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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..af13a48 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #55478 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55478) diff --git a/old/55478-0.txt b/old/55478-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index e114a6d..0000000 --- a/old/55478-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10108 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Game-Birds of the Coasts and Lakes of -the Northern States of America, 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: The Game-Birds of the Coasts and Lakes of the Northern States of America - -Author: Robert Barnwell Roosevelt - -Release Date: September 2, 2017 [EBook #55478] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GAME-BIRDS OF THE COASTS *** - - - - -Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - - The - Celebrated Sporting Works - OF - ROBERT B. ROOSEVELT. - - I. - - The Game Fish of the North - - II. - - Superior Fishing. - - III. - - The Game Birds of the North. - - ⁂ _All published uniform with this volume, - handsomely bound in cloth, price $2.00. - Sent free by mail on receipt - of price_, - - BY - - Carleton, Publisher, - New York. - - - - - THE - GAME-BIRDS - OF THE - COASTS AND LAKES OF THE NORTHERN STATES - OF AMERICA. - - A FULL ACCOUNT OF THE SPORTING ALONG OUR SEASHORES - AND INLAND WATERS, WITH A COMPARISON - OF THE MERITS OF BREECH-LOADERS - AND MUZZLE-LOADERS. - - BY ROBERT B. ROOSEVELT, - AUTHOR OF “THE GAME-FISH OF NORTH AMERICA,” “SUPERIOR FISHING,” - “COUNTRY LIFE,” ETC., ETC. - - NEW YORK: - _Carleton, Publisher, 413 Broadway._ - M DCCC LXVI. - - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by - - GEO. W. CARLETON, - -In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for the - Southern District of New York. - - THE NEW YORK PRINTING COMPANY, - _81, 83, and 85 Centre Street_, - NEW YORK. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - PAGE - - - CHAPTER I. - - Game of Ancient and Modern Days.--Its Protection and Importance.--The - proper Shooting Seasons.--The Impolicy of using Batteries and - Pivot-Guns. 7 - - - CHAPTER II. - - Guns and Gunnery.--Breech-loaders compared with Muzzle-loaders.--A - Sharp Review of the “Dead Shot.”--The Field Trial. 27 - - - 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. 66 - - - 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. 98 - - - CHAPTER V. - - Bay-Birds.--Particular Descriptions and Scientific Characteristics.--A - Complete Account of each Variety. 140 - - - 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. 178 - - - CHAPTER VII. - - Rail and Rail-Shooting.--Seasons, Localities, and Incidents of - Sport.--Use of Breech-loader or Muzzle-loader.--Equipment. 190 - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - Wild-Fowl Shooting.--General Directions, from Boats, Blinds, or - Batteries.--Retrievers from Baltimore and Newfoundland.--Western - Sport.--Equipment. 205 - - - 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. 219 - - - CHAPTER X. - - Suggestions to Sportsmen.--A Definition of the Term.--Crack - Shots.--The Art of Shooting.--The Art of not Shooting. 271 - - - CHAPTER XI. - - Trap-Shooting.--Its Justification.--The Assistants.--Rules and - Regulations.--Care of Birds.--Tricks of the Trade. 288 - - - APPENDIX. - - Ornithological Descriptions of the Geese and Ducks, with Remarks and - Suggestions on their Habits.--Rules of Trap-shooting. 303 - - - - - -THE GAME BIRDS OF THE NORTH. - - - - -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 -pin nated 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 -when the Southern shores shall be frequented with gunners as plenteously -as those of Long Island and New Jersey, the last days of the bay-fowl -will have arrived. - -At present we suffer more from improper modes of pursuit than from -absolute scarcity of game. The habit of using “batteries” in the South -Bay of Long Island, and locating them on the feeding or sanding-grounds, -has resulted in frightening away the birds. Where, a few years ago, ten -ducks stopped in the water adjoining that famous sand-pit, there can -hardly be found one at present. After being disturbed on their -feeding-grounds by murderous discharges from an unseen foe in their -midst, they become alarmed and leave the locality altogether. To be -sure, for a year or so, the number killed from that ingenious mode of -ambush will be enormous; but it is at a terrible sacrifice of the -supply, and will eventuate in ruin to those engaged in it. At present on -Long Island it is hardly possible to obtain a decent day’s sport without -using a “battery;” but in the South, along the Chesapeake and Potomac, -where the use of these inventions has never been allowed, the ducks are -as abundant as ever. - -There is no meaner mode of shooting than from a battery. In attaining -destructiveness, every idea of beauty, comfort, or sportsmanship is -sacrificed. The shooter lies on his back in a species of coffin sunk to -the level of the water, with his decoys near by; and whenever a flock -approaches, he rises to a sitting posture and fires. He cannot leave his -battery nor move it, nor hardly turn round in it, and is unable to -retrieve his ducks without the aid of an assistant. It is an invention -suited solely to the market-gunner, and utterly unfitted to the -sportsman. Bad weather prevents its use altogether; and in a moderate -breeze the water is apt to break over the narrow rim and destroy the -comfort, if not absolutely endanger the safety, of the sportsman. - -When ducks are scarce the confinement is wearisome; and when they are -abundant the excitement, united to the awkwardness of position, often -leads to terrible accidents. “Cribbed, cabined, and confined,” the -duck-shooter lies for weary hours exposed to the cold winds of winter, -unable to keep his blood in circulation by exercise, and is hardly -remunerated by the sport; although, if money be his object, he may be -paid by the commercial value of his game. It is this ignoble mode of -warfare that, more than anything else, has brought discredit upon -wild-fowl shooting; for the upland shooter, accustomed to the free -motion and active exertion of his favorite pursuit, naturally feels -disgusted at being thrust into a box scarcely large enough to contain -his body, and which cramps his every motion. - -At the South, where the sportsman shoots from behind a blind, and calls -to his aid the courage and intelligence of his faithful “retriever” to -recover his game, the walk to and from the stand warms his blood, and he -can move around at will. In the West, where duck-shooting is to be had -in perfection, the sportsman pushes his light and narrow boat through -the weeds and lilies of the marshes, and has many a long chase after -wounded birds that will bring into play his muscles, and send the -circulation through his veins. Even in shooting through the “sneak -boxes” of Barnegat Bay, there is much exercise and a certain amount of -liberty of motion; but in the battery, a man is a mere death-dealing -machine, expected to mind neither cold nor cramp, and to demand neither -comfort nor pleasure. - -One of the most necessary reforms in the game-laws would be the absolute -prohibition of the use of a battery. At the South this was done by the -good sense of the people; and many a stranger from Long Island, who was -unaware of the customs of the country, and had brought with him his -battery to teach the natives “New York tricks,” has been warned to move -his quarters by the whistle of a rifle-ball skipping across the water. -It is surprising that the gunners of the great South Bay did not long -ago discover that their interest lay in discontinuing the use of this -machine. For the first few years, perhaps, after its prohibition, they -might not have as good success; but in time the birds would resume their -old habits and renew their visits to what should be the paradise of -both ducks and sportsmen. They all know and regret the diminution of -wild fowl, and most of them are satisfied from what cause it arises; but -as the immediate losses from a change would fall upon themselves heavily -at first, they shrink from decided action. - -If, however, the birds are to be retained, and prevented from gradually -withdrawing, year after year, until they shall desert us _in toto_, the -use of the battery must be prevented. When that is done, we shall soon -again have such days as we once had in and about old Raccoon Beach, when -sportsmen innumerable collected to welcome the advent of their prey; -when the tale and song filled up the long evenings, and the ducks -quacked their hosannas at early dawn; when every point was occupied by a -happy sportsman, and every boat came home loaded with game. - -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. - -Every one--whether the gentleman who, in search of health or pleasure, -visits the muddy bays or sand-spits of our coast, or the market-gunner -who has learnt naught of useful labor for many years but to handle -skilfully his heavy double-barrel--every one, we say, who pursues -wild-fowl, whether for sport or business, is interested in enforcing -upon his friends and neighbors the necessity of discontinuing the use of -the battery and pivot-gun. Although the results of the day’s shooting -may be diminished for a time, they will both gain in the long run; and -we shall once more see the crowds of geese, brant, and ducks stretching -in interminable lines across the sky; and have them flying by the points -where we hide, or dropping to our stools near by, as plenteously every -day as we can now kill them, in exceptional cases, from the battery. -When their feeding-grounds are undisturbed, their multitudinous hosts -will again cover the waters of our bays, and hold their noisy -consultations over the many theories and crotchets which are disputed in -duck philosophy. Then the true sportsman will visit his favorite tavern, -located conveniently at the edge of the salt meadows, certain, in the -proper season, of having fair sport; and the willing bay-man will again -reap rich and permanent harvests, either for his patron or himself. - -Now a good bag is so rare that gentlemen seldom go to Long Island for -duck-shooting, and the inhabitants lose a valuable custom in -consequence; and although, by selecting a propitious occasion, the -market-man sometimes still kills a great number, he experiences a vast -majority of poor days. It is, therefore, the manifest interest of both -classes to repress these unjustifiable and murderous modes of shooting, -and to encourage, by all possible means, the return of wild-fowl to -their former favorite haunts--the bays, lagoons, and inlets of our own -beloved coast. - - - - -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, about one hundred 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 buckshot, 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 generally 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 twenty 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 five -breech-loaders to one muzzle-loader. As they are not extensively 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. - -A cartridge is made of stout 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 farther 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. - -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 have finally 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-match between the nobility and gentry of England in -1863, described in the London _Field_, volume xxiii., p. 389, where it -is to be supposed that the best implements the country could furnish -were used, and where some of the shooting was done at thirty yards, the -first and second prizes were both taken by 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. - -----------------------+----------------+-----+-----------+----------+-----------> - | | | | | | - Name of Maker. | Kind of Gun. |Bore.| Length of |Weight of | Charge of | - | | | Barrel. | Gun. | Powder. | - | | | | | | -----------------------+----------------+-----+-----------+----------+-----------> - | | | in. | lb. oz. | drs. | -----------------------+----------------+-----+-----------+----------+-----------> -Pape, Newcastle | Muzzle-loader | 12 | 30 | 6.11 | 2¾ | -Prince & Green, London| “ | 12 | 30 | 7.6 | 2¾ | -Pape | “ | 12 | 29½ | 6.8 | 2¾ | -Egen, Bradford | Breech-loader | 12 | 30 | 7.8 | 3 | -Prince & Green | “ | 12 | 30 | 7.2 | 3 | -Pape | “ | 12 | 30 | 7.0 | 3 | -Pape | Muzzle-loader | 13 | 30 | 7.0 | 2¾ | -Needham, London | Breech-loader | 13 | 29 | 6.10 | 3 | -Egan | Muzzle-loader | 13 | 28 | 6.14 | 2¾ | -Culling, Dowtham | | | | | | - Market | “ | 12 | 29½ | 6.10 | 2½ | -Reilly, London | Breech-loader | 16 | 30 | 7.4 | 3 | -Elliott, Birmingham | “ | 16 | 28 | 7.4 | 2¾ | -Needham | “ | 13 | 28½ | 7.4 | 3 | -Hast, Colchester | “ | 12 | 31 | 7.8 | 3 | -Reilly | “ | 12 | 30 | 7.4 | 3 | -Elliott | “ | 13 | 28 | 5.4 | 3 | -Francotte, Liege | “ | 14 | 29½ | 7.8 | 3 | -----------------------+----------------+-----+-----------+----------+-----------> - | Averages | | | | | -----------------------+----------------+-----+-----------+----------+-----------> - - -----------------------+-----------+----------------------+----------+-----------> - | | | | No. of | - Name of Maker. | Charge of | No. of Marks on | No. of | shots | - | Shot. | Face of Targets. | Sheets | through | - | | | pierced. |20 sheets. | -----------------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+-----------> - | oz. |at 40 yds. |at 60 yds.|at 40 yds.| at 60 yds.| -----------------------+-----------+-----------+----+-----+----+-----+-----+-----> -Pape, Newcastle | 1¼ | 158 | 118 | 63 | 60 | 28 | 33 | 5 | 2 | -Prince & Green, London| 1¼ | 148 | 98 | 52 | 65 | 28 | 22 | 1 | 2 | -Pape | 1¼ | 116 | 129 | 46 | 40 | 25 | 28 | 1 | 1 | -Egen, Bradford | 1¼ | 144 | 90 | 32 | 58 | 28 | 30 | 0 | 2 | -Prince & Green | 1¼ | 103 | 93 | 60 | 62 | 24 | 31 | 2 | 4 | -Pape | 1¼ | 132 | 93 | 55 | 38 | 26 | 33 | 2 | 3 | -Pape | 1¼ | 117 | 71 | 47 | 61 | 29 | 37 | 4 | 8 | -Needham, London | 1⅛ | 65 | 135 | 24 | 54 | 29 | 39 | 0 | 1 | -Egan | 1⅛ | 113 | 113 | 24 | 46 | 23 | 34 | 0 | 1 | -Culling, Dowtham | | | | | | | | | | - Market | 1-3/16 | 106 | 103 | 35 | 31 | 22 | 32 | 0 | 0 | -Reilly, London | 1¼ | 95 | 105 | 50 | 31 | 20 | 27 | 2 | 0 | -Elliott, Birmingham | 1 | 73 | 99 | 22 | 42 | 30 | 40 | 0 | 1 | -Needham | 1⅛ | 97 | 95 | 31 | 20 | 22 | 26 | 0 | 0 | -Hast, Colchester | 1⅛ | 100 | 77 | 32 | 28 | 33 | 25 | 0 | 0 | -Reilly | 1¼ | 88 | 91 | 37 | 31 | 22 | 27 | 2 | 1 | -Elliott | 1 | 90 | 87 | 20 | 28 | 20 | 31 | 1 | 0 | -Francotte, Liege | 1⅛ | 60 | 48 | 31 | 40 | 25 | 23 | 0 | 0 | -----------------------+-----------+-----+-----+----+-----+----+-----+-----+-----> - | | 106 | 97 | 33 | 43 | 26 | 30 | 1 |1½ | -----------------------+-----------+-----+-----+----+-----+----------+-----+-----> - -----------------------+---------------+---------------+----------- - | | | - Name of Maker. | Total on face | Tot’l thro’gh | Recoil in - | of 4 targets. | 4 targets. | pounds. - | | | -----------------------+---------------+---------------+----------- - | | | -----------------------+---------------+---------------+-----+----- -Pape, Newcastle | 399 | 68 | 68 | 62 -Prince & Green, London| 363 | 53 | 66 | 65 -Pape | 331 | 55 | 68 | 64 -Egen, Bradford | 324 | 60 |untested. -Prince & Green | 3 8 | 61 | “ -Pape | 318 | 64 | 70 | 68 -Pape | 296 | 78 |untested. -Needham, London | 278 | 69 | 64 | 62 -Egan | 296 | 58 | 68 | 68 -Culling, Dowtham | | | | - Market | 275 | 54 | 59 | 61 -Reilly, London | 281 | 49 |untested. -Elliott, Birmingham | 236 | 71 | 64 | 66 -Needham | 243 | 48 | 65 | 61 -Hast, Colchester | 237 | 58 | 72 | 69 -Reilly | 247 | 52 | 76 | 73 -Elliott | 225 | 52 | 64 | 68 -Francotte, Liege | 179 | 48 | 74 | 68 -----------------------+---------------+---------------+-----+----- - | 285 | 59 | 67 | 66 -----------------------+---------------+---------------+-----+----- - - -TABLES OF THE FIELD TRIAL. - -----------------------+----------------+-----+-----------+----------+-----------> - | | | | | | - Name of Maker. | Kind of Gun. |Bore.| Length of |Weight of | Charge of | - | | | Barrel. | Gun. | Powder. | - | | | | | | -----------------------+----------------+-----+-----------+----------+-----------> - | | | in. | lb. oz. | drs. | -----------------------+----------------+-----+-----------+----------+-----------> -O. Smith, Derby | Muzzle-loader | 15 | 30 | 6.14 | 2¾ | -Culling | “ | 14 | 28½ | 6.11 | 2¼ | -Dougall, Glasgow | “ | 14 | 27 | 5.14 | 2½ | -Joe Manton, London | “ | 16 | 31 | 6.12 | 2½ | -Culling | “ | 14 | 29 | 6.0 | 2¼ | -Reilly | Breech-loader | 15 | 30 | 6.14 | 3 | -Lang, London | “ | 15 | 29 | 6.8 | 3 | -Reilly | Muzzle-loader | 14 | 29 | 6.4 | 2¾ | -Prince & Green | Breech-loader | 15 | 30 | 7.0 | 3 | -Prince & Green | Muzzle-loader | 14 | 30 | 7.0 | 2¾ | -Hast | “ | 15 | 30½ | 6.8 | 2¾ | -Reilly | Breech-loader | 15 | 28 | 6.4 | 2¾ | -----------------------+----------------+-----+-----------+----------+-----------> - | Averages | | | | | -----------------------+----------------+-----+-----------+----------+-----------> - - -----------------------+-----------+----------------------+----------+-----------> - | | | | No. of | - Name of Maker. | Charge of | No. of Marks on | No. of | shots | - | Shot. | Face of Targets. | Sheets | through | - | | | pierced. |20 sheets. | -----------------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+-----------> - | oz. |at 40 yds. |at 60 yds.|at 40 yds.| at 60 yds.| -----------------------+-----------+-----+-----+----+-----+----+-----+-----+-----> -O. Smith, Derby | 1⅛ | 101 | 121 | 48 | 55 | 38 | 22 | 3 | 5 | -Culling | 1⅛ | 147 | 85 | 42 | 48 | 24 | 19 | 0 | 0 | -Dougall, Glasgow | 1 | 130 | 92 | 30 | 60 | 25 | 27 | 2 | 0 | -Joe Manton, London | 1 | 122 | 86 | 86 | 57 | 27 | 28 | 2 | 0 | -Culling | 1⅛ | 101 | 103 | 30 | 55 | 21 | 25 | 0 | 1 | -Reilly | 1¼ | 105 | 106 | 63 | 26 | 29 | 33 | 6 | 1 | -Lang, London | 1¼ | 129 | 57 | 45 | 52 | 20 | 28 | 0 | 3 | -Reilly | 1⅛ | 99 | 99 | 34 | 42 | 32 | 27 | 0 | 8 | -Prince & Green | 1 | 77 | 100 | 41 | 31 | 33 | 26 | 5 | 0 | -Prince & Green | 1 | 71 | 92 | 52 | 27 | 20 | 29 | 0 | 0 | -Hast | 1⅛ | 83 | 55 | 44 | 24 | 28 | 29 | 5 | 0 | -Reilly | 1⅛ | 83 | 101 | 34 | 7 | 18 | 28 | 0 | 0 | -----------------------+-----------+-----+-----+----+-----+----+-----+-----+-----> - | | 104 | 92 | 42 | 40 | 26 | 27 | 2 |1½| -----------------------+-----------+-----+-----+----+-----+----+-----+-----+-----> - - -----------------------+---------------+---------------+----------- - | | | - Name of Maker. | Total on face | Tot’l thro’gh | Recoil in - | of 4 targets. | 4 targets. | pounds. - | | | -----------------------+---------------+---------------+----------- - | | | -----------------------+---------------+---------------+-----+----- -O. Smith, Derby | 325 | 68 | 68 | 58 -Culling | 322 | 43 | 53 | 54 -Dougall, Glasgow | 312 | 54 | 65 | 68 -Joe Manton, London | 301 | 57 | 64 | 62 -Culling | 289 | 47 | 60 | 44 -Reilly | 300 | 69 | 69 | 76 -Lang, London | 283 | 51 | 64 | 60 -Reilly | 274 | 67 | 68 | 74 -Prince & Green | 249 | 64 | 71 | 73 -Prince & Green | 242 | 49 | 69 | 64 -Hast | 206 | 63 | 68 | 67 -Reilly | 225 | 46 | 68 | 72 -----------------------+---------------+---------------+-----+----- - | 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. - -A book called the _Dead Shot_, which has been circulated extensively in -our country, remarkable more for the wonderful number of mistakes, if -not absurdities, that it contains, than for any other quality, denounces -the breech-loaders in unmeasured terms, and, among others, gives the -following categorical objections, to each of which the writer appends, -from personal experience, what he considers an answer. The _Dead Shot_ -says: - -“1. The breech-loader does not shoot so strong nor kill so far as the -muzzle-loader, though allowed a quarter of a drachm of powder extra.” - -The contrary was proved at the _Field_ trial, as shown by the foregoing -tables, and is proved in the field daily. - -“2. The breech-loader is, of necessity, much heavier than a -muzzle-loader of the same gauge.” - -About one quarter of a pound. - -“3. It is more expensive as regards ammunition, and also as to the gun -itself--the latter by reason of its not lasting so long, and its greater -liability to get out of repair than a muzzle-loader.” - -The cartridge-cases cost about twenty dollars a thousand; so that if -they are used but once, a single additional quail or woodcock will pay -for ten of them. The same wise economy raised this objection of expense -against percussion-caps when first introduced. The gun lasts longer, as -there is no breech to become rusty or burnt out with percussion powder, -and the barrels may always be kept in perfect cleanliness. - -“4. The recoil on discharge is heavier and the report louder than that -produced by the muzzle-loader.” - -The first portion of this paragraph is answered by the foregoing tables, -and the second is not only false but childish. - -“5. The penetration of wet and damp in rains, fogs, or mists, between -the false breech and barrels, and often into the cartridge itself, -cannot be avoided in the present form of breech-loader, more especially -in one that has been much used. And if the cartridge-case gets damp, it -adheres to the barrel, and cannot be removed without considerable -difficulty.” - -That rain cannot penetrate the cartridge-case is pretty well proved by -the experience already mentioned of firing a gun that had been under -water fifteen minutes; and if dampness gets in between the false breech -and barrels, or under the latter, the parts should be wiped dry after -use. The residue of this paragraph is answered below. - -“6. There is obviously a greater risk of bursting; indeed, the safety of -a breech-loader, after much usage, becomes doubtful by reason of the -escape of gas between the false breech and barrels, particularly after -the trying vibrations of heavy charges.” - -There is no such escape of gas, and “obviously” can be none, unless it -can find its way through nearly a quarter of an inch of solid paper and -brass. Does the comparatively excessive escape of gas at the cone and -vent of a muzzle-loader endanger its safety? and will the “trying -vibration” of one cartridge affect the strength of another not in the -barrel at the time? - -“7. The time and trouble required in filling the cartridges, and the -danger attending that operation before going out shooting, are very -considerable; and it is with one peculiar form of cartridge only that -the breech-loader can be used; and if purchased of the gun-maker ready -filled, they come very expensive.” - -This paragraph is unanswerable; as no source of danger in loading the -cartridges is specified, the writer is at a loss to know what is -meant--there being, in his experience, no danger whatever. As for the -trouble, it is far less than that of loading the gun. - -“8. The operation of _making_ and filling the cartridge is to a -sportsman a tedious, dirty, dangerous, and laborious one--quite as much -so as making fireworks.” - -This may be true of making the cartridges, which no sportsman ever -thinks of doing more than he would of making percussion-caps, which is a -far more dangerous employment. The filling them is identically the same -as loading a gun, omitting capping, but without its dirt or danger. If -loading a gun is akin to making fireworks, so may be loading cartridges. -In fact, using cartridges is merely loading at a convenient season -expeditiously, and may be done to the extent of thousands without -soiling the hands. - -“9. Another serious objection to the breech-loader is the weight of -ammunition that must be carried in the shape of ready-made cartridges -when going to the Highlands or any remote shooting quarter. And then -arises the difficulty of keeping them perfectly dry in damp weather; and -every one knows how very soon the damp will penetrate through a paper -case, and cake, and weaken the force of the gunpowder.” - -If the cartridge cases are carried unloaded, the bulk of ammunition is -increased; if loaded--and they are as safe as powder in mass--neither -the weight nor bulk is at all increased. The powder might be injured in -very damp weather in the course of years; but such an occurrence has not -yet come before the public. - -“10. The cartridges must be carried in a strong case with divisional -compartments. In the event of their being carried loose, they become -damaged; and the danger of so carrying them is excessive, by reason of -the results which may ensue in the event of a fall or accident in -getting over a hedge, or otherwise, whereby a blow or friction is given -to the metal pin which explodes the cap.” - -Friction will not discharge them, and no ordinary blow; and, in case of -explosion, the danger is merely what may result from the discharge of a -charge of powder in the open air--by no means so great, but about as -probable as from the explosion of the caps in the cap-pocket. The writer -has never heard of such an occurrence, and English sportsmen -universally carry cartridges loose in their pockets. - -“11. The extra weight incurred in being obliged to carry a sufficient -number of cartridges for a day’s sport, in a very cumbersome leather -case, with iron compartments, considerably exceeds the ordinary weight -of powder-flask and shot-pouch, with ammunition for a similar amount of -sport.” - -This may be, if any one is fool enough to use iron compartments; but in -a proper receptacle--a leather belt--the weight is much less. - -“12. Another of the principal defects in the breech-loader is the flat -surface of the breech, which scientific and practical experimenters have -proved to be erroneous, by reason of the much greater power and extra -force which may be obtained from the conical interior form of solid -breech--the rule being that ‘force cannot be expended and retained -also;’ and as it must, of necessity, be expended to a certain degree by -explosion and recoil on a flat-surfaced breech, extra powder is required -to produce like effects to those which result from the solid conical -breech. The recoil is also considerably greater on a flat surface than -on a tapering one.” - -So much of the foregoing as is comprehensible, the tables of the _Field_ -trial “and practical experimenters” have found to be erroneous. It will -also be borne in mind that the inside end of the cartridge-case is -conical. - -“13. Joints, joinings, slides, and bolts, are all inferior to a -well-made screw, as regards soundness of the breech. A perfectly solid -breech, free from all suspicious joinings, curves, and openings, _must -be_ by far the safer and more effective one in any instrument, in which -so searching a substance as gunpowder has to be compressed and -exploded.” - -If this last objection is correct the others are superfluous, as it -disposes of the discussion; and the statement will be true whenever it -can be shown that the cohesion of a tube is increased by forcing a screw -into it. To silence, however, such senseless cavils, gun-makers -construct the breech end of the barrels slightly heavier than in the -muzzle-loader. - -These being the greater disadvantages, the _Dead Shot_ then adverts to -the minor ones: - -“On reloading, it is necessary to draw out the case of the discharged -cartridge before inserting a full one. _It is true the discharged -cartridge may generally be withdrawn almost instantly_; but if intended -to be refilled and used another day, it must be carefully replaced in -the cartridge-case in one of the divisional compartments, for if carried -loose in the pocket it is soon spoilt. Therefore, if these important -minutiæ be taken into consideration, it will be found, after all, that -there is very little saving of time in re-charging the breech-loader.” - -This is the acme of captiousness; as though the cases might not be -placed in the pocket till a favorable opportunity presented to return -them to their compartments. To any one who, with numbed hands on a -bitterly cold December morning, is watching for ducks at daybreak, and -who looks to reloading as a difficulty and recapping an impossibility, -the large, easily handled cartridge is a blessing that he will never -forget; and any one who, having used a breech-loader, will pretend that -it cannot be loaded on the average infinitely faster than the -muzzle-loader, is guilty of prevarication. In truth it can be reloaded -in less time than the other gun can be recapped. - -“With regard to refilling the cartridge-cases, the makers warrant that -the discharged cases may be refilled and used again with the same -facility and effect, some of them two or three times. This, however, is -not always so; on the contrary, the cases expand so much on explosion of -the powder, that when refilled they are sometimes not only difficult to -thrust into the barrel, but on second explosion they stick so fast that -in many instances the copper end comes off, on the case being attempted -to be withdrawn, and the paper is left inside. And then, unless a -loading-rod is at hand with which to force out the paper case, your -breech-loader is powerless.” - -Were it not for the next clause, one could suppose that _Dead Shot_ had -never heard of an extractor, which is a little instrument not so large -as a cone wrench, always carried in the shooter’s pocket, and with which -the paper can be pulled out in about two seconds’ time, without -possibility of failure; until this is done, and for those two seconds, -“your breech-loader is indeed powerless.” - -“None but those who have experienced the difficulty of extracting a -bursted cartridge-case, which adheres firmly to the sides of the -barrel, can imagine the annoyance it causes; and if the cases get damp, -or if refilled ones are used, the difficulty is constantly occurring. -And then the ‘extractor’ is of little use, beyond pulling away the brass -bottom of the cartridge and leaving the paper case more difficult to -remove.” - -New cases, whether they burst or not, scarcely ever stick in passably -well-made guns, and reloaded ones rarely; but when they do, the -extractor will, in nine times out of ten, withdraw them at once; and if -on this tenth occasion the brass capsule is torn off, the extractor, by -the aid of a hook at the end, made expressly for the purpose, will tear -out the empty paper instantly. - -“Unless the brass pin which explodes the cap is made very precisely, a -miss-fire is inevitable. If there is any corrosive substance upon it or -upon the sides of the hollow in which it is to travel, the hammer will -fail to drive it home or explode the cap. The hammer must strike it in -exact position, or the pin will bend; any extra length or protrusion of -the pin, or any dampness or foulness which causes it to stick, or if the -pin be nipped in any way so as to weaken the force of the hammer, a -miss-fire will probably be the result; and the pins must not be too -loose, or they will drop out of the cartridges on any sudden or violent -exertion on the part of the sportsman.” - -All but the last clause of this paragraph is prejudice stated as fact, -and that is simply ridiculous. It happened that one hammer of the -writer’s breech-loader was broken and so badly mended that it did not -fall true upon the pin, and yet the only miss-fires he has ever met with -arose from his own neglect, in omitting to recap one or two of the -discharged cartridges before reloading. The average of miss-fires with a -cartridge is asserted by Mr. Eley, the celebrated gun-maker, to be one -in a thousand--an assertion openly made, and, as yet, uncontroverted, -and which is confirmed by the experience of the writer and his friends. -So far from the pin’s being liable to fall out by any exertion whatever, -even if the sportsman turned acrobat for the nonce, it is simply to be -said that it cannot be withdrawn with the fingers, and requires a small -pair of pliers. - -“If in drawing out an unexploded cartridge the brass end comes off or -breaks away from the paper case, _it will not be advisable to use the -cartridge in that state_: it cannot be safe to explode it in the barrel -of a breech-loading gun; in fact, it would be almost as unsafe as a -loose charge of powder. _And in the event of the cap missing fire in a -breech-loading cartridge, it is not desirable to recap the cartridge._ -When once the brass and the pasteboard part company, the power of -retaining the explosive force within the case is considerably weakened, -and so is the expulsive force.” - -On reading the foregoing, one would suppose the author of such -statements had never seen a breech-loader. Where the brass end breaks -away from the paper case, the cap comes off with it, and the cartridge -cannot be discharged unless touched off with a lucifer match or a -lighted cigar--a performance that probably few persons out of a lunatic -asylum would attempt. And as for recapping a cartridge that once missed -fire, it cannot be done, _as the cap is inside_. What species of -cartridges the _Dead Shot_ must have used, the writer of this cannot -imagine. In case of a miss-fire the cartridge has to be unloaded, and -may then be recapped and reloaded like any other. - -The writer experimented extensively in reloading cartridges, using some -a dozen times, and has experienced the annoyance of sticking cases and -separating capsules, and tested it thoroughly; and he must say that if a -cartridge is loaded over three times with heavy loads it is apt to -stick, especially if it is loaded shortly after being discharged, and -while it is still soft from the heat. The cases should be left for -several hours before they are reloaded, until they are dry and hard, -and, if there is time, should be reloaded in the mould--a block bored -out to the exact size, in which they fit accurately, and in which they -cannot spread. - -They rarely stick, however, before the third discharge, and then may be -pulled out by force--in pieces, if necessary, and thrown away. If, -however, they cannot be forced in, and are torn apart before they are -discharged, which never happens except after repeated use, the charge is -wasted; the powder should be at once poured out, the wads pushed aside -by the extractor to let the shot escape by the muzzle, and the empty -case torn away--an operation implying neither danger nor difficulty. It -is desirable to pour the shot out at the muzzle, lest a pellet lodge -under the breech-end of the gun and interfere with its operation. - -“The rapidity with which a succession of shots may be made is urged as -one of the chief recommendations of the breech-loader; but rapidity of -firing is seldom desired, _and the barrels may become heated to danger_. -The sportsman’s every-day success frequently depends on the range of his -gun, but seldom on the loading and firing of it.” - -The _Dead Shot_ is an English book; and in England there are no rail or -bay-snipe; the author, therefore, has never whistled a flock of -marble-winged willet or golden-brown marlin back, time after time, to -the fatal stand, and delivered repeated discharges into their thinning -ranks. But ducks abound there; and for any person who has been present -at the early morning or late evening flight, and has seen and heard the -rush of wings innumerable, when a dozen guns and men to load them would -hardly have been enough, to say that “rapidity of firing is seldom -desirable,” is marvellous indeed. The italicized portion of the last -objection further implies that _Dead Shot_ has never used a -breech-loader; for, while in the muzzle-loader the heat of repeated -discharges may be dangerous, in a breech-loader it cannot, as paper -intervenes between the barrel and the powder. The writer has fired his -breech-loader until it was so hot he could not bear his hand on it. - -This is the last of _Dead Shot’s_ objections, and none of them merit the -attention they have received, except from the fact that this book has -been extensively circulated in our country, where the merits of -breech-loaders are little known. The objections so manifestly arise from -prejudice or ignorance, that they need no contradiction to any one -acquainted with the true state of the case, and are worthy of an author -who, in his opening, says: “He only can be called a ‘Dead Shot’ who can -bring down with unerring precision an October or November partridge, -whenever it offers a fair chance, _i. e._ rises within certain range;” -which range he afterwards, at page 86, puts at forty yards, in the -following words: “With judicious loading and a regard to the principles -of deadly range, a partridge may be killed with certainty at forty -yards.” The partridge resembles, in many points, our quail, and -sportsmen can tell whether quail can be killed “with certainty at forty -yards,” or whether the best shot alive can kill them every time at any -distance. - -In discussing the merits of any new invention, prejudice is one of the -strongest grounds of opposition to overcome; and prejudice in favor of a -weapon that we have tried and found trustworthy, that years of service -have enabled us to use skilfully and have endeared to our affections, -that has never, under all diversities of trial, failed to merit our -confidence, is not merely a natural but praiseworthy feeling in the -human mind. Prejudice, when at last driven to a corner and forced to -give up as untenable the objection to the safety or shooting qualities -of the breech-loader, will say: “I can shoot fast enough with a -muzzle-loader.” - -For woodcock and quail-shooting, rapidity in loading is not essential, -although frequently after a bevy of quail has flushed, one or two birds -will loiter long enough to be killed by the reloaded breech-loader, that -would fly before the muzzle-loader could be recharged. But for killing -English snipe, that have a habit of rising one after another in -tantalizing succession before the unloaded gun; for ducks and rail; but -above all for bay-snipe, one-half if not two-thirds of the bag depends -upon celerity in loading. Duck shooting is frequently best in wet -weather, when even Eley’s “central fire double water-proof” caps will -not always insure the ignition of the powder; and in thick covert the -caps, especially if they do not fit perfectly, will occasionally be -brushed off; whereas the breech-loader is impervious to wet, and is not -liable to the last difficulty; above all, where different kinds of game -are expected, and it may be important to change quickly the load for -ducks, to buckshot for deer, or double B’s for geese, the breech-loader -has an infinite superiority. - -The comparative merits of the two guns may be stated as follows: - -For shooting quail or woodcock, where there is no necessity for great -rapidity in firing, there is little advantage in a breech-loader; and, -unless loaded cartridges sufficient for the entire trip are carried, the -reloading them during the evening after a hard day’s fag will be found -annoying. But for all the shore-birds, and even for English snipe, the -breech-loader has an immense advantage. It requires a quarter of a -drachm of powder extra, and, on this account as well as from the cost of -the cases, is more expensive in use; with the extra allowance of powder, -however, it shoots stronger, with as good a patten and as little recoil -as its rival; it is somewhat heavier to carry, infinitely safer to load, -rarely misses fire, and may be cleaned ere the tow can be prepared for -the muzzle-loader. - -Of course the better the barrels, the better it will shoot, to a greater -degree even than the old gun; and it is being daily made more perfect. -The weight has already been reduced, for field-guns even of No. 12 bore, -to six pounds ten ounces, which is as light as any double-gun should be, -and the mechanism of the parts is very fine. Of course the friction on -the hinge will in the end wear it loose, but the expense of a new one is -trifling, and its construction might almost be entrusted to a country -blacksmith. The barrels are said to spring slightly at the discharge -when the load is heavy, so that a piece of thin paper pasted across at -the break-off along the ridge will be rent; and, on the other hand, Mr. -Dougall, of Glasgow, claims to have made an invention called by him the -“Lockfast,” that removes this difficulty. The objection, however, is not -important; and Mr. Dougall’s invention, by which the barrels slip into a -shoulder-cut on the face of the breech, is considerably slower in action -than the other patterns: it cannot be made to spring shut like the -Lefaucheux, but must be drawn back into place by a short lever. - -The price of a superior breech-loader, made by Jeffery of Guildford, -several of whose make have been imported and given entire satisfaction, -is thirty guineas, and by Dougall of Glasgow about forty guineas, -although of course the price varies to suit purses; and some of the best -London makers, who spare neither labor nor expense, and who turn out -work that is unsurpassable, charge double these sums. It has even been -asserted that Purdey has received over a hundred pounds for a -breech-loader; but this is merely a fancy price, and makes the gun -neither safer nor more useful than one at a third of the cost. - -A breech-loader to shoot creditably must be well made, and consequently -is expensive; and at the best an extra quarter drachm of powder must be -allowed. This is supposed to be required by the yielding of the -comparatively soft material of the cartridge-case, which must fit rather -loosely in the chamber of the barrel to allow of its ready insertion, -and any defect of workmanship increases this difficulty materially. - -There are several descriptions of cartridge--those made by Eley of -England or Gevelot of France being the best. Eley manufactures two -qualities at different prices, and those persons who object to reloading -their cartridges, may purchase the lower-priced article, which is not -intended to be used more than once. The first quality cost three pounds -a thousand, unloaded but capped; or they may be purchased at a -proportionally higher price loaded, ready for instant use, as they can -be transported even across the ocean without material risk. The -brown-paper cartridges of Chaudun are also good, but not quite so fine -an article as Eley’s; they may be reloaded, however, several times. In -carrying the loaded cartridges, it is natural to suppose that there -would be danger of their exploding in consequence of a sudden jar, and -they are generally packed in sawdust to avoid this risk, but experience -has proved that the danger is slight; generally speaking, they cannot be -so discharged, and there is but one case reported where it happened; in -this instance, a railway porter in England let fall a large box of them, -when a single cartridge exploded, without doing any damage or -discharging the others. - -There are, properly speaking, no gun-makers in America; a few workmen -import English locks, stocks, and barrels, and fitting them together, -stamp them with their names; but I know of no establishment where the -smallest portion even of the fowling-piece is manufactured. It is a -matter of great difficulty to get any good work done, and the simplest -repairs are generally bungled in our best shops in a way to disgrace the -trade and disgust the owner; as for having a gun made, we have not -advanced the first step towards it, not even having a compulsory -proof-stamp. - -It is hardly necessary to add that breech-loaders must be imported. They -and their equipment are kept for sale at our principal metropolitan -shops, and their mechanism is so simple that any accident to it can be -repaired; but as they are not in general demand, really fine articles -are difficult to find, and had better be purchased specially on the -other side. This can be done by the party himself, by sending to any -European maker the length from the foremost trigger to the heel-plate, -and the drop from the line of the barrels to the cheek-piece of the -stock--that exist in his present gun, and which he wishes to retain. Or -any of our dealers will take the measure of his gun, and import him a -breech-loader that will “come up” like the old gun he has handled for -years. - -Much space has been devoted to the breech-loader, for the reason that -the writer, while recognising its adaptability to general use, has -considered it specially advantageous for the pursuit of the game of -which this work particularly treats; that it has defects is not denied, -but these are vastly overborne by its advantages. Prejudice is strong; -for twenty years the Lefaucheux has been in common use among the French, -who had satisfied themselves of its superiority; and it required that -time for an invention so simple and easy to test, to cross the narrow -channel between the continent and England. Americans are always ready to -try a new discovery and judge of its advantages by their own experience; -so that it is not probable that the breech-loader will be as long in -crossing the “broad Atlantic,” and locating itself securely on our -shores. - -There are now some twenty or thirty of these guns in use among our -sportsmen, and they have generally given satisfaction. Of course it -requires a short time to accustom oneself to a new implement; and a -cheap piece, which it is natural to purchase on an experiment, is a poor -affair, and especially so with a breech-loader; but the invention is -steadily winning friends. In England, where the nature of the game is -not so well calculated for its use as here, the highest authority on -sporting gunnery, the editor of the _Field_, who writes under the name -of Stonehenge, speaking of the two guns, says: “Indeed, so near is the -performance of the two, that we cannot think for a moment that for -general purposes there can be a doubt of the superiority of the -breech-loader, when quickness of loading, safety, and cleanliness are -taken into consideration.” - - - - -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. -Having no guides to aid me but my own experience, and differing -frequently in my views from the opinions expressed by the scientific -ornithologists, I approach the consideration of this subject with -diffidence; and for the many errors that a pioneer must inevitably -commit, I crave the indulgence of the public. - -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 gunshot, 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 furnished 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, 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. It is true that the best pond is permanently occupied by a -famous Governor, a still more famous General, and a notorious -Colonel--although the latter is 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. - - - - -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. Try, male reader, to carry one -hundred and twenty pounds of essential loveliness with only a single -flannel garment to protect it; feel it give to your pressure; clasp its -exquisite but yielding contour; press it to your heart, and then in an -ecstasy roll over and over with it in the sand. Having done so, endeavor -to describe the sensation, or forget that particular girl in a -life-time. - -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, and rolled -in the sand, 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.” -“Now, Lib, don’t say I’m married.” “Well, your husband is a good way -off.” But who could attend to what is occurring around him when seated -in the dark with a lovely angel in his lap? 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, they were hungry beyond belief, and, following -their prey relentlessly, compelled us to fight them off with bushes of -bayberry 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 blue-fish 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 sides 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 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 three-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, cheeks, 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 towards 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-BILLED 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._ - - - - -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 four 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 to Lester’s 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 unwontedly 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 Lester rises triumphant in -this emergency. He boldly suggests that there _must be_ some sluggards, -who have tarried, 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. Lester 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 towards Stratton’s, 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 Lester’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. - - - - -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 must 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 liquor. 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. - - - - -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 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 coöperation 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 innumerable streams, lakelets, -drowned lands, swamps, rivers, lakes, cultivated fields, and even open -prairies of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and the Western States -generally, abound in their seasons with various descriptions of -wild-fowl; and for a statement of the mode of their pursuit, and the -views of their pursuers, no better course can be taken than to give an -account of a few days in one of the numerous tributary bays of Lake -Erie. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -DUCK-SHOOTING ON THE INLAND LAKES. - - -Out West--‘way out West--a long distance from our eastern cities in -miles, but now, thanks to steam and iron, a 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 heard, 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 cockle-shells 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.” - -“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 -manufacturers of guns, the President interposed. - -“This is a dry, serious, and solemn conversation, and as every member -has already made up his mind on the subject, not very improving; who -will volunteer to tell a story or sing a song?” - -“My friend here,” replied the unlucky, pointing to the lucky, man, “once -intimated to me that his first day’s duck-shooting was the best and -pleasantest he ever had, but would never give me the satisfaction of the -particulars.” - -“The story, the story, let us have the story!” burst forth the chorus, -with delight. - -“I will tell it on one condition,” responded the party addressed: “that -the gentleman who suggested it shall give a true account of his first -day’s trout-fishing.” - -All hands shouted with delight at the prospect of two stories, scenting -a joke in the suggestion, but the unlucky man replied, pitifully, “I -will if I must, but there are more agreeable episodes in my existence.” - -“Never mind that; if I confess, so must you. - -“Many years ago, gentlemen, myself and a friend had driven down on Long -Island for a few days at the ducks. He was an old sportsman, and -promised to initiate me, who had acquired considerable facility with my -gun, but had never yet been in a battery on the bay. - -“It is not necessary to say at what house we stopped; the island is -dotted with them--the best in the country--and as it was necessary to be -up at two o’clock in the morning in order to follow down the creek and -row out to the feeding grounds, we retired early. Strict injunctions -were left with the hostler to wake us at the appointed hour; but as -there was a grand ball going on in the hall adjoining the hotel, his -recollection was not to be depended upon. - -“The beds were good; but, either disturbed by dreams of ducks or sounds -of revelry, my sleep was fitful. I was at last awakened by a loud noise, -which I took to be some one knocking at the door, and sleepily rising, -saw a light shining through the crack as it stood ajar. I woke my -companion, who responded with an unwilling grunt, and thinking the -hostler had left the candle for our accommodation, I stepped out to get -it. - -“The night was cold, my dress was light and airy, the distant sounds of -expiring revelry were still faintly audible, and I hastened to get the -light that I might hurry on warmer clothes. To my surprise, on opening -the door, the candle appeared to be some yards off on the floor, in the -middle of what seemed to be an adjoining room. My eyes, dazzled by the -sudden change from total darkness, saw little as I stumbled forward; but -when I turned, light in hand, to regain my room, I came suddenly upon a -bed, and stopped as though shot. - -“Gentlemen, a bed is nothing unusual or surprising in a country tavern, -but there is sometimes a great deal in it. In this particular instance -there was not even much in it, but that little was of the female sex. -Astonishment changed to admiration. She was very pretty, her rosy cheek -rested pillowed on one little hand, while the other arm was thrown -gracefully across her head, framing her innocent child-like face in a -cloud of white. She was lying on her side, and below her arm the -bed-clothes sank down to her waist and then rose in a magnificent swell. -Her hair in massive curls poured upon the pillow, and one strayed round -her throat and joined with the white drapery in protecting her neck. - -“Admiration changed to curiosity. I stepped nearer, bringing the light -so that while it did not shine strongly on her eyes, it fell upon the -white drapery. Man is but a weak creature, liable to be swayed by evil -passions. Curiosity has always been my besetting sin, and sudden -temptations ought to be included among the other sudden dangers in the -prayer-book. In consequence of the position of her arm, the clothes had -fallen back from her shoulders, but that envious curl was cruelly -unsatisfying; the white drapery rose and fell with the long breathing of -her sleep. My first impulse was to retire noiselessly, but curiosity -conquered; she slept so sweetly, so gracefully, and so soundly. -Approaching nearer, stealthily, step by step, I carefully put forward -one hand, and gently touched the curl--she did not move--then quietly -gathering it up, I began slowly drawing it aside. It lifted and fell -with the marble neck beneath like a brown vein across it, but no other -motion testified that life pervaded her unconscious beauty.” - -A pause; the chorus, excited--“What next? what next?” - -“Gentlemen, it would have been a shameful act to take advantage of her -innocent sleep--a mean, unworthy, contemptible act. It is enough to say, -gentlemen, I did not commit it--for at that moment she moved.” - -CHORUS--“Oh!” - -“She moved, and was evidently about to wake.” - -CHORUS--“What did you do then?” - -“Modesty is another of my failings; it is no small matter to be found by -a lady in her bed-room, and you must recollect my dress was scanty. -Wishing, therefore, to spare her feelings as much as my own, I put out -the light, and standing still, listened. From the sound as she moved, it -was clear that she was awake and sitting up in bed. I kept as quiet as a -mouse, no longer daring to stir and hardly daring to breathe. - -“‘Who is there?’ asked the sweetest little sleepy voice in the world; it -was evidently time for me to leave if the feelings of either side were -to be spared. - -“‘Husband, is that you? How late you are, Oscar. I wish there were no -balls; you have let the light go out and will have to undress in the -dark, and you have been drinking; you do not answer, what are you -mumbling in that husky voice; you do not walk steady, you shuffle with -your feet; let me smell your breath, sir!’ - -“Another of my failings is inability to say no. A moment’s consideration -would have told me it was far from honorable to assume the place of -another person, and that person the husband of a pretty woman; but in my -state of hesitancy or virtuous indignation at being falsely accused of -drinking, or without really anticipating what would happen, I obeyed; -and bringing my face near hers, encountered the sweetest pair of lips in -Christendom. - -“‘I am not quite sure,’ she said, ‘let me see again.’ - -“Now that was clearly her fault, and left me no excuse for refusing her -absolute satisfaction. - -“‘Make haste, Oscar,’ she whispered, ‘how cold you are.’” - -The lucky man paused, while the chorus breathlessly broke in with: - -“Did you make haste?” - -“Gentlemen, man is a contemptible creature in his treatment of woman; -she is infinitely his superior in every good quality, and he absolutely -takes advantage of his baser capacities to betray her superior nature. -He matches his cunning against her truthfulness, his selfishness against -her disinterestedness, his deceitfulness against her affection. Woman’s -nobleness of heart is a provision of nature to prevent the degeneration -of our species; were women as bad as men, our children would be brutes -or idiots. Traits of mind and heart are transmitted--” - -CHORUS--“Never mind all that, did you make haste?” - -“Gentlemen, with those feelings, I could not long remain in that room; -it was time to make haste; and mumbling some excuse, I escaped before a -noise, that seemed to be ascending the stairs, approached. My friend -wondered at the time I had been away, abused me for allowing the light -to go out, but was easily convinced that the time had been lengthened by -his dreams. Virtue is its own reward, and, gentlemen, I never shall -regret that night.” - -CHORUS--“But you have not said a word of the duck-shooting.” - -“Well, to tell the truth, I heard next day that Oscar was inquiring for -me, and concluded that the shooting would be better elsewhere.” - -The shout of laughter that succeeded this answer died away, and the -unlucky man was called upon for his adventure. - -UNLUCKY MAN.--“Gentlemen, I can give you no such entertaining history as -my friend. In all my life, I never saw a woman unless she was fully -dressed and prepared for it--much as I would like to--for I am not -endowed with one half of his virtuous sentiments. But my adventure also -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 stamps 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 littered: - -“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 wrings 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, uses 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 not 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 has 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 sterns, 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. - - - - -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, woodcock, 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 northwester, 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 unrelaxed 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 -drachms 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 should always be -removed when the sportsman gets 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 carried 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 have fired and desire to reload, 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. - -TRAP-SHOOTING. - - -The amusement of trap-shooting is pursued in the Northern States, on the -margins of the western lakes--as some eminent marksmen of Buffalo and -Niagara Falls can testify--and on the sea-coast--as some famous matches -at Islip would prove. It is not a field sport; it is hardly a sport at -all; and a pigeon is not, properly speaking, a game-bird, in spite of -the instances quoted. If this work were to be confined strictly to its -professed objects, this chapter would have to be excluded; but for the -reason that it belongs nowhere else, that an account of this peculiar -style of shooting will be useful to many sportsmen, and that no -published book contains any information on the subject, the writer has -presumed to collate the experience of his friends rather than of -himself--for he does not pretend to much skill in this particular -art--and to offer it to the sporting public. - -Trap-shooting, although quite an ungrammatical expression, is perfectly -understood as a sporting term, having acquired a conventional meaning; -it signifies neither shooting at a trap, which its construction implies, -nor shooting out of a trap, but shooting at a bird--generally a -pigeon--released from a trap. Although not a highly scientific sport, -and somewhat open to the charge of cruelty, it has its devotees; and -certainly, amid a crowd of spectators and competitors, to take the palm -and carry off the prize is no mean glory. The birds probably suffer as -little, cut down with the whistling charge of fine shot while on the -wing, and with a chance for life, as though their necks were -remorselessly wrung by the poulterer; and in either case they find their -way to market and furnish food for the people. - -The most serious objection to this sport is, that the wild pigeons have -to be taken from their nests in the spring, and thus, either prevented -laying their eggs, or hatching their broods. As the preservation and -increase of all species of wild birds, animals, and fishes, and the -prevention of their destruction at unseasonable times, are the first -duties of a sportsman, the killing of pigeons ere they have raised their -broods is on a par with shooting ducks and snipe in spring, and is -excusable only because the feeling of the people does not require the -enactment of thoroughly appropriate laws; and while it prevents the -protection of the latter, makes the preservation of the former--which is -a comparatively valueless bird--scarcely worth the trouble. - -Under these circumstances, and in order to fill up a season of the year -when there is no other legitimate sporting excitement, trap-shooting has -grown in public estimation, and being adopted by a large class of -sportsmen, has led to the employment of a numerous body of followers, -skilled in the secrets of trapping and preparing birds so that they may -be presented to the shooter in the best possible condition. - -This class of underlings, who attend to the many wants of the -sportsman, whether in the field or at the trap; who break his dogs, -carry his bag, or tend his birds; with their quaint wisdom and innate -honesty,--deserve more consideration than they receive: but above all, -in trap-shooting, are they a necessity, and is their uprightness above -price? An unfair trapper may give one man strong birds, and another -weak; may pull their wing-feathers, or keep some without water or food, -and thus almost decide a contest beforehand. - -Their labor is excessive; they have first to catch the birds, and attend -to their arrival at the place of shooting early enough to meet the -sportsmen; and then they have to run eighteen or twenty-one yards over -the uneven and often muddy ground for every bird they place in the trap. -Hence, in selecting a place to shoot pigeons, it is desirable, by -avoiding sand or soft earth, to save the trapper; under the most -favorable circumstance, he will soon be exhausted, and with every -advantage, cannot trap more than five hundred birds in a day. Two birds -are released, either together or successively, ere the traps are -replenished; the trapper, carrying two birds, runs to the traps, sets -one after the other, and returns also on the run--for the marksman by -this time is at the score--and selects two more birds from the box; this -labor, continued during the noontide hours of a blazing day, is not -over-remunerated by liberal pay and the surplus birds, that, unless -claimed by the shooter, fall by common consent to the share of his -hard-working assistant. - -The most rapid way is to use five traps, in single-bird shooting, and -employ five boys--with a relay of five others when the first are -exhausted--to set them; boys are naturally more active than men, and are -buoyed up by an excitement that the latter do not feel. The five birds -are shot at before the traps are refilled; and by the time the last bird -is released the boys stand armed with a fresh one apiece, ready to reset -the traps in a moment. In this mode, with good luck in not having too -many birds that have to be retrieved, and with regularity, fifteen -hundred birds may be shot at in ten hours. - -The difficulty of obtaining pigeons in our seaboard cities has been so -great of late years, as advancing civilization has reduced the number, -and driven westward the migratory hosts which once visited the Eastern -States, that not only has the expense enormously increased, but the -practice of trap-shooting has diminished. The ordinary price along the -Atlantic coast is from twenty to thirty dollars a hundred, and the -supply is so small, that the collection of any considerable number, even -at that rate, is extremely difficult. - -As skill in the act of shooting birds released from a trap, where the -sportsman stands prepared, gun in hand and nerves disturbed, if at all, -only by the presence of spectators, does not imply ability to acquit -oneself well in the field, and tends but little to that end; so it is -pursued not for improvement so much as for temporary excitement during -the dull months of the year. Pigeons nest in June, a season during -which there is absolutely no legitimate sport with the gun whatever; the -woodcock are not yet grown, the snipe have passed to their northern -homes, and the sportsman fills the vacancy with the emulation of -surpassing his associates at trap-shooting. The attempt is exciting, and -the art peculiar, requiring great self-command and utter disregard of -the jeers, praises, or contemptuous laughter of a thousand spectators. - -Tame pigeons are not so well adapted to the purpose as their wild -brethren, having a quiet way of ignoring the object for which they are -produced, and walking towards the stand, or picking up scraps of food -the moment they are released, that is trying to the expectant shooter. -Then they are strong of wing and well feathered, so that the shot must -be driven hard to penetrate to a vital spot; and they fly as often -towards the crowd assembled behind the score as in the contrary -direction. Their flight is uneven, and frequently, after rising a few -feet, they will suddenly alight, or pitch down part of the way. The best -shots, therefore, prefer the wild birds, that go off with a rush the -moment the trap is pulled--for, although they fly faster, they are more -certain in their motions. Tame birds are collected in the neighborhood -of towns and through the country, but rarely in large numbers; and being -accustomed to the presence of man, require little special care. Wild -birds are brought from long distances, frequently from the confines of -Wisconsin, and in consequence of their timid, excitable nature, require -continued care. They are captured on their nests, where they congregate -in millions; and being cooped in shallow boxes made of slats, only deep -enough to allow them to move, but not to use their wings or bruise -themselves, are transported as rapidly and tenderly as possible to their -destination. They must invariably be accompanied by a careful person to -wait on them, and supply food and water, of the latter of which they -require large quantities, and they must be moved as rarely and carefully -as possible. - -The moment they arrive, they should be placed in a prepared room; and -each one, as he is taken out, must have his head plunged in water, and -be allowed to drink freely. The ceiling of their apartment should be -low, or there will be difficulty in catching them, and the windows may -be slatted; a sufficient number of perches to accommodate them readily -should be set up, and they must be disturbed as little as possible. Food -and water should be introduced three times a day, either very quietly, -or after the apartment has been darkened by closing the shutters. In -spite of the best of care, about ten per cent. will perish on the -journey, or in consequence of it. - -Having been retained in the room two or three days, they will be in -their best condition, recovered from their exposure, and not yet injured -by their confinement; and may then be caught, replaced in the boxes, and -carried to the shooting-ground. It is a common practice to pull out -some of the smaller feathers under the tail, or to stick a pin in the -gristle of the rump, with a view of making them fly better; as a bird -that remains in the trap, when a ground-trap is used, after it is -pulled, and refuses to rise, baulks the shooter, and any pain inflicted -on them just as they are being used will make them wild and anxious to -escape. - -There are three kinds of traps used, called the ground, spring, and -plunge traps; the former is so arranged that when the string is drawn, -the trap, which is composed of tin plates, falls over and lies flat on -the ground; while the others, through the instrumentality of a spring, -or by a vigorous jerk on the line, throw the birds into the air. The -ground-traps are considered by many the most scientific, leaving the -shooter in doubt as to the direction of the bird’s flight, and -preventing his shooting on the calculation which can be made very -accurately with a spring-trap--that the bird will invariably be thrown -to a certain place, and may be killed there, nominally on the wing, but -before he has really got under weigh; but in the West the plunge-traps -are generally preferred, as they insure the bird’s flying at once. - -The traps are also spoken of as “H and T,” or “head and tail” traps, and -are usually marked with a large H or T; but this means merely that the -shooter may select the trap to be pulled by the toss, in case the terms -of the contest permit it. The sportsmanlike mode, however, as claimed by -Eastern sportsmen, is to allow the trapper, provided he can be -perfectly relied upon, to pull any trap he may choose, without notice to -the shooter. - -Four or five traps are generally used, placed several feet apart, at -twenty-one yards from the score in single-bird shooting, and at eighteen -yards in double-bird shooting. In double-bird shooting the two birds are -not placed in the same trap, but two traps are pulled at the same time. -In single-bird shooting only one barrel can be discharged at one bird; -and to save time, the shooter should fire at two birds, one after the -other, before he leaves the score, being thus compelled to use both -barrels of his gun. - -A bird, to be credited as killed, must be retrieved within the -bounds--that is to say, must be gathered with the hands alone; and it -was formerly permitted to take him not only on the ground or in the air, -but from a tree, and the shooter might walk round a running bird and -drive him towards the trap; but more modern rules require that the bird -shall fall, and shall be proceeded to straight from the score. The -bounds are eighty yards radius from the centre of the traps in -single-bird shooting, and one hundred yards in double-bird shooting. The -distance should be measured with a rope, and marked by small flags or -painted stakes set up in the ground. - -The judges order the shooter to retrieve any bird they think proper; and -in case there is doubt whether a bird was hit, although duly retrieved, -they must examine and decide, being occasionally compelled to pick the -feathers in order to ascertain. - -In case of a missfire, according to the rules of the New York Club, if -the cap explodes, the bird is counted against the shooter, although his -gun may be properly loaded, he being responsible for the cleanliness of -the gun; but in case the cap fails to explode, he is allowed another -bird. Other clubs only require that the gun shall be properly loaded; -and others score the bird as missed. If in double-bird shooting one bird -only rises, it used to be counted to the shooter, and he was allowed -another bird in place of the one that failed to fly, thus really -shooting at two single birds. This was so manifestly unjust that the -rule has been changed by the State Association, and the shooter is -required to shoot at a fresh brace. The sportsman stands at the score -and directs the trapper when to pull; he must hold the butt of his gun -beneath his elbow, but usually drops his head, and bends his body into -the position it would take were the gun at his shoulder, so that he -merely has to raise his gun to his eye and point it. In double-trap -shooting, undoubtedly, the marksman requires every advantage he can -obtain, and then will have many birds pass beyond range ere he can fire; -but where a single pigeon is presented, it would be advisable to require -every contestant to hold his gun with the muzzle above his head. -Professional shots usually extend the arms and assume an attitude, and -gain an advantage that would be impossible to them in game-shooting. - - * * * * * - -The weight or character of gun and load of powder have not heretofore -been restricted, although it is unreasonable to match a light field-gun, -loaded with three drachms, against a fourteen-pound ducking-gun, driving -its charge of No. 10 shot with six drachms of powder. The load of shot -should not be over one ounce and a quarter; but even with this -restriction the heavy guns will have the advantage, being able to send -fine shot stronger, and have the benefit of the extra quantity of -pellets. The size of shot in light guns is generally No. 7, with three -and a quarter drachms of powder. The guns are loaded in the presence of -a judge selected for the purpose, and the shot is poured into a measured -charger; but with breech-loaders, as the cartridges are already -prepared, it is customary to select one of the latter at random and open -it. - -A good shot will frequently kill twenty single birds in succession, and -some persons who have made this sport their specialty have been known to -kill many more; but the majority of excellent sportsmen will not kill -over nineteen out of twenty. The best field-shots are often bunglers at -trap-shooting. Where double birds are shot at, it is rare that twenty -are killed without a miss, and an excellent average out of ten double -rises would be seventeen birds. The second bird is frequently so far off -ere he is fired at, that, even if hit, he will go out of bounds and be -recorded as missed, although he falls dead. In this shooting there is -much in accident, not only as to the bird’s falling out of bounds, but -as to the mode of flight; for if both birds go directly away from the -stand, the chances are against the shooter, whereas if one approaches, -the difficulty of killing is not much greater than with single birds. - -In England a better rule in shooting single birds generally prevails, by -which the rise is extended to twenty-five or thirty yards, but the -shooter is allowed to use both barrels; thus occasionally making some -brilliant shots at long distances, and proving the qualities, not merely -of the sportsman, but of his weapon. Firing a single barrel at a pigeon -within thirty yards, is dull sport; better marksmanship is required to -stop him at from thirty-five to forty with the first barrel, even with -the additional chance with the second at from forty to fifty. - -No scattering gun, filling the air with its cloud of mustard-seed, will -answer for this work; the closest and strongest-shooting gun will have -to be held so true that the centre of the charge will hit the object, to -obtain the least chance with the second barrel, or to insure certainty -even with the first. Fewer birds that are fairly hit will go out of -bounds, as the second barrel may complete the work of the first; and the -best marksman will generally exhibit himself by the management of this -barrel, to use which at all will require extreme rapidity and accuracy. - -This fact has been recognised occasionally at conventions, or where the -contests were for honor and not money, by increasing the distance at -which ties are shot off. In a large match there are always several ties, -which are shot off at five birds, and frequently not finished till -repeated several times. At the New York State Convention of 1865, held -at Niagara Falls, the parties tying one another were set back five yards -at every tie, and still at thirty-one yards four birds out of five were -killed with a single barrel--although, of course, at this distance much -will depend upon the direction and mode of flight. Success, even with -the use of both barrels, will require far more brilliant shooting than -in the present mode. - -There has always been great dispute among trap-shooters as to the best -trap. The New York City Club claims that a bird released from a -ground-trap, selecting his own time to rise, and mode and direction of -flight, is harder to kill than one tossed heels over head from a plunge -or spring-trap. But our Western brethren, who are naturally more rapid, -and who have less difficulty in obtaining pigeons, are so annoyed with -the waste of time occasioned by a dilatory pigeon, that they universally -prefer the plunge-trap. - -Probably the mesne between these two opinions is correct, or more -properly a combination of them both; a single bird is undoubtedly harder -to kill at a ground-trap, whereas the plunge-trap will free the two -birds in double-shooting, to go off at the same moment. So that for -these reasons, and to insure skill at both, they should be appropriated -to these offices respectively. The best Western shot, if not the best -gentleman shot in the world, who has killed his eighty-four out of -ninety double birds, was terribly baulked by the ground trap, to which -he had not been accustomed, when he first attempted to kill even single -birds from it. But for double-shooting, as it is essential that both -birds should fly together, the trap that insures this is preferable. - -One of the worst features of trap-shooting is, that it has fallen mainly -into the hands of professionals; and although there is no reason for not -pursuing a legitimate sport because blacklegs enjoy it also, they have -introduced tricks and artifices that degrade the entire amusement. The -use of heavy guns is one of the mildest of these, for it is madness for -the best shot in the world to match his ordinary field-gun against a -number six bore single-barrelled piece; and they will put a clod of -grass or even a dead bird in the same trap with the live one, and if -this is a spring-trap, the adversary will be taken at a disadvantage. -They deaden their own birds by squeezing them under the wings, and -excite those of their opponent by plucking them or pulling their -feathers, and can even give them an irregular flight. The professionals, -therefore, may be expected to gain a nominal superiority, and claim to -be champions, more from their cunning unscrupulousness than from their -actual skill, and, by this fancied superiority, degrade the entire -sport. - -The rules which were adopted at a convention of the principal clubs in -the State of New York, held in 1865, when the best sporting talent in -the country was represented, are given in the Appendix. Although an -improvement in many particulars on the former rules, they are not -perfect; it is probable that they will be further amended, so as, while -increasing the difficulty of killing the bird, to place all sportsmen on -an equal footing, and to remove as far as possible the influence of -accident. - - * * * * * - -And now, apologizing to the many sportsmen who are abler shots and have -had far greater experience than himself, the author urges in extenuation -of his presumption in publishing this book, that as they would not -commit their experiences to paper, he felt justified in attempting it; -and as the other sporting writers have utterly neglected this field of -labor as beneath their notice, he could not be blamed for entering upon -it and doing with it the best of which he was capable. And to those -persons who follow in the track of the literary sporting men, and affect -to despise the various kinds of water-fowl and bay-shooting, the author -would say that he only wishes they may have such days with the geese and -ducks, the marlins, yellow-legs, and dowitchers, the rail and the -plover, as he has had, in the full confidence that they will be very -soon converted. - - - - -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 semi-circular 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 black, 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 -semi-circular 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. - -_Fuligula 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 -semi-circular 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. - - -SHELL-DRAKE. - -Goosander Weaser. - -_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. - - - - -RULES FOR TRAP-SHOOTING - -OF THE - -NEW YORK SPORTSMEN’S ASSOCIATION. - - -RULE I. _Traps, Rise, and Boundaries._--All matches shall be shot from H -and T plunge-traps. Rise for single birds to be twenty-one yards; and -for double birds eighteen yards. The boundaries shall be eighty yards -for single birds, and one hundred yards for double birds, which, in -single-bird shooting, shall be measured from a point equidistant from, -and in a direct line between, the two traps; in double-bird shooting -from a point equidistant from, and in a direct line between, the -centre-traps. - - -RULE II. _Scoring._--When a person is at the score and ready to shoot, -he is to call “pull;” and, should the trap be sprung without his having -given the word, or in single-bird shooting should more than one bird -rise at a time, he may take the bird or birds, or not; but if he shoot, -the bird or birds shall be charged to him. The party at the score must -not leave it to shoot, and must hold the butt of his gun below his elbow -until the bird or birds rise; and in case of infraction of this -provision, the bird or birds shall be scored as missed. - - -RULE III. _Rising of Birds._--A bird must be on the wing when shot at. -All contingencies from missfire, non-explosion of cap, gun not cocked, -etc., etc., are at the risk of the party shooting. - - -RULE IV. _Recovering Birds._--It shall be optional with the party -shooting to recover his own birds, or to appoint a person for that -purpose. He shall in all cases walk directly up to the bird and take it -without injury; and, in case of doubt, hand it to the Judges for their -decision. If a bird flies outside the bounds it shall be scored as -missed. Should a bird alight upon a tree, house, or any other -resting-place within the bounds, after it has been shot at, the party -shooting, or his deputy, shall proceed immediately to the spot, and if -the bird does not fall, without any extraneous means being used, such as -throwing clods, stones, sticks, or using poles, etc., within three -minutes from the time it alights, it shall be scored a miss. - - -RULE V. _Flight of Birds._--In double shooting, both birds shall be on -the wing when the first is shot at; if but one bird flies, and but one -barrel is fired or snapped, the birds shall in no wise be scored, -whether hit or missed, but the party shooting shall have two more birds; -or if both birds fly and are killed with one barrel, he must shoot at -two other birds. - - -RULE VI. _Placing the Traps._--In single-bird shooting the distance -between the traps shall be eight yards; in double-bird shooting, as four -traps are used, the H and T traps shall be set alternately, and four -yards apart. When five traps are used, they shall be four yards apart. - - -RULE VII. _Powder and Shot._--The charge of shot shall not exceed 1½ -ounces. All the guns shall be loaded from the same charger, except in -cases of breech-loaders, when the Referee may open one or more -cartridges to ascertain if the charge of shot is correct. - - -RULE VIII. _Ties._--In case of a tie at single birds, the distance shall -be increased five yards, and shall be shot off at five birds. In case of -a second tie, the distance shall again be increased five yards, and this -distance shall be maintained till the match is decided. The ties in -double-bird shooting shall be shot off at twenty-one yards rise without -any increase, at five double rises. - - -RULE IX. _Judges and Referee._--Two Judges and a Referee shall be -appointed before the shooting commences. The Referee’s decision shall be -final; he shall have power to call “No bird,” in case any bird fails to -fly; and may allow a contestant another bird in case the latter shall -have been baulked, or interfered with, or may, for any reason -satisfactory to the Referee, be entitled to it. If a bird shall fly -towards parties within the bounds, in such a manner that to shoot at it -would endanger any person, another bird may be allowed; and if a bird is -shot at by any person besides the party at the score, the Referee shall -decide how it shall be scored, or whether a new bird shall be allowed. - -THE END. - - - - -INDEX. - - -Accidents from muzzle-loaders, 42. - -Accidents in rail-shooting, 197. - -A day’s shooting in New Jersey, 106. - -Adventure in New Jersey, 99. - -“A Girl from New Jersey,” 98. - -American golden plover, 143-179. - -American gun-makers, 63. - -American ring-plover, 158; - swan, 306. - -Anas, bernicla, 304; - canadensis, 304; - genus, 306; - boschas, 306; - obscura, 308; - strepera, 308; - Americana, 309; - acuta, 310; - sponsa, 312; - crecca, 314; - discors, 316; - clypeata, 317. - -Ancient and modern hunting, 8. - -Apparatus necessary for breech-loader, 37. - -Appendix, 303. - - -Barnegat Bay, 22. - -Barnegat pirates, 117-118. - -Bartram’s sandpiper, 152. - -Bass-fishing out West, 261. - -Bathing-party on Jersey coast, 103. - -Batteries, 20; - description of, 21, 205; - condemned, 21, 22, 25. - -Bay-birds, 19; - definition of, 66; - improper modes of pursuing, 20; - batteries, 20, 21, 22, 25. - (See Bay-Snipe.) - -Bay-snipe, shooting, 66, 103, 104; - none in England, 58; - what are, 66; - traits of, 103; - sociability of, 103; - peculiarities of, 136; - “trading,” 104; - skill required for shooting, 67; - sport of shooting, 68-106; - shooting on the Jersey coast, 106; - the French gentleman’s beautiful shot, 69; - rivalry in shooting, 70; - number bagged at one shot, 70; - flight of uncertainty as to, 71, 85, 86-87; - season for sport, 71-72; - flying, mode of, 72; - flight, line of, 73-86; - lead migration of game birds, 18; - flight, direction of, 73-74; - period of incubation, 73; - varieties of, 74; - sickle-bills, 75; - jack-curlew, 76; - plover, 109; - marlin, 76; - willet, 77; - golden plover, 77-112; - black-breast, 77; - yelper, 77; - yellow-legs, 77; - brant-bird, 78-132; - robin-snipe, 78; - dowitcher, 78-132; - krieker, 78-131; - pursuit of; best mode, 78; - stools, 79-80, 82-83; - calls, 79, 83-84; - stands, 79; - wooden stools best, 81; - whistling, 84; - cries of the birds, 84; - shooting, uncertainty of, 85; - gun to be used for, 87-90; - charge and powder for, 87-91; - how to carry the gun, 87; - shooting, dress for, 90; - names of; confusion as to, 91; - names of, varieties of, 91; - names of, scientific, 92-109; - varieties of; Bartram’s sandpiper, 110; - frost-bird and frost-snipe, 92-113; - meadow-snipe, 92; - beach-bird, 92; - fat-bird, 92; - short-neck, 92; - pectoral sandpiper, 92; - horsefoot snipe, 92-132; - varieties of, discussion about, 109; - which are good eating, 93; - stringing, how to be done, 94; - migration of, 94; - localities for, 94-95, 97; - not killed south of Virginia, 95; - at Quogue, 96; - sport spoiled by establishment of watering-place, 96; - at Squan Beach, 97; - at Barnegat, Egg Harbor, Brigantine Beach, 97; - shooting in New Jersey, 106. - -Beach-bird, 113, 145. - -Beach on Jersey coast, 101. - -Beach-robins, 148. - -Beetle-headed plover, 141. - -Big yellow-legs, 165. - -“Bill,” and the names of the plovers, 113. - -Bill’s ghost stories, 120. - -Bill’s house, 116. - -Birds, wounded, what becomes of them, 237. - -Birds, definition of term, 9. - - “ game, which are, 10; - in restaurants out of season, 15; - protection of, 10, 13, 14; - services rendered by, 11, 12; - out of season, 16; - legal time for killing, 17; - singing birds, murder of, 13; - season for killing different kinds, 17, 18, 19; - migration of game-birds, 18. - -Black-bellied plover, 112-141. - -Bald-pate duck, 309. - -Black duck, 308. - -Black-head duck, 320. - -Blue-bill duck, 320. - -Blue-winged teal, 316. - -Blind for shooting, 106. - -Blind-snipe, 157. - -Blue-bills, 238. - -Blue-fish, season for, 133. - -Bony fish, 134. - -Black-breast, 141, 156. - -Brant-bird, 148. - -Breech-loaders, 32, 37; - advantages of, 42, 287; - objections to, 43, 48-49; - superiority of, 33; - history of, 33; - Lefaucheux, 33; - mode of using, 34, 35; - safety of, 39; - cartridge for, 34, 39, 50, 62; - needle-gun, 36; - Jeffries gun, 36; - English gun, 37; - impervious to wet, 41; - apparatus necessary for, 37; - recoil of, 41; - refilling cartridges, 54, 57; - trial between breech and muzzle-loaders in 1863, 44; - pigeon match with, 44; - discussion as to in “The Field,” 43; - the dead shot, 48-59; - heating of gun, 58; - useful for killing snipe, duck, and rail, 60; - compared with muzzle-loaders, 60; - Dougall’s invention, the lockfast, 61; - price of, 62; - must be imported, 64. - -Broad-bill, 238, 320. - -Brown-back, 171. - -Bull-headed plover, 112-141. - -Buffel-headed duck, 322. - -Butter-ball duck, 322. - - -Calls for birds, 79, 83-84. - -Canvas-back ducks classified as sea-ducks, 237; - comparison between them and mallards, 237, 318. - -Carrying gun, 87. - -Cartridges for breech-loaders, 34-39; - safety of, 39; - impervious to wet, 41; - objections to answered, 50; - filling, 50; - refilling, 54-57; - extractor, 54; - missfires with, 56; - best kind, 62. - (See breech-loaders.) - -Cedar-birds destroy worms, 11. - -Change of guns, 28. - -Change of seasons for birds, 113. - -Charadrius, helveticus, 112, 141; - pluvialis, 112, 143, 179; - semipalmatus, 113; - vociferus, 113, 146; - hiaticula, 145; - rubidus, 147. - -Charge used for shooting bay-birds, 87. - -“Charley’s,” 101. - -Cheap guns, 28. - -Chesapeake Bay, ducks on, 20. - -Cleaning gun, 89. - -Close times for killing game-birds, 17. - -Clubs, sportsmen’s, 14; - Western, 219. - -Coast of New Jersey, 106. - -Comparison between breech and muzzle-loaders, 60. - -Confusion in names of birds, 91. - -Cook’s “Tommy,” 98. - -Crabtown, 100. - -Crack shots, 274. - -Cross-shots, 278. - -Cries of birds, 84. - -Curlew, 76, 133, 173; - Esquimaux, 176. - -Cygnus, genus, 305; - Americanus, 306. - - -Dead birds, stools made of, 82. - -“Dead-shot,” the, 48, 58-59. - -Deceptions by gun-makers, 30. - -Decoys, 79. - -Defence of sporting, 273. - -Definition of game in English law, 7. - -Delaware rail-shooting, 197. - -Depredations of worms checked by birds, 10-11. - -Derivation of name of “plover,” 111. - -Description of plover, 111. - -Dipper-duck, 322. - -Doe-bird, 176. - -Dogs, for wild-fowl shooting, 207; - for all shooting, 208; - varieties of, 209; - training of, 210; - colors of, 211; - Newfoundland, 209, 212; - retriever, 209; - at the South, 209. - -Dougall’s invention--the “lockfast,” 61. - -Dowitch, 171. - -Dowitcher, the, 78, 132, 171. - -Dress for shooting, 90. - -Ducks, game, 10; - time for killing, 17-18; - where plentiful, 20; - Classification of, 237; - flavor of, 236; - shooting, 219; - with breech-loader, 60; - sport of, 213-227; - localities for, 213; - weather for, 214; - on inland lakes, 219; - sportsmen’s club out West, 219; - adventures in West, 221, 226; - Mud Creek bridge, 229; - record of shooting in the West, 233; - talk about sport, 233; - canvas-backs and the wild celery, 235; - shot to be used for, 238; - Henry, 282; - how to shoot the ducks, 255; - Irish gentleman’s shot, 256; - among the weeds, 258; - punting, 259; - fresh-water, 306; - mallard, 306; - greenhead, English, grey, wild, 306-310; - gadwall, Welsh drake, German, 308; - widgeon, bald-pate, 309; - pintail, sprig-tail, pigeon-tail, 310; - wood, 312; - summer, 312; - green-winged teal, 314; - blue-winged teal, 316; - spoonbill, shoveller, 317; - sea duck, 318; - canvas-back, 318; - red-head, 319; - broad-bill, blue-bill, scaup, black-head, raft, 320; - whistler, golden eye, great-head, 321; - butter-ball, buffel-headed, spirit, 322; - old wife, south-southerly, old squaw, long-tailed, 323; - Merganser, 324; - shell-drake, goosander weaser, 325. - -Dusky duck, 308. - - -Eating, which birds are best for, 93. - -England, no bay-snipe nor rail in, 58. - -England, trial of breech-loaders in, 44-47. - -English guns, German palmed off as, 30. - -English guns preferable, 37. - -English law defines game, 7. - -English snipe, 114; - seasons for, 133. - -English duck, 306. - -European woodcock, 8. - - -Farmer’s interest in protecting birds, 10. - -Fat-bird, 92-160. - -“Field,” the, on breech and muzzle-loaders, 43. - -Field-plover, 152. - -Fight for shooting stands, 126. - -Fighting, reflections on, 129. - -Filling cartridges, 50. - -Firing gun too close to companion, 70. - -Fish, blue, seasons for, 133; - bony, 134. - -Fishing at the West, 261. - -Flight of bay-snipe, 72-73, 86; - direction of, 73. - -Flight of game-birds, led by bay-snipe, 18; - order of flight, 18. - -Flight of plover, 153. - -Food, which birds are best for, 93. - -Frank Forester on plover, 112. - -French gentleman’s beautiful shot, 69. - -Fresh-water ducks, 306. - -Frost-birds and frost-snipe, 92, 113, 143, 157. - -Fute, the, 176. - -Fuligula, genus, 318; - valisneria, 318; - ferina, 319; - marila, 320; - clangula, 321; - albeola, 322; - glacialis, 323. - - -Gadwall, 308. - -Game, definition of in English law, 7; - protection of, 10, 14-15; - purchase of at unseasonable times, 15; - at restaurants, 15; - legal times for killing, 17; - upland game disappearing, improper pursuit of, 20; - bay-birds not killed as game south of Virginia, 95. - -Game-birds, definition of term, 9, 273. - -Game-laws, 14. - -“Gap,” the, 260. - -Geese, game-birds, 10; - description of varieties, 303. - -Genus strepsilas, 148; - totanus, 163; - limosa, 168; - numenius, 173; - anser, 303; - cygnus, 305; - anas, 306; - fuligula, 318; - Mergus, 324. - -German guns, 30; - duck, 308. - -Ghost stories of Jersey coast, 120. - -Giraud on plover, 112. - -Godwit, 133, 168, 170; - great marbled, 168. - -Golden plover, 77; - specific character, 143, 179; - at Nepeague Beach, 185. - -Golden-eye duck, 321. - -Goose, the, 303; - wild, 304; - Canada, 304; - brant, 304; - barnacle, 304; - brent, 304. - -Goosander weaser, 325. - -Grass plover, 152. - -Grassy point, 255, 268 - -Greater yellow-shanks, 165. - -Great pond, Long Island, 187. - -Great-head duck, 321. - -Green-head duck, 306. - -Green-winged teal, 314. - -Grey duck, 306, 310. - -Grey plover, 152. - -Grouse, time for killing, 18. - -Guns, good and inferior, 27; - first used for feathered game, 7; - changing, 28; - for bay-birds, 87, 90; - cheap, dangerous, 28; - light, necessary, 29; - difficulty of distinguishing between good and bad, 30; - German, palmed off as English, 30; - importers of, practise deceptions, 30; - how to distinguish good from bad, 31; - how to select, 31; - how to carry, 87, 286; - protect and clean, 87, 88, 89; - Manton’s theory, 32; - breech, shape of, 32; - breech-loaders, 32-37; - advantages of, 42; - objections to, 43-48; - superiority of, 33; - history of, 33; - Lefaucheux, 33; - Jeffries, 36; - English preferred, 37; - Dougall’s invention--the lockfast--61; - the dead-shot, 48, 58-59; - makers of in America, 63; - fired too close to shooting companion, 70; - recoil of gun, 280; - load for, 281; - shot for, 282; - rules for safety, 284. - - -Habits of plover, 153-160. - -Hackensack rail-shooting, 201. - -Hawking in olden time, 7. - -“Henry,” 252; - his advice, 252; - he shoots with the author, 264. - -Horsefoot snipe, 92, 132, 148. - -How to clean, carry, and protect the gun, 87, 88, 89. - -How to string birds, 94. - -How to approach plover, 155. - -Hudsonian curlew, 173. - -Hunting in olden time, 7. - -Hunting, comparison between ancient and modern, 8. - - -Imported guns best, 63. - -Improper pursuit of game, 20. - -Incubation of bay-birds, 73. - -India-rubber stools, 83. - -Inferior guns, 27. - -Inlet, closing of, 134. - -Interest of farmer to protect game-birds, 10. - -Irishman’s duck-shooting, 255. - - -Jack-curlew, 76, 173. - -Jacks, 133. - -Jack-snipe, 160. - -Jakey’s tavern, 102. - -Jeffries’ breech-loaders, 36. - -Jersey, a girl from, 98. - -Jersey coast shooting, 106. - -Jersey courts and damages, 180. - -Jersey, bathing in, 103. - -Jersey coast, a day’s shooting on, 106. - -Judgment required in bay-bird shooting, 70. - - -Kentuckian’s bass-fishing, 261; - his wager, 263. - -Kildeer plover, 113-146. - -Killing song-birds, 13. - - “ game-birds out of season, 15. - - “ birds, game-laws, 14. - - “ legal times for, 17, 18, 19. - - “ by batteries, 21, 22, 25; - by pivot-guns, 23, 25; - by sail-boats, 24. - -Killing snipe, ducks, and rail, gun for, 60. - -Krieker, 78, 131, 160. - - -Lakes at the West increasing, 268. - -Lattimer Marsh, 266. - -Laws, game, 14, 15. - -Lefaucheux gun, 33-64. - -Legal times for killing, 17-18. - -“Lester’s,” 180. - -Light gun necessary, 29. - -Limosa, 133; - fedoa, 168; - Hudsonica, 168. - -Little yellow-legs, 166. - -Long Island, South Bay, 20. - -Long-legged sandpiper, 157. - -Lockfast, the, 61. - -Loading, accidents from, 42. - -Long-billed curlew, 174. - -Long-tailed duck, 323. - -Localities for bay-snipe, 94-97. - -Lucky man’s duck-shooting, 240. - - -Mallard, 306. - -Manton’s theory, 32. - -Marbled godwit, 168. - -Marlin, 76, 168, 170; - ring-tailed, 170. - -Match, shooting, in England, 44. - -Meadow-snipe, 92, 160. - -Merganser, 324. - -Mergus, 324. - -Migration of birds, order of, 18; - of bay-birds, 94. - -Missfires with breech-loader cartridge, 56. - -Montauk, sport at, 188; - Point, 178. - -Mud-creek bridge, 229. - -Muskrat traps, 266. - -Musquitoes, 90, 101, 125, 135. - -Muzzle-loaders and breech-loaders, 27. - -Muzzle-loaders, accidents from, 42. - - “ and breech-loaders, trial between, 45; - discussion about in field, 43; - pigeon match between, 44; - compared, 60. - - -Names of bay-birds, confusion as to, 91; - varieties of names, 91; - scientific species, 109; - of plovers, “Bills,” remarks, 113. - -Needle-gun, 36. - -Nepeague Beach, 180. - -New York snipe, 132. - -New Jersey, sport in, 106; - a girl from, 98; - adventure in, 98; - bathing in, 103; - wreckers in, 116; - pirates of, 117; - ghost stories about, 120; - courts and damages, 130; - fight for stands, 126. - -Numenius, 133; - Hudsonicus, 173. - - “ Longirostris, 174. - - “ Borealis, 176. - -Number of birds bagged at one shot, 70. - - -Olden-time hunting, 7. - -Old-squaw duck, 323. - -Old-wife duck, 323. - -Ortley family in Jersey and the fight, 126. - -Ox-eye, 162. - -Pectoral sandpiper, 92-160. - -Peculiarities of bay-birds, 136. - -Pigeon-match in England, 44. - -Pigeon-shooting practice, 2-4. - -Pigeon-tail duck, 310. - -Pintail duck, 310. - -Potomac, ducks on, 20. - -Pivot-guns, condemned, 23-25. - -Plover, shooting, directions for, 188; - a game bird, 10; - kinds of, 109; - discussion about, 110, 111; - Frank Forester and Giraud on, 112; - charadrius helveticus, 112, 141; - pluvialis, 112, 143; - black-bellied, 112, 141; - bull-head, 112, 141; - ring-neck or ring, 113; - semipalmatus, 113; - Wilson’s, 113; - piping or beach-bird, 113, 145; - melodius, 113; - kildeer, 113, 146; - vociferus, 113, 146; - “Bill’s” remarks about names of, 113; - specific character of each species, 141; - black-breast, 141, 156; - beetle-headed, 141; - American golden, 143, 179; - frost bird, 143; - hiaticula, 145; - sanderling, 147; - rubidus, 147; - turnstone, 148; - genus strepsilas, 148; - brant-bird, 148; - strepsilas interpres, 148; - horsefoot snipe, 148; - beach-robins, 148; - sandpiper, 150; - robin-snipe, 150; - red-breasted sandpiper, 150; - tringa cinerea, 150; - tringa rufa, 150; - upland plover, 152; - grey, grass, or field, 152, 179. - -Plover, American ring, 158. - (See bay-birds and bay-snipe.) - -Poachers, 15. - -Pond-lily channel, 269. - -Punting for rail, 192. - - -Quail, a game-bird, 10; - not migratory, 10; - time for killing, 17-18. - -Quail snipe, 171. - - -Raccoon Beach, 23. - -Rail, a game-bird, 10; - none in England, 58; - shooting, 190; - flight of, 191; - description of sport, 191, 202; - in boat, 192; - Delaware sport, 194, 197; - breech-loader best for, 192; - charge for, 195; - best places for rail-shooting, 199; - rail in Illinois, 199; - varieties of, 201; - short-billed and long-billed, 201; - Hackensack shooting, 201; - eating of, 203. - -Raft-duck, 320. - -Red-head duck, 319. - -Red-backed sandpiper, 156. - -Red-breasted sandpiper, 150-171. - -Restaurants having game out of season, 15. - -Ring-plover or ring-neck, 113-158. - -Ring-tailed marlin, 170. - -Rivalry in bay-snipe shooting, 70. - -Robberies by ducks from each other, 235. - -Robins, service of, 12. - -Robin-snipe, 78-150. - -Rules for trap-shooting, 326. - - -Sail-boat used to pursue ducks, 24. - -Sand-fleas, 135. - -Sanderling, 147. - -Sandpiper, 133, 150; - Bartram’s, 110, 152; - pectoral, 92, 160; - red-breasted, 150; - red-backed, 156; - long-legged, 157; - Wilson’s, 162. - -Scaup, 238, 320. - -Scientific names for birds, 92. - -Scolopacidæ, 132, 170; - noveboracensis, 132, 171; - flavipes, 166; - fedoa, 168. - -Seasons for bay-birds, 71. - -Sea-duck, 318. - -Semipalmated tatler, 164. - -Shell-drake, 325. - -Shooting, dress for, 90; - match in England, 44; - on Jersey coast, 106; - rail, 190; - from boats, 192; - duck, 216; - at the West, 220; - art of, 274; - trap, rules for, 326. - -Short-billed curlew, 173. - -Short-neck, 92. - -Shot, the dead, 45, 58; - by the French gentleman, 69; - for ducks, 238; - what is a good one, 277; - cross, 278; - aim, 279; - recoil, 280; - crack, 274; - load, 281; - quickness, 283; - practice, 283. - -Shoveller duck, 317. - -Sickle-bills, 75, 133. - -Sickle-billed curlew, 174. - -Sir Francis Francis, 277. - -Sneak-box, 114 - -Snipe, a game-bird, 10; - time for killing, 17; - when it stools, 133; - migration of, 18; - time for bay-snipe, 19; - batteries, 20; - no bay-snipe in England, 58; - killed by breech-loaders, 60; - English snipe, 114, 133; - shooting bay-snipe, 66, 103; - what are so-called, 66; - winter-snipe, 156; - peep, 156; - blind, 157; - frost, 157; - meadow, 160; - jack, 160; - quail, 171; - snipe, 170. - (See bay-snipe.) - -South-southerly duck, 323. - -Spoonbill duck, 317. - -Spirit duck, 322. - -Sprig-tail duck, 310. - -Sport, misapplication of term, 271, 272; - when in perfection, 19; - spoiled by batteries, 20; - by watering-places, 96; - at South and West, 22, 220; - at Barnegat Bay, 22; - at Nepeague Beach, 180. - -Sporting, defence of, 273. - -Sportsmen, term misapplied, 13, 271; - protect birds, 14; - club in the West, 219; - shooting there, 220; - suggestions to, 271; - art of shooting, 274; - shot, 275. - -Squan Beach, 97. - -Stands, 79; - fight for, 106. - -Stools, 79-80; - India-rubber, 83; - dead birds, 82; - wooden, 81. - -Stories of Jersey pirates, ghosts, and wreckers, 119; - of the lucky man’s duck-shooting, 240; - of the unlucky man’s trout-fishing, 245. - -“Stratton’s,” 187. - -Strepsilas, genus, 148; - interpres, 132, 148. - -Swallows serviceable, 12. - -Summer-duck, 312. - -Swan, 305; - White, 306; - American, 306. - - -Table of shots with breech-loaders, 45, 46. - -Tatler, 166; - semipalmated, 164; - tell-tale, 165. - -Tell-tale tatler, 165. - -The beach, New Jersey, 101. - -The “dead shot,” 48. - -The Englishman’s woodcock-shooting, 126. - -The fight for stands, 126. - -“The Field,” 43. - -The French gentleman’s shot, 69. - -The Jersey girls, 98. - -The “lockfast,” 61. - -Times for killing birds, 17, 18, 19. - -Totanus, 133, 163; - semipalmatus, 164; - vociferus, 165; - flavipes, 166. - -“Trading,” 104. - -Traits of bay-birds, 103. - -Trap-shooting, 288; - where pursued, 288; - obtaining pigeons for, 289, 291; - assistants for, 291; - skill in, 291; - tame and wild pigeons compared, 292; - how to keep pigeons for, 293; - varieties of traps, 294, 299; - retrieving of birds in this sport, 295; - missfires, 296; - guns and load for, 296-298; - number of birds which may be killed in succession, 297; - English rules, 298; - ties, 298; - New York State Convention of 1865, 299; - plunge and spring traps, 299; - decay of trap-shooting, 300; - rules for, 326. - -Trial of breech-loaders in England, 43. - -Tringæ, 133; - Bartramia, 110, 152; - hiaticula, 158; - cinerea, 150; - rufa, 150; - alpina, 156; - himantopus, 157; - pectoralis, 160; - semipalmata, 162; - pusilla, 162. - -Turkey, 9. - -Turnstone, 132, 148. - - -Unlucky man’s trout-fishing, 245. - -Upland game disappearing, 19. - -Upland plover, 152. - -Use of song-birds, 12. - - -Varieties of bay-birds, 74; - discussion as to, 109. - -Varieties of names of bay-birds, 91, 109. - -Virginia rail, 201. - - -Wager about duck-shooting, 263. - -Water-fowl, time to kill, 18. - -Watering-place, spoils sport, 96. - -Welsh drake, 308. - -West, the sportmen’s club there, 219; - adventure in, 221. - -Western sport, 22. - -Willet-shooting, 114. - -Willet, 164. - -Winter-snipe, 156. - -Wilson’s plover, 113. - -Wilson’s sandpiper, 162. - -Wild rice of the West, 224. - -Wild celery stolen from canvas-backs by widgeons, 235. - -Wild-fowl shooting, 205; - in batteries, 205; - at the West and South, 206; - dogs for, 207; - localities for, 213; - how to shoot, 215. - -Whistling for birds, 83. - -Whistler duck, 321. - -White swan, 306. - -Widgeon, 319. - -Wild duck, 306. - -Woodcock, European, 8; - a game-bird, 10; - time to kill, 17; - shooting by the Englishman, 126. - -Wood-duck, 312. - -Wooden stools, 81. - -Worms, depredations of, 11. - -Wreckers of Jersey coast, 116. - - -Yellow-legs, 77, 166; - big, 165; - little, 166. - -Yellow-shanks, greater, 165. - -Yellow-tatler, 166. - -Yelper, 77, 165. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Game-Birds of the Coasts and Lakes -of the Northern States of America, by Robert Barnwell Roosevelt - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GAME-BIRDS OF THE COASTS *** - -***** This file should be named 55478-0.txt or 55478-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/4/7/55478/ - -Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/55478-0.zip b/old/55478-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index e17c11a..0000000 --- a/old/55478-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/55478-h.zip b/old/55478-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 385c44a..0000000 --- a/old/55478-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/55478-h/55478-h.htm b/old/55478-h/55478-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index cb6de6d..0000000 --- a/old/55478-h/55478-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10441 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" -"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> - -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en" xml:lang="en"> - <head> <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> -<title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Game-Birds -of the Coasts and Lakes of the Northern States -of America, by Robert Roosevelt. -</title> -<style type="text/css"> - p {margin-top:.2em;text-align:justify;margin-bottom:.2em;text-indent:4%;} - -.c {text-align:center;text-indent:0%;} - -p.spc {margin-top:1em;} - -.hang {text-indent:-2%;margin-left:2%;} - -.lftspc {margin-left:.25em;} - -.nind {text-indent:0%;} - -.rt {text-align:right;} - -.rtl {text-align:right; border-left:1px black solid; -padding-left:.5em;} - -small {font-size: 60%;} - -big {font-size: 130%;} - - h1 {margin-top:5%;text-align:center;clear:both; -font-weight:normal;} - - h2 {margin-top:4%;margin-bottom:2%;text-align:center;clear:both; - font-size:120%;} - - h3 {margin:2em auto .5em auto;text-align:center;clear:both; -font-weight:normal;} - - hr {width:90%;margin:2em auto 2em auto;clear:both;color:black;} - - hr.full {width: 60%;margin:2% auto 2% auto;border-top:1px solid black; -padding:.1em;border-bottom:1px solid black;border-left:none;border-right:none;} - - table {margin-top:2%;margin-bottom:2%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;border:none;} - -th {padding-top:.5em;padding-bottom:.2em;} - - body{margin-left:4%;margin-right:6%;background:#ffffff;color:black;font-family:"Times New Roman", serif;font-size:medium;} - -a:link {background-color:#ffffff;color:blue;text-decoration:none;} - - link {background-color:#ffffff;color:blue;text-decoration:none;} - -a:visited {background-color:#ffffff;color:purple;text-decoration:none;} - -a:hover {background-color:#ffffff;color:#FF0000;text-decoration:underline;} - -.smcap {font-variant:small-caps;font-size:100%;} - - img {border:none;} - -.blockquot {margin-top:2%;margin-bottom:2%;} - -.figcenter {margin-top:3%;margin-bottom:3%;clear:both; -margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;text-indent:0%;} - @media handheld, print - {.figcenter - {page-break-before: avoid;} - } - -.pagenum {font-style:normal;position:absolute; -left:95%;font-size:55%;text-align:right;color:gray; -background-color:#ffffff;font-variant:normal;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0em;} -@media print, handheld -{.pagenum - {display: none;} - } -</style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Game-Birds of the Coasts and Lakes of -the Northern States of America, 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: The Game-Birds of the Coasts and Lakes of the Northern States of America - -Author: Robert Barnwell Roosevelt - -Release Date: September 2, 2017 [EBook #55478] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GAME-BIRDS OF THE COASTS *** - - - - -Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="321" height="500" alt="" title="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_002" id="page_002"></a>{2}</span></p> - -<p class="c"> -<b>The<br /> -Celebrated Sporting Works<br /> -<small>OF</small><br /> -ROBERT B. ROOSEVELT.</b><br /> -——<br /> -I.<br /> - -The Game Fish of the North<br /> -<br /> -II.<br /> - -Superior Fishing.<br /> -<br /> -III.<br /> - -The Game Birds of the North.<br /> -<br /> -⁂ <i>All published uniform with this volume,<br /> -handsomely bound in cloth, price $2.00.<br /> -Sent free by mail on receipt<br /> -of price</i>,<br /> - -<small>BY</small><br /> - -<b>Carleton, Publisher,<br /> -New York.</b><br /> -</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_003" id="page_003"></a>{3}</span></p> - -<h1> -<small>THE</small><br /> -GAME-BIRDS<br /> -<small><small>OF THE</small></small><br /> -<small>COASTS AND LAKES OF THE NORTHERN STATES<br /> -OF AMERICA.</small></h1> - -<p class="c"><small>A FULL ACCOUNT OF THE SPORTING ALONG OUR SEASHORES<br /> -AND INLAND WATERS, WITH A COMPARISON<br /> -OF THE MERITS OF BREECH-LOADERS<br /> -AND MUZZLE-LOADERS.</small><br /> -<br /> -<span class="smcap">By</span> ROBERT B. ROOSEVELT,<br /> -<small>AUTHOR OF “THE GAME-FISH OF NORTH AMERICA,” “SUPERIOR FISHING,”<br /> -“COUNTRY LIFE,” ETC., ETC.</small><br /> -<br /> -<small>NEW YORK:</small><br /> -<i>Carleton, Publisher, 413 Broadway.</i><br /> -<small>M DCCC LXVI.</small><br /> -</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_004" id="page_004"></a>{4}</span> </p> -<p> </p> - -<p class="c"><small> -Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by<br /> -GEO. W. CARLETON,<br /> -In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for the<br /> -Southern District of New York.<br /> -<br /> -<span class="smcap">The New York Printing Company</span>,<br /> -<i>81, 83, and 85 Centre Street</i>,<br /> -<span class="smcap">New York</span>.</small> -</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_005" id="page_005"></a>{5}</span></p> - -<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> - -<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="" -style="margin:auto auto;max-width:75%;"> - -<tr><td> </td><td class="rt"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> -<tr><th class="c" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang">Game of Ancient and Modern Days.—Its Protection and -Importance.—The proper Shooting Seasons.—The Impolicy -of using Batteries and Pivot-Guns.</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_007">7</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th class="c" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang">Guns and Gunnery.—Breech-loaders compared with Muzzle-loaders.—A -Sharp Review of the “Dead Shot.”—The -Field Trial.</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_027">27</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th class="c" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang">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.</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_066">66</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th class="c" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang">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.</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_098">98</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th class="c" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang">Bay-Birds.—Particular Descriptions and Scientific Characteristics.—A -Complete Account of each Variety.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_006" id="page_006"></a>{6}</span></td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_140">140</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th class="c" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang">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.</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_178">178</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th class="c" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang">Rail and Rail-Shooting.—Seasons, Localities, and Incidents -of Sport.—Use of Breech-loader or Muzzle-loader.—Equipment.</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_190">190</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th class="c" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang">Wild-Fowl Shooting.—General Directions, from Boats, -Blinds, or Batteries.—Retrievers from Baltimore and -Newfoundland.—Western Sport.—Equipment.</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_205">205</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th class="c" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang">Duck-Shooting on the Inland Lakes.—The Club House.—Practical -Views of Practical Men.—Moral Tales.—A -Day’s Fishing.—The Closing Scenes.</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_219">219</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th class="c" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang">Suggestions to Sportsmen.—A Definition of the Term.—Crack -Shots.—The Art of Shooting.—The Art of not -Shooting.</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_271">271</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th class="c" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang">Trap-Shooting.—Its Justification.—The Assistants.—Rules -and Regulations.—Care of Birds.—Tricks of the -Trade.</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_288">288</a></td></tr> - -<tr><th class="c" colspan="2"><a href="#APPENDIX">APPENDIX.</a></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang">Ornithological Descriptions of the Geese and Ducks, with -Remarks and Suggestions on their Habits.—Rules of -Trap-shooting.</td><td class="rt" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_303">303</a></td></tr> -</table> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_007" id="page_007"></a>{7}</span></p> - -<h1>THE GAME BIRDS OF THE NORTH.</h1> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.<br /><br /> -<small>GAME AND ITS PROTECTION.</small></h2> - -<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">By</span> 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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_008" id="page_008"></a>{8}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_009" id="page_009"></a>{9}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_010" id="page_010"></a>{10}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_011" id="page_011"></a>{11}</span> 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?</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_012" id="page_012"></a>{12}</span> gave evidence of hardiness and promise of long utility to man, -pauses in its growth, becomes delicate, fades, and finally dies.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Every tribe of birds has its allotted part to play; and if destroyed, -not only will its pleasant songs and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_013" id="page_013"></a>{13}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_014" id="page_014"></a>{14}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_015" id="page_015"></a>{15}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>So long as the ignorant of our <i>nouveaux riches</i>, 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_016" id="page_016"></a>{16}</span>—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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_017" id="page_017"></a>{17}</span> the provocation, the true sportsman will never forget the -chivalric motto, <i>noblesse oblige</i>.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>As matters stand, however, the seasons for killing game birds should be: -For woodcock, from July fourth to December thirty-first; for ruffed and -pin<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_018" id="page_018"></a>{18}</span> nated 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_019" id="page_019"></a>{19}</span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_020" id="page_020"></a>{20}</span> -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 -when the Southern shores shall be frequented with gunners as plenteously -as those of Long Island and New Jersey, the last days of the bay-fowl -will have arrived.</p> - -<p>At present we suffer more from improper modes of pursuit than from -absolute scarcity of game. The habit of using “batteries” in the South -Bay of Long Island, and locating them on the feeding or sanding-grounds, -has resulted in frightening away the birds. Where, a few years ago, ten -ducks stopped in the water adjoining that famous sand-pit, there can -hardly be found one at present. After being disturbed on their -feeding-grounds by murderous discharges from an unseen foe in their -midst, they become alarmed and leave the locality altogether. To be -sure, for a year or so, the number killed from that ingenious mode of -ambush will be enormous; but it is at a terrible sacrifice of the -supply, and will eventuate in ruin to those engaged in it. At present on -Long Island it is hardly possible to obtain a decent day’s sport without -using a “battery;” but in the South, along the Chesapeake and Potomac, -where the use of these inventions has never been allowed, the ducks are -as abundant as ever.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_021" id="page_021"></a>{21}</span></p> - -<p>There is no meaner mode of shooting than from a battery. In attaining -destructiveness, every idea of beauty, comfort, or sportsmanship is -sacrificed. The shooter lies on his back in a species of coffin sunk to -the level of the water, with his decoys near by; and whenever a flock -approaches, he rises to a sitting posture and fires. He cannot leave his -battery nor move it, nor hardly turn round in it, and is unable to -retrieve his ducks without the aid of an assistant. It is an invention -suited solely to the market-gunner, and utterly unfitted to the -sportsman. Bad weather prevents its use altogether; and in a moderate -breeze the water is apt to break over the narrow rim and destroy the -comfort, if not absolutely endanger the safety, of the sportsman.</p> - -<p>When ducks are scarce the confinement is wearisome; and when they are -abundant the excitement, united to the awkwardness of position, often -leads to terrible accidents. “Cribbed, cabined, and confined,” the -duck-shooter lies for weary hours exposed to the cold winds of winter, -unable to keep his blood in circulation by exercise, and is hardly -remunerated by the sport; although, if money be his object, he may be -paid by the commercial value of his game. It is this ignoble mode of -warfare that, more than anything else, has brought discredit upon -wild-fowl shooting; for the upland shooter, accustomed to the free -motion and active exertion of his favorite pursuit, naturally feels -disgusted at being thrust into a box scarcely large enough to contain -his body, and which cramps his every motion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_022" id="page_022"></a>{22}</span></p> - -<p>At the South, where the sportsman shoots from behind a blind, and calls -to his aid the courage and intelligence of his faithful “retriever” to -recover his game, the walk to and from the stand warms his blood, and he -can move around at will. In the West, where duck-shooting is to be had -in perfection, the sportsman pushes his light and narrow boat through -the weeds and lilies of the marshes, and has many a long chase after -wounded birds that will bring into play his muscles, and send the -circulation through his veins. Even in shooting through the “sneak -boxes” of Barnegat Bay, there is much exercise and a certain amount of -liberty of motion; but in the battery, a man is a mere death-dealing -machine, expected to mind neither cold nor cramp, and to demand neither -comfort nor pleasure.</p> - -<p>One of the most necessary reforms in the game-laws would be the absolute -prohibition of the use of a battery. At the South this was done by the -good sense of the people; and many a stranger from Long Island, who was -unaware of the customs of the country, and had brought with him his -battery to teach the natives “New York tricks,” has been warned to move -his quarters by the whistle of a rifle-ball skipping across the water. -It is surprising that the gunners of the great South Bay did not long -ago discover that their interest lay in discontinuing the use of this -machine. For the first few years, perhaps, after its prohibition, they -might not have as good success; but in time the birds would resume their -old habits and renew their<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_023" id="page_023"></a>{23}</span> visits to what should be the paradise of -both ducks and sportsmen. They all know and regret the diminution of -wild fowl, and most of them are satisfied from what cause it arises; but -as the immediate losses from a change would fall upon themselves heavily -at first, they shrink from decided action.</p> - -<p>If, however, the birds are to be retained, and prevented from gradually -withdrawing, year after year, until they shall desert us <i>in toto</i>, the -use of the battery must be prevented. When that is done, we shall soon -again have such days as we once had in and about old Raccoon Beach, when -sportsmen innumerable collected to welcome the advent of their prey; -when the tale and song filled up the long evenings, and the ducks -quacked their hosannas at early dawn; when every point was occupied by a -happy sportsman, and every boat came home loaded with game.</p> - -<p>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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_024" id="page_024"></a>{24}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_025" id="page_025"></a>{25}</span></p> - -<p>Every one—whether the gentleman who, in search of health or pleasure, -visits the muddy bays or sand-spits of our coast, or the market-gunner -who has learnt naught of useful labor for many years but to handle -skilfully his heavy double-barrel—every one, we say, who pursues -wild-fowl, whether for sport or business, is interested in enforcing -upon his friends and neighbors the necessity of discontinuing the use of -the battery and pivot-gun. Although the results of the day’s shooting -may be diminished for a time, they will both gain in the long run; and -we shall once more see the crowds of geese, brant, and ducks stretching -in interminable lines across the sky; and have them flying by the points -where we hide, or dropping to our stools near by, as plenteously every -day as we can now kill them, in exceptional cases, from the battery. -When their feeding-grounds are undisturbed, their multitudinous hosts -will again cover the waters of our bays, and hold their noisy -consultations over the many theories and crotchets which are disputed in -duck philosophy. Then the true sportsman will visit his favorite tavern, -located conveniently at the edge of the salt meadows, certain, in the -proper season, of having fair sport; and the willing bay-man will again -reap rich and permanent harvests, either for his patron or himself.</p> - -<p>Now a good bag is so rare that gentlemen seldom go to Long Island for -duck-shooting, and the inhabitants lose a valuable custom in -consequence; and although, by selecting a propitious occasion, the -market-man sometimes still kills a great number, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_026" id="page_026"></a>{26}</span> experiences a vast -majority of poor days. It is, therefore, the manifest interest of both -classes to repress these unjustifiable and murderous modes of shooting, -and to encourage, by all possible means, the return of wild-fowl to -their former favorite haunts—the bays, lagoons, and inlets of our own -beloved coast.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_027" id="page_027"></a>{27}</span></p> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.<br /><br /> -<small>GUNNERY—MUZZLE-LOADERS AND BREECH-LOADERS.</small></h2> - -<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">To</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_028" id="page_028"></a>{28}</span> disease, or accumulating years, shall compel its -transfer into younger hands.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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, about one hundred 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_029" id="page_029"></a>{29}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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 buckshot, 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.</p> - -<p>A learned dissertation on the science of gunnery is neither appropriate -to the occasion nor<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_030" id="page_030"></a>{30}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_031" id="page_031"></a>{31}</span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_032" id="page_032"></a>{32}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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 generally known or appreciated in our country—to which, by -its nature and its game, they are<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_033" id="page_033"></a>{33}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>They are a French invention of twenty 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 five -breech-loaders to one muzzle-loader. As they are not extensively 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.</p> - -<p>The best and most generally adopted of the various kinds is the -<i>Lefaucheux</i>, or some slight modification of it; and to that the -attention will be principally directed. In this gun the breech, which -in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_034" id="page_034"></a>{34}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>A cartridge is made of stout 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_035" id="page_035"></a>{35}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_036" id="page_036"></a>{36}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_037" id="page_037"></a>{37}</span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_038" id="page_038"></a>{38}</span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_039" id="page_039"></a>{39}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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 farther ascertained that the fire from one would not -communicate to another. So that, if a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_040" id="page_040"></a>{40}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_041" id="page_041"></a>{41}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_042" id="page_042"></a>{42}</span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_043" id="page_043"></a>{43}</span></p> - -<p>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 have finally 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 <i>Field</i> 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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_044" id="page_044"></a>{44}</span>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-match between the nobility and gentry of England in -1863, described in the London <i>Field</i>, volume xxiii., p. 389, where it -is to be supposed that the best implements the country could furnish -were used, and where some of the shooting was done at thirty yards, the -first and second prizes were both taken by 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.</p> - -<p>A trial of guns was made in 1859, and the results were published in -tabular form in <i>The Shot-Gun and Sporting Rifle</i>, 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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_045" id="page_045"></a>{45}</span></p> - -<h3>TABLES OF THE FIELD TRIAL.</h3> - -<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" summary="" -style="font-size:80%;"> - -<tr class="c"><td valign="middle">Name of Maker.</td> -<td> - -Kind of Gun.</td> -<td> - -Bore.</td> -<td> - -Length of -Barrel.</td> -<td> - -Weight of -Gun.</td> -<td> - -Charge of<br /> - Powder.</td> -<td> - -Charge of<br /> - Shot.</td> -<td colspan="4"> - -No. of Marks on<br /> -Face of Targets.</td> -<td colspan="2"> - -No. of<br /> -Sheets<br /> -pierced.</td> -<td colspan="2"> - -No. of<br /> -shots<br /> -through<br /> -20 sheets.</td> -<td> - -Total on face<br /> -of 4 targets.</td> -<td> - -Tot’l thro’gh<br /> - 4 targets.</td> -<td colspan="2"> - - Recoil in<br /> - pounds.</td></tr> - -<tr class="c"><td> </td> -<td> </td> -<td> </td> -<td> in. </td> -<td> lb. oz. </td> -<td> drs. </td> -<td> oz. </td> -<td colspan="2">at 40 yds. </td> -<td colspan="2">at 60 yds.</td> -<td colspan="2">at 40 yds.</td> -<td colspan="2"> at 60 yds.</td> -<td> </td> -<td> </td> -<td colspan="2"> </td></tr> -<tr><td>Pape, Newcastle </td> -<td class="c"> Muzzle-loader </td> -<td class="rt">12 </td> -<td class="rt">30 </td> -<td class="rt">6.11 </td> -<td class="rt">2¾ </td> -<td class="rt">1¼ </td> -<td class="rt">158 </td> -<td class="rt">118 </td> -<td class="rt">63 </td> -<td class="rt">60 </td> -<td class="rt">28 </td> -<td class="rt">33 </td> -<td class="rt">5 </td> -<td class="rt">2 </td> -<td class="rt">399 </td> -<td class="rt">68 </td> -<td class="rt">68 </td> -<td class="rt">62</td></tr> -<tr><td>Prince & Green, London</td> -<td class="c"> “ </td> -<td class="rt">12 </td> -<td class="rt">30 </td> -<td class="rt">7.6 </td> -<td class="rt">2¾ </td> -<td class="rt">1¼ </td> -<td class="rt">148 </td> -<td class="rt">98 </td> -<td class="rt">52 </td> -<td class="rt">65 </td> -<td class="rt">28 </td> -<td class="rt">22 </td> -<td class="rt">1 </td> -<td class="rt">2 </td> -<td class="rt">363 </td> -<td class="rt">53 </td> -<td class="rt">66 </td> -<td class="rt">65</td></tr> -<tr><td>Pape </td> -<td class="c"> “ </td> -<td class="rt">12 </td> -<td class="rt">29½ </td> -<td class="rt">6.8 </td> -<td class="rt">2¾ </td> -<td class="rt">1¼ </td> -<td class="rt">116 </td> -<td class="rt">129 </td> -<td class="rt">46 </td> -<td class="rt">40 </td> -<td class="rt">25 </td> -<td class="rt">28 </td> -<td class="rt">1 </td> -<td class="rt">1 </td> -<td class="rt">331 </td> -<td class="rt">55 </td> -<td class="rt">68 </td> -<td class="rt">64</td></tr> -<tr><td>Egen, Bradford</td> -<td class="c">Breech-loader </td> -<td class="rt">12 </td> -<td class="rt">30 </td> -<td class="rt">7.8 </td> -<td class="rt">3 </td> -<td class="rt">1¼ </td> -<td class="rt">144 </td> -<td class="rt">90 </td> -<td class="rt">32 </td> -<td class="rt">58 </td> -<td class="rt">28 </td> -<td class="rt">30 </td> -<td class="rt">0 </td> -<td class="rt">2 </td> -<td class="rt">324 </td> -<td class="rt">60 </td> -<td colspan="2">untested.</td></tr> -<tr><td>Prince & Green </td> -<td class="c"> “ </td> -<td class="rt">12 </td> -<td class="rt">30 </td> -<td class="rt">7.2 </td> -<td class="rt">3 </td> -<td class="rt">1¼ </td> -<td class="rt">103 </td> -<td class="rt">93 </td> -<td class="rt">60 </td> -<td class="rt">62 </td> -<td class="rt">24 </td> -<td class="rt">31 </td> -<td class="rt">2 </td> -<td class="rt">4 </td> -<td class="rt">3 8 </td> -<td class="rt">61 </td> -<td class="c" colspan="2"> “</td></tr> -<tr><td>Pape </td> -<td class="c"> “ </td> -<td class="rt">12 </td> -<td class="rt">30 </td> -<td class="rt">7.0 </td> -<td class="rt">3 </td> -<td class="rt">1¼ </td> -<td class="rt">132 </td> -<td class="rt">93 </td> -<td class="rt">55 </td> -<td class="rt">38 </td> -<td class="rt">26 </td> -<td class="rt">33 </td> -<td class="rt">2 </td> -<td class="rt">3 </td> -<td class="rt">318 </td> -<td class="rt">64 </td> -<td class="rt">70 </td> -<td class="rt">68</td></tr> -<tr><td>Pape </td> -<td class="c"> Muzzle-loader </td> -<td class="rt">13 </td> -<td class="rt">30 </td> -<td class="rt">7.0 </td> -<td class="rt">2¾ </td> -<td class="rt">1¼ </td> -<td class="rt">117 </td> -<td class="rt">71 </td> -<td class="rt">47 </td> -<td class="rt">61 </td> -<td class="rt">29 </td> -<td class="rt">37 </td> -<td class="rt">4 </td> -<td class="rt">8 </td> -<td class="rt">296 </td> -<td class="rt">78 </td> -<td colspan="2">untested.</td></tr> -<tr><td>Needham, London </td> -<td class="c">Breech-loader </td> -<td class="rt">13 </td> -<td class="rt">29 </td> -<td class="rt">6.10 </td> -<td class="rt">3 </td> -<td class="rt">1⅛ </td> -<td class="rt">65 </td> -<td class="rt">135 </td> -<td class="rt">24 </td> -<td class="rt">54 </td> -<td class="rt">29 </td> -<td class="rt">39 </td> -<td class="rt">0 </td> -<td class="rt">1 </td> -<td class="rt">278 </td> -<td class="rt">69 </td> -<td class="rt">64 </td> -<td class="rt">62</td></tr> -<tr><td>Egan </td> -<td class="c"> Muzzle-loader </td> -<td class="rt">13 </td> -<td class="rt">28 </td> -<td class="rt">6.14 </td> -<td class="rt">2¾ </td> -<td class="rt">1⅛ </td> -<td class="rt">113 </td> -<td class="rt">113 </td> -<td class="rt">24 </td> -<td class="rt">46 </td> -<td class="rt">23 </td> -<td class="rt">34 </td> -<td class="rt">0 </td> -<td class="rt">1 </td> -<td class="rt">296 </td> -<td class="rt">58 </td> -<td class="rt">68 </td> -<td class="rt">68</td></tr> -<tr><td>Culling, Dowtham Market </td> -<td class="c"> “ </td> -<td class="rt">12 </td> -<td class="rt">29½ </td> -<td class="rt">6.10 </td> -<td class="rt">2½ </td> -<td class="rt">1-3/16 </td> -<td class="rt">106 </td> -<td class="rt">103 </td> -<td class="rt">35 </td> -<td class="rt">31 </td> -<td class="rt">22 </td> -<td class="rt">32 </td> -<td class="rt">0 </td> -<td class="rt">0 </td> -<td class="rt">275 </td> -<td class="rt">54 </td> -<td class="rt">59 </td> -<td class="rt">61</td></tr> -<tr><td>Reilly, London </td> -<td class="c">Breech-loader </td> -<td class="rt">16 </td> -<td class="rt">30 </td> -<td class="rt">7.4 </td> -<td class="rt">3 </td> -<td class="rt">1¼ </td> -<td class="rt">95 </td> -<td class="rt">105 </td> -<td class="rt">50 </td> -<td class="rt">31 </td> -<td class="rt">20 </td> -<td class="rt">27 </td> -<td class="rt">2 </td> -<td class="rt">0 </td> -<td class="rt">281 </td> -<td class="rt">49 </td> -<td colspan="2">untested.</td></tr> -<tr><td>Elliott, Birmingham </td> -<td class="c"> “ </td> -<td class="rt">16 </td> -<td class="rt">28 </td> -<td class="rt">7.4 </td> -<td class="rt">2¾ </td> -<td class="rt">1 </td> -<td class="rt">73 </td> -<td class="rt">99 </td> -<td class="rt">22 </td> -<td class="rt">42 </td> -<td class="rt">30 </td> -<td class="rt">40 </td> -<td class="rt">0 </td> -<td class="rt">1 </td> -<td class="rt">236 </td> -<td class="rt">71 </td> -<td class="rt">64 </td> -<td class="rt">66</td></tr> -<tr><td>Needham </td> -<td class="c"> “ </td> -<td class="rt">13 </td> -<td class="rt">28½ </td> -<td class="rt">7.4 </td> -<td class="rt">3 </td> -<td class="rt">1⅛ </td> -<td class="rt">97 </td> -<td class="rt">95 </td> -<td class="rt">31 </td> -<td class="rt">20 </td> -<td class="rt">22 </td> -<td class="rt">26 </td> -<td class="rt">0 </td> -<td class="rt">0 </td> -<td class="rt">243 </td> -<td class="rt">48 </td> -<td class="rt">65 </td> -<td class="rt">61</td></tr> -<tr><td>Hast, Colchester </td> -<td class="c"> “ </td> -<td class="rt">12 </td> -<td class="rt">31 </td> -<td class="rt">7.8 </td> -<td class="rt">3 </td> -<td class="rt">1⅛ </td> -<td class="rt">100 </td> -<td class="rt">77 </td> -<td class="rt">32 </td> -<td class="rt">28 </td> -<td class="rt">33 </td> -<td class="rt">25 </td> -<td class="rt">0 </td> -<td class="rt">0 </td> -<td class="rt">237 </td> -<td class="rt">58 </td> -<td class="rt">72 </td> -<td class="rt">69</td></tr> -<tr><td>Reilly </td> -<td class="c"> “ </td> -<td class="rt">12 </td> -<td class="rt">30 </td> -<td class="rt">7.4 </td> -<td class="rt">3 </td> -<td class="rt">1¼ </td> -<td class="rt">88 </td> -<td class="rt">91 </td> -<td class="rt">37 </td> -<td class="rt">31 </td> -<td class="rt">22 </td> -<td class="rt">27 </td> -<td class="rt">2 </td> -<td class="rt">1 </td> -<td class="rt">247 </td> -<td class="rt">52 </td> -<td class="rt">76 </td> -<td class="rt">73</td></tr> -<tr><td>Elliott </td> -<td class="c"> “ </td> -<td class="rt">13 </td> -<td class="rt">28 </td> -<td class="rt">5.4 </td> -<td class="rt">3 </td> -<td class="rt">1 </td> -<td class="rt">90 </td> -<td class="rt">87 </td> -<td class="rt">20 </td> -<td class="rt">28 </td> -<td class="rt">20 </td> -<td class="rt">31 </td> -<td class="rt">1 </td> -<td class="rt">0 </td> -<td class="rt">225 </td> -<td class="rt">52 </td> -<td class="rt">64 </td> -<td class="rt">68</td></tr> -<tr><td>Francotte, Liege </td> -<td class="c"> “ </td> -<td class="rt">14 </td> -<td class="rt">29½ </td> -<td class="rt">7.8 </td> -<td class="rt">3 </td> -<td class="rt">1⅛ </td> -<td class="rt">60 </td> -<td class="rt">48 </td> -<td class="rt">31 </td> -<td class="rt">40 </td> -<td class="rt">25 </td> -<td class="rt">23 </td> -<td class="rt">0 </td> -<td class="rt">0 </td> -<td class="rt">179 </td> -<td class="rt">48 </td> -<td class="rt">74 </td> -<td class="rt">68</td></tr> - -<tr><td> </td> -<td class="c"> Averages </td> -<td> </td> -<td> </td> -<td> </td> -<td> </td> -<td> </td> -<td class="rt">106 </td> -<td class="rt">97 </td> -<td class="rt">33 </td> -<td class="rt">43 </td> -<td class="rt">26 </td> -<td class="rt">30 </td> -<td class="rt">1 </td> -<td>1½</td> -<td class="rt">285 </td> -<td class="rt">59 </td> -<td class="rt">67 </td> -<td class="rt">66</td></tr> - -</table> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_046" id="page_046"></a>{46}</span></p> - -<h3>TABLES OF THE FIELD TRIAL.</h3> - -<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" summary="" -style="font-size:80%;"> - -<tr class="c"><td valign="middle">Name of Maker.</td> -<td> - -Kind of Gun.</td> -<td> - -Bore.</td> -<td> - -Length of -Barrel.</td> -<td> - -Weight of -Gun.</td> -<td> - -Charge of<br /> - Powder.</td> -<td> - -Charge of<br /> - Shot.</td> -<td colspan="4"> - -No. of Marks on<br /> -Face of Targets.</td> -<td colspan="2"> - -No. of<br /> -Sheets<br /> -pierced.</td> -<td colspan="2"> - -No. of<br /> -shots<br /> -through<br /> -20 sheets.</td> -<td> - -Total on face<br /> -of 4 targets.</td> -<td> - -Tot’l thro’gh<br /> - 4 targets.</td> -<td colspan="2"> - - Recoil in<br /> - pounds.</td></tr> - -<tr class="c"><td> </td> -<td> </td> -<td> </td> -<td> in. </td> -<td> lb. oz. </td> -<td> drs. </td> -<td> oz. </td> -<td colspan="2">at 40 yds. </td> -<td colspan="2">at 60 yds.</td> -<td colspan="2">at 40 yds.</td> -<td colspan="2"> at 60 yds.</td> -<td> </td> -<td> </td> -<td colspan="2"> </td></tr> - -<tr><td>O. Smith, Derby </td><td class="c"> Muzzle-loader </td><td> 15 </td><td> 30 </td><td> 6.14 </td><td> 2¾ </td><td> 1⅛ </td><td class="rt"> 101 </td><td class="rt"> 121 </td><td class="rt"> 48 </td><td class="rt"> 55 </td><td class="rt"> 38 </td><td class="rt"> 22 </td><td class="rt"> 3 </td><td class="rt"> 5 </td><td class="rt"> 325 </td><td class="rt"> 68 </td><td class="rt"> 68 </td><td class="rt"> 58</td></tr> -<tr><td>Culling </td><td class="c"> “ </td><td> 14 </td><td> 28½ </td><td> 6.11 </td><td> 2¼ </td><td> 1⅛ </td><td class="rt"> 147 </td><td class="rt"> 85 </td><td class="rt"> 42 </td><td class="rt"> 48 </td><td class="rt"> 24 </td><td class="rt"> 19 </td><td class="rt"> 0 </td><td class="rt"> 0 </td><td class="rt"> 322 </td><td class="rt"> 43 </td><td class="rt"> 53 </td><td class="rt"> 54</td></tr> -<tr><td>Dougall, Glasgow </td><td class="c"> “ </td><td> 14 </td><td> 27 </td><td> 5.14 </td><td> 2½ </td><td> 1 </td><td class="rt"> 130 </td><td class="rt"> 92 </td><td class="rt"> 30 </td><td class="rt"> 60 </td><td class="rt"> 25 </td><td class="rt"> 27 </td><td class="rt"> 2 </td><td class="rt"> 0 </td><td class="rt"> 312 </td><td class="rt"> 54 </td><td class="rt"> 65 </td><td class="rt"> 68</td></tr> -<tr><td>Joe Manton, London </td><td class="c"> “ </td><td> 16 </td><td> 31 </td><td> 6.12 </td><td> 2½ </td><td> 1 </td><td class="rt"> 122 </td><td class="rt"> 86 </td><td class="rt"> 86 </td><td class="rt"> 57 </td><td class="rt"> 27 </td><td class="rt"> 28 </td><td class="rt"> 2 </td><td class="rt"> 0 </td><td class="rt"> 301 </td><td class="rt"> 57 </td><td class="rt"> 64 </td><td class="rt"> 62</td></tr> -<tr><td>Culling </td><td class="c"> “ </td><td> 14 </td><td> 29 </td><td> 6.0 </td><td> 2¼ </td><td> 1⅛ </td><td class="rt"> 101 </td><td class="rt"> 103 </td><td class="rt"> 30 </td><td class="rt"> 55 </td><td class="rt"> 21 </td><td class="rt"> 25 </td><td class="rt"> 0 </td><td class="rt"> 1 </td><td class="rt"> 289 </td><td class="rt"> 47 </td><td class="rt"> 60 </td><td class="rt"> 44</td></tr> -<tr><td>Reilly </td><td class="c"> Breech-loader </td><td> 15 </td><td> 30 </td><td> 6.14 </td><td> 3 </td><td> 1¼ </td><td class="rt"> 105 </td><td class="rt"> 106 </td><td class="rt"> 63 </td><td class="rt"> 26 </td><td class="rt"> 29 </td><td class="rt"> 33 </td><td class="rt"> 6 </td><td class="rt"> 1 </td><td class="rt"> 300 </td><td class="rt"> 69 </td><td class="rt"> 69 </td><td class="rt"> 76</td></tr> -<tr><td>Lang, London </td><td class="c"> “ </td><td> 15 </td><td> 29 </td><td> 6.8 </td><td> 3 </td><td> 1¼ </td><td class="rt"> 129 </td><td class="rt"> 57 </td><td class="rt"> 45 </td><td class="rt"> 52 </td><td class="rt"> 20 </td><td class="rt"> 28 </td><td class="rt"> 0 </td><td class="rt"> 3 </td><td class="rt"> 283 </td><td class="rt"> 51 </td><td class="rt"> 64 </td><td class="rt"> 60</td></tr> -<tr><td>Reilly </td><td class="c"> Muzzle-loader </td><td> 14 </td><td> 29 </td><td> 6.4 </td><td> 2¾ </td><td> 1⅛ </td><td class="rt"> 99 </td><td class="rt"> 99 </td><td class="rt"> 34 </td><td class="rt"> 42 </td><td class="rt"> 32 </td><td class="rt"> 27 </td><td class="rt"> 0 </td><td class="rt"> 8 </td><td class="rt"> 274 </td><td class="rt"> 67 </td><td class="rt"> 68 </td><td class="rt"> 74</td></tr> -<tr><td>Prince & Green </td><td class="c"> Breech-loader </td><td> 15 </td><td> 30 </td><td> 7.0 </td><td> 3 </td><td> 1 </td><td class="rt"> 77 </td><td class="rt"> 100 </td><td class="rt"> 41 </td><td class="rt"> 31 </td><td class="rt"> 33 </td><td class="rt"> 26 </td><td class="rt"> 5 </td><td class="rt"> 0 </td><td class="rt"> 249 </td><td class="rt"> 64 </td><td class="rt"> 71 </td><td class="rt"> 73</td></tr> -<tr><td>Prince & Green </td><td class="c"> Muzzle-loader </td><td> 14 </td><td> 30 </td><td> 7.0 </td><td> 2¾ </td><td> 1 </td><td class="rt"> 71 </td><td class="rt"> 92 </td><td class="rt"> 52 </td><td class="rt"> 27 </td><td class="rt"> 20 </td><td class="rt"> 29 </td><td class="rt"> 0 </td><td class="rt"> 0 </td><td class="rt"> 242 </td><td class="rt"> 49 </td><td class="rt"> 69 </td><td class="rt"> 64</td></tr> -<tr><td>Hast </td><td class="c"> “ </td><td> 15 </td><td> 30½ </td><td> 6.8 </td><td> 2¾ </td><td> 1⅛ </td><td class="rt"> 83 </td><td class="rt"> 55 </td><td class="rt"> 44 </td><td class="rt"> 24 </td><td class="rt"> 28 </td><td class="rt"> 29 </td><td class="rt"> 5 </td><td class="rt"> 0 </td><td class="rt"> 206 </td><td class="rt"> 63 </td><td class="rt"> 68 </td><td class="rt"> 67</td></tr> -<tr><td>Reilly </td><td class="c"> Breech-loader </td><td> 15 </td><td> 28 </td><td> 6.4 </td><td> 2¾ </td><td> 1⅛ </td><td class="rt"> 83 </td><td class="rt"> 101 </td><td class="rt"> 34 </td><td class="rt"> 7 </td><td class="rt"> 18 </td><td class="rt"> 28 </td><td class="rt"> 0 </td><td class="rt"> 0 </td><td class="rt"> 225 </td><td class="rt"> 46 </td><td class="rt"> 68 </td><td class="rt"> 72</td></tr> - -<tr><td> </td><td class="c"> Averages </td><td class="rt"> </td><td class="rt"> </td><td class="rt"> </td><td class="rt"> </td><td class="rt"> </td><td class="rt"> 104 </td><td class="rt"> 92 </td><td class="rt"> 42 </td><td class="rt"> 40 </td><td class="rt"> 26 </td><td class="rt"> 27 </td><td class="rt"> 2 </td><td class="rt">1½</td><td class="rt"> 277 </td><td class="rt"> 56 </td><td class="rt"> 65 </td><td class="rt"> 64</td></tr> - -</table> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_047" id="page_047"></a>{47}</span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_048" id="page_048"></a>{48}</span> in force and pattern it was equalled; in -safety and handiness it was far surpassed by its competitor.</p> - -<p>A book called the <i>Dead Shot</i>, which has been circulated extensively in -our country, remarkable more for the wonderful number of mistakes, if -not absurdities, that it contains, than for any other quality, denounces -the breech-loaders in unmeasured terms, and, among others, gives the -following categorical objections, to each of which the writer appends, -from personal experience, what he considers an answer. The <i>Dead Shot</i> -says:</p> - -<p>“1. The breech-loader does not shoot so strong nor kill so far as the -muzzle-loader, though allowed a quarter of a drachm of powder extra.”</p> - -<p>The contrary was proved at the <i>Field</i> trial, as shown by the foregoing -tables, and is proved in the field daily.</p> - -<p>“2. The breech-loader is, of necessity, much heavier than a -muzzle-loader of the same gauge.”</p> - -<p>About one quarter of a pound.</p> - -<p>“3. It is more expensive as regards ammunition, and also as to the gun -itself—the latter by reason of its not lasting so long, and its greater -liability to get out of repair than a muzzle-loader.”</p> - -<p>The cartridge-cases cost about twenty dollars a thousand; so that if -they are used but once, a single additional quail or woodcock will pay -for ten of them. The same wise economy raised this objection of expense -against percussion-caps when first introduced. The gun lasts longer, as -there is no<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_049" id="page_049"></a>{49}</span> breech to become rusty or burnt out with percussion powder, -and the barrels may always be kept in perfect cleanliness.</p> - -<p>“4. The recoil on discharge is heavier and the report louder than that -produced by the muzzle-loader.”</p> - -<p>The first portion of this paragraph is answered by the foregoing tables, -and the second is not only false but childish.</p> - -<p>“5. The penetration of wet and damp in rains, fogs, or mists, between -the false breech and barrels, and often into the cartridge itself, -cannot be avoided in the present form of breech-loader, more especially -in one that has been much used. And if the cartridge-case gets damp, it -adheres to the barrel, and cannot be removed without considerable -difficulty.”</p> - -<p>That rain cannot penetrate the cartridge-case is pretty well proved by -the experience already mentioned of firing a gun that had been under -water fifteen minutes; and if dampness gets in between the false breech -and barrels, or under the latter, the parts should be wiped dry after -use. The residue of this paragraph is answered below.</p> - -<p>“6. There is obviously a greater risk of bursting; indeed, the safety of -a breech-loader, after much usage, becomes doubtful by reason of the -escape of gas between the false breech and barrels, particularly after -the trying vibrations of heavy charges.”</p> - -<p>There is no such escape of gas, and “obviously” can be none, unless it -can find its way through nearly a quarter of an inch of solid paper and -brass. Does<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_050" id="page_050"></a>{50}</span> the comparatively excessive escape of gas at the cone and -vent of a muzzle-loader endanger its safety? and will the “trying -vibration” of one cartridge affect the strength of another not in the -barrel at the time?</p> - -<p>“7. The time and trouble required in filling the cartridges, and the -danger attending that operation before going out shooting, are very -considerable; and it is with one peculiar form of cartridge only that -the breech-loader can be used; and if purchased of the gun-maker ready -filled, they come very expensive.”</p> - -<p>This paragraph is unanswerable; as no source of danger in loading the -cartridges is specified, the writer is at a loss to know what is -meant—there being, in his experience, no danger whatever. As for the -trouble, it is far less than that of loading the gun.</p> - -<p>“8. The operation of <i>making</i> and filling the cartridge is to a -sportsman a tedious, dirty, dangerous, and laborious one—quite as much -so as making fireworks.”</p> - -<p>This may be true of making the cartridges, which no sportsman ever -thinks of doing more than he would of making percussion-caps, which is a -far more dangerous employment. The filling them is identically the same -as loading a gun, omitting capping, but without its dirt or danger. If -loading a gun is akin to making fireworks, so may be loading cartridges. -In fact, using cartridges is merely loading at a convenient season -expeditiously, and may be done to the extent of thousands without -soiling the hands.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_051" id="page_051"></a>{51}</span></p> - -<p>“9. Another serious objection to the breech-loader is the weight of -ammunition that must be carried in the shape of ready-made cartridges -when going to the Highlands or any remote shooting quarter. And then -arises the difficulty of keeping them perfectly dry in damp weather; and -every one knows how very soon the damp will penetrate through a paper -case, and cake, and weaken the force of the gunpowder.”</p> - -<p>If the cartridge cases are carried unloaded, the bulk of ammunition is -increased; if loaded—and they are as safe as powder in mass—neither -the weight nor bulk is at all increased. The powder might be injured in -very damp weather in the course of years; but such an occurrence has not -yet come before the public.</p> - -<p>“10. The cartridges must be carried in a strong case with divisional -compartments. In the event of their being carried loose, they become -damaged; and the danger of so carrying them is excessive, by reason of -the results which may ensue in the event of a fall or accident in -getting over a hedge, or otherwise, whereby a blow or friction is given -to the metal pin which explodes the cap.”</p> - -<p>Friction will not discharge them, and no ordinary blow; and, in case of -explosion, the danger is merely what may result from the discharge of a -charge of powder in the open air—by no means so great, but about as -probable as from the explosion of the caps in the cap-pocket. The writer -has never heard of such an occurrence, and English sportsmen<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_052" id="page_052"></a>{52}</span> -universally carry cartridges loose in their pockets.</p> - -<p>“11. The extra weight incurred in being obliged to carry a sufficient -number of cartridges for a day’s sport, in a very cumbersome leather -case, with iron compartments, considerably exceeds the ordinary weight -of powder-flask and shot-pouch, with ammunition for a similar amount of -sport.”</p> - -<p>This may be, if any one is fool enough to use iron compartments; but in -a proper receptacle—a leather belt—the weight is much less.</p> - -<p>“12. Another of the principal defects in the breech-loader is the flat -surface of the breech, which scientific and practical experimenters have -proved to be erroneous, by reason of the much greater power and extra -force which may be obtained from the conical interior form of solid -breech—the rule being that ‘force cannot be expended and retained -also;’ and as it must, of necessity, be expended to a certain degree by -explosion and recoil on a flat-surfaced breech, extra powder is required -to produce like effects to those which result from the solid conical -breech. The recoil is also considerably greater on a flat surface than -on a tapering one.”</p> - -<p>So much of the foregoing as is comprehensible, the tables of the <i>Field</i> -trial “and practical experimenters” have found to be erroneous. It will -also be borne in mind that the inside end of the cartridge-case is -conical.</p> - -<p>“13. Joints, joinings, slides, and bolts, are all inferior to a -well-made screw, as regards soundness<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_053" id="page_053"></a>{53}</span> of the breech. A perfectly solid -breech, free from all suspicious joinings, curves, and openings, <i>must -be</i> by far the safer and more effective one in any instrument, in which -so searching a substance as gunpowder has to be compressed and -exploded.”</p> - -<p>If this last objection is correct the others are superfluous, as it -disposes of the discussion; and the statement will be true whenever it -can be shown that the cohesion of a tube is increased by forcing a screw -into it. To silence, however, such senseless cavils, gun-makers -construct the breech end of the barrels slightly heavier than in the -muzzle-loader.</p> - -<p>These being the greater disadvantages, the <i>Dead Shot</i> then adverts to -the minor ones:</p> - -<p>“On reloading, it is necessary to draw out the case of the discharged -cartridge before inserting a full one. <i>It is true the discharged -cartridge may generally be withdrawn almost instantly</i>; but if intended -to be refilled and used another day, it must be carefully replaced in -the cartridge-case in one of the divisional compartments, for if carried -loose in the pocket it is soon spoilt. Therefore, if these important -minutiæ be taken into consideration, it will be found, after all, that -there is very little saving of time in re-charging the breech-loader.”</p> - -<p>This is the acme of captiousness; as though the cases might not be -placed in the pocket till a favorable opportunity presented to return -them to their compartments. To any one who, with numbed hands on a -bitterly cold December morning, is watching for ducks at daybreak, and -who looks to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_054" id="page_054"></a>{54}</span> reloading as a difficulty and recapping an impossibility, -the large, easily handled cartridge is a blessing that he will never -forget; and any one who, having used a breech-loader, will pretend that -it cannot be loaded on the average infinitely faster than the -muzzle-loader, is guilty of prevarication. In truth it can be reloaded -in less time than the other gun can be recapped.</p> - -<p>“With regard to refilling the cartridge-cases, the makers warrant that -the discharged cases may be refilled and used again with the same -facility and effect, some of them two or three times. This, however, is -not always so; on the contrary, the cases expand so much on explosion of -the powder, that when refilled they are sometimes not only difficult to -thrust into the barrel, but on second explosion they stick so fast that -in many instances the copper end comes off, on the case being attempted -to be withdrawn, and the paper is left inside. And then, unless a -loading-rod is at hand with which to force out the paper case, your -breech-loader is powerless.”</p> - -<p>Were it not for the next clause, one could suppose that <i>Dead Shot</i> had -never heard of an extractor, which is a little instrument not so large -as a cone wrench, always carried in the shooter’s pocket, and with which -the paper can be pulled out in about two seconds’ time, without -possibility of failure; until this is done, and for those two seconds, -“your breech-loader is indeed powerless.”</p> - -<p>“None but those who have experienced the difficulty of extracting a -bursted cartridge-case, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_055" id="page_055"></a>{55}</span> adheres firmly to the sides of the -barrel, can imagine the annoyance it causes; and if the cases get damp, -or if refilled ones are used, the difficulty is constantly occurring. -And then the ‘extractor’ is of little use, beyond pulling away the brass -bottom of the cartridge and leaving the paper case more difficult to -remove.”</p> - -<p>New cases, whether they burst or not, scarcely ever stick in passably -well-made guns, and reloaded ones rarely; but when they do, the -extractor will, in nine times out of ten, withdraw them at once; and if -on this tenth occasion the brass capsule is torn off, the extractor, by -the aid of a hook at the end, made expressly for the purpose, will tear -out the empty paper instantly.</p> - -<p>“Unless the brass pin which explodes the cap is made very precisely, a -miss-fire is inevitable. If there is any corrosive substance upon it or -upon the sides of the hollow in which it is to travel, the hammer will -fail to drive it home or explode the cap. The hammer must strike it in -exact position, or the pin will bend; any extra length or protrusion of -the pin, or any dampness or foulness which causes it to stick, or if the -pin be nipped in any way so as to weaken the force of the hammer, a -miss-fire will probably be the result; and the pins must not be too -loose, or they will drop out of the cartridges on any sudden or violent -exertion on the part of the sportsman.”</p> - -<p>All but the last clause of this paragraph is prejudice stated as fact, -and that is simply ridiculous.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_056" id="page_056"></a>{56}</span> It happened that one hammer of the -writer’s breech-loader was broken and so badly mended that it did not -fall true upon the pin, and yet the only miss-fires he has ever met with -arose from his own neglect, in omitting to recap one or two of the -discharged cartridges before reloading. The average of miss-fires with a -cartridge is asserted by Mr. Eley, the celebrated gun-maker, to be one -in a thousand—an assertion openly made, and, as yet, uncontroverted, -and which is confirmed by the experience of the writer and his friends. -So far from the pin’s being liable to fall out by any exertion whatever, -even if the sportsman turned acrobat for the nonce, it is simply to be -said that it cannot be withdrawn with the fingers, and requires a small -pair of pliers.</p> - -<p>“If in drawing out an unexploded cartridge the brass end comes off or -breaks away from the paper case, <i>it will not be advisable to use the -cartridge in that state</i>: it cannot be safe to explode it in the barrel -of a breech-loading gun; in fact, it would be almost as unsafe as a -loose charge of powder. <i>And in the event of the cap missing fire in a -breech-loading cartridge, it is not desirable to recap the cartridge.</i> -When once the brass and the pasteboard part company, the power of -retaining the explosive force within the case is considerably weakened, -and so is the expulsive force.”</p> - -<p>On reading the foregoing, one would suppose the author of such -statements had never seen a breech-loader. Where the brass end breaks -away from the paper case, the cap comes off with it, and the cartridge<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_057" id="page_057"></a>{57}</span> -cannot be discharged unless touched off with a lucifer match or a -lighted cigar—a performance that probably few persons out of a lunatic -asylum would attempt. And as for recapping a cartridge that once missed -fire, it cannot be done, <i>as the cap is inside</i>. What species of -cartridges the <i>Dead Shot</i> must have used, the writer of this cannot -imagine. In case of a miss-fire the cartridge has to be unloaded, and -may then be recapped and reloaded like any other.</p> - -<p>The writer experimented extensively in reloading cartridges, using some -a dozen times, and has experienced the annoyance of sticking cases and -separating capsules, and tested it thoroughly; and he must say that if a -cartridge is loaded over three times with heavy loads it is apt to -stick, especially if it is loaded shortly after being discharged, and -while it is still soft from the heat. The cases should be left for -several hours before they are reloaded, until they are dry and hard, -and, if there is time, should be reloaded in the mould—a block bored -out to the exact size, in which they fit accurately, and in which they -cannot spread.</p> - -<p>They rarely stick, however, before the third discharge, and then may be -pulled out by force—in pieces, if necessary, and thrown away. If, -however, they cannot be forced in, and are torn apart before they are -discharged, which never happens except after repeated use, the charge is -wasted; the powder should be at once poured out, the wads pushed aside -by the extractor to let the shot escape by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_058" id="page_058"></a>{58}</span> muzzle, and the empty -case torn away—an operation implying neither danger nor difficulty. It -is desirable to pour the shot out at the muzzle, lest a pellet lodge -under the breech-end of the gun and interfere with its operation.</p> - -<p>“The rapidity with which a succession of shots may be made is urged as -one of the chief recommendations of the breech-loader; but rapidity of -firing is seldom desired, <i>and the barrels may become heated to danger</i>. -The sportsman’s every-day success frequently depends on the range of his -gun, but seldom on the loading and firing of it.”</p> - -<p>The <i>Dead Shot</i> is an English book; and in England there are no rail or -bay-snipe; the author, therefore, has never whistled a flock of -marble-winged willet or golden-brown marlin back, time after time, to -the fatal stand, and delivered repeated discharges into their thinning -ranks. But ducks abound there; and for any person who has been present -at the early morning or late evening flight, and has seen and heard the -rush of wings innumerable, when a dozen guns and men to load them would -hardly have been enough, to say that “rapidity of firing is seldom -desirable,” is marvellous indeed. The italicized portion of the last -objection further implies that <i>Dead Shot</i> has never used a -breech-loader; for, while in the muzzle-loader the heat of repeated -discharges may be dangerous, in a breech-loader it cannot, as paper -intervenes between the barrel and the powder. The writer has fired his -breech-loader until it was so hot he could not bear his hand on it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_059" id="page_059"></a>{59}</span></p> - -<p>This is the last of <i>Dead Shot’s</i> objections, and none of them merit the -attention they have received, except from the fact that this book has -been extensively circulated in our country, where the merits of -breech-loaders are little known. The objections so manifestly arise from -prejudice or ignorance, that they need no contradiction to any one -acquainted with the true state of the case, and are worthy of an author -who, in his opening, says: “He only can be called a ‘Dead Shot’ who can -bring down with unerring precision an October or November partridge, -whenever it offers a fair chance, <i>i. e.</i> rises within certain range;” -which range he afterwards, at page 86, puts at forty yards, in the -following words: “With judicious loading and a regard to the principles -of deadly range, a partridge may be killed with certainty at forty -yards.” The partridge resembles, in many points, our quail, and -sportsmen can tell whether quail can be killed “with certainty at forty -yards,” or whether the best shot alive can kill them every time at any -distance.</p> - -<p>In discussing the merits of any new invention, prejudice is one of the -strongest grounds of opposition to overcome; and prejudice in favor of a -weapon that we have tried and found trustworthy, that years of service -have enabled us to use skilfully and have endeared to our affections, -that has never, under all diversities of trial, failed to merit our -confidence, is not merely a natural but praiseworthy feeling in the -human mind. Prejudice, when at last driven to a corner and forced to -give up as untenable the objection<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_060" id="page_060"></a>{60}</span> to the safety or shooting qualities -of the breech-loader, will say: “I can shoot fast enough with a -muzzle-loader.”</p> - -<p>For woodcock and quail-shooting, rapidity in loading is not essential, -although frequently after a bevy of quail has flushed, one or two birds -will loiter long enough to be killed by the reloaded breech-loader, that -would fly before the muzzle-loader could be recharged. But for killing -English snipe, that have a habit of rising one after another in -tantalizing succession before the unloaded gun; for ducks and rail; but -above all for bay-snipe, one-half if not two-thirds of the bag depends -upon celerity in loading. Duck shooting is frequently best in wet -weather, when even Eley’s “central fire double water-proof” caps will -not always insure the ignition of the powder; and in thick covert the -caps, especially if they do not fit perfectly, will occasionally be -brushed off; whereas the breech-loader is impervious to wet, and is not -liable to the last difficulty; above all, where different kinds of game -are expected, and it may be important to change quickly the load for -ducks, to buckshot for deer, or double B’s for geese, the breech-loader -has an infinite superiority.</p> - -<p>The comparative merits of the two guns may be stated as follows:</p> - -<p>For shooting quail or woodcock, where there is no necessity for great -rapidity in firing, there is little advantage in a breech-loader; and, -unless loaded cartridges sufficient for the entire trip are carried, the -reloading them during the evening after a hard<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_061" id="page_061"></a>{61}</span> day’s fag will be found -annoying. But for all the shore-birds, and even for English snipe, the -breech-loader has an immense advantage. It requires a quarter of a -drachm of powder extra, and, on this account as well as from the cost of -the cases, is more expensive in use; with the extra allowance of powder, -however, it shoots stronger, with as good a patten and as little recoil -as its rival; it is somewhat heavier to carry, infinitely safer to load, -rarely misses fire, and may be cleaned ere the tow can be prepared for -the muzzle-loader.</p> - -<p>Of course the better the barrels, the better it will shoot, to a greater -degree even than the old gun; and it is being daily made more perfect. -The weight has already been reduced, for field-guns even of No. 12 bore, -to six pounds ten ounces, which is as light as any double-gun should be, -and the mechanism of the parts is very fine. Of course the friction on -the hinge will in the end wear it loose, but the expense of a new one is -trifling, and its construction might almost be entrusted to a country -blacksmith. The barrels are said to spring slightly at the discharge -when the load is heavy, so that a piece of thin paper pasted across at -the break-off along the ridge will be rent; and, on the other hand, Mr. -Dougall, of Glasgow, claims to have made an invention called by him the -“Lockfast,” that removes this difficulty. The objection, however, is not -important; and Mr. Dougall’s invention, by which the barrels slip into a -shoulder-cut on the face of the breech, is considerably slower in action -than the other patterns: it cannot<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_062" id="page_062"></a>{62}</span> be made to spring shut like the -Lefaucheux, but must be drawn back into place by a short lever.</p> - -<p>The price of a superior breech-loader, made by Jeffery of Guildford, -several of whose make have been imported and given entire satisfaction, -is thirty guineas, and by Dougall of Glasgow about forty guineas, -although of course the price varies to suit purses; and some of the best -London makers, who spare neither labor nor expense, and who turn out -work that is unsurpassable, charge double these sums. It has even been -asserted that Purdey has received over a hundred pounds for a -breech-loader; but this is merely a fancy price, and makes the gun -neither safer nor more useful than one at a third of the cost.</p> - -<p>A breech-loader to shoot creditably must be well made, and consequently -is expensive; and at the best an extra quarter drachm of powder must be -allowed. This is supposed to be required by the yielding of the -comparatively soft material of the cartridge-case, which must fit rather -loosely in the chamber of the barrel to allow of its ready insertion, -and any defect of workmanship increases this difficulty materially.</p> - -<p>There are several descriptions of cartridge—those made by Eley of -England or Gevelot of France being the best. Eley manufactures two -qualities at different prices, and those persons who object to reloading -their cartridges, may purchase the lower-priced article, which is not -intended to be used more than once. The first quality cost three pounds -a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_063" id="page_063"></a>{63}</span> thousand, unloaded but capped; or they may be purchased at a -proportionally higher price loaded, ready for instant use, as they can -be transported even across the ocean without material risk. The -brown-paper cartridges of Chaudun are also good, but not quite so fine -an article as Eley’s; they may be reloaded, however, several times. In -carrying the loaded cartridges, it is natural to suppose that there -would be danger of their exploding in consequence of a sudden jar, and -they are generally packed in sawdust to avoid this risk, but experience -has proved that the danger is slight; generally speaking, they cannot be -so discharged, and there is but one case reported where it happened; in -this instance, a railway porter in England let fall a large box of them, -when a single cartridge exploded, without doing any damage or -discharging the others.</p> - -<p>There are, properly speaking, no gun-makers in America; a few workmen -import English locks, stocks, and barrels, and fitting them together, -stamp them with their names; but I know of no establishment where the -smallest portion even of the fowling-piece is manufactured. It is a -matter of great difficulty to get any good work done, and the simplest -repairs are generally bungled in our best shops in a way to disgrace the -trade and disgust the owner; as for having a gun made, we have not -advanced the first step towards it, not even having a compulsory -proof-stamp.</p> - -<p>It is hardly necessary to add that breech-loaders must be imported. They -and their equipment are<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_064" id="page_064"></a>{64}</span> kept for sale at our principal metropolitan -shops, and their mechanism is so simple that any accident to it can be -repaired; but as they are not in general demand, really fine articles -are difficult to find, and had better be purchased specially on the -other side. This can be done by the party himself, by sending to any -European maker the length from the foremost trigger to the heel-plate, -and the drop from the line of the barrels to the cheek-piece of the -stock—that exist in his present gun, and which he wishes to retain. Or -any of our dealers will take the measure of his gun, and import him a -breech-loader that will “come up” like the old gun he has handled for -years.</p> - -<p>Much space has been devoted to the breech-loader, for the reason that -the writer, while recognising its adaptability to general use, has -considered it specially advantageous for the pursuit of the game of -which this work particularly treats; that it has defects is not denied, -but these are vastly overborne by its advantages. Prejudice is strong; -for twenty years the Lefaucheux has been in common use among the French, -who had satisfied themselves of its superiority; and it required that -time for an invention so simple and easy to test, to cross the narrow -channel between the continent and England. Americans are always ready to -try a new discovery and judge of its advantages by their own experience; -so that it is not probable that the breech-loader will be as long in -crossing the “broad Atlantic,” and locating itself securely on our -shores.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_065" id="page_065"></a>{65}</span></p> - -<p>There are now some twenty or thirty of these guns in use among our -sportsmen, and they have generally given satisfaction. Of course it -requires a short time to accustom oneself to a new implement; and a -cheap piece, which it is natural to purchase on an experiment, is a poor -affair, and especially so with a breech-loader; but the invention is -steadily winning friends. In England, where the nature of the game is -not so well calculated for its use as here, the highest authority on -sporting gunnery, the editor of the <i>Field</i>, who writes under the name -of Stonehenge, speaking of the two guns, says: “Indeed, so near is the -performance of the two, that we cannot think for a moment that for -general purposes there can be a doubt of the superiority of the -breech-loader, when quickness of loading, safety, and cleanliness are -taken into consideration.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_066" id="page_066"></a>{66}</span></p> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.<br /><br /> -<small>BAY-SNIPE SHOOTING.</small></h2> - -<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> 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 <i>Frank Forester’s Field Sports</i>, or <i>Lewis’s American -Sportsman</i>, are of little assistance in discussing the mode of capture -of their less fashionable and less marketable brethren called bay-snipe. -Having no guides to aid me but my own experience, and differing -frequently in my views from the opinions expressed by the scientific -ornithologists, I approach the consideration of this subject with -diffidence; and for the many errors that a pioneer must inevitably -commit, I crave the indulgence of the public.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_067" id="page_067"></a>{67}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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 gunshot, and his skill drop them -advantageously from the crowded flock. To excel in all this requires -long<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_068" id="page_068"></a>{68}</span> 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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_069" id="page_069"></a>{69}</span> 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:</p> - -<p>“Ah! I have vun beautifool shot, I make ze lovely shot; tree big birds -come along—vat you call him?”</p> - -<p>“Willet?” I suggested.</p> - -<p>“No, no; ze big brown birds.”</p> - -<p>“Sickle-bills!”</p> - -<p>“No, not ze seeckle-bills.”</p> - -<p>“Jacks?”</p> - -<p>“No, no; not ze jacks.”</p> - -<p>“Marlin!”</p> - -<p>“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!”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_070" id="page_070"></a>{70}</span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Of the number of birds which can be bagged, it<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_071" id="page_071"></a>{71}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_072" id="page_072"></a>{72}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_073" id="page_073"></a>{73}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_074" id="page_074"></a>{74}</span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_075" id="page_075"></a>{75}</span> and krieker. The upland or grass-plover is pursued in a -different manner, and the smaller birds are not pursued for sport at -all.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_076" id="page_076"></a>{76}</span> on the more dainty repasts furnished by the -uplands of Labrador.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_077" id="page_077"></a>{77}</span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_078" id="page_078"></a>{78}</span> -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.</p> - -<p>The brant-bird is a beautiful bird, and stools well; it rarely consorts -in large flocks, and is quite acceptable on the table.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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 <i>scolopax</i>; 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_079" id="page_079"></a>{79}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_080" id="page_080"></a>{80}</span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_081" id="page_081"></a>{81}</span> 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 -<i>stoel</i>, 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_082" id="page_082"></a>{82}</span> snugly, a section of the object is presented -in every direction.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_083" id="page_083"></a>{83}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_084" id="page_084"></a>{84}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_085" id="page_085"></a>{85}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_086" id="page_086"></a>{86}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_087" id="page_087"></a>{87}</span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_088" id="page_088"></a>{88}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_089" id="page_089"></a>{89}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_090" id="page_090"></a>{90}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_091" id="page_091"></a>{91}</span> flock, which is the most -exciting, as it is often the most successful shot.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_092" id="page_092"></a>{92}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_093" id="page_093"></a>{93}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_094" id="page_094"></a>{94}</span> juicy delicacy to -the English snipe. Whether the same change is noticeable in the larger -varieties, I cannot say of my own knowledge.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_095" id="page_095"></a>{95}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_096" id="page_096"></a>{96}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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. It is true that the best pond is permanently occupied by a -famous Governor, a still more famous General, and a notorious -Colonel—although the latter is 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_097" id="page_097"></a>{97}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_098" id="page_098"></a>{98}</span></p> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.<br /><br /> -<small>THE JERSEY COAST.</small><br /> -“<i>A Girl from New Jersey.</i>”</h2> - -<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Why</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_099" id="page_099"></a>{99}</span> one of the last stations on -the road, where, under the charge of the Quaker host, considerable -comfort could be had.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_100" id="page_100"></a>{100}</span> 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. Try, male reader, to carry one -hundred and twenty pounds of essential loveliness with only a single -flannel garment to protect it; feel it give to your pressure; clasp its -exquisite but yielding contour; press it to your heart, and then in an -ecstasy roll over and over with it in the sand. Having done so, endeavor -to describe the sensation, or forget that particular girl in a -life-time.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>There are days in one’s lifetime that should be celebrated as -anniversaries; and if any gentleman has carried in his arms, and rolled -in the sand, 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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_101" id="page_101"></a>{101}</span></p> - -<p>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.” -“Now, Lib, don’t say I’m married.” “Well, your husband is a good way -off.” But who could attend to what is occurring around him when seated -in the dark with a lovely angel in his lap? 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.</p> - -<p>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, they were hungry beyond<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_102" id="page_102"></a>{102}</span> belief, and, following -their prey relentlessly, compelled us to fight them off with bushes of -bayberry for our lives.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_103" id="page_103"></a>{103}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_104" id="page_104"></a>{104}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_105" id="page_105"></a>{105}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_106" id="page_106"></a>{106}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_107" id="page_107"></a>{107}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_108" id="page_108"></a>{108}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Shore birds of the various species, beginning with the magnificent -sickle-bill, and including the wary<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_109" id="page_109"></a>{109}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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:</p> - -<p>“There is Barnwell; he ought to know: what does he say?”</p> - -<p>As they turned inquiringly, feeling the momentous nature of the -occasion, and that now was the chance<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_110" id="page_110"></a>{110}</span> to establish my reputation for -ever, with an air of deep learning, I commenced:</p> - -<p>“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——”</p> - -<p>“Oh! that is nonsense,” they burst forth unanimously; “you don’t know -what you’re talking about.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Well,” said one, “let’s hear what he says.”</p> - -<p>So I procured the book and read as follows:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="c"> -“<span class="lftspc">‘</span><span class="smcap">Tringa Bartramia—Wilson.</span><br /> -BARTRAM’S SANDPIPER.<br /> -<br /> -Bartram’s Sandpiper, Tringa Bartramia, Wil. Amer. Orn.<br /> -<i>Totanus Bartramius</i> Bonap. Syn.<br /> -<br /> -<i>Totanus Bartramius</i> Bartram Tatler, Su. & Rich. Bartramian<br /> -Tatler, Nutt. Man.<br /> -<br /> -Bartramian Sandpiper. <i>Totanus Bartramius</i> Aud. Orn.<br /> -Biog.’</p></div> - -<p>“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:</p> - -<p>“<span class="lftspc">‘</span>In Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and on the Shinnecock and -Hempstead Plains, Long<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_111" id="page_111"></a>{111}</span> 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.’”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“It comes from the French word <i>Pluvier</i>, 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.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_112" id="page_112"></a>{112}</span></p> - -<p>“Do you know what Frank Forester says on the subject?”</p> - -<p>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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“He begins with a description of the black-bellied plover, which is -known to us as bull-head, the <i>charadrius helveticus</i>, and then -describes the American golden-plover, or <i>charadrius pluvialis</i>, and -uses these words: ‘It is better known to our gunners by<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_113" id="page_113"></a>{113}</span> 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—<i>charadrius semipalmatus</i>, Wilson’s plover; the -piping-plover, or beach-bird—<i>charadrius melodius</i>; and the kildeer -plover—<i>charadrius vociferus</i>, these being all the varieties of -American plover.”</p> - -<p>Bill could stand it no longer; but rising as the book was closed, burst -forth at once:</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_114" id="page_114"></a>{114}</span> 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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_115" id="page_115"></a>{115}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_116" id="page_116"></a>{116}</span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Bill,” commenced some unhappy person, after we had left the close, hot -dining-room, “why do you not enlarge your house?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Now that’s not fair,” replied Bill, aroused; “no man, except my -father-in-law, has done more to save<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_117" id="page_117"></a>{117}</span> 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.”</p> - -<p>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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_118" id="page_118"></a>{118}</span></p> - -<p>“How far can you reach a ship with the cannon?” we inquired.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“But, Bill, tell us about the Barnegat pirates leading a lame horse with -a lantern tied to his neck<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_119" id="page_119"></a>{119}</span> over the sand hills in imitation of a ship’s -light, and thus inveigling vessels ashore.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean by the stations?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“It is a shame that a matter like that should not be free from -politics.”</p> - -<p>“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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_120" id="page_120"></a>{120}</span> administration, and shipwrecked passengers die -while political favorites draw the two hundred dollars a year pay for -the station-master.”</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>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.”</p> - -<p>Bill answered not, and the shadow deepened, and the smoke was puffed in -heavier masses from his lips.</p> - -<p>“Bill is afraid; he don’t like ghosts, and don’t dare to talk of them.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“What is that?” was asked wonderingly, on the utterance of this peculiar -expression.</p> - -<p>“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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_121" id="page_121"></a>{121}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Bill, that is a pretty good story, but it is not the one I meant,” -persisted the individual who had commenced the attack.</p> - -<p>“Well, another time, Zeph and I were at work<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_122" id="page_122"></a>{122}</span> 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.”</p> - -<p>“I guess that was another misty day, and you hadn’t had your -eye-opener,” was the appreciative response.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>Bill fell silent, again looking off into the distance as though he saw -something that others could not<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_123" id="page_123"></a>{123}</span> see; he pulled away nervously on his -pipe, which had gone out, but answered not.</p> - -<p>“Bill’s afraid;” was the tantalizing suggestion.</p> - -<p>“There’s Sam,” said Bill suddenly; “he’s not afeard of man or devil; ask -him what he saw.”</p> - -<p>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:</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Bill’s adventure happened in the same neighborhood, so let’s have it,” -continued the persistent man.</p> - -<p>“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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_124" id="page_124"></a>{124}</span></p> - -<p>“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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_125" id="page_125"></a>{125}</span> 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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>This was excellent advice, and not only was an entire newspaper consumed -in our common sleeping apartment, but a quantity of powder was squibbed<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_126" id="page_126"></a>{126}</span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_127" id="page_127"></a>{127}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.”</p> - -<p>“Never mind,” answered the athletic man, swinging his arms ominously, -and dexterously interposing<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_128" id="page_128"></a>{128}</span> 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.”</p> - -<p>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:</p> - -<p>“I am nothing but a boy, only twenty-two last spring, and he’s a man -grown.”</p> - -<p>“You know boys have to be whipped to keep them in order,” was the -consolatory response; for we naturally took part with our landlord.</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, just look at me.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t come so close, you’re covered with blood; keep back, keep back.”</p> - -<p>“But look at me; he’s bigger than I am, and I am only a boy.”</p> - -<p>“Then you shouldn’t strike a man.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! gentlemen, I didn’t strike him first, indeed I didn’t; he struck me -when I wasn’t thinking; indeed he did.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_129" id="page_129"></a>{129}</span></p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_130" id="page_130"></a>{130}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>As our party returned to the blind we had left, Elijah spoke, softly -ruminating aloud:</p> - -<p>“Well, it only costs thirty-five dollars anyhow, and it was worth that.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_131" id="page_131"></a>{131}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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:</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“We call the bay-birds usually snipe,” said the first speaker; “but I -have been told they are not<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_132" id="page_132"></a>{132}</span> snipe at all. Refer to Giraud again and -give us the truth.”</p> - -<p>This fell, of course, to my share, and I commenced as follows:</p> - -<p>“I read you yesterday about the plovers, and immediately after them we -find an account of the turnstone, <i>strepsilas interpres</i>, 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 <i>strepsilas interpres</i>; if you have not -a fluent tongue, perhaps somewhat better. Of the snipes, or -<i>scolopacidæ</i>, the only true representative is the dowitcher, <i>scolopax -noveboracensis</i>.</p> - -<p>“Hold on,” shouted Bill; “say that last word over again.”</p> - -<p>“<i>Noveboracensis.</i>”</p> - -<p>“That is only the half of it; let’s have the whole.”</p> - -<p>“<i>Scolopax noveboracensis.</i>”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Why, that is only Latin for New York snipe.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_133" id="page_133"></a>{133}</span></p> - -<p>“Oh, pshaw!” responded Bill, in intense disgust, “I thought it meant a -whole bookful of things.”</p> - -<p>“The sandpipers, however, come under the family of snipes, and are -called <i>tringæ</i>. 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 <i>totanus</i>, while the -marlin is the godwit <i>limosa</i>. The sickle-bills, jacks, and futes are -curlews, genus <i>numenius</i>.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“On the mainland there are a good many English snipe in spring, while in -the fall we catch blue-fish and shoot ducks. The black ducks and teal -will soon be along; but ever since the inlet was<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_134" id="page_134"></a>{134}</span> closed, the -canvas-backs and red-heads have been scarce.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean by the inlet’s closing?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Can’t they be dredged out?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“How do you catch the blue-fish that you spoke of?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Phew!” was the universal chorus.</p> - -<p>“<span class="lftspc">‘</span>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.”</p> - -<p>“Your hands must have been cut to pieces.”</p> - -<p>“Not at all; you’ll never cut your hands if you don’t let the line -slip.”</p> - -<p>“Did you run up ashore with them?”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_135" id="page_135"></a>{135}</span></p> - -<p>“No, I had no time for that; I landed them, hand over hand.”</p> - -<p>“Well, after that story it’s time we went to bed; so good-night.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_136" id="page_136"></a>{136}</span> of stray sand that sifted in through his -clothes to be some malignant, blood-sucking, insect.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_137" id="page_137"></a>{137}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_138" id="page_138"></a>{138}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_139" id="page_139"></a>{139}</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a href="images/ill_009_lg.png"> -<img src="images/ill_009.png" alt="[Image unavailable.]" /></a> -</div> - -<table summary="" style="font-size:95%; -margin:auto auto;max-width:50em;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> -<tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="rt">1.</td><td>Lower mandible.</td><td class="rtl">11.</td><td> Tertials, arising from the<br /> second bone of the wing at the elbow-joint.</td></tr> - -<tr valign="top"><td class="rt">2.</td><td> Upper mandible.</td><td class="rtl">12. </td><td>Secondaries, from the second bone of the wing.</td></tr> - -<tr valign="top"><td class="rt">3. </td><td>Forehead.</td><td class="rtl">13.</td><td> Primaries, from the first bone of the wing.</td></tr> - -<tr valign="top"><td class="rt">4.</td><td> Loral space.</td><td class="rtl">14.</td><td> Tibia, the thigh.</td></tr> - -<tr valign="top"><td class="rt">5.</td><td> Crown of the head.</td><td class="rtl">15.</td><td> Tarsus, the shank.</td></tr> - -<tr valign="top"><td class="rt">6.</td><td> Hind part of the head.</td><td class="rtl">16.</td><td> Upper tail coverts.</td></tr> - -<tr valign="top"><td class="rt">7.</td><td> Scapulars—long feathers<br /> from shoulders over side of back.</td><td class="rtl">17.</td><td> Lower tail coverts.</td></tr> - -<tr valign="top"><td class="rt">8.</td><td> Smaller wing coverts.</td><td class="rtl">18.</td><td> Tail feathers.</td></tr> - -<tr valign="top"><td class="rt">9.</td><td> Bend of the wing.</td><td class="rtl"> </td></tr> - -<tr valign="top"><td class="rt">10.</td><td> Larger wing coverts.</td><td class="rtl"> </td></tr> - -</tbody></table> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_140" id="page_140"></a>{140}</span></p> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.<br /><br /> -<small>BAY-BIRDS.</small></h2> - -<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Although</span> 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 <i>Giraud’s Birds of Long Island</i>, 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_141" id="page_141"></a>{141}</span> there will be other birds, and some -quite common varieties, that, among bay-men, have no names whatever.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Plovers.</span></h3> - -<p class="c"><i>Genus Charadrius, Linn.</i></p> - -<p><i>Generic distinctions.</i>—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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Black-Breast.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Bull-Headed Plover. Beetle-Headed Plover. Black-Bellied Plover.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Charadrius Helveticus, Wils.</i></p> - -<p>This bird is killed along our bays indiscriminately with the other -snipe, although it does not stool as<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_142" id="page_142"></a>{142}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_143" id="page_143"></a>{143}</span> 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.”—<i>Giraud’s Birds of Long Island.</i></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">American Golden Plover.</span></h3> - -<p class="c"><i>Frost Bird</i>, Greenback.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Charadrius Pluvialis, Wils.</i></p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_144" id="page_144"></a>{144}</span> -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.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—Bill rather slender; along the gap one inch and -an eighth; tarsi one and nine-sixteenths. Adult with the bill black, -much slighter than <i>C. helveticus</i>; 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.”—<i>Giraud.</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_145" id="page_145"></a>{145}</span></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Beach-Bird.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Piping Plover.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Charadrius Hiaticula</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_146" id="page_146"></a>{146}</span> 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.”—<i>Giraud.</i></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Kildeer.</span></h3> - -<p class="c"><i>Charadrius Vociferus</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p class="c">A worthless bird, furnishing no sport, and poor eating.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_147" id="page_147"></a>{147}</span> 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.”—<i>Giraud.</i></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Sanderling.</span></h3> - -<p class="c"><i>Charadrius Rubidus</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_148" id="page_148"></a>{148}</span> 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.”—<i>Giraud.</i></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Turnstone.</span></h3> - -<p class="c"><i>Genus Strepsilas.</i></p> - -<p><i>Generic Distinctions.</i>—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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Brant-Bird.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Horse-foot Snipe, Turnstone, Beach-Robins.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Strepsilas Interpres.</i></p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_149" id="page_149"></a>{149}</span> once into the sand, thus scratching a -hole about three inches deep and an inch and a half across.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_150" id="page_150"></a>{150}</span> 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.”—<i>Giraud.</i></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Sandpiper.</span></h3> - -<p class="c"><i>Genus Tringà.</i></p> - -<p><i>Generic Distinctions.</i>—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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Robin-Snipe.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Red-breasted Sandpiper.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Tringà Cinèrea</i>, Wils. Winter.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Tringà Rufa</i>, Wils. Spring.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_151" id="page_151"></a>{151}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_152" id="page_152"></a>{152}</span> 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.”—<i>Giraud.</i></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Upland Plover.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Grey, Grass, or Field Plover.</p> - -<p class="c">Bartram’s Sandpiper.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Tringà Bartramia</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_153" id="page_153"></a>{153}</span> -notice of the stools, is comparatively a solitary bird, and although -continually uttering its melodious cry, does not heed a responsive call.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>They are wary, fly rapidly, and are difficult to shoot, and, were it not -for one peculiarity, would<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_154" id="page_154"></a>{154}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_155" id="page_155"></a>{155}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_156" id="page_156"></a>{156}</span> 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.”—<i>Giraud.</i></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Red-Backed Sandpiper.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Winter Snipe.—Black-breast.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Tringà Alpina</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p>This bird absolutely has no common name.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_157" id="page_157"></a>{157}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>“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.”—<i>Giraud.</i></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Long-Legged Sandpiper.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Peep, Blind Snipe, Frost Snipe, Stilt.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Tringà Himantopus.</i></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—Bill about one-third longer than the head, -slightly arched; length of tarsi, one inch and three-eighths. Adult, -with the upper parts<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_158" id="page_158"></a>{158}</span> 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.”—<i>Giraud.</i></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Ring-neck.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">American Ring Plover.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Tringà Hiaticula</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p>This is a small, but delicate, fat, and pretty bird; it does not stool -well, and accompanies the small snipe.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—Bill shorter than the head; base, orange color, -towards the point, black; a broad band on the forehead white, margined -below with<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_159" id="page_159"></a>{159}</span> 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.”—<i>Giraud.</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_160" id="page_160"></a>{160}</span></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Krieker.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Meadow Snipe, Fat Bird, Short Neck, Jack Snipe, Pectoral Sandpiper.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Tringà Pectoralis</i>, Aud.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_161" id="page_161"></a>{161}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—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.”—<i>Giraud.</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_162" id="page_162"></a>{162}</span></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Ox-Eye.</span></h3> - -<p class="c"><i>Tringà Semipalmata</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—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.”—<i>Giraud.</i></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Ox-Eye.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Wilson’s Sandpiper.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Tringà Pusilla</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—Bill along the gap three-quarters<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_163" id="page_163"></a>{163}</span> 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.”—<i>Giraud.</i></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Tatler.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Genus Totanus.</p> - -<p><i>Generic Distinctions.</i>—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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_164" id="page_164"></a>{164}</span> and -the anterior ones connected at the base by webs, the inner being -slightly webbed.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Willet.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Semipalmated Tatler.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Totanus Semipalmatus</i>, Lath.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Scolopax Semipalmata</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_165" id="page_165"></a>{165}</span> 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.”—<i>Giraud.</i></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Yelper.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Big Yellow-Legs—Greater Yellow-Shanks—Tell-tale Tatler.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Totanus Vociferus</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_166" id="page_166"></a>{166}</span></p> - -<p>It does not associate in large flocks, but roams about in parties of -three or four.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—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, cheeks, 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.”—<i>Giraud.</i></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Yellow-Legs.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Little Yellow-Legs—Yellow-Shanks Tatler.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Totanus Flavipes</i>, Lath.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Scolopax Flavipes</i>, Wilson.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_167" id="page_167"></a>{167}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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 -<i>Scolopacidæ</i>, or snipe, but the other ornithologists have erected a -separate genus for them.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_168" id="page_168"></a>{168}</span> 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.”—<i>Giraud.</i></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Godwit.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Genus Limosa.</p> - -<p><i>Generic Distinctions.</i>—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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Marlin.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Great Marbled Godwit.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Limosa Fedoa</i>, Linn.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Scolopax Fedoa</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p>This is the gentlest and most abundant of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_169" id="page_169"></a>{169}</span> 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, <i>Limosa Hudsonica, Lath.</i> 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.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_170" id="page_170"></a>{170}</span> nine -and a half. Female larger, exceeding the male from three to four -inches.”—<i>Giraud.</i></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Ring-Tailed Marlin.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Hudsonian Godwit.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Limosa Hudsonica</i>, Lath.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—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 towards 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.”—<i>Giraud.</i></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Snipe.</span></h3> - -<p class="c"><i>Genus Scolopax</i>, Linn.</p> - -<p><i>Generic Distinctions.</i>—Bill long, at least twice the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_171" id="page_171"></a>{171}</span> 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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Dowitcher.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Dowitch—Brown Back—Quail-Snipe—Red-Breasted Snipe.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Scolopax Noveboracensis</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_172" id="page_172"></a>{172}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_173" id="page_173"></a>{173}</span> 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.”—<i>Giraud.</i></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Curlew.</span></h3> - -<p class="c"><i>Genus Numenius</i>, Briss.</p> - -<p><i>Generic Distinctions.</i>—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; <i>tibia</i> bare a short space above the -knee; legs rather long; tail short and rounded.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Jack Curlew.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Short-billed Curlew. Hudsonian Curlew.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Numenius Hudsonicus</i>, Lath.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—Length of bill, three inches and three-quarters; -tarsi, two inches; lower parts<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_174" id="page_174"></a>{174}</span> 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.”—<i>Giraud.</i></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Sickle-Billed Curlew.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Long-billed Curlew.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Numenius Longirostris</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_175" id="page_175"></a>{175}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—Bill towards the end decurved; upper part of the -throat, and a band from the bill to the eye, light buff; general -plumage,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_176" id="page_176"></a>{176}</span> 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.”—<i>Giraud.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Fute</span>.</p> - -<p>Doe-bird.—Esquimaux Curlew.</p> - -<p><i>Numenius Borealis</i>, Lath.</p> - -<p>This is an upland bird, quite rare, but large, and rather delicate -eating.</p> - -<p>“<i>Specific Character.</i>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_177" id="page_177"></a>{177}</span> 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.”—<i>Giraud.</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_178" id="page_178"></a>{178}</span></p> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.<br /><br /> -<small>MONTAUK POINT.</small></h2> - -<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> 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 four houses break the monotony of the dreary expanse, and it -is to one of these, distant<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_179" id="page_179"></a>{179}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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, <i>Charadrius pluvialis</i> (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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_180" id="page_180"></a>{180}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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 to Lester’s 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_181" id="page_181"></a>{181}</span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_182" id="page_182"></a>{182}</span> -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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_183" id="page_183"></a>{183}</span> and reloading our gun, we hasten to -gather up the slain.</p> - -<p>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 unwontedly 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.</p> - -<p>A hearty breakfast makes us feel like <i>a new man</i>, 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_184" id="page_184"></a>{184}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_185" id="page_185"></a>{185}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>But the irrepressible and inextinguishable Lester rises triumphant in -this emergency. He boldly suggests that there <i>must be</i> some sluggards, -who have tarried, spell-bound by the attractions of such a terrestrial, -or, rather ornithological, paradise; and accordingly, he <i>hitches up</i> a -venerable specimen of the genus “<i>Equus</i>,” 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.</p> - -<p>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. Lester himself, though an -old hand, owns that he has never<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_186" id="page_186"></a>{186}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>On the morrow we kill a dozen birds over the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_187" id="page_187"></a>{187}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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 towards Stratton’s, 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_188" id="page_188"></a>{188}</span> early date, that we pack our valise in anticipation of a start on -the morrow.</p> - -<p>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 Lester’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 <i>seven-horse</i> 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_189" id="page_189"></a>{189}</span> down.” Be patient, keep cool, aim ahead of the -birds, and keep wide awake.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_190" id="page_190"></a>{190}</span></p> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.<br /><br /> -<small>RAIL SHOOTING.</small></h2> - -<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Success</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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 <i>terra firma</i>, -and if not shot at, will alight after proceeding thirty or forty yards.</p> - -<p>It comes on from the north during the early part<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_191" id="page_191"></a>{191}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_192" id="page_192"></a>{192}</span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_193" id="page_193"></a>{193}</span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>In order to retrieve quickly, a wide-meshed scapnet<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_194" id="page_194"></a>{194}</span> is a great -convenience; but to mark well, a man must 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_195" id="page_195"></a>{195}</span> the -lucky chance of coming upon a goodly collection of birds, and make the -most of the scanty time permitted to him.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_196" id="page_196"></a>{196}</span> balances himself, -and wields his long pole dexterously on a small platform at the stern.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_197" id="page_197"></a>{197}</span> tide is favorable and the game -plenty, the excitement is continuous, and increased by a sense of -competition.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_198" id="page_198"></a>{198}</span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Selections were chosen of favorable starting-points, and most of the -party put out at about the same<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_199" id="page_199"></a>{199}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_200" id="page_200"></a>{200}</span> the English snipe, and alight at any damp spots for a -temporary rest wherever the growth of plants promises nutriment.</p> - -<p>They are often flushed by the snipe-shooter, together with the larger -fresh-water rail, <i>rallus elegans</i>, 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_201" id="page_201"></a>{201}</span> the -Connecticut, and the rapid reports will continue to reverberate over the -reedy marshes.</p> - -<p>There are two varieties, the short-billed or sora-rail, <i>rallus -Carolinus</i>; and the long-billed, or Virginia rail, <i>rallus Virginianus</i>, -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_202" id="page_202"></a>{202}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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 liquor. 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_203" id="page_203"></a>{203}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_204" id="page_204"></a>{204}</span> fried potatoes, thin and crisp as a new bank note. -It may be preceded by the <i>pièce de resistance</i>, and should be followed -only by salad, which may in fact be eaten with it, if dressed with -sufficient purity.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_205" id="page_205"></a>{205}</span></p> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.<br /><br /> -<small>WILD-FOWL SHOOTING.</small></h2> - -<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">It</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_206" id="page_206"></a>{206}</span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_207" id="page_207"></a>{207}</span> -success is as great as in the more open waters of the Southern coast.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_208" id="page_208"></a>{208}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_209" id="page_209"></a>{209}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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 <i>zimosas</i>, 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_210" id="page_210"></a>{210}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>But probably the rarest quality for a dog or man to possess, and the -most necessary to both, if they<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_211" id="page_211"></a>{211}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_212" id="page_212"></a>{212}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_213" id="page_213"></a>{213}</span> -unsurpassable for the purpose; and any tractable dog, if well trained, -will answer in a measure.</p> - -<p>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 coöperation 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, <i>fuligulæ</i>, 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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_214" id="page_214"></a>{214}</span></p> - -<p>It is impossible to particularize localities as pre-eminent for this -sport where so many are good; and the innumerable streams, lakelets, -drowned lands, swamps, rivers, lakes, cultivated fields, and even open -prairies of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and the Western States -generally, abound in their seasons with various descriptions of -wild-fowl; and for a statement of the mode of their pursuit, and the -views of their pursuers, no better course can be taken than to give an -account of a few days in one of the numerous tributary bays of Lake -Erie.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>For shooting ducks the best weather is dark, or even rainy, as at such -times the birds fly closer to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_215" id="page_215"></a>{215}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_216" id="page_216"></a>{216}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_217" id="page_217"></a>{217}</span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_218" id="page_218"></a>{218}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_219" id="page_219"></a>{219}</span></p> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.<br /><br /> -<small>DUCK-SHOOTING ON THE INLAND LAKES.</small></h2> - -<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Out</span> West—‘way out West—a long distance from our eastern cities in -miles, but now, thanks to steam and iron, a 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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_220" id="page_220"></a>{220}</span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_221" id="page_221"></a>{221}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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 -<i>habitué</i>, 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.</p> - -<p>I landed at the wharf in the middle of October, of a year ever famous -for the immense numbers of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_222" id="page_222"></a>{222}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>As soon as the lazy dawn streaked the east, dressing being done by -candle-light, we hastily disposed<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_223" id="page_223"></a>{223}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_224" id="page_224"></a>{224}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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 heard, but beyond, an open -patch of water-lilies stretched for half a mile.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_225" id="page_225"></a>{225}</span> waving in the wind, were the -cup-like pods that contain the seeds.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_226" id="page_226"></a>{226}</span> longer and exposed to -excessive cold, their germinating principle would be annihilated.</p> - -<p>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 cockle-shells 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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_227" id="page_227"></a>{227}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_228" id="page_228"></a>{228}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_229" id="page_229"></a>{229}</span> us gave one or the other a shot, and each could mark -birds approaching the other from behind.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_230" id="page_230"></a>{230}</span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_231" id="page_231"></a>{231}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Such shooting rarely blesses the fortunate sportsman;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_232" id="page_232"></a>{232}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>We lost no time in escaping from the weeds into the channel-ways, -whither the open-water ducks—<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_233" id="page_233"></a>{233}</span>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, <i>Fulica -Americana</i>, the mud-hen of the natives.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“How many birds have we killed this year?” inquired a member.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“And the better varieties seem this year to be more numerous.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“But I think,” said the President, “the canvas-backs and red-heads are -earlier and better than usual.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_234" id="page_234"></a>{234}</span></p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. Those long, recurved teeth aid them in tearing up the wild celery, -on which they feed. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_235" id="page_235"></a>{235}</span> 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.”</p> - -<p>“Is it true,” inquired the fisherman, “that other ducks steal from the -canvas-backs the wild celery that they have exhausted themselves in -procuring?”</p> - -<p>“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 -<i>Zostera valisneria</i> 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_236" id="page_236"></a>{236}</span> 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.”</p> - -<p>“Do they not combine to drive the robber away?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Are the western canvas-backs as delicate and high-flavored as those of -the Chesapeake?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_237" id="page_237"></a>{237}</span></p> - -<p>“And yet the naturalists class the canvas-back among <i>fuligulæ</i>, or sea -ducks.”</p> - -<p>“That arises from some scientific peculiarity, and is not universal. He -is certainly a fresh-water duck, and thousands are shot here yearly.”</p> - -<p>“I lose a great many crippled birds,” said the unlucky man, -meditatively; “I wonder what becomes of them all?”</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>“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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_238" id="page_238"></a>{238}</span> 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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“They are the scaup or broad-bill of the East, <i>Fuligula Marila</i>, 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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>This announcement was received with unanimous dissent, and the President -expressed the general feeling when he continued—<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_239" id="page_239"></a>{239}</span></p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>Seeing that an interminable discussion was about<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_240" id="page_240"></a>{240}</span> to open, branching -off, in all likelihood, into the comparative qualities of powder and -manufacturers of guns, the President interposed.</p> - -<p>“This is a dry, serious, and solemn conversation, and as every member -has already made up his mind on the subject, not very improving; who -will volunteer to tell a story or sing a song?”</p> - -<p>“My friend here,” replied the unlucky, pointing to the lucky, man, “once -intimated to me that his first day’s duck-shooting was the best and -pleasantest he ever had, but would never give me the satisfaction of the -particulars.”</p> - -<p>“The story, the story, let us have the story!” burst forth the chorus, -with delight.</p> - -<p>“I will tell it on one condition,” responded the party addressed: “that -the gentleman who suggested it shall give a true account of his first -day’s trout-fishing.”</p> - -<p>All hands shouted with delight at the prospect of two stories, scenting -a joke in the suggestion, but the unlucky man replied, pitifully, “I -will if I must, but there are more agreeable episodes in my existence.”</p> - -<p>“Never mind that; if I confess, so must you.</p> - -<p>“Many years ago, gentlemen, myself and a friend had driven down on Long -Island for a few days at the ducks. He was an old sportsman, and -promised to initiate me, who had acquired considerable facility with my -gun, but had never yet been in a battery on the bay.</p> - -<p>“It is not necessary to say at what house we stopped;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_241" id="page_241"></a>{241}</span> the island is -dotted with them—the best in the country—and as it was necessary to be -up at two o’clock in the morning in order to follow down the creek and -row out to the feeding grounds, we retired early. Strict injunctions -were left with the hostler to wake us at the appointed hour; but as -there was a grand ball going on in the hall adjoining the hotel, his -recollection was not to be depended upon.</p> - -<p>“The beds were good; but, either disturbed by dreams of ducks or sounds -of revelry, my sleep was fitful. I was at last awakened by a loud noise, -which I took to be some one knocking at the door, and sleepily rising, -saw a light shining through the crack as it stood ajar. I woke my -companion, who responded with an unwilling grunt, and thinking the -hostler had left the candle for our accommodation, I stepped out to get -it.</p> - -<p>“The night was cold, my dress was light and airy, the distant sounds of -expiring revelry were still faintly audible, and I hastened to get the -light that I might hurry on warmer clothes. To my surprise, on opening -the door, the candle appeared to be some yards off on the floor, in the -middle of what seemed to be an adjoining room. My eyes, dazzled by the -sudden change from total darkness, saw little as I stumbled forward; but -when I turned, light in hand, to regain my room, I came suddenly upon a -bed, and stopped as though shot.</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, a bed is nothing unusual or surprising in a country tavern, -but there is sometimes a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_242" id="page_242"></a>{242}</span> great deal in it. In this particular instance -there was not even much in it, but that little was of the female sex. -Astonishment changed to admiration. She was very pretty, her rosy cheek -rested pillowed on one little hand, while the other arm was thrown -gracefully across her head, framing her innocent child-like face in a -cloud of white. She was lying on her side, and below her arm the -bed-clothes sank down to her waist and then rose in a magnificent swell. -Her hair in massive curls poured upon the pillow, and one strayed round -her throat and joined with the white drapery in protecting her neck.</p> - -<p>“Admiration changed to curiosity. I stepped nearer, bringing the light -so that while it did not shine strongly on her eyes, it fell upon the -white drapery. Man is but a weak creature, liable to be swayed by evil -passions. Curiosity has always been my besetting sin, and sudden -temptations ought to be included among the other sudden dangers in the -prayer-book. In consequence of the position of her arm, the clothes had -fallen back from her shoulders, but that envious curl was cruelly -unsatisfying; the white drapery rose and fell with the long breathing of -her sleep. My first impulse was to retire noiselessly, but curiosity -conquered; she slept so sweetly, so gracefully, and so soundly. -Approaching nearer, stealthily, step by step, I carefully put forward -one hand, and gently touched the curl—she did not move—then quietly -gathering it up, I began slowly drawing it aside. It lifted and fell -with the marble neck beneath like a brown vein across it, but no<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_243" id="page_243"></a>{243}</span> other -motion testified that life pervaded her unconscious beauty.”</p> - -<p>A pause; the chorus, excited—“What next? what next?”</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, it would have been a shameful act to take advantage of her -innocent sleep—a mean, unworthy, contemptible act. It is enough to say, -gentlemen, I did not commit it—for at that moment she moved.”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Chorus</span>—“Oh!”</p> - -<p>“She moved, and was evidently about to wake.”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Chorus</span>—“What did you do then?”</p> - -<p>“Modesty is another of my failings; it is no small matter to be found by -a lady in her bed-room, and you must recollect my dress was scanty. -Wishing, therefore, to spare her feelings as much as my own, I put out -the light, and standing still, listened. From the sound as she moved, it -was clear that she was awake and sitting up in bed. I kept as quiet as a -mouse, no longer daring to stir and hardly daring to breathe.</p> - -<p>“<span class="lftspc">‘</span>Who is there?’ asked the sweetest little sleepy voice in the world; it -was evidently time for me to leave if the feelings of either side were -to be spared.</p> - -<p>“<span class="lftspc">‘</span>Husband, is that you? How late you are, Oscar. I wish there were no -balls; you have let the light go out and will have to undress in the -dark, and you have been drinking; you do not answer, what are you -mumbling in that husky voice; you do not walk steady, you shuffle with -your feet; let me smell your breath, sir!’<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_244" id="page_244"></a>{244}</span></p> - -<p>“Another of my failings is inability to say no. A moment’s consideration -would have told me it was far from honorable to assume the place of -another person, and that person the husband of a pretty woman; but in my -state of hesitancy or virtuous indignation at being falsely accused of -drinking, or without really anticipating what would happen, I obeyed; -and bringing my face near hers, encountered the sweetest pair of lips in -Christendom.</p> - -<p>“<span class="lftspc">‘</span>I am not quite sure,’ she said, ‘let me see again.’</p> - -<p>“Now that was clearly her fault, and left me no excuse for refusing her -absolute satisfaction.</p> - -<p>“<span class="lftspc">‘</span>Make haste, Oscar,’ she whispered, ‘how cold you are.’”</p> - -<p>The lucky man paused, while the chorus breathlessly broke in with:</p> - -<p>“Did you make haste?”</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, man is a contemptible creature in his treatment of woman; -she is infinitely his superior in every good quality, and he absolutely -takes advantage of his baser capacities to betray her superior nature. -He matches his cunning against her truthfulness, his selfishness against -her disinterestedness, his deceitfulness against her affection. Woman’s -nobleness of heart is a provision of nature to prevent the degeneration -of our species; were women as bad as men, our children would be brutes -or idiots. Traits of mind and heart are transmitted—”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Chorus</span>—“Never mind all that, did you make haste?”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_245" id="page_245"></a>{245}</span></p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, with those feelings, I could not long remain in that room; -it was time to make haste; and mumbling some excuse, I escaped before a -noise, that seemed to be ascending the stairs, approached. My friend -wondered at the time I had been away, abused me for allowing the light -to go out, but was easily convinced that the time had been lengthened by -his dreams. Virtue is its own reward, and, gentlemen, I never shall -regret that night.”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Chorus</span>—“But you have not said a word of the duck-shooting.”</p> - -<p>“Well, to tell the truth, I heard next day that Oscar was inquiring for -me, and concluded that the shooting would be better elsewhere.”</p> - -<p>The shout of laughter that succeeded this answer died away, and the -unlucky man was called upon for his adventure.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Unlucky Man.</span>—“Gentlemen, I can give you no such entertaining history as -my friend. In all my life, I never saw a woman unless she was fully -dressed and prepared for it—much as I would like to—for I am not -endowed with one half of his virtuous sentiments. But my adventure also -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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_246" id="page_246"></a>{246}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>“I had hardly congratulated myself, when, hearing a suspicious growl, -and recollecting that the tavern-keeper had a cross mastiff, I turned, -and saw<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_247" id="page_247"></a>{247}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>“A half-hour’s drive soon brought me to the pond, and, after hitching -the animal to the fence—<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_248" id="page_248"></a>{248}</span>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.</p> - -<p>“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 stamps 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.”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Chorus</span>—“Could you swim?”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_249" id="page_249"></a>{249}</span></p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>“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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_250" id="page_250"></a>{250}</span> kept on sinking, I had to own up that I was afraid, and then -he only laughed louder than ever.</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>“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 <i>terra firma</i> 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.</p> - -<p>“What an object I presented after effecting my escape—from head to foot -one mass of mud; my<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_251" id="page_251"></a>{251}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_252" id="page_252"></a>{252}</span></p> - -<p>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 littered:</p> - -<p>“Well, Henry, where had I better go, to-day?” He will respond, looking -you calmly in the face, and in a slightly admonitory tone:</p> - -<p>“You know I never give advice, sir.”</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_253" id="page_253"></a>{253}</span></p> - -<p>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.”</p> - -<p>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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_254" id="page_254"></a>{254}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_255" id="page_255"></a>{255}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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 wrings 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.</p> - -<p>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:<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_256" id="page_256"></a>{256}</span></p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>To do this, as has been heretofore intimated, requires<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_257" id="page_257"></a>{257}</span> 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, uses 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 not 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.</p> - -<p>To one accustomed to kill quail, this shooting,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_258" id="page_258"></a>{258}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_259" id="page_259"></a>{259}</span> of the -sportsman. The wild rice has 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 sterns, 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_260" id="page_260"></a>{260}</span> hiding-places, -and killing a goodly number in spite of their sharp ears and strong -wings.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_261" id="page_261"></a>{261}</span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_262" id="page_262"></a>{262}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>We caught, besides the bass, a few pickerel and a small pike-perch, -<i>lucioperca Americana</i>; 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, <i>lepidosteus</i>, -relics of antediluvian<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_263" id="page_263"></a>{263}</span> ages, were seen in the water, but are only taken -in the net.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_264" id="page_264"></a>{264}</span></p> - -<p>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:</p> - -<p>“Oh, get out with your cormorant; take him away; do, and I’ll never make -another bet with you as long as I live.”</p> - -<p>To this day, in that section of the West, a man who is too exacting -occasionally wins a cormorant.</p> - -<p>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:</p> - -<p>“I am going to shoot with you to-day, sir.”</p> - -<p>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:<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_265" id="page_265"></a>{265}</span></p> - -<p>“Well, which way shall we go?”</p> - -<p>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:</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“But, Henry, as we are going together, I must certainly be told where -the place is to be.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Well, Henry, I suppose I shall have to go with you, instead of you with -me; but the difference is not very great.”</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_266" id="page_266"></a>{266}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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:</p> - -<p>“Are there any animals in that house now?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know whether there are any animals, sir; there might be some -sort of animals, but there are not any rats.”</p> - -<p>“Where are the rats, then?”</p> - -<p>“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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_267" id="page_267"></a>{267}</span> 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.”</p> - -<p>“How do you catch them?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Can anybody trap them?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“The Indian name of muskrat is said to be musksquash?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“But, as the swamp fills up and the land makes, won’t they disappear?”</p> - -<p>“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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_268" id="page_268"></a>{268}</span> land becomes meadow, and the meadow -turns into swamp.”</p> - -<p>“I thought the Western lakes were growing shallow, and receding yearly.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“All the better for us sportsmen. Have you any other valuable animals -besides the rats?”</p> - -<p>“A few otter; but not many. No, sir; the ducks are the most valuable -things we have.”</p> - -<p>“They will soon be killed off.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“How many birds can a good shot average daily the season through?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_269" id="page_269"></a>{269}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_270" id="page_270"></a>{270}</span> 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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_271" id="page_271"></a>{271}</span></p> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.<br /><br /> -<small>SUGGESTIONS TO SPORTSMEN.</small></h2> - -<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_272" id="page_272"></a>{272}</span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_273" id="page_273"></a>{273}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_274" id="page_274"></a>{274}</span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Crack shots, however, are numerous; and include,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_275" id="page_275"></a>{275}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_276" id="page_276"></a>{276}</span></p> - -<p>Now, the author cannot shoot, and never could; but he manages to bring -home as many quail, woodcock, 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_277" id="page_277"></a>{277}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_278" id="page_278"></a>{278}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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 northwester, darts -past, the best plan is to try and fire many feet,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_279" id="page_279"></a>{279}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>So also, although by the attraction of gravitation the charge falls -somewhat, the deflection is too inconsiderable to merit attention.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_280" id="page_280"></a>{280}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_281" id="page_281"></a>{281}</span> he lost his -balance, upset the canoe, and pitched forward head-foremost overboard!</p> - -<p>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 unrelaxed 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.</p> - -<p>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 -drachms 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_282" id="page_282"></a>{282}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_283" id="page_283"></a>{283}</span> -there is no load, and consequently nothing to distract his attention, -that he does shrink, and pull the muzzle somewhat off the object.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_284" id="page_284"></a>{284}</span> for a week before -going into the field, he will perceive the effects.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_285" id="page_285"></a>{285}</span> 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 should always be -removed when the sportsman gets 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>In the field it should be carried 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_286" id="page_286"></a>{286}</span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>When you have fired and desire to reload, 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_287" id="page_287"></a>{287}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_288" id="page_288"></a>{288}</span></p> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.<br /><br /> -<small>TRAP-SHOOTING.</small></h2> - -<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> amusement of trap-shooting is pursued in the Northern States, on the -margins of the western lakes—as some eminent marksmen of Buffalo and -Niagara Falls can testify—and on the sea-coast—as some famous matches -at Islip would prove. It is not a field sport; it is hardly a sport at -all; and a pigeon is not, properly speaking, a game-bird, in spite of -the instances quoted. If this work were to be confined strictly to its -professed objects, this chapter would have to be excluded; but for the -reason that it belongs nowhere else, that an account of this peculiar -style of shooting will be useful to many sportsmen, and that no -published book contains any information on the subject, the writer has -presumed to collate the experience of his friends rather than of -himself—for he does not pretend to much skill in this particular -art—and to offer it to the sporting public.</p> - -<p>Trap-shooting, although quite an ungrammatical expression, is perfectly -understood as a sporting term, having acquired a conventional meaning; -it signifies neither shooting at a trap, which its construction implies, -nor shooting out of a trap, but shooting at a bird—generally a -pigeon—released from a trap. Although not a highly scientific sport, -and somewhat open to the charge of cruelty, it has its devotees; and -certainly, amid a crowd of spectators<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_289" id="page_289"></a>{289}</span> and competitors, to take the palm -and carry off the prize is no mean glory. The birds probably suffer as -little, cut down with the whistling charge of fine shot while on the -wing, and with a chance for life, as though their necks were -remorselessly wrung by the poulterer; and in either case they find their -way to market and furnish food for the people.</p> - -<p>The most serious objection to this sport is, that the wild pigeons have -to be taken from their nests in the spring, and thus, either prevented -laying their eggs, or hatching their broods. As the preservation and -increase of all species of wild birds, animals, and fishes, and the -prevention of their destruction at unseasonable times, are the first -duties of a sportsman, the killing of pigeons ere they have raised their -broods is on a par with shooting ducks and snipe in spring, and is -excusable only because the feeling of the people does not require the -enactment of thoroughly appropriate laws; and while it prevents the -protection of the latter, makes the preservation of the former—which is -a comparatively valueless bird—scarcely worth the trouble.</p> - -<p>Under these circumstances, and in order to fill up a season of the year -when there is no other legitimate sporting excitement, trap-shooting has -grown in public estimation, and being adopted by a large class of -sportsmen, has led to the employment of a numerous body of followers, -skilled in the secrets of trapping and preparing birds so that they may -be presented to the shooter in the best possible condition.</p> - -<p>This class of underlings, who attend to the many<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_290" id="page_290"></a>{290}</span> wants of the -sportsman, whether in the field or at the trap; who break his dogs, -carry his bag, or tend his birds; with their quaint wisdom and innate -honesty,—deserve more consideration than they receive: but above all, -in trap-shooting, are they a necessity, and is their uprightness above -price? An unfair trapper may give one man strong birds, and another -weak; may pull their wing-feathers, or keep some without water or food, -and thus almost decide a contest beforehand.</p> - -<p>Their labor is excessive; they have first to catch the birds, and attend -to their arrival at the place of shooting early enough to meet the -sportsmen; and then they have to run eighteen or twenty-one yards over -the uneven and often muddy ground for every bird they place in the trap. -Hence, in selecting a place to shoot pigeons, it is desirable, by -avoiding sand or soft earth, to save the trapper; under the most -favorable circumstance, he will soon be exhausted, and with every -advantage, cannot trap more than five hundred birds in a day. Two birds -are released, either together or successively, ere the traps are -replenished; the trapper, carrying two birds, runs to the traps, sets -one after the other, and returns also on the run—for the marksman by -this time is at the score—and selects two more birds from the box; this -labor, continued during the noontide hours of a blazing day, is not -over-remunerated by liberal pay and the surplus birds, that, unless -claimed by the shooter, fall by common consent to the share of his -hard-working assistant.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_291" id="page_291"></a>{291}</span></p> - -<p>The most rapid way is to use five traps, in single-bird shooting, and -employ five boys—with a relay of five others when the first are -exhausted—to set them; boys are naturally more active than men, and are -buoyed up by an excitement that the latter do not feel. The five birds -are shot at before the traps are refilled; and by the time the last bird -is released the boys stand armed with a fresh one apiece, ready to reset -the traps in a moment. In this mode, with good luck in not having too -many birds that have to be retrieved, and with regularity, fifteen -hundred birds may be shot at in ten hours.</p> - -<p>The difficulty of obtaining pigeons in our seaboard cities has been so -great of late years, as advancing civilization has reduced the number, -and driven westward the migratory hosts which once visited the Eastern -States, that not only has the expense enormously increased, but the -practice of trap-shooting has diminished. The ordinary price along the -Atlantic coast is from twenty to thirty dollars a hundred, and the -supply is so small, that the collection of any considerable number, even -at that rate, is extremely difficult.</p> - -<p>As skill in the act of shooting birds released from a trap, where the -sportsman stands prepared, gun in hand and nerves disturbed, if at all, -only by the presence of spectators, does not imply ability to acquit -oneself well in the field, and tends but little to that end; so it is -pursued not for improvement so much as for temporary excitement during -the dull months of the year. Pigeons nest in June, a season<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_292" id="page_292"></a>{292}</span> during -which there is absolutely no legitimate sport with the gun whatever; the -woodcock are not yet grown, the snipe have passed to their northern -homes, and the sportsman fills the vacancy with the emulation of -surpassing his associates at trap-shooting. The attempt is exciting, and -the art peculiar, requiring great self-command and utter disregard of -the jeers, praises, or contemptuous laughter of a thousand spectators.</p> - -<p>Tame pigeons are not so well adapted to the purpose as their wild -brethren, having a quiet way of ignoring the object for which they are -produced, and walking towards the stand, or picking up scraps of food -the moment they are released, that is trying to the expectant shooter. -Then they are strong of wing and well feathered, so that the shot must -be driven hard to penetrate to a vital spot; and they fly as often -towards the crowd assembled behind the score as in the contrary -direction. Their flight is uneven, and frequently, after rising a few -feet, they will suddenly alight, or pitch down part of the way. The best -shots, therefore, prefer the wild birds, that go off with a rush the -moment the trap is pulled—for, although they fly faster, they are more -certain in their motions. Tame birds are collected in the neighborhood -of towns and through the country, but rarely in large numbers; and being -accustomed to the presence of man, require little special care. Wild -birds are brought from long distances, frequently from the confines of -Wisconsin, and in consequence of their timid, excitable nature, require<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_293" id="page_293"></a>{293}</span> -continued care. They are captured on their nests, where they congregate -in millions; and being cooped in shallow boxes made of slats, only deep -enough to allow them to move, but not to use their wings or bruise -themselves, are transported as rapidly and tenderly as possible to their -destination. They must invariably be accompanied by a careful person to -wait on them, and supply food and water, of the latter of which they -require large quantities, and they must be moved as rarely and carefully -as possible.</p> - -<p>The moment they arrive, they should be placed in a prepared room; and -each one, as he is taken out, must have his head plunged in water, and -be allowed to drink freely. The ceiling of their apartment should be -low, or there will be difficulty in catching them, and the windows may -be slatted; a sufficient number of perches to accommodate them readily -should be set up, and they must be disturbed as little as possible. Food -and water should be introduced three times a day, either very quietly, -or after the apartment has been darkened by closing the shutters. In -spite of the best of care, about ten per cent. will perish on the -journey, or in consequence of it.</p> - -<p>Having been retained in the room two or three days, they will be in -their best condition, recovered from their exposure, and not yet injured -by their confinement; and may then be caught, replaced in the boxes, and -carried to the shooting-ground. It is a common practice to pull out -some<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_294" id="page_294"></a>{294}</span> of the smaller feathers under the tail, or to stick a pin in the -gristle of the rump, with a view of making them fly better; as a bird -that remains in the trap, when a ground-trap is used, after it is -pulled, and refuses to rise, baulks the shooter, and any pain inflicted -on them just as they are being used will make them wild and anxious to -escape.</p> - -<p>There are three kinds of traps used, called the ground, spring, and -plunge traps; the former is so arranged that when the string is drawn, -the trap, which is composed of tin plates, falls over and lies flat on -the ground; while the others, through the instrumentality of a spring, -or by a vigorous jerk on the line, throw the birds into the air. The -ground-traps are considered by many the most scientific, leaving the -shooter in doubt as to the direction of the bird’s flight, and -preventing his shooting on the calculation which can be made very -accurately with a spring-trap—that the bird will invariably be thrown -to a certain place, and may be killed there, nominally on the wing, but -before he has really got under weigh; but in the West the plunge-traps -are generally preferred, as they insure the bird’s flying at once.</p> - -<p>The traps are also spoken of as “H and T,” or “head and tail” traps, and -are usually marked with a large H or T; but this means merely that the -shooter may select the trap to be pulled by the toss, in case the terms -of the contest permit it. The sportsmanlike mode, however, as claimed by -Eastern sportsmen, is to allow the trapper, provided he can<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_295" id="page_295"></a>{295}</span> be -perfectly relied upon, to pull any trap he may choose, without notice to -the shooter.</p> - -<p>Four or five traps are generally used, placed several feet apart, at -twenty-one yards from the score in single-bird shooting, and at eighteen -yards in double-bird shooting. In double-bird shooting the two birds are -not placed in the same trap, but two traps are pulled at the same time. -In single-bird shooting only one barrel can be discharged at one bird; -and to save time, the shooter should fire at two birds, one after the -other, before he leaves the score, being thus compelled to use both -barrels of his gun.</p> - -<p>A bird, to be credited as killed, must be retrieved within the -bounds—that is to say, must be gathered with the hands alone; and it -was formerly permitted to take him not only on the ground or in the air, -but from a tree, and the shooter might walk round a running bird and -drive him towards the trap; but more modern rules require that the bird -shall fall, and shall be proceeded to straight from the score. The -bounds are eighty yards radius from the centre of the traps in -single-bird shooting, and one hundred yards in double-bird shooting. The -distance should be measured with a rope, and marked by small flags or -painted stakes set up in the ground.</p> - -<p>The judges order the shooter to retrieve any bird they think proper; and -in case there is doubt whether a bird was hit, although duly retrieved, -they must examine and decide, being occasionally compelled to pick the -feathers in order to ascertain.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_296" id="page_296"></a>{296}</span></p> - -<p>In case of a missfire, according to the rules of the New York Club, if -the cap explodes, the bird is counted against the shooter, although his -gun may be properly loaded, he being responsible for the cleanliness of -the gun; but in case the cap fails to explode, he is allowed another -bird. Other clubs only require that the gun shall be properly loaded; -and others score the bird as missed. If in double-bird shooting one bird -only rises, it used to be counted to the shooter, and he was allowed -another bird in place of the one that failed to fly, thus really -shooting at two single birds. This was so manifestly unjust that the -rule has been changed by the State Association, and the shooter is -required to shoot at a fresh brace. The sportsman stands at the score -and directs the trapper when to pull; he must hold the butt of his gun -beneath his elbow, but usually drops his head, and bends his body into -the position it would take were the gun at his shoulder, so that he -merely has to raise his gun to his eye and point it. In double-trap -shooting, undoubtedly, the marksman requires every advantage he can -obtain, and then will have many birds pass beyond range ere he can fire; -but where a single pigeon is presented, it would be advisable to require -every contestant to hold his gun with the muzzle above his head. -Professional shots usually extend the arms and assume an attitude, and -gain an advantage that would be impossible to them in game-shooting.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>The weight or character of gun and load of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_297" id="page_297"></a>{297}</span> powder have not heretofore -been restricted, although it is unreasonable to match a light field-gun, -loaded with three drachms, against a fourteen-pound ducking-gun, driving -its charge of No. 10 shot with six drachms of powder. The load of shot -should not be over one ounce and a quarter; but even with this -restriction the heavy guns will have the advantage, being able to send -fine shot stronger, and have the benefit of the extra quantity of -pellets. The size of shot in light guns is generally No. 7, with three -and a quarter drachms of powder. The guns are loaded in the presence of -a judge selected for the purpose, and the shot is poured into a measured -charger; but with breech-loaders, as the cartridges are already -prepared, it is customary to select one of the latter at random and open -it.</p> - -<p>A good shot will frequently kill twenty single birds in succession, and -some persons who have made this sport their specialty have been known to -kill many more; but the majority of excellent sportsmen will not kill -over nineteen out of twenty. The best field-shots are often bunglers at -trap-shooting. Where double birds are shot at, it is rare that twenty -are killed without a miss, and an excellent average out of ten double -rises would be seventeen birds. The second bird is frequently so far off -ere he is fired at, that, even if hit, he will go out of bounds and be -recorded as missed, although he falls dead. In this shooting there is -much in accident, not only as to the bird’s falling out of bounds, but -as to the mode of flight; for if both birds go directly<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_298" id="page_298"></a>{298}</span> away from the -stand, the chances are against the shooter, whereas if one approaches, -the difficulty of killing is not much greater than with single birds.</p> - -<p>In England a better rule in shooting single birds generally prevails, by -which the rise is extended to twenty-five or thirty yards, but the -shooter is allowed to use both barrels; thus occasionally making some -brilliant shots at long distances, and proving the qualities, not merely -of the sportsman, but of his weapon. Firing a single barrel at a pigeon -within thirty yards, is dull sport; better marksmanship is required to -stop him at from thirty-five to forty with the first barrel, even with -the additional chance with the second at from forty to fifty.</p> - -<p>No scattering gun, filling the air with its cloud of mustard-seed, will -answer for this work; the closest and strongest-shooting gun will have -to be held so true that the centre of the charge will hit the object, to -obtain the least chance with the second barrel, or to insure certainty -even with the first. Fewer birds that are fairly hit will go out of -bounds, as the second barrel may complete the work of the first; and the -best marksman will generally exhibit himself by the management of this -barrel, to use which at all will require extreme rapidity and accuracy.</p> - -<p>This fact has been recognised occasionally at conventions, or where the -contests were for honor and not money, by increasing the distance at -which ties are shot off. In a large match there are always several ties, -which are shot off at five birds, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_299" id="page_299"></a>{299}</span> frequently not finished till -repeated several times. At the New York State Convention of 1865, held -at Niagara Falls, the parties tying one another were set back five yards -at every tie, and still at thirty-one yards four birds out of five were -killed with a single barrel—although, of course, at this distance much -will depend upon the direction and mode of flight. Success, even with -the use of both barrels, will require far more brilliant shooting than -in the present mode.</p> - -<p>There has always been great dispute among trap-shooters as to the best -trap. The New York City Club claims that a bird released from a -ground-trap, selecting his own time to rise, and mode and direction of -flight, is harder to kill than one tossed heels over head from a plunge -or spring-trap. But our Western brethren, who are naturally more rapid, -and who have less difficulty in obtaining pigeons, are so annoyed with -the waste of time occasioned by a dilatory pigeon, that they universally -prefer the plunge-trap.</p> - -<p>Probably the mesne between these two opinions is correct, or more -properly a combination of them both; a single bird is undoubtedly harder -to kill at a ground-trap, whereas the plunge-trap will free the two -birds in double-shooting, to go off at the same moment. So that for -these reasons, and to insure skill at both, they should be appropriated -to these offices respectively. The best Western shot, if not the best -gentleman shot in the world, who has killed his eighty-four out of -ninety double birds,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_300" id="page_300"></a>{300}</span> was terribly baulked by the ground trap, to which -he had not been accustomed, when he first attempted to kill even single -birds from it. But for double-shooting, as it is essential that both -birds should fly together, the trap that insures this is preferable.</p> - -<p>One of the worst features of trap-shooting is, that it has fallen mainly -into the hands of professionals; and although there is no reason for not -pursuing a legitimate sport because blacklegs enjoy it also, they have -introduced tricks and artifices that degrade the entire amusement. The -use of heavy guns is one of the mildest of these, for it is madness for -the best shot in the world to match his ordinary field-gun against a -number six bore single-barrelled piece; and they will put a clod of -grass or even a dead bird in the same trap with the live one, and if -this is a spring-trap, the adversary will be taken at a disadvantage. -They deaden their own birds by squeezing them under the wings, and -excite those of their opponent by plucking them or pulling their -feathers, and can even give them an irregular flight. The professionals, -therefore, may be expected to gain a nominal superiority, and claim to -be champions, more from their cunning unscrupulousness than from their -actual skill, and, by this fancied superiority, degrade the entire -sport.</p> - -<p>The rules which were adopted at a convention of the principal clubs in -the State of New York, held in 1865, when the best sporting talent in -the country was represented, are given in the Appendix. Although<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_301" id="page_301"></a>{301}</span> an -improvement in many particulars on the former rules, they are not -perfect; it is probable that they will be further amended, so as, while -increasing the difficulty of killing the bird, to place all sportsmen on -an equal footing, and to remove as far as possible the influence of -accident.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>And now, apologizing to the many sportsmen who are abler shots and have -had far greater experience than himself, the author urges in extenuation -of his presumption in publishing this book, that as they would not -commit their experiences to paper, he felt justified in attempting it; -and as the other sporting writers have utterly neglected this field of -labor as beneath their notice, he could not be blamed for entering upon -it and doing with it the best of which he was capable. And to those -persons who follow in the track of the literary sporting men, and affect -to despise the various kinds of water-fowl and bay-shooting, the author -would say that he only wishes they may have such days with the geese and -ducks, the marlins, yellow-legs, and dowitchers, the rail and the -plover, as he has had, in the full confidence that they will be very -soon converted.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_302" id="page_302"></a>{302}</span> </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_303" id="page_303"></a>{303}</span> </p> - -<h2><a name="APPENDIX" id="APPENDIX"></a>APPENDIX.</h2> - -<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> 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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Goose.</span></h3> - -<p class="c"><i>Genus Anser</i>, Briss.</p> - -<p><i>Generic Distinctions.</i>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_304" id="page_304"></a>{304}</span> -central, which enables them to walk with ease; wings long; tail short, -rounded.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Wild Goose.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Canada Goose.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Anas Canadensis</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p><i>Specific Character.</i>—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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Brant.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Barnacle Goose—Brent Goose.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Anas Bernicla</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p><i>Specific Character.</i>—Bill black; head and neck all round black; a -patch on the sides of the neck white;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_305" id="page_305"></a>{305}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Swan.</span></h3> - -<p class="c"><i>Genus Cygnus</i>, Meyer.</p> - -<p><i>Generic Distinctions.</i>—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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_306" id="page_306"></a>{306}</span></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The White Swan.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">American Swan.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Cygnus Americanus</i>, Aud.</p> - -<p><i>Specific Character.</i>—Plumage, pure white; bill and feet black; length -of the specimen before us, four feet; wing twenty-one and a half inches.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Fresh-Water Ducks.</span></h3> - -<p class="c"><i>Genus Anas</i>, Linn.</p> - -<p><i>Generic Distinctions.</i>—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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Mallard.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Green Head, English Duck, Grey Duck (female), the Duck, the Wild Duck.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Anas Boschas</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p><i>Specific Character.</i>—Speculum bright purple, reflecting green, -bordered with black; secondaries<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_307" id="page_307"></a>{307}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_308" id="page_308"></a>{308}</span></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Black Duck.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Dusky Duck.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Anas Obscura</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p><i>Specific Character.</i>—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.</p> - -<p>These ducks are killed equally in the fresh and salt waters; they come -to the decoys warily.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Gadwall.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Welsh Drake, German Duck.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Anas Strepera</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p><i>Specific Character.</i>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_309" id="page_309"></a>{309}</span> neck, upper -part of the breast and fore part of the back blackish-brown, the -feathers marked with semi-circular 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.</p> - -<p>This is an ugly duck, and not much esteemed by epicure or sportsman.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Widgeon.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Bald-pate.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Anas Americana</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p><i>Specific Character.</i>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_310" id="page_310"></a>{310}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>This duck is much prized along the sea-coast, but at the West he holds -an inferior rank.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Pintail.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Sprig-tail—Pigeon-tail—Grey-Duck.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Anas Acuta</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p><i>Specific Character.</i>—Bill long and narrow, lead color; at the tip a -spot of black, at the corner of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_311" id="page_311"></a>{311}</span> 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_312" id="page_312"></a>{312}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Wood-Duck.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Summer-Duck.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Anas Sponsa</i>, Aud.</p> - -<p><i>Specific Character.</i>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_313" id="page_313"></a>{313}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_314" id="page_314"></a>{314}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Green-Winged Teal.</span></h3> - -<p class="c"><i>Anas.</i></p> - -<p class="c"><i>Anas Crecca</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p><i>Specific Character.</i>—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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_315" id="page_315"></a>{315}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_316" id="page_316"></a>{316}</span> length fifteen inches; wing seven inches and a half.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Blue-Winged Teal.</span></h3> - -<p class="c"><i>Anas Discors</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p><i>Specific Character.</i>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_317" id="page_317"></a>{317}</span>, with central markings of deep buff; -feet dull yellow.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>This species greatly resembles the last.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Spoonbill.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Shoveller.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Anas Clypeata</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p><i>Specific Character.</i>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_318" id="page_318"></a>{318}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>Female with the crown dusky; upper plumage blackish-brown, the feathers -edged with reddish-brown; breast yellowish-white, marked with -semi-circular spots of white. Young male with similar markings on the -breast; length twenty inches and a half, wing ten.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Sea-Duck.</span></h3> - -<p class="c"><i>Genus Fuligula.</i></p> - -<p><i>Generic Distinctions.</i>—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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Canvas-Back.</span></h3> - -<p class="c"><i>Fuligula Valisneria</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p><i>Specific Character.</i>—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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_319" id="page_319"></a>{319}</span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Red-Head.</span></h3> - -<p class="c"><i>Fuligula Ferina</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p><i>Specific Character.</i>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_320" id="page_320"></a>{320}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Broad-Bill.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Blue Bill, Scaup, Black Head, Raft Duck.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Fuligula Marila</i>, Linn.</p> - -<p><i>Specific Character.</i>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_321" id="page_321"></a>{321}</span> -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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Whistler.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Golden Eye, Great Head.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Fuligula Clangula</i>, Linn.</p> - -<p><i>Specific Character.</i>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_322" id="page_322"></a>{322}</span> 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.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Dipper.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Butter Ball, Buffel-Headed Duck, Spirit Duck.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Fuligula Albeola</i>, Linn.</p> - -<p><i>Specific Character.</i>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_323" id="page_323"></a>{323}</span> 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.</p> - -<p>The dipper is quite plentiful everywhere in the Northern States, but not -much valued.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Old Wife.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">South Southerly, Old Squaw, Long-Tailed Duck.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Fuligula Glacialis</i>, Linn.</p> - -<p><i>Specific Character.</i>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_324" id="page_324"></a>{324}</span> dark brown; secondaries lighter brown, their coverts black; a -semi-circular 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.</p> - -<p>This bird is abundant along the coast, but is generally tough and fishy.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Merganser.</span></h3> - -<p class="c"><i>Genus Mergus</i>, Linn.</p> - -<p><i>Generic Distinctions.</i>—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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_325" id="page_325"></a>{325}</span></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Shell-Drake.</span></h3> - -<p class="c">Goosander Weaser.</p> - -<p class="c"><i>Mergus Merganser</i>, Wils.</p> - -<p><i>Specific Character.</i>—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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_326" id="page_326"></a>{326}</span></p> - -<h2><a name="RULES_FOR_TRAP-SHOOTING" id="RULES_FOR_TRAP-SHOOTING"></a>RULES FOR TRAP-SHOOTING<br /><br /> -<small>OF THE</small><br /><br /> -NEW YORK SPORTSMEN’S ASSOCIATION.</h2> - -<p class="spc"><span class="smcap">Rule I.</span> <i>Traps, Rise, and Boundaries.</i>—All matches shall be shot from H -and T plunge-traps. Rise for single birds to be twenty-one yards; and -for double birds eighteen yards. The boundaries shall be eighty yards -for single birds, and one hundred yards for double birds, which, in -single-bird shooting, shall be measured from a point equidistant from, -and in a direct line between, the two traps; in double-bird shooting -from a point equidistant from, and in a direct line between, the -centre-traps.</p> - -<p class="spc"><span class="smcap">Rule II.</span> <i>Scoring.</i>—When a person is at the score and ready to shoot, -he is to call “pull;” and, should the trap be sprung without his having -given the word, or in single-bird shooting should more than one bird -rise at a time, he may take the bird or birds, or not; but if he shoot, -the bird or birds shall be charged to him. The party at the score must -not leave it to shoot, and must hold the butt of his gun below his elbow -until the bird or birds rise;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_327" id="page_327"></a>{327}</span> and in case of infraction of this -provision, the bird or birds shall be scored as missed.</p> - -<p class="spc"><span class="smcap">Rule III.</span> <i>Rising of Birds.</i>—A bird must be on the wing when shot at. -All contingencies from missfire, non-explosion of cap, gun not cocked, -etc., etc., are at the risk of the party shooting.</p> - -<p class="spc"><span class="smcap">Rule IV.</span> <i>Recovering Birds.</i>—It shall be optional with the party -shooting to recover his own birds, or to appoint a person for that -purpose. He shall in all cases walk directly up to the bird and take it -without injury; and, in case of doubt, hand it to the Judges for their -decision. If a bird flies outside the bounds it shall be scored as -missed. Should a bird alight upon a tree, house, or any other -resting-place within the bounds, after it has been shot at, the party -shooting, or his deputy, shall proceed immediately to the spot, and if -the bird does not fall, without any extraneous means being used, such as -throwing clods, stones, sticks, or using poles, etc., within three -minutes from the time it alights, it shall be scored a miss.</p> - -<p class="spc"><span class="smcap">Rule V.</span> <i>Flight of Birds.</i>—In double shooting, both birds shall be on -the wing when the first is shot at; if but one bird flies, and but one -barrel is fired or snapped, the birds shall in no wise be scored, -whether hit or missed, but the party shooting shall have two more birds; -or if both birds fly and are killed with one barrel, he must shoot at -two other birds.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_328" id="page_328"></a>{328}</span></p> - -<p class="spc"><span class="smcap">Rule VI.</span> <i>Placing the Traps.</i>—In single-bird shooting the distance -between the traps shall be eight yards; in double-bird shooting, as four -traps are used, the H and T traps shall be set alternately, and four -yards apart. When five traps are used, they shall be four yards apart.</p> - -<p class="spc"><span class="smcap">Rule VII.</span> <i>Powder and Shot.</i>—The charge of shot shall not exceed 1-1/2 -ounces. All the guns shall be loaded from the same charger, except in -cases of breech-loaders, when the Referee may open one or more -cartridges to ascertain if the charge of shot is correct.</p> - -<p class="spc"><span class="smcap">Rule VIII.</span> <i>Ties.</i>—In case of a tie at single birds, the distance shall -be increased five yards, and shall be shot off at five birds. In case of -a second tie, the distance shall again be increased five yards, and this -distance shall be maintained till the match is decided. The ties in -double-bird shooting shall be shot off at twenty-one yards rise without -any increase, at five double rises.</p> - -<p class="spc"><span class="smcap">Rule IX.</span> <i>Judges and Referee.</i>—Two Judges and a Referee shall be -appointed before the shooting commences. The Referee’s decision shall be -final; he shall have power to call “No bird,” in case any bird fails to -fly; and may allow a contestant another bird in case the latter shall -have been baulked, or interfered with, or may, for any reason -satisfactory to the Referee, be entitled to it. If a bird shall fly -towards parties within the bounds, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_329" id="page_329"></a>{329}</span> such a manner that to shoot at it -would endanger any person, another bird may be allowed; and if a bird is -shot at by any person besides the party at the score, the Referee shall -decide how it shall be scored, or whether a new bird shall be allowed.</p> - -<p class="c">THE END.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_330" id="page_330"></a>{330}</span> </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_331" id="page_331"></a>{331}</span> </p> - -<h2><a name="INDEX" id="INDEX"></a>INDEX.</h2> - -<p class="c"><a href="#A">A</a>, -<a href="#B">B</a>, -<a href="#C">C</a>, -<a href="#D">D</a>, -<a href="#E">E</a>, -<a href="#F">F</a>, -<a href="#G">G</a>, -<a href="#H">H</a>, -<a href="#I-i">I</a>, -<a href="#J">J</a>, -<a href="#K">K</a>, -<a href="#L">L</a>, -<a href="#M">M</a>, -<a href="#N">N</a>, -<a href="#O">O</a>, -<a href="#P">P</a>, -<a href="#Q">Q</a>, -<a href="#R">R</a>, -<a href="#S">S</a>, -<a href="#T">T</a>, -<a href="#U">U</a>, -<a href="#V-i">V</a>, -<a href="#W">W</a>, -<a href="#Y">Y</a>.</p> - -<p class="nind"> -<a name="A" id="A"></a>Accidents from muzzle-loaders, <a href="#page_042">42</a>.<br /> - -Accidents in rail-shooting, <a href="#page_197">197</a>.<br /> - -A day’s shooting in New Jersey, <a href="#page_106">106</a>.<br /> - -Adventure in New Jersey, <a href="#page_099">99</a>.<br /> - -“A Girl from New Jersey,” <a href="#page_098">98</a>.<br /> - -American golden plover, <a href="#page_143">143-179</a>.<br /> - -American gun-makers, <a href="#page_063">63</a>.<br /> - -American ring-plover, <a href="#page_158">158</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">swan, <a href="#page_306">306</a>.</span><br /> - -Anas, bernicla, <a href="#page_304">304</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">canadensis, <a href="#page_304">304</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">genus, <a href="#page_306">306</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">boschas, <a href="#page_306">306</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">obscura, <a href="#page_308">308</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">strepera, <a href="#page_308">308</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Americana, <a href="#page_309">309</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">acuta, <a href="#page_310">310</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">sponsa, <a href="#page_312">312</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">crecca, <a href="#page_314">314</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">discors, <a href="#page_316">316</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">clypeata, <a href="#page_317">317</a>.</span><br /> - -Ancient and modern hunting, <a href="#page_008">8</a>.<br /> - -Apparatus necessary for breech-loader, <a href="#page_037">37</a>.<br /> - -Appendix, <a href="#page_303">303</a>.<br /> - -<br /> -<a name="B" id="B"></a>Barnegat Bay, <a href="#page_022">22</a>.<br /> - -Barnegat pirates, <a href="#page_117">117-118</a>.<br /> - -Bartram’s sandpiper, <a href="#page_152">152</a>.<br /> - -Bass-fishing out West, <a href="#page_261">261</a>.<br /> - -Bathing-party on Jersey coast, <a href="#page_103">103</a>.<br /> - -Batteries, <a href="#page_020">20</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">description of, <a href="#page_021">21</a>, <a href="#page_205">205</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">condemned, <a href="#page_021">21</a>, <a href="#page_022">22</a>, <a href="#page_025">25</a>.</span><br /> - -Bay-birds, <a href="#page_019">19</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">definition of, <a href="#page_066">66</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">improper modes of pursuing, <a href="#page_020">20</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">batteries, <a href="#page_020">20</a>, <a href="#page_021">21</a>, <a href="#page_022">22</a>, <a href="#page_025">25</a>.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(See Bay-Snipe.)</span><br /> - -Bay-snipe, shooting, <a href="#page_066">66</a>, <a href="#page_103">103</a>, <a href="#page_104">104</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">none in England, <a href="#page_058">58</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">what are, <a href="#page_066">66</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">traits of, <a href="#page_103">103</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">sociability of, <a href="#page_103">103</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">peculiarities of, <a href="#page_136">136</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“trading,” <a href="#page_104">104</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">skill required for shooting, <a href="#page_067">67</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">sport of shooting, <a href="#page_068">68-106</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">shooting on the Jersey coast, <a href="#page_106">106</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">the French gentleman’s beautiful shot, <a href="#page_069">69</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">rivalry in shooting, <a href="#page_070">70</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">number bagged at one shot, <a href="#page_070">70</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">flight of uncertainty as to, <a href="#page_071">71</a>, <a href="#page_085">85</a>, <a href="#page_086">86-87</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">season for sport, <a href="#page_071">71-72</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">flying, mode of, <a href="#page_072">72</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">flight, line of, <a href="#page_073">73-86</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">lead migration of game birds, <a href="#page_018">18</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">flight, direction of, <a href="#page_073">73-74</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">period of incubation, <a href="#page_073">73</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">varieties of, <a href="#page_074">74</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">sickle-bills, <a href="#page_075">75</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">jack-curlew, <a href="#page_076">76</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">plover, <a href="#page_109">109</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">marlin, <a href="#page_076">76</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">willet, <a href="#page_077">77</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">golden plover, <a href="#page_077">77-112</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">black-breast, <a href="#page_077">77</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">yelper, <a href="#page_077">77</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">yellow-legs, <a href="#page_077">77</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">brant-bird, <a href="#page_078">78-132</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">robin-snipe, <a href="#page_078">78</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">dowitcher, <a href="#page_078">78-132</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">krieker, <a href="#page_078">78-131</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">pursuit of; best mode, <a href="#page_078">78</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">stools, <a href="#page_079">79-80</a>, <a href="#page_082">82-83</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">calls, <a href="#page_079">79</a>, <a href="#page_083">83-84</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">stands, <a href="#page_079">79</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">wooden stools best, <a href="#page_081">81</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">whistling, <a href="#page_084">84</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">cries of the birds, <a href="#page_084">84</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">shooting, uncertainty of, <a href="#page_085">85</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">gun to be used for, <a href="#page_087">87-90</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">charge and powder for, <a href="#page_087">87-91</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">how to carry the gun, <a href="#page_087">87</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">shooting, dress for, <a href="#page_090">90</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">names of; confusion as to, <a href="#page_091">91</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">names of, varieties of, <a href="#page_091">91</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">names of, scientific, <a href="#page_092">92-109</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">varieties of; Bartram’s sandpiper, <a href="#page_110">110</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">frost-bird and frost-snipe, <a href="#page_092">92-113</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">meadow-snipe, <a href="#page_092">92</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">beach-bird, <a href="#page_092">92</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">fat-bird, <a href="#page_092">92</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">short-neck, <a href="#page_092">92</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">pectoral sandpiper, <a href="#page_092">92</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">horsefoot snipe, <a href="#page_092">92-132</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">varieties of, discussion about, <a href="#page_109">109</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">which are good eating, <a href="#page_093">93</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">stringing, how to be done, <a href="#page_094">94</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">migration of, <a href="#page_094">94</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">localities for, <a href="#page_094">94-95</a>, <a href="#page_097">97</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">not killed south of Virginia, <a href="#page_095">95</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Quogue, <a href="#page_096">96</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">sport spoiled by establishment of watering-place, <a href="#page_096">96</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Squan Beach, <a href="#page_097">97</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Barnegat, Egg Harbor, Brigantine Beach, <a href="#page_097">97</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">shooting in New Jersey, <a href="#page_106">106</a>.</span><br /> - -Beach-bird, <a href="#page_113">113</a>, <a href="#page_145">145</a>.<br /> - -Beach on Jersey coast, <a href="#page_101">101</a>.<br /> - -Beach-robins, <a href="#page_148">148</a>.<br /> - -Beetle-headed plover, <a href="#page_141">141</a>.<br /> - -Big yellow-legs, <a href="#page_165">165</a>.<br /> - -“Bill,” and the names of the plovers, <a href="#page_113">113</a>.<br /> - -Bill’s ghost stories, <a href="#page_120">120</a>.<br /> - -Bill’s house, <a href="#page_116">116</a>.<br /> - -Birds, wounded, what becomes of them, <a href="#page_237">237</a>.<br /> - -Birds, definition of term, <a href="#page_009">9</a>.<br /> - -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“ game, which are, <a href="#page_010">10</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">in restaurants out of season, <a href="#page_015">15</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">protection of, <a href="#page_010">10</a>, <a href="#page_013">13</a>, <a href="#page_014">14</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">services rendered by, <a href="#page_011">11</a>, <a href="#page_012">12</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">out of season, <a href="#page_016">16</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">legal time for killing, <a href="#page_017">17</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">singing birds, murder of, <a href="#page_013">13</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">season for killing different kinds, <a href="#page_017">17</a>, <a href="#page_018">18</a>, <a href="#page_019">19</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">migration of game-birds, <a href="#page_018">18</a>.</span><br /> - -Black-bellied plover, <a href="#page_112">112-141</a>.<br /> - -Bald-pate duck, <a href="#page_309">309</a>.<br /> - -Black duck, <a href="#page_308">308</a>.<br /> - -Black-head duck,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_332" id="page_332"></a>{332}</span> <a href="#page_320">320</a>.<br /> - -Blue-bill duck, <a href="#page_320">320</a>.<br /> - -Blue-winged teal, <a href="#page_316">316</a>.<br /> - -Blind for shooting, <a href="#page_106">106</a>.<br /> - -Blind-snipe, <a href="#page_157">157</a>.<br /> - -Blue-bills, <a href="#page_238">238</a>.<br /> - -Blue-fish, season for, <a href="#page_133">133</a>.<br /> - -Bony fish, <a href="#page_134">134</a>.<br /> - -Black-breast, <a href="#page_141">141</a>, <a href="#page_156">156</a>.<br /> - -Brant-bird, <a href="#page_148">148</a>.<br /> - -Breech-loaders, <a href="#page_032">32</a>, <a href="#page_037">37</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">advantages of, <a href="#page_042">42</a>, <a href="#page_287">287</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">objections to, <a href="#page_043">43</a>, <a href="#page_048">48-49</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">superiority of, <a href="#page_033">33</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">history of, <a href="#page_033">33</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lefaucheux, <a href="#page_033">33</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">mode of using, <a href="#page_034">34</a>, <a href="#page_035">35</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">safety of, <a href="#page_039">39</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">cartridge for, <a href="#page_034">34</a>, <a href="#page_039">39</a>, <a href="#page_050">50</a>, <a href="#page_062">62</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">needle-gun, <a href="#page_036">36</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Jeffries gun, <a href="#page_036">36</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">English gun, <a href="#page_037">37</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">impervious to wet, <a href="#page_041">41</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">apparatus necessary for, <a href="#page_037">37</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">recoil of, <a href="#page_041">41</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">refilling cartridges, <a href="#page_054">54</a>, <a href="#page_057">57</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">trial between breech and muzzle-loaders in 1863, <a href="#page_044">44</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">pigeon match with, <a href="#page_044">44</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">discussion as to in “The Field,” <a href="#page_043">43</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">the dead shot, <a href="#page_048">48-59</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">heating of gun, <a href="#page_058">58</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">useful for killing snipe, duck, and rail, <a href="#page_060">60</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">compared with muzzle-loaders, <a href="#page_060">60</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dougall’s invention, the lockfast, <a href="#page_061">61</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">price of, <a href="#page_062">62</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">must be imported, <a href="#page_064">64</a>.</span><br /> - -Broad-bill, <a href="#page_238">238</a>, <a href="#page_320">320</a>.<br /> - -Brown-back, <a href="#page_171">171</a>.<br /> - -Bull-headed plover, <a href="#page_112">112-141</a>.<br /> - -Buffel-headed duck, <a href="#page_322">322</a>.<br /> - -Butter-ball duck, <a href="#page_322">322</a>.<br /> - -<br /> -<a name="C" id="C"></a>Calls for birds, <a href="#page_079">79</a>, <a href="#page_083">83-84</a>.<br /> - -Canvas-back ducks classified as sea-ducks, <a href="#page_237">237</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">comparison between them and mallards, <a href="#page_237">237</a>, <a href="#page_318">318</a>.</span><br /> - -Carrying gun, <a href="#page_087">87</a>.<br /> - -Cartridges for breech-loaders, <a href="#page_034">34-39</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">safety of, <a href="#page_039">39</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">impervious to wet, <a href="#page_041">41</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">objections to answered, <a href="#page_050">50</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">filling, <a href="#page_050">50</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">refilling, <a href="#page_054">54-57</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">extractor, <a href="#page_054">54</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">missfires with, <a href="#page_056">56</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">best kind, <a href="#page_062">62</a>.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(See breech-loaders.)</span><br /> - -Cedar-birds destroy worms, <a href="#page_011">11</a>.<br /> - -Change of guns, <a href="#page_028">28</a>.<br /> - -Change of seasons for birds, <a href="#page_113">113</a>.<br /> - -Charadrius, helveticus, <a href="#page_112">112</a>, <a href="#page_141">141</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">pluvialis, <a href="#page_112">112</a>, <a href="#page_143">143</a>, <a href="#page_179">179</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">semipalmatus, <a href="#page_113">113</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">vociferus, <a href="#page_113">113</a>, <a href="#page_146">146</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">hiaticula, <a href="#page_145">145</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">rubidus, <a href="#page_147">147</a>.</span><br /> - -Charge used for shooting bay-birds, <a href="#page_087">87</a>.<br /> - -“Charley’s,” <a href="#page_101">101</a>.<br /> - -Cheap guns, <a href="#page_028">28</a>.<br /> - -Chesapeake Bay, ducks on, <a href="#page_020">20</a>.<br /> - -Cleaning gun, <a href="#page_089">89</a>.<br /> - -Close times for killing game-birds, <a href="#page_017">17</a>.<br /> - -Clubs, sportsmen’s, <a href="#page_014">14</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Western, <a href="#page_219">219</a>.</span><br /> - -Coast of New Jersey, <a href="#page_106">106</a>.<br /> - -Comparison between breech and muzzle-loaders, <a href="#page_060">60</a>.<br /> - -Confusion in names of birds, <a href="#page_091">91</a>.<br /> - -Cook’s “Tommy,” <a href="#page_098">98</a>.<br /> - -Crabtown, <a href="#page_100">100</a>.<br /> - -Crack shots, <a href="#page_274">274</a>.<br /> - -Cross-shots, <a href="#page_278">278</a>.<br /> - -Cries of birds, <a href="#page_084">84</a>.<br /> - -Curlew, <a href="#page_076">76</a>, <a href="#page_133">133</a>, <a href="#page_173">173</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Esquimaux, <a href="#page_176">176</a>.</span><br /> - -Cygnus, genus, <a href="#page_305">305</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Americanus, <a href="#page_306">306</a>.</span><br /> - -<br /> -<a name="D" id="D"></a>Dead birds, stools made of, <a href="#page_082">82</a>.<br /> - -“Dead-shot,” the, <a href="#page_048">48</a>, <a href="#page_058">58-59</a>.<br /> - -Deceptions by gun-makers, <a href="#page_030">30</a>.<br /> - -Decoys, <a href="#page_079">79</a>.<br /> - -Defence of sporting, <a href="#page_273">273</a>.<br /> - -Definition of game in English law, <a href="#page_007">7</a>.<br /> - -Delaware rail-shooting, <a href="#page_197">197</a>.<br /> - -Depredations of worms checked by birds, <a href="#page_010">10-11</a>.<br /> - -Derivation of name of “plover,” <a href="#page_111">111</a>.<br /> - -Description of plover, <a href="#page_111">111</a>.<br /> - -Dipper-duck, <a href="#page_322">322</a>.<br /> - -Doe-bird, <a href="#page_176">176</a>.<br /> - -Dogs, for wild-fowl shooting, <a href="#page_207">207</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">for all shooting, <a href="#page_208">208</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">varieties of, <a href="#page_209">209</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">training of, <a href="#page_210">210</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">colors of, <a href="#page_211">211</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Newfoundland, <a href="#page_209">209</a>, <a href="#page_212">212</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">retriever, <a href="#page_209">209</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at the South, <a href="#page_209">209</a>.</span><br /> - -Dougall’s invention—the “lockfast,” <a href="#page_061">61</a>.<br /> - -Dowitch, <a href="#page_171">171</a>.<br /> - -Dowitcher, the, <a href="#page_078">78</a>, <a href="#page_132">132</a>, <a href="#page_171">171</a>.<br /> - -Dress for shooting, <a href="#page_090">90</a>.<br /> - -Ducks, game, <a href="#page_010">10</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">time for killing, <a href="#page_017">17-18</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">where plentiful, <a href="#page_020">20</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Classification of, <a href="#page_237">237</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">flavor of, <a href="#page_236">236</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">shooting, <a href="#page_219">219</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">with breech-loader, <a href="#page_060">60</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">sport of, <a href="#page_213">213-227</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">localities for, <a href="#page_213">213</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">weather for, <a href="#page_214">214</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">on inland lakes, <a href="#page_219">219</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">sportsmen’s club out West, <a href="#page_219">219</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">adventures in West, <a href="#page_221">221</a>, <a href="#page_226">226</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mud Creek bridge, <a href="#page_229">229</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">record of shooting in the West, <a href="#page_233">233</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">talk about sport, <a href="#page_233">233</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">canvas-backs and the wild celery, <a href="#page_235">235</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">shot to be used for, <a href="#page_238">238</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Henry, <a href="#page_282">282</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">how to shoot the ducks, <a href="#page_255">255</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Irish gentleman’s shot, <a href="#page_256">256</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">among the weeds, <a href="#page_258">258</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">punting, <a href="#page_259">259</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">fresh-water, <a href="#page_306">306</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">mallard, <a href="#page_306">306</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">greenhead, English, grey, wild, <a href="#page_306">306-310</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">gadwall, Welsh drake, German, <a href="#page_308">308</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">widgeon, bald-pate, <a href="#page_309">309</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">pintail, sprig-tail, pigeon-tail, <a href="#page_310">310</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">wood, <a href="#page_312">312</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">summer, <a href="#page_312">312</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">green-winged teal, <a href="#page_314">314</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">blue-winged teal, <a href="#page_316">316</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">spoonbill, shoveller,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_333" id="page_333"></a>{333}</span> <a href="#page_317">317</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">sea duck, <a href="#page_318">318</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">canvas-back, <a href="#page_318">318</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">red-head, <a href="#page_319">319</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">broad-bill, blue-bill, scaup, black-head, raft, <a href="#page_320">320</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">whistler, golden eye, great-head, <a href="#page_321">321</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">butter-ball, buffel-headed, spirit, <a href="#page_322">322</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">old wife, south-southerly, old squaw, long-tailed, <a href="#page_323">323</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Merganser, <a href="#page_324">324</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">shell-drake, goosander weaser, <a href="#page_325">325</a>.</span><br /> - -Dusky duck, <a href="#page_308">308</a>.<br /> - -<br /> -<a name="E" id="E"></a>Eating, which birds are best for, <a href="#page_093">93</a>.<br /> - -England, no bay-snipe nor rail in, <a href="#page_058">58</a>.<br /> - -England, trial of breech-loaders in, <a href="#page_044">44-47</a>.<br /> - -English guns, German palmed off as, <a href="#page_030">30</a>.<br /> - -English guns preferable, <a href="#page_037">37</a>.<br /> - -English law defines game, <a href="#page_007">7</a>.<br /> - -English snipe, <a href="#page_114">114</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">seasons for, <a href="#page_133">133</a>.</span><br /> - -English duck, <a href="#page_306">306</a>.<br /> - -European woodcock, <a href="#page_008">8</a>.<br /> - -<br /> -<a name="F" id="F"></a>Farmer’s interest in protecting birds, <a href="#page_010">10</a>.<br /> - -Fat-bird, <a href="#page_092">92-160</a>.<br /> - -“Field,” the, on breech and muzzle-loaders, <a href="#page_043">43</a>.<br /> - -Field-plover, <a href="#page_152">152</a>.<br /> - -Fight for shooting stands, <a href="#page_126">126</a>.<br /> - -Fighting, reflections on, <a href="#page_129">129</a>.<br /> - -Filling cartridges, <a href="#page_050">50</a>.<br /> - -Firing gun too close to companion, <a href="#page_070">70</a>.<br /> - -Fish, blue, seasons for, <a href="#page_133">133</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">bony, <a href="#page_134">134</a>.</span><br /> - -Fishing at the West, <a href="#page_261">261</a>.<br /> - -Flight of bay-snipe, <a href="#page_072">72-73</a>, <a href="#page_086">86</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">direction of, <a href="#page_073">73</a>.</span><br /> - -Flight of game-birds, led by bay-snipe, <a href="#page_018">18</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">order of flight, <a href="#page_018">18</a>.</span><br /> - -Flight of plover, <a href="#page_153">153</a>.<br /> - -Food, which birds are best for, <a href="#page_093">93</a>.<br /> - -Frank Forester on plover, <a href="#page_112">112</a>.<br /> - -French gentleman’s beautiful shot, <a href="#page_069">69</a>.<br /> - -Fresh-water ducks, <a href="#page_306">306</a>.<br /> - -Frost-birds and frost-snipe, <a href="#page_092">92</a>, <a href="#page_113">113</a>, <a href="#page_143">143</a>, <a href="#page_157">157</a>.<br /> - -Fute, the, <a href="#page_176">176</a>.<br /> - -Fuligula, genus, <a href="#page_318">318</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">valisneria, <a href="#page_318">318</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">ferina, <a href="#page_319">319</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">marila, <a href="#page_320">320</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">clangula, <a href="#page_321">321</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">albeola, <a href="#page_322">322</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">glacialis, <a href="#page_323">323</a>.</span><br /> - -<br /> -<a name="G" id="G"></a>Gadwall, <a href="#page_308">308</a>.<br /> - -Game, definition of in English law, <a href="#page_007">7</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">protection of, <a href="#page_010">10</a>, <a href="#page_014">14-15</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">purchase of at unseasonable times, <a href="#page_015">15</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at restaurants, <a href="#page_015">15</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">legal times for killing, <a href="#page_017">17</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">upland game disappearing, improper pursuit of, <a href="#page_020">20</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">bay-birds not killed as game south of Virginia, <a href="#page_095">95</a>.</span><br /> - -Game-birds, definition of term, <a href="#page_009">9</a>, <a href="#page_273">273</a>.<br /> - -Game-laws, <a href="#page_014">14</a>.<br /> - -“Gap,” the, <a href="#page_260">260</a>.<br /> - -Geese, game-birds, <a href="#page_010">10</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">description of varieties, <a href="#page_303">303</a>.</span><br /> - -Genus strepsilas, <a href="#page_148">148</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">totanus, <a href="#page_163">163</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">limosa, <a href="#page_168">168</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">numenius, <a href="#page_173">173</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">anser, <a href="#page_303">303</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">cygnus, <a href="#page_305">305</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">anas, <a href="#page_306">306</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">fuligula, <a href="#page_318">318</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mergus, <a href="#page_324">324</a>.</span><br /> - -German guns, <a href="#page_030">30</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">duck, <a href="#page_308">308</a>.</span><br /> - -Ghost stories of Jersey coast, <a href="#page_120">120</a>.<br /> - -Giraud on plover, <a href="#page_112">112</a>.<br /> - -Godwit, <a href="#page_133">133</a>, <a href="#page_168">168</a>, <a href="#page_170">170</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">great marbled, <a href="#page_168">168</a>.</span><br /> - -Golden plover, <a href="#page_077">77</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">specific character, <a href="#page_143">143</a>, <a href="#page_179">179</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Nepeague Beach, <a href="#page_185">185</a>.</span><br /> - -Golden-eye duck, <a href="#page_321">321</a>.<br /> - -Goose, the, <a href="#page_303">303</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">wild, <a href="#page_304">304</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Canada, <a href="#page_304">304</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">brant, <a href="#page_304">304</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">barnacle, <a href="#page_304">304</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">brent, <a href="#page_304">304</a>.</span><br /> - -Goosander weaser, <a href="#page_325">325</a>.<br /> - -Grass plover, <a href="#page_152">152</a>.<br /> - -Grassy point, <a href="#page_255">255</a>, <a href="#page_268">268</a><br /> - -Greater yellow-shanks, <a href="#page_165">165</a>.<br /> - -Great pond, Long Island, <a href="#page_187">187</a>.<br /> - -Great-head duck, <a href="#page_321">321</a>.<br /> - -Green-head duck, <a href="#page_306">306</a>.<br /> - -Green-winged teal, <a href="#page_314">314</a>.<br /> - -Grey duck, <a href="#page_306">306</a>, <a href="#page_310">310</a>.<br /> - -Grey plover, <a href="#page_152">152</a>.<br /> - -Grouse, time for killing, <a href="#page_018">18</a>.<br /> - -Guns, good and inferior, <a href="#page_027">27</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">first used for feathered game, <a href="#page_007">7</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">changing, <a href="#page_028">28</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">for bay-birds, <a href="#page_087">87</a>, <a href="#page_090">90</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">cheap, dangerous, <a href="#page_028">28</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">light, necessary, <a href="#page_029">29</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">difficulty of distinguishing between good and bad, <a href="#page_030">30</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">German, palmed off as English, <a href="#page_030">30</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">importers of, practise deceptions, <a href="#page_030">30</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">how to distinguish good from bad, <a href="#page_031">31</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">how to select, <a href="#page_031">31</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">how to carry, <a href="#page_087">87</a>, <a href="#page_286">286</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">protect and clean, <a href="#page_087">87</a>, <a href="#page_088">88</a>, <a href="#page_089">89</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Manton’s theory, <a href="#page_032">32</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">breech, shape of, <a href="#page_032">32</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">breech-loaders, <a href="#page_032">32-37</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">advantages of, <a href="#page_042">42</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">objections to, <a href="#page_043">43-48</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">superiority of, <a href="#page_033">33</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">history of, <a href="#page_033">33</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lefaucheux, <a href="#page_033">33</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Jeffries, <a href="#page_036">36</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">English preferred, <a href="#page_037">37</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dougall’s invention—the lockfast—<a href="#page_061">61</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">the dead-shot, <a href="#page_048">48</a>, <a href="#page_058">58-59</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">makers of in America, <a href="#page_063">63</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">fired too close to shooting companion, <a href="#page_070">70</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">recoil of gun, <a href="#page_280">280</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">load for, <a href="#page_281">281</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">shot for, <a href="#page_282">282</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">rules for safety, <a href="#page_284">284</a>.</span><br /> - -<br /> -<a name="H" id="H"></a>Habits of plover,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_334" id="page_334"></a>{334}</span> <a href="#page_153">153-160</a>.<br /> - -Hackensack rail-shooting, <a href="#page_201">201</a>.<br /> - -Hawking in olden time, <a href="#page_007">7</a>.<br /> - -“Henry,” <a href="#page_252">252</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">his advice, <a href="#page_252">252</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">he shoots with the author, <a href="#page_264">264</a>.</span><br /> - -Horsefoot snipe, <a href="#page_092">92</a>, <a href="#page_132">132</a>, <a href="#page_148">148</a>.<br /> - -How to clean, carry, and protect the gun, <a href="#page_087">87</a>, <a href="#page_088">88</a>, <a href="#page_089">89</a>.<br /> - -How to string birds, <a href="#page_094">94</a>.<br /> - -How to approach plover, <a href="#page_155">155</a>.<br /> - -Hudsonian curlew, <a href="#page_173">173</a>.<br /> - -Hunting in olden time, <a href="#page_007">7</a>.<br /> - -Hunting, comparison between ancient and modern, <a href="#page_008">8</a>.<br /> - -<br /> -<a name="I-i" id="I-i"></a>Imported guns best, <a href="#page_063">63</a>.<br /> - -Improper pursuit of game, <a href="#page_020">20</a>.<br /> - -Incubation of bay-birds, <a href="#page_073">73</a>.<br /> - -India-rubber stools, <a href="#page_083">83</a>.<br /> - -Inferior guns, <a href="#page_027">27</a>.<br /> - -Inlet, closing of, <a href="#page_134">134</a>.<br /> - -Interest of farmer to protect game-birds, <a href="#page_010">10</a>.<br /> - -Irishman’s duck-shooting, <a href="#page_255">255</a>.<br /> - -<br /> -<a name="J" id="J"></a>Jack-curlew, <a href="#page_076">76</a>, <a href="#page_173">173</a>.<br /> - -Jacks, <a href="#page_133">133</a>.<br /> - -Jack-snipe, <a href="#page_160">160</a>.<br /> - -Jakey’s tavern, <a href="#page_102">102</a>.<br /> - -Jeffries’ breech-loaders, <a href="#page_036">36</a>.<br /> - -Jersey, a girl from, <a href="#page_098">98</a>.<br /> - -Jersey coast shooting, <a href="#page_106">106</a>.<br /> - -Jersey courts and damages, <a href="#page_180">180</a>.<br /> - -Jersey, bathing in, <a href="#page_103">103</a>.<br /> - -Jersey coast, a day’s shooting on, <a href="#page_106">106</a>.<br /> - -Judgment required in bay-bird shooting, <a href="#page_070">70</a>.<br /> - -<br /> -<a name="K" id="K"></a>Kentuckian’s bass-fishing, <a href="#page_261">261</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">his wager, <a href="#page_263">263</a>.</span><br /> - -Kildeer plover, <a href="#page_113">113-146</a>.<br /> - -Killing song-birds, <a href="#page_013">13</a>.<br /> - -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">“ game-birds out of season, <a href="#page_015">15</a>.</span><br /> - -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">“ birds, game-laws, <a href="#page_014">14</a>.</span><br /> - -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">“ legal times for, <a href="#page_017">17</a>, <a href="#page_018">18</a>, <a href="#page_019">19</a>.</span><br /> - -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">“ by batteries, <a href="#page_021">21</a>, <a href="#page_022">22</a>, <a href="#page_025">25</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">by pivot-guns, <a href="#page_023">23</a>, <a href="#page_025">25</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">by sail-boats, <a href="#page_024">24</a>.</span><br /> - -Killing snipe, ducks, and rail, gun for, <a href="#page_060">60</a>.<br /> - -Krieker, <a href="#page_078">78</a>, <a href="#page_131">131</a>, <a href="#page_160">160</a>.<br /> - -<br /> -<a name="L" id="L"></a>Lakes at the West increasing, <a href="#page_268">268</a>.<br /> - -Lattimer Marsh, <a href="#page_266">266</a>.<br /> - -Laws, game, <a href="#page_014">14</a>, <a href="#page_015">15</a>.<br /> - -Lefaucheux gun, <a href="#page_033">33-64</a>.<br /> - -Legal times for killing, <a href="#page_017">17-18</a>.<br /> - -“Lester’s,” <a href="#page_180">180</a>.<br /> - -Light gun necessary, <a href="#page_029">29</a>.<br /> - -Limosa, <a href="#page_133">133</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">fedoa, <a href="#page_168">168</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hudsonica, <a href="#page_168">168</a>.</span><br /> - -Little yellow-legs, <a href="#page_166">166</a>.<br /> - -Long Island, South Bay, <a href="#page_020">20</a>.<br /> - -Long-legged sandpiper, <a href="#page_157">157</a>.<br /> - -Lockfast, the, <a href="#page_061">61</a>.<br /> - -Loading, accidents from, <a href="#page_042">42</a>.<br /> - -Long-billed curlew, <a href="#page_174">174</a>.<br /> - -Long-tailed duck, <a href="#page_323">323</a>.<br /> - -Localities for bay-snipe, <a href="#page_094">94-97</a>.<br /> - -Lucky man’s duck-shooting, <a href="#page_240">240</a>.<br /> - -<br /> -<a name="M" id="M"></a>Mallard, <a href="#page_306">306</a>.<br /> - -Manton’s theory, <a href="#page_032">32</a>.<br /> - -Marbled godwit, <a href="#page_168">168</a>.<br /> - -Marlin, <a href="#page_076">76</a>, <a href="#page_168">168</a>, <a href="#page_170">170</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">ring-tailed, <a href="#page_170">170</a>.</span><br /> - -Match, shooting, in England, <a href="#page_044">44</a>.<br /> - -Meadow-snipe, <a href="#page_092">92</a>, <a href="#page_160">160</a>.<br /> - -Merganser, <a href="#page_324">324</a>.<br /> - -Mergus, <a href="#page_324">324</a>.<br /> - -Migration of birds, order of, <a href="#page_018">18</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of bay-birds, <a href="#page_094">94</a>.</span><br /> - -Missfires with breech-loader cartridge, <a href="#page_056">56</a>.<br /> - -Montauk, sport at, <a href="#page_188">188</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Point, <a href="#page_178">178</a>.</span><br /> - -Mud-creek bridge, <a href="#page_229">229</a>.<br /> - -Muskrat traps, <a href="#page_266">266</a>.<br /> - -Musquitoes, <a href="#page_090">90</a>, <a href="#page_101">101</a>, <a href="#page_125">125</a>, <a href="#page_135">135</a>.<br /> - -Muzzle-loaders and breech-loaders, <a href="#page_027">27</a>.<br /> - -Muzzle-loaders, accidents from, <a href="#page_042">42</a>.<br /> - -<span style="margin-left: 3em;">“ and breech-loaders, trial between, <a href="#page_045">45</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">discussion about in field, <a href="#page_043">43</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">pigeon match between, <a href="#page_044">44</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">compared, <a href="#page_060">60</a>.</span><br /> - -<br /> -<a name="N" id="N"></a>Names of bay-birds, confusion as to, <a href="#page_091">91</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">varieties of names, <a href="#page_091">91</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">scientific species, <a href="#page_109">109</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of plovers, “Bills,” remarks, <a href="#page_113">113</a>.</span><br /> - -Needle-gun, <a href="#page_036">36</a>.<br /> - -Nepeague Beach, <a href="#page_180">180</a>.<br /> - -New York snipe, <a href="#page_132">132</a>.<br /> - -New Jersey, sport in, <a href="#page_106">106</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">a girl from, <a href="#page_098">98</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">adventure in, <a href="#page_098">98</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">bathing in, <a href="#page_103">103</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">wreckers in, <a href="#page_116">116</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">pirates of, <a href="#page_117">117</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">ghost stories about, <a href="#page_120">120</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">courts and damages, <a href="#page_130">130</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">fight for stands, <a href="#page_126">126</a>.</span><br /> - -Numenius, <a href="#page_133">133</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hudsonicus, <a href="#page_173">173</a>.</span><br /> - -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">“ Longirostris, <a href="#page_174">174</a>.</span><br /> - -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">“ Borealis, <a href="#page_176">176</a>.</span><br /> - -Number of birds bagged at one shot, <a href="#page_070">70</a>.<br /> - -<br /> -<a name="O" id="O"></a>Olden-time hunting, <a href="#page_007">7</a>.<br /> - -Old-squaw duck, <a href="#page_323">323</a>.<br /> - -Old-wife duck, <a href="#page_323">323</a>.<br /> - -Ortley family in Jersey and the fight, <a href="#page_126">126</a>.<br /> - -Ox-eye,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_335" id="page_335"></a>{335}</span> <a href="#page_162">162</a>.<br /> -<br /> -<a name="P" id="P"></a>Pectoral sandpiper, <a href="#page_092">92-160</a>.<br /> - -Peculiarities of bay-birds, <a href="#page_136">136</a>.<br /> - -Pigeon-match in England, <a href="#page_044">44</a>.<br /> - -Pigeon-shooting practice, <a href="#page_002">2-4</a>.<br /> - -Pigeon-tail duck, <a href="#page_310">310</a>.<br /> - -Pintail duck, <a href="#page_310">310</a>.<br /> - -Potomac, ducks on, <a href="#page_020">20</a>.<br /> - -Pivot-guns, condemned, <a href="#page_023">23-25</a>.<br /> - -Plover, shooting, directions for, <a href="#page_188">188</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">a game bird, <a href="#page_010">10</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">kinds of, <a href="#page_109">109</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">discussion about, <a href="#page_110">110</a>, <a href="#page_111">111</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Frank Forester and Giraud on, <a href="#page_112">112</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">charadrius helveticus, <a href="#page_112">112</a>, <a href="#page_141">141</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">pluvialis, <a href="#page_112">112</a>, <a href="#page_143">143</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">black-bellied, <a href="#page_112">112</a>, <a href="#page_141">141</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">bull-head, <a href="#page_112">112</a>, <a href="#page_141">141</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">ring-neck or ring, <a href="#page_113">113</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">semipalmatus, <a href="#page_113">113</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wilson’s, <a href="#page_113">113</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">piping or beach-bird, <a href="#page_113">113</a>, <a href="#page_145">145</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">melodius, <a href="#page_113">113</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">kildeer, <a href="#page_113">113</a>, <a href="#page_146">146</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">vociferus, <a href="#page_113">113</a>, <a href="#page_146">146</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Bill’s” remarks about names of, <a href="#page_113">113</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">specific character of each species, <a href="#page_141">141</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">black-breast, <a href="#page_141">141</a>, <a href="#page_156">156</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">beetle-headed, <a href="#page_141">141</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">American golden, <a href="#page_143">143</a>, <a href="#page_179">179</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">frost bird, <a href="#page_143">143</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">hiaticula, <a href="#page_145">145</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">sanderling, <a href="#page_147">147</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">rubidus, <a href="#page_147">147</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">turnstone, <a href="#page_148">148</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">genus strepsilas, <a href="#page_148">148</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">brant-bird, <a href="#page_148">148</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">strepsilas interpres, <a href="#page_148">148</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">horsefoot snipe, <a href="#page_148">148</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">beach-robins, <a href="#page_148">148</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">sandpiper, <a href="#page_150">150</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">robin-snipe, <a href="#page_150">150</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">red-breasted sandpiper, <a href="#page_150">150</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">tringa cinerea, <a href="#page_150">150</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">tringa rufa, <a href="#page_150">150</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">upland plover, <a href="#page_152">152</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">grey, grass, or field, <a href="#page_152">152</a>, <a href="#page_179">179</a>.</span><br /> - -Plover, American ring, <a href="#page_158">158</a>.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(See bay-birds and bay-snipe.)</span><br /> - -Poachers, <a href="#page_015">15</a>.<br /> - -Pond-lily channel, <a href="#page_269">269</a>.<br /> - -Punting for rail, <a href="#page_192">192</a>.<br /> - -<br /> -<a name="Q" id="Q"></a>Quail, a game-bird, <a href="#page_010">10</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">not migratory, <a href="#page_010">10</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">time for killing, <a href="#page_017">17-18</a>.</span><br /> - -Quail snipe, <a href="#page_171">171</a>.<br /> - -<br /> -<a name="R" id="R"></a>Raccoon Beach, <a href="#page_023">23</a>.<br /> - -Rail, a game-bird, <a href="#page_010">10</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">none in England, <a href="#page_058">58</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">shooting, <a href="#page_190">190</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">flight of, <a href="#page_191">191</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">description of sport, <a href="#page_191">191</a>, <a href="#page_202">202</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">in boat, <a href="#page_192">192</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Delaware sport, <a href="#page_194">194</a>, <a href="#page_197">197</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">breech-loader best for, <a href="#page_192">192</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">charge for, <a href="#page_195">195</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">best places for rail-shooting, <a href="#page_199">199</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">rail in Illinois, <a href="#page_199">199</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">varieties of, <a href="#page_201">201</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">short-billed and long-billed, <a href="#page_201">201</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hackensack shooting, <a href="#page_201">201</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">eating of, <a href="#page_203">203</a>.</span><br /> - -Raft-duck, <a href="#page_320">320</a>.<br /> - -Red-head duck, <a href="#page_319">319</a>.<br /> - -Red-backed sandpiper, <a href="#page_156">156</a>.<br /> - -Red-breasted sandpiper, <a href="#page_150">150-171</a>.<br /> - -Restaurants having game out of season, <a href="#page_015">15</a>.<br /> - -Ring-plover or ring-neck, <a href="#page_113">113-158</a>.<br /> - -Ring-tailed marlin, <a href="#page_170">170</a>.<br /> - -Rivalry in bay-snipe shooting, <a href="#page_070">70</a>.<br /> - -Robberies by ducks from each other, <a href="#page_235">235</a>.<br /> - -Robins, service of, <a href="#page_012">12</a>.<br /> - -Robin-snipe, <a href="#page_078">78-150</a>.<br /> - -Rules for trap-shooting, <a href="#page_326">326</a>.<br /> - -<br /> -<a name="S" id="S"></a>Sail-boat used to pursue ducks, <a href="#page_024">24</a>.<br /> - -Sand-fleas, <a href="#page_135">135</a>.<br /> - -Sanderling, <a href="#page_147">147</a>.<br /> - -Sandpiper, <a href="#page_133">133</a>, <a href="#page_150">150</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bartram’s, <a href="#page_110">110</a>, <a href="#page_152">152</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">pectoral, <a href="#page_092">92</a>, <a href="#page_160">160</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">red-breasted, <a href="#page_150">150</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">red-backed, <a href="#page_156">156</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">long-legged, <a href="#page_157">157</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wilson’s, <a href="#page_162">162</a>.</span><br /> - -Scaup, <a href="#page_238">238</a>, <a href="#page_320">320</a>.<br /> - -Scientific names for birds, <a href="#page_092">92</a>.<br /> - -Scolopacidæ, <a href="#page_132">132</a>, <a href="#page_170">170</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">noveboracensis, <a href="#page_132">132</a>, <a href="#page_171">171</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">flavipes, <a href="#page_166">166</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">fedoa, <a href="#page_168">168</a>.</span><br /> - -Seasons for bay-birds, <a href="#page_071">71</a>.<br /> - -Sea-duck, <a href="#page_318">318</a>.<br /> - -Semipalmated tatler, <a href="#page_164">164</a>.<br /> - -Shell-drake, <a href="#page_325">325</a>.<br /> - -Shooting, dress for, <a href="#page_090">90</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">match in England, <a href="#page_044">44</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">on Jersey coast, <a href="#page_106">106</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">rail, <a href="#page_190">190</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">from boats, <a href="#page_192">192</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">duck, <a href="#page_216">216</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at the West, <a href="#page_220">220</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">art of, <a href="#page_274">274</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">trap, rules for, <a href="#page_326">326</a>.</span><br /> - -Short-billed curlew, <a href="#page_173">173</a>.<br /> - -Short-neck, <a href="#page_092">92</a>.<br /> - -Shot, the dead, <a href="#page_045">45</a>, <a href="#page_058">58</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">by the French gentleman, <a href="#page_069">69</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">for ducks, <a href="#page_238">238</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">what is a good one, <a href="#page_277">277</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">cross, <a href="#page_278">278</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">aim, <a href="#page_279">279</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">recoil, <a href="#page_280">280</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">crack, <a href="#page_274">274</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">load, <a href="#page_281">281</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">quickness, <a href="#page_283">283</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">practice, <a href="#page_283">283</a>.</span><br /> - -Shoveller duck, <a href="#page_317">317</a>.<br /> - -Sickle-bills, <a href="#page_075">75</a>, <a href="#page_133">133</a>.<br /> - -Sickle-billed curlew, <a href="#page_174">174</a>.<br /> - -Sir Francis Francis, <a href="#page_277">277</a>.<br /> - -Sneak-box, <a href="#page_114">114</a><br /> - -Snipe, a game-bird, <a href="#page_010">10</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">time for killing, <a href="#page_017">17</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">when it stools, <a href="#page_133">133</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">migration of, <a href="#page_018">18</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">time for bay-snipe, <a href="#page_019">19</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">batteries, <a href="#page_020">20</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">no bay-snipe in England, <a href="#page_058">58</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">killed by breech-loaders, <a href="#page_060">60</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">English snipe, <a href="#page_114">114</a>, <a href="#page_133">133</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">shooting bay-snipe, <a href="#page_066">66</a>, <a href="#page_103">103</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">what are so-called, <a href="#page_066">66</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">winter-snipe, <a href="#page_156">156</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">peep, <a href="#page_156">156</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">blind, <a href="#page_157">157</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">frost, <a href="#page_157">157</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">meadow, <a href="#page_160">160</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">jack, <a href="#page_160">160</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">quail, <a href="#page_171">171</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">snipe, <a href="#page_170">170</a>.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(See bay-snipe.)</span><br /> - -South-southerly duck, <a href="#page_323">323</a>.<br /> - -Spoonbill duck, <a href="#page_317">317</a>.<br /> - -Spirit duck,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_336" id="page_336"></a>{336}</span> <a href="#page_322">322</a>.<br /> - -Sprig-tail duck, <a href="#page_310">310</a>.<br /> - -Sport, misapplication of term, <a href="#page_271">271</a>, <a href="#page_272">272</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">when in perfection, <a href="#page_019">19</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">spoiled by batteries, <a href="#page_020">20</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">by watering-places, <a href="#page_096">96</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at South and West, <a href="#page_022">22</a>, <a href="#page_220">220</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Barnegat Bay, <a href="#page_022">22</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Nepeague Beach, <a href="#page_180">180</a>.</span><br /> - -Sporting, defence of, <a href="#page_273">273</a>.<br /> - -Sportsmen, term misapplied, <a href="#page_013">13</a>, <a href="#page_271">271</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">protect birds, <a href="#page_014">14</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">club in the West, <a href="#page_219">219</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">shooting there, <a href="#page_220">220</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">suggestions to, <a href="#page_271">271</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">art of shooting, <a href="#page_274">274</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">shot, <a href="#page_275">275</a>.</span><br /> - -Squan Beach, <a href="#page_097">97</a>.<br /> - -Stands, <a href="#page_079">79</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">fight for, <a href="#page_106">106</a>.</span><br /> - -Stools, <a href="#page_079">79-80</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">India-rubber, <a href="#page_083">83</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">dead birds, <a href="#page_082">82</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">wooden, <a href="#page_081">81</a>.</span><br /> - -Stories of Jersey pirates, ghosts, and wreckers, <a href="#page_119">119</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of the lucky man’s duck-shooting, <a href="#page_240">240</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of the unlucky man’s trout-fishing, <a href="#page_245">245</a>.</span><br /> - -“Stratton’s,” <a href="#page_187">187</a>.<br /> - -Strepsilas, genus, <a href="#page_148">148</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">interpres, <a href="#page_132">132</a>, <a href="#page_148">148</a>.</span><br /> - -Swallows serviceable, <a href="#page_012">12</a>.<br /> - -Summer-duck, <a href="#page_312">312</a>.<br /> - -Swan, <a href="#page_305">305</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">White, <a href="#page_306">306</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">American, <a href="#page_306">306</a>.</span><br /> - -<br /> -<a name="T" id="T"></a>Table of shots with breech-loaders, <a href="#page_045">45</a>, <a href="#page_046">46</a>.<br /> - -Tatler, <a href="#page_166">166</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">semipalmated, <a href="#page_164">164</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">tell-tale, <a href="#page_165">165</a>.</span><br /> - -Tell-tale tatler, <a href="#page_165">165</a>.<br /> - -The beach, New Jersey, <a href="#page_101">101</a>.<br /> - -The “dead shot,” <a href="#page_048">48</a>.<br /> - -The Englishman’s woodcock-shooting, <a href="#page_126">126</a>.<br /> - -The fight for stands, <a href="#page_126">126</a>.<br /> - -“The Field,” <a href="#page_043">43</a>.<br /> - -The French gentleman’s shot, <a href="#page_069">69</a>.<br /> - -The Jersey girls, <a href="#page_098">98</a>.<br /> - -The “lockfast,” <a href="#page_061">61</a>.<br /> - -Times for killing birds, <a href="#page_017">17</a>, <a href="#page_018">18</a>, <a href="#page_019">19</a>.<br /> - -Totanus, <a href="#page_133">133</a>, <a href="#page_163">163</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">semipalmatus, <a href="#page_164">164</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">vociferus, <a href="#page_165">165</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">flavipes, <a href="#page_166">166</a>.</span><br /> - -“Trading,” <a href="#page_104">104</a>.<br /> - -Traits of bay-birds, <a href="#page_103">103</a>.<br /> - -Trap-shooting, <a href="#page_288">288</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">where pursued, <a href="#page_288">288</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">obtaining pigeons for, <a href="#page_289">289</a>, <a href="#page_291">291</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">assistants for, <a href="#page_291">291</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">skill in, <a href="#page_291">291</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">tame and wild pigeons compared, <a href="#page_292">292</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">how to keep pigeons for, <a href="#page_293">293</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">varieties of traps, <a href="#page_294">294</a>, <a href="#page_299">299</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">retrieving of birds in this sport, <a href="#page_295">295</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">missfires, <a href="#page_296">296</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">guns and load for, <a href="#page_296">296-298</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">number of birds which may be killed in succession, <a href="#page_297">297</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">English rules, <a href="#page_298">298</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">ties, <a href="#page_298">298</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">New York State Convention of 1865, <a href="#page_299">299</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">plunge and spring traps, <a href="#page_299">299</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">decay of trap-shooting, <a href="#page_300">300</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">rules for, <a href="#page_326">326</a>.</span><br /> - -Trial of breech-loaders in England, <a href="#page_043">43</a>.<br /> - -Tringæ, <a href="#page_133">133</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bartramia, <a href="#page_110">110</a>, <a href="#page_152">152</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">hiaticula, <a href="#page_158">158</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">cinerea, <a href="#page_150">150</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">rufa, <a href="#page_150">150</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">alpina, <a href="#page_156">156</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">himantopus, <a href="#page_157">157</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">pectoralis, <a href="#page_160">160</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">semipalmata, <a href="#page_162">162</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">pusilla, <a href="#page_162">162</a>.</span><br /> - -Turkey, <a href="#page_009">9</a>.<br /> - -Turnstone, <a href="#page_132">132</a>, <a href="#page_148">148</a>.<br /> - -<br /> -<a name="U" id="U"></a>Unlucky man’s trout-fishing, <a href="#page_245">245</a>.<br /> - -Upland game disappearing, <a href="#page_019">19</a>.<br /> - -Upland plover, <a href="#page_152">152</a>.<br /> - -Use of song-birds, <a href="#page_012">12</a>.<br /> - -<br /> -<a name="V-i" id="V-i"></a>Varieties of bay-birds, <a href="#page_074">74</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">discussion as to, <a href="#page_109">109</a>.</span><br /> - -Varieties of names of bay-birds, <a href="#page_091">91</a>, <a href="#page_109">109</a>.<br /> - -Virginia rail, <a href="#page_201">201</a>.<br /> - -<br /> -<a name="W" id="W"></a>Wager about duck-shooting, <a href="#page_263">263</a>.<br /> - -Water-fowl, time to kill, <a href="#page_018">18</a>.<br /> - -Watering-place, spoils sport, <a href="#page_096">96</a>.<br /> - -Welsh drake, <a href="#page_308">308</a>.<br /> - -West, the sportmen’s club there, <a href="#page_219">219</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">adventure in, <a href="#page_221">221</a>.</span><br /> - -Western sport, <a href="#page_022">22</a>.<br /> - -Willet-shooting, <a href="#page_114">114</a>.<br /> - -Willet, <a href="#page_164">164</a>.<br /> - -Winter-snipe, <a href="#page_156">156</a>.<br /> - -Wilson’s plover, <a href="#page_113">113</a>.<br /> - -Wilson’s sandpiper, <a href="#page_162">162</a>.<br /> - -Wild rice of the West, <a href="#page_224">224</a>.<br /> - -Wild celery stolen from canvas-backs by widgeons, <a href="#page_235">235</a>.<br /> - -Wild-fowl shooting, <a href="#page_205">205</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">in batteries, <a href="#page_205">205</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at the West and South, <a href="#page_206">206</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">dogs for, <a href="#page_207">207</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">localities for, <a href="#page_213">213</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">how to shoot, <a href="#page_215">215</a>.</span><br /> - -Whistling for birds, <a href="#page_083">83</a>.<br /> - -Whistler duck, <a href="#page_321">321</a>.<br /> - -White swan, <a href="#page_306">306</a>.<br /> - -Widgeon, <a href="#page_319">319</a>.<br /> - -Wild duck, <a href="#page_306">306</a>.<br /> - -Woodcock, European, <a href="#page_008">8</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">a game-bird, <a href="#page_010">10</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">time to kill, <a href="#page_017">17</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">shooting by the Englishman, <a href="#page_126">126</a>.</span><br /> - -Wood-duck, <a href="#page_312">312</a>.<br /> - -Wooden stools, <a href="#page_081">81</a>.<br /> - -Worms, depredations of, <a href="#page_011">11</a>.<br /> - -Wreckers of Jersey coast, <a href="#page_116">116</a>.<br /> - -<br /> -<a name="Y" id="Y"></a>Yellow-legs, <a href="#page_077">77</a>, <a href="#page_166">166</a>;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">big, <a href="#page_165">165</a>;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">little, <a href="#page_166">166</a>.</span><br /> - -Yellow-shanks, greater, <a href="#page_165">165</a>.<br /> - -Yellow-tatler, <a href="#page_166">166</a>.<br /> - -Yelper, <a href="#page_077">77</a>, <a href="#page_165">165</a>.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="full" /> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Game-Birds of the Coasts and Lakes -of the Northern States of America, by Robert Barnwell Roosevelt - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GAME-BIRDS OF THE COASTS *** - -***** This file should be named 55478-h.htm or 55478-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/4/7/55478/ - -Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from 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