262 PEAIEIE AND FOREST. 



country between Minnesota and the Gulf of Mexico, during 

 the seasons of migration, splendid days' shooting can be 

 obtained ; but the stay of the birds is so short that it might 

 not compensate for a special visit. Where thousands are 

 to be seen to-day, not a dozen will be met to-morrow ; but 

 if you should happen in the spring and autumn to be in 

 either of the States of Illinois, Iowa, or Indiana, when the 

 frost and ice are breaking up in spring, or when winter 

 makes its first appearance, you may with safety calculate 

 on having some of the finest sport. A year or two since, 

 when in Illinois in November, a sudden change took place 

 in the weather, and although the morning was ushered in 



THE MALLARD. 



mild and warm, by noon it was snowing, with a gale of 

 wind blowing from the north. From experience I knew 

 that such a day was not to be wasted over the fire. I got 

 on my shooting-ground with a very large supply of ammu- 

 nition, and in two or three hours I had to cease, as my 

 stock was exhausted. My stand was in a field of Indian 



