n on its surface besides a few whistling teal, a duck
that gives poor sport, and is only just worth eating.

I discovered, however, that at dusk hundreds of ducks returned to the
"jheel" from all directions, remaining there probably until dawn.

Followed by my soldier servant as an escort, I made my way to the
"jheel," and having made our passage in one of the frail boats, known as
"dug-outs," we eventually arrived at a small island which I had selected
for my stand.

Never shall I forget that evening. For about twenty minutes I shot
nearly as fast as I could load, and not too well, I am afraid.

Ducks of several different varieties were coming fast, and at all angles
and elevations.

Many an old sportsman will understand my difficulties. I had of course
no second gun, no ejector, and at times I utterly forgot the motto
"Festina lente."

At last it was over, and I went home moderately satisfied with about
five-and-twenty ducks, leaving, alas! a large number unpicked, as we had
no dog.

When your shoot is over, and the season is drawing to its close, the
only work left amongst the ducks is to select the breeding stock for
next season.

The best to keep are long and well-furnished birds, as they always fly
better, and lay more eggs than the short thick-set variety: they should
have rakish-looking heads, with long bills, chrome yellow tinged with
green in the case of the drake, and dull brown fringed with bright
orange in the case of the duck. The eyes should be set high in the head,
and the head itself _appear_ to be slightly angular in appearance, and
not too round at the crown. I believe in fairly light coloured birds, as
I have always noticed that any strange birds that arrive appear lighter
in colour than my own, and I think that the darker and coarser birds do
not fly so well. In any case get rid of all short thick-set birds--they
will do for the table, but not for sport.

In taking leave of my readers, I hope that I may have been fortunate
enough to secure a little of their interest, and that this book may
prove of some assistance to those who, like myself, love wild duck, and
consider a few hours spent daily in their company an education and a
treat.

Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.
Edinburgh & London

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