136 
FRANK FORESTER’S FIELD SPORTS. 
in the rentage of a company at a high rate. Maxwell’s Point, 
as well as some others up other rivers, and even farther down 
the bay, are good places, but less celebrated than those I have 
mentioned. Most of these points are let out as shooting grounds 
for companies and individuals, and they are esteemed so valua¬ 
ble that intruders are severely treated. 
“ 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 annoyed by boat-shooting, 
either by night or day, and although the discharge of guns from 
the shore may arouse them for a time, they soon return; 
whereas a boat on sail in chase a few times, will make them 
forsake a favorite spot for days. 
** From the great number of ducks that are seen in all direc¬ 
tions, one would suppose that there could be no doubt of success 
at any one of the points in the 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 
he days without a promising shot. From the western side of 
the bay—and it is there that the best grounds are found—the 
southerly winds are the most favorable; 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 inconceiva¬ 
ble, and they approach the points so closely, that even a mode¬ 
rately good shot can procure from fifty to one hundred Ducks a 
day. This has often occurred, and I have seen eight fat Can- 
vass-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 career¬ 
ing, with the great numbers of beautiful white Swans resting 
near the shores, like banks of driven snow, might induce him to 
suppose that the facilities for their destruction were equal to 
their profusion, that with so large an object in view, a sports¬ 
man could hardly miss his aim. But when he considers the 
great thickness of their covering, the velocity of their flight, the 
