272 



AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING. 



form or flaps, in order to induce the teams or paddlings 

 to come as near as j^ossible. Tlie greater portion of the 

 decoys ought to be anchored to the leeward, as ducks, in 

 the majority of cases, swing to the wind before alighting, 

 and sail or float for a short distance before tliey strike 

 the water to rest. This habit brings them into the most 

 favorable position for the wild-fowler, as he can handle 

 his gun with greater readiness to the left than to the 



FLOAT, OR SINK-BOX. 



right, and, as a matter of course, make larger bags. I 

 have known a man to kill forty-seven with four l^arrels, 

 before the ducks could fairly get on the wing, and tlie 

 same individual claimed to have shot two hundred and 

 eighteen in a day, from a blind. Wlien the wooden de- 

 coys arc ''planted," each ought to be anchored by means 

 of a piece of lead, weighing four or five ounces, and be at- 

 tached to the box hj a fine, strong line. Dead and wing- 

 tipped ducks make capital decoys, especially the latter. 



