264 GAME DEEP-WATER FOWL. 



take a direct course to the waters of the Chesa- 

 peake Bay and its confluent streams, rarely stop- 

 ping upon the way, and here remain feeding 

 upon their favorite food, the roots of the wild 

 celery, until driven further south by the increas- 

 ing cold weather. About Galveston Bay and the 

 mouth of the Mississippi they are very plenti- 

 ful, particularly if the weather on the Eastern 

 coast has been very severe. In spring, instead 

 of taking their roundabout course back north by 

 the way of the Chesapeake, many choose the more 

 direct route up the Mississippi, stopping here and 

 there along the back waters of this river and its 

 tributaries, where food may be found most abun- 

 dant ; and in proportion to the severity of the 

 previous winter at the East will they be found 

 here in greater or less profusion. 



