222 WILD -FOWL SHOOTING 



you like deer, as some suppose, yet their hearing is most 

 acute. I have seen instances of this that I could hardly 

 otherwise have credited. One day I got within about 

 sixty yards of three ducks asleep upon the shore ; the wind 

 was blowing very strong, direct from me to them, a thick 

 hedge forming my ambuscade. The ground was quite 

 bare beyond this hedge, so I was obliged to take the 

 distant shot through it. In making the attempt, I rustled 

 one of the twigs up went the three heads to the full 

 stretch but when I had remained quiet for about five 

 minutes, they again placed their bills under their wings. 

 Upon a second trial, the slight noise was unfortunately 

 repeated : again the birds raised their heads ; but this 

 time they were much longer upon the stretch, and seemed 

 more uneasy. Nothing now remained but to try again ; 

 my utmost caution, however, was unavailing the birds 

 rose like rockets. I never hesitate concealing myself 

 to windward of the spot where I expect ducks to pitch, 

 feeling confident that, unless I move, they will not find 

 me out. I have often had them swimming within twenty- 

 five yards of me, when I was waiting for three or four 

 in line, the wind blowing direct from rne to them, with- 

 out perceiving by any signs their consciousness of an 

 enemy's vicinity.* 



* Perhaps the sportsman may ask, what it signifies whether wild-fowl 

 are aware of your approach by hearing or winding ? My answer is, that 

 although it is of little consequence when crawling upon ducks, yet when 

 lying concealed, expecting them to pitch, it is a considerable advantage to 

 know that you will not be detected by their sense of smell ; otherwise, the 

 best refuge for a shot must often be abandoned for a much worse. 



