206 WILD-FOWL SHOOTING. 
So long as the shooter confines himself to points 
of land or sedge, whether he uses decoys or awaits 
the accidental passage of the birds, he not only per- 
mits himselfa change of position and sufficient motion 
to keep his blood in circulation, but he allows the 
frightened flocks that have already lost several of 
their number in running the gauntlet, a secure 
retreat in the open waters, and undisturbed rest at 
meal time. And so long as this is granted them they 
will tarry, and trust to their sharp eyes and quick 
ears to save their lives; but when they cannot feed _ 
in peace, and when they can find no haven_of safety 
in the broad expanse of water, they will inevitably 
continue their migration, and seek more hospitable 
quarters. 
Wild-fowl shooting, as pursued at the West, or 
even at the South, is glorious and exhilarating ; 
there the sportsman has exercise, or the assistance 
of his faithful and intelligent retriever, and is re- 
quired to bring into play the higher powers of his 
nature. He manages his own boat, or he stands 
securely upon the firm ground, and if he has not a 
canine companion, chases his crippled birds and re- 
trieves the dead ones by his own unaided efforts. 
At the West, although the vast numbers do not 
collect that congregate in the Chesapeake Bay and 
Currituck Inlet, there is an independence in the 
mode of pursuit that has a peculiar charm; and from 
the facilities afforded by the nature of the ground, 
the excellent cover furnished by the high reeds, and 
the immense number of single shots, the average 
