128 Where to Hunt 



birds. The severe winters, however, sometimes greatly 

 reduce their numbers ; but still a great many are left, 

 though in this state these birds have a habit of seeking 

 cover after being shot at a few times, consequently 

 hunting them is oftentimes akin to the hunting of ruffed 

 grouse. 



During the midsummer months upland-plover are 

 sometimes abundant for a brief time, but these birds 

 have been growing less numerous for several years. 



Among the duck to be found in Massachusetts are 

 the following: Dusky or black duck are quite abun- 

 dant ; they are found on inland waters and on the coast ; 

 some remain about the coast during the winter ; they 

 breed to some extent within the state. Wood-duck, 

 abundant, breeding within the state. Pintail, quite 

 abundant in the ponds during the autumn, and fre- 

 quently seen in flocks of forty or fifty : the heaviest 

 flight is the first two weeks in October. Blue-winged 

 teal, quite abundant; they are found in small bunches 

 in the larger ponds, frequently in company with black 

 duck. Mallard are not very abundant, though by no 

 means rare; they are shot in the ponds throughout 

 the state. American widgeon appear rather irregu- 

 larly; flocks of these ducks are often seen in the 

 ponds in the southern part of the state ; they are 

 sometimes found in company with the black duck. 

 Green-winged teal are not as common as the blue- 

 winged : there seems to be a diminution of this species 

 in the state. Shovellers have become quite rare, 

 although some are taken each year. Gadwalls are 

 regarded as quite rare. Canvasbacks are only killed 

 at rare intervals. Scaup duck are very abundant : they 



