262 WILD FOWL SHOOTING. 



advancing civilization. In former days, they were often 

 found, though not associating with, yet in the same 

 open waters, lakes and ponds where ducks resorted for 

 food. They are exceedingly shy and hard to decoy, 

 usually flying high over land, and pitching down al- 

 most vertically, when inclined to alight in some feeding 

 ground, or unexposed water. They are entirely lack- 

 ing in inquisitiveness, and therefore decoy poorly. The 

 mere fact that what appears to be a large number of 

 their kind, resting quietly in great security, in some 

 quiet retreat, makes but little difference to their know- 

 ing minds. They rely on their individual senses, and, 

 if things appear all right to them, singly and collective- 

 ly, well and good ; if not, the matter is at once settled, 

 and shying off, they utter their familiar " Ah-le," 

 " Ah-le," and avoid places the least suspicious. 



Because of the uncertainty of decoying them decoys of 

 their own kind will not pay for the making. Canada 

 Geese decoys answer the purpose, placed in stubble fields 

 as directed in article on " Wild Goose Shooting," but the 

 hunter will find them wary and hard to get, under all 

 circumstances. The best way and the most successful 

 is when one is shooting mallards on the edge of a vast 

 field of wild rice, or hidden in one's boat in the same 

 kind of blind. Keep a sharp look-out for them at all 

 times, and early in the morning, in the dim gray light ; 

 or, at even-time, when the day is dying, their big 

 phantom forms will loom up boldly against the sky, 

 and they can easily be killed. Of course, these are only 

 chance opportunities ; but bear in mind, that is the way 

 to get them, by chance, for they cannot be found in 

 sufficient numbers to afford amusement to the hunter 

 who is out for success, as well as for recreation. Nos. 



