THE MALLARD. 199 



a few rushes and tufts of long grass close to the water's 

 edge. Approaching in a stooping position from the 

 leeward, a point gained by a considerable circuit, it soon 

 became necessary to go on hands and feet, then to worm 

 our weary way, venire a terre, gazing wistfully in our short 

 intervals of rest, towards the friendly rushes. Pushing 

 our guns before us at each length gained, and plastering 

 ourselves with mud, the pond was at length gained with- 

 out our having alarmed a single bird. With fingers on 

 the trigger, we ventured to lift our heads inch by inch 

 over the coarse grass till the water under our very noses 

 was scanned, but not a sign of life stirred the face of the 

 placid pool. 



In some parts of the Lower Province decoy ducks 

 are used, though chiefly by those who make a trade of 

 duck shooting. A more legitimate practice, common 

 among sportsmen, is that of building screens of boughs 

 at spots frequented by the birds for the purpose of 

 feeding. 



At a lagoon or stagnant pool on the southern Cana- 

 dian shore of Lake Ontario, overgrown with aquatic 

 plants, a good many ducks and teal were sometimes 

 to be found during the season, and by constructing 

 these caches at different points of the wood which 

 encircled the banks, we were enabled to rake and enfilade 

 the pool in every direction. Early in the afternoon 



