282 FEATHERED GAME 
thrown up by a powerful steel spring, then off 
like a streak. It is next to impossible to get 
within shot reach of him in a gunning float in 
the open water, and it is not the easiest matter 
to get at him in the marshes where there is 
plenty of cover, for his hearing is of the quick- 
est, his sight of the keenest, and every sense is 
constantly on the alert. It seems as though his 
sense of smell would detect an enemy more 
surely than would another duck’s eyesight. In 
a mixed gathering of waterfowl society, to the 
Black Duck seems given the full responsibility 
of sentry duty—no mean compliment to his 
ability. 
Probably the most of these birds which fall 
a prey to the gunner’s wiles are shot from 
‘¢sink-boxes’’ and ‘‘blinds’’ in the reed-grown 
corners of fresh water ponds, using live decoys 
to lure the birds on to their destruction. The 
successful duck-shooter must be up betimes and 
be ready to endure much discomfort, for he 
must be at his position before daylight in order 
to get the cream of the shooting, and, where 
gunners are aS Numerous as in my section, a 
late comer is apt to find every stand occupied. 
The decoys are placed before the blind, an- 
