THE CANVAS-BACK 175 



they were the least abundant, but Mr. Cumming, a 

 San Francisco sportsman, writing recently for a maga- 

 zine, says the mallards are far more wary in the tule 

 marshes of his State. " Should the sportsman,'* he 

 observes, " have found the mallards and returned 

 with fifty birds, he is entitled to a hat-raise and bow 

 from his fellow sportsmen, but if he has that number 

 of the dull-witted cans., no such obeisance should be 

 accorded him. . The canvas-backs must be classed as 

 the most foolish duck that frequent these waters. 

 When they are found in a feeding-pond where their 

 favorite food is plentiful, they are easy game, provided 

 the man behind the gun keeps out of sight. After the 

 birds have been 'jumped 'out of the pond, he has 

 only to place out two or three dozen decoys and the 

 birds will soon work their way back in pairs or in 

 small flocks, sometimes circling around a little to see 

 if the coast is clear, but generally dropping quietly 

 among the decoys. 



" When they ascertain to their satisfaction that ap- 

 pearances seem favorable for an uninterrupted feed 

 their heads drop into an easy position, indicating 

 security, and they soon disappear beneath the surface. 

 As they arrive from time to time in flocks and a num- 

 ber are under water, the hunter should open fire at 

 those upon the surface, and as the others come up treat 

 them to another barrel." 



This may do for one who cares to shoot tame birds 

 on the water, but when the legal limit to the bag (fifty 

 birds per diem) is easily reached, most sportsmen pre- 

 fer the shooting on the wing. 



The same writer says : " Many consider the mallard 



