248 WILD FOWL SHOOTING. 
rising, we fired together at the frightened birds. The 
overhanging willows and the sloping bank hid from 
our view many that were near to us, and our first barrels 
were hurriedly fired at those that jumped from the centre 
of the pond. ‘The loud roar of the guns threw all, both 
wakeful and sleeping ducks, into the greatest consterna- 
tion, and they displayed remarkable activity and skill 
in trying to get away from the pond. As they rose from 
their bed of indolence, the flapping of their strong 
wings emitted sounds similar to a rushing train of cars. 
My companion hastened to secure the fallen birds, and 
shoot the escaping cripples, while I hurried to place 
our wooden decoys in the water. Much to our surprise 
we had killed but five. The decoys out, we were soon 
secreted behind our temporary and hastily constructed 
blind. 
Had we openly walked up to the pond, and driven 
them out without shooting, no doubt more of them 
would have returned, but we were hurrying down the 
river, and time was literally flying, and we felt the neces- 
sity of quickly improving any chances we had. The ducks 
soon commenced to return, and with bowed wings or 
timid circling they would come within reach of our choke- 
bores. Wary at first, their suspicions were soon lulled 
into a feeling of confidence when they heard our wel- 
come call, as we imitated their well-known cries. It was 
a delightful place to shoot, the bright western sky 
bringing out their shining bodies in grand _ relief, as 
they flew over the decoys, high in the air ; then flying 
off as if intending to depart and never return, but 
quickly turning when our tremulous beseeching cry 
would reach the ear of the drake leading the flock. It 
was too enticing for him, and seeing our decoys wait- 
