198 lewis' AMERICAlSr SPORTSMAN. 



great profusion. Feasting luxuriantly for several days on this 

 nutritious food, they soon become extremely fat, in fact, nothing 

 more than compact balls of delicious meat, each one a dainty 

 morsel for the eager palates of our epicurean citizens.* 



SHOOTING THEM. 



The war of the 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, that is only brought into 

 requisition once a year, in Eeed Bii'd 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 con- 

 sequently remain but a short time in the hands of the hucksters 

 and game dealers, who are very glad to dispose of them from 

 twelve to twenty-five cents per dozen, according to the returns 

 of the previous days' 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 to- 

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

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

 would appear incredible to state all the numbers that have been 

 reported as killed at one discharge of an old musket, or other 

 heavy gun ; we will, therefore, confine ourselves to one single 

 instance, in which thirteen dozen were picked up, the result of 

 a raking fire poured into a flock from an old fowling-piece that 

 " scattered most confoundedly." This is not by any means the 

 largest number we have heard of being bagged at one coiip de 

 fusil; but the account is well authenticated, and within bounds 

 of credence, and we give it our readers as such, for we have no 

 reason to doubt the veracity of the party who told us. 



* Sept. 28, 1849, one dozen Reed Birds in fine condition, without feathers, 

 weighed two pounds two and a half ounces. 



