86 SHOOTING AT THE LEK. 



shooting-hut — or " screen," in which .to conceal himself, 

 as seen in the accompanying drawing-. 



Tliis "screen" generally consists of from ti\e to six 

 spruce-pine boughs, which, after being pointed at the 

 ends, are stuck slantingly in the ground opposite to each 

 other, so that the tops meet, and thus form a sort of roof; 

 or it may be of a small square inclosure fenced in by pine 

 branches laid lenifthwise on each other to a heisfht 

 sufficient to conceal the man when seated within it. Such 

 a " screen " has the advantage of being easy to construct, 

 and of not being liable to be blown away. 



If, however, one has complete control over the spot, 

 and that the soil be wet, the better plan, Ave are told, is 

 to sink a large tub some four feet in the ground, and 

 afterwards to roof it over with turf, leaving, of course, an 

 aperture for the admission of the fowler, as also several 

 loopholes through which he may lire, so that when 

 bushes are placed around the tub, the casual observer 

 would suppose it was merely a little eminence. But let 

 the " koja " be constructed in what Avay it may, it should 

 be in readiness during the preceding summer, so that the 

 birds may become accustomed to the sight of it. 



When the pairing season has arrived, the fowler 

 proceeds to his ambush at a very early hour in the 

 morning, whilst it is still quite dark ; and there he 

 patiently awaits the coming of the birds. These usually 

 make their appearance at the very first dawn of day, 

 and for the most part simultaneously ; and immediately 

 afterwards commence carrying on love affairs in the 

 manner recently mentioned. The cocks " spel " with 

 might and main, and either engage in fierce battles 

 Avith rivals, or pay their addresses to the hens, who are 

 not backward in meeting the advances of their lovers. 



So soon, however, as one or other of the'birds approach 

 sufficiently near to the man's place of concealment, he 



