The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-30 00:00:00

SIVIJIMIN G.

A large assemblage of spectators congregated on the
banks of the Serpentine (Wednesday), to witness the race
of 500 yards for two valuable cups presented by the mem-
bers of the West London Swimming Club, and for which
none but amateurs were eligible to start; 21 entries were
obtained, and of these no less than 19 competed. A very
even start was effected by T. Morris. After numerous
changes A. T. Melbourne (North London Swimming
Club), D. Jackson (Hyde-park Swimming Club), and S.
Bentall (National Swimming Club), were the first three
to get anything like in advance ; the race between the trio,
however, proved to be a very exciting one, until when
opposite the green boat-housa, when Jackson went in front
of Melbourne, and although the latter struggled most
gamely to regain his old position, he was defeated by about
three yards, Dental' being third, four yards behind Mel-
bourne. Time, 9 min- 28 sees.

SHOO 7 LVG PROSPECTS OF THE

TIVELFTII.

The long-continued drought has had a damaging
effect on the moors and hill ranges of Lanarkshire.
With few exceptions no trace of last year's dis-
temper has been seen among the grouse, but a good
number of birds have recently been picked up dead
in dried-up drains and ditches, to which no doubt
the young broods resorted in search of water. The
young coveys, which at the beginning of the season
generally averaged from five to nine birds, have suf-
fered much ; while those that are left must be weak on
the wing, and will, therefore, even with the most
favourable weather prove but poor sport by the 12th.
The ante hatched broods, of course, have suffered
most. The heather bloom is fully a fortnight earlier
than the average of seasons, but in many places it
is sadly burnt up. Oa the extensive shooting ground
belonging to the Earl of Hopetoun, in the Elvan-
foot and Leadhill districts, although prospects are
on the other side of promising, there is said to be a
fair supply of both old and young birds. The keepers
on the estates of Abington, Crawfordjohn, Laming-
ton, Coulter, Douglas, and other quarters, are in-
defatigable in looking after the game, but very few
grouse will be killed this year in order to allow the
grounds to stock. On the Carmichael shootings light
bags are inevitable. On the shootings of Sir Norman
Lockhart, at Carnwathand Walston,nte Abington,thereisno
great prospect of average
sport. oh
and on Mr.Aitken's shooting at Chapel, the drought
has killed some fine birds, but still fair sport is ex-
pected. Further north grouse are reported healthy
and strong ; poachers from the Shotts and Forth
are now and again on the ground. On some of the
ranges in the neighbourhood of Strathaven a covey
of birds is rare. On the Muirsland, Cleughead,
Auchtool, Brokencrop, and Todlaw ranges, in the
Lesmahagow district, the birds suffered consider-
ably from disease last year, and consequently there
will be little or no shooting this season. To renew
the stock on the Logan and Dunside moors it is
intended to impart a few brace of grouse from
the highlands. On the Auchlochan, C umberhead,
Avondale, Birkwood, and other grounds that were
shot over last year, it is likely the birds will receive
another year of grace to recruit. On the Drain-
pellier, and other estates far west, game in the pre-
serves is generally plentiful. Pheasants in some
localities are suffering badly from the drought. The
stock of partridges, generally speaking, is large ;
and the coveys, which number from eight to ten
birds each, are improving rapidly with the warm
weather. Snipe are plentiful. Liam are aim.

dant, but in many instances they are in very poor
condition. Rabbits are very plentiful, and this
fact, with a poor corn crop, forms a cause of great
complaint among the farmers.—North British Daily