Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-09-19
GENERAL.


THE PRESENT AND FUTURE PROSPECT FOR GAME
RAIL AND REED BIRDS THEIR HABITs-oUR BEST
dUNNERs AND THE BEsT DAYS SHOOTING.
The cunning season opened on the 9th inst
and since that time our sportsmen have been
making good use of the opportunity Afforded
Reed aud rail birds, the only game which is not
forbidden by statute to be shot at this season,
are very abundant-in fact they are more pen
tiful in the marches and savannas along the Del
aware than they have been known for years
Our markets are kept constantly supplied with
the former but the latter are rarely obtainable
except by personal hunt for them
The shooting OF these birds is regarded as rare
sport, and is indulged in by large proportion of
our masculine population. II il no uncommon
sight to meet a half dozen persons vending
their way towards the river with gun and accou-
trements swung over their shoulders, or to be-
hold others returning with bags well filled with
game. But all who seek do not find every one
cannot drop the birds or make dead shot"
and fully as many are unrewarded for their labor
az return laden with the yellow crested birds
Still we have some good shots" 10 Wilmington,
among whom we may mention David
Bush, William Bush, Amor Harris, Joseph l..
jackson, Horace Cause, Harry Garrett, VIM. L.
Rudolph, Evan Rice. Frank Townsend. These
gentleman are regarded as "sure shots" and
rarely ever return from cunning excursion
without evidence of success, II any game is to
be found
Reed birds are shot either from boats or along
the banks Of the rivers. Rail birds are found
only in the wild oats which grow upon the mar
shes and are first scared up by pushing a boat
through the grass at high tide and then shoot.
The latter more easy to shoot because Of
the steadiness OF their fight-the former more
difficult from the undulatng motion which they
give themselvea when ON tue wing.
The reed bird is migratory. Hatched in the
New England States during the spring and sum
mer months, 1t ID known there as the BObolink.
As soon AZ the cold season approaches, il begins
to wing its way southwark and arrives in this
latitude during September, though some OF the
birds are to be seen all through the summer.
The female bird retains the same color OF pli-
mage through all the changes of seasons, but
the male bird assumes different hue in sum
mer, and becomes what is known here as the
BObolink. After a short feeding upon our
marshes it becomes very fat and is sought by
eplcures. 1t goes hence to South Carolina and
other Southern States where it remains until
the dawn of Spring, and then takes a Northward
Hight again, to return the following winter. In
the Southern States it is known as the Rice bird,
or Rice Bunting.
The Rail bird il purely aquatic. It is generally
believed to be migratory in it's nature. though
some persons affect to believe that 1t remains in
one place and buries itself in the mud az cold
weather approaches, there to remain until the
frosts OF autumn reappear. The best recognized
authorities, however, say that it migrates. the
Reed bird does, being hatched on the lakes in
the summer months. Two varieties are found
on our marshes-the large blue and the small
red The former are more sought-after, but
are schooner found than the latter, it rarely
ever continuing longer than a few days. In
Virginia the rail bird Is known the 0rtolan, and
is there dispatched with paddles az 1t alghts
upon the bow Of a boat upon which fire has
been kindled and which is pushed along over the
marshes.
Reed birds are worth in market about 81 per
dozen. Rail BIRDS we have already said are
seldom to be found for sale, but their market
value is estimated at S2 80 per dozen.
Very many rail birds have been shot this sea-
son. The best days work, however, was perform
ed by Amor Harris, on Tuesday, when he bagged
seventy-three birds. Amor, though, is one CT
the sure shots and rarely ever misses his aim.
The manner Of serving up these birds is va
riOus, and is made to conform to the tastes Of
the persons who are TO discuss them. Some fry
them, others brOil them while others still sim
ply boil them, but the most approved practice is
to stuff and bake them. Cooked in this manner
no epicurean taste should find fault with their
flavor for 1t is both sweet and delicious. Onr
restaurants usually serve them on toast, and the
demand for them of an evening is frequently
very great.
On the lst Of November the game law expires
aud larger aud better game is afforded in par
tridges and rabbits. These we understand, are
very plentiful, and the campaign promises to be
quite al active one. All manner OF fire arms are
being got in readiness for the approach Of the
occasion, and il the slaughter is not great it will
be because our best shots remain at home or
because OF the discovery Of more secure hiding
places than usual on the part Of the game.