258 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



THE MALLAED. 



In my protracted rambles about the world, I know no 

 portion where the mallard can not be found. I have al- 

 ways been passionately fond of wild-fowl shooting, and the 

 bags that I have made in the United States and Canada of 

 this noble bird far exceeded those obtained elsewhere. As 

 wild fowl are nearly all migratory by inclination, or are com- 

 pelled to be so from the changes of the seasons, it is of great 

 importance that you should visit the various haunts at the 

 proper periods of the year. However, the rule is, for suc- 

 cessfully carrying on war against the web-footed families, 

 go north in summer and south in winter. In June, July, 

 and August, the wild - rice fields of the numerous laby- 

 rinths of lakes of Minnesota and the North-west territo- 

 ry, perfectly swarm with wild fowl ; while in December and 

 January, they will be found equally numerous on the large 

 bayous and lagoons that surround the mouth of the Missis- 

 sippi. Of course, in the intermediate portion of country 

 between Minnesota and the Gulf of Mexico, during the sea- 

 sons of migration, splendid days' shooting can be obtained ; 

 but the stay of the birds is so short that it might not com- 

 pensate 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 



