226 DUCK-SHOOTING. 
longer and exposed to excessive cold, their germi- 
nating principle would be annihilated. 
Wood-ducks are fond of them in their unripe 
state, and frequent the marshes, especially in the 
early fall, to procure a supply. With a view to 
nuts and grapes for dessert, I paused to gather a 
number of pods, and was carelessly pushing along, 
when from out a bunch of weeds, with a great clat- 
ter, sprang a couple of those birds. Dropping the 
setting-pole, I threw myself forward to seize the 
gun; but for this shooting, infinite practice and 
great aptitude are required; and although well 
accustomed to kill rail from the floating cockle- 
shells on the Delaware river, and able to take one 
end of a birch canoe with any man, I was bun- 
glingly in my own way, and, when at last one 
barrel was discharged, a shameful miss was the 
only result. Anathematizing my awkwardness, I 
was dropping the butt to reload, when, roused by 
the report, another bird sprang not more than 
twenty yards off. In an instant the gun was at 
my shoulder, and, when the fire streamed forth, 
the bird doubled up, riddled with shot, and pitched 
forward into the weeds. It was a drake, and, al- 
though young, the plumage was resplendent with 
the green, brown, and mottle of the most beau- 
tiful denizen of our waters—the elegant wood- 
duck. 
Several more rose, far out of range, before the 
lilies were passed and my destination in the open 
channel reached. Stopping on the brink of the lat- 
