54 MODES PURSUED FOR THEIR CAPTURE. 



might well imagine the locality deserted that yester- 

 day abounded with them. At a distance they 

 are easily recognised from other wild fowl, for 

 when on the water they never appear a moment 

 at rest, but continue incessantly diving. On the 

 wing they pursue their flight in the form of a 

 wedge. When wounded they dive to immense 

 depths, and if closely pursued in this crippled state, 

 and escape appears impossible, they will lay hold of 

 aquatic vegetation on the bottom, the strength of 

 their bill keeping the body attached to the weeds 

 long after life has become extinct. That water-fowl 

 are capable of such resolution as thus to become 

 suicides in preference to permitting themselves to 

 fall into the hands of their pursuers, I have often 

 heard doubted ; but this peculiarity is not only pos- 

 sessed by many Transatlantic ducks, but by several 

 of our home species. 



The modes pursued for their capture are nume- 

 rous. It is considered most sportsmanlike to shoot 

 them from stands at the hours of flight, as they pass 

 to and from their feeding-grounds. Such points of 

 land as project into the tidal portion of rivers, or lie 

 directly in the course of these broad-bills to and fro 

 during their flight, are much valued, and are gene- 

 rally strictly preserved, the owners inviting their 

 friends from far and near to participate in the sport ; 

 and such compliments are regarded by American 

 gentlemen in the same light as an invitation among 

 us to shoot over a well-stocked cover or moor. 



