MID-DAY MALLARD SHOOTING PALL. 153 



than any artificial ones. Cut me three or four 

 more sticks ; make them about two feet long, 

 and sharpen both ends. Come, Jack, old fellow, 

 and fetch me these dead ducks. There ! see how 

 naturally that duck sits on the water. You see 

 I push these stakes down firmly into the mud, 

 leaving about six or seven inches above water ; 

 then right between the base of the bill and neck, 

 on the under side of the head of the duck, there 

 is a soft place free from bone, and by pushing 

 this down firmly upon the point of the stick 

 the duck is held in position. The tail feathers 

 usually need raising a little, as in life the mal- 

 lard carries them slightly elevated. Many use a 

 crotched stake instead of one sharpened at the top, 

 and merely hook the duck's head over it. This 

 plan is full as good in calm water, but if there 

 happens to be a little swash the heads work 

 loose and fall down. There, that makes quite a 

 respectable-looking flock. Come, Jack, let's get 

 back to our blind now, the sooner the better. 

 In sonw parts - of the country, where it may be 

 difficult to procure stakes, cane or rice stalks 

 may be used to stick up ducks on. But as these 

 are very brittle and elastic, they cannot be easily 

 pushed into the under part of the head ; so 



