BLUE-WINGD TEAL. 187 



page 68 in mallard shooting. Bear in mind to 

 set the decoys in such a position that they may 

 show to best advantage ; advice on the subject 

 of decoying will be found in the chapter under 

 that head. 



Capital sport may be had "jumping them," 

 as it. is called, after they are routed from their 

 feeding-ponds and during the middle of the day, 

 when they may be found sitting in small parties 

 or singly in the edge of the rice which borders 

 some favorite stream. A very light paddle-boat 

 is generally used. If two go together, one shoots 

 while the other propels the boat ; it is usual, 

 however, for one to hunt by himself, in which 

 case he must, of course, do his own paddling. 

 He should sit or kneel near the stern, with his 

 gun in front of him, and in proper position to 

 be seized instantly on the bird rising, and paddle 

 quietly yet quickly, keeping as near the edge of 

 the rice as possible, yet taking care not to allow 

 the boat to graze any of the stalks, which might 

 alarm the game. He should be constantly on his 

 guard to detect any movement of his game, and 

 instantly, on the bird's rising, he should drop 

 the paddle, no matter whether in or out of the 

 boat, and be ready to shoot as soon as need be. 



