550 DUCK SHOOTING. 



Sometimes double batteries — to be used by two men 

 — are employed. 



Boxes are sometimes made about four feet square 

 at the water's level, and four feet deep, the sides slop- 

 ing inward toward the bottom, so that there the box 

 is only about eighteen inches square. There is a small 

 platform, and there are small wings, a seat, and a shelf. 

 There is abundant room to get down out of sight if the 

 birds are coming. 



A better notion of the battery and its constructions 

 will be had by referring to the plans and specifications 

 given herewith. The gunner's comfort depends large- 

 ly on the box, and it should, therefore, be constructed 

 of the best material — that is to say, of white pine or 

 white cedar — and be absolutely tight. The ends of the 

 box may be of the same material as the sides, but 

 should be thicker. Sometimes the ends are made of 

 white oak, one and a half inch thick. Running 

 across the platform at the head and the foot of the 

 box, are two oak timbers firmly bolted to either end 

 of it. These should be six inches longer than the plat- 

 form is wide, and should project three inches on either 

 side, thus offering some support to the side wings, and 

 not leaving the hinges to bear all the strain. The plat- 

 form should be well fitted and tight, and battens may 

 be nailed across the boards at either end of the plat- 

 form, and one on either side of the box, running out 

 to the edge of the platform, and firmly braced to the 

 box by angle irons. 



In old times the wings were made of boards hinged 



