150 WILD FOWL SIIOOTING. 
are entirely lacking in the shrewdness and caution 
displayed in the canvas-back and so frequently in the 
red-head. The blue-bills are the little salts of the 
open streams. Tough and hardy, loving rough and in- 
clement weather, they are found in the most turbulent 
weather floating on the crested waves, bobbing up and 
down with each swell, looking like big black corks, so 
far out are they in the open water. They are restless 
little fellows, and often fly without any definite idea of 
what they are flying for, or where they are going to. 
They simply like to be on the move, seemingly self- 
appointed committees of investigation whose duties are 
be on the go continuously. This is especially noticeable 
on stormy days, or when the wind blows strong and 
raw. On bright, warm, still days, when the sun beats 
mildly on the calm water, the prevailing-spirit of in- 
dolence, so catching to human life, is contagious with 
them, and they float idly on the surface of the open 
lake, or are carried down by the swift flowing current 
of some rapid river, huddled closely together ina black, 
blue, and white mass of soft feathers, with their heads. 
hugging their breasts with quiet contentment. 
I have seen them this way in the open Mississippi, 
carried along with the current, first approaching, then 
receding from the river bank, as the changing current. 
would swerve and turn from sand bars and ice. On, on, 
they would float, until time and tide would bring them 
near the habitation of man. They would see the houses 
along the shores, hear the busy hum of life and activity, 
the buzzing and rumbling of mills,—and away they go, 
flying up stream for miles, then quickly drop into the 
centre of the river, and float down as before. These 
manceuyres are common in the spring, just as the ice 
