252 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



THE MALLARD. 



In my protracted rambles about the world, I know 

 no portion where the mallard cannot be found. I 

 have always been passionately fond of wild-fowl shoot- 

 ing, and the bags that I have made in the United 

 States and Canada of this noble bird far exceeded 

 ^ those obtained elsewhere. As wild-fowl are nearly all 

 migratory by inclination, or are compelled to be so 

 from the changes of the seasons, it is of great im- 

 portance that you should visit the various haunts at 

 the proper periods of the year. However, the rule is, 

 for successfully carrying on war against the web-footed 



t families, go north in summer and south in winter. In 

 June, July, and August, the wild rice fields of the 

 numerous labyrinths of lakes of Minnesota and the 

 North- West territory, perfectly swarm with wild-fowl, 

 Avhile in December and January they will be found 

 equally numerous on the large bayous and lagoons that 



^surround the mouth of the Mississippi. Of course, in 

 the intermediate portion of country between Minnesota 

 and the Gulf of Mexico, during the seasons of migra - 

 tion, splendid days' shooting can be obtained ; but the 

 stay of the birds is so short that it might not compen- 

 sate for a special visit. Where thousands are to be 

 seen to-day, not a dozen will be met to-morrow ; but 

 if you should happen in the spring and autumn to be 

 in either of the States of Illinois, Iowa, or Indiana, 

 when the frost and ice are breaking up in spring, or 

 when winter makes its first appearance, you may with 



