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but also for its superiointy, taken all round, for the table, as well as for 

 the good sport it affords. The black duck is one of the. largest of tlie 

 many species whicili visit Canada. It generally makes its first appear- 

 ance here about the 5th April, and remains throughout the summer 

 and until the latter part of October, when it leaves for the South. 

 Should the autumn be unusually mild and free from frost, these birds 

 remain liere longer. Few of them are to be met with in the breeding 

 season, which extends from the 20th May until the 15th August, unless 

 in exceptional cases where the eggs have been destroyed by the raccoon 

 and other depredators. The young birds are then unable to fly, and ai'e 

 much more easily approached than at any other season. The black 

 duck feeds in shallow water near the shores of streams, and may 

 generally be found also in small creeks, lakes, and inland ponds. Its 

 food consists principally of seeds, insects, -vvild rice, and small aquatic 

 plants ; and it is also fond of grain of various kinds. Large flocks 

 often resort in spring to stubble-fields for the purpose of uicking up 

 scattered grains of the previous year. This bird never dives when 

 feeding, but, when wounded, if, for instance, a wing has been broken, 

 it is one of the most export and cunning divers to be found. If one be 

 shot on the wing, and falls into the water, as is commonly the case, 

 unless the sportsman is experienced in the business, and is ready with 

 the second barrel, there ai-e ten chances to one against his getting a 

 sight of the wounded bird after the second dive. Under such circum- 

 stances the bird will rise to the surface of the water, and the instant it 

 has taken breath, or has fancied itself seen, it will draw its head under 

 watei', after the manner of the loon, and sometimes dive 90 or 100 

 yards. When wounded, however, the black duck always makes for 

 land, wliere, its direction having been marked, a good retriever will 

 always be certain to find it. I say always for this reason, I once owned 

 a dog — a cross between a thoroughbred cocker and a retriever — that 

 never failed in any single instance to find a bird that I had either 

 killed or wounded. I recommend this breed of dog to every sportsman 

 fond of wild fowl shooting, as superior in all points to any other, and 

 surpassing immeasurably either branch of the parent stock. The black 

 duck is exceedingly waiy and difficult to approach, except on shore 

 where the cover is thick. The least noise, the breaking of a twig, or 



