AMONG THE WATER FOWL 



chusetts. This has meant many a watching with 

 hunters in the Duck-stands on various ponds, 

 chasing the Ducks on the ocean, or waiting in a 

 gunning-line for them to come to me. 



It is very exciting to watch the approach of a 

 flock to one of these "stands," or "bowers," on 

 the shore of a pond. The flock first flies over 

 and begins to circle around the pond. The live 

 decoys set up their hoarse clamor of invitation. 

 At length they splash down out in the middle of 

 the pond near the "blocks" or wooden decoys. 

 Looking cautiously about, they get their bearings, 

 and begin to listen to the decoys. They do not 

 always yield to the treachery, but when they once 

 are deceived they swim in a body at a rapid rate 

 right for the stand. Suddenly the guns, pointed 

 through loopholes, blaze out at a concerted signal 

 and there is meat for the hunters' table. A great 

 many are thus taken in the ponds of southeastern 

 Massachusetts and elsewhere. The best season is 

 throughout October, especially about the middle, 

 after a storm, when a cold northwest gale starts 

 up. How they will fly, flock after flock, not only 

 in early morning and late afternoon, as at ordi- 

 nary times, but all day. Many kinds will be found 

 represented in the number of the slain. 



Late in October the stands make ready for the 

 Canada Geese, some of them keeping large flocks 

 of tame Geese, bred from wild stock, for decoys. 

 Some of these decoys are wild birds that have been 

 winged by shot. In a few days such cripples will 

 become completely domesticated, and even eventu- 

 ally breed in captivity. November is the time for 



214 



