The Cecil Whig., 1878-11-09

sitting in some open hole. and as they come
sweeping past, moved by curiosity and
hunger, make splendid shooting. The
other method is by the sink box. This is
narrow boat just large enough to hold
the gunner stretched At full length. with
his guns and ammunition. His weight
sinks it below the SUI face: u light combing
protecting him from the water while
broad, canvas covered frames, projecting
all around, keep the box at proper depth.
being weighted with iron decuys painted to
resemble the ducks Other decnys are
placed around, ard the unsuspecting birds
come swarming by, ard afford easy shoot,
ing al short range and usually into heavy
masses of ducks. Another boat is ready
to secure the dead game. The exposure is
very severe, but the sportsmen of the upper
bay manage the matter luxuriously, their
boxes being well lined with robes and
blankets. Dogs are used for retrieving
only when the shooting is from the shore.
The short haired Kent Island strain, black
or red. gives splendid animal, almost as
large as yonng calf. The famous Car,
rolls Island dog, short legged and curly
haired, usually of dark red, is very highly
valued, and As jealousy bred and preserved
as the ST. Bernard spaniel. When canvas
backs are plenty the shooting becomes very
profitable, these noble birds, rich, juicy,
exquisitely delicate in flavor and rolling in
fat, selling readily for three or four dollars
per pair. They are chiefly consumed in
the Baltimore market, but many find their
way to other cities, and they are even pack
ed in hampers and sent on leo To London.
True epcures consider it rather an advan-
tage if the ice gives out on the way and
the game reaches its English consumer in
that condition which he characterzes as
rather 'iIh."
Perhaps it would be cruel to leave this
part of the subject without informing the
reader if he ever should secure a pair of
canvas backs. what to do with them. They
must cook Just twenty minutes in n hot
oven, so as to bleed " when cut, and they
must be carved by dividing each duck into
three pieces by hco dexterous passes of
sharp knife, cutting from stem TO stern"
and separating the wing and leg joints by
single motion. This is the regulation
method, but the writer is free TO confess
that he regards raw ducks as food more tit
/ for bald eagles and minks than for men.
Leaving, now, the surface of the water,
we must plunge boldly into the emerald
tide to explore its scaly wealth. The Ches-
apeake and its tributaries swarm with fish.
varying in size and value from the shark
aud porpoise to the gudgeon and mnnow.
II would be hopeless task for any but a
thorough and practical ichthyologist To at
tempt an enumeration of the species.
Owing to the immense body of fresh water
which flows in from the Susquehanna. the
Potomac, the Rappahannock and nnumcr-
able smaller rivers, the upper bay is never
very salt, and few of those fish which
thrive best in the ocean brine are found far
fish, for instance (thc sailors choice ."
of more southern waters. does not 20 far
beyond old Point. The sea trout is caught
occasionally as high the mouth of the
Patapsco. but is rare enough To be bought
rs delcacy when brought TO Easinu on
ice from Delaware Bay. The princely
sheepshead is also rare enough to bring
high prices, and to be esteemed n great
prize when taken with lines at Oxford
near the mouth of the Choptauk, but il
IL. al.
famous when caught in the waters of the
ocean. These fish are attracted by driving
stakes in the river bed TO form ''hurdle. -
The submerged portions soon become en-
crusted with barnacles, young oysters and
other shelliisE, which the sheepskead
crushes with his powerful jaws paved with
round teeth as hard as stone. Stout hand
lines are used, with hooks three inches
long. as thick as goose quill and very
I slightly curved. The favorite bait is the
''man nose" clam; and when i twelve
FOUNDER snaps at the hook like mad
dog" it takes quick and strong hand to
bring him safely To the boat. Only a dozen
or two are caught each season, but the
hope which ever characterizes the followers
of gentle lzaak keeps the lines and boats
of the Oxford fishermen in constant requi-
sition by ambitious amateurs. These fish
ermen are very proud of their teemng
waters, and nothing will wiring from them
the confession Of scarcity of fish After
a day of patient expectation at the hurdles
unrewarded by solitary nbble, was re-
freshing myself with cigar on the porch
of the hotel when became conscious of a
most ancient and fish like SMELL
" Been a sheepsheadin'?'' asked hoarse
voice like the whisper of a tired nor wester
Well, I've been trying for them, but
there are none there"
"Oh, Tiers plenty OF en- there. but
they won't bite Hon. They's all gore
ashore in the old weir.heads a.sheddin'
Their teeth
The choicest pan fish which the Chesa-
peake affords is the tailor" or young
blue fish, the larger specimens never ap-
pearing in these waters. These fish,
too, possess high game qualities. and
afford the best of sport 10 the amateur
Swimming in small Schools their presence
is soon known by the furry among the
little alewives on the surface, for the tailor
is as savage, daring aud destructive a buc.
cancer of the waters as is Cooper's hawk
among the birds. His fearless dash and
needle-like teeth render CAREFUL handling
necessary in taking him from the hook, for
he will snap finger quickly as an ale
wife, and his bite often rearches tu the
bone. The killing bait for these fish is the
"shedder,' or soft crab, and it would
drive an epicure to despair to see how these
costly delicacies are recklessly torn up t.
secure a fish which is not worth a tenth of
their value for the table. | shall long re.
member the look of blank disappointment
with which a friend inquired, Why,
where's the bait that Tom got for us y,s.
tcrday ." and the tone of utter cout,mut