274 LEWIS'S AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



the whole shooting craft are devoted in those portions of the 

 country where they, in common with numberless other ducks, 

 congregate. 



TOLING DUCKS. 



We will first speak of a most curious process resorted to by the 

 shooters on the Chesapeake Bay, at the beginning of the season, 

 for the purpose of decoying canvas-backs from the flats within 

 gunshot of the sportsmen, who lie concealed from observation 

 behind blinds erected all along the shore at convenient intervals. 

 This practice we have already described in our edition of " Youatt," 

 under the head of Newfoundland Dog, and as there put down will 

 transfer it to these pages, with some additional observations : 



" This may not be an inappropriate place to speak of the won- 

 derful mode of decoying ducks, termed toling, so extensively 

 practised upon the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, where 

 the canvas-backs and red-heads resort in such quantities every 

 autumn. A species of mongrel water-dog, or often any com- 

 mon cur, is taught to run backwards and forwards after stones, 

 sticks, or other missiles, thrown from one side to the other along 

 the shore. In his activity and industry in this simple branch of 

 education, within the comprehension of any dog, consists the 

 almost incredible art of toling the canvas-back. With a dog of 

 this character, the shooting party, consisting of several persons, all 

 prepared with heavy double-barrelled duck-guns, ensconce them- 

 selves at break of day behind some one of the numerous blinds 

 temporarily erected along the shore contiguous to the feeding- 

 grounds of these ducks. 



"Every thing being arranged and the morning mists cleared 

 off, the ducks will be seen securely feeding on the shallows not less 

 than several hundred yards from the shore. The dog is now 

 put in motion by throwing stones from one side of the blind to the 

 other. This will soon be perceived by the ducks, who, stimulated 

 by an extreme degree of curiosity, and feeling anxious to inform 

 themselves as to this sudden and singular phenomenon, raise their 

 heads high in the water and commence swimming for the shore. 



