24 THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS. 



their view behind the screens, who is really beckoning the dog up the side 

 of the pipe 2lX\A from the ducks. 



Should the dog turn about and face them with a whine, or even look 

 over his shoulder, off they all splash in a flutter, till he once more retires 

 before them, when they follow him as before, and are thus gradually 

 enticed on to their fate. 



The natural instinct against a fox is very strong in all birds, but 

 especially so in regard to ducks ; for is he not always ready to pounce upon 

 them unawares when enjoying a siesta, or even when sitting on their 

 eggs? 



Should a fox sneak along the banks of a Decoy, every duck is on the 

 alert at once. They rush after him. I have seen them. 



They take good care, however, to keep at a safe distance ; and as with 

 a dog, should he turn towards them, they tumble over one another in 

 anxious flight. 



I consider the ducks believe a dog to be in some sort a fox, or nearly 

 related. 



A fox-coloured dog, with a good brush, is always a successful Decoy 

 dog, if he otherwise does his work well. 



Ducks therefore follow dogs and foxes from curiosity, from hatred, as 

 well as from braggadocio, and also because when he retires from them they 

 imagine that for once in a way they are driving off a cruel oppressor — a 

 natural enemy. They flatter themselves that their bold looks and assembled 

 numbers bring about this satisfactory result. 



I know a curious instance of this ; it is as follows : — 



A friend of mine who owns a Decoy observed one day a fine iox 

 sitting upon the ice, during a hard frost, in the centre of his Decoy Pond. 

 The wild ducks literally crowded round him in a ring, just as if he were 

 haranguing them, or were a politician at an electoral meeting. 



When the inquisitive ducks edged up, as Reynard judged, within his 

 reach, he would slowly gather his hind quarters together and then suddenly 

 spring at them. 



But owing to the slippery ice his foothold failed, and a ludicrous 

 somersault was the result of his efforts. 



The ducks rushed off in dire alarm, half scrambling, half flying, only 

 to face about and gradually draw with inquiring looks and low interrogative 



