and the Maritime Provinces. -49 



two and one half deep and wide, about one half buried in the flats and the 

 other half concealed by sand wheeled up around it with a bar twenty or 

 thirty feet long extending out on one side for the live decoys to stand upon, 

 constituted a shooting-box. As this sand has great mobility under pressure 

 of wind and water, a bar built to-day might be washed away to-morrow. To 

 prevent such calamity a canvas cover should be drawn over it and fast- 

 ened in the sand. A natural bar is regarded as more successful than can- 

 vas. These boxes are calculated for a guide and two gunners. Live 

 decoys are obtained by capturing those birds that are only wing-tipped 

 by shot. The broken tip is amputated, the captive fed on corn, and the 

 next season performs duty as a decoy. During the season the decoys wear 

 fetters to which a line is attached, and placed in the hands of the guide 

 for control. The wild birds, in crossing the flats, catch sight of the traitor- 

 ous decoys, who demonstrate joy, and alight. The shooting is done from 

 about half-flood to half-ebb tide. Over a hundred have been killed in a single 

 tide, but this was quite exceptional. The writer was one of the trio that 

 did this work, and the gunner of to-day will smile when we inform him, as 

 the birds weighed about three and one-half pounds each, we had more than 

 we could tote home. About ten years ago the sea broke through Nauset 

 bar, removing it into the channel, thereby ruining the commerce of the 

 town as well as that part of the feeding-ground. A few years before this 

 calamity some parties came upon the flats and introduced wooden decoys; 

 while these imitations were not as effective as live birds, it rather 

 revolutionized the method of shooting. Up to that time the brant would 

 alight on the water and swim up to the live decoys, and sometimes cover 

 the bar. As many as forty-four were killed at a single shot. Now, most of 

 the birds are shot on the wing. Under the new regime of canvas covers 

 and wood decoys, much less bags are made, but this rule will apply to most 

 other shooting, though brant have held their numbers better than many 

 other game-birds. Before the use of wood decoys was introduced, a string 

 of three decoys was customary, but since, only two are used. 



About the year 1855 it was my good fortune to be invited to partici- 

 pate in the shooting of brant at Chatham. I freely admit that I did not 

 then know what a brant goose was. I also discovered that most of the 

 sportsmen of that day were no wiser than myself. In fact, fifty years ago 

 the bird was known to but few gunners, or even epicures. The excellent 

 quality of its flesh became gradually known and appreciated, and to-day it 

 is freely sought by sportsmen and bon vivants. I cheerfully accepted the 

 invitation, provided myself with a suitable outfit, and reported for duty. 

 The shooting was superb, and I enjoyed it hugely. The camp and accom- 

 modations were simply horrid. We occupied a clam shanty and slept 

 upon the soft side of a board, with sea-weed for a pillow. The bill of fare 

 was of the most frugal character. The invitation was extended and 



