BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY. 



25 



It is interesting to note that, like the Limicolm, all of these birds walk 

 or run habitually rather than hop, with the sole exception of the Kingbird, 

 which almost never uses its legs for locomotion on the ground. Even the 

 Swallows waddle short distances over the sand, using the legs in succession. 

 Although it is the case that the Savanna and especially the Song Sparrow hop, 

 they also execute a rapid walk or run, while the Ipswich Sparrow is typically a 

 walker. 



Before leaving this delightful region, interesting at all seasons and in all 

 weathers, I must speak of two other sources of ornithological interest on the 

 beach. First, the dead birds that are found there shot by man, or cast up by 

 the sea sometimes without sign of injury — some of them sea birds that appear 

 to have died of starvation. My cabinet contains a number of these that have 

 been saved from the scavenging Crows and Gulls. The other source of interest 

 is the gunner wandering along the beach or ensconced in a hole in the sand. 

 Him we hail as friend and fellow, inquire the luck, lament that so few birds are 

 flying, learn perhaps some bit of gunner's bird-lore, and finally examine his bag 

 possibly to find a rare specimen. Shooting of all shore birds is allowed in 

 Massachusetts after July 15th, and the birds great and small are incessantly 

 persecuted during their migration south. In the spring migration, however, 

 the shore birds are protected as the close season begins on March 1st. On 

 the beach, the birds are usually shot from "blinds," or "booths" as they are 

 sometimes called. These are screens made of driftwood and seaweed, and a 

 hole is generally dug in the sand in which the gunner ensconces himself. At 

 times screens of cloth supported on stakes driven in the sand are used. To 

 bring the birds within range as they fly by, or to induce them to alight, decoys 

 of tin or of wood are used, generally arranged like a flock of birds, with their 

 heads pointing to the wind. Occasionally large clam shells are stuck in the sand 

 and at a distance simulate very well a flock of Peep. Much depends on the skill 

 of the gunner in calling clown the birds by cunningly imitating their notes, and 

 by his care in keeping concealed and absolutely motionless until the moment 

 that he delivers his fire. It is very difficult for a bird or a man to distinguish 

 a gunner clad in old shooting clothes, which match in color the sand and sea 

 wrack, provided the gunner keeps motionless. The least movement on his part 

 at once attracts the eye, and the wary birds sheer off. As illustrating this prin- 

 ciple, gunners sometimes lie quietly on the sand without any cover, jumping up 

 and shooting at the last moment. Few old birds, comparatively, are shot by 

 stalking on the large beaches, as, owing to the absence of cover, they are apt 

 to keep out of gunshot, while young birds sometimes allow of close approach. 

 Distances on broad beaches are very difficult to judge, and many birds are fired 

 at out of range. The birds themselves are generally good judges of distance. 



