136 The Water-fowl Family 



of flight bring the smaller flocks in range. Some- 

 times they drop to the stool when high overhead, 

 coming up to the decoys gracefully and tumbling 

 over themselves to settle among the wooden con- 

 gregation. If wounded, they dive almost at the 

 flash, and swim a long distance under water, 

 appearing at the surface for an instant with just 

 the head showing. 



When stormy weather protects them from con- 

 stant gunning, they gather in vast flocks seeking 

 more sheltered water. The first clear day may 

 offer the opportunity. Be early. As the duck- 

 boat is quietly pushed out of the harbor to the 

 outer islands the birds seem in thousands, rising 

 in front and on all sides, leaving the water with a 

 loud splashing ; then the whir of wings, and they 

 are gone. Now the first streak of light shows 

 the black shadow of a flock close by. The first 

 impulse is to shoot, the next to reach the blind. 

 It seems an age before the decoys are set and 

 everything is ready. Presently a flock leading by 

 the decoys calls for attention. It is still a little 

 early, and the stools hardly show ; now four birds 

 hovering in front call forth the first two shots. The 

 silence is broken, flock after flock of frightened, 

 bewildered birds leave the water, circling, then 

 passing on. Soon the wavy lines far off mark 

 the departed ; but your patience is not long taxed, 

 a small flock return and presently another, follow- 



