MALLARD— TIMBER SUOOTING. HI 



As you are now facing the south, the wind blows from 

 you, and the ducks will fly over you with the wind, 

 then come back against the wind to alight. Notice par- 

 ticularly how the decoys are placed. Eighteen in all, 

 quite a flock. Instead of putting them in bunches, or 

 flocks, they are strung in pairs up and down this narrow 

 place, forty yards each side of you. Why is this done ? 

 Because they have commenced to pair, and you will 

 notice they are flying in pairs all the time. Possibly 

 you thought while setting them out I was a little par- 

 ticular. So I was, for I wanted every pair to be in the 

 sunshine. There they glitter and show up nicely. See 

 what a nice, open place I have selected for you, giving 

 a clear view to the east, west and south. What a 

 splendid day, with the sun shining in a cloudless sky, 

 and a mild, cool north wind. Use your duck squawk 

 frequently whether you see birds or not. Often they 

 will be in hearing if not in sight. Don't attempt shoot- 

 ing through the tops of those trees behind you, for 

 through those limbs and twigs you won't kill once in 

 twenty times. It is surprising how one misses in shoot- 

 ing through the tree tops, — shots that one is certain of ; 

 every duck shooter knows this. You are now ready for 

 business and pleasure. Just allow me to step into the 

 bliiid with you and see you Idll a pair. No, thanks ! 

 Keep the gun, — I want you to do the shooting. 



. Mark, west. A duck ! Call her. Well, well, wonder 

 why she didn't come ? Must have seen us ' Nothing of 

 the kind. Don't feel hurt that you frightened her away 

 with your call. When you blew it, you made the sound 

 too loud. She wasn't far, about a hundred yards — and in 

 this still woods would have heard a soft mellow call. In- 

 stead of calling in that way, you filled your lungs with air, 



