| The judicial committee of the National PAssociation of 
amateur oarsmen meet on the evening of August 16th, 
at the Metropolitan Hotel, to decide the question of Ama- 
teur oarsmanship, and to define ‘‘ what is an amateur?” 
The Gulick Boat Club is about to be disbanded, and a three- 
mile race to decide who shall retain the chamsionship badge 
will be held on the Harlem on the same day that the Ata- 
lanta hold their regatta, August 16th. 
Messrs. Patrick Cummings and Robert Dugan have chal- 
lenged the Tommy Brothers of Brooklyn, to a five-mile 
race, in seventeen-foot working boats, for from $100 to 
$500 a side. 
The Toronto International Regatta will take place Sep- 
tember, 8, 4, and 5. Five prizes are offered. The yacht 
race is on the third day; open to Canadian clubs only. En- 
tries to be made on or before August 80th, to Mr. L E. 
Robertson, Secretary, Queen’s Hotel, Toronto. 
Any man who shall, after the 2d of September, 1873, row 
for money, shall be considered a prosessional oarsman. The 
entrance fee for each race shall be five per cent. of the 
amount of the prize for each race. 
There is every probability that the long talked of scul- 
lers race between Jno. A. Biglin of New York, and George 
Brown of Halifax, Nova Scotia, will certainly come off the 
last of the month, at Halifax harbor. 
The following boat clubs are members of the Harlem 
navy: Nassau, Atalanta, Columbia, H. R. Club, Nauti- 
lus, Grammercy, and the Dauntless. 
There is arumor current that the Cooper Boat Club of 
Savannah and the Independents will row a four-oared race 
at Montgomery. The time is not fixed, but the event will 
take place within a week or two, if it takes place at all. 
J. J. O'Leary of Worcester and Pandien Harrington of 
Springfield have signed articles for a three-mile scullers 
race for $300, to take place at Springfield, Mass., August 
20th. 
€ he Bjorse and the Course. 
See is 
HOTEL RACES. 
ee ae 

Ir is questionable, whether the races in the proximity of 
New York, along the route of summer travel, have not 
been this season, run rather in the interests of the hotel 
keepers, than for the encouragement of the breed of that 
noble animal the horse. Monmouth course, near Long 
Branch, having been founded long before that watering 
place was ever thought of, is not subject to our remarks. 
Saratoga races may, however, we think, be classed as the 
typical hotel races. Of course Saratoga, is not exactly 
what Baden-Baden once was, but still there are some pretty 
strong traits of resemblence between our American water- 
ing place as it is to-day, and what Baden-Baden used to be. 
The health-giving water is there, the bands of music, the 
gambling, and the horse-racing. Of course the Baden horse- 
racing was always a ridiculous affair, and was looked upon by 
sportsmen in the light of a big circus, and as simply a feed- 
er to the rouge et noir. Despite a wonderful amount of 
newspaper puffing, we think the most of our readers will 
agree with us, when we state that this years contests at 
Saratoga show all the ill effects of a noble sport under the 
exclusive control of hotels. It is perfectly natural for the 
proprietors of these hugh caravansaries, to bring into the 
high season of eutertainment all the allurements possible, 
only it happens that those who know how to keep a hotel, 
may not be exactly competent to manage a race course. 
At the last race, but very few ladies were present. Some 
thousands of the sterner sex were there, but many thousands 
more kept severely away from the track, though in the im. 
mediate vicinity. Of course entries were made, and by 
the owners of the best stock in the country, but the man. 
agement of the course, has not it is said, met their appro- 
val. 
Still another subject, which we advance, with a certain 
amount of diffidence, it is true, fearing it may be entirely 
at variance with the interests of the hotel keepers, is this. 
‘‘ Why should we race at all in July and August?” These 
months are the season of the most terrible heats we know 
of. Isit because some of the leading races in England 
come off in these months, that we should kill horses in this 
country, putting them to the top of their speed, when the 
heat is equal to that of Bengal? There is time enough to 
run horses up tothe ist of July, then allow an interegnum 
of fully two months, and to start fresh in September. 
Though our racing season is drawing to a close, it would 
be perhaps premature on our part to attempt to gtve as yet 
a thorough resume of it. So far, however, we are pretty 
positive that the Saratoga racing for 1873 has not only been 
a decided failure as to the character of the sport, but what 
is far worse, its general management has been such as to 
lower the taste for the Turf in the United States. 
SaRATOGA RAcES FOR THE Lasr Ten Days—The weather 
was fine, and there was a fair attendance. Five horses 
started, and Sunrise won cleverly in 1:44. A two mile race 
followed, with seven horses starting, which was won by 
Mate, who beat True Blue on the homestretch by only a 
neck. Time, 38:32}, which was remarkably good. The 
hurdle race was a wretched affair, and was won by Blind 
Tom. On Saturday, the 2nd of August, the leading event 
was a selling race for two year olds. There were’ only two 
horses started—Crow’s Meat getting in ahead in 1:194, 
which is a fair speed for a three-quarter mile race, The 
Sequel stakes claimed more attention, and was awarded to 
Mr. Belmont’s colt ‘The Tl-used.” The three mile for all 
ages was noxt on the list, McDaniel’s Hubbard, Rice and 
FOREST AND STREAM. 

| month an almost universal close season. And even it should 
.can neither discriminate, nor can any but the thorough 
McCormick’s Wanderer, the celebrated horse Harry Bassett, 
and ©. Reed’s Lexington made up the quartette. Hub- 
bard won, hard held, coming past the post ina hand gallop ; 
time, 5:34. Tuesday witnessed one of the largest assemblages: 
of the season. There were no less than thirty odd horses 
nominated, but only eight came to the post. There were 
false starts without number. After a close and desperate 
struggle Mr. F. Morris’ bay colt Battle-axe came in a clever 
winner by half a neck; time, 1:454. Thursday, August 
7th, was avery bad day, the rain having come down in 
torrents up to eleven o’clock, but by half past eleven the 
sun burst forth, and the track, though heavy, was in fair 
condition. Sixty-seven horses had been nominated for the 
Kenner stakes, and only eight started. Distance two miles. 
Springbok was the favorite, but Springbok gave in and left 
the contest to Ill-used and Strachino, the former winning 
by a short neck in 8:39. In the one and ahalf mile race 
which followed four horses started, Arizona taking the 
lead and winning cleverly by three lengths ; time, 2:38. 
The third was a selling race, one and a quarter miles, ten 
horses starting. Mr. Sandford’s very handsome horse Bin- 
gaman, who was so successful at Monmouth Park, winning 
by half a length ; time, 2-103. 
Burrato.—The Buffalo trotting races were inaugurated 
August 5th. A great deal of money has been advantage- 
ously expended in improving the track and erecting com- 
modious stands and stables. The immense amount of 
$70,000 to be given in prizes naturally brought together a 
very large assemblage of horses and men, The first race 
was for a purse of $4,000, for horses that had never beaten 
2:34. M. and H. Nye’s Mambrino Gift 
out of five, as follows—first heat, 2:26}; third heat, 2:27% ; 
fourth heat, 2:30. The second race was for a purse ‘of 
€10,000, for horses that had never beaten 2:27. Eleven 
horses started. John E. Turner’s bay mare Nettie won in 
three straight heats—time, 2:26, 2:222 and 2:243. On the 
second day it was estimated that over 18,000 people were 
on the ground, many ladies and gentlemen attending the 
race in their private carriage. The day was superb, and 
the track, though a trifle hard, in good order. The first 
race was for the $20,000 purse, for horses that had never 
beaten 2:21. There were seven nominations, and only five 
contestants. Ben. Mace’s Sensation won the three last 
heats—time, 2:24, 2:26%, 2:28. Fullerton won the first heat 
in the extraordinary time of 2:20}. The second trot was 
for horses who had never beaten 2:45. This was won by 
Grave’s and Loomis’ bay mare Clementine in the three last 
heats—time, 2:294, 2:30 and 2:324. 
Fieretwoop Parx.—August 11; Match $1,000, mile 
heats, best three in five, to wagon. 
John Murphy’s b. g. Charley Green...............-. ab ak oy al 
John Ellis’s blk. m. Lady Byron.........:...... 2 2 2 
Time—2:38, 2:37, 2:33. 
—__—_—4———. 
The San Francisco Hraminer publishes a rumor thay 
the city has proposed to offer a purse of $20,000 to be con- 
tested for at a great running race to come off in October, 
the conditions of which will be four miles and repeat, free 
to all horses in the United States, to rule; the first horse to 
receive $12,000, the second $5,000, and the third 3,000. 
The entrance to be ten per cent; for California horses, and 
5 per cent. forthose that may come out from the Hast—5 
per cent. being allowed for expenses of transportation by 
rail from Eastern States. 
Shot Gun and Rifle. 
GAME IN SEASON FOR AUGUST. 


Woodcock, Scolopax Rusticola ; Esquimaux Curlew, Nuwmenius Borealis ; 
Ruffled Grouse, Tetras Umbelluo ; snipe, and all kinds of Bay birds, in- 
cluding ‘‘yellow legs,” “‘ring necks,” plover, &c. Also such kinds of 
wild fowl as are strong of wing. : 
SS 
In the scorching summer days animals as well as men 
seek the leafy cover and the secret springs. There is little 
game to be found and little disposition to hunt. Taught 
by instinct, the tribes of fur and feather are recuperating 
from their duties of procreation and preparing to fulfil their 
future functions ; just as our sportsmen should put them- 
selves and their equipments in readiness for the coming 
fall shooting. Then the birds in their new finery, the deer 
tribe in their livery of blue, and the sportsmen in brand 
new cords, may walk forth into the tempered atmosphere 
of August with a zest anda joy doubly enhanced by rest 
and repose in the sultry, sweltering hours. 
Woopcocx.—The woodcock is exempted from the pro- 
visions of the prohibitory State law, which makes this 
be included—for, though the young birds are plump and 
strong of wing, and fit for the bag and table, the old ones, 
subject to the laws of nature, and the exigencies of weather 
and of climate, are moulting. In fact they are feverish and 
sick, and should not be shot. They taste bitter, are unfit 
for the table, and by no means strong on the wing. Dogs 
sportsman distinguish, between the old and young birds 
until both are brought to bag. The laws of Nature are ar- 
bitrary and must be obeyed, else men suffer the penalty. 
Game becomes scarce, and the sportsman’s occupation is 
gone. 
The favorite haunts of the woodcock are woods, moist 
thickets and coarse brakes, where they generally remain 
concealed during the day, but as soon as it grows dark they 
resort to moist meadows and swampy open grounds, where 
they search for bugs and insects, but more especially 
worms; they thrust their bills into the soft molt earth and 
von three heats 

‘draw their victims: forth, probably detecting their presence 
“by the acuteness of their sense of smell. 
The nest is made 
of grass and leaves, near the root of a tree or bush. They 
lay usually four eggs—a yellowish white—blotched and 
spotted at the larger end with grey and brown. Notwith- 
standing the severe weather of the past winter, reports 
come in from several quarters of a more than average shoot- 
ing. New Jersey being so easy of access to the city, and 
the feed, &c., by the side of marshes and streams in great 
abundance, that, with a better care on the part of our Jer- 
sey friends as to close seasons, one may shoot seven or eight 
brace in the early morning and evening. 
Several gentlemen left the city in July, and report thirty 
birds to two guns in the vicinity of Pine Brook, New Jer- 
sey ; another party in Orange county report sixty birds to 
four guns ; another from the Summit Lake Club, Monroe, 
near Newburg, killed forty woodcock to two guns, A not : 
uncommon incident occurred, which is sometimes improp- 
erly accounted for. The shooter was on one side of a nar- 
row stream, and the setter on the other, pointing steadily ; 
ina second or so two cocks rose almost simultaneously 
within afew yards of the dog. Now this was no fault of 
the dog, as he only moved his head, after the birds were 
fiushed, to look round for his master to cross the creek. 
The dog had been hunted several hours, he was very warm, 
and a nasty, strong smell exuding from his body (so much - 
so as to cause a remark from the gentleman present), and 
the wind blowing dead on the birds, it is fairly to be sup- 
posed they became alarmed at the strange smell and rose. 
It is indispensable that your setter retrieve well. As to 
wearing heavy boots all day long in this sultry weather, 
and picking up your own birds (a good many would be glad 
of the opportunity), it is a nuisance, except on special occa- 
sions. Moreover, you are very apt to-flush other birds 
? 
when you are little prepared. 
Rurrep Grovuse.—The legal season for shooting the 
ruffed grouse, which is generally miscalled the ‘‘prairie 
chicken,” varies in the several Western States where it in- 
habits. In Minnesota it begins August 1st, in Illinois, Indi- 
ana and Jowa, August 15th, and in Wisconsin, August 20th. 
The birds in Minnesota and Iowa are reported as being ex- 
tremely abundant this year, and parties are organizing to 
make a raid upon them upon the 15th. However, we pre- 
fer to enjoy awhile longer the pleasures of anticipation, and 
wait until September. It is too hot now to be beating about 
in the broiling sun through the scrub oaks, or even to ride 
over the by-roads and shoot from the wagon. 
Snrpr.—We hear of a few scattering snipe at Rockaway 
Beach, and Canarsie. The sportsmen are on the gui vive, 
and soon the banging of guns will be heard all over the 
marshes and meadows. A few were shot at Flatlands last 
week by Dan Hughes. They were very large and fat. 
CurLew.—This bird first makes its appearance in Labra- 
dor about the middle of August, on his migratory journey 
south, and is shot in great numbers along the strait of Belle 
Isle. A brief sketch of the curlew will appear in our next 
issue. ; 
The shooting for the Lorillard badge, &c., at Saratoga, 
was unfortunately not of a very satisfactory nature, owing 
to the necissity of making it 4 two days’ shoot. H. A. 
Brown, of Cleveland, Ohio, won the badge and part of en- 
trance money. 
Sea and River Hishing. | 
GAME FISH IN SEASON IN AUGUST, 
Sueee tee 
Striped Bass, (Labrax Lineatus.) 
Trout, (Salmo Fortinadlis.) 
Black Bass, (Centrarchus Fasciatus.) 
Land-locked Salmon, (Sa/mo Gloveri.) 

Bluefish, (Temnodon Saltator.) 
Salmon, (Salmo Salar.) 
Sea Trout, (Trutta Marina.) 
Grayling, (Zhymallus Signifer.) 
Maskinonge. 
—__+>—_-——— 
Though August is not the angler’s month, par excellence, 
it is nevertheless the month of the year in which more va- 
rieties of fish are taken with angler’s gear than any other, 
both in salt and fresh water. The fishing, however, except 
for bluefish, striped bass, black bass and moskinonge, is 
on the wane, andin those States where close seasons are 
fixed by law angling for salmon and trout is prohibited in 
September. In Canada rod fishing for salmon is forbidden 
under heavy penalty after the 31st day of August in the 
provinces of Ontario and Quebec, and after the 15th day of 
September in the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova 
Scotia. The catching of any kind of trout is prohibited 
between the 1st day of October and the Ist day of January. 
In Ontario, however, this restriction applies only to the va- 
riety known as ‘‘speckled trout,” or brook trout. In the 
State of New York the close season begins on the 15th of 
September and continues until the 15th of March. This 
rule is, or should be adopted in all States east of the Rocky 
Mountains where trout or salmon are caught. 
The past few weeks have been remarkable for the extra- 
ordinary good run of fish, both in fresh water and in the 
brine. We summarize : 
BuueEFisH.—In all the bays and bights of Long Island 
Sound, in the Great South Bay, and in the waters outside, 
far away to the eastward, and down on the coast of Jersey, 
this splendid fish has literallyswarmed. Set nets have taken 
as many as 6,000 in a single day. Several times vast shoals 
have been driven on the beach by porpoises and other large 
feeders, and been picked up floundering by the cart load. 
Other shoals have chased the shiners, sardines and ancho- 
vies close in to shore, and been ‘‘jigged” from the surface 
by the hundred into the boat, Trollers have taken large 
fish, weighing twelve pounds and more, while the average 
size of these taken in the nett and along shore has been 
about three pounds, 
