502 ANATID^E. 



When it is desired to construct a decoy,* a quiet, shallow 

 pond is selected, edged with reeds, and having an extent 

 of from two to fifty acres or more. From the edge of this 

 are dug at various points, curved creeks, called " pipes," 

 broad at the mouth, and contracting till the hanks meet. 

 Over each of these pipes is thrown a net, supported on 

 arches made of hoops ; the first about ten feet high, the 

 others diminishing in size, and the whole ending in a 

 bag-net, or " purse." On each bank of the pipes are 

 erected screens made of reeds, high enough to conceal a 

 man. Previously to commencing operations the decoy-man 

 has let loose on the pond a few tame Ducks, closely 

 resembling wild birds in plumage, who are familiar with 

 his person and have been trained to come at his call. 

 Accompanied by a little dog, "a piper," he stations himself 

 behind a screen, near the mouth of a pipe which faces the 

 wind, choosing this position because Ducks prefer to swim 

 against the wind and to feed on a lee shore. When the 

 pond is well stocked with birds he throws some corn on 

 the water near the mouth of a pipe, and makes a low 

 whistle. At the familiar sound the " coy-ducks " hasten 

 to the spot, and, if all be well, are followed by a portion 

 of the wild birds. The piper is then let loose, and 

 immediately runs to the water's edge. The Wild Ducks, 

 either from curiosity, or some unknown motive, paddle 

 towards him. The ruse succeeding so far, the piper is 

 made to appear for a moment beyond the next screen, and 

 so on until a party of Ducks have been lured so far up 

 the pipe as to be out of sight of those remaining in the 

 pond. The decoy-man, who has all the while been lying 

 hid near the first screen, then shows himself to his intended 



* Decoy, a corruption of Duck-coy, from the Dutch kooi, a cage 

 or pen. See "Ray and Willughby's Ornithology," p. 286, where, 

 mention being made of a method of capturing wild fowl which had 

 been introduced into England from Holland, the following passage 

 occurs : " Piscinas hasce cum allectatricibus et reliquo suo apparatu 

 Decoys seu Duck-coys vocant, allectatrices Coy -ducks." 



