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JL 





SETTING OUT THE DECOYS 



ber. This is partly because they are not 

 so frightened as during the earlier 

 weeks of the season, when it is neces- 

 sary to stop the sport for one or two 

 days in each week, otherwise the ducks 

 would probably be scared away from 

 the feeding grounds, tempting as they 

 are, and not return. Years back some 

 legislative sportsman was wise enough 

 to have a law passed in Maryland, 

 which gives the ducks at least one San- 

 day out of the week, and the gunner 

 who dares to take a shot at them runs 

 the chances of being arrested by the 

 game wardens and paying a heaw fine. 

 The Flats are not only among the 

 greatest ducking grounds in America, 

 but have been the scene of this sport 

 for over a half century. The pioneer 



hunters were Southerners from Mary- 

 land and Virginia who made up little 

 coteries, and in the days before the war 

 came up for a week or a month, bring- 

 ing their dogs and servants with them. 

 Forming themselves into clubs, they 

 built homes here and there on the shores 

 of the bay, which were known far and 

 wide for their hospitality and good 

 cheer. It is only necessary to mention 

 such names as St. Domingo, Grace's 

 Quarter, Bowly's and Biddison's to the 

 veteran Susquehanna hunter to see a 

 smile spread over his features and his 

 eyes twinkle. Many a time has he killed 

 the evening hours at one of these re- 

 sorts with pipe and glass of something 

 hot, while he told or listened to tales of 

 past achievements in these waters. 



