152 GAME AND ITS PROTECTION. 



myriads of migratory flocks, the mind would be 

 astonished ; and it would seem impossible ever to 

 reduce their numbers. This is to a certain degree 

 true; for so long as the lagoons of the South shall 

 remain undisturbed, and the shores of the bays and 

 rivers unoccupied to any great extent, this abun- 

 dance of the migratory birds will continue. 



But who can tell how long this will last ? The 

 methods of destruction are being perfected, the 

 number of destroyers is increasing, until now the 

 reverberation of the fowling piece accompanies the 

 water-fowl from the rocky shores of Maine to the 

 sandy coasts of North Carolina with the unceasing 

 roar of threatened death. Twenty years ago, and 

 "batteries," as they are 'called, the sunken floats 

 which are the most fatal ambushes of the gunner, 

 were almost unknown south of Havre de Grace; 

 now they are so abundant throughout the waters of 

 North Carolina that the migratory bird is never 

 out of ear-shot of them during his entire journey. 



It would be better for the permanence of wild- 

 fowl shooting never to use batteries where fair sport 

 can be obtained from points or blinds. Ducks, 

 geese, and, above all, swans have great faith in the 

 sharpness of their eyes and the acuteness of their 

 noses. Dangers that they can see they are rather 

 tempted to scorn.. They learn to shun points 

 where man may conceal his murderous propensities, 

 and are not to be inveigled by the apparent security 

 of the deceitful likenesses of themselves which are 

 innocently nestling near by. They seek the safety 



