262 WILD FOWL SHOOTING: 
advancing civilization. In former days, they were often 
found, though not associating with, yet in the same 
open waters, lakes and ponds where ducks resorted for 
food. They are exceedingly shy and hard to decoy, 
usually flying high over land, and pitching down al- 
most vertically, when inclined to alight in some feeding 
ground, or unexposed water. They are entirely lack- 
ing in inquisitiveness, and therefore decoy poorly. The 
mere fact that what appears to be a large number of 
their kind, resting quietly in great security, in some 
quiet retreat, makes but little difference to their know- 
ing minds. They rely on their individual senses, and, 
if things appear all right to them, singly and collective- 
ly, well and good, if not, the matter is at once settled, 
and shying off, they utter their familiar ‘“ Ah-le,” 
* Ah-le,” and avoid places the least suspicious. 
Because of the uncertainty of decoying them decoys of 
their own kind will not pay for the making. Canada 
(seese decoys answer the purpose, placed in stubble fields 
as directed in article on ** Wild Goose Shooting,” but the 
hunter will find them wary and hard to get, under all 
circumstances. The best way and the most successful 
is when one is shooting mallards on the edge of a vast 
field of wild rice, or hidden in one’s boat in the same 
kind of blind. Keep a sharp look-out for them at all 
times, and early in the morning, in the dim gray light ; 
or, at even-time, when the day is dying, their big 
phantom forms will loom up boldly against the sky, 
and they can easily be killed. Of course, these are only 
chance opportunities ; but bear in mind, that is the way 
to get them, by chance, for they cannot be found in 
sufficient numbers to afford amusement to the hunter 
who is out for success, as well as for recreation. Nos. 
