MODERN FARRIER. 563 



to 



woodcock-shooting than in any other ; but all that 

 is necessary is what the beater makes with his staff 

 in the thickets and hedges, and more than this will 

 be detrimental to the sport. The use of bells is also 

 a bad custom. 



Wild Duck decoy. 



In wild duck-shooting sportsmen must calculate 

 upon much fatigue and disagreeable inconveniences. 

 But this pursuit is usually confined to such as make 

 a livelihood of it. A water-spaniel, which having 

 been previously taught to fetch and carry, will, in 

 case of a duck falling after being shot, bring it im- 

 mediately out of the water. The places frequented 

 by wild ducks must be approached v/ith as little 

 noise as possible, and the sportsman must take his 

 chance of their rising within gun-shot, as setting this 

 kind of game is impossible. The sportsman should 

 be v/ell clad, and have a strong pair of waterproof 

 boots. 



The instinct of the wild duck is remarkable ; the 

 author of the 'History of Derbyshire,' (JMr. Pilking- 

 ton,) was one afternoon walking in a path leading 

 through a coppice not much frequented, and passing 

 some brambles, the roots of which were clothed with 

 long grass, he espied a wild duck, with several young 

 ones by her side. He was almost close to her before 

 the parent perceived the danger, when she instantly 

 uttered a loud note of alarm, and bounded almost 

 close to his feet ; then, with another jerk, threw 

 herself a little forward, out of the reach of his hand 

 as he stretched it out to take up what he supposed 

 an easy prey. Another hop and flutter threw her 

 to a greater distance ; while he pursued, supposing 

 her to have both a leg and v,dng broken. He mark- 

 ed the bush with his eye, where he saw the young 

 ones, concluding that he could take them at bis lei- 

 sure, after having secured the dam. He briskly 



