CANVASS-BACK. 287 



foremost ones, if there be many, should be in full relief over the 

 sight of the gun; and then, most probably, if shooting on a 

 level, as is most frequently the case on the shores where AYild 

 Fowl are pursued, the leader of the troop that we select for our 

 guide will escape from the dire effects of our volley that shall 

 spread death and destruction in his rear. 



If, on the contrary, the Ducks are a long distance off, be sure 

 that the foremost Ducks are entirely under the range of the 

 barrels, and then we shall most likely rake the front and middle 

 columns, if not sweep the whole mass. For other information 

 regarding Shooting Ducks, we refer to our chapter on Wild 

 Fowl Shooting in general, and beg to close the present subject, 

 as some one has done before us, with the spirited lines of Wil- 

 son, descriptive of the shooting of these celebrated Birds. 



" Slow round an opening point we softly steal, 

 AVhere four large Ducks in playful circles wheel. 

 The far-famed Canvass-backs at once we know, 

 . Their broad, flat bodies Avrapped in pencilled snow; 

 The burnished chestnut o'er their necks that shone, 

 Spread deep'ning round each breast a sable zone. 

 Wary they gaze — our boat in silence glides ; 

 The slow-moved paddles steal along the sides ; 

 Quick-flashing thunders roar along the flood, 

 And three lie prostrate, vomiting their blood! 

 Ihe fourth aloft on whistling pinions soared ; 

 One fatal glance the fiery thunders poured; 

 Prone drops the Bird amid the dashing waves, 

 And the clear stream his glossy plumage laves." 



