BUNDS AND OTHER DEVICES. 56 1 



platform, to which the inner board is fastened by strong hinges ; 

 the rest of the wing, which is equal in width to the others, is of 

 cloth, and all the wings are joined together by angle-pieces of the 

 same material. A border of sheet lead three inches in height is 

 to be tacked completely around the outside edge of the box, and 

 inclined outwards like the flare of a boat, to throw off any Httle 

 ripple that might otherwise wash in the box. Across the head, 

 and about half way around the sides, where the tendency of the 

 waves to wash in is always the greatest, a second circular rim of 

 lead, four inches high, as a double precaution, should also be fast- 

 ened and flared like the other. This outside rim should be placed 

 about fifteen inches from the end of the box. Short pieces of rope 

 about six feet in length are fastened at each end about three feet 

 apart, to the cross timbers at the head of the box, to the middle 

 of which rope the anchor line is attached. A second anchor is 

 also sometimes used, which should be fastened to the foot of the 

 platform. This, however, except in very shallow water, is needless. 

 The whole is now to be painted as near the color of the water as 

 possible. From the position of the shooter in the box, it is evident 

 he can shoot only within very limited directions. The decoys must 

 be so arranged that ducks coming to them will approach in such a 

 manner as shall be most favorable for shooting. Not less than 

 one hundred decoys should be used, placed square to the right 

 fifteen yards, and to the left twenty-five yards, from this line nar- 

 rowing gradually to a point about ten yards to the left of a direct 

 line leeward, and at a distance of thirty-five yards from the sink ; 

 from this point three or four tolers ten to fifteen yards apart to 

 leeward, and inclined towards the direction the ducks mainly 

 approach from or pass by. Near the centre of this triangle, which 

 is the figure the flock now represents, the decoys should be scat- 

 tered a trifle more than at other places, and the ducks will en- 

 deavor to alight there. A few ducks should be fastened to the 

 platform of the sink. This manner of placing the decoys is the one 

 most favorable for sneak-box shooting. No matter on which side 

 ducks may be when they observe the decoys, they almost invari- 

 ably approach to alight against the wind. More decoys are set to 

 the left of the sneak, because it is much easier for the shooter to 

 swing his gun on that side. The shooter should be careful not to 



