The morning call., 1893-01-08
GUN AND DOC.
Duck Shooting Is Over for This Sea-
son-The Cocker Spaniel.

Son-Ihe Cocker Spaniel.
Duck-shooting for this year is about over.
The birds have turned tail on the marshes
bordering the bay shores. and as matter Of
course. local sporismen are sad al heart.
The storm has knocked the sport near at
hand on the head and it is extremely doubt
full If there viii be any shooting worthy Of
the mention during the remainder Of the
season.
The opening up Of the southern country
to irrigation is the principal cause IF the
departure IF the QuackeTs from the old
grounds, where such grand sport was real
lied few years ago.
The increase Of market-hunters has also
been instrumental in the banishing Of the
fowls from their accustomed resorts IN the
tules and ponds along the Sacramento aud
San Joaquin rivers.
The only shooting local sportsmen can
hope for in the future will be during the
early months OF the season previous 10 the
advent of Tie storms.
Reports from San Diego give very flatteT-
ing accounts of the good shooting residents Of
that city have been enjoying recently 10 the
irrigated district not tar from their homes
MaiaTd, teal and spTig duck afford the
southern country spOTtsnen splendid sport
at the present time.
When ducks Of all kinds become scarce
certainly the best indication of the cUndi-
ton of the game supply near TO home.
Hunters who will visit the marshes to-day
with the expectation of procuring an ordi-
nary bag Of birds will certainly return with
long faces and few feathers
English snipe are tolerably plentiful In
some places, and some very good strings
OF these delicious ann gamy birds have
arrived in town within tile past few
weeks. Professors Cooper and Thorn are
expert snipers, ard as a matter or course
they show excellent Judgment in reserying
their information as to the sQueaking-
grounds Of the English twisters.
Sportsmen who have shot in the company
OF Cooper contend that whenever the lat
ter's big ten-bore ''cried halt the bird shot
at would suddenly spread its wings and
drop dead from the effects of fright occa-
stoned by the terrible sound caused Ivy the
burning of seven drschms OF black powder.
Whatever truth may be attached to this
statement. Harry GOlcher, John Stack, Ed
Briggs and other spOrtsmen who have had
the pleasure Of masticatingsOm of Coop
er's snipe. all say that the birds were par
excellence, especially as they carried no
marks of shot on their anatomies.
On Thursday next the following gentle
men will leave this city on sDIpe shoot to
Sacramento County. j. j. OBrien Dr.
Leonard, Mr.. Tormey, j. c. NealOn and two
other crack sniDe shoppers, whose names
cOul0 not De aSceftalHeO.
William Schriber returned from NovatO
on FRIDAY evening with a fine mess Of quail
de shot on the De Long ranch. and reports
having had excellent sport. He is one of
the best quail shots in the city.
In last weeks sporting column the Irish
spaniel was described. OF this class of
dogs, the cocker spane and the field spaniel
are the best known and most used. and
dlfTer only in size, the former being the
smaller animal its weight being limited to
twenty-eight pounds; all spaniels of this
variety aad exceeding this limit are classed
as field spanels. The spaniel dates back
many centuries. and ir is believed that he
antrdates the setter, and has performed an
important part in the origin Of these
pointing or setting dogs. Certain il Is
that all epaniels at one time sprang
from one stock, and the different varieties
that are now in existence are the result of
careful breeding and selection for MANY
generations. Stonehenge. in speaking of
the Cocker spaniel says they should emil
neDtiy be graceful we'll built and active
dog, and should show strength without
heaviness or elumsness," The head should
be moderately long and cut off square at the
muzzle. not blocky, but not snlpy, but a