226 DUCK-SHOOTING. 



longer and exposed to excessive cold, their germi- 

 nating principle would be annihilated. 



Wood-ducks are fond of them in their unripe 

 state, and frequent the marshes, especially in the 

 early fall, to procure a supply. With a view to 

 nuts and grapes for dessert, I paused to gather a 

 number of pods, and was carelessly pushing along, 

 ■when from out a bunch of weeds, with a great clat- 

 ter, sprang a couple of those birds. Dropping the 

 setting-pole, I threw myself forward to seize the 

 gun ; but for this shooting, infinite practice and 

 great aptitude are required ; and although well 

 accustomed to kill rail from the floating cockle- 

 shells on the Delaware river, and able to take one 

 end of a birch canoe with any man, I was bun- 

 glingly in my own way, and, when at last one 

 barrel was discharged, a shameful miss was the 

 only result. Anathematizing my awkwardness, I 

 was dropping the butt to reload, when, roused by 

 the report, another bird sprang not more than 

 twenty yards off. In an instant the gun was at 

 my shoulder, and, when the fire streamed forth, 

 the bird doubled up, riddled with shot, and pitched 

 forward into the weeds. It was a drake, and, al- 

 though young, the plumage was resplendent with 

 the green, brown, and mottle of the most beau- 

 tiful denizen of our waters — ^the elegant wood- 

 duck. 



Several more rose, far out of range, before the 

 lilies were passed and my destination in the open 

 channel reached. Stopping on the brink of the lat- 



