SEA DUCKS. 231 



watches to see who shall have the first shot of the season. 

 Nearer and nearer they come ; they are almost up to the line, and 

 now they notice the boats and partly stop, but it is too late for 

 them to turn out. With swiftly moving wings, and with wonder- 

 ful speed, one following about a foot behind the other, they attempt 

 to pass between two of the boats. A man springs to his knees, 

 the muzzle of a gun follows their swift course for an instant, a 

 flash, a report, and a few feathers float in the air as the hindmost 

 duck throws out its feet, drops its head, and with wings partly 

 closed, turning slowly over in its swift descent, heavily strikes the 

 water with a loud splash. The gunner now throws overboard the 

 buoy to which his anchor line is attached, rows to the spot where 

 ■ the duck is lying dead on its back, lifts it up by one of its red feet, 

 places it on the deck, and rows back. This is the first duck. And 

 now the ducks are flying swiftly through different parts of the line, 

 and the report ,of the heavy guns is heard almost every instant. 

 Now and then some lucky fellow drops two at a shot. Many 

 which are hit come down apparently dead, dive immediately on 

 striking the water, and continue diving so vigorously that they 

 often escape, the gunner not deeming it worth while to pursue 

 them. Others which dive are never seen again. These are hard 

 hit, and as a general thing cling to the weeds and rocks at the 

 bottom with their bills and remain there till dead. If the bottom 

 offers nothing to cling to they swim off with the body completely 

 submerged, leaving nothing but the bill above the water. Some- 

 times after the warmth has all left the body of those which cling 

 to the bottom, the muscles relax their hold sufficiently to let the 

 bird float to the top of the water. Very frequently when a pass- 

 ing duck is shot at, the shot are plainly heard to hit it, but the bird 

 keeps on as though nothing was the matter. Very soon, however, 

 it moves its wings more stiffly, and inclines toward the water. This 

 is a sure sign of a hard hit, and if it alights all right it can be easi- 

 ly knocked over with the other barrel. If the duck, on reaching 

 the water, does not seem at all particular whether it alights right 

 side up or not, it will be found dead, though having flown perhaps 

 for a quarter of a mile after being hit. 



As the season advances, old squaws and sheldrakes arrive. 

 The former are often allowed to pass through the line without be- 



