516 The Water-fowl Family 



the middle of the pond, studies it well from sev- 

 eral points of view, then arches his neck, bobs his 

 head once or twice, sets his wings in a stiff curve, 

 and slides down an almost vertical incline, from 

 which he is prepared to spring aloft at any sec- 

 ond. When he reaches the water he rarely 

 troubles himself about the opinion of other ducks 

 that may be there, but spends several minutes in 

 looking about before unbending the vast dignity 

 of his suspicion. Only after a long season of 

 quiet does he venture near the shore, and long of 

 range must be the gun that can reach him from 

 the reeds. Of course, he falls into some errors 

 about the range of the latest nitro gun, but gen- 

 erally his judgment is as good as that of the 

 owner of the gun. 



Not much better is the case when he travels in 

 company. The big flock that used to pass your 

 blind at thirty yards, sweeping but a few feet 

 above the water with long, brilliant necks out- 

 stretched and glittering in the sun like couched 

 lances in a charge of cavalry, now swings away 

 on high where you will be lucky if you can stay 

 the climbing power of even one, while the double 

 shot in such a case is almost a special dispensa- 

 tion. And if they have seen you, there is little 

 use of fattening hope on thoughts of their return. 

 If they have seen a few inches of that gun, they 

 are likely to inspect several other quarters before 



