74 WILD FOWL SHOOTING. 
tops, looking fora cozy retreat occupied by their kind ; 
or suddenly caught by the stormy wind, veer to one 
side, carried quite a distance before being able to re- 
cover themselves, when again they advance as before. 
The shrieking wind, the blinding snow, the wild day, 
will cause many a beginner to hesitate about going 
out at such atime. Butifit causes him to hesitate 
it also removes suspicion on the part of the ducks, 
as if they thought that on such a day they would 
be unmolested. The young duck-hunter must be 
brave, willing to endure cold and exposure, re- 
membering that although the wind may blow, the 
snow drift, and the air filled with the falling flakes, 
in the deep woods it comes down gently through 
the tall trees, and there all is quiet, and the for- 
est is a solitude indeed. He should dress warm. 
It seems impossible on a day like this for one to 
be too warmly dressed. Discard style, let your only 
desire be comfort. Wear a hat, its broad brim will 
protect your ears, your face, and neck, and it will keep 
the snow from coursing down your body in tiny but 
unpleasant rivulets. Put on plenty of flannels. Your 
shirt should have a large collar, and around your neck 
wear a warm soft woolen scarf. Wear woolen gloves, as 
any other kind soon become wet and useless ; if of wool 
they can be wrung out, and unless the day is very cold, 
which it won’t be if snowing, they are not uncomfort- 
able if a little wet. At such times I prefer shooting 
bare-handed. Wear clothes of some neutral color, as 
near the color of the forest as you can, not too dark, 
dark objects are always conspicuous, a lead or “ pepper 
and salt” is about the thing. Don’t be afraid if a little 
snow covers your hat. White is the prevailing color 
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