176 KANKAKEE. 



proclaims the advent of Spring, and is therefore a 

 welcome visitor. It would scarcely be wrong to hint 

 that its excellence on the table has also, perhaps, 

 something to do with its popularity. 



It is found widely spread through both Northern 

 Europe and America. As these ducks are very shy, 

 it is seldom that the sportsman is successful in kill- 

 ing them in great numbers. Of one thing, however, 

 he may be certain, that the more severe the weather 

 the greater will be the probability of his success 

 when out in their pursuit. 



In the north-western portion of Illinois, there is 

 an extensive stretch of wild land, which has not 

 presented sufficient attractions to induce the emi- 

 grant, or the tiller of the soil, to undertake its 

 conversion into corn-fields and pasture-lands. One 

 reason for this apparent remissness doubtless is, 

 that it lies so low that drainage could not be 

 accomplished without an outlay far greater than is 

 generally within the means of the precursors of 

 civilisation for even the American squatter, capable 

 as he is of submitting to any amount of discomfort 

 and privation, objects to his cabin being turned into 

 a raft, and to himself and children being compelled 

 to live like water-rats. Up in the Kankakee country, 

 to which I allude, the visitor may succeed in obtaining 

 an extensive view, uninterrupted in any direction by 

 the works of man. I have spent weeks in this 

 isolated region, alone with a companion, who knew 

 not either to lie or cheat, whose eyes spoke what 



