DECOYING WITH FOOD. 29 



frequenting birds up the pipes owing to such causes than make them follow 

 the dog. They are then too hungry to be curious. Wigeon at all times 

 feed up a pipe better than they follow a dog. 



On the other hand, if fowl are not hungry, as is commonly the case 

 with inland Duck and Teal, when marshes and rivers and rich water 

 meadows are near, then the dog is the most certain means of attracting 

 their notice. 



When feeding, throw the food from behind the screens over their 

 tops, not only into the middle of the ditch, but as far also under the 

 opposite bank of the pipe as possible, as the fowl will swim up more readily 

 the further they are away from the screens. 



On bright, fine days fowl are brisk and on the qtii vive. In dull, wet, 

 or misty weather much the reverse. In the latter it often happens neither 

 dog nor food will move them. 



I have shown how both dog and food are used to entice the fowl up 

 the pipes, I will now describe the effect the dog has on the birds them- 

 selves. Why they follow the food I have already explained. 



The Effect of the Dog on the Ducks. 



Let us glance through the peep-hole of the screen that flanks the 

 mouth of a pipe, on the sheltered side of the pond. See, the fowl are 

 sleeping ! Some idly jerking their bodies round and round in irregular 

 twists, with an occasional stroke of one foot as they float on the water. 



Some are sitting just beneath us on the banks near the entrance of the 

 pipe with their heads tucked in, giving a wriggle of the bill now and then, 

 as though to divide the feathers of the back, and so pillow their heads more 

 cosily. Their eyes just show. Are they shut or open ? or half open .■* 

 'Tis hard to say. 



Never was there a more peaceful, innocent scene ; for surely, consider 

 the ducks, this is pure, unalloyed happiness ; no guns banging off, no foxes, 

 no human destroyers. No, nothing, absolutely nothing, to disturb their 

 repose so well earned after a toilsome night spent far away in search of 

 food. 



No cares of any kind, no need even of their usual sentries. Yet, 



