42 
u^pril 17 
aUESi ES & AjSS WEBS. 
McC.. Brookfield. — If breech-loadin; gnn requires re-boreiug, 
will it require a different size shell. Ass. — Xot necesary. 
(j X. D.. Mt. Carmel. — How are the English field trials conducted 
BO as to decide upon the winners S Ass.— If it is a trial of single 
dogs and not braces, two rival animals are tnmed down and the 
winner is determined, two more are then put to work, and so on till 
all have been tried once, the winners are then matched two and two, 
and the winners of this second trial are matched again, and so on, 
till one dog has beaten all the others, when he is awarded the prize. 
The braces are mn and decided in the same way. 
L. W. H., Honghton, Mich.— I have a black spaniel bitch with 
white chest and belly, long curly hair on ears, leg and tail, with 
short wiry hair on the back, and the rest of the body with short 
smooth hair; has small, keen, black eyes, beautifully proportioned 
head and body, is ten months old. and aboat two feet in length. 
Will you inform me of what breed she is? Ass.— It is impossible 
to decide definitely, without seeing the dog, hnt it is very probably 
your bitch is a cross between a Cocker spaniel and some larger dog, 
as the is taller than the pure Cockers. 
W. J.. Tonkers. N, T.— Is it not uncommon for woodcock, when 
on their migration, to kill themselves by flying against various 
objects? I should think their sight if good enough to permit of 
nocturnal flights would save them from accidents. Aks. — No. It 
is quite common to find woodcock and snipe killed by telegraph 
wires. The keepers of light-honses also reports numbers of wild 
fowl as well as smaller birds killed by flying against the heavy plate 
glass windows of the light. Geese even, have been known to kill 
themselves in this way. 
J. F. K , Trenton. N. J.— Can yon tell me what was the result of 
the proposition for a match between English and American sporting 
dogs which was talked of last year. Axs.— It fell through as there 
were no dogs in this country which could be selected as the un- 
doubted champions, and also because our style of hunting differs 
so greatly from the English, that onr dogs could not compete on 
English game with justice to themselves. 
C. C., Brooklyn. N. T.— Is powder injured by keeping over the 
winter? Ass.— Not if it is kept properly tight, so that it cannet 
absorb moisture from the atmosphere. It is a good plan to put 
powder in glass bottles, corked, and hang them in the sun inside 
of a window, for a lew days in the spring, turning the bottles each 
day. If only small vials are used the powder will be thoroughly 
dried, and be much improved by this process. 
Querist.— What is the difference in action of a plunge and ground 
trap; which is the moat difflcnlt to shoot from, and where can the 
beat plunge traps be had? Ass.— The plnnge trap starts the bird by 
means of a false bottom or spring of some kind that throws the bird 
into the air, the ground trap falls to pieces and allows the bird to 
rise naturally from his feet. The ground trap is the most difficult, 
but Is not so popular as the plunge with western sportsmen. Parker 
Bros West Meriden, manufacture the best plnnge trap. 
Doubtfnl, Manchester, N. H.— 1. Do you think that quail have the 
power of withholding their scent? This has been discussed at some 
length in the' sporting papers but I have never seen any conclusion 
arrived at. 2. Do any other birds possess this power? Ass.— 1. 
Undoubtedly quail can retain their scent but whether the power is 
voluntarily or not, is a question which has never been decided 
Some writers say yes, but others claim that it is only due to fright, 
making the bir I lie with its feathers gathered as closely as possible 
to the body, and thus preventing the escape of the scent. We have 
known repeatedly of quail laying for hours and retaining their scent 
so that they could not be found by the best dogs nnder snow. 2. 
None that we know of. 
Amatbur, Clarksville. I forward you by mall the tuad of a bird 
I killed to-dav while shooting snipe (Wilson snipe). Is it a sjiecies 
of^dpe, or the Tnnga maeulata (a sandpiper) ? It is called in this 
section the gray snipe, and looks remarkably like snipe, thongbihe 
bill is only half as long. The Wilson snipe made their appearance 
here on February 27rh. in small numbers. Last year they appeared 
Tebmary a4th. and did not leave ns until April 5th. The weather 
hat become qmte mi'd. and the ducks seem to have commenced 
their migration to the north. Ass.— The head you send for identi- 
fication is that of the Tringa maeulata This species is perhaps 
the beet of the sandpipers for shooting, since it approaches more 
nearly than any other to the true snipes in its habits and manner of 
flight. Unlike most of the sandpipers this one fs seldom gregarious, 
but like the snipe is solitary in its habits ; Indeed so snipe-like is it 
in most respects that it has earned from sportsmen the names of 
Jack Snipe, Gray Snipe, Meadow Snipe and Grass Snipe. It is a 
bird of very wddc distribution, although during the breeding season 
its range is limited chiefly to the region northward of the United 
States. During its migrations it passes through onr country to or 
from its winter dnarters in South America, but it seems to be much 
more abundant in the country cast of the Rocky Monntaius than 
west of that range. It also frequently straggles to Europe. 
A. S. S., Cleveland, O. — I have a fine pointer dog, eighteen 
months old, that is very shy about retrieving. When I want him to 
retrieve he sneaks away as if afraid. He points as staunch as any 
dog I ever saw, and has a good nose, but I think he was abused be 
fora I got him. Can I break him of this shyness and how? Ass,- 
Call the dog to you without letting him suppose you want him to re- 
trieve. Play with him till he is full of courage, then throw bits of 
food a little way off and tell him to go after them, nsing the same 
command as that which yon employ in retrieving. Let him eat the 
food when it falls, but call him back to you after each piece. Pro- 
ceed in this way till the shyness is partially gone, then substitute a 
bone for the food, and call the dog to you as soon as he has picked 
thisnp; take it from him and give him a bit of something else in 
its place, which he likes equally as well. By this means you will 
soon cure his fear, especially if you fondle him when he brings the 
bone, but at irst it will be well to have the dog hungry in rder to 
Induce him to go after the food. Yon had better also work 
him in a room or enclosed yard, where he cannot run away from you 
with the bon^ or yon may find trouble in curing him of this. If the 
dog has never been broken to retrieve, work him along from the 
bone to other articles, such as light worsted ball or glove, rewarding 
each performance with a pleasant word or bit of food till he takes 
pleasure in obeying you. 
L. R. J., Jamaica,— What do you consider a fair charge for duck 
shooting, for a Parker gun 12 bore, 8 lbs. weight? A.ss. — 4 drams 
powder, 1 oi. shot. 
A. B. C. Can a gun bored for B shells use paper shells? 2d. 
What length of barrels are preferable for a 10 gauge gun 8M Hie? 
3d. What are the different prices of paper shells? .Ass. — 1st, No. 
2. 30-inch. 3d No. 10. $1 50: No. 12, J1 25 Brown. 
G. T. N., Savannah. — I would like to be informed if a setter rep- 
resented as a pure strain, should have any curl in the tail, and if so, 
does it necessarily indicate a touch of cur in the breed Ass — His 
t il ought not to cnrl. A slight dep.arture from perfection in a 
blooded animal is suspicious but does not necessarily imply a cross. 
External influences sometimes influence gestation. 
O D.. Richmond.— Can a person become a taxidermist of any 
•kill simply by studying books upon the subject. Ass. — It will de- 
pend entirely upon the person himself. If he has a good eye for 
proportions of birds and animals he may acquire by practice skill in 
mounting ordinary specimens. A few lessons from a practical taxi- 
dermist will however greatly help him. 
Rocket, ilo. Valley. — I have a setter pup, eleven months old, 
which has been troubled more or less with mange since he was three 
months old. Most of the time he has had a dry feverish nose, but 
has had a good appetite and seems to be full of life I worked him 
in the field on quail last fall and he worked well. I have doctored 
him for mange giving him sulphur and cream-tartar, equal parts, 
and have washed him in very strong soap-suds, and now there is 
very little trace of mange on the skin, but the dry hot nose still 
stays with him, and about three weeks since I discovered a large 
seed wart in the roof of his month, and now there are twenty-five or 
thirty of these warts on the inside of his cheeks. Also within the 
last week a swelling has appeared on his left temple, and is now 
about the size of a pullet's egg. It is quite hard and full, like a 
gathering. I have never seen his appetite better and he seems full 
of life. Did you or any of your readers ever see anything like this? 
and do these warts with the swelling on the temple come from the 
same cause as the mange, that is from humors in the blood? Ans. — 
According to the best authorities mange does not come from hu- 
mors in the blood but from a pres-^ure of a para-iile in the skin, stil 
as this eventually affects the whole system internal as well as exter- 
nal application has to be made. The dry hot nose in your dog's 
cate may be due to the effects of mange or may be caused by worms. 
The latter would manifest themselves by roughness of the dog's coat 
and low flesh, nolwith-tanding his large appetite. If these symp- 
toms appear give a dose of ten grains powdered areca not upon an 
empty stomach In the morning, feed at night and the next day gii e 
a small dose of salts. Repeat the nut and salts after an interval of 
two days. If then symptoms do not appear it is probable the dry 
nose is due to mange, and for this give three drops of liquor ariene- 
calis, three times a day and increase the dose by one drop each day 
till the dog loses bis appetite, or runs from the eyes. Stop now for 
three days, then go back to the dose given before the loss of appe- 
tite or running of the eyes appeared, and go on thus, giving the 
medicine and stopping when it has the described effect for two or 
thr ’e weeks bv which time a cure should be effected. The warts 
are unusual and with the swelling are not of necessity connected 
with the mange. Touch the warts with lunar caustic, but do not 
Conch the sensitive month, or yon will cause needless pain. Clip 
the hair from the top of the swelling and apply a pilch plaster to 
draw the gathering to a head, then lower just deep enough to cut 
the skin, and press the matter out gently. 
H. S. Stebbins. of Canandaigua, N. Y , asks through ns that some 
brother sportsman will send him some wild rice seed. 
S. J. H., Manchester —Does 5 IV. of N. H. game laws protect the 
rabbit in the close season ? Axs. We think it does. 
Breech Loader,— Will yon plea.se infarni me where I can find 
some good shooting and fishing, either in New York State or New 
Jersey. Wonld like to locate at some inland lake in the vicinity of 
New York City. Should like to start in about two weeks. Ass. 
Bndds Lake, Greenwood Lake, or HopatkongLake, all in Jersey, are 
witUn easy distance, also try the east end of Long Island. 
R. W. M. Toledo — In onr pigeon match Mr. Moore stepped to the 
score, shot and killed a very ea.'y bird in .Mr. Pheatfs turn; Mr. 
Pheatt took the next bird, a very hard one and missed. If he had 
had the bird that wonld have fallen to him in his turn, he wonld 
undoubtedly have killed iu Mr. Moore had no intention of shooting 
out of his turn. But it made quite a difference to Mr. Pheatt. 
How should it be decided? Or in other words, can a bird be 
scored to the shooterif he shoots one of his turn? We have plenty 
of birds now. and expect to have a nice time with them. We all 
like the change of name of your most valued paper. -Axs. Moore 
was wrong if Pheatt had objected at the time. But if Pheatt 
went on and tried his luck it is too late for him now to protest. 
Parvts, Boston. — I take the Ron axd Grx through the American 
News Company and enjoy it very much, I should like to know if 
you can tell me a good place where I can find snipe within thirty 
miles of Boston. Also what is the general charge foraNo. 12 gun 
(breech-loader) for snipe. I wish to congratulate you on your change 
of name, it draws the line just right. .Ass. Three drams powder, 
one ounce shot. Perhaps some correspondent will answer other 
question, 
B. W. M. — 1. What IS good for polishing the inside of a shot-gun, 
and what kind of oil should be used for the locks. 2. Is Volume I. 
of The;.Americax SportsmaX going to be republished? Axs 1. Fine 
emory cloth with the best of sperm oil. 2. Not until we get a suffi- 
cient nnmber of subscribers. We want fifty more. 
.Arrow. Rushville, IU.— I send yon a package containing a bird 
skin; please tell me what kind of bird it Belongs to. I suppose it is 
some kind of plover. They fly in flocks like wild pigeons and appear 
like pigeons whUe on the wing. Axs. The bird is a golden plover. 
McE.— Where can dog biscuit be procured? Axs. Write to John 
Krider, Walnut Street and Second, Philadelphia: he keeps the im- 
ported article — Spratt's, 
LeRot— How do they breed gold fish when they are in a water 
tank where the water is run In and out? Axs We do not 
I quite understand your qnesrion. If you want toral-e fish, yon will 
! find Blithe information in nack numbers of the Sportshax. If yoa 
' want only to keep a few fish for ornament yon had best fl 11 the tank 
[ with river water and empty by a syphon; any plniubercan make one. 
Feed the fish with bread crumbs. 
W. M. J., Matamora HI.- 1. Frank Forester says in vol. 1. p. 148: 
"An ounce of No. 8 shot contains 600 grains or pellets." Tour cor- 
respondent “Rebuck" in his letter on “Theory vs Practice,” in 
your issue of February 20, says that he used “ one ounce of No. 8 
shot (.399 to the ounce).” I purchased shot purporting to be No. 8. 
and can oidy count 318 to the onnee. There is a difference of 201 
pellets to the ounce between the counting of " Rebuck ” and Her- 
bert, !■* it probable there is such difeffence in the size? or do you 
think themistake is in the nnmber? 2. Forrester says; vol. 1, p. 149 
that Ely's green wire cartridge' is dangerous for upland shooting. 
If the green is dangerous, why not the blue and red? Why is not 
the green cartridge as dangerous in fowl shooting as in upland shoot- 
ing when the same gun is used? 3. I have a single barrel breech- 
loader (Stevens' make, Chicopee Falls, Mass.) weight five pounds, 
thickness of barrels at the chamber, about 1-6 of an inch ; shoots 
well with either metal or paper cartridges. Could I use the Eley 
wire cartridge in it with safety, say one ounce of shot to each charge. 
4. How many drachms of powder should be used in No. 14 gun to 
one ounce loose shot, and how many drachms when the wire car- 
indgeis'used (1 ounce shot)? I ask the question because Herbert 
says: “ The more heavily you charge with powder the more closely 
will your cartridge carry; the converse of this proposition being 
true of loose shot'' 5. Where can I get the Eley cartridge and at 
what price? Axs. 1. Shot No. 8. ranges according tp manufacturer 
from 365 to 508 in number of pellets. 2, We don't know of any dif 
ferencs. 3. Yes, if small enough to pass through barrel. 4. 1 1-2 to 3 
drams. 
L. S. W., Franklin, Pa. When do our common American deer 
lose their antlers ? 2 When do the does have their fawns, and how 
long do they go with young? Axs. — 1, Homs are usually cast in 
the winter. 2. In .April, May, June. 
W. E., Jr. 1. How can I most easily learn to cast a fly well? 2. 
Which is the best book on the subject ? From the columns of The 
Axericax Sportshax, I have derived much useful information 
about gnus and gunning. 3. May I hope to obtain the same about 
fishing-rods and fishing from The Rod axd the Gun? Axs. — Go 
out with some good angler and observe his teachings . Shooting or 
fishing by book is like learning to swim on a table. 2 Buy Frank 
Forrester's manual for young sportsmen, to be had at this office. 
3. Yon may be sure that there will be no falling off from the good 
work done by The .Ahericax Sportshax. 
Ahateur. I send you a bead of small bird, which is either a 
species of snipe or plover ; perhaps sandpiper. They fly in flocks 
and have entirely a different note from English snipe. Please let 
me know what it is. Axs. — The head received is that of grass bird. 
H. W. R, Are not choke bored guns more liable to lead than 
old style of boring? Axs. — No. 
A New Species of Birds. — During the past winter we have ob- 
served in this part of New Hampshire a new kind of bird. Their 
plumage is a dark slate color, though some of them have red necks 
and backs; their food is the seeds of the grey birch and the various 
kinds of weeds that grow upon the bleak hill-sides. Since the 
milder days of spring have come they have nearly all disappeared: 
size about that of the robin redbreast. Now can yon or any of vour 
readers inform me as to their name, and w here they are a native of ? 
What Becomes op the Bumblebees?- A correspondent is of the 
opinion that they emigrate during the month of August to the mid- 
dle or southern states. If not, what becomes of them ? He says 
that he has dug their ne^ts out of the ground when they had taken 
posses.sion of a striped squirrel's den , but 1 found they eat up their 
honey the same, and the nest was full of large hairy worms, 
Rod and Gun. 
ISAAC M'LELLAN. 
The spring-lime is here with gleam and glow, 
And softer the vernal breezes blow, 
Thepallid ice-field extends no more, 
O'er the broad river-reach its crystal floor; 
All the open bay is breezy and white. 
All its dancing billows quiver with light. 
Then come, then come brethren of gnn and rod 
When the earliest violets sow the sod. 
For the brooks are alive with springing trout. 
Alive in wilful and wanton rout. 
O come then, brothers of rod and gnn 
MTiere the wild-fowl gather and waters run. 
Behold by the Bay-shore's sedgey banks 
The wild-geese squadrons deploy their ranks; 
In wedge-like columns, in crowded files, 
They sweep o'er the bay, over sandy isles; 
Over leafless woods, over spreading bay, 
On clanging pinions they urge their way; 
Now, high over sailing clouds they pass, 
Now. prone they stoop to the yellow grass. 
Till with hollow bookings they settle low. 
And fold their wings where the currents flow. 
Then haste then brothers, that love the gun. 
Where the brant-flocks gather at peep of sun; 
Ere the first light ciimsous the rolling deep, 
The dark flocks shoreward circling sweep. 
They wheel by jutting headland and cape 
For the feeding shallows their way they shape, 
And the fowler hid by the w eedy shore, 
Thins out their ranks, as they hover o'er. 
Soon will a tenderer glow sufiase 
The drifting clonds^ with ro^er hoes. 
Soon will a tremulous verdure creep 
Over upland pasture, and woody steep, 
Soon will the glory of samm r penade 
The ocean-border, the forest glade, 
And the angler his precious spoil may 
The ^Almon, the trout, by shore and laku; 
And when the colors autumnal shall stain 
The sumptuous foliage of wood and plain, 
The smokes of the frequent run shall arise 
Where in stubble-fields the covey lic-a, 
Or where in the dusky forests the deer 
Urge far and fleetly their grand career. 
