Dublin. The heron-hawking was so much prized by our ancestors, that as laws were enacted for the preservation of hawks, so was the prey also deemed worthy the care of the legislature, and a penalty of 20s. imposed on every person proved to have destroyed herons' eggs.

a

The chief reason why heron-hawking is preferable to that of more profitable birds appears to me to arise from the contrast in the size of the hawk and the unwieldly-looking bird it combats with; and also, as the heron flies high and often shews fight, it enhances the admiration of the victorious falcon. The common heron is remarkably light, its size bearing no proportion to the weight. Herons scarcely weighing three pounds and a half have measured five feet from the tip of one wing to that of the other. The bill is very long, being five inches; the claws long, sharp, and the middle one notched like a saw, which enables it to hold firmly the fish of which it consumes immense numbers. In pursuing these birds, the hawk is compelled to make a very wide circle and mount spirally, lessening and contracting his range as he gets higher the heron soars very high, but the hawk mounts yet higher when the heron perceives this, he presents his beak as defence, and screams. The scene is now truly exciting. The wary hawk hovers round, like an engineer reconnoitring an assailable point in a fortress, until he gets above the heron's back, when he pounces down like a shot. The heron, on such occasions, either bends his neck back, or, throwing himself over, presents both his beak and his talons to ward off the fatal blow. In this way the battle is often prolonged for a considerable time; but when the falcon is stanch and courageous, he will in the end so weary the heron (a very indolent bird) that it cannot act with sufficient promptitude to defend his head, which the falcon strikes at, fixing its talons with such force as to enter the eyes, and, piercing the brain, they descend rapidly to the ground. If the hawk finds himself in danger from the violence of the fall, he takes care to avoid the shock by expanding his wings, which serve as a parachute, and, enabling him to keep above the heron, he alights with ease. It sometimes happens, that on reaching terra firma the heron renews the battle, but the hawk, pecking at the head and eyes, soon terminates the RODERICK RANDOM.

contest.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

RACING INTELLIGENCE EXTRA.

MESSRS. WEATHERBY have just published their Book Racing Calendar for the past season, with the announcements for the present as far as yet arranged. It is a very thick volume (624 pages) to analyse ; but the following is the substance of its leading features. The list of proprietors of racehorses gives 697 names, including many of the most distinguished Members of the British Aristocracy; the gross number of race-horses actually named for Stakes and Plates in England for 1843 is 1184, exclusive of between three and four hundred yearlings entered for Stakes for which the nominations are made at that age. Of the 1184 named, 509 are two-year-olds, 454

three-year-olds, and 221 four-year-olds and upwards.-Lord George Bentinck ran 21 horses last year, Lord Exeter 17, Lord Chesterfield 16, Colonel Peel 15 (three in conjunction with General Yates), Lord Eglinton 14, the Marquis of Westminster 11, Mr. Thornhill 9. Duke of Richmond 6. Of the engagements for the present year, Lord George Bentinck's Farintosh, 3 yrs, stands in 26 Stakes, and his Gaper, 3 yrs, in 19; Aristides, 3 yrs, in 17; Napier, 3 yrs, in 14, and many others to nearly as great an extent.-The number of race-courses in Great Britain is 140.

The following new "Rules and Regulations," to be observed in future by all Subscribers to the Betting-room at Messrs. Tattersall's, were delivered to each Member on his entrance into the yard on Thursday, the 9th of February

"1. The subscription to be two guineas per annum, commencing on every first of January.

"2. Any gentleman desirous of becoming a subscriber to give one week's notice in writing to Messrs. Tattersall and Son, submitting references for their approval.

"3. Subscribers to be entitled to the entry on the annual settling-day for the Derby. Non-subscribers to pay one guinea each.

4. This Room being under the sanction of the Stewards of the Jockey Club, the Subscribers will be considered to be bound by such rules as the Stewards may from time to time think fit to adopt for its better regulation.

5. Any Subscriber refusing to comply with any Rule so made, or with any of these Rules and Regulations, will thenceforth cease to be a Member of this Room, and his subscription for the current year will be forthwith returned to him.

"6. The forty-first Rule of the Jockey Club will be strictly adhered to."

This law is as follows:-Where any bettor has been adjudged to be a defaulter by the Stewards of the Jockey Club, notice shall be given to him that he will not be permitted any longer to come into the Coffee Room-yard at Newmarket, nor upon the race-course there, until it shall have been certified to the Keeper of the Matchbook, by his several creditors, that their claims have been satisfied; and if after such notice he should disregard the prohibition, it shall be enforced against him by the usual legal process. At the expiration of the Spring and October Meetings, the names of such defaulters shall be communicated to Messrs. Tattersall, in order that they may also be excluded from the Betting-room in their yard.

The subscription for the present year to commence on the first of March, but in 1844 on the first of January.

By the death of Colonel Crawfurd, which took place on the 5th of February, the Mermaid colt for the Derby and Leger, and the Ermine filly for the Oaks and Leger are disqualified. Several nominations for Stakes at other Meetings are also void.-Colonel Crawfurd was formerly a Captain in the 7th Hussars, and served with that regiment in the Peninsula, and was Lieutenant-Colonel of the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. He was brotherin-law to the late Hon. T. Orde Powlett, who died only a few days previously, and was a regular attendant of the Doncaster, Liverpool, and Newcastle Meetings, and most of the Scotch races. He commenced a racingstud in 1829, and continued it to the time of his death. It was always on a limited scale, although somewhat larger than usual this season, having three horses in training with J. Scott, at Whitewall Corner, Malton. He was not very lucky. The Mole, Ermengardis, Shark, and Dolphin were some of his best horses.

Mr. Foster, the breeder of the following celebrated "cocktails"--Combat, Niké, Bellissima, Conquest, &c.-died some time since, consequently all horses named by that Gentleman in any Stakes become disqualified-amongst others, Conquest, winner of the Second Class of the Nursery Stakes at the last Houghton Meeting, for the Oaks.

The Gloucester County Races will in future take place on the Tewkesbury course.

A draft from Sir Gilbert Heathcote's stud was submitted to the hammer at "the Corner" on the 20th of February, but the only lot which fetched a

decent price was the bay mare by Emilius out of Nannette, own Sister to Glaucus, which was knocked down at 160gs.

On the 18th, the stud of the late Mr. Orde (Bee's-wing excepted) took place at Newcastle, and fetched the following prices :-Johnny Boy, 105gs. ; Queen Bee, 80gs.; Bee's-wax, 42gs.; Lord Collingwood, 42gs.; Orphan Boy, 27gs.; and ch. cob, 11gs.-Bee's-wing is going to be put to Sir Hercules.

THE CHASE.

Mr. Grant, having resolved on giving up the Perthshire country, has sold his hounds to Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, and they will be transferred to the Baronet's county at the close of the season.

On the 8th of February, Lord Fitzwilliam's hounds had one of the most extraordinary runs ever recorded in the annals of hunting. Found at Covington spinney, and had a run of one hour and a quarter, the first twenty minutes very fast, but the other portion slow.-At 2-10 P. M., found at Winwick wold, and went away close at his brush to Clapton; bore to the right at racing pace to Barnwell wold hung there a few minutes, thence away again to Clapton; then over a fine but heavy line to Old Weston grove, by Leighton gorse, leaving it on our left, down to the Huntingdon and Thrapston road, up which a fox was viewed by Catworth guide-post. While, however, Sebright was making his cast here, two or three couple of hounds were seen at the top of the hill, running hard for Hunt's closes. Sebright soon got the body up to them, and we now set to in real earnest ; never went into Hunt's closes, but left them on the left, and went away pointing for Hargrave-(in fact, we ran up to the inclosures at the back of the town); then bore to the right, and skirted Raunds old meadow; leaving it on the right, away very fast to Denford Ash. Up to this point a very few were with the hounds: many had stopped by Catworth guide-post; still more at the top of the hill by Hunt's closes. In Denford Ash we did not dwell an instant, but went away to the Raunds road, up which the fox ran at least a couple of miles; thence straight to Stanwick pasture. The run from Winwick wold had now occupied exactly two hours and forty minutes, and there were with the hounds Sebright on his second horse Corporal, Mr. Onslow on Screwdriver, Mr. Chafy on The Dean, Mr. Martin of Brampton Lodge on Bobby Gore, Mr. Brown on a superb chesnut, Mr. Earle of Buckworth on a young one, and close behind Mr. Thomas Warsop on Selim.-Sebright here wished to stop the hounds: but the fox being viewed just before them pointing for Shelton, he laid them on, Mr. Martin and Mr. Onslow alone being able to go on. They did not go into Shelton new covert, but left it on the right, and bore down to the village, where the hounds were stopped, but hit the scent off in the next field, and went over the Hargrave and Shelton road, with nobody with them save Sebright and Mr. Chafy, the latter having borrowed a fresh horse, and here came up to them again, and two or three yeomen who had latterly joined them. In vain did they endeavor to stop the hounds, who held on after their fox through Hargrave, Covington spinney, and right away down the Valley to Hunt's closes, where, after six o'clock at night, they were at last stopped. It could not be called a very satisfactory run from having several times changed foxes; and it is impossible to compute the quantity of ground that was covered, as there was so inuch ringing about. The distance from point to point did not exceed a dozen miles; but the wonder is that any hounds could have held on for such a length of time, or that any horses could have gone even as long as they did.-W. W. C.

On the 1st of February died that excellent Sportsman, Colonel Scourfield, at the Moat, Pembrokeshire. He was not only a Master of Hounds bimself, but was the largest Subscriber to the Pembrokeshire Hounds,

SALE OF LORD DOUGLAS's GREYHOUNDS.

Ardoch, y. and w. d., out of Major M. Stirling's Gipsy by Lyle, 3 yrs-bought by A. Campbell, Esq., 15. 10s.

91.5s.

Negro, bk. d., out of Mr. Paterson's Mouse by his Negro, 2 yrs-Mr. Watson,

Contest, bk. d., out of Calderwood by Kent, 21 months-J. Gordon, Esq., 157. Captain, bk. d., own Brother to Contest-Mr. Marshall, 137.

Flash, y. and w. d., out of Fanny by Dr. Brown's Sport, 18 months-Mr. Mitchell, 51. Tam Sampson, bk. d., out of Swallow by Kent, 16 months-Sir W. A. Maxwell,

217. 15s.

Speedy, bk. b., own Sister of Tam Sampson-W. Geddes, Esq., 227. 10s. Haddington, bk. and w. b., out of Sawer's Fly by Sheriff's Simon, 18 months--W. Sharpe, Esq., 31.

Keen, bk. b., out of Magic by Kent, 20 months--Mr. Walker, 71.

PUPPIES OF 1842.

Firelock, f. d., out of Fanny by Buff-J. Mitchell, Esq., 21.

Wedge, f. b., out of Mearns Lass by Dr. Brown's Sport-A. Campbell, Esq., 41. Weasel, r. b., own Sister to Wedge--W. Geddes, Esq., 47. 10s.

Hero, bk. d., out of Blossom by Hero-H. Crawford, Esq., 54

Squeezer, bk. d., out of Swallow by Kent-A. Campbell, Esq., 6. 15s.

Swallow, bk. b., own Sister to Squeezer-J. Wilson, Esq., 9. 15s.*

Broome, bd. d., out of Match by Dr. Brown's Sport-H. Crawfurd, Esq., 107. Dispute, bd. b., out of Sir W. A. Maxwell's Madcap by Barefoot-A. Camp. bell, Esq., 107. 10s.

Lunatic, bk. b., own Sister to Dispute-Mr. Walker, 51. 58.

ROYAL THAMES YACHT CLUB.

The monthly meeting of this Club was held at their rendezvous, the British Coffee House, Cockspur Street, on the 2d of February, Commodore Harrison presiding, when the Hon. Twiselton Fiennes and Sir William Russell were unanimously elected Members. The laws of the Club, having reference to the new classification of vessels and distribution of prizes, having been altered by the Sailing Committee, the report was brought up and agreed to.

The Club-ball took place on the 16th at the Hanover Square Rooms, which was attended by between 300 and 400 Members and their friends, the Stewards vying with each other to promote the comfort and happiness of their guests. Adams's splendid band was called into requisition, and scarcely a minute was suffered to elapse between the sets till half-past one o'clock, when supper was announced. The tables were bounteously supplied with every delicacy, and the wines of first-rate quality. After the repast, Commodore Harrison gave "Long life and prosperity to Her Majesty and Prince Albert, the Patroness and Patron of the Club," which was responded to most enthusiastically. Mr. Meeson, Captain of the Club, then gave The health and happiness of the Ladies who honored the Club with their presence," and this was drunk con amore, followed by long-continued applause. The company shortly after returned to the ball-room, and the dancing was kept up with spirit till a late, or rather early hour in the morning--everything having passed off to the perfect satisfaction and enjoyment of all.

LOSS OF THE ARUNDEL YACHT.

This splendid yacht, built by the late Duke of Norfolk from timber grown on his own estate, and considered one of the finest vessels belonging to the Royal Yacht Squadron, was lost on the 28th of January, at 1-30 A. M., during the tempestuous gales which caused so much devastation all round the "tight little Island," having taken ground on Winchelsea Track, on the Sussex coast. On the Duke's death, she was purchased by Captain Richardson, and was on her voyage with a general cargo for Hong Kong and Macao, her peculiar build especially adapting her for the local trade in China. Mr. Davison, the senior pilot to Her Majesty, who had the conduct

of the Royal squadron on the Queen's visit to Scotland, had her in charge, and in beating up the Sussex coast, presuming on the ship's well-known sailing qualities, ran her too near the shore, when she struck heavily, and soon after became a total wreck-crew saved.

ORNITHOLOGY.

A very interesting discovery has been made within the last fortnight, which enables the County of Cornwall to add to her fauna one of the most rare British birds, and of late years in this country almost an extinct species. The specimen referred to is that of the great bustard (female), which was shot on Goonhilly Downs between Helston and the Lizard Point. The bird has been preserved.

SPORTING OBITUARY.

On the 21st of January, at Ashwick, near Bath, died William Neverd aged 60, forty of which he had taken the field as Huntsman. He com-, menced his career with Colonel Cook, who once hunted part of the Staffordshire country, and who also had the Hambledon for three seasons: he then hunted the "great John Ward's" hounds in the Craven country for a period of 18 years; subsequently lived with Mr. Mule in Essex six years; three with Mr. Hall in the Blackmoor Vale and Somerset country; and finally with Mr. Horlock, his last master (who had Mr. Ward's hounds), with whom he continued till his death, which was accelerated by an accident about three weeks previously when hunting, and from the effects of which he never rallied. His rate to hounds, though his voice sounded as if cracked, was very good, and his casts were quick; he was an excellent kennel-man, very civil, and remarkably quiet and good tempered in the field, with plenty of nerve for going with hounds: in short, he was highly respected by his Masters and the Gentlemen of the several Hunts, and was considered a first-rate Sportsman.

On the 12th of February, aged 45, James Broadbridge, of Duncton, near Petworth, Sussex, formerly generally known as "our Jem," and at that time allowed to be the best cricketer in England. Of late years he has played very little.

"We regret to announce the death of Sir Gilbert Heathcote's Amato, on the 27th of January, winner of the Derby in 1838, at Durdans. It having become necessary, in consequence of a severe inflammation and swelling in the throat, to cast him that an operation might be performed to relieve his sufferings, he struggled so violently as to injure his back so severely that Sir Gilbert was obliged to have him shot to put him out of his misery.

On the 18th, the celebrated brood-mare, the dam of Nonplus, Dido, Her Majesty, &c., the property of Mr. Burton, Morton-upon-Swale, aged 24.

A few days since, at Haburgh, near Brocklesby, a black pony, at the advanced age of 43, the property of Mr. E. Johnson, farmer, bred by his brother the late Mr. Francis Johnson, of Cabourn, near Caistor.

BETTINGS AT TATTERSALL'S.-FEB. 23, 1843.

THE movements amongst the DERBY horses during the past month have been of a most interesting and, to those who were in the secret, profitable nature.-A British Yeoman has been betted against to an enormous extent, by parties who do not often make "mistakes:" the closing price was 9 to 1, layers.-Murat, at the beginning of the month, was spiritedly supported, and rose to 15 to 1; the advance of St. Valentine (in the same stable) from 100 to 1 to 40 to 1, however, sent him to 17 to 1.— Mr. Goodman's party shews a "strong head," and by a somewhat powerful outlay Maccabeus (the Capsicum colt) now figures at 20 to 1: he is in training at Stockbridge, under the care of the Sadlers.--Winesour has been occasionally in favor, while his companion, Blackdrop, appears to be quite deserted.-Scott's lot has been in a state of quietude, nor has Sir Gilbert Heathcote's been much sought after of late. -The Languish eolt, Cataract, Newcourt, Trueboy, The Brewer, and the Lucetta colt, have been backed to some amount, without (Trueboy excepted) rising in the