832 MANUAL OF MODEEX FARRIERY. 



cannot edge his boat ronnd some bending creek, which it is 

 not always in his power to do, he despairs of success that 

 night ; perhaps, however, he is more fortunate, and has the 

 satisfaction to hear the airy noise approach nearer, until at 

 length the host settles in some plain upon the edge of which 

 his boat is moored : he now, as silently as possible, primes 

 both his pieces anew, (for he is generally double-armed,) and 

 listens with all his attention : it is so dark that he can take 

 no aim, for if he could discern the birds they could also see 

 him, and being extremely timorous would seek some other 

 pasture. Though they march with noise, they feed in silence ; 

 some indistinct noise, however, if the night be still, issue 

 from so vast a concourse ; he directs his piece, therefore, 

 towards the sound, fires at a venture, and instantly catching 

 up his other gun, discharges it to wdiere he supposes the 

 flock to rise on the wing. His gains for the night are now 

 decided, and he has only to gather his harvest : he imme- 

 diately puts on his mud-pattens, (flat pieces of board, which 

 the fowler ties to his feet that he may not sink in the ooze,) 

 igno-rant yet of his success, and goes groping about in the 

 dark in quest of his boot}^ picking up sometimes many and 

 sometimes not one. 



During the time of long frosts, if going upon the water or 

 into the marshes after wild-fowl does not suit the shooter's 

 convenience or choice, by attending the brooks or small rivers 

 that are partially frozen early of a morning, and following 

 their course, he may frequently find diversion, and be almost 

 certain of meeting with wild ducks, searching both for food 

 and fresh water ; he will also be equally sure to get shots, 

 for tliey will not rise until he is close upon them. In ex- 

 treme severity of frost, with much and permanent snow, the 

 warm springs which do not freeze are spots that then seldom 

 fail, as the wild ducks are confined to these places, in order 



