WATER FOWL. 107 



found in British America, throughout nearly the same range. 

 They are smaller than the Willow Ptarmigan, and congregate 

 together in great numbers in the open grounds in winter. 



EUROPEAN GROUSE. 



The principal Grouse of Europe are the Capercaille and the 

 Black Grouse. The former is a very large bird, about three 

 feet long, and inhabits the wooded portions of Northern Eu- 

 rope, especially those of Sweden and Norway. The Black 

 Grouse is also quite large. They are abundant in Sweden 

 and Norway, and Northern Europe. Several species of ptar- 

 migan are also found on the Eastern Continent. 



WATER FOWL. 



Two families of water fowl are of considerable importance to 

 the trapper. These are the Ducks and the Geese. The for- 

 mer are so familiar as to need no description. I will merely 

 enumerate the species that are esteemed for the table. These 

 are divided into the sub-families of Sea Ducks and River 

 Ducks. The latter principally frequent the inland waters, 

 and are all good for the table. They are the Pin-tail, the 

 Mallard, the Black or Dusky, fche Shoveller, the Muscovy, 

 the Wood, the Widgeon, the Green-winged and Blue-winged 

 Teal, and the Gadwall. Of the Sea Ducks, only the Red- 

 head, the Canvas-back, and the Ring-neck are much es- 

 teemed. The two first are excellent. All the vegetable-eat- 

 ing ducks are adapted to table use ; the fish-eaters are poor. 

 They are hunted with decoys in the early spring and fall, and 

 in summer with punt boats. A heavy shoulder gun with wide 

 bore and long range is used. 



The Wild Geese spread over the whole of this Continent 

 and abound in Europe and Asia. They breed in the far 

 north. They migrate" north in the early spring, and return 

 south late in the fall. In the fur-countries of British Amer- 

 ica they constitute the principal summer food of the inhabit- 

 ants, and are *salted down in great numbers for winter use. 

 They are shot from behind screens on the margins of lakes 

 and rivers. The hunters decoy them within range by imitat- 

 ing their cries. Tame Geese may also be used as decoys. 



