274 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



it will require heavy pulling to get tliem along. Most, if not 

 all, of those in the hands of the regular Bay Shooters arc made 

 square at the ends, and, thus constituted, answer their purposes 

 perfectly well, for they move them from point to point only by 

 hauling them on board of their large row or sail-boats, which 

 convey the whole party on these expeditions. 



On looking at the drawing, several Decoy Ducks will be 

 noticed on the platform ; the bodies of these Ducks arc reduced 

 in bulk, or, in other words, are shaved down to one-third of 

 their original thickness, and permanently fixed to the deck at 

 suitable intervals, with movable heads, which are slipped on and 

 off at pleasure by the Ducker, as he takes his position in the 

 box, or retreats from it. The number of Decoys set out around 

 the Battery is not often less than two hundred, and most gene- 

 rally two hundred and fifty, or even more. Each Deco}'' has a 

 string several feet long attached to it from a loop in the breast, 

 and to the end of each string is tied a small piece of leaden pipe 

 or other convenient metal, or even a fragment of stone sufii- 

 ciently heavy to anchor the Decoy, and prevent its floating off 

 from its position. 



The arranging or putting-out of so great a number of Decoys 

 around the Batter3^ on a cool, blustering December morning, is 

 no child's play, we can assure the uninitiated reader, and is only 

 equalled, or rather excelled, in point of discomfiture, by the 

 process of taking them up again in the evening, when it is ne- 

 cessary to wind the wet and half-frozen strings around each one 

 to prevent entanglement when placed together in the boat. 



A small pad or pillow for the head to lie on should be placed 

 at the top of the Box, and in severe weather the Shooter will 

 find a woollen helmet, vizor, or mask, a very comfortable con- 

 trivance to protect him from the cold blasts.* 



We were formerly under the impression that much danger 

 was to be apprehended from the accidental sinking of these 

 Batteries ; but we are now satisfied, from further observation 

 and the experience of old Duckers who have used these ma- 



* Decoys made of solid blocks, such as are universally used, can be had of 

 Duckci's on the bay, if ordered during the idle season, at a moderate pi-icc, 

 ranging from twenty to thirty tloUars a hundred. 



