DECOYS IN NORFOLK. 173 



amijMhiiim , the lovely rosy-red blossoms of which, lit up 

 by the oblique rays of the sun, were indescribably beau- 

 tiful, a large water-rat, looking quite a monster as its 

 long coat floated on the surface of the water ; on reach- 

 ing- the shore it mounted on the brohen-down leaf of a 

 great water-dock, and deliberately commenced making- 

 its toilet in the prettiest manner conceivable, its bright 

 eyes glancing round with an air of perfect confidence 

 and security, and this, as I have said, almost within 

 reach of my hand. Very different was the scene pre- 

 sented at the same peep-hole on the occasion of another 

 visit. About three o'clock on a December afternoon, in 

 company with Page, the decoyman, we came down to 

 inspect the water, with a view, if possible, to making a 

 capture. Out on the lake were many fowl, but they 

 were too far off to render it probable that they would 

 entei the pipe. Much closer were several wild ducks, 

 floating quietly on the surface, apparently sleeping 

 peacefully with their heads comfortably tucked back 

 under their feathers. We put the dog round the 

 front screen, but it was useless, the birds would not 

 "work." In the distance, however, not far from the 

 entrance to the next pipe, we saw a bunch of teal 

 which looked more promising, so we went round to try 

 them. On looking through the screen, there were the 

 lazy fowl out in the distance, whilst upon the bank a 

 duck and mallard sat intent on making what proved 

 to be their last toilet, and the teal were well placed in 

 the foreground, wide-awake and busy. Through went the 

 dog, running- round the wing screen and coming to hand 

 beautifully. In a moment all was excitement, the teal 

 had their heads up, and the ducks on the bank slij)ped 

 into the water, with " what was it ?" plainly expressed 

 in their whole bearing. They were not left long in 

 suspense ; round went the dog at the next screen, and, as 

 if by magic, the two ducks and all the teal headed up 

 towards the pipe ; on went the dog, passing round 

 screen after screen obedient to the motions of the decoy- 

 man, the birds following- him up now in hot haste, till 

 the fatal spot in the curving pipe, which hid them from 

 the view of the fowl outside, was passed, when the decoy- 

 man ran rapidly back under cover of the outer screen, 



