WILD FOWL. 83 



" This common Duck is more generally known to our gun- 

 ners by the name of ' Broad-bill ' or ' Blue-bill.' According to 

 Willoughby, it takes its name from a certain small kind of shell- 

 fish on which it feeds. — Wilson. It is met with along the whole 

 extent of the Atlantic coast, and is a regular visitor along our 

 western lakes. It arrives among us from the 10th to the 20th 

 of October, associates in large flocks, and on its first appearance 

 is easily decoyed, but after having been frequently shot at, be- 

 comes more shy. In stormy weather it takes shelter in the coves, 

 and is frequently decoyed within gun-shot from the shore by 

 having a dog trained for the purpose of swimming between it 

 and the shore, as also by moving a red handkerchief every few 

 seconds, keeping your person concealed. This manoeuvre either 

 charms or irritates it — I am inclined to think the latter, from 

 the impetuous manner in which it approaches. The scene is 

 truly ludicrous. I have tried this method with other species 

 without success. It remains with us in the winter until the se- 

 verity of the weather compels it to leave for a better supply of 

 food. When passing over frozen bays, I have killed it at air- 

 openings. When wounded, it avoids pursuit by diving, and is 

 famous for skulking under the banks. It is no particular advan- 

 tage to have a large flock come up to the decoys, for the instant 

 you rise to fire, they scatter in all directions, so that it is diffi- 

 cult to get over two in range ; when a flock swims up to you, 

 as it occasionally happens, of course greater havoc is made. It 

 passes the night on the flats in large flocks, seldom or never 

 roosting on the marshes or meadows, and is very quick in dis- 

 covering the best feeding-grounds. In passing through the nar- 

 row ' leads,' — as the gunners term the natural creeks and channels 

 that foim those beautiful islands in our wide bays — to its favorite 

 feeding-grounds, it is easily killed without decoys. It returns to 

 us early in the spring, and remains until the mild weather 

 invites its vernal flight. When in good condition, its flesh by 

 many is esteemed. In flying, it seldom makes any other noise 

 than that produced by the action of its wings; but in calm wea- 

 ther, when swimming leisurely about, it gives utterance to a 



