WILD DUCKS AND WESTERN DUCK-SHOOTING. 177 



are those which have stopped with us to breed, 

 and the broods they have produced. There is no 

 great abundance from the arrivals until pretty 

 sharp frosts have set in, which is generally about 

 the middle of October, but some seasons not till 

 later. Still the main body seems to hold off, 

 and it is not until cold weather has set in 

 fairly that the ducks come in vast numbers. Then 

 they may be heard all night flying to the south- 

 ward in large flocks, and a great many alight 

 and tarry by the way. Sometimes the whole 

 country appears to swarm with them. In places 

 on the prairies and the great pastures where 

 corn in the ear is dumped down by wagon- 

 loads to feed bullocks, I have seen acres 

 thickly covered with Canada geese, brant geese, 

 mallards, and pintails. As a rule, shooting is not 

 allowed in such places, because it scares the 

 cattle ; but the owners and herdsmen have some- 

 times shifted their droves to another place, in 

 order to give me a chance to shoot the wild 

 fowl congregated thereabouts. Then I have had, 

 grand spots. 



The fall ducks remain until th^e country is 

 mostly frozen up ; and in an open fall they are, 

 with us in large numbers until nearly Christmas. 



