■WILD-FOWL SHOOTING. 263 



seen the Anas boschas, known as the wild drake or mallard ; the 

 Anas glacialis, south-southerly or long-tailed duck, with its sin- 

 gular and discordant notes ; and a few others. As the season 

 progresses, the cold blasts of the North bring down in regular 

 succession the sprightly little Anas mavilla, black-head or blue- 

 bill ; the cunning Anas Americana, American widgeon or ball-pate ; 

 the poaching Anas ferina, or red-head ; the wary Anas Canadensis, 

 or Canada goose ; the graceful Cygnus Americanus, or American 

 swan ; and, last, but not least, the Anas valisineria, or canvas-back. 

 Now it is that the waters of the Chesapeake are filled to repletion 

 with the armies of ducks that collect on the flats and shoals where 

 the juicy blades of the valisineria flourish in the greatest pro- 

 fusion. Now it is that the shores are thickly strewed with the 

 remnants of this aquatic plant, pulled up from its soft bed. Now 

 it is that the waters of the bay are darkened by the flights of the 

 winged host travelling hither and thither in search of food. Now 

 it is that the ordinary quiet employments of the residents of these 

 regions teeming with abundance are abandoned for the more 

 exciting and lucrative occupation of duck-shooting. Every old 

 musket and rusty fowling-piece is brought into immediate requisi- 

 tion. All is bustle and confusion among the duckers ; and now it 

 is that the neglected water-dog, who has wandered idly about, 

 uncared-for and unfed, for the past nine months, is called familiarly 

 and even kindly to the heels of his selfish master. The bay shore 

 for miles and miles, long before the daAvn of day, is alive with 

 shooters ; and every point is occupied with eager marksmen, who 

 stand prepared with murderous weapons to give a passing volley 

 to every canvas-back that heedlessly ventures within range. The 

 before quiet and peaceful shores of the bay now resound with the 

 deafening volleys of the toling parties concealed behind the various 

 blinds erected along the banks, while the guns from the boats and 

 masked batteries send booming over the placid waters their echoing 

 notes of death and destruction. The wary canvas-backs, startled 

 in every quarter, fly here and there, scarcely knowing where to 

 repose in safety or feed in peace. 



