96 FRANK forester's FIELD SPORTS. 



among us about the middle of October, and remains until about 

 the middle of April. It is a heavy-bodied bird, and well sup- 

 plied with down. When in full plumage, a heavily laden gun 

 is required to stay its onward course. When numerous, on the 

 south shore of Long Island, the gunners watch a favorable 

 opportunity, when the surf is down, and with fifteen or twenty 

 boats, form a line about two or three gun-shots apart. In this 

 way it is difficult for a flock to avoid one or the other of the 

 boats. Those used for this pui-pose are light skiffs, containing 

 generally but one person, as the object is to have the boats light, 

 in order that they may ride the waves with safety. 



" This manner of shooting should be practised only by expe- 

 rienced baymen, for if the wind comes in suddenly from the 

 south, as sometimes happens, it causes the surf to rise. On 

 such occasions, even the most skilful are occasionally drowned. 



" In water fowl shooting, a very general error is practised 

 in using too heavy lead. I have noticed it particularly with 

 this species, having often seen the bird strike the water, color- 

 ing it for a space with blood, yet still dive and swim off vigor- 

 ously. This may be accounted for by the large shot lacerating 

 the flesh in such a manner, that when it escapes the vitals, the 

 bird is relieved by bleeding. Lighter lead makes a smaller 

 wound, which instantly closes, thus depriving it of such relief. 

 When using smaller shot, you have also a better chance for 

 hitting your mark, as a larger number of pellets is contained in 

 the same weight." 



THE SURF DUCK, OR BLACK DUCK. 



Fuligula Perspiculata. — Vulgo, Spectacle Duck — Coot. 



Abundant from Nova Scotia to Maryland in winter, moving 

 southward even to the mouths of the Mississippi in severe weath- 

 er. Breeds from Labrador, northward. The flesh, like that of 

 the last species, is coarse and fishy. Like the last and foUowhig 



