THE FIELD 
1183 
Second Ties. 
nonfiro beat Slntr I Beacon beat Geologist 
Hetman beat Glee Singer I Mandarin beat Major Dome 
Third Tin. 
Bonfire beot Hetman | Mandarin beat Beacon 
Deciding Count. 
Mandarin beat Bonfire. 
South Lancashire Stakes. — For bitcli puppies. 
Monica beat Wemeritc I Genealogist beat Seamow 
nine Blazes beat Geranium Marie Louiso boat Sally 
Helena beat Maid of Saragossa I Bit of Tartan beat Martha 
Second Tin. 
Monica beat Blue Blazes | Genealogist bent Ilelenn 
Bit of Tartan bent Mario Louise 
Third Tin. 
Genealogist beat Monica | Bit of Tartan ran n byo 
Deciding Course. 
Genealogist beat Bit of Tartan. 
The Fairlawn Challenge Cup. 
Marguerite beat Blaoklook 
Mendicant bent Spy 
Birthwood beat Hannah 
Vulcan beat Doctor 
Celt beat Wivonhoe 
Ringleader beat Grasper 
Glenvarlooh beat Bachelor 
No Hurry boat Sibthorpo 
Second Tics. 
Marguerite beat Mendicant I Celt beat Ringleader 
Vulcan beat Birthwood | No Hurry beat Glenvarlocli 
Third Ties. 
Marguerite beat Vulcan 
Celt beat No Hurry, as she broke her leg wlillo running 
Deciding Course. 
Marguerite beat Celt 
Won cleverly. 
TnE Crenoline Picture Stakes. 
the direction of the wind, they would, perhaps, throw 
valuable light on some of the obsoure habits of this inter- 
esting bird. I have noticed repeatedly, that snipes are 
never plentiful oil this coast (Norfolk) at nr near the full of 
the moon ; that the birds which visit ua iu November are 
considerably larger, and have longer bills, than those which 
arrive earlier in the season. 1 may take this opportunity of 
saying, too, that the jack-snipe, which some suppose to he 
“ a solitary, unsocial bird, au anchorite from choice, two 
of them being rarely or perhaps never found in company, 
except in the breeding season, "• is on this coast a perfect 
nuisance, and almost as numerous as the Buipe. On 
Wednesday, 7th December, 1868 (1 made a noto of it), my 
dog pointed at a tuft of coarse gram, and had I been provided 
witli a butterfly-net instead of a gun, I might have captured 
four jack-snipes that were huddled so close together that 
they mu st have touched each other on the ground. I am often 
obliged to leave my dog behind me, pointing at an inaccessi- 
ble jack-snipe on the wrong side of a doou drain or spongy 
morass. The bird is “indolent" and the dog Htaunch ; 
shouting is useless, and throwing whatever comes to hand 
no better. So I now quietly walk away, and leave the pair 
to their trial of patience, which generally ends by my dog 
im nf A l\i>v i illJi'll iIMfil A f mil iTtlll 
5HQ0T1N8. 
♦ 
GUN ADVENTURES. 
[It is designed under this title to invite communication by our readers 
of whatever remarkable incidents may occur in their shooting ex- 
periences.] — 
GOOD SHOTS, 
Sir, — A letter in your paper of last week from one of your 
subscriber*, inviting his brother sportsmen to relate any 
curious incidents that may befal them in the field, I will 
with your permission, give you one or two that may amuse 
him. A friend of mine was out shooting when a covey of 
birds rose, lie fired at oue of them going over ft hedge, and 
as ho pulled the trigger, six of the others crossed the line of 
shot, and the whole seven fell dead iu the adjoining field. 
I was out shootiug a few years ago with a friend, in the 
neighbourhood of Bury St. Edmunds, where birds were 
very plentiful. I had a single barrel gun, my friend a 
double. We wont into a stubble field, and a covey of birds 
rose on my side : I shot at a bird and killed it, and as the 
rest were going away auother bird towered and fell. Wo had 
not gone much further before another covey rose, I shot at a 
single bird and killed two again : we went a little further and a | to tneir trial or patience, which generally c 
leash of birds only rose, and I killed two again, we then went coming up at the next discharge of my gun. 
into the next field and a large covey rose, I shot at a single I conclude with a few useful hints to young snipe-shooters, 
bird again and killed three, thus killing four brace and a Windy weather is the best for this sport, and even if it blows 
half in four successive shots. My friend who was not of the I a gale, so much tho better. a fish iu a stream always 
best of trampera, became in a great rage, and declared lie keeps bis head to it, so a snipe always flics and settles 
would never go out shooting again with a man who could with his head to tho wind. Always, therefore, keep the wind 
lr.ll l.i a lirann i.irni'l. lima OTlfll fl mill • Imu-aitav in IT ml 11 1 1 II If * t.VlA anion when flushed, will Hot ITO far down 
Seedy beat Muscatel 
Weft beat Exodus 
Glenlyon beat Baggage 
Pearl beat Skip 
Brigadier beat Hop 
Blooming Heather beat Spencer 
Sleepy beat Duncan 
Sandbach beat Grace Armstrong 
Second Ties. 
Brigadier beat Blooming Heather | Seedy beat Weft 
Sandbach beat Sleepy I Pearl heat Glenlyon 
Third Ties. 
Brigadier beat Sandbach | Pearl beat Seedy 
Deciding Course. 
Brigadier beat Pearl 
Won cleverly. 
TnE Churchtown Stakes. 
Blaekloi-k beat Muscatel I Western Powers beat Skip 
Wivenhoe beat Sibtborpc | Duncan beat Grace Armstrong 
Tiie Crossens Stakes. 
The Crescent beat Sultan I Major Domo beat Slug 
Geranium beat Privateer | Madame Grisi beat Wcmerlte 
The last two stakes were only run through once, in con- 
sequence of its growing dark. 
PILLING OPEN COURSING MEETING.— Dec. 12, 1854. 
Judge— Mr. R. Curwen. Hon. Secretary — Mr. A. N. Ellithome. 
Through the kindness of E. G. Hornby, Esq., of Castle 
Park, this meeting came oft’ on Tuesday last, and afforded, 
to those who had the good fortune to be present, the highest 
gratification. The coursing commenced with — 
The Hornby Cup. 
niueliglit beat Turnover I Leveson beat Myrtle 
Kingston beat Little Kate 
Second Ties. 
Bluelight beat Kingston | Leveson ran a bye 
Deciding Course. 
Bluelight beat Leveson, and won tlW cup. 
The Pillino Hall Cup. 
Edwin beat Lady June | Dirk Hatteriek beat Bolivar 
Deciding Course. 
Dirk Hatteriek beat Edwin, and won the cup. 
Moss-side Stake. 
Turnover beat Lady Jane | Myrtle bent Kingston 
Deciding Course. 
Myrtle beat Turnover, and won the stake. 
Matches. 
Bolivar beat Jenny | Kingston beat Lady Jane 
CORK SOUTHERN COURSING CLUB. 
December 5, C, and 7. 
Stewards— T O’Grady, J. Hawkes, and T. II. Broderick, Esqrs. Judges 
q Hawkes, J. Herrick, and T. Woods, Esqrs. Slipper fom 
S The dC member3 of this club met on the above dates, at 
TJpton, when the Eglintou Challenge Cup was run for. The 
weather was threatening each day, which caused a very 
limited attendance ; but the sport was excellent, some of 
the hares found proving regular clippers. The deciding 
course was watched with much interest. It was a trial 
between youth and old age, the winner being a puppy, and 
Annie Bland over seven years old. Unlike the generality of 
old dogs, she ran all her courses as true and os honestly as 
if she had never ran a hare before, and lost by only one 
point. On the last day there were two matches run ort, the 
best out of three courses ; the first of which was won by 
Mr. Wallis’s Maid-of-tlie-Mill, beating Mr. Parley a Penumbra, 
and the other by Mr. Howitt’s Graceful, beating Mr. Parley s 
Doat. We appeud a return : — 
The Eqlinton Challenge Cup. Entrance £1. 10s., with 
Subscription of £1. 
Ml- Clinton’s bk b All I Behave (late Kiw-mo quick) boat Mr. Arm- 
Mr. ta* Ml. Clinton’s b k d J.ok-o'- 
Mr. clinKTb Annie Bland beat -Mr. .Armstrong’s .w -rl b Ivato 
Mr. Hewitt’s bk d Lysander beat Mr. Wise s r b WlldBix 
Mr. Puvno’s bk w l> Pretty Polly beat Mr 1-unbury s bo <1 Mars (1) 
Mr Parley’s rwd Switcher beat Mr. Foley s bk d p Busy-body 
Mr Mossy ns w r d Heart-of-oak beat Mr. Bunbury s bkd Richmond 
Mr! w Td p Scythian II boat Mr. Foley’s f b Gossamer (2) 
Second Ties. 
All! Behave beat King Cob II. (IM Pretty Polly 
Aunio Bland beat Lysander | Switcher beat Scythian II. 
Third Ties. 
Pretty Polly beat AJi ! Behave (1) i Annie Bland beat Switcher 
Deciding Course. 
Pretty Polly beat Annie Bland, and won the cup and two-tlurds of tuo 
stakes ; tho second dog getting one-third. 
we w&TCueu iv, il vuwureu uuu ion iu mo muiuiu m a 
grass field ; we walked straight to tho spot, which was some 
way oft', and when we got up to the bird its head was gone. 
The only way wo could accouut for the circumstance was. 
that it must have been bitten off by a weasel before we had 
time to get to it. I seldom tell these stories, as one's friends 
are apt to think I am humming, but nevertheless I can vouch I killing ctoume snow neany, wau uuyvuiu* 
for the truth of them ; perhaps they are only equalled by tho who has frequent opportunities of enjoying tins sport., will 
story of the American sportsman who said, “ I jumped on find it quite worth while to have a gun made tor the express 
i J i. ofniirio i i-.,„.,i-„,i .i ...... a .... iiiii.im-igii na I have dona, and iu case anv ono should Wish to 
the best. Shoot quick, and " down with them before they 
begin their evolutions.” After thirty years’ practice as a 
snipe-shooter, I recommend a short, light double gun, with 
the stock rather shorter and straiter than the gnu used for 
other game. It is hardly possible to acquire tho knack of 
killing double shots neatly, with anything else. Any ono 
a bank, when up got a covey of birds. I knocked down five 
of them with my first barrel, a pheasant and a woodcock rose 
at the same time. I knocked them both down with the other 
barrel, my gun burst and killed two rabbits, and I fell back- 
wards on a hare." These I cannot vouch for, but such as it is 
you are welcome to it. — I beg to remain, your obedient 
servant, Dead Shot. 
PHEASANT AND SNIPE SHOOTING. 
To the Editor of The Field. 
Sir, — A correspondent writing under the name of “ Percus- 
sion," in your last week’s impression, laments that someofyour 
country subscribers are iu the habit of favouring the public 
with a narrative of their exploits in shooting. The theme, 
I fear, is rather hackneyed — there are such a multitude of 
works on this subject, that it would not be an easy task to 
. i • ...... a _ *a Yir~ t .... 4i... 
HUM IV ' | 1 1 1 I V. ” D ’ 
purpose, as 1 have done, aud iu case any one should wish t» 
avail himself of the hint, I add a description of my own gun 
_ barrels, laminated steel ; length, 29 inches ; weight of thorn 
311 ) 3 . i2oz., very light forward boro, N<>. 15; no ferules for 
a ramrod. This dispensing with a ramrod, admits of tho 
stock being made much lighter aud neater, and makes the 
gun much more handy. The stock, a bare fourteen inches 
from the front trigger to the middle of tho shoulder-plate. 
The trigger should pull very easy, aud there should bo a 
safety-guard. — I am, Ac., Loadino-Rod. 
I quote tliii description of tho Jaok-snlpo, from tho ** Journal of a 
Naturalist,'' published by Murray, iu IS38. Fourth Edition, page 232. 
Westmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry Cavalry. 
v. . .. , . . . . , . . —At a meeting of the Lowthor troop of tltis corps ou Wed- 
works on this subject, that it would not be an easy task to * 1 * k g p the purpos o of ball-firing at the target, tho 
add anything new to it We have Lloyd on aborting the * p ] ze s were awarded -1st prize, 10s, John 
bear and capercailzie ; I don t know how many writer* have J™ * £ eftburn . 2nd pi ize, Os, John Kirkpatrick, Tom- 
favoured ua with a recital of their adventures m America , . 3r(1 prizo ,4s , Corporal Ranks, Eaniont Bridge, 
amongst buffalo, wild turkeys, woodcock, aud quail ; then P ls ^ 1 ,, to which the old veteran Quar- 
we have St. Jolin’s delightful httle book on deer-stalking | WmnQfo „ 1 Tlmu , 1 lu i (]e d 30a.. was awarded as follows:— 
and shooting in general on the coast ot hc< 
immortal Gordon Cummiug on shooting the 
hippopotamus, &c. in South Africa. Ther ( ooucron- tm 1UV 
amusing books on this subject, with which “ Percussion” I “ ’ j* k “ HodMom" Earnout Bridge : 6tli prize, 6s, 
may while away an idle hour or a rainy day. Ihe shooting ‘ wilu ’ am ’ Bftnkg i) lU -tou ; 7th prize, 3s, William Forrester, 
of what may almost be called domesticated game m England, . gt)l ’. izi . 2*., Thomas Mounsey, Nowbiggin.— At 
is now such a mere matter of course, and the shooters are dinner which afterwards took place, a subscription was 
all bo expert, and so much upon a par, that it would not be > • ~ 1 
J . ... .v i i • “ m. _ .. — 1 „ 
easy to find anything worth relating. The exploits of the 
day are amusing enough at the dinner-table, among those 
who have been actors or spectators ; but they possess no 
general interest, and, accordingly, we seldom find them 
recorded in the pages of a journal. There are, however, oue 
or two observations I wish to make on “ Percussion’s” letter. 
made towards the Patriotic Fund. 
Grand Shooting Match at TnE Garston Hotel. 
Early in tho week a meeting took place at Mr. Atkinson a, 
Garston Hotel. Tho object of the assemblage was to test tho 
best shot for a handsome two-barrelled rifle, valued at 
twenty guineas. Upwards of 100 persons were present. 
" D i i' .. tli . .. ...liMit Aiul nt mil* 1 1 clni'k 
two observations I wish to make on “ Percussion s letter. m L Lutlemen entered for the contest, and at one o’clock 
I hope the pheasants he shot were not hens. The meeting »«ame” commenced. Tho Casto was the best of five 
of Parliament has induced several noblemen and gentlemen b M[ . John Lowe Wl)U tho prize for Mr. James Atkinson, 
to shoot their covers earlier this year thau usual, and they WQ8 app l au ded ns the successful competitor. A Sweep- 
have spared what they judge to be a sufficient breeding ^ wafl ‘ afterwards entered into, when Mr. Benjamin 
stock for next year ; now these birds are apt to stray from . j hfc WR3 declared tho victor. Tho contest lasted till 
home, especially if the covers are disturbed by fox hounds, 
and often, I fear, they become a prize to the snipo-shooter. copper Caps — Mr. Armstrong, of Birmingham, ha< 
It is a lawful prize, I admit, and tho mau who only gets a ee(led in va8 |] y improving upon tho percussion cap now 
day’s shootiug occasionally, may not reflect on the trouble uge HU pat onted cap lias a complete metallic lining, 
aud expense with which pheasants are reared ; but yet, it ^ in ’ a convcx recess of this lining the detonating powder 
lie is a true sportsman, he will always spare the outlying ^ p j ace( i Tho results of this improvement are manifold. 
hens. . . ..... No damp can reach the powder ; it cannot be affected by 
Your correspondent expresses surprise at having killed a ex „ ogur0 to tho air, or by immersion in water; an unfailing 
race of pheasants aud a brace of birds with No. 8 shot. | ce ^ tril fir0 i9 obtained, and a corroded or a ohokod nipple 
game bag, and tins cannot alway. 
for birds of all kinds, not excepting snipes, as \ i tno east. L R, ». 
and rabbits, are so quick of taking advantage of intervening j Iinister to tho subject. The name of this useful uiventiou 
trees, bushes, hedges, and inequalities of ground, that the op- . „ the jusulated Interior-lined Contml-fire Cap —too long, 
tion is frequently between cutting thorn almost in ball, and let- tU h descriptive. It will, of course become knowu 
ting them escape altogether. I think it ia Col. Hawker whosay * ^ Armstrong Cap." 
that a person who always shoots with No. 7 shot will kill more 
Tv _ 1- - - ’ll ..oiniv cnmoftmOQ IflrffAV mu! Rometnnes 
Winter and Wildfowl in TnE Lake District. Last 
week the weather was unusually severe, and the wildfowl 
arrived on Windermere and the other lakes in numerous 
flocks, affording good sport. There was scarcely a day that 
large flocks of wild geese were not seen winging their way 
westward. When wildfowl arrive iu this district early and m 
great quantities, it betokens a severe winter. The awaliows 
aud martius left before the corn was well gathered m , the 
woodcocks were not slow to take their place, an 1 ' , 
have been very abundant this season in the woods and hr h 
pastures of Furness-fella. Ducks and widgeons have been 
very abuudant in the western lakes and rivers, cousn e g 
tho earliness of the season for such visitors, whilst in the 
woods and hedges there may he seen the red-wing, " 
great variety of smaller birds, which we are seldom ac- 
customed to see at any other time except during severe 
weather. 
game than he will by using sometimes larger and sometimes 
smaller sizes. I am inclined to believe that the ho. 7 which 
Col. Hawker speaks of, U the No. 8 of tho present day ; and, 
if this be so, I cordially subscribe to Ilia opinion. But, to 
prevent misapprehension, I may as well add that tho ho. 8 
I am alluding to is manufactured by Messrs. Crosse and 
Blackett, of Newcastle. 
May I beg leave to ask your numerous readers tor some 
statistical information respecting snipes. While “Percussion’ 
was searching the bogs of Hampshire in vain, I have been 
killing two, three, ami four couples, two or three times a- 
week, throughout the months of October and November. 
On Monday and Tuesday, last work, I got fifteen and a-halt 
couples, aud, on the following day, a neighbour got twelve 
and a-half couples, on a marsh rather more extensive than 
mine. Since then scarcely a snipe has been seen, and we 
do not expect any more till tho latter end of January. 
With the full moon iu December, they always leave us, and 
1 should much like to know where they go. They cannot 
bo far off, for a sharp frost, ora deep fall of snow, brings 
them back iu two or throe days to our open ditches. It 
some of your snipe-shooting readers would take the trouble 
to keep a register of their sport— noting especially tl" 
locality, tho day of the month, tho ago of the moon, and 
Insane Passion for Vitriol Throwing -I n New York 
T. II. Gray ban been arrested for throwing vitriol, and ■even 
persons have preferred complaints against him. The pri- 
mmer admitted having committed the outrages and offered M 
an excuse that he was labouring under a religious mania, 
and was prompted to do as be did by motives wh ch he 
could not account for. He says he first c0 ®® t . ,it 
ing vitriol upon women of ill-repute who were m tho habit 
of walking the streets iu the night-time, aud there nus a tas 
charge from a *hr< « tin- lad ie-« have been severely 
bStX 3£» of "tho acid being instantaneous and like 
fire. 
