144 OUT WITH THE BIRDS 



flat on the ground. Cover that is ten or twelve 

 inches high will suffice to shelter one who knows 

 how to hide; otherwise a poplar bluff is insuffi- 

 cient. The novice at the game usually gets on 

 his fours, lowers his head and shoulders till that 

 part of him is supported on his elbows, and then 

 shuffles forward with the seat of his trousers 

 hoisted in the air at least two feet. Such tactics 

 usually are not conducive to success, for the 

 ducks have an unerring eye for trousers in that 

 pose and always take it for granted that the 

 owner is there somewhere. 



Getting rid of the hips is the big problem. 

 If the cover is fair, the stalker may roll from 

 side to side as he lurches forward, propelled by 

 his elbows, but in tight places this will not do, as 

 it not only throws part of the body too high, but 

 also disturbs too much grass or other cover. 

 Here the best way is to lie flat, face down, and 

 using hands and elbows, drag all the body for- 

 ward a few inches at a time. This is strenuous. 

 I have often felt that it is about as easy to walk 

 ten miles as thus to crawl two hundred yards. 

 But negatives justify almost any sort of effort, 

 for where is the sportsman who would rank his 

 case of dusty, mounted trophies the equal of 



