Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-10-11


ALIAsEs-soME DUCKS ABOUT.
zone poor little blackbird flew up In the swamps
near the Long bridge on the Virginia side the
other day, and there were twelve guns fired at IL"
said Capt David Davis the veteran hunter, TO a
STAR reporter Justice cannot be done 10 the dis
gust which was pictured on his face, but in his
tones there seemed to be touch OF sadness at the
degeneracy of the times which he had lived to
witness.
But that is the way It is nowadays" continued
the veteran, with a sigh. "For every bird there
are dozen men and boys with guns went down
the river last year, AMI In one place which used
TO be famous for ducks there were nine skiff5 and
NOT A SINGLE DUCK
to be seen The fact is that the ducks don't get a
| chance to stop and get drink on their journey
south, for the minute they stop some one shoots
| them"
perhaps this is a bad year for BIRDS Captain
was the suggestion offered I'm defense OF the pres
ent age But the captain slowly shook his head
ncreduiously He had hunted the river for the past
forty years. He knew the haunts OF the various
birds in their season and could initiate their cries
He had long had the reputation OF being the most
successful hunter on the river and was OF the
| opinion that he knew what he was talking about
He then told how he recollected the time
when the District Swarmed with birds The
wrens were so numerous that they built their
wherever they could find a place. and while the
ployed to shoot these birds to prevent them
| from defacing the building. Robins and black
| marllnS were In abundance, While the river
the plover and skylark could be found in great
number. On the White lot, which was then a
| great common,
| BOYS KILLED THE BIRDS WITH STONES
When man wanted birds to eat instead OF going
| to the market he took gun and went down to the
river where all kinds were found But now the
birds have not only disappeared from the streets,
but from the surrounding country.
The captain attributes the disappearance OF the
| birds to the war and some of It's effects. large
number OF men were left here after the war with
guns guns, ana they began the work OF extermlnaton,
Capt. Davis has not gone out shooting for the
reason that there was nothing to shoot. vast
number OF persons each year are not deferred by
such a trifling obstacle. When September opens
the crack OF the gun is heard on the Marshes and
money in the sockets Of some one, probably the
man mar. who sell the ammunition over on the
, Virginia side, where the embankment has
the railroad, the river has filled In, and at
low tide, there is large area not covered with
wafer The SportSmen cover ft instead, and that
this is literally true, the numerous Complaints
made by people travelling in that direction bear
witness 1t is said that 1t is actually dangerous to
oe In the vicinity on account OF the leaden storm
or shot int pours down from morning to night.
Ihe fact that SO many people go hunting is an In
birds to be shot The birds that used to be In this
locality, and ought to be here now according to
traoltlon are OF several varieties, and highly
prlzed by eplcureS When the season opens on
| the LIST OF september,
TIE oRToLANs
| are hunted. In the north these are known as
rails" and In the south as 'scora" These birds
| ny low along the marshes, with their long legs
dangling behind, and are an easy shot. The gen
uine sportsman stands upright in skfr, which is
propelled among the reeds by spusher "or a man
with long pole. There are not enough birds I'm
tnlS vicinity TO bring out such Sportmen, and so
tne brds, whenever they appear, are shot by men
standing IN the marsh or along the border. But
this year the ortolanS were very scarce even more
SO than last The season for them is now over,
to the sportsman. These little fellows visit us i'm
the spring in their journey north, and In their
white dress are known as bobolinks. Now they
nave changed their plumage to russell brown,
and with the first frost will wing their way down
| to the southern rice delds, where they are known
| as rice birds The reed birds are more numerous
this year than last, and their resorts in the
| marshes along the Virginia side in the Eastern
Branch, at the Four Mile Run and Gravelly creek,
| are visited by large numbers. The birds feed on
| the wild oats that grow in abundance on the
marshes. and as a rule there are more oats
| imam birds The hunter as a professional
has gone into some other business, having the
pleasing alternative presented TO him OF starving
ing for living. The Potomac and its tributaries
used TO have great reputation as hunting
ground for reed birds, and sportsmen from all
parts OF the country visited 1t each fall. uttheSe
days are now over and only people who have
plenty OF time and money to waste in ammunition
go hunting On the river.
| DUCKS
have also begun to put in an appearance in small
numbers The blue wing and bald face ducks
| nave been seen and few have been bagged. The
duck season lasts until the spring, but the same
| complaint is heard that they are few I'm numbers
and the immense focks that filled the air with
their cries and afforded fine sport for the winter
are more matter or tradition than actual expe-
r1ence. The wild celery that grows on the virginia
side Is very attractive TO the webfooted BIRDS and
| the Potomac was once famous for its
CANVAS BACK DUCKS.
The markets OF the north and south drew their
| supplies from this locality, but now the market
here is supplied from North Carolina and the
west. There are several ducking clubs In exist
ence on the lower Potomac, and the members GO
down every fall to hunt As rule they eat all the
ducks they shoot before they return home so that
their friends are not over-Dowered with presents
| or braces or ducks on their return. The friends
however, are RECALLED with interesting accounts OF
Sklllful shooting and boats loaded down to the
gunwaleS with the weight of the dead ducks
what Is lacking in ducks is made up by the imagi-
nation, and so the ancient reputation OF the Poto-
mac has still long lease life. While reed birds
| and ducks and geese have abandoned this region
FOR other pastures where the bill of fare may not
| DE SO tempting, but where there are fewer
| interruptions OF the gun powder character,
still there is no reason for abandoning a sport
which brings people out in the open air at the
most delightful season OF the year. The glories of
the country In october find no parallel In apy
Potomac embosomed in the swelling hills and low
lying stretches OF woodland, aains an additional
charm. When with
"A sober gladness the old year takes up
HIS bright Inheritance of golden fruits
pomp and pageant fill the splendid scene"
anything that will take people out into the coun-
Try at this season ought to be encouraged, and So
While there is nothing left OF the hunting on the
Potomac except its traditions, they should be
made to do duty as the actual facts OF the present
only the hunters should be encouraged to lay In a
plentiful store OF provisions, and they viii gain In
health, whether their game bags gain ything or
not.
The Renovated White House.
mn
DURING THE PRESIDENTS VACATION.
1t has always been the custom to give the White
| House general overhauling and renovating dur
| ing the Presidents summer vacation. This year
advantage has been taken OF the extended absence
| to accomplish something more than the Gus
| tomary housekeeping, and number OF improve
ments have been made, which, though not very ex-
tensive In themselves togive the old building
much more presentable appearance, and tomake
it more habitabe. The old dirt roadway, which
was always muddy and disagreeabe to visitors
during rainy weather, has been torn up and a
| smooth, asphaltum pavement substituted making
great Improvement to the approaches from the
avenue The whole exterior OF the building In
Guiding the conservatory, is now receiving fresh
coat OF white paint, which gives it quite bright