Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-19
Some Local SrDrtsmen Believed to Il
Violating. the, Law.

some Local SrDrtsmen Believed to De
Violating the Law.
Gunners are anticipating some good
sport on the marshes this fall and when
the reed bird and ortolan season opens.
September l, seores:Hofn sportsmen will be
out every morning long Before dayoreak.
The wild oats crop, in fhe marshes, the
gurners say, is in splendid condition, and
by the time the season opens 1t will be
ripe enough for the birds. The growth CT
oats in this vicinity Is little backward
this season. and this. 1t Is said, accounts
for the few reed birds in che marshes at
this time. Persons who are fond of this
sport are ready for the opening of the sea-
son. and some have already INDUCED in a
little shooting.
Blackbirds are plentiful, and many have
been killed on the marshes. 1t has been
reported that some sportsmen have killed
few reed birds and ortolan while cunning
for blackbirds
Section Z of the act Of 1878 makes It un-
lawful for any person to kill or EXPOSE for
sale, or have in his or her possession
either dead or alive, any waterfall or or
tolan, reed bird or rice bird, between the
first day Of February and the first day of
September under penalty of 81 for each
bird so killed CT in possession.
Many gunners ignore the terms of the
law, however, and kill birds out of sea-
son. While birds have been scarce thus
far, some few have been killed and in
some restaurants they are to be had on
toast.
Game Warden Sylvester has heard of
these complaints, and he will do his best
to prosecute persons who violate the law.
There are a number of deputy wardens
who are interested in the protection of
game, and they have been notified to en-
force the law and begin prosecution in any
case which may come under their obser-
walton or to their notice. Harbormaster
Sutton has also heard of complaints, and
the members of his crew have beer in
structed to see to the enforcement Of the
law should they be able to sustain q
charge against any enc guilty of viola
ton of 1t.
Out in the county, in the vicinity of the
Anacostia river and Eastern branch, the
police. both foot and mounted. have re-
ceived instructions to require observance
of statutes. and should any arrests be
made the game wsrden will probably go
into court and have the prosecuting at
torney ask for the imposition Of the high
est fine.
Under the proposed new law August 20
is the date mentioned as the beginning. of
the reed bird season. These birds do not
remain here very long, and when they APP
pear little earlier than usual the Eunners
are not permitted to shoot them when
they are not plentiful.
Although marsh blackbirds are being
killed, and there are plenty of them, Game
Warden Sylvester thinks 1t is a violation
of law. While these birds feed on the
wild oats and other vegetation, Mr.. Syl-
vester says, they also feed upon insects,
and come understhe head of iusectivorous
BIRDS Crow blaokbirds are especially men
toned in the act as insectivorous birds,
but the marsh blrdGis not. The act men,
lions a numbers Of birds, concluding with
"and other insecua rous BIRDS" A pen
atty of 81 fer each bird SO killed or found
in possession Isl provided, and the warden
thinks 1t worth while to make test case
of the marsh bird.