266 lewis' amekican sportsman, 



of gilling Dacks is now entirely abandoned, and we only men- 

 tion it as one of the things that have appeared and passed away. 

 This method, however, of taking Ducks is not altogether new, 

 but a somewhat similar plan is resorted to on the coast of 

 France for taking the Scoter Duck, which little Fowl resorts in 

 considerable numbers to the sea-coast for the purpose of feeding 

 on the shell-fish that there abound. The fishermen, or those 

 engaged in taking Wild Fowl, spread their nets at low tide on 

 the flats where these shell-fish are found, being supported two 

 or more feet from the ground, so that the Ducks, feeding in 

 with the tide and diving after food, become entangled, as in the 

 case of the Canvass-Backs, in the meshes of the net. 



DUG-OUTS. 



Another very successful mode of killing Ducks, and one that 

 has been very much in vogue for many years on our rivers, is 

 the use of the Dig-outs or Dag-outs,'^' a small kind of boat 

 moored over the fiats, and concealed as far as possible from 

 observation by quantities of eel-grass thrown over it. Thus 

 fixed, and surrounded by large numbers of Decoys that are 

 previously anchored all around the little vessel, the Shooter 

 patiently awaits the approach of the Wild Ducks that are flying 

 up and down the river, and are of course tempted to dart down 

 upon the deceptive Decoys, believing them to be others of their 

 own species that are feeding in perfect security, notwithstanding 

 the proximity of the greenish mass that conceals the Shooter 

 and his boat. As soon as the Canvass-Backs have come suffi- 

 ciently near, the Shooter raises himself up suddenly and blazes 

 away with his ponderous weapon, dealing death and destruction 

 throughout the affrighted ranks of his innocent victims. 



When the weather is favorable and the Ducks are flying, this 

 plan succeeds very well, and offers some considerable attractions 

 in the way of sport to those accustomed to Wild Fowl Shoot- 

 ing; but if the weather be cold and boisterous, none should 

 attempt it but those inured to the roughest usage and are per- 

 fectly regardless of the elements. 



* So termed from being constructed by excavating the trunk of a large tree 

 sufficiently deep to allow the person of the Shooter to lie concealed in it. 



