DUCK-SHOOTING. 263 



tediluvian ages, were seen in the water, but are only- 

 taken in the net. 



The weather had been clear, mild, and still ; it 

 continued so for several days, and as storm and 

 wind are necessary to duck-shooting, our sport, al- 

 though pleasant, was greatly diminished. Conse- 

 quently we rose at reasonable hours, ate comforta- 

 . ble breakfasts, and smoked our pipes before we left 

 the house. One morning, as I was about departing, 

 the Kentucky fisherman, who had found, the weather 

 admirable for his sport, offered to bet ten of the 

 largest fish he would catch against the largest bird 

 I should shoot, that I would not kill a dozen ducks. 

 Of course I accepted the wager. 



It was unpromising weather, still and warm, and 

 there was absolutely no flight either during the 

 morning or evening ; but by chance two cormo- 

 rants came close to my stand. Without waiting 

 to distinguish what they were I fired, killing one 

 dead, and dropping the other some distance off in 

 the open water. My disgust on picking up the one 

 nearest, and observing the thick legs, ugly shape, 

 and crooked yellow bill, was only diminished by the 

 recollection of my bet. I lost, failing in the end to 

 bring home the dozen birds — although I shot more 

 than that number, but was unable to recover several 

 that fell in the weeds — and on my return, using that 

 fact as an excuse, endeavoi'ed to beg ofi". The Ken- 

 tuckian was delighted ; imagining from my conversa- 

 tion that I had shot a canvas-back, and anticipating an 

 amusing triumph, he insisted upon theletter of the law. 



