FOWL SHOOTING. 
135 
that I have seen Canvass-backs burst open in the breast when 
falling on the water; and spending less time in feeding, they 
pass up and down the bay from river to river, in their morning 
and evening flights, giving, at certain localities, great opportu¬ 
nities for destruction. They pursue, even in their short passa¬ 
ges, very much the order of their migratory movements, flying 
in a line, or baseless triangle; and when the wind blows on the 
points which may lie on their course, the sportsman has great 
chances of success. These points or courses of the Ducks are 
materially affected by the winds, for they avoid, if possible, an 
approach to the shore; but when a strong breeze sets them on 
to these projections of the land, they are compelled to pass with¬ 
in shot, and often over the land itself. 
“ In the Susquehanna and Elk rivers, there are few of these 
points for shooting, and there success depends on approach¬ 
ing them while on their feeding-grounds. After leaving the 
eastern point at the mouth of the Susquehanna and Turkey 
Point, the western side of the Elk River, which are both mode¬ 
rately good for flying shooting, the first place of much celebrity 
is the Narrows, between Spesutic Island and the western shore. 
These narrows are about three miles in length, and from three 
to five hundred yards in breadth. 
“By the middle of November, the Canvass-backs in particu¬ 
lar begin to feed in this passage, and the entrance and outlet, as 
well as many intermediate spots, become very successful sta¬ 
tions. A few miles further down the western shore is Taylor’s 
Island, which is situated at the mouth of the Rumney, and 
Abbey Island at the mouth of Bush River, which are both cele¬ 
brated for Ducks, as well as Swans and Geese. These are the 
most northerly points where large fowl are met with, and pro¬ 
jecting 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 Robbin’s and Rick- 
ett’s Points, near Gunpowder River, are fruitful localities. Im¬ 
mediately at the mouth of this river is situated Carroll’s Island, 
which has long been known as a great shooting ground, and it 
