60 THE WILD-FOWLER, 



your own irritation ; g-entleness does far more than violence will ever 

 effect, and a dog- that requires the latter treatment had better be g-ot 

 rid of, he will ever be a nuisance." We cordially endorse these 

 views, and recommend them to the particular attention of those 

 who may be training* a dog' for the decoy, or indeed for any other 

 purpose. 



When the birds appear slugg'ish and indifferent to the allurements 

 of the dog", a red pocket-handkerchief is sometimes tied about his 

 neck, and he is sent round the same screen several times in succession, 

 in order to arouse their curiosity by some such means. 



In the absence of a dog-, a ferret is sometimes used with equal suc- 

 cess, and answers the same purpose ; except that it is not sufficiently 

 nimble in its movements, and has to be led by a string- fastened to its 

 neck, and passed over the top of the screens. Wild-fowl seem to 

 entertain the same uncontrollable feeling's towards the ferret as 

 towards the dog, and will swim up the pipe in pursuit of it. 



