78 NATUBAL HISTORY SKETCHES. 



old poacher, who had often used it with success when 

 nailing pheasants on the perch at home. 



One season I killed a good many birds to stuffed decoy- 

 ducks floated on a piece of board, and kept in their 

 place with a string and a stone. We used them on the 

 Swedish coast for eider-duck, and called them " boul- 

 van." They answered very well in the daytime in any 

 clear open water which the ducks used, where there was 

 good shelter for the gun. Any ducks passing over would 

 pitch to them ; but it is wonderful how soon they discover 

 the deception, and you must fire as soon as ever they 

 settle on the water. A fresh-killed duck set up in a 

 natural position, with forked sticks, in some respects 

 answers better, as it retains the natural smell. I always 

 made it a rule to fire directly I got three in a line, no 

 matter how many birds were scattered upon the water ; 

 for in this sport delays are dangerous. I have often 

 killed six or eight couple of ducks in a day to stuffed 

 decoy-birds. 



The swamp-hawks were my greatest annoyance; for 

 many a time when I have been just getting ready for a 

 good shot, an old swamp-hawk has come sailing over and 

 sprung the ducks ; and if ever I left my decoy-birds on 

 the water to go to another hole to see if there were any 

 ducks, I was sure to find one, if not more, of my stuffed 

 birds torn to pieces by the hawks. 



Eley's cartridges are dear out here, three shillings 

 and sixpence per dozen ; but I am not sure that a duck- 

 shooter would not gain by always using a green one in 



