228 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



palatable than at any other time. When these Birds associate 

 with Field Plovers, and frequent the meadow lands, their flesh 

 is quite passable, and even sometimes quite delicate; but it is 

 not often that they are found in such good company. Curlews 

 are very shy, and require much caution to approach. They 

 fly with great rapidity when frightened, and require a good 

 blow to bring them down. There are many ways of shooting 

 this Bird; the favorite plan is rowing through the inlets and 

 guts in a boat, and killing them as they fly backward and for- 

 ward to their different feeding-grounds ; or coming upon them 

 by stealth, when, unsuspicious of danger, they are socially feed- 

 ing in company with other waders, on the insects and shell-fish 

 that they find on the bars and points along the creeks. Great 

 caution, silence, and a considerable degree of manoeuvring are 

 necessary to follow this sport with much success, as these Birds 

 are extremely shy, and easily put to flight. When approach- 

 ing them, keep near to the shore, and also under cover of the 

 land; it will also be frequently necessary to get out of the 

 boat, and make a long detour, so as to get in the rear of the 

 Birds; w^e have often obtained a raking shot at beach fowl in 

 this way. 



If one be wounded, he should be made use of as a decoy for 

 others, as they are very kindly in their feelings, and show a 

 great desire always to assist a distressed companion, whom they 

 will fly around for a considerable time, and thus offer many 

 opportunities to kill several before leaving the spot. For all 

 kinds of Coast Birds when shooting from a boat, it is best to 

 have a gun in reserve, as the most of them are enticed within 

 reach by the cries of a winged bird, and the second volley in 

 such cases is oftentimes the most destructive. 



The great mistake that our city Shooters make in pursuing 

 coast Birds is in the size of the guns that they make use of. 

 Partridge guns are not suitable for this kind of sport; neither 

 are the full Duck guns the proper weapon. A medium size 

 gun is the proper instrument : it should not be too light, how- 

 ever, but forged to throw the shot at long distances, and then 

 they would be surprised to see the difference it would make in 

 the count of one day's sport. When going along the inlets in 

 a boat, keep a bright look-out on the marshes adjoining the 



