Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-19
FEAST|NG 'REED|ES'
REFAC|NG DOOM
Cunning Season on Marshes
About the Capital Starts
September /.
MANY MEN PREPARING
TO ENGAGE IN SPORT
Blackbirds Already in Evidence,
While a Few Ortolan Have
Been Seen.


Been Seen.
September 1, the time fixed by law for
the opening of the season for shooting
reedbirds, ortolan and blackbirds, is
not far off, and gunners already are
making extensive preparations for the
sport. The oats in the marshes about
this city and along the Patuxent river,
the two marshes that attract local gun
| ners, are in splendid condition. being
much heavier than usual and the heads
filled with grain.
Birds have been in evidence some
little time, especially b1ackbirds, al
though there are quite number of
"reedies" in evidence this week. It is
reported that a few ortolan have been
seen in the Patuxent river marshes. but
none has been seen on the marshes of
the Potomac and Eastern branch.
Lieut.. r. A. Dean, in charge Of the
harbor police precinct, has visited the
marshes several times during the past
ten days. and today he started his men
on regular daily trips there, fearing
hand at cunning before the season
opens.
Violations Not Expected.
IT hardly think any Of them will at
tempt such violation" he said to a
Star reporter. although it is possible
that the sight of a flock Of birds might
tempt some of them"
Early next week Lieut.. Russell will
post the marshes in order to define the
shooting limits Maj. Pullman is inter-
ester In the affair. more especially 50
far as the protection of life and prop
erty are concerned, and it is his inten-
| ton to see to the strict enforcement Of
the law.
Under the provisions Of law, It Is ex-
planned, shooting within 200 yards Of a.
dwelling, bridge or public road is pro-
hibited, and signs to warn gunners Of
the limit from the several bridges will
be placed in position early next week.
Shooting below Anacostia bridge is not
/ permitted, said Lieut.. Dean, so that no
sign will have to be placed there
One sign will be placed north of the
bridge. one on either side of the bridge
at Pennsylvania avenue. the same at
the railroad and Benning bridges and
one south of the railroad bridge at the
District line.
Patu1ent Marshes Open Earlier.
This year, for the first time, the sea-
son on the Patuxent marshes opens
September 1. the same as in the Dis
trict, a change in the law having been
| made at the last session of the state
legislature. Heretofore the season
opened September 10, when It was too
| late for the best shooting. and MANY
members of the clubs along that river
! will be on hand there the opening
| day.
Persons who contemplate shooting m
PatNXonf will DO
to their licenses and pushers ahead of
| time. The law requires non-residents
| to pay license tax of SO and hire IL
censed pushers. SO that the cheapest a
the Patuxent is s13. 81 going to the
| clerk of the court and So to the pusher.
washington gunners already are plac-
Ing orders for boats and ammunition.
IT Is said that the number of cunning
| skiffs to be hired is comparatively
small. and only those who engage them
| ahead of time will be able to get them.
DR.. Wade H. Atkinson was the first
/ sportsman to sign for a skiff for the
opening day. it is stated. and q num-
Der OF others have followed his ex-
| ample.
Campbell Darlington was one of the
| nrst to engage boats for the opening
day before his health became impaired.
| FRANK and Joseph Syma noskie, said to
| be expert gunners, probably will he
among the early arrivals at the BEN
ming marsh. Others who probably will
be on hand are Joseph Williams, Her
Charles o'Connor, william Steele
Frank Bell. Albert wicks. George
Clements and Esau Bell.
Successful Season in Sight.
There is every indication of a sue
cessful cunning season this year." said
w. T. Bailey. who has been on the
branch at Benning for a number of
years II never saw the oats in better
condition than they are now. although
they are not really ripe. They will be
ripe before September 1, however, and
the birds will have no trouble getting
plenty to eat"
Bailey said that blackbirds have been
on the marshes for some time. and they
they have destroyed grain that was
planted in the vicinity Of the water
front.
There are some reedbirds on the
number Is increasing daily. but I have
not seen any ortolan. although they
VIII be coming along before the end of
the week."
done on Eastern branch between Ana
costa bridge and the District. line, 1t Is
said, the marsh between Little river
and the Virginia shore will be the des-
tination Of number Of Eunners the
between Analostan Island and tho chan
mel. Hundreds Of sportsmen will be on
the river during the early days Of the
season. and Labor day. a holiday. will
bring out the largest crowd.
It is the intention of Maj. Pullman to
see that facilities are afforded for con
veying to q hospital any person who
may receive wounds while on the river.
The police will have detail in the Vi
Unity Of tho contagious disease hos
| oital and leper camp to prevent the
possibility Of stray shot reaching those
o" 4-,-i- 80.
y