230 WILD-FOWL 



him with both barrels, shooting no doubt far under 

 him. 



I found the cinnamon-teal feeding with great num- 

 bers of the green-wings on the Dakota ponds, and one 

 small lake was always so full of teal that there was 

 hardly room for more. I had read of many of these 

 birds being killed at a single shot, and having noticed 

 that the birds which used this pond when disturbed 

 always went out over the same place on the beach, 

 made arrangements to take my place quietly before 

 daylight, where the birds would pass overhead, to see 

 if I could make a record shot. My brother, with a 

 repeating gun, approached the pond on the other side, 

 and as soon as it was light enough to see opened fire 

 on the immense flock, which arose from the water with 

 a noise like a passing train and headed for my blind. 

 Before the birds came in range, however, they all 

 wheeled to the right and passed out over the beach 

 far below me. I was perfectly concealed, but the teal 

 no doubt had heard me when I went to my blind and 

 were too wary to pass over me. Two gadwalls fol- 

 lowing on behind, took the usual course, and on these 

 I made a double. My brother with his five shots took 

 heavy toll from the flock. 1 have forgotten now just 

 how many birds, but among the number was the hand- 

 some cinnamon. One day I found the teal and mal- 

 lards feeding in a reedy pond quite near the Yellow- 

 stone, and riding about on the shallow water I shot 

 them from the saddle. The birds were very tame and 

 often flew but a short distance out over the prairie, 

 and returned again to feed. The shooting was quite 

 rapid, the shots were easy and I soon had a fine bag. 



