212 lewis's AMERICAN S P II T S M A N. 



in multitudes over the city. During tlie first few days of their 

 appearance in these parts, they seem to confine themselves to the 

 cornfields and upland meadows, waiting as it were the further 

 ripening of the reeds ; after this, they descend to the banks of the 

 Delaware and Schuylkill, which are now overrun with the rank 

 growth of the wild oats, Zazania aquatica, which produces a small 

 seed in great profusion. Feasting luxuriantly for several days on 

 this nutritious food, they soon become extremely fat, — in fact, 

 nothing but compact balls of delicious meat, each one a dainty 

 morsel for the eager palates of our epicurean citizens. 



SHOOTING THEM. 



The war of musketry is now heard incessantly from bright 

 morning till dark night, all along the banks of our rivers, and the 

 markets are soon overstocked with the innocent victims of many a 

 rusty old barrel, only brought into requisition once a year, in 

 reed-bird season. If the weather should be very warm, as it 

 most frequently is at this time of the year, the birds spoil very soon 

 after being killed, and consequently remain but a short time in the 

 hands of the hucksters and game-dealers, Avho are very glad to 

 dispose of them at from twelve to twenty-five cents per dozen, ac- 

 cording to the returns of the previous day's shooting, which, of 

 course, depends in a great measure upon the wind and weather. 



Reed-birds are shot on the meadows below our city, or in the 

 reeds from a boat. Great numbers are often brought down at a 

 single shot, as they generally congregate in enormous flocks 

 towards sunset; it is no uncommon thing to kill four or five dozen 

 from the well-directed fire of a double-barrelled gun. It Avould 

 appear incredible to state all the numbers that have been reported 

 as killed at one discharge of an old musket, or other heavy gun ; 



