Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1851-01-29

We wonder-if the story be ,rue-how ''our
man" managed to protect himself from the
benumbing effect of the wat er, for il is only
in cold weather that focks of ducks are seen
in our waters. If it is not one of those Gre
markable stories" that travellers sometimes
relate, and which persons who stay a, home
can often disprove, it is, after the nature of
ducks, at least sonaeachat 'sfshy.'
From the Illustrated London News.
DUCK SHOOTING ON THE POTOMAC.
BY A CORRESPONDENT.
In the autumn, the ducks, warned BY the
cold breezes and forbdding shores Of the
north that winter comes on apace, collec,
their families, which they have raised in
safety on the lonely waters Of the great
lakes and amid those marshes where the
sportsman seldom pene,ra,es, and commence
their migration 10 the sunny shores of the
south.
Tempted by the still inviting shores of
the Potomac, they linger awhile upon her
waters, and give to the surrounding sports
men opportunities for exercising their kill.
No time is lost 4: every one at all imbued
with the spirit Of N Nimrod shoulders his piece
and belakes himself to the scene Of action
Al first, the ducks are easily approached and
shot; but they are soon rendered excessive
Iy shy by the incessant discharge of musket-
ry from every nook and possible place of
concealment. The sportsman then resorts
TO all manner of decoys, in order to approach
them. Sometimes he covers his canoe with
green bushes, and floats quietly with the
current among the unsuspecting flock, and
obtains fair shot. The gun used is one
made expressly for this sport, and bears the
name Of "P o,omsc duck gum" !. is shor,
and very heavy piece, with muzze two
inches in diameter, and is sometimes made
to work on swivel in the bow Of the
canoe. 1t carries load of shot weighing
five ounces. and The destruction deli upon
a flock just rising from the water can be
imagined.
One individual, who had tried in vain
many plans, was one day seen to roll into
the water a number of pumpkins these
drifted in among the ducks, and were soon
scarcely noticed by them. Our man then
brought forth huge pumpkin, well hollow
ed out, with holes for his eyes and mouth
This he placed upon his head, stripped him
sell, and swan gently towards the ducks.
They scarcely noticed the pumpkins; and
our hero succeeded in drawing many poor
duck under the water, who had only time
to give quick quack, when he was no more,
and hung quietly TO the caplor's belt, with
out even attracting the attention of his COM
rades.
But one device attracted my notice espe-
cially, and have given you sketch of it.
This succeeds admirably. The hunter
bids him small skiff with very low sides
this he summounts with platform of boards.
and paints the whole so as scarcely to be
distinguished from the water eon this plat
form and around i, he places his wooden
decoy ducks, and hides himself at the bot.
tom Of the skiff. In the meantime he has
confederate, who, in the boat in the OILS.
| lance, sails around and scares up the ducks
they alght or hover around the decoy
ducks, and our fortunate sportsman rising
deals death amongst them. He sometimes
kills at one shot fifteen or sixteen. The
sport does no, las, long, as they soon be-
come wary of the beautiful but ueacherou:
water, and hasten 10 the lagoons and bayen:
of Florida, where they can feed and spor
undislurbed.
The canvass back is considered far the
best for the table; and, indeed, epicures say
that they are unequalled for delicacy, and a
the same time favour, in the duck line.