3o8 DUCK SHOOTING. 



the box and puts the decoy in the basket. "Twenty- 

 three," instantly rejoin both S. and H., "and one crip- 

 ple, which makes twenty-four," "and this beats any shot 

 of the season," he rejoins, at the same time seating him- 

 self and commencing to fill his pipe. After such a big 

 shot a great many wise remarks are volunteered, a great 

 many suggestions made which are to apply to the fu- 

 ture, but the future always brings with it an enormous 

 amount of vitality. As this conversation was vehem- 

 ently progressing a flock of seven brant came up behind 

 the box, caught sight of the decoys, swung round twice ; 

 but as the tide was nearly off the flats, and as they 

 rarely light except in water, it was thought best to 

 "give it to them." Four fell dead, while a fifth dropped 

 too wide out to be recovered. This was the last shot, 

 and as the other parties had long since gone in, Reno 

 concluded to "take up." The dead birds are tied in 

 bunches, and thrown over their shoulders or across the 

 guns, and, amid mutual congratulations, the party 

 proudly set out for the shanty. 



Only four shots were fired at the Gravel. At first 

 a flock of nine brant came and alighted near the point 

 of the bar, and as they "bunched up" five of them were 

 murdered in cold blood. Then a pair whirled round 

 over the bar, apparently reconnoitering, but this temer- 

 ity cost them their lives. The third shot was at a big 

 loon (Gavia iinbcr), by George, and he was hand- 

 somely knocked down at eighty-three yards. A lone 

 sheldrake closed the morning's work, and the party 

 retired. As soon as Reno entered the shanty he asks : 



