CANVAS-BACK. 291 



A small pad or pillow for the head to lie on should be placed at 

 the top of the box, and in severe weather the shooter will find a 

 woollen helmet, vizor, or mask, a very comfortable contrivance to 

 protect him from the cold blasts. 



We were formerly under the impression that much danger was 

 to be apprehended from the accidental sinking of these batteries ; 

 but we are now satisfied, from further observation and the expe- 

 rience of old duckers who have used these machines properly con- 

 structed^ (for the early ones were susceptible of much improvement,) 

 that our fears are rather gratuitous. 



Mr. W. W. Levy, of Havre de Grace, to whom we are indebted 

 for a rough but very complete drawing of a battery from which 

 the above sketch was taken, as well as much other valuable in- 

 formation upon this subject, assures us that a box built such as we 

 have described could not, by actual experiment, be made to sink 

 below the surface, when filled with water, loaded with two hundred 

 and fifty pounds of pig iron and the addition of two stout men. 



This experiment we cannot but consider a very extreme one, 

 and the result most conclusive ; and we shall no longer hesitate in 

 recommending our sporting friends to consign themselves, without 

 hesitation or fear, to one of these cunning machines whenever a 

 fitting opportunity presents itself. 



The ease with which one of these batteries rides on the surface 

 of the bay, even during a heavy blow, is very remarkable ; we 

 have been quite comfortable in them, when it required two strong 

 oarsmen to row a light gunning skifi". 



