Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-30
Cheering Reports About the 0rtolan
and Sueeulent Reedies.
OPENS SEPTEMBER |
Pointers of Value to Prospective
Marsh Shooters.
D ESIRED LAW CHANG ES

Lovers of shooting who exercise their
ardor within the limitations set by law
looking forward with eager expectancy to
September l. Thursday rext when the close
season in the District of Columbia reaches
an end, SO far as all birds, except quail
are concerned. There are many sport smen
who do not care for ortolan and reed bird
shooting on the marshes, but even to such
there comes at this time Utilization of
the palate due to past experience with the
little feathered fellows in gastronemc
way. 1t is a fact, however, that a reed
tird or an ortoian tastes a good deal sweet
er to the man who has killed it than to
him who merely puts up sordid coin and
secures it thereby.
1t will be pleasing to shooters and non
shooters alike to know that the present in
dicatiOns are propitious for a very large
supply of both "reedes'' and ortoian.
Gratifying Reports.
The reports from experienced men who
watch the marshes of the Eastern branch
the favorite abiding places hereabouts for
both the species under consideration, are
to the effect that ortolan are already
numerous and the fiocks of reed birds
larger and greater in. number than. for
several years post. There promise to be
more shooters, too, on the first day, and
tEe owners OF SKlnS VINO push shooters
through the marshes securing many
engagements for the first tide, which will
be high Thursday morning about o'clock.
Piover, summer drck aad blue wing teal
are scarce, but it would be well for gun
Iers to take along half dozen or a dozen
shells loaded for such birds. as stragglers
are Liable to dart up occasionally.
Suggestions to Gunners.
To be appropriately equipped for a tide,
which lasts about three hours, shooter
should take twelve-bore breech-loading
gun, with one barrel open bore and the
other choked. Sometimes reed birds have
to be shot long ways off, and the choke
barrel will then be found necessary. A
man VINO is alert and has a good pusher,
and by a good pusher is meant d man
who knows where to send his Skln through
the marshes and mark down the spots
where dead birds fall, should take 200
shells loaded with ~ drachms of powder
or its equivalent in smokeless, and an
ounce of No. 10 or II shot. 1t is well to
carry two guns. in order to allow one pair
of barrels to cool off when overheated
from rapid shooting. The best marshes for
both ortolan and reed birds are on the
Eastern branch between the railroad
bridge and Benning bridge, and those who
want to try their luck can secure skiffs
and pushers at the Navy Yard bridge and
Benning bridge.
Everybody will be out Thursday and the
chances are that everybody and his rela-
tives will be out Labor Gay, next Monday,
which is legal holiday.
The season on the Patuxent marshes,
which are the greatest homes for ortolan
in the world. although Mattawoman, in
Charles county, is close second, opens
September > and scores of Washingtonians
will try them there.
The admirable measures taken by Maj
Sylvester, who is also District game
warden, to protect the birds during the
past few days have borne excellent results
in keeping Illegal shooters off the Eastern
Wardens Peyton and Zeller have proven
Regular tartars to the pot-hunting frater-
nifty.
New Laws Wanted.
1t is intended by sportsmen here to make
a vigorous effort with the coming Congress
to adopt laws which will properly protect
game in the District and do away with the
absurdities now in existence. Every law
of having the law changed regarding the
shooting of blackbirds, fiy-up-the-creeks
and woodcock, SO as to make their killing
permissible at the same time with reed
birds. ortC1an and ducks. The season for
all should open on the same day, and this
viii be sought at the hands of Congress.
1t is also intended to secure law forbid
tention being to assure plenty of birds as
long as the season lasts.
Among he oid-timers who will be out as
soon as the tide rises Thursday will Re
Marion Fowler, Melville Church, Arthur
Mattingly, DIR. hewitt, Nympo Jones, Rob
ert Z. Cook, and, of course Uncle Billy
Wagner. who will inaugurate his forty
the highest record for ortolan, having killed
several years ago 2tD ortolan on a tide,