Mil- 
brook in range and speed and quality of action astonished 
all through a heat of over one hour. His bird work was 
of course crude, as he was still a puppy and short of expe- 
rience, 
Job— Heather Bloom. — They were tried out over stub- 
ble, and drew to a hedge row, Joe got a bevy point, and 
later made two single points and two flushes. Heather 
Bloom could not handle her singles and was scored several 
flushes, Down 30 minutes. 
Milbrook— Heather Bloom.— Several fields blank, and 
at length Milbrook pointed in the corner of a cornfield. 
He left his point, went back, then returned, and roaded 
on to a bevy point. Heather Bloom seemed deficient in 
nose. Down about 25 minutes. 
The judges announced their decision to be: Joe first, 
Milbrook second. Heather Bloom third. Spotted Star 
fourth, 
Joe is of fair range, a fair bird finder and a useful 
puppy. Milbrook showed phenomenal determination and 
dash, and has a good though uneducated nose. 
Wednesday— The International AU-Aee. 
Mr. H, Marshall Graydon's (London) b., w. and t. Eng- 
lish setter bitch Misfortune (Cincinnatus— Canadian 
Queen) with Messrs. W. B, Wells and A. Wells's (Chat- 
ham) b., w. and t. English "setter bitch Daphne (Toledo 
Blade— Oambriana). 
Mr. R. Bangham's (Windsor) b,, w, and t. English set- 
ter dog Dash Antonio (Antonio— Lady Lucifer) with Mr, 
W. B. Wells's (Chatham) b., w. and t. English setter 
bitch Cleopatra (Mingo II.— Cambriana), 
Mr. W. B. Wells's (Chatham) b., w, and t. English set- 
ter dog Luke (Toledo Blade— Cambriana) with Mr, T. G. 
Davey's (London) blue belton Eoglish setter dog Brighton 
Dick (Brighton Tobe— Brighton Maud). 
•Mr. R. Bangham's (Windsor) b., w. and t. English setter 
dog Lock (Locksley— Liddersdale) with Mr. T. G. Davey's 
(London) 1, and w. pointer bitch Lucy (Ridgeway Faust — 
Mr, W, B. Wells's (Chatham) b., w. and t. English set- 
ter bitch Iris (White B.— Luna) with Mr. T. C. Steg- 
man's (Toronto) b., w. and t. English setter bitch Maud 
(Banker— Belle). 
The weather on Wednesday, the first day of the run- 
ning in this stake, was extraordinarily warm for the sea- 
son, indeed almost oppressively muggy, so that man and 
dog were somewhat distressed with the going. As before, 
the party walked afield from Raymond's place and got to 
work at 9 A. M. The first down were: 
Misfortune— Daphne. — The former was handled by 
Spracklin. Mr. Wells, of course, handled his own dog, 
and also of course kept the field party in a free perspira- 
tion, in following his slashing walk. Both dogs showed 
abundant range and both were under good control. 
Daphne needed the less handling, and went about her 
work in an independent and experienced style, seeming 
a level-headed and steady field dog, of not so much style 
as reliability. The brace had 30 minutes blank, and were 
then led 10 minutes over to better country, On a naked 
field Daphne pointed. Misfortune backing nicely, but the 
birds had left. In the bush Daphne made a good bevy 
point at a brush pile. Misfortune backing or pointing ir- 
resolutely and suffering in the comparison in bird work. 
Both steady to wing. On the singles Daphne was first to 
stop, but was hurried on, the birds having scaUered over 
dry leaves. Misfortune could not establish a point, and 
indeed both dogs might have done better here, though 
they were given too little time to work out the puzzle. 
Daphne pointed after they were ordered up. Down 1 
hour and 8 minutes. 
Dash Antonio— Cleopatra.— The former was handled 
by Spracklin. Mr. Wells handled Cleopatra. They 
were tried out on stubble, and both showed abun- 
dant range and speed. Dash showed a wide and indepen- 
dent range with a head of his own, and Cleopatra evinced 
the sense of the true bird dog. Hunting diligently at 
the edge of a thicket, Cleopatra was making game when 
Dash, fully 300yds, away, was casting over an open 
meadow toward a bit of bush, While still away from the 
fence he caught scent and worked rapidly up to a bevy 
point. Spracklin fired and he was steady. Dash was 
now brought over to Cleopatra and at once began stop- 
ping and reading in tall weeds, followed and cautioned 
by Spracklin. Not establishing a point, he was cast back, 
as the birds were evidently running. At this moment 
Mr, Wells fired from a point in the bush, and Dash 
dropped to the shot. Meantime Cleopatra had roaded 
rapidly 75yds. down wind and had established her point 
on the bevy in a very businesslike way. Dash having 
stopped at this back scent. It was at this bevy rise that 
Mr. Wells had fired, some SOyds. from Dash. While Dash 
had showed great range and sagacity on bevy work, he 
lost by comparison m the work on running singles, seem- 
ing if anything over cautious or overtrained, perhaps the 
latter. On the singles Dash pointed, probably on foot- 
scent, but the bird went out. Further on in open wood 
Dash pointed again, but no bird was found. For a third 
time he pointed firmly, but no bird could be materialized. 
Cleopatra also stopped, but went on, then pointed firmly 
at a brush heap, but no bird was put up. On these run- 
ning singles neither dog got much glory. They were 
down 50 minutes. Cleopatra kept to her work, but 
seemed distressed. One could not avoid admiring the 
courage of Dash, who ran without paying attention to his 
crippled foreleg, which was in bandages. 
Luke— Briohton DlCK.-^Mr. Wells handled Luke, Mr. 
Davey Djck. The judges pub them on stubble and both 
showed range and indepBndence enough, Luke under bet- 
ter control. As they crossed stubble and ragweed, Luke 
put up a bird just as he jumped into a bevy point. Dick 
was aside, but dropped to wing. At a ditch, both roaded. 
Dick came up and jumped into a point just as a bevy went 
up, all the judges and handlers being close in a bunch. 
On the singles, Luke pointed and moved on to locate, two 
birds going out. Dick pointed and moved on at com- 
mand, and a bird rose. Luke pointed and moved on, and 
Dick did also, locating a bird which was put up in the 
bush. Dick was now plainly growing wild and was out 
of control, his handler using wh'stle and voice very much. 
Luke made game and recognized his bird, but did not 
stiffen, though the wind favored him. At the rise, Mr. 
Wells fired; both steady, Luke dropping. Dick flushed a 
bird at a log as he sprang over it. This was on leaves, 
