282 FEATHERED GAME 



thrown up by a powerful steel spring, then off 

 like a streak. It is next to impossible to get 

 within shot reach of him in a gunning float in 

 the open water, and it is not the easiest matter 

 to get at him in the marshes where there is 

 plenty of cover, for his hearing is of the quick- 

 est, his sight of the keenest, and every sense is 

 constantly on the alert. It seems as though his 

 sense of smell would detect an enemy more 

 surely than would another duck's eyesight. In 

 a mixed gathering of waterfowl society, to the 

 Black Duck seems given the full responsibility 

 of sentry duty — no mean compliment to his 

 ability. 



Probably the most of these birds which fall 

 a prey to the gunner's wiles are shot from 

 ''sink-boxes" and ''blinds" in the reed-grown 

 corners of fresh water ponds, using live decoys 

 to lure the birds on to their destruction. The 

 successful duck-shooter must be up betimes and 

 be ready to endure much discomfort, for he 

 must be at his position before daylight in order 

 to get the cream of the shooting, and, where 

 gunners are as numerous as in my section, a 

 late comer is apt to find every stand occupied. 



The decoys are placed before the blind, an- 



