ICE HOLE SHOOTING. 447 



flock will go out and disport themselves, romping and 

 playing tag as it were, having a big time generally for 

 an hour or so, returning of their own volition when 

 ready. In giving them liberty, as above, always see to 

 it that one of their number is tethered, as they are then 

 less likely to stray. With regular feeding and plenty 

 of exercise, a decoy will keep in excellent condition the 

 season through. There is amusement in watching 

 their many antics. For instance, one habit they have is 

 to pitch into the decoy that has just been released from 

 its tether, the instant it is returned to the coop, and the 

 scramble that regularly takes place on these occasions 

 is ludicrous, each one trying to thump the luckless indi- 

 vidual and all squawking and tumbling about the coop 

 in wild confusion. 



Why they should wish to vent such spite is beyond 

 my comprehension, but such is the case, and at each 

 change of decoys the scene is repeated with never-fail- 

 ing regularity. When fowl are moving, the sport from 

 such a blind is fine, as they come right up until one can 

 see their eyes twinkle. 



ICE HOLE SHOOTING. 



It is well understood that there are a number of spe- 

 cies of ducks which do not migrate so long as there is 

 open water in which they can feed. On many streams 

 in the Rocky Mountains, where there is rough and tur- 



