CORN-FIELD MALLARD SHOOTING. fal 
there are no shocks, throw an old rubber blanket on 
the ground, dress in yellow canvas or corduroy ; lie 
down flat, sprinkle stalks slightly over the limbs and 
body, and rise, shooting from a sitting position when 
firmg. Avoid, under all circumstances, building a 
high, conspicuous blind, for you are dealing with birds 
ever on the alert and always suspicious. Should the 
eround be covered with snow, your dress should be 
white. Suits worn by plasterers are the best on such 
occasions. Decoys may be used with great success, 
but don’t call to circling ducks. They do not want to 
be called into the corn-field, for while feeding, they do 
not call to one another. Depend more on your decoys, 
and when you think flying ducks will hear the sound, 
glue the end of your tongue to the roof of your mouth, 
and click to them. This is the noise they make in 
feeding. ‘The best blinds are pits dug into the ground 
as described in ‘* Canada goose shooting.” Dead ducks 
should be set up as decoys, as fast as killed, until one 
has quite a flock. Ifyou have no dog, start for a erip- 
pled duck before it strikes the ground. It is almost im- 
possible to find them in a corn-field when crippled. 
Everything looks alike. Nos. 4 and 5 are the best sizes 
of shot to use. The birds will usually be killed at 
long range, and good-sized shot and plenty of strong 
powder are necessary. Always have at hand some 
shells loaded for geese. This is also their feeding place 
and the time of year for them, and it will be no ocea- 
sion for surprise if you pick up two or three any time. 
