260 GAME DEEP-WATER FOWL. 



ledge of these habits to practical and profitable 

 use. 



Canvas-backs never set their wings and drop 

 back from a height nearly perpendicular, as mal- 

 lards and some other shoal-water ducks often 

 do ; but, when intending to alight, always lower 

 as they approach, and if not sufficiently low 

 when first over the decoys, sheer off and circle 

 back again. They also frequently pass over or 

 by the decoys low down, seemingly to a novice as 

 though not seeing them, when, after going perhaps 

 a hundred yards or more, if everything appears 

 correct to them, they will turn about suddenly, 

 and come in as though intending to stay. The ex- 

 perienced hunter, who understands this habit, also 

 knows from their actions whether they will pro- 

 bably turn back again, or go on because of having 

 seen something to alarm them, and so he either 

 reserves his fire until they come the second time, 

 or else improves his poorer, though only, chance 

 as they first pass by. Through ignorance of this, 

 many wild shots are coaxed from the novice which, 

 if held back for a moment, might be turned to 

 much better account. 



Just before they get ready to alight, raise your 

 head and shoulders slowly above the blind, and 



