274 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



before commencing their meal an example other travellers 

 would do well to imitate. But, as the night advanced, some 

 strangers are mixed with the throng. The dusky duck, 

 the bald pate, the pin- tail, the blue and green winged teal, 

 shoot past like arrows from a bow, the latter making, with 

 the rapid motion of their wings, a sound not unlike an un- 

 greased wheel or hinge. When the travellers are satisfied 

 with the neighbourhood, they dash down upon the water, 

 ceusing it to fly in spray for yards around, while the first 

 arrivals welcome the new-comers with innumerable quacks. 

 The report of a gun then will scarcely alarm them, and, if 

 they should rise, in a moment they will re-settle, doubtlessly 

 feeling security in their numbers. 



Tarry a little longer, friend, it may be too dark to shoot, 



but a better sight than all is yet before you ; be not impatient 



don't you hear that strange voice ? The geese are 



coming ay, and brant, too can't you hear their noisy 



chattering ? Move not an inch ; these fellows have two 



eyes, equal in excellence to the whole hundred of Argus' 



placed together. Soon a dark line is seen against the sky 



advancing directly to us. Honk ! honk ! honk ! comes 



from its different sections, doubtlessly inquiries from the 



leader as to the propriety of calling a halt. Keep close 



stir not, nor think of shooting, till they are over you. 



You cannot, perhaps, see them fall, but the splash they 



will make tells the tale. Another and another regiment 



of these worthies came in, till perfect Erebus enclosed us, 



and further shooting became impossible. Our dogs had 



ucen busy gathering the slain, and a noble bag we had. 



The thermometer continuing to fall, and the appearance of 



