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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Florida and the Game Water-Birds, by 
+Robert Barnwell Roosevelt
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license
+
+
+Title: Florida and the Game Water-Birds
+
+Author: Robert Barnwell Roosevelt
+
+Release Date: July 24, 2017 [EBook #55190]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FLORIDA AND THE GAME WATER-BIRDDS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images available at The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: ROBERT BARNWELL ROOSEVELT.]
+
+
+
+
+                                FLORIDA
+
+                                AND THE
+
+                           GAME WATER-BIRDS
+
+                                OF THE
+
+          ATLANTIC COAST AND THE LAKES OF THE UNITED STATES,
+
+                                 WITH
+
+          A FULL ACCOUNT OF THE SPORTING ALONG OUR SEASHORES
+                   AND INLAND WATERS, AND REMARKS ON
+                  BREECH-LOADERS AND HAMMERLESS GUNS.
+
+
+                                  BY
+
+                      ROBERT BARNWELL ROOSEVELT,
+
+    AUTHOR OF “THE GAME-FISH OF NORTH AMERICA,” “SUPERIOR FISHING,”
+        “FIVE ACRES TOO MUCH,” “ISMS,” “POLYANTHUS,” ETC., ETC.
+
+
+                             ILLUSTRATED.
+
+                       [Illustration: colophon]
+
+                               NEW YORK:
+                         ORANGE JUDD COMPANY,
+                             751 BROADWAY.
+                                 1884.
+
+    Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1884, by the
+                         ORANGE JUDD COMPANY,
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+In preparing this work, after I had written the account of Florida,
+which, as a sporting country, had never been fully described, and was to
+occupy the principal part of my attention, and when I came to the second
+division, that relating to the game-birds of our waters and coasts
+generally, I found so much in a book on a kindred subject, which I had
+written years ago, that I concluded I could do no better than quote from
+it freely. The directions therein given are as correct now as then, the
+information as well founded, and I hope the reader will find the stories
+of sporting excursions as interesting.
+
+My main purpose is to call the attention of my brother sportsmen to that
+paradise of the devotee of the rod and gun, the Southern Peninsula of
+our Atlantic States. Game is disappearing from our home country;
+woodcock and ruffed grouse have almost been exterminated; ducks are less
+plentiful; bay snipe now make many of their flights directly at sea
+without passing over the land; and if we are to obtain satisfactory
+shooting, we must go some distance for it. Many persons who are fond of
+outdoor life cannot stand exposure to cold weather, and still more, to
+keep up their interest, must have the chance of making a larger bag than
+they can count on at the North. Yachtsmen are in the habit of laying up
+their craft during the best season of the year for the enjoyment of
+sailing. They have looked upon the South either as an uninteresting or a
+dangerous country, a land merely of alligators or of hurricanes. They
+will be as surprised as pleased to learn that there is no better sailing
+ground, and that the Southern waters in winter are as safe as Northern
+waters in summer; so much so that small vessels and open boats have
+braved their terrors, while their sporting advantages are not to be
+surpassed, if they are to be equalled, by any in the world.
+
+While not absolutely the pioneer in this exploration, I happen to be
+nearly so, for no completed work or continued record has been published
+which covers the ground described, or conveys the information contained
+in these pages. No more delightful excursion can be conceived than that
+to Florida during the winter, and no man can so thoroughly enjoy it as
+the yachtsman. Thousands of tourists have been going there for years,
+and their number is augmenting every season. But such persons merely
+rummage a country; they do not possess it; they rush along sight-seeing
+and curiosity-purchasing. Let the sportsman or the invalid go to remain
+during the inclement winter weather, and they will never regret the
+excursion.
+
+THE AUTHOR.
+
+
+
+
+                                PART I.
+
+                               FLORIDA.
+
+
+
+
+                               CONTENTS.
+
+
+                          PART I.--FLORIDA.
+
+                                                                    PAGE
+
+ CHAPTER I.--Florida.--The Inland Passage                              9
+
+ CHAPTER II.--In Florida                                              59
+
+ CHAPTER III.--Currituck Marshes                                     116
+
+
+                    PART II.--THE GAME WATER-BIRDS.
+
+ CHAPTER I.--Game of Ancient and Modern Days.--Its Protection and
+ Importance.--The proper Shooting Seasons.--The Impolicy of Using
+ Batteries and Pivot-Guns                                            139
+
+ CHAPTER II.--Guns and Gunnery.--Breech-loaders compared
+ with Muzzle-loaders.--All the Late Improvements in
+ Breech-loaders.--Hammerless Guns                                    159
+
+ CHAPTER III.--Bay-snipe Shooting.--The Birds, their Habits,
+ Peculiarities, and places of Resort.--Stools and Whistles.--Dress and
+ Implements appropriate to their pursuit.--Their Names and Mode of
+ Capture                                                             185
+
+ CHAPTER IV.--The New Jersey Coast.--Jersey Girls and their pleasant
+ ways.--The peculiarities of Bay-snipe further elucidated.--Mosquitoes
+ rampant.--Good Shooting and “Fancy” Sport.--Shipwrecks and
+ Ghosts                                                              219
+
+ CHAPTER V.--Bay-Birds.--Particular Descriptions and Scientific
+ Characteristics.--A Complete Account of each Variety                261
+
+ CHAPTER VI.--Montauk Point.--American Golden Plover or Frost-Bird.--A
+ True Story of Three Thousand in a Flock.--Lester’s Tavern.--Good
+ Eating, Fine Fishing, and Splendid Shooting.--The Nepeague
+ Beach                                                               301
+
+ CHAPTER VII.--Rail and Rail-Shooting.--Seasons, Localities,
+ and Incidents of Sport.--Use of Breech-loader or
+ Muzzle-loader.--Equipment                                           313
+
+ CHAPTER VIII.--Wild-Fowl Shooting.--General Directions, from
+ Boats, Blinds, or Batteries.--Retrievers from Baltimore and
+ Newfoundland.--Western Sport.--Equipment                            328
+
+ CHAPTER IX.--Duck-Shooting on the Inland Lakes.--The Club
+ House.--Practical Views of Practical Men.--Moral Tales.--A Day’s
+ Fishing.--The Closing Scenes                                        344
+
+ CHAPTER X.--Suggestions to Sportsmen.--A Definition of the
+ Term.--Crack Shots.--The Art of Shooting.--The Art of not
+ Shooting                                                            398
+
+ CHAPTER XI.--Directions for Building a Battery                      415
+
+
+
+
+FLORIDA.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE INLAND PASSAGE.
+
+
+Florida--so named by its discoverers from the abundance, beauty and
+fragrance of its flowers. The Land of Flowers--what a beautiful
+sentiment. Alas, it was never called anything of the sort. Land
+happening to be first seen by the brave and sturdy warrior but not
+imaginative linguist, Juan Ponce de Leon, on Palm Sunday, his discovery
+was called, with due and Catholic reverence, after the day and not after
+any abundance of flowers, which were probably not abundant on the sand
+spit where he planted his intrusive feet. But no matter about the origin
+of the term, the epithet is more than justified, and the Peninsular
+State is not only glorious in the endless beauty and variety of its
+flowers--till in good old English it might be termed one huge
+nosegay--but it is magnificent in the grandeur and originality of its
+foliage. The jessamine climbs above the deep swamps and lights up their
+darkness with its yellow stars; the magnolia towers in the open upland a
+pyramid of vestal splendor; the cabbage palmetto waves its huge
+fan-shaped leaves, seven feet long, like great green hands, and the moss
+hangs and sways and covers the bare limbs with its ragged clothing.
+
+To the rough, practical Northern mind, Florida is a land of dreams, a
+strange country full of surprises, an intangible sort of a place, where
+at first nothing is believed to be real and where finally everything is
+considered to be possible. When the visitor first arrives he cannot be
+convinced that the cows feed under water; before he leaves he is willing
+to concede that alligators may live on chestnuts. The animals and birds
+are as queer and unnatural as the herbage, or as a climate which
+furnishes strawberries, green peas, shad, and roses at Christmas. There
+is the Limpkin, the pursuit of which reminds one of hunting the Snark.
+You are in continual terror of catching the Boojum. It is a bird about
+the size of a fish-hawk, but it roars like a lion and screeches like a
+wild-cat, although it occasionally whistles like a canary. It has a bill
+like that of a curlew, adapted to probing in the sand, and yet it sits
+on trees as though it were a woodpecker. It is conversational and talks
+to you in a friendly way during daytime, but at night it harrows up your
+soul and makes your blood run cold with the fearful noises it utters. If
+you hear any charming note or awful sound, any pretty song or terrifying
+scream, and ask a native Floridian, with pleased or trembling tongue,
+“What is that?” he will calmly answer, “That? that is a Limpkin.” There
+are no dangerous animals in Florida, only a few of Eve’s old enemies,
+and the sportsman is safer in the woods at night under the moss-covered
+trees and on his moss-constructed mattress than in his bed in the family
+mansion on Fifth avenue. If he hears any unearthly noises, any
+soul-curdling shrieks, he can turn to sleep again with the comfortable
+assurance “that it is only a Limpkin.”
+
+To the sportsman it is needless to say that Florida, when properly
+investigated, is a Paradise. Birds and fish and game are only too
+plentiful, till it has become a land of shameful slaughter. The brute
+with a gun slays the less brutish animal for the mere pleasure of murder
+when he cannot get, much less use, what he kills, till on most of the
+pleasure steamers shooting has been prohibited; while the idiot with the
+rod fills his boat with splendid fish that rot in the hot sun and have
+to be thrown back, putrefying, into the water from which his
+undisciplined passion hauled them. Sportsman should not come to this
+land of promise and performance unless they can control their instincts,
+for fear that they should degenerate into mere killers. In truth, the
+excess of abundance takes away the keener zest of sport, which is
+largely due to the difficulties that surround success. But for the
+ordinary inhabitant of the rugged North, the quaintness of this border
+land of the equator has an immense charm, while to the invalid the pure,
+dry, warm air of both winter and summer brings balm and health. The
+feeble and sickly, especially the consumptive, should seek Florida, for
+to them it offers the fabled springs of perennial youth, which Ponce de
+Leon sought more coarsely in vain. To the seeker after amusement, to the
+man and woman of leisure, who wish to improve as well as enjoy
+themselves, it is a very wonderland of delight. It has a store of
+novelties which are absolutely exhaustless, and tracts of interesting
+country which, while perfectly accessible, have never even been
+explored.
+
+To enjoy Florida, however, one must seek it aright. If the visitor
+follows the beaten track, he will see the beaten things--well beaten by
+many vulgar footsteps. If he takes the steamers and lives at the hotels,
+he will make quick trips and have good, accommodations. If he wants
+originality he must pursue original methods. There are many ways of
+reaching this floral El Dorado--the ocean steamer will carry you to
+Savannah, whence the steamboat will transport you through byways and
+inside cuts to Jacksonville, or the railroad will drag and hurl you
+through dust and dirt by day and night at headlong pace from the St.
+Lawrence to the Gulf. But if you want to enjoy Florida, if you want to
+go where no man has gone, and see what no eye has seen, and handle what
+no hand has touched, then go there in a yacht--in a small yacht, just as
+small and of as light draft of water as will accommodate comfortably the
+party, that must be composed of individuals sufficiently accustomed to
+one another to be sure they can live together for three months without
+quarrelling. Then, indeed, will you learn what Florida is, will possess
+its charms in close embrace and have experiences and pleasures never to
+be forgotten and not otherwise to be obtained. How is this to be done,
+you may ask, and the purpose of this chapter is to tell you exactly
+how.
+
+A wealthy magnate may go in a big yacht to Florida, give good dinners
+aboard and live in grandeur and luxury, and he will see about as
+much--not quite--as if he had left his yacht at home; or the
+hasty-plate-of-soup man may take a little steam launch and stave her in
+on the first snag or oyster rock he runs her against. But if the
+traveller and his friends hire or buy a light-draught sailing vessel,
+they will require more time, but they can go almost everywhere and see
+absolutely everything. It was just such a vessel that I had built for
+use in the shoal Great South Bay of Long Island--a sharpie, to give its
+nautical appellation--of sixty feet length and fifteen beam, with two
+state-rooms, a cabin having four comfortable berths and over six feet
+head-room, and a cuddy for the men and for cooking, although we had an
+auxiliary cook stove in the cabin. This vessel was intended to carry six
+passengers and two men; but boats of seventeen feet length and a
+catamaran have safely made the passage to the St. John’s River and are
+there now, so that a much smaller craft would do. The advantage of the
+sharpie style of construction was that the yacht only drew two feet of
+water, and as I proposed to run entirely by chart, and not to use the
+services of a pilot, this was an inestimable advantage. We could have
+braved the battle and the breeze of the Atlantic and gone outside all
+the way, but those who know most of the ocean care least to have to do
+with it unless equipped on the most thorough basis to encounter its
+buffets. As an old sea captain said to me:--“When I go to sea I want to
+go in a steamer, and the biggest and strongest steamer at that.”
+Moreover, the inside route is much the more interesting; there is
+nothing very novel about the sea but the danger of it, whereas the bays,
+creeks, canals and rivers furnish a fresh and continually changing
+panorama. There is a frequent encounter with strange people, with
+vessels of queer rigs and builds, an alternation of scenery, the arrival
+at and departure from cities, the chance to occasionally kill a bird or
+catch a mess of fish--something new happening every day. At sea there is
+the ocean--a great deal of ocean--and nothing else.
+
+There exists a complete inside route from New York to the St. John’s
+River, with the exception of about a hundred miles south of Beaufort,
+North Carolina, and on this stretch there are many accessible inlets
+only a few miles apart, so that no vessel need be caught out overnight
+or can fail to make a safe harbor in case of necessity. The charts are
+nearly complete and enable a person of ordinary intelligence, in a
+vessel drawing not over four feet of water, to be entirely independent
+of pilots. The lighter the draught, however, the better, and I should
+not advise the use of any boat which requires more than three feet to
+float in, two feet being greatly preferable.
+
+Do not start for the South before the first day of November unless you
+wish to encounter a multiplicity, variety and intensity of fever that
+would be the delight of the medical profession. Until frost comes,
+there is waiting for you a choice between fever and ague, intermittent,
+remittent, typhoid, putrid, break-bone, yellow, and _d’engue_ fevers,
+each of which, when you have it, seems a little worse than all the
+others until you have one of them also, an event which is very likely to
+happen, when you discover that your first conclusions were erroneous.
+Then before you start get good and ready. Look over your fishing tackle;
+be sure you have cartridges enough, and load them all with powder, but
+not shot, so as to avoid unpleasant explosions. Use your five hundred
+pounds of shot for ballast.
+
+Lay in a tub of Northern butter and some white potatoes, but do not
+imagine you are going to a land of barbarism. You can get better hams,
+better hard-tack, and as good and cheap canned goods in Norfolk as you
+can in New York. Fresh eggs are to be had everywhere, turkeys and
+chickens are fair, and are sold in market cleaned, and if Southern beef
+is tough it has a peculiar game flavor which is very agreeable. Take in
+a good supply of coal; use it for ballast if there is no other place to
+stow it, for you may get frozen in during a cold spell, and will surely
+want plenty of extraneous warmth before you reach the “Sunny South.”
+Then when you are ready, sail up Raritan Bay, get a tow through the
+Raritan and Delaware Bay Canal, and even across to Delaware City if you
+please, and so across to the Chesapeake Bay, where your journey may be
+said really to commence, for thenceforth you will have to rely on your
+sails and your brains, your motive power and your charts. There are
+very thorough and complete charts of the Chesapeake, six in number,
+carrying you the entire way to Norfolk and insuring you a good and safe
+harbor whenever you need it. Do not forget that this is a big sheet of
+water, and that you are on a pleasure trip, and will be much more
+comfortable if at anchor during the night. Besides, there is time
+enough; you have all winter before you, as you cannot get back until
+spring if you wanted to, now that Jack Frost is about shutting the
+gates. From Norfolk you can take a tow through the Albemarle and
+Chesapeake Canal or not, as you please; much better not if you happen to
+have a good northerly wind, as there is only one lock, and you can make
+the distance more pleasantly and safely under sail. If your vessel draws
+less than three feet, you leave the canal when you reach North Landing
+River, of which there is a chart, and you go down through Currituck
+Sound by Van Slyck’s Landing, and thence through the Narrows. Beyond
+that for some distance, as the chart says, you “can only carry three
+feet of water, and that with difficulty.” If your vessel is of greater
+draught, you must take the extension of the canal which carries you to
+North River, from which point there is plenty of water all the way. You
+can get a condensed chart from the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal
+Company, which will give you a general idea of the route from Norfolk to
+Smithville, and which will be found very useful. But the Government
+charts of Pamlico Sound, which were completed in the fall of 1883,
+should by all means be taken also, as they are simply invaluable in case
+of storm and the necessity of seeking harbor unexpectedly. Government
+chart No. 40 or 140 (both numbers are used) will give you Currituck
+Sound from just above Van Slyck’s, and also North River from the mouth
+of the canal, all that is necessary of Albemarle Sound, Croatan and
+Roanoke Sounds, either of which you may take, and the magnetic courses
+and distances to steer by as far south as Roanoke Marshes Light. The
+post office at Van Slyck’s Landing is called Poplar Branch Post Office,
+Currituck County, N. C., and you can get your letters and coarse
+supplies there, but no bread. The next good harbor is Kitty Hawk, where
+there is also a store and post office. If you go through Roanoke Sound,
+remember that below Shallowbag Bay the channel runs close along shore,
+closer than it seems on the chart. You will have to feel your way
+carefully across below Broad Creek. There is plenty of water if you find
+it, but it is not easy to find. From the southerly end of Roanoke Island
+to Long Shoal Light the course is south by west; from Roanoke Marshes
+Light it is south, one half west. You can go a mile inside of this
+light, but not further, as the shoal beyond has not a foot of water on
+it. Just north of this light is Stumpy Point Bay, where you can make a
+good harbor, carrying clear inside four feet of water. From Long Shoal
+Light the course is south-west to a buoy on Bluff Shoal; but as there
+is seven feet of water on the shoal, accuracy is not necessary, and the
+same course continued will take you near Royal Shoal, which is easily
+made out, as there are two lights on it. From this the course is south
+by west to Harbor Island light, at the entrance of Core Sound. This
+light is abandoned and is falling down, but during the day the building
+is visible a long distance. If you can get a free wind, you can make the
+run from Long Shoal to Harbor Island in a day, provided you get under
+way early, which every sensible yachtsman is careful to do. If not, you
+must hug the main shore and look out, as there are many shoals and no
+tide to help you off if you get aground. The waters are salt and only
+moved by the wind; and as Pamlico Sound is a miniature ocean and gets up
+a big sea, it is well to be careful. If you are caught near Royal Shoal,
+unless you are acquainted with the channels, steer for the beach, where
+you can get holding ground if not much of a harbor. The charts of
+Pamlico Sound are Nos. 42, 43, and 44.
+
+There is a good chart of Core Sound, which is shallow but well staked
+out, the stakes having hands on them to show on which side is the best
+water. You can carry two feet of water close along the shore from the
+buoy off the middle marshes, just west of Harker’s Island into Beaufort,
+but the main channel is more to the southward and runs to the point of
+Shackleford Banks. Then you go up Bulkhead Channel, keep along the north
+shore of Town Marsh a hundred rods, and then northeast and keep the
+lead going to Beaufort, N. C. From here you can either sail through
+Bogue Sound, of which there is no chart, or go directly to sea. As the
+land trends westward, it makes a lee even from a north-easter and is as
+safe as any outside sailing can be.
+
+There is a chart of Beaufort, N. C., which takes you a few miles into
+Bogue Sound, but that is all. South of Bogue Inlet, New Topsail Inlet is
+one of the best, then Masonboro, and from either of these a good wind
+will carry you past Cape Fear, the only spot you have to dread and where
+you must manage not to get caught. There is a good chart of Cape Fear,
+but the rule of the local pilots is to follow the eighteen-foot shoal
+down till you open Fort Caswell by the main Light on Bald Head, and then
+steer straight for the Fort, which will give you six feet of water up to
+the beach. But remember, there is shoal water outside of you, and you
+must look out for breakers. The next harbor is Little River Inlet, and
+then comes Winyah Bay, of which there is a chart, and then Bull’s Bay,
+of which also you can get a chart.
+
+From Bull’s Bay it is inside work and a shoal, but not a difficult
+passage, to Charleston Harbor. Of this there is no chart yet printed,
+and it ought to be run, if possible, in a tide which will help at both
+ends by running up from Bull’s Bay and down into Charleston Harbor. You
+come out at the cove near Fort Moultrie where it is well to stop, as
+Charleston Harbor is a large place in rough weather for small boats.
+Here you begin on Coast Chart No. 54 (or 154). Go up the Ashley River
+till St. Michael’s Church (which has the whitest spire) opens to the
+north of the rice mills, and steer into Wappoo Cut, which lies just
+south of some prominent buildings on a point on the left shore. It will
+carry you without trouble into the Stono River. Here the chart fails
+you, you ascend the Stono, keeping a westerly course past the first
+branch to the north which heads toward a railroad in full view. When a
+large mill on the north side is reached a lead branches to the south.
+This must be avoided, and a mill with a tower will soon be reached. This
+is on Wadmelaw River, where the chart resumes its proper vocation.
+Thence across the North Edisto, the Dawho River, thence into the South
+Edisto, around Jehossee, but not through Wall’s Cut, which the natives
+assured me was not open. Just at the south point of Jehossee Island,
+Mosquito Creek enters the South Edisto; take the westerly lead where
+they branch just inside the mouth, and then through Bull’s Cut into the
+Ashepoo; down the Ashepoo and across St. Helena Sound and either up the
+Coosaw and past Beaufort, S. C. The name of the town being pronounced
+Bufort, which is about as short as any route, or across the Sound to
+Harbor River and through it and Story and Station Creeks into Port Royal
+Sound. This is a big place again and uncomfortable at night in a storm
+with a heavy tide and sea.
+
+You now take Coast Chart No. 55 (or 155). There is a special chart of
+the route from St. Helena to Port Royal, but it is not necessary. You
+steer nearly west from the buoys off the mouth of Station Creek to
+Bobee’s Island at the mouth of Skull Creek. There is an oyster rock in
+the middle of Skull Creek where it makes its first bend to the
+southeast, and this is the only danger before reaching Calibogue Sound.
+In crossing Tybee roads, keep well out to Red Buoy No. 2, whether you go
+directly south or turn north to visit Savannah. If the latter, go by the
+Light Beacon and to the westward of it, if the former, take Lazaretto
+Creek into Tybee River and Warsaw Sound. Keep well out by the buoys
+again and head for Romerly Marsh Creek.
+
+If you have gone to Savannah, continue your journey by the way of
+Wilmington River to the same place, unless your boat is small enough to
+pole easily, in which case you can go through Skiddaway Narrows. Romerly
+Marsh and Adams Creeks will bring you into Vernon River, when you steer
+for Hell Gate, between Little Don Island and Raccoon Key. If you have
+come through Skiddaway and down the Burnside and Vernon Rivers, you can
+go inside of Little Don Island. Here you use chart No. 56 (or 156).
+Cross the Ogeechee River, and follow up the west bank to Florida
+Passage, through it and Bear River to St. Catharine’s Sound, across it
+and up Newport River to Johnson’s Creek; thence down the South Newport
+to Sapelo Sound.
+
+There is good fishing in Barbour’s River, just above where the words
+“Barbour’s Island” are on the chart. Continue across Sapelo Sound and
+into Mud River; take the middle of this to New Teakettle Creek, which
+will bring you into Doboy Sound. Keep to the north of Doboy town, which
+is a prominent object on the flat meadows. Here chart No. 57 (or 157)
+begins, and you go from Duboy straight through Little Mud River and the
+same course across Altamaha Sound; then follow the channel northwesterly
+into Buttermilk Sound; then either through Mackay’s or Frederica Rivers,
+as the wind best serves, into St. Simon’s Sound. Here the water is
+deeper and you can go directly across from the black buoy No. 7 to the
+black buoy at the mouth of Jekyls Creek. There are two mouths to this
+creek. Take the easterly one and run straight from the ranges on the
+point. Follow across Jekyls and St. Andrew’s Sounds up Cumberland River.
+At its head waters there are some islands; the channel is from a stake
+on shore to the west of the eastermost island, then by ranges on the
+point, which carry you past a little island with ranges which give you
+the course south. Use the lead here. Thence down Cumberland Sound by
+Dungeness, formerly the property of Gen. Nathaniel Green, and which is
+much visited by tourist parties, across the St. Mary’s River and up the
+Amelia to Fernandina.
+
+Here chart No. 58 (or 158) begins. From the Amelia River you go to
+Kingley’s Creek past two drawbridges. The railroad bridge is out of
+order and will not open square with the bulkhead. Be careful here, as
+several accidents have happened and the tide runs strong. Continue
+across Nassau Sound to Sawpit Creek, at the mouth of which there is a
+black buoy not laid down on the chart. Keep to the southward of this
+buoy and run on through Gunnison’s Cut, which you will recognize by two
+palmetto trees that look like gate-posts at a distance. Down Fort George
+River to the Sisters Creek and thence to the St. John’s River where you
+will find a dock--a watermark not to be forgotten on your return trip.
+There are three charts of the St. John’s, which give it in full from its
+mouth to Lake Harney; the points to remember are to cross from Hannah
+Mills Creek to St. John’s Bluff, and thence back again to Clapboard
+Creek, whence you follow up the north shore, keeping it as far as Dame
+Point close aboard. Beyond this you can have no trouble as the St.
+John’s has but one or two shoals where there is less than six feet of
+water, and it is well marked out with buoys and beacons.
+
+If this description sounds a little tedious to the reader, he will not
+think it so when he makes the trip. If you want a pilot for any part of
+the route, one can be had by applying to Captain Coste, of the
+Lighthouse Service at Charleston; but there are few persons who know
+what I have herein recorded, and none of those will tell. We have had a
+long trip--for long as it has been on paper, it has been longer in
+reality. Two weeks from New York to Beaufort, N. C.; ten days thence to
+Charleston, and ten more to Jacksonville may be required, unless the
+traveller is one of those lucky fellows who always have a free wind
+through life. So he may want to rest, have his clothes washed, dress up
+in “a boiled shirt” for a change, and revive the fact that he is one of
+the aristocracy, not an ordinary seaman. He will soon tire of
+civilization, however, and long for the pleasures of the chase. Then let
+him ascend any of the tributaries of the St. John’s from San Pablo at
+its mouth to Juniper Creek, which empties into the southerly end of Lake
+George. It was on the latter stream that I nearly killed a Limpkin.
+
+The man does not live who has actually caught or shot a Limpkin. There
+are no Limpkins for sale in the curiosity shops, where almost every
+other production of Florida is to be had. It is admitted that the
+Limpkin, like the recognized ghost, is proof against powder and ball.
+But the writer never misses--that is, on paper and when he is recording
+his shots. All writers do the same. So when the Limpkin sat on a limb
+and whistled and chuckled and bobbed and bowed and finally flew away
+just before we were near enough, and I fired as he disappeared with
+horrible screams through the forest, one leg dropped! I had not killed
+him, but even a Limpkin was not quite proof against my aim. Mr. Seth
+Green, who was with me at the time and can vouch for the truth of this
+statement, remarked in a melancholy tone of voice that he wished he had
+had his rifle. As he had not succeeded in hitting anything with his
+rifle thus far since we started, although he had fired away half his
+cartridges, there is a chance that he might have succeeded this time by
+way of a change, and so I agreed with him heartily.
+
+Alligators will not appear till warm weather--that is, till the middle
+of January--by which time the tourists will think he has got into the
+dog days, but fish are abundant in all the fresh-water streams. In that
+very Juniper Creek we caught so many big-mouthed bass with fly and spoon
+that we not only gave up fishing, but had to salt down dozens. And, by
+the way, these fish are much more of game fish than they are at the
+North; the smallest fight well, take the fly freely and jump out of
+water as frequently and fiercely as the small-mouthed variety in our
+waters.
+
+Before leaving the instructive branch of my subject I wish to advise the
+yachtsman against giving too much weight to the appearance of the
+Southern sky. This will often cloud up toward evening in the most
+threatening way. Such a heavenly monitor at the North would warn us to
+make everything snug and get the best bower over, but in the South these
+appearances signify nothing. After a most frightful-looking evening the
+morning will break clear and warm and quiet. There are few storms in
+Florida during the winter, a “norther” occasionally and possible a
+thunder storm, but no fierce northeasters and no hurricanes. As to the
+comparative advantages of working through the tortuous creeks with
+changing tides, or running outside for short stretches, a preference
+might be given to the latter were it not that the shoals off the mouths
+of the inlets extend so far to sea. Many of the rivers have carried down
+so much sediment that they have made shoals ten or fifteen miles off
+shore. So that apart from questions of safety and comfort, the distance
+by the inside passage is the shortest.
+
+In going South the yachtsman will pass large and numerous flocks of bay
+snipe on all the marshes south of Charleston. These marshes are muddy
+islands and of a peculiar nature. On the surface when dry they are firm
+enough for walking, but their shores are unfathomable ooze beneath which
+a man would sink at once out of sight and into which an oar can be run
+for its entire length without an effort. Curlew, willet, marlin, all
+varieties down to the tiny ox-eye, and in immense flocks, frequent these
+islands, where they seem to find food without stint. To stool them you
+can set out your decoys in the thin grass and make a stand near by from
+reeds or bushes. They are quite wary, however, and seem to have learned
+the evil significance of a gun. These marshy islands are honeycombed
+with the burrows of the fiddler crab, and mussels grow on their surface
+in soft mounds of earth. They are covered by very high tides and are
+always more or less damp. The bay snipe, however, do not seem to winter
+here. They leave a small proportion of their numbers, but the main body
+goes further South, possibly beyond the equator. There are no such
+myriads as the Northern flight would require, and they grow fewer and
+fewer as the season advances, till in March they are almost scarce. Let
+the sportsman take his toll from them while he can; stopping amidst the
+lonesomeness of these islands where it is certain death to pass a
+summer, and few of which are inhabited, and where he may sail tens of
+miles without seeing a man, white or black. Let him try the deep holes
+alongside of bluffs or where two creeks meet for sheepshead, using for
+bait the Southern prawn, that gigantic shrimp, with its body six inches
+long and its feelers ten; and if he can catch no fish and misses the
+birds, let him rejoice in knowing that there are millions of both in
+Florida.
+
+In describing my trip to Florida, I do not intend to pursue any
+consecutive plan, or follow the positive order of events. It is not
+important to know that we turned out--to use the proper nautical
+term--at a certain hour in the morning of a certain day, and that we
+turned in again at night at some other division of mean sidereal or
+solar time, nor that we went a certain course or made so many miles one
+day and so many more or less the next. That is, the reader does not want
+to have too much of this, although a little now and then may tend to
+give a general idea of the trials, difficulties, and enjoyments of a
+yachtman’s life. But whether we arrived at a place at five P.M. or five
+A.M., important as it may have been to us at the time, cannot, so far as
+I can judge, interest the reader as deeply as I hope to interest him.
+For all such information I will refer him to the ordinary books of
+travel. That we did occasionally make fast time in our little half scow,
+half yacht, that I built on the scheme of putting a sail in a canal
+boat, will be proved by this single event; when running across St.
+Simon’s sound in a fog, we passed a large steamer yacht, called the
+“Gleam,” one of the largest and finest of Herreschoff’s productions. We
+found her again in Jacksonville when we reached there. She had left
+Savannah on the second of January, we had left Charleston on the tenth;
+she had arrived two days ahead of us, so that by being able to keep
+inside out of the storms and fogs of the Atlantic, we had actually gone
+nearly double the distance in six days less time.
+
+The personnel of our party was made up of a sporting medical man, Mr.
+Seth Green, the famous fish-culturist, the ladies of the families and
+myself. We went without any restriction as to time, which is a most
+essential point in a yachting trip, and we stopped where we pleased, and
+as long as we pleased, we shot where there were birds to shoot, we
+fished where there were fish to catch, and where there were neither, we
+lay in the shade of the awning, if the weather was warm, and smoked, or
+ate those globes of concentrated lusciousness, the grape fruit when we
+felt too energetic to loaf, and not energetic enough to fish or shoot.
+Our trip was something of an exploring expedition, and we had possible
+dangers and inevitable inconveniences to encounter. Other parties had
+gone to Florida in the same way, but they had left no record of their
+adventures, no guide-posts for those who should come after them. So far
+as we were concerned, the country from North Carolina to the Land of
+Flowers was a _terra incognita_. We knew that there were birds, and
+beasts, and fish, in that equatorial region, but where to find them, how
+to reach them, and by what methods to catch and kill them, were wholly
+unknown to us. No one, after reading this record, will have the same
+complaint to make. Several of the Government charts were not completed,
+notably those of Pamlico Sound, and the corrections of that from
+Charleston south, so as to show the inside route had not been made in
+the year 1882, which was the one I had selected for the expedition.
+
+We had sent the “Heartsease” to Norfolk, and were to meet her there, as
+by so doing we would save time that could be better utilized than by
+going over ground with which we were pretty well familiar--that of New
+Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. At Norfolk, after we had purchased
+what hard-bread, cake, pies, and other stores and luxuries we needed,
+and had been through the fish market, and selected an abundance of the
+largest “spot,” which is regarded as the most delicious native fish,
+although it is nothing more than what we call the Lafayette fish at the
+North, we engaged a tow and started on our journey. We had to go through
+the Albemarle and Chesapeake canal, and made our first mistake in
+supposing that a tow was a necessity for the operation. The puffy,
+dirty, fussy, little steamboat ran us against everything that she came
+near, and were it not that she was unable to attain any considerable
+rate of speed, our journey might have terminated before it fairly
+began. She jammed us against the dock when we were starting, banged us
+into the first vessel we met on our way, bumped us into the banks of the
+canal when we had entered it, dashed us into the only lock there was to
+get foul of, and then rammed us against a dredging scow so fiercely,
+that there was a momentary doubt whether we should not be dredged out as
+an impediment to travel.
+
+However, in spite of all these misadventures, we made Currituck before
+night. We determined to stay there some days for duck shooting, but I
+shall not stop to describe the sport we had. It is enough, that we
+loaded down our vessel with provisions, which, as the weather came out
+cold, kept till they were all consumed, and saved us from recourse to
+those last resources of the way-farer, the insipid canned meats, which,
+somehow, the manufacturers manage to make taste so nearly alike, that
+one will answer for the other, whether it is called mutton, beef, or
+fowl. Then we sped away south, running into Kittyhawk Bay for a harbor
+and a turkey, for no one must imagine that it is necessary to starve in
+the South, even amid the desolation of the desolate Eastern Shore. Not
+only does the proverbial hospitality of the Southern people still exist
+as far as the effect of a desolating war has left it a possibility, but
+there are certain kinds of food to be got there more readily than even
+at the North. It has heretofore been a reproach to our Southern colored
+brother, that the attractions of a hen-roost and lusciousness of a fat
+turkey gobbler were too much for his virtue. But this state of facts
+and morals is changing, the darkey is turning poultry fancier, he is
+getting to raise chickens and sell eggs, he is fast becoming a bloated
+fowl holder, and regular goose and turkey wing clipper; in his eyes the
+chicken is assuming a different status, and hen-roost marauding is fast
+becoming a heinous crime, than which there is none more unpardonable. He
+will soon be the fowl monopolist, and when that day comes I predict that
+the chicken will be regarded as a sacred bird, and placed in the same
+category as the ibis of Egypt. As it is, eggs can be obtained almost
+anywhere, and wherever there is a darkey’s hut, there the voice of the
+cackling hen ascends in welcome and suggestive music to high heaven,
+resonant of omelettes plain, omelettes _aux fines herbes_, with ham or
+with onion, of scrambled eggs, boiled, roasted eggs, of pan cakes and
+sweet cakes, of custards, egg-nog, and all the thousands delicacies
+towards which the hen contributes with enthusiastic zeal, and greatly to
+the happiness of man.
+
+The course of the contraband can be exemplified by that of the milk
+farmer, if the story which I once heard from an eminent retired
+politician is true, as I think it may be. Many of the farmers living in
+the neighborhood of Utica were in the habit of supplying that city with
+milk from the herds of cows that the magnificent meadows of the vicinity
+easily supported. Those careful and conscientious gentlemen, aware of
+the heating properties of milk in its strong and crude state, felt it
+was but a duty they owed their fellow beings, and especially their
+customers, to make sure that they did not incur the evils which were
+certain to arise from the unguarded use of so deleterious a beverage.
+They mixed the dangerous fluid with a sufficient proportion of water to
+kill the germs of disease, and lest their motives should be
+misunderstood, they did not mention their thoughtfulness to the
+consumers. Hence it was that Utica enjoyed unexampled health, and it
+would no doubt have continued in the same enjoyment except for a change
+in the methods of milk culture. Milk, instead of being converted into
+butter or sold in its natural state, came in time to be manufactured
+into cheese. Great cheese dairies were established, to which the farmers
+sent their milk, in place of disposing of it by local trade. Now it was
+essential that the milk so delivered should be absolutely pure, for the
+excellence of the product not only depended on this, but also in order
+that the amount might be fairly credited to each of the persons
+furnishing a share of the supply. Then the bucolic view that had
+heretofore obtained in that neighborhood was modified, and of all the
+sins in the decalogue, none was quite so heinious as the adulteration of
+milk. I do not vouch for this story, although a long course of lactic
+experience in the city of New York gives it an air of possibility.
+Certain it is that since the introduction of cheese factories, the
+health of Utica has declined, but then no one can positively say that
+this change is due entirely to the purity of the milk.
+
+On our way to Kitty Hawk, we had passed a number of nets which the local
+fishermen were hauling, and Mr. Green, who had a mania for interviewing
+every one he met, had promptly boarded the first of the boats, obtained
+all the statistics, and even helped make one haul. He found out that
+they caught what they called chub, the big-mouthed bass (_Grystes
+salmoides_), as large as eight pounds; white perch; the robin, which is
+our sunfish; red fin, our yellow perch; bull sucker, our black sucker;
+sucker-mullet, our mullet, which were taken in the creeks and up in the
+swamps, and nanny shad, which seemed to be our gizzard shad, known in
+Baltimore as bream. As they did not have all these varieties in the boat
+at the time, we were not quite sure as to the last. The fishermen knew
+nothing of the spawning season, but we found roe three inches long in a
+seven-pound big-mouthed black bass.
+
+There is a club house at Kitty Hawk Bay, belonging to the Kitty Hawk
+Ducking Club, but it was deserted when we were there by the club, and
+given over to the possession of Captain Cain, who runs the principal
+fishery in that part of the country. He told us that the bass spawned in
+March, and that the same kinds of fish were caught near there which I
+have described. While we were ashore enjoying his hospitality, a sudden
+squall came up and blew most of the water out of the bay, so that the
+small boat in which we had come ashore was left a hundred feet from the
+edge of the water.
+
+The next day, which was December 8th, we passed Nag’s-head Hotel, and
+came to anchor in a perfect little harbor in the lower part of Roanoke
+Island, where Captain Cain once had a terrapin farm. It was a charming,
+though deserted, spot, a bay just large enough for the yacht to swing
+in, and completely land-locked, the buildings tumbling to pieces, the
+terrapin ponds still there, but with not only their occupants departed,
+but the very fences falling down or being used for firewood. The
+speculation had failed, because even there, in the very home and abiding
+place of the terrapin, he had grown so scarce that a sufficient business
+could not be done to make it profitable. Terrapins are taken, as Mr.
+Green soon found out, in bag or trawl nets, that are drawn along the
+bottom, as we at the North use a dredge for oysters. On the front of the
+net, which hangs loosely behind, is an iron bar, of sufficient weight to
+lie close to the bottom as it is being dragged; this slips under the
+terrapins, which are thus carried into the net. We readily understood
+that they were not plenty, when we were informed that “count” terrapins,
+that is, those over six inches in length, bring on the ground one dollar
+apiece.
+
+The weather had become very cold for yachting. The thermometer fell to
+eighteen degrees during the night, and we found that all the resources
+of our vessel were hardly equal to keeping us warm in our berths. Early
+next morning we obtained our first oysters. We had brought oyster tongs
+with us; in fact, if there was any kind of rod, reel, line, net, hook,
+sinker, swivel, or fishing device whatever that we had not brought I
+should like to be informed of it. When Mr. Green joined the yacht and
+produced from the bowels of an immense trunk, a luxury that in itself I
+never knew him to allow himself before, and which was in our way the
+entire journey till we got rid of it at Jacksonville, much to its
+owner’s chagrin--first two breech-loaders, then a rifle and a hundred
+weight of ammunition, then an immense bundle of sporting rods, next a
+box of lines and reels, and finally an overgrown scrapbook filled with
+all manner of gangs of hooks, the doctor and myself felt that the
+sporting interest would not suffer. As I had sent him word that he need
+bring neither guns, fishing tackle, nor ammunition, it was evident that
+he intended we should not fall short. But now when our men began tonging
+up the delicious bivalves which we had not seen for so many days, on
+account of the freshness of the water, we felt thankful for one of our
+precautions. Here let me warn the reader that he be sure to bring oyster
+tongs with him. He will find it difficult to get them in the South at
+all, and if he can they will be much heavier and more awkward than those
+in use with us. Just South of the opening into our night’s harbor, and
+in the main channel, we found a man at work oystering and we joined him
+promptly, confident that where there was enough for one there was in
+this matter enough for two. Either the oysters off the lower end of
+Roanoke Island are very delicious, or else our appetites were sharp
+from abstinence. For as fast as our man Charley brought them to the
+surface and deposited them on the deck, we opened them with a skill
+founded on some experience and more desire, and devoured them with
+hearty gusto.
+
+We loaded up with oysters and then started once more on our course, but
+the wind fell off and we anchored in Stumpy Point Bay, some thirty miles
+to the southward and on the main shore. At our last stopping place a
+sick man had come aboard for advice, and here we not only found two
+others, but were also informed that their mother was at the point of
+death. There seemed to be a sublime faith in these people that all
+Northerners must know something of medicine, as none of them had a
+suspicion of our having a physician in the party. Indeed they came for
+“a drawing of tea” as they called it, rather than for any special
+medicine, for they appeared to consider sickness the natural condition
+of man, as among those terribly unhealthy swamps and low lands it
+probably is. After that almost everywhere we went we were asked for “a
+drawing of tea” for some sick person.
+
+Their ailments were evidently only too well founded, and as the people
+were clearly not a complaining set, we were sorry that we had not
+brought more of the coveted article with us. The whites of this coast
+looked weazened, thin, yellow, and cadaverous, as if they had a
+perpetual conflict with fever in which they invariably got the worst of
+it. They had the shadow of death in their faces. In their motions they
+exhibited a langour which strangers are apt to attribute to laziness,
+but which I believe due to disease. Let a man once take the southern
+fever, and it will be many months if not years before he feels like
+himself again. Our latest patients were fishermen, and to Mr. Green’s
+insatiable inquiries they explained that they caught in their seasons
+shad; rock, our striped bass; trout, our weakfish; hickory shad, white
+perch, mullet, spot, round-nosed shad and flat backs, though what these
+latter were was more than we could guess. They said that the fishing had
+fallen off greatly of late years, but that the prices had increased and
+that now they were paid seventy five cents for a roe shad, and thirty
+for bucks.
+
+Next day was clear and cold, with a strong and favorable wind from the
+north-west, so much so that even the imperturbable doctor was impatient
+to be off, but Mr. Green had an idea, and when he has anything of that
+sort he is the last man to part with it without full fruition. To our
+proposal to get under weigh early he replied.
+
+“Beyond this you tell me that we have a great stretch of open water?”
+
+“Yes,” I answered, “the entire Pamlico Sound, which must be a hundred
+and fifty miles long and fifty broad, so the more advantage we take of
+this favorable wind the better.”
+
+“Well, you expect to find ducks, don’t you, on the route?” he inquired
+by way of response.
+
+“I hardly know what we shall find,” I answered, “but I should like to
+find ducks, and have heard that there are innumerable brant on the
+ocean side.”
+
+“That is just as I supposed,” was Mr. Green’s reply, as he took up the
+axe that lay on the deck, “and as you have no battery, how do you expect
+to kill them?”
+
+The doctor and I had nothing to reply, and Mr. Green, carrying the axe,
+called one of the men and rowed away to the shore in triumph. During his
+absence the doctor, who is a _cordon bleu_, prepared the turkey that we
+had purchased at Kitty Hawk for cooking, by stuffing it with the oysters
+that we had tonged at Roanoke Island. By the time this culinary feat was
+accomplished, our master of fish culture had returned. He had cut a
+dozen stakes about eight feet long, which were to be used to improvise a
+blind, by thrusting them into the bottom and tying strings around from
+one to the other, and hanging reeds or grass tied in bunches over the
+strings.
+
+These precautionary measures being taken, we got under-way. The wind had
+increased to almost a gale, and our brave little vessel fairly leaped
+before it towards the South like a race horse. Quite a sea had made in
+the broad expanse of Pamlico Sound, which can be stormy enough when in
+the humor, and the waves rolled after us in vain and vindictive fury.
+There were two large steamers going South, and we held them for some
+time, and had hopes of keeping up with them, but they slowly drew ahead,
+and left us alone in the waste of tumultuous waves.
+
+[Illustration: ENGLISH SNIPE.]
+
+We made one of our best runs that day. The weather was too perfect for
+us to stop for fish or birds, although we saw clouds of the latter
+rising up in the distance from the disturbed surface of the Sound. We
+ought to have gone to Hatteras, or Roanoke Inlet, where we had been
+assured by the residents the brant shooting was magnificent, but we
+could not lose such unusually favorable weather, and sped on and on
+through the seething waves, hour after hour, till when the sun was still
+quite well above the horizon, we ran through the narrow channel into the
+peaceful waters of Core Sound.
+
+What a change came over the spirit of our sailing, from the boisterous
+violence and rough seas that beat our vessel’s sides turbulently, or
+followed us fiercely to the scarcely ruffled bosom of the small and
+shallow bay, only a few miles wide, and shut in on all sides by the
+land. We managed to reach Lewis’s Creek before sunset, where we saw a
+number of working boats going to find security for the night. When we
+had anchored among them, the fishermen told us that there were the usual
+kinds of salt water fish, although there was no tide in Core Sound other
+than that made by the wind. They said there was good oystering off the
+point of Lewis’s Creek, and next day proved their words. It was a wild
+spot. The only mark of human habitation being an old wind-mill, which
+stood on the point. The weird effect was further heightened during the
+darkness by the lighting of fires by the fishermen, who had no sleeping
+accommodations on their boats, and who went ashore for the purpose.
+
+“Would you like to kill an English snipe?” called out Seth Green to me
+next morning from the shore, whither he had already gone with our
+boatman, Charley. I had been busy, or perhaps, if the truth must be
+confessed, sleepy, and had just come on deck.
+
+“Of course,” was my instantaneous reply, the idea of any one not wanting
+to kill an English snipe being too ridiculous to entertain for a moment.
+
+“Then get your gun, and Charley will come for you in the boat.”
+
+In five minutes the doctor and I were both ashore, and in less than as
+many more we had put up and bagged our first bird. It seemed that
+Charley, who, as I have already stated, was an old gunner, had heard the
+bird as he flew over, and had seen him alight. He did not know that
+there were more than one, but we found quite a flight of them. The spot
+was not large, but it was evidently a favorite one. We had no dogs and
+went floundering about through the mud, but at every few steps a bird
+was flushed, and his appearance commemorated by the report of a gun or
+the cheery cry of, “mark!” It was a delicious episode in our trip, for
+no sport is more appreciated by the true sportsman than the killing of
+our gamest of all game birds, the stylish English snipe. In two hours we
+had bagged thirty-one. In fact we had killed them all, for if we did not
+get them at the first rise, it was easy to follow them up, as they
+seemed so fond of the place that they would not leave it. After we had
+gone on board with our trophies, and while we were getting under way, we
+saw new whisps arriving to take the place of those which we had killed,
+as if they were informed of the event, and were anxious to profit by the
+disasters of their friends, even at the peril of their own lives.
+
+Core Sound was full of wild fowl, of which many were red-heads and
+canvas-backs, and had we had a battery, we could have killed unlimited
+numbers. We had to do as well as we could with Mr. Green’s substitute,
+which, although better than nothing, was not at all equal to the proper
+machine. Neither had we time to wait. Florida was a long way off, and
+well we knew that, once there, we should have all the game we wanted; so
+as we struck another favorable wind, we did not stop at Barker’s Island,
+where the best shooting is to be had, but ran on to Beaufort. We had
+actually dawdled not more than three or four unnecessary days in Core
+Sound, before going into the narrow, shallow and difficult harbor of
+what was once the watering place as well as business mart of that
+section of the Southern country. The port dues are heavy, and I would
+advise the yachtsman to avoid it altogether and go, if he needs must go
+into any port, directly to Morehead City, which is rapidly appropriating
+the trade and fashion of its older rival.
+
+There is a large business in oysters at Beaufort, and the civilization
+of moss-bunker factories has been introduced from the North. Fish were
+scarce, but we purchased some very fair beef at very moderate prices,
+eighteen pounds of porterhouse being sold to us for eight cents a pound.
+The town is a pretty one, and the next day being Sunday, we went to the
+colored Methodist Church, a thing that no visitor must fail to do, and
+heard some very charming singing. This was our first experience of the
+quaint, wild, and slightly barbaric harmony of the voices of the
+negroes, of which we were to hear a great deal before our return to the
+North.
+
+Beaufort was the first thoroughly Southern town, with its fig trees in
+the open air, the Yupawn, or native Tea tree, the red-berried evergreen
+bushes, whose name we could not ascertain, and its genial air of
+Southern indolent happiness, which we had visited. We were sorry to
+leave it, and had Florida been only placed where it ought to have been,
+five hundred miles nearer New York, we should have stayed days if not
+weeks longer. But the time was flitting by, and still we were a thousand
+miles from our destination. So without more ado we put to sea. From
+Beaufort to Cape Fear there is such a bend in the coast that it is laid
+down on the charts as a bay. Being shielded from the terrible
+northeasters of the Atlantic, which reach no farther than Cape Hatteras,
+it is as safe for a small vessel as any part of the boisterous ocean
+ever can be. But I was glad when Heartsease got through the voyage. With
+care there is no danger, and the trip is not half as perilous a one as
+we are accustomed to take at the North, where we are at home, without a
+thought of fear. There are numerous and very practicable inlets, and
+the yachtsman should make sure of getting into one of them at night. The
+same may be said of the stretch beyond Cape Fear. Treat the mighty ocean
+with the respect it deserves, and it will never illtreat you. On the
+charts the northern or old inlet of Cape Fear is laid down as closed by
+a bulkhead. This it is no doubt intended to be, to the discomfort of
+small sailing craft, but at the time I speak of it was open. Possibly it
+was only opened temporarily by a storm, and may be shut again now.
+
+There were some birds in Bull’s Bay, but not enough to induce us to
+pause, as we were anxious to get the yacht to Charleston as quickly as
+we could. So we made the most of the wind and the tide, and anchored
+over against Fort Moultrie early in January. Does any of my readers care
+to hear how we enjoyed Christmas Day! If so, I will in that connection,
+and with the happy sacredness of that day in my mind, make a confession.
+In one of the opening paragraphs of this history I mentioned the fact
+that we had a stove, a cooking as well as heating stove, in the main
+saloon. I did not, however, acknowledge what I am now about to make
+public, that every one of the party, from the state-rooms to the
+forecastle, was a cook, and in the opinion of him or herself a most
+sweet and dainty _chef de cuisine_. Aware of this divine afflatus, they
+were none of them entirely content unless they were exhibiting their
+skill, so both stoves were run to their utmost capacity, and as the
+appetites of the party were good and daily growing better, a vast
+consumption of provisions was continually taking place. While each was
+at heart assured that their own productions were a little the best, and
+tempted the others to admission of the fact by the offering of special
+delicacies where delicacies were not needed, there was no one mean
+enough to repudiate the work of a brother or sister artist, even if it
+were ruined in the preparation or burned to tastlessness in the cooking.
+Christmas was by common consent set apart as the day on which each and
+every member of our briny household should cook whatever they found best
+in their own eyes. The store-room was thrown open and free liberty of
+selection was given to all.
+
+To the male kitchen genius the most difficult article to prepare, is the
+most necessary one, bread. Within the realms of civilization the staff
+of life seems, as it were, to grow of itself. It can be found on every
+corner; stares in fat complacency at you from the shop windows on every
+block; there is never any dearth of bread so long as there is a penny to
+purchase it; delicate-minded tramps scorn it, and in every
+well-regulated household enough of it is thrown into the waste pail to
+feed another household of equal numbers. But at sea this is different,
+and when man, though he pride himself on the brilliant hue of his blue
+ribbon, is required to make good the deficiency, he is apt to come to
+grief. So the queen of our marine family announced that she would make a
+big batch of bread for that special festivity.
+
+While no one could or would dare to dispute the ability of that lady to
+do well whatever she undertook, yet in the matter of bread making her
+methods were peculiar. In the first place she had to have the cabin to
+herself, and as bread has to be set over night, we were all turned out
+on Christmas eve and left to shiver on the deck. Then she has a way of
+strewing flour about in the operation till she covers the tables, the
+chairs, the floor, even the sides of the saloon and sometimes the cabin
+roof with dough or its ingredients. It was not five minutes after we
+were allowed to return, the “rising” having been made an accomplished
+fact and set away in a corner, before our hands, our clothes, our faces,
+and our very hair were covered with incipient bread. But worse even than
+that was the injunction that was solemnly laid on us under no
+circumstances to presume to touch the “rising” which had been deposited
+directly over the stove, and without moving which it would be impossible
+to get breakfast. As our lady was a late riser herself, and would never
+stir till she was assured through the state-room door that her breakfast
+was ready and on the table, the question of having that important meal
+was as complicated as getting the fox, the goose, and the corn over the
+stream.
+
+One of the associate lady patronesses devoted herself to making
+biscuits, as the bread would not be cooked till dinner time. I evolved
+pancakes, the doctor compounded a hash, and altogether we began
+Christmas with such a breakfast as is rarely met with on the desert
+surface of the inland water communication between the North and the
+South. Seth Green had reserved himself till, as he politely remarked,
+“the rest of you should be through your mussing,” then he began. But his
+efforts did not last long unmolested, he had split open a duck, a fat
+one had been especially selected for so unusual an occasion. This he had
+laid between the wires of an oyster broiler, then he opened the entire
+top of the stove and proceeded to broil it upon the hot coals. It is
+unnecessary to remark that such a proceeding evolved an amount of smoke
+that filled the cabin full in a moment. The rest of the party were busy
+at their breakfast enjoying the delicacies which had already been
+prepared, when they were fairly suffocated by this torrent of smoke and
+began to realize as never before the sad fate of the inhabitants of
+Pompeii.
+
+“Seth” I exclaimed, “can’t you keep part of the stove covered so as to
+let some of the smoke go up the chimney?”
+
+“Mr. Green, Mr. Green,” came from the ladies all at once, “please don’t
+smother us.”
+
+“Smoke and the gas of cooking” gasped the doctor, his philosophy almost
+dissipated in it “are injurious at meal times, there is such a thing as
+being asphyxiated.”
+
+“For heaven’s sake,” I implored, for by this time the condition of the
+atmosphere was unbearable, “do throw that duck out of the companion
+way.”
+
+“Oh Mr. Green do stop cooking that horrid duck,” exclaimed our
+princess, “if you do not I shall have to leave the table.”
+
+That last threat was too much, Seth could not bear to be ranked as an
+obstructive when he was accomplishing a culinary triumph which was to
+delight our gustatory nerves and establish forever his reputation as a
+cookist. He turned a reproachful face towards the party without showing
+the slightest sign of discontinuing his fell work, and with an air of
+bitter rebuke retorted upon us.
+
+“This is the first time that I have done any cooking. All the rest of
+you have cooked as much as you liked. I have stood to one side and got
+out of the way and never had a chance, and now the very instant I cook a
+little duck you all make a fuss. I don’t think it’s fair. I did want a
+piece of duck for my breakfast and I picked out the smallest one for
+fear somebody would think I was greedy, and now you ask me to throw it
+overboard; it is almost done, and if you will only have patience for a
+few moments I will be through.”
+
+His manner was more impressive than even his words, and no one had the
+heart to reply. We tearfully held our napkins to our noses to keep out
+the smoke and smell as well as we could, we coughed and choked, but we
+allowed him to finish. Unfortunately Seth believes in cooking a duck to
+a chip, and hence he was occupied longer than he had promised, but he
+was through at last, and then not only was he happy in the vindication
+of his culinary knowledge, but he had the satisfaction of bringing our
+ingratitude home to us, by pressing on us choice morsels, which he
+offered in a delicate and forgiving way upon his own fork, and which we
+were fain to accept and swallow in the same fashion under pain of again
+offending him.
+
+Nevertheless the duck was good, the biscuits were good, the pancakes
+were excellent, the hash was superb, every article of diet all day long,
+from the gorgeous breakfast to the gorging at supper, when appetite had
+been more than sated, were unsurpassable and we had a Christmas long to
+be remembered.
+
+We remained in Charleston for two weeks. If the reader asks what we were
+doing all that time, let him go to the old time Queen City of the South,
+now apparently being displaced by her enterprising rival, Savannah; let
+him roam about her quaint streets and mingle with her hospitable people,
+and he will find out. There is much of physical and human interest in
+and around Charleston, from the live oaks on her Battery or White Point
+Park, and the moss covered trees of her famous Magnolia cemetery, to the
+oysters growing in thousands around her sea-wall, and which would
+furnish unlimited sustenance to her citizens were they not oyster
+surfeited. We stood and gawked at the tropical plants in full foliage,
+and at the orange trees in full bearing, in the house door gardens till
+the residents, unacquainted though they were personally with us, took
+pity and gave us the names of the plants and told us that the oranges
+were sour, none of the sweet varieties being able to grow so far north.
+We loafed around the market which was an ever renewing delight to Mr.
+Green, who, before we left, had established a personal bond of
+admiration and friendship from every darkey fisherman who brought his
+cargo there. We fed the turkey buzzards, we ascertained that the fish
+about Charleston were, in their various seasons, mostly sheepshead,
+bass, the drum of North Carolina and channel bass of Florida, _Corvina
+Ocellata_; sea-bass, here called black fish, which are mostly caught by
+the negroes outside the bar in their open boats; sea trout, our weak
+fish; mullet, which they told us were becoming scarce; blue fish which
+are never caught in winter, and which also were diminishing in numbers;
+black drum; big porgees of four or five pounds; both the salt and fresh
+water varieties of cat fish, which were very abundant; whiting, our king
+fish, and their finest table delicacy; angel fish, crevalle; fresh water
+trout, our black bass, and shad, which begin their run in January.
+
+All around Charleston the negroes seem to be in possession of the
+country. They are pleasant, polite, and lazy, are content to do the old
+slave tasks even when working for themselves, and will never consent to
+do more when working for others at any price of remuneration, as though
+if they worked too hard the work would be exhausted and there would soon
+be nothing more to do. They are paid fifty cents a cord, for instance,
+to cut wood, and they stop when they have cut one cord, although they
+are through at one o’clock. They look more healthy and happy than the
+whites throughout the entire South, which is a probably a climacteric
+result, but pregnant of many possibilities for the future. It is they
+who supply Charleston market, it is they who do the fishing and the
+work, and more important still, it is they who make all the Sea-island
+cotton and bring it to the city in their boats from the shores where
+inevitable death lurks for the superior race. That most valuable of
+Southern products, the old time king of the world, arrives in driblets,
+here a pound and there a pound. It is badly baled, but it comes and in
+good order too. To day the negro controls the whilom king, which is
+indeed putting the bottom rail on top.
+
+The Charleston “Eagles,” as he called the buzzards, were a source of
+infinite complacency to the philosophical soul of the doctor. He would
+watch them by the hour, sympathizing with their metaphysically
+thoughtful ways. He would study their awkward and ungainly motions on
+the ground, and wonder that anything so ungraceful on foot could be so
+exquisitely elegant and graceful in the air when on the wing. These
+queer creatures stay around the market, and although the law forbids
+their being fed, as it is found with them as with human buzzards that
+necessity is the mother of scavengering, your butcher is always ready to
+throw them a surreptitious piece of meat for your amusement. They are
+the only street cleaners, and if they got their dinners gratuitously
+they might cease their useful public labors.
+
+On January tenth we tore ourselves away from Charleston, bidding good
+bye to its pretty streets, its tall spires, its beautiful gardens, and
+its pleasant inhabitants, among whom we must especially mention
+Commander Merril Miller of the Light-house service, who was very kind in
+furnishing us charts and assisting us in many ways. We bid a last
+farewell to Forts Sumter and Moultrie, and all the historic memories
+which are entwined with those names; to Sullivan’s Island, the Coney
+Island of Charleston, to the Three Sisters, three palmettos which guard
+the gate where once the confederate soldier stood sentry, and to the
+tomb of Oceola close by, to the buzzards and the beauties of the city,
+catching a last glimpse of White Point Park to which we waived a tender
+adieu. We headed our course towards the creek which has received the
+euphuistic appellation of “Wappoo Cut.” We carried away from Charleston
+this one valuable piece of information: to make “Hop-in-John,” boil one
+quart of cow peas (a sort of small bean), and one pound of bacon till
+thoroughly cooked, then put in two quarts of rice, boil for about half
+an hour longer and until well done, then add salt and pepper. This
+recipe came from the colored _chef_ of the Charleston hotel and must be
+correct. Hence hereafter no man or woman can claim to be so ignorant
+that they cannot cook “Hop-in-John.”
+
+Beyond Charleston we had our first disagreeable adventure; it occurred
+when we were running through Wappoo Cut. We had been offered a volunteer
+tow by a small steam tug that we met there, but had hardly hitched fast
+to her, before a passenger steamer came in sight going the same way.
+This vessel gradually gained on us, and when she was close at hand,
+finding there was no room to pass, as the cut is extremely narrow near
+its outlet where we were, ran deliberately between our yacht and the
+tug, cutting our stern line away and nearly sinking us. This was an
+occasion, in which we should have been justified in shooting the pilot
+at his post, but we were in a foreign country, so to speak, and all we
+did was to cast loose our lines and get clear the best we could. The
+whole performance was the less excusable, because the wheelman saw there
+were ladies on board our boat, and that we were strangers. As this was
+the only piece of discourtesy shown us on our entire trip, I give the
+name of the vessel which was guilty of it, and warn all passengers to
+shun the “Pilot Boy.” It was by good luck alone that we escaped, for
+hardly had we got clear, than the two steamers jammed together, filling
+the cut from side to side, so that both were aground, and we heard the
+crashing of timbers and saw them fast there for nearly an hour. Had the
+“Heartsease” been between them, she would have been crushed. If any of
+our readers go South by the inland passage from Charleston, and it is a
+pleasant way of travel, we hope they will in a measure revenge our
+wrongs, and give a brutal captain a lesson in decent behavior, by
+refusing to patronize the “Pilot Boy.”
+
+One of the most interesting features of the country we were now passing
+was the rice fields. These were separated by dykes, and being nearly
+rectangular, gave a novel appearance to the low, marshy land. Had we
+known where to go, we could probably have had good English snipe
+shooting. But we did not stop to give Mr. Green a chance to interview
+any one to find out. We, however, saw numberless flocks of bay snipe on
+the lower part of the South Edisto, where the wind left us one night,
+and where Mr. Green killed a couple of dozen. On the following day, that
+gentleman was so pleased with the performance of the yacht in crossing
+St. Helena Sound in a squall, that he insisted on our putting to sea,
+upon the ground that he was tired of such tame sailing. The rest of the
+party were nothing loth, and the good little ship was soon across the
+bar and on the broad bosom of old Mother Ocean, a very step-mother as
+she can at times prove herself to be. Unfortunately, the wind died out,
+and we were becalmed or nearly so, and crawled slowly past Fripp’s
+Inlet. When we were just outside Port Royal breakers, which we reached
+at sundown, there was a dead calm, and we drifted backwards till we came
+to anchor in some four fathoms of water.
+
+Our luck did not desert us, and before dark a nice breeze sprang up,
+which carried us into the harbor and up to the mouth of Skull Creek,
+where we passed the night in perfect comfort. Next morning the wind came
+out strong from the northeast, blowing what sailors would call half a
+gale of wind. We got under way as soon as we could, and were soon
+slashing along at a good nine miles an hour. To be sure of our speed, I
+proposed to make a log line. Now there is one point about Seth Green,
+which is if possible more decidedly developed than another; while he is
+perfectly satisfied that anything he does is better done than it ever
+was, ever will, or ever can be, by any one else, he is equally well
+convinced that no one else can do anything that he cannot, so when I
+made this proposition he simply smiled an incredulous smile. Under the
+force of that implication, a log line had to be made, and made to work,
+if all hands had to swear that she was making ten miles an hour when she
+was only making two.
+
+It was an original species of a log. I knew the proper divisions for a
+fourteen second glass, which was the one we had on board, but the “chip”
+had to be manufactured out of the side of an old cigar box. I never
+shall forget Seth’s air of triumph, when having driven in the pin too
+hard, it did not slip out at the scientific jerk I gave when “time” was
+called on the first trial, the result being that the line parted when I
+was drawing it in. This merely encouraged me, as there was no difficulty
+in curing that defect, the only danger having been that my improvised
+“chip” would not hold well enough. So the log was soon in working order,
+and informed us that we were running nine miles an hour, and repeated
+the figure so often, that the skeptic was convinced, and asked me to
+join him while he apologized.
+
+More bay snipe of all sorts, little and big, but no time to shoot them.
+They were flying about by twos, by threes, by dozens, by hundreds, but
+the wind was too fair and too fresh for us to lose it. We might be
+punished by being reduced to living on canned food, which, with the
+exception of corned beef, vegetables, and preserves, was an abomination
+to the entire party, and we did not stop voluntarily, till we reached
+Jekyl’s Creek. In reference to Jekyl’s Creek, there is an entry in my
+log, that is interesting to show how history repeats itself; “Oysters
+Excellent.” Half a century before, Professor Bache, who made the very
+charts by which we were sailing, had appreciated the excellence of the
+Jekyl Creek oysters, and had them barrelled and sent to him every year.
+I doubt, however, whether he knew how to cook them, at least in the
+quantity necessary for a hungry yachting party, and with the limited
+cooking appliances of a yacht.
+
+They are called “Raccoon Oysters,” for the reason that the raccoons
+exhibited so much human nature in first appreciating their excellence,
+and in getting at their contents. They exist in immense mounds and
+piles, and to the Northern eye seem inexhaustible in numbers, covering
+hundreds, if not thousands of square miles, and averaging three feet
+thick. They line the shores of the creeks and water courses like two
+walls, and cling to branches of bushes, till it can be truly said of
+them that they grow on trees. Their natural position is with their edges
+upward, and these are nearly as sharp as razors, and will cut one’s
+fingers or a raccoon’s paw terribly, unless care is taken in handling
+them. The ’coon’s plan is to slyly watch at low tide, when the beds are
+bare, till the unsuspicious bivalve, longing for a breath of the pure
+air of heaven as a change from the insipid diet of salt water, opens his
+mouth, when he quietly creeps forward and drops a piece of shell into
+the opening. Master oyster endeavors to resume his natural closeness of
+mouth, but in vain; the early closing movement has no reference to him.
+
+My plan of treatment was different, although the final consequence to
+the oyster was about the same. To open such sharp-edged creatures in the
+ordinary way would soon have put our crew, experienced in oyster opening
+though they were, _hors du combat_, or to state it in English, useless
+for rope-hauling. Even to separate them from one another was a perilous
+job, so I hit upon the simple plan of putting them in bunches just as
+they grew into the ovens of the two stoves. There I let them roast till
+they opened their mouths of their own accord, precisely as they had done
+for the raccoon, but under a little more compulsion. Cooked in this way
+they were so delicious as to be worth a trip to Jekyl’s Creek merely to
+get. We almost lived on Jekyl Creek oysters, and if any one of the party
+got out of spirits, if Mr. Green or the Doctor wanted to propitiate one
+of the queens of the yacht, and the Doctor especially was continually
+engaged in that way, he never failed with a roasted raccoon oyster.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+IN FLORIDA.
+
+
+And now we are at Fernandina, in Florida at last. It has been a long but
+a delightful trip. Of all the yachting we ever did, and all of us have
+been more or less followers of the sea, that is, the inland sea, since
+childhood, we agreed unanimously this sail from New York to the South by
+the inland navigation, was the most delightful. It was an unbroken charm
+from the beginning to the end, with no more of real danger about it than
+would have been encountered on Broadway under falling bricks and over
+caving vaults. The variety of scenery was charming, the oddity of the
+trees and plants most interesting, and had we had the time to devote to
+it, the fishing and shooting would have been superb.
+
+We had passed old Fernandina, and came to anchor opposite the new town
+of the same name, which had been selected on account of its having a
+better harbor in a norther, that terror of southern latitudes in winter,
+and which must have raked the old town pretty thoroughly. We had to go
+ashore at once. The tides have a great rise and fall, and we were glad
+to avail ourselves of the boat club landing which was kindly placed at
+our disposal. We found Fernandina a quaint old town, with a mixture of
+newness and age about it. Northern men coming for their health had
+brought Northern ways and extravagances; there were modern villas and
+trim gardens, but the old mansions were still to be seen, and a few of
+the ancient houses built of coquina, a combination of lime and shell. No
+innovations could do away with the Southern foliage, which here was in
+rank growth and profusion. We saw orange trees in full bearing; palmetto
+trees in abundance, from the scrub saw-palmetto to the lordly cabbage
+palm, and cactuses six feet high, together with all the other trees and
+plants of the warm latitudes.
+
+There is a fine shell road to the sea beach that is so hard that the
+wheels of a wagon scarcely make a mark upon it. This beach is the
+favorite promenade drive of natives and visitors in the season which had
+not come quite yet, although near at hand. Boys in the streets were
+selling sugar-canes at five cents a stick, and banana bushes, which are
+herbacious plants, were growing in many of the gardens. Mr. Green
+proceeded first to indulge in the entire luxuries of a barber’s
+establishment that he found, and then to interview the whole population.
+He came to the yacht in time for supper, laden with information and two
+fine Southern weakfish, which are much better to eat than our Northern
+variety, and which are locally known as trout.
+
+The fishing around Fernandina is exceedingly good, and we found the
+colored population, which takes to fishing as naturally as the bee is
+nautically supposed to take to a tar bucket, everywhere, pursuing the
+finny tribes through the numerous creeks and arms of the sea. Here we
+saw for the first time the circular cast net. It was used for catching
+the enormous shrimp or prawn, which, while shaped like the common
+shrimp, has a body six inches long, and feelers still longer. This
+curious creature is mostly used for bait, though it is excellent eating
+when boiled. There is good sheepsheading in the creek opposite the last
+house before reaching the cut, and as it was impossible to keep Mr.
+Green quiet longer without a day’s fishing, we had to let him go while
+the rest of us enjoyed the mere pleasure of existence in the delicious
+climate. We ate oranges and sucked sugar-cane in true childhood style,
+and wandered through the village while he was pursuing science. We were
+not a little ashamed of ourselves when he returned with a magnificent
+string of sheepshead, both the large and small kinds, sea trout, and a
+dozen other varieties, victualling the ship for several days. Then our
+sails were once more set and we were off for the further South, for
+there always is a higher height and a deeper depth; so there is a
+further south, a further west, and a more inaccessible north. We did not
+go far, however, before we had to stop. Not that there was any dire
+necessity, not that any member of our party was sick, nor that the wind
+or the bread had given out; not that we had lost our course or were
+actually impeded in any wise, but still we had to stop--in order to
+catch crabs. I take it for granted that there is none of my readers so
+unfortunate as never to have eaten that most delicious of table
+luxuries, the hard-shell--for I have never given my allegiance to the
+soft-crab. If that is so, then I will have no occasion to make further
+explanation, when I say that the finest crabs which we got in the
+Southern waters, we caught at Fernandina, or rather between that place
+and Jacksonville, for the crabbing was good all the way. Mr. Seth Green
+is especially fond of these strange animals, who insist on wearing their
+bones outside of their skins, and no inducement except satiety will
+persuade him away from good crabbing ground. The Doctor is also fond of
+crabs, and so were all the rest of those on board, and hence there was
+not the slightest objection when Mr. Green made the following sensible
+remark:
+
+“Well now that we have got to Florida, don’t you think it ’most time to
+begin to enjoy ourselves? You have kept us all hard at work as if our
+lives depended on it, driving away through good weather and bad, through
+rain and shine in order to get here, and now that we are here don’t you
+think that you might let up for a few days at least till we could have a
+little of the pleasure we came after?”
+
+The wild ducks which we had killed in Currituck were gone long ago, the
+snipe we had found on the way down, had lasted only a short time, but
+Mr. Green had supplied us with all the fish we could eat, oysters lay
+around us begging to be picked up and roasted, and now we had an
+unlimited supply of crabs, which merely requested us to offer them a
+piece of refuse meat in exchange for their luscious bodies. If a man
+wants to live well and cheaply let him go to Florida, there certainly
+never was such a place for a yachting expedition. When we had boiled a
+reserve of nearly a hundred crabs, and we had all eaten as many as we
+could, we ceased crabbing and went to sailing once more.
+
+Instead of going through the Sisters Creek, which is the shorter course,
+we stood out to sea from Fort George Inlet and ran into the St. John’s,
+a thing which I would advise no man to do unless he was well acquainted
+with the bars, or had like myself a very light draft vessel, for both
+the channels are narrow and shoal. When we were once inside the St.
+John’s we got out our nets in order to ascertain just what the waters
+contained. Although net fishing is not so stimulating as that with the
+hook and line, it is more certain even if both are in skilful hands.
+
+We were rewarded by some small yearling mossbunkers and bluefish, which,
+while the Doctor looked on them as a disappointment, were valuable as
+settling the question that both of these fish spawn in the Southern
+waters. A further result of our efforts was, that we hurried on to
+Jacksonville as fast as we could. On the way we ran over a shad net. It
+was early in the morning, and there was a sort of haze on the water, so
+that we did not see the log that the fishermen tie to the end of their
+nets, to point out where it is. The owners of it were taking it in from
+the other side of their boat, and even so old a fisherman as Mr. Green
+was deceived as to the direction in which it was stretched. We carried
+a piece of it away with us, and had to cut it off from our rudder. For
+this we were sorry, but were miles off before we had even got an idea of
+the extent of apology we would have to make, or of the damage for which
+we would gladly have paid.
+
+At Jacksonville we felt almost as much at home as if we were in New
+York. We found friends there, we made others, and enjoyed ourselves so
+thoroughly that it was only the imperative demands of sport that
+compelled us to move on. Just in the neighborhood of so large a city
+there is naturally not much to shoot or to catch. There are innumerable
+cat-fish which Mr. Green was never tired of taking, and which weighed as
+much as ten pounds each. He insisted they were excellent eating, a
+matter in which we allowed him to have his opinion without contesting
+the question. The water on the surface is fresh, and some black-bass can
+always be caught in the vicinity. The condition of the water in the St.
+John’s is different from that of any other stream with which I am
+familiar. Even as high up as Pilatka, eighty miles above, the surface
+water is absolutely fresh, while near the bottom there is a current so
+salt that crabs are caught in the shad nets. The salter fluid seems to
+be denser and heavier than the other, and will not mingle with it, so
+that we have the anomaly of both fresh and salt-water fish being caught
+at the same time and place.
+
+Into the St. John’s there empty at every few miles tributary streams
+that are rarely ascended by the visiting sportsman, and where the birds
+and fish exist in their primeval abundance and fearlessness. It is
+unnecessary to specify these by name, or to particularize any as better
+than others, for they are essentially alike. We could not explore them
+all, but those which we did, we found filled with fish and with a fair
+amount of game. It was too early in the year for alligators, if they can
+be called game, to show themselves, but birds were to be had
+plentifully, and fish were simply innumerable. Of these we killed so
+many that we had to salt them down. There is an additional interest, the
+interest of new explorations, in ascending the secluded rivers, and I
+advise every tourist who visits this portion of Florida in his own
+conveyance, not to omit going up one or more of them.
+
+This was a late season, shad were running, and we had them continually
+on our table, but roses were not in full bloom in the open air, and as
+for strawberries, which are usually abundant by New Year’s, they had not
+come in at all yet. We had bought up all the curiosities that we could
+distribute among our Northern friends; we had played with the baby
+alligators in the jewelry stores; we had listened to the first
+installment of the wonderful Florida stories; we had dined at all the
+excellent Jacksonville hotels, and were ready to withdraw once more from
+civilization. So the Heartsease spread her sails again, and started up
+the river. I say “up,” because by the current our course was up stream;
+but it was down by the map. We were going south, the St. John’s being
+one of the few of the North American rivers which seem to run the wrong
+way, that is, from the south to the north. In our short stay in
+Jacksonville we had learned that alligator-tooth jewelry is occasionally
+made of celluloid; that one of the best drinks in the world of
+bar-keeping is a punch compounded from the native sour orange; that
+Florida stories are always reliable, even when they assert that
+mosquitoes are so abundant that hogs make meals of them, or inform us
+that the favorite game fish of Florida, the tarpon, jumps six feet out
+of water when he is hooked, or that sharks will seize a man if they have
+to leap as high as the deck of the yacht to do so. In leaving
+Jacksonville, we supposed we were leaving all this behind us, not
+knowing that Florida is full of quaint jewelry made, as the jewelry of
+no other part of the world, out of fish scales, saurian teeth, sea
+beans, shells, orange tree woods, and sharks’ molars; that everywhere
+there are wonderful stories which only differ from one another in size;
+that palmetto hats were to be bought in every village store, and that
+sour oranges hang from innumerable trees, valueless for traffic, and
+only begging to be made into nectar fit for gods.
+
+By the time the Doctor had made these philosophical reflections,
+Heartsease was tearing along before a favoring breeze past Mandarin,
+past the Magnolia Hotel and Green Cove Spring; past Tocoi, the terminus
+of the St. Augustine Railroad, till she made anchorage by nightfall off
+Pilatka. On the way we had put up many ducks, had seen the cows up to
+their backs in water feeding off the cabbage at the bottom, and
+thrusting their heads clear under to get it, and we began to realize
+that in the end we might come to believe anything of the wonders of this
+wonderful land. On the last day of our stay in Jacksonville, we had
+given a little lunch on board, and to show what dinners can be got up
+there, and how easily, I will reproduce the bill of fare. Everything had
+been prepared on board, and although our cabin could only seat twelve,
+we placed before the guests cold turkey, beef and tongue, chicken salad,
+prepared by the Doctor in most artistic style, stewed oysters, roast
+potatoes, radishes, and for dessert banana salad--an invention of the
+better part of the party,--Dummit Grove oranges, sapidillas, and grape
+fruit, with _pieces montées_ of palmetto leaves and sour oranges _en
+branches_. There was a little _paté de foies gras_ also, but that need
+not be counted, because it came from the North.
+
+We found that when we had reached Pilatka the stories, instead of
+diminishing, developed yet more astonishing proportions. The mosquitoes,
+that the hogs fed on at Jacksonville, put out the head light of the
+locomotive at Pilatka, extinguished a bonfire, and made nothing of the
+negroes “light wood torches;” the tarpon of Jacksonville could only jump
+six feet high when hooked, while the tarpon of Pilatka, without being
+hooked, bounded clear over the rail of the steamboat Seth Low, which was
+ten feet from the water, struck the captain in the stomach, and knocked
+him down. We had not been at Pilatka two days, before we were ready to
+swallow any mental hallucination, so rapidly does faith grow in the
+glorious, and balmy air of Florida.
+
+If Jacksonville had been attractive, Pilatka was equally so. Opposite to
+if is the famous orange grove of Mr. Hart, which we had to visit, and
+where we ate our first oranges, plucked by ourselves from the trees,
+beside tasting mandarins and tangerines, lemons, limes, guava and
+bananas, and that best of all oranges, the grape fruit. There were great
+plantations of bananas, which grow by suckers from the roots, and
+increase like weeds. They have to be three years old before they bear,
+and the development of the flower and fruit, which was going on while we
+were there, was a pretty sight. The top of the stalk turns over and
+produces a huge purple flower of a single leaf, as large as the hand of
+a giant. From under this large leaf starts a circle of small sprouts
+like fingers. The big leaf falls off, but from the ends of the fingers
+burst other, much smaller purple flowers. Then below the row of fingers
+grows another large flower like the first, and it also uncovers another
+row of fingers, so on till the entire bunch of bananas, as we know it in
+the market, is formed. Even then the flower point does not cease
+growing, but exhibits flower after flower, which are merely ornamental
+and do not result in fruit. Sprouts start so freely from the roots, that
+the young bushes have to be cut away every year with scythes, or they
+would become crowded, and the fruit degenerate. Every day, that was
+spent studying the wonderful productions of Florida, every new tree or
+bush, which attracted our attention by its beauty, or its oddity, every
+new species of fruit, which charmed our palate with its originality of
+flavor, made us more in love with this interesting country, and wish
+that it and its accompaniments could only exist in a colder climate.
+There was but one feeling in the minds of the party on leaving Mr.
+Hart’s plantation, which was that each of us could own an orange grove,
+and have it close at home.
+
+One evening as we were returning after a sailing excursion to visit the
+neighborhood, we heard cries which sounded like cries of distress. The
+negroes were so in the habit of laughing at, and jibing one another,
+that we at first took no notice of these. It was nearly night, so dark,
+that objects could not be distinguished at any considerable distance;
+but the cries continuing, we determined to see whether they meant merely
+fun or something more serious, and kept away in the direction from which
+they came. That moment’s delay cost at least one man his life, and
+brought sorrow to one household. After sailing a few minutes, we were
+able to distinguish an object in the water, which looked like a boat
+capsized. Such it turned out to be, and as we approached, we could make
+out a number of men clinging to its sides. It was a launch belonging to
+the crew of a steam ferry boat, and was used by the men after their
+day’s work was over to take them across the river, as they left the
+steamer on the other side. It was abundantly able to carry the number
+that started in it, and more, but some of them had been pouring out
+libations to Bacchus, or had been carried away by foolish animal
+spirits, we could not exactly determine which, and the result was, that
+the party of merry-makers was suddenly turned into one of mourners.
+
+We luffed up alongside, and lay to, while our men lowered the boats, and
+picked up all the poor fellows who were left. Two were unaccounted for,
+one of whom had been seen to let go his hold and sink. Several of the
+others would have soon followed his example, except for our timely
+arrival, for the water happened to be cool that evening, and quickly
+benumbed their warm southern blood, although they were whites, and not
+blacks, as we at first supposed. After they were all on board, and it
+was apparent that there was no use in looking for their lost comrades,
+we hitched a line to their boat, and towed it behind us towards the
+shore. As the men crowded on our deck, they seemed so miserable, and did
+so tremble with the cold, that the hearts of the ladies were touched,
+and nothing would do but they must be brought into the cabin, and warmed
+at the stove, there being not room enough for so many in the forecastle.
+Their clothes dripped and drained over our pretty carpet, and left
+stains, which never were to come out, but we felt only too glad that we
+had been able to be of some use to any of our fellow “toilers of the
+sea.” We finally warmed their blood, and put fresh life into them with
+liberal rations of rum, which was fifty years old. Amid their sufferings
+what caused them the most pain, was, that they would have to tell the
+wife of the engineer, who was lost, of his death. This they dreaded as
+much as they would have dreaded another struggle in the water.
+
+There is often danger from the heavy fogs, which roll up dense, and dark
+on the St. John’s in the night time, and we saw several accidents from
+that cause. We took the precaution of always anchoring, when not in
+port, on some flat, and making sure of a well filled anchor light. The
+steamers invariably follow the channel, for their own protection, and
+the pilots run at full speed, as in that way alone can they be sure of
+their position, a knowledge which comes to them by habit. There was,
+however, one annoyance, which no lights would prevent, no mosquito nets
+keep out, and no preparation mitigate, the plague of gnats; they come,
+when they make up their minds to come, in myriads, pour down the
+companion way, preferring the inside of the cabin to the outside, make
+themselves at home, push into the state-rooms, and do not care in the
+least how many millions of their number you immolate. I had been advised
+that insect powder, if burned in the cabin, would drive them out. On
+their first visitation I tried the remedy. It is to be feared that the
+heartless person who gave me that recipe was a practical joker. There is
+nothing in the nature of gnats to specially provoke merriment so far as
+I could ever see, or feel, but there are persons who extract pleasure
+from a funeral. I placed a small quantity of the powder on a piece of
+paper, which I lighted. The paper was soon consumed, but the powder
+remained intact, in fact it preserved that part of the paper, which was
+directly under it. Then I added some chips, and laying the whole on an
+old plate, tried it again; failure number two, the powder was still
+unconsumed, and the gnats, who had not neglected these opportunities,
+while I was busy, to pay their respects to me, were as happy and lively
+as ever. Determined not be foiled, I then built a fire in the stove, and
+leaving the stove holes open, poured the powder on the flame. In vain,
+it only put out the fire. After that I lost faith in the virtues of
+insect powder, and had to endure as well as I could, lamentations coming
+faintly through the doors of the state-rooms “Oh what are these strange
+things that are biting us so.” Patience seems to be the only cure for
+gnat bites, and we did not carry that article with us.
+
+“Doctor,” said Mr. Green one morning, after we had spent a couple of
+weeks in the delightful laziness of sight seeing and curiosity buying,
+“how much longer do you think the skipper intends to keep us idling
+here?” He had devoted his attention lately to dragging the Doctor with
+him on his interviewing expeditions, and they had just returned from
+their tenth call upon the northern shad fishermen, who, having brought
+their nets from their homes to try and catch the earliest run of shad,
+were camping in the woods beyond the town.
+
+“I am afraid,” replied our medical associate with base dishonesty, for
+he was fully as fond of the _dolce far niente_ as myself, “that he
+intends to remain here for the rest of his natural life.”
+
+“What, going to stay here for ever!” came from the pretty mouth, which
+belonged to a pretty head, that just then appeared above the companion
+way, “I do like to go fishing, and get away from people.”
+
+“Yes,” came faintly from another in the bowels of the cabin, “I am
+always fond of a change.”
+
+“We havn’t caught a fish since day before yesterday,” continued Seth in
+a most injured tone of voice. “I should like to catch something beside
+cat-fish once more.”
+
+This is the sort of thing that the yachtsman has to bear from his
+mutinous crew, and there is but one way of dealing with it. I went
+forward without a word, called my men, and we were underway so soon,
+that the breath was nearly taken from the party, and I heard low
+grumblings about provisions, which ought to have been laid in, and
+curiosities, which were to have been bought, and which never could be
+got again, for an hour afterwards, as we were rapidly running up the
+river.
+
+The weather had become hot, the thermometer marking eighty-nine in the
+shade, and mosquitoes made their appearance in the evenings; for those
+we were prepared, as the yacht was especially fitted with mosquito
+screens. But the heat was too much for us, and it was unanimously
+determined that we must take a bath. We had brought our bathing dresses
+more by good luck than good management, for we had no expectation of
+quite so summery a time in the midst of winter. We had been assured
+that snakes never enter the waters of a sulphur spring, and that there
+was a sulphur spring at Welaka on our way. So we stopped where we
+thought it must be according to the chart, and in that instance, as in
+all others, the chart was right. In fact from the beginning of our trip
+to the end we found ourselves, by the aid of the charts, masters of the
+situation, and generally much better informed than the natives.
+
+We anchored the yacht at the bend of the river just below Welaka, and
+taking the small boats rowed into the spring, which was only a hundred
+yards away. What a glorious sight it was, no puling little affair, such
+as is called a spring at the North, but a basin two hundred feet across,
+the water boiling up in the centre in a jet as large round as a
+hogshead, and rising a foot above the surface, clear as crystal, and
+gleaming like gems, the irridescent waves spreading away from the
+central source in lines of glistening transparency, the sunlight
+reflected from every ripple, as from a thousand prisms. Such a perfect
+bathing spot we had never seen before, it was a bath-room fit for Diana
+and her nymphs. We had put on our bathing clothes before leaving the
+yacht, and it took us but a few moments to fasten our boats and plunge
+overboard.
+
+Snakes are one of the drawbacks of this warm tropical State. On some of
+the keys on the Gulf side, they are so numerous that no man is safe in
+landing. The most deadly is the rattlesnake, but the most disagreeable
+is the mocassin, which, although not so fatal, sometimes attacks a man
+in the water without provocation. The latter’s bite produces paralysis
+more frequently than death, but as his attacks cannot be guarded
+against, he is really a more unpleasant enemy. The traveller’s safety in
+bathing consists in seeking one of these wonderful sulphur springs, into
+which snakes do not enter, although fish abound in them, looking like
+moving motes in liquid amber. The temperature of these springs is not
+cold, being the same as that of the rivers, but there is something
+exceedingly exhilarating in bathing in them. The feeling of the water is
+different from that of any other bath. There is a peculiar sense of
+cleanliness, and a lightness of spirits, which may account for the fancy
+of Ponce de Leon, that he had at last found the source of eternal youth.
+Many of these springs are brought within the destructive dominion of
+man, and are open to every passing tourist, but the one where we were
+was sacred to him, who has his own conveyance, and was not to be defiled
+or polluted by the common wayfarer.
+
+We had a delightful bath. There is a common delusion that the water of
+the sulphur springs is so thin and light, that it will not support the
+best swimmer. We soon ascertained that this was a totally unfounded
+fancy, so far as the Welaka spring was concerned. We not only swam to
+and fro without difficulty, but enjoyed an additional pleasure in
+getting directly over the boiling spout itself, and being buoyed up by
+it, where the water was ten feet deep. All of us were sorry, when
+evening and hunger compelled us to return to the yacht.
+
+The stories concerning the dangerous nature of the snakes of Florida are
+probably exaggerated, as we saw no more of them, than we would have seen
+in the same amount of country life at the North. The negro children
+bathe off the docks of Pilatka and Jacksonville as a common thing, and
+later in the year, when the peril from snakes is greater. There are
+spots, where, as I have said, they are to be dreaded, and we heard well
+authenticated stories of men being snake bitten, but on the other hand
+old hunters, who were in the woods most of their time, told us they were
+never troubled by their attacks, and the camping out parties, which we
+encountered all over, seemed not disturbed by them. Still, while on the
+subject, I will give the prescription which was kindly furnished us by
+Dr. Kenworthy of Jacksonville, and which will doubtless prove a better
+cure than the common one of getting drunk on whiskey; mix two
+tablespoonfuls of the carbonate of ammonia with enough spirits of
+camphor to make a paste. Apply this on a rag to the bite, changing the
+rag as often as it gets discolored. Our medical associate gave his
+approval to the remedy, and if those two authorities could not cure a
+snake bite, no one can.
+
+As our little yacht shot out from the St. John’s River, nearly two
+hundred miles above the place where we had entered it, and came into
+full view of that beautiful sheet of water, Lake George, thousands of
+wild ducks rose three gunshots off, and flew away. The sight rejoiced
+our eyes, for we had passed several days on the river without seeing any
+large birds except the strange water-turkeys, or snake-birds.
+Unfortunately we had no battery with us, and had to trust to finding a
+point of land that the ducks would approach. This was no easy thing to
+do, and we sailed half the length of the north shore, before reaching a
+promising spot, a narrow point running out between two bays, and at the
+outer end of which the birds were crowded together in flocks of
+thousands. There was nothing to be done till the next morning, and
+seeing a farm house on the neck of land, Mr. Seth Green went ashore to
+get what information he could from the owner. This gentleman was at the
+moment working in his garden, and although the thermometer stood at
+eighty in the shade, he wore the encumbrance of a pair of long India
+rubber boots. As these seemed rather out of accord with the torrid
+temperature, he was delicately asked his reasons for wearing them;
+“well,” he replied philosophically, “they cannot strike over those.”
+This sounded ominously, for although, as I have said, we had heard a
+good deal about snakes, we had seen nothing of them yet. Our doubts were
+removed when the gentleman pointed out an immense dead rattlesnake
+hanging on the limb of a bush, and added, “I killed him yesterday.” We
+returned promptly to the yacht, contented to make our explorations by
+water thereafter, till we should get over the effect of so sudden an
+introduction to a new acquaintance.
+
+Next day we devoted to the ducks, but we were not properly rigged for
+them, and soon learned that without a battery we could not expect to
+kill many in the wide waters of Lake George, they were mostly
+broad-bills, but did not seem to be as healthy as our Northern ducks.
+One of my men, who was an old gunner, said that their feathers appeared
+to be burnt, as though they had been scorched by the sun. They are
+continually chased by all the visitors to Florida, silly shooters, who
+fire at them from every passing steamboat, or who pursue them in the
+small steam yachts, which are becoming a feature of Southern travel. The
+day following, we sailed across the lake to the south-west corner,
+intending to ascend the Juniper Creek, which empties into it there. Mr.
+Green and myself were all of the party who cared to make the
+exploration; we took one of the small boats, and struck into the outlet,
+which we had found without difficulty and commenced the ascent. It was a
+strange, desolate river, quite unlike our Northern streams, slow and
+sluggish most of the way, half grown up with grasses, weeds, and cabbage
+plants, lined on either side by a rank, tall mass of reeds, that were
+yellow with age, and approaching decay, overhung here and there by some
+Southern plants or bushes, and once in a while winding between groves of
+palmettos. There was a sombre, savage, and deadly appearance in the
+water itself. We proceeded quietly for a time, but Mr. Green, who is
+more alive to the contents of a stream than to its air of gloom or
+brightness, broke the silence.
+
+“Now,” he said, as he began setting up his rod, “I will show you my
+favorite rig for catching big-mouthed bass. Look at that trolling spoon,
+it is something of my own invention, although the tackle shops are
+getting them lately.”
+
+He had a special arrangement of feathers and tin, not be described on
+paper, but long experience has made me skeptical about new all-killing
+inventions, and possibly my countenance betrayed my thoughts, for he
+went on, as he saw me getting out a cast of bass flies.
+
+“I know” he observed, throwing his lure overboard, “that other rigs will
+take some, but you see now, I shall have one within a minute.”
+
+I had no choice, as I was seated in the bow of the boat, and could not
+have used a trolling spoon if I had wished, as our lines would have
+fouled. I had to put on flies and fish by casting.
+
+“That is all very well,” I replied, “at certain times, and in a stream
+like this, but if we had a large, deep river, I would rather use a
+number of flies on a long leader.”
+
+“There,” said Mr. Green at that moment as he struck a fish, “what did I
+tell you. If you want to take black-bass, particularly this kind--”
+
+He never finished his observation, for at that moment a four-pound fish
+seized my fly, and it took our joint skill and attention to keep from
+fouling. He managed, however, to get his fish in quickly, as it was a
+small one, and give me an opportunity to play mine with the light tackle
+that I was using. We saved them both, but they were only the forerunners
+of an unlimited number. The spoon did undoubtedly kill the most, but
+there were all that we both wanted, ten times over, and we had to stop
+fishing, to avoid destroying more than we could use. I had the
+satisfaction of catching the largest, however, with the fly.
+
+We had brought a gun, as well as our fishing tackle. Suddenly from out
+the bushes there rose with much noise and flurry a large bird. I had
+hardly time to grab my gun, before he was out of range, and although I
+fired, it was ineffectually.
+
+“Oh, I am sorry you missed him,” said Mr. Green sadly, for he always
+takes a dejected view of other people’s failures, “that was a Limpkin,
+and I should like to have got him.”
+
+“I thought it was a water turkey,” I replied, referring to the queer
+creature that we had seen on ever stick and stump in the St. John’s.
+“But whatever it was, it was out of range when I fired.”
+
+“I think he was a Limpkin,” persisted my companion, “don’t you,
+Charley?”
+
+The stream was becoming rapidly narrower, and as that made the fishing
+more difficult, and we had all the fish we wanted, we took in our lines.
+Soon Charley had to cease rowing and resort to poling. We finally came
+to where it was so narrow that there was scarcely room for the boat, and
+the overhanging branches and bushes swept against our faces. We were
+just about to give up any idea of further advance, when suddenly we shot
+out from the small brook into a broad river. Instead of having ascended
+to the head waters of the Juniper, we had hardly been in it at all,
+having mistaken one of its mouths for the stream proper. The hour was
+growing late, but this new river seemed so attractive, we were so sure
+that it was the one we had been looking for, and that it must lead into
+the lake not far from where we had left our yacht, that we determined to
+descend it instead of retracing our course by the way we had come. Here
+it was that I fired at and wounded a real Limpkin, as I have already
+related. We went down with the current, having in the broad stream a
+good chance to use the oars. The sun dropped behind the trees, which
+were more numerous on the banks of this stream than they had been on
+those of the other. On and on, and still we did not come to the outlet.
+It began to look as though we had made a mistake, and this river was a
+different one from what we had supposed. The prospect of spending the
+night in the woods now forced itself upon us. My coat was thin, and
+already the evening air felt chill; we could make a fire, for we were
+too old stagers to be caught without matches, but the thought of snakes
+was not pleasant, in spite of the assurances of their rarity, and the
+excellence of our antidote.
+
+Charley had been rowing a long time and was getting tired, so I offered
+to “spell” him. This I did till the sun had gone entirely and darkness
+was closing in upon us fast. Still no signs of the lake, or of an end
+to this apparently endless river. Strange noises rang through the
+forest, cries like those of wild beasts, but such as we had never heard
+before, often as we had passed the night in the woods. I recalled what I
+had read of the puma, the dreaded Southern tiger, and realized the fact
+that against him number four duck shot would be a feeble defence. The
+noises grew louder and louder, the forests fairly reverberated with the
+unearthly screams till, when one more than usually horrible burst upon
+our ears, Mr. Green inquired with a composure, which seemed slightly
+assumed:
+
+“What sort of an animal do you think it is that makes a noise like
+that?”
+
+I had never heard anything so appalling in my life before, but was not
+to be outdone by my associate in coolness, and replied in a hollow
+mockery of jest:
+
+“That? Oh, that is a Limpkin. There can be no doubt of that.”
+
+To this reply Mr. Green made no direct response, though his face
+intimated that jokes on some occasions were out of place. The unnatural
+stillness of the country made these noises perhaps more ominous and
+unearthly. There was not a breath of air to stir the trees, no ripple or
+current to the stream which might have diverted our thoughts by its
+musical babble, and deathlike silence hung over the land, except when
+broken by the ringing screams. The night was getting darker and darker,
+and at last we came reluctantly to the conclusion that we had better
+stop, in order to prepare our camp and make sure that there were no
+rattlesnakes while there was light enough to do so.
+
+“Let us go to the next turn,” said Seth, who had even a greater dislike
+than the rest of us to spending the night in the woods. “If we do not
+see any signs of an outlet there we may as well give it up.”
+
+“Agreed,” I replied, as I bent once more to the oars, “let us keep up
+hope.”
+
+We proceeded, but with little expectation of any good results. What was
+our surprise and joy then, on reaching the point, to behold the broad
+waters of the lake spread out before us, and the Heartsease lying in
+full view with her light up. The sight gave me such vigor that I rowed
+the rest of the way, although Charley announced that he was rested and
+wanted to take the oars.
+
+In spite of the beauty of the country, there is a sense of desolation
+about the wilder parts of Florida. The great trees, covered with moss,
+and many of them going to decay; the dull, sluggish rivers with slow
+discolored current, the low lands never rising above a shell-mound of
+twenty feet height, combine to produce a feeling of dreary solitude.
+This was particularly noticeable on the journey to and from Florida,
+through the endless swamps, marshes, and reedy islands, which border the
+narrow inland passages, and was only occasionally broken by passing a
+town, or one of the few country seats that are to be found on the
+unhealthy shores. Nor do there seem to be many water fowl on the
+Southern Atlantic Coast, until you pass to the south of St. Augustine
+and reach the neighborhood of Indian River. In making the trip to and
+from the St. John’s, we only saw, beside the ducks and English snipe the
+bay-birds, of which I have spoken, and a number of the handsome and
+imposing white herons. These stood in solemn grandeur on the shore of
+some creek, and seemed too glorious to shoot. Occasionally, however, we
+could not resist, and had to murder them for their loveliness. Then one
+of us would hide himself among the reeds on the shore, while the other
+would go to the extreme end of the line of stately creatures, and put
+them up. They fly slowly along the edge of the water, and if the
+sportsman is well hid, there is no difficulty in getting a shot at them.
+They should never be killed, unless it is to set them up and preserve
+them, as was done for us by the Doctor.
+
+In Lake George there were millions of mullets jumping continually out of
+water, like dancing silver arrows, they would not take the fly, or
+trolling spoon, and as we had all the fish we could use, we did not try
+the net. We visited a splendid spring, called by a name which seems to
+be given by common consent to most of the sulphur springs of Florida,
+that of “silver.” It empties into the lake on the western side, about
+half way down. A bank of snail shells, which must have been cast up by
+the waves, marks the outlet. Many of them are in good
+
+[Illustration: WILD TURKEY TRAP]
+
+preservation, and quite pretty. Several sorts of fish were swimming
+hither and thither in the spring, and the stream from it was filled with
+a thin green moss, which the ladies converted into a becoming head
+covering, and dubbed the “mermaid’s wig.” We saw some big turtles and
+alligators and enjoyed a bath.
+
+It was not safe to take the yacht through the narrow and crooked river
+above Lake George, if we were to limit ourselves in the remotest degree
+to time, for none but free winds would move us either one way or the
+other, so we had to leave our pleasant aquatic mansion and descend to
+the humdrum of the little stern wheel steamers, which were continually
+passing us, and throwing up fountains of water from their latter ends.
+By the same means we explored the Ocklawaha, which falls into the St.
+John’s further north. The vessels are adapted to winding round through
+the circuitous bends of the streams, where the trees nearly meet
+overhead. In order to see their way, the pilots have to build fires of
+pine knots at night on the top of the pilot house, which gives a
+peculiarly romantic and interesting appearance to the scene. On the way
+we saw no end of alligators and forest birds, especially the famous
+Limpkin, which laughed, yelled and jeered at us in the security of a
+regulation which forbids the discharge of fire arms on board the boats.
+
+But we had to be getting back, if we were to complete our explorations
+of the rest of Florida, so as soon as we could finish our steamboat
+travel, we hurried down stream once more to Jacksonville. The run
+outside to St. Augustine is not a long one, but this coast is more
+dangerous than that further north. An easterly wind strikes it more
+heavily, and the inlets are shoal. Especially is this the case in the
+long run below Matanzas and Mosquito Inlets. In fact I cannot do better
+than quote the words of a report on the inland navigation of that
+section, kindly furnished me by Mr. J. E. Hilgard, the efficient
+Superintendent of the United States Coast Survey, to whom I am under
+many obligations for information and advice:
+
+“There is no inland passage from the St. John’s to St. Augustine. You
+must cross St. John’s bar (with eight feet mean low water), but must
+take a pilot, as the channel is constantly shifting and changing in
+depth. On the whole, I would advise taking a smooth time at St. Mary’s
+and going outside all the way to St. Augustine. There is excellent
+anchorage off Old Fernandina (but a short distance from the bar); and
+the whole run is but about fifty miles, and can be made in a few hours.
+
+“When off St. Augustine, a pilot will take you up to the town. There is
+nine feet on the bar, but it constantly shifts. The famous ‘fresh water
+springs’ in the ocean are situated eight miles S. by E half E. from the
+‘entering buoy’ of this inlet.
+
+“Bound to the southward, Matanzas River carries you from St. Augustine
+through a distance of nearly thirteen miles to Matanzas Inlet. The
+channel is winding, but has deep water for a little over seven miles,
+where there is a seven-feet bar. Below this, for nearly two miles, five
+feet is the least water, in a crooked channel close under the eastern
+bank. Thence are depths varying from nine to twenty feet until Matanzas
+Inlet is reached. The route to the southward leads across this inlet
+with seven feet at mean low water; and on entering the river again, on
+the south side of the inlet, you will have but six feet. Matanzas River
+heads in the midst of extensive marshes between five and six miles to
+the southward of the inlet; and but two feet can be carried through.
+
+“Beyond this there is no navigation. Wishing to proceed still farther
+southward, you must retrace your course to Matanzas Inlet, cross the bar
+and skirt the Florida coast for about fifty miles to Mosquito Inlet.
+Your pilot (for you must have obtained one at St. Augustine or you
+cannot enter at all) will take you over the bar with about six feet at
+mean low water--the mean rise and fall being two feet. Once in the inlet
+you may go to the northward, through Halifax River to its head, twenty
+miles above. While in the narrow passage, which extends from Mosquito
+Inlet for over five miles to the northward, you will carry not less than
+ten feet; but when the river expands you will find shoal water--the
+depths varying from three to nine feet, except in occasional deep holes.
+The channel is very narrow, and can only be followed by the stakes. The
+small settlements of Port Orange and Daytona are situated on the western
+bank of this river. Three feet at mean low water can be taken to its
+head, but there is no lunar tide after you get above the influence of
+the inlet--the rise and fall being governed solely by the winds.
+
+“Going southward from Mosquito Inlet you enter Hillsborough River;
+which, through a winding course between fifteen and sixteen miles long,
+brings you into Mosquito Lagoon, twelve miles to the southward of the
+inlet. Two miles and a half up Hillsborough River is New Smyrna, a
+pretty little settlement on the western bank among orange, fig and
+banana trees. Nine feet may be taken to abreast of the village; not less
+than five feet is found for five miles beyond New Smyrna; but above that
+point no more than three feet can be carried through to Mosquito
+Lagoon;--although there are deep holes with as much as three and a half
+fathoms. The channel is narrow and very crooked.
+
+“Mosquito Lagoon is wide and shallow--its width ranging from one to two
+and a half miles. It has a general course about S. E. by S., and is
+between fifteen and sixteen miles long. A bar of three and a half feet
+obstructs the entrance from Hillsborough River; but, that once crossed,
+a good channel, with from five to ten feet takes you to within two miles
+of its head. This terminates the inland navigation, unless the vessel be
+able to pass through ‘Haul-over Canal.’ There is but a foot and a half
+water in this canal.
+
+“Indian River may be entered from seaward by Indian River Inlet, which
+cuts through the sandy strip of coast-line about one hundred miles to
+the southward of Mosquito Inlet and sixty miles below Cape Canaveral. I
+would not advise a small vessel to attempt to navigate this coast; as it
+is very dangerous should the wind come to the eastward (which it often
+does in this vicinity), and there is no shelter except the precarious
+anchorage under Canaveral. The bar at Indian River inlet has seven feet
+over it at low water, but shifts constantly in both depth and position,
+and can only be crossed in the smoothest weather. Besides the bar there
+is an ‘Inner Bulkhead’--so called, over which there is but four feet. It
+is said by the natives, however, that by taking what is called the Blue
+Hole Passage, five feet to five and a half may be taken safely into the
+river.”
+
+The fishing at St. Augustine, which is a quaint old town, said to be the
+oldest in America, and well worth a visit in itself, is better during
+the winter months than any to be had north of it. Plenty of boatmen can
+be hired who will pilot the stranger to the best spots. Around here the
+foliage becomes still more tropical. The frost will occasionally
+penetrate, and the most famous oranges are to be grown only still
+further South, on the shell hammacks of the Indian and Banana Rivers,
+where single trees bear as many as six thousand of these golden fruit
+each. But we were actually tired of fishing, and looked on complacently
+with the pitying superiority of accomplished success at the patient
+anglers, trying their best to kill a few inoffensive finny creatures off
+the bridge, across the St. Sebastian River, or bringing triumphantly
+home in the native’s “dug out” the proceeds of a day’s hard work on the
+bay. The Doctor was especially indifferent, and excited universal envy
+when he told of the wondrous sport we had had during our two months of
+recreation. While I do not for a moment intend to impugn his absolute
+veracity, some of the adventures which he related had passed from my
+memory or had grown since I heard them last. He would make no more
+violent sporting effort than repeating these tales, and preferred to sit
+on a chair upon the plaza, retailing them, with the encouragement of a
+sour orange punch, or wander through the coquina built Fort Marion,
+visit the old Cathedral, or roam the narrow streets. We laid in a supply
+of native preserves, sketched the graceful date palm, and never ceased
+wondering at the odd and extravagant beauty of the semi-equatorial
+foliage and plants. There is interesting, although not very extensive
+sailing in the harbor, and many varieties of bay snipe to be killed. A
+yachting club, which will show every courtesy to brethren from the
+North, has a boat house on the shore.
+
+The further one goes South the better the shooting and fishing become,
+and I would advise any one, who feels as if it were impossible ever to
+get enough of either, not to stop in the St. John’s, or short of St.
+Augustine. There he can spend several weeks profitably, and should
+thence go on South to Halifax River and New Smyrna, where he will think
+nothing of catching a hundred sheepshead in a day, no tiny fellows
+either, but weighing from six to ten pounds a piece, or half as many
+channel bass of fifteen to twenty pounds each, together with as many
+sharks thrown in as he has stomach or tackle for. By the way, I forgot
+to mention that among our outfit was a couple of shark hooks and a line
+of a hundred fathoms, as thick as the little finger, all of which did
+good but rather brutal service. Back of New Smyrna, the woods are full
+of venison and bear meat, turkeys, and other feathered game. The best
+duck shooting is in the southern part of the lagoon or river, but the
+bars and beaches everywhere are alive with bay snipe, herons, cranes,
+pelicans, and a thousand smaller birds.
+
+But a truce to this everlasting repetition of sport, which was growing
+monotonous even to Mr. Green’s insatiable sporting appetite, and turn to
+something pleasanter. The royal lady of the house had resolved to give
+us such a feast as we had not had before. The supplies laid in at St.
+Augustine enabled her to carry out her idea, but the selection of the
+day and date for the event was a mystery. I supposed it must have been
+to celebrate my birthday, which, it is true, had come and gone six
+months before; but as it had not yet been kept, needed commemoration as
+badly as though it had never taken place at all. No matter what was the
+moving inducement, the banquet was worthy of it. We men had been
+smuggled out of the way while the preparations were being made, so that,
+while we had a general idea of the drift of things, we had no
+conception of the gorgeousness of the result. It was not a feast fit
+for a king merely, but a sufficient banquet had all the gods been
+invited. There were raw oysters, two kinds of fish, sheepshead boiled,
+and channel bass baked, chicken soup, and turtle soup, from turtle
+caught on the spot, roast wild turkey, and boiled mutton, scalloped
+oysters, venison, and wild ducks, bay snipe, potato salad, peas,
+tomatoes, beans, and baked sweet potatoes, while for dessert there was
+such an array of goodies, that the room in my log book was in danger of
+running short, and I could only record a few, such as fresh cake,
+strawberries, spiced figs, and all the preserves and spiced fruits that
+the table would hold, closing with cheese and coffee. The only wonder
+was, that after such a dinner to which our appetites and our loyalty
+both pressed us to do more than ample justice, any of the party
+survived. If you have doubts of our state of minds and bodies, go on a
+three months’ cruise and wind up with such a dinner and “you will know
+how it is yourself.”
+
+Of all places on the eastern shore of Florida, the Indian and Banana
+Rivers are the most delightful and interesting. Here, when you are once
+inside the bar, which, as I have said, is a little perilous, there is
+room and occupation for a winter. The salt water fishing is mainly near
+the inlet, but in the tributary streams is an unlimited supply of the
+fresh water varieties. The sailing is splendid, and the climate, except
+for its warmth, delicious. By the time the reader peruses these pages,
+it is probable that inland communication will have been opened with the
+Indian River, either by the “Haul-over,” which in the year 1882 was only
+twelve feet wide and one foot and a half deep, or from the St. John’s,
+by the way of Lake Washington; and that there will be finished another
+canal from Indian River to Lake Worth and Biscayne Bay, making a safe
+and easy passage round the keys to the Gulf side. This was to have been
+done when we were there, and if not yet finished, soon will be.
+
+Then if the sportsman is not yet satiated, or if he is suffering from
+consumption, and wishes to regain his health, he can make the grandest
+trip in the world, by either sending his yacht to Jacksonville, or to
+Cedar Keys, or buying one there, and spending the entire winter in the
+exploration of the southern part of Florida. As it is, the voyage from
+the Indian River is not difficult or dangerous. Numerous keys or islands
+make a shelter from the seas, and once on the Gulf side, the climate,
+the country, the water, everything is delightful. Storms are rare, the
+Gulf is generally smooth, harbors are numerous, and the shooting is
+unsurpassed by any in the world. If the sportsman does not take his own
+vessel, he can go by railroad directly to Cedar Keys, and thence take
+what conveyance he prefers farther south. At Cedar Keys small sail
+boats, suitable to those shallow waters, can be hired, as well as
+guides, if they are needed. To enjoy a visit to Florida in its full
+scope and meaning, and to make it an expedition never to be forgotten,
+make up a pleasant party, hire a sailing vessel, and her master as
+pilot, and coast along from Cedar Keys in water mostly not more than two
+feet deep, between forests of primeval wildness, in company with
+countless water-fowl and over unnumbered fish, taking toll from turkey,
+bear, and alligator, as you go. Sail around the Gulf shore and Cape
+Sable, and finally up the eastern shore of Florida, into the Indian
+River. Remain there till your heart is glutted with sport, and your
+palate with fruit, and thence return to the North by rail or boat. Such
+a trip makes a date of delight in one’s life.
+
+On the Gulf side the most interesting spots are the rivers which flow
+into the sea, the Caloosahatchee, Crystal and Hamosassa, all of them
+full of fish and game. Alligators, the sport of killing which is indeed
+more to be honored in the breach than in the observance, are so abundant
+as to be almost troublesome. The only difficulty with Florida is that
+the sport is excessive, and that any one except sporting gourmands will
+get tired of it. Even Mr. Green, who, as I have said, is almost
+insatiable, became surfeited, the Doctor and myself being long before
+content. The voyager, whether by sea or land, must bring certain books
+with him, such as will not so much help him pass the time, as assist him
+in his researches. He will find a thousand things to amuse and occupy
+his hours, but will need information which he can not obtain on the
+ground. The vast and quaint variety of shells which he will pick up, the
+new and curious birds and fish he will kill, but above all, the strange
+mass of tropical flowers, plants, and trees, which he will meet at every
+foot of the route, require to appreciate them not only all the books
+which have been written specially on this portion of our country, but a
+well selected assortment of popular botanical and conchological works,
+and ichthyological also, if he is not up in that subject.
+
+There is no shooting and little fishing directly around Cedar Keys,
+where the wayfarer doth very much abound, but some twenty miles south
+Colonel Wingate keeps a sportsman’s hotel, and he can ensure the land
+traveller a good time, without separation from his family for an
+extended period. His place is at Gulf Hammock, and to reach it, the
+sportsman leaves the cars at the station just short of Cedar Keys. From
+his house parties are made up to explore the waters further south with
+the aid of boats and guides. I mention his place because he is well
+known to many of my Northern readers.
+
+I have spoken mostly of the coast shooting, because it was what we
+mainly had in view in our trip, but it must not be imagined that it is
+the only kind of sport to be had. We took no dogs, but meeting a party
+of Northern sportsmen at Gainesville, we tried the quail. The sport was
+magnificent, with a single drawback. There was no trouble in killing
+seventy-five birds to three guns, and several times the bag exceeded a
+hundred, once reaching a hundred and six; but the weather was so hot
+that it did not seem like quail shooting, and the true exhilaration of
+the sport, as we Northerners know it, was lost. Deer are plenty
+everywhere, but to hunt them to any advantage, you must put yourself
+under the guidance of the native hunters. We only tried it once, and
+then could use but a small part of our venison on account of the heat of
+the weather. Bears are occasionally shot; we did not see any, probably
+because we were not looking for them, and if any one has the patience,
+he can kill wild turkeys. Good water-fowl shooting is also to be had on
+the uplands in any of the innumerable lakes which dot Florida from one
+end to the other, if they are not too near civilization. A very capital
+house was kept by a former employee of Delmonico, at a town called
+Waldo, where inland sport of all kinds could be had in reasonable
+amounts. It seems almost invidious to specify particular places, as so
+far as I could judge, there was shooting and fishing everywhere off the
+regular beaten track of tourists.
+
+“Doctor,” remarked Mr. Green with a quiet subdued intonation which long
+practice enabled me to recognize as malice aforethought, “Do you know
+what bird I prefer to eat?”
+
+“I should presume from your past actions,” replied the learned gentleman
+thus addressed, “that of all the birds, which swim, fly, or have
+feathers, you give a decided preference to broiled duck.”
+
+“Especially,” I interposed, in order to head off the coming attack if
+possible, “provided that the duck is cooked over an open fire in the
+cabin when the rest of the party are at breakfast.”
+
+“Broiled duck is good,” Mr. Green responded, uncrushed, “if
+unreasonable people do not deprive it of its natural flavor by
+complaining of the manner in which it is cooked. But there is a better
+bird than even a wild duck.”
+
+“Yes,” said the doctor, “there’s the woodcock, but what is the use of
+exciting our minds, and aggravating our palates by referring to
+abstractions, which cannot be realized as there are no woodcock in
+Florida?”
+
+“There is a good bird in Florida, the very one I refer to, and which
+could be killed, if a person was allowed to stop on hour or two and not
+be kept forever on the move like the wandering Jew,” persisted Mr.
+Green, cocking back his chair on its hind legs, a favorite position of
+his, although he had already reduced two of them to kindling wood by the
+operation.
+
+“You don’t mean bay snipe!” exclaimed the doctor in a disgusted tone,
+“we have had enough of them.”
+
+“He probably alludes to water-turkey,” I observed quietly, “he has
+tasted every thing else.”
+
+“I don’t mean water-turkey either, although for all you can tell it may
+be a good bird to eat. I mean turkey without the water.” With that he
+brought the front legs of his chair to their natural position with a
+thud that shook the deck.
+
+“Turkey,” shouted the doctor with enthusiasm, “just talk turkey to me,
+tell me where and when and how. I would swim ashore, if there was a
+chicken much more a turkey in sight, or the hut of a darkey, who might
+have either to sell.”
+
+“Well then suppose we go ashore and kill one,” remarked Seth with quiet
+complacency, as though such a feat were the simplest everyday occurrence
+of life.
+
+That settled it. “Oh dear, I should so like a piece of turkey” came from
+the cabin. “Yes, I am so tired of fish,” was the chorussed approval, and
+although I felt assured that, strangers as we were to the country, and
+without a guide accustomed to the work, there would be no chance of
+success, I had to give in and come to anchor.
+
+Mr. Green got out his rifle, and the doctor his breech-loader, taking a
+dozen cartridges loaded with buck-shot. Our head man Charley was to
+accompany them, while I remained in charge of the yacht. None of us knew
+by experience much of the habits of turkeys, and as it was still early
+in the day it was determined to start at once, and return again on the
+following morning if it should be deemed advisible.
+
+“Now,” said the doctor, “if we only had a turkey call, we would be sure
+to succeed.”
+
+“Can you use the call?” I inquired.
+
+“Oh no,” he answered promptly, “but I dare say Mr. Green can.”
+
+Seth said nothing when I looked at him for a response, leaving me to
+imply what I pleased as to his accomplishments. I had suddenly
+remembered that I had one aboard among some old shooting traps which had
+been thrown in together as a sort of refuse addition. Being perfectly
+confident that neither of the turkey hunters could use the “strange
+device,” it was with a malicious pleasure that I went below, and after a
+short search found it. An odd-looking affair it was, which I had once
+been able to use, but time had utterly obliterated the recollection of
+the way to manage it. At one end was a piece of bone about four inches
+long with a hole through it, and a larger mouthpiece of wood at the
+other. Blowing through it had no effect whatever, as I had previously
+found out, and the memory of the proper labial pucker had passed from my
+mind and my lips. I handed it calmly to the doctor without a word. He
+held it in his hand regarding it with puzzled uncertainty, evidently to
+make up his mind, which end was to go in his mouth, till noticing the
+knob on the smaller, he correctly concluded that that was the part to
+blow through, and applied it to his lips. Then he blew, at first mildly,
+producing no result other than a gentle hissing of air; he increased the
+force, the hissing was louder, but that was all, no sound which by the
+most vigorous imagination could be construed into the cluck of a gobbler
+issued. He next tried to pucker up his lips like the trumpeter breathing
+into his trumpet, but with worse effect if possible than before.
+Dismayed at his futile efforts, he gazed critically into the end as
+though some of the machinery must have been lost, but finding nothing to
+encourage such a supposition, gave up the attempt and held it out to Mr.
+Green, who had been watching the operation with interest. The latter
+gentleman was not to be caught, and waving it indifferently aside said
+with admirable assurance:
+
+“We won’t need that, turkeys are too plenty, all we shall have to do
+will be to keep our eyes open to kill as many as we want.”
+
+In that happy state of confidence they departed. We were anchored some
+little distance from the shore on account of the shallowness of the
+water, but I thought I heard several shots and wondered what they had
+found to fire at, as the probability of their killing a turkey was too
+slight to be worth considering. Early in the afternoon they returned
+with an air of curious self gratulation in their behavior, the manner of
+persons who had done an act on which they plumed themselves, but which
+would bear a good deal of concealment. This was noticeable even before
+they had reached the yacht, and prepared me in a measure for what
+followed--the production of a fine fat gobbler from the stem of the
+boat. Charley handed it up to me with an air of deprecation quite in
+contrast to the truculence with which Seth climbed on deck and
+exclaimed:
+
+“There, what did I tell you, are you satisfied now? Where would the
+supplies come from to keep us alive, except for me. You would have had
+us down to hard tack and salt junk long ago, if it hadn’t been for the
+fish and birds I have had to kill. Have you anything to say against
+that?”
+
+I was examining the turkey critically. I had heard of turkey pens, and
+suspected that this came from one of them, but did not see how to prove
+the fact. Its head had been shot nearly off.
+
+“That is where the ball hit him, and I call it a pretty good shot at
+twenty rods,” continued Mr. Green, referring to the wounded spot.
+
+“Was he as far off as that?” I inquired, as I handed him over to be
+picked. I was not familiar enough with a trapped turkey to detect the
+deceit if there was any, and Seth, seeing my inability, made the most of
+it.
+
+“What is to be our reward for the hard work we have been doing? I tell
+you it is no easy thing to stalk a turkey, and if any other of the party
+had done as much, I wouldn’t grudge them the nicest sour orange punch
+that could be made.”
+
+Turkeys are caught in parts of the country by a curious trap or pen, and
+I had heard that such a pen was used in Florida. It is built of logs on
+the four sides and over the top, a hole being left at one side just
+large enough to allow the bird to enter in a stooping posture. Corn is
+strewed on the ground leading to this hole, and scattered about so as to
+attract attention, and the way the trap works is this: the turkey finds
+the food and follows it, picking up grain after grain, keeping his head
+bent down, and in that posture enters the pen without trouble. There he
+remains without a suspicion of wrong till he has consumed all the corn.
+After the food so kindly supplied is gone, he begins to think of moving
+on, when to his surprise he discovers that man rarely does any factor
+without expecting a return, no less in this case than the toothsome body
+of the recipient. The turkey never stoops, even to save his life, he
+looks upward and not downward, he will not bow his royal head to escape
+by the road through which he entered. Becoming alarmed he springs up,
+dashing himself against the logs, he thrusts his head between the
+crevices and tries to fly through the roof by main force, but in vain,
+the pen is too strong, and the only method of escape which is open he
+will not condescend to take.
+
+The owner of such a pen does not visit it regularly, and the turkeys are
+often shut up in it for days, frequently falling a prey to wild cats
+that find them before their lawful proprietor comes to claim them. My
+unholy suspicions were that the doctor, the Superintendent of the New
+York Fishery Commission, and the captain of the yacht Heartsease had
+accidentally found such a pen, and acted the part of the wild cat. For
+although I could see nothing suspicious about the bird, it was strange
+that persons who had stalked a wild turkey through a dense Southern
+forest hardly seemed to be tired, and wished to sit up half the night to
+smoke and talk. Still the bird proved to be delicious, and the entire
+party were grateful for him whether honestly obtained or not, so little
+does hunger weigh questions of morality.
+
+Two days after the turkey adventure, when we were sailing along before a
+mild breeze, Mr. Green steering, the doctor smoking, and the rest of us
+reading, Charley suddenly called out from forward where he was standing:
+
+“Look at that large bird flying over the woods to the west.”
+
+We all looked in the direction indicated, and saw an immense bird
+moving grandly and steadily, with slowly beating wings and extended neck
+and legs.
+
+“What an enormous creature,” exclaimed one of the ladies.
+
+“It must be a rock,” chimed in the other.
+
+“Here take the stick, while I get the glass,” saying which, Mr. Green
+let go of the tiller, and plunged into the cabin to reappear with the
+binocular, which he fixed on the wondrous bird.
+
+“What do you make out of him?” inquired the doctor, who had forgotten
+his pipe in the excitement till it had gone out.
+
+“It is a crane,” replied Seth, “but the largest one ever I saw.
+Charley,” he asked our captain, “did you ever see such a crane as that
+before?”
+
+“No, I never did,” was the answer. “It must be something of the sort
+however, from the way it flies and holds its legs.”
+
+“I wonder whether it can be the whooping crane?” I inquired, “I have
+heard that they are occasionally seen on the coast, although supposed to
+be more numerous in the interior.”
+
+“Oh can’t you shoot it, what feathers it must have for hats.” The origin
+of this remark was obvious.
+
+“If you want feathers a yard long! Why it is nearly as large as an
+ostrich.”
+
+“Well, don’t we use ostrich feathers? Oh do shoot it, I want some long
+white feathers.”
+
+“It is a little too far off,” I replied.
+
+“How far?” was the persistent inquiry.
+
+“I should say about a mile.”
+
+“That is the way always,” was the disgusted response, “you pretend to be
+great sportsmen, but you say every bird we meet is too far off. If I
+knew how to shoot, I wouldn’t be making excuses all the time. If we ever
+come to Florida again, I hope we will have somebody with us who can hit
+his mark, and not pretend that every bird is too far off.”
+
+At this the fair speaker retired below just as the crane disappeared
+over the distant trees.
+
+It was several days after this occurrence that we saw what we took to be
+another whooping crane standing at the edge of the water, not far from
+some bushes. He was quite white, and towered up against a back ground of
+grass and sand-bar till his head seemed to come in line with the trees
+beyond, and his body to be as tall as that of a man. The yacht was
+slowly approaching him by the aid of a light breeze, and Mr. Green was
+growing more excited the nearer we came. The crane stood motionless, not
+alarmed at the bigger bird, which was gradually swooping down upon him,
+and apparently quite tame.
+
+Mr. Green had redeemed his reputation with the rifle of late, my sarcasm
+about the Limpkin, and some ironical allusions from the doctor had
+improved his aim, so that we no longer smiled incredulously when he
+brought out his rifle. In fact he was a splendid shot, as his
+innumerable prizes taken at tournaments abundantly proved, but the
+motion of the yacht had at first unsettled his aim. There was not more
+than half a mile between us and the bird,
+
+[Illustration: GREEN TURTLE.]
+
+which seemed to loom up higher and higher as we approached.
+
+“Hadn’t we better make sure of him,” asked Seth anxiously, “we may never
+have such another chance. You tell me these cranes are very scarce!”
+
+“Perhaps we had,” I answered, “what do you think we had better do?”
+
+“By all means,” interrupted the doctor, who was roused out of his usual
+equanimity, “let us make every effort to kill him as a specimen. They
+are exceedingly rare.”
+
+“If you lay to,” replied Seth, “and let Charley row me ashore, I will
+get behind those bushes, and think I can crawl within range of him.”
+
+“If you are willing to take the trouble on the chances,” I answered.
+“Do, Mr. Green,” begged the ladies both together, their hopes of such
+feathers as had never yet graced bonnet quite carrying them into
+enthusiasm.
+
+Seth did not consider the labor of crawling through the matted dense
+undergrowth in the hot sun, nor the danger of snakes in the long grass,
+all that he saw was the immense bird and all that he wanted was to kill
+it. In a moment he and Charley were off in the boat, and pulling for the
+shore. Heartsease was luffed up into the wind, and lay motionless on the
+scarcely ruffled water, contrasting by its apparent indifference with
+the eager excitement of the party on board. We watched the small boat
+till it reached the bank, and was hastily concealed by Charley, while
+Mr. Green disappeared immediately in the bushes. Then we could see
+nothing further except the big bird, which had not been alarmed by the
+preliminaries, and which there was now every probability would become
+our prize. The ladies were in their hearts already priding themselves on
+the loves of bonnets to which his gorgeous attire was to contribute, the
+doctor had already dissected and stuffed him in imagination, and I was
+wondering whether he was good to eat. We waited till our patience was
+more than exhausted. Crawling through the tangled mass of a Southern
+swamp is no easy matter, and we could do nothing but watch the imposing
+bird standing there, unterrified, and as still as though he were a
+graven image, instead of being a thing of beauty and vitality.
+
+Suddenly he gave a great leap into the air, and then fell upon the sand
+in death throes which had almost ceased before the report of the
+discharged rifle came booming over the water. In a moment the deceitful
+calm of the previous moment passed away, we hauled aft our sheets, and
+swinging round her head, got Heartsease under way. Charley shoved out
+the dinkey which he had concealed in the bushes, and in another minute
+Mr. Green pushed his way through the underbrush to the side of his
+magnificent victim. When our boatman joined him, the two stood for some
+time gazing at and handling the crane, while we waited impatiently for
+their return.
+
+At last they threw the game, it seemed to us irreverently, into the
+bottom of the dinkey, and pushed off. We awaited their approach with
+eagerness, arising from the fact that none of us had ever seen the
+American whooping crane, and were proud of being the participants in the
+capture of one. The two fortunate sportsmen did not hurry themselves to
+gratify our desires, but appeared exceedingly at their ease, and it was
+not till they had nearly arrived that we discovered the cause of their
+indifference by perceiving in the boat not a whooping crane at all, but
+an ordinary white heron. The clearness of the atmosphere, the bright
+rays of the sun, or the nature of the background had tended to mislead
+us and had added immensely to the stature of the bird. The ladies
+retired to the cabin hatless, so to speak, the doctor was for throwing
+the deceiver overboard instead of skinning him, and to this day I am
+uncertain as to the taste of the great American whooping crane.
+
+The Indian River is so shallow in places, that the direction on the
+chart of Currituck Sound could be applied to it: “Only three feet of
+water can be carried, and that with difficulty.” In other parts it is
+deeper; it varies in width from one mile to three, and as a general rule
+where it is narrow, it is deep, and where it is wide, it is shallow.
+Although it approaches nearly to Mosquito Lagoon, it does not join the
+latter unfortunately, and a canal has been cut called the Haul-over, of
+which I have already spoken. In the Haul-over, which is only fourteen
+feet wide, there is but one foot and a half of water, and for some
+distance below not much more than two. There are many rivers emptying
+into the Indian River on the west or shore side; these are generally
+deep and full of fish, and well repay the explorer. The only inlets are
+in the southern end, Jupiter Inlet at the lowest extremity, and Indian
+River Inlet a short distance above.
+
+Banana River, which is rather a branch of Indian River than a distinct
+stream, is in places broader and deeper; it connects with the main river
+at its southern extremity, and by Banana Creek at the northerly end. The
+creek of the name is both narrow and shallow, and can only be used by
+small craft. There is most interesting yachting in the Halifax and
+Hillsborough, north and south of New Smyrna, which is situated on the
+Hillsborough, about three miles from Mosquito Inlet, as well as in
+Mosquito Lagoon, which is reached through a narrow and tortuous channel
+among innumerable islands from the Hillsborough. So also do the Indian
+and Banana rivers furnish safe and delightful cruising grounds, with
+plenty of harbors or shelter for even small open vessels, the only
+danger being that of running on oyster shoals.
+
+A narrow strip of sand separates Indian River from the ocean, and the
+yachtsman can occasionally, by climbing into the rigging, see the blue
+waves of the Atlantic. On this bar the bay-birds often collect in large
+flocks, and may be killed in numbers more than needed. They are of the
+same kinds which have already been described, and are found in the
+summer at the North. Bear are occasionally met with, and now and then a
+wild-cat; deer are more plenty, but the sportsman will be fortunate if
+he finds any of these unless he goes especially after them.
+
+A yacht-club has been established at New Smyrna, with headquarters in
+Indian River, where the members expect to do a large part of their
+yachting. An excellent choice was made at the first election of
+officers, and its prospects for introducing the sport into the waters of
+Florida are promising. The president is Mr. Herman Oelrichs, and the
+vice president Mr. Girard Stuyvesant, both of New York.
+
+In extended yachting trips there is often trouble in getting fresh
+water, a difficulty which is increased at the South, where the land is
+low, and there are none of what at the North would be called springs;
+the ice-cold jets of water bubbling from the ground. It is not generally
+known that sand is so effectual a filter, that drinkable water can be
+obtained by digging down into it almost anywhere. To take advantage of
+this, and for many other purposes, it is advisable to carry a spade on
+board. Water so obtained may be a little brackish, but by boiling it
+will be made, if not quite palatable, at least healthy. Rain falling on
+the deck is apt to take up portions of the paint, infinitesimally small,
+perhaps, but sufficient to give an unpleasant and unhealthy taste. On
+the western keys a bush with a peculiar rich leaf, easily
+distinguishable by those who have once seen it, often grows where water
+is to be found.
+
+It would be easy to go on recounting the attractions of Florida
+indefinitely; there is always something more to say, a fresh point of
+interest to speak of, additional beauties to describe, other and still
+other reasons for visiting this strange and delightful country. There is
+but one way in which even a slight appreciation of the charms of Florida
+can be obtained; and that is, to go there as often and stay there as
+long as possible. For health, for recreation, for sport, no place in the
+world can be compared with it. A vast portion, that of the Everglades,
+the “Grassy Water” of the native Seminoles, has never been explored, and
+there are thousands of rivers, lakes, and ponds which have rarely been
+disturbed by the presence of a white man, and which would amply reward
+the adventurous spirit who would explore them.
+
+When we first arrived in Florida, the flowers, which its name promised
+us, were not to be seen. Deceived by the temperature and a thermometer
+that recorded rarely less than eighty degrees, we failed to recognize
+the season of the year, or recall the truism that, as all nature must
+have its spring, it must also have its winter. The climate and the
+foliage were as summer-like as we had ever seen them. The grand orange
+trees, with their brilliant shining green, flecked with spots of golden
+yellow, were the most gorgeous sight that our eyes had ever beheld in
+field or forest. The moss-covered forest evergreens, although turned
+slightly brown, were still magnificent in their richness of foliage.
+There were bare limbs here and there of deciduous trees, but their
+nakedness was nearly covered by the unfading leaves of their neighbors.
+The shrubs and undergrowth were as bright in hue, seemingly, to our
+uneducated eyes as possible. But by the time we were leaving, even we
+could notice a decided change. The green had put on a deeper verdancy,
+the brown had disappeared, and suddenly there sprang into life a myriad
+of flowers. The yellow jessamine covered the swamps and filled them with
+a mass of perfume as well as an array of loveliness. Scarlet lobelias
+thrust their bright heads boldly from the water-side, along with white
+lilies and arrow-heads, and on the higher grounds hundreds of wild
+flowers, many of which we could not name, charmed us with their beauty.
+The magnificent magnolia was bursting into bud. As the orange trees were
+being denuded of their ripe fruit, the tiny sweet smelling blossoms made
+their appearance, till the branches bore at one and the same time, buds,
+flowers, and green and ripe fruit. The inland lakes and ponds were
+covered with pond lilies, which are called “bonnets” by the natives, and
+made a delicious picture with the broad green leaves and the bright
+yellow flowers. Language fails in describing the exquisite beauty of the
+verdure of the country. We found Florida laden with fruit; we left it
+covered with flowers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+CURRITUCK MARSHES.
+
+
+Duck shooting has held its own better than any other kind of sport in
+the States east of the Mississippi. Ruffed grouse have almost
+disappeared, woodcock have grown scarcer and scarcer, English-snipe
+visit us less abundantly, while the bay-birds have nearly ceased to be
+in sections where they were once overwhelmingly abundant, but it is
+possible still, on Lake Erie, along the coast, and at many inland places
+to make a fair, if not, as often happens, an excellent bag, of ducks.
+But the best place, one where the birds seem to exist in their original
+abundance, and where magnificent shooting is still to be had, is on the
+eastern shore of North-Carolina. Of this favored locality Currituck is
+the most famous. So celebrated is this county that the entire marshes,
+the duck-haunted lowlands, have been purchased, and to-day there is
+absolutely no free shooting to be had. A stranger is as thoroughly
+debarred as if he were in the most barren portion of our land. No one is
+allowed to shoot from a battery unless he is a native, and to get a
+chance to go out at all after the innumerable flocks of wild-fowl that
+temptingly cover the water, the visitor must belong to one of the
+numerous sporting clubs which have so wisely and assiduously secured all
+the shooting grounds, and most of which are so particular that they
+exclude invited guests.
+
+But if you are one of the favored shareholders you can have a glorious
+time. Fifty ducks a day to each gun is no unusual average, and while a
+hundred is a large bag, a hundred and fifty is nothing uncommon, and as
+many as two hundred and fifty have been killed by a sportsman and his
+gunner in a single day. Moreover the birds are of the best possible
+kind; there are canvas-backs in the open water, red-heads in still
+greater abundance, and broad-bills or blue-bills so plenty that they are
+rarely shot at, while in the pond holes black-ducks, mallards, and
+widgeons abound. These are all well-fed and fat, and such a thing as a
+poor duck is unknown. The law wisely forbids shooting before sunrise or
+after sunset, and the club members are wise enough to keep the law,
+knowing as they do that one gun fired after sunset is more injurious
+than a dozen during the day, so that the ducks do not seem to diminish
+but rather to increase and multiply, and as fine a day’s sport has been
+had by the members of the club during the past few years as at any time
+in the history of the country. A result partly due to breech-loaders
+perhaps, while from a battery it is nothing unusual to kill a hundred
+brace of red-heads or canvas-backs, and some times twice as many.
+
+This favored spot is, as it ought to be, of no easy access. The
+sportsmen must first go to Norfolk and thence take either the little
+steamboat Cygnet, endeared to so many of us by the memory of pleasant
+excursions in the past, or travel by a new railroad just finished which
+passes twenty miles from the traveller’s destination, a place known from
+the name of the enterprising widow lady who formerly owned it, as Van
+Slyck’s Landing. By boat the entire day is spent in the journey, and by
+rail it is not much shorter, but the boat arrives so late that it is not
+always possible to make the trip across from the landing to the club
+house the same night. Opposite Van Slyck’s are the two most famous and
+successful sporting clubs in that section of the United States, the
+Currituck and the Palmer’s Island clubs. They own or control immense
+tracts of land, and below them to the southward the bay widens out so
+that there is no chance to kill ducks to advantage. There are a few good
+stands at Kitty Hawk Bay, thirty miles further south, and at the lower
+end of Roanoke Island Raft ducks can be shot from batteries. Then again
+along the eastern shore of Pamlico Sound, at Hatteras and Ocracoke
+inlets and in the western part of Core Sound, to the south of Harker’s
+Island, there is good duck, and in its season brant shooting, but these
+places can only be reached by the fortunate sportsman who has his own
+private conveyance. Therefore it may practically be said that the Palmer
+Island marshes are the _ultima thule_ of duck shooting.
+
+As a general thing, there is attached to every sporting club some old
+experienced gunner full of wild-fowl lore and quaint and curious
+phrases, who is a mine of interesting information to him who will
+explore the vein. Such a one belonged to the Palmer Island club, in the
+person of William S. Foster, a resident of Long Island, who had followed
+Shinnecock Bay for many years, knew the ways and habits of the birds as
+well as if he were one of them, and was as fond of shooting as the most
+inveterate sportsman. Honest to a farthing, faithful, anxious to give
+the person he was with the best sport he could, he was ready to take any
+amount of trouble, endure any labor for a good day among the ducks, the
+members of the club looked on him, rather as a friend than a paid
+employee. Many is the hour I have spent with him on the Currituck
+marshes, many a day of splendid shooting have I had, many the big bag
+have I made with his aid. One of his peculiarities was that he never was
+in a hurry. No matter how thick the birds were, how easy it seemed to
+choose a point, he would stand quietly in the bow of the boat with the
+sea-glass in his hand scanning the movements of the flocks and
+deliberately selecting the best place. I would often grow impatient and
+fear he was losing valuable time, but the result rarely failed to
+justify his judgment and vindicate his deliberation.
+
+The first and most important object, as he explained it under such
+circumstances, was to so arrange the stools that the ducks would “come
+right,” that is would approach without fear and would offer the
+sportsman a fair shot. This is a matter of the greatest moment and is
+not understood by men who consider themselves expert wild-fowlers.
+First, there is the question of the wind to take note of, then the
+position of the sun, next the cover, and last, but by no means least,
+the nature of the species of ducks that are flying. It will not do to
+string out the decoys dead to lee-ward of a point as is so often seen,
+except perhaps when canvas-backs and red-heads are alone expected,
+mallards, sprigtails, and especially the wary black-duck will never or
+rarely approach a point. If a point, with the wind blowing directly off
+from it has to be chosen, it is better to stretch the decoys around to
+one side of it so that the wind “will catch the birds under the wing” as
+he expressed it and swing them in farther than they expected. Points
+projecting far out into the open water are the favorites of tyro
+gunners, but they are especially unsuited for any of the marsh ducks,
+the black-ducks, mallards, sprigtails, and even the widgeons, all of
+which give a wide berth to such spots, especially after they have been
+shot at a few times, and most of which prefer to alight close under the
+lee of a bank, in the “slick” as it is called.
+
+There are two great divisions of ducks, the deep water, diving or raft
+ducks, and the shoal water or marsh ducks, which reach down for their
+food and can never feed in water more than two feet deep. The habits of
+these two varieties are remarkably dissimilar. The open-water birds,
+fearless of ambush, are less timid than their pond-loving brethren, who
+dread an enemy in every tuft of grass or bunch of reeds, when
+canvas-backs once make up their minds to come to the stools, they come
+straight on regardless of deficiences in the gunner’s blind, and very
+frequently pass completely over the stools. On the other hand, a
+black-duck in approaching the stand is a model of caution, he is all
+eyes and ears, the slightest movement by the sportsman, the least
+evidence of danger will arouse his suspicions, and he will veer suddenly
+off. Black-ducks and mallards rarely cross the stools to alight at the
+head of them, but if they reach them at all, drop in at the lower end,
+or more often stop short and alight at a distance just tantalizingly out
+of shot, where they remain to lure off every fresh arrival unless they
+are driven away. Their noses are especially keen, and care must be taken
+to so arrange the stand that the wind will not carry the scent of the
+gunner across the water to the lee-ward of the decoys, and the birds get
+it before they reach them. If they come in contact with such a warning
+they jump into the air as if they had been shot at, and flee with all
+the speed that terror can lend to their usually vigorous wings. It is
+desirable to set the stools under the lee of a bank of reeds or rushes,
+for none of this class of ducks likes the open water, and the most
+convenient plan is to place the stools to one side of the stand,
+quartering as it were across the wind, so that even if the birds alight
+before actually reaching them, they may be within gun-shot.
+
+The location of the stand is most important. I remember once when I was
+shooting from what is known in the club as “Kidder’s Point,” that I was
+particularly impressed with this fact. The day had been dull and rather
+quiet, with but a few birds stirring all through the morning; a haze lay
+upon the marshes, not dense enough to prevent the ducks flying if they
+had been so minded, which they did not seem to be, the wind scarcely
+stirred the reeds or rippled the surface of the bay, which was spread
+out before me. I was making a poor bag and hardly expected to do better,
+when about midday there came a change over the spirit of the earth and
+air, the clouds began to condense, the wind commenced to blow, the air
+became rapidly colder, a thin steak of gray faintly marked the sky in
+the northwest, while in the south the clouds grew blacker and denser.
+Then the rain fell in spits and flurries viciously. The atmosphere
+intimated a decided change in the weather, which the ducks were the
+first to recognize and regulate their proceedings by. Evidently a vast
+mass of widgeons were bedded to the lee-ward of us. They commenced to
+fly not in their individual capacity, but as the part of a great
+movement, as if suddenly they had made up their minds all to go. In
+whisps of threes, fours, tens, twenties, in large flocks, or solitary
+and alone, they came heading towards me directly across the marsh and
+visible for miles. Then it was that I learned that I was not in exactly
+the right place, that the birds for some reason best known to themselves
+did not care to cross that spot in their migration. Most of them,
+especially the largest flocks, passed outside of me and just beyond the
+range of my gun. I was in the wrong place, I knew it, but I had no time
+to move, the ducks
+
+[Illustration: FLORIDA “CRACKER.”]
+
+were flying too fast and too many of them came within range as it was
+for me to lose the time necessary for a change. The rain that was
+falling, although not heavy, interfered, and would have wet our guns and
+clothes which were pretty well protected so long as we remained still.
+So we stayed where we were, and as it was the sport was splendid. The
+entire mass of widgeons had determined to change their feeding grounds,
+and that at once, there was no moment when some of them were not visible
+in the air, they came from one quarter and flew in one direction. I had
+learned to whistle for widgeon as well as a professional, and did my
+best with the aid of William Foster to inveigle them within range. Very
+often we were successful, and it was an afternoon of excitement. Not a
+minute passed that we did not have the prospect of a shot, and although
+the larger flocks mostly kept on their course outside of us, the smaller
+whisps and the single ones came in freely.
+
+“Why is it that the birds seem to be all moving at once?” I asked of
+William during the first moment of partial leisure that we had, “and why
+are they all going in the same direction?”
+
+“It is a question of food with them,” he replied, “as is the case with
+most other animals. Widgeon can only get their food by reaching down for
+it, so they must keep where the water is not over their heads; that is
+so that they can touch bottom with their bills by tipping up, as you
+have often seen tame ducks do. Now in these shallow marshes a change of
+wind means a change of depth of water, it is shallower to windward, the
+water being piled up to lee-ward and the ducks, knowing this, fly
+against the wind, all the shoal feeding birds do so. The canvas-backs,
+red-heads, and broad-bills make little account of the wind.”
+
+“But,” I answered, “this wind cannot as yet have affected the depth of
+water.”
+
+“No, but the birds know that it soon will, and they are getting ready
+for to-morrow. There will probably be a greater change than we expect,
+wild animals know much more about the weather than man can ever learn,
+they have a sort of instinct that is given to them for their protection.
+I have always observed that the ducks sought the windward side of the
+marshes. If the wind is blowing from the south, I make it a rule to go
+to the southward to choose a stand, if from the west I look through the
+western marshes and so on. Of course I am not always right.”
+
+“No,” I interrupted him to remark, “but we have observed that the member
+who goes out with you generally brings in the most birds, so the results
+tend to demonstrate the theory.”
+
+“Well, I have studied these marshes as thoroughly as I could; there is
+not a tree that I have not climbed, nor an island that I have not
+explored.”
+
+“Can you see much from the trees when you do climb them?” I asked.
+
+“Yes. A little elevation will enable you to see over the entire marsh,
+and many a pond hole have I found in that way that is not known to most
+of the gunners, and not always to the natives.”
+
+“Keep still,” I remarked at this point of our conversation, “there comes
+a magnificent flock of ducks, if they would only turn this way what a
+shot they would give us.”
+
+We were silent except for whistling, which we did with the finest
+touches and the utmost skill. The flock, spread out against the distant
+sky in an angle-pointed line, was headed directly for our hiding place.
+We had crouched down on their first appearance, and grasping our guns
+and watched them, waiting with increasing impatience and anxiety. Nearer
+and nearer they came, over the distant marsh undisturbed by any other
+gunner, and unattracted by other decoys until they were directly in
+front of us and not more than three hundred yards distant. It was a
+moment of intense excitement, for if we could once get our four barrels
+into those serried ranks, there was no telling how many we might not
+kill.
+
+On they came still nearer, we whistled more softly and they answered
+with undiminished confidence. Now they were over the meadow just beyond
+our stools, a few minutes more of the same course and they would be in
+our power. But alas, just as they struck the open water they deflected
+their course a little, not much, but enough to carry them beyond fair
+reach of our guns, so that when we fired we were only rewarded with
+three birds that plunged from the flock headlong into the water. As they
+were being retrieved by our four legged companion, William sagely
+remarked:
+
+“I have observed that generally there is some misfortune connected with
+what would make the finest shots, and that at such times something is
+sure to go wrong; either the birds do not come in right, or a twig or
+reed gets in front of you, the gun misses fire, or something else
+happens, so that the best chances usually prove the worst.”
+
+“There is an awful deal in luck,” I replied, “after all is said,
+Napoleon’s star was not an imaginary planet by any means. I never was a
+lucky sportsman, and have had to earn my game by the sweat of my brow.”
+
+“Did you ever know a sportsman who would admit that he was lucky?”
+inquired William, calmly.
+
+“I can’t say that I ever did; but if you will keep still and not fluster
+me with unnecessary generalizations, I will kill that pair of widgeons
+that are coming over the marsh, luck or no luck.”
+
+After uttering that boast, I had to make my words good, and though I
+detected a twinkle in my companion’s eye, as if he would not mind should
+I happen to miss just that once, I took care to aim straight, not the
+sort of excessive care that invariably results in a miss, but the rapid
+and confident deliberation that first holds the gun right and then pulls
+it off when it is right, without waiting until it gets wrong.
+
+“Good,” said William, _sotto voce_, in his quiet way, as the two ducks,
+doubled up by the full charge of shot came down splash into the mud,
+close to our stand, “I have seen a good many misses when a man was most
+sure of hitting; I hardly expected that you would kill them both so
+neatly.”
+
+The sport kept up. It is useless to describe each individual shot that
+we made. There is endless variety in every one that is fired, for no two
+birds come to the decoys precisely alike. There are never the same
+conditions of wind, sun, position, readiness, and what not, so that each
+is more or less of a surprise. These the sportsman enjoys at the time,
+they constitute the great charm of shooting; but they would tire in the
+repetition in the cold blood of white paper and black ink. It is enough
+that we had a magnificent day’s sport; “magnificent” is not
+hyperbolical; we had sport that will be a memory through life, and until
+the age-weakened arms can no longer wield the faithful fowling piece,
+nor the time-dimmed eyes note the birds approach. Our store of game lay
+in a pile uncounted; we knew there was a goodly number, and when at last
+the tired sun had performed his allotted task and gone to bed, we were
+not surprised to add up nearly a hundred of what is one of the finest of
+all the ducks, the handsome little widgeon. Few of our gunners, even the
+oldest of them, know that there was a time when the widgeon was valued
+more highly than the canvas-back, when in fact in firing a sitting shot
+the market gunner would “shew” the latter out of the way, in order that
+he might have a better chance at the former. Had we been in exactly the
+right spot, there is no doubt that I would then have reached the bag of
+two hundred, which it has been the ambition of my life to attain.
+
+On another occasion I had the same misfortune, although from a different
+cause. I was with Jesse that time, Jesse who, or Jesse what, I cannot
+tell. So faithful and trustworthy a fellow must have another name, a
+full name; but often as I have availed myself of his care in the marshes
+of Currituck, I am ashamed to confess that I have forgotten it. Every
+one calls him simply “Jesse,” out of kindly feeling no doubt, for a
+better fellow never set out a stand of decoys; so as simply Jesse he
+must go down to the immortality that this book will give him. He is
+devoted to the pleasure of his employer, and never more delighted than
+when the latter brings home a fine bag of birds; but he is not quite so
+skillful as his older associate, William Foster. He had observed, when
+out the day previous, that the birds had a favorite feeding place in a
+little bay near what in club nomenclature is designated as “the
+horse-shoe.” To this place we wended our way as soon as we could cross
+the intervening three miles of distance. The bay was not large, and at
+its mouth was contracted into two narrow points which were hardly a
+hundred yards apart. I had never shot at this particular point, and
+Jesse did not think of the effect of the sun when he made his selection.
+One point was probably as favorable as the other, with that exception,
+but the one he selected brought the birds directly between me and that
+luminary when he shot his burning and blinding rays from mid-heaven.
+The result was, that before the day was over, reeds and ducks and spots
+swam before my eyes in prismatic hues. The heavens become alive with
+them, mixed up with grasses and flowers, the gorgeous colors of
+condensed sunlight. Scarlet ducks, golden ducks, fiery ducks floated
+before my bewildered vision, interwoven with such flaming reeds and
+rushes as were never seen by mortal eye before. To say that under the
+circumstances I could not shoot with my accustomed skill, is
+unnecessary; I could not help occasionally mistaking the flaming bird
+for the natural one, and no doubt would have killed him, had he only
+been real enough to kill. This was the second occasion when I might have
+reached my stint of two hundred, if I had only been so fortunate as to
+locate properly in the first place, or even had had the courage to
+change when I found out that I was wrong.
+
+There are myriads of wild geese and swans in Currituck Sound and its
+adjoining waters. The swans are hard to kill, and it rarely falls to the
+fortune of any sportsman to bag more than two or three of these
+beautiful birds in a season, but the geese are shot in immense numbers
+on favorable days--“goosing days,” as they are called. Such days are
+made by a southwesterly wind blowing hard enough to constitute a gale,
+and the harder the better, which causes the water to rise and enables
+the geese to reach the beaches where they go to sand. For this shooting
+a “stand,” as it is called, of tamed wild geese are required. The
+sportsman hides himself in a large, water-tight box, which has been sunk
+in the sand at the spot which the birds frequent, and the “stand” of
+living decoys are tethered in front by stout strings fastened to their
+legs and pinned to the ground. The geese come to the stools in flocks,
+and the slaughter at times is enormous, as many as two hundred being no
+unusual bag, and that is often rounded out with forty or fifty ducks. It
+is customary on such occasions to put a live swan or two with the geese
+decoys, if the sportsman happens to be so fortunate as to possess them,
+and I never shall forget seeing four swans come to a stand which was
+located some distance from my own, but in full view from it. I have
+always believed that birds could converse and had a language of their
+own, and on this occasion my theory received confirmation strong as holy
+writ. When I have sat listening hour after hour to the unceasing
+conversational cacklings of geese, who appear to be the most talkative
+of birds, I fancied that I could almost make out the words they uttered,
+and which were certainly understood by the fowls themselves, as the
+dullest observer would be convinced by their actions. Their expressions
+of comfort, their mild observations about the weather may not have been
+quite comprehensible, but their cries of alarm, their notes of warning,
+no one could mistake. Ignorant hearers not versed in goose language, and
+a very pretty tongue I have no doubt it is, may call it contemptuously
+“gabble,” but so is the language of any foreigner “gabble” to those who
+do not understand it.
+
+In the instance that I am about to mention with the swans, there could
+be no difficulty in understanding every word. There were four of them,
+the wise father, the inquisitive mother, and two pretty, innocent,
+dove-colored cygnets. They were sailing along far up in the heavens,
+away out of danger, when the attention of the young ones was attracted
+to a nice, gentle old swan seated happily among a body of geese that
+were evidently having a good time and abundant food. In all the
+innocence of their uncorrupted hearts they uttered a shout of joy and
+started to join him, the mother who was curious to understand the
+meaning of so happy a combination, following eagerly behind them. In
+vain the cautious father warned them to “go slow.” They would not stop
+to listen or to heed. On they flew or swam after alighting on the water,
+giving free expression to their feelings of pleasure. Louder and louder
+grew the warning notes of the head of the house, who hung back and tried
+to keep the others back, but his efforts were useless, the young were
+guileless, and the foolish wife inquisitive. He was too devoted to leave
+his family, although the danger into which they were running was
+apparent to him. Soon his worst fears were realized. He was out of
+gunshot, but his wife and children were within the fatal reach of the
+deadly gun. Several loud reports followed one another, and all was over.
+In an instant he was childless and wifeless. The two cygnets were killed
+dead, but the mother was able to fly a hundred yards, and it was pitiful
+to see him go to her, braving all danger, and to hear his cries of
+lamentation. He could not save her, however, and when the boat
+approached with a gunner to complete the deadly work, the poor old swan
+had to leave her. Still he kept circling round for some time and filling
+the air with his bitter lamentations.
+
+In wild fowl shooting it is essential to learn the various calls of the
+different species of ducks and of the geese and swans. These it is
+impossible to reproduce on paper, and about all that can be said is that
+the raft ducks make various modifications of the word “pritt,” if it can
+be called a word; that the widgeons whistle, the geese honk, and the
+mallards and black-ducks quack. Jesse had a curious way of calling the
+shoal-water ducks by uttering in rapid succession the word “Kek-kekkek,
+kek-kek-kek-kek;” and he seemed to attract them as well as the patent
+duck-call which I had purchased in the gun store for a dollar. For
+black-ducks, however, I prefer the manufactured duck-call, and in going
+out for them, I cannot too strongly impress upon the reader the
+necessity for the utmost caution and the most careful hiding. When
+shooting at some small pond hole in the middle of the marshes, it is
+better to only use one or two decoys and to be covered entirely, except
+for a single opening in front, just large enough to fire through,
+overlooking the stools. A single tamed wild duck for this kind of sport
+is worth all the wooden decoys in the world, and his quack is better
+than Jesse’s “kek” or my “squawk.” Some gunners can set up the birds
+they have killed so as to be almost as natural as the living bird, and
+to deceive even the elect, but it is not an easy knack to acquire.
+Usually such imitation stools look so fearfully and abnormally dead,
+that they would drive any duck, with the fear of ghosts before his mind,
+out of the country. It is only the most experienced gunner that can take
+such liberties with the dead.
+
+At the North, where the winters are colder than they are at Currituck,
+it is customary to shoot in the ice. No waters that ducks frequent are
+ever entirely frozen over; there are always what are called “breathing
+holes,” where the gunner can place his stools, and which the ducks
+frequent for food. He dresses himself in white linen over his other
+clothes, so as to be as near the color of the ice as possible, and he
+uses a light skiff provided with iron runners underneath. This he shoves
+rapidly over the ice without much labor, carrying his dozen or so of
+stools aboard, and using an iron-pointed pole to propel himself with. He
+has his oars stowed under the narrow deck, so that he can row across
+open water, and is safe in case his skiff should break through the ice.
+When he has reached the open hole that he has selected, he throws out
+his stools and cuts a place in the ice at the edge of the hole, to hide
+himself and his boat, piling the cakes that he takes out alongside of
+him, to further assist in hiding him. The decoys he uses are black-ducks
+and whistlers, which will stool to one another indiscriminately. He must
+then lie down on his back in the skiff, and no matter how cold he may
+be, he must not move or stir. Though his blood chills and the marrow of
+his bones freezes, he must bear it, for there is no telling at what
+instant the birds may dart down upon him from the heavens, as they have
+a way of doing without giving the sportsman the least warning. Shooting
+in the ice has sent many a healthy man to a consumptive’s grave.
+
+In closing this article, let me give a final bit of wisdom in the words
+of William Foster. It is well known to every wild-fowler, but his way of
+putting it covers in a few words the whole ground: “Remember, that as a
+general rule, the shoal-water ducks go with the shoal-water ducks, and
+the diving ducks go with the diving ducks, so they will pretty well
+stool in the same way. Each prefers his own kind a little the best, I
+think, but not enough to make a decided difference, provided the stools
+are of the same class. Widgeon like widgeon, and canvas-backs will only
+stool to canvas-backs or red-heads, but broad-bills will come to
+canvas-back stools almost as well as they will come to broad-bill
+stools. Black-ducks prefer black-duck stools, but sprigtails and
+mallards will come to black-duck stools nearly as readily as they will
+to their own. Don’t, however, use canvas-back stools for black-ducks,
+nor, above all, black-duck stools for canvas-backs.”
+
+
+
+
+                               PART II.
+
+                           GAME WATER BIRDS.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+GAME AND ITS PROTECTION.
+
+
+By the ancient law of 1 and 2 William IV., chap. 32, under the
+designation of game, were included “hares, pheasants, partridges,
+grouse, heath or moor game, black game, and bustards.”
+
+Hunting and hawking date back to the earliest days of knight-errantry,
+when parties of cavaliers and ladies fair, mounted on their mettlesome
+steeds caparisoned with all the skill of the cunning artificers of those
+days, pursued certain birds of the air with the falcon, and followed the
+royal stag through the well preserved and extensive forests with packs
+of hounds. The term game, therefore, had an early significance and
+positive application, but was confined to the creatures pursued in one
+or the other of these two modes.
+
+The gun was first used for the shooting of feathered game in the early
+part of the eighteenth century; it soon became the favorite implement of
+the sportsman, and was brought into use, not only against the birds,
+but the beasts, of game. The huntsman no longer depends upon his brave
+dog and cloth-yard shaft, but upon his own powers of endurance and of
+marksmanship. Instead of watching the savage falcon strike his prey far
+up in the heavens, he follows his high-bred setters, till their
+wonderful natural instinct betrays to him the presence of the game.
+
+Where he once rode after the yelping pack, sounding the merry notes of
+his bugle horn, he now climbs and crawls laboriously, until he brings
+the wary stag within range of the deadly rifle. No more brilliant
+parties of lovely dames and gallant men, chatting merrily on the
+incidents of the day, ride gaily decked steeds; no more the luxury of
+the beautiful faces and pleasant companionship of the gentler sex is to
+be enjoyed; the ladies of modern times--except in England, where they
+occasionally follow foxes, which are rather vermin than game--preferring
+the excitement of ball-room flirtations to outdoor sports and pleasures,
+take no part in the pursuits of the chase.
+
+Together with the change in the mode of capturing game, comes a
+necessity for a change in its former restricted meaning. Who would think
+of not including among game birds, the gamest of them all--the
+magnificent woodcock; nor the stylish English snipe, nor even possibly
+the brave little quail--unless he can be scientifically proved to be a
+partridge--which is at least doubtful! Migratory birds were not included
+in the sacred list, and the quail in England, as the woodcock and snipe
+of both England and America, are migratory, although the mere temporary
+character of their residence does not, in our view, at all alter the
+nature of their claims. The larger European woodcock is by no means so
+delicious or highly flavored a bird as our yellow-breasted, round-eyed
+beauty, and is much scarcer; while the foreign quail, on the other hand,
+is smaller than ours, and in southern Europe is found in vast flocks;
+but both are entitled to high rank among modern sportsmen.
+
+The term Game Birds, therefore, should be, and has been by general
+consent, greatly extended in its application, and applied to all the
+numerous species which, whether migratory or not, are killed not alone
+for the market, but for sport; and which are followed on the stubble
+fields, in brown November, with the strong-limbed and keen-nosed setter,
+or shot from blind in scorching August; slain from battery in freezing
+December, or chased in a boat, or misled by decoys. All wild birds that
+furnish sport as well as profit are therefore game; and the gentle
+dowitchers along our sea-coast, lured to the deceitful stools, are as
+much entitled to the name as the stately ruffed grouse of our wild
+woods, or the royal turkey of the far west.
+
+To constitute a legitimate object of true sport, the bird must be
+habitually shot on the wing, and the greater the skill required in its
+capture, the higher its rank. The turkey, therefore, although frequently
+killed on the wing, is more a game bird by sufferance than by right, and
+partly from his gastronomic as well as from his other qualities. Under
+this classification, then, we must include, not merely the ruffed and
+pinnated grouse, which, although the only species in our country coming
+within the ancient definition, furnish far less sport than many other
+varieties, but woodcock, snipe, quail, geese, ducks, bay birds, plover,
+and rail; without regard to the fact that all, except the quail, are
+migratory, and most were unknown to our British ancestry. It has been
+even supposed that the quail, in parts of our country free from deep
+rivers and impassable barriers, are also in a measure migratory; but
+this has no other foundation than their habit of wandering from place to
+place in search of food, and collecting late in the season, as they will
+do where they are numerous and undisturbed in large packs.
+
+To the protection of this vast variety of game it is the sportsman’s
+duty to address himself, in spite of the opposition of the market-man
+and restaurateur, the mean-spirited poaching of the pot-hunter, and the
+lukewarmness of the farmer. The latter can be enlisted in the cause; he
+has indirectly the objects of the sportsman at heart; and with proper
+enlightenment will assist, not merely to preserve his fields from
+ruthless injury, but to save from destruction his friends the
+song-birds.
+
+As the true sportsman turns his attention only to legitimate sport,
+destroying those birds that are but little if at all useful to the
+farmer; and as at the same time, out of gratitude for the kindness with
+which the latter generally receives him, he is careful never to invade
+the high grass or the ripening grain--so also, from his innate love of
+nature, and of everything that makes nature more beautiful, he spares
+and defends the warblers of the woods and the innocent worm-devourers
+that stand guardian over the trees and crops. The smaller birds destroy
+immense numbers of worms; cedar-birds have been known to eat hundreds of
+caterpillars, and in this city have cleared the public squares in a
+morning’s visit of the disgusting measuring-worms, that were hanging by
+thousands pendent from the branches. And who has not heard the
+“woodpecker tapping” all day long in pursuit of his prey?
+
+With the barbarous and senseless destruction of our small birds, the
+ravages of the worms have augmented, until we hear from all the
+densely-settled portions of the country loud complaints of their
+attacks. Peach-trees perish; cherries are no longer the beautiful fruit
+they once were; apples are disfigured, and plums have almost ceased to
+exist. Worms appear upon every vegetable thing; the borers dig their way
+beneath the bark of the trunk and cut long alleys through the wood;
+weevils pierce the grain and eat out its pith; the leaf-eaters of
+various sorts punch out the delicate membrane by individual effort; or
+collecting in bodies, throw their nets, like a spider-web, over the
+branches, and by combined attacks deliberately devour every leaf. While
+these species are at work openly and in full sight, others are at the
+roots digging and destroying and multiplying; until the tree that at
+first gave evidence of hardiness and promise of long utility to man,
+pauses in its growth, becomes delicate, fades, and finally dies.
+
+The destruction of these vermicular pests is a question of life or death
+to the farmer. He may attempt it either with his own labor, by tarring
+his trees, fastening obstructions on the trunks, or by killing
+individuals; or he may have it done for him, free of expense, by
+innumerable flocks of the denizens of the air. The increase of worms
+must be stopped; the means of doing so is a question of serious public
+concern, and none have yet been invented so effectual as the natural
+course--the restoration of the equipoise of nature. It is true that the
+robin, as we call him, now and then steals a cherry, and has been blamed
+as though he were nothing more than a cherry-thief; but surely we can
+spare him a little fruit for his dessert, when we remember that his meal
+has been composed mainly of the deadly enemies of that very fruit!
+Swallows are accused of breeding lice, which, if true, would not be a
+serious charge, considering that their nests are generally in the
+loftiest and least accessible corner they can find; but when we consider
+how many millions of noxious flies and poisonous mosquitoes they
+destroy, how they hover over the swamps and meadows for this especial
+purpose, and how much annoyance their labors save to human kind, we owe
+them gratitude instead of abuse.
+
+Every tribe of birds has its allotted part to play; and if destroyed,
+not only will its pleasant songs and bright feathers, gleaming amid the
+green leaves, be missed, but some species of bug or insect, some
+disgusting caterpillar or injurious fly, will escape well merited
+destruction, and increasingly visit upon man the punishment of his
+cruelty and folly.
+
+The beautiful blue-birds, the numerous woodpeckers, the tiny wrens, the
+graceful swallows and noisy martins, are sacred to the sportsman, and
+constitute one great division of the creatures that he desires to
+protect. It is true that enthusiastic foreigners, with cast-iron guns,
+are seen peering into trees and lurking through the woods, proud of a
+dirty bag half filled with robins, thrushes, and woodpeckers; but let no
+ignorant reader confound such persons with sportsmen. Their satisfaction
+in slaying one beautiful little warbler, as full of melody as it is bare
+of meat, with a deadly charge of No. 4 shot; or in chasing from tree to
+tree the agile red squirrel, who, with bushy tail erect, leaps from one
+limb to another, emulating the very birds themselves with his agility,
+is as unsportsmanlike as to kill a cheeping quail, that, struggling from
+the thick weeds in September before the pointer’s nose, with feeble
+wings, skirts the low brush; or to murder the brooding woodcock, that
+flutters up before the dog in June, and, with holy maternal instinct,
+endeavours to lead the pursuer from her infant brood.
+
+From such acts the veritable sportsman turns with horror; they are
+cruelty--the slaughter of what is useless for food, or what, by its
+death, will produce misery to others; and no persons in the community
+have done more to repress this wantonness of destruction than the
+Sportsmen’s Clubs. It was at their request that the killing of
+song-birds was prohibited altogether; and they are the most earnest to
+restrict the times of lawful sport to such periods as will not, by any
+possibility, permit its being followed during the season of incubation.
+
+Not alone by obtaining the passage of appropriate laws and their
+vigorous enforcement, have these clubs effected a great reform; but by
+their personal example and social influence, often, too, at considerable
+loss to themselves. For while the poacher, taking the chance of a legal
+conviction as an accident of business, and but a slight reduction of his
+unlawful profits, anticipates the appointed time, true sportsmen,
+restrained by a feeling of honor and self-respect, although they know
+that the birds are being killed daily in defiance of the statute, wait
+till the lawful day arrives, and thus often, especially in woodcock
+shooting, sacrifice their entire season’s sport for a principle.
+
+This honorable spirit, if encouraged and extended, is the best
+protection for song-birds and game that can be had. The laws are only
+necessary to deter those who are dead to honor and decency, and to fix
+the proper times--which ought to be uniform throughout our entire
+country. But to enforce them requires the assistance of public opinion.
+Every encouragement should be given to sportsmen’s associations. The
+absurd prejudice that has originated from confounding them with a very
+different class of the community should be overcome, and their efforts
+to have good laws passed, and to make them effectual, should be
+sustained. The vulgar idea, that confounds laws for the protection of
+the wild creatures of wood, meadow, lake, and stream, with the monstrous
+game-laws of olden time--that made killing a hare more criminal than
+killing a man--should be corrected.
+
+In this country, where every man is expected to be a sort of
+volunteer-policeman, all should unite in enforcing the laws; and then,
+in spite of the irrepressible obstinacy of the German enthusiast, and
+the mean cunning of the sneaking poacher, our cities would soon be rid
+of the disgusting worms that make their trees hideous, our farms
+protected from the devastations of the curculio, the weevil, the borer,
+and the army-worm; the country would once more be populated with its
+native feathered game, and our fields would resound with the glad songs
+of the little birds that there build their homes.
+
+So long as the ignorant of our _nouveaux riches_, imagining themselves
+to be epicures, will pay for unseasonable game an extravagant price, so
+long will unscrupulous market-men purchase, and loafing, disreputable,
+tavern-haunting poachers shoot or otherwise kill their prey. It must be
+made a disgrace, and if necessary punished as a crime, for any modern
+Lucullus to insult his guests by presenting to them game out of season;
+and eating-house keepers should not only be taught--by persistent
+espionage, if necessary--that illegal profits will not equal legal
+punishments; but their customers should also discourage, by withdrawing
+their patronage, conduct that is so injurious to the public interests.
+Woodcock would not be shot in spring, nor quail in summer, unless the
+demand for them were sufficiently great to pay both the expense of
+capture and the danger of exposure; and, with a diminution of
+purchasers, will be an increased diminution of the number of birds
+improperly killed.
+
+Birds and fish, except in their proper seasons, are always tasteless,
+and often unhealthy food. A setting quail or a spawning trout is
+absolutely unfit to eat, and to do without them is no sacrifice; but for
+the sportsman to restrain his ardor as the close-time draws towards an
+end, and when others less scrupulous are filling their bags daily, or
+when in the wilder sections of country there is no one to complain or
+object, requires the heroism of self-denial. Nevertheless, the effect of
+example should not be forgotten, and the duty of the true sportsman is
+clear and unmistakable: he must abide by the law; or, where there is no
+law, must govern himself by analogous rules.
+
+In the wilderness, it is true, where birds are abundant to excess, he
+may without blame supply his pot with cheeping grouse or wood-duck
+flappers, if he can offer hunger as an excuse; but not even there,
+unless driven by extremity, can he slay the parent of a brood that will
+starve without parental care. In the settled regions, no matter how
+great the provocation, the true sportsman will never forget the
+chivalric motto, _noblesse oblige_.
+
+The close-times of the present statutes are not altogether correct; and
+in so extensive a locality as the United States, where diverse interests
+are to be considered, it is nearly impracticable to make the laws
+perfect. For instance, where quail are abundant, as in the South, there
+is no objection to killing them during the entire month of January; but,
+as at that period they are often lean and tough, and have to contend, in
+the Northern States, against dangers of the elements and rapacious
+vermin, with not too favorable a chance for life--it is undesirable,
+where they are in the least scarce, to continue the pursuit after
+December.
+
+If it were possible to make a uniform law for the entire Union, and to
+enforce it everywhere, English snipe and ducks should not be killed at
+all during the spring. The latter at the time of their flight northward
+are poor and fishy; but if they can be slain in New Jersey, it is hardly
+worth while to protect them in New York. For every duck or snipe that
+passes towards the hatching-grounds of British America in the early part
+of the year, four or five return in the fall and winter. Could proper
+protection, therefore, be enforced, the sport in the latter season would
+be four times as great as in the former.
+
+As matters stand, however, the seasons for killing game birds should be:
+For woodcock, from July fourth to December thirty-first; for ruffed and
+pinnated grouse, from September first--and quail from November
+first--to the same period, both days inclusive; for wood-duck from
+August first till they migrate southward. It is desirable to fix upon
+anniversaries or days that are easily remembered. Woodcock are often
+young and weak in early summer, and the three days gained between the
+first and the fourth of July are quite an advantage. Although the first
+brood of quail may be fully grown in October, a vast number of the birds
+are too small, and the brush is too dense and thick before the first of
+the ensuing month; whereas it is simply monstrous to slay pinnated
+grouse, put up by the panting, overheated pointer from the high grass of
+the western prairie, in the month of August, ere they can half fly. But
+the migratory birds of the coast--the waterfowl and snipe, the waders
+and plovers--may continue to be shot when they can be found, till their
+rapidly diminishing numbers shall compel a more sensible and considerate
+treatment.
+
+The bay-snipe lead the advancing army of the game birds that have sought
+the cool and secluded marshes of Hudson’s Bay and the Northern Ocean to
+raise their young, and are hastening south from approaching cold and
+darkness to more congenial climes. Next come the beautiful wood-duck,
+and, almost simultaneously, the English snipe; then the swift but
+diminutive teal; after him the broad-bill or the blue-bill of the west;
+and then a host of other ducks, till the hardy canvas-backs and geese
+bring up the rear. From July, when the yellow-legs and dowitchers
+abound; throughout August, in which month the larger bay-birds are
+continuously streaming by; during September, when the English snipe are
+on the meadows and the wood-ducks in the lily-pad marshes of the
+fresh-water lakes; in October, when the teal and blue-bills are abundant
+in the great west; all through the fall and into winter, when the geese
+and canvas-backs arrive, the bayman finds his sport in perfection.
+
+Many of the upland birds are disappearing; the quail is being killed
+with merciless energy, and his loved haunts of dense brush are cleared
+away from year to year; the woodcock can hardly rest in peace long
+enough to rear her young, and finds many of her favorite secluded spots
+drained by the enterprising farmer; the ruffed grouse disappears with
+the receding forest, and the prairie chicken with the cultivation of the
+open land. But although innumerable ducks, snipe, and plovers are killed
+every season, and by unjustifiable measures are driven from certain
+localities, their vast flights throughout the whole country--amounting
+to myriads in the west--are apparently as innumerable as ever.
+
+From the first of August to the last of December they stretch athwart
+the sky from the Atlantic to the Pacific; and although in localities
+they may appear scarce, still constitute countless hosts. Were it
+possible to stand on some peak of the Rocky Mountains, and take in at a
+glance the vast stretch of heavens from ocean to ocean, with the moving
+myriads of migratory flocks, the mind would be astonished; and it would
+seem impossible ever to reduce their numbers. This is to a certain
+degree true; for so long as the lagoons of the South shall remain
+undisturbed, and the shores of the bays and rivers unoccupied to any
+great extent, this abundance of the migratory birds will continue.
+
+But who can tell how long this will last? The methods of destruction are
+being perfected, the number of destroyers is increasing, until now the
+reverberation of the fowling piece accompanies the water-fowl from the
+rocky shores of Maine to the sandy coasts of North Carolina with the
+unceasing roar of threatened death. Twenty years ago, and “batteries,”
+as they are called, the sunken floats which are the most fatal ambushes
+of the gunner, were almost unknown south of Havre de Grace; now they are
+so abundant throughout the waters of North Carolina that the migratory
+bird is never out of ear-shot of them during his entire journey.
+
+It would be better for the permanence of wild-fowl shooting never to use
+batteries where fair sport can be obtained from points or blinds. Ducks,
+geese, and, above all, swans have great faith in the sharpness of their
+eyes and the acuteness of their noses. Dangers that they can see they
+are rather tempted to scorn. They learn to shun points where man may
+conceal his murderous propensities, and are not to be inveigled by the
+apparent security of the deceitful likenesses of themselves which are
+innocently nestling near by. They seek the safety of the open water,
+and feed in the narrow bays and marsh-encompassed ponds during moonlight
+nights, if they belong to the tribes that are compelled to gain their
+living by grubbing at the bottom, with heads down and tails up. And no
+matter how they are harried in certain places, they feel safe in others
+close at hand. But the battery, sunken to a level with the water and
+hidden by the stand of decoys around it, placed on their favorite
+feeding grounds and in the broad bosom of the open bays, is too much for
+their courage or sagacity. To see a man, a merciless and murderous
+mortal, arise in all his horrid aspect from the depths of the sea, from
+the middle of a body of their fellows, is a terror that custom never
+stales. After a few such experiences, they lose faith in themselves,
+and, if possible, take flight to safer and more propitious realms.
+
+To those who are accustomed to it, there is no more delightful method of
+shooting than from a battery, but a novice will find much trouble in
+becoming accustomed to the confined position and the awkwardness of
+motion. I remember, years ago, hearing Mr. Dominy, who then kept the
+famous sporting hostelry at Fire Island, say that if he was to shoot on
+a wager for his life, he would prefer to shoot from a battery rather
+than in any other way. To one not used to the narrow box and constrained
+position, lying on one’s back does not seem to be the most cheerful
+manner of killing any species of game. There is everything in habit, and
+certainly the exhilaration of watching the approach of the birds as
+they come nearer and nearer, and grow larger and larger, from mere
+specks on the horizon to the size of broad-bills, canvas-backs, or
+perhaps brant or geese, is hardly to be surpassed by any kind of sport.
+In most of the Southern waters the destructive nature of these machines
+is so well recognized, that non-residents are not permitted to use them,
+and the natives keep this method of wild-fowling to themselves.
+
+The shooter lies on his back in this modified coffin, and whenever a
+flock approaches he rises to a sitting posture and fires. He cannot
+leave his floating home, and is unable to retrieve his ducks without the
+aid of an assistant. There have been many accidents arising from
+carelessness or inexperience, not merely in the use of the machine
+itself, but from the fault of the tender; and so many guns have blown
+holes in the bottom of the box, that it is the habit of the gunners on
+the south side of Long Island always to warn green hands, and instruct
+them how to rest and hold their guns. In two instances within my own
+knowledge, the sailing boat that accompanies the shooter, and serves as
+his tender and protector, was unable to return to him. In one case it
+was driven to leeward, and could not work back to windward, and in the
+other it went aground on a falling tide just before dark, when the
+thermometer ranged but little above zero. In both cases the sportsmen
+were saved, but in both the hand of death grazed them closely.
+
+Night shooting is a still more deleterious practice. Wild fowl must be
+allowed to rest at night; indeed, the same might be said of most other
+animals, including the human family. If they are not, they will
+inevitably wend their way elsewhere. The discharge of one shot at night,
+with its accompaniment of flame, and its noise reverberating more
+horribly in the still and silent hours, will do more to frighten away
+the marsh ducks than any amount of daylight shooting. As the night
+begins to fall, the fowl begin to seek the marshes. They rise from the
+open water where they have been resting, perhaps without being able to
+feed at all, and move towards the shore, coming on in a steady unbroken
+flight, until they have all found nesting and feeding grounds in the
+shoal water. Drive them from such places in the night, and there will be
+no shooting during the day.
+
+The use of pivot-guns is another reprehensible practice that has been so
+earnestly condemned, even among market-gunners, that it has been in a
+great measure abandoned. Still, however, in some quiet bay of one of the
+great lakes of the West, where there is no one to observe the iniquity,
+or of a moonlight night on the Chesapeake, the poaching murderer,
+sculling his boat down upon an unsuspicious flock crowded together and
+feeding or asleep, will discharge a pound or two of coarse shot from his
+diminutive cannon; and wounding hundreds, will kill scores of ducks at
+the one fatal discharge. The noise, however, reverberating over land and
+water, scatters the tidings of the guilty act far and wide; and often
+brings upon the criminal detection and punishment. To avoid this the
+pivot-shooter will sometimes, as soon as he has fired, throw his gun
+overboard with a buoy attached to it, and if pursued, pretend he has
+used nothing but his small fowling-piece. The practice of
+pivot-shooting, however, has almost ceased, never having been
+extensively adopted; and has nothing whatever sportsmanlike about it,
+being a mixture of cruelty and theft.
+
+Another mode of pursuing ducks, which is at the same time attractive,
+exciting, and injurious, is by the use of a sail-boat. Not only is there
+the excitement of the pursuit, the rushing down wind with bellying sail
+and hissing water--the crested waves parting at the prow and lengthening
+out behind in two long lines of foam--but there is the free motion and
+the pleasant breeze to stimulate the sportsman. This is really a
+delightful sport, combining the excitement of shooting with the
+exhilaration of sailing; but as it disturbs the flocks upon their
+feeding-grounds, as it gives them no rest during the noontide hours,
+when it appears that ducks--like all other sensible people--love to
+indulge in a quiet nap, it eventually drives them away; and not only
+makes them shy of the locality, but injures the sport of the
+point-shooter, who depends upon their regular flights for his success.
+It is not often very remunerative, but is uncommonly attractive, and is
+only condemned with great reluctance on proof of its injurious results.
+
+But while sailing for ducks is wisely forbidden by the laws of New York
+and of most of the older States, that prohibition should not be
+stretched beyond the true meaning and intent of the statute. Coots, the
+big black sea coot of the coast and his congeners, not the little mud
+coot or blue peter of the fresh waters, may be ducks from a scientific
+point of view, but they were never intended to be included in the
+prohibition. These dusky gentlemen are wonderful divers, they swim under
+water almost as readily and rapidly as they fly above it, and seek their
+food at the bottom. They do not so much live on fish, in fact I have
+never noticed fish in their stomachs, although some authorities say that
+they feed on them, but they devour incredible numbers of small clams and
+oysters. They are not content to take the full grown bivalve, two or
+three of which would make a solid meal even for a voracious coot, but
+they invariably select the tiny fellows just starting in life, and of
+whom it takes a great many to furnish forth a breakfast or dinner. There
+is little sport in shooting these tough fellows, and no sport except in
+killing them from a sailboat when underway.
+
+In this chapter on the obligations that man owes to his feathered
+friends, his naturalized assistants must not be forgotten. The imported
+sparrow, though small in himself, has done a great work for our country,
+and still more for our cities. We all know that gratitude is a fleeting
+sentiment, and looks rather to things hoped for than to those which
+have already been conferred, and it is somewhat the fashion to decry the
+bustling busy immigrant from abroad; but those who remember the
+condition of our streets and parks, hung full with disgusting measuring
+worms pendent from every tree and branch, till to pass through them was
+an annoyance, will not wholly forget our debt to the English sparrow. He
+has been, wrongfully I think, accused of driving away our native birds,
+but before we condemn him it will have to be shown, not only that he has
+done so, but in addition that he has driven away birds more useful than
+himself.
+
+It is but a few years since he was first brought among us, and already
+have the caterpillars so thoroughly disappeared, that one is rarely seen
+in our streets, and the trees are allowed to bear their foliage in
+peace, instead of being reduced to bare boughs, as was their invariable
+fate in old times. The sparrow has been accused, and has been compelled
+to plead guilty of the crime of not eating the hairy as well as the
+smooth-skinned caterpillar, but it ought to be urged in mitigation,
+before he is condemned to condign punishment, that his adversaries do
+not do so either, while they are guilty of the further crime of not even
+eating the smooth-skinned kinds.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+GUNNERY--MUZZLE-LOADERS AND BREECH-LOADERS.
+
+
+To the young sportsman, armed with the finest of implements, and
+trusting much to them for his success, it is a matter of mortification
+and surprise how well a bad gun will shoot in good hands; nevertheless,
+no true sportsman ever lived but, if he were able by any self-denial to
+scrape the means together, would purchase a valuable and necessarily
+expensive fowling-piece. Not only is a well made and handsomely finished
+gun safer and lighter than a cheap affair manufactured for the wholesale
+trade; not only does it ordinarily carry closer and recoil less; but it
+needs fewer repairs, lasts infinitely longer, and is always a matter of
+pride and delight to its owner.
+
+Many guns of inferior workmanship throw shot as strongly as those turned
+out by the best makers--although this is not the fact in general--but
+greater weight has to be given to insure tolerable safety, and the
+locks, if not the barrels, are sure to give out in a few years; whereas
+the high-priced article will be as perfect at the end of a dozen
+years--which have accustomed its owner to its easy, rapid, and effective
+management--as it was in the beginning, and will endure until failing
+sight, wasting disease, or accumulating years, shall compel its
+transfer into younger hands.
+
+Unless a man has continual practice, or is an excellent shot, it is a
+serious undertaking to change his gun and accustom himself to another,
+which, although apparently identical in weight and shape, will
+inevitably differ in some slight point that will be sufficient to
+destroy, for a time, accuracy in aim and prompt execution in cover. Some
+persons require months to acquire the effective use of a new gun under
+difficult circumstances; and in those dense thickets where so much of
+our shooting is done, and where it is by instinct founded upon long
+habit that the sportsman is enabled at all to kill his game, and where
+he cannot indulge in the deliberate care that more open shooting
+allows--this deficiency will be most painfully apparent. For such
+persons to purchase a new piece, is equivalent to throwing away the
+sport of an entire summer or fall, and when we consider that few of us
+can expect to average more than forty summers or falls, the loss of
+one-fortieth part of life’s enjoyment is no trivial deprivation.
+
+A very cheap gun is dangerous; but it is not expected that any person
+reading these lines will trust his life with an instrument that common
+sense tells him is manufactured to kill at both ends. A gun of moderate
+price, that is, from forty to fifty dollars, is as safe as the most
+expensive--the iron is not so tough, but more of it is used; but in a
+short time the barrels will wear away; the locks, losing their original
+quick spring and sharp click, will become dull and weak, till they will
+scarcely discharge the cap; and the stock, warping with the weather,
+will exhibit yawning fissures between itself and the iron lock-plates or
+false breech.
+
+In lightness, however, is the great superiority of the highly wrought
+implement; and in hard tramping through a dense swamp of a hot July day,
+or deep wading in a soft snipe-meadow, or in a wearisome trudge over
+hill and dale after November quail, a pound will make itself felt in the
+additional weight of the fowling-piece, and not only so, but a light gun
+can be handled more readily. In open shooting, especially for the wild
+fowl of our bays and coasts, mere weight is a positive advantage; but in
+the tangled thickets, where birds flash out of sight like gleams of
+party-colored light, and the instantaneous use of the piece can alone
+secure success, a light gun is an absolute necessity.
+
+Moreover, on certain occasions, when the barrels are exposed to an
+extraordinary strain, when the piece built for light charges and upland
+shooting is used temporarily upon the larger game of the coasts or
+woods, and the two and a half drachms of powder and ounce of fine shot
+are replaced by a dozen buck-shot, or an ounce and a half of No. 3
+driven by five drachms of powder--then it is pleasant to feel that the
+iron is of the utmost possible tenacity and the workmanship in every way
+faultless.
+
+A learned dissertation on the science of gunnery is neither appropriate
+to the occasion nor possible to the author, and would probably prove as
+little entertaining as instructive to the reader. The majority of
+purchasers cannot form an exact opinion relative to the merits of a gun
+prepared with the utmost skill and ingenuity to deceive them, and must
+rely mainly on the word of the seller or reputation of the maker. There
+is something, to be sure, in the smooth working of the locks, and still
+more in the perfect fitting of the stock; but after all, even to the
+experienced sportsman, there is little difference in appearance between
+the Shamdamn and the purest laminated steel.
+
+American importers have a peculiarly moral and respectable habit of
+vending German guns stamped with the names of English makers, and pacify
+their consciences with the idea that the manufactures of Germany are not
+inferior to those of England; but they would give more satisfaction to
+the public and more ease to their consciences by proving this in open
+contest, and establishing the reputation of the German makers, than by
+appropriating the names and reputations that good work has made famous.
+So far is this deception carried, that some houses even order from the
+Belgian manufacturers a certain number, nominally, of each of the
+leading gun-makers. It may be that there is little real difference,
+although on the continental guns you sometimes pay for useless ornament,
+money that should have been expended where it would tell, on locks and
+barrels; but the mode of proceeding is certainly not creditable.
+
+In a highly finished article the locks usually work with a smooth
+oiliness that can be distinguished with a little practice, and are
+fitted with great accuracy into the stock, so that projections of wood
+will be left standing not thicker than a piece of blotting-paper. The
+barrels will be without flaw or indentation, and if looked through with
+the breech removed, will exhibit a perfect ring of light flowing up
+evenly, as they are raised or lowered. The mountings will be faultless,
+and the cuts in all the screw-heads will point in the same direction;
+the screws will work easily and yet perfectly, and the triggers and
+trigger-plate, which are invariably neglected in a poor gun, will be
+admirably finished and fitted. Examine all these particulars, but
+especially the last, and you can form some judgment whether the piece
+comes from a good maker or a spurious imitator.
+
+The greatest attention, however, in the selection of a gun should be
+paid to the form of the stock and the pull of the triggers; if the
+former is unsuited to the shape of the purchaser, or the latter are
+stiff or dissimilar, the consequence will be utter failure that no
+amount of practice will remedy. If the purchaser’s arms and neck are
+long, the stock may be long and crooked; but if the contrary is the
+case, the stock must be short and straight.
+
+If possible, the person intending to use a gun should select it for
+himself; and if it does not “come up right” the first time he brings it
+to his eye, he should refuse it positively. He must not allow himself
+to be persuaded to try it again and again; for after one or two trials
+he will instinctively adapt his eye to its construction, and will
+imagine the gun suits him--an impression that the rapid flight of the
+first quail he endeavors to cover will dissipate. The triggers should
+give back at a weight of four or five pounds; the hammers of a
+muzzle-loader at ten or twelve, and of a breech-loader at twelve or
+fourteen. For the former, the best cone is what is called the inverted,
+where the bore is larger at the top and receives the entire flame from
+the cap.
+
+The shape of the breech for the muzzle-loader formerly gave rise to much
+learned disquisition and many plausible theories; but, in all
+probability, had no influence on the shooting, which is due mainly to
+the form and quality of the barrels. Joe Manton founded his fame on the
+idea that the lines of force, if reflected from a hollow cup, like rays
+of light from a reflector, would be directed parallel to one another and
+lengthwise of the barrel; but later experiments have tended to destroy
+this theory. The simple fact appears to be, that powder exerts just so
+much force, and, as it cannot escape sideways, it must go out at the end
+of the barrel; and that the shape of the breech, except so far as it may
+affect the rapidity of ignition, has no influence whatever.
+
+These questions, however, are being effectually disposed of by the march
+of events and the general diffusion of breech-loaders; to the latter, as
+they are not universally known or appreciated in our country--to which,
+by its nature and its game, they are peculiarly adapted--the writer’s
+remarks will be mainly confined. Feeling entirely convinced, even from a
+short experience, of their superiority in most particulars, and their
+equality in all, he regards the consequence as inevitable that they will
+utterly supersede the old-fashioned fowling-piece; the few defects that
+were originally alleged to exist in them having been either removed or
+remedied, and the supply of ammunition for them in this country having
+become sufficient. They have won their way slowly into public favor
+against the interested opposition of gun-makers on one hand, and the
+ignorance and superstitious dread of change of gun-users on the other.
+
+They are a French invention of forty years’ standing, and proved their
+superiority long ago; but prejudice was too strong for them, as it has
+been for many another good thing. Their merits, nevertheless, slowly
+conquered opposition, convinced the intelligent, and confounded the
+obstinate; till at last in England--the very hot-bed of prejudice and
+the favorite abiding-place of antiquated ideas--there are now sold fifty
+breech-loaders to one muzzle-loader. As they are not universally used
+with us, the description of them will have to be somewhat minute, and
+would be better understood if the reader would take the trouble to
+examine one for himself.
+
+The best and most generally adopted of the various kinds is the
+_Lefaucheux_, or some slight modification of it; and to that the
+attention will be principally directed. In this gun the breech, which
+in the muzzle-loader screws into the barrel, is omitted, and the
+barrels are open at both ends; they are fastened to the stock by a pin
+and joint a few inches beyond the guard. When free, the muzzle hangs
+down, and the breech end presents itself several inches above the stock,
+so that the cartridge can be readily inserted; when the barrels are
+pressed back into their place for firing, they are caught by a bolt that
+can be opened or closed by a lever lying along the under part of the
+stock, between the guard and the joint. The false breech is flat, solid,
+and heavy, and completes the barrels, taking the place and performing
+the duty of the breech in the muzzle-loader. The hammers have a flat
+surface on the striking end, and the locks are back-actioned, to avoid
+interfering with the other mechanism.
+
+The pin cartridge is made of paper, shaped like a short section of the
+barrel, with a brass capsule on one end and open at the other; it is two
+or three inches long, and has a pad of thick paper beneath the capsule.
+In this pad a hole is punched on the inside and the percussion-cap is
+inserted, with a brass pin resting in it and projecting above the
+capsule on the outside. The percussion-cap is entirely within the
+cartridge-case, and the brass pin passes through a hole drilled in one
+side of the capsule, just large enough to admit it and exclude moisture
+entirely. A blow on the projecting end of the pin drives the other end
+into the cap, and discharges the latter. The cartridge-case is prepared
+already capped, and is sold in England for from thirty to fifty
+shillings the thousand; it may be recapped by an instrument made for the
+purpose with a peculiar cap, and may be used, on an average, three
+times.
+
+The cartridge must be loaded as the gun would be, only by the use of a
+short ramrod or a special loading implement; the powder is poured in, a
+wad placed above it, and the shot and another wad follow. The cartridge
+may then be trimmed down and the end bent over, so as to retain the load
+securely, if it is to be carried for a considerable distance; but where
+the shooting is from a boat or stand, the case should be left untrimmed
+and of full length. A chamber is cut away in the lower part of the
+barrel, which corresponds exactly with the cartridge-case, so that the
+latter fits perfectly in it; but, if there is an interval between the
+end of the cartridge and the shoulder in the barrel, no injury to the
+charge or the shooting appears to result. A small notch is cut in the
+upper edge of the barrel to contain the brass pin, and allow it to
+project so as to receive the blow from the hammer.
+
+When the bolt is withdrawn and the barrels are allowed to fall so as to
+bring the open breech fairly into view, the loaded cartridge is
+inserted, the barrels are sprung back to their place with a sharp snap
+that sends them home at once, and are ready to be discharged. To allow
+the cartridge to be inserted, the hammers must be drawn to half or full
+cock; and when the trigger is pulled, they fall upon the pin, which
+penetrates the cap and fires the load. The entire mechanism is so simple
+that it can hardly become deranged, and will last as long as the
+barrels. The greatest care is necessary in making the chamber that
+receives the cartridge of a proper shape, for if this is faulty the
+cartridges are apt to stick after explosion.
+
+There is no decided improvement on the original Lefaucheux model, except
+in the modification of the machinery, and a convenient method of
+separating the barrels from the stock; and no other innovation of a like
+character need be particularly described. The needle-gun, which is made
+on a somewhat similar principle, is more curious than valuable, being
+both dangerous and complicated, and possesses no advantages over the
+other pattern. In it the cartridge has a percussion-cap so disposed at
+its base that it is penetrated by a needle, which is projected by a
+spring through a hole in the lower end of the cartridge; but the
+composition of the cartridge, and the manner of its insertion, are
+altogether different from the same in the Lefaucheux gun.
+
+According to the arrangement of some English guns, on a plan invented by
+Jeffries, the lever, instead of closing forward, lies under the
+trigger-guard, when the barrels are closed; and provision is made for
+tightening the bolt, in case it wears loose by long usage. This
+invention permits of the use of forward-action locks, and the easy
+separation of the barrels from the stock, and has come into vogue in
+England; it is undoubtedly convenient in both these particulars, and has
+as yet developed no corresponding drawbacks.
+
+Personally, the writer has always preferred British to French or Belgian
+guns, although chance has compelled him to own as many of the latter as
+the former. The English gun is made for work; even when cheaply
+manufactured, it will be found effective where efficiency is necessary;
+and it is far more beautiful to the eye of a true sportsman, with its
+plain blued lock-plates, and total deficiency of ornament, than the
+Continental weapon, covered with engraving and ornamentation, but
+defective in some of those minutiæ that lend nothing to its beauty, but
+add much to its usefulness. This is particularly the case with
+breech-loaders, which, if not manufactured carefully, are almost
+useless, and which, although originally invented in France, are at this
+day produced in more serviceable style--unless where the highest-priced
+article is obtained--in England than in the country of their origin.
+Great discredit was brought upon breech-loaders among us at their first
+introduction, in consequence of the importation of inferior articles,
+and they still labor under the disadvantages of that failure, although
+rapidly overcoming all objections.
+
+There are a few implements that are necessary to the use of a
+breech-loader, which are much simpler than they at first appear. To load
+the cartridge is required either a short ramrod and a machine for
+turning over the edges of the case upon the wad, to retain it in its
+place, or an apparatus, also invented by Jeffries, that combines all the
+requisites for loading, and by the aid of which a hundred cartridges
+can be loaded in an hour. As the case can be used several times, and the
+cap, which is of a peculiar size, has to be placed in its exact position
+to receive the pin, a capper invented for the purpose is employed, by
+which the cap is inserted, and the pin pressed into it without the least
+difficulty; a pair of tweezers are used to withdraw the pin after a
+discharge, in order to free the old cap and make room for the new, and a
+large gimlet will be found useful for extracting any discharged caps
+that may happen to stick.
+
+A cleaning-apparatus is also occasionally used, consisting of a brush at
+one end of a string and a small weight at the other; the weight is
+dropped through the open barrel and the brush drawn after it; but, as
+the gun may be fired ten times as often as a muzzle-loader without
+fouling, a plain rag and cleaning-rod will answer. Cartridge-cases, of
+course, cannot be obtained like powder and shot at every country store,
+and to obviate the danger of finding oneself, after extraordinary
+good-luck with a gun, without the means of firing it, it is well to
+carry a couple of brass cases, which can be used with a common French
+cap, and reloaded indefinitely almost as quickly as a muzzle-loader.
+
+The sportsman, by the aid of these implements and a couple of scoops
+with handles for powder and shot, recaps the cartridges which have been
+discharged, loads them as he would a gun, only much more rapidly, and
+lays them aside for future use. In the field, he carries them in a
+leather case, or, which is the preferable plan, in a belt round the
+waist, or in his pockets, being able to store in the pockets of his vest
+alone at least twenty. The English sportsmen carry them loose in the
+pockets of their shooting-coats; but a belt is convenient and
+commodious, holding from thirty to fifty, and distributes the weight
+pleasantly. Where the shooting is to be done from a boat or stand, of
+course they will be kept in an ammunition-box, without having their
+edges turned over, as there will be nothing to loosen the wads.
+
+The reader may naturally suppose that there is risk in carrying a number
+of loaded cartridges about the person; but in this he is entirely
+mistaken. In the first place, the difficulty of discharging a cartridge,
+except in the gun, is surprising; no pressure will explode the cap, and
+no ordinary blow, unless the cartridge is retained in a fixed position;
+and if one falls, the weight of the shot compels it inevitably to fall
+on the end: but in case these difficulties are overcome, the result is
+merely the discharge of a large fire-cracker.
+
+The writer instituted a number of experiments, and having succeeded,
+after many trials, in setting off the cartridge, found that the powder
+burst the paper, but failed to drive the wad out of the case. This was
+tried with cartridges in all positions, horizontal and perpendicular,
+but produced invariably the same result, with unimportant modifications;
+and it was further ascertained that the fire from one would not
+communicate to another. So that, if a cartridge does explode
+accidentally, it may scorch the clothes or even burn the person
+slightly, but can inflict no serious injury. These remarks, however, do
+not apply to the brass cartridge-cases, which must be handled more
+carefully. The common paper-cases may therefore be carried with perfect
+impunity, and transported, if carefully packed, without risk.
+
+A more curious idea--for the dread of danger from the loaded cartridge
+is natural--prevailed at one time, that the barrels were weakened
+because they were open behind, instead of being closed by the
+breech-screw; as if a cylinder would be rendered more cohesive by
+screwing another piece of metal into one end. In fact, if the
+breech-screw has any effect whatever upon the strength of the gun, its
+presence is probably an injury. The charge, it will be observed, presses
+against the shot on one side and the false breech on the other, and
+would not be retained any more securely by the addition of a
+breech-screw, which tends to separate instead of closing the barrel. So,
+also, it must be borne in mind there is no strain worth mentioning on
+the hinge-bolt, and no danger of the barrels blowing away with the
+charge; while the disposal of the metal at the false breech, and the
+omission of the ramrod, tends to make the gun light at the muzzle--a
+great advantage in snap-shooting.
+
+There is absolutely no escape of gas at the break-off; none can escape
+unless the brass capsule, which closes the joint hermetically, can be
+driven out, and this is a sheer impossibility. The gas cannot penetrate
+the paper of the cartridge, and if it bursts the latter, still cannot
+escape except through the brass; and although the least perceptible
+amount may come out alongside of the pin, it is scarcely traceable, and
+nothing like what is lost at the percussion-cap in the common gun. These
+cartridges are wonderfully close, as the reader may conclude when he is
+informed that a loaded breech-loader, left entirely under water for
+fifteen minutes, was discharged as promptly as though it had never been
+wet; while a muzzle-loader, that had not been half so long exposed,
+would not go at all, and required an hour’s cleaning. In fact, the
+breech-loader is entirely impervious to any ordinary wetting, will not
+fail in the worst rain, and the average number of miss-fires, in well
+made cartridges, is one in a thousand.
+
+In the handling of this gun there is one peculiarity: the pins rise from
+the middle of the cartridge, and not at one side, like the ordinary
+cones, thus bringing the hammers closer together. To the beginner this
+may appear awkward, but is no real disadvantage. It would seem also
+desirable to use more powder with a breech-loader, although this is not
+necessary to so great an extent as it was formerly; but, on the other
+hand, the weight at the breech appears either to diminish the recoil or
+reduce its effects on the shooter; as the testimony of persons using
+breech-loaders is unanimous that the recoil is less perceptible than
+with muzzle-loaders, although the scales have refused to verify their
+impression.
+
+One immense advantage of the breech-loader is its safety in loading,
+especially in a confined position, as on a boat or in a battery.
+Whereas, in the muzzle-loader, immediately after the discharge, while
+the smoke is still pouring from the barrel, and while the fire may be
+smouldering invisible below, the sportsman deliberately pours in a fresh
+charge of powder, holding his hand and the entire flask over the muzzle,
+endangering his life, and incurring injury far more frequently than most
+persons suppose; with the breech-loader, the barrels are opened and fall
+into such a position that no discharge can take place, and never point
+towards the person of their owner.
+
+Several of the writer’s friends have been maimed for life by the
+premature discharge of a load in the muzzle-loader from a spark
+remaining in the barrel; the risk connected with it has always seemed
+very great; and even with the patent flasks, which are hardly practical
+inventions, more or less unavoidable. This danger is entirely obviated
+by the breech-loader, which cannot go off until the barrels are restored
+to position after the charges are inserted; cannot leave hidden sparks
+to imperil the owner’s life or limb; never expose the hand over the
+loaded barrel, that may have been left at half-cock, if the sportsman is
+liable to thoughtlessness or over-excitement; and which can be loaded
+without difficulty in the most confined position. So, not only do we
+have rapidity, but entire safety in loading.
+
+[Illustration: GATES OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.]
+
+The objections, however, urged against breech-loaders have not been few,
+and, if well founded, forbid the use of the gun; if, as has been said,
+the target is not so good, nor the shot sent with as much force, the
+requisites of a first-class sporting implement are wanting. These
+charges, freely advanced, have been sustained in a measure by the
+wretched performance of poor guns, but were early been brought to the
+only true test--actual experience, under equal conditions; and by this
+test have been so utterly annihilated that their discussion is only
+necessary on account of popular ignorance of the experiments. When
+breech-loaders first came prominently before the English public, their
+supposed merits and demerits were discussed in the sporting papers in an
+animated and violent manner; and in order to settle the questions at
+issue, the editor of the London _Field_ determined to have an open
+trial, where the breech-loaders and muzzle-loaders could be fairly
+matched against one another. The contests took place in 1858 and 1859,
+and being carefully conducted, settled the dispute for the time being,
+and, even before the latest improvements, established more fully the
+superiority of the breech-loader. The best guns and gun-makers of
+England were represented; and in spite of occasional variation and
+accidental luck--as in the pattern of the first muzzle-loader--the
+prejudices against the modern arm were so entirely dissipated that the
+old-fashioned guns are at present rarely sold.
+
+Since that trial considerable advance has been made in the minutiæ of
+the manufacture; and now it is the general impression of those
+acquainted with the arm, that the breech-loader, with a slight
+additional increase of powder, shoots both stronger and closer than its
+rival. In the pigeon-matches, with scarcely an exception, held both in
+this country, of late years, as well as in Great Britain, where it is to
+be supposed that the best implements the country could furnish would be
+used, and where some of the shooting was done at thirty yards, the
+favorite and most successful weapons have been breech-loaders. With all
+allowance for the quality of the marksman, the quality of the gun that
+wins a match at English “blue-rocks” must unquestionably be good; and
+this, the universal experience of those matter-of-fact John Bulls, who
+test everything by success, has entirely confirmed.
+
+A trial of guns was made in 1859, and the results were published in
+tabular form in _The Shot-Gun and Sporting Rifle_, by Stonehenge, p.
+304. The targets were made of double bag-cap paper, 90 lbs. to the ream,
+circular, thirty inches in diameter, with a centre of twelve inches
+square, and were nailed against a smooth surface of deal boards. The
+centres were composed of forty thicknesses for forty yards, and twenty
+for sixty yards, and weighed eighteen and nine ounces respectively, with
+such slight variation as will always occur in brown paper. The powder
+was Laurence’s No. 2, the shot No. 6, containing 290 pellets to the
+ounce, and the charges were weighed in every instance.
+
+
+                      TABLES OF THE FIELD TRIAL.
+
+--------------+----+-------+------+-------+------+>
+              |    |       |      |       |      |
+              |    |Length |Weight|Charge |Charge|
+              |    |  of   |  of  |  of   |  of  |
+Kind of Gun.  |Bore|Barrel.| Gun. |Powder.|Shot. |
+--------------+----+-------+------+-------+------+>
+              |    |       | lb.  |       |      |
+              |    |  in.  | oz.  |  drs. |  oz. |
+--------------+----+-------+------+-------+------+>
+Muzzle-loader | 12 | 30    | 6.11 | 2-3/4 |1-1/4 |
+              |    |       |      |       |      |
+     "        | 12 | 30    | 7.6  | 2-3/4 |1-1/4 |
+     "        | 12 | 29-1/2| 6.8  | 2-3/4 |1-1/4 |
+Breech-loader | 12 | 30    | 7.8  | 3     |1-1/4 |
+     "        | 12 | 30    | 7.2  | 3     |1-1/4 |
+     "        | 12 | 30    | 7.0  | 3     |1-1/4 |
+Muzzle-loader | 13 | 30    | 7.0  | 2-3/4 |1-1/4 |
+Breech-loader | 13 | 29    | 6.10 | 3     |1-1/8 |
+Muzzle-loader | 13 | 28    | 6.14 | 2-3/4 |1-1/8 |
+              |    |       |      |       |      |
+     "        | 12 | 29-1/2| 6.10 | 2-1/2 |1-3/16|
+Breech-loader | 16 | 30    | 7.4  | 3     |1-1/4 |
+     "        | 16 | 28    | 7.4  | 2-3/4 |1     |
+     "        | 13 | 28-1/2| 7.4  | 3     |1-1/3 |
+     "        | 12 | 31    | 7.8  | 3     |1-1/3 |
+     "        | 12 | 30    | 7.4  | 3     |1-1/4 |
+     "        | 13 | 28    | 5.4  | 3     |1     |
+     "        | 14 | 29-1/2| 7.8  | 3     |1-1/3 |
+              |    |       |      |       |      |
+Averages      |    |       |      |       |      |
+--------------+----+-------+------+-------+------+>
+
+--------------+---------------------+-----------+>
+              |                     |           |
+              |                     |   No. of  |
+              |    No. of Marks on  |   Sheets  |
+Kind of Gun.  |   Face of Targets.  |  pierced. |
+--------------+---------------------+-----------+>
+              |          |          |           |
+              |at 40 yds.|at 60 yds.| at 40 yds.|
+--------------+-----+---------------+-----+-----+>
+Muzzle-loader | 158 | 118|  68 | 60 |  28 |  33 |
+              |     |    |     |    |     |     |
+     "        | 148 |  98|  52 | 65 |  28 |  22 |
+     "        | 116 | 129|  46 | 40 |  25 |  28 |
+Breech-loader | 144 |  90|  32 | 58 |  28 |  30 |
+     "        | 103 |  93|  60 | 62 |  24 |  31 |
+     "        | 132 |  93|  55 | 38 |  26 |  33 |
+Muzzle-loader | 117 |  71|  47 | 61 |  29 |  37 |
+Breech-loader |  65 | 135|  24 | 54 |  29 |  39 |
+Muzzle-loader | 113 | 113|  24 | 46 |  23 |  34 |
+              |     |    |     |    |     |     |
+     "        | 106 | 103|  35 | 31 |  22 |  32 |
+Breech-loader |  95 | 105|  50 | 31 |  20 |  27 |
+     "        |  73 |  99|  22 | 42 |  30 |  40 |
+     "        |  97 |  95|  31 | 20 |  22 |  26 |
+     "        | 100 |  77|  32 | 28 |  33 |  25 |
+     "        |  88 |  91|  37 | 31 |  22 |  27 |
+     "        |  90 |  87|  20 | 28 |  20 |  31 |
+     "        |  60 |  48|  31 | 40 |  25 |  23 |
+              |-----+----+-----+----+-----+-----+>
+Averages      | 106 |  97|  33 | 43 |  26 |  30 |
+--------------+-----+----+-----+----+-----+-----+>
+
+--------------+-----------+--------+--------+---------+
+              |   No. of  |Total on| Tot’l  |         |
+              |    Shots  |  face  |thro’gh |         |
+              |   through |  of 4  |   4    |Recoil in|
+Kind of Gun.  | 20 sheets.|targets.|targets.| pounds. |
+--------------+-----------+--------+--------+---------+
+              |           |        |        |         |
+              | at 60 yds.|        |        |         |
+--------------+-----+-----+--------+--------+----+----+
+Muzzle-loader |  5  |  2  |   399  |   68   | 68 | 62 |
+              |     |     |        |        |    |    |
+     "        |  1  |  2  |   363  |   58   | 66 | 65 |
+     "        |  1  |  1  |   331  |   55   | 68 | 64 |
+Breech-loader |  0  |  2  |   324  |   60   |untested.|
+     "        |  2  |  4  |   318  |   61   |    "    |
+     "        |  2  |  3  |   318  |   64   |  70| 68 |
+Muzzle-loader |  4  |  8  |   296  |   78   |untested.|
+Breech-loader |  0  |  1  |   278  |   69   |  64| 62 |
+Muzzle-loader |  0  |  1  |   296  |   58   |  68| 68 |
+              |     |     |        |        |    |    |
+     "        |  0  |  0  |   275  |   54   |  59| 61 |
+Breech-loader |  2  |  0  |   281  |   49   |untested.|
+     "        |  0  |  1  |   236  |   71   |  64| 66 |
+     "        |  0  |  0  |   243  |   48   |  65| 61 |
+     "        |  0  |  0  |   237  |   58   |  72| 69 |
+     "        |  2  |  1  |   247  |   52   |  76| 73 |
+     "        |  1  |  0  |   225  |   52   |  64| 68 |
+     "        |  0  |  0  |   179  |   48   |  74| 68 |
+              |-----+-----+--------+--------+----+----+
+Averages      |  1  |1-1/2|   285  |   59   |  67| 66 |
+--------------+-----+-----+--------+--------+----+----+
+
+--------------+----+-------+------+-------+------+>
+              |    |       |      |       |      |
+              |    |Length |Weight|Charge |Charge|
+              |    |  of   |  of  |  of   |  of  |
+Kind of Gun.  |Bore|Barrel.| Gun. |Powder.|Shot. |
+--------------+----+-------+------+-------+------+>
+              |    |       | lb.  |       |      |
+              |    |  in.  | oz.  |  drs. |  oz. |
+--------------+----+-------+------+-------+------+>
+Muzzle loader | 15 | 30    | 6.14 | 2-3/4 |1-1/3 |
+      "       | 14 | 28-1/2| 6.11 | 2-1/4 |1-1/3 |
+      "       | 14 | 27    | 5.14 | 2-1/2 |1     |
+      "       | 16 | 31    | 6.12 | 2-1/2 |1     |
+      "       | 14 | 29    | 6.0  | 2-1/4 |1-1/3 |
+Breech-loader | 15 | 30    | 6.14 | 8     |1-1/4 |
+      "       | 15 | 29    | 6.8  | 8     |1-1/4 |
+Muzzle-loader | 14 | 29    | 6.4  | 2-3/4 |1-1/3 |
+Breech-loader | 15 | 30    | 7.0  | 8     |1     |
+Muzzle-loader | 14 | 30    | 7.0  | 2-3/4 |1     |
+      "       | 15 | 30-1/2| 6.8  | 2-3/4 |1-1/3 |
+Breech-loader | 15 | 28    | 6.4  | 2-3/4 |1-1/3 |
+              |    |       |      |       |      |
+     Averages |    |       |      |       |      |
+--------------+----+-------+------+-------+------+>
+
+--------------+---------------------+-----------+>
+              |                     |           |
+              |                     |   No. of  |
+              |    No. of Marks on  |   Sheets  |
+Kind of Gun.  |   Face of Targets.  |  pierced. |
+--------------+---------------------+-----------+>
+              |          |          |           |
+              |at 40 yds.|at 60 yds.| at 40 yds.|
+--------------+-----+---------------+-----+-----+>
+Muzzle loader | 101 | 121|  48 | 55 |  38 |  22 |
+      "       | 147 |  85|  42 | 48 |  24 |  19 |
+      "       | 180 |  92|  30 | 60 |  25 |  27 |
+      "       | 122 |  86|  36 | 57 |  27 |  28 |
+      "       | 101 | 103|  30 | 55 |  21 |  25 |
+Breech-loader | 105 | 106|  63 | 26 |  29 |  33 |
+      "       | 129 |  57|  45 | 52 |  20 |  28 |
+Muzzle-loader |  99 |  99|  34 | 42 |  32 |  27 |
+Breech-loader |  77 | 100|  41 | 31 |  33 |  26 |
+Muzzle-loader |  71 |  92|  52 | 27 |  20 |  29 |
+      "       |  83 |  55|  44 | 24 |  28 |  29 |
+Breech-loader |  83 | 101|  34 |  7 |  18 |  28 |
+              |-----+----+-----+----+-----+-----+>
+     Averages | 104 |  92|  42 | 40 |  26 |  27 |
+--------------+-----+----+-----+----+-----+-----+>
+
+--------------+-----------+--------+--------+---------+
+              |   No. of  |Total on| Tot’l  |         |
+              |    Shots  |  face  |thro’gh |         |
+              |   through |  of 4  |   4    |Recoil in|
+Kind of Gun.  | 20 sheets.|targets.|targets.| pounds. |
+--------------+-----------+--------+--------+---------+
+              |           |        |        |         |
+              | at 60 yds.|        |        |         |
+--------------+-----+-----+--------+--------+----+----+
+Muzzle loader |  8  |  5  |   325  |   68   | 63 | 58 |
+      "       |  0  |  0  |   322  |   48   | 53 | 54 |
+      "       |  2  |  0  |   312  |   54   | 65 | 63 |
+      "       |  2  |  0  |   301  |   57   | 64 | 62 |
+      "       |  0  |  1  |   289  |   47   | 60 | 44 |
+Breech-loader |  6  |  1  |   300  |   69   | 69 | 76 |
+      "       |  0  |  3  |   283  |   51   | 64 | 60 |
+Muzzle-loader |  0  |  8  |   274  |   67   | 68 | 74 |
+Breech-loader |  5  |  0  |   249  |   64   | 71 | 78 |
+Muzzle-loader |  0  |  0  |   242  |   49   | 69 | 64 |
+      "       |  5  |  0  |   206  |   62   | 68 | 67 |
+Breech-loader |  0  |  0  |   225  |   46   | 68 | 72 |
+              |-----+-----+--------+--------+----+----+
+     Averages |  2  |1-1/2|   277  |   56   | 65 | 64 |
+--------------+-----+-----+--------+--------+----+----+
+
+The guns were classified according to their weight. The breech-loaders,
+which used one quarter of a drachm more powder, showed about an equal
+recoil; the recoil differed surprisingly, ranging from 44 to 76 lbs.,
+and was no indication of the power with which the shot was driven--a
+greater number of sheets being pierced where the recoil was under the
+average. The patterns produced by the muzzle-loaders varied from those
+of the breech-loaders less than they did from one another, and far less
+than that of one barrel differed from that of the other; in fact, the
+right-hand barrel seems to have shot much the best, and some of the guns
+that excelled at 40 yards fell far behindhand at 60 yards.
+
+In penetration, which is a more valuable quality in a gun than even
+pattern, the breech-loaders took the lead; one pierced through 40 sheets
+and another through 39 sheets, so that the vaunted superiority of the
+old gun in this particular was found not to exist. It was further noted
+that a great improvement in this particular had taken place in the
+breech-loaders since the trial of the year previous, which improvement
+has been going on steadily since. The trial also proved that, although
+the breech-loaders required an extra amount of powder to give them
+force, it caused in them no additional recoil, and was objectionable in
+so far only as it entailed extra expense and weight of ammunition. The
+muzzle-loader was left, to offset its numerous inferiorities, nothing
+more than a claim to diminished weight of gun and ammunition, and a
+trifling saving in expense; in force and pattern it was equalled; in
+safety and handiness it was far surpassed by its competitor.
+
+These trials were continued afterwards, but none were or could be more
+conclusive than the first which I have given, and there is no need of
+troubling the reader with them. Indeed, it would almost seem unnecessary
+to give time and space to the consideration of the superiorities of
+breech-loaders over muzzle-loaders at this day, so universally are the
+former accepted in the better informed localities, but in so extensive a
+country as ours, there are parts which are late to learn and hard to be
+convinced. To-day, while the muzzle-loader has nearly disappeared from
+the Northern and Eastern States, it still holds its own in the South and
+far West, and there are at present as many of them in service throughout
+the length and breadth of our land, as there are of breech-loaders.
+
+One change that was early made in the cartridges was to do away with the
+pin and substitute a central fire, and so much was this change admired,
+that pin-fire guns have almost gone out of use. Nevertheless, I have
+never been convinced that this was any improvement, and believe, that if
+the pin-fire gun had come into general use before it was introduced, it
+would not have been accepted. However, admitted facts cannot be ignored,
+and to-day the pin-fire system has been almost as fully and far less
+intelligently relegated to the past, as the muzzle-loader itself. I am
+also no admirer of the snapaction, which has to a certain extent been
+substituted for the lever, on the ground that, while the lever never
+gets out of order, the spring of the snap often breaks. I may say, that
+no guns could have been more severely tried than mine that were
+manufactured by _Lefaucheux_, one of which was the second that was ever
+permanently used in this country, and that they have never given out in
+their working parts, while the oldest and most hardly used has never
+given out at all, although shot in all weathers and under very trying
+circumstances.
+
+Indeed I go farther and insist that there have been no important
+improvements made in breech-loaders since the original _Lefaucheux_
+pattern until the introduction of the hammerless guns. These are still
+imperfect, but they will probably be soon perfected, so that the last
+serious danger from a breech-loader will be removed, that of premature
+discharge in the field. Were it not for this discovery, it is my belief
+that sportsmen would yet give up the central-fire, and return to the
+pin-fire, there being no advantages in a central fire, while there are
+several disadvantages. The principal of these consists in the fact that
+no one can tell whether it is loaded or not, and a secondary danger lies
+in the loading of the cartridges, which has already cost several lives.
+As yet, however, the hammerless gun is not entirely safe. It is thrown
+back to full cock in opening, and when closed with a hard snap it will
+sometimes jar off. This happens very rarely, but often enough to make
+the gun dangerous.
+
+It will foul about the working parts of the breech when it is used hard
+without cleaning, so that the springs will not act, and a premature
+discharge may follow, and it sometimes catches on the edge of the bent
+in the tumbler without slipping into it. As soon as these defects are
+absolutely remedied, the graceful and convenient hammerless gun will
+take the place of all others. I know very well it is claimed that these,
+and all other defects have been removed by the introduction of the
+safety block, which interposes before the tumbler, and thus between the
+strikers and the cap, and I do not intend to enter into an argument
+which would lead to no practical result. There are men ever ready to
+take certain risks in order to be ahead of their fellows. Let such
+disregard the advice, which common sense suggests, and make experiments,
+from which they cannot be dissuaded, and by which others may profit. I
+would, however, say that I am sustained in my objections by so high an
+authority, as “Stonehenge,” but am willing to admit that even as they
+are, I think a hammerless gun is safer than a central fire, for they
+avoid one of the greatest risks which the sportsman runs, that of the
+trigger catching on a twig as he is going through the bushes. Those who
+have used them sufficiently to get accustomed to them, say that they can
+shoot better with them than with the old gun, a fact which they
+attribute to the absence of the hammers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+BAY-SNIPE SHOOTING.
+
+
+The various writers on the different kinds of sport in our country have
+generally devoted their attention to upland shooting; to the quail,
+woodcock, English snipe, ruffed grouse of the hills, dales, and meadows,
+to the prairie-chicken of the far west, or to the larger game--the
+ducks, geese, and swans of our coast; and the few suggestions to be
+found in _Frank Forester’s Field Sports_, or _Lewis’s American
+Sportsman_, are of little assistance in discussing the mode of capture
+of their less fashionable and less marketable brethren called bay-snipe.
+I shall inevitably make mistakes and omissions. The later works on
+water-fowl shooting are limited to the consideration of ducks, geese,
+and brant, as though bay snipe belonged to the upland. But I consider
+them nearly as much of a water-bird as the black duck, for, like the
+latter, they are shot mostly at pond holes in the marshes or from sedgy
+points.
+
+The birds that are shot along our shores upon the sand-bars or broad
+salt meadows, or even upon the adjoining fields of upland, are among
+sportsmen termed bay-birds or bay-snipe; and although including several
+distinct varieties, present a general similarity in manners and habits.
+They are ordinarily killed by stratagem over decoys, and not by open
+pursuit; different varieties frequent the same locality, so that many
+species will be collected in the same bag; they are for the most part,
+except the upland birds, tough and sedgy, and at times hardly fit for
+the table; and they arrive and may be killed at certain periods in vast
+numbers.
+
+Although despised by the upland sportsman, who regards the use of the
+dog as essential to the pure exercise of his art; and by the pot-hunter,
+because they do not generally bring high prices in market;--to the
+genuine lover of nature and the gun they furnish splendid sport,
+requiring, if not as high a degree of skill as may be needed to cut down
+a quail in the dense coverts, at least as many fine qualities in the
+sportsman, and as thorough a knowledge of their habits as any other
+bird. In upland shooting the dog does the largest part of the work, and
+invariably deserves the credit for a super-excellent bag; and truly
+glorious is it to follow the dog that can make that bag, and wonderful
+to watch his powers;--but in bay-snipe shooting there is no trusty dog
+to look to, who can retrieve by his superiority his master’s
+blunderings. The man relies upon himself, and himself alone; he it is
+that must, with quick observant eye, catch the faint outline of the
+distant flock, and with sharp ear distinguish the first audible call;
+his experience must determine the nature of the birds, his powers of
+imitation bring them within gun-shot, and his skill drop them
+advantageously from the crowded flock. To excel in all this requires
+long patience, much experience, and great qualities of mind and body;
+and few are the sportsmen who ever deserve the compliment paid by old
+Paulus Enos of Quogue, when he remarked, “Colonel P. is a werry
+destructive man--a werry destructive man in a flock of birds.”
+
+It is true that quail-shooting is almost a certainty; and day after day
+of fair weather, with well-trained animals and good marksmen, will
+produce nearly the same average, so that an entire failure will be
+almost impossible; whereas, with bay-snipe everything, in the first
+instance, depends upon the flight; and if there are no birds, the result
+must be a total blank; but when the season is propitious--and this can
+be determined by the experienced sportsman with tolerable accuracy--the
+sport is prodigious, and the number of shots enormous.
+
+Nor is it so easy to kill the gentle game that approaches the decoys
+with such entire confidence, and often at so moderate a pace. The upland
+sportsman, who can cover the quail through the thick scrub-oaks, or the
+woodcock in the dense foliage of the shady swamp, and send his charge
+after them with astonishing precision, and who will expect easy work
+with the bay-snipe, will find himself wonderfully bothered by their
+curious motions and irregular flight, till he has acquired the knack of
+anticipating their intentions. He will learn that their speed is
+irregular; that while at times they will hang almost motionless in the
+air, at others they will dart past at the rate of a hundred miles an
+hour; that although usually flying steadily, they will frequently flirt
+and twist as unexpectedly as an English snipe; and that often they will
+either suddenly drop from before his gun and alight, or, taking the
+alarm, will whirl fifty feet into the air; and when one barrel has been
+discharged into a flock, the rest will “skiver” so as to puzzle even the
+best marksman. It is not enough to kill one bird with each barrel from a
+flock, as in quail-shooting, but a number must be selected at the moment
+they cross one another, so that several may be secured with each barrel;
+to do this will require much practice and entail many total misses, and
+is rarely thoroughly learned by the upland sportsman. It will not answer
+to follow the example of an enthusiastic French gentleman, whom I once
+left in the stand while I went to the house for dinner; and who, on my
+return, in an excited way remarked:
+
+“Ah! I have vun beautifool shot, I make ze lovely shot; tree big birds
+come along--vat you call him?”
+
+“Willet?” I suggested.
+
+“No, no; ze big brown birds.”
+
+“Sickle-bills!”
+
+“No, not ze seeckle-bills.”
+
+“Jacks?”
+
+“No, no; not ze jacks.”
+
+“Marlin!”
+
+“Yes, yes; tree big marlin come close by, right ovair ze stool; zay all
+fly near ze other; I am sure to kill zem, it was such beautifool shot. I
+take ze gun and miss zem all!”
+
+Moreover, the excitement of a rapid flight is intense; the birds arrive
+much faster than the muzzle-loader can be charged, and a flock will
+hover round the stand, returning again and again in the most bewildering
+manner; as there are usually two sportsmen in each stand, and the stands
+are often in sight of one another, a sense of rivalry is added to the
+other difficulties of the position.
+
+As the birds approach, great judgment is required in selecting the
+proper time to fire, both as regards the condition of the flock and
+their position relative to the associate sportsman; they must be allowed
+to come well within the reach of both, and yet be taken when they are
+most together, and not allowed to pass so far as to endanger the success
+of the second barrel. Each sportsman must invariably fire at his side of
+the flock, and wait till it is well abreast of him, and never either
+shoot over his neighbor’s corner of the stand or at his portion of the
+birds. Nothing is so disagreeable as to have a gun discharged close to
+one’s head, except perhaps to have it discharged at one’s head; the
+noise and jar produce painful and dangerous effects, and unsettle a
+person’s nerves for hours. No man who will fire by his associate without
+presenting his gun well before him, can know the first principles of
+gunnery--or who, if knowing them, wilfully disregards their effects, is
+a fit companion. The concussion from the explosion is exceedingly
+unpleasant, even if the gun is several feet off, and will produce a
+slight deafness.
+
+Of the number of birds which can be bagged, it is hardly possible to
+speak within bounds--more than a hundred having been killed at one
+shot--but probably a hundred separate shots are occasionally fired by
+each sportsman in the course of a day, and with the breech-loader even
+more. There have been times when twenty-five pounds of shot have been
+expended by one gun, but those days exist no longer, and it is rare to
+use more than five pounds where the load does not exceed an ounce and a
+quarter.
+
+The uncertainty of the flight is the principal drawback to bay-snipe
+shooting, although experience can in a measure overcome the difficulty;
+but to the citizen confined to certain days, a selection of time is an
+impossibility. The height of the season extends from August 15th to the
+25th for the bay-birds proper; and from August 28th to September 8th,
+for golden plover; and if a north-easterly storm should occur at this
+period, it will be followed by an immense flight.
+
+Dry seasons are never good, and so long as the weather remains warm the
+birds will tarry in their northern latitudes; when the meadows are
+parched for want of rain, they become too hard for the birds to
+perforate, and the latter, being unable to feed, must migrate elsewhere;
+but when they are soft with moisture, the older snipe that have left
+their progeny at the far north, linger on the feeding-grounds and wait
+for the latter to arrive. They seem to make it a point to send back
+portions of their number from time to time to look after the young; and
+on such occasions, both the messengers and the young stool admirably.
+Thus flocks of old birds will frequently be seen wending their way
+towards the north, while the main flight is directed southward; and
+these flocks will invariably come to the decoys, although the main body
+will take no notice of them.
+
+Of course when the meadows are too parched to furnish food, the birds
+cannot return on their tracks, but must continue their flight to more
+hospitable shores, and in this way one of the best chances for good
+shooting is lost. There are probably, in addition, many ease-loving
+gluttons among the troupe, who if they find the feeding-grounds well
+supplied, stop for a time to enjoy the luxury after their long
+abstinence in the inclement north; and in passing to and from their
+favorite spots, are said by the native human species to have established
+“a trade” to those places. These birds, of course, wherever they see a
+flock apparently partaking of a plentiful repast, naturally pause to
+obtain their share, and thus fall a prey to their appetites.
+
+Bay-snipe fly during the day and night high up in the heavens, or close
+to the earth, in rain or shine, but especially during a cold
+north-easterly storm, which, from its direction, is favorable to their
+southerly migrations; and they have a vigor of wing that enables them to
+traverse immense distances in a short time. In proceeding with the wind,
+it is usually at a considerable distance from the earth; but when facing
+an adverse current, they keep close to the surface, and consequently are
+apt to be attracted by the stools. They do not move much during foggy
+weather, for the simple reason that they cannot see their course, but do
+not seem to be troubled by a rain. Although clear--that is to say, not
+rainy--weather is preferable on many accounts, for their pursuit, good
+sport is frequently had, especially on Long Island, during a rain.
+
+Their line of flight is peculiar. Except the plover, they do not follow
+the entire coast, and are not found to the eastward of Massachusetts,
+but appear to strike directly from their northern haunts to Cape Cod,
+where, in the neighborhood of Barnstable, there was in former times
+excellent shooting; thence they proceed to Point Judith, or even
+somewhat to the westward of it, and then they cross Long Island Sound,
+rarely much to the eastward of Quogue; from Long Island they make one
+flight to Squan Beach, and so on along the bays and lagoons of the
+southern coast to the Equator, or perhaps beyond it to the Antarctic
+region. The plovers follow the coast more closely, and strike the
+easternmost end of Long Island in their career.
+
+It is very remarkable, that these birds which generally pass northward
+in May, and require only three months for incubation and growth of
+young, live the other nine months apparently in comparative idleness at
+the south. This peculiarity has led to the suggestion that they may
+travel to the Antarctic ocean during their absence from the
+north--which, although probable, is as yet, from our entire ignorance of
+their habits, a mere suggestion.
+
+During the northward flight in May, there is often good sport, but the
+time is more uncertain than in August; nor do the birds, which are old
+and wary, stool quite so well as on their return. In the spring they
+pursue the same course as in the autumnal flight; which, although it is
+the most direct line, and follows the principal expanse of salt meadow,
+necessitates considerable journeys far out at sea. But it is doubtless
+the fact that these birds, in consequence of their stretch and power of
+wing, could sustain an unbroken flight from north to south, and
+accomplish the distance in a wonderfully short space of time. Unabated
+speed of one hundred miles an hour is equivalent to twenty-four hundred
+miles in a day, and portions of the flock may not pause between Labrador
+and the swamps of Florida.
+
+When the wind is strong and continuous from the westward, it is supposed
+that they pass far out to sea; and during these seasons there will be no
+flight of birds either at Long Island or on the Jersey coast. At such
+periods sportsmen often conclude that the entire race has been
+destroyed, till the easterly winds and soaking rains of the following
+year, bring them back more numerous than ever. As they must migrate, and
+are not to be found anywhere on the land, it is clear that they must
+have the power of completing their journey in one unbroken flight.
+
+The principal varieties are the sickle-bill, jack-curlew, the marlin and
+ring-tailed marlin, the willet, the black-breast or bull-head, and
+golden plovers, the yelper, yellow-legs, robin-snipe, dowitchers,
+brant-bird, and krieker. The upland or grass-plover is pursued in a
+different manner, and the smaller birds are not pursued for sport at
+all.
+
+The sickle-bills, so named after the beautiful sweeping curve of the
+bill, which has been known to measure eleven inches in length, are the
+largest of them all. They are colored much like a marlin, have a
+beautiful bright eye, a short reed-like call, and a steady, dignified
+flight. In stretch of wings they exceed three feet, and nothing can be
+more impressive than the approach of a large flock of these birds with
+wings and bills extended and legs dropped in preparation for alighting
+amid the stools.
+
+They are often shy in the first instance, but as soon as one of their
+number is killed, they return again and again to the fatal
+spot--apparently in blind confidence that he must have alighted instead
+of fallen, or out of brotherly anxiety for his fate. I have on several
+occasions attracted a large flock that was hesitating whether to
+approach or not, and almost resolving to depart, by killing one of their
+number that incautiously ventured within long range--for immediately on
+seeing him fall, they approached, in spite of the report, with full
+confidence.
+
+They are easily killed, by reason of their moderate speed and customary
+steadiness, although they can dart rapidly when alarmed, and will often,
+like all the bay-birds, carry off much shot. Their flesh is tough, very
+dark, and scarcely fit for the table, except perhaps when they first
+come on from feeding on the more dainty repasts famished by the uplands
+of Labrador.
+
+The jack-curlew is a still more wary bird, and although he comes to the
+stools, rarely pauses over them, and never returns after being once
+fired at. He is seldom seen in large flocks, and flies rapidly and
+steadily. His cry is longer than that of the sickle-bill, and, like it,
+easy to imitate. From his wariness and rarity he is regarded as the
+greatest prize of the sportsman, although his flesh is little better
+than that of the sickle-bill.
+
+The marlin is quite common, very gentle, stools admirably, and goes in
+large flocks. In color it is similar to the sickle-bill, but it is much
+smaller and has a straight, if not slightly recurved, bill. It is
+attracted by the same call, and is equally tough and sedgy as food. The
+ring-tailed marlin differs from it entirely in color, resembling a
+willet--except that its wings are darker, and its tail black with a
+white ring--but it has the long, straight, marlin bill. It is a rare
+bird, seldom collects in large flocks, and is often fat and tolerable
+eating. It does not stool as well as its plainer brother, but from its
+scarcity and higher gastronomic claims, it is more highly prized.
+
+The willet is greyish in general color, with a white belly and broad
+bands of black and white across its wings. It has a loud, shrill shriek,
+stools well, flies steadily, congregates in large flocks, and when fat
+is quite eatable. It often associates with marlins and sickle-bills,
+where its light colors make a beautiful contrast.
+
+The last four varieties are nearly similar in size and greatly exceed
+the following, but are far less desirable in an epicurean point of view.
+
+The golden plover is one of the finest birds that flies; it associates
+in flocks of a thousand, stools well, is extremely fat, is delicious on
+the table, and has a peculiarly musical whistle. It frequents the
+uplands, and feeds on grasshoppers. Its back is marked with a greenish
+red that faintly resembles gold, and gives rise to its name. The young
+are quite different in plumage.
+
+The black-breast or bull-head is a shy and rather solitary
+bird--although it occasionally collects in large flocks--but it is quite
+fat, and frequently killed in the salt marshes over the stools used for
+the ordinary bay-birds.
+
+The yelper has a strong, rapid, and often irregular flight, and a loud
+cry. It stools well, but escapes rapidly as soon as shot at, darting
+from side to side in a confusing way, and returns less confidently than
+the willet or marlin. It pursues its course generally high in the
+clouds, whence it will drop like a stone when coming to the stools. On
+Long Island it goes by the name of big yellow-legs; its call can be
+heard at an immense distance, and is repeated continually as it flies.
+Gastronomically considered, it is passable, and, when fat, really
+excellent.
+
+The yellow-legs, or little yellow-legs, as it is termed on Long Island,
+is similar in appearance to the yelper, but has a softer and more
+flute-like note, and congregates in larger flocks. It stools admirably,
+and is killed in immense numbers. Its flight is rapid and irregular,
+especially when it is frightened; and, as food, it ranks with the
+yelper.
+
+The brant-bird is a beautiful bird, and stools well; it rarely consorts
+in large flocks, and is quite acceptable on the table.
+
+The robin-snipe is a graceful, beautiful, and delicious bird; its
+favorite localities are the meadow-islands of the salt bays and lagoons;
+its flight is steady, and it does not collect in such immense flocks as
+the last named variety. Its whistle consists of two clear shrill notes,
+by which it is readily attracted; and its predominant colors are grey on
+the back and red on the breast.
+
+The dowitcher, which is considered ornithologically as the only true
+snipe of them all, has the habits of the sandpiper and the distinctive
+attributes of the _scolopax_; it is abundant, extremely gentle, and
+excellent eating. It stools admirably, coming to any whistle whatever;
+and although it can skiver when alarmed, it usually flies steadily. It
+associates with the smaller birds.
+
+The krieker feeds on the meadows, remains till late in October, becomes
+extremely fat, and is an epicurean delicacy; it utters a creaking cry,
+but will not stool at all. It also flies with the smaller snipe.
+
+Having thus mentioned the peculiar distinctive qualities and
+characteristics of each bird, of which a fuller description will be
+given in another place, we will now pass to a consideration of the best
+mode of their pursuit. This being by stratagem, the more thorough the
+deception, the more favorable will be the result; and although they can
+frequently be attracted by an accurate imitation of their call within
+reach of their destroyer, crouched in the open field and unaided by
+decoys, they will approach much better to the concealed sportsman and
+well made stools. A stand is usually erected near some pond or bar where
+the birds are in the habit of alighting--and this can be built in half
+an hour of bushes or reeds--high enough to conceal the sportsman
+comfortably seated in his arm-chair; and as the grass has become by the
+latter part of August a dull yellowish green, he may even shelter
+himself from the sun’s rays by a brown cotton umbrella, if he be
+delicate or ease-loving. His clothes should assimilate to the color of
+the landscape, and be as cool as possible--for the temperature is often
+oppressively hot; and a waterproof should always be at hand in case of
+rain, to cover, not so much the sportsman as his gun and ammunition,
+which may be seriously injured by dampness and salt air combined.
+
+If it is impracticable to build a stand, and the locality is sandy, a
+hole may be dug, with the excavated sand banked around it, and the
+sportsman may deposit himself upon his Mackintosh at the bottom.
+However, to one unaccustomed to the posture, it is difficult to rise and
+shoot from such a position, and a comfortable seat is far preferable;
+and besides, the mosquitoes are thicker near the earth; the breeze has
+less effect and the sun more.
+
+The stools should be so placed that they can be readily seen from the
+line of flight, not too high above the water, and the farthest not more
+than thirty-five yards from the shooter. If too near a bank, they will
+be confounded with the grass, and be invisible even to the keen eye of
+the snipe. They should be scattered sufficiently to allow each one to be
+distinct, and must be headed in different directions, so that some may
+present their broadsides to every quarter of the heavens. They should
+tail down wind, in a measure, from the stand, as the birds, no matter
+what direction they come from, head up wind in order to alight, and will
+make a circle to do so. In this way they reach the lower end of the
+imitation flock first, and are led safely close to the sportsman, giving
+him an admirable opportunity to make his selection from their ranks.
+
+As the tide varies according to the wind and moon, and will often cover
+with several feet of water places usually dry, it is well to have two
+sets of sticks--one set for deep water much longer than those for
+ordinary use; otherwise, it will occasionally be found impossible to set
+out the stools at all, or they will stand so high above the ground as to
+resemble bean-poles more than birds.
+
+It is customary to have in the flock, which should not be less than
+forty, imitations of the different species--some being brown to
+represent marlin, others grey, with white breasts and a white and black
+streak over the tail to stand for willet, and so on; but a more
+important point is to have them large. Small stools cannot be seen far
+enough to attract a yelper sailing amid the clouds, or a marlin sweeping
+along the distant horizon; and although it is pretty and appropriate to
+have them of suitable colors, size is more necessary. A sickle-bill is a
+large bird, and I have seen one tethered among the stools towering above
+them, so that the imitations looked puny by comparison, although larger
+than they were usually made. The word stool is derived from the Danish
+_stoel_, and signifies something set up on less than four legs, but of
+the mode or reason of its adoption we have no record; it is in universal
+use, to the exclusion of the more elegant and appropriate term, decoy,
+which is confined to imitation of wild fowl. Stools are ordinarily made
+of wood, and occasionally painted with great artistic care and skill;
+and although a rough affair, coarsely daubed, seems often to answer
+nearly as well, there are times when the birds, rendered wild by many
+hair-breadth escapes, look sharply ere they draw near, and will not
+approach unsightly blocks of wood, no matter how sweetly they seem to
+whistle.
+
+As wooden stools take up much room and are troublesome to carry for any
+distance, tin ones have been made that will pack together in a small
+space. By heading these, different ways, they present a good view to the
+snipe, except when the latter are high in air, from which position they
+are invisible. To remedy this defect, it has been suggested that a strip
+of tin of the width of the body may be soldered along the upper edge;
+and thus, while they pack snugly, a section of the object is presented
+in every direction.
+
+Wooden stools are decidedly the best, especially where it is desirable
+that the birds should alight, and are in general use. They are made of
+pine, and painted the distinctive colors of their prototypes; thus
+sickle-bills, marlin, and jacks, are all brown with dark spots on the
+back and wings; willet, as heretofore described; yellow-legs, dark
+mottled grey on the back and wings, and white beneath; dowitchers brown
+on the back and wings, and yellowish-white below; bull-head plover light
+on the back, with dark breasts; robin-snipe light grey on the back and
+side, and reddish beneath. But the snipe are not always discriminating,
+and a few varieties will answer every purpose.
+
+Stools are easily made and moderate in cost, and every sportsman should
+have not less than twenty-five of his own, so that in case those that he
+finds at the country taverns for the public use are engaged, he may have
+some to fall back upon--although twenty-five are not a full supply. They
+may be carried in a bag or basket, with their feet and bills removed;
+and the basket will be useful to hold lunch, ammunition, or game.
+
+Extempore representations can be made from the dead birds, although they
+are not quite so good as the wooden ones, by cutting a forked stick with
+one end much longer than the other, and thrusting the longer point into
+the bird’s neck and the shorter one into its body. It may then be stood
+up in the sand, and will make a decoy scarcely distinguishable by man
+from the living prototype, but apparently more unnatural to the
+birds--which are sometimes alarmed at its ghastly appearance--than the
+ordinary stools.
+
+Very perfect stools are made of India-rubber, which, being compressible
+and light, can be readily transported, and are a deceptive imitation;
+their principal defects are their liability to injury from shot--which
+is also the case with wooden ones--and the facility with which the hole
+where their long leg is inserted becomes torn--an accident that entirely
+destroys their usefulness. They can be packed in a small compass, and
+are infinitely the best article where they are to be carried long
+distances. Although of necessity undersized, their full plump shape
+makes them visible at a considerable distance.
+
+To prevent the bills, which are the most delicate part, from being
+injured, it is necessary to make them rather thicker than those of the
+living bird; they are to be painted dark-brown, blue, or grey, according
+to circumstances; and their loss, although it may not diminish the
+attractiveness, destroys the beauty of the fictitious flock. More
+important than perfection of decoys, is accuracy in whistling; this
+should be a perfect imitation and answer to the call of the bird, and
+will often allure him to the fowler without any decoys whatever. It is
+impossible to describe the calls on paper, and long practice will alone
+give a thorough knowledge of them; they are generally shrill and loud;
+the shriller and louder the better--for man’s best efforts will rarely
+equal the bird’s natural powers. The yelper has a clear, bold cry, and
+the willet a fierce shriek that can be heard for miles; and if listened
+to from a distance, it will be found that the bird’s call can be heard
+twice the distance of the man’s answer. It is true that when the snipe
+are near at hand and about alighting, a lower whistle is better, for the
+reason that it is more perfect, and because the cry changes to a note of
+welcome when the flock receives its fellows. And often, when the birds
+once head for the stools, if not distracted by neighboring stands, or
+alarmed, they will come straight on without any whistling, although this
+is by no means invariably the case.
+
+Many persons find insuperable difficulty in whistling the clear, shrill,
+sharp calls; and for them artificial whistles have been manufactured
+with a hole at the lower end, which, being opened or closed by the
+finger, like the holes in a flute, regulates the sound. These artificial
+whistles are not so good as a perfectly trained natural one; the sound
+is not sufficiently reed-like, and they occupy and confine one hand when
+it should be free to seek the gun. They are suspended from the
+button-hole by a string, so that they can be dropped in an instant; but
+are only used out of necessity.
+
+A curious one, to be held in the mouth, has been invented of a
+wedge-shaped piece of tin in the form of an axe-head, with two holes
+through the sides. The sound is regulated by the tongue, and is
+altogether more correct than that of any other whistle; but more time
+and patience are required to learn the use of this invention than of the
+lips. It will be far better for the sportsman who intends to pursue this
+sport, to practise with the organs that nature has given him, however
+much time or perseverance may be necessary, and then there will be no
+danger of leaving his whistle at home.
+
+As before remarked, the great drawback to the sport of shooting
+bay-snipe is its uncertainty; if the flight has not come on, or a
+westerly wind has driven the birds to sea, or a heavy north-easter
+carries them with it high in air and prevents their stopping--there will
+be no shooting; and the most experienced hand will often receive the
+comforting assurance which is always bestowed upon the inexperienced,
+that if he had only come two weeks sooner, or deferred his visit two
+weeks longer, he would have been sure of fine sport. There are
+nevertheless certain general rules that furnish a tolerable criterion;
+and laying aside the spring shooting, which occurs in May, and is
+extremely uncertain, the main flight of small birds--such as dowitchers
+and yellow-legs--commences about the tenth of July, and of large birds
+about the fifteenth of August. Each lasts about two weeks.
+
+The flight of large birds usually terminates with a short flight of
+yellow-legs, and is followed by the plover, which are succeeded by the
+kriekers. An easterly storm generally brings the birds, either by
+bearing them from their northern homes, or by forcing them in from the
+sea, where the main body is supposed to fly; and if such a storm occur
+at either of these periods, and be succeeded by a south-westerly wind,
+it will surely be followed by an abundance of the appropriate birds.
+
+During an easterly blow they will be seen passing by Point Judith in an
+almost unbroken line; and after it, they abound throughout the whole
+length of the coast, as though they had been carried to all parts of it
+at once. But if no such storm occur, the catching the flight is a mere
+chance; and where the summer has been dry, the snipe will be scarce. If
+the meadows have been kept moist by continual showers, there will be a
+moderate supply of game the summer through; but if there has been a
+drought, the surface becomes too hard for the snails and insects to
+inhabit, or for the birds to penetrate; a scarcity of food results, and
+there will be no flight whatever.
+
+Scattering birds, wandering away from their fellows and exhausted with
+hunger, delighted at beholding their friends apparently feeding, will be
+killed perhaps in numbers sufficient to make now and then a decent bag;
+but what is known as the “flight”--when the great army moves its vast
+cohorts, division after division, regiment after regiment, company after
+company--will not take place. How they reach the south no one can
+accurately tell; they either fly inland or out at sea high in the air,
+or late at night; but their returning myriads in the spring following,
+prove that in some way they did reach their southern winter homes.
+
+Notwithstanding the greatest experience, and despite the most favorable
+signs, the oldest gunner will find that more or less uncertainty exists
+in obtaining sport, and that his unlucky expeditions generally outnumber
+his lucky ones. Often a flight will commence unexpectedly and without
+any apparent reason; and a change of weather, after a long continuance
+of wind from one quarter, will be followed by good shooting for some
+days, although such weather is not intrinsically favorable. The follower
+of bay-birds must therefore make up his mind to disappointment, and on
+such occasions live on his hopes for the future, or his recollections of
+the past.
+
+For this sport a heavy gun, such as is commonly employed for ducks, is
+not at all necessary; inasmuch as many of the birds are small and the
+flocks frequently scattered, it is rarely desirable to use two ounces of
+shot and five drachms of powder; and to fire such a charge at a solitary
+dowitcher, as is often done, is simply ridiculous. A light field-gun,
+with an ounce and a quarter of shot and three drachms and a half of
+powder, (or, as I prefer, an ounce of shot and three drachms of powder,)
+is amply sufficient--will confer more pleasure and require more skill in
+the use, will cut down a reasonable number from a flock, and will kill a
+single bird handsomely.
+
+The gun should be kept at half-cock, and may be laid upon a bench beside
+the sportsman; there is always time to cock it, even if a flock is not
+seen till it is over the stools; and a gun at full cock in a stand, is a
+danger that no reasonable man will encounter. In field-shooting, I do
+not approve of carrying the gun at half-cock, believing, for certain
+reasons unnecessary here to repeat, that it is less dangerous at
+full-cock; but in a stand or in a house, or in fact anywhere but in the
+field where it is always in the sportsman’s hand, it should be never
+otherwise than at half-cock. It is common to pass in front of guns lying
+on the bench in the stand, and they often fall off, and are usually
+reached for by the sportsman while his eye is on the advancing flock,
+and does not note whether his hand grasps the barrel or the triggers;
+and there is an excitement, when the flight is rapid, sufficiently
+perilous of itself in connexion with fire-arms, without uselessly
+increasing it. Every precaution should therefore be taken; and if by
+accident the gun which cannot go off at half-cock shall be discharged in
+cocking or uncocking it, it will point forward, away from the stand, and
+in such a direction that injury to human life cannot follow.
+
+Next in importance to care in preventing the gun’s injuring a
+fellow-creature, is care in preventing its being injured. The least
+dampness, whether from fog or rain, and even the salt air alone, will
+rust the delicate steel and iron, and, penetrating farther and farther,
+make indentations that will spoil its beauty and injure its
+effectiveness permanently. To prevent this, oil frequently applied is
+the only remedy; a rag well oiled, and a bottle to replenish from,
+should be among the ordinary equipments, and invariably taken to the
+shooting-ground; the first symptom of rust or even discoloration should
+be removed, and every portion of the iron-work kept well lubricated. At
+night a waterproof covering should be used, and the charge invariably
+left undrawn, as the dirt prevents oxydization for a time; and during a
+rain the utmost care should be taken to protect, if not the entire gun,
+at least the locks and trigger-plate. Kerosene oil is excellent to
+remove rust, but is too thin to form a coating, and not so good a
+protection as sweet or whale oil. Varnish is highly recommended, but I
+have never known any one to try it; and in case no oil can be obtained,
+the gunners on Long Island are in the habit of shooting a small snipe,
+which is often extremely fat, and using its skin as an oiled rag.
+
+Of course with a breech-loader the charge is withdrawn, and the cleaning
+apparatus may be forced through every evening, although this is
+unnecessary, as the dirt is rather a protection; and after the cleaning,
+whether of the muzzle-loader or breech-loader, the barrels should be
+well oiled both inside and out. If, however, the gun is to be left for a
+long time unused and exposed to salt air, a piece of greasy rag wound
+upon a stick may be thrust into the barrels to the bottom, and oil
+should be liberally applied to the exposed parts. Moreover, the locks,
+however well they may fit, will be injured after a while, and should be
+removed and examined occasionally. The size of shot used should be
+changed according to the season and character of the flight; in July,
+when the yellow-legs and dowitchers are the principal victims, No. 8 is
+abundantly large; but in August, when curlews, marlin, and willets are
+flying, all of which are able to endure severe punishment, No. 6 is
+preferable. Eley’s cartridges are often useful with grass-plover,
+although they ball so frequently that the majority of sportsmen have
+lost faith in them.
+
+Favorable seasons for snipe, when heavy or repeated rains have saturated
+the meadows, and filled every hollow with stagnant pools of dirty water,
+are also favorable for mosquitoes. Persons who suffer from the bites of
+this pestiferous insect--and the difference between individuals upon
+this subject is remarkable--should prepare themselves with mosquito-nets
+and ill-scented oils, as they would for a visit to the wild woods; while
+those who are much affected by the sun should bring unguents with which
+to temper its intensity and assuage the pain that its burning rays
+inflict.
+
+Shoes are the proper things for the feet, as boots become heated and
+uncomfortable; and a brown linen jacket with white flannel pantaloons,
+thick enough to resist the attacks of a mosquito, and with the necessary
+underclothes for an exceptionally cold day, constitute the most
+practical rig.
+
+If the sportsman use a muzzle-loader--which he should not do if he can
+afford to buy a breech-loader--he must have a loading-stick which he can
+extemporize from his cleaning-rod by substituting a ramrod head for the
+jag. This he does by simply having a piece of brass of the proper size
+and shape to screw into the place of the latter. He should also have two
+guns, or he loses the chance at the returning flock, which is the most
+exciting, as it is often the most successful shot.
+
+The powder should be coarse; the large grain of the ducking-powder being
+alone fitted to withstand the deleterious effects of the moisture that
+is an invariable concomitant of the salt atmosphere of the ocean.
+
+One great difficulty that the writer has encountered in preparing this
+work, is a proper selection of names--the natural history of our country
+is popularly so little understood; to copy English names and apply them
+to creatures bearing a faint resemblance in general coloring, though
+neither in habits nor scientific distinctions, was so natural to the
+first immigrants, and the introduction of a proper appellation is so
+nearly impossible, that the confusion in nomenclature of our birds,
+beasts, and fishes is hardly surprising. This confusion existing in
+every department of natural history--confounding fish of all varieties,
+leaving birds nameless, or giving them too many names--culminates among
+the bay-snipe.
+
+Although the bony-fish or mossbunkers of New York become the menhaden of
+the Eastern States, and king-fish are transformed into barb in New
+Jersey, and perch become pickerel in the west--there are rarely more
+than two names, and every fish has some designation; but with bay-snipe,
+after an infinite multiplication of names for certain species, others
+are left entirely unnamed. Many that are frequently killed are without a
+popular designation, and more still are called frost-birds, and
+meadow-snipe, and beach-birds--names that might with justice be applied
+to the entire class, and which are so utterly confused, that persons
+from different sections of the country do not know what others are
+talking about. To make matters worse, the scientific gentlemen have
+stepped in, and after indulging in plenty of bad Latin, have added fresh
+English appellations, more unmeaning and less appropriate if possible
+than the common ones.
+
+From this mass of incongruities the writer has endeavored, while
+preserving the best name, to select the one in general use, bearing in
+mind that names are mere substitutes, and not descriptive adjectives.
+The name frost-bird or frost-snipe--which belongs to entirely different
+creatures--is applicable to every bird that appears after a frost, and
+as nearly a hundred varieties are in this category, it is not
+distinctive; the names meadow-snipe and beach-bird are ridiculous, but
+the latter, being applied to an unimportant class, is allowed to stand.
+The snipe that is herein called a krieker, or, as it may be spelled,
+creaker, which utters a hoarse, creaking note, is called in various
+places meadow-snipe--although most of the bay-birds haunt the meadows;
+fat-bird, whereas others are equally fat; and short neck, in spite of
+the fact that its neck is longer than some species; while ornithologists
+call it pectoral sandpiper, probably because it has a breast. So also
+with the brant-bird, which is called on the coast of New Jersey
+horsefoot-snipe, because it feeds on the spawn of the horsefoot;
+notwithstanding that the yellow-legs and several others do the same.
+The name, however, is not satisfactory on account of its similarity to
+the brant or brent-goose; and probably the scientific designation,
+turnstone, if it were at all in common acceptation, would be better. It
+is to be hoped these names will at some day be harmonized by universal,
+consent, and these pages will at least make mutual comprehension open
+the way for that desirable result. The sickle-bill, jack-curlew, marlin,
+willet, golden-plover, yelper, dowitcher, and krieker, are excellent;
+and the ring-tailed marlin, black-breast plover, yellow-legs, and
+robin-snipe, are at least descriptive. Were these generally accepted, a
+simple and tolerably accurate system of nomenclature would be obtained;
+and it has been my effort, while placing the preferable name at the head
+of the description of each variety, to collate all the other names that
+in any section of our vast territory are applied to the same bird. In
+this attempt I can only be partially successful; for the ingenuity of
+the American people in coining new names, added to a profound ignorance
+of ornithology, has produced a confusion that no one man can reduce to
+order.
+
+Bay-snipe, except the plovers, kriekers, and a few others, are not
+considered delicate eating, contracting along the salt marshes a sedgy
+flavor; but on the shores of the western lakes, where the fresh water
+appears to remove this peculiarity, the yellow-legs and yelpers--which
+are often found in considerable numbers, and are called by the general
+appellation of plovers--are almost equal in tender,
+
+[Illustration: FORT MARION. ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.]
+
+juicy delicacy to the English snipe. Whether the same change is
+noticeable in the larger varieties, I cannot say of my own knowledge.
+
+The gunners have an ingenious way of stringing them in bunches of a half
+dozen each, on the longest feathers taken from their wings, a pair of
+these being tied together by the feather ends, and the quillpoints
+thrust through the nostrils of the birds. It is desirable to put them up
+in small bunches, as under the warm temperature of summer they will,
+unless every precaution is exercised, soon become tainted. To prevent
+this, the entrails should also be carefully removed without disturbing
+the plumage; and a little salt, or, as many persons recommend, coffee,
+rubbed inside, and they should be at all times carefully protected from
+the sun. Their sedgy flavor grows stronger with every day they are kept;
+and being extremely oily, the least taint renders them, together with
+all the wild inhabitants of the coast, unfit for food.
+
+Bay-snipe are essentially migratory, rarely stopping on our shores to
+build their nests and rear their young; during the spring months they
+pass to or beyond the coast of Labrador, and attend to the duties of
+maternity in the vast levels and swamps that surround Hudson’s Bay, and
+constitute a large portion of the northern part of British North
+America. In my ramblings through the Provinces, I was frequently
+informed that they abounded during the latter part of summer on the
+marshes near the Bay Chaleur in New Brunswick. This must evidently have
+been during their return flight; but whether they were our bay-birds in
+their vast variety, or whether they were merely the flocks of golden
+plover that follow the winding of the coast and subsequently visit
+Nantucket and Montauk Point, I had no opportunity to determine by
+personal experience.
+
+With us they make their appearance in the neighborhood of Boston Bay,
+and thence they are found, with various intermissions, caused by the
+nature of the ground, all the way to the State of Texas. The innumerable
+bays, sounds, and lagoons of our Southern States, inclosed by broad
+meadows and including thousands of marshy islands, are their favorite
+feeding-grounds, and are visited by them in unnumbered thousands. The
+larger varieties may be seen there all through the fall quietly feeding,
+and scarcely noticing the approach of man. In Texas they seem to
+congregate in vast bodies, and probably move off to or beyond the
+equator in the early winter months, although this has never been
+positively ascertained.
+
+They are not killed as game south of Virginia, and rarely south of New
+Jersey; in fact, it may be said that only on Cape Cod, Long Island, and
+the shore line of New Jersey, are they scientifically pursued. At these
+places the sport has greatly diminished of late years; a few years ago
+Barnstable beach was a celebrated resort; and at Quogue, parties used no
+stools, but stationed themselves along the narrow neck that connects the
+beach with the main land, and fired till their guns were dirty or their
+ammunition exhausted. Then it was no unusual thing to expend
+twenty-five pounds of shot in a day, where now the sportsman that could
+use up five would be fortunate.
+
+Of all the locations on this extent of meadow and beach, no place is so
+famous, from its natural advantages and its ancient reputation, as
+Quogue. Once on a time the best pond was permanently occupied by a
+famous Governor, a still more famous General, and a notorious
+Colonel--although the latter was not “in the bond;” but there are other
+good stands, and for small birds--yellow-legs, dowitchers, and
+robin-snipe--it has no equal. Although many flocks pass it high in air,
+all those that follow the coast, low down to the earth, must cross the
+meadows that are compressed to a narrow strip at this point, which is
+the dividing-ground between the two great bays on the south side of Long
+Island.
+
+Unfortunately, a watering-place for the summer resort of the exquisites
+of New York has been established in the vicinity, and the consequent
+advantages of comfortable beds and a good table are more than overborne
+by the annoyance of such companionship. If there be a flight of birds,
+every unfledged sportsman takes out his elegant fowling-piece, and,
+daintily dressed, proceeds to the meadow, where he would be
+comparatively harmless, and dangerous only to himself, were there room
+for him and his fellows. But as the ground is limited, and the favorable
+points few, he is sure to interfere; and, while killing nothing himself,
+ruins the prospects of those who could do better. At Quogue, decoys
+were first used about the year 1850, and the best day’s sport of late
+was one hundred and thirty-eight birds.
+
+West of Quogue there are some snipe, and occasionally a good flight at
+South Oyster Bay, and more rarely still at Rockaway; but the large birds
+are not numerous north of New Jersey. Squan Beach, Barnegat, Egg Harbor,
+and Brigantine Beach are famous for the large birds--the sickle-bills,
+curlews, willets, and marlins--that visit them; the same number of shots
+cannot be obtained as at Quogue, but the bag is larger. At the former
+places there is also a flight, of greater or less extent, of dowitchers
+and yellow-legs, but these are not so abundant as along the margin of
+the Great South Bay of Long Island. On the other hand, a bag of one
+hundred of the larger varieties is not unusual; while at Egg Harbor the
+robin-snipe, which affect marshy islands are exceedingly numerous.
+
+Twenty years ago there was good bay-snipe shooting at what is termed
+“Fire Island,” and even in the year 1883 there was a remarkable flight
+late in the fall. But the cry of old George, which the gunners of “long
+ago” welcomed in their youth, is never heard now; George and his
+salutation have departed, and “Wake up, all them as is goin’ sniping” is
+a thing of the past.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE JERSEY COAST.
+
+“_A Girl from New Jersey._”
+
+
+Why is it that every one who visits New Jersey comes away with an
+ecstatic impression of Jersey girls that he never can forget? Lovely
+they are, it is true, but not more beautiful than other fair ones of
+America; affable, gentle, graceful, sprightly--but these qualities are
+common in our angel-favored country. Yet no one that has been blessed
+with their company can forget them, but carries for ever in his heart
+the image of one, if not two or three, Jersey girls.
+
+These reflections were suggested to the writer by the recollection of
+his first trip, many years ago, to the Jersey coast. The summer had been
+oppressively hot, and being detained in town during the fore part of
+August, he was glad to avail himself of the first chance to escape from
+the city and betake himself to the cool, invigorating breezes of the
+seashore. Not knowing precisely what route to follow, he trusted himself
+on board the train without any definite destination, and, upon inquiry,
+was informed that a good place for bay-shooting was at Tommy Cook’s,
+near the coast, and about four miles from one of the last stations on
+the road, where, under the charge of the Quaker host, considerable
+comfort could be had.
+
+To Cook’s, therefore, upon reaching the station, the writer told the
+driver of what seemed to be a mongrel public coach, that he wanted to
+go; but in thoughtlessness, never conceiving that there could be two
+Cooks, he omitted the Tommy that should have preceded the direction. His
+surprise was by no means moderate to find, upon reaching his
+destination, the supposed Quaker host slightly inebriated, dancing a
+solitary hornpipe to an admiring circle. Thinking perhaps that that was
+the custom of Jersey Quakers--for the State is exceptional in certain
+things--he took a glass of bad whiskey with the jovial landlord, made
+proposals, much to every one’s surprise, to go shooting the day
+following, and retired early.
+
+Next morning a short walk dissipated all idea of finding game, and
+having made the discovery that he was still fifteen miles from the
+proper shooting-ground on the beach, he returned to the house, and in
+order to enjoy a few hours ere the wagon for his further transportation
+would be ready, joined a bathing party. It was quite a sociable affair;
+both sexes, dressed in their bathing clothes--the girls without
+shoes--crowded down in the bottom of an open wagon. But surely it is not
+fair to tell how one of the flannel-encased nymphs nearly fell from the
+wagon, and was caught in the arms of the writer, who had jumped out for
+the purpose; nor how the rest drove off to leave them; nor how he bore
+his lovely burden--plastic grace and beauty personified--bravely in
+pursuit; nor how his foot chanced to trip--accidentally, of course--and
+they fell and rolled in the sand together. If he would tell, he could
+not; words do not exist for the purpose.
+
+He had, however, all he could do to explain the accident and pacify the
+nymph. If she had known how much of solidity there was in her
+loveliness, and how little of romance in the deep yielding sand, she
+might have more readily accepted the excuse of weariness. If the
+grasshopper becomes a burden under certain circumstances, why may not a
+naiad?
+
+The road to the beach lay through a village formerly known by the
+euphonious and distinctive title of Crab Town--a village of a thousand
+inhabitants. It was evening ere Crab Town was reached, and just beyond,
+the driver came upon a bevy of female acquaintances. In a moment the
+suggestion was made that they should ride; after a little demur they
+accepted, and were crowded in. The stage was not large, but there would
+have been room if they had been twice as numerous; they filled every
+seat, and every lap besides.
+
+There are days in one’s lifetime that should be celebrated as
+anniversaries; and if any gentleman has carried in his arms, albeit with
+true tenderness, one charming Jersey girl in the morning, and has had
+another equally charming sit on his lap in the evening, he may look upon
+that day as never likely to repeat itself.
+
+There was a hum of pleasant voices--words like, “Oh! Deb, we should not
+have got in;” “Why, Mary, we may as well ride--it’s all in our way.”
+“But these gentlemen are strangers, and may think it wrong of us.” “Oh,
+Lib, don’t talk that way; they know better.” We assured them that
+nothing could be more perfectly proper. So situated, the ride appeared
+very short, and the next mile, which was as far as our delightful
+freight would go, was passed seemingly in about a minute and a half,
+decidedly the fastest time on record. At the end of it, on a suggestion
+from the driver, who lived in that section and knew the country, toll
+was taken of their rosy lips as passage-money. Jersey is a glorious
+place.
+
+Passing Charley’s, as he is generally called, the son of the old man,
+who for years was famous as the first hunter in that land, we turned off
+beyond, down the beach. The bay between the mainland and the sand-bar,
+known everywhere as “The Beach,” was narrow, widening slowly as we
+advanced, until, at the end of our seven miles’ journey, it was nearly
+three miles across. There was little vegetation beside salt grass
+and bay-berry bushes; but of the animal kingdom the only
+representatives--the mosquitoes--were thicker than the mind of man can
+conceive; they rose in crowds, pursuing us fiercely, covering the horses
+in an unbroken mass, settling upon ourselves, flying into our eyes,
+crawling upon our necks, stinging through our clothes, and filling the
+air. Although small, the were hungry beyond belief, and, following
+their prey relentlessly, compelled us to fight them off with bushes of
+bay-berry for our lives.
+
+Mosquitoes are found plentifully at our summer watering-places, and
+still more numerously in the wild woods, grow abundantly in Canada, and
+are over-plentiful at Lake Superior; but nowhere are they so merciless,
+fierce, and numerous, as, on occasions, at the New Jersey beach. They
+are a beautiful little creature, delicate, graceful, and elegant, but
+obtrusive in their attentions; although the ardent lover was anxious to
+be bitten by the same mosquito that had bitten his lady-love, that their
+blood might mingle in the same body.
+
+One good effect they had, however, was to compel the driver to urge on
+his weary team, and leave him no time to gossip at Jakey’s Tavern, over
+the beach party that was to be held there next day. A beach party is
+another delightful institution of the Jerseyites, and consists of a
+congregation of the youths of both sexes, especially the female,
+collected from the main shore, and meeting on the beach for a frolic, a
+dance, and a bath. As it rarely breaks up till daylight, the pleasantest
+intimacies are sometimes formed, and soft words uttered that could not
+be wrung from blushing beauty in broad day.
+
+The establishment of the “old man”--the sporting “old man,” not the
+political one--since he has been gathered to his forefathers, is kept up
+by his son-in-law, usually known by the abbreviation--Bill. It is not an
+elegant place; sportsmen do not demand elegance, and willingly sleep,
+if not in the same room, in chambers that lead into one another; but it
+is situated within a hundred yards of the best shooting ground, and is
+as well kept as any other tavern on the beach. Sportsmen do not mind
+waiting their turn to use the solitary wash basin, drawing water from
+the hogshead, or wiping on the same towel, but are thankful for good
+food, and the luxury of a well filled ice-house.
+
+In addition to the general directions heretofore given, it may be well
+in this connexion to describe more particularly the mode of killing
+bay-snipe. A number of imitation birds, usually called stools, are cut
+from wood, and painted to resemble the various species; they have a long
+stick, or leg, inserted into the lower part of the body, and a
+sufficient number to constitute a large flock are set up in shallow
+water, or upon some bar where the birds are accustomed to feed. They are
+made from thin wood, or even from tin, and are headed various ways so as
+to show in all directions; the coarsest and least perfect imitations
+will answer.
+
+The most remarkable trait of the shore birds, or bay-snipe, is their
+gregarious nature and sociability. A flock flying high in air,
+apparently intent upon some settled course, will, the moment they see
+another flock feeding, turn and join it. Their natural history, or the
+object which they evidently have in thus joining forces, does not seem
+to be understood; but the baymen, by imitation-birds and calls, take
+advantage of this instinct. Farther south, along the shores of Florida
+and Texas, these snipe collect in crowds; and either this is the first
+step towards that purpose, or they are merely attracted by the feeding
+birds to a promising place for a plentiful repast.
+
+Although ordinarily they will come to the stools of themselves, if they
+happen to be at a distance flying fast and high, the gunner must trust
+to the shrillness of his whistle and the perfection of his call, to
+attract their attention. If they turn towards the decoys and answer the
+whistle--which they will do at an immense distance--they are almost sure
+to come straight on, and their confidence once gained, rarely wavers.
+
+There is a common expression among the baymen, that birds have a trade,
+or are trading up and down over a certain course, by which they mean
+that they fly backward and forward at regular hours, and to and from
+regular places. Snipe that are thus engaged trading are not only in the
+finest condition, but come to the decoys, or stool, as it is termed, the
+most readily. They are probably stopping on the meadows, and fly to
+their feeding-grounds in the morning and back at night. The great
+migratory bodies, which frequently stretch in broken lines almost across
+the horizon, and which are pursuing their steady course to their
+southern homes, rarely heed the whistle, or turn to the silly flock that
+is eating while it should be travelling.
+
+The best days are those with a cloudy sky, and a south-westerly wind. On
+such occasions the birds often come in myriads, delighting the
+sportsman’s heart, testing his nerves, and filling his bag to
+repletion. When the object is to kill the greatest number possible, they
+are permitted to alight among the stools and collect together before the
+gun is fired; then the first discharge is followed rapidly by the
+second, which tears among their thinned ranks as they rise; and, if
+there be a second gun, by the third and fourth barrel, till frequently
+all are killed. The scientific and sportsmanlike mode is to fire before
+they alight, selecting two or three together and firing at the foremost.
+
+It is a glorious thing to see a flock of marlin or willet, or perhaps
+the chief of all, the sickle-bills, swerve from their course away up in
+the heavens, and after a moment’s uncertainty reply to the sportsman’s
+deceitful call and turn towards his false copies of themselves. As they
+approach, the rich sienna brown of the marlin and curlew seems to color
+the sky and reflect a ruddy hue upon surrounding objects; or the black
+and white of the barred wings of the willet makes them resemble birds
+hewn from veined marble. The sportsman’s heart leaps to his throat, as
+crouching down with straining eye and nerve, grasping his faithful gun,
+he awaits with eager anxiety the proper moment; then, rising ere they
+are aware of the danger, he selects the spot where their crowding bodies
+and jostling wings shut out the clouds beyond, and pours in his first
+most deadly barrel; and quickly bringing to bear the other as best he
+may among the now frightened creatures as they dart about, he delivers
+it before he has noticed how many fell to the first. Dropping back to
+his position of concealment, he recommences whistling, and the poor
+things, forgetting their fright and anxious to know why their friends
+alighted amid a roar like thunder, return to the fatal spot, and again
+give the fortunate sportsman a chance for his reloaded gun.
+
+It was for such glorious sport as this, with fair promise of
+success--for the flight was on, as the saying is, when the snipe are
+moving--that I prepared myself the next morning. Rising at earliest
+daybreak, a friend, the gunner, and myself sallied out to the blind, and
+having set out our stools, possessed our souls in patience for what
+might follow. A blind is another ingenious invention of the devil--as
+personified by a bayman, in pursuit of wild fowl--and is constructed by
+planting bushes thickly in a circle round a bench. Seated upon this
+bench and concealed from the suspicious eyes of the snipe by the dense
+foliage of the bayberry bushes, the sportsman, in comparative comfort,
+awaits his prey. In less civilized localities he hides himself among the
+long sedge grass or scoops out a hole in the sand and lies at length
+upon a waterproof blanket.
+
+The wind had hauled, in nautical language, to the south’ard and
+west’ard, and the sun’s rays driving aside the hazy clouds, illuminated
+the eastern sky with fiery glory. The land and water, dim with the heavy
+night fog, stretched out in broad, undefined outline, and the heavens
+seemed close down upon the earth. Through the hazy atmosphere and
+sluggish darkness the rays of light penetrated slowly, bringing out
+feature after feature of the landscape, lighting the tops of distant
+hills, and revealing the fleecy coursers of the sky.
+
+Amid the fading darkness we soon heard the welcome cry of the bay-snipe
+pursuing his course, guided by light that had not yet reached our
+portion of the earth’s surface. Instantly we responded with a vigor and
+rapidity on behalf of each, that must have impressed the travelling
+birds with the belief that we constituted an immense flock. Again and
+again, long before our straining eyes could catch the outline of their
+forms, came the answering cry. Our eagerness increased with the
+approaching sound, until from out the dim air rushed a glorious flock of
+marbled willet, and swooping down to our stools dropped their long legs
+to alight--we feeling as though little shining goddesses were descending
+upon us.
+
+Without pausing to discuss their angelic character, but mercilessly
+bringing our double-barrels to bear upon the crowded ranks, we poured in
+a destructive broadside that hurled a dozen upon the bloodied sand.
+Startled at the fearful report and its terrible consequences, they rose,
+darting and crossing in their alarm, and fled at full speed; but hearing
+again the familiar call, after flying a few hundred yards, they turned
+and came once more straight for the decoys. Then my friend thought
+highly of me and my breech-loading gun, for ere he had reloaded I had
+discharged my two barrels three times, adding six birds to those
+already upon the sand. Eighteen willet from the first flock, and ere the
+sun was fairly up, gave us a good start; and after the birds were
+gathered, the favorable send-off was duly celebrated in a few drops of
+water with enough spirit to take the danger out.
+
+And now myriads of swallows made their appearance, skimming close along
+the water, but in one steady course, as though they were going out for
+the day, and would not be back till night-fall. They were followed by
+scattering snipe that furnished neat but easy shooting till six o’clock,
+when the regular flight began with a splendid flock of marlin that came
+rapidly from the south’ard, and after hovering over the stools and
+giving us one chance, returned for two more favors from the
+breech-loader, and left sixteen of their number.
+
+Sportsmen of any experience know that nothing is easier than to select
+from a flock a single bird with each barrel; but in bay-shooting, a man
+who claims to excel, must kill several with the first barrel, and one,
+at least, with the second. If, however, to the ordinary excitement be
+added the natural emulation arising from the presence of several
+sportsmen in the same stand, the foregoing desirable result is not
+always attained. If, therefore, the reader shrewdly suspects we should
+have killed more birds than we did, let him place himself in a similar
+position, and record his success.
+
+Shore birds of the various species, beginning with the magnificent
+sickle-bill, and including the wary jack-curlew, the noisy, larger
+yellow-legs or yelper, and the smaller one, down to the pretty
+simple-hearted dowitcher, went to make up our morning’s bag. The
+scorching sun when it hung high over our heads stopped the flight, and,
+aided by venomous mosquitoes, drove us to the shelter of the house, and
+turned our thoughts towards dinner.
+
+The stands being convenient to the tavern, we had run in and snatched a
+hasty breakfast, but now collected to clean guns, load cartridges, and
+talk over results. The breech-loader being at that time something of a
+novelty, attracted considerable attention, and was accused of that
+defect popularly attributed to it, of not shooting strongly. As there
+were several expensive guns present--among them one of William Moore--in
+all of which the owners had great faith, the question was soon tested
+and settled to the satisfaction of the most sceptical.
+
+That being concluded, black-breast, or bull-head plover, was the
+occasion of a terrible contest over the entire plover family--some of
+the sportsmen insisting there were three, others four or five well-known
+kinds. They all agreed as to there being the grass-plover, the
+bull-head, and the golden-plover; but some claimed in addition, the
+frost bird and the red-backed plover. At last one burst forth:
+
+“There is Barnwell; he ought to know: what does he say?”
+
+As they turned inquiringly, feeling the momentous nature of the
+occasion, and that now was the chance to establish my reputation for
+ever, with an air of deep learning, I commenced:
+
+“In the first place, you are mistaken in including among plovers the
+grass or grey-plover, as it is commonly called; it is not a plover at
+all----”
+
+“Oh! that is nonsense,” they burst forth unanimously; “you don’t know
+what you’re talking about.”
+
+Never was a growing reputation more suddenly nipped. Instantly reduced
+to a state of meekness, and only too glad to save a shred of character,
+I mildly suggested that Giraud’s work on the birds of Long Island was in
+my valise, and probably contained the desired information.
+
+“Well,” said one, “let’s hear what he says.”
+
+So I procured the book and read as follows:
+
+                      “‘TRINGA BARTRAMIA--WILSON.
+
+                         BARTRAM’S SANDPIPER.
+
+        Bartram’s Sandpiper, Tringa Bartramia, Wil. Amer. Orn.
+                   _Totanus Bartramius_ Bonap. Syn.
+
+      _Totanus Bartramius_ Bartram Tatler, Su. & Rich. Bartramian
+                          Tatler, Nutt. Man.
+
+         Bartramian Sandpiper. _Totanus Bartramius_ Aud. Orn.
+                                Biog.’
+
+“After giving the specific character, and a spirited account of the
+well-known manner of shooting them from a wagon, which is not followed
+with any other bird, as you well know, he proceeds as follows:
+
+“‘In Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and on the Shinnecock and
+Hempstead Plains, Long Island, it is common, where it is known by the
+name of “gray,” “grass,” “field,” or “upland” plover. It is very wary,
+and difficult to be approached. On the ground it has an erect and
+graceful gait. When alarmed it runs rapidly for a short distance before
+taking wing, uttering a whistling note as it rises; its flight is rapid,
+frequently going out of sight before alighting. It usually keeps on the
+open, dry grounds--feeding on grasshoppers, insects, and seeds. In the
+month of August it is generally in fine condition, and highly prized as
+game. When feeding, for greater security, this species scatter about;
+the instant the alarm is given, all move off. In the latter part of
+August it migrates southward, and, it is said, performs the journey at
+night. Stragglers frequently remain behind until late in September.’”
+
+“It is evident he knew the bird,” replied one of the objectors; “but as
+he calls it by six or seven names--the English ones being both
+sand-piper and tatler--he evidently did not know what it should be
+called.”
+
+“That is the way with naturalists,” replied another; “they each give a
+name to a species, but in this case all agree that it is not a plover.
+What is the name plover derived from?”
+
+“It comes from the French word _Pluvier_, rain-bird, because it
+generally flies during a rain. But naturalists found distinctions more
+upon the shape of bill and claws than on the habits of any species.
+According to them, plovers proper have no hind toe, or, at most, only a
+knob in its place.”
+
+“Do you know what Frank Forester says on the subject?”
+
+Feeling my reputation rising a little, I resumed: “He confuses
+frost-bird and grass-plover, quoting Audubon as his authority; but he
+points out the distinctive peculiarity of the plover.”
+
+“If he thinks a grass-plover and a frost-bird are alike, he knows very
+little of his subject. Why, the frost-bird stools admirably, while the
+plover never stools at all.”
+
+“Not so fast! Frank Forester was a splendid writer, and upon matters
+with which he was familiar he was thorough. He has conferred an immense
+favor upon the American sporting world; but where he had not personal
+experience--and no one can know everything--he had to rely upon others.
+He has done as much to correct and elevate sportsmanship in this
+country, to introduce a proper vocabulary, and to enforce obedience to
+gentlemanly rules, as any man possibly could. As a body, we owe it to
+him that we are sportsmen, and not pot-hunters. Probably in some places
+the grass-plover is called a frost-bird.”
+
+“I have more faith in Giraud, and would like to hear what he can tell us
+about the golden-plover, unless he says that is a sandpiper also.”
+
+“He begins with a description of the black-bellied plover, which is
+known to us as bull-head, the _charadrius helveticus_, and then
+describes the American golden-plover, or _charadrius pluvialis_, and
+uses these words: ‘It is better known to our gunners by the name of
+frost-bird, so called from being more plentiful during the early frosts
+of autumn, at which season it is generally in fine condition, and
+exceedingly well flavored.’ Then follow the ring-plover, or
+ring-neck--_charadrius semipalmatus_, Wilson’s plover; the
+piping-plover, or beach-bird--_charadrius melodius_; and the kildeer
+plover--_charadrius vociferus_, these being all the varieties of
+American plover.”
+
+Bill could stand it no longer; but rising as the book was closed, burst
+forth at once:
+
+“Those writers are queer fellows; they put the oddest, hardest, longest
+names to birds that ever I heard. Who would have thought of their
+calling a two-penny beach-bird, a radish mellow-deuce! What I have to
+say is--we baymen will never learn these new-fangled names.”
+
+“That is exactly the trouble,” I replied. “You baymen will, in different
+sections of the country, call the same bird by various names, till no
+one can tell what you are talking about; and the man of science has to
+step in and dig up a third name, usually some Latin affair, which nobody
+will accept. Thus it is that the older frost-birds, which, strange to
+say, invariably arrive before the young, are known as golden-plover, and
+their progeny as frost-birds.”
+
+“Speaking of the seasons,” replied Bill, evasively, “have you noticed
+that they are changing every year? The springs are later than they used
+to be. In old times the English snipe arrived from the south early in
+March; now they hardly come till June; so, the ducks come later and stay
+later. The springs are colder, and the autumns warmer, than when I was
+young, and the bay-snipe appear in September instead of August, as it
+once was.”
+
+“As to the English snipe you are undoubtedly correct, but this is due
+probably to their increasing scarcity; and although we have no spring,
+and the summer extends frequently into September, this appears to result
+from the changes in climate effected by clearing the woods. As the
+forests are cut down, the cold winds of spring, and the burning suns of
+summer, produce a greater effect, and each in its turn lasts longer.
+Altogether, however, our seasons seem to be moderating.”
+
+At this interesting point in our discussion, some one discovered by the
+aid of a telescope that a flock of willet had settled on the sand-bank
+among the stools. The announcement was followed by a general seizure of
+weapons and rush for the blinds. My friend and myself hastened to the
+little boat, used in floating quietly down upon ducks, and called a
+“sneak box,” and embarking, glided silently towards our stand. The tide
+had left bare a long bank of sand, upon which was collected a glorious
+flock, or, more properly speaking, two flocks united, one of marlin and
+the other of willet.
+
+All unconscious of approaching danger, the pretty creatures were busily
+engaged, some in feeding, others in washing--dipping under and throwing
+the water over their graceful bodies--others in running actively about,
+or jumping up and taking short flights to dry their wings. A happy
+murmur ran through the flock, and so innocent and beautiful were they
+that we remained watching them in silent admiration, unwilling to
+disturb the romance of the charming scene. The rich brown feathers of
+the imposing marlin formed an exquisite contrast to the white and black
+of the elegant willet, as the different species mixed unreservedly
+together.
+
+They did not exhibit the slightest alarm when our boat, after we had
+ceased rowing, was borne towards them by the wind, and allowed us to
+approach till it grounded on the flat. Having feasted our eyes on the
+magnificent spectacle, we at last gave the word to fire. At the report
+they rose wildly, and receiving the second discharge, made the best of
+their way to safer quarters. Both barrels of my friend’s gun missed
+fire, and we gathered only seven birds, as the flock, although numbering
+at least seventy birds, was widely scattered and offered a poor mark.
+
+No sooner were we again ensconced in our blind, than the exhilarating
+sport of the morning was renewed--sport such as only those who have
+tried it can appreciate--sport that makes the heart beat and the nerves
+tingle--sport that overweighs humanity and compels the remorseless
+slaughter of these beautiful birds. Flock after flock, seen at great
+distance, and watched in their approach through changing hopes and
+fears, or darting unexpectedly from over our heads and first noticed
+when rushing with extended wings down to our stools, presented their
+crowded ranks to our delighted gaze. From the very clouds, would come
+the shrill whistle of the yelper, or from the horizon, the long shriek
+of the willet, or nearer at hand would be heard the plaintive note of
+the gentle dowitcher; they appeared from all quarters, sailing low along
+the water or pitching directly down from out the sky.
+
+Towards evening the flight diminished, and when the horn announced that
+supper was ready, the different parties met once more at the house to
+compare notes and relate adventures. All had met with excellent success,
+but our stand carried off the palm.
+
+“Bill,” commenced some unhappy person, after we had left the close, hot
+dining-room, “why do you not enlarge your house?”
+
+“Bill is waiting for another wreck,” was the volunteer response; “the
+whole coast is fed, clothed, and sheltered by the wrecks. The house is
+built from the remnants of unfortunate ships, as you perceive by the
+name-boards of the Arion, Pilgrim, Samuel Willets, J. Harthorn, and
+Johanna, that form so conspicuous a part of the front under the porch.
+When a vessel is driven ashore, and the crew and passengers who are not
+quite dead are disposed of by the aid of a stone in the corner of a
+handkerchief, which makes an unsuspicious bruise, the prize is fought
+for by the natives, and not only the cargo, but the very ribs and planks
+of the vessel appropriated.”
+
+“Now that’s not fair,” replied Bill, aroused; “no man, except my
+father-in-law, has done more to save drowning men than I have. I tell
+you it’s an awful sight to see the poor creatures clinging to the
+rigging and bowsprit, to see them washed off before your eyes, sometimes
+close to you, without your being able to help them, and their dead
+bodies thrown up by the waves on the sand. You don’t feel like stealing
+or murder at such times; and besides, I never knew a dead man come
+ashore that had anything in his pockets.”
+
+A peal of laughter greeted this naïve remark, together with the ready
+response: “Bill, you were too late; some Barnegat pirate had been before
+you.”
+
+“No, the Barnegat pirates are kinder than the Government. We do our best
+to save the poor fellows, but the Government puts men in charge of their
+station-houses that know nothing about their business. My father-in-law
+was the first man that threw a line with the cannon over a ship, and he
+was presented with a medal by the Humane Society. He never was paid a
+dollar for taking charge of the station, the life-boat, and the cannon.
+Since he died I kept it for five years, and was paid two years; now men
+are selected for their politics. One lives back on the main land two
+miles from his station-house, another never fired a gun, and a third
+never rowed a boat. The last got a crew of us together once to go out to
+a ship in the life-boat and undertook to steer, but we told him not one
+of us would go unless he stayed on shore. It is a dangerous thing to
+have a green hand at the helm, or even at an oar, in times like that.”
+
+“How far can you reach a ship with the cannon?” we inquired.
+
+“The line, you know, is fastened to the ball with a short wire, so that
+it won’t burn off, and is coiled up beside the gun, and of course it
+keeps the ball back, and then people forget we always have to fire
+against the wind, as vessels are never wrecked with the wind off shore;
+so although the guns are expected to carry five hundred yards, they will
+not carry more than one hundred and eighty. That is enough, though, if
+they only have the right sort of men to manage them; but how is a
+landsman to tell whether he must use the cannon or is safe in going off
+in the boat? In one case, while the station-master was trying to drag
+his cannon down to a ship, a party of us took a common boat and landed
+her crew and passengers before he arrived. I don’t care about the pay,
+for I kept it three years without; but I hate to see lives sacrificed
+for politics. Would you like to see the medal they gave to the old man?”
+
+We responded in the affirmative; and he soon produced a silver medal,
+with an inscription on one side recording the circumstances, and on the
+other an embossed picture of a ship in distress, a cannon from which the
+ball and rope attached had been discharged and were visible in mid air,
+several men standing around the gun, and a life-boat climbing the seas.
+
+“But, Bill, tell us about the Barnegat pirates leading a lame horse with
+a lantern tied to his neck over the sand hills in imitation of a ship’s
+light, and thus inveigling vessels ashore.”
+
+“I can only say I have never heard of it. As quick as a vessel comes
+ashore, the insurance agent is telegraphed for, and he takes charge of
+everything. Why, we even buy the wrecks and pay well for them, too. Now
+and then something is washed up like that coal in front of the house,
+but it is not often.”
+
+“What do you mean by the stations?”
+
+“They are houses built by the Government and placed at regular distances
+along the beach. The gun, and rope, and life-boat, and life-car, and all
+other things that are needed in case of shipwreck, are kept in them.
+Then there is a stove and coal ready to make a fire, for if a poor
+wretch got ashore in mid-winter he would soon freeze if he couldn’t get
+to a fire. And if the man who has charge of the station lives two miles
+off across a bay that he can’t cross in a bad storm, what can the poor
+half-drowned fellows do, if they are too much benumbed to break open the
+door? I’d stave it in for them pretty quick if I was there, law or no
+law.”
+
+“It is a shame that a matter like that should not be free from
+politics.”
+
+“So it was once,” Bill went on fluently; for on this subject he felt
+that his family had a right to be eloquent; “at one time some department
+had it in charge that never would either appoint or remove a man on
+political account; but that is all changed now, and the men are expected
+to go out with every administration, and shipwrecked passengers die
+while political favorites draw the two hundred dollars a year pay for
+the station-master.”
+
+“Now, Bill, stop your talk about the public wrongs, and tell us
+something more interesting. Have you ever heard one of Bill’s ghost
+stories?” This inquiry was addressed to the public.
+
+Bill’s face lengthened; he sat silently nursing his leg and smoking his
+brierwood pipe, while a shadow seemed to settle on his countenance.
+“Come, Bill,” we responded, “let’s have the story.”
+
+Bill answered not, and the shadow deepened, and the smoke was puffed in
+heavier masses from his lips.
+
+“Bill is afraid; he don’t like ghosts, and don’t dare to talk of them.”
+
+“I am not easily skeered,” he answered at last; “but if you had seen
+what I have on this shore, you would not talk so easy about it ’Lige, do
+you remember the time we saw that ship? There had been a heavy storm,
+and when we got up next day early, there lay a vessel on the beach; she
+must have been most everlastingly a harpin’ it.”
+
+“What is that?” was asked wonderingly, on the utterance of this peculiar
+expression.
+
+“Why, she had come clear in over the bar, and must have been going some
+to do that; for there she lay, bow on, with her bowsprit sticking way up
+ashore, just below the station yonder. Her masts were standing, and we
+clapped on our clothes and started for the beach. The wind was blowin’
+hard, and the sand and drizzle driving in our faces as we walked over,
+and we kept our heads down most of the time. When we got to the
+sand-hills we looked up, and the ship was gone. I thought that likely
+enough, for she must have broken up and gone to pieces soon in that
+surf, so we hurried along as fast as we could; and sure enough, when we
+rounded the point, the little cove in which she lay was full of truck.
+’Lige was there, and he saw it as plain as I did. The water was full of
+drift-boxes, barrels, planks, and all sorts of things, pitching and
+rolling about; and some of them had been carried up onto the sand and
+were strewed about in all directions.
+
+“It was early, and the day was misty, but we could see plain enough, and
+we saw all that stuff knocking about as plain as I see you now. There
+was a big timber in my way--a stick--well, thirty feet long and two feet
+or two and a half square, so that I had to raise my foot high to clear
+it; I stepped one leg over, and drew the other along to feel it, but it
+didn’t touch anything; then I stopped and looked down--there was no
+timber there; I looked back towards the sea--the drift had disappeared,
+the barrels and boxes and truck of one sort or another was gone. There
+was nothing on shore nor in the water. Now you may laugh, but ’Lige
+knows whether what I’ve told you is true.”
+
+“Bill, that is a pretty good story, but it is not the one I meant,”
+persisted the individual who had commenced the attack.
+
+“Well, another time, Zeph and I were at work getting the copper bolts
+out of an old wreck, when we happened to look up and saw two carriages
+coming along, up the beach. I spoke to Zeph about it, but as they came
+along slowly, we went on with our work, and when we looked up again
+there was only one. That came on closer and closer till I could tell the
+horses; they were two bays of squire Jones’ down at the inlet; they
+drove right on towards us till they were so near that I did not like to
+stare the people in the face, and looked down again to my work. There
+were two men, and I saw them so plain that I should know ’em anywhere.
+Well, I raised my head a second after, and they were gone; and there
+never had been any wagon, for Zeph and I hunted all over the beach to
+find the tracks in the sand.”
+
+“I guess that was another misty day, and you hadn’t had your
+eye-opener,” was the appreciative response.
+
+“No, it was three o’clock in the day, and bright sunshine; but at that
+time, as near as can be, Tommy Smith was drowned down at the inlet, and
+the very next day at the very same hour, the ’Squire’s wagon did come up
+the beach, with the same two men driving, and the body in a box in the
+back part.”
+
+“Now, Bill,” continued the persistent individual, “this is all very
+well, but it is not the story. Come, out with it; you know what I mean.”
+
+Bill fell silent, again looking off into the distance as though he saw
+something that others could not see; he pulled away nervously on his
+pipe, which had gone out, but answered not.
+
+“Bill’s afraid;” was the tantalizing suggestion.
+
+“There’s Sam,” said Bill suddenly; “he’s not afeard of man or devil; ask
+him what he saw.”
+
+The person referred to was a large, broad-shouldered, pleasant-faced
+man, with a clear blue eye that looked as though it would not quail
+easily, and he responded at once:
+
+“I never saw anything; but one night when I was coming by the cove where
+the Johanna was cast away, and where three hundred bodies were picked up
+and buried, I heard a loud scream. It sounded like a woman’s voice, and
+was repeated three or four times; but I couldn’t find anything, although
+I spent an hour hunting among the sand-hills, and it was bright
+moonlight. It may have been some sort of animal, but I don’t know
+exactly what.”
+
+“Bill’s adventure happened in the same neighborhood, so let’s have it,”
+continued the persistent man.
+
+“As Sam says,” commenced Bill, at last, “the Johanna went ashore one
+awful north-easter in winter about six miles above here, near Old
+Jackey’s tavern; she broke up before we could do anything for her, and
+three hundred men, women, and children--for she was an emigrant
+ship--were washed ashore during the following week; most of them had
+been drifted by the set of the tide into the cove, and they were buried
+there; so you see it ain’t a nice place of a dark night.
+
+“I was driving down the beach about a year after she was lost, with my
+old jagger wagon, and a heavy load on of groceries and stores of one
+kind or other. It was about one o’clock at night, mighty cold, but
+bright moonlight; and I was coming along by the corner of the fence, you
+know, just above Jackey’s, when the mare stopped short. Now, she was
+just the best beast to drive you ever saw. I could drive her into the
+bay or right over into the ocean, and she was never skeered at anything.
+But this time, she come right back in the shafts and began to tremble
+all over; I gave her a touch of the whip, and she was just as full of
+spirit as a horse need be, but she only reared up and snorted and
+trembled worse than ever. So I knew something must be wrong, and looked
+ahead pretty sharp; and there, sure enough, right across the road, lay a
+man. Jackey was a little too fond of rum at that time, and I made up my
+mind he had got drunk and tumbled down on his way home; it was cold, and
+I didn’t want to get out of the wagon where I was nicely tucked in, and
+thought I would drive round out of the road and wake him up with my whip
+as I passed. I tried to pull the mare off to one side to go by, but she
+only reared and snorted and trembled, so that I was afraid she would
+fall. She had a tender mouth, but although I pulled my best I could not
+budge her; at last, getting mad, I laid the gad over her just as hard as
+I could draw it. Instead of obeying the rein, however, she plunged
+straight on, made a tremendous leap over the body, and dragged the
+wagon after her. I pulled her in all I knew how, and no mistake; but it
+was no use, and I felt the front wheels strike, lift, and go over him,
+and then the hind wheels, but I couldn’t stop her. That was a heavy
+load, and enough to crush any one, and as soon as I could fetch the mare
+down--for she had started to run--I jumped out quick enough then, you
+may bet your life. I tied her up to the fence, although she was still so
+uneasy I daresen’t hardly leave her, and hurried back to see if I could
+do anything for Jackey. Would you believe it, there was nothing there! I
+tell you I felt the wagon go over him, and what’s more, I looked down as
+I passed and saw his clothes and his hair straggling out over the snow,
+for he had no hat on; though I noticed at the time that I didn’t see any
+flesh, but supposed his face was turned from me. There was no rise in
+the ground and not a cloud in the sky; the moon was nearly full, and
+there wasn’t any man, and never had been any man there; but whatever
+there was, the mare saw it as plain as I did.”
+
+“Now let’s turn in,” said a sleepy individual, who had first been
+nodding over Bill’s statement of public wrongs, and had taken several
+short naps in the course of his ghost story; “and as there was something
+said yesterday about a smoke driving away mosquitoes, for heaven’s sake
+let’s make a big one; the infernal pests kept me awake all last night.”
+
+This was excellent advice, and not only was an entire newspaper consumed
+in our common sleeping apartment, but a quantity of powder was squibbed
+off, till the place smelt like the antechamber of Tartarus. The
+mosquitoes were expelled or silenced at the cost of a slight suffocation
+to ourselves, but we gained several hours sleep till the smoke escaped
+and allowed the villains to return to their prey.
+
+One sporting day resembles another in its essential features, although
+not often so entirely as with the Englishman, who, having devoted his
+life to woodcock shooting, and being called upon to relate his
+experiences, replied that he had shot woodcock for forty years, but
+never noticed anything worth recording. Our next day, however, was
+enlivened by sport of an unexpected kind. We had heard there was some
+dispute about the ownership of the stands; in fact, that the one
+occupied by my friend and myself belonged to the Ortleys, a family
+represented as decidedly uninviting; while both Bill and the Ortleys
+claimed that, where another party was located.
+
+In the disputed stand were Bill, a New York gentleman, who, as events
+proved, seemed to be something of an athlete, and a sedate,
+unimpassionable Jersey lawyer of considerable eminence. Elijah was with
+us, when two villanous, red-haired, freckle-skinned objects presented
+themselves, and, after some preliminary remarks and a refusal on their
+part of a friendly glass, which is a desperate sign in a Jerseyman,
+mildly suggested that they would like a little remuneration for the use
+of the stand. As their suggestion was moderate, reasonable, and just,
+and they undoubtedly owned the land, we complied, and beheld them
+proceed, to Elijah’s great delight, for the same purpose towards the
+other stand. Elijah prophetically announced they would probably get more
+than they demanded.
+
+The other stand was distant about a hundred yards, in full view, and we
+perceived at once that a commotion was caused by the unexpected arrival.
+The athletic man was shortly seen outside the blind, flinging his arms
+wildly about in front of the two Ortley brothers, and, as we were
+afterwards informed, offering to fight either or both of them. Matters
+then seemed to progress more favorably, till suddenly Bill and the
+younger Ortley emerged, locked in an unfriendly embrace, and commenced
+dragging each other round the sand-bank, while the demonstrative
+sportsman was seen dancing actively in front of the other Ortley, and
+preventing his interference.
+
+Of course we dropped our guns and hastened across the shallow,
+intervening water, having just time to perceive that Bill had thrown his
+adversary and remained on top. The first words we heard were: “Take him
+off! Oh, my God! take him off. Enough, enough, take him off,” from the
+one on the ground, whose eye--the only vulnerable part to uninstructed
+anger--Bill was busily endeavoring to gouge out, while the other shouted
+frantically: “He is killing my brother; let me get to him; he is gouging
+his eye out. He will kill him, he will kill him.”
+
+“Never mind,” answered the athletic man, swinging his arms ominously,
+and dexterously interposing between the victim and his brother,
+whenever the latter attempted to dodge past him. “Let him be killed, it
+would serve him right; he came over here for a fight, and he shall have
+enough of it if both of his eyes are gouged out.”
+
+Elijah arrived in time to prevent the latter catastrophe, and being of a
+peaceable and humane disposition, pulled off his brother before anything
+more serious than a little scratching had occurred. In fact, there is no
+position in which ignorance renders a person more pitiably inefficient,
+than in fighting; and, while a skilful man could have killed his
+opponent during the time Bill had enjoyed, the latter had really
+effected nothing worth mentioning. The ugly wretch was awfully
+frightened, however; his face being ghostly pale, streaked with bloody
+red, and he commenced whining at once:
+
+“I am nothing but a boy, only twenty-two last spring, and he’s a man
+grown.”
+
+“You know boys have to be whipped to keep them in order,” was the
+consolatory response; for we naturally took part with our landlord.
+
+“Gentlemen, just look at me.”
+
+“Don’t come so close, you’re covered with blood; keep back, keep back.”
+
+“But look at me; he’s bigger than I am, and I am only a boy.”
+
+“Then you shouldn’t strike a man.”
+
+“Oh! gentlemen, I didn’t strike him first, indeed I didn’t; he struck me
+when I wasn’t thinking; indeed he did.”
+
+“Yes,” broke in his brother, who was just recovering from the spell
+first put upon him by our athlete’s continual offers to accommodate him
+in any way he wished. “Yes, it will be a dear blow for you; I saw you
+strike him.”
+
+“No,” said the lawyer, advancing for the first time from behind the
+blind where he had been an unmoved and impartial umpire of the fray,
+“you should not say that; your brother certainly struck first; I saw him
+distinctly.” His manner was solemn, and convincing, and conclusive,
+taken in connexion with his perfect equanimity during the affair; but,
+of course, he was met by contradiction and protestation from the two
+brothers. This dispute would have been endless, but at that moment a
+fine flock of willets was descried advancing towards the stools.
+
+“Down, down,” every one shouted, and, true to the bayman’s instinct,
+friend and foe crowded down on the sand together, waiting breathlessly
+the arrival of the birds. The latter came up handsomely, were received
+with four barrels, and left several of their number as keepsakes or
+peace-offerings; for, of course, anger was dissipated, and the defeated
+enemy retired amid a few merry suggestions, and the excellent advice
+that they had better not repeat their joke.
+
+Such squabbles--for it can be called nothing graver--lower one’s opinion
+of human kind, and it makes one ashamed to think that two men may hug
+and pull one another about, and roll on the sand for fifteen minutes,
+with the best will in the world to do each other all the damage
+possible, and only inflict, in the feebleness of uneducated humanity, a
+few miserable scratches. Any of the lower animals would, in that time,
+have left serious marks of its anger; but the pitiful results of these
+human efforts were, that Bill’s beard was pulled and Ortley’s face
+scratched. It makes one blush to think he is a man.
+
+As our party returned to the blind we had left, Elijah spoke, softly
+ruminating aloud:
+
+“Well, it only costs thirty-five dollars anyhow, and it was worth that.”
+
+Our humane, peaceable friend, it seems, had been cast in a similar case,
+and had to pay six cents damages and thirty-five dollars costs of court.
+There is probably nothing that has so soothing and pacifying an
+influence on the New Jersey mind as costs of court. The words alone act
+like a charm upon a Jerseyman in the acme of frenzy, and are as
+effective as a policeman in uniform. If a man commits assault and
+battery, he is fined six cents damages and costs of court; if he is
+guilty of trespass it is the same; if he kisses his neighbor’s wife
+against her will, if he slanders a friend’s character, it is always six
+cents damages and costs of court; and Jerseymen will probably expect in
+the next world to get off with six cents damages and costs of court.
+
+The shooting was excellent during the whole day, and evening found us
+collected in the bar-room, well satisfied and particularly jocose over
+the amusing pugilistic encounter we had witnessed. It lent point to
+many a good hit at Bill’s expense; even his wife, who is a fine,
+resolute-looking woman, saying that if she had seen it sooner, she would
+have taken a broomstick and flogged them both. The general impression
+was, she could have made her words good.
+
+The pleasure of indulging in fun at the expense of a fellow-creature is
+very great, and Bill’s adventure was certainly fair game. When our wit
+was exhausted, and the craving for tobacco mollified by the steady use
+of our pipes, our thoughts and voices turned to our never-wearying
+passion, and one of the party commenced:
+
+“I have shot a number of the birds you call kriekers; they are a fat
+bird, but do not seem to stool. I have never before shot them, except
+occasionally on the meadows.”
+
+“They don’t stool,” said Bill, “and only utter a krieking kind of cry;
+but in October they come here very thick, and we walk them up over the
+meadows. Why, you can shoot a hundred a day.”
+
+“A most excellent bird they are, too--fat and delicate. They are the
+latest of the bay-snipe in returning from the summer breeding-places;
+and as they rise and fly from you, they afford extremely pretty
+shooting. They are sometimes called short-neck, and are, in a
+gastronomic point of view, the best bay-snipe that is put upon the
+table.”
+
+“We call the bay-birds usually snipe,” said the first speaker; “but I
+have been told they are not snipe at all. Refer to Giraud again and
+give us the truth.”
+
+This fell, of course, to my share, and I commenced as follows:
+
+“I read you yesterday about the plovers, and immediately after them we
+find an account of the turnstone, _strepsilas interpres_, which is
+nothing else than our beautiful brant-bird or horse-foot snipe, as it is
+called farther south, because it feeds on the spawn of the horse-foot.
+This pretty but unfortunate bird belongs to no genus whatever, and has
+been to the ornithologists a source of great tribulation. They have
+sometimes considered it a sandpiper and sometimes not, so you may
+probably call it what you please; and as brant-bird is a rhythmical
+name, it will answer as well as _strepsilas interpres_; if you have not
+a fluent tongue, perhaps somewhat better. Of the snipes, or
+_scolopacidæ_, the only true representative is the dowitcher, _scolopax
+noveboracensis_.
+
+“Hold on,” shouted Bill; “say that last word over again.”
+
+“_Noveboracensis._”
+
+“That is only the half of it; let’s have the whole.”
+
+“_Scolopax noveboracensis._”
+
+“Scoly packs never borrow a census; that is a good sized name for a
+little dowitch, and beats the radish altogether. Go ahead, we’ll learn
+something before we get through.”
+
+“Why, that is only Latin for New York snipe.”
+
+“Oh, pshaw!” responded Bill, in intense disgust, “I thought it meant a
+whole bookful of things.”
+
+“The sandpipers, however, come under the family of snipes, and are
+called _tringæ_. Among these are enumerated the robin-snipe and the
+grass-plover, as I told you before, the black-breast, the krieker, or
+short-neck, and several scarcer varieties. The yelpers and yellow-legs,
+the tiny teeter, and the willet are tattlers, genus _totanus_, while the
+marlin is the godwit _limosa_. The sickle-bills, jacks, and futes are
+curlews, _genus numenius_.”
+
+“And now that you have got through,” grumbled Bill again, “can you
+whistle a snipe any better or shoot him any easier? Do you know why he
+stools well in a south-westerly wind, why one stools better than
+another, or why any of them stool at all? Do you know why he flies after
+a storm, or why some go in flocks and others don’t, or why there is
+usually a flight on the fifteenth and twenty-fifth of August? When books
+tell us these things, I shall think more of the writers.”
+
+“These matters are not easy to find out; even you gunners, who have been
+on the bay all your lives, where your fathers lived before you, do not
+know. But now tell us what other sport you have here.”
+
+“On the mainland there are a good many English snipe in spring, while in
+the fall we catch bluefish and shoot ducks. The black ducks and teal
+will soon be along; but ever since the inlet was closed, the
+canvas-backs and red-heads have been scarce.”
+
+“What do you mean by the inlet’s closing?”
+
+“There used to be several inlets across the beach--one about ten miles
+below--and then we had splendid oysters and ducks plenty. There came a
+tremendous storm one winter that washed up the sand and closed the
+inlet, and so it has remained ever since.”
+
+“Can’t they be dredged out?”
+
+“The people would pay a fortune to any man who did that, if he could
+keep it open. In the fall, we go after ducks twenty miles when we want
+any great shooting; but we kill a good many round here.”
+
+“How do you catch the blue-fish that you spoke of?”
+
+“They chase the bony-fish along the shore, and when they come close in,
+you can stand on the beach, and throw the squid right among them. I took
+sixteen hundred pounds in half a day.”
+
+“Phew!” was the universal chorus.
+
+“‘Lige was there, and he knows whether that is true. They averaged
+fifteen pounds apiece. On those occasions, the only question is whether
+you know how to land them, and can do it quick enough.”
+
+“Your hands must have been cut to pieces.”
+
+“Not at all; you’ll never cut your hands if you don’t let the line
+slip.”
+
+“Did you run up ashore with them?”
+
+“No, I had no time for that; I landed them, hand over hand.”
+
+“Well, after that story it’s time we went to bed; so good-night.”
+
+During that night the mosquitoes, bad as they had been, were more
+terrible than at any time previous. Favored by the late frequent rains,
+they had become more numerous than had ever been known on the beach; and
+being consequently compelled to subdivide to an unusual degree the
+ordinarily small supply of food, they were savagely hungry. Sleep was
+out of the question, and after trying all sorts of devices from
+gunpowder to mosquito-nets, the party wandered out of doors, and,
+scattering in search of a place of retreat, afforded an excellent
+representation of unhappy ghosts on the banks of the Styx. The shore,
+near the surf, and the bathing-houses had heretofore been tolerably
+secure resorts, but, on this unprecedented night, a special meeting of
+mosquitoes seemed to have been called in that neighborhood.
+
+Those that tried the ground, and covered themselves carefully from head
+to foot, found that the enterprising long-legs disregarded the customary
+habits of their race, and consented to crawl down their sleeves, up
+their pants, or through the folds of the blanket. The sand-fleas also
+were numerous and lively, bounding about in an unpleasantly active way;
+and where there were neither mosquitoes nor sand-fleas, the nervous
+sufferer imagined every grain of stray sand that sifted in through his
+clothes to be some malignant, blood-sucking, insect.
+
+One great advantage, however, followed from this discomfort--that we
+were up betimes next morning and ready for sport that soon proved equal
+to any we had experienced. In fact, so steady and well sustained a
+flight of large birds was extremely rare; before our arrival the
+shooting had been good, and since excellent. There was a repetition to a
+great extent of the day previous, in many particulars of flight, number,
+and character of birds; in infinite modification of circumstance, there
+was an incessant variety of bewildering sport.
+
+No two birds ever approach the sportsman’s stand in precisely the same
+way, and there is one round of deliciously torturing uncertainty; the
+flock we are most certain of may turn off, the one that has passed and
+been given up, may return; the bird that has been carefully covered may
+escape, another that seems a hopeless chance may fall: it is these
+minute differences, and this continual variety, that lend the principal
+charm to the sportsman’s life.
+
+At midday came again the congregation at the house, the discussion over
+sporting topics, the joke or story, and the comparison of luck. Thus
+passed the days, alike, yet different, affording undiminished pleasure,
+excitement, and instruction, with sport admirably adapted to the hot
+weather, when the cool, shady swamps are deserted by the woodcock. The
+English snipe have not yet arrived upon the meadows, and the fall
+shooting is still in prospective; the labor is easy, the body can be
+kept cool by wading for dead birds, and to those who are, at the best,
+not vigorous, bay-snipe shooting is a delightful resource.
+
+Never did mortals pass a pleasanter week than that week at the beach,
+and it is impossible to chronicle all the good shots, to repeat all the
+amusing stories or merry jokes, or to record all the valuable
+instruction; and to obtain an inkling even, the reader had better make a
+firm resolve that next August will not pass over his head without his
+devoting at least one week to bay-snipe shooting. When at last the time
+came to part, and the baggage was packed, and the guns reluctantly
+bestowed in their cases, we bade our farewell with sincere regret,
+praying that often thereafter might we have such sport, and meet such
+companionship.
+
+It is a long journey to the beach, but it is a longer one back again; no
+high hopes buoy up the traveller, regrets accompany him instead--no
+anticipation of grand sport, but the gloomy certainty that it is over
+for the year; and although the conveyance to the beach is irregular,
+there is absolutely none away from it. It is true there are several
+different routes to and from it, but all by private conveyance, and,
+rendered by the mosquitoes nearly impracticable.
+
+Bill harnessed his ponies--for, wonderful to say, a few horses and
+cattle manage to live on the beach and sustain existence in spite of the
+mosquitoes--and we stowed ourselves and our luggage in his well worn
+wagon. The road lay over the barren beach, deep and heavy with sand,
+and hardly distinguishable after a heavy rain; the one-story shanty,
+that had been our resting-place, soon faded from view, and we had
+nothing in prospect but the dreary journey home.
+
+At the head of the beach we encountered a bathing-party, and were sorely
+tempted to join the rollicking girls in a frolic among the breakers;
+but, by exerting great self-denial, and shutting our eyes to their
+attractions, much to my companion’s disgust, we kept on our course. We
+dined at the tavern on the road, and having bade farewell to Bill, and
+engaged another team, we reached Crab Town by dusk.
+
+How changed the village seemed to us! Where was the precious and
+beautiful freight that had paid us such delicious toll? Our eyes peered
+up and down the road, and into the windows of the scattered houses; our
+ears listened sharply for the music of merry voices and ringing
+laughter; our thoughts reverted to that crowded stage, which had so
+lately borne us through the village. The road was vacant and desolate;
+all sound was hushed and still; graceful forms, clad in yielding
+drapery, were nowhere to be seen; the dull lights in the windows
+revealed nothing to our earnest gaze. Our lovely companions were
+invisible, although we pursued our search persistently till late at
+night, when, weary and disconsolate, we crawled up to bed in a dismal
+hostelry kept by Huntsinger. Going sporting into Jersey is delightful,
+but returning is sad indeed.
+
+[Illustration:
+
+     1. Lower mandible.
+
+     2. Upper mandible.
+
+     3. Forehead.
+
+     4. Loral space.
+
+     5. Crown of the head.
+
+     6. Hind part of the head.
+
+     7. Scapulars--long feathers from shoulders over side of back.
+
+     8. Smaller wing coverts.
+
+     9. Bend of the wing.
+
+     10. Larger wing coverts.
+
+     11. Tertials, arising from the second bone of the wing at the
+     elbow-joint.
+
+     12. Secondaries, from the second bone of the wing.
+
+     13. Primaries, from the first bone of the wing.
+
+     14. Tibia, the thigh.
+
+     15. Tarsus, the shank.
+
+     16. Upper tail coverts.
+
+     17. Lower tail coverts.
+
+     18. Tail feathers.
+
+The length of a bird is measured from the extremity of the bill to the
+end of the longest tail feather; the length of the wing is measured from
+the bend to the tip of the longest quill.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+BAY-BIRDS.
+
+
+Although a cursory account of the various bay-birds, their habits and
+peculiarities, has been given in a previous chapter, it seems desirable
+to add a more complete, exhaustive, and specific description. This is
+attempted in the following pages, and although the ornithological
+characteristics are taken from _Giraud’s Birds of Long Island_, which
+seems to have been the resource of all our sporting writers, nothing
+else is derived from him; but the facts are stated, either upon personal
+knowledge, which is generally the case, or upon reliable information.
+
+As to the abundance or scarcity of any particular species, the
+experience of sportsmen will differ according to the accident of flight,
+or the locality of their favorite sporting-ground; and in relation to
+their shyness or gentleness, much depends upon the time of year and the
+condition of the weather. In consequence of the confusion of
+nomenclature, it has been deemed advisable to give the scientific
+description of the common species, each one being placed under its most
+appropriate name, and to collect together as many designations as could
+be found to have been applied to them respectively. Nevertheless, many
+names will no doubt be omitted, and there will be other birds, and some
+quite common varieties, that, among bay-men, have no names whatever.
+
+It is not intended to furnish a description of all the species of
+shore-snipe that occasionally are killed, but to supply such information
+as will enable the sportsman to distinguish the ordinary varieties; and
+such facts as have not been fully stated, which are more especially
+applicable to certain members of this great class, are grouped together
+under separate heads. Nothing is expected to be added to the
+ornithological learning of the world, and only such portions of that
+science are given as may be considered desirable for the ready use of
+the sportsman in the intelligent pursuit of his pleasures.
+
+
+PLOVERS.
+
+_Genus Charadrius, Linn._
+
+_Generic distinctions._--Bill short, strong, straight, about the length
+of the head, which is rather large and prominent in front; eyes large;
+body full; neck short and rather thick; wings long; tail rounded and of
+moderate length; toes connected at the base; hind toe wanting, or
+consisting of a small knob.
+
+
+BLACK-BREAST.
+
+BULL-HEADED PLOVER. BEETLE-HEADED PLOVER. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.
+
+_Charadrius Helveticus, Wils._
+
+This bird is killed along our bays indiscriminately with the other
+snipe, although it does not stool as well as the marlin or yellow-legs.
+It passes north early in May, when it is often called the black-bellied
+plover, and regarded from its plumage as a distinct variety from the
+fall bird; it is then quite shy. In August or September it returns,
+being more plentiful in the latter month, and is often found in great
+numbers especially at Montauk Point; and at that period the young, being
+quite fat, are regarded as delicious eating. It is then greyer in
+appearance and not so strongly colored as when in full plumage. Before
+the main flight arrives, scattering individuals are heard uttering their
+peculiar beautiful and shrill cry, and are seen shyly approaching the
+stools, or darting round not far off, and yet afraid to draw close to
+them. Its head is large and round, giving rise to the name of bull-head,
+which is common on the coast of New Jersey, although in New York it is
+generally known as black-breast.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Bill stout, along the gap one inch and
+five-sixteenths; length of tarsi one inch and five-eighths. Adult male
+with the bill black, strong, shorter than the head; cheeks, loral space,
+throat, fore-neck, breast, with a large portion of the abdomen black;
+hind part of the abdomen and flanks white; forehead, with a broad band
+passing down the sides of the neck and breast, white; crown, occiput,
+and hind-neck greyish white, spotted with dusky; upper parts
+blackish-brown, the feathers broadly tipped with white; eye encircled
+with white; tail and upper tail-coverts white, barred with black, the
+former tipped with white; lower tail-coverts white, the outer feather
+spotted with black; primaries and their coverts blackish-brown, the
+latter margined with white; primary shafts about two-thirds from the
+base, white, tips blackish-brown; part of the inner webs of the outer
+primaries white; both webs of the inner primaries partially white;
+secondaries white at the base, margined at the same; feet black; toes
+connected by a membrane. Female smaller. Young with the upper plumage
+greyish-brown, the feathers spotted with white; throat, fore-neck, and
+upper part of the breast greyish-white, streaked with dusky; rest of the
+lower parts white. Length of adult male eleven inches and three
+quarters, wing seven and a half.”--_Giraud’s Birds of Long Island._
+
+
+AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER.
+
+_Frost Bird_, Greenback.
+
+_Charadrius Pluvialis, Wils._
+
+This bird furnishes great sport at Montauk Point, when the fortunate
+sportsman happens to arrive after a fierce north-easter early in
+September and during one of those wonderful flights that occasionally
+occur. They come readily to the decoys which are placed in the open
+upland fields, and were once killed in great numbers on Hempstead plains
+before cultivation ejected them. A large number of decoys should be
+used, for they are not so easily seen as when set in the water. After
+alighting, the golden plover runs with great activity in pursuit of the
+insects, mostly grasshoppers, on which it feeds; and when killed it
+constitutes a prime delicacy for the table, and brings a high price in
+market. It passes to the northward in the latter part of April, and
+returns in the early part of September. Its general color on the back is
+greenish, and it has a distinct light stripe alongside of the eye. They
+often congregate in immense numbers, and I have certainly seen a
+thousand in a flock.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Bill rather slender; along the gap one inch and
+an eighth; tarsi one and nine-sixteenths. Adult with the bill black,
+much slighter than _C. helveticus_; forehead, and a band over the eye,
+extending behind the eye, white; upper parts, including the crown,
+brownish-black, the feathers marked with spots of golden yellow and dull
+white; quills and coverts dark greyish-brown; secondaries paler--the
+inner margined with yellowish-white; tail feathers greyish-brown, barred
+with paler, the central with dull yellow; shafts of the wing quills
+white towards the end, which, with their bases, are dark brown; lower
+parts brownish-black, though in general we find them mottled with brown,
+dull white, and black; lower tail-coverts white, the lateral marked with
+black; feet bluish-grey. Late in autumn, the golden markings on the
+upper parts are not so distinct, and the lower parts are greyish-blue.
+Length, ten inches and a half, wing seven and one-eighth.”--_Giraud._
+
+
+BEACH-BIRD.
+
+Piping Plover.
+
+_Charadrius Hiaticula_, Wils.
+
+The beach-bird, as its name implies, prefers the beaches to the meadows,
+and follows each retreating wave of ocean surf in pursuit of its prey,
+escaping with amazing agility from the next swell. It is a pretty little
+bird, not often associating in flocks, and on hazy days coming well to
+the decoys, which should be placed near to the surf, while the sportsman
+conceals himself by digging a hollow in the loose sand. Although these
+birds are small, they are plump and well flavored, and when flying
+rapidly on a level with the flashing breakers, amid the noise and
+confusion of old ocean’s roar, are by no means easy to kill. They are
+present with us more or less all summer, their diminutive size tending
+to protect them from destruction.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Bill shorter than the head; at base orange
+color, towards the end black; fore-neck and cheeks pure white, bordered
+above with black; rest of the head very pale brown. Adult male with the
+bill short, orange at the base, anterior to the nostrils black; forehead
+white, with a band of black crossing directly above; upper part of the
+head, hind neck, back, scapulars, and wing coverts, pale brown; rump
+white, the central feathers tinged with brown; tail brown, white at
+base, tipped with the same; lateral feathers pure white--the next with a
+spot of blackish-brown near the end; upper tail coverts white;
+primaries brown; a large portion of the inner webs white; a spot of the
+same on the outer webs of the inner quills; secondaries white, with a
+large spot of brown towards the ends; lower surface of the wings white,
+a black band round the lower part of the neck, broadest on the sides
+where it terminates; entire lower plumage white. Female similar, with
+the band on the neck brown. Length seven inches, wing four and a
+half.”--_Giraud_.
+
+
+KILDEER.
+
+_Charadrius Vociferus_, Wils.
+
+A worthless bird, furnishing no sport, and poor eating.
+
+“_Specific Character._--A band on the forehead passing back to the eye;
+a line over the eye, upper part of the neck all round, and a band on the
+lower part of the fore-neck, white; above and below the latter, a broad
+black band; rump and upper tail-coverts orange red. Adult with the bill
+black; at the base a band of blackish-brown; on the forehead a band of
+white passing back to the eye; directly above a band of black; rest of
+the head brown, with a band of white behind the eye; throat white; a
+broad band of the same color encircling the upper part of the neck;
+middle of the neck encircled with black, much broader on the fore-neck;
+below which, on the fore-neck, a band of white, followed by a band of
+black on the lower neck, the feathers of which are tipped with white, of
+which color are the breast, abdomen, under tail-coverts, and sides, the
+latter faintly tinged with yellow; tail rather long, rounded; the outer
+feathers white, barred with brownish-black, their tips white, with a
+single spot of blackish-brown on the outer web; the rest pale
+reddish-brown at the base, changing into brownish-black towards the
+ends, which are white; some of the inner feathers tipped with
+yellowish-brown; the middle feathers are plain brown, with a darker spot
+towards the ends, which are slightly tipped with white; upper
+tail-coverts and rump reddish-brown, the latter brighter; upper parts
+brown, the feathers margined with reddish-brown; primaries dark brown,
+with a large portion of the inner web white; a spot of the same color on
+the outer webs towards the tips, excepting the first two; their coverts
+blackish-brown tipped with white; secondaries white, with a large spot
+of brown towards the ends; their tips, with those of the primaries,
+white; secondary coverts brown, broadly tipped with white. Length ten
+inches, wing seven inches.”--_Giraud._
+
+
+SANDERLING.
+
+_Charadrius Rubidus_, Wils.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Bill straight, black, along the gap one inch and
+one-eighth; length of tarsi one inch; hind toe wanting. Adult with the
+bill straight, about as long as the head. Spring plumage, upper parts,
+with the throat, fore-neck, and upper part of the breast rufous,
+intermixed with dusky and greyish white; deeper red on the back; lower
+part of the breast, abdomen, and sides of the body pure white; tarsi and
+feet black; claws small, compressed; primaries, outer webs, black; inner
+webs light brown; shafts brown at the base, tips black, rest parts
+white; secondaries light brown, broadly margined with white. Winter
+dress, lower parts white; upper parts greyish-white, intermixed with
+black or dusky, darkest on the back. Length seven inches and
+three-quarters, wing four and seven-eighths.”--_Giraud._
+
+
+TURNSTONE.
+
+_Genus Strepsilas._
+
+_Generic Distinctions._--Bill shorter than the head, strong, tapering,
+compressed, and blunt; neck rather short; body full; wings long, of
+moderate breadth, and pointed; tail round, rather short, and composed of
+twelve feathers; tarsus equal to the middle toe, and rather stout; hind
+toe small, fore-toes free, with a narrow margin.
+
+
+BRANT-BIRD.
+
+Horse-foot Snipe, Turnstone, Beach-Robins.
+
+_Strepsilas Interpres._
+
+This is a beautiful bird, and stools pretty well, but is rare and mostly
+solitary; its young are at Egg Harbor sometimes termed beach-birds. The
+brant-bird is considered good eating. It feeds on the eggs of the
+king-crab or horse-foot, which it digs up by jumping in the air and
+striking with both its feet at once into the sand, thus scratching a
+hole about three inches deep and an inch and a half across.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Bill black; feet orange; the head and sides of
+the neck streaked and patched with black and white; fore part of the
+neck and upper portion of the sides of the breast, black; lower parts,
+hind part of the back, and upper tail-coverts white; rump dusky; rest of
+the upper parts reddish-brown, mottled with black; primaries dusky; a
+band across the wings and the throat white. Young with the head and neck
+all round, fore part of the back, and sides of the breast, dusky brown,
+streaked and margined with greyish-white; wing-coverts and tertials
+broadly margined with dull reddish-brown. It can at all times be
+identified by its having the throat, lower parts, hind part of the back,
+and the upper tail-coverts white, and the feathers on the rump dusky.
+Adult with the bill black, throat white, sides of the head mottled with
+black and white; crown streaked with black on white ground; on the hind
+neck a patch of white; a patch of black on the sides of the neck, of
+which color are the fore-neck and the sides of the breast; lower parts
+white; tail blackish-brown, white at the base, of which color are the
+lateral feathers, with a spot of black on the inner vanes near the
+end--the rest margined with reddish-brown, and tipped with white; upper
+tail-coverts white; hind part of the back white; the feathers on the
+rump black; fore part of the back mottled with black and reddish-brown;
+primaries dark brown, inner webs white; secondaries broadly edged with
+white, forming a band on the wings; outer secondary coverts
+reddish-brown, inner black; outer scapulars white, with dusky spots;
+inner scapulars reddish brown. In winter the colors are duller. Length
+nine inches, wing five and three quarters.”--_Giraud._
+
+
+SANDPIPER.
+
+_Genus Tringà._
+
+_Generic Distinctions._--Bill straight, slender, and tapering,
+compressed towards the end, and but little longer than the head; body
+rather full; wings very long and pointed; tail rather short and nearly
+even; tarsi moderate; hind toe very small, and sometimes wanting; fore
+toes slender, of moderate length, and generally divided.
+
+
+ROBIN-SNIPE.
+
+_Red-breasted Sandpiper_.
+
+_Tringà Cinèrea_, Wils. Winter.
+
+_Tringà Rufa_, Wils. Spring.
+
+This delicious and beautiful bird, although far from plentiful,
+furnishes excellent sport, coming readily to stool, and flying regularly
+and steadily. It mostly affects the marshy islands lying between the
+salt water creeks, and derives its name from a fancied resemblance to
+the robin, as he is termed among us. It is always gentle, occasionally
+abundant, and generally fat and tender; by reason of its steady flight
+it is not difficult to kill; and its food, mostly shell-fish, does not
+contribute an unpleasant flavor to its flesh. It arrives from the north
+about the middle of August, and often lingers for some time on the
+meadows. As the season advances its plumage becomes paler, till it
+acquires the name of white robin-snipe--although I have often seen them
+late in August of the most beautiful and strongly marked coloring, the
+breast being a rich brownish red and the back a fine grey.
+
+The robin-snipe is of about the size of the dowitcher, with a shorter
+and more pointed bill, and is killed indiscriminately on the stools with
+the other bay-birds. Its call consists of two notes, and is sharp and
+clear; when well imitated, it will often attract the confiding snipe to
+the gunner, exposed in full view, and without decoys. This bird is very
+beautiful, and a great favorite.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Bill straight, longer than the head; tarsi one
+inch and three-sixteenths long; rump and upper tail-coverts white,
+barred with dark brown; region of the vent and the lower tail-coverts
+white, with dusky markings. In spring the upper parts are ash-grey,
+variegated with black and pale yellowish-red; lower parts, including the
+throat and fore-neck, brownish-orange. In autumn the upper parts are
+ash-grey, margined with dull white; rump and upper tail-coverts barred
+with black and white; lower parts white; the sides of the body marked
+with dusky; a dull white line over the eye. Adult in spring--bill black;
+a broad band of reddish
+
+[Illustration: THE LIFE CAR.]
+
+brown commences at the base of the upper mandible, extends half-way to
+the eye, where it changes to reddish-brown; upper part of head and the
+hind neck dusky, the feathers margined with greyish white--a few touches
+of pale reddish-brown on the latter; throat, fore-neck, breast, and
+abdomen reddish-brown; vent white; lower tail coverts white, spotted
+with dusky; upper plumage blackish-brown, upper tail-coverts barred with
+black and white; tail pale brown, margined with white; primary coverts
+black, tipped with white; secondary coverts greyish-brown, margined with
+white. Young with the upper parts greyish-brown; the feathers with
+central dusky streaks, a narrow line of cinnamon-color towards their
+margins, which are dull white; the lower parts ash-grey. Length of
+adult, ten inches; wing, six and three-quarters.”--_Giraud._
+
+
+UPLAND PLOVER.
+
+Grey, Grass, or Field Plover.
+
+Bartram’s Sandpiper.
+
+_Tringà Bartramia_, Wils.
+
+This bird, although scientifically not a plover, is, by its habits,
+entitled to an appellation that common consent has bestowed upon it. It
+is found upon the uplands, never frequenting the marshes except by
+crossing them while migrating, and feeds, not on shell-fish or the
+innumerable minute insects that live in sand and salt mud, but on the
+grasshoppers and seeds of the open fields. It never takes the slightest
+notice of the stools, is comparatively a solitary bird, and although
+continually uttering its melodious cry, does not heed a responsive call.
+
+On the eastern extremity of Long Island, and along the coast of New
+England, are vast rolling and hilly stretches of land, where there are
+no trees and little vegetation, besides a short thin grass, and here the
+plovers rest and feed. They migrate to the southward in August, and
+appear about the same time scattered from Nantucket to New Jersey. In
+spite of their shyness and the difficulty of killing them, they are
+pursued relentlessly by man with every device that he finds will outwit
+their cunning or deceive their vigilance.
+
+Rhode Island has long been one of their favorite resorts, but has been
+overrun with gunners, who follow the vocation either for sport or
+pleasure, and there, for many years, the grey plover were killed in
+considerable quantities. Many are still found in the same locality, or
+further east, as well as at Montauk Point; but at Hempstead Plains,
+where they were once found quite numerous, they appear no longer; and
+the eastern shore of New Jersey being unsuited to their habits, they
+rarely sojourn or even pause upon it. They travel as well by night as by
+day; and in the still summer nights their sweet trilling cry may be
+heard at short intervals; while during the day they will often be seen
+in small bodies, or singly, winging their way rapidly towards the south.
+
+They are wary, fly rapidly, and are difficult to shoot, and, were it not
+for one peculiarity, would escape almost scatheless. Alighting only in
+the open fields, where the thin grass reveals every enemy and exposes
+every approaching object to their view; readily alarmed at the first
+symptom of danger, and shunning the slightest familiarity with man, they
+are impossible to reach except with laborious and painful creeping that
+no sportsman cares to undertake. Not sufficiently gregarious or friendly
+in their nature to desire the company of wooden decoys, they cannot be
+lured within gunshot; and it is only through their confidence in their
+fellow-beasts that their destruction can be accomplished.
+
+A horse, they know, has no evil design, does not live on plover, and may
+be permitted to come and go as he pleases; a horse drawing a wagon is to
+be pitied, not feared; and, most fortunately, the birds cannot conceive
+that a man would be mean enough to hide in that wagon, and drive that
+horse in an ingenious manner round and round them, every time narrowing
+the circle till he gets within shot. Man, however, is ready for any
+subterfuge to gain his plover; and, seated on the tail-board, or a place
+behind prepared for the purpose, he steps to the ground the moment the
+wagon stops, and as the bird immediately rises, fires--being often
+compelled, in spite of his ingenuity, to take a long shot.
+
+Even in this mode no large number of birds is killed, and by creeping or
+stalking few indeed are obtained. One inventive genius made an imitation
+cow of slats and canvas painted to represent the living animal, and,
+mounting it upon his shoulders, was often able to approach without
+detection; when near enough, or if the bird became alarmed, he cast off
+his false skin and used his fowling-piece. This was certainly an
+original and successful mode of modifying an idea derived from the times
+of ancient Troy.
+
+This bird is so delicious and so highly prized by the epicure, that no
+pains are spared in its capture; it is by many superior judges regarded
+as the richest and most delicately flavored of the birds of America;
+while its timid and wary disposition renders it the most difficult to
+kill. It is, therefore, justly esteemed the richest prize of the
+sportsman and the gourmand, and holds as high a rank in the field as in
+the market.
+
+It is not, properly speaking, a bay-bird; but as it is frequently shot
+from the stand when passing near the decoys, these few remarks
+concerning it are inserted. It is essentially an upland bird, although
+from the nature of its migration it passes along the coast and
+occasionally far out at sea.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Bill slender, rather longer than the head; tarsi
+one inch and seven-eighths; neck rather long, slender; axillars
+distinctly barred with black and greyish-white; upper parts dark brown,
+margined with yellowish-brown; fore-neck and fore part of the breast
+with arrow-shaped markings; rest of the lower parts yellowish-white.
+Adult with the bill slender, yellowish-green, dusky at the tip; upper
+part of the head dark brown, with a central yellowish-brown line, the
+feathers margined with the same color; hind part and sides of the neck
+yellowish-brown, streaked with dusky; fore part of the neck and breast
+paler, with pointed streaks of dusky; sides of the body barred with the
+same; rest of lower parts yellowish-white; lower wing-coverts white,
+barred with brownish-black; upper plumage dark-brown, margined with
+yellowish-brown, darker on the hind part of the back; primaries
+dark-brown; coverts the same color; inner webs of the primaries barred
+with white, more particularly on the first--the shaft of which is white;
+the rest brown, all tipped with white; secondaries more broadly tipped
+with the same; coverts and scapulars dark-brown, margined with
+yellowish-brown, and tipped with white; tail barred with black and
+yellowish-brown, tipped with white; middle feathers darker,
+tipped with black. Length ten inches and a half, wing six and
+five-eighths.”--_Giraud._
+
+
+RED-BACKED SANDPIPER.
+
+Winter Snipe.--Black-breast.
+
+_Tringà Alpina_, Wils.
+
+This bird absolutely has no common name.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Bill about one-third longer than the head, bent
+towards the end; length of tarsi, one inch. Adult with the bill
+black--one-third longer than the head, slightly bent towards the end,
+and rather shorter than that of T. Subarquata; upper part of the head,
+back, and scapular, chestnut-red, the centre of each feather black,
+which color occupies a large portion of the scapulars; wing-coverts and
+quills greyish-brown; the bases and tips of the secondaries and parts of
+the outer webs of the middle primaries, white; forehead, sides of the
+head, and hind neck, pale reddish-grey, streaked with dusky; fore neck
+and upper part of breast greyish-white, streaked with dusky; on the
+lower part of the breast a large black patch; abdomen white; lower tail
+coverts white, marked with dusky; tail light-brownish grey,
+streaked--the central feathers darker.
+
+“Winter dress, upper parts brownish-grey; throat, greyish-white; fore
+part and sides of neck, sides of the head, and sides of the body, pale
+brownish-grey, faintly streaked with darker; rest of the lower parts
+white. Length, seven inches and a half; wing, four and an
+eighth.”--_Giraud._
+
+
+LONG-LEGGED SANDPIPER.
+
+Peep, Blind Snipe, Frost Snipe, Stilt.
+
+_Tringà Himantopus._
+
+This bird also is nameless: it is rare, although I have killed quite a
+number of them, and I believe its numbers are increasing; it rarely
+consorts in flocks of more than five or six, stools readily, and is
+often mistaken for the yellow-legs.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Bill about one-third longer than the head,
+slightly arched; length of tarsi, one inch and throe-eighths. Adult,
+with the upper parts brownish-black, the feathers margined with reddish
+white; the edges of the scapulars with semiform markings of the same;
+rump and upper tail-coverts white, transversely barred with dusky; tail,
+light grey, the feathers white at the base and along the middle; primary
+quills and coverts brownish-black--inner tinged with grey; the shaft of
+the outer primary, white; secondaries, brownish-grey, margined with
+reddish-white, the inner dusky; a broad whitish line over the eye; loral
+space dusky; auriculars, pale brownish-red; fore part and sides of neck,
+greyish white, tinged with red, and longitudinally streaked with dusky;
+the rest of the lower parts, pale reddish, transversely barred with
+dusky; the middle of the breast and the abdomen without markings; legs
+long and slender, of a yellowish-green color. In autumn, the plumage
+duller, of a more greyish appearance, and the reddish markings wanting,
+excepting on the sides of the head, and a few touches on the scapular.
+Length, nine inches; wing, five.”--_Giraud._
+
+
+RING-NECK.
+
+American Ring Plover.
+
+_Tringà Hiaticula_, Wils.
+
+This is a small, but delicate, fat, and pretty bird; it does not stool
+well, and accompanies the small snipe.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Bill shorter than the head; base, orange color,
+towards the point, black; a broad band on the forehead white, margined
+below with a narrow black band, above with a broad band of the same
+color; rest part of the head wood-brown; lateral toes connected by a
+membrane as far as the first joint; inner toes, about half that
+distance. Adult male with the bill flesh color at base, anterior to the
+nostrils black; a line of black commences at the base of the upper
+mandible, passes back to the eye, curving downward on the sides of the
+neck; a band on the fore part of the head pure white; fore part of
+crown, black; occiput, wood-brown; chin, throat, and fore neck, passing
+round on the hind neck, pure white; directly below, on the lower portion
+of the neck, a broad band of black; upper plumage, wood-brown;
+primaries, blackish-brown; shafts, white--blackish-brown at their tips;
+secondaries slightly edged with white on the inner webs; outer webs,
+nearest to the shafts, an elongated spot of white; wing-coverts
+wood-brown; secondary coverts broadly tipped with white; breast,
+abdomen, sides, and lower tail-coverts, pure white; tail brown, lighter
+at the base; outer feathers white--the rest broadly tipped with white,
+excepting the middle pair, which are slightly tipped with the same.
+Female similar, with the upper part of the head and the band on the neck
+brown. Length, seven inches and a quarter; wing five.”--_Giraud._
+
+
+KRIEKER.
+
+Meadow Snipe, Fat Bird, Short Neck, Jack Snipe, Pectoral Sandpiper.
+
+_Tringà Pectoralis_, Aud.
+
+This is an excellent bird, remaining in the meadows till October, and
+becoming fat, rich, and fine flavored, but unfortunately it will not
+come to the stools. Although frequently associating in flocks, it can
+hardly be said to be truly gregarious, and is as often found with the
+different varieties of small snipe as with its own number. It is quite a
+difficult bird to kill when on the wing, its flight being rapid and
+irregular, and its size small; but when it becomes fat and lazy, after a
+long residence in well supplied feeding-grounds, not only is its flight
+slower and itself easier to hit, but it is often shot sitting. Its
+general color is grey, with white on the abdomen; and its size varies
+greatly according to its age and condition, some being of more than
+double the size of others. As a natural consequence, considerable
+practice is required to distinguish it readily from the ox-eyes by which
+it is often surrounded, when the meadow grass hides it, in a measure,
+from view. It feeds and dwells altogether in the meadows, finding its
+food in the stagnant water collected upon their surface, and is only
+plentiful when these are wet. When alarmed, it rises rapidly, and makes
+off in a zigzag way, that reminds the sportsman of the flight of English
+snipe; and early in the season it is wild and shy. It occasionally
+passes over the stools, but never pauses or seems to notice them; and
+for this reason, in spite of its epicurean recommendations, it is
+generally neglected. In the cool days of September and October, when the
+mosquitoes have succumbed in a measure to the frost, its pursuit over
+the open meadows is pleasant and exhilarating. It is often killed to the
+number of eighty in a day, and is so fat that its body is absolutely
+round.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Bill straight, base orange-green; length of
+tarsi one inch and one-sixteenth; upper parts brownish-black, edged with
+reddish-brown; throat white; fore part of neck and upper part of the
+breast light brownish-grey, streaked with dusky; rest of lower parts,
+including the lower tail-coverts, white. Adult with the bill straight;
+top of the head dark-brown, intermixed with black; sides of the head,
+neck, and a large portion of the breast, greyish-brown, streaked with
+dusky; chin white; a streak of dark brown before the eye, continuing to
+the nostril, directly above a faint line of white; back dark-brown;
+feathers margined with white; primary quills dark-brown--shaft of the
+first white; outer secondaries slightly edged with white; tail-feathers
+brown, margined with brownish-white--two middle feathers darker,
+longest, and more pointed; lower part of the breast, abdomen, and sides
+of the body and under tail-coverts white; feet dull yellow; tibia bare,
+about half the length. Female, the general plumage lighter. Length nine
+inches and a half, wing five and a quarter.”--_Giraud._
+
+
+OX-EYE.
+
+_Tringà Semipalmata_, Wils.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Bill rather stout, broad towards the point;
+along the gap about one inch; length of tarsi seven-eighths of an inch;
+bill and legs black; toes half webbed. Adult with the bill slender,
+about the length of the head--dark-green, nearly approaching to black;
+head, sides, and hind-part; of neck ash-grey, streaked with dusky; upper
+parts blackish-brown, the feathers edged with greyish-white; secondary
+coverts tipped with white; primary coverts brownish-black, as are the
+feathers on the rump; upper tail-coverts the same; wing-quills dusky,
+their shafts white; tail-feathers ash-grey, the inner webs of the middle
+pair much darker; over the eye a white line; lower parts white; legs
+black. Length six inches and a half, wing four.”--_Giraud._
+
+This and the following variety are generally confounded by bay-men; and
+being too small to demand much consideration, and never shot unless
+huddled together, so that a large number may be bagged, they are called
+promiscuously by the odd name ox-eye. They are fat, and almost as good
+eating when in prime order as the reed-bird.
+
+
+OX-EYE.
+
+Wilson’s Sandpiper.
+
+_Tringà Pusilla_, Wils.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Bill along the gap three-quarters of an inch,
+slender; tarsi three-quarters of an inch; legs yellowish-green. Adult
+with the bill brownish-black; upper part of the breast grey-brown, mixed
+with white; back and upper parts black; the whole plumage above broadly
+edged with bright bay and yellow ochre; primaries black--greater coverts
+the same, tipped with white; tail rounded, the four exterior feathers on
+each side dull white--the rest dark-brown; tertials as long as the
+primaries; head above dark-brown, with paler edges; over the eye a
+streak of whitish; belly and vent white. Length five inches and a half,
+wing three and a half. With many of our birds we observe that
+individuals of the same species vary in length, extent, and sometimes
+differ slightly in their bills, even with those which have arrived at
+maturity.--On consulting ornithological works, we notice that there are
+no two writers whose measurement is in all cases alike. With specimens
+of the Wilson’s sandpiper, we find in their proportions greater
+discrepancy than in many other species--and out of these differences we
+are inclined to the opinion that two spurious species have been
+created.”--_Giraud._
+
+
+TATLER.
+
+Genus Totanus.
+
+_Generic Distinctions._--Bill longer than the head, straight, hard and
+slender; neck slender, and both it and body rather long; wings long and
+pointed; tail short and rounded; legs long; hind-toe very small, and
+the anterior ones connected at the base by webs, the inner being
+slightly webbed.
+
+
+WILLET.
+
+Semipalmated Tatler.
+
+_Totanus Semipalmatus_, Lath.
+
+_Scolopax Semipalmata_, Wils.
+
+This is a fine, large, and beautiful bird; the sharply distinct white
+and black of its wings contrasting admirably with the reddish-brown
+tints of the marlin and sickle-bills with which it often associates; it
+stools well, flying steadily, and often returning after the first, and
+even second visit; but even when fat, it is tough and ill-flavored. It
+congregates in large flocks, and reaches the Middle States on its
+southern journey in the latter part of August. Its cry is a fierce wild
+shriek, which is rarely, if ever, accurately imitated; but it responds
+to the call of the sickle-bill, and when once headed for the stools,
+rarely alters its course. In exposed situations it is shy and difficult
+of approach, like most of the shore-birds, which, although they come up
+so unsuspiciously to the decoys, are wary of the gunner, and rarely
+permit him to crawl within range of them.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Secondaries and basal part of the primaries
+white; toes connected at base by broad membranes. Adult with the head
+and neck brown, intermixed with greyish-white; breast and sides of the
+body spotted, and waved with brown on white ground; abdomen white;
+tail-coverts white, barred with brown; tail greyish-brown, barred with
+darker brown--the outer two feathers lighter; rump brown; fore part of
+the back and wing-coverts brown, largely spotted with dull white;
+primaries blackish-brown, broadly banded with white; secondaries white.
+Length fifteen inches and a half, wing eight.”--_Giraud._
+
+
+YELPER.
+
+Big Yellow-Legs--Greater Yellow-Shanks--Tell-tale Tatler.
+
+_Totanus Vociferus_, Wils.
+
+This is one of the most numerous of the bay-birds, and among the most
+highly prized for its sport-conferring properties. It stools well,
+although occasionally suspicious, and will often drop like a stone from
+the clouds, where it is fond of flying, upon receiving a response to its
+strong, clear, and easily imitated cry. It will also frequently come
+within shot in the open, when the sportsman is unaided by his decoys.
+Its flight is uneven, being often slow when approaching or pausing over
+the stools, and then exceedingly rapid and irregular when alarmed; and
+if there are no stools to make the Yelper hesitate, it has a bobbing
+motion, as if searching for the origin of the call, that makes it
+exceedingly difficult to kill. Moreover, it is vigorous, and will carry
+off much shot, as in fact is the habit with all the shore-birds, and is
+tough and sedgy on the table.
+
+It does not associate in large flocks, but roams about in parties of
+three or four.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Bill along the ridge two and a quarter inches;
+tarsi two and a half; legs yellow. Adult with the bill black, at the
+base bluish; upper part of the head, loral space, checks, and neck,
+streaked with brownish-black and white; throat white; a white line from
+the bill to the eye; a white ring round the eye; breast and abdomen
+white, spotted and barred with brownish-black; sides and tail-coverts
+the same; lower surface of the primaries light grey--upper
+brownish-black, the inner spotted white; wing-coverts and back brown,
+spotted with white, and dusky; scapulars the same; tail brown, barred
+with white. Winter plumage, the upper parts lighter--larger portion of
+the breast and abdomen white; sides of the body barred with dusky.
+Length, fourteen inches; wing, seven and a quarter.”--_Giraud._
+
+
+YELLOW-LEGS.
+
+Little Yellow-Legs--Yellow-Shanks Tatler.
+
+_Totanus Flavipes_, Lath.
+
+_Scolopax Flavipes_, Wilson.
+
+This bird in appearance is almost identical with the yelper, except that
+it is much smaller, not being more than half as large. It has several
+calls, consisting of one or more flute-like and shrill notes, which are
+rather difficult to imitate. It is probably the most plentiful of all
+the bay-snipe, making its summer visit in July, and continuing to arrive
+till late in September. It collects in immense flocks, and stools
+excellently, but its flight is irregular and rapid; and when frightened,
+it darts about in a confusing way that often baffles the sportsman. When
+wounded it will swim away, and, if possible, crawl into the grass to
+hide.
+
+Although a pleasant bird to shoot, it is unattractive on the table, even
+when in best condition, unless killed along the fresh water, where it
+attains an agreeable and delicate flavor. Both it and the yelper are
+found in considerable numbers on the marshy shores of the western lakes,
+where it and the other smaller bay-birds are called, indiscriminately,
+plover.
+
+Wonderful stories are told of the number of yellow-legs killed at one
+shot, and as it is a small bird, these are probably not exaggerated. By
+Wilson the yellow-legs, the yelper, and willet are classed among the
+_Scolopacidæ_ or snipe, but the other ornithologists have erected a
+separate genus for them.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Bill along the ridge one inch and three-eighths;
+length of tarsi one inch and seven-eighths; legs yellow. Adult with the
+bill black; throat white; upper part of the head, lores, cheeks, hind
+part and side parts of the neck, deep brownish-grey, streaked with
+greyish-white; eye encircled with white, a band of the same color from
+the bill to the eye; fore neck, sides of the body, and upper part of the
+breast, greyish-white, streaked with greyish-brown; lower part of the
+breast and abdomen white; lower tail-coverts white, the outer feathers
+barred with brown; scapulars and fore part of the back brown, the
+feathers barred and spotted with black and white; primaries
+blackish-brown, the shaft of the outer brownish-white, whiter towards
+the tip, the rest dark-brown; secondaries margined with white; hind part
+of the back brownish-grey; tail barred with greyish-brown, white at the
+tip; legs, feet, and toes, yellow; claws black. Length, ten inches and
+three-quarters; wing, six. Young with the legs greenish--and by those
+who have not recognised it as the young of the year, I have heard the
+propriety of its name questioned.”--_Giraud._
+
+
+GODWIT.
+
+Genus Limosa.
+
+_Generic Distinctions._--Bill very long, a little recurved from the
+middle, rather slender, and with the lower mandible the shorter. Wings
+long and very acute; tail short and even; legs long; toes four, and
+rather slender, the hind one being small and the middle toe the longest;
+anterior toes connected at the base by webs, the outer web being much
+the larger.
+
+
+MARLIN.
+
+Great Marbled Godwit.
+
+_Limosa Fedoa_, Linn.
+
+_Scolopax Fedoa_, Wils.
+
+This is the gentlest and most abundant of the large birds, approaching
+the decoys with great confidence and returning again and again, till
+frequently the entire flock is killed. In color it is a reddish-brown,
+lighter on the abdomen, and its flight is steady and rather slow.
+Although better eating than the willet, and very rich and juicy, its
+flesh cannot be called delicate. The ring-tailed marlin or Hudsonian
+Godwit, _Limosa Hudsonica, Lath._ is a finer but much scarcer bird, and
+resembles somewhat in color the willet, but has the marlin bill, which
+is longer than that of the last-named species.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Bill at base yellow, towards the end
+blackish-brown; upper parts spotted and barred with yellowish-grey and
+brownish-black; lower parts pale reddish-brown; tail darker, barred with
+black. Adult male with the bill at the base yellowish-brown, towards the
+end black; head and neck greyish-brown, tinged with pale reddish,
+streaked with dusky--darker on the upper part of the head and hind neck;
+throat whitish, lower parts pale reddish-brown; under tail-coverts
+barred with brown; tail reddish-brown, barred with dusky; upper
+tail-coverts the same; upper parts barred with brownish-black and pale
+reddish-brown, spotted with dusky; inner primaries tipped with
+yellowish-white; scapulars and wing-coverts barred with pale
+reddish-brown and greyish-white; shaft of the first primary white, dusky
+at the tip; inner shafts at the base white, rest part light brown,
+excepting the tips, which are dusky. Length, sixteen inches; wing, nine
+and a half. Female larger, exceeding the male from three to four
+inches.”--_Giraud._
+
+
+RING-TAILED MARLIN.
+
+Hudsonian Godwit.
+
+_Limosa Hudsonica_, Lath.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Bill blackish-brown, at base of lower mandible
+yellow; upper parts light brown, marked with dull brown, and a few small
+white spots; neck all around brownish-grey; lower parts white, largely
+marked with ferruginous; basal part of tail-feathers and a band crossing
+the rump, white. Adult with the bill slender, blackish to wards the tip,
+lighter at the base, particularly at the base of the lower mandible; a
+line of brownish-white from the bill to the eye; lower eyelid white;
+throat white, spotted with rust color; head and neck brownish-grey;
+lower parts white, marked with large spots of ferruginous; under
+tail-coverts barred with brownish-black, and ferruginous; tail
+brownish-black, with a white band at the base; a band over the rump;
+tips of primary coverts and bases of quills white; upper tail-coverts
+brownish-black--their base white; upper parts greyish-brown, scapulars
+marked with darker; feet bluish. Length, fifteen inches and a half;
+wing, eight and a half. Young with the lower parts brownish-grey, the
+ferruginous markings wanting.”--_Giraud._
+
+
+SNIPE.
+
+_Genus Scolopax_, Linn.
+
+_Generic Distinctions._--Bill long, at least twice the length of the
+head; straight, tapering, and flattened towards the end; eyes rather
+large, placed high in the head, and far back from the bill; neck of
+moderate length, and rather thick; body full; wings rather long and
+pointed; tail moderate and rounded; legs moderate; toes slender and
+rather long, except the hind one; middle toe longest, and connected at
+the base with the inner by a slight web, the outer one being free.
+
+
+DOWITCHER.
+
+Dowitch--Brown Back--Quail-Snipe--Red-Breasted Snipe.
+
+_Scolopax Noveboracensis_, Wils.
+
+This is a beautiful, excellent, and plentiful bird; it abounds in the
+marshes during the entire summer, congregates in vast flocks, and
+although uttering a faint call itself, is attracted to the decoys by the
+cry of the yellow-legs, or almost any sharp whistle. It is remarkably
+gentle, individuals often alighting when their associates are slain, in
+spite of the unusual uproar; and it can be more readily approached than
+any of the bay-birds. Its flesh, moreover, is quite delicate, and when
+fat somewhat similar to that of the English snipe, which it greatly
+resembles in appearance. In general color it is brownish, with a light
+abdomen, but occasionally the breast is as red as that of a robin in
+full plumage. Its flight is steady, although when alarmed it “skivers,”
+or darts about rapidly, and as it flies in close ranks, it suffers
+proportionally. Although it is rather looked down upon by persons who
+wish to make a show of large birds, I am always entirely satisfied with
+a good bag of well-conditioned dowitchers.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Spring plumage, upper parts brownish-black,
+variegated with light brownish-red; lower parts dull orange-red, abdomen
+paler, spotted and barred with black; rump white; the tail feathers and
+the upper and lower tail-coverts, alternately barred with white and
+black. In autumn the upper parts are brownish-grey; the lower parts
+greyish-white; the tail feathers and the upper and lower tail-coverts
+the same as in spring. Adult with the bill towards the end black,
+lighter at the base; top of the head, back of the neck, scapulars,
+tertials, and fore part of the back, blackish-brown, variegated with
+ferruginous; secondaries and wing-coverts clove-brown, the latter edged
+with white, the former tipped with the same; hind part of back white;
+the rump marked with roundish spots of blackish-brown; upper
+tail-coverts dull white, barred with black; tail feathers crossed with
+numerous black bands, their tips white; loral band dusky, the space
+between which and the medial band on the fore part of the head,
+greyish-white, tinged with ferruginous, and slightly touched with dusky;
+sides of the head spotted with dark-brown; lower parts dull orange-red,
+the abdomen lighter; the neck and fore part of breast spotted with
+dusky; the sides of the body with numerous bars of the same color; legs
+and feet dull yellowish-green. Young with the lower parts paler. Winter
+dress, the upper parts brownish-grey; neck ash-grey, streaked with
+dusky; lower parts greyish-white, with dusky bars on the sides of the
+body. Length, ten inches and a half; wing, six.”--_Giraud._
+
+
+CURLEW.
+
+_Genus Numenius_, Briss.
+
+_Generic Distinctions._--Bill very long, slender, decurved or arched,
+with the upper mandible the longer, and obtuse at the end; head rounded
+and compressed above; neck long, body full, wings long, feet rather
+long; toes connected at the base; _tibia_ bare a short space above the
+knee; legs rather long; tail short and rounded.
+
+
+JACK CURLEW.
+
+Short-billed Curlew. Hudsonian Curlew.
+
+_Numenius Hudsonicus_, Lath.
+
+This is a graceful and elegant bird, but so shy and so well able to
+carry off shot, that it is regarded as the most difficult to kill of all
+the bay-birds. It has a long, rolling cry, and although it approaches
+the decoys, it rarely alights, or even pauses over them; but, detecting
+the deception, it turns off or passes on in its course. For this reason,
+the fortunate sportsman who kills a “Jack” is eminently satisfied,
+although its flesh is not remarkably fine.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Length of bill, three inches and three-quarters;
+tarsi, two inches; lower parts white. Adult with the upper part of the
+head deep brown, with a central and two lateral lines of whitish; a
+brown line from the bill to the eye, and another behind the eye; neck
+all round, pale yellowish-grey, longitudinally streaked with brown,
+excepting the upper part of the throat, which is greyish-white; upper
+parts in general blackish-brown, marked with numerous spots of
+brownish-white, there being several along the margins of each feather;
+wings and rump somewhat lighter; upper tail-coverts and tail barred with
+dark-brown and olivaceous grey; primaries and their coverts
+blackish-brown, all with transverse yellowish-grey markings on the inner
+web; the shaft of the first quill, white--of the rest, brown; breast and
+abdomen greyish-white, the sides tinged with cream color, and barred
+with greyish-brown; bill rather more than twice the length of the head,
+of a brownish-black color--at the base of the lower mandible, flesh
+colored. Length, eighteen inches; wing, nine and a half.”--_Giraud._
+
+
+SICKLE-BILL CURLEW.
+
+Long-billed Curlew.
+
+_Numenius Longirostris_, Wils.
+
+The finest, largest, most graceful, and elegant of all the bay-birds is
+the magnificent sickle-bill; associating in large flocks, and with a
+spread of wings of little less than three feet, when it approaches the
+stand, the sportsman’s heart palpitates with excitement, and the sky
+seems to have lost its natural blue and become of a rich brown tint. As
+these splendid birds, shrieking their hoarse call, set their wings for
+the stool, and crossing one another in their flight, pause in doubt; or,
+after alighting individually, rise again, and hesitate whether to remain
+or continue their course--the sportsman, cowering in his lair, and
+anxious to take advantage of this glorious opportunity, becomes wildly
+eager with excitement; and if, after having by a judicious selection
+brought several to the ground, he recalls the departing flock which
+again presents itself to his aim, his rapture knows no bounds, and with
+his reloaded breech-loader, he repeats, perhaps more than once, the
+exhilarating performance.
+
+This lordly bird, the largest of the bay-snipe, is often extremely
+gentle, and may be lured by the imitation of its cry at an immense
+distance, and brought back to the decoys several times, where one or
+more of its companions may have fallen; but at other times it is wild
+and shy. Individuals differ considerably in size, the largest I ever saw
+having a bill eleven inches long, and some weighing nearly double as
+much as others; but all are of a beautiful reddish-brown or burnt sienna
+tint, with a yellowish shade on the abdomen. Their flight is steady, and
+their flesh tough, dark, and oily. Their eye is extremely bright, and
+their shape graceful.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Bill towards the end decurved; upper part of the
+throat, and a band from the bill to the eye, light buff; general
+plumage, pale reddish-brown; head and neck streaked with dusky; upper
+parts marked with blackish-brown; tail barred with the same; abdomen,
+plain reddish-brown; feet, bluish. Length, twenty-six inches; wing,
+eleven. The bill of the specimen from which this description is taken
+measures eight inches. The bills of individuals of this species vary,
+but the length is at all times sufficient to determine the
+species.”--_Giraud._
+
+
+FUTE.
+
+Doe-bird.--Esquimaux Curlew.
+
+_Numenius Borealis_, Lath.
+
+This is an upland bird, quite rare, but large, and rather delicate
+eating.
+
+“_Specific Character._--Bill, along the gap, about two inches and a
+quarter; tarsi, one inch and five-eighths; upper parts, dusky brown,
+with pale yellowish-white, marked all over with pale reddish-brown.
+Adult with a line of white from the bill to the eye; eyelids, white;
+upper part of the head dusky, spotted in front with greyish-white, a
+medial band of the same color; throat, white; neck and breast
+yellowish-grey, with longitudinal marks of dusky on the former, pointed
+spots of the same color on the latter; abdomen, dull yellowish-white;
+flanks, barred with brown; lower tail coverts the same as the abdomen;
+tail and upper tail coverts barred with pale reddish-brown and dusky,
+tipped with yellowish-white; upper parts brownish, the feathers tipped
+with pale reddish-brown, the scapulars margined and tipped with lighter;
+primaries, dark-brown, margined internally with lighter--the first shaft
+white, with the tip dusky--the rest brown. Length, fourteen inches and a
+half; wing, eight.”--_Giraud._
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+MONTAUK POINT.
+
+
+The eastern end of Long Island, that extremity which seems to stretch
+out like the hand of welcome towards the nations of the old world,
+beckoning their inhabitants to our hospitable shores, is divided into
+two long points like the tines of a fork. The upper point shuts in Long
+Island Sound, and protects our inland commerce from the violence of the
+“Great Deep;” while the lower prong, which is kissed on the one side by
+the blue waters of the Peconic Bay, and on the other is buffeted by the
+billows of the great Atlantic, is known as Montauk Point. The heaving
+ocean seems here to have solidified itself into a sandy soil, which
+rises and swells and rolls, much after the manner of its mighty
+prototype, except that a scanty garment of tawny grass clothes the
+outlines of the billowy waste. “Cattle on a thousand hills” here roam in
+a state of, at least, semi-independence, which they occasionally assert
+by charging upon the intruding sportsman in a manner which may be
+intended as playful, but which looks somewhat serious. For a dozen miles
+or so only a few houses break the monotony of the dreary expanse, and it
+is to one of these, distant some nine miles from the extreme point,
+that I am about to carry the reader, for here alone can plover-shooting
+be enjoyed in its fullest perfection.
+
+There are numerous kinds of plover that make their migratory passages
+along our coasts; but the one to which I refer, while to the epicure it
+ranks almost, if not absolutely, the first upon the list, and affords,
+by the swiftness of its flight and the eccentricity of its habits, a
+prize not unworthy of the highest efforts of the sportsman, has been the
+victim of many a misnomer, but is correctly known by the appellation
+American Golden Plover, _Charadrius pluvialis_ (P.). The Plover-family
+is large and of high respectability; but, when “upon his native heath,”
+no one of its clans is entitled to wear a loftier crest than that which
+we now have under discussion. His near relative, the Bartramian
+Sandpiper or Grey Plover, is perhaps more aristocratically delicate in
+his figure, and is welcomed as heartily at the table of the epicure. But
+he is less social in his habits, and rarely affords any but single
+shots. He does not fraternize with wooden counterfeits, and his mellow
+whistle, as he rises at an impracticable distance, rarely responds to
+even the most seductive efforts of his pursuer. But our Golden friend,
+notwithstanding his auriferous title, his superior beauty of plumage,
+his swiftness and strength, and the savory reputation which he enjoys
+among the knowing-ones, is possessed of gregarious habits, of a
+singularly frank and unsuspicious nature, and is generally ready to stop
+and have a chat with anything which bears the faintest resemblance to a
+bird and a brother. It is well for his admirers that such is his nature;
+and although the wide appreciation of his merits certainly causes great
+destruction among his ranks, still the vast flocks which, sometimes for
+days together, fly past, within sight of the stands, unshot at, seem to
+warrant the hope that the hour of the final extinction of his race is
+very far distant.
+
+Taking the Long Island railroad to Greenport in the early part of
+September, and having encountered and overcome the ordinary delay and
+difficulty of obtaining a sailboat to further prosecute our voyage, we
+find ourselves at last gliding on the waves of the beautiful bay, past
+Shelter and Gardiner’s islands, and approaching the long low line of the
+Nepeague beach. With a favorable breeze we may expect to be landed on
+the smooth sand in a little cove, about one mile from our destination,
+in two hours from our time of departure; but if the wind is adverse and
+the fates unpropitious, we may have to follow the path from the shore in
+the dark, which will require our best instincts, aided by the guidance
+of the distant booming of the surf, and the assistance of our especial
+guardian angel.
+
+Once there, however, and we will be repaid for our sufferings; we may
+find a table covered with “South-side” delicacies, and bearing in the
+centre a huge dish of beautiful, odorous, melting plover, cooked to a
+turn, and we will undoubtedly meet kindred spirits and generous
+sportsmen who are on the same errand as ourselves. As we dispose of the
+former, the latter will pour into our sympathetic ears wonderful
+accounts of their sport, and rival one another in recounting the long
+shots and the good shots they have made, the numbers of birds they have
+killed, and the pounds of bass they have caught.
+
+Under the influences of a delicious supper and moderate “nightcap,” we
+seek our couch with fond visions of the great flocks, and hopeful dreams
+that we will do as well on the morrow. At earliest dawn we spring from
+our bed, and rushing to the primitive little casement have only time to
+rejoice in the promise of a fine day, ere we note the welcome cry of our
+noble prey hurrying westward over the beach.
+
+To don our shooting costume, to grasp our gun and ammunition, to load
+ourselves with the basket containing decoys and incidentals, and to
+emerge into the cool air of the September morning, require but a few
+minutes; we hasten across the sandy hillocks to our appointed spot,
+marked by a hollow scooped out for the concealment of former visitants,
+and by the quantity of feathers and cigar-stumps lying loosely around;
+and with hands trembling with impatience, we distribute the stools in
+what seems to us to be the most artistic and seductive manner,--for the
+birds are now beginning to fly just within a tantalizing yet
+impracticable range, and we long for action.
+
+How wild, how glorious is the hour and the scene! The heavy boom of the
+ocean, which rolls almost at our feet, is relieved by the soft, mellow
+notes of the sea-birds which float through the air in varied yet
+harmonious cadence, and by the low of distant cattle, just shaking off
+their slothful dreams. Hardly have we disposed our body to the requisite
+flatness, when a chattering chorus of melody makes our heart leap with
+eagerness, and our eyes strain with impatience to discern its source.
+Aha, we have them now! that small, erratic cloud to the eastward,
+bearing directly before the wind towards our covert, sends a thrill
+through our being, which the whole “spacious firmament on high,” even on
+the loveliest of nights, has, we honestly confess it, never succeeded in
+imparting. On they come, nearer, nearer, nearer. We pucker up our lips
+to greet their approach, but the saucy gale renders our rude efforts
+futile, and we commit our trust to Providence and our painted
+counterfeits. Now they are within easy range, but somewhat scattered;
+with a violent effort at self-command, worthy of a higher cause, we
+remain motionless, for there are evident indications of a social spirit
+in that joyous group. They pause, they swerve, they wheel upon their
+tracks, and with motionless wings and a sweet low-murmured greeting,
+they approach the fatal stools. How rash the confidence! How foul the
+treachery! But, we must also confess, how intense the excitement, as we
+pull the right trigger at the critical moment, and then, as the deluded
+victims scatter wildly, with an outburst of appeal against man’s
+cruelty, give them the left barrel, and add three more to the list of
+feathered martyrs. With lightning speed, their thinned ranks vanish
+beyond the neighboring sand-hills, and reloading our gun, we hasten to
+gather up the slain.
+
+Six with the right and three with the left barrel, are pretty well for a
+beginning; but we had better have remained at our post, for while we are
+chasing up one of the wounded birds, two more flocks pass within easy
+range of our hiding-place. Hurriedly twisting the neck of the fugitive,
+we resume our lonely watch, and before the breakfast-hour of eight,
+which our umwontedly early exertions have made a somewhat serious epoch,
+we have had two more double shots, and increased our score to
+twenty-one. Beautiful, “beautiful exceedingly” is the burden of game
+which we proudly carry back to our inn, leaving our stools as they
+stand.
+
+A hearty breakfast makes us feel like a _new man_, and, after a fair
+discussion of its merits, lighting our pipe, we again wend our way to
+the scene of our triumph. The cry is still they come; flock after flock
+presents its compliments, and leaves mementoes of its presence; but
+towards noon the hot sun disposes the birds to listless inactivity, the
+flight diminishes, and finally stops. Returning to the house with a bag
+larger by only three birds than that of the morning, we kill the hours
+before dinner by a few casts into the breakers, and land a ten-pound
+bass.
+
+With sharpened appetite, we welcome the savory dinner, and are quite
+contented to rest and let our prey rest till five o’clock, when fifteen
+more birds reward our post-prandial exertions, and make up a total for
+the day of sixty plover and one bass. We sink to sleep that night with
+the proud consciousness that our first day’s plover-shooting has been a
+great success; our heart prays silently for a continuance of our good
+fortune, and we indulge in sweet thoughts of home, and the pleasure our
+return laden with spoils will cause, when our friends greet us and them
+at the social board.
+
+The next day is as delightful; the sweet, thrilling music again fills
+the air at short intervals; again our trusty breech-loader sends its
+charge into the thickest of the “brown,” or cuts down the straggler
+looking for “former companions all vanished and gone.” Again we call the
+swift-travelling flock from the very zenith, or whistle our lips into a
+blister, endeavoring to attract the wary knowing ones that pause to
+look, only to flee the faster; and the night finds us with a still
+larger bag, but without a bass. So eager have we become, so fearful that
+we should lose a shot, and judging by the accumulating clouds in the
+east that on the morrow it may storm, that we stay out all day, except
+the necessary moments for our meals, and give no thought to the monsters
+of the deep.
+
+Nor were we mistaken; the morrow comes, the gathering storm has broken,
+and no creature of mortal mould can face its fury--at least no bird,
+with any pretensions to common sense or respectability, would imperil
+his plumes by an unnecessary exposure to such an ordeal. So with forced
+patience, we get through the live-long day as best we can; and on the
+following day, hail a sky as cloudless as the most ardent sportsman
+could desire. But alas! the flight has gone by, scared away perhaps by
+the storm, or retreating before the advancing fall; and when we take our
+seat at the breakfast-table, we are obliged to admit that only nine
+birds have fallen to our gun.
+
+But the irrepressible and inextinguishable host rises triumphant in this
+emergency. He boldly suggests that there _must be_ some sluggards, who
+have tamed, spell-bound by the attractions of such a terrestrial, or,
+rather ornithological, paradise; and accordingly, he _hitches up_ a
+venerable specimen of the genus “_Equus_,” and we start for an excursion
+“over the hills and far away.” Before we have advanced a couple of miles
+we have bagged a half dozen solitary specimens of Bartram’s Sandpiper or
+Grey Plover, so dear to the sportsman and the gourmand, but have seen no
+trace of the object of our pursuit. When, suddenly, as we surmount one
+of the swelling eminences which are the prevailing feature of this
+district of country, we come upon a sight such as, perhaps, but few
+sportsmen have ever beheld. A gentle hollow spreads before us, for
+several acres, literally covered with the ranks of the much-desired, the
+matchless Golden Plover.
+
+As they stand in serried legions, the white mark on their heads gives a
+strange chequered weirdness to the phalanx: and we involuntarily pause,
+spell-bound by the novelty of the spectacle. Our host himself, though an
+old hand, owns that he has never before gazed on such a sight. There
+they stand with heads erect, and bodies motionless, just out of gunshot.
+Their number is computed by our companion to be not less than three
+thousand, closely packed, and apparently awaiting our onset. What is to
+be done? Delay may be fatal, but precipitancy would be equally so: and
+our pulses stop beating under the stress of the emergency. Our horse
+also stops, obedient to an involuntary pull of the reins. We accept the
+omen, and cautiously descend from our vehicle; warily crawling to within
+seventy yards, we halt as we see unmistakable evidences of uneasiness
+and suspicion among the crowded ranks. They stoop, they run, they rise
+with “a sounding roar,” to which the united report of our four barrels
+savagely responds. Away, away with headlong speed, scatters and
+dissolves that multitudinous host, and we hasten to secure our spoils.
+
+But, seventy yards make a long range for plover-shooting, and we are
+somewhat chagrined to find that only six dead and seven wounded birds
+remain as proofs of the accuracy of our aim, and the efficiency of our
+weapons. Hurriedly we plant our stools, hoping for the return of at
+least a considerable portion of the vanished forces; but they have
+apparently had enough of our society, and, after two hours spent in
+ambush, with only an occasional shot at single stragglers or small
+flocks, we wend our way back to the house.
+
+On the morrow we kill a dozen birds over the stools, before breakfast,
+among which are two specimens of the beautiful Esquimaux Curlew or Fute,
+as he is commonly called, and which seems to be on terms of the closest
+intimacy with our Golden friend. We find him to be a heavier bird,
+equally inclined to obesity, and, as future experiments satisfy us,
+nearly as perfect in delicate richness of flavor.
+
+At nine o’clock Dobbin is again harnessed, and we start for the scene of
+yesterday’s exploit. But the sighing wind now sweeps over only a
+deserted moor, and we direct our course in a direction to make an
+inspection of Great Pond. Here, by good luck and management, we bag five
+teal and a black duck, as well as three passing plover. A few large
+flocks of the latter are seen, but they are wary and unapproachable; and
+after several fruitless efforts, we abandon their pursuit and start for
+dinner.
+
+Having rendered full justice to the merits of a bountiful repast, which,
+if it is made prominent in this account, was still more prominent in our
+hungry thoughts, we stroll to the ocean-side and make a dozen casts for
+bass, but our luck seems to be on the turn and we decide to leave on the
+morrow for Greenport. About an hour before sunset, a few birds are on
+the wing, and we again seek the field of our first success. Here we make
+our final effort, and are rewarded with five noble victims, killed
+singly at long shots, and we restore our breech-loader to its case. We
+have no reason to be dissatisfied with our four-days’ sport, and it is
+with a certain reluctance, and a sincere resolve to renew our visit at
+an early date, that we pack our valise in anticipation of a start on
+the morrow.
+
+Our team is at the door; we bid adieu to some ladies of the household
+(of whom while writing these lines we have thought much, though we have,
+until now, said nothing), and, mounting by our host’s side, we trot
+merrily over the hills, till we reach the deep sandy desert of the
+Nepeague beach. “A long pull, and a strong pull” for an hour, brings us
+to “terra firma” again, and rattling through the quaint old town of
+Easthampton, after a charming drive, we reach Sag Harbor, where a most
+absurdly diminutive steamer, of just _seven-horse_ power, awaits to
+convey us to Greenport. We part from our host with sincere gratitude for
+the genial kindness which he has shown to us during our visit, and step
+on the narrow deck of the tiny craft. A voyage of thirteen miles, made
+under a full head of steam in just two hours and a quarter, brings us
+once more to the beautiful village of Greenport, where the cars are
+awaiting us.
+
+We return with a bag full of game, and the following general conclusions
+and precepts impressed upon our mind: In plover shooting use No. 6 shot
+in the left barrel, for the birds are of wonderful strength and require
+to be hit hard, or they will fly an immense distance even if “sick unto
+death,” and if crippled, will sneak, and hide, and run, and cause much
+loss of time that is precious indeed. Do not fire too soon; as the flock
+will generally “double” if allowed sufficient time, and then is the
+chance to “rake ’em down.” Be patient, keep cool, aim ahead of the
+birds, and keep wide awake.
+
+On almost any day, from the 25th of August to the 10th of September,
+there are sport and pleasure to be had among the wild sand-hills of
+Montauk; and if there has been a north-easterly storm, with pitchforks
+full of rain and caps full of wind, there will be such an abundance of
+birds as only experience can conceive of or appreciate. That is an event
+that most of us have yet to wait for. Reader, I wish I were sufficiently
+unselfish to say honestly--may you enjoy it first.
+
+Since I first went to Montauk, when large and jolly parties of sportsmen
+congregated every fall at Lester’s and Stratton’s, some changes have
+taken place. The plover have diminished until the chance of sport is
+uncertain, although occasional good days are had; and there is a
+probability that the railroad will intrude on its “everlasting hills,”
+and that fashionable watering places will replace the old-time sporting
+hotels. Then bid farewell, a long farewell, to all the shooting.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+RAIL SHOOTING.
+
+
+Success in this delightful sport depends as much upon the proper
+accessories, together with experience in minor matters, as in the great
+art of properly handling the gun. The best shot, badly equipped, will be
+surpassed by an inferior marksman accustomed to the business, and
+thoroughly fitted out for it. The shooting is done among high reeds, and
+from small, light, and unstable skiffs, which are poled over muddy
+shallows with an unsteady motion that puts an end to skill which is not
+founded on long practice. The sport lasts only during the few hours of
+high water, when the entire day’s bag must be made, and requires, after
+the bird has been killed, a sharp eye to retrieve him amid the weeds and
+floating grass.
+
+The number bagged, however, is sometimes prodigious; and although we
+rarely now hear of hundreds killed “in a tide,” as was formerly not
+unusual, the shots are still frequently rapid, and the result
+satisfactory. The bird rises heavily, its long legs hanging down behind;
+flying slowly, it presents an easy mark to any one upon _terra firma_,
+and if not shot at, will alight after proceeding thirty or forty yards.
+
+It comes on from the north during the early part of September, and
+disappears so instantaneously with the first heavy frost, that our
+superstitious baymen imagine it retires into the mud. It can, however,
+fly strongly, as I have occasionally had unpleasant evidence under
+peculiar circumstances, and in wild, windy weather. During low water,
+when it can run upon the muddy bottom among the thick stalks, which it
+does rapidly, it can hardly be flushed by any but the strongest and
+toughest dog, and is not frequently pursued; although many persons enjoy
+the hard walking and exposure of this plan, preferring to tramp over the
+quaking surface of our broad salt meadows, and flushing the rail from
+amid some tuft of reeds, kill him with the aid of their loved
+fellow-playmate, a high-strung setter or untiring water spaniel.
+
+As the tide rises, however, and covers the bottom with a few inches of
+water, the rail, caught feeding among its favorite wild oats, or on the
+grains of the high reeds, and alarmed at the advancing boat, is forced
+to take wing and present an easy mark to its destroyer. But if missed,
+although marked down to an inch, it rarely rises a second time, having
+probably escaped by swimming--a thorough knowledge of which is among its
+numerous accomplishments. The rail has a long, thin, and soft body,
+which it appears to have the faculty of compressing; as it can glide
+amid the thick stems of reeds and grass with wonderful rapidity; and if
+wounded, it will dive and swim under water, leaving its bill only
+projecting, so as to bid defiance to pursuit.
+
+The first necessity of equipment for this sport is a breech-loading gun,
+which not only enables the sportsman to kill double the number of birds,
+but will occasionally give him the benefit, by a rapid change in the
+charge, of a favorable presentation of a chance flock of ducks. But as
+many persons, out of a want of knowledge or of funds, still cling to the
+old muzzle-loader, it may be well briefly to mention the articles that
+tend to modify its inferiority.
+
+Of course, as the shooting occupies but a few hours, and in good days
+the birds are perpetually on the wing, it is essential to load rapidly;
+and to do this the sportsman places on a thwart before him a tin box
+divided into compartments for powder, shot, caps, and wads, or, as I
+prefer, two boxes, one filled with powder and the other with the other
+materials. For many reasons there should be a lid over the powder--to
+prevent its being ignited by a chance spark or blown away by a strong
+wind--and the ordinary flask is frequently used in spite of the
+consequent delay. A double scoop, made of tin or brass, and regulated to
+the precise load, is placed among the powder and the shot, and a solid
+loading stick lies near at hand.
+
+By these means the rapidity of loading is more than doubled; the powder
+is dropped into both barrels at once by means of the double scoop, wads
+are driven home by a single blow of the rod, both barrels are charged
+with shot at once in the same manner, the caps are within easy reach,
+and the gun is loaded in less than half the time consumed in the
+ordinary process. The shot may be made into cartridges of paper with a
+wad at the upper end, and thus a few additional of the precious seconds
+saved. Both barrels are discharged before either is reloaded, and the
+birds are retrieved immediately.
+
+The sportsman stands erect, without any support to modify the
+unsteadiness consequent upon the irregular motion of the boat, and
+requires practice, not merely to enable him to take aim, but even to
+retain his footing. Where the water is low and the reeds strong, this
+difficulty is augmented, as the boat entirely loses its way after every
+push, and advances by jerks that utterly confound a novice. Experience,
+however, being acquired in loading rapidly and in retaining his balance,
+the sportsman’s labors are easy; but the punter requires many different
+qualities, and upon his excellence mainly depends the final result.
+
+He must possess judgment to select the best ground, strength to urge on
+the boat unflaggingly, and an inordinate development of the bump of
+locality to mark the dead birds. The bird once killed and the sportsman
+part ended, then the punter displays his ability; and if thoroughly
+versed in his craft will push the boat through tall reeds, and matted
+weeds, and fallen oat-stalks, and drifted grass, with wonderful accuracy
+to the very spot, and peering down amid the roots, will distinguish the
+brown feathers almost covered with water and hidden by the vegetable
+growth.
+
+In order to retrieve quickly, a wide-meshed scapnet is a great
+convenience; but to mark well, a man most be endowed by nature with that
+peculiar gift. Among the vast mass of undistinguishable marine plants
+that spring from the muddy bottom and rise a few inches or many feet
+above the surface, it would seem impossible to determine, within an
+approach to accuracy, where some bird, visible only for a moment and cut
+down when just topping the reeds, has fallen; and when another bird
+rises to meet the same fate, and perhaps a dozen are down before the
+first is retrieved, successful marking becomes a miracle. With some
+punters on the Delaware, where their names are famous, so wonderful is
+the precision that every bird, if killed outright, will be recovered,
+and even a poor marksman will make a respectable return; but when the
+gentleman shoots badly and the man marks worse, rail-shooting is
+unprofitable.
+
+For this sport, thus followed, it will be seen that a punter is
+indispensable, and it is made the business of a large class of men along
+the salt marshes where the rail most do congregate; and wherever a
+punter cannot be obtained, as in the wilder portions of our country,
+rail-shooting cannot be had.
+
+From the necessity for rapid firing, the immense advantage of a
+breech-loader must be apparent; the tide rarely serves for over two or
+three hours, and to kill more than a hundred birds in that time with a
+muzzle-loader is a remarkable feat, as it requires almost the entire
+time for the mere loading and firing of the gun; but the breech-loader
+may be charged in an instant, and enables the sportsman to improve the
+lucky chance of coming upon a goodly collection of birds, and make the
+most of the scanty time permitted to him.
+
+None of those vexatious mistakes that occasionally happen to the best
+sportsmen can befall him; the shot cannot get into the wrong barrel, nor
+the cap be forgotten; the powder is not exposed to ashes from a careless
+man’s cigar; and there being no hurry, there is more probability of
+steady nerves and a true aim.
+
+The charge should be light--three-quarters of an ounce of shot and two
+drachms of powder being abundant to kill the soft and gentle rail--and
+pellets at least as fine as No. 9 are preferable to coarser sizes. Old
+cartridges, that have been split and mended by gumming a piece of paper
+over the crack, may be used in the breech-loader, provided the sportsman
+desires to indulge in praiseworthy economy, or is deficient in a supply.
+
+The sport is extremely exciting: the boat is forced along with
+considerable rustling and breaking of stems and stalks; the bright sun
+streams down upon the yellow reeds and lights up the variegated foliage
+of the distant shore; the waves of the bay or river, rising apparently
+to a level with the eye, sparkle in the gentle breeze that bends the
+sedge grass in successive waves; neighboring boats come and go, approach
+and recede; the rapid reports are heard in all directions, like
+fireworks on the Fourth of July; the sportsman stands erect, and eager
+with delirious excitement, near the bow; the punter balances himself,
+and wields his long pole dexterously on a small platform at the stern.
+
+Silently a bird, rising close to the boat, wings its way, with pendent
+legs and feeble strokes, towards some one of its numerous hiding-places;
+instantly the punter plants his pole firmly in the bottom, holding the
+skiff stationary, the sportsman brings up his piece, and, with
+deliberate aim, sends the charge straight after the doomed rail, which
+pitches headlong out of sight. The punter has marked him by that single
+wild rice-stalk with the broken top, and heads the boat at once towards
+the place; but ere he has advanced a dozen feet, another bird starts and
+offers to the expectant sportsman, who has his gun still “at a ready,”
+another favorable chance, and, meeting the same fate, falls into that
+low bunch of matted wild oats. The breech-loader opens, the charges are
+extracted and others inserted, just in time to make sure of two rail
+that rise simultaneously, still ere the first has been reached, and
+which are both tumbled over and marked down--one, however, wing-tipped,
+and never to be seen by mortal eye again.
+
+Thus have I experienced it on the Delaware, at Hackensack, and, in
+former days, among the tributaries of Jamaica Bay, and at many other
+places where more or less success has attended me. Although never having
+enjoyed great luck, never having advanced beyond the first hundred, and
+claiming to be no such marksman as several of my friends, I have had
+wondrous sport. Of a good day, when the tide is favorable and the game
+plenty, the excitement is continuous, and increased by a sense of
+competition.
+
+Other sportsmen are on the same ground, stopping probably at the same
+hotel and shooting in close proximity--occasionally too close, if they
+are thoughtless or careless. Not only will a charge of mustard seed
+sometimes rattle against the boat, but is apt, now and then, to pierce
+the clothes and penetrate the skin, followed by an irritation of mind
+and body; but when the tide has fallen, and the sport is over, a
+comparison of the bag made by each sportsman is inevitable, and no
+general assertions of round numbers will answer, but the birds must be
+produced. It is vain to claim what cannot be exhibited, and more than
+useless to talk of the immense quantities that were killed but not
+retrieved; such excuses are answered by ridicule, and if the poor shot
+would avoid being a butt, he must be modest and submissive.
+
+There is danger too, at times, although an upset in the weeds can result
+in nothing worse than a wetting of oneself and one’s ammunition, and the
+ruin of the day’s enjoyment; but I was once on the Delaware, opposite
+Chester, when a fierce north-wester was blowing, which had driven much
+of the water out of the bay and river. The tide, of course, was poor,
+having difficulty to rise at all against the gale, which kept on
+increasing every moment, and the birds were scarce and difficult to
+flush. The work of poling was laborious; the boats stopped after every
+push, and the heavy swell from the broad river, rolling in a long
+distance among the reeds, added a new motion to their natural
+unsteadiness.
+
+Of course the sport was not encouraging, and the accidents were
+numerous; several sportsmen fell overboard, one upset his boat, and my
+man came so near it--his pole slipping at the moment he was exerting his
+utmost strength upon it--that his efforts to recover his balance
+reminded me of dancing the hornpipe in a state of frenzy. He kicked up
+more capers, and indulged in more contortions on the little platform,
+scarcely a foot square, which he occupied, than I supposed possible
+without dislocation of a limb; but he managed, however, to regain his
+equilibrium, and neither fell overboard nor upset the skiff.
+
+These little incidents, and the shooting, such as it was, kept the
+party, which was numerous, interested until the time came for recrossing
+the river to our hotel. There was no stopping-place on our present side
+of the river, which presented one apparently endless view of waving
+reeds; and the alternative was simply to cross the open river, or pass
+the night in our boats. The swell had increased into high waves capped
+with snowy foam, and threatened destruction to our low-sided, short, and
+narrow boats. Many were the consultations between the various punters,
+and grave were the doubts expressed of a safe crossing; but as there was
+no help for it, the trial had to be made.
+
+Selections were chosen of favorable starting-points, and most of the
+party put out at about the same time--the sportsman lying on the bottom
+at full length in the stern, and the oarsman timing his strokes to the
+violence of the sea. The waves broke over us continually; it was
+necessary to bail every few minutes, and several had to put back when
+they met with some more than usually heavy wave, and take a fresh start,
+after emptying the superfluous water. Of course we were drenched to the
+skin, but found a species of consolation in knowing that no one had the
+advantage of another. Had any of our boats upset, although we might have
+clung to them and drifted back among the reeds, we could have effected a
+landing nowhere, and would probably have terminated our career then and
+there; had this happened to a certain little skiff that held two men and
+very few rail, this account would probably never have been written.
+However, fate ordained otherwise, and we reached our destination in
+safety.
+
+The best locality for rail-shooting is along the marshy shores of the
+Delaware River, above and below Philadelphia; many birds are also killed
+on the Hackensack and the Connecticut; they are abundant on the James
+River, and doubtless further south, but are not shot there; and they are
+found scattered over the fresh as well as the salt marshes throughout
+the entire country. I have killed them in the corn-fields of Illinois
+while in pursuit of the prairie chicken, and have bagged several and
+heard many among the wild rice of the drowned shores of Lake Erie. They
+are a migratory bird, and pass to the southward in the early fall rather
+in advance of the English snipe, and alight at any damp spots for a
+temporary rest wherever the growth of plants promises nutriment.
+
+They are often flushed by the snipe-shooter, together with the larger
+fresh-water rail, _rallus elegans_, and their curious cry resounds along
+the reedy marshes where the wild-fowler pursues the early ducks.
+Nevertheless, they are difficult to flush and kill where there is no
+tide to drive them from their muddy retreats, and where the ground is
+too heavy for a dog; and, comparatively speaking, on fresh water, unless
+the wind shall have caused a temporary rise, they are safe from injury.
+
+Their voices reply with the guttural “krek-krek-krek” to the noise of
+the boat, and tauntingly boast of their abundance and their security.
+Moreover, in a new country, where larger game is still plentiful, the
+excellences of the tender but diminutive rail are lost sight of by
+comparison with his more profitable compeers; and except along the
+Atlantic coast, he is known as a game-bird neither to the sportsman nor
+the cook.
+
+From the fact that he is rarely seen in the spring, and does not at that
+season give his enemies a chance to prevent his reaching his
+nesting-places at the far north--but only visits us during a few short
+weeks in the fall, and then is not much exposed, except in certain
+localities--his race will be preserved in undiminished numbers for many
+generations; the light skiffs will carry the eager city sportsman along
+the shores of the Delaware, the Hackensack, and the cove on the
+Connecticut, and the rapid reports will continue to reverberate over the
+reedy marshes.
+
+There are two varieties, the short-billed or sora-rail, _rallus
+Carolinus_; and the long-billed, or Virginia rail, _rallus Virginianus_,
+which are easily distinguished by this peculiarity, and differ, also,
+slightly in plumage. The sora-rail are by far the most numerous,
+especially along the sea-coast, and are usually referred to as “the
+rail,” but both are shot and eaten indiscriminately. Their habits, mode
+of flight, and gastronomic qualities, appear to be identical, but I
+think the Virginia rail are proportionally more numerous at the West,
+having a slight preference, perhaps, for the fresh water. Their food
+must be, however, essentially different; for while the sora, on account
+of its short bill, must be confined to the seeds of its favorite reed,
+zimosa, or the grains of the wild oats, the Virginia rail, with its
+longer bill, also draws much of its nourishment from snails and aquatic
+insects, and is considered by some less delicate in flavor than the
+former variety.
+
+About the fifth of September, before the English snipe are numerous,
+although their taunting “scaip” may be occasionally heard on their
+broad, open feeding-grounds; ere the ducks have marshalled their legions
+in retreat from the chilly blasts of the north, after the bay-birds,
+with the exception of the “short-neck,” shall have mainly passed to the
+southward, and before the quail are large enough to kill--the sportsman
+arms himself with his breech-loader, and driving to Hackensack or taking
+steamboat from Philadelphia, embarks in the slight skiff usually called
+a “rail-boat,” and practises his hand--possibly out of exercise since
+the woodcock days of early July--upon the tame and languid rail.
+
+His cartridges are prepared for the occasion; as he does not intend to
+devote more than a day or two to the amusement, he takes with him a
+light suit, appropriate to the boat and the weather, gaiter shoes,
+flannel pants and shirt, and his waterproof, to meet a temporary shower,
+and he lays in sufficient liquid for himself and his man, knowing that
+salt air produces thirst, and country inns bad spirits. Thus armed and
+equipped, if he is fortunate enough to have high tides, he is almost
+sure to enjoy fine sport, and bring home a bag of game that will furnish
+forth his table right handsomely to a goodly company, or go far and
+spread much satisfaction among his friends who may be the fortunate
+recipients. The heats of the summer solstice are over, the birds will
+keep several days with care, and the sportsman has not to dread either
+the burning sun of August or the freezing blasts of winter.
+
+Many double shots present themselves in rail-shooting; and upon the
+manner in which these are turned to account, and the brilliancy with
+which a bird that rises while the sportsman is in the act of loading, is
+covered with the hastily charged barrel and cut down, depends the
+superiority of one marksman over another. In the days of the
+muzzle-loader, I have killed many a bird with one barrel while the
+ramrod was still in the other, and have shot several with the barrels
+resting on my arm, when they had slipped from my hand in bringing the
+gun up hurriedly to my shoulder. Every single rise should be secured as
+matter-of-course, and most of the double ones, care being taken in the
+latter to obey that great rule, of always killing the more difficult
+shot first; if you shoot right-handed, as the majority of persons do,
+and one bird flies to the right and the other to the left, shoot first
+at the former, and you will have less difficulty in bringing back the
+gun towards the latter.
+
+Never relax your vigilance, as the birds rise silently, without the
+warning whistle of the woodcock or whirr of the quail, at the least
+expected moment; and if the punter attempts to direct your attention,
+the chances are ten to one that you look in the wrong quarter.
+
+The rail, while being a pleasant bird to shoot, is also a pleasant bird
+to eat. There is no variety of our wild game, large or small, that is
+more delicious; its flavor is excellent, and its tenderness beyond
+comparison; it may not have the rich full flavor of that noblest of them
+all, the big-eyed woodcock, nor the savory raciness of the full-breasted
+quail, nor the strong game taste of the stylish ruffed grouse, nor the
+unequalled richness of the kingly canvas-back--but in tender, melting
+delicacy it is hardly surpassed. If cooked in perfection, it drops to
+pieces in the mouth, leaving only a delightful residuum of enjoyment. It
+should be floated in rosy wine, and washed down with the ruby claret,
+and accompanied by fried potatoes, thin and crisp as a new bank note.
+It may be preceded by the _pièce de resistance_, and should be followed
+only by salad, which may in fact be eaten with it, if dressed with
+sufficient purity.
+
+Kill your rail handsomely in the field, missing not more than one in
+twenty, present him properly and with due appreciation on the table, and
+eat him with the gratitude that he deserves.
+
+It is only of late years that many rail were killed at the South. The
+old-time battue of the negroes at night-time, with paddles and torches,
+did not amount to much, but now hundreds are killed daily through the
+season in the rivers below Washington, although the weather is usually
+so hot that half of them spoil. In those extensive marshes, two hundred
+to a gun is a moderate day’s bag. Still the numbers of this excellent
+little bird have not sensibly diminished, and good sport is had every
+year on the Connecticut and the Delaware.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+WILD-FOWL SHOOTING.
+
+
+It is not proposed to give any extended account of wild-fowl shooting as
+practised on the waters of Long Island, or in the neighborhood of the
+great Northern cities; the unsportsmanlike modes of proceeding which are
+there in vogue, and which, while contravening all true ideas of sport,
+insult common sense by the ruthless injury they inflict, have been fully
+set forth by other writers.
+
+In stationing a battery--that imitation coffin, which should be a
+veritable one, if justice had its way, to every man who enters it--and
+in lying prone in it through the cold days of winter, the market-man may
+find his pecuniary profit, but the gentleman can receive no pleasure;
+while the permanent injury inflicted by driving away the ducks from
+their feeding-grounds, and making them timorous of stopping at all in
+waters from any and all portions of which unseen foes may arise, is ten
+times as great as the temporary advantage gained; and as for calling
+that sport, which is merely the wearisome endurance of cold and tedium
+to obtain game that might be killed more handsomely, and in the long run
+more abundantly, by other methods, is an entire misapplication of the
+word.
+
+So long as the shooter confines himself to points of land or sedge,
+whether he uses decoys or awaits the accidental passage of the birds, he
+not only permits himself a change of position and sufficient motion to
+keep his blood in circulation, but he allows the frightened flocks that
+have already lost several of their number in running the gauntlet, a
+secure retreat in the open waters, and undisturbed rest at meal time.
+And so long as this is granted them they will tarry, and trust to their
+sharp eyes and quick ears to save their lives; but when they cannot feed
+in peace, and when they can find no haven of safety in the broad expanse
+of water, they will inevitably continue their migration, and seek more
+hospitable quarters.
+
+Wild-fowl shooting, as pursued at the West, or even at the South, is
+glorious and exhilarating; there the sportsman has exercise, or the
+assistance of his faithful and intelligent retriever, and is required to
+bring into play the higher powers of his nature. He manages his own
+boat, or he stands securely upon the firm ground, and if he has not a
+canine companion, chases his crippled birds and retrieves the dead ones
+by his own unaided efforts.
+
+At the West, although the vast numbers do not collect that congregate in
+the Chesapeake Bay and Currituck Inlet, there is an independence in the
+mode of pursuit that has a peculiar charm; and from the facilities
+afforded by the nature of the ground, the excellent cover furnished by
+the high reeds, and the immense number of single shots, the average
+success is as great as in the more open waters of the Southern coast.
+
+The employment of retrievers is not general in our country, which is, by
+the character of its marshes and growth of plants, better suited for the
+full display of their capacities than any other. There are certain
+objections to the use of a dog in wild-fowl shooting, which, although
+entirely overbalanced in the writer’s opinion by the corresponding
+advantages, are unquestionably serious. The season for duck-shooting is
+mainly late and cold, when it is essential to the shooter’s comfort that
+his boat should be dry; but the dog, with every retrieved bird, comes
+back dripping with wet, and if he does not let it drain into the bottom
+of the skiff, where it “swashes” about over clothes and boots, shakes
+himself in a way to deluge with a mimic cataract every person and thing
+within yards of him.
+
+It is unreasonable to ask of the intelligent and devoted but shivering
+creature, that he should remain standing in the freezing water or upon
+the damp sedge; and if the master is as little of a brute as his
+companion, and has a spare coat, the dog will have it for a bed,
+regardless of the consequences.
+
+Nor is this the only difficulty; for unless the animal has instinctive
+judgment as well as careful training, he may in open water upset the
+frail skiff, by either jumping out of it, or clambering into it
+injudiciously. A thoughtful creature maybe taught to make his entry and
+exit over the stern, but unfortunately, some of the most enthusiastic
+and serviceable dogs have little discretion or forethought; and unless
+he is trained to perfect quiet, and broken to entire immobility at the
+most exciting moments, he is apt to interfere sadly with the sport.
+
+In spite of these inconveniences, however, the loss of many of his
+birds--amounting, amid the dense reeds of the western lakes, to nearly
+one-half of the whole number--will satisfy the sportsman that the
+retriever, with his devoted and wonderful sagacity, to say nothing of
+his delightful companionship, is a most desirable acquisition. Where the
+sportsman is forced to pursue his calling solitary and alone, so far as
+human associates are concerned, he will find the presence of his
+four-footed friend a great satisfaction, and, amid the solitary and
+unemployed midday hours, a pleasant resource.
+
+The dog is the natural companion of the sportsman--the partaker of his
+pleasures, the coadjutor of his triumphs; and whenever his peculiar
+gifts can be used to advantage, it is a gratification to both to call
+upon him. The knowledge that he will acquire in time is truly
+marvellous. Not only does he possess the power of smell, but his
+eyesight and hearing far surpass those of man; he will often discern a
+flock long before it is visible to human eyes, and his motions will warn
+his master of its approach.
+
+His training can be carried on beyond limit; his knowledge increases
+daily, and his devotion is unbounded. Of all the race, the retriever is
+probably the most intelligent; as, in fact, intelligence is one of his
+necessary qualifications. For this work no breed has the slightest value
+unless the individuals possess rare sagacity and almost human judgment.
+Some of the most valuable English dogs have been from an accidental
+cross; and a pure cur with a heavy coat is often as good as any other.
+
+There is in England a strain of dogs known as retrievers; they are
+mostly used in connexion with upland shooting, as English pointers and
+setters are not broken to fetch; but the favorite animals for wild-fowl
+shooting, which have made their name notorious in connexion with this
+specialty, have generally come from parents neither of which possesses
+the true retriever blood.
+
+In this country the best breed will have some of the Newfoundland
+strain; the animal must be clothed with a dense coat of thick hair to
+endure the severe exposure to which he is subjected, and must be endowed
+with a natural aptitude and passion for swimming. The usual color is
+dark, which, in the writer’s judgment, is a great mistake; and the only
+really distinct breed of retrievers is known as that of Baltimore.
+
+In the Southern States the dog, as an assistant in wild-fowl shooting,
+has always been in far greater repute than at the North; although the
+inland lakes of the latter, the extensive marshes closely grown up with
+tall _zimosas_, matted wild oats, and thick weeds, make his services far
+more desirable. At the South alone has any intelligent attention been
+given to raising a superior strain of retrievers; and
+
+[Illustration: SHRIMP FISHING.]
+
+whether we seek an animal that by his curious motions will toll ducks up
+to the stand, or by his natural intelligence will aid the punt-shooter
+in recovering his game, it is at the South alone that we can find any
+admitted pedigree.
+
+In the Northern States, however, the “native,” as he is called at the
+West--probably from the fact that he is invariably a foreigner--selects
+any promising pup, and by means of much flogging and steady work trains
+him to a faint knowledge of his duties. A young dog loves to fetch, and
+will take pleasure in chasing a ball thrown for him round the room, and
+if he is a water-dog, naturally brings from the water a stick cast into
+it, so that the routine part is easily impressed upon him; but an animal
+with this proficiency alone is scarcely worth keeping.
+
+A good dog must have intuitive quickness of thought and judgment; he
+must know enough to lie perfectly motionless when a flock is
+approaching; he must understand how to retrieve his birds judiciously,
+bringing the cripples first; he must have perseverance, endurance, and
+great personal vigor. A duck is cunning, and to outwit its many
+artifices and evasions the retriever must have greater shrewdness; it
+can skulk, and hide, and swim, and sneak, and he must have the patience
+to follow it, and the strength to capture it. Wonderful stories are told
+of the many exhibitions of what seems much like human reason, evinced by
+some of the celebrated retrievers.
+
+But probably the rarest quality for a dog or man to possess, and the
+most necessary to both, if they would excel in field sports, is the
+power of self-restraint. To ask an animal, trembling all over with
+delirious excitement, to lie down and remain perfectly motionless during
+those most trying moments when the ducks are approaching and being
+killed, is to demand of him a self-control greater than would be often
+found in his master. Yet upon this quality in the dog depends the entire
+question of his value or worthlessness; if he makes the slightest
+motion, the quick eyes of the birds are sure to discern it; and if he
+bounces up at the first discharge, he will certainly destroy his
+master’s chance of using his second barrel, and perhaps upset him over
+the side of the boat.
+
+It is to avoid the sharp eyes of the ducks that a black color for the
+dog has been condemned. Amid the yellow and brown reeds of the marshes,
+or upon the reflective surface of the open water, black, from its
+capacity for absorbing the rays of light, is visible at an immense
+distance. Yellow, brown, or grey are the best shades; and any color is
+preferable to black. Red is selected by the Southerners for their
+tolling dogs, but this is with the purpose of making them attractive.
+
+Many persons conceive that a dark coat is warmer for an animal than
+white, an idea that is carried into practice in the ordinary winter
+dress of human beings; but it is refuted not only by the simplest
+principles of science, but by the natural covering of the animals that
+inhabit the cold climes of the north. The polar bear is clothed in
+white, while the southern bear is of a deep black; and many of the
+animals and some birds that pass the winter in the arctic regions,
+change their dress in winter from dark to grey or pure white.
+
+Undoubtedly with a retriever the first point is to consider his
+protection against cold; plunging as he does at short intervals into
+water at a low temperature, and exposed when emerging to the still
+colder blasts of Æolus, he must be rendered comfortable as far as
+possible at the sacrifice of every other consideration. This is attained
+by the thickness more than the color of his coat; and the writer has
+always fancied, whether correctly or not, that curly hair is warmer than
+straight hair.
+
+The matted coat of the Newfoundland dogs--the smaller breed being
+preferable by reason of size--is extremely warm, and where its color is
+modified by judicious crossing, is all that can be desired; while the
+instinctive intelligence, the devotion, faithfulness, docility, and
+interest in the sport, of these admirable animals, fit them in an
+extraordinary degree for wild-fowl shooting. Coming from the north and
+accustomed to playing in the water, they can, without danger, face the
+element in its coldest state; and whether it be to chase a stick thrown
+into the waves by their youthful human playmates, or to recover ducks
+shot by their sporting owner, they take naturally to all aquatic
+amusements.
+
+Nevertheless, as has been heretofore remarked, although it is well to
+have a slight strain of the Newfoundland, no distinct breed is necessary
+to make a good retriever. Our ordinary setters are sometimes
+unsurpassable for the purpose; and any tractable dog, if well trained,
+will answer in a measure.
+
+How different it is to stand in the narrow skiff among the tall reeds at
+early dawn, with the eager and expectant, though humble, associate,
+crouched in the bottom upon his especial mat, and there in the
+increasing light that paints the east with many changing hues, to single
+out the best chances from the passing flocks, and have your skill doubly
+enhanced by the intelligent cooperation of your companion; than to lie,
+cramped, cold, and suffering, all through the weary hours, stretched at
+full length upon your back with eyes staring up to Heaven and straining
+to catch a glimpse of the horizon over your beard or forehead; and
+occasionally to rise to an equally constrained posture that is neither
+sitting nor lying, and do your best to discharge your gun with some
+judgment at a passing flock of fowl! Who can hesitate in selecting the
+mode in which he will pursue the sport of wild-fowl shooting? Most of
+the favorite varieties of ducks, including many that are known among
+ornithologists as sea-ducks, _fuligulæ_, are found in the many scattered
+ponds, the shallow marshes, or the extensive inland seas of the great
+west; while the swans and geese are shot, the former along the larger
+rivers and lakes, and the latter in the corn-fields. It is true that the
+enormous flocks that collect in the lagoons and bays of the South are
+rarely seen; but the flight of small bodies or single birds is more
+continuous, and probably the total number even larger.
+
+It is impossible to particularize localities as pre-eminent for this
+sport where so many are good; and the swamps, rivers, lakes, cultivated
+fields, and even open prairies of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,
+Iowa, Nebraska, Dakota, Colorado, Minnesota, and Wyoming, and the
+Western country generally, abound in their seasons with various
+descriptions of wild-fowl. An English sportsman, who had spent many
+years in the West, gave it as his opinion that the best place for all
+varieties of sport in the world was Southern Minnesota.
+
+Although the use of a light skiff is always desirable and adds
+enormously to the comfort of the shooter, circumstances will often arise
+that will deprive him of its use; and in such case he has no better
+resource than to don his long wading boots, and tramp through the
+shallow water until he comes to a favorable spot, perhaps the deserted
+house of a family of beavers; and there, perched upon its summit and
+concealed by the surrounding reeds, to resign himself to the inevitable
+inconveniences of his position. When his feet grow cold in spite of
+their india-rubber casing, and his muscles weary for want of rest, he
+will long for the dry skiff; and when he comes to “back” his load of
+game--consisting, if he is successful, of geese, canvas-backs,
+red-heads, mallards, blue-bills, widgeons, and perhaps a swan--across
+the muddy flats a mile or two to dry land, he will long for it still
+more intensely.
+
+For shooting ducks the best weather is dark, or even rainy, as at such
+times the birds fly closer to the earth, being unable to follow their
+course, and do not perceive the sportsman so readily. But as a natural
+consequence, the sportsman’s ammunition becomes damp and his clothes
+wet, while the old-fogy owner of the muzzle-loader will unjustly
+anathematize Eley’s water-proof caps when his gun misses fire, instead
+of blaming his own stupidity. The insides of barrels will foul and the
+outsides rust; the loading-stick will become dirty and the sportsman’s
+hands and face grimy; and then the happy possessor of the breech-loader,
+when he handles his clean cartridges, although one occasionally may
+stick, will thank his good fortune and bless Lefaucheaux.
+
+A strong wind forces the birds out of their safe course, up and down the
+open “leads,” upon the various points where the fowler, selecting the
+most favorable by watching the flight, takes his stand; and, when they
+are heading against it, reduces their speed from the lightning rate of
+ninety miles an hour to reasonable deliberation; but when they are
+travelling with it, renders the art of killing them one of no easy
+acquisition.
+
+In shooting wild-fowl, or in fact any rapid flying birds, it is
+necessary to aim ahead of them--not that the gun is actually fired ahead
+of them, but to allow for the time, hardly perceptible to man, but
+noticeable in the changed position of the birds, necessary to discharge
+the piece; and the distance allowed must depend not only on the rapidity
+of their flight, but on the customary quickness of the marksman. The
+great fault of sportsmen is, that they shoot below and behind their
+birds; and this is particularly apt to be the case where the game, as
+with wild-fowl, appears to move more slowly than it really does.
+
+To the novice in this peculiar sport, the second difficulty to overcome
+will be the inability to judge distances. Not only do objects appear
+over the water nearer than they really are, but there is no neighboring
+object that will aid the judgment in coming to a correct conclusion; and
+by changes in the weather birds in the air will seem to be nearer or
+further off, and their plumage will be more or less distinctly visible,
+according to circumstances. After several days’ experience in dark,
+cloudy weather, the greatest proficient will, on the first ensuing day
+of bright sunshine, throw away many useless shots at impracticable
+distances.
+
+There is no criterion to determine the distance of any bird high above
+the horizon, and any recommendation to wait till the eyes can be
+seen--the book-maker’s rule--is worse than useless; it is a matter of
+experience and judgment.
+
+There is no better time to kill ducks than when they are coming head on,
+the commonly promulgated idea that their feathers will turn the heavy
+shot being simply absurd; and all the marksman has to do is to cover his
+bird, pitch his gun a trifle upwards, and pull the trigger.
+
+In the matter of ammunition, the high numbers of shot and the light
+charges of powder of old times have changed by general consent; and for
+ducks, one ounce and a quarter of No. 4 or 5, and perhaps No. 3 late in
+the season, and of No. 1 or 2 for geese, driven out of the ordinary
+field-gun by three and a half drachms of powder, will be found
+preferable. I say a field-gun, because, although the heavy duck-gun,
+with its enormous charge of six drachms of powder and three ounces of
+shot, is undoubtedly more killing when discharged into large flocks, the
+waste of ammunition would be immense were it used at the scattering
+flight of the western country.
+
+Many kinds of wild-fowl will, like bay-snipe, be attracted by an
+imitation of their cry; and, when decoys are used, the mastery of these
+calls is necessary to the proficiency of the bayman. But at the West,
+where the use of decoys is not customary, and where the nature of the
+ground prevents full advantage being obtained from these devices, a
+knowledge of the art is not so necessary. Nevertheless, there is
+something thrilling in the “honk” of the wild goose; when it is heard,
+the sportsman is earnest in his efforts to imitate it, and if
+successful--which he often is, for the bird responds readily--is not
+only proud of the result, but amply rewarded for his skill.
+
+In shooting from any species of cover, when ducks are approaching, it is
+more important not to move than to be well hid; the slightest motion
+startles and alarms the birds, that would possibly have approached the
+sportsman in full view if he had remained motionless. If they are
+suddenly perceived near at hand while the sportsman is standing erect,
+let him remain so without stirring a muscle, and not attempt to dodge
+down into the blind. The ducks may not notice him--especially if his
+dress is of a suitable color--among the reeds, but will inevitably catch
+sight of the least movement.
+
+So much for general suggestions and advice, which will be regarded or
+disregarded by the gentlemen for whom this work is written, much
+according to their previously conceived ideas; and which may or may not
+be correct according to the opportunities of judging, and the skill of
+turning them to account, of the writer; and now we will record a few
+personal experiences, in the hope, if not of further elucidating and
+supporting the views herein expressed, of furnishing the reader with
+more interesting matter.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+DUCK-SHOOTING ON THE INLAND LAKES.
+
+
+Out West--’way out West--a very long distance from our eastern cities in
+miles, but, thanks to steam and iron, a very short one in hours, upon an
+island lying in a bay that debouches into one of the great chain of
+lakes, is situated a large, neat, white-painted and comfortable house,
+where a club of sportsmen meet to celebrate the advent and presence of
+the wild ducks. The mansion--for it deserves that name from its extent
+and many conveniences--peeps out from amid the elms and hickories that
+cover the point upon which it stands, almost concealed in summer by
+their foliage, but in winter protected, as it were, by their bare, gaunt
+limbs. From the piazza that extends along the front a plank pathway
+leads to the wharf, which shelves into the water, like the levees on the
+Mississippi, and down or up which each sportsman can, unaided, run his
+light boat at his own sweet will. Adjoining the wharf is the out-house,
+where the boats are stored in tiers, one above another, and are
+protected summer and winter from the weather. Not far off stands that
+most important building, a commodious ice-house, suggestive of the
+luxuries and comforts that a better acquaintance with the ways of the
+place will realize.
+
+The island is not large, but wherever it is tillable, a garden, orchard,
+and grapery have been planted, and furnish the household with delicious
+fruit and vegetables. Quail have been introduced, and, being protected
+by the regulations of the establishment, have increased and multiplied;
+and wild turkeys occasionally commit upon the vines depredations which
+are condignly punished. It is a lovely spot, far from other habitations,
+and affords shelter during the fall months to as pleasant a set of
+sportsmen as can be found the world over.
+
+The President, with his short figure and grey hair, but sharp, clear
+eye, was selected for his superior success as a marksman, and rarely
+returns from a day’s excursion without a boat-load of game. The
+Vice-President and Secretary are the only other officers, and upon their
+fiat it depends whether any outsider shall trespass upon their inland
+Paradise. Promiscuous invitations were once extended to the brethren of
+the gun and rod, but so many spurious counterfeits presented themselves,
+that a stringent rule had to be adopted to exclude all but the genuine
+article.
+
+The shooting lasts from the 1st of September till the chill breath of
+winter closes the bay and drives the birds to more hospitable
+localities. It is pursued in a small, light, flat-bottomed boat,
+similar, on a larger pattern, to the rail-boats used on the Delaware.
+Each boat is provided with a pair of oars working on pins that fit into
+outriggers; and also with a long setting-pole, which has a bent wire,
+like a tiny two-pronged pitchfork, on the end, to catch against the
+reeds in poling. A place is made to rest the gun on upon one of the
+thwarts; an ammunition-box, containing separate compartments for shot of
+several sizes, wads, and caps, is stowed away in the bottom, and a heavy
+loading-stick, in addition to the ramrod, is carried. Two guns are an
+absolute necessity, unless the sportsman has a breech-loader; for many
+birds are crippled and require a second shot before they escape into the
+thick weeds, where they are hopelessly lost; and when the flight is
+rapid, he requires, at least, four barrels, and would be thankful if he
+could manage more.
+
+The bay, which stretches in vast extent, is filled with high reeds and
+wild rice, and rarely exceeds a few feet in depth except where open
+passages mark the deeper channels. It is a matter of no little intricacy
+for a stranger to find his way, and after nightfall the oldest _habitué_
+will often become bewildered, as the various bunches of weeds, tufts of
+rice, or stretches of pond lilies look alike, and when a southerly wind
+is blowing the water falls and leaves all but the deep channels nearly
+or quite bare. If a man under such circumstances once loses his course
+he may as well make up his mind to pass the night in his boat; though he
+work himself almost to death trying to pole over bare spots, he will but
+travel in a circle and grow momentarily more bewildered.
+
+I landed at the wharf in the middle of October, of a year ever famous
+for the immense numbers of birds that were killed during it, and met
+with a hearty greeting from a goodly company collected round the
+groaning board of mine host of the white-flowing locks. There was our
+worthy President, and our Secretary and Treasurer gracefully combined in
+one; there our lucky man and the unlucky man, and there a famous
+black-bass fisherman, and there my special friend, and others of lesser
+note.
+
+We sat down to tea with roasted canvas-backs at one end of the table,
+broiled steaks at the other, and beautiful potatoes flanking each that
+had been raised on our own premises and were tumbling to white
+particles, as though they were trying to be flour; jolly, round, baked
+apples sitting complacently in their own juice, vegetables of all sorts,
+grapes from our grapery, and so many other inward comforts that one
+hardly knew where to begin and never knew where to leave off. Our comely
+hostess, who had prepared these good things, poured out the tea for us,
+and put in sly remarks to her favorites; and, altogether, it was truly
+pleasant.
+
+After tea and adjournment to the sitting-room, while enjoying the
+practical cigar or comfortable pipe, we discussed the varied fortunes of
+the day and the probabilities of the morrow; compared views on the
+habits of fish, flesh, or fowl, and related experiences of former
+expeditions. But eager for the morning sun, we retired early and dreamed
+of victory.
+
+As soon as the lazy dawn streaked the east, dressing being done by
+candle-light, we hastily disposed of our breakfast and prepared for the
+start. Having selected our boats and arranged them on the wharf, we
+stowed our guns, ammunition-boxes, over-clothes, a few decoys, and such
+other articles as fancy suggested; and then taking two little tin pails,
+we put a nice lunch of cold duck, steak, bread, pickles, cake, and fruit
+in one, and into the other water with a large lump of ice bobbing around
+in the centre; and thus equipped, each man slid his boat down the
+inclined wharf, and shipping his oars, pulled for his favorite location.
+
+My friend and myself joined forces, and made our first pause at a little
+bunch of wild rice not far from the house, called Fort Ossawatomie.
+Decoys are not generally used in this region, as they cannot be seen
+from any considerable distance by the birds on account of the reeds; but
+my friend had left his at this place over night, and they were still
+“bobbing around”--pretending to swim and looking deceitfully
+innocent--when we ensconced ourselves among the reeds near by, crowding
+down into the bottom of our boats well out of view.
+
+Several flocks were seen hovering over the horizon, or moving along in
+the distance, scarcely discernible against the morning clouds; and
+although occasionally they bade fair to approach, our hopes were,
+destined to disappointment, till a single bird turned and headed
+directly towards us. When a bird is approaching head on, it is almost
+impossible to tell whether he is not going directly from you; and at
+times, except for his growing plainer every moment, we should have
+doubted which way this bird was flying. Once he turned, from a change of
+fancy or fearing danger, but perceiving some other cause of alarm he
+again straightened his course towards us.
+
+We were bent down, peering eagerly through the high reeds, as at last he
+came by, within a long gunshot, on the side of my companion. The latter,
+rising at the exact moment, wheeled round, brought up his gun, and fired
+in an instant. It was just within range, but the bird turned over,
+killed dead, and fell with a great splash into the water, sending the
+spray six feet into the air. Seizing the pole, I pushed out to him, and
+found that he was a blue-bill, one of the best birds of the Western
+waters, and at this time in perfection.
+
+We again concealed ourselves; but noticing that the birds shunned the
+spot, I determined to leave it, and pushed out alone to one of the
+principal landmarks, where the landscape presents so great a
+uniformity--a large umbrella-like elm upon the distant shore. I did not
+follow the regular channel; and at first the way was a difficult one,
+being directly through a fringe of wild rice, where the water was
+shallow and the stalks reached high above my head, but beyond, an open
+patch of water-lilies stretched for half a mile.
+
+The broad, smooth leaves of this remarkable plant, far larger than those
+of the pond-lilies of the Eastern States, lay in numbers upon, or half
+buried in, the water; while standing up a few feet above its surface
+with their straight stems, and gracefully waving in the wind, were the
+cup-like pods that contain the seeds.
+
+When the pods first form the seeds are entirely hidden from view, but as
+they increase in size, holes form in the covering, through which they
+peep as through a window. The seeds and pod are originally green, but
+darken and turn blue, and then brown, as the season advances; and the
+holes, which begin by being small, become larger till they open
+sufficiently for the seeds to fall out. The seeds or berries are
+elliptical in shape and of almost the size of a chestnut; in the green
+state they are soft, and can be readily cut with a knife; but when ripe
+and black, they are as hard as stone, and will turn the edge of a knife
+like agate.
+
+When about half ripe, or bluish in color, they are good to eat, and
+after the removal of a little green sprout hidden in the centre, are
+sweet, tasting much the same as a chestnut. As they ripen and their
+covering recedes, their stems hold them upright; but the first heavy
+frost breaks down the stems, and lets the seed fall out into the water,
+where they lie till next year.
+
+The working of nature is wonderful, as no one observes more frequently
+than the sportsman; all this care is taken to preserve the seeds for
+their appointed work. If they were permitted to fall out when green or
+even half ripe, the action of the water would soften and destroy them;
+extreme hardness is necessary to resist its action for so long a time;
+while, on the other hand, if they were retained longer and exposed to
+excessive cold, their germinating principle would be annihilated.
+
+Wood-ducks are fond of them in their unripe state, and frequent the
+marshes, especially in the early fall, to procure a supply. With a view
+to nuts and grapes for dessert, I paused to gather a number of pods, and
+was carelessly pushing along, when from out a bunch of weeds, with a
+great clatter, sprang a couple of those birds. Dropping the
+setting-pole, I threw myself forward to seize the gun; but for this
+shooting, infinite practice and great aptitude are required; and
+although well accustomed to kill rail from the floating cockleshells on
+the Delaware river, and able to take one end of a birch canoe with any
+man, I was bunglingly in my own way, and, when at last one barrel was
+discharged, a shameful miss was the only result. Anathematizing my
+awkwardness, I was dropping the butt to reload, when, roused by the
+report, another bird sprang not more than twenty yards off. In an
+instant the gun was at my shoulder, and, when the fire streamed forth,
+the bird doubled up, riddled with shot, and pitched forward into the
+weeds. It was a drake, and, although young, the plumage was resplendent
+with the green, brown, and mottle of the most beautiful denizen of our
+waters--the elegant wood-duck.
+
+Several more rose, far out of range, before the lilies were passed and
+my destination in the open channel reached. Stopping on the brink of the
+latter, to watch the flight of the birds, I noticed that they
+frequently crossed a reedy island in the middle of the channel, and
+consequently proceeded to conceal myself in what among our association
+is called the Little Bunker. It was an admirable location; the channel
+on each side did not exceed one hundred yards in width, and the weather
+having become thick, with an easterly wind blowing and a slight rain
+driving, the promise of sport was excellent.
+
+Once fairly hidden, and my work commenced; bird after bird and flock
+after flock approached, and although the boat, even while pressed in
+among and steadied by the stiff reeds, was far from firm, a goodly
+number was soon collected. How much more exhilarating is this noble
+sport as it is pursued in the West than upon our Atlantic coast, where,
+stretched upon his back in a coffin-like battery, the sportsman has to
+lie for hours cooling his heels and exhausting his patience! There he is
+not confined to one position; but, after shooting down a bird, has the
+excitement of pushing after it, and, if it is only wounded, of following
+it, perhaps in a long chase before it is retrieved; and then he must
+make all haste to return to the hiding-place, over which the birds are
+flying finely in his absence, and thus he keeps up a glow and fire of
+activity and exercise.
+
+It is a glorious sight to see a noble flock of ducks approach; to watch
+them with trembling alternations of fear and hope as they waver in their
+course, as they crowd together or separate, as they swing first one
+flank of their array forward, then the other; as they draw nearer and
+nearer, breathlessly to wait the proper time, and, with quick eye and
+sure aim, select a pair, or perhaps more, with each barrel. It is still
+more glorious to see them fall--doubled up if killed dead, turning over
+and over if shot in the head, and slanting down if only wounded, driving
+up the spray in mimic fountains as they strike; and glorious, too, the
+chase after the wounded--with straining muscles to follow his rapid
+wake, and, when he dives, catching the first glimpse of his reappearance
+to plant the shot from an extra gun in a vital spot. Glorious to survey
+the prizes, glorious to think over and relate the successful event, and
+glorious to listen to the tales of others.
+
+Sad, however, is it when the flock turns off and pushes far out to the
+open water; sadder still when the aim is not true and the bird goes by
+uninjured; sad when the chase is unsuccessful and the weeds hide the
+prey, or he dives to grasp a root and never reappears; and saddest of
+all to fall overboard out of your frail bark--A fate that sooner or
+later awaits every one that shoots ducks from little boats.
+
+I had had all these experiences except the last, and almost that--when
+pushing through the weeds, my friend appeared, attracted by my rapid
+firing, and after comparing our respective counts, ensconced himself in
+one of the points opposite me on the channel. By this plan all birds
+that came between us gave one or the other a shot, and each could mark
+birds approaching the other from behind.
+
+The morning passed rapidly away amid splendid shooting, and noon found
+us united in my hiding-place to eat a sociable meal together. During the
+middle of the day the birds repose, and the sportsman employs the time
+in satisfying the cravings of hunger or even in a nap, interrupted
+though he may be in either by an occasional whirr of wings, that, when
+it is too late, informs him of lost opportunities.
+
+We talked over matters. As the day had cleared off and become warm, the
+prospect of sport for some hours at least was over, and my friend
+suggested we should visit the snipe ground. To approve the suggestion,
+to push out and to ship our oars, was the work of a moment, and we were
+soon at Mud Creek bridge, a pull of about two miles through an open
+lead, from which the ducks were continuously springing on our approach.
+Having anchored our boats a short distance from shore, to prevent the
+wild hogs paying us a visit, we waded to land, and substituting small
+shot for the heavy charges in our guns, walked a few yards up the road
+and crossed the fence.
+
+I had brought my setter with me, and he had proved himself a model of
+quietness in the boat, from the bottom of which he had raised his head
+only once all day; when my first duck dropped he rose on his haunches,
+and watching where it fell, sniffed at it as I pushed up, and then,
+satisfied he had no part in such sport, lay down to sleep.
+
+The moment he touched land his vigor returned; at a motion, he darted
+out into the meadow of alternating broad slanks and high field grass
+that lay before us, and ere he had traversed fifty yards, as he
+approached an open spot, hesitated, drew cautiously, and finally paused
+on a firm point. Stepping to him as fast as the impressible nature of
+the ground permitted, we flushed three birds, rising as they are apt to
+do one after the other, and killed two, one springing wide and escaping
+unshot at.
+
+While going to retrieve the dead birds we flushed two more, both of
+which were bagged, one a long shot, wing-tipped, and not recovered till
+some time afterwards; for, ere we reached him, we had sprung a dozen,
+most of which were duly accounted for. The missed birds, after circling
+round high in the air, returned to the neighborhood of their original
+locality, and pitching down head-foremost, concealed themselves among
+the high grass near enough to lure us to their pursuit.
+
+The walking was terribly hard; the clayey mud uncommonly tenacious; the
+day was already well advanced, and splendid as was the sport, we
+resolved, after having pretty well exhausted ourselves and bagged
+twenty-six birds, that we must hasten back to the rice swamp, or we
+should lose the evening’s shooting.
+
+We returned to our boats, and stowing the game, pulled with the utmost
+vigor down the channel of Mud Creek, and in a short time were again
+hidden among the high reeds, awaiting the ducks. This time my friend
+selected a spot near a sort of semi-island, that was submerged or not,
+according to the state of the water, and near which was a favorite
+roosting-place.
+
+The sun was leisurely dropping down the western sky, throwing his
+slanting rays across the broad bay, and lighting up the distant
+club-house as by a fire. The fringe of land, trees, and bushes, that
+shut out the horizon and rose but little above the water level, was
+growing dim and hazy of outline. The wind had died away; and stillness,
+but for the quacking of the ducks, the splashing of the coots, or
+so-called mud-hens, and the occasional report of a gun, reigned supreme.
+A lethargy seemed to have fallen upon the birds; a distant flock alone
+would at long intervals greet our eyes, and for some time our evening’s
+sport bade fair to prove a failure.
+
+However, as the sun was about to sink, the birds began to arrive, at
+first one or two at a time, then more rapidly and in larger flocks, till
+at last it was one steady stream and whirr of wings. Faster than we
+could load, faster than we could shoot, or could have shot had we had
+fifty guns, from all quarters and of all kinds they streamed past; now
+the sharp whistle of the teal, then the rush of the mallard, sometimes
+high over our heads, at others darting close beside us; by ones, by
+twos, by dozens, by hundreds, crowded together in masses or stretched in
+open lines, in all variety of ways, but in one uninterrupted flight.
+
+Such shooting rarely blesses the fortunate sportsman; we drove down our
+charges as best we could, sometimes having one barrel loaded or half
+loaded, sometimes the other, oftener neither, when we were interrupted
+with such glorious chances; our nerves, eyes, and muscles were on the
+strain, and to this day we have only to regret that we did not then
+possess a breech-loader.
+
+The air was alive with birds; the rustle of their wings made one
+continuous hum; the heavy flocks approached and passed us with a sound
+like the gusty breeze of an autumn night rattling through the dying
+leaves. When the sun fled and darkness seemed to spring up around us,
+they appeared in the most unexpected and bewildering manner; at one time
+from out of the glorious brilliancy of the western sky, then from the
+deep gloom of the opposite quarter, darting across us or plunging down
+into the weeds near by.
+
+Our birds lay where they fell, and when the approaching night bade us
+depart, we retrieved sixty-seven--the result of about one hour’s
+shooting--doubtless losing numbers that were not noticed, or which,
+being wounded, escaped. Had we not been awkward from a year’s idleness,
+or had we shot as the professionals of Long Island and each used a
+breech-loader, I could hardly say how many we might not have killed. As
+it was, the sport was wonderful, and the result sufficient to satisfy
+our ambition.
+
+We lost no time in escaping from the weeds into the channel-ways,
+whither the open-water ducks--the red-heads and canvas-backs--had
+preceded us, and were still directing their flight; and then started for
+the few dim trees that we knew surrounded the club-house, rousing in our
+course immense flocks of the worthless American coot, _Fulica
+Americana_, the mud-hen of the natives.
+
+The wharf reached, the boats landed, supper over, the birds counted and
+registered, the social pipe illumined, and we gathered in a circle round
+the fire of our parlor for improving conversation.
+
+“How many birds have we killed this year?” inquired a member.
+
+“The record shows a goodly total of 2,351,” replied the Secretary,
+turning to the register; “almost as many already as the entire return of
+last season, during which we only killed 2,908.”
+
+“And the better varieties seem this year to be more numerous.”
+
+“In that particular there is surprising uniformity from year to year.
+Last season the return is made up as follows: canvas-backs, 246;
+red-heads, 122; blue-bills, 395; mallards, 540; dusky-ducks, 108;
+wood-ducks, 601; blue-winged teal, 474; green-winged teal, 39; widgeons,
+204; pin-tails, 50; gadwalls, 67; spoonbills, 11; ruddy-ducks, 2;
+butter-balls, 7; geese, 2; quail, 14; cormorants, 2; turkeys, 3; great
+hell-diver, 1; and this year the average is about the same.”
+
+“But I think,” said the President, “the canvas-backs and red-heads are
+earlier and better than usual.”
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“They are rather earlier in making their appearance abundantly. The
+variation is never great, however, and the birds appear in the following
+order: the wood-ducks first, being plentiful early in September; the
+blue-winged teal begin to surpass them about the 20th of that month, and
+soon afterward the mallards arrive; widgeons are abundant by the middle
+of October, and canvas-backs and red-heads are the latest.”
+
+“Ah,” burst forth the unlucky man, enthusiastically, “the wood-duck
+shooting is my favorite; when they rise from the lilies they are easier
+to kill than when flying past at full speed; and you have a punter to
+pole the boat and help mark the wounded birds.”
+
+“October has my preference,” responded the President, with glowing eye;
+“the large ducks--the mallards, canvas-backs, and red-heads--have then
+arrived; the blue-bills and teal are numerous; and, when a single teal
+flies past, a man has to know how to handle his gun to keel him over
+handsomely.”
+
+“But mallards dodge, when you rise to shoot, at the report of the first
+barrel; and red-heads and canvas-backs, if not killed stone dead, dive
+and swim off under water, or, catching the weeds in their bills, hold on
+after death and never reappear. Have you noticed the large teeth, or
+nicks, in the bills, especially of red-heads?”
+
+“Yes. Those long, recurved teeth aid them in tearing up the wild celery,
+on which they feed. I have had them serve me the trick you complain of
+when they were at the last gasp--so nearly dead, that I have pushed out
+and been on the point of picking them up. When not so badly hurt, they
+will swim off with their bill only projecting above the surface, and if
+there is the least wind this is entirely invisible. The trick is known
+to others of the duck family; even the ingenuous wood-duck will have
+recourse to the same mean subterfuge occasionally, as one that was but
+slightly wounded proved to me to-day.”
+
+“Is it true,” inquired the fisherman, “that other ducks steal from the
+canvas-backs the wild celery that they have exhausted themselves in
+procuring?”
+
+“The widgeons have the credit of doing so; but I have never seen, and
+somewhat doubt it. The canvas-back is too large and strong a duck to be
+readily trifled with, and is by no means exhausted by diving to the
+depth of a few feet after celery. This celery, as we call it--which has
+a long, delicate leaf, resembling broad-grass, and bears the name of
+_Zostera valisneria_ among the botanists--grows in water about five feet
+deep, and its roots furnish the favorite and most fattening food of the
+canvas-backs, red-heads, and, strange to say, mud-hens. The widgeon is
+not a large nor powerful duck; can dive no further than to put its head
+under water, while its tail stands perpendicularly above the surface;
+and, although a terrible torment to the weak and gentle mud-hen, would
+think twice before incensing the fierce and powerful canvas-back. Of a
+calm day it is amusing to watch the flocks of noisy mud-hens, collected
+in front of the club-house, diving for their food, and being robbed of
+it by the widgeons. The latter swims rapidly among them, and no sooner
+does he espy one coming to the surface, with his bill full of celery,
+than he pounces upon and carries it off. He is watchful and voracious,
+and quickly devours the food; while the injured mud-hen, with a resigned
+look, takes a long breath and dives for another morsel.”
+
+“Do they not combine to drive the robber away?”
+
+“Occasionally; but he minds their blows as little as their scoldings,
+and generally swims off with his prize. The canvas-back, however, would
+soon teach him better manners.”
+
+“Are the western canvas-backs as delicate and high-flavored as those of
+the Chesapeake?”
+
+“Fully so, as my friends in New York, who have been fortunate enough to
+share my luck, have often testified. Of course, when they first come
+they are thin and poor, but having the same food as is found in the
+Chesapeake, and being less disturbed, they soon attain excellent
+condition, and are entirely free from the slightest sedgy flavor.”
+
+“That sedgy or fishy taste is confined mainly to birds shot on the salt
+water, and is rarely found in any birds killed upon the inland lakes, so
+that many--for instance the bay-snipe--that are barely passable when
+shot along the coast, are excellent in the interior.”
+
+“And yet the naturalists class the canvas-back among _fuligulæ_, or sea
+ducks.”
+
+“That arises from some scientific peculiarity, and is not universal. He
+is certainly a fresh-water duck, and thousands are shot here yearly.”
+
+“I lose a great many crippled birds,” said the unlucky man,
+meditatively; “I wonder what becomes of them all?”
+
+“Many die, a few recover, some are frozen in when the bay freezes over;
+after the first hard frost large numbers can be picked up, but they are
+so poor as only to be fit to send to the New York market. Most sportsmen
+lose many ducks that they should recover; considerable practice is
+required to mark well, but the search after a bird should be thorough,
+and not lightly abandoned. The boat, when pushed into the reeds, must be
+so placed that it can be easily shoved off, and the pole kept ready for
+instant use. If, however, a mallard is only wounded, and falls into the
+weeds, it is useless to go after him.
+
+“On the other hand, if a canvas-back, but slightly touched, falls in
+open water, he will be rarely recovered; the one hides in the weeds, the
+other dives and swims under water prodigiously. The mallard and
+canvas-back are the types of two classes--the former is a marsh duck,
+the latter an open-water duck. The mallard lives on the pond-lily seeds,
+and affects the shallow, muddy pond-holes; the canvas-back seeks the
+broad channels, and devours the roots of plants; the one dodges at the
+flash, of the gun or sight of the sportsman, the other moves
+majestically onward, regardless of the havoc that the heavy discharges
+make in his ranks. Of nearly the same size, of unsurpassable delicacy on
+the table, of equal vigor, they differ utterly in their habits.”
+
+“Speaking of types,” said the unlucky man, recalling unpleasant
+reminiscences of numerous misses, “you might call blue-bills types of
+the fast-flying and dodging ducks. When they come down before a stiff
+wind, and are making their best time, lightning is slow by comparison,
+and shot does not seem to me to go quite fast enough.”
+
+“They are the scaup or broad-bill of the East, _Fuligula Marila_, and
+are aptly termed the bullet-winged duck. They are undoubtedly the most
+difficult duck to kill that flies. I have known a thorough sportsman and
+excellent shot on quail, shoot all day at them without killing one. You
+must make great allowance for their speed.”
+
+“And, moreover,” added the President, “you must load properly; there
+must be powder enough behind the shot to send it clear through the bird;
+one pellet driven in that way will kill a bird that would carry off a
+dozen lodged beneath the skin or in the flesh.”
+
+“Perhaps so, but I doubt its feasibility,” was the response; “no small
+shot was ever, in my opinion, driven through the body of a duck with any
+charge of powder at over thirty yards. I use light powder and plenty of
+shot.”
+
+This announcement was received with unanimous dissent, and the President
+expressed the general feeling when he continued--
+
+“Heavy shot will make a gun recoil painfully; but if the shot is light
+the charge of powder may be large without producing unpleasant effects;
+the shot will be driven quick and strong, and the bird deprived of life
+instantaneously. Perhaps the pellets are not driven through the body,
+but the blow is severer and the shock is more stunning. I use one ounce
+of shot and three drachms of powder, and would prefer to increase rather
+than diminish the powder. It is a mistake to suppose powder does not
+burn because black particles fall to the ground if it is fired over snow
+or white paper; these, I take it, are flakes of charcoal and not powder,
+and some will fall, no matter how light may be the load.”
+
+“For my part,” persisted the unlucky man, “I think the crippling of
+birds arises from our inability to judge distances, and from our firing
+at birds out of reasonable range. The patent breech was meant to remedy
+the necessity for such heavy charges of powder as are used in the
+old-fashioned flint-locks. Johnston, the author of an admirable treatise
+on shooting, which is now out of print, is my authority, and he says
+that an over-charge of powder makes a gun scatter prodigiously without
+adding proportionately to the force.”
+
+“That depends upon the character of the bore,” answered the Secretary;
+“if it is relieved at the breech, and after narrowing above, made a
+perfect cylinder towards the muzzle, the more the powder the better it
+will shoot.”
+
+Seeing that an interminable discussion was about to open, branching
+off, in all likelihood, into the comparative qualities of powder and
+manufactures of guns, the President interposed.
+
+I slipped off and went to bed. Being a comparative stranger at the club
+house, for this was the first year of my membership, I had made it a
+rule to follow the advice and direction of the older habitues, but I
+wanted to get a chance to try some experiments of my own. This would
+require a little preparation for which I needed the early hours before
+the others should be up.
+
+As I have said, the members were not at the time of which I am writing
+in the habit of using decoys. There was a prejudice against them, their
+weight in the boat was an admitted disadvantage, which it was claimed
+was not compensated by any corresponding benefit. My experience in a
+country where birds were not so plenty, assured me that this was a
+mistake, but having come to the club house unexpectedly, I had not
+brought my decoys with me, and had to rely upon such substitutes as
+could be got up on the spur of the moment. It was with the intention of
+preparing these that I retired so early.
+
+In those ancient days of Western civilization, it was the habit not only
+to put several beds in one room, but often to devote one bed to the
+accommodation of two men, but by being content with a very small
+apartment, I had succeeded in getting a room all to myself. The bedstead
+was nothing more than a cot, none too long and by no means too wide.
+There was a feather bed on it, a couch we Eastern people do not always
+approve, but which has its compensations of a cold night in a loosely
+framed house. When I had once felt the insidious wind creeping down my
+back where the clothes left an open place for it, I learned the
+superiority of experience to theory. I slept, however, as only the just
+and the sportsman sleep, my head dropping into unconsciousness as it
+touched the pillow, and never returning to it until the daylight
+penetrated the open window with its welcome rays--sleep without a dream,
+such as youth and health and tired nature only know.
+
+Next morning I borrowed a saw and a hatchet, all the tools that the
+place boasted, and fashioned as best I could some floats. These I
+carefully concealed in my boat, and said nothing about them. After
+breakfast, when we pushed off, I took my course alone. I went pretty
+well up into the marsh, in fact as far as in my ignorance of the
+intricacies of the swamp I dared. I chose a point between two creeks,
+and going carefully into my blind from behind, so as not to break it
+down in front, a precaution which I observed most of the sportsmen
+neglected, I concealed myself, and waited the course of events. Mere
+waiting never suited my views, but on this occasion there was nothing
+else to do. It was some time before I killed a duck, and I was wondering
+whether I should have any opportunity to try my floats, when a solitary
+mallard came within long range, and I was so fortunate as to bag him.
+
+It was a beginning, I set him on one of the blocks of wood I had roughly
+trimmed into shape that morning. I had noticed the day before that the
+water was too deep to set up a dead duck in the ordinary way. Neither
+had I been able to find weights of half bricks, which are the main
+reliance of the Long Island gunner, or stones, which were an unknown
+quantity in that muddy country. So the best I could do, was, to thrust
+down a long reed with a string tied to it at the proper distance from
+the bottom. My decoy was not as natural as I could have made it with
+better appliances, but it was the best I could manufacture, and it did
+some service. In less than five minutes it was joined by another
+mallard, which first came to look, and was then persuaded to stay by the
+gentle influence of an ounce and a half of shot.
+
+In a short time all my floats were occupied, and although they bothered
+me, and wasted my time by breaking away in consequence of not being
+properly arranged, they brought me, I do not doubt, twice as many birds
+as I should have got without them. I have much faith in being well
+hidden. For black ducks, which are the most wary, it is absolutely
+necessary not to disturb a leaf that their sharp eyes will notice. If
+the reeds are thick enough of themselves to conceal the shooter, do not
+either add to them or break them down. I have seen blinds built up, till
+they looked like straw mattresses set on end, of which the birds would
+be more shy than of the man himself. I was killing shoal-water ducks,
+not of course getting canvas-backs, red-heads, or broad-bills so far
+back in the marsh, and it was not desirable to have many stools for the
+same reason that it is not right to have too large a blind, they are apt
+to awaken suspicion.
+
+One great improvement noticeable after the decoys were set out was, that
+the birds came in closer, and gave me better shots. Without them there
+is nothing to attract the ducks out of their line of flight, they drive
+straight along, perhaps in a direction to bring them to the gunner, more
+likely not, but if there are a few decoys, they will at least make a
+dash toward the stand. Situated as I was, surrounded almost entirely
+with marsh, only a little open water on front and on either side of me,
+I felt the want of a dog sadly. My setter, which I had brought from the
+East solely for snipe shooting, had shown himself on the day before so
+utterly worthless as a retriever, that I had not taken him with me
+again. Many of my ducks fell into the reeds, and if they were killed
+dead, they were hard to find, and if they had the least life in them,
+they would crawl away, and sneak so effectually that if I got them at
+all it would be after I had wasted much valuable time. Had my retriever
+been with me, I am sure that I should have doubled my bag.
+
+Of all the retrievers which have ever been used in this country, none
+equal those which are called the Chesapeake Bay dogs. Their hair is so
+thick and matted that they can stand any amount of cold without
+suffering, they are capital swimmers, and I have seen them dive for a
+wounded duck, and they seem to have an adaptation for this shooting,
+developed perhaps by generations of training, which no other dogs
+possess. On one occasion I remember taking out a pup for the second time
+that he had ever been shot over. He was so eager that I had to tie him
+in the blind, and only let him loose after a bird had been shot down.
+Yet on that day I saw him recover a wounded duck after following him
+half a mile, twice drop a dead one which he had in his mouth, to bring a
+live one, and jump on another and hold him with his paws till he could
+reach him by putting his head entirely under water. The wonderful
+instances of intelligence reported of this breed would be incredible, if
+something only a little less astonishing were not known to every man who
+has owned one.
+
+On this occasion I did not have my dog, and much was the time and many
+the duck I lost in consequence. It seemed as though most of those which
+were killed dead, fell into the marsh where I could not find the half of
+them, and that the wounded fell into the open water, whence they made
+their way to cover, before I could run the boat out and pick them up.
+The sun was shining brightly from a cloudless heaven, and although the
+air was cold, I was so sheltered by the reeds that I was as warm as I
+desired to be. That is one of the points of superiority of inland over
+battery shooting; had I been lying in the battery with the same wind, no
+amount of sun would have kept me warm.
+
+I had to pick up early, as it would be no joke to be lost in those
+monotonous marshes during the night. To get out after dark would have
+been impossible, and almost equally impossible for any assistance to
+reach me. I was fain to be satisfied with a moderate bag, and lose the
+evening’s flight rather than lose myself. When I arrived at the club
+house, I found that with the aid of my improvised stools I had made the
+second-best bag of the day. Comparative stranger as I was to the
+marshes, this result was more than satisfactory. My supper tasted all
+the better in consequence, but I did not say anything about the means
+which I had taken to bring about the result.
+
+That evening, when we had collected around the social fire and lighted
+our still more social pipes, the president referred to the fact that the
+night before, after I had gone to my welcome couch, the rest of the
+members had been repeating stories and called upon the unlucky man to
+fulfill a promise he had made to give some personal experience of trout
+fishing.
+
+UNLUCKY MAN.--“But my adventure occurred on Long Island, whither I had
+gone to learn trout-fishing. I had a new rod of Conroy’s best and most
+expensive pattern, a book full of flies, a basket, a bait-box, a net, a
+gaff, and all things appurtenant, and was especially proud of my fishing
+suit, which a brother of the angle had kindly selected for me. My boots
+came above my knees, and were of yellow Russian leather, with which my
+brown pants matched admirably, while a blue vest, a white flannel coat,
+red neck-tie and crimson cap, combined all the colors that were least
+likely to alarm the fish.
+
+“The other anglers collected at the hotel kindly aided me with their
+advice, for which I was truly grateful. They rigged out my leader with
+flies, and convincingly proving that the more flies used the more fish
+must be taken, fastened on thirteen. Conroy had hardly served me fairly
+in selecting my assortment, for they were pronounced by all not to be
+half large or bright enough. It was clear that the larger the fly the
+easier the fish could see it, and the more surely it would catch; so
+they loaned me a number, principally yellow, green, and blue, which was
+the more generous of them, as they had but few of the same sort
+themselves.
+
+“They impressed upon me to be up early, because trout will not bite
+after sunrise--besides, I knew from the proverb that worms were more
+easily obtained early; and it was still dark when, having passed a
+restless few hours, I awoke and dressed. The house was silent, not a
+person to interfere with me, and having set up my rod the night before,
+I crept cautiously down stairs. The tip would slash about and knock at
+the doors and on the walls as I passed, and gave me great trouble in
+turning the corners of the stairs, but I reached the hall door safely
+and stepped out upon the piazza.
+
+“I had hardly congratulated myself, when, hearing a suspicious growl,
+and recollecting that the tavern-keeper had a cross mastiff, I turned,
+and saw him in the dim light making straight for me. Running was never
+my forte, but, gentlemen, my speed round that house with that mastiff
+after me has rarely been equalled; he kept it up well, however, and if
+he could have turned a corner readily, would have caught me. Recovering
+my presence of mind in the third round, I darted through the hall door,
+and slamming it to behind me, heard my enemy bounce against it, and
+after a growl and a sniff or two, turn away in disgust.
+
+“Upon regaining my breath, I ascended to my room, and loading the
+revolver which I always carry on dangerous journeys, returned to the
+attack, determined on revenge. Strange to say, however, the cowardly
+beast, the moment the pistol was presented at him, uttered a low whine
+and shrank away. Disgusted with his cowardice, I seized up my rod, which
+had been dropped in my first flight, and pursuing him howling piteously
+three times round the house, laid it on him soundly.
+
+“It must have been poor stuff, for the tip broke. Conroy mended it
+afterwards, without charge, when I told him the circumstances. But I put
+in a spare one, and having dug my box full of worms, went to the shed
+where my horse was left standing, ready harnessed, from the night
+before. There is nothing like attention to these little matters in time;
+for, if the hostler had had to harness him, he might have detained me
+many precious minutes.
+
+“A half-hour’s drive soon brought me to the pond, and, after hitching
+the animal to the fence--for it was necessary to turn into the field
+from the main road--I walked down to the bank and jumped into a boat.
+Unfortunately, it was chained to a staple and padlocked; the inn-keeper
+had forgotten to give me the key. They were all the same but one, lying
+on the shore and turned bottom up, that did not seem to be sound. No
+time, however, was to be lost; the streaks in the east were beginning to
+turn red--an indication that the sun was rising--and the hour for
+fishing would soon be over. I launched the boat, such as it was, and
+pushed off.
+
+“Casting the fly is difficult, but casting thirteen flies is almost
+impossible. The boat was leaky; the fish did not rise, and the water
+did. I bailed as well as I could with one hand, and fished with the
+other, till at last, almost exhausted, I saw the sun rise. As a
+desperate resource, however, the bait-box came into play. I removed the
+flies and substituted a hook and worm; but while thus employed, and
+unable to bail, the water gained on me rapidly. Hardly had the bait
+touched the water before a fine fish seized it. I tried my best to pull
+him out, but he would not come--the rod was such a miserable, weak
+affair that it bent like a switch. The trout swam about in every
+direction, and tried to get under stumps and weeds and to break my line;
+but I held him fast and reeled in--for my friends had explained to me
+what the reel was for--and was about to lay down my rod and fish him out
+with the landing-net, when--the boat sank.”
+
+CHORUS--“Could you swim?”
+
+“No; but the water was only up to my arm-pits, and I was about to wade
+ashore, when a colored gentleman, who had arrived and been sitting on
+the bank for the last few minutes, shouted to me that it was his boat
+and I must bring it with me. I answered, savagely, that I would do
+nothing of the sort, when he began to abuse me and call me thief, and
+say I had stolen his boat, and he would have me arrested. So I thought I
+had better comply, and waded along, dragging it after me. The bottom was
+muddy, and I slipped once or twice and went all under. It was probably
+then that the fish got off; but my colored friend took pity on me, and
+pointed out to me the best places to walk.
+
+“I was nearly ashore, and had clambered upon a bog, as the gentleman
+advised, and, by his direction, I jumped to a piece of nice-looking
+green grass. I have always thought he deceived me in this, for it turned
+out to be a quagmire, and I sank at once above my waist in solid, sticky
+mud. The matter now became serious; my weight is no trifle, and every
+motion sank me deeper and deeper. I implored the colored man to help me
+out; to wade in to me, and let me climb on his back; I offered him money
+profusely; and--would you believe it?--he laughed, he roared, he
+shouted, he rolled over in an agony of mirth. He asked me whether I was
+afraid to die--that only cowards were afraid to die. I did not dare to
+say no, lest he should take me at my word, and was ashamed to say yes;
+but, as I kept on sinking, I had to own up that I was afraid, and then
+he only laughed louder than ever.
+
+“My feelings were beyond description--fury does not adequately describe
+my rage; but fear so tempered it, that I seemed to change suddenly from
+the extreme of heat to the extreme of cold. I would begin by swearing at
+him, and end by imploring; I begged, cursed, prayed, and raved. Overcome
+by his unrestrained delight, at last I threatened--pouring out upon him
+the vilest abuse, and dire menaces of what I would do when I did get
+out. The prospect of that, however, rapidly diminished--the nasty, slimy
+mud rose by perceptible degrees--and then he made me take back all my
+threats and apologize to him. In the agony of my returning terror, he
+actually made me beg his pardon.
+
+“When, however, hope was nearly over with me, he slowly, with maddening
+deliberation, took a rail from the nearest fence, and, interspersing the
+operation with much improving advice, began to pry me out. As I rose
+towards the upper world my courage returned, and my revenge was merely
+waiting till my body touched _terra firma_ to take ample amends. Even
+that satisfaction was destined to disappointment; for when I was so far
+out, that with the aid of the rail I could help myself, he dropped it,
+and, suspecting my intention, he scuttled off as fast as his black legs
+would carry him.
+
+“What an object I presented after effecting my escape--from head to foot
+one mass of mud; my handsome clothes, my hands and face, all blacker
+than my ebony friend, and stiff and heavy with the noisome
+conglomeration. After resting for a few minutes, I gathered up my rod
+and started for the wagon, when what should I see in the other end of
+the lot but a bull. A single glance showed me what I had to expect; no
+bull could stand such an object as I was. I ran and he ran. I made for
+the wagon and he after me. Such a picture as I must have presented,
+flying from an infuriate bull, may seem funny to you, gentlemen, but was
+not to me. We both reached the wagon and both went into it together--I
+into the seat, he into the body; the result being that I went flying out
+again, on the other side, over the fence. The horse, which at that
+moment must have been dreaming, or sleeping the sleep he did not have
+the night before, aroused by the crash, cast one look behind and burst
+his bonds and fled.
+
+“It was a long walk home; people looked strangely at me on the way, and
+some unfeeling ones laughed. My wagon was broken, my horse was ruined,
+my clothes were spoiled; and the only consolation I had, was that my
+brother anglers at the hotel felt and expressed such intense sympathy
+for my sufferings.”
+
+The resigned tones and manner of the speaker were inimitable, and his
+story was received with great satisfaction and closed the evening’s
+amusements. All parties having resolved upon an early start, retired
+early, and enjoyed a rest such as the sportsman only knows.
+
+One of the attachés of our club-house, without whom it would be deprived
+of many pleasant features, and who is a remarkable and eccentric
+character, is called Henry--a Canadian Frenchman. He possesses the
+lightheartedness, the honesty and trustworthiness of that peculiar
+class, with the strongest prejudices against mean and underhanded
+actions and those who are guilty of them; he is, in his own obstinate
+way, devoted to the service of those who enjoy his esteem. Animated with
+strong dislikes, he is barely polite to those who have excited his
+distrust, while he will do anything for his favorites. He is a good
+shot, and thoroughly acquainted with the marsh and the habits of the
+birds, but on no terms will he make any suggestions as to the most
+promising localities. To the question, no matter how casually or
+confidingly uttered:
+
+“Well, Henry, where had I better go, to-day?” He will respond, looking
+you calmly in the face, and in a slightly admonitory tone:
+
+“You know I never give advice, sir.”
+
+His greatest favorites can obtain no more satisfactory answer, and in
+fact not much information of any kind, from him in relation to the
+flight or haunts of the birds. He appears to have discovered that
+knowledge worth having is worth working for, and is resolved that every
+man shall be his own schoolmaster. He has quite an insight into
+character, and appreciates the members of the club and their
+peculiarities.
+
+One day a party, including a number who were not members, had been
+snipe-shooting, and some of the latter indulged the habit of pushing on
+before their neighbor to shoot any bird they may have seen alight, or
+had reason to believe was upon his beat. Afterwards Henry remarked, as a
+sort of soliloquy, “He was a poor man--did not have much education, and
+supposed he did not know; but he did not think it right for one
+sportsman to run in ahead of another in order to shoot a bird before
+him. Probably he was wrong; but that was the way he felt, and could not
+help it.”
+
+It was this curious individual who waked us the next morning at an hour
+before daylight, and enjoyed heartily the satisfaction of rousing us up
+at that unseemly time. We were no way loth, however, and hastily
+swallowing our breakfasts and launching our boats, pushed out under
+cover of the darkness for our respective points. As yet the water and
+land were scarcely distinguishable, and localities could only be
+determined by intuition. Night was still brooding with outstretched
+wings on the earth; the sky seemed to be close overhead, and the clouds
+could not be distinguished from the open heavens. Slowly, however, the
+outlines of the horizon became apparent; then the heavy masses of
+lowering cloud that hung in the eastern sky, and left a narrow,
+transparent strip of light between themselves and the horizon, came out
+in strong relief; the stars faded and turned dim; trees, bushes, and
+distant elevations--the minutiæ of the landscape--appeared; long lines
+of sedge-grass and reeds sprang up from the water; the eastern sky, and
+especially the bright strip beneath the cloud, became lighter; a roseate
+tinge spread itself over the meadows, deepening to intensity in the
+east, and at last the sun peeped over the horizon.
+
+Occasionally ducks will move at the first break of dawn; but frequently,
+as in the present instance, they do not fly till about sunrise; then the
+canvas-backs commenced coming in from the open water; the red-heads
+accompanied them; and the mallards, aroused from safe beds among the
+reeds, flew with loud quackings overhead. Later, the rapid blue-bills
+and teal darted past, the pin-tails moved majestically in stately lines,
+and the diminutive butter-balls hurried by. The rising sun dissipated
+the clouds, and the increasing wind announced a glorious ducking-day.
+
+To enjoy this sport thoroughly, or to make the most of the chances
+offered, requires long practice and peculiar skill; but, when this skill
+has been acquired, no specialty in sportmanship can be carried to higher
+perfection, or confer more intense delight. To observe quickly and note
+the direction of flight of the distant flock; to catch sight of the
+single bird just topping the reeds; to hide well from the sharp eyes of
+the approaching ducks; to keep a steady footing, yielding to the
+treacherous motions of the unsteady boat without losing self-command; to
+measure the distance accurately from birds passing high in air; to
+select the proper moment to fire, and to determine correctly the speed
+of the moving object; to do all these things at once, without hesitation
+or failure in any particular, requires in a man the highest qualities of
+a sportsman. The wonder is that success is so often attained; for there
+are many men who will kill almost every bird that comes fairly within
+range, and who will tell you before they shoot whether they are sure of
+killing or not.
+
+Unfortunately our party, although tolerably proficient, were far from
+perfect. Many were the fair shots missed, or only half hit, and more
+still were the impossible shots that were wasted. The wind drove the
+birds upon the long neck of reeds called Grassy Point, where several of
+us had located ourselves, and the river-scows, or small boats,
+occasionally passing kept them in motion.
+
+During the morning several flocks of swans were seen, looking, when they
+passed in front of a dark cloud, like flying snow-flakes. Although
+somewhat resembling the appearance of geese, at a distance, the beat of
+their wings and their trumpet-voiced cry are altogether different. They
+were very shy, keeping far out of range; but excited our nerves at the
+mere thought of what glory would be conferred if they should happen to
+come within the proper distance.
+
+One of our party, however, acquired but little credit by a shot which he
+made at a flock of geese that passed within twenty yards of him. He was
+of Milesian descent, and explained the occurrence afterwards as
+follows:
+
+“You see, I was watching them come closer and closer, and making my
+calculation to pick out two fine ones. I knew the fellow at the head was
+an old gander, and tough; but right behind him came two tender, juicy
+youngsters--altogether the fattest and best in the whole flock. Well, it
+took me some time to make this selection, and, letting the old one go
+by, I was just about preparing to knock over the two others right and
+left--and done it I should have, because I intended to, you know. Well,
+I put up my gun, and was about taking aim, and was waiting for them to
+get just in the right position--for I was as cool as I am this moment;
+an old hunter like me is not easily flurried. Well, they were almost
+ready, and I was on the point of cutting them down, when somebody
+else--bad luck to him--about a hundred yards off fired into the flock.
+Of course they flirted in every direction, and darted about so, that I
+lost sight of those I selected; and how could you expect me to kill any
+others when I had made up my mind to have those? You need not laugh
+because I missed with both barrels; I wouldn’t have missed if the birds
+had been in their proper places, where I was pointing my gun.”
+
+So it was that we obtained no geese. But the canvas-backs and mallards,
+in the early morning, made up for the deficiency; and when, towards
+midday, they ceased flying, some of our party resolved to pole for
+wood-ducks.
+
+To do this, as has been heretofore intimated, requires more practice
+than even shooting from “points”--exacting from the sportsman not merely
+readiness in handling the gun, but activity of motion and accuracy of
+balance. The gun, at full cock, is laid in its rack across the thwart;
+or, as I prefer, from one thwart to another, with the triggers up; the
+sportsman, standing erect on the stern, wields his pole with care,
+avoiding noise, and never by any chance touching the side of the boat
+with it, for nothing alarms the birds so much as rapping on the side of
+the boat, although it is not easy to avoid doing so. He faces forward,
+raises the pole carefully, and replacing it without a splash or a blow
+on the crackling stems or leaves of the lilies, use his body as a
+fulcrum as often as he wishes to alter the direction of the boat. He
+works his way against the wind as much as possible, and, casting his
+eyes in every direction, is always on the alert. Suddenly, with a roar
+like distant thunder, a wood-duck, generally the male, starts from the
+weeds, and with a curious cry, like that of a wailing infant, makes the
+best of his way from the approaching danger; instantly the sportsman
+drops the pole, wherever it may be--in mid air or deep in the mud, just
+planted or at its full reach--and springing to his gun, raises it with
+rapidity but deliberation, and, if the bird has hot already gained a
+safe distance, discharges it with the best effect he is able to command.
+Frequently, at the report, another bird will start, and offer a fair and
+generally successful shot.
+
+To one accustomed to kill quail, this shooting, after the awkwardness
+arising from the motion of the boat is overcome, is not difficult; but
+the knack of dropping the pole at once is almost unattainable. Most
+persons, at first, frantically endeavor to deposit the pole in the boat,
+and cannot drop it instantly; others give it an energetic push. The
+former allow the birds time to escape, while the latter increase the
+unsteadiness of the boat.
+
+The birds usually rise well, attaining the height of twenty feet before
+they move directly away, and hence present a good shot. If they are
+missed, they may be marked down, pursued, and started again; and as they
+are frequently very numerous, and rise at unexpected moments, they keep
+the sportsman excited, until, worn out with the excessive and
+unaccustomed labor, he has to stop and rest. If the water is low the
+poling is hard work, and at the most favorable times will be found
+sufficiently exhausting. The birds principally frequent the lily beds,
+which stretch out in broad patches where the water is moderately deep;
+but they are also found in open spots among the high reeds, and
+occasionally among the deer-tongue.
+
+There are several kinds of weeds growing in the shallows of the bay, and
+restricted in their extent by its depth. The reeds, which in the fall
+resemble a ripe field of grain, have crimson stems, and narrow yellow
+leaves, almost inclosing the stems at their base and streaming
+gracefully in the wind at the top; they thrive in shallow water, and,
+attaining a height of twelve feet, form the hiding-places of the
+sportsman. The wild rice had a greenish-yellow stem, with longer joints
+and without leaves; it branches at the end into the seed-receptacles,
+and is not found in such large patches. The deer-tongue grows in deeper
+water, and retains its green hue till the weather intimates that winter
+is present. It has a leaf like a dull spear-head, that projects but a
+few inches above the surface; and its stout stems, springing up close
+together, constitute a serious obstacle to the advancing boat. There are
+also scattered patches of weeds, usually called grass because they are
+green, but with a round, hollow, tapering stem, or leaf, that has no
+resemblance whatever to grass.
+
+Early in the season, when there are few birds flying over the points,
+and the young, tender, and gentle wood-ducks crowd the marshes and will
+permit an easy approach, it is customary to employ a punter, who poles
+the boat while the sportsman sits on the forward thwart, gun in hand,
+ready in a moment to cut down the feeble birds. But if any of the
+shooting is to be done from the points, the punter will be found in the
+way, increasing the unsteadiness of the boat and augmenting the danger,
+already sufficiently great. Although by no means proficient, I always
+prefer poling myself, and will never permit any guns in the boat but my
+own.
+
+On the day more particularly referred to in this chapter, we found the
+birds plentiful, although rather wild, and had grand sport, starting the
+crying wood-ducks and the quacking mallards from their hiding-places,
+and killing a goodly number in spite of their sharp ears and strong
+wings.
+
+Of the particular shots, the numerous misses, the various mishaps, it
+were vain to tell. A baptism in the shallow bay-water is regarded as a
+necessary initiation, and not being dangerous, the ceremony is
+frequently repeated. Good shots are rarer than bad ones, even with the
+best marksmen, and perhaps the author would have to vindicate truth by
+telling some awkward blunders of his own, and thus forfeit the reader’s
+respect for ever. It is sufficient for the reader to recall the best
+day’s sport at ducks he ever had, to imagine his own shooting
+considerably improved, his strength and activity augmented, and his
+promptest deliberation surpassed; and he will have a faint idea of our
+performance. It is enough to say the birds were there, and we were
+there.
+
+Towards night we occupied a series of points above the Gap, as it is
+called--an opening between the island where the house is situated and
+the land beyond--and waited for the evening flight. The wind had died
+away, and as the sun was setting, the mallards came in from the lake to
+pass the night. Innumerable flocks, one after another, appeared from
+behind the trees, and passing overhead, settled down into the reeds. By
+twos, threes, or hundreds in a flock, in straight, even lines of battle,
+or bent like the two sides of a triangle, or in long single file, their
+wings whistling in the still air, or producing reports like pop-guns as
+they flirted or touched one another--immense numbers moved over us.
+
+Having ascertained by several ineffectual shots that they were far out
+of range, we watched them with delight and curiosity, wondering whence
+they could all come, and whither they were going. There was no abatement
+or pause till the increasing darkness shut them out from our sight. Had
+we been prepared with Ely’s wire cartridge we could have rained
+destruction among them, but as it was we only killed a few chance birds;
+and then reassembling our party where the open lead joined the bay, we
+returned to the club-house together.
+
+The next day being clear and still, it was devoted to fishing and
+exploring. A Kentuckian who was among our numbers, having no fishing in
+his own State, and knowing nothing of salmon or striped-bass, and little
+of trout, was devoted to black-bass fishing. Persuading the writer to go
+in the boat with him, while two friends accompanied us in another, we
+crossed the bay, and having fastened large Buel’s spoons to the end of
+stout hand-lines, proceeded to troll in the most primitive manner.
+
+The bass were plentiful, and rushing from their lairs in the weeds close
+to the shore, darted out after the boat had passed, and devoured our
+baits. Although quite large, they gave feeble play, turning over and
+over in the water, and rarely jumping with the vigor of fish brought up
+in cooler latitudes; in fact, the river and lake bass differ so greatly
+as to seem almost to belong to different species. The river fish, which
+lie in the discolored water where long weeds grow from a bottom of deep
+mud, are yellow in color, have a large head, and a yellow iris to the
+eye. The lake fish, which prefer the clearer element near rocky shoals,
+have a small head and reddish eye, are dark-sided and vigorous, have a
+large forked tail, and are infinitely preferable on the table.
+
+One of our friends in the other boat was a practical joker, and of a
+lively turn of mind. He at first amused himself by jerking the line of
+his companion who sat nearer the bow, to induce him to think it was a
+bite; then he landed all the fish that were taken on either hook; and
+finally, having accidentally caught his hook into his companion’s and
+drawn it in without the latter’s knowledge, he hung it on the gunwale
+and had the fishing to himself. As the portion of the line, or bight as
+sailors call it, which still towed overboard kept up the ordinary
+strain, his associate was in great wonderment at his bad luck, and did
+not discover the reason till the fishing was over.
+
+Having absolutely filled our boats with bass that weighed from two to
+four pounds, and having ordered a good dinner at the club-house to
+entertain some strangers, we returned, rather disgusted with such tame
+sport.
+
+We caught, besides the bass, a few pickerel and a small pike-perch,
+_lucioperca Americana_; and found the most successful bait was a red and
+tin spoon, with a white feather on the hook. The natives call the
+pickerel a grass-pike, and the pike-perch a pickerel. Those curious
+nondescripts--half fish, half reptile--bill or gar-fish, _lepidosteus_,
+relics of antediluvian ages, were seen in the water, but are only taken
+in the net.
+
+The weather had been clear, mild, and still; it continued so for several
+days, and as storm and wind are necessary to duck-shooting, our sport,
+although pleasant, was greatly diminished. Consequently we rose at
+reasonable hours, ate comfortable breakfasts, and smoked our pipes
+before we left the house. One morning, as I was about departing, the
+Kentucky fisherman, who had found the weather admirable for his sport,
+offered to bet ten of the largest fish he would catch against the
+largest bird I should shoot, that I would not kill a dozen ducks. Of
+course I accepted the wager.
+
+It was unpromising weather, still and warm, and there was absolutely no
+flight either during the morning or evening; but by chance two
+cormorants came close to my stand. Without waiting to distinguish what
+they were I fired, killing one dead, and dropping the other some
+distance off in the open water. My disgust on picking up the one
+nearest, and observing the thick legs, ugly shape, and crooked yellow
+bill, was only diminished by the recollection of my bet. I lost, failing
+in the end to bring home the dozen birds--although I shot more than that
+number, but was unable to recover several that fell in the weeds--and on
+my return, using that fact as an excuse, endeavored to beg off. The
+Kentuckian was delighted; imagining from my conversation that I had shot
+a canvas-back, and anticipating an amusing triumph, he insisted upon the
+letter of the law.
+
+Our discussion, as was intended on my part, attracted the attention and
+interest of all the members, and my opponent waited with a victorious
+air till I should bring him my largest bird. At last, after much
+procrastination, it was produced amid such shouts as rarely rang through
+the old club-house. In vain did my Kentucky friend attempt to disclaim
+his acquisition or propose to waive his rights; “he would have the bird,
+and he must take him; it was a remarkably fine one of the kind, and a
+good specimen.” At last he burst forth:
+
+“Oh, get out with your cormorant; take him away; do, and I’ll never make
+another bet with you as long as I live.”
+
+To this day, in that section of the West, a man who is too exacting
+occasionally wins a cormorant.
+
+The time that circumstances permitted me to devote to pleasure was
+drawing to a close, and the last morning that was to be appropriated to
+the ducks had arrived, when, as I was about loading my boat, Henry stood
+before me, and with great earnestness remarked:
+
+“I am going to shoot with you to-day, sir.”
+
+If he had said, “I am going to shoot you,” he could not have spoken with
+more firmness and solemnity; or, if he had anticipated the most violent
+contradiction, he could not have assumed a more convincing manner. The
+proposal, as it suggested an augmented bag for my last day, was,
+however, cordially welcome; and, as soon as he was ready, I inquired in
+an unconcerned manner:
+
+“Well, which way shall we go?”
+
+The effrontery of the question fairly took him aback, and, pausing in
+apparent irresolution as to whether he was not in danger of being caught
+at last, he seemed for a moment half inclined to run for it.
+Incoherently he commenced his usual response about not giving advice;
+paused, and then, in a sadly reproachful tone, remonstrated as follows:
+
+“You know if I were to give advice to gentlemen, and they were to have
+bad luck, they would blame me; and how can I know all the time where the
+ducks are flying?”
+
+“But, Henry, as we are going together, I must certainly be told where
+the place is to be.”
+
+This appeared to surprise him; for, after a moment’s deliberation, he
+jumped into his boat, and, seizing his paddle, said, “I am going to
+Grassy Point,” and made off as fast as he could.
+
+“Well, Henry, I suppose I shall have to go with you, instead of you with
+me; but the difference is not very great.”
+
+He seemed confused, and in doubt whether he had not compromised himself,
+and paddled with such speed that I could scarcely keep up with him.
+Seated with his face towards the bow of the boat, his guns lying ready
+for instant use in front of him, he plied his double paddle--that is to
+say, a long paddle with a blade at both ends, which are dipped
+alternately--with a vigor that would have distanced, for a short
+stretch, the most expert rower. Like the other natives, he preferred
+the double paddle to the oars. While using it he could make an accurate
+course--an important consideration in the intricate channels; could
+watch for a chance shot ahead of him, or chase a wounded duck
+advantageously; at a moderate speed, could travel a long journey; and,
+for a spurt, could surpass the same boat propelled by oars; and was not
+annoyed by catching the blades in the innumerable weeds. So great was
+the respect that I acquired for the double paddle, from his manner of
+wielding it, that I thereupon resolved to have one and learn to use it,
+even if I did suffer somewhat in the attempt.
+
+We proceeded in unbroken silence, and, reaching the point, located
+ourselves well upon it, not far apart, and awaited the ducks. Henry was
+an excellent shot, and set me an example that I did my best to follow;
+but as the birds did not fly well, we left at the expiration of a couple
+of hours, and crossed Mud Creek into the main swamp, called Lattimer
+Marsh. On the way, happening to pass an old muskrat house, my curiosity
+was excited, and I inquired:
+
+“Are there any animals in that house now?”
+
+“I don’t know whether there are any animals, sir; there might be some
+sort of animals, but there are not any rats.”
+
+“Where are the rats, then?”
+
+“They all disappear in summer; they leave their houses, and in the fall
+build new ones. I can’t tell what becomes of them; but they have queer
+ways. They build a big house--a sort of family house, as I call
+it--where a number of them dwell; and around it, about fifty rods off,
+smaller ones, where each rat appears to feed or go when he wants to be
+alone. There are generally two entrances, one above and the other under
+water, so that when the bay is frozen over they can get in.”
+
+“How do you catch them?”
+
+“We set spring-traps of iron, but without teeth, so as not to hurt the
+skin, near their houses, and where we think they will be apt to step
+into them. The time to catch them is from the 1st of March till the 10th
+of April.”
+
+“Can anybody trap them?”
+
+“Oh no, sir; that wouldn’t do at all; a person has to own the land, or
+have the right to trap. The land isn’t worth much, though--only about a
+dollar an acre.”
+
+“The Indian name of muskrat is said to be musksquash?”
+
+“I don’t know how that is; but I have heard people call them so. There
+are a good many in the marsh, and we sometimes make three or four
+hundred dollars a year from them.”
+
+“But, as the swamp fills up and the land makes, won’t they disappear?”
+
+“No, sir; the swamp isn’t filling up; but the land is sinking, or the
+water rising--either one or the other; for the swamp is growing larger.
+The trees on the island are being killed by the water--some are dead
+already; and every year more high land becomes meadow, and the meadow
+turns into swamp.”
+
+“I thought the Western lakes were growing shallow, and receding yearly.”
+
+“Not here, sir. Why, that long spit of reeds beyond Grassy Point was dry
+land once, so that you could drive a team clear over to Squaw Island;
+there were large trees on it, but they are all dead, and the channel
+between it and the island is six feet deep.”
+
+“All the better for us sportsmen. Have you any other valuable animals
+besides the rats?”
+
+“A few otter; but not many. No, sir; the ducks are the most valuable
+things we have.”
+
+“They will soon be killed off.”
+
+“No, sir; as there is no shooting allowed in the spring they are
+becoming more plentiful. They are tamer, too; and some stay here all
+summer and breed. It was the spring shooting, when they were poor and
+thin, that killed them off or drove them away.”
+
+“How many birds can a good shot average daily the season through?”
+
+“I think I can kill forty a day, but perhaps there are some men who can
+shoot better. But now, sir, if you will choose your stand, I will go a
+little way below.”
+
+I ensconced myself in a bunch of high weeds surrounded by a pond of open
+water, and killed a few mallards. The birds did not fly well, however,
+and we moved from place to place in the hope of better luck, and with a
+restlessness that showed increasing dissatisfaction on the part of
+Henry; so that I was not surprised when, early in the afternoon, he told
+me that he must return to the club-house. I remained for some hours
+where he left me; but hearing rapid shooting near the Gap, I poled my
+way there through a broad field of lilies, known as the Pond Lily
+Channel, and there, to my surprise, found Henry.
+
+Whether it was the desire to be alone, for his peculiarity of preferring
+to shoot by himself has been mentioned, or whether he was tempted by a
+favorable flight of birds, I never knew; when I appeared, he paddled
+hastily away as though ashamed, and made no answer to my inquiries as to
+what detained him, or how they could manage without him at the house.
+Unceremoniously occupying his place, I completed the evening, and the
+allotted hours of my stay, with some excellent shooting at flocks of
+mallards, widgeons, and blue-bills, that poured through the Gap in
+endless flights, till after dark.
+
+Then, for the last time, I rowed through the darkness towards the
+well-known point; for the last time sat down at the groaning board which
+our kind-hearted landlady had furnished so liberally; played my last
+game with the euchre-loving son of Kentucky; smoked a farewell pipe of
+Killikinnick in the sociable circle around the air-tight; slept for the
+last time in the comfortable bed under the hospitable roof of the
+club-house; and next morning, having seen my associates depart, each in
+his little boat, and bid them all farewell, I set out, with my birds
+packed in ice, for the City of New York. My friends welcomed me and my
+birds gladly. Reader, had you been my friend, you would also have
+welcomed us both.
+
+It is surprising how well the duck-shooting in the confluents of the
+great lakes has held out in spite of time and breech-loaders. Wild
+ducks, like tame ones, lay fifteen to twenty eggs, not like the English
+snipe, which rarely lays more than four. They go to inaccessible places
+to breed, and are so tough, strong, and active, that they can put their
+natural enemies almost at defiance. Spring shooting has been forbidden,
+and the result is that as many are now killed every fall as were killed
+twenty years ago.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+SUGGESTIONS TO SPORTSMEN.
+
+
+The word “sport” has been more abused, ill-treated, and misapplied than
+any other in our language; of a high, pure, and noble signification, it
+has been debased to unworthy objects; of a restricted and refined
+significance, it has been extended to a mass of improper matters; from
+its natural elegant appropriateness, it has been degraded to vulgar and
+dishonest associations.
+
+The miserable wretch who lives on the most contemptible passion in human
+nature, and with practised skill cheats those who would cheat
+him--winning by the unfair rules of games, so-called, of chance--or,
+with less conscience, converting that chance into a certainty, calls
+himself a sporting man. The individual who, having trained a horse up to
+the finest condition of activity and endurance, drives or rides him
+under lash and spur round a course to win a sum of money, although he
+may call himself a sportsman, is really a business man. The daring
+backwoodsman of the Far West, who follows the fleet elk or timid deer,
+and who attacks the formidable buffalo or grizzly bear, is less a
+sportsman than a mighty hunter; the man who shoots with a view of
+selling his game is a market-gunner; and he who kills that he may eat is
+a pot-hunter.
+
+The sportsman pursues his game for pleasure; he does not aspire to
+follow the grander animals of the chase, makes no profit of his success,
+giving to his friends more than he retains, shoots invariably upon the
+wing, and never takes a mean advantage of bird or man. It is his pride
+to kill what he does kill elegantly, scientifically, and mercifully.
+Quantity is not his ambition; he never slays more than he can use; he
+never inflicts an unnecessary pang or fires an unfair shot.
+
+The man who, happening to find birds plentiful in warm weather, and,
+after murdering all that he can, leaves them to spoil, is no more a
+sportsman than he who fires into a huddled bevy of quail, or who
+considers every bird as representing so much money value, and to be
+converted into it as soon as possible.
+
+The sportsman is generous to his associate, not seeking to obtain the
+most shots, but giving away the advantage in that particular, and
+recovering it if possible by superiority of aim; for although to be a
+sportsman a person must naturally be an enthusiast, he should never
+forget what he owes to his friend, and above all what he owes to
+himself.
+
+Boys and Germans need not imagine that killing robins or blackbirds on
+trees, no matter how numerously, is sport. Robins and blackbirds, the
+latter especially, if the old song is to be believed, make dainty pies,
+but do not constitute an object of pursuit to the sportsman. Diminutive
+birds shot sitting are as far beneath sport as gigantic wild animals
+shot standing or running are above it. The only objects of the
+sportsman’s pursuit are the game birds; not in the confined sense used
+in old times by the English, when the very prince of all--the
+woodcock--was excluded from the list, but embracing every bird, fit for
+the table, that is habitually shot on the wing. Many of these, perhaps
+the finest, gamest, and bravest, are shot over dogs, where the wonderful
+instinct of the animal aids the intelligence of the human; but whether
+followed by the faithful setter, or lured to bobbing decoy; killed from
+points where, prone in the reeds, the eager sportsman, insensible to
+cold or wet, at the grey of dawn or dusk of night, awaits his prey; or
+from the convenient blind which the deluded birds approach without
+suspicion, or pursued with horse and wagon on the open plain--these all
+are game birds, and he who follows them legitimately is a sportsman.
+
+Wild birds, like the tame ones, are given for man’s use, and the best
+use that can be made of them is the one that will confer most health,
+nourishment, and happiness on mankind. Fanatics imagine that although
+birds may be killed, it must be done only to furnish food; as if there
+was nothing beyond eating in this world, and as if contribution to
+health were not as essential as supplies to the stomach. The two may and
+should be combined; a man who is hungry may kill that he may be
+satisfied, the man who is sickly may kill that he may recover--neither
+may kill in excess; and a third may kill lest he become sick, provided
+nothing is injured that is not used.
+
+Death before the muzzle of a gun, in the hands of an experienced
+marksman, when the body of the charge striking the object terminates
+life instantly--and even when, in the hands of a bungler, the wounded
+bird is not put out of his pain till he is retrieved--is far more
+merciful than after capture in a trap, accompanied with agonies of
+apprehension and perhaps days of starvation, till the thoughtless boy
+shall remember his snare and awkwardly end life. The birds of the air
+and beasts of the field are given for man’s use and advantage, whether
+domesticated, or wild as they once all were; and if they serve to supply
+him with food or healthful exercise, and especially if they do both,
+they have answered their purpose. It is certainly no more brutalizing to
+shoot them on the wing or in the open field, when they have a reasonable
+chance to escape, than to wring their necks in the barn-yard, or knock
+them on the head with an axe.
+
+To become a sportsman, the first thing to acquire--provided nature has
+kindly furnished the proper groundwork of heart and body, without which
+little can be done--is the art of shooting. A few, very few men become,
+through fortuitous circumstances of nature and practice, splendid shots;
+many shoot well, and some cannot shoot at all. The author of this work
+has handled a gun from his twelfth year, and been out with thousands of
+sportsmen, but he never yet saw a dead shot--one who can kill every
+time.
+
+Crack shots, however, are numerous; and include, according to Frank
+Forester, those who, in covert and out of covert, the season through,
+will kill three out of five of the birds that rise fairly within range;
+but in the opinion of the author, the application should be extended to
+any man who can kill two out of five on an average. This calculation,
+however, has no reference to fair shots; every bird that rises within
+twenty-five yards and is seen, though it be but for an instant, and many
+that rise at thirty-five yards, are to be counted.
+
+In our country there is so much covert, that the man who picks his birds
+and only fires at open chances, is a potterer, unworthy even of the
+common-place name of gunner; he has nothing of the sportsman and little
+of the man about him. Afraid to miss, anxious to boast of his skill,
+desirous of surpassing his friends, he unites the qualities of braggart
+and sneak.
+
+Be liberal in your shots; do not grudge ammunition, nor dread the
+disgrace of a miss--the disgrace of eluding the trial is far greater;
+and no man who waits for open shots, and acquires a hesitating manner,
+will ever effect anything brilliant. If you miss, there are always
+plenty of excellent excuses at hand--your foot slipped, the bird dodged,
+a tree intervened; or, you hit him hard, cut out his feathers, or even
+killed him stone dead, but he did not fall at once. If you doubt the
+validity of these excuses, go out with the best shot you know and
+observe whether he does not furnish you with ten times the number in a
+week.
+
+Now, the author cannot shoot, and never could; but he manages to bring
+home as many quail, wood cock, snipe, rail, ruffed grouse, and ducks, on
+the average, as any of his friends. He observes that most of them miss
+as often as he does, with no better excuses, and some far oftener; but
+still he never, to the best of his belief, saw the season during which
+he killed--that is, bagged--one-half of the birds he shot at. Some
+professionals, of course, shoot at one kind of game wonderfully; the
+gunners of Long Island Bay are astoundingly accurate on wild-fowl, but
+would not kill one quail in a week; while some men who could scarcely
+touch a duck, handle their guns splendidly in the thickest cover.
+Professionals, however, usually yield the best chances to their
+employers, and may be more skilful than they seem; but among amateurs
+the author claims a rank that will at least entitle him to judge of
+others.
+
+The majority of persons rarely consider how many birds escape, without
+the fault of the marksman; at over thirty yards the best gun, especially
+when a little dirty, will leave openings in the charge where a bird may
+be hit with only one shot, if at all. Ducks, the larger bay-snipe,
+ruffed grouse, and, above all, quail late in the season, will carry off
+several shots--flying away apparently unhurt, although in the end they
+may fall dead. If the gun was held perfectly straight this would happen
+less frequently; but to so hold it is almost impossible, for no living
+man could kill, once in a dozen times, a flying bird with a single ball;
+and even then the probabilities are, that a yellow-leg snipe shot at
+more than thirty-five yards off, would once in five times carry away the
+few pellets that may strike him; and at forty yards escape entirely
+untouched. If the reader will select the best target his gun can make
+with an ounce of No. 8 shot at forty yards, and see how many spaces
+there are entirely vacant large enough to contain a snipe, he will be
+convinced that the above statement is correct; and at fifty yards, the
+chances are three to one against the marksman. Sir Francis Francis, who
+is a good authority in England, says, that to kill one bird in two shots
+is good shooting; and there the grounds are almost always open, while
+the reverse is the case with us.
+
+Do not be discouraged, therefore, if the sun gets in your eyes, your
+foot slips, the bird dodges, a few floating feathers are the only result
+of your effort, or you make a clean miss; others do the same. Neither
+lose your temper nor curse your luck, as by so doing you may excite your
+nerves and injure your shooting, and cannot improve it. Be cool, never
+shoot without an attempt at aim, if it is only where the bird
+disappeared; take your disappointments pleasantly, strive to do your
+best, and you will improve.
+
+Many ducks fly at least ninety miles an hour; that is, twenty-six
+hundred yards a minute, or forty-four yards a second; if, therefore, a
+duck starts at your feet with that velocity, and you require a second to
+cover him, he will be out of range; or if he is flying across, and you
+dwell one forty-fourth part of a second on your aim, you will miss him.
+A quail, late in the season, flies as fast as this, and rises with a
+rapidity equal to his flight. He is often found in coverts, dodges and
+twists with remarkable skill and judgment, frequently flies off in a
+direct line behind the thickest bush, and requires the perfection of
+training to bring down with certainty. These are difficulties that
+patience alone can overcome; for if shooting were simple, there would be
+no art or pleasure in it.
+
+All books on sporting tell you to fire ahead of cross shots, and in this
+they are right; but the reason they give is, that time is necessary for
+the shot to reach the object--in this they are wrong; shot moves
+infinitely faster than the bird, and for practical purposes, reaches its
+mark instantaneously. Human nerves and muscles, however, are imperfect,
+and it requires an instant, an important one, to discharge the gun after
+the aim is taken. The result, therefore, is the same, and you must
+endeavor to shoot ahead of the bird; and if he is flying fast, far ahead
+of him. If the motion of the object is followed and the gun kept moving
+before the discharge, some writers allege no allowance need be made, but
+it is so difficult not to pause slightly, that it is better in all cases
+to allow some inches.
+
+To follow the motion of a very fast-flying bird, is almost, if not quite
+impossible, and the attempt to do so at all, is apt to create a popping
+habit. When a broad-bill, driving before a strong north-wester, darts
+past, the best plan is to try and fire many feet, even ten or fifteen,
+ahead of him; and then you will rarely succeed in discharging your piece
+before he is abreast of the muzzle, and frequently will lag behind him.
+The aim must be taken on the line of flight, and a little attention will
+convince you that the bird is up with the sight ere the trigger is
+fairly pulled. A knowledge of this principle, and an ability to practise
+it, may be said to be the art of duck-shooting; as in that there are a
+vast majority of cross shots, and the birds fly rapidly.
+
+There is an erroneous idea that the eye must be lowered close down to
+the breech, in order to have a correct aim; but, while it is apparent if
+the neck is not bent at all there can be no aim, a slight inaccuracy
+will not only make no difference, but will give an advantage by throwing
+the shot high. It will be perceived, on fastening the gun in an
+immovable position, that the eye may be moved from near one hammer to
+the other, and the aim altered but a few inches, on an object thirty
+yards distant--an inaccuracy, considering the spread of shot, which is
+utterly unimportant.
+
+So also, although by the attraction of gravitation the charge falls
+somewhat, the deflection is too inconsiderable to merit attention.
+
+After watching himself carefully, reading what the best authors have
+written, and comparing experiences with his friends, the author has
+concluded that experienced sportsmen miss from hesitation in pulling the
+trigger, dwelling on the aim, and nervously shrinking from the recoil.
+The first fault arises from some temporary or permanent condition of
+mind or body, the second from anxiety to make assurance doubly sure, and
+the last from habit.
+
+If a man is naturally slow he can never shoot fast-flying birds, but if
+his fingers are stiff from cold he can warm them. A resolution to fire
+boldly, and not to dread missing, will cure the over-anxiety that
+destroys its own intent, but to meet the recoil without giving to it, or
+pushing against it, which is the more common mistake, is often extremely
+difficult. This unfortunate habit, occurring at the moment of highest
+excitement amid the noise and smoke, is rarely noticed by the guilty
+party, and some will at first stoutly deny its existence.
+
+To mind the recoil of a gun seems pusillanimous, and few can believe,
+till assured by actual experiment, that it equals sixty or seventy
+pounds, and will crush the bones of the body if immovably fixed. Let the
+reader observe the next time that his gun is unwittingly left at
+half-cock, how far he will pull it out of aim, and how he will push
+against it, when attempting to discharge it at game. An acquaintance of
+the writer, who would scout the idea of being affected by the recoil of
+his gun, and indeed would have sworn “it did not kick a bit,” was once
+chasing a diver on a placid, sluggish stream, in a dug-out. When the
+bird rose close to the boat, the sportsman was standing erect, poising
+himself with care in the unsteady craft, but as he pulled the trigger he
+instinctively pushed so hard, that, as the cap snapped, he lost his
+balance, upset the canoe, and pitched forward head-foremost overboard!
+
+Probably one half of the fair shots that are missed escape on account of
+this unfortunate nervousness; and it is a habit that can only be cured
+by incessant care and unrelated watchfulness. Anything that affects the
+nerves, as smoking or drinking, increases the difficulty, and the sudden
+flushing of a bird will cause it. Unhappily it is apt to be most
+prevalent when the shooting is good and the sportsman excited, thus
+ruining many of his best days. With heavy loads, or what is known as a
+kicking gun, the error will be aggravated; and most persons have no idea
+of the proper proportions of powder and shot, putting in immense
+quantities of the latter and sparing the former.
+
+The true load for a gun not exceeding eight pounds in weight, regardless
+of its size or bore, is one ounce and a quarter of shot and three
+drachma of the strongest powder, or three and a half drachms of common
+powder. The same proportion should be retained if the gun is heavier or
+the charge increased. Where more shot is used power is lost and recoil
+aggravated; and if the powder is not augmented one ounce of shot will do
+better execution than two.
+
+Many persons who have ascertained this fact and practise upon it, will
+inform you that they drive their shot through the birds, and
+consequently kill them instantly. This is a mistake; small shot are
+rarely, if ever, driven through a bird; but where the force is
+increased the blow is much harder, and stuns. It is the velocity rather
+than the size or number of the shot that tells. A soldier in battle was
+struck on the belt-plate by a spent minié bullet not a half inch in
+diameter, and he described himself as feeling that he had been torn to
+pieces, and that a cannon-ball had gone directly through his body.
+
+The size of the shot is to be proportioned to the size of the
+bird--weight, of course, being an element of power and telling on each
+individual pellet--but the more the aggregate amount can be reduced the
+less the recoil. Six drachms of powder and one ounce of shot, will not
+occasion as much recoil as three drachms of powder and an ounce and a
+half of shot.
+
+The gun should always be held firmly to the shoulder, and the shoulder
+never rested against a solid substance; indeed, the collar-bone may be
+broken by simply firing directly upwards. Therefore, never fire in the
+air while lying on your back upon the ground, and be careful when
+shooting at ducks from a boat not to support yourself upon the latter.
+
+If the reader still doubts the universally disastrous effects of
+cringing at the moment of discharge, let him have an assistant to load
+the gun out of sight, who without his knowledge shall vary the load, and
+occasionally put in none at all. Then let the reader fire at a mark, and
+in spite of the efforts which he will naturally make, he will find when
+there is no load, and consequently nothing to distract his attention,
+that he does shrink, and pull the muzzle somewhat off the object.
+
+This book is not written for beginners; there are plenty of works with
+every variety of instruction in them, and the reader is supposed to have
+read them, digested their contents, acquired a knowledge of the gun, and
+some skill in its use, and to have been frequently in the field, but to
+be perfect neither in the use of the gun, nor the practice of the
+sportsman’s art. There are, however, a few simple suggestions that may
+prove valuable, not only in acquiring the ability to shoot, but in
+restoring it where, from want of practice, it has diminished.
+
+The sportsman must be as quick and ready in handling his gun as the
+juggler in handling his tools; he must be able to bring it to his
+shoulder and point the muzzle at a stationary mark simultaneously, to
+aim in every direction with equal facility, and to follow a moving
+object accurately. This is merely mechanical, and is acquired, like
+every other mechanical art, by dint of practice.
+
+Some writers recommend firing at turnips tossed through the air by an
+assistant, and this is well; but an equally advantageous plan is to
+throw a soft ball about a room and take aim at it, pulling the trigger
+every time, with an unloaded and uncocked gun. The sole, but important,
+recommendation of this idea is, that it may be carried out anywhere and
+at all seasons, and if the reader will try it daily for a week before
+going into the field, he will perceive the effects.
+
+So also, to acquire quickness: if the reader will throw two small
+objects--pennies, or the like--into the air, and endeavor to aim at or
+hit them both before they reach the ground, he will in a short time
+obtain such facility that he will be able to lay down his gun, and after
+throwing the pennies, to pick it up and hit them both twice out of three
+times.
+
+To shoot at pigeons from a trap, robins from trees, and even swallows on
+the wing, although the practice differs greatly from shooting at game,
+is useful to a certain extent; but steady and long-continued practice of
+this nature is injurious rather than beneficial. It is somewhat
+notorious that the celebrated pigeon-shots are generally poor marksmen
+in the field, and entirely at a loss in thick covert.
+
+After all, however, the best place to learn the use of the gun, while it
+is by all odds the pleasantest, is in the field; where, amid the
+thousand beauties of nature, and under the excitement of the presence of
+game, the sportsman by slow degrees overcomes the innumerable
+difficulties that surround the art of shooting flying.
+
+Closely allied to skill in killing the right object is the ability to
+avoid killing the wrong one. A gun is extremely dangerous--how much so
+is known only to those who have handled it long; in spite of the best
+care it will occasionally go off at unexpected times, and in careless
+hands is sure, sooner or later, to do terrible damage. Every possible
+precaution must be taken, vigilance must never be relaxed, the muzzle
+must under no circumstances point towards the owner or his companions;
+if two men are crawling through thick brush, the gun of the first must
+point forwards, and of the last, backwards; the caps of muzzle-loaders
+should be removed on getting into a wagon, and when the loaded weapon is
+left in a house the hammers ought never to be left down on the caps;
+but, above all, no man who is not in search of an early grave should
+pull a gun towards him by the barrels.
+
+These rules are simple, and the reasons for them apparent; if the hammer
+is on the cap, a blow on it, or its catching on a twig, will discharge
+the load; if a horse runs away, as horses have an unpleasant habit of
+doing, even if the lock is at half-cock, the tumbler may be broken down;
+if a gun is capped in a house, every one but an idiot knows it is
+loaded; and if it is drawn towards a person--as will be often done by
+thoughtless people in taking it from a wagon or lifting it from a boat
+or from the ground--it is almost sure to go off.
+
+In the field it should be earned either at whole or half-cock;
+authorities differ as to which of these two modes is the safer. If the
+hammer is at full cock, a touch on the trigger will set it loose; if it
+is at half-cock, in the excitement of cocking it when a bird rises
+unexpectedly, it will often slip unintentionally. I prefer the former
+method, believing that the sense of danger makes the person more
+careful, and that the risk of a twig’s touching the trigger in spite of
+the trigger-guard is very slight, while the weapon is ready for instant
+use, and only has to be pointed at the object and discharged. Moreover,
+I have twice seen a gun that was at half-cock discharged when the
+sportsman was in the act of cocking it hastily, and twice when putting
+it back to half-cock; but the piece should never for a moment be trusted
+out of the sportsman’s hands without his first putting it at half-cock;
+nor should he ever cross a fence without the same precaution. In
+changing from whole to half-cock, pass the hammer below the first notch,
+so as to hear a distinct click when it is drawn back.
+
+Countrymen when about to walk a log over a rapid stream, will usually
+carefully put the hammers down on the caps, and placing the butt on the
+log, steady themselves by it, thus insuring their destruction if they
+should happen to slip; and if they stand on a fence they do the same
+thing, and rest the stock on the upper rail. Not only should such
+follies be avoided, but the gun should never be leaned against a tree,
+as thoughtless people are apt to do when they stop at a spring to drink,
+and never placed where it can slip or roll.
+
+When you desire to reload a muzzle-loader, put the hammer of the loaded
+barrel at half-cock, and if the right barrel has been discharged, set
+down the butt so that the hammers are towards you, and the contrary way
+if the left barrel is to be loaded; in this manner you will avoid
+bringing your hand over the loaded barrel, and in case the other charge
+should go off you would lose the end of your thumb, perhaps, but save
+most of your fingers.
+
+From the foregoing rules, which apply mainly to muzzle-loaders, it will
+be seen how much safer are breech-loaders; with them the entire charge
+can be withdrawn on entering a house or getting into a wagon, and there
+is absolutely no danger to fingers or thumb in the process of loading.
+And in carrying the weapon on long tramps in the woods, where it is
+frequently removed from boat to shoulder, from shoulder to boat, and
+from wagon to case, and when it has to be ready at any instant, with the
+muzzle-loader the only possible precaution is to leave the nipples
+without caps, which are to be carried in the vest pocket, and must be
+removed after every vain alarm; while with the breech-loader, the charge
+itself is not inserted till needed.
+
+With these few suggestions, which are applicable not merely to the kinds
+of sport treated of in this volume, but to every species of shooting, we
+leave the young sportsman to his own resources and to the knowledge that
+he will acquire in the field, hoping that he may find something in them
+that will aid him to kill reasonably often the game he points at, and to
+avoid the dreadful misfortune of injuring a friend or companion.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+DIRECTIONS FOR BUILDING A BATTERY.
+
+
+A battery, or sink-boat as it is called in some parts of the country, is
+a narrow box with a platform around it, so arranged that the weight of
+the shooter will sink it so nearly level with the water that the ducks
+will not notice it when it is hidden among the stand of stools that are
+always anchored around it. The box is almost square, narrowed a little
+on the bottom and at the foot, twenty-two inches across at the head,
+eighteen at the foot on the top, and four less on the bottom; the two
+end pieces are of one and a half inch oak, the sides of three-quarter
+inch white pine. It is fifteen inches deep, except at the head, which
+shoals up to six inches, beginning about two feet abaft the end. This is
+done in order to enable the sportsman to look over the edge of the box
+without getting a cramp in his neck, and besides to reduce the flotation
+of the battery as much as possible, which is a most important thing to
+effect. The narrowing of the bottom is for the same purpose of
+diminishing the buoyancy, for as it has to be sunk to the level of the
+water if the weight of the sportsman will not bring it down
+sufficiently, iron weights, or what is far preferable, iron decoys, have
+to be placed in it or on it, and weights in the box are always in the
+way.
+
+Two oak carlings are cut out six feet long, one and a quarter inch
+thick, and two and a half wide in the middle, tapering off to one and a
+quarter at the ends, with a bow or spring of an inch from the center to
+the extremities. Nail these firmly on each end an inch below the top of
+the box, and to them fasten the platform, which is made of planed stuff
+ten feet long, and to each end of which a batten is nailed as well as a
+short additional carling in the middle, projecting from the side of the
+box. Fill in the head and foot of the platform with short pieces, so as
+to make it compact, and take especial care to have it fit tightly around
+the box. As it is made of three-quarter inch stuff, there will be left a
+quarter of an inch all around the box to which, when the other work is
+done, a narrow piece of lead is nailed that can be raised to keep out
+the water in rough weather. Two boards, or what is better, two frames
+covered with duck, are hinged together by leather hinges. These are one
+foot wide each, and as long as the platform, and are hinged to it on
+both sides. A foot-piece made of two boards is hinged to the foot in the
+same way. To the head it is customary, on Long Island, to fasten a
+fender of the width of the battery and wings, and eighteen or twenty
+feet long. It is made of duck nailed to thin wooden slats, is tied on to
+the battery when in use, and taken off at other times. In other parts of
+the country it is customary to dispense with the fender and substitute a
+head wing of three boards hinged on like the foot and side wings. A
+single board, fourteen to sixteen inches wide, can be used at the foot
+in place of the double foot wing. Sometimes an additional row of lead is
+put on about the middle of the platform as an additional breakwater.
+
+The battery is anchored at both ends. From the head of the fender a sort
+of bridle, a short rope tied into the two corners, is fastened at the
+center or bight to the anchor rope. A small grapnel or light anchor is
+used at the head, as it is important that it should not drag, while at
+the stern, to a rope led through a hole in the foot board, a stone is
+fastened. This is arranged in this way as it is occasionally necessary
+to haul it in and throw it out again on a change of wind. The entire
+surface of the battery, wings and all, is to be painted a dull blue, as
+near the color of the water as possible. The necessary iron decoys, to
+bring the whole structure down to a level with the water, are set upon
+the platform, and the stand of stools, not less than a hundred and
+fifty, and double that number is better, are placed around the battery,
+mostly at the foot and towards the left side if the shooter is
+right-handed. A bottom board of half-inch stuff, with half-inch cleats
+under it, is put in the bottom of the box for the gunner to lie on, and
+all is ready for the exercises to begin. A sink-box made on this plan
+will stand quite a heavy sea, but care must be exercised in taking it up
+that the wind does not get under the fender when it is being hauled
+aboard the sailing vessel, that is ordinarily used in this kind of
+shooting, for if it does, and it is blowing at all hard, the fender,
+box, platform and all will be lifted out of the water and tossed
+skyward. Wear dull-colored clothes, never a red shirt, and a cap in
+battery shooting. And first and last, remember never to rise to shoot
+before the birds are well into the lower portion of the stools. More
+birds are lost by getting up too soon to shoot than from any other
+cause.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX.
+
+
+The following technical descriptions are taken mainly from “Giraud’s
+Birds of Long Island,” a work that is now almost out of print, but which
+is more valuable to the student of nature than some of its more
+pretentious rivals; and I have interpolated such suggestions and made
+such alterations as my experience dictated and the purposes of this work
+demanded. A discourse on the wild-fowl of the Northern States hardly
+seemed complete without such a description of them as would enable the
+sportsman to distinguish one from another; and yet it was not within the
+purview of a work intended for sportsmen, to devote much attention or
+many of its pages to ornithology. This is therefore condensed into an
+Appendix, where it will not trouble the general reader, but will be easy
+of reference when the information it contains is wanted.
+
+
+THE GOOSE.
+
+_Genus Anser_, Briss.
+
+_Generic Distinctions._--In this class of birds, the bill is shorter
+than the head, rather higher than broad at the base; head small,
+compressed; neck long and slender; body full; feet short, stout, and
+central, which enables them to walk with ease; wings long; tail short,
+rounded.
+
+
+THE WILD GOOSE.
+
+Canada Goose.
+
+_Anas Canadensis_, Wils.
+
+_Specific Character._--Length of bill from the corner of the mouth to
+the end, two inches and three-sixteenths; length of tarsi, two inches
+and seven-eighths; length from the point of the bill to the end of the
+tail, about forty inches; wing, eighteen; the head and greater portion
+of the neck black; cheeks and throat white. Adult with the head, greater
+part of the neck, primaries, rump, and tail, black; back and wings
+brown, margined with paler brown; lower part of the neck and under
+plumage, whitish-grey; flanks, darker grey; cheeks and throat white, as
+are the upper and under tail-coverts. The plumage of the female rather
+duller.
+
+This bird is nowhere very abundant, but migrates across the Northern
+States in their entire breadth from ocean to ocean; it obeys the call
+well, and stools readily if the gunner is carefully concealed. It is the
+latest in its migrations of the wild-fowl.
+
+
+THE BRANT.
+
+Barnacle Goose--Brent Goose.
+
+_Anas Bernicla_, Wils.
+
+_Specific Character._--Bill black; head and neck all round black; a
+patch on the sides of the neck white; upper parts brownish-grey, the
+feathers margined with light greyish-brown; quills and primary coverts
+greyish-black; fore part of breast light brownish-grey, the feathers
+terminally margined with greyish-white; abdomen and lower tail-coverts
+white; sides grey; feathers rather broadly tipped with white. Length two
+feet; wing fourteen inches and a half. Female rather smaller.
+
+The brant is not fond of the fresh lakes and streams, but prefers the
+ocean and its contiguous bays and lagoons; it is far more abundant along
+the sea-coast than upon the western waters, and in fact I am not aware
+that I have ever killed one in the inland States. It responds to its
+peculiar note, stools well, and is often killed in great numbers on the
+South Bay of Long Island.
+
+
+THE SWAN.
+
+_Genus Cygnus_, Meyer.
+
+_Generic Distinctions._--Bill longer than the head, higher than broad at
+the base, depressed and a little widened towards the end; upper
+mandible, rounded, with the dorsal line sloping; lower mandible
+flattened, with the angle very long, and rather narrow; nostrils placed
+near the ridge; head of moderate size, oblong, compressed; neck
+extremely long and slender; body very large, compact, depressed; feet
+short, stout, placed a little behind the centre of the body; tarsi
+short; wings long, broad; tail very short, graduated.
+
+
+THE WHITE SWAN.
+
+American Swan.
+
+_Cygnus Americanus_, Aud.
+
+_Specific Character._--Plumage, pure white; bill and feet black; length
+of the specimen before us, four feet; wing twenty-one and a half inches.
+
+These magnificent birds, the most majestic of the game-birds of our
+continent, are rarely shot to the northward and eastward of Chesapeake
+bay, but are much more abundant in the far West--even to and beyond the
+Rocky Mountains.
+
+
+FRESH-WATER DUCKS.
+
+_Genus Anas_, Linn.
+
+_Generic Distinctions._--Bill higher than broad at the base, widening
+towards the end, and about the same length as the head; the upper
+mandible with a slight nail at the end; neck rather long; body full;
+wings moderate, pointed; feet short, stout, and placed behind the centre
+of the body; walks with a waddling gait; hind toe furnished with a
+narrow membrane.
+
+
+MALLARD.
+
+Green Head, English Duck, Grey Duck (female), the Duck, the Wild Duck.
+
+_Anas Boschas_, Wils.
+
+_Specific Character._--Speculum bright purple, reflecting green,
+bordered with black; secondaries broadly tipped with black; secondary
+coverts towards their ends white, broadly tipped with black; adult male
+with the entire head and upper part of the neck bright green, with a few
+touches of reddish-brown passing from the forehead, on the occiput;
+middle of the neck with a white ring; the lower part of the neck and
+breast reddish-brown, approaching to chocolate; fore part of the back
+light brown, rest of the back darker; rump black; upper tail coverts
+greenish-black; upper parts of the wings brown, intermixed with grey;
+breast, sides, flanks, and abdomen, grey, transversely barred with
+dusky; bill greenish-yellow; feet reddish-orange; tail rounded,
+consisting of sixteen pointed feathers, nearly white; speculum violet;
+length two feet, wing eleven inches.
+
+Female smaller than the male; speculum less brilliant; general plumage
+brown; head and neck streaked with dusky; the feathers on the back and
+flanks margined with white, with a central spot of brown on the outer
+webs; bill black, changing to orange at the extremity.
+
+This bird is abundant both at the West and along the coast, but on the
+fresh water it frequents the mud-holes and shallow marshes, in
+contradistinction to the open water-ducks that affect the broad unbroken
+stretches of water.
+
+
+BLACK DUCK.
+
+Dusky Duck.
+
+_Anas Obscura_, Wils.
+
+_Specific Character._--General plumage dusky; speculum green, reflecting
+purple, bordered with black; secondaries tipped with white. Adult with
+the forehead, crown, occiput, and middle space on the hind neck
+brownish-black, the feathers slightly margined with greyish-brown;
+cheeks, loral space, and sides of the neck dusky grey, streaked with
+black; throat reddish-brown; general plumage dusky, lighter beneath;
+under wing-coverts white; speculum brilliant green; bill yellowish; feet
+reddish-orange. Female rather smaller, plumage lighter, speculum less
+brilliant. Length of male about two feet; wing eleven inches.
+
+These ducks are killed equally in the fresh and salt waters; they come
+to the decoys warily.
+
+
+GADWALL.
+
+Welsh Drake, German Duck.
+
+_Anas Strepera_, Wils.
+
+_Specific Character._--Speculum white; secondary coverts black; upper
+wing-coverts chestnut red; general plumage dusky grey, waved with white;
+abdomen white. Adult with the bill bluish-black; head and upper part of
+the neck grey, streaked with dusky--darkest on the upper part of the
+head, as well as the middle space on the hind neck; lower neck, upper
+part of the breast and fore part of the back blackish-brown, the
+feathers marked with semicircular bands of white, more distinctly on the
+fore part of the neck and upper part of the breast; sides of the body
+pencilled with greyish-white and dusky; lower part of the breast and
+abdomen white, the latter barred with dusky towards the vent; lower and
+upper tail-coverts and sides of the rump greenish-black; tail
+greyish-brown, margined with white; hind part of the back dark brown,
+faintly barred with white; primaries brown; secondaries greyish-brown,
+tipped with white; middle coverts reddish-brown; a few of the outer
+secondaries broadly margined with greenish-black; inner scapulars brown,
+broadly margined with dull yellowish-brown; outer undulated with dark
+brown and yellowish-white; feet dull orange. Female two inches shorter;
+about four inches less in extent. Length twenty-one inches and a half;
+wing eleven.
+
+This is an ugly duck, and not much esteemed by epicure or sportsman.
+
+
+WIDGEON.
+
+Bald-pate.
+
+_Anas Americana_, Wils.
+
+_Specific Character._--Bill short, the color light greyish-blue;
+speculum green, banded with black; under wing-coverts white. Adult male
+with the loral space, sides of the head below the eye, upper part of the
+neck and throat, brownish-white, spotted with black; a broad band of
+white, commencing at the base of the upper mandible, passing over the
+crown; behind the eye, a broad band of light green, extending backwards
+on the hind neck about three inches; the feathers on the nape rather
+long; lower neck and sides of the breast, with a portion of the upper
+part of the breast, reddish-brown; rest of the lower parts white,
+excepting a patch of black at the base of the tail; under tail-coverts
+same color; flanks brown, barred with dusky; tail greyish-brown, tipped
+with white; two middle feathers darker and longest; upper tail-coverts
+white, barred with dusky; lower part of the hind-neck and fore part of
+the back undulated with brownish and light brownish-red, hind part
+undulated with greyish-white; primaries brown; outer webs of inner
+secondaries black, margined with white--inner webs greyish-brown;
+secondary coverts white tipped with black; speculum brilliant green,
+formed by the middle secondaries. Length twenty-one inches, wing ten and
+a half. Female smaller, plumage duller, without the green markings.
+
+This duck is much prized along the sea-coast, but at the West he holds
+an inferior rank.
+
+
+PINTAIL.
+
+Sprig-tail--Pigeon-tail--Grey-Duck.
+
+_Anas Acuta_, Wils.
+
+_Specific Character._--Bill long and narrow, lead color; at the tip a
+spot of block, at the corner of the mouth a spot of similar color; neck
+long and slender; speculum bright purple, with reflecting deep green
+bordered with black; the feathers broadly tipped with white; tail long
+and pointed. Adult male with head, cheeks, throat, upper parts of the
+neck in front and sides, dark brown; a band of light purple behind the
+eye, extending about three inches on the sides of the neck; on the hind
+neck a band of black, with green reflections, fading as it extends on
+the back--a band of white commencing between the two former, passing
+down the neck on the lower part of the fore neck; breast and fore part
+of the abdomen white, tinged with pale yellow--hind part of the abdomen
+and vent greyish-white tinged with yellow, and marked with undulated
+lines of brown or dusky; at the base of the tail a patch of black; under
+tail-coverts black, margined with whitish; two middle feathers black,
+with green reflections, narrow, and about three inches longer than the
+rest, which are rather long and tapering; upper tail-coverts ash-grey,
+margined with yellowish-white, with a central streak of dusky. Rump
+greyish-brown, marked with undulating lines of white; sides of the rump
+cream color; sides of the body, back, and sides of the breast, marked
+with undulating lines of black and white. Primaries brown; shafts
+brownish-white, darker at their tips; secondaries and scapulars black,
+with green reflections, the former margined with grey, which is the
+color of the greater part of the outer web, the latter margined with
+white; speculum bright purple, with splendid green reflections edged
+with black, the feathers broadly tipped with white. Length twenty-nine
+inches, wing eleven. Female with the upper part of the head and hind
+neck dark brown, streaked with dusky; sides of the throat and fore neck
+lighter; a few touches of rust color on the chin and on the base of the
+bill. Upper plumage brown, the feathers margined and tipped with
+brownish-white; lower plumage brownish-white, mottled with brown;
+speculum less extensive, and without the lengthened tail feathers so
+conspicuous in the male.
+
+This duck is more abundant in the neighborhood of the great lakes than
+along the margin of the ocean; in epicurean qualities it ranks with the
+black duck.
+
+
+WOOD-DUCK.
+
+Summer-Duck.
+
+_Anas Sponsa_, Aud.
+
+_Specific Character._--The pendant crest, the throat, upper portion of
+the fore neck, and bands on the sides of the neck white, with the
+speculum blue, glossed with green and tipped with white. Adult male with
+the bill bright red at the base, the sides yellow; between the nostrils
+a black spot reaching nearly to the black, hooked nail; the head is
+furnished with long silken feathers, which fall gracefully over the hind
+neck, in certain lights exhibiting all the colors of the rainbow; a
+narrow white line from the base of the upper mandible, passing over the
+eye; a broader band of the same color behind the eye, both bands
+mingling with the long feathers on the occiput; throat and upper portion
+of the fore neck pure white, a band of the same color inclining towards
+the eye; a similar band on the sides of the neck, nearly meeting on the
+nape; lower portion of the neck reddish-purple, the fore part marked
+with triangular spots of white; breast and abdomen dull white; sides of
+the body yellowish-grey, undulated with black; the feathers towards the
+ends marked with a broad band of black, succeeded by a band of white;
+tips black; tail and upper tail-coverts greenish-black; lower
+tail-coverts brown; sides of the rump dull reddish-purple; rump, back,
+and middle portions of the hind neck, dark reddish-brown, tinged with
+green; a broad white band before the wings, terminating with black;
+lesser wing-coverts and primaries brown, most of the latter with a
+portion of their outer webs silvery white; the inner webs glossed with
+green towards the ends; secondaries tipped with white; their webs blue,
+glossed with green; the inner webs brown, their crowns violet-blue;
+secondaries black.
+
+Female, upper part of the head dusky, glossed with green; sides of the
+head, upper portion of the sides of the neck, with the nape,
+greyish-brown; a white patch behind the eye; throat white, the bands on
+the sides of the neck faintly developed; fore part and sides of the
+neck, with the sides of the body, yellowish-brown, marked with
+greyish-brown; breast and abdomen white, the former spotted with brown;
+lower tail-coverts greyish-white, mottled with brown; tail and upper
+tail-coverts dark brown, glossed with green; rump, back, and hind neck,
+dark brown, glossed with green and purple; bill dusky, feet dull green.
+The crest less than that of the male, and plain dull brown. Length
+twenty inches; wing eight inches and a half.
+
+This is an extremely beautiful duck, but of moderate size; it is rare on
+the sea-coast, but absolutely swarms during the month of September among
+the lily-pads of the Western swamps. Fed upon the berry of this plant,
+called at the South chincapin, it becomes fat and deliciously tender. It
+does not pay much attention to decoys.
+
+
+GREEN-WINGED TEAL.
+
+_Anas._
+
+_Anas Crecca_, Wils.
+
+_Specific Character._--Bill black, short, and narrow; the outer webs of
+the first five secondaries black, tipped with white; the next five plain
+rich green, forming the speculum; secondary coverts tipped with pale
+reddish-buff. Adult male with a dusky band at the base of the bill, of
+which color is the throat; a faint white band under the eye; upper part
+of the neck, sides of the head, and the crown, chestnut brown; a broad
+band of bright green commencing behind the eye, passing down on the
+nape, where it is separated by the terminal portion of the crest, which
+is dark blue; lower part of the hind neck, a small space on the fore
+neck, and the sides of the body, undulated with lines of black and
+white; lower portion of the fore neck and upper part of the breast
+reddish-brown, distinctly marked with round spots of brownish-black;
+abdomen yellowish-white, faintly undulated with dusky; a patch of black
+under the tail; outer tail-feathers buff, inner white, with a large spot
+of black on the inner webs; tail brown, margined with whitish, the outer
+feathers greenish-black; upper parts brown, faintly undulated with black
+and white, on the fore part of the back; outer scapulars similar, with a
+portion of their outer webs black; lesser wing-coverts brown-ash;
+greater coverts tipped with reddish-cream; the first five secondaries
+velvety-black; the next five bright green, forming the speculum, which
+is bounded above by pale reddish-buff, and on each side by deep black;
+before the wing a transverse, broad white band.
+
+Female smaller; head and neck streaked with brownish-white and dusky,
+darker on the upper part of the head; lower parts reddish-brown, the
+feathers margined with dusky, upper parts dusky-brown, the feathers
+margined and spotted with pale reddish-white, without the chestnut red
+and the green on the head; the black patch is wanting, as is the white
+band before the wings, the conspicuous spot on the wings is less
+extensive. Its short and narrow bill is at all times a strong specific
+character; length fifteen inches; wing seven inches and a half.
+
+This is an excellent little duck, too confiding for its own security,
+but capable of saving itself by great rapidity of flight. It is greatly
+attracted by decoys, and will generally alight among them if permitted.
+
+
+BLUE-WINGED TEAL.
+
+_Anas Discors_, Wils.
+
+_Specific Character._--Bill bluish-black and long in proportion with the
+other dimensions of this species; smaller wing-coverts light-blue;
+speculum purplish-green. Adult male with the upper part of the head
+black; a broad band of white on the sides of the head, before the eye
+margined with black; rest part of the head, and upper part of the neck
+greyish-brown, with purple reflections on the hind neck; chin black;
+lower parts reddish-brown; lower part of the fore neck and sides of the
+body spotted with blackish-brown; breast and abdomen barred with the
+same color; lower tail-coverts blackish-brown; tail brown, margined with
+paler, the feathers pointed, a patch of white on the sides of the rump;
+back brownish-black, glossed with green; the feathers on the fore part
+of the back and lower portion of the hind neck margined with
+yellowish-white; primaries brown; inner webs of the secondaries same
+color; outer vanes dark green, which form the speculum; secondary
+coverts brown, the outer broadly tipped with white, the inner tipped
+with blue; tertials dark-green, with central markings of deep buff;
+feet dull yellow.
+
+Female without the white patch on the sides of the head; throat white;
+lower parts greyish-brown, the feathers spotted with darker; upper parts
+blackish-brown, the feathers margined with bluish-white and pale buff;
+smaller wing-coverts blue; speculum green; secondary coverts the same as
+those of the male; length fourteen inches, wing seven inches and a half.
+
+This species greatly resembles the last.
+
+
+SPOONBILL.
+
+Shoveller.
+
+_Anas Clypeata_, Wils.
+
+_Specific Character._--Bill brownish-black, about three inches in
+length, near the end it is more than twice as broad as it is at the
+base; much rounded and closely pectinated, the size of the upper
+mandible at the base having the appearance of a fine-toothed comb. Adult
+male with the head and the neck for about half its length glossy green,
+with purple reflections; lower part of the neck and upper part of the
+breast white; rest of the lower plumage deep chestnut-brown, excepting
+the lower tail-coverts and a band across the vent, which is black, some
+of the feathers partly green; flanks brownish-yellow pencilled with
+black and blackish-brown; inner secondaries dark green with terminal
+spot of white; outer secondaries lighter green; primaries dark brown,
+their shafts white, with dusky tips; lesser wing-coverts light blue;
+speculum golden-green; rump and upper tail-coverts greenish-black, a
+patch of white at the sides of the rump; tail dark brown, the feathers
+pointed, broadly edged with white, of which color are the inner webs of
+the three outer feathers.
+
+Female with the crown dusky; upper plumage blackish-brown, the feathers
+edged with reddish-brown; breast yellowish-white, marked with
+semicircular spots of white. Young male with similar markings on the
+breast; length twenty inches and a half, wing ten.
+
+
+SEA-DUCK.
+
+_Genus Fuligula._
+
+_Generic Distinctions._--In this class the head is rather larger, neck
+rather shorter and thicker, than in the preceding genus (Anas), plumage
+more dense, feet stronger, and the hind toe with a broad appendage,
+which is the principal distinction.
+
+
+CANVAS-BACK.
+
+_Fuligula Valisneria_, Wils.
+
+_Specific Character._--Bill black, the length about three inches, and
+very high at the base; fore part of the head and the throat dusky;
+irides deep red; breast brownish-black. Adult male with the forehead,
+loral space, throat, and upper part of the head dusky; sides of the
+head, neck all round for nearly the entire length, reddish-chestnut;
+lower neck, fore part of the breast and back black; rest of the back
+white, closely marked with undulating lines of black; rump and upper
+tail-coverts blackish; wing-coverts grey, speckled with blackish;
+primaries and secondaries light slate color; tail short, the feathers
+pointed; lower part of the breast and abdomen white; flanks same color,
+finely pencilled with dusky; lower tail-coverts blackish-brown,
+intermixed with white; length twenty-two inches, wing nine and a
+quarter.
+
+Female, upper parts greyish-brown; neck, sides, and abdomen the same;
+upper part of the breast brown; belly white, pencilled with blackish;
+rather smaller than the male, with the crown blackish-brown.
+
+This is without question the finest duck that flies, as it is the
+largest and gamest; it is abundant late in the season, but wary.
+
+
+RED-HEAD.
+
+_Fuligula Ferina_, Wils.
+
+_Specific Character._--Bill bluish, towards the end black, and about two
+inches and a quarter long; irides yellowish-red. Adult male with head,
+which is rather large, and the upper part of the neck all round, dark
+reddish chestnut, brightest on the hind neck; lower part of the neck,
+extending on the back and upper part of the breast, black; abdomen
+white, darker towards the vent, where it is barred with undulating lines
+of dusky; flanks grey, closely barred with black; scapulars the same;
+primaries brownish-grey; secondaries lighter; back greyish-brown, barred
+with fine lines of white; rump and upper tail coverts blackish-brown;
+tail feathers greyish-brown, lighter at the base; lower tail-coverts
+brownish-black, rather lighter than the upper; length twenty inches;
+wing nine and a half. Female about two inches smaller, with the head,
+neck, breast, and general color of the upper parts brown; darker on the
+upper part of the head, lighter on the back; bill, legs, and feet,
+similar to those of the male.
+
+This duck, as it is scarcely distinguishable from the canvas-back, and
+has mainly the same habits, is but little inferior to that incomparable
+bird.
+
+
+BROAD-BILL.
+
+Blue Bill, Scaup, Black Head, Raft Duck.
+
+_Fuligula Marila_, Linn.
+
+_Specific Character._--The head and neck all round, with the fore part
+of the breast and fore part of back, black; the sides of the head and
+the sides and hind part of the neck dark green, reflecting purple;
+length of bill, when measured along the gap, two inches and
+five-sixteenths; length of tarsi one inch and three-eighths; length from
+the point of the bill to the end of the tail nineteen inches; wing eight
+inches and five-eighths; a broad white band crossing the secondaries
+and continues on the inner primaries. Adult male with the forehead,
+crown, throat, and upper part of the fore neck brownish-black; sides of
+the head, neck, and hind neck, dark green; lower portion of the neck all
+round, with the upper part of the breast, purplish-black; rest of the
+lower parts white, undulated with black towards the vent; under
+tail-coverts blackish-brown; tail short, dark brown, margined and tipped
+with lighter brown; upper tail-coverts and rump blackish-brown; middle
+of the back undulated with black and white; fore part black; wings
+brown, darker at the base and tips; speculum white, formed by the band
+crossing the secondaries and inner primaries; scapulars and inner
+secondaries undulated with black and white; secondary coverts
+blackish-brown, undulated with white. Female with a broad patch of white
+on the forehead; head, neck, and fore part of the breast umber brown;
+upper parts blackish-brown; abdomen and lower portions of breast white;
+scapulars faintly marked with white.
+
+
+WHISTLER.
+
+Golden Eye, Great Head.
+
+_Fuligula Clangula_, Linn.
+
+_Specific Character._--Bill black, high at the base, where there is
+quite a large spot of white; head ornamented with a beautiful crest, and
+feathers more than an inch long and loose; insides yellow; the entire
+head and upper part of the neck rich glossy-green, with purple
+reflections, more particularly so on the throat and forehead; rest of
+the neck, with the entire plumage, white; sides of the rump and vent
+dusky grey; tail greyish-brown; back and wings brownish-black--a large
+patch of white on the latter, formed by the larger portion of the
+secondaries and the tips of its coverts; legs reddish-orange. Length
+twenty inches; wing nine inches. Female head and upper part of the neck
+dull brown; wings dusky; lower parts white, as are six of the
+secondaries and their coverts; the tips of the latter dusky. About three
+inches smaller than the male.
+
+
+DIPPER.
+
+Butter Ball, Buffel-Headed Duck, Spirit Duck.
+
+_Fuligula Albeola_, Linn.
+
+_Specific Character._--Bill blue, from the corner of the mouth to the
+end about one inch and a half, the sides rounded, narrowed towards the
+point; head thickly crested, a patch behind the eye and a band on the
+wings white. Adult male with the plumage of the head and neck thick, and
+long forehead; loral space and hind neck rich glossy green, changing
+into purple on the crown and sides of the head; from the eye backwards
+over the head a triangular patch of white; the entire breast and sides
+of the body pure white; abdomen dusky white; tail rounded,
+greyish-brown; upper tail-coverts lighter; under tail-coverts soiled
+white; back and wings black, with a patch of white on the latter. Female
+upper plumage sooty-brown, with a band of white on the sides of the
+head; outer webs of a few of the secondaries same color; lower part of
+the fore neck ash-color; breast and abdomen soiled white; tail feathers
+rather darker than those of the male. Male fourteen and a half inches
+long; wing six inches and three-fourths. Female rather smaller.
+
+The dipper is quite plentiful everywhere in the Northern States, but not
+much valued.
+
+
+OLD WIFE.
+
+South Southerly, Old Squaw, Long-Tailed Duck.
+
+_Faligula Glacialis_, Linn.
+
+_Specific Character._--Length of bill, from the termination of the
+frontlet feathers to the point, one inch and one-sixteenth--the upper
+mandible rounded; the sides very thin; the bill rather deeply serrated,
+and furnished with a long nail; tail feathers acute. In the male the
+middle pair of tail feathers are extended about four inches beyond the
+next longest, which character is wanting with the female. Adult male
+with the bill black at the base; anterior to the nostril reddish-orange,
+with a dusky line margining the nail; fore part of the head white, the
+same color passing over the head down the hind neck on the back; eyes
+dark red; cheeks and loral space dusky-white, with a few touches of
+yellowish-brown; a black patch on the sides of the neck terminating in
+reddish-brown; fore neck white; breast brownish-black, terminating in an
+oval form on the abdomen--the latter white; flanks bluish-white;
+primaries dark brown; secondaries lighter brown, their coverts black; a
+semicircular band of black on the fore part of the back; the outer two
+tail feathers white--the rest marked with brown, excepting the four
+acuminated feathers, which are blackish-brown, the middle pair extending
+several inches beyond the others. Female without the long scapulars or
+elongated tail feathers; bill dusky-green; head dark, greyish-brown--a
+patch of greyish-white on the sides of the neck; crown blackish; upper
+parts dark greyish-brown; lower parts white. Length of male from the
+point of the bill to the end of the elongated tail feathers twenty-three
+inches; wing eight inches and five-eighths. Female about six inches less
+in length.
+
+This bird is abundant along the coast, but is generally tough and fishy.
+
+
+MERGANSER.
+
+_Genus Mergus_, Linn.
+
+_Generic Distinctions._--Bill straight, higher than broad at base; much
+smaller towards the end; upper mandible hooked; teeth sharp; head rather
+large, compressed; body rather long, depressed; plumage very thick; feet
+placed far behind; wings moderate, acute; tail short, rounded.
+
+[Illustration: SHELDRAKE.]
+
+
+SHELL-DRAKE.
+
+Goosander Wenser.
+
+_Mergus Merganser_, Wils.
+
+_Specific Character._--Forehead low; head rounded, crested; bill bright
+red, the ridge black, high at base; upper mandible much hooked. Adult
+male with the head and upper part of the neck greenish-black; lower
+portion of the neck white; under plumage light buff, delicately tinged
+with rose-color, which fades after death; sides of the rump
+greyish-white, marked with undulating lines of dusky; fore part of the
+back and inner scapulars glossy black; hind part of the back ash-grey;
+the feathers margined and tipped with greyish-white, lighter on the
+rump; upper tail-coverts grey, the feathers marked with central streaks
+of dusky; tail feathers darker; primaries dark brown; wing coverts and
+secondaries white, the outer webs of the latter edged with black; the
+basal part of the greater coverts black, forming a conspicuous band on
+the wings; under tail-coverts white, outer webs marked with dusky grey,
+which is the color of the greater part of the web; bill and feet bright
+red. Female with the head and upper part of the neck reddish-brown;
+throat and lower neck in front white; breast and abdomen deeply tinged
+with buff; upper parts and sides of the body ash-grey; speculum white.
+Length of male, twenty-seven inches; wing, ten and a half. Female about
+three inches smaller. Young like the female.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
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+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Florida and the Game Water-Birds, by 
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