WILD-DUCK SHOOTING. 239 



resist Water], and the first of those receipts is per- 

 haps the best. 



The dog best calculated for this diversion is a 

 water-spaniel, which should be taught to fetch a 

 duck out of the water, in case of one so falling after 

 being shot. As to a dog setting this kind of game, 

 it is quite out of the question. The places where 

 the ducks are known to resort should be beat with 

 as little noise as possible, and the sportsman must 

 take his chance of their rising within gun-shot. 



These birds may be shot in winter, and especially 

 in frosty weather, at the dawn of day, and also at 

 the dusk of the evening, when they fly in search of 

 food. In very severe frosts, they are compelled to 

 seek those springs and running streams that do not 

 freeze, in order to find aquatic herbs, which, at this 

 period, are their only food. The shooter should then 

 follow the course of these streams. Small boats are 

 useful on large pieces of water. 



