DEEP-WATER FOWL. 271 



Chesapeake Bay and the North Carolma Sounds, and known as 

 " toling," is the most successful. It is as follows : A small dog, 

 an ordinary poodle, or one very much similar to that, white or 

 brown in color, and called the toler breed, is kept for the purpose. 

 It is trained to run up and down on the shore in the sight of the 

 ducks, directed by the motion of his owner's hand. The curiosity 

 of the ducks is excited, and they approach the shore to discover 

 the nature of the object which has attracted their attention. They 

 raise their heads, look intently, and then start in a body for the 

 shore. When within 40 yards or less, they stop and swkn back 

 and forth for a moment before they return. The dog lies low 

 when the ducks are approaching, and at the time when they pre- 

 sent their sides is the opportunity to rake the flock. Many ducks 

 then often fall before one gun. To prevent the dogs from disturb- 

 ing the ducks while they are toling, they are not allowed to go in 

 for the game, but the retrievers known as the Chesapeake Bay 

 dogs are used for this purpose. 



When the ducks become bedded, that is, gather in large bodies 

 in one place in open water, for feeding or resting, boats covered 

 with brush and weeds, and propelled silently by paddles, are used 

 by hunters to approach within shooting distance. The sportsman 

 rests upon his knees, in the boat, bending forward to conceal him- 

 self, when ducks are approaching. The arrangement of decoys, 

 and taking up the dead ducks, are matters of experience about 

 which no suggestions are needed. Canvas-backs do not drop as 

 mallards do, when alighting on the water, but sweep over the de- 

 coys, and circle round again, to alight, if their suspicions are not 

 aroused. The novice may lose his game by haste in firing as they 

 first approach, when by reserving his fire until they come the 

 second time, his chances are greatly improved. The moment of 

 bunching or crossing of the flock as it prepares to alight is the time 

 for the hunter to rise slowly and deliberately so as to create no 

 alarm. A second shot may often be made by taking things coolly, 

 as the ducks, seeing the decoys quiet, are reassured, and often do not 

 leave at the first shot. The big bags are made on rainy days when 

 the ducks are restless and are easily decoyed. Wounded ducks 



