268 DUCK-SHOOTING. 
land becomes meadow, and the meadow turns into 
swamp.” 
“T thought the Western lakes were growing 
shallow, and receding yearly.” 
“Not here, sir. Why, that long spit of reeds 
beyond Grassy Point was dry land once, so that 
you could drive a team clear over to Squaw Island ; 
there were large trees on it, but they are all dead, 
and the channel between it and the island is six 
feet deep.” 
‘“¢ All the better for us sportsmen. Have you any 
other valuable animals besides the rats?” 
“A few otter; but not many. No, sir; the 
ducks are the most valuable things we have.” 
“They will soon be killed off.” 
‘No, sir; as there is no shooting allowed in the 
spring they are becoming more plentiful. They are 
tamer, too; and some stay here all summer and 
breed. It was the spring shooting, when they were 
poor and thin, that killed them off or drove them 
away.” 
“How many birds can a good shot average daily 
the season through ?” 
“T think I can kill forty a day, but perhaps there 
are some men who can shoot better. But now, sir, 
if you will choose your stand, I will go a little way 
below.” 
I ensconced myself in a bunch of high weeds sur- 
rounded by a pond of open water, and killed a few 
mallards. The birds did not fly well, however, and 
we moved from place to place in the hope of better 
