6 CANVASS*BACK DUCK.
is followed in most oases by their forsaking those i haunts; and seeking
others:; hence, in the rivers leading to the hay near flying points, they
are never annoyed In" boat-shooting, either by night or day, and although
the discharge' of guns from the shore may arouse them for a
time, they goon 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 directions, one
would suppose that there could be no doubt of success1 at any one
of the points in the* course of flight; but whilst they have1 such correct
vision as to distance, and wide range of space, unless attending
circumstances are favourable, a sportsman may be days without a promising
shot- From the western side of the bay, and it is there the best
grounds are found, the southerly winds are the most favourable 5 and,
if a high tide is attended by a smart frostand mild south winds or even
calm morning, the number of birds set in motion becomes inconceivable,
and they approach the points so closely, that even a moderately
good shot cam procure from fifty to one hundred ducks a-day.
This has often occurred,-and I have'¡seen eight fat Canvass-baciks 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 beautiful1 whit© swans resting near the shffifes; like
banks of driven snow, might induce him to suppose that the facilities
for their destruction we>re equal to their profusion, and that with so
large an object in view, a sportsman could scarcely miss his aim.
But, when he considers the great thickness of their covering; the ve-!
locity of their flight, the rapidity and duration of their diving, and the*
great influence that circumstances of wind and weather have on the
chanees of success, it becomes a matter'©f wonder how so many are
destroyed.-
"The usual mode of taking these birds has been, till recently, by shooting
them from the points during their 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. 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 approach to within forty or fifty yards of the • shore, as they
CANVASS-BACK DUCK.
will never,come nearer than they can swim fre%. The higher the
tides, and the «•aimer the day, the better, lor they feed closer to the
shores and see:vmoie distinctly*' Most persons on these waters have a
race,.of small white.or liver-coloured dogs, which they familiarly Call
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, ill sight of the ducks, either by-tlie motion of the hand, or by
throwing chips from side to ..ride. 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 b.ei; This disposition to examine, rarities has been taken advantage,
of by using a red or black handkerchief by day, and a white
one by night in toling, or even by,fently plashing the water on the
shore;• The nearest ducks soon notico the strange appearance; raise
their ¡heads;, gaze intently for a moment, and then push for the shore,
followed % the- rest,; On many, occasions, I have seen thousands of
them swimming in a solid mass direct to the object; and by removing
the. dog farther 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,» and after swimming up
and down for, a lew seconds,, they retrograde to their former station.
The moment to shoot is while they present their sides, and forty or fifty
ducks have often been killed by a. small gun. The Black-heads toll the
most readily, then the Red-heads* next the Canvass-backs, and the Baldjpates
rarely. This also is the ratio; of their-approach.to the points in
flying, .,although, if the Canvass-back has determined on his direction,
, ¡few circumstances: will change his:, course. The total absence of cover
or precaution against »exposure to sight, or even a large fire, will not
turn these birds aside On such occasions. In flyingTshootmg, the Baldpates
are a great nuisance, for they are-so shy that they not only avoid
the points themselves, but by their whistling and confusion of flight at
such times, alarm others.:
" Simple asiit may appear to shoot with success into a solid mass of
ducks sitting on the water at forty or fifty yards' distance, yet when
you recollect that you are placed nearly level with the surface, the obj ect
opposed to you, even though composed of hundreds of individuals, may
be in appearance but a few feet in width. To give, therefore, the best