AND AMERICAN RURAL SPORTS. 
hundred yards in breadth. By the middle of November, 
the Canvass backs particularly, begin to feed in this passage, 
and the entrance and out let, as well as many intermediate 
spots, become very successful stations. A few miles fur- 
ther down the western shore is Taylor’s Island, which is 
situated at the mouth of the Rumney, and Abby Island at 
the mouth of Bush river, which are both celebrated for 
Ducks, as well as Swans and Geese. These are the most 
northerly points where large fowl are met with, and 
projecting out between deep coves where immense numbers 
of these birds feed, they possess great advantages. The 
south point of Bush river, or Legoe’s point, and Robbins’ 
and Rickett’s points near Gunpowder river, are fruitful 
localities. Immediately at the mouth of this river is situ- 
ated Carroll’s Island, which has long been known as a 
great shooting ground, and is in the rentage of a company 
at a high rate. Maxwell’s point, as well as some others up 
this and other rivers, and even further down the bay, are 
good places, but less celebrated than those I have men- 
tioned. Most of these points are let out as shooting 
grounds to companies and individuals, and they are es- 
teemed so valuable, that intruders are treated severely. 
It has been ascertained, that disturbing the fowl on the 
feeding flats, is followed in most cases, by their forsaking 
those haunts, and seeking others; hence, in the rivers 
leading to the bay near flying points, they are never an- 
noyed by boat shooting either by night or day, and al- 
though the discharge of guns from the shore may arouse 
them for a time, they soon return; whereas, a boat or sail 
in chase a few times, will make them forsake a favourite 
spot for days. 
From the great number of Ducks that are seen in all di- 
rections, one would suppose that there could be no doubt 
of success at any of the points in their course of flight; 
but whilst they have such correct vision as to distance, and 
wide range of space, unless attending circumstances are 
favorable, a sportsman may be days without a promising 
shot. For the western side of the bay, and it is there the 
best grounds are found, the southerly winds are the most 
favourable; and, if a high tide is attended by a smart frost 
and mild south wind, or even calm morning, the number 
of birds set in motion becomes inconceivable, and they ap- 
proach the points so closely, that even a moderately good 
shot, can procure from fifty to one hundred Ducks a day. 
This has often occurred, and the author himself has seen 
eight fat Canvass backs killed at one discharge into a flock, 
from a small gun. 
To a stranger visiting these waters, the innumerable 
Ducks, feeding in beds of thousands, or filling the air with 
their careering, with the great numbers of beautiful white 
Swans resting near the shores, like banks of driven snow, 
43 
he would naturally suppose the facilities for their destruc- 
tion were equal to their profusion, and with so large an 
object in view, a sportsman could scarcely miss his aim. 
But when he considers the great thickness of their cover- 
ing, the velocity of their flight, the rapidity and duration 
of their diving, and the great influence that circumstances of 
wind and weather have on the chances of success, it be- 
comes a matter of wonder how so many are destroyed. 
The usual mode of taking these birds, has been, till re- 
cently, by shooting from the points during the flight, or 
from the land or boats on their feeding grounds, or by 
toling , as it is strangely termed, an operation by which the 
Ducks are sometimes induced to approach within a few feet 
of the shore, from a distance often of several hundred yards. 
This process, though it has been frequently described, may 
not be uninteresting to repeat. A spot is usually selected 
where the birds have not been much disturbed, and where 
they feed at three or four hundred yards from, and can ap- 
proach to within forty or fifty yards of the shore, as they 
will never come nearer than they can swim freely. The 
higher the tides and calmer the day, the better, for they 
feed closer to the shores and see more distinctly. Most 
persons on these waters, have a race of small, white or 
liver coloured dogs, which are familiarly called the toler 
breed, but which appear to be the ordinary Poodle. 
These dogs are extremely playful, and are taught to run 
up and down the shore, in sight of the ducks, either by the 
motion of the hand or by throwing chips from side to side. 
They soon become perfectly acquainted with their business, 
and as they discover the Ducks approaching them, make 
their jumps less high till they almost crawl on the ground, 
to prevent the birds discovering what the object of their 
curiosity may be. This disposition to examine rarities, 
has been taken advantage of, by using a red or black 
handkerchief by day, and white by night., in toling, or 
even by gently splashing the water on the shore. The 
nearest Ducks soon notice the strange appearance, what- 
ever the plan attempted, raise their heads, gaze intent- 
ly for a moment, then push for the shore. The rest fol- 
low suite, and the author has, on many occasions, seen 
thousands of them swimming in a solid mass direct to the 
object; and by removing the dog further into the grass, 
they have been brought within fifteen feet of the bank. 
When they have approached to about thirty or forty yards, 
their curiosity is generally satisfied, when they swim 
laterally up and down for a few seconds, and then retro- 
gade to their old spot. Whilst presenting the side view, is 
the moment to shoot, and forty or fifty Ducks have often 
been killed by a small gun. The Blackheads toll the most 
readily, then the Red heads, next the Canvass backs, and 
the Bald pates rarely ; and this, is the ratio of their approach 
