46 



WITH BOAT AND GUN IN THE YANGTZE VALLEY. 



To set the box, first put out the wooden float to which are attached the two anchors; 

 then put the iron box in its place, i.e, the square hole, so that when the shooter is seated 

 his back is to the wind. Gradually place the cast-iron decoys until the box sinks down, 

 then let the shooter get in, and his additional weight brings the flanges to the float when 

 the box is secured to the float by four catches (marked II in diagram). When the box is 

 secured the shooter takes the cast-iron ducks out of the box and sets them on the float. 

 These serve as decoys ; they keep the box down, and are a hide for the head. The decoys 

 are then placed about 20 yards in a semi-circle in front of the shooter, as, with his back to 

 the wind, fowl must come towards him and slow up in order to alight. 



Section op Box when set. 



One man in a small boat, with extra gun to kill cripples, should be to leeward some 

 quarter of a mile, as both dead and wounded will go towards him. It is supposed that 

 when you come upon the ground there are a good many ducks about, when be careful not 

 to make the grievous mistake of firing away at once, or a whole day's shooting may easily 

 be spoiled. It is also supposed that the lowdah of your house-boat should be instructed 

 to sail about and keep putting the fowl up, but without either yelling or shouting. Then, 

 with a brace of l2-bore guns, loaded with iVz drams of powder, and I oz. No. 6 shot, and a 

 good man behind them, plenty of fowl on the lake and a little breeze, a fair day's bag 

 might reasonably run up to 250 ducks. 



