268 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



concealed from observation, insomuch that it is next to impos- 

 sible to distinguish any portion of this curious ambush, even 

 when within a few hundred feet of it. We have often been 

 amazed Avhen gazing on the water in the direction of the flats, 

 to see a black figure rise up suddenly, as if from the deep, and 

 blaze forth a destructive volley into a flock of Ducks about to 

 alio;ht, and then immediatelv sink arain from view. The 

 Shooter having delivered his well-directed fire, he quickly re- 

 loads his gun or guns, and throwing himself again on his back, 

 awaits another opportunity to repeat the sport, which almost 

 immediately follows, provided the day be favorable for the 

 flying of Wild Fowl. It is better, in fact usual, to have two or 

 more double-barrelled guns in the Sink, as a great many Ducks 

 are only winged at the first discharge, and require reshooting 

 to secure them. 



Thus in rapid succession, immense numbers of Canvass-Backs, 

 as well as other YVild Fowl, are killed, and the water for an 

 hundred feet or more is crimsoned with the rich blood, and 

 covered with the mangled bodies of this far-famed Duck. Those 

 engaged in this profitable way of killing Canvass-Backs are 

 always accompanied by a companion in a sail or row boat, who 

 keeps at a respectable distance for the purpose of watching over 

 the safety of his associate, as well as running down upon the 

 adjacent feeding-grounds and putting the Ducks to flight, so 

 that they may chance to join the Decoys that are set to allure 

 them as they pass up and down the feeding-shoals. On the 

 flats in the coves near to Havre de Grace and Spesutia Island, 

 where this method of shooting Ducks has been more particu- 

 larly practised during the last three seasons, there is but little 

 or no current during calm weather, and therefore is singularly 

 suitable for this kind of sport. The Ducks, after being shot, 

 will remain nearly in the same place where they dropped for 

 a considerable time without drifting away ; the Shooter, there 

 fore, pays no heed to them until he has a large number killed, 

 when he makes a signal to his companion to come and pick 

 them up. 



The numbers of Ducks killed in this way during the three 

 past seasons have been enormous — almost beyond belief. 



We are credibly informed that Mr. W. W. Levy, a Ducker, 



