2l8 GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



sink boat, or more properly box, is about six feet three inches long, 

 one foot two inches deep, two feet wide at the top, one foot eight 

 inches at the bottom. To this box is fastened a platform about 

 twelve feet long and seven feet wide, and to this platform is fas- 

 tened a frame covered with muslin, as follows : width at head, nine 

 inches ; width at sides, two feet. This box is carried to the shoot- 

 ing grounds by placing it on a boat, and is then anchored at head 

 and foot, head towards the wind. The shooter then places his 

 decoys at both sides and strings them towards the foot, so that the 

 decoys will form a V shape, anchoring most of his decoys on the 

 left, so that the ducks will come upon that side, as this is easiest 

 shooting. After this is done, the shooter gets into the box and 

 places weights in it, so that it will be sunk even to the water. He 

 then lies down in the box, with his face to the leeward, so that he 

 can see every dart made, and thus have an easy shot. When 

 ducks are plenty this is a most destructive contrivance, as the ducks 

 can see nothing until they get over the decoys, and then it is too 

 late, for at this moment the shooter rises up and pours in his deadly 

 fire. After the bunch of ducks have been shot at under these cir- 

 cumstances, they fly a long distance and do not alight within sight. 



Fortunately the laws in Maryland and Virginia are so stringent 

 that they are seldom violated except at a few places, and these 

 places are such that it is impossible to capture the violators, as 

 they are ever on the lookout. A severe law should be passed by 

 Congress on this subject, and that speedily. 



There are plenty of ducks, and good shooting can always be 

 had at a very slight expense of time or trouble. This can be 

 accomplished by the use of blinds. The blinds are made as fol- 

 lows. Select a place from a hundred to three hundred yards from 

 shore, at a point where the water is from three to ten feet deep, 

 and at good feeding grounds, if possible, then with a heavy 

 hammer drive four posts at a distance of from four to six feet apart, 

 forming a square. At a distance of about a foot above the highest 

 tides, connect these posts with inch stuff, and upon this lay a floor- 

 ing ; about three feet above this flooring, fasten strips both on the 

 outside and inside of these posts, and between these openings put 

 in cedar or pine, so as to conceal completely all the woodwork ; 

 then at the end of the blind nearest to the shore make a seat, so 



