268 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



But to return to our work. As soon as we were at our 

 stands, we divested ourselves of shot-pouches and powder- 

 horns, hanging them on the bushes that we might the easier 

 use them when required for, once the game commences to 

 arrive, every moment is of value. Before we had been sta- 

 tionary many minutes a few stragglers made their appear- 

 ance, the advance-guard, doubtless, of the main body ; some 

 old and experienced veterans, I should think, are generally 

 chosen for this duty, as these forerunners are wary in the 

 extreme, and seldom or never come within gunshot. How- 

 ever, we were not detained idle; a bunch of mallard passed 

 within range, and a salute welcomed their visit ; another 

 and another party rapidly followed in such quick succes- 

 sion that it was impossible to shoot at all. These birds, so 

 far, had only flown past, and as night approached their 

 numbers increased, and we being probably less conspicuous 

 from decreasing light, the open water at our side was chos- 

 en for their resting-place. Down they would come on the 

 water, almost imperiling our heads, with the rustling sound 

 of the eagle in the act of swooping upon his prey, while 

 some of their companions, less certain of the security of 

 this halting-place, would sweep round and round our locale 

 before they finally selected it. As soon as the birds struck 

 the water they would commence bathing themselves, flap- 

 ping their bodies with their wings, diving with short 

 plunges, and cutting so many capers that one might imagine 

 them stark, staring mad. The fact, however, is, that all 

 this apparent eccentricity is caused by the necessity the 

 ducks feel of cleaning themselves of the insects about their 

 plumage, as well as the pleasure they experience in finding 

 themselves again in a milder climate, with abundance of 

 food around them, after enduring a hard journey from the 

 stormy North, protracted possibly through a day and 

 night. 



