A MORNING WITB NATURE, ETC. 259 



but cast aside all cares and business thoughts, wander 

 over the prairies, through vales and valleys, in shadowy 

 glens, on craggy hill-sides ; or, rowing on some quiet 

 lake, or floating idly with the current of some broad or 

 sinuous stream, inhale draught after draught of delight- 

 fully pure air, and be thankful for the chance of doing 

 so. Better enjoy the day this way, and bag a dozen 

 birds, than kill a hundred, with your mind at all times 

 filled with selfish, avaricious motives. 



Let the young hunter read, again my description of 

 the shooting an "incomer," the "overhead shot," 

 where the duck was not seen until after it had passed ; 

 the " long, high shot," far off at the side ; ponder them 

 well, it will be a profitable use of time, and rich inter- 

 est added to the knowledge he may have, for they are 

 the three most difficult shots to make at wild fowl. 



The pleasant incident of jumping the three ducks 

 along the island ; the laughable " scenting scene," — 

 these are referred to, because they illustrate things that 

 should be remembered. They teach this lesson : — al- 

 ways approach a place where there is a possibility of 

 finding game, with caution ; never pass a place where 

 there is a likelihood of finding birds, without investigat- 

 ing the ground thoroughly; never allow a flock of 

 ducks to fly out of your sight, without watching them 

 until they are lost to view. 



