220 EEMINISCENCES OF A SPORTSMAK 



of Dutch turf lighted in his hand *, for such is the acute 

 sense of smelling which wild fowl possess, that should 

 the pond be full of fowl, if they scented a man, not a 

 bird would remain in it a moment. Along each pipe 

 are placed reed screens at certain intervals, which pro- 

 tect the decoy-man from being seen until he pleases to 

 show himself, or the birds are passed up the pipe, to 

 which they are led by the trained birds, who know the 

 Avhistle of the decoy-man, or are enticed by the hemp- 

 seed. A dog, which is generally preferred to be of a 

 red colour, is sometimes used, who is taught to play 

 backwards and forwards between the screens, at the 

 direction of his master. The fowl, roused by this 

 new object, advance towards it, whilst the dog is play- 

 ing still nearer to the entrance of the pipes, until 

 at last the decoy-man appears from behind the screens; 

 and the wild fowl, not daring to pass by him, and unable 

 to escape uj^wards on account of the net covering upon 

 the hoops, press forward to the end of the funnel-net, 

 which terminates upon the land, where a person is ready 

 to receive them and break their necks ; in doing which 

 much dexterity is required. The trained birds return back 

 past the decoy-man into the pond again, until a repeti- 

 tion of their services is required. A side wind is the 



* A rather ludicrous circumstance took place when L — S — and lier 

 daughters were staying with the late Marquis of Hertford, at his resi- 

 dence in Suifolk. It was proposed one day that the ladies should 

 witness how the wild ducks were caught at the decoy. On their arrival 

 one of the gamekeepers presented to one of the young ladies a piece of 

 lighted Dutch turf, telling her it was to prevent the ducks smelling her. 

 On this she became very indignant, and asked the keeper whether he 

 supposed she had such a strong efiiuvium about her as to alarm the wild 

 duck ; but on assuring her that every one was obliged to have a piece 

 of tuj-f, she was pacified, and took it iu her hand. 



