AMONG THE WaTER FowL 
chusetts. This has meant many a watching with 
hunters in the Duck-stands on various ponds, 
chasing the Ducks on the ocean, or waiting in a 
gunning-line for them to come to me. 
It is very exciting to watch the approach ona 
flock to one Oof-these™ stands,” or = bowess, som 
the shore of a pond. Ihe flock mrst fies vover 
and begins to circle around the pond. ‘The live 
decoys set up their hoarse clamor of invitation 
At length they splash down out in the middle of 
the pond near the “blocks” or wooden decays 
Looking cautiously about, they get their bearings, 
and begin to listen to the decoys. They do noe 
always yield to the treachery, but when they once 
are deceived they swim in a body at a rapid rate 
right for the stand. Suddenly the guns, pointed 
through loopholes, blaze out at a concerted signal 
and there 1s meat for the hunters’ table.” Av erent 
many are thus taken in the ponds of southeastern 
Massachusetts and elsewhere. ‘The best season is 
throughout October, especially about the middle, 
after a storm, when a cold northwest gale starts 
up. How they will fly, flock after flock, not only 
in early morning and late afternoon, as at ordi- 
nary times, but all day. Many kinds will be found 
represented in the number of the slain. 
Late in October the stands make ready for the 
Canada Geese, some of them Keeping large flocks 
of tame Geese, bred from wild stock, for decoys. 
Some of these decoys are wild birds that have been 
winged by shot. In a few days such cripples will 
become completely domesticated, and even eventu- 
ally breed in captivity. November is the time for 
214 
