Notes on Bay Birds

MUCH has been published in the columns of FOREST AND STREAM of great interest regarding shore birds, but little if anything has been given relative to the change of feeding grounds and growing scarcity of the numerous variety of all species of wading birds in sections where the sportsmen a few years since found them numerous, and sought spring and summer enjoyment in their quest.

Beginning at Barnegat, where good shooting was once to be had, both during the spring and late summer passage of all species, and ending at Great Egg Harbor, on the salt meadows and bars of which large bags a few years ago could always be made, we find the intervening old haunts and feeding grounds are gradually being deserted by them -- not on the account of the scarcity of food, but by their incessant harrassing by greatly increased numbers of market shooters, who take advantage of their first arrival in the spring and the ready sale they have for shipment to the large cities of New York, Philadelphia and Brooklyn.

This warfare is causing the flock in the vernal migration to the north and their return with their young in a very great measure, to pass by unvisited the Long Island, Barnegat, Little Egg Harbor, Atlantic City and Great Egg Harbor feeding grounds, and it is seldom a stoppage is made with a determination of settling down, short of the isolated and unfrequented regions of Townsend's and Corson's Inlets, northward of Cape May. It is known that the beaches south of Peck's are but sparsely settled or built upon, while from Barnegat to Great Egg Harbor the entire line of ocean water front is taken up here and there with summer watering places with their accompanying huge buildings and cottages. These resorts have added their part in driving the birds from their old haunts and preventing their stopping in spring and summer. One can at any time during the summer migration while standing on the beach of any of the watering places, observe flocks of curlew, martin, willet, brown backs and robin snipe making their way outside of the breakers, close to the water, bound to more unfrequented regions, their very manner of flight showing their "minds are made up not to stop." All the decoys of the ships, backed by the most deceptive whistler at those times, would not procure a dart within shooting distance. During favorable winds, while these flights are moving, occasional good shooting can be had if we place ourselves in the way of the birds, but the great bulk pass on to quieter neighborhoods, and at the old-time grounds we find two or three days, on the average, are all that are allowed us by the clerk of the weather, when we can select favorable positions in the line of the flight. The writer has paid much attention to the movements, habits, etc., of the endless variety of bay birds that once frequented and do now, at some points, frequent our Atlantic coast. There is scarcely a bay or thoroughfare from Barnegat to Cape May, in which I have not been with my skiff, but to have good sport the coming summer with bay birds after all upland shooting is over, I shall pass by my old grounds and locate somewhere south of Corsen's Inlet, where birds are less molested and, I daresay, mosquitoes more plentiful. A visit to Ocean City (about twelve miles from Berlin, Md.), on the beach that separates Sinnepuxent Sound from the ocean, is a capital place to have the best of bay bird shooting. There is a good hotel here and the large bags of brown backs, willets, curlew, etc., etc., that can certainly be made in season (a week later than New Jersey shooting), will be utilized. Furthermore, shore birds are not generally sought by the natives about Sinnepuxent Sound, and good comfortable quarters are readily obtained at the hotel. I learned of this latter ground while at Sinnepuxent Sound three or four winters ago, goose shooting. I know of but few that ever visited it in the summer, but from all that returned I received the most glowing accounts of their success with all the varieties of shore birds over decoys taken with them for the purpose. Nearer Berlin than Ocean City, but on the main, is a hotel kept by Capt I. Coffin, from which point, with
some of the Captains sons or sons-in-law for pilots, fine sport would be assured. a letter to the postmaster of Berlin, Md., asking for particulars and names of the, proprietors of both hotels would, no doubt, secure a reply, as Capt. Coffin might be now either dead or removed. Many of the bay birds to be found at this latter region of late years have passed by the New Jersey grounds without deigning to stop for even a day.

HOMO.