104 IN THE HAUNTS OF 



break of dawn, the sportsman, warmly clad, embarks on waters 

 still reflecting the stars. By the time that shafts of pale yellow 

 and rosy light herald the rising sun, and reveal the woods streaked 

 with scarlet and yellow at the farther side of the bay, he should 

 be in position. That means he should be extended in a ' sink 

 box ' l with his 10-bore Greener across his knees. Painted decoys, 

 the counterfeit presentment of geese and brant done in wood, 

 should float around him to the number of forty or fifty. The best 

 guide of the bay, the trusty John, should have sculled the canoe 

 to the sand-spit, and have concealed his person behind one of 

 the ricks of salt hay frugally stacked for winter feeding. Then 

 there will come shots of a certainty. See ! There is an immense 

 body of birds far up the bay. The rising tide, coupled with a fresh 

 breeze that disturbs the water, is vexing them, as is evident from 

 their peevish and querulous tones. Sooner or later they will 

 rise and disperse. Presently some fisherman's sloop flying along 

 the tortuous channel puts them up. Hark ! There smites the ear 

 a mighty rushing sound like the roar of falling waters produced 

 by thousands of strong wings beating the air. A mixed multitude 

 of myriads of brant and geese swarm in the air, giving vent to shrill 

 calling notes. Streaming across the sky they resemble at first a 

 cloud, then a swarm of bees. 



The geese are discerned by their forming into single file, or 

 else into flights wedge-shaped like the letter V. The leader often 

 retires, and his place is taken by the next bird. 



Brant form into larger flocks, often of over a hundred birds. 

 The surest to decoy are lone birds, or else small flocks of three to 

 a dozen. Some of the moving host are sure to drift within range. 



It happens sometimes that a file of geese pass at such a height 

 that the whole cheat becomes evident. As they take in the human 

 form in ambush, they scold like a parcel of fishwives. Many flocks 

 make feints at the decoys, but sheer off playfully. Some will pass 

 on as if not seeing the decoys, and may be enticed back by careful 

 imitative calling, a subdued clucking. At length there is sure to 

 come, sweeping low over the water looming black, increasing in 

 size with astonishing rapidity as they come on at the speed of fifty 

 miles an hour, a flock of brant. They may wheel once or twice 

 sportively, showing the white underneath their bodies, but are surely 

 lured. Are they not quite certain that they have sighted comrades 

 enjoying a breakfast of tender roots of sea grasses ? Why should 



1 The ' sink box ' used is an oblong box long enough to recline in com- 

 fortably. It is weighted down with rocks, or lead bars, to the level of 

 the water, and steadied by means of canvas flaps on hinges. It is usually 

 painted a dull grey. 



