248 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



remnants of this aquatic plant, pulled up from its soft bed. 

 Now it is that the waters of the bay are darkened by the flights 

 of the winged host, travelling hither and thither in search of 

 food ; now it is that the ordinary quiet employments of the re- 

 sidents of these regions teeming with abundance, are abandoned 

 for the more exciting and lucrative occupation of Duck shoot- 

 ing. Every old musket and rusty fowling-piece is brought 

 into immediate requisition. All is bustle and confusion among 

 the Duckers; and now it is that the neglected Water Dog, who 

 has wandered idly about, uncared for and unfed for the past 

 nine months, is called familiarly and even kindly to the heels 

 of his selfish master. The bay shore, for miles and miles, long 

 before the dawn of day, is alive with Shooters ; and every point 

 is occupied with eager marksmen, who stand prepared with 

 murderous weapons to give a passing volley to every Canvass- 

 Back that heedlessly ventures within range. The before quiet 

 and peaceful shores of the bay now resound with the deafening 

 volleys of the toling parties concealed behind the various blinds 

 erected • along the banks, while the guns from the boats and 

 masked batteries send booming over the placid waters their 

 echoing notes of death and destruction. The wary Canvass- 

 Backs, startled in every quarter, fly here and there, scarcely 

 knowing where to repose in safety or feed in peace. 



HINTS FOR DUCKERS. 



Wild Fowl are ever on the alert, and always ready to take 

 alarm at the least indication of danger, and therefore must be 

 approached with the utmost precaution, or waited for in the 

 profoundest silence. The plashing of an oar, the rattling of a 

 pebble, the rustling of a leaf, the bobbing up of a head, the ex- 

 posure of a leg, the raising of an arm, or the utterance of a 

 loud word, will often put to sudden flight a whole flock of 

 Ducks, a few minutes before feeding in fancied security almost 

 within reach of our smallest gun; therefore, "be as still as 

 death itself, yet watchful as life can make you." 



The sense of smell is singularly developed in Wild Ducks, 

 and, when approaching them on the water, it is necessary to get 

 to the leeward of them. Colonel Hawker very justly remarks 



