INLAND DUCK-SHOOTING. 123 



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those of the mallards, except that they seldom go to 

 the corn or grain fields for feed. 



Neither the red-heads nor any of the deep-water 

 ducks ever leave the water to feed; yet they often feed 

 close to the shore, where the water is not deep. They are 

 very fond of being in the lakes where the wild celery 

 grows, and where the mud-hens are so plentiful that they 

 seem to be in one another's way. Mud-hens are great 

 feeders, and wherever they are very numerous, there is 

 most sure to be good duck -shooting. 



The best places to hunt mallard-ducks are in the rice- 

 marshes, or, ' ' later in the season, after the rice is gone 

 and the farmers have gathered their corn," in the large 

 corn-fields which are to be found all over the West. If, 

 about the 15th or 20th of September, the hunter can find 

 a large rice-marsh, or, what is better, several of them 

 connected, where there is a good crop of rice, he is sure 

 to have fine shooting. The mallards are easily killed at 

 that time, and are apt to be in fine condition. The 

 hunter can station himself between two of the marshes, 

 or ponds, and have someone go around and stir up the 

 ducks. He will have many good shots at other ducks 

 besides mallards, as most of the wild ducks are fond of 

 wild rice. The blue- wing teal are very fond of it, and 

 may be found in the rice-marshes in large numbers. 



The hunter will need a good retrieving dog, one that 

 will keep a sharp lookout, as most of the ducks killed 

 will drop in the long rushes and grass. After the hunter, 

 or, if there are two or three shooting together, after 

 each has stationed himself, the one who is to stir up the 

 ducks starts out among the marshes. 



Now the hunter must keep his eyes about him, for he 

 does not know from which direction the ducks will come. 

 When he is on the lookout, here comes a pair of mallards. 

 They do not fly very fast, as they want to drop down to 



