246 WILD FOWL SHOOTING. 
flock did the same, then another, and still another. 
That settled it. I knew they were dropping in on their 
feeding ground. I marked the place, although fully a 
mile from us; crossed the river, and, throwing the de- 
coys over our backs, we started for the ducks. It was 
a mystery to my companion how we were to find them, 
since nothing was to be seen, except a dense forest of 
trees: but I had marked they were lighting directly 
west of two large oak trees, how far of course I could 
not guess. Going directly to these trees, we started 
due west, and soon heard the anticipated quack. Con- 
tinuously moving forward, we caught a glimpse of the 
pond, where they were enjoying their midday picnic. 
Such a sight ! The pond covered about four acres, 
and to this time, the ducks were in complete possession 
and control of it. They were scattered in bunches, 
ranging in numbers from three to fifty, all mallards. 
Some with heads hidden underneath their wings were 
floating serenely, and dreaming idly of what ducks 
usually dream ; others were preening themselves, now 
rising on their feet and fluttering their wings, while 
great drops of water were shaken from their shining 
bodies ; still others were swimming to and fro, advance- 
ing and receding as if to forma better acquaintance 
with their neighbors. On the banks some sat idly, 
half asleep, basking in the warm sun, while near them 
their companions were tipping up in the shallow water, 
performing acrobatic feats. First their glossy green heads 
with their plump bodies would be on the surface, then 
presto ! their heads would disappear and their white 
and purple tails would point upward, while their bills 
were hidden under water and mud, searching for the 
ever welcome acorn. 
