CANVASS-BACK. 275 



chines jproijerhj constructed, for the early ones were susceptible 

 of much improvement, that our fears are rather gratuitous. 



Mr. W. W. Levy, of Havre de Grace, to whom wc are in- 

 debted for a rough, but very complete drawing of a Batter}^, 

 from which the above sketch was taken, as well as much other 

 valuable information upon this subject, assures me that a Box 

 built such as we have described, could not, by actual experi- 

 ment, be made to sink below the surface, ichen filled ivith icater, 

 loaded tvith tivo hundred and fifty i^onnds of pig iron, and the addi- 

 tion of two stout men. 



This experiment we cannot but consider a very extreme one, 

 and the result most conclusive, and we shall no longer hesitate 

 in recommending our sporting friends to consign themselves 

 without hesitation or fear, to one of these cunning machines 

 whenever a fitting opportunity presents itself. 



The ease with which one of these Batteries rides on the surface 

 of the bay, even during a heavy blow, is very remarkable; we 

 have been quite comfortable in them, when it required two 

 strong oarsmen to row a light gunning skiff". 



AMBUSH ON THE FLATS. 



We noticed last season a very simple, but at the same time, 

 rather ingenious contrivance erected on the flats in Elk River, 

 from which to shoot Ducks ; we have never seen anything of 

 the kind before, but presume something similar may have been 

 adopted elsewhere by others. 



This ambush or hlind^ as all such contrivances are termed in 

 this particular section, was constructed in this wise: — 



Some Shooters, taking advantage of low tide, had driven into 

 the soft mud, in the very centre of the widest expanse of feed- 

 ing-ground, and in the very path of the Ducks, as they flew up 

 and down the river, four strong posts, forming a square. 



These posts or piles were perforated on their upper portion, 

 which extended far above low-water mark, with large holes of 

 sufficient capacity to permit the introduction of long hickory 

 pins, which passed entirely through, and projected several inches 

 from the inside. Upon these pins thus secured, was placed a 

 light frame, sufficiently strong, however, to bear the weight of 



