DUCK SHOOTING. 243 



from the trouble it gave us we both, supposed it 

 to be a canvass-back, but after being killed at 

 last by a snap shot, it proved to be a black- 

 head.* 



Fred continued in the box during the whole 

 afternoon, and as far as our remembrance serves 

 us, did not miss a single duck. At sun-down we 

 pushed off from the scow to " take up." While 

 securing the decoys, a canvass-back darted twice 

 between the boats and the battery, and return- 

 ing a third time was killed by our city friend 

 who was still in the box. We have often ob- 

 served this sort of infatuation in the most wary 

 and shy of the feathered race ; time after time 

 in the falcon tribe, and even in the common 

 crow. We have shot hawks in close pursuit of 

 woodpeckers and other small birds in an open 

 field, and in one instance, after witnessing from 

 the barn-yard a very interesting chase between 

 the Falco Columbarius and a tame pigeon, 



* It is remarkable that a dog accustomed to retrieving ducka 

 from the water, will give over the chase after a crippled canvass- 

 back, as soon as he perceives the object of his pursuit is able to 

 make a long stretch or two beneath the surface. Experience has 

 taught him that all his skill and sagacity are thrown away, when 

 brought into competition with this cunning and powerful duck. 

 The large channel black-heads, or those which frequent the bay, 

 are almost as long breathed and as deep divers. 



