A VISIT TO A SPORTSMAN'. 
Canastota is a station on the New York Central Rail- 
road. Get out there and shift your luggage to the Hale 
House, say you are a sportsman, and you will be 
cordially received by George Sage, the proprietor, who 
is one of those old-time jolly hosts, that are always 
happy because they make other people so. When the 
writer got there supper was soon set before the party, 
although we were a little after time. After a hearty 
meal, the large country road wagon, with a fine mettle- 
some pair of bay horses, was at the door ready for our 
departure to Peterboro, the home of Greene Smith, a 
name known to every American sportsman. It was late 
when we started, and a nine or ten mile ride on an up- 
hill road in the dark would generally be supposed a 
tedious afiair. On this occasion it was anything but 
tedious or dry. Messrs. Smith and Abbey took the back 
seat (but were really the front of the party), Turrill 
and myself the middle seat, Charley sitting with the 
driver, and the merry ride of that night wiU not soon 
be forgotten. About midnight we arrived at the old 
homestead, and were soon snoring as shootists can snore 
after a good day’s shoot and a ten-mile ride with good 
fellows. In the morning it rained, and as we were pre- 
pense to the laziness natural to some people, we took it 
easy. A parlor and bedroom had been placed at our 
disposal, which was furnished a la antique. By the 
bedside stood a dressing-table that had been used by the 
father of our country, immortal “ George.” Directly in 
front of the bed was a large case of stuffed birds, the 
admirable arrangement of which indicated the tastes of 
an ardent sportsman and scientific naturalist. A silver- 
toned triangle soon notified us that the break fa«t-table 
was spread, and the genial host himself gave a rap at 
the door and came in to bid us the house welcome and 
good-morning. Turrill and Abbey were down before 
us. After being introduced to Mrs. Smith in the par- 
lors below, we proceeded to the breakfast-room and 
opened the da}- with a repast, in which substantials and 
delicacies were fairly balanced. We then lounged 
through the great hall to the wide front piazza with the 
massive columns, from which we get a splendid view of 
the country. The house proper is 60x60 feet on the 
ground floor, and was built in A. D. 1800 by Mr. Smith’s 
grandfather, who owned three-quarters of a million of 
hcres of land, and this was about the centre of it. The 
mansion was next occupied by the late Gerritt Smith, 
known throughout the world as a philanthropist, and 
upon his decease the property came to Greene Smith, in 
whom we find the highest type of humanity, a gentle- 
man sportsman, “ thorough ” from stem to stem. 
There are about thirty acres of land with the mansion, 
handsomely laid out as pleasure ground, and serpentine 
walks in the English style, with fountains, flowers, 
shrubbery in profusion. There are upward of thirty 
buildings on the premises, including the stables, garden- 
ers’, farmers’ and out houses. There is also a fine con- 
servatory, with green-houses, graperies, etc. After 
looking around, we were invited to visit the bird-house, 
and supposed, naturally enough, that we were going to 
see a good-sized pigeon roost, or something of that kind, 
but we were fairly taken by surprise. After walking 
some two or three hundred yards down a gravel walk, 
we came to a large building in Gothic rustic style, the 
sides covered with hemlock bark. On the rustic door 
is the word “ Ornithon ” in ivy. The building is in the 
form of the letter T, the main part being one and a-half 
stories high and 56x30 feet ; the L is one story, and 25x 
40 feet on the ground. The entrance is in the centre of 
the L portion of the building. In the centre of this 
room, immediately in front of the door, is a large double 
desk, surmounted by statuettes, and containing writing 
materials, with inkstands and study appliances, all rich, 
and in modern taste. On the timbers over the desk are 
carved an immense pair of elk antlers, from which de- 
pended Sharps and Spencer rifles, with game bag, 
riding whip, powder flasks, horns, rod, creel, and other 
sporting implements; also a riding-whip which ilr. Smith 
said once belonged to a soldier in Stuart’s cavalry. 
The sides of the room are hidden by immense glas, 
cases, the one on the right containing specimens of 
skins, duck, teal, snipe and other game birds ; also a 
large variety of song birds, herons, swans, etc., in a fine 
state of preservation. Behind this ca«e is a gun-rack 
fitted with drawers, containing ammunition, shot, wadss 
shells and shooting ^xlngs. The case on the other side 
of the room is of the same size, and contains some of 
the finest mounted specimens we had seen. Among 
them were the English woodcock, European kingfisher, 
cuckoo, a whooping crane (of which there are but very 
few specimens in this country), a pair of black swans 
from Australia, a roseate spoonbill, monster owls, 
hawks, pigeons and other birds, with sundry foxes and 
quadrupeds, many rare shells and curiosities of various 
kinds. Behind this case is a well filled book-case, con- 
taining a good collection of modern literature, in which 
are the best books and many rare works in sporting and 
natural history. 
The entrance to the main building is about fifteen or 
twenty feet wide, and in the centre stands a beautiful 
fountain of cool water, with a few speckled beauties 
sporting in the crystal flood. A grand wide stairway 
leads to the upper part of the main building, and on 
either side are large rustic rooms inclosed with wire 
screens. The room on the right had a rocky bed, with 
a stream of water flowing through, and was exclusively 
for song birds, and would accommodate upward of a 
hundred without crowding their movements. On the left, 
in the main room is a miniature pond, with rock work 
arranged especially for ducks and other aquatic birds. 
Beyond this is a large wire room used as a kennel, but 
the only dogs in it at the time were a beautiful pair of 
King Charles spaniels, which we had seen occupying a 
seat near Mrs. Smith when at the breakfast-table. 
As we ascended the broad staircase we were strongly- 
reminded of the royal shooting seats of Austria and 
Germany, and were almost forgetful that we were in 
the house of an American gentleman, simple and infor- 
mal in his manner as any other republican. 
We turn to the right, and there find a loading table 
for guns and ammunition, and in a cosy nook, neatly 
arranged, are ground and plunge traps, and all the para- 
phernalia for trap-shooting, according to the most im- 
proved plans of English and American rules. On the 
left side of this loft or large balcony we find the jiro- 
fessional tools of a scientific draughtsman and civil en- 
gineer, all laid out in order, meant for use, not show, 
but a rich man’s, nevertheless, love for their use being 
shown by the perfection and finish of the tools. 
In another case are the appliances for taxidermy. ^Ir. 
Smith is a member of the Committee on Nomenclature, 
appointed by the National Sportsmen’s Association, and 
he showed us drafts of charts that he was preparing, 
containing a perfect classification of birds, giving the 
species, the scientific and common names, arranged so 
as to give a rapid and general view, which, when com- 
pleted, will be a valuable addition to Mr. Lambenon’s 
work on the same subject. A second collection of books 
is found in this department in keeping with this subject ; 
and here we found Wilson’s Ornithology, 9 vols., of 1808; 
Charles Lucien Bonaparte’s work of 1805, in 4 vols. ; 
Audubon’s complete works of 1856; also John Cas.-.in’s 
Appendix; The Birds of North America, by Spencer F. 
Baird, John Cassin and George N. Lawrence, of 1860; 
Baird, Brewer and Ridgway’s N. A. Birds, of 1874, and 
all works of the best authors complete, not forgetting 
files of American SporUman and Rod axd Gux. 
The walls throughout the building, are covered with 
engravings and specimens, mostly- fine illustrations of 
birds and sporting scenes, together with trophies of 
the chase, specimens of horns and other matters. 
Among the specimens are the spikes of Ibex, hartbeest 
blessbok, eland, gnji, springbok of Africa, the gazelle and 
chamois of Switzerland, antelope and buffalo from the 
the plains. Bird cages without number, containing song- 
birds, hang from the timbers. Also a variety of trout 
and salmon rods, with flies attached, ready for a cast. 
Trailing arbutus, clematis, wisteria and other creepers 
cover the walls, draping all unoccupied spaces. 
The buildings were designed and erected by ^Ir. 
Smith himself, wh« had shown his skill in their arrange- 
ment for light. In the loft is a great dove-cote, from 
which a hundred and fifty birds were taken the next 
day for a practice shoot. The whole building and con- 
tents of the ark is in charge of a faithful body servant 
and most excellent janitor, affectionately named Noah. 
He is of dark complexion, well educated, and an elegant 
penman, and is himself a celebrity, having visited Africa 
in behalf of his race, and frequently been mentioned in 
print as the hunible, happy .saint. Passing out from the 
bird house we crossed a rustic bridge, and entered the 
hennery. This building is on the same grand scale, 74x 
30 feet on the ground, and divided into four compart- 
ments, each having a largejyard. Partridge, Cochins 
and mammoth light Brahmas make the pet stock; hut 
we had no craving for chickens after such a feast of 
game, and soon returned to the bird house, where we 
spent the rest of the morning. 
W e have other rich sportsmen in different parts of the 
country, but we know of no such collection on this con- 
tinent. T, C. B. 
PiSEOW MA TCHES, 
Kans.^s Citt, Mo. , Aug. 3 and 4. — A grand shoot came 
off, which gathered together all the shooting experts in 
this part of the country. The attendance was numerous, 
and the growing interest, here as elsewhere, wa.s mani- 
fested. The Fair Grounds were fairly alive, and all the 
sportsmen’s clubs from neighboring cities were well 
represented. The shooting was by .squads. 
Speers 
Squad No. 1. 
0 
0 
1 
1 
1 
0— 7 
Bast 
1 
1 
1 
« 
» 
0 
♦— 5 
Dascam 
0 
1 
0 
1 
0 
1— 6 
Blackwell 
, 1 1 
1 
0— y 
Craig 
1 
1 
♦ 
1 
1 
1- 9 
Batf*8 
0 
1 
0 
1 
0 
* 
1 
1— 5 
Undens'ood 
Squad No. 2. 
1 1 
0 
1 
1 
1 
0 
1— 8 
Jarrett 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1—10 
BnUene 
1 
0 
1 
1 
0 
0— 7 
Ramsel 
0 
1 
1 
• 
1 
1 
1 
1— 7 
Hall 
0 0 
1 
0 
0 
1 
* 
1— 5 
Inealls 
0 
1 
1 
0 
1 
1 
1- 8 
Fichera 
Squad No. 3. 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1— 9 
McDearmon 
0 1 
1 
0 
6 
0 
1 
0 
1— 4 
Morris 
« 
1 
1 
1 
# 
1 
1— 8 
McGee 
1 1 
1 
♦ 
0 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1— 8 
Mock 
1 » 
0 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
0 
1— 7 
Jones 
1 0 
1 
0 
1 
1 
1 
1 
» 
0- 6 
Martin 
Squad No. 4. 
1 ♦ 
1 
1 
0 
1 
* 
* 
0 
1— 5 
Brooks 
0 
1 
1 
1 
1— 7 
Kenmuir 
1 1 
0 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1— 9 
Brown 
1 
0 
1— 8 
Snider 
1 * 
1 
1 
1 
0 
1 
0 
1 
1— 7 
Lane 
0 1 
1 
0 
0 
0 
1 
1 
0— 5 
Barnes 
Squad No. 5. 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
*— 9 
Hopkins 
10 
1 
0 
0 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1— 7 
Saunders 
0 1 
0 
1 
1 
1 
0 
* 
1 
1— 6 
Haskins 
1 1 
1 
0 
1 
0 
1 
1 
1 
1— 8 
W C Fredericks 
0 1 
1 
0 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1— 8 
Horsall 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1—10 
On ten straight birds the first prize was divided; on the 
other ties the shoot on that of nine only has reached u.s. 
Won by Kenmuir. 
Tie on ninee. 26 ranis. 
Keumuir 
Barnes 
Blackwell 
1 1 C— 2 Craig 
0 1 1 — 2 Fichera 
110—2 
J.J. 
Second tie, 31 t ards. 
Kenmuir 
Barnes 
BlaCi^well 
1 10—2 Craig 
1 1 0 — 2 Fichera 
110—2 
10 0—1 
0 0 1—1 
Third tic, 31 yards. 
Kenmnir 
Barnes 
1 1 1—3 
1 1 *- 2 
Fourth tie, 31 yards. 
Kenmnir 
0 0 0—0 
THE DOUBI.E BIRD SB-REPSTAKES. 
I he next event was the double bird purse of $50; $25 
to the first, $15 to the second, and $10 to the third. The 
shooting in this class was ffne. 
Sqoad Xo. 1. 
Mock 00 01 00 *1 00— 2 
.6 Martin 00 II 01 11 11— 7 
Yonns; 10 01 11 10 10— 6 
Snider 11 00 01 10 10— .5 
Kenmnir 10 10 10 00 11—5 
Morris 10 10 1* 10 11— 6 
Squad Xo. 2. 
Bast 11 00 •• 10 10— 4 
W W Martin 10 11 01 00 01— 5 
Fichera II 11 ♦* 11 10— 7 
incalls 01 11 11 10 11— 8 
Bruoks Ill 01 11 *1 10- 6 
Jarrett 11 01 11 11 00— 7 
Jones 10 01 1* 10 10— 5 
Squad Xo. 3. 
Barnes 11 11 01 11 01— .5 
Buileiie lO O’ 10 10 11—4 
Ramsel 10 1' 11 10 10— 6 
Blackwei: II 10 M 00 11—6 
McGee 11 10 11 11 11— 9 
Saunders *1 It 00 11 10 — 5 
Squad No. 4. 
Underwood 01 00 00 11 10— 4 
Craie 10 11 10 1 ’ 1 '- 6 
••MnUh ’ 10 O’ 11 1’ O’— 4 
F Fredericks .,. 11 00 11 10 10 — 5 
Dascom 10 10 11 10 11— 7 
McGee won by a score of 9 out of 10. 
The second day’s shoot was a sweep of 40 entries for 
a $200 purse; $100 to tlie first, $50 to the second, .$25 
to the tliird, $15 to the fourth, $10 to the fifth. 
Squad No. 1. 
Dunlap 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 0*1— 6 
Fredericks, WC 10 10 1111 11—8 
Morris 10 110 11111—8 
Saunders 010010001 1—4 
YoUng 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1—8 
Bates 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 1—5 
S<inad No. 2. 
Rogers 0* 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1— 8 
M'Dearmon 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0*1—4 
Fichera 1 1 0 (i* 0* 0 1 1 1 1—6 
Underwood 0* 0* 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1—8 
Blackwell 1 1 1 10 1 1 0* 0 1— 7 
Mock 0101110111—7 
Squad No. 3. 
Martin. Samuel 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 — 9 
Fredericks, F 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0«- 9 
Craig....- 1 1 0 1 0* 1 1 0* 1 1— 7 
Brooks 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0*- 9 
Jarrett 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0* 1 1—8 
Thompson 111111111 1—10 
Squad No. 4. 
Ramsel 1 0* 1 1 1 1 0* 1 1 1^ 8 
Griffith 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0* 0*- 8 
Caven 0* 1 I 1 1 0 0 1 1 1— 7 
