PIN-TAIL DUCK. 223 
bird, so deliberately wrings its neck, and then throws it 
at his feet in the blind. 
In spite of their extreme wariness and their propen- 
sity to fly so high, they decoy nicely. They are on 
the best of terms with the mallard family, and at times 
travel with them, feed with them and roost with them. 
The pin-tail decoys are so neutral in appearance that it 
is not advisable to use them; besides, they must be 
natural, and to create that naturalness their necks 
must be slim. This means constant accidents by break- 
ing necks off. As they associate so much with mallards, 
mallard decoys are the best to use, and as one will 
usually be shooting in shallow waters, it is better to 
stick up some of the dead pin-tails for decoys. How 
this is done is fully shown in the article entitled 
“Shooting Mallards in a Snow Storm.” Don’t be in 
too great a hurry to shoot, for they love dearly to circle 
around before lighting, and will stay up high in the air, 
fifty to seventy-five yards. When they do this, be calm, 
and reserve your fire, for unless they see you they will 
come down. All this time they will be whistling. Im- 
itate their whistle; it is very simple, and always do it 
immediately after they do, as near like theirs as you 
can. Whistle often, throw feeling and expression in 
your tone; you want them to come, so be very solicit- 
ous in your call. Don’t move in your blind, for their 
eyes are very sharp, and they will see you. When you 
fire the first barrel, look sharp, for they will be about 
thirty feet higher before you are aware and ready for 
the second. They are noted for being high jumpers, 
and will jump perpendicularly from twenty to thirty 
feet when frightened at the report of a gun. They 
are not hard to capture on the water, as when wounded 
