FOREST AND STREAM. 
125 
Club they are both willing and able to take care of their 
own State. These trials we must have in one of these 
three States, as there arc numbers of gentlemen who would 
only be too glad to have the opportunity to enter their dogs, 
providing the time taken up was not excessive, nor the outlay 
too great. In another letter I will treat on the rules and regu- 
lations on which dogs are now judged by at field trials. On 
my return from Europe, where I expect to see the working 
of dogs at the Horseheatli field trials, I trust to be able to 
compare their trials with our own. I shall be pleased to give 
such observations to the public ; at present I am totally op- 
posed to the laws and rules on “points” governing trials now 
in vogue. 
I would like to say one word again to the Baltimore Poultry 
Association. Would it not be a good plan for the owners of 
homing pigeons to carry along a lew of their crack birds in 
connection with the dog field trials, as where there is no tele- 
gram — and I believe there is none on the James and Ka- 
nawha Canal. Even should there be telegraphic communica- 
tion, it would be grand sport to throw up a couple or so of 
“homers” and carry the news of the winners of the field 
trials to Baltimore, and they could have a race on their own 
account. Judging pigeons— especially carriers— in a coup, is 
all very proper ; but the combination of beauty, feathers, 
good breeding and characteristic marks, with the instinct 
carried out of flying long distances in the shortest possible 
time, is what is required ; or, in other words, it is pace and 
style that win. I am aware the birds would require consid- 
erable training. The way I would start about it would be 
this; Put one of my best “homers” in a bag; give the bag 
to the conductor or reliable baggage master — one that takes 
an interest in these matters— and plenty of them can be found ; 
let such a conductor start on his regular train, which runs 
daily from Baltimore to Bichmond, and instruct him to fly the 
bird five miles out, according to his homing qualities, noting 
especially time and distance. This could be carried out in 
the same manner, from time to time, until the bird was 
thrown up from Richmond. As these birds are expensive, I 
am aware there is some difficulty to be overcome. It iB pos- 
sible the birds might be shot. However, the papers would 
gladly make an item about them, and request people not to 
molest the birds. 
I could write more fully on this matter, but at present I 
only want to throw out a hint to those most interested. 
Jno. M. Taylor. 
to tell the sad story. Bitterns, rails, sand pipers or herons we 
rarely molest when snipe hunting, for our dogs' soke, except- 
ing we meet with new specimens. In such duck shooting 
as we meet with while snipe hunting the color is also of little 
importance. I have, on one or two occasions, seen my dogs 
stiffly pointing on a duck, and also oftener had them standing 
in full view of ducks, without losing my shots on account of 
it. 
Mr. Smith, I havo probably expressed only personal and 
local views, as one color might be preferable for our locality 
and purpose and not for another. However, I argue that it is 
of far greater importance to have a dog kept easily in sight 
than not, and run the chance of having a few more shots at 
bitterns, sand-pipers, etc., which chances are undoubtedly 
outbalanced by those which are lost by not having the dogs in 
sight. It is very certain that much game is found, pointed, 
flushed, by dogs, and lost, of which the sportsman is not 
aw ?J e ’ -r, Justus von Lenoekke. 
JVeio York, March 11. 
For Forest and Stream and Rod and Chin. 
COLORS OF SETTERS. 
A LTHOUGH afraid that the readers of your paper are 
almost tired of hearing any more arguments on the dif- 
ferent colors of setters, yet I trust I can explain a few points 
more fully, as my friendly adversary, Mr. E. Smith, has had 
the same privilege, though this shall be the last on my part. 
"VVe agree on all important points, excepting the practicabil- 
ity and preference of the red color for field work. Mr. E. 
Smith admits that he appreciates the solid white color in cover 
shooting, but as the covers in Maine are so thick that even a 
white dog could not be seen far away, “he would neverthless 
put a bell on the dog." Yet, a dog more or less white can 
surely be seen at a far greater distance, and much more readily 
at any distance, than a red dog, no matter how dense the cover 
might be. Now, as a rule, the covers in New Jersey, New 
York, Pennyslvania and Connecticut are not so thick but that 
a white dog may be kept in sight in ordinary huuting. While 
hunting the alder covers of Litchfield county, Conn., four 
years ago, in company with “ Old Smeedy," who knew every 
cow path for twenty miles around, we one day hunted with a 
party of gentlemen, using only red setters. The advantages 
of our more or less white dogs over the red ones were very 
striking. The owners of the excellent red dogs freely admit- 
ted this. There would be a constant whistling and calling, in 
spite of bells, when the red dogs were on a point or almost 
within reach. We, however, bad none or hardly any trouble 
in keeping our dogs in sight. This holds good, in the same 
proportion, for all cover and upland shooting. 
Mr. E. Smith does not approve of letting a dog range off 
further than two hundred yards each side of him. This I ad- 
mit is fully far enough under ordinary conditions. I shall, 
however, explaiu why I prefer a dog which is not afraid to 
range half a mile under certain circumstances. Most of my 
shooting is done before 8 or 9 a. m., as I then have to go to 
the city. Our marshes are extensive. As a rule, birds are 
found onlyin certain spots, which are often far apart. This 
being the case, everybody must admit that a dog which will 
go from one place to another, without waiting for his master 
to follow, and upon finding birds point them till they can be 
flushed and shot at, is of great advantage, and this holds good 
almost wherever snipe are found in the East. I would like to 
mention one instance : One day last October a brother of mine 
hunted my white and red setter Dash. He had killed four or 
five birds on the Penhorn meadows, and upon arriving at the 
road near the bridge the old dog went down the road on his 
usual trip to an excellent piece of snipe ground, while my 
brother waited. In about ten minutes the dogstoppod, and to all 
appearances pointed. Wo have measured the distance, and it 
is fully half a mile from where my brother watched to the 
pointing dog. A red dog could not be seen on these grounds 
at such a distance, and my brother would have been deprived 
of the rare pleasure of killing four snipe over a single point. 
The good old. “sniper ” never stirred while the first, then a 
double, and the fourth and last bird were killed over his 
staunch point. We have, however, many excellent snipe 
grounds, where it is difficult to keep a dog in sight, especially 
a red one, at two hundred, or even one hundred, yards dis- 
tance. 
I cannot agree with Mr. Smith that the sportsman will have 
many more shots when huntiug a red dog than one that has a 
more contrasting color to all surroundings. In fact, in my 
experience I have never noticed it, although I admit it might, 
in some cases, make a little difference in fnvorof the red color. 
However, success depends almost entirely on the skill of the 
hunter and the good field qualities of his dog. We do not 
meet with many plovers, curlews or other large shore birds on 
our meadows, but on one oocasion we killed oight out of nine 
large yellow logs, calling the flock back four or five times in 
full view of two white dogs, retrieving, till only one was left t 
MASSACHUSETTS KENNEL CLUB. 
§ag and @ttn. 
GAME IN SEASON IN MARCH. 
Hares, brown ami gray. wild duck, geese, brant, etc. 
FOR FLORIDA. 
Doer, Wild Turkey, Woodcock. Quad, Snipe, Ducks and Wild Fowl. 
We give the number of entries for the special prizes with a 
list of the additional specials. EVerthing points to the cer- 
tainty that the Boston Show will be a superb one. Total 
number of entries, 830, with over 700 dogs : 
SPECIAL PRIZE LIST-ENTRIES. 
Claes A— For the best kennel of English Setters, either native 
or imported, to consist of not less than five, and to be owned by 
exhibitor— 3 entries. 
Class B— For the best kennel of Irish setters, either native or 
imported, to consist of not less than five, and to be owned by ex 
hibitor— 3 entries. 
Class C — For the best kennel of Gordon setters, either native 
or imported, to consist of not less than five, and to be owned by 
exhibitor— 7 entries. 
Class D— For the best kennel of pointers, either native or im 
ported, lo consist of not less than five, and to be owned by ex- 
hibitor— 5 entries. 
Class E— For the best kennel of water spaniels, to consist of not 
less than four, and to be owned by exhibitor— 1 entry. 
Class F— For the best English setter stud dog, either native or 
imoorted, to be shown with two of his get— 5 entries. 
Class G— For the best Irish setter stud dog, either native or im- 
ported, to be shown with two of his get — 2 entries. 
Class H— For the best Gordon setter Btud dog, either native or 
imported, to be shown with two of his get -2 entries. 
Class I— For the best pointer stud dog, either native or import- 
ed, to be shown with two of his get — 1 entry. 
Class J— For the best English Better brood bitcb, either native 
or imported, to be shown with two of her progeny— 3 entries. 
Class K— For the beat IriBb setter brood bitch, either native or 
imported, to be shown with two of her progeny— 3 entries. 
Class L— For the best Gordon setter brood bitch, either native 
or imported, to be shown with two of her progeny — 5 entries. 
Class M— For the best pointer brood bitcb, either native or im- 
ported, to be shown with two of her progeny— 8 entries. 
Class N— For the beet display of foxhounds, to compris > not 
less than two couples, to be owned by exhibitor— 2 entries. 
Class 0 — For the best mastiff, dog or bitch—!) entries. 
Class P— For the beet St. Bernard, dog or bitch— G entries. 
Class Q— For the beat pug, dog or bitch — 4 entries. 
Class R— For the best pair, dog and bitch, of Irish setters, im- 
ported or native, to be owned by exhibitor— 4 entries. 
Class S— For the English Better, dog or bitch, either native or 
imported, £hat has the beat and handsomest bead— 22 entries. 
ADDITIONAL SPECIAL PRIZES. 
Class T— For the best setter of any breed, dog or bitch, im 
ported or native, in the show; a silver cup, presented and manu- 
factured by Messrs. Shrove, Crump & Low, Boston, Mass., value, 
$225—9 entries. 
Class U— For the best field field spaniel, dog or bitch, either 
clumber or cocker ; Baird's History of North American Birds, by S. 
F. Baird, T. M. Brewer and R. Itidgwav Illustrated by Bixty-four 
beautifully colored plates and five huudred and ninety-three 
wood-cuts, 3 volumes, presented by Messrs. Little, Brown & Co., 
Boston, Mass., value $45—2 entries. 
Class V — For the best brace of beagles in the show ; a hand- 
somely mounted Stag’s Head, presented by Arthur J. Colburn, 
Esq., Boston, Mass., value, $25—1 entry. 
Class W— For the best pointer of any weight, dog or bitch, 
either native or imported, in (he show ; a fine breech-loading 
double gun, presented and mannfactnred by Messrs. Parker Bros , 
Meriden, Conn., value, $300—21 entries. 
Class X— For the best native setter puppy of any breed, dog or 
bitch, in the show ; a fine shooting suit, made and presented by 
Messrs. Lucas & Co., Boston, Mass., value $80—3 eutrios. 
Class Y— For the best skye terrier, dog or bitch in the show ; a 
silver cup presented by The Massachusetts Kennel Club, value, 
$26—2 entries. 
Class Z— For the best Blenheim or King Charles spaniel, dog or 
bitcb, in the show ; a silver cup presented by The Massachusetts 
Kennel Club, value, $25 — 2 entries. 
Kathleen in Boston.— We cut the following from our 
English exchange, the Sporting Gazette, of March 2 : 
“ That very handsome and highly bred all red Irish setter, 
Palmerston ihe Second, has passed into the kennels of Mr. 
John M. Niall, Killaloe, Ireland. Like his progenitors, 
both on sire and dam's side. He, too, though little more 
than a puppy, has already won many prizes in ‘hot com- 
pany.' He has beeu lately bred to owner’s Sal, onp of whose 
last litter (Kathleen) by Jenkins' Derg, has just been for 
warded from Liverpool per steamship ‘ Bulgerian.’ to com- 
pete for the puppy prize at Boston KeDnel Club show, to be 
held on the 20th to the 29th March. Such pluck deserves to 
be rewarded by the youngster winning.” 
Would Mr. Niall let us havo young Palmerston's pedigree ? 
— Eo. F. and S. 
Death of Robinson’s Jack. — Mr. Walter Humphreys in- 
forms us of the death of this well known dog. Jack was 
a red Irish setter, and twelve years old when dead. Among 
his numerous get were the following dogs : Eugene Schorb's 
“Jocco” and “Flora;" Scott Rodman's “Flora;" Ilenry 
Sandford’s “Don;" Dr. N. Salters’ “Dash;'' Hugh Mc- 
Laughlin's “Dash ;" Hamilton Thompson's old “Belle," and 
a host of others. The last named bitch was the clam of the 
celebrated prize winning dog “Duke,” belonging to the late 
Hamilton Thompson. Jack was firm and true as steel in the 
field, and was famous for his docility and perfect training. 
His remains were buried in the middle of Mr. Humphreys' 
garden hero, with all the honors due him. 
Wiiy ? Oh ! Why ?— [This is not our own ; we are utterlX 
incapable of such a thing.]— Why is a doctor like a well- 
trained setter? Because he is always ready to come to heal 
and charge. [This was perpetrated in Baltimore by E. k 8.] 
Fob 8 27th y M? 1 h- ( T n r K o-^ m8 111111 dau “ fr0ra my note-boff 
Fob. 27th, blue birds [Awfot sialit] ; March lstf bluck birds 
* P^meeut]-, law flock of crows seen flying Xhand 
headmgnorth ; March jfi, woodcock seen near “ 
fill, n.'o ’ Ma ^ cb 5th, robins [ Turd us niig notorious] ■ March 
6 h, this evening heard “ Peper" frogs for the first time (the 
old fishermen say that after the “pepers" have “pepff" 
S ee , n D 'K bite, so dig your worms) f Kch 
8th, more woodcock seen on west side of lake, near “ Bab- 
cock s Cove. March mb' beard meadow larks [Sturnella 
magna J whistling their summer note, and very acutely felt a 
wasp whose “ business cud ” was in “ A No. 1 ” condi ion 
squelched him mstanter. • 
Greenwood. 
j? Kingston, March 13.— Zeke Catalin, a hunter of Den- 
ning, shot a large bear near the Peak or Moose Mountain in 
that town on Monday, 11th. ouit Harry. 
Saratoga March 15.— Sportsmen report that black ducks 
have already made their appearance iu the marshes around 
Saratoga Lake and Long Lake in Ballston. 
A Boy’b Experience at Morioubs.— “ Jack Curlew," of 
Brooklyn, sends us a charmingly naive account of his first ex- 
perience in duck-shooting at Moriches. After a series of mis- 
adventures, which we assure our young friend are absolutely 
indispensable in the apprenticeship of a mighty shooter of 
ducks, the party arrived at their destination. The first day, 
having killed one duck, he tells us, with rare ingenuousness 
“ 1 bod no way of getting him, as my boat was a long dis- 
tance off and the wind blowing off shore ; he would drift out 
of sight before I could reach him. At that moment I noticed 
a sail boat coming in my direction ; I waited until it was 
within hail, and asked the man if he would get it for me, 
which he did, but forgot to bring it ashore. As I bad no way 
of reaching him, I blessed him in an emphatic manner and 
continued my tramp." 
One duck was bagged, however, before bis return, and, row- 
ing over to the house, he found his comrade, U., who hnd had 
worse luck than he, not having seen a duck. The next doy’a 
hunt was equally unsatisfactory : 
“ Our total bag consisted of one quail audapigeOD, which I 
succeeded iu bagging amODg some corn. Next day we con- 
cluded to leave, so that is our experience at Moriches, of 
which I have had enough.” 
Ducks at Good Ground. — A city correspondent writes : I 
have just returned from a short trip to Wm. Lane’s Good 
Ground, L. I. Ilad two days’ shooting; killed forty broad 
bills, filteen red-heads, and three brant. Old gunners say 
there never have been as rnaDy ducks iu the Lay at any one 
time as now. The new inlet is working nicely. F. M. T. 
Adibondack Views.— The Bleu Bros., of Poughkeepsie, 
who enjoy a wide reputation for the excellence of their work, 
publish admirable photographs of two oil paintings by Pierce, 
of Syracuse. One, which we think the better of the two, is a 
view of Hathorn’s “ Forest Cottage Camp ;” the other is a view 
on Smith’s Lake. Roth pictures will be of interist to those 
familiar with the scenes. 
— Wild geese and brant were never more plentiful thau re- 
cently in Manahawken Bay. ‘ The writer visited the bay on 
Saturday last, and learned from a well-kDown Barnegat Bay 
man that night shootiDg and firelighting has been indulged iu 
almost every night since the new moon. Guns can be heard 
at all hours of the night, and the consequence is that not a 
fowl is to be seen in that part of the bay. The law-breakers 
are supposed to belong on a vessel from Tuckerton and 
another boat from the head of Barnegat Bay, but no names 
are mentioned yet. 
Pennsylvania— Drums, March 13.— Prospects for Bob 
Whites are good for next fall. We are cursed with Sunday 
hunting aDd fishing ; more game killed on Sunday than ail 
the week-days put together, and too much game killed out 
of season. Pom. 
Sharon Sportsman’s Association.— The officers for thw 
ensuing year are: Pres., Thomas E. Blunt; Sec., C. E. 
Tribby ; Treas., E. R. Ohl. The Association has dow fifty 
members in good standing. 
Minnesota— St. Paul, March 10.— Ducks and English 
snipe remained here until Christmas, and the former at least, 
with geese, are long ago back by the hundred. In many 
places the farmers are ulready hard at work [Hitting in their 
spring crop— fully four to six weeks earlier than usual. The 
ice on Lake Pepiu is gone, and last Thursday, the 7th inst., 
the first steamer passed the lake, 20 days earlier than any pre- 
vious year in the memory of the oldest inhabitant. 
We have for the lust 24 hours had a rainstorm, which still 
continues ; and may it lost a loDg while, for water is much 
wanted in the country. J. s. 
A Shakopee correspondent says : 
“ The next crop of pheasants and prairie chickens will be an 
abundant one, owing, no doubt, to tbe*unprecedented heat last 
summer preventing the killing of a large number of these fav- 
orite birds. The strangely mild winter so far has also helped 
