DECOYS. 38 1 



fice itself into a means for the detection of the 

 prize for which he is in quest. Peewit's eggs form 

 a luxury which is occasionally to be found on the 

 tables of the wealthy in the metropolis. The 

 marshes of the surrounding countries supply a 

 large proportion of the quantity with which the 

 London market is supplied. Mr. Selby says that 

 the trade of collecting them continues for about two 

 months; and great expertness in the discovery of 

 the nests is shown by those accustomed to it. 

 The conduct of the female birds indicates to the 

 initiated almost the precise spot in which the nest 

 is placed. On being disturbed, they immediately 

 run from the nest, and then fly near the ground, 

 for a short distance, without uttering any cry of 

 alarm. The males, on the contrary, are very 

 clamorous, and fly round the intruder, endeavour- 

 ing, by various instinctive arts, to divert his atten- 

 tion. So expert have some men become in detect- 

 ing the situation of the nest, that they will often 

 walk straight up to it from some distance; and 

 they pretend to be able to form a pretty accurate 

 estimate of its contents, judging by the behaviour 

 of the female. Dogs are also trained for this ex- 

 press purpose ; and their acquired instinct proves 



