The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-01-31

arms are popping and cracking in every
direction on the plantation, and dogs are
barking and running hither and thither
in pursuit of rabbits, squirrels, cartridges
or doves. All the boys on the place are on
hand, for those not fortunate enough to
possess guns themselves are almost as de-
lighted TO attend the lucky sportsman who
Is TO bring down the game. a negro boy
of 10 years knows the peculiar note or
whistle of every bird that inhabits his ma
tive WOODS and swaI1ps. He knows the
nature of these birds, whether they remain
in the neignborhood all winter whether
the male and female of a certain species
have the same note or cry, what kind OF
nests they have, whether they build them
near to the ground or in more inaccessible
places. He is familiar with the appear
ance and habits of these little songsters
and calls them by names indicative Of
certain peculiarities which he or his IA
theirs before him have discovered, without
regard to what ornithologists may denom-
mate them.
Bird Lore.
"Dere goes shirttail!'' calls one Of
group Of small darkies, defling along a
pine woods lane, each crowned with n
weighty sack of meal, white in contrast
to their dusky faces, each looking with
eager interest after the bird that has Hit
ted across the way in front of them. The
most conspicuous feature of this bird as
he flies is the decided CLINT of white in his
wing; hence the homely appellation with
which he has been christened-
dat dere's a t'rasherl'' these small
woods craftsmen will declare, IAN dere's
his waitin man." indicating modest APP
pearing brown bird, such as is often seen
in company with the thrasher, and which
it is insisted the thrasher makes wait upon
him.
DE t'rasher oversee de job, but he wait
in man got To do all de fyin bout an
fetchin oh do sticks an straws for mex he
house." explain the little naturalists, and
then they will so on TO tell you that no.
body ever sees blue jay on Friday, and
the reason of their absence is that on that
day of the week they are obliged 70 so TO
hell.
blue Jay am de debble's own bird"
they say He an all he tribe done gifted
an Civ ober to lie ole boy, dat mex dey
neber mix wild no udder kind OBJ bird an
always 1ghtin and cuttin up"
Every bush and shrub of the numerous
kinds in tho southern woods has its indi-
vidual meaning for the negro, and he
knows the names of all the various species
of trees, all the different kinds of oaks and
what they are good for.
Ny baby will be year ole, risin two,
when dc maple tree blossom red, some
buxom matron will say as she displays her
sturdy offspring or she will date his birth
from 'oe time &c gessamine FIST come"
CT say, 'Dcy begin to haul cotton 10 de gin
when be was two day oils
Out For :he Postum.
Passing the average negro house at dusk
of winters evening one will find the
large and small boys o; the family, often
the sober father himself, engaged il select
ing choice pieces Of 'lightwood" TO do
duty as torches for use on q possUm or
coon hnnt The negro rarely takes a guE
with him on possum hunt Plenty Of
lightwood 10 aid him IN locking out for
snakes and a good sharp az with which 70
fell the tree in which the game takes ref 4
u-e, perhaps stout stick 10 help him
break through the thicket, usually com
piete his hunting outfit The night Sc
lected Is always On the dark Of the
moon" P0ssum's cute, they say, and
knows well enough that bis shadow viii
betray him on mOonlii night, 50 be stays
in hiding. lis only In the dark that he
walks abroad Lenient landlords. With an
abundance of timbeTod land. do hos pro
kibis the cutting down Of trees FOR the
sake OF securing a possum or tvo, and
many noble pine and staiHart sweet gum
fall PROSTATE IN the watches OF the night
amid the yelping CT the dogs and the .
shouts and calls of the sable hunters
Angling.
Occasionally. when game seenss 20 De
shy and the hunt not promising. the pos
sum hunter will kiDGIe fire night there
in the swamp. within fer fest OF scEns
black, sluggish looking, winding stream.
and 20 to sleep. depending OF the voice Il
his dog 20 rouse him when that alert and
fEithIrl animal shall have freed Th~
young neEToes. a. rue 20 hunting AZ
company. roveling I'm the fun Of q merry
patty. bu: the older hescs often 60 Totally
alone, spending night after nis5s IN ;he-
dense swaIlps that edge ire fields. inssr
d0g their only ccsn.aEiOn. r13etcr-ed b
the presence OF owls ard bats AID myriad
crawling reptiles from ea<oJiDg their
fascinating pursuit On spring evening.
or GrT time after fhe fsa have begrn 20
run up stream, enc viii End all tie dsT-
ks axing their rets Eshing cares. lines
ard bccks. hunting Up csEs for ea.r, ctr.
&c 81 cut fcr the adjacent pOEscs aud
creeks. there q spend The yrsater ..rt q
the a.gbt angling 70. tie Ess- r'aeh