706 FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [62] 



Shooting box — Continued. 



this description are extensively used by hunters of sea fowl in 

 the shallow inlets and streams near to or bordering the Atlantic 

 coast of the United States, more particularly in New Jersey. 

 Having reached the desired locality (two or more men gener- 

 ally go in a boat, taking the shooting-box along) the shooting- 

 box is moored, the hunter takes his place in it, the wings are 

 extended, and the decoys are placed in their proper positions 

 around the box. Everything being arranged, the occupant of 

 the box lies down flat on his back, with one gun in his hand 

 and perhaps others beside him, and is ready to lire at any sea 

 fowl that may fly near. The little box is about on a level with 

 the water, upon which the wings rest. 



12. Bark canoes. 

 Canoe. 



Model. Light wooden frame, covered with birch-bark lashed over 

 gunwale; seams aad joints paid with rosin. Bound bottom; 

 pointed ends. Length, 13 inches; beam, 3£ inches. Height, 

 ends 3£ inches, amidships, 3 inches. Bristol Bay, Alaska, 1882. 

 55,906. Collected by Charles L. McKay. 



13. Skin boats and canoes. 

 Skin boat. 



Circular ; made by stretching buffalo hide over a frame- work made 

 of the boughs of trees. Diameter, 5^ feet ; depth, about 18 

 inches. Fort Buford, Dakota. 9,785. Dr. W. Matthews, U. 

 S. A. Used by Hidatza (Gros Ventres) Indians for crossing 

 streams, &c. 



A*ttl*T CANOE OR "BDDARRA." 



W.r4el, Light wooden frame lashed with sinews and covered with 

 skin, the covering lashed with thongs of skin over the gunwales 

 to rib-bands on the inside; flat-bottom ; sharp ends, projecting 

 at top ; single mast, supported by stays and shrouds of seal skin; 

 one square sail of coarse matting fastened to yard with sinews; 

 braces of seal-skin ; 2 oars ; 4 paddles. Dimensions : Length, 

 over all 46 inches, bottom 30 inches ; beam, 13J inches ; bot- 

 tom, 6 inches wide ; height, amidships 5f inches, bow 6 inches, 

 stern 9£ inches ; mast, 27 inches ; yard, 25 inches ; sail, 24 by 

 24 inches; oars, 21£ inches; paddles, 12£ to 14 inches. Saint 

 Michael's, Alaska, 1883. 38,882. Collected by E. W. Nelson. 



Bidarka and Aleut fisherman. 



A full-size skin canoe, called a "bidarka" by the natives of Alaska, 

 with the figure of an Aleut fisherman sitting in it with his 

 spear poised in his right hand as in the act of throwing it. 

 Alaska. U. S. Fish Commission, 



