WILD DUCKS. 279 
novice who enters a sink-box for the first time is certain 
to render a poor account of himself, as he is sure to mis- 
calculate the distance and to think the birds are quite 
near when they are far beyond range. If he bags twenty 
in a morning he may consider himself fortunate, yet his 
experienced co-laborer may score five times that number. 
The best shooting, so far as making a big bag is con- 
cerned, is obtained in the earlier part of the season, as 
the birds become more shy and wary after the slaughter- 
ing commences. A person may depend on securing a 
larger number on Monday than any other day in the week, 
owing to the fact that they are not molested during the 
two preceding days, and are, as a result, more con- 
fiding. After the first of January, however, this ad- 
vantage ceases, as men are allowed to shoot each Saturday 
also, until the season closes. 
Sportsmen find their position in the sink-boxes exceed- 
ingly disagreeable, especially if the day is very cold, as 
they have to lie perfectly still on the back or side, and 
listen and watch until their ears and eyes become painful 
from the intensity of their efforts. The only opportunity 
they have of moving is when they lift themselves up to 
fire at the birds, or when they signal to the sloop to send 
over the row boat and some men to pick up the dead and 
kill the cripples. The crew are generally ready to relieve 
gentlemen whenever they get tired of their cold work and 
cramped position, yet any contract made with them 
should contain clauses specifying that they must promptly 
answer all signals from the sink-boxes; that they must 
commence work at the proper time in the morning, and 
continue until after sunset; that they must supply proper 
provisions aboard the vessel; and that one of the crew 
must have a gun with which to kill the wounded. 
Those who wish to ‘‘bushwack ” ducks will find that 
system much cheaper than to hire a sloop and sink-boxes. 
Bushwacking simply means sculling towards a paddling 
