The Washington herald., 1907-10-27

The vacauonist who sees old ocean
from a hotel porch at a summer resort
during the months Of July and August
knows little or nothing Of the beauties
existing a few miles down the beach. or
of the vast amount OF sport to be had
there in September or October There
is a grandeur attached TO this class of
shooting not found in any other, for the
sea is always attractive, and never more
so than with the changing hues Of a
glorious autumn day.
The fall cunning season brings many
varieties Of sport in its wake. but none
more enjoyable than-that furnished by
the multitude of shore birds as they pass
down the coast to their winter homes.
To the man who has never experienced
this kind of shooting a new world opens
up. while 10 the initiated every autumn
brings its longing for old ocean, with its
pounding surf; its miles and miles Of
sandy beach sprinkled with choice shoot
ing grounds; the mellow notes of the
birds as they trustfuIly dash in 70 the
decoys-and lastly, the gulls and little
terms dashing about like some giant but
Jerfiies, TO lend grace and beauty to the
landscape.
The term shore birds" embraces many
varieties Of the plover family that in
habit the coast regiOn-rObin snipe. gold
en- plover. black-billed plover. turnstones,
yellow-legs, wiIlet. knott. ruff, and the
Hudsonian. Eskimo, and long-billed cur
lew-the last the largest Of the lot In
addition to these there are many Others
OF smaller size, that frequently fly In
vast 1OCks and are hardly large enough
TO be worth shooting. but the whole list
numbers about two dozen. and there are
enough 10 make things abundantly inter-
esting
Did you ever walk along the seashOre
at low tide and notice here and there
the patches of soil with short stunted
grass growing on them2 These are the
so-caled tundras, and are the feeding
grounds of the shore birds At high tide
they are covered; hence il follows that
ali the sport is to be had at low water.
IN point of fact, the sport begins with the
falling Of the tide, no matter what hour
Of the day. At low water the birds have
mostly found their feeding grounds and
will be from high 10 low water, after
which you might as well pull stakes and
go home.
Beach bird shooting requires flock
Of decoys. commonly known as stools,
and these need special description. A
flock OF two dozen is about the proper
number, as a large flock of birds does
not stool readily to a small bunch. These
decoys may be purchased, and those
made Of tin, in two pieces, hinged to-
getheF in the back, are excellent and
have the advantage Of resting together
and occupying little space. The writer
however, makes his own, and they cost
practically nothing. Nail together blocks
OF inch boards and draw in outline a bird
the size Of a robin. ANY mill will cut
them out for you on the jg-saw, and at
your leisure you can round the edges,
whittle the bill, &c. Bore a hole in the
breast edge for stick, cut sticks TO
fit so that. when set up they will stand
about seven or eight inches, paint them
any old neutral color. and they are ready
for service.
The old reliable twelve-bOre is the gun.
with No. shot and you want plenty OF
ammunition-better bring hack a few
shells than not have enough; a hundred
is not too many to take along
Having selected the particular tundra,
set out your stools, and have them facing
in various directions. Be sure to place
two or three at a short distance from
the main bunch as leaders. Next comes
the blind. This can be constructed Of
anything that is handy. The birds are
afraid Of nothing except a human being.
and as any blind is conspicuous On a
bare sand beach, it matters little what 1t
is. An old barrel, or door from some
wreck-a few sticks thrust in the sand
with sea weed piled against il, or even a
hole scooped in the sand will give good
cover
Having taken your place, keep your
eyes peeled" in every direction. At
this season nearly everything will come
from the north, but there will be enough
birds flying aimlessly TO vary the
mOnOtony. TWO men generally shoot to-
gether; one watches north, the other south.
and mark right" or mark left'' is suf-
ficent to give each other warning. Along
they come, just out over the water,
when, suddenly catching sight Of the de-
coys, in they come TO join in the meal.
When viewed brOadside the stools are
visible, but from above they are on edge
and the birds wonder where they have
gone, but that is just the time to pump
in the lead
Don't rush out at once to pick I'D your
dead birds. There may be another flock
close on the heels Of this one, and be-
sides, flock may be so demOralized that
after flying a short distance it will wheel
and come directly back to the spot for
another dose. This Is particularly true
Of the big yellOw-leg plover, which can
be called back again and again by almost
any sort Of a whistle, until the flock is
practically wiped out-and they are fine
birds. too.
Perchance a curlew or two may fly your
way-these are the largest Of the beach
biTds-and II, by the grace of the gods.
the big sickle billed curlew pays you a
call, you viii have something 10 be
extremely proud OF OF extremely sore
over. They are rare birds, but enough
are killed each year to make the possi-
bilities interesting. They are as large as
a good-sized pullet-and the killing of
one VIII never be forgotten.
As the tide recedes, your decoys will
be left high and dry, and passing f1ocks
will pay no attention to them. as they
Ike to feed at the waters edge. It VIII
therefore become necessary to set then.
out farther This may place them a long
shot from the blind. and If material is
scarce, be a source OF trouble. Here is
where the portable blind comes in. It is
made OF burlap, with four poles at equal
distances apart Grass is sewed on along
the top and bottom and the whole is
rolled up and carried under the arm. Il
Is a mighty convenient thing and Wen
worth the trouble