14 ON THE WING. 



torn of the hedge or blind, and rolling a ball through 

 to the edge of the lake, for a little spaniel dog, trained 

 to the work, to follow and bring in. The wild fowl 

 are attracted by the dog's manoeuvres as he frolics 

 and jumps along the shore. Their curiosity once 

 excited, they swim in to see what pleases the little 

 animal so much. Meeting, as they do, the living de- 

 coys, they often come boldly within twenty yards of 

 the shooting-blind, where the double-barrelled shot- 

 guns are ready to pour in upon them a heavy volley of 

 shot, from which but few can escape. In such cas.es, 

 each shooter has an extra double-gun, in order to pick 

 up the wounded fowl, and, if possible, to get another 

 shot at the others on the wing. 



Some of the ducking parties, while on these hunts, 

 employ their time in working at their trade of shoe- 

 making. By having one of their company detailed 

 to watch for wild-fowl a certain number of hours 

 each day, relieved in turn by others, they are sure to 

 be ready at the first call to shoulder arms. At such 

 times, the lapstone and strap drop remarkably quick, 

 and the attention of the whole party is directed to 

 other business than that of making shoes. 



CANVAS-BACK DUCK (Anas vallisneria}. 



This far-famed water-fowl of the wild duck species 

 is exclusively a native of this country, and is justly 

 celebrated on account of the delicious flavor of its 

 flesh. 



Canvas-back ducks are found in many of the South- 



