426 DUCK SHOOTING. 



where this is the case, point shooting is not infrequently 

 had. The decoys are put into the water in the usual 

 way, but often their anchor strings have to be very long 

 to reach the bottom. The gunners conceal themselves 

 among the rocks on the shore. 



Early in the season, when the birds are gentle, or 

 again in spring, when they are more sociably inclined, 

 fair shooting can occasionally be had in this way, but 

 after it has been practiced for a little while, ducks avoid 

 the shore and rarely come up within shooting distance. 

 The birds commonly secured by this method are the 

 scoter and the long-tailed duck, though occasionally 

 broad-bills come to the decoys, and more rarely differ- 

 ent species of fresh-water ducks. 



A method of approach which can often be practiced 

 on diving birds is worth knowing. We have seen it 

 used successfully on whistlers and sheldrakes, and on 

 one or two occasions on old-squaws, which at high 

 water happened to be feeding near the marsh. Usually 

 it can be practiced only where the birds are single or 

 at least very few in number, so that occasionally all are 

 under water at the same time. 



When the- bird dives, the gunner runs toward it as 

 rapidly as possible, stopping before it comes to the 

 surface and standing perfectly still until the bird dives 

 again. Usually it takes a fraction of a second — time 

 enough for a man to halt — before the bird gets the 

 water out of its eyes and sees clearly, and this gives the 

 gunner the opportunity to stand quiet before he is seen 

 by the bird. Usually the bird does not notice the man 



