66 MOOSE-HUNTING, SALMON-FISHING, ETC 



ducks when they went for fresh water and to 

 wash and gravel. To catch them there, I had 

 to be out on the lake with my boat concealed 

 in rushes before daylight, as at the first ray of 

 dawn large numbers that only feed on the 

 harbour at night in September and October 

 start for the lakes for the day. These went 

 in large flocks, and, as soon as clear of the 

 trees, would set their wings and sail down into 

 the lake with great swiftness. The first 

 morning there I failed to bring down birds, 

 although having fine chances, simply because 

 I misjudged their swiftness of flight, and 

 stern-shot them ; but I was not long in catch- 

 ing on. When I gave them from 6 to 8 feet 

 windage according to distance, they came 

 tumbling down in exciting numbers, but I 

 dare not, when the birds were coming, put 

 Eeady out. 



Often of a morning I secured six or eight 

 shots, although many more flocks came; 

 but, frequently as I would fire, another 

 would be within sound of the report, and 

 turn from me. After the birds were all in 

 from the harbour, then I would pick up the 

 dead ones, and send Eeady on the scout for 



