THE PIPER. 67 



or liis assistant from behind the screens -, the dog soon after running' 

 round to his master's heels, wagging his tail at the successful issue of 

 his performances, and all the while perfectly understanding- that the 

 object is to secure the birds ! What instinct ! what sagacity ! what 

 intelligence ! 



The breed or pedigree of a piper is not altogether material, 

 though apparently peculiar to itself. The nearer the dog resembles 

 a fox, in size, figure, and colour, the better ; and, indeed, a cross be- 

 tween a fox and a dog is the identical residt required. Such animals 

 make the very best pipers that can be had — inheriting as they do, a 

 share of that cunning so essentially valuable in a good piper. But 

 in absence of such, it is best that the dog be of a reddish-brown or 

 red-and-white colour. It must be full of vivacity, very active, and 

 the more playful the better, but perfectly mute. If the dog barks, 

 every bird will quit the decoy-pipe, and decline to follow him. 



There is a breed of dogs, erroneously said to be mongrels, which 

 bear such strong resemblance to the fox as almost to deceive any 

 person who may not be thoroughly familiar with such animals. They 

 have heads, noses, and ears just like those of a fox ; and their size 

 and colour, together with the texture of their hair, are all thoroughly 

 vulpine. They are, besides, very lively and frolicsome little animals, 

 and are extremely rare in this country ; though not very uncommon 

 in France : and they are of far greater value than many would 

 suppose. A dog of this breed and colour, when carefully trained, is 

 a treasure to the decoyer, and the very key-stone to his success. 



The piper is taught to skip round in front of the screens, under 

 the dnections of the decoyer, who stands behind them, and conveys 

 all his instructions by signal ; and very frequently by the movement 

 of the finger alone. The dog is first put through a small aperture, 

 or over a leap, at the mouth of the decoy-pipe ; when he then runs 

 briskly round in front of the screen, and directly before the birds, 

 apparently regardless of their presence; but in reality regarding their 

 captivity above all things. He, seemingly, takes no notice of them — 

 though there be hundreds — beyond pricking up his ears and wagging 

 his tail : then hastening round to his master, who is sure to reward him 

 for his pains with a small bit of cheese. He is then directed to skip 

 over the next leap, and run round in front of the next screen ; after 

 which he is again rewarded with another piece of cheese, and away he 

 goes to the next, and the next, and so on ; the wild-fowl all the while 

 watching liis movements apparently through aversion or curiosity, 



I 



