Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-29

birds commenced to return; they
came singly, in pairs, docks and
swarms. The game warden was ou1
Official retriever; he tore up his union
card and worked overtime. Chief
Buffalo Hump (Parmalee) turned
loose the heavy artillery and proved
himself an artist with a scatter gun.
There was no shot too difficult for
, him to attempt and successfully exc
cute. He was duck artist from
every angle. When our human re-
triever evinced signs Of weakening,
we Immediately tossed into his sys.
tenn little elixir Of pep which elm
mated the tired feeling; he again
went bounding over the boys, prairies,
and into the stream after our birds.
When the grand summary count was
made we had seventy-four ducks and
eight geese; this is no reflection on
our game warden, as the the legal
limit was high in those days. This
was one of the very best shoots
have ever had as conditions and sun
roundings we're IDEAL" The follow
ing day the captain took his birds In
to San Antonio where he pulled a
series of duck dinners at the Neuces
hotel, in honor of his old friend, Dick
Merrill and wife.
Dubbed, Ducks Paradise.
Gilbert, Merrill and the plaintiff
fingered around Rockport for several
days; we pronounced it the ducks
paradise conditions there were exact
~ right to induce duck colonizing at
that point Swamps receded back
from the bay where the ducks can
puddle" and act up amongst the
smart weed; there they can stand
upon their heads and pull out the
grass roots. There the waters are
tranquil, calm and warm; they may
rest, sleep or make love, undisturbed
and when an appetite develops, it is
a short flight to the rice field, where
food Of the most desirable quality and
quantity awaits their arrival. They
are made welcome by the planters
who know they eat only the rice
which has fallen into the water,
knocked OF by the blackbirds attack
ing the heads. Rice-fed ducks cor
tainly are great delicacy. Rock
port bay, except in time Of storm, is
80 completely landlocked that It pre-
ing for the holding of duck conven-
tons and conclaves. Water fowl of
every variety are found in and about
the bay. Pelicans are there in count
less number; fishing is made easy for
them, by the water being 80 shoal in
most localities; it is interesting to
watch the pelican feed their young;
having filled their pouch with hsh, by
gentle pressure of the pouch on the
breast Of the mother bird, the fish are
elected and the young permitted to
help themselves. The pelican shows
great sagacity in fishing; the flock
combine to form horseshoe shape;
fish are then driven into the shoal
water, entering the charmed circle
where they are captured in quantity.
Black Cormorant are there also col.
lecting toll. Cormorants are trained
by the Chinese to f3sh for their own
ers; at one time Master of Cormo-
rants was member Of the royal
household Of England. A ring is
slipped over the Cormorant's neck, he
is then liberated; driving immediate
ly, it rushes with incredftable speed
under the water, Selling one fish after
another it soon comes to the surface,
it's throat distended, with fish, which
it has been unable to swallow on &C.
count of the ring. The bird imme.
diately reports to the keeper, who
deftly removes the fish, usually di.
viding the spoils. The unusual pres.
ence of pelican, gulls, cormorants and
saw-bill ducks is always indicative of
the presence of fish.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Question: Has there been change
in the federal law permitting man
to shoot before sunrise?
Sam johnson.
Peoria, N.
Answer: The United States De-
partment of Agriculture makes an.
nouncements Of several changes in
the regulation governing taking Of mf
gratory birds. Shooting is permitted
one-half hour before sunrise. The
opening Of the season is September
16. in all northern states.