GADWALL DUCK—GRAY DUCK. 1738 
little swifter, and they are often taken for the female 
mallard when shot at and this illusion is only dispelled 
after killing and picking the duck up. They decoy 
nicely in open ponds, whose shores are fringed with 
flags, grass or wild rice. Mallard decoys are best to 
use, except, of course, those of their own kind. These 
ducks I found plenty in the lakes of Dakota, in the 
early fall. In winter, they go south, and in late fall 
are found in abundance, seemingly more plenty than 
any other duck. Their call is very similar to a mallard’s 
being finer, shriller, and not so vibrating and resonant. 
No. 6 shot is the best size to use. These birds die 
easily, and when crippled are not hard to capture. 
