Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-08-04

pleasant method TO pursue Is that of
blind" or blower" shooting, with the
aid of "stools" and whistles. Plover,
willet. curlew, and snipo are all easily
shot in this manner IN the great salt
or fresh-water meadows Of New York,
New Jersey, Connecticut, and Long
Island, and the sport IS one that
calls for skill as we'll as patience.
A ten or at least a twelve-gauge gun. IS
necessary and the usual shooting-suit of
tan or brown and high boots. The stools
are for sale at ali sportsmcn's stores and
represent rather large species OF bTd
more or less resembling the snipe. Ten or
a dozen are necessary. Arriving on the
meadows select a "scaldn of some extent
which Is not too deep. "scald IS a
shallow pool of water lying in the open and
idnken places where no grass grows and
where the mud furnishes the rich and sue
calent worm 30 reiished by the snlpe.
BUILDING A BLIND.
The first essential is the building of the
blind" or bower This should IN fact
lie done if possible the day before 10 avoid
alarming any birds which NAV be lettering
IN the vicinity. Tho more carefully the
blind il constructed the better are the
shooters chances. Branches Of trees-say
of an inch in thickness and four or five
ieet in length-must be cut and carried TO
tue spot. These must be driven into the
mud IN semi-circle facing the scald, tho
rear being left open Tor exit. Select the
dryest spot of course. and II the shooter
is luxurious he viii take n camp-stool or
some other seat 10 the grounds with him,
otherwise an old portion of arail-fence viii
serve, or moist Mother Earth herself
Meadow grass gathered and piled up in
front Of the blind adds to the deception
effect. Care should be taken to give the
blind the appearance Of u natural growth.
u should also be built TO face down the
wind If possible and TO be within fifteen or
twenty feet of the scaid. Now wade into
the scald with your stools" These should
be set "a the water in shallow spot. artis-
tically grouped about i've feet apart. The
sticks upon which they stand should be
driven we'll into the bottom 40 that the
stools viii be about SIX inches above the
water. They should be about thirty feet
away from the blind. All these prelimi-
naries should be effected very early in the
morning, before dawn if possible. The
principal objection 20 blind-shooting in
very many localities, and one that intlmi-
dates almost all city spOrtsmen, Is the pest
OF mosquitoes.
Upon arrival at the grounds they swarm
in clouds. but after the shooter has taken
his seat behind the blind, lighted his pipe
or cigar, aud remained quiet for q time he
WI AAA AiA"t LIS 'Nttuf iAte hlNapftuIcNt.
A little damp powder placed at intervals
around the blind and lighted Will also
have the immediate effect Of clearing the
mediate neighhorhood Of mosquitoes.
IT'S now, we will suppose, growing light.
and altar OF. against the dusky, dawning
sky appear fcw dark speeks. Now comes
into play the shooters skin in initiating
the call Of the birds. Ii is impossible 10
ret down IN print the sound u the differ
ent calls. II Is something that can only
be initiated by hearing the real sound.
The practiced shooter instantly recOg-
Mics every species by the motions Of its
wings and manner Of is fight when the
birds are mere specks in the distance, and
bis initiative powers call them down by
30 perfect stimulation Of their cry that
they rarely fail 20 answer and descend tc
the willy cheats that tempt them to their
destruction. This is the exciting moment
The birds approach, shooting along at
rapid rate of speed, aud As they circle over
The deeOysi with q wild, bewiidered hesita-
fion yolley Is fred into the centre Of the
Cock with more or less prodiesoas