,..J 



1 



120 H ILDFO \ VL SHOO TING IN 7 HE IVES TERN S TA TES, 



before a light road waggon soon brought us to the 

 desired place, and, to our intense satisfaction, we 

 found that our informant had not one whit exagger- 

 ated his statement. 



On the Kaukakee, or English lake, and at a big 

 slough about ten miles north of Kent, Indiana, I have 

 seen some flights that have surprised mo, but this 

 beat all my past records. On those occasions I 

 made terribly heavy bags with a muzzle-loader ; what 

 was I going to do now ? It remained to be seen. 



In every direction that I cast my eyes ducks were 

 in view, in large flocks and small flocks, with single 

 intermediate connecting links between them, just as 

 if keeping within feel of the adjoining bodies of their 

 kindred. The corn-field seemed to be the greatest 

 object of attraction, yet the adjoining slough had 

 thousands of visitors. I imagine these last had 

 travelled farthest, so, being worn out, required rest 

 before gratifying their appetites. 



The air around this open water fairly resounded 

 with their voices, for each flight that approached it 

 was solicited by their predecessors to ahglit, and the 

 new comers clamorously accepted their invitation. No 

 fear existed in any of the safety of the situation, for, 

 without hesitation, all would turn in their flight and 

 dash down into the overflow with such amazing 

 rapidity that when they struck the water's surface it 

 would fly in spray for yards on every side. 



Then commenced such a preening of feathers, 

 fluttering of wings, shaking of tails, and racing and 

 diving, accompanied by loud exclamations of delight 

 that the observer might well imagine that all the 

 " creturs " had well-nigh gone demented. 



Not so with the ducks that had selected the corn- 

 field for their operations. Over an^^^ over it they 

 sailed, some on such rapid pinions i.^ if their very 

 existence depended upon speed ; others with more 

 measured gait, as if desirous of selecting, without fail, 



