CANVASS-BACK. 



259 



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 Canvass-Backs from the flats 

 within gunshot of the Sportsmen, who lie concealed from obser- 

 vation behind blinds erected all along the shore at convenient 

 intervals. This practice we have already described in our edi- 

 tion of " Youatt," under the head of Newfoundland Dog, and as 

 here put down will transfer it to these pages, with some addi- 

 tional observations. 



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

 derful mode of decoying Ducks, termed ToJinrj, so extensively 

 practised upon the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, where 

 the Canvass-Backs and Red-Heads resort in such numerous 

 quantities every Autumn. A species of Mongrel Water-Dog, 

 or often any common cur, is taught to run backwards and for- 

 wards 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 Can- 

 vass-Back. With a Dog of this character, the shooting party, 

 consisting of several persons, all prepared with heavy double- 



