WILD-FOWL SHOOTING. 139 



the shooters, who, while sitting in their " cabin home " 

 with the whole range of the lake before them, can dis- 

 cover at its extreme end the first appearance of any 

 fowl. 



Along this wall of brush, at convenient distances, 

 are left little open port-holes, through which the hun- 

 ters put their double-barrelled shot-guns to shoot. 

 The sportsmen are so well covered and shaded by 

 the leaves of the trees, and their blind, that this can 

 be done without their being noticed by the game. 



On the edge of the lake, fastened by a string, are 

 placed live wild-geese decoys ; and, at a short distance 

 from these are placed the decoys for the wild ducks. 

 Some distance out toward the middle of the lake is a 

 row of wooden decoys for wild geese, looking quite 

 natural, with their tall necks erect, and apparently on 

 the qui vive for any danger. 



If geese come into the pond, they generally alight 

 near the centre, and take a view of their surround- 

 ings. After they have begun to feel a little at home 

 in the lake, the sportsmen begin to draw in their 

 wooden geese decoys toward the shooting-stand, and the 

 wild geese -will follow. The live decoys fastened at the 

 water's edge usually give them a reception by calling 

 and flapping their wings ; and every inducement is 

 offered for. them to swim in toward the shore. At 

 times, however, they are very wary, and it takes hours 

 for them to work up within range of the guns. 



At such times the hunters often adopt a plan, which 

 some call " toling in," and others " the ball game." 

 This consists in having a little hole made at the bot- 



