EVENING MALLARD SHOOTING FALL. 165. 



sky long after the sun goes down, and when it 

 would be impossible to see them in any other 

 direction. Now you must be in readiness for 

 snap-shots, and instantly, on seeing a duck with- 

 in range, throw up your gun and pull without 

 hesitation. If you have pointed correctly, you 

 will be gratified by hearing the splash of your 

 game in the water, following the report of the 

 g«n. If in a favorable locality, the numbers of 

 the ducks and their continual quacking and whiz- 

 zing by cannot fail to confuse the beginner, who 

 will frequently stand still, undecided which one 

 to shoot at. Experience will, however, quickly 

 cure him (unless he be naturally of a very ex- 

 citable disposition), so that no amount of game 

 will afterwards disturb his composure. 



If you have a good dog with you, and are in 

 a place that will admit of it, let him retrieve 

 your ducks as fast as killed ; if not, and you are 

 shooting from a boat, you must quit shooting be- 

 fore it gets too dark, and pick up your game, or, 

 if you intend to come back in the morning, let 

 them remain until then. The owls and minks, how- 

 ever, in such case, will very likely have robbed 

 you of a couple or so. If you intend to shoot 

 in the same place next morning or evening, you 



