The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-05-21

receptacles in which their enemies lie hall
concealed. In calm morning, when the
sun is just lifting himself above the horizon,
ifyou stroll down TO that poin, oflond which
makes off into the,seu, and upon which the
sportsmen bove built semcircular wal, TO
hide themselves from the birds, when the
weather is too rough for the boats, YOU will
witness an exhibition of the marksman's
skill, that perhaps no other part Of New
England can afford.
In the Spring and Autumn great vari.
ETY. ofsea- a-fowl throng around the southern
shorcsof Rhode Island. Brant, black coots
patchpoles and Observation-Disclosures.
old wives and murrs-divers, ter.witch-
es, and wamps--lords and ladies' and nod
dies are among the number destined to the
gridiron or the stew pan. The non cdi.
bles are looms, cosmorants and guls. The
brant is considered the finest sea fowl on
our coast, and pair of them will sell for
fifty cents in the market. The May white
wing and the wamp hold the next place in
culinary estimation. The bront is a very
.lmid bird, and often, when no is directly
over head the pnobserved sportsman springs
up and halloos to him in order 10 arrest his
flight. The asionished bird will either be
come almost motionless in the air at the
noise, or make downward plunge towards
The object Of its fear. This last movemen,
ia unac countable but we remember in our
young days, when we were rigged up in It
very frightful disguise, on moonlight e
vening, that we turned short corner and
suddenly came upon boy of ten or twelve
who in the first feeling Of his terror, rush
ed believing towards us. Then with ex
tended hands and glaring eyes, started off
like a fugitive deer, and ran screecbing
and screaming till his voice was lost in the
distance. The brant is probably actuated
by the same feelings; but why it should fly
towards the frightful object rather than
from it, is beyond our metaphysics.
There are certain rules established a
mong the gunncrs, which are strictly ad
hered to. He who first pushes off in his
boat is entitled to lie nearest the shore; the
second takes his place outside Of him, in a
line running north and south and all the
rest follow the example fthe second,moor-
ing at such distances that the fowl cannot
pass between the outermost boat and the
shore, without coming within reach ofsome
of their guns. The boat nearest the shore
is considered as having the best birth, and
now and then there IL quite scrabble a.
mong the gunners for it. 1t is in fact q
matter Of so much importance to get the
inside station, that they will stay oil night,
in order to be ready for the fret start in the
morning. There is a worthy old French
man among the number, who tells many a
good story of his fellow sportsmen's tricks
and traversos for the best place One en-
thusastic shot, who was on his way to the
ledge in the evening so as TO be there be-
times, heard noise behind him, which he
took 10 be brother duck. killer Fastening
to the field Of battle on horseback, $50 he |
took to his legs, and on he ran, while the
noise behind him came nearer and nearer.
until at last exhausted with his efforts, he |
paused, and turning round to discover who
the fortunate fellow was with beast un
der him, to his surprise found he had been
running away from worthy doctor. who
was riding hard after him to inquire the
wav IA tho bouco of, n,t;oot
Upwards Of an hundred birds have been |
killed by an expert marksman in the course
ofa day. Those who shoot from the shore
send in their dogs for the game, which u
sually falls into the sea.--And when the |
breakers arc dashing over the highest
points of the land, these faithful animals |
will leap into them from the rocks, and seiz.
ing the fowl in their mouths will struggle |
with them through the surf, and bring them
triumphanty and safely to their masters
feet
Here too Is excellent fishing ground. |
Bass and tautog throng around the rocks,
furnishing ample amusement to the angler,
and abundant food to the hand Of the indus
trious fisherman. Independently Of the
sport for which this spot is famous, there
is something in the scenery grand and TO.
mantle. fyou are inclined to ruminate,
go there at any time in warm and sunny
day, and among the rocks and the break
ers, upon the green sward or the beach,
you may enjoy the silent, but eloquent
companionship Of nature.
--N0o~--
N.1,.ons h,v hoop vorv vnrant1y ho1d.