The evening times., 1896-08-22

The first OF the r months will soon be
here, VII. its lucious bivalves, tender orto-
lans and plump reed birds.
II is the beginning Of the season when
the epicure lives In bliss and the sports,
mans gun is heard ON the marshes and in
the woods, echoing through the mountains
and in the haunts OF the partridge i'll the
lowlands.
1t is known around Washington by the
appearance upon the Potomac flats OF little
birds not much larger than sparrows, bnt
Of much richer plumage. The little reed,
or rice bird, is much esteemed in this yicin-
ity.
All during the summer it is spending its
time up North, Willing away the days in
merry song. There 1t is known as the
bob link Its merry chirp giaddens many
weary heart, hut when it leaves for its
annual gourriandiziEg il loses its power
of song 1t flies rapidly southward, stops
along the marsh lands of New jersey and
feeds upon the wild celery. Continuing
its journey it generally finds terminus IN
the rice fields Of the Carolinas That Is,
unless lis trip is arrested by a shot from
so me gun.
The flats of the Eastern Branch and -Four
Nile Run abound in these little creatures
The reed BIRDS head. shoulders and wings
are a glossy black, While its tail coyerts are
snowy white, and the under plumage is
blush white. The lower part Of the 6de'
is brownish yellow, and the nape and back
OF the neck are also white.
SEASON OPENS NEXT MONTH.
Already the crack and bang of the gun is
heard along the shores, but it is Violation
OF the gaming laws 10 begin killing the
reed bird or ortolaD until September J.
What the early gunners are now shooting
are blackbirds, which precede the reed
bird in large quantities and NY in much
| the same manner.
The ortolap is a larger bird than the
reed. In fact, 1t is twice the size, ana IN
appearance is quite different IL has long,
slender legs, long bill, and closely resembles
the spipe. 1t is clothed in Grayish-blacS
| suit, and is dandy in every particular
! Unlike the reed bird it does notdart hithcr
and thth.r in search OF food, but when IL
rises, sails away in almost a straight course.
| afrordiDg an excellent target for the marks
| man For this reason it is much preferred
among the gunners. -outn every llock ~
| fifty ortoIans at least forty will drop upon
| the firing of the gun. whereas among the
| reed birds 1t VIII take several shots 10 Kill
| as many
| washington spnrtsmen who will go for
large game will be handicapped by the
laws OF virginia and Maryland. In the
| former State the law passed by the last
| legislature prohibited the killing OF all game
for a pcriod Of two years. The only excep-
| n ffS IHGsp pf1sl 4
nent covers this tall and winter, but next
season the sportsmen will certainly ce IN
| clover.
TIE greatest sport in Virginia is the Wild
turkey huntin. in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Will. in West Virginia, In some remote To-
| calities. deer are stiIl TO be found, but law
th, re prohlbits any one gunner from killing
| more than two deer in season
| GAME LAWS IN MARYLAND.
In Maryland the oaiy prohioltory laws
| to be encountered by the District gunner
Will he the county or local -enscH'h, nus
| which in Prince George county do not allow
huntin. by nou-residents, except When they
procure license ut the county seatat MARI
| boro. In Montgomery county an unwrit-
ten law does not allow hunting privileges
to non residents, except by the invitation OF
the owner OF the land. There is excellent
hunting to be found in Garrett and Frcder-
,ct counties. and rabbit hunting is partlcu'
| IarIy good In Prince George.
The partridge and pheasant season opens
November %. and, coming as IL does about
the close OF the reedbird season, the gun
ners leave the water aud marshes. and,
clad In heavy boots, wauder across the
fields of nearby States
Down on the Eastern Shore AMI Chesa-
pease Bay duck shooting becomes favor
its pastime, and the cauvasback is hnnte'i
closely, persiStently, aud vigorously Every
means known TO the sporting profession Is
employed in the killing OF the much-de
sired bird Sinkboats aud decoys are
brought into play. These sinkboats are
marvels of beauty, and some sportsmen ex
mend large sums of money that they ma!
In comfort aud ease slaughter the canvas
back.
sinlboat is so constructed that II
sinks to the level OF the water. but does
not allow a drop to enter. The better
arranged have fine cushions, upon whici
the gunner lies on his back All AROUND
him floating in the water are decoy ducks
TRAPPING THE DUCK
Patiently the gunner waits ana whpou
moving n muscle, his gun cooked anu rea"A
for work. He does not have long tn wai
before the sky grows dark and iarg'
flock begin 10 descend upon the fecusnt
grounds. When they aight upon the wate'
| two gun barrels speak, out and dead duck.
noa, hy the dozen until they are gathered
!