Evening star., 1901-08-28
PROPITIOUS PROSPECTS
REED BIRDS AND ORTOLAN ALREADY
ON THE MARSHES.
RecOrd-BreaI<ing Crowd VIII BE Out
Monday and Much PepperinG
II Expected.

With the break Of day next Monday
morning will begin fusllade Of big and
little shotguns of all makes and calibers
that will awaken the people living in the
neighborhood of the marshes around Wash
ington. and probably keep them awake
The din will mark the opening Of the bat
tie with reed birds, rails or ortolans, sum-
mer ducks, plover, snipe. and other birds
which populate the marshes and which are
protected by law from assaults of such
character up to September 1. Circumspect
sportsmen who have care Of themselves
and prefer to try peppering birds when
there are not SO many chances Of getting
peppered themselves will keep away from
the Eastern branch marshes most relig-
tously on opening day, but the enthusiasts
Of all ages, and, as before indicated. all
guns, will all be out and gaily bang away,
regardless of everything else In front Of
them, except reedie or an ortolan.
AS the opening shooting day this year
falls on Labor day the crowd OF gunners
will be larger than ever before in the his
tory OF the sport II the weather Is good,
and the prospects are excellent for plenty
Of birds.
Birds Plenty and Getting Fat.
Uncle Billy Wagner, the recognized ora
Gle of local sport and sportsmen, has been
familiar with the marshes of the Eastern
years, and this morning he said that all
signs pointed to a plentiful supply of or
tolan and reed birds.
There is fine crop Of marsh OATS" he
remarked, "and the Eastern branch marsh
es above the new bridge and all the way
up as far as they go are already full of
birds, and they are getting fat and will
be in pretty good condition by Monday. A
good many summer ducks are reported and
the plover are beginning to appear. There
never was much marsh between the rail-
road bridge and the new bridge. and this
year there is less. From what / learn the
Patuxent marshes are in fine shape. When
1 was down there ten days ago never saw
them look better. We are going to have
a good season, I'm sure. and under the
present law everybody will have "a chance
to enjoy the sport"
Necessities for Shooting.
There are better class Of skiffs this
year in possession Of the ''pushers'' than
has been the case for several seasons and
this will be an important factor to those
who go out properly equipped. The charge
of the pushers this year will be So per tide,
including boat and services Of the push
er" The majority Of the Eastern branch
pushers make their headquarters during
the season at the eastern end OF Benning
bridge, and most OF them keep supplies Of
shells on hand for those whose ammuni-
ton may run short. Two hundred and fifty
shells to tide Is reasonable number for
a gunner to carry when birds are plenty.
For ortolan the proper load Is two and q
half drachms of powder and an ounce OF
No. 10 or No. IL shot. This load will prove
to have executive power over crossing
focks of reedtes, and within short range
will suffice for summer ducks and plovers
as well. For exclusive ortolan shooting,
however, two drachms OF powder and
three-fourths ounce OF No. 10 or No. IL
shot Is probably the best
A correspondent writes The Star that 1t
would be good idea to have two or three
surgeons on hand Monday In the vicinity
OF Bennlng bridge to attend possible
wounded gunners. The suggestion Is not q
bad one by any means. Probably no day
In the past when the marshes are crowded
with gunners has been without one or
more cases Of injuries caused by persons
being shot, while accidents from firearms
exploding have been numerous, and fre-
Querttly both kinds have been severe