OUTFITS, BLINDS, DECOYS AND DUCK-CALLS. 343 



It is optional whether one wears a hat or cap, some 

 preferring one, some the other. The advantage of a 

 hat is that it protects the wearer better. The coat 

 wight to be lined with heavy flannel, or, better still, 

 with Mackinaw. It should be loose, fitting the wearer 

 comfortably, and allowing him to put on extra clothing 

 beneath it when desired. The sleeves ought to be easy 

 at the arm pits, so as to allow perfect freedom of move- 

 ment in shooting and rowing. I like the vest of 

 corduroy, lined warmly, buttoning tight to the chin, 

 and made with sleeves, so that in a boat, on cold days 

 I can keep comfortable and use my arms without the 

 slightest restraint. Have the vest made with large 

 pockets, so if you want to hurriedly chase a cripple, or 

 wander a slight distance from the boat, you will have 

 shells always at hand. 



The pants should be loose-fitting, lined with flannel, 

 and buttoned on the outsides from the bottom to the 

 knee; this makes them fold nicely in the boot-leg. 

 Boots should always be one size larger than you ordi- 

 narily wear ; then you can put on two pair of heavy 

 woolen socks. Always carry an extra pair of socks, 

 for a duck-shooter is full of ambition, and is liable to 

 lack discretion at times, and get over his boot-tops. 

 Wear a flannel shirt with a generous collar. Always 

 have on heavy, closely-knit wristlets. ( 



Your shell-box, if habitually hunting in a boat, ought 

 to be one of your own making. It should be ample to 

 carry three hundred shells, with apartments for those 

 of different sizes. I take it for granted that you take 

 sufficient along for the trip, and therefore speak of this 

 box as only holding loaded shells. In it always have 

 oil, cleaning-tools and wiping-stick ; fix a place in it 



