Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1885-11-26
Catching Toothsome Birds on the Wing
In q Cunning skiff-The ''Pusher''-
The Rails skIllfulness in
- Strategy. a.
PHILADELPHIA Press.l

lfnnhucipnlA fTeSsI
Both reedbirds aud rail begin TO arrive In
the Delaware marshes about the middle Of
August Lured by the vast area Of feed =
ing ground and the apparent quietude which
hangs over their favorite haunts, they set.
tie in focks upon the tempting flats and
commence to line their ribs with the deli
cately favored plumpness which makes the
epicure's diaphragm tingle.
Thousands of gunners, restrained by the
exacting game laws OF Pennsylvania and
the West Jersey Protective associa-
ton, wait impatiently for the day
upon which they will be let loose
upon the feathered visitors Guns arc
cleaned, shells loaded, skiffs repaired and
every preparation made for the coming
sport On Aug. 25, New Jersey releases the
grip of her protecting hand and the battery
opens. From Bordentown TO the bay. the
cannonaiing is terrific and the birds take
their meals upon the "catch-as-ca tch-can"
system. The first day OF September opens
the seas on along the Pennsylvania shore,
and few OF the rail and reedies live through
the siege Late in October a few flocks Of
able DO lied specimens and line of stray
Cling cripples make their escape from the
fiery circle of death aud wing southwark.
Every conceivable weapon Is brought into
service during the campaign
OUT IN SKIFF.
The old single barrel muzzle loader kills
as surely as the latest Scott or bennington,
and the secret Of success lies more in the
shooting than the gun. Not being gifted
with wings to follow the birds, the gunner
either tramps through the mud or pushes
his way with a skiff. The recesses Of the
mars are inaccessible to the skiff at low
water, and, save an occasional bang from
the shotgun Of a tramping sportsman, there
is peace among the reeds while the tide il
out The cunning skiff is double-bowed. al.
most as light as a racing she'll and is pro-
PEELED through the tall reeds by pushe7,
who stands upon the rear stern, with his
forward foot bracei against cleat The
pole is smooth and round, from fifteen to
twenty feet long, very light and strong,
with three blunt prongs upon one end and
half-round knob upon the other.
The pusher pokes the pronged end into
the muddy bottom, leans his weight upon
the pole, taking hand-over- hand grips as 1t
grows shorter and the light skiff shoots
ahead through the rustling reeds. The
gunner sits or crouches in the bow, with
his gun on full cock The pusher faces
straight ahead, and, IL an expert in his
business, never looks at his pole. When he
sights game, he cries, "Mark rightI' or
Mark leftp according to the side Of the
skin it is on, or simply mark" when it is
in front High water is the harvest time
The wary birds, driven from the river
front, congregate upon the ridges and
knobs back toward the main land and are
difficult to reach, unless the "looi7 is on
GUNNER AND PUsHEP."
The rail never clings or perches and
only gets up out Of the mud to fly The
"reedy,' however, spends his time clinging
to the reeds or sitting upon low bushes and
trees along the bank, and runs upon the
ground. HIS plaintive "pinkl pink" is heard
constantly during flight, but when feeding
the note changes to a sweet, conversational
"chick," not unlike that of the black bird
The rails vocal abilities are limited, and a
low cluck is the only noise he makes as he
trails through the mud. Experienced gun
ners, by initiating the reedbird's note, can
bring hocks within gunshot The art OF
calling them is difficult to acquire but the
sound, made with two fingers laid across
the mouth, is so natural that it will often
bring the birds back two or three times
after being shot at.
The cunning skiff accommodates but two
men, and is very cranky. The pusher's
position is ticklish one at all times, and
the least va ration Of posture or sudden
set the frail craft TO rocking uneasily. To
save N upset the pusher occasionally suffers
watery martyrdom, and spills" himself TO
restore equilibrium. Anticipating frequent
duel ngs, he has arrayed his weather beaten
figure iii garments that can not bs ruined by
such trivial occurrence as a mud BATH,
and he Chambers on board again dripping
like a spaniel.
Having visited the marsh to feed, the |
birds seem unwilling to leave it until they
grow fat. The "reedy," in his piumpest con- !
dition, is covered every where with soft, vel |
low fat, except a small bit Of red meat upon
the breast point He picks perfectly clean,
like a robin, and owes his popularity some
what to the fact Of his appetizing appear
ance before being cooked 1t requires a
professional picker. however, to do justlcs |
to the "rail," which is covered from neck to
claws with a close fuzz or down taat is ex- |
asperating TO the inexperienced feather
plucker. The 'raip is the game bird Of the |
two, and gunner's count is always made
upon the number of rail he bags
THE CUNNING RAIL.
Sometimes, when surprised by the sudden
appearance of skiff, the cunning bird will
disappear under water, and cling to the
reeds with his feet until the danger has
passed. -Four or five boats may pass over
him while in this position without discover
ing the trick. The point Of his bill sticking
out of the water supplies him with sufficient |
air to breathe. The sixth gunner may bag
him if his courage and confidence give way
and he comes to the surface to fly A gun
ner on the river side Of marsh that is be- |
ing heavily gunne1, Is often surprised to see
"rail" starting upin clear water. They have |
been driven under by the boats in the reeds |
and paddle out unobserved to come TO the |
surface and take wing suddenly. Though |
skilled in strategy, however, the rail, |
unfoT Iuaatsly for himself. possesses great |
stock Of curiosity. A gunner quietly drift |
ing up a narrow run, sometimes whistles or
knocks with a shell upon his boat. Curious |
to learn what the noise Is, rail will push |
out from the reeds TO have look. After /
the shot, another inquisitive specimen will |
often appear and suffer the fate Of his pre-
decessor before his curiosity has bean salts.
fed.
Fine shot and light charges Of powder do |
the work most satisfactorily The usual
load is three and half drachm' of powder
and from half ounce to an ounce Of shot
to each she'll The siz, Of shot varies from
to 10, and the finer it Il the better. a
hard hit "reedy" Is a mass of blood and
feathers II coarse shot is fired. Fine shot
goes through the brI without mangling.