Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-23

Sportsmen watch with an interest that would
do credit to Virginia farmer the growth and
development Of the wild oat crop, for its
success depends wholly the reed bird season.
II the crop is small there will be few birds,
while on the other hand a large crop insures
many birds. This year the crop is fine one,
and from the appearance Of things the season
will be successful one, for the birds are arriv-
ing in large numbers. There are several ways
Of hunting reed birds and each way has large
following.
Wading. however insures the best results
To wade after game, and that small requires a
genuine sport, for dude hunter. with his high
boots and fine corduroy clothing, is out Of place
in a deep marsh. Few people. however. know
how to wade and hunt. and it takes long ex-
perience to become an adept To be a success
full wader the first and most important thing to
learn is
HOW TO DRESS.
Experience teaches that the fewer clothes a
wader wears the better, for the heavy mud
found in marshes and the corresponding
weight Of the water quickly tires a gunner. and
this, added to a lot of clothing, makes him
give up in little while. Dress as scantly as
possible. bearing in mind that the clothing
should combine toughness with ligh.ness.
You will quickly learn the value of tough
clothing in a marsh for the saw grass PLAYS
havoc with frail clothes. Special attention
should be paid to the trousers. These should
be made to fit tightly, especially around the
bottoms, for the saw grass makes a painful
wound. Stout socks aud above all
light canvas shoes should not be
neglected. Having properly clothed
yourself and armed with good gun and re-
triever you enter marsh and look about you.
Away of there to the right in a little bushy
tree yon see nice lot Of reedies. Here's your
chance to demonstrate your ability wader.
Assuming crouching attitude you commence
to creep. taking care to make as little noise as
possible. and pushing the tall grass gently
aside YOU move on. The reed bird is as
only the utmost caution will make you success
full. Now you are within easy shooting dis
lance. Don't strive to get nearer-you may
spoil everything. Bang : !. bang I, !! that's a
good shot. Go to the spot as fast possible,
for the hunters enemy. the black snake. is
thick in the marshes and many a fat reed bird
has made good meal for black snake while
the hunter. positive no had winged his bird,
searches on in vain. Baggng the dead birds
and breaking the necks of the wounded ones,
you proceed unit! the sun is high in the
heavens. Time to stop then. for the birds have
either taken to the woods or fields or else are
perching low down on the reeds. Returning
to a farm house, where 1t is always best to leave
change of dress, you cast aside your muddy
clothing and rigging up make your way to the
city. happy in the possession of Il fine bag of
birds which in market would cost you any
where from 40 cents to $3.50 per dozen,
cording to the advance Of the season. The
real enjoyment is yet to come, for what hunter
does not delight in discussing the game no has
bagged ut a table surrounded by friends?
HOW COOK REED BIRDS.
After carefully removing all the feathers and
leaving the head on, for here the choicest
morsel lies. wash them several times in cold
clear water and then over bright coal fire
broil them, taking care to smear small pIeco
of butter over them they simmer When
toast has previously been placed i'll layers and
then serve them. Truly the equity epicure
cannot grumble over this dish.