312 MONTAUK POINT. 



doTvn." Be patient, keep cool, aim ahead of the 

 birds, and keep wide awake. 



On almost any day, from the 25th of August to 

 the 10th of September, there are sport and pleasure 

 . to be had among the wild sand-hills of Montauk ; 

 and if there has been a north-easterly storm, with 

 pitchforks full of i-ain and caps full of wind, there 

 will be such an abundance of birds as only experience 

 can conceive of or appreciate. That is an event 

 that most of us have yet to wait for. Reader, I 

 wish I were sufficiently unselfish to say honestly — 

 may you enjoy it first. 



Since I first went to Montauk, when large and jolly 

 parties of sportsmen congregated every fall at Les- 

 ter's and Stratton's, some changes have taken place. 

 The plover have diminished until the chance of 

 sport is uncertain, although occasional good days 

 are had; and there is a probability that the railroad 

 will intrude on its ''everlasting hills," and that 

 fashionable watering places will replace the old-time 

 sporting hotels. Then bid farewell, a long fare- 

 well, to all the shooting. 



