222 ANAS VALISINERIA. 



forwards along the margin of the water, and the ducks, 

 observing his manoeuvres, enticed perhaps by curiosity, 

 gradually approach the shore, until they are sometimes 

 within twenty or thirty yards of the spot where the 

 gunner lies concealed, and from which he rakes them, 

 first on the water, and then as they rise. This method 

 is called tolling them in. If the ducks seem difficult to 

 decoy, any glaring object, such as a red handkerchief, is 

 fixed round the dog's middle, or to his tail, and this 

 rarely fails to attract them. Sometimes, by moonlight, 

 the sportsman directs his skiff towards a flock whose 

 position he had previously ascertained, keeping within 

 the projecting shadow of some wood, bank, or headland, 

 and paddles along so silently and imperceptibly, as often 

 to approach within fifteen or twenty yards of a flock of 

 many thousands, among whom he generally makes great 

 slaughter. 



Many other stratagems are practised, and, indeed, 

 every plan that the ingenuity of the experienced sports- 

 man can suggest, to approach withiu gunshot of these 

 birds ; but of all the modes pursued, none intimidate 

 them so much as shooting them by night; and they 

 soon abandon the place where they have been thus 

 repeatedly shot at. During the day, they are dispersed 

 about ; but towards evening, collect in large flocks, and 

 come into the mouths of creeks, where they often ride, 

 as at anchor, with their head under their wing, asleep, 

 there being always sentinels awake, ready to raise an 

 alarm on the least appearance of danger. Even when 

 feeding and diving in small parties, the whole never go 

 down at one time, but some are still left above on the 

 look out. 



When the winter sets in severely, and the river is 

 frozen, the canvass-backs retreat to its confluence with 

 the bay, occasionally frequenting air holes in the ice, 

 which are sometimes made for the purpose, immediately 

 above their favourite grass, to entice them within 

 gunshot of the hut or bush which is usually fixed at a 

 proper distance, and where the gunner lies concealed, 

 ready to take advantage of their distress. A Mr Hill, 



