WILD FOWL. 
83 
“ This common Duck is more generally known to our gun¬ 
ners by the name of • Broad-bill ’ or ‘ Blue-bill/ According to 
Willoughby, it takes its name from a certain small kind of shell¬ 
fish on which it feeds.— Wilson. It is met with along the whole 
extent of the Atlantic coast, and is a regular visitor along our 
western lakes. It arrives among us from the 10th to the 20th 
of October, associates in large flocks, and on its first appearance 
is easily decoyed, but after having been frequently shot at, be¬ 
comes more shy. In stormy weather it takes shelter in the coves, 
and is frequently decoyed within gun-shot from the shore by 
having a dog trained for the purpose of swimming between it 
and the shore, as also by moving a red handkerchief every few 
seconds, keeping your person concealed. This manoeuvre either 
charms or irritates it—I am inclined to think the latter, from 
the impetuous manner in which it approaches. The scene is 
truly ludicrous. I have tried this method with other species 
without success. It remains with us in the winter until the se¬ 
verity of the weather compels it to leave for a better supply of 
food. When passing over frozen bays, I have killed it at air- 
openings. When wounded, it avoids pursuit by diving, and is 
famous for skulking under the banks. It is no particular advan¬ 
tage to have a large flock come up to the decoys, for the instant 
you rise to fire, they scatter in all directions, so that it is diffi¬ 
cult to get over two in range; when a flock swims up to you, 
as it occasionally happens, of course greater havoc is made. It 
passes the night on the flats in large flocks, seldom or never 
roosting on the marshes or meadows, and is very quick in dis¬ 
covering the best feeding-grounds. In passing through the nar¬ 
row ‘ leads,’—as the gunners term the natural creeks and channels 
that form those beautiful islands in our wide bays—to its favorite 
feeding-grounds, it is easily killed without decoys. It returns to 
us early in the spring, and remains until the mild weather 
invites its vernal flight. Wlien in good condition, its flesh by 
many is esteemed. In flying, it seldom makes any other noise 
than that produced by the action of its wings; but in calm wea¬ 
ther, when swimming leisurely about, it gives utterance to a 
