266 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



' numbers. Soon my No. 10 gun was brought out, and 

 with seven pounds of shot and my large powder-flask 

 full, I started in the direction indicated. The weather 

 since morning had undergone a complete change, for 

 instead of a damp, mild atmosphere, snow was falling 

 in large but few flakes, with the thermometer below 



jc freezing-point. 



On reaching the sloughs I found birds abundant, 

 but too wary for great success ; so, after firing a few 

 long shots with indifferent success, I determined to 

 change my beat. I had remarked the day before a 



V field of a few acres of indifferent Indian corn which 

 had not yet been gathered, and which was excessively 

 wet and soft from the dampness of the soil ; thither I 

 determined to turn my footsteps, and well it was I did 

 so, for a finer afternoon's sport I have seldom enjoyed. 

 Before I got within a quarter of a mile of my destina- 

 tion, I could see duck in numerous large flights hover- 

 ing over the place in question, giving hopes of sharp 

 work. On gaining the edge of the field and taking a 

 survey, I found the ground in many places perfectly 

 covered with birds, and strings of fresh arrivals 

 coming in momentarily mallard, butter duck, teal 

 and winter duck, all making the best use of their bills 

 to further destroy an indifferent crop. After a survey 

 of the situation I selected a stand, forming a screen of 

 corn stems and iron weed, and scarcely was I en- 

 sconced, when the honk ! honk ! honk ! of a distant 

 flock of wild geese told me that the wary scoundrels 

 were en avant. However, so many duck came within 

 easy shooting distance that I could not resist opening 



^ fire, and I commenced skirmishing forthwith. The 

 birds appeared totally devoid of fear either of the 



