WOODEN DECOYS. 525 



pin their faith to the tethered bird. In the same way, 

 in some parts of the country, throwing up the cap is 

 practiced in order to attract birds at a distance, and 

 for the same purpose diving and flapping decoys have 

 been invented. The device of having a string running 

 through an eye on some of the decoys and then passing 

 to the bHnd, so that when the gunner pulls the string 

 the birds bob up and down, acts somewhat on the same 

 principle. 



Live decoys are commonly carried to the marsh in 

 coops, sometimes large enough to hold only one or 

 two birds, and at others a greater number. For one 

 who is gunning frequently, a crate made of heavy 

 wire, but with a wooden floor, is more convenient than 

 the rougher soap box with slats nailed over it that is 

 often used. 



In many waters, as has already been stated, it is 

 desirable to provide the live decoys with a stool to rest 

 on. This consists of a long leg — sharp pointed, to be 

 thrust down into the mud — supporting on the upper 

 end a table six or eight inches in diameter, to which 

 the duck may resort after it is tired of being in the 

 water, and on which it can stand, cleanse its feathers 

 and dry off. While a duck, if it is free, can rest on 

 the water for a long time without inconvenience, one 

 that is tethered is likely soon to get wet and chilled, 

 and may become sick. 



To the leg of the stool below the table is fastened 

 a leather strap or line running up to two branches, 

 each of which ends in a running noose. After the 



