DUCK-SHOOTING. 233 



the red-heads and canvas-backs had preceded us, 

 and were still directing their flight; and then 

 started for the few dim trees that we knew sur- 

 rounded the club-house, rousing in our course im- 

 mense flocks of the worthless American coot, JFulica 

 Americana, the mud-hen of the natives. 



The wharf reached, the boats landed, supper over, 

 the birds counted and registered, the social pipe il- 

 lumined, and we gathered in a circle round the fire 

 of our parlor for improving conversation. 



" How many birds have we killed this year ?" in- 

 quired a member. 



"The record shows a goodly total of 2,351," re- 

 plied the Secretary, turning to the register ; " al- 

 most as many already as the entire return of last 

 season, during which we only killed 2,908." 



"And the better varieties seem this year to be 

 more numerous." 



" In that particular there is surprising uniformity 

 from year to year. Last season the return is made 

 up aw follows: canvas-backs, 246; red-heads, 122; 

 blue-bills, 395; mallards, 540; dusky-ducks, 108; 

 wood-ducks, 601 ; blue-winged teal, 474 ; green- 

 winged teal, 39; widgeons, 204; pin-tails, 50; gad- 

 walls, 67 ; spoonbills, 11; ruddy-ducks, 2; butter- 

 balls, 7 ; geese, 2 ; quail, 14 ; cormorants, 2 ; 

 turkeys, 3 ; great hell-diver, 1 ; and this year the 

 average is about the same." 



" But I think," said the President, " the canvas- 

 backs and red-heads are earlier and better than 

 usual." 



