18 AVIFAUNA COLUMBIANA. 



large, typical Woodcock brake, marshy ground occasionally overflowed 

 by high tides, grown up with saplings, briars, vines, etc., making splen- 

 did cover and feeding ground. Here the sportsman, with a good dog, 

 can always make a bag, if industrious and not afraid of mud. 



This whole region along the edges of the river abounds with Wood- 

 cock, which in the twilight may be heard coming in to feed by the score. 

 Above McCormick's the marshes grow narrower and shallower, until 

 they cease just below Bladensburg, which is one mile up the river from 

 McCormick's. 



The marshes as they become higher above low tide also change in 

 character ; the growth of wild rice ceases, and its place is taken by rank 

 grass and stunted bushes, which afford a refuge for many birds, from 

 which they cannot be dislodged. There is a bend in the river just above 

 McCormick's, where the channel widens out, in which during spring 

 great numbers of Ducks congregate. 



During the tail migrations these marshes afford refuge and food for 

 innumerable hosts of Rail, Reed-birds, and Red- winged Blackbirds, which 

 attract scores of "gunners," so that during the early days of September 

 this locality reminds one of the firing of a skirmish line preceding a 

 great battle. The crack of fowling-pieces is incessant from early morn 

 to twilight. All classes in society are represented, from the gentleman 

 sportsman with his pusher and favorite breech-loader, hunting Rail, to 

 the ragged contraband with the cheap, old-fashioned, single-barreled 

 muzzle-loader, or old style army musket, "wading" the marshes from 

 knee to waist deep, to whom all flesh is game, who takes in principally 

 Blackbirds and Reed-birds, and is particularly happy when he can sur- 

 prise an unsophisticated Rail on the side of a "gut." The professional 

 or market gunner is also well represented, and during the early days of 

 the season reaps a good harvest. It is a common thing on the first day 

 of the season for one gunner to secure from twelve to twenty dozen 

 Carolina Rail and as many Reed-birds. These birds are protected by 

 law until September 1. 



It is rather a comical sight to witness the gathering of the clans at 

 Benning's Bridge on the 1st day of September, preparatory to the 

 slaughter of the innocents. As the light begins to appear in the east 

 a motley line of sportsmen may be seen sitting upon the rail of the bridge 

 waiting for sufficient light to see to shoot, dressed in all manner of cos- 

 tumes, and armed with all sorts of blunderbusses ; some who have had 

 the means and forethought to engage a skiff and pusher are off in style 

 with the tide, others go in couples in skiffs and push each other, while the 

 rabble, who constitute the great majority, take to the marshes and wade. 



RAIL SHOOTING ON THE ANACOSTIA RIVER MARSHES. 



Rail shooting in the fall of the year affords sport to many who are 

 fond of the gun. although to the true sportsman it is rather tame 

 amusement. The flight of the bird is so sluggish that it requires but 



