The Texas Almanac for 1868 Page: 95
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while in this defenseless condition, when with stiffened and powerless wings
they fall an easy prey to every spoiler.
Of the geese family we have at least four well-known and well marked spe-
cies, two-inhabiting the coast, which may be termed salt-water or bay geese,
and two remaining in the interior, which may be termed fresh-water or inland
geese, the former known as the Brandt goose and snow goose, the latter as the
common or Canadian goose and the gray or white-fronted goose. All arrive
early in October, the bay geese passing on to the coast without stopping, only
for food and water, and the latter remaining with us until the end of April,
affording abundant sport to the wild-fowl shooter, and, after a short sojourn
with us, excellent eating. Yes, yonder they are, and within reach of the
fence too, a glorious lot of them. The wagon is hitched; and we proceed to
insinuate ourselves along the fence, briers and bull-nettles nothing daunting,
until we reach the coveted point which may be shall enfilade their ranks.
The barrels are cautiously inserted between the rails, and, as you look along
them, you see their black and glossy necks now erect and motionless, for their
eyes and ears have been at work. Not a moment is to be lost, the triggers
are touched, and eight ounces of "T" shot from four barrels scatter wounds
and death amongst them.
Early in September the ducks commence to arrive, and now is the time for
those fond of duck-shooting, and of migratory duck-shooting in particular,
to closely watch the weather, and with the first "norther" to betake them-
selves and retrievers at the earliest dawn to some well-known jutting point
or island in our rivers, and there levy tribute upon them in their passage
down our streams to their winter home, which of some species is still
further to the south. The first that make their appearance is the
blue-winged teal, and a delicious fowl it is, both. to shoot and to eat;
nevertheless, even they will at times be a little weedy. But here they come ;
they are upon us in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, with the glistening
sheen of their steel-blue wings dancing in the dim light of the early morn-
ing; and, as they make the turn, dip, or rise, as the case may be, huddling
confusedly together for the moment, point the barrels into the darkest part
of the flock, and if you have used effectively and simultaneously both your
brain and muscle, and fired coolly and deliberately, your heart will be glad-
dened at the results produced by your sixes or sevens; and as your retrievers
gather in the harvest, each congratulating the other on the glorious havoc,
a flock passes by you " scot free," which largely discounts your success, and
quickly brings you back to reason and the nether world.-
The next in time and order of migration is the shoveler, the peer of the
preceding species in all respects save one-that of not flying in as compact a
body; but in size and plumage superior, especially when dressed in his
spring garb, when lie may be regarded as a feathered be.au among his tribe,
provided our wood or summer duck be not present, which stands without a
rival in beauty of plumage, and is moreover the only one who remains with
us the year round. In the wake of the shoveler follows the widgeon, green-
winged teal, and pintails, all choice and well-known fowls; these, in like
manner, are, followed by the gray duck, ring-necks, (the daintiest of all,) and
occasionally canvas-backs, the mallards bringing up the rear, as it is the
middle of December before they are generally diffused throughout the State;
but when that has taken place, and the oak mast is abundant, every favor-
able stream will yield up its feathered treasures to the lover of wild-fowl
shooting. The ducks above named are those only which usually follow the
course of our streams in their autumnal migration,a nd may all, except the
canvas-backs, be regarded as fresh water or inland ducks, those whose
habitat is the bays and lowlands of the coast, meandering the shore-line of
the Atlantic and Gxulf coasts in their route to the south. Of these there are
about c dozen more varieties which spend the winter months with us, many
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The Galveston News. The Texas Almanac for 1868, book, December 1867; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth123773/m1/99/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.