90 DUCK SHOOTING. 



Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota, as well as in the 

 prairies of the further West and about alkaline lakes 

 and pools on the high central plateau. Now, most 

 of the birds proceed further north to breed, and 

 Canada, the Hudson's Bay country and the shores of 

 the Arctic Sea are all occupied by it during the nesting 

 season. Dr. Brewer states that "it has been known in 

 rare instances to nest in a tree, in such cases occupying 

 a deserted nest of a hawk, crow or other large bird." 



The mallard is one of our typical fresh-water ducks. 

 It is rarely or never found on salt water, but, on the 

 other hand, is common on the lagoons along the south- 

 ern Atlantic coast which are brackish. Here it asso- 

 ciates with many other fresh-water ducks and is fre- 

 quently seen flying in company with black ducks, sprig- 

 tails, widgeons and other species. 



The mallard rises from the water by a single spring, 

 almost straight up in the air, and then flies upward at 

 a sharp angle, until it has reached a height of thirty or 

 forty feet, when it flies rapidly away. Its speed on the 

 wingf is considerable and when coming before the 

 wind it is necessary for the gunner to make consid- 

 erable allowance to hit it. When the mallard rises on 

 the water it usually utters several loud quacks of alarm, 

 and when associated in companies, as it usually is, the 

 birds keep up a more or less continuous conversation. 

 When flying, its attention is readily attracted by an 

 imitation of its note, and this call, made either with 

 the mouth or with an instrument known as a duck call, 

 is often used to lead it to observe the decoys. If it 



