The moment the ducks rise the firing commences at the head of the line, and is continued in succession by the whole chain of gunners. In this way, hundreds of ducks are annihilated, unless they happen to dash through an opening in the line of boats, when they are sure to escape.

Three hundred ducks have been shot by one individual placed in the line. The species commonly killed by this destructive method are the long-tailed duck, commonly called the squaw or old-wive, (Anas Glaci-

THE TOWN OF NEW ROCHELLE. 68 1

alis, Linn,) and the velvet duck, commonly called the coot, (Anas Fusca. Wil.) Another mode is by means of decoys, which is practised until the months of .April or May, when the ducks take their departure to the north.

In this place deserves to be recorded the capture of an enormous turtle, upon the 9th of Sept., 1773. " On Tuesday a turtle of an enormous size and singular form and marks was taken with a harpoon, by Mr. Bleecker and some others, near New Rochelle. His length is eight feet from fin to fin, and seven feet three inches from stem to stern. He is spotted under the fore fins like a leopard, and discovered amazing swiftness after being struck by the harpoon. He had been seen among the rocks in the neighborhood of New Rochelle, but was not known till just before his capture to be a turtle. What a noble repast would this prove to the Blow-bladder street fraternity in London, for he is found to be upwards of 800 cwt."°