1875 
24r9 
Sparrows— .1Iore Evirtencc. 
Editor Kod and Grx: 
Though it is to be feared that nothing wil! remove 
Dr. Brewer’s obstinate misunderstanding of this case, 
the following, which may interest your readers, is fur- 
nished for publication from among the frequent letters 
I receive; E. Codes. 
Reading, Pa. 
You may remember my letter alluding to the destruc- 
tion of a robin’s nest b' the English sparrows last*sum- 
mer, and as the same thing occurred again tills spring, 
with a different termination, I may us well state the 
chief points. The continued cold weather prohibited 
nest building until comparatively late in the spring 
(1875), and tlie robins I now refer to did not begin to 
repair the debris of last season until last week in April. 
I do not know that this was the same pair that built 
there last year. As the nest was approaching comple- 
tion, about May 10, several pairs of sparrows made 
their appearance in this particular portion of the tree, 
and during the robins’ absence tore up their work of 
two weeks. The robins again set to work, repaired 
the ruins, and the female was already to lay when, dur- 
ing an absence in search of food, the sparrows again 
set to work and tore up the nest. The formation of the 
limbs around this mass of tangled slicks, caused them to 
remain where the}'^ were so carelessly thrown. The 
robins made but one return visit and disappeare !. One 
pair of sparrows now began to shape this heap of rub- 
bish, and in a few days had it partially hollowed out, 
the top nicely covered, and began to breed, having had 
a brood of young two or three weeks ago. A similar 
case happened in another part of the city also 
a month or five weeks ago. The nest above 
referred to is but about about twelve feet from 
my former bedroom windows, and the whole 
transaction was witnessed by my parents and sister. 
A cousin of mine in Lehigh Co., Pa., (a physician 
and amateur ornithologist) writes me that he has for 
two seasons visited a “Heronry” and procured skins 
and eggs. The species is the Nyctiardm grisea var me- 
■Bia, (Budd) Allen. This is the first instance of their 
occurrence in this portion of Pennsylvania. The great 
number of mounted specimens is also a proof of his as- 
sertion, did I not believe him otherwise. I have had 
success this season in collecting stone implements, and 
our summer birds. A few notes of interest I shall men- 
tion at some other time. W. J. II. 
Correction. — The article in last week’s issue 
“More Sparrows,” was not from Dr. Coues. It should 
have been credited to Dr. T. M. Brewer. 
I'nlawfal Slaughter of Deer in Wisconsin. 
Within a few weeks I have received the information 
that several deer have been killed in Portage county, 
Wis., contrary to all law, and, I might add, decency; as 
the animals are now absolutely worthless, either for the 
table or for their skins. I appeal to our Protective As- 
sociation of the “Badger State” to deal out summary 
justice to the perpetrators, and teach a lesson not only 
to these, but scores more of the same class, which infest 
Wisconsin. One successful action against these poach- 
ers or pot-hunters would strike a dread into the hearts 
of many more poltroons engaged in the same nefarious 
business of slaughtering the mothers of suckling fawns. 
Conclusive evidence can be had against two or three 
persons in Eau Pleine or vicinit)', who are guilty of vio- 
lating this section of the game laws, and I am prepared 
to furnish a witness to bring against them and convict 
the rascals, as I know my informant to be a gentleman 
of veracity, and who will be ready to prove his state- 
ment true. Fred. 
— - 
Prof. Brewer, in discussing the distribution of 
American woodlands, says, that though Maine is the 
great source of pine and spruce lumber, the hard wood 
species predominate in that State. The wooded area 
of New England is not diminishing, but the amount of 
sawed lumber is lessening — an indication that the trees 
are cut younger. In the iMiddle States Ihe wooded 
area is sensibly and rapidly becoming smaller. The 
New England and Middle States furnish hard wood 
trees ; in the Southeastern States, from Virginia to 
Florida, is a belt of timber which supplies the hard 
and yellow pine ; and the Nortlnvestern region con- 
tains immense areas of common pine. From the Gulf 
of 3[exico to the Arctic Ocean stretches a treeless area 
three hundred and fifty miles wide in its narrowest 
part, and eight hundred and fifty miles wide on our 
northern boundarj’. AVest of this region is the narrow 
wooded Rocky Mountain region, and west of this i^- 1 
the barren region of the Great Basin. On the Pacific I 
coast are some of the noblest forest regions of the worla, 
and ollicial Government reports say teat the forests in ; 
some parts of AVashingtou Territory are heavy enough j 
»«) “cover the entire surface with cord wood ten feet in ] 
bsifht 1’* I 
T!ic Illiuois State Sportsmen’s Association. 
The Second Annual meeting of the Illinois Stale 
Sportsmen’s Association took place at Tremont House 
Chicago, on .Alonda}', June 28. The Hon. .1. \. Le 
Moyne presided. In his opening address, after review 
ing the progress of game preservation, he recommended 
that a test case should be taken to determine the rights 
of game dealers to sell game killed in other States 
The treasurer’s report showed income $1024.80, e.\- 
penses $1028.72; balance in hand $1.08; thus show- 
ing that the association is alive and self-supporting. 
The officers for the next year were elected. Presi 
dent. C. E Felton, Chicago; First A'icc-President, .1 
L. Pratt, Sycamore; Second A’^ice-President, C. B. Alii, 
ler, Geneseo; Treasurer, R. R. Clark, Lake A^iew; Sec- 
retary, J. L. Stockton, Chicago. 
President Felton acknowledged the compliment in 
a neat speech, and paid his respects to the out-going offi- 
cers, under whose able management the Association 
had reached its present prosperity and usefulness. 
The Choke Bored Gun Trials of the London Field 
have resulted in the opiifion of that journal in the es- 
tablishment beyond doubt of the success of that prin- 
ciple. In the matter of w'ear and tear three guns were 
tested, AV. AV. Greener, Alaleham and Baker, and “after 
firing upwards of 2500 shots from each of the three 
guns no falling off of any kind could be discovered, 
nor did the measurement by calipers vary even to the 
thousandth part of an inch from the original diameter 
of the choke. The Field records its deliberate opinion 
on the choke bore generally to be, “1st. That the new 
system beats the old one both in pattern and penetra- 
tion by at least 20 per cent without the slightest draw- 
back; 2d, That it ma}' be modified to any extent by the 
shooter either permanently or by changing the wads; 
8d, that the guns bored on this plan are durable and 
free from leading if used with hard shot; 4th, that in 
uniformity of shooting they equal, if they do not sur- 
pass the cylindrical bore; and 5lh, that it is possible to 
find three gunmakers to carry on a trial of great im- 
portance to their several interests without the slightest 
dispute.” This last bit of testimony is valuable to the 
trade and is precious as showing their moral status. 
The patriarch only asked for .one righteous man in the 
whole city, and could find no such specimen. The 
English gun trade has three. 
A New Rifle Badge.— A new badge, to be con- 
tested for on the Creedmoor rifle range, has been pre- 
sented to the National Rifle Association by the pro- 
prietors of the Turf, Field and Farm. Like the pre- 
vious o;;e from the same source, it is adjudged for 
the best scores made at the 200 yards range, and onl 3 ' 
becomes the propertj’ of the marksman who bears it off 
three times. Seven shots at each competition are to be 
allowed, to be fired standing up; the other conditions as 
to the rifles, sights, etc., being the same as in the com- 
petition for the Challenge Badge. The contests w ill 
take place successively on th'e second Saturday of each 
mouth. The badge is a handsome shield of chased 
gold, surrounded by a gold wreath, and bearing in the 
centre a model in enamel of the AA^imbledoc target, the 
whole pendent from a golden scroll with suitable in- 
scription. 
$1,020 00 IN Cash Frizes. — Grand Pigeon Shooting 
Tournament at Toledo, Ohio, AA'^ednesdaj^ and Thurs- 
day, July 21 and 22, 1875, on Toledo Driving Park 
grounds; sweepstake shoots irom 8 a. .m. to 10 a. m., 
each day; street cars to the grounds; refreshments can 
be had on the grounds; dinner can be had at the Track 
House and Fisher’s Club House, for those who wish, 
both of which are convenient to the grounds. No skir- 
mishers will be allowed on the grounds; if caught, will 
be prosecuted under the law of 1874, for shooting on 
another man’s grounds without permission. Shooters 
contemplating coming from abroad will be furnished 
with complimentary tickets to the shooting grounds, 
after notifidng the inan.ager that they will come. A 
general good time maj’ be expected. Shelter will be 
provided for the shooters on the grounds. James 
Aloore, manager. 
'■ < ♦ »» ■ 
ALL SPORI SAIEN' are interested in the best hunt | 
irg groun.l-> of the S . .h-wett. Tne lino of the Mi.'- 
souri, Kansas and Texas Railro.id affords untold fields , 
of Game-Birds, Fish and animals. Send to General ' 
Hunting, Fishing and Pleasure Excursions to 
Colorado. — The St. Louis, Kansas City and Northern 
R.iilway has just published anew and illustrated Guide 
to Colorado; (season of 1875), giving a brief description 
of the famous Rcnortu in the Rocky Mountain Regions, 
also rates of fare. This Guide contains valuable infor- 
mation for Sportsmen and Invalids. Free. Send for a 
cop 3 ’. Address C. K. Lord, Gen. Pass. Agent, St. Louis, 
■Mo. This is a magnificent sporting region, unsurpassed 
in the Eniou. The officials are accommodating, the 
cars are clean, comfortable and punctual. AV’e speak by 
experience. 
The Grand Shooting Tournament at Syracuse opened 
on July 13, under the auspices of the Central Cit 3 'and 
Onondaga county clubs. Attendance was good despite 
the unpleasant weather. AI. AI. Alayhew of Utica won 
the first prize; E. Alann of Syracuse, second; E. Hud- 
son of Syracuse, third, E. T. Graham of Utica, fourth, 
and Thomas Kimber of'Syracuse, fifth. The prospects 
of the tournament are excellent. 
Sixth Division Rifle Association. — The Sixth Di- 
vision Rifle Association has been formed in Syracuse, 
N. Y. The directors number sixteen. Daniel P. 
AA’’ood, Robert P. Richardson, George N. Crouse, Jas. 
Alanning, Thomas AIcCarthv, Nicholas Grumbach, 
Paul Birchmeyer, George AV. Edwards, Alichael Auer, 
John A. Nichols, F. B. Klock, R. Griffin, Jr., Francis 
E. Carroll, A. C. Chase, AV. A. Sweet, J. Dean IIaw]e 3 '. 
Readers will do well to refer to E. J. Phelps’ adver- 
tisement. Air. Phelps is a gentleman sportsman in the 
best meaning of the term, and his word can be taken. 
Any one who needs a dog, or desires to add a good 
strain to his stock, can do no better thing than commu- 
nicate with E. J. Phelps, Auburn, N. A.'. 
The Delaware. N. A'., Sporting Club held their an- 
nual meeting June 21, George Alalvin re-elected Presi- 
dent, P. E. Garrison re-elected Vice-President, AI. S. 
Terwilliger Secretary and Treasurer; Executive Commit- 
tee for the year: P. E. Garrison, Levi Linley, G. Is- 
man, N. Hatch, S. S. AV^alker, D. A. AA'ells. 
■■ ■ ^ ^ 
The Princess of AA'ied in Germany is a breeder of St. 
Bernard dogs, and the number of her stock as well as the 
high prices they bring enable her to maintain a hospi- 
tal at Neu AVied entirely by the produce of their sales. 
Air. Gumming Alacdona on occasion of a recent visit 
speaks enthusiastically of the noble animals. 

Chicago is to have her Creedmoor. The great AA'est 
has been stirred up b 3 ’ the glorious deeds of the 
American team, which, by the way, might with more pro- 
priety be called the New A'ork team, and as Chicago is 
never laggard, she means to see what she can do 
towards a Chicago team. 
The Prince of AVales is about to visit the Indian 
Empire. The programme of his visit includes a fort- 
night’s stay in the Island of Ceylon for the purpose of 
hunting the wild animals, and especially the elephant. 
Bogardus won an easy victory over George Rimmel, 
the English champion. The match was 50 birds, 30 
yard.s, five traps. Bogardus killed 36 to his opponents 
thirty. • 
An English watchmaker has invented a watch spe- 
cially constructed to resist shocks while riding or leap- 
ing. An arrangement of the hair spring has enabled 
the machine to resist injury under violent movement. 
The Hol 3 'oke Fishery receives a defence from a cor- 
respondent well known to our readers, who having no 
interest in the matter can afford to be just. 
Our last week’s summary of Polar expeditions and 
their results is supplemented this week by an article on 
the life sustaining resources of the Polar regions. 
Hybridization. — Dr. Garlick’s paper read at the 
Cleveland Convention, referred to a previous report on 
the progeny of Great L.akc Trout (Stlmo amethyst us) and 
8it>'r;awit Trout (.S', si^k'niiit). Those who are curious to 
’e.et Ihe learned Doctor’s remarks on that very impor- 
ui.it topic, will flud ihem in full in the A.merican 
8^'.. RTStJ.VN of April IS, 1874. 
Passenger Agent, Sedalia, AIo., for free maps, illustra* 
Uoni ftmi desoriptiocfl, Correspondence sclicitedi 
As we are going to press we receive notice of a grand 
\ shoot at Grtad Itanidjs for tha 16th in9t.—P8djgra9 f 10. 
