CORN-FIELD MALLARD SHOOTING WINTER. 171 



no advantage. The usual call-note is never to 

 be practised here, as it will only serve to frighten 

 the ducks, who never call when feeding in the 

 fields, but make a kind of low, chattering noise, 

 which from its sound seemingly implies content- 

 ment and happiness. 



Large shot, No. 2 or 3, Leroy's size, with heavy 

 charges of powder, should be used, and aim taken 

 at a thick bunch, if possible, where the chances 

 for breaking a wing or striking the head and neck 

 are increased. Wing-broken ones are usually easy 

 to secure, being killed by the fall, if the snow is 

 not deep ; and if not killed, they may be easily 

 tracked upon it, if running away. One of the chief 

 objections to this sport is its cruelty, so very many 

 ducks are hit that fly on to linger perhaps for 

 days in agony until relieved by death. 



Long shots are occasionally to be had at geese 

 and brant in the fields, as they frequently remain 

 roosting and feeding with the mallards long after 

 winter sets in. The brant are generally the first 

 to leave, the geese next, the mallards staying to 

 the last, some of them frequently the entire win- 

 ter, after the holes in the river freeze over, 

 roosting in the small spring-holes and creeks fed 

 by the same. 



