SHOAL- WATER FOWL, 26? 



As to tlie supply of ammunition that " goes without saying," 

 and as no one would make a secondary matter of this, it may be 

 safely left for each one to please his fancy in this respect. 



A pocket compass is indispensable to avoid trouble, for in 

 ihick marshes upon cloudy days the direction of the camp is other- 

 wise difficult to find. A man used to the woods is not easily lost ; 

 there are many signs which guide him in his course, but so many 

 accidents may occur that it is prudent to have a compass on all 

 occasions. A " pocket pistol" charged with the best quality of 

 any good spirit may be needed in case of sickness. As a safe- 

 guard against chills, there should likewise be a supply of quinine 

 on hand. Little hunting should be done before breakfast, and the 

 coffee sliould be made hot and strong. The drinking of impure 

 water is to be carefully avoided. Lastly, woollen flannel under- 

 clothing will be found a great protection in warding off ague. 



SHOAL-WATER FOWL. 



The species of fowl which frequent shoal water have been 

 already mentioned ; but a short description of the principal varie- 

 ties may be of interest. 



Th^ Mallard,— This is a handsome bird, 24 inches in length to 

 the end of the tail when full grown ; the extent of the wings is 36 

 inches, and the weight is about 3 pounds. The male is marked 

 ^s follows: The bill, greenish-yellow; iris, dark brown; feet, 

 3range-red ; head and neck, deep green, with a ring of white about 

 the middle of the neck ; fore part of the chest, chestnut brown ; 

 fore part of back, yellowish-brown and grey ; the rest of the back, 

 brownish-black ; the rump, black, with purplish and green shad- 

 ing ; the wings are greyish brown, with a " beauty spot" of purple 

 and green, edged with black and white on ten or more of the 

 secondaries; breasts, sides, and belly, pale grey, shaded with dark 



