504 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
—s 
[Jan. 22, 1886. 
“tracks,” but each a story in itself to him who knows and 
thinks. Now asquirrel, out perhaps to make his neighbor a 
present of nuts; again a flock of snowbirds, as the sun was 
rising, haye chirped a merry Christmas to each other, as 
they shook the seeds from the grasses left uncovered by the 
snow. 
The day was bright, and in my ramble I saw these birds: 
Winter chippy. S. manticola, 
Snowbird, J. hiemalis, 
Chickadee, P. atricapillus. 
Yellow-rumped warbler, D. coronata, 
Bluebird, 8. sialés. 
Bluejay, C cristata. 
Butcher bird, Z. derealis. 
Golden-winged woodpecker, ©. auratus. 
Downy woodpecker, P. pubescens, 
Orow, C. americanus. 
Wild pigeon, H migratorcus. 
Quail, O. virginiana. 
I heard a blackbird and fancied T heard a robin, but a 
flock of pigeons pas-ing, my attention was distracted, and I 
lost track of hin. There was only one quail; they are very 
scarce and are hunted continually. CHIP, 
ENGLEWooD, N. J. 
Game Bag and Guy. 
DUCK SHOOTING ON LAKE BISTEREAU. 
BY COL. GEO. D, ALEXANDER. 
f bane night, the 29th of October, 1884, my friend 
McHElliott came to my residence to tell me he thought 
it was just the proper time to go to Lake Bistereau for a duck 
hunt. He was ready to go the next morning if I could 
accompany him. His proposal was immediately accepted, 
as he had a good buggy and had made himself the nicest 
and most convenient litle boat, to be used as a body to take 
us to the lake, and then to be taken off and used for carrying 
us to an island celebrated for being the best point for shoot- 
ing ducks. 
The beautiful little boat did not exceed fifty pounds in 
weight, was capable of conveniently seating and carrying 
three persons, and was so nicely fitted to the bugey that it 
could be put on or taken off in oneminute. It was arranged 
on the inside for having bushes inserted for forming a bind 
to approach the wary ducks, and it could be easily moved 
by sculling, so as not to attract their attention. 
We left Minden quite early, full of bright anticipations of 
bringing back a boatload of mallards. A fleet pair of horses 
took us to Mercer’s store in three hours, the distance being 
eighteen miles. There it was our expectation to get Mr. 
William Mercer and Mr. Dan Cole to accompany us, Un- 
fortunately the former was not at home, but Cole proffered 
to go. He reported the ducks as being more numerous than 
he had ever seen them on the lake. Jt was only some three 
miles from the store to the point we desired to reach. The 
report made Mac and myself so eager to get there that we 
could not wait for Cole, but requested him to follow on as 
speedily as possible. Jt was not often that l was as much 
excited in getting to the desired place to commence shooting 
as I wason this occasion. The horsesdid not go fast enough, 
I wanted a speed of a mile a minute, and when we came to 
a log across the road, and had to be delayed some time in 
getting by it, the delay was almost insupportable. When 
we reached the bluff bank of this lovely sheet of water our 
eyes were gladdened by the sight of countless ducks. From 
various points we could see puffs of smoke and then hear the 
boom of two heavy guns, showing many others were, like 
ourselves, taking advantage of the great number of ducks to 
have an enjoyable hunt. 
There were numerous flocks with many thousands in them 
to be seen in every part of the lake, some lighting, some 
rising, and others flying from point to point. As each gun 
was heard the flocks on the water engaged in eating the 
water parsley, would rise with a roar like distant thunder 
and fly to some other place, while another would light in 
the same place. There was one incessant quacking, quack, 
quack, that quickened the desire to. be among them to such 
an extent that the minutes seemed hours before we got the 
horses unhitebed, the boat put on the water, ammunition 
stored away, and our rubber boots drawn on. 
At last Mac with his Pieper, and I with my Greener, took 
our seats and prepared to row about half a mile to’ Peggy’s 
Island, our proposed rendezvous, But we soon found there 
was no rowing, the water was not eight inches deep, except 
in the channel, which was not over fifty yards wide. Noth- 
ing was left but to wade and push the boat ahead of us. The 
mud was over a foot, to two feet sometimes, in depth, and as 
sticky as pitch. I thought we never would get to the feeding 
places of the ducks. The air was aliye with them, buf all 
taking good care either to fly too high to be reached by our 
guns or to give us a wide berth. The nearer we approached 
the island the more impatient I got, and when we rowed 
across the channel I could stand it no longer, but put on the 
ammunition bag and shouldering my fine Greener, struck olf 
to the nearest feeding poini, leaving McHIliott to come on 
and select a point for putting out his decoy ducks. He had 
brought with him a pair of live gentle puddle ducks, which 
he intended to fie to stakes, and giving them each a bundle 
of oats to let them feed, quack, dive, and cut as many antics 
as they pleased and thus allure many an unsuspecting sreen- 
head tothem, As I approached the flocks they would rise 
and fly off lung before | could get in shooting distance. 
My India rubber boots were too large for me. I could not 
stand steady in them, and eyery time I turned around [ 
would come near falling. Finally [ selected a place in the 
grassy part where the ducks were feeding, and waited for a 
duck to fly near me. In afew minutes over came a flock, 
Bang! bang! went both barrels without rumpling a feather. 
For an hour I continued shooting at every duck that came, 
as IT thought, in slooting distance, but not a duck rewarded 
my shots. I was more discouraged than I ever recollected 
to have been in all my life. MeHlliott had selected his posi- 
tion fur out in the water, his decoy ducks were tied, and 
soon I saw him cut down three fine ducks in successive 
shots. Cole arrived at this time, taking his position further 
into the Jake than that of McHiliott. Pretty soon a duck 
flew over him which he cut down in fine style. Again and 
again I shot without getting a duck. Cole signaled to me to 
come into his place, which I did. He told me I was shoot- 
ing at distances far too high to kill; that where I was stand- 
ing they flew much higher then at bis position. Taking my 
stand by the side of a cypress stump, around which the 
water was full knee deep, with mud a foot deep, I patiently 
waited the approach of a duck. ‘Look out,” said Cole, 
and just then seyeraleame over, Bang went my gun, and 
dewn came a fine drake, 1 was then convinced that I had 
been wasting my ammunition at distances beyond the reach 
of any 12-bore gun, and of 74 pounds weight. 
I had barely time 1o put in another shell when I saw three 
coming directly tome. ‘Too high,” sang out Cole, but. I 
thought differently. There was a report, and almost at my 
feet down came a magnificent greenhead, The reports of 
McEllioti’s and Cole’s guns were incessant, and constantly 
eould I see or hear a duck fall. Before night a flock of some 
large while fowls came flying over Cole, He fired both bar- 
rels with the success of seeing a magnificent pelican come 
down with an awfulswoop. We had noticed this flock all 
the evening at a distant part-of the island, taking them to be 
a flock of sheep. This pelican measured nearly eight feet 
across from tip to tip of wings, and was nearly six feet high. 
It was white as snow, except the lower edge of wings were 
black as those of a crow, In the sack below the hill were 
many minnows not devoured. We shot until 8 o'clock at 
night, and found asthe result of our evenine’s work that I 
had bagged eleven, McElliott sixteen, and Cole thirty-one. 
Mr. Cole bad the advantage of us in haying a freedman to 
collect his ducks when shot down. Few better shots than 
Dan Cole, either at deer or small game. MeHiott isa good 
shot, and one of the most agreeable companions to have in a 
hunt. He is one of the handiest and most useful gentlemen 
Lever had along on a hunting expedition. 
By half past 9 o’clock we had returned to the store, fed 
our borses, and haying been the recipients of a nice supper 
from Mr. Cole, we got into our boat and drove back to Min- 
den, getting home by 1 o'clock in the morning. 
It was a most enjoyable hunt, not to he soon forgotton; 
but would have been doubly so to me had I shot as well as 
usual, and had J not fallen on one knee in the mud and 
water and gotten my bout full of water. But for this mis- 
hap [should have been tempted to have spent another day 
on thelake, The decoy ducks looked the next morning in 
fine spirits, asif they would have no objection to guing 
again. 
“On the following Saturday I was compelled to make a trip 
to Red River, We went by Mercer's store, and finding Mr. 
Cole willing to take a jaunt again to the Jake, I loaned him 
my Greener with plenty ot ammunition, and requested him 
to kill me some ducks. Returning the next morning, he had 
twelve fat mallards for me, and stated he had killed seven- 
teen out of thirty shots, at ducks flying much higher than he 
shot them when I was along. He was wonderfully delighted 
with the shooting of my gun, stating he killed a duck sitting 
fully a hundred yards, and that several parties were shooting 
near him whose guns could not reach the ducks, and they 
did not succeed in bageing one. 
Of course, this was good news to me, Just as soon as the 
weather turns colder, I shall go again with strong hopes of 
doing wetter shooting. ! 
MINDEN, La. 
ABOUT HUNTERS AND A HUNT. 
N the columns of the Fornust anp Stream I have had 
. frequent occasion to allude to my sporting companions, 
and, most generally, have used nicknames to designate them. 
My dramatis persone, whatever the character of the play— 
farce or comedy—have consisted of Teceel, Bro. Duffrey, 
Mud, Jim LeG., Dit, Crickett and Tom, We all have our 
peculiarities, and each is a source of amusement to the 
others, All of us are ‘tnen of family,” and some of us are 
blessed with ‘‘quivers full” of the ‘heritage of the Lord.” 
‘In the course of human events,” it is not unnatural that 
even sporismen’s children should have a laudable ambition 
to add to the pleasurts of other’s households, and sometimes, 
even, to constitute the basis of a new one, The present, I 
believe, isa leap year, and in our section, at least, there is 
an idea that such years are not unfitted for matrimonial 
alliances. Occasionally, therefore, one of our boys or girls 
comes to the conclusion that it is wise to go to housekeep- 
ing, and begins to look around to see if he or she can ‘find 
an honest gander—or goose—for a mate.” The daughter of 
our friend Dit not long since found the ‘‘honest gander,” 
and on the 17th, in the presence of ‘‘a large and brilliant 
assemblage,” took those solemn vows which link together 
amanandawoman. The groom was a sportsman from the 
northern border of our State, and the rites of marriage were 
solemnized by Bro. Duffrey, assisted by Bro. W. T. J., who 
is also one of “‘Gideon’s band.” 
Amoug the guests were two brothers of our friend Dit, of 
whom I had long heard, but whose acquaintance I had not 
hitherto had an opportunity of making. We hardly needed 
an introduction. Joe and Bud were familiar names to me, 
and soon after we had met our conversation drifted into the 
subject of guns and dogs and game. I found both of then 
gentlemen, who had left their homes ‘‘on old Virginia’s 
shore” to he present at the marriage of their niece to a 
neighbor and friend of theirs, to be jovial, good-hearted 
fellows, and generous, a8 most of ardent sportsmen are. We 
endeavored to get them to remain awhile and try their skill 
on some of our birds; but the proximity of Christmas and 
the consequent demands of their business compelled them to 
lorego the pleasure. We were cordially invited to visit them 
at their homes, whenever it suited our convenience, und 
promised not only a hearty welcome to their firesides, but a 
hard struggle for the mustery in the field. We shall go, if 
possible, not hoping to defeat them in the contest, but only 
to make their victory an honorable one, Besides, we are 
anxious to enjoy their society, and that of theic families. 
We kuow who they are, J’ 
The week preceding the ‘society event’ to which I have 
referred, Teceel, Bro. Duffrey, Dr, Will and 1, with Joe, 
Bob, Arge and York, and over two hundred loaded shells 
each, left home to take our énnual hunt in the fields of Chat- 
ham. We missed connection at Sandford, and had to re- 
main at that place all day Tuesday, the 9th. But we were 
too Keen for hunting to sit about Bro. Page’s hotel, and, ac- 
cordingly, after a hearfy breakfast started for the ‘‘old 
McIver place,” on Buffalo Creek, We took the railway 
track for about two miles, and soon after we had crossed 
the trestle over Buffalo our dogs started a covey of birds and 
our first salute was given. We got only four birds out of it, 
and two of them fell before my little Lucy Green. Possi- 
bly we could haye gotten more of them, but thinking there 
were plenty ahead of us, we preferred to go on, Our parity 
separated at this point, and W. and I hurried on to the 
second bridge and got over into the plantation of which I 
have spoken. We could occasionally hear the guns of the 
others, and were well prepared to receive the report at lunch 
of our signal defeat. My companion and I did some yery 
poor shooting even at the birds we found, and only had 
seven when we stopped for rest and food at midday. The 
others doubled us, Rather tight boots haying made hunting 
anything but pleasant, Will and I concluded to wend our 
wiy back to Sandford, and rest for the next day’s sport. 
When we reached Page’s house I was exceedingly wearied 
and sought the quiet retreat of a room, where a bed afforded. 
me the much-desired luxury of a few hours’ sleep. About 
night Teceel and Bro. Duffrey returned, having more than 
thirty birds. All of them were left with Col. Page, our gen- 
erous host, when we departed from his house the following 
morning at 5 o’clock.on our way to Ore Hill. 
We reached the station about half past, six, where we 
were met by J. M. Foust, the proprietor of Motint Vernon 
Springs, which are situated a little over a mile west of the 
station, and were escorted to his house. Soon iatter reach- 
ing there, a substantial breakfast was spread before us, to 
which his guests paid the most devoted attention, The 
hunt was then arranged. Bro, D. and Teceel lad had a 
priyate consultation with the proprietor and learned from 
him the best grounds for sport. Of course they were anxious 
to avail themselves of the sport which they afforded. In 
order to assure thi mselyes of getting there, they deemed it 
wise to resort to strategy, not entirely free from hypocrisy. 
[ had related to them on an occasion Low I managed to get: 
anear kinsman to ride ‘‘an unbridled colt” from Brownsville, 
Ark., to my brother’s house on the river. In that case, 
Knowing he would refuse that mode of conveyance if the 
suggestion was directly made, I requested Dr. W. P. 8., 
who was our companion, to offer, so soon as the proposition 
was declined, his preference for that animal; telling him 
that it would produce a change of purpose, and we would 
thus succeed in getting him astride the stallion, The ruse 
had the desired effect. Bro. D. and Tom remembired it, 
and put it into practiceon me. Says Bro.D. to me, says he, 
“T. and [ have agreed to hunt the old Gowell farm, between 
this place and the depot, and you and Dr. W. can take down 
the creek.” Lvery quickly replie|, ‘Not much, Bro, D,; I 
have seiected that locality myself.’ After the trial of the 
fields, I saw 1 was ‘‘taken in,” and at night the case became 
too clear for further question, At the close of a hard day’s 
work, in which I did some good and sume poor shooting, [ 
emptied my pockets of 22 partridges (I cannot consent to 
call them quail, for they bear little resemblance to the quail 
in appearance and far more resemble the partridge of Europe), 
Dr. W. distinguished himself by very inferior marksmanship, 
and only got three birds. It is but just to say he did not 
shoot.as 1 did. Teceel pulled out the sealps of 85 and Bro, 
D, those of 19. All the consolation I had, was that I beat 
Bro. D. The next day, however, when I showed only 14 
and Dr W. 6, Teceel exhibited s7 and Bro, D. 25. These 
two days ended the aunt in that vicinity. and at12M. the 
following day we took the train for ‘‘the Gulf,” at which 
place we arrived at 1 P. M, 
Jt was agreed that. Bro. D. and I should put some shells 
in our pockets, and hunt the fields on the way to the resi- ~ 
dence of Mark Byrum, who lives five miles from the station, 
while the others should try the grounds nearer the depot, 
All were to meet there next duy and take the train for home. 
Accordingly, a few minutes after our arrival we were on 
our way, Leaving the public road after going about three- 
fourths of a mile, we turned to theleft and entered the fields 
lying along a tributary of Cedar Creek, which we knew had 
its rise about one mile from the place where we expected to 
spend the night. Justas we were about to cross the fence, 
and while our dogs were scouring the fields, I flushed a 
small covey of not more than six birds, They settled in the 
woods, where I got two shots, both of which were success- 
ful. Entering the inclosure and taking my dog across the 
rivulet he soon came to a stand, Notifying Bro. D. of the 
fact, he came over, We flushed the birds and I got one 
bird. He failed to get one. They took cover in thick 
woods. I had two shots and missed. He scored his bird 
after waving missed one. Leaving them we soon found 
another covey in a field. J got two shots and scored both 
birds. Bro. D. bagged two birds in three shots, It is use- 
less to give the details of the hunt. Suffice it, that when 
we reached Byrum’s at night I had twelye and Bro, D_ nine. 
They were all fat ones. 
We were hospitably received by Mr. Byrum, his wife, son 
and daughter, They were closely related to Bro. G., and 
are as kind and generous as heart could wish. We got an 
excellent supper and most comfortable treatment in all re 
spects. I want no better stopping place. When we left 
next morning an invitation to come again was cordially 
given, and I propose to do myself that honor before the sea- 
son has passed, if possible. 
On our return to the depot we followed the route of the 
preceding day. We found birds sufficiently plentiful, but 
discovered pretty soon that our stock of shells would become 
exhausted if we did much shooting. I had started with only 
forty, while Bro. D. had fifty. A hole in my pocket deprived 
me of several, so that when my dog Argo came to a stand 
less than one mile from the station, 1 héd but one shell 
remaining. With this I got one bird. Calling to Bro, D,, 
he soon made his appearance, and 1 communicated the fact 
that the “‘last shot in the locker” had been used. He kindly 
gave me four, keeping five for himself. Finding where the 
covey had settled, he walked up and flushed four or five of - 
them. It was understood that vach was to “‘shinny on his 
own side.” Being to the left, 1 picked out my bird and 
fired. Tt fell, Others then rose, and with the remaining 
barre] I killed another. Bro. D. claimed to have shot at the 
same bird 1 did when the first lot flew. If he did, he ought 
not to have done it, for it was the only one at which J could 
have shot. Had I been on the right 1 would not have 
selected that bird, Iwas now reduced to two shel!s. With 
one of those I got a bird and missed a most excellent chance 
with the remaining one. Bro. D. bagged another one and 
ihe hunt ended. When we reached the station I took nine 
out of my pocket and he pulled out six, including the one at 
which he ought not to have shot. 
The proprietor of the hotei at the Gulf was at the depot 
when we veached it, and told us that our friends had left, re- 
questing us to take charge of their baggage and they would 
zet.on the train at Heypt several miles below. This did not. 
surprise us. They did not join us, however, at the place 
named, and we saw them in the ‘‘old Mclyer place,” as We 
sned on our way to Sandford, where we had to remain until 
10 at night. Our friend Page had for dinner some of the 
twenty four birds which we had sent to him the preceding 
day. At nighf our companions made their appearance. 
Counting up our trophies, we found that we had bagged dur- 
ing the hunt 265 birds, Of this uumber we took home less 
than three dozen, haying given a large part of the others to 
the proprietors of the land upon which we had hunted, 
This plan is not only just, but highly politic, Ifasportsman 
ranges fields and offers none of the game to the owner, ha is 
— i. 
