62 THE WILD-FOWLER. 



after having- enticed his birds a sufficient distance up the pipe to make 

 sure of capturing- them. 



A great deal depends on the proper distribution and adjustment of 

 the screens, for it is behind them that the decoyman has to perform 

 his artilices; and there, in silence, and by sig-ns, direct the movements 

 of his only helpmates — the decoy-ducks and dog. In original decoys 

 it appears there were no reed screens, but simply growing osiers : 

 the invention of the screens is of more modern date.* In addi- 

 tion to the screens which are placed in zigzag position on the 

 outer side of the pipe, there are back-screens of the same height, but 

 of wider proportions, placed in line, to form a fence outside the zig- 

 zags, or working-screens; so as to protect the fowler from view 

 when he has occasion to return to the mouth of the pipe to cut off the 

 retreat of birds within it. Ihis fencing extends only from the pipe 

 entrance to the last working- screen. 



The illustration at the head of this chapter, though of necessity 

 but a bird's-e3^e view, represents the decoy-pipe and screens, with the 

 fowler in active operation of decoy. The dark figure kneeling behind 

 the outer-screens is the decoyer's assistant, awaiting a signal from the 

 fowler to rush forward to the entrance of the pipe; when, by showing 

 himself, the retreat of the fowl is cut off, and they are then driven to 

 the extreme end, into the tunnel net, and captured. 



Such is the decoy-pipe ; up which it is the fowler's art to entice 

 his birds, and finally drive them into the trammel, from which there is 

 no escape. There are generally six or eight pipes to a perfectly planned 

 decoy, each bearing towards a different point of the compass ; but 

 the curves must be on the same axis, or they would be left-handed, 

 and puzzle both dog and decoyer in their operations. 



* " The place where these decoy-ducks entice them must not be veiy broad, and 

 set on on both sides with osiers." — Blome. 



