272 USE OF THE DOG IN SHOOTING. 



must be shot again at once before the shooter is discovered, othe* 

 wise a long and weary chase may be needed before they are secur- 

 ed, as they are expert divers and can swin under water for very 

 long distances. Retrievers cannot be used for picking up crippletf 

 canvas-backs, as catching one in this way is out of the question. 

 Canvas backs are found in the spring along the back waters of the 

 Mississippi, in great numbers, when the winter has been severe iu 

 the East, as they then make their way up from Galveston Bay and 

 from the mouths and bayous of the river. 



The Red- headed Duck is distinguished by the color of its head, 

 which, with more than half the neck, is of a brown-red, glossed 

 with bright red above. Its weight is about 2% pounds. Its habits 

 are similar to those of the canvas-back, and it subsists upon the 

 same kind of food, chiefly roots of grasses and other aquatic 

 plants. They are found in large flocks, always fly together, but feed 

 along with canvas-backs, and some kinds of shoal- water fowl. 

 They cluster well together and decoy easily. Sometimes they are 

 taken plentifully, foolishly returning to the decoys after a shot, 

 and rising so close together that several are dropped at one dis- 

 charge, as they rise against the wind, or huddle up before rising. 

 This duck is second only to the canvas-back, as a delicate article 

 of food. 



The Scaup-Duck or Blue-Bill, furnishes more sport than many of 

 the more valuable ducks. They settle down to decoys so readily, 

 return so quickly, and pack so closely together, the hunter can 

 hardly fail of being satisfied either with his sport or his bag. They 

 approach shore so carelessly, that with decoys well placed, they 

 may be shot from a blind, built in the bushes, if care is taken tc 

 avoid sudden or needless movements. 



Bing-necked and Ruffle-headed Ducks, are small, and although 

 furnishing some good sport, are not often hunted. They are found 

 in nearly every part of the country, in both fresh and salt water. 

 The former is a vegetable feeder and its flesh is well flavored ; 

 the latter subsists on fish, snails, and other animal foods, and the 

 flesh is ill flavored although it is always fat. It is neglected by the 

 pot hunter as too insignificant for his professional attention. 



