FOREST AND STREAM 
157 
Association, urging them to join the Boston club in bring- I 
inp about the reorganization of the committee; but tins | 
has not met the approval of a majority of the clubs, nor 
did it deserve to, worded as it was. There is but one way 
to end this trouble and to withdraw the discordant wedge 
which is splitting the fraternity, and that is to call a special 
meeting of the association in June next, and at that meet- 
ing revise the constitution so as to appoint every delegate 
on the Judiciary Committee. 
—The Athletic nine played a game with the Oermau- 
towna ou April 10th, and they won by a score of 32 to 2, 
the Germantown nine scoring singles in the sixth and ninth 
innings. They also beat the Doerr club by 26 to 3 on 
April 10th. 
—The Philadelphia nine defeated the Gloucester city 
team on April 9th by 11 to 0; and they beat the Cregars by 
17 to 2 on the 6th. 
The Centennials whipped a field nine at Philadelphia on 
April 10th by 13 to 6. 
—The Western of Keokuk beat the Minstrel nine at that 
city by 25 to 2 on April 7th . 
— The Mutuals opened play April 10th against a field 
nine on the Capitoline grounds, and wou by 10 to 7 only. 
Umpire, Mr. Chadwick. 
—On April 17th the Bostons will play the Harvard col- 
lege nine, and on the 19th the New Havens in Boston, and 
the same nine in New Haven on the 20th. They then go 
to Washington to play the “Child's" nine, of that city, but 
from all accounts it is not likely to be “child’s play.” 
—On Saturday the New Haven nine played a match game 
of seven innings with a picked nine, which resulted in a 
victory for the New Havens by a score of 7 to 0. 
— The game in Boston on Saturday between the cham- 
pions and the Beacon nine resulted in favor of the former 
by a score of 10 to 6. 
— In the opening game on “Fast Day,” at Boston, the 
Red Stockings defeated a field nine by 8 to 0. 
—The openiug game between the two well known clubs, 
the West Ends and Wood's Museum nines, was played Fri- 
day afternoon at Oakdale Park. Wood’s nine, 4; West 
End, 3. 
— Allen Brown has walked 500 miles in six days at Nash- 
ville, being, it is claimed, the first pedestrian who has ac- 
complished the feat without a charge of trickery. 
— Daniel O’Leary, of Chicago, and John DeWitt, of Al- 
bany, commenced a walk of fOO miles at the Rink on Fri- 
day evening last, O’Leary finishing the distance at 9:38 on 
Saturday evening and winning the match. DeWitt walked 
but sixty miles. O’Leary appears to be the coming pedes- 
trian, and efforts are being made to get a match on with 
Weston. The great “ped," however, will not look at any 
thing less than $20,000, which savors very much of the 
bluff game. 
—The professional billiard tourney in Brooklyn has pro- 
gressed very nearly to a close, the score of Monday night's 
games leaving but four of the original twenty-one games 
to be played. The full score up to April 13th is as fol- 
lows : — 
Game* 
Players. Played. 
Gamier 8 
Vignaux 5 
C. Dion 6 
J. Dion 0 
Ubassy 6 
Daly 0 
Rinlolphe 5 
Wednesday night’s play will decide the ownership of the 
first prize, but there will be ties for the others. 
Games 
Games 
Best 
Best 
Won. 
Lost. 
Average. 
Bun. 
5 
1 
IS 
89 
3 
2 
14 
SO 
3 
3 
17 
100 
3 
3 
20 
103 
3 
3 
9 
111 
2 
4 
23 
127 
1 
4 
10 
55 
SCOTTISH GAMES. 
quoits.— No. 4. 
A LTHOUGH the game of “Quoits” cannot be claimed 
as peculi r to Scotland, either in origin or practice, 
it is played to such an extent in that country that it de- 
serves a promineut place in the list of Scottish^games. It is 
further deserving of this position from the partiality shown 
it by Scotchmen abroad, and more particularly, by such of 
that nationality as have found their way to America. 
To follow the usual course, and find for the game a be- 
ginning and a history, would entail a somewhat laborious 
research. All the Scottish games previously noticed in 
these columns are possessed of the certificate of respecla 
bilily conferred by a more or les9 remote antiquity, hut all 
fall short of the hoary elevation to be assigned to quoits. 
To reach the time when men first engaged iu this pastime 
we must traverse universal history, and brave the danger 
of losing ourselves among the mists which envelop l lie 
legendary history of Greece When we nave reached the 
limit of advance in that direction, we learn that even the 
god 9 condescended to throw the discus. A distinction is, 
however, here to be observed. The discus was a round 
plate of wood, stone or metal, varying, when of the latter 
materials, from ten to twelve inches in diameter. It was 
held in the right baud by the outer edge, so as to let it rest 
on the forearm, and was cast with a swing of the arm and 
twist of the body. It was thrown edge foremost, and he 
who threw it farthest was the winner. The story of Apollo 
killing Hyncinthus, his young and favorite pupil, by acci- 
dentally striking him on the head with a quoit, is one of 
the most familiar tales of mythology. 
The game of quoits, though probably rightly traced to 
the ancient throwing of the discus, differs from it in several 
essential particulars. The quoit is a ring — not a plate— of 
iron, thick on its inner edge, and brought to a sharp edge 
on the outside, so that when pitched it may stick into the 
ground. The shape of the quoit varies according to the 
taste of the player in several minor particulars. Soma are 
made with the upper side slightly convex, and the under 
side correspondingly concave. Others are made with both 
sides almost perfectly even, and yet another style haa the 
outer side convex, and the under side perfectly flat. 1 hen, 
again, they vary in size. One writer states the external 
diameter, that is to say from rim to rim, at from in to 
in., and the breadth of the metal ring at from 1 in. to win. 
The fact is, that there is no standard or limit, and conse- 
quently no approach to uniformity in either weight or 
size. , ... 
On taking up his position to play, the quoiter cither 
simply grasps the quoit, holding both surfaces between the 
thumb and forefingers, or holds it more or less on one side, 
passing the forefinger along the outer edge. It is then 
delivered with a swing, forward and upward of the arm, 
and leaves the hand with a rotatory motion, cither fiat or 
at an angle, to suit the exigencies of the game. 
The ground is the next tiling to be noticed. Sometimes 
“clay ends” are made use of, and sometimes the play takes 
place ou uuprepared turf, or turf simply soaked with’ water. 
“Clay ends" consist of a patch of clay round each hole, of 
an iucli or two in depth, uud extending to about eighteen 
inches or two feet in diameter. The object, of course, is 
to give the quoits a better chance of lying where they first 
strike, and the matter, in a match, is determined by pre- 
arrangement betweeu the proposed contestants. 
The game is one which requires veiy considerable 
strength and a course of steady practice. In Great Britain 
it may be said to be manhood's substitute for boyhood’s in- 
dulgence in pitching pennies or ncckless buttons. In 
Scotland the game is a great favorite, especially among the 
working classes, in whose ranks its devotees are mainly to 
be fouud. Its great stronghold is in the west, centering in 
Glasgow, and extending through the miuing districts to 
the eastward of that city. It seems indeed to have a pecu- 
liar fascination for miners, as we find it zealously practised 
in other coal regions, such as Loehgelly in Fifcsliire. Its 
prevalence is, however, very general, and it Buds many 
enthusiastic supporters at watering places, such as Burn- 
tisland, and even in the stately capital itself. 
There can be little doubt that the game was introduced 
into the United States from Great Britain, and judging 
from the number of Scotchmen who are addicted to it, it 
seems not improbable that the first pair of imported quoits 
were brought to our shores by some Scot, who had fouud 
that there was room enough in his “kist,” or trunk, for the 
implements required for his favorite game. That fact, 
like the various steps by which “throwing the discus" was 
converted into “pitching quoits," has not, so far as is 
known, been settled by any historian. The above suppo- 
sition is, however, most probably the true one. 
Since its introduction it has met with considerable 
favor. Several clubs have been started in this city, New- 
ark, Philadelphia, Buffulo and other cities, and the game 
is yearly gaining proselytes. Among Scotchmen, generally, 
it may be said to take the place in Summer of curling in 
Winter. It has been brought in a certain manner into con- 
nection with the Grand National Curling Club, and a 
champion quoit is played for annually by the members of 
that organization at its annual meeting. The quoitlug 
match is, in fact, looked upon as one of the most interest- 
ing features of that gathering. The trophy above alluded 
to is a handsome silver quoit, and at the last competition 
was carried off by Mr. A. Dalrymple, of this city. It was 
presented to the Grand National by Air. David Bell, of 
Buffalo. Its history is ns follows: — It was first played for 
at New York in 1808, and won by Mr. John Templeton; iu 
1869 at Buffalo, when it was won by Mr. Bell, the donor; 
in 1870, at Paterson by Mr. John R. Smith, of that city; 
in 1871 at New York, and won for the second time by Mr. 
Bell; in 1872 at Albany, where it was again carried off by 
Mr. John It. Smith; in 1873 at. Toronto, by Mr. William 
McGowan; and in 1874, as has been stated, by Mr. A. Dal- 
rvmple at New York. It will be played for this year at 
Yonkers. 
In this match no clay is used, the distance is eighteen 
yards, and there is no regulation as to the weight or size of 
the quoits used. In regard to the latter point, “Stone- 
henge” says: — “The quoits aie light or heavy, according to 
the strength of the player; and in playing a match it is 
usual to specify the weight." Iu the curler’s match, just 
noticed, it is different; each player uses the quoits which 
best suit him. The consequence is, that a man playing 
with small quoits may be “tied” with one usiDg quoits of 
the size of a moderately sized barrow wheel. A manifest ad- 
vantage lies with the latter. Weight tells when an op 
ponent’s quoit, lying dangerously near the “pin,” lias to be 
knocked out, and size gives a corresponding advantage 
when the conditions are reversed. Some modification of 
the existing fule seems desirable, if practicable without 
destroying the harmony of the game, or keeping out any 
players who would otherwise enter. 
Outside of the Grand National, the health and strength 
fostered by the game have given it considerable promin- 
ence. The programme of Caledonian games invariably in- 
cludes one of quoits, and with so many features to recom- 
mend it. it cannot do otherwise than increase in favor with 
all classes of the community. 
&eiv jJnblicutionz. 
Biuds ok the Northwest. By Dr. Elliott Coues, L. 
S. A. 
Through tho courtesy of the author we have been inode the recipient* 
of n copy of the above book, and we feel that our thanks are due to him, 
not only for the gift, but for the publication of a work calculated, ns 
this Is, to dispel the obscurity which hus hitherto shrouded, In a great 
part, our knowledge of tho ornithology of our western territories. I)r. 
Coues, as on uuthor aud naturalist, stands high in the estlinnilon of all 
scientific men and the public in general, and Ills works need only be 
read to be appreciated. 
The above volume is, as Its title page suites, a “Handbook of the Or- 
nilhology of the Region Drained by the Missouri River and Its Tributa- 
ries," and Is the third and last, as yet, of the series of "Miscellaneous 
Publications" issued under the auspices of the U. 8. Geological Survey 
of the Territories. The work Is compiled inalidy from matter contained 
in an unpublished report prepared by the author at Washington in the 
year 1802, upon collections mode by Di. F. V. Hayden and Mr. (!. II. 
Trook, In the expedition nndcr Gen. W. F. Raynolds, U. S Engi- 
neers Five years after the preparation of this report, in 1887, the au- 
thor, then stationed at Columbia, 8. C , recalled his MSS. in order to re- 
vise and correct them in accordance with his advancement of the knowl- 
edge of the subject during the intervening period, and it was not until 
after a lapse of another Interval of live years that the author, in compli- 
ance witli a request of Dr. Hayden, undertook the task of publishing a 
treatise on the ornithology of the Western Territories. It was in 18T2, 
therefore, that the compilation of tho work now before us was really 
commenced, (he author, having mndc an ornithological tour through the 
entire country mentioned in the title, collected, In view of the present 
work, a storo of valuable information concerning the avifauna of that 
re-don. The work includes ail the known species (a largo majority of 
the birds of North America) inhabiting the immense water-shed of the 
Missouri River and its tributaries, and introduces certain other# in order 
that the account of particular groups might be complete. Three famll 
lies (Larulae, Colymbldae and Podlclptdcu) nre monographlcally treated, 
and tho description of external features and anatomical characters 
given tn detail. Tho port relatiog to the geographical distribution of 
the various genera and species, receive* special attention and Is partlcu 
laxly noticeable, containing na it does in itself, a complete treatise on 
their distribution, their residence or migration, and their abundance or 
scarcity, not only within the region mentioned, tut throughout the geu- 
eral area they tuhabit. 
By hi* examination of tho general ornithological literature involved la 
the study of the above cited points, the author ha* achieved one Import, 
ant result, aud that is tho compilation of very extensive syuonj malic 
lists, which, In connection with a vast number of additional reference*, 
make an extensive index to tho literature of tho eubjoct Tho contents 
of the work, although not Intended for general reading, will bo found to 
bo highly Interesting. To sportsmon-cspecially tho part* pertaining to 
the game birds of this country -It will prove to be not only entertain- 
ing, but Instructive, and tho volume will undoubtedly become, to a much 
greater extont than tho author imaglued when ho named It such, a ' hand- 
book" for tho scholar, tho sportsman and tho public Although the au- 
thor has been compelled from wont of space to abbreviate much that bo 
would have otherwise detalled.yot bis happy stylo ha# enabled him to in- 
stil into oven briefest and most uninteresting portions of iho work n foscl 
nation that arre»is tho attention of oven the uninitiated, and awakens In 
him an t u Iciest in a hook which ho before thought could have no charms 
for him. The author's language is terso and characteristically elegant, 
and his descriptions throughout tho work are graphic aud full of beauty. 
We quote tho following us a paragraph indicating how science can, like 
Mr. Wcgg, sometimes drop Into poetry :- 
“A beautiful sight it is to see the enamored hints pressing suit with 
all the pomp and circumstance of their urllllant courtships, Tho Arm and 
stalely trend, with body erect aud comely shape displayed to best ad- 
vantage; the quivering wings, tho motlou of tho plume*, that wave like 
the standard of knights-cmint; the Hashing oyos bopeuk proud con- 
sciousness of masculine vigor. The beautiful bird glances defiance and 
challenge* loudly, eager for a rival; but none disputes, and lie may re- 
tire, his rights proven. Only a gentler bird Is near, hidden in a leafy 
bower, whence she watches, admiring his bearing, fascinated by the 
courage site sees displayed, Imping every moment ■ lint the next will 
bring him, dreading lest i i nmy. As their eyes meet she trembles anil 
would turn to fly, but cannot; tils oyoi glow again, but with a different 
light, even more intense Hum before. With an oxulinnt cry he file s 
straight lo her, and like Iho true knight lie I*, for just one Instant 
bends till his breast louche* tho ground, ami Hum Is erect Again. Ilo 
leans toward her, half spreads his wing over her, and plead* in under- 
tone. She listens, but ornws away; she listens, but only stauds irreso- 
lute; she listens, and listening, yields." 
Altogether the work reflects great credit upon both Its author and tho 
ago. Iu conclusion we must not omit lo mention another Important por- 
tion of this work. Wo refer to tho voluminous index, which Iu ita ac- 
curacy and completeness, shows tho usual care uud thoiiglitfulnoss of 
thouu.hor. 8. W. II. 
Fysshe and Fyskhynuk. With nn Angle, from the Boko of 
St. Albans. By Dame Juliana Horners. The American edition, cdl 
ted by Geo. W. Van Slcklcn. 
Ilow oddly they spelled in those old days A. D. 1400 ! But they 
knew how to fish. Hero Is tho father of all fishing books on our table; 
perhaps we ought to say tho mother, for it was writ ton by a w oman 
—Dame Juliana Berner*, l/.ank Walton quotes her work, and a charm- 
ing qaali. t old book ft is. An American edition Is before ns, and the edi- 
tor (a member of tho Now York Bar) tells ns that lie Is led to publish 
it because when ho wished to buy a copy of tho old hook for himself he 
could not Undone for snlo in litis country, and to import a copy of the 
English edition of 1827 cost $82. An ariglnni copy would lake $2,600. It 
Is just one of thoso delightful books that evory gentle fisherman desires 
to read. It Is nn interesting study, too, of old English spelling uud 
rhetoric. Wo huvo decided that tiro old ludy understood what sho was 
writing about; Just hear what sho says (but first wo may bo mistaken, 
she may have been a young lm|y when tho hook was written, but tho 100 
years confuse ns). “If ye will bo crafty In angling, ye must first lerno 
to make your harness— that is, to wit: your rodde; yourlynesof dyvers 
colours. After that yo must know how ye shall angle, In wlmt place of 
the water, how dope, and whnttimo of day ; Iu what weather, wyth what 
bay ten.” Aud then she tolls you, “Lookc that yo shadow not the water, 
as muche as ye mayo; and yf u fysshe he nfruyed ho will not bite longo 
after." "The thyrdo good poynie Is, that ye lie not loo busty to nuytu, nor 
too Into." "And yf it fortune you lo sinyte a great fysshe with u small 
harness, thonne ye must lead liyni in the water, tyll he ho drouned.' ’ 
“Tbo bytlng time Is early by tho inorrowo from four e of ye clocke, so 
unto eiglitc of y o clocke, Ye cannot brynge a boko into a fyssho nioutho 
without bay to. " Sho think* that “Whan yo purpoos to go a fysshyngo, 
yo will not desyre gretly many persons wyth you, whichu myghto lot yon 
of your game”' 8ho compares "huiiiynge, hawkynge, foulyngo and 
fysshoynge," and says, "The bento to my aymplo discretion Is fysshyngo. 
called anglynge, with u rodde, and a lyuo, and n liokc. "Huntynge,** 
she says, "is too lutioryons, for tiro hunter must always run and followo 
his hounds He bloweih till ills lyppos blyster, nud when ho thlnketh it 
an hare, full oft it la an hedge- hog. He coinuth homo at even, rain- 
beaten, pricked, and Id* clothes tor no, wet-shod, all miry." Yes. Ami 
the falconer (she sail* him “foukonor") "whyatcloth till lie ho ryght 
evil oihurst. When lie would liavo Ills Imwke lo flee, then will she 
bathe. Thus, by proof, this Is not tiro host disport mid game of the 
four.” But "Fowlyngo mo seemoth moo.t simple. Tho fowler speedoth 
not but in the most hardest and coldest wether. Whan lie would go to 
Ills gins ho may at for coldo. Munv II gin mid many ft snare lie muk- 
eth; yet sorryly dmh he fare. At noontide, In tba dow, bo i* wot ahod 
unto Ills tail." She think* she will leave off there. "Doahtloss, then, 
followed! it that it must needs bo the dysport of fywlieyngo with 
an ancle, for the woorst loss mi angler e -n have Ifl, U any fysshe brouko 
away after that ho la hooked," “And if tho anglor take fjsstio, aurely 
then is there no man merrier than ho lv In 111* *pyryto. ” 
Just * 0 , Every fisherman and every gentleman of education must have 
a copy of the book, and we call attention with pleasure to the advertise 
ment of it elsewhere In our columns. It 1* on heavy tinted paper, well 
printed with special type, tho absurd old Illustrations reproduced 
Thank goodness It l* not In the old black loiter. Tho glossary l» full. 
Send and cet a copy and enjoy It. Mr, Geo. W. Van Slcklcn, u gentle- 
man whose modesty bespeaks Ins merit, I* the person to whom Amerl 
can fisherman are Indebted for the reproduction of ilil* quaint little rol 
time. We commend It to our render* us well worthy of a choice nook ou 
the librury shelves. 
A Run with the Hounds.— Here is about us conciso n 
description of a fox chase as can be stated in technical 
terms. Wc copy from the London "Field." 
“Tuesday, the 16th, the Tipperary hounds met at FetU 
ard. Drew Kilnockin and Furry Hill blank; then called 
on Rathkenny for its seventh find this season. We wero 
not long in suspense, for a brace were soon ou foot— one a 
very interesting looking lady — hut Maiden got bin hound* 
settled ou to his lordship; for fifteen minutes they rattle 
him round the covert as only good hounds can do; then 
away through the woods and over the brook to the next 
road. Here the fox ran the road to Rathkenny bridge, 
bridge bore to the right for Drangan, then wheeled lo tho 
left for Carhally; here llic huntsman and Ins good little- 
mure who were leading at the time, came to grief over a. 
large double. They lay side by side a few seconds, hut were 
soon up and going as merry as ever. The hounds ran 
through Shannicoyle Wood, then near to Ballanlusky, 
bore to the left to Kilkcnnybeg, tried the earths ut Singiim- 
lown; finding them stopped, he steered on to Peppertown, 
and being so hard pressed he disappeared in a large drain. 
So wc left him to congratulate himself on his narrow es- 
cape, after showing us na grand a fifty -five minutes as ever 
a man saw— forty minutes in the open. Every one now 
turned for home, for forty minutes over this beautiful stiff 
, country without a cheek is enough for any horse. Every 
, hound was up, aud were dreaming over their good deeds 
on their benches soon after three P. M. We have only 
, been stopped one day by frost, and have had a capital sea,- 
r son." ™ 
