Page 48 THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS.

THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS.


They also go through so many antics, such as splashing, chasing, and fighting, thus disturbing the wild ducks, and making them loth to follow birds that appear so bold and careless. Call-ducks are very useful, however, to keep in a new Decoy the first year, in order to get a lead of fowl to the pond. Their noisy cries will bring down birds passing over at a great height, but for actual use in the pipes they are not successful. Tame reared wild ducks are also to be strictly excluded from a Decoy. Their nature is far too cunning. They will often stand guard over the entrance of a pipe, and though feeding on the grain as it drifts down, will act as sentries, and not allow a bird to enter under the net. They give some low warning note, or make some, I presume, duck-understood gesture suggestive of danger. When the wild ducks rise in fright, and are driven up a pipe, the tame ducks that helped to lead the way are not alarmed, but swim quietly down the pipe again. As THEY know the Decoyman well, and as he does THEM no harm, they cannot understand why the wild birds should be so alarmed by his appearance.


THE DOG. A bright intelligent little fellow, about a third smaller than a Fox, with a curly bushy tail if possible. and of a red or yellow colour. A good Decoy dog is hard to find, but, when obtained, is invaluable. He should do his work cheerfully above all things, and be well re-warded for doing it-at the time. One wave of the hand or arm is enough, if the dog is properly trained, to urge him on his career over the jump and round the front of each screen consecutively, or round any screen that the Decoyman may wish. Yet he needs do his work steadily all the same-I mean he must never fail at a critical moment. A turn towards the ducks following him, or a whimper would spoil all. Two dogs of different colour may be kept in use, as it often happens, though the birds, will treat with contempt the one, the other will rouse them to follow him at once.