CANVASS-BACK. 285 



Ducks are passing up and down these waters nearly all day, but 

 more particularly in the morning and afternoon. Canvass-Backs 

 commence flying very early, and it is necessary for the Sports- 

 man to be up and on the ground betimes, as he will have an 

 opportunity of trying his skill as soon as it shall be light enough 

 to see the Ducks that he will hear moving over his head in 

 uninterrupted numbers for an hour before daybreak. The 

 morning flights continue an hour or two after the dawn of day, 

 although, as before stated, many Ducks keep in motion all day 

 long ; but the greater portion of them are busily engaged feed- 

 ing after this time, and if flying, endeavor to avoid these 

 exposed points, where they have every reason to apprehend 

 danger. Canvass-Backs, in fact, are disposed to keep clear of 

 the shores at all times, but when impelled by a strong breeze 

 that sets them towards these points, they are not easily turned 

 from their course, it not being often necessary to employ any 

 kind of device to screen the Sportsman from observation, pro- 

 vided he remain motionless until the Ducks have come suflB.- 

 ciently near to be in range of the gun. It is better that the 

 dress should not be too conspicuous ; a drab overcoat and cap 

 of the same color is the most suitable for concealment ; and if 

 possible, station yourself against a bush, tree, or some dark 

 object, if there are no blinds erected. 



When the Canvass-Backs are flying fast and in great numbers, 

 an eager Sportsman had better take two guns with him, and have 

 an assistant to load while he fires; and in this way he will get 

 double the number of shots, without the hurry and excitement 

 of loading fast. 



Captain Hawker very justly remarks: "Never look up while 

 loading; j^ou can do no good by it, and you will only put your- 

 self in a flurry, and perhaps break your ramrod. If your man 

 (assistant), knowing you have no gun loaded, says : ' Look out, 

 sir !' why — I had almost said — knock him down." 



TO SHOOT DUCKS SITTING. 



Having learned the art of shooting flying, the Tyro may feel 

 disposed to treat with contempt any endeavor on our part to 

 teach him so simple a thing as to shoot Wild Fowl while sitting 



