168 
iTiihb 12 
Wllbnr F. Parker, - - Editor and Proprietor, 
THE ONLY JOTJENAL PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES 
Devoted Esclnsively to 
SHOOTING, FISHING, NATURAL HISTORY, FISH CULTURE, 
AND THE PROTECTION OF FISH AND GAME. 
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THE ROD AND THE GUN. 
W est Meriden. Conn. 
fg~We earnestly request all our contributors to adopt the plan in 
regard to the use of scientific names which some of them have 
already adopted, viz; to PRINT all snch names lesibly in the mann- 
script, as tins will prevent error by giving the compositor p lain copy 
to follow. Above all things we say, do not venture npon the nse 
of scientific names at aU unless certain of their accnracy. 
SATURDAY JU.XE 12, 1875. 
ma)’ be found wanting on tbe day of trial Surely tliis 
is not a small thing. In truth although the end crown.s 
the work, we almost think that the sustait ed effort ol 
preparation is mt.)re heroic than victory itself. 
The events of tbe past week are succeeded this week 
by the Cleveland Convention, a meeting to which gen- 
tlemen sportsmen from every part of the country are 
called with the express purpose of promoting the pro- 
tection of game animals, and perpetuating^a supply for 
the future. An Irishman, famous for his blunders, is 
rept rted to have asked, “what has posterity done for 
us;-'” In one sense there was wisdom in this enquiry. 
It went to prove tbe extent of sacrifice demanded by 
patriotism. "Vre work not for our friends only, but for 
those we have never known and never shall see. H'e 
work moreover against present ignorance and selfish- 
ness. Our sportsmen may allege that as the past took 
no care lor them neither should they care for the future, 
there is game enough to last their time. This is a low 
estimate of duty, and our gentlemen sportsmen testify 
by their presence in the Cleveland Convention that they 
have higher objects in view. TS'e expect to see the 
fruits of their labor in uniformity of game laws, na- 
tional and international, which shall hind the whole 
continent into a compact body for the purpose of restor- 
ing that wealth of valuable animals which our ances- 
tors found in this great country, and which ought to be 
banded down renewed and perlecied to future genera- 
tions. 
CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. 
Page. Page 

THE WATERTOW.V (0\YE\TI0.\. 
Deer Stalking in the .Xdiron- A Female White Pelican with 
dacks 161 a “ Centre Board''. 167 
Bench Shows and Field Our Rods and Onr Guns.. 168 
Trials 16'2 Tbe Watertown Conveniion. 168 
Our Game Laws 163 Watertown Bench Show .. 168 
Pigeon Matches 161-165 Letters from Sportsmen 170 
Report of American Fish- Queries and Answers 170 
eries 166 Sparrows... 171 
Lobster Catching 166 A Collector's Rambles 171 
Trout Fishing 'in Pennsyl- 
vania 167 
OUR RODS A.\D OUR GU.AS, 
This week has been signalized by some noteworthy 
events in the history of field sports. Conventions of gen- 
tlemen sportsmen have been held at Watertown, X. Y., 
and Paris, Kentucky, in which the attendance has been 
numerous, and the quality of the visitors has left noth- 
ing to desire in the way of respectability, intelligence 
and wealth. Law, physic and divinity, had their repre- 
sentatives, while bankers, merchants, manufacturers 
and farmers abounded, and even the ladies graced the 
gatherings with their presence. President Fowlei, at 
Watertown, tells his auditory in well chosen words that 
the sportsmen are assembled there for business as well 
for pleasure — business that shall redound not only to 
their own gratification, but to the benefit of others. He 
points out to them that a part of a good citizen’s dutv 
is to make his sport reputable, to avoid folly, and to 
leave a record without reproach of the way in which bis 
hours of sport are spent. It may ver^’ well be that 
some of those who heard maj- not profit by such good 
counsel; it is too much the habit of weak humanity to 
“know the right and yet the 'wrong pursue;” and yet 
we are sure that all will respond honestly to the Presi- 
dent’s good words, even if they do not lay their import 
to heart so seriously as they should do. 
Another event of the week has been the departure of 
the American Team for Europe, there to sustain the 
honor of the starry flag, and whatever the result, to do 
their best, and so deserve success. This match belongs 
to the category of field sports, although there is such per- 
sistent practice and self devoting restraint that it mav 
well be held that the rifleman’s training partakes far 
more of work than pla)'. The story as told, from week to 
week in these columns is one of discipline, prudence and 
temperance, virtues that go to make up the ideal of the 
hero and the sage. On the day of trial the man must be 
in the highest condition; no e.xcitement of mind, no 
tremor of nerve, no shakiness of hand; a consciousness 
of power, yet no vain self-conceit. In his prepar- 
ation to the supreme moment, the- rifleman’s motto 
might well be temperance in all things. Xo one can be 
so trivially minded as to think lightly of the personal 
qualities that go to make up the men that are now gone 
across to sustain the country's name in such a contest 
of honor. A sound mind in a sound body, the ancient 
philosopher’s highest good, is a prerequisite tovictor}-. 
It is a point of the most rigorous obligation that their 
conduct be circumspect; that they shall keep guard 
over themselves and each other, so that no one of them 
The tournament of the Xew York State Association 
for the protection of fish and game closed on Friday 
afternoon in good season, giving the sportsmen ample 
time to take the evening trains for home, the birds 
used throughout were as good as any we ever saw ; they 
were all good strong fliers, and the fresh breeze carried 
many dead birds out of bounds, which readily accounts 
for some of the little O’s in the scores. !Mr Henry Knapp 
was on hand as usual, and had charge of arranging the 
grounds, cooping and handling of the birds, and the 
trapping, which was done to perfection. Ever}- contest 
was called on time, and passed ofl' more rapidly than 
any we ever saw. The trappers, pullers, and in fact 
everyone interested did tLeir work admirably well. 
Of the grounds and the general arrangements, too 
much cannot be said in praise of the Jefferson Sports- 
men’s Club, and their most worthy president, Dr. 
E. L. Sargent, w ho was conslan'.ly on hand, and always 
happened to be just where he was wanted. His quiet 
and unassuming manner, with the perfect dignity and 
command with ■which he supei intended the occasion, 
won for him the high regard and esteem of all present. 
The members of the club extended every courtesy to 
their brothers and even provided a free lunch in their 
large tent, and any j irson wearing a badge was made 
welcome. The caterers did their utmost in providing 
for the wants of their guests; everything was as free as 
water, and as fast as edibles disappeared from the long 
talile the}’ were prompily replaced from the bountiful 
stores on hand. The arrangement of the tents gave the 
field a pretty appearance. The large white tent of tbe 
Monroe County C ub of Rochester was first on the right 
as we entered the field. AVe next came to a handsome 
round tent of red an! white canvas, with the banner of 
the Audubon Club of Buffalo flying at the mast head. 
The venerable Forrester Club of Bufialo had a beauti- 
ful new tent of blue and white canvas next to this, and 
looking in we saw their favorite steward preparing his 
tables for a substantial collation. Xext came the tent 
of the Central City Club of Syracuse, and next to that 
the Onondaga County Sportsmen’s Club of the same 
city, both of which were well equipped. The Pbrnnix 
Club of Seneca Falls had a large white tent, and next to 
that was a cosy tent of striped canvas belonging to the 
Adirondack Club. Then we arrive at the large three 
pole tent of the Jefferson S|ioi tsmen’s Club, (the hosts 
of the occasion.) It was well decorated with flags, and 
every comfoit jirovided within for the guesi.s. The tent 
of the Leather Stocking Club of Oswego was at the end 
of the line, and all were easy of access from the shoot- 
ing range. 
The rifle range was on the opposite side of the field, 
every arrangement being equally perfect, aad the Jeffer- 
son Club are justly entitled to the thanks of the rifle- 
men. The scores of the last days shooting were not ob- 
tained, and upon enouiry we learned that some dissatis- 
faction was expressed, but that the manager of the rifle 
shoot. Mr. Linus J. Peck, had gone home, and the only 
inference we could draw was that the di-puted scores 
had gone with him. The first pan of the shooting was 
said to be very satisfactory to all. and the scores were 
promptly handed to the press by Mr. Peck, when asked 
for. The fly casting took place on Black River, near 
Knowlton’s dam; the arrangements were complete, and 
we may say perfectly elegant. The attendance was un- 
usually large, and more than ordinary interest taken 
in the sport. 
Of the Convention, those that were there know how 
it was t' emselves, and the least said the better. The 
delegates were •very gentlemanly, and a better feeling 
generally was never displayed at gny previous meeting, 
but the arbitrary rulings of the President ca«sed an ad- 
journment sine die that was to be regretted. An im- 
promptu meeting was held on the field at the close of 
the tournament, and the following resolutions unani- 
mously adopted : 
Resolved, That the thanks of the sportsmen’s clubs of 
the -State are due to Prest. Flower of the Jefferson Co. 
Sportsmen’s Club and the citizens of Watertown for the 
excellence of the arrangements for the convention, and 
for the shorough success with which those arrange- 
ments have been carried out. 
Resolved, That due acknowledgment should be made 
of the liberality of all who have donated prizes, and 
that particular mention of the following firms and indi- 
liduals IS required : Thos. Otis, Leroy & Co., X. 1 ., for 
the shot used at all the contests; Carl Drexel, AVater- 
town, R. Freeman, AVatertown, Parker Bros., AA'e-st 
Meriden. Conn; the Dupont Powder Co.; Lewis Hen- 
rich & Rounds, AA'atertown; Oriental Powder Bo., Buf- 
falo; Barber, Lefever & Co., Syracuse; John C. Streeter 
& Co., AA'atertown; Davis Sew'ing Alacbiue Co., Water- 
town; Hills & Hunn’s, AA'atertown; Chas. AA'. AA’ig.jins 
A Co., John Hegeman, Ballston Springs; AI. L. Alar- 
shall, Oswego; lion. Chas. AY. Hutchinson, Utica; 
Sharps’ Rifle Co., Remington & Sons, Tuif, Field and 
FA/rw, for the handsome gold medal; Rod and Gun, 
Forest and Streatn, LitQ'iD & Rand Powder Co., J B. 
Dougall A Co.. J. AY. folley. and all others to whom 
Ibis association has been indebted. 
R ATERTO R \ BE .Mll SHOW. 
The Bench Show of Dogs at AYatertown, X. Y'., 
under the management of Dr. X. Rowe, of the Mo- 
hawk Game club of AYest Troy, was held in the Fair 
grounds near the Shooting park, and the arrangements 
were very complete. In taking a stroll around we 
will say what we thought of the dogs, as they looked to 
us, the day before the judges made their awards. The 
first Kennel contained Da.sh, a large red Irish setter, be- 
longing to Air. Robert Sullivan of Brooklyn, X. AT. 
Dash was not inclined to be sociable, and we could not 
say much for him. The next contained a medium 
sized red Irish setter, perfect in coat, and marking — 
thoroughly broken and one that would make a sports- 
man happy to look at; named Dash and belonging to 
Mr. Xicholas Salters of Brooklyn, X. Y. In the next 
was Bess, mate to Dash, same owner. She was an im- 
ported red Irish setter, rich mahogany red, with a small 
white frill on the breast and as well marked generally as 
any that can be found; she was very kind and affection- 
ate. and well broken; she is hunted with dash and we 
should judge they would be a hard pair to beat. In the 
next was Shamrock, a good sized red Irish setter, 
owned by AVm. .^arvis, of Claremont, X. H. The only 
objection -we could see to him was that somebody had 
docked his tail which was an outrage on so noble a 
looking animal. Duke a handsome large red Irish set- 
ter iwned by A. C. AA'addell, of Xewtown, X. J. ; he 
had too much black on his oar tips to be a prize winner 
in England. Mr. Henry Shipman of Brooklyn, X. Y., 
had a very handsome large red Irish setter well marked 
and well put up with a good head and a kind eye. 
Tasso, owned by .lohn R. AIcDonald of Lockport : a 
large red Irish setter held in high esteem by his owner, 
and thought to be the best I'og in the country, but we 
cculd’nt agree with him without better proof than the 
dog’s looks. Pa.xe}', owned b} A. Russell Strachan of 
X. A", city, the famous dog imported by J. Gordon Ben- 
nett, at high figures, and claimed to be the coming 
stock; he has long heavy body, short legs, full short 
head, black and while with flecks of tan on his nose 
over the eyes and on his legs. AA’e have got to be better 
educated as to the coming stock before we can say that 
this dog suits us. Alurat, owned by Dr. E. Lemaire of 
AYatertown, is a cross between the spaniel and setter and 
evidently a dog of great intelligence and probably a 
good retriever. 
Rake, a good sized red setter, out of impoited Ruby, 
owned by A. R. Strachan. A very fine looking doa' 
but nose and eyes not dark enough to please us. He 
was valued at $350, and probably woilh the money; 
