248 



WILD FOWL SHOOTING. 



rising, we fired together at the frightened birds. The 

 overhanging willows and the sloping bank hid from 

 our view many that were near to us, and our first barrels 

 were hurriedly fired at those that jumped from the centre 

 of the pond. The loud roar of the guns threw all, both 

 wakeful and sleeping ducks, into the greatest consterna- 

 tion, and they displayed remarkable activity and skill 

 in trying to get away from the pond. As they rose from 

 their bed of indolence, the flapping of their strong 

 wings emitted sounds similar to a rushing train of cars. 

 My companion hastened to secure the fallen birds, and 

 shoot the escaping cripples, while I hurried to place 

 our wooden decoys in the water. Much to our surprise 

 we had killed but five. The decoys out, we were soon 

 secreted behind our temporary and hastily constructed 

 blind. 



Had we openly walked up to the pond, and driven 

 them out without shooting, no doubt more of them 

 would have returned, but we were hurrying down the 

 river, and time was literally flying, and we felt the neces- 

 sity of quickly improving any chances we had. The ducks 

 soon commenced to return, and with bowed wings or 

 timid circling they would come within reach of our choke- 

 bores. Wary at first, their suspicions were soon lulled 

 into a feeling of confidence when they heard our wel- 

 come call, as we imitated their well-known cries. It was 

 a delightful place to shoot, the bright western sky 

 bringing out their shining bodies in grand relief, as 

 they flew over the decoys, high in the air ; then flying 

 off as if intending to depart and never return, but 

 quickly turning when our tremulous beseeching ciy 

 would reach the ear of the drake leading the flock. It 

 was too enticing for him, and seeing our decoys wait- 



