WILD GEESE. 259 



for two hundred dollars. A first-class caller will briug 

 down skeins that might circle around dozens of other 

 decoys without paying them the least attention, for if it 

 is an experienced bird, few of its kindred will pass it by 

 unnoticed. When the honker espies a string of its con- 

 geners overhead, it commences to cree-aunk, cree-aunk, 

 in the most vociferous manner. Its companions soon join 

 in the cry, and the air then resounds with their cronking 

 melody. Those in the sky answer them, as a general 

 rule, before they think of descending, but if they are 

 coy, the decoys recommence their calling with redoubled 

 vigor, and seem to say: "Oh! come down here; you'll 

 have lots of fun and plenty to eat. Do pay us a visit; 

 we're dying to see you." 



When the wild-fowlers bring down the visitors with a 

 load of shot, the lures actually appear to enjoy it, for 

 they shake themselves, preen their feathers, and cackle 

 their sense of satisfaction. They become such adepts at 

 deceiving after awhile that nothing seems to give them 

 greater pleasure than to see the leaden hail dealing death 

 among their kindred. Such is the condition to which 

 man will reduce the most innocent creatures when he 

 employs them for his own selfish purposes! Next to the 

 decoys, the most necessary accessory for a good day's 

 sport is a good ''swimmer " of geese. The "swimmer" 

 is the man who sails down on birds that are bedded on 

 the water, some distance away, and attempts, by careful 

 manoeuvring, to drive them within call of the honkers. 

 His aim is to make them swim towards the blinds, if 

 possible, as the chance of making a big bag is greater by 

 that means than it would be if they were put on the 

 wing and made to fly over the point, or even to settle 

 among the decoys. An able " swimmer " has an instinc- 

 tive talent for his business, and tlie manner in which he 

 can handle his craft and geese is an interesting sight to 

 those who care about such matters. 



