42 GUN, ROD, AND SADDLE. 



in the intermediate portion of country between 

 Minnesota and the Gulf of Mexico, during the 

 seasons of migration, splendid days' shooting can 

 be obtained ; but the stay of the birds is so short 

 that it would not compensate for a special visit. 

 Where thousands are to be seen to-day, not a dozen 

 will be met to-morrow ; but if you should happen in 

 the spring and autumn to be in either of the States 

 of Illinois, Iowa, or Indiana, when the frost and ice 

 are breaking up in spring, or when winter makes its 

 first appearance, you may with safety calculate on 

 having some of the finest sport. A year or two 

 since, when in Illinois in November, a sudden change 

 took place in the weather, and although the morning 

 was ushered in mild and warm, by noon it was 

 snowing, with a gale of wind blowing from the 

 north. From experience I knew that such a day 

 was not to be wasted over the fire. I got on 

 my shooting-ground with a very large supply of 

 ammunition, and in two or three hours had to cease, 

 as my stock was exhausted. My stand was in a 

 field of Indian corn that had been gathered into 

 shocks, from the back of one of which I took shelter 

 from the blast as well as concealment. Never shall 

 I forget the scene. The ducks came *n thousands, 



