FOWL SHOOTING. 135 



that I have seen Canvass-backs burst open in the breast when 

 falling on the water ; and spending less time in feeding, they 

 pass up and down the bay from river to river, in their morning 

 and evening flights, giving, at certain localities, great opportu- 

 nities for destruction. They pursue, even in their short passa- 

 ges, very much the order of their migratory movements, flying 

 in a line, or baseless triangle ; and when the wind blows on the 

 points which may lie on their course, the sportsman has great 

 chances of success. These points or courses of the Ducks are 

 materially affected by the winds, for they avoid, if possible, an 

 approach to the shoi'e ; but when a strong breeze sets them on 

 to these projections of the land, they are compelled to pass with- 

 in shot, and often over the land itself 



" In the Susquehanna and Elk rivers, there are few of these 

 points for shooting, and there success depends on approach- 

 ing them while on their feeding-grounds. After leaving the 

 eastern point at the mouth of the Susquehanna and Turkey 

 Point, the westera side of the Elk River, which are both mode- 

 rately good for flying shooting, the first place of much celebrity 

 is the Narrows, between Spesutic Island and the western shore. 

 These narrows are about three miles in length, and from three 

 to five hundred yards in breadth. 



"By the middle of November, the Canvass-backs in particu- 

 lar begin to feed in this passage, and the entrance and outlet, as 

 well as many intermediate spots, become very successful sta- 

 tions. A few miles further down the western shore is Taylor's 

 Island, which is situated at the mouth of the Rumney, and 

 Ab^ey Island at. the mouth of Bush River, which are both cele- 

 brated for Ducks, as well as Swans and Geese, These are the 

 mc^st northerly points where large fowl are met with, and pro- 

 jecting out between deep coves, where immense numbers of 

 these birds feed, they possess great advantages. The south 

 point of Bush River, or Legoe's Pohit, and Robbin's and Rick- 

 ett's Points, near Gunpowder River, are fruitful localities. Im- 

 mediately at the mouth of this river is situated Carroll's Island, 

 which has long been known as a great shooting ground, and is 



