20 AVIFAUNA COLUMBIANA. 



widest part, above. It is pointed at both ends, each end being covered 

 over for about 2 feet. At tbe stern this affords a seat to the paddler, 

 while at the bow it forms a locker for the reception of the game. The 

 one seat is about the junction of the anterior and middle third of the 

 length. The hull is constructed of three planks, one for the bottom and 

 one each for the sides. The side planks are cut upon a pattern, so that 

 when put together the bottom curves upwards towards each end very 

 much after the manner of the ocean fisherman's dory. The advantage 

 of this shape becomes immediately apparent when upon the marsh ; the 

 skiff is thus enabled to ride over the reeds and grass instead of plung- 

 ing into the tangled masses. 



Within a year or two, skiffs have been introduced made of galvanized 

 iron instead of wood. They have the advantage of being lighter, and 

 also of being perfectly smooth, thereby causing less friction in passing 

 through the reeds. The metallic skiff iS always ready to be put into 

 the water, being unaffected by exposure to the sun and air, whereas a 

 wooden boat that has been out of the water for several days will always 

 leak when first used subsequently. Wooden boats get water-logged 

 and become heavier, while the metal ones are unchanged, and they last 

 a long time. The cost of such a galvanized iron skiff as is here described 

 is about $25. 



We give a drawing of one belonging to William Wagner, of Wash- 

 ington, D. C, said to be the "best skiff on the marsh." 



It is of galvanized iron, strengthened by iron ribs (knees), with a 

 bead-like flange of tin 1 same material all around the side at the top. It 

 lias water-tight compartments at both ends, which would float it in ease 

 of an upset. It weighs about 100 pounds and costs about $25. The 

 following are the measurements: 



Feet. Inch ps. 



Length over all 10 



Width over all, widest part : 3 



Width on bottom, widest part 2 1 



Depth at ends ... ' 11£ 



Depth at middle 10 



From bow to seat G 3 



Width of seat 1 



Air-tight compartments at each end 23 inches long. 



These skiffs, although very "precarious" to the uninitiated, are quite 

 seaworthy in the hands of a skillful boatman, and are used also on the 

 river for duck-shooting. 



In getting into one of these little crafts for the first time the sensation 

 is one of insecurity, and the feeling is well expressed by the phrase in 

 common use, that "You must part your hair in the middle" to avoid an 

 upset. 



The sportsman gets in first and sits upon the middle seat, with his 

 guns and ammunition in front of him. lie should have two guns and 



