CANVAS-BACK. 339 



cmlly when they have been greatly harassed by the boats and 

 batteries on the Susquehanna and Chesapeake, as both these modes 

 of warfare are strictly interdicted upon this stream. During the 

 season of 1850, we had considerable sport shooting over decoys off 

 the points on Elk River, the weather being mild, and the ducks, 

 both canvas-backs and red-heads, being more numerous than we 

 had ever before witnessed them on this water. 



STOOLING OFF POINTS. 



Another method of killing ducks by means of decoys is to anchor 

 them off a short distance from some one of the many points along 

 the bay or river-shores, more particularly on those points in the 

 narrows of Spesutia Island. When the canvas-backs are flying 

 and the weather is not too severe, this plan affords most excellent 

 sport, and great numbers may be killed. This kind of shooting 

 requires the assistance of a dog ; and none but a Newfoundland or 

 other hardy water-spaniel of some good breed will be able to stand 

 the work, if the weather is very cold; as the frequent plunging 

 into the water chills and stiffens the animal to such an extent that 

 he is often barely able to walk or swim.* 



When the weather is very calm and the surface of the river 

 remains unruffled by a breeze, although the ducks may be flying, 

 they will not dart to decoys, more especially off points, as readily 

 as if they had a certain degree of motion imparted to them by the 

 gentle ripple of the waters. 



For when perfectly still the decoys, no matter how well made or 

 proportioned, lose that lifelike appearance which they present when 

 bobbing up and down as if in the very act of feeding ; and, con- 

 sequently, are wanting in their chief attraction for the ducks that 

 may be on the wing in quest of more secure and fruitful feeding- 

 places. 



* Decoys made of solid blocks of wood are preferable to those made hollow ; they 

 are less expensive and not so easily injured by the shot, and also require far less 

 gentle handling. From fifty to one hundred are necessary for point-shooting, the 

 more the better. 



