136 FRANK forester's FIELD SPORTS. 



in the rentage of a company at a high rate. Maxwell's Point, 

 as well as some others up other rivers, and even farther down 

 the bay, are good places, but less celebrated than those I have 

 mentioned. Most of these points are let out as shooting grounds 

 for companies and individuals, and they are esteemed so valua- 

 ble that intruders are severely treated. 



" It has been ascertained that disturbing the fowl on the 

 feeding flats is followed in most cases by their forsaking those 

 haunts, and seeking others ; hence, in the rivers leading to the 

 bav near flying points, they are never annoyed by boat-shooting, 

 either by night or day, and although the discharge of guns from 

 the shore may arouse them for a time, they soon return ; 

 whereas a boat on sail in chase a few times, will make them 

 forsake a favorite spot for days. 



" From the great number of ducks that are seen in all direc- 

 tions, one would suppose that there could be no doubt of success 

 at any one of the points in the course of flight ; but whilst they 

 have such correct vision as to distance, and wide range of space, 

 unless attending circumstances are favorable, a sportsman may 

 be days without a promising shot. From the western side of 

 the bay — and it is there that the best grounds are found — the 

 southerly winds are the most favorable ; and if a high tide is 

 attended by a smart frost and mild south wind, or even calm 

 morning, the number of birds set in motion becomes inconceiva- 

 ble, and they approach the points so closely, that even a mode- 

 rately good shot can procure from fifty to one hundred Ducks a 

 day. This has often occurred, and I have seen eight fat Can- 

 vass-backs killed at one discharge into a flock, fuom a small gun. 



" To a stranger visiting these waters, the innumerable Ducks, 

 feeding in beds of thousands, or filling the air with their career- 

 ing, with the great numbers of beautiful white Swans resting 

 near the shores, like banks of driven snow, might induce him to 

 suppose that the facilities for their destruction were equal to 

 their profusion, that with so large an ol>ject in view, a sports- 

 man could hardly miss his aim. But when he considers the 

 great thickness of their covering, the velocity of their flight, the 



