76 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



As to decoy ducks, any kind of dark, tame 

 species answers well ; a score is sufficient ; and 

 their motions will keep a considerable extent of 

 water from freezing should a frost set in. 



To obtain other decoy ducks that will fly about the 

 vicinity of a decoy, and, if not shot (a too probable 

 fate), be useful in leading wild birds to their home, 

 the pool, the following plan should be adopted. 

 Confine a pinioned wild mallard and some farmyard 

 brown ducks together, and when a brood is hatched 

 turn all down on the decoy pond. The offspring, 

 though showing wild blood and tendencies, will yet 

 have enough affection for their nursery to make the 

 water their home and place of refuge, however far 

 they may stray, and here they should be fed. A 

 few Teal, pinioned and tamed, make admirable 

 assistant decoys, as their wild relations will now 

 and then follow them up the pipe, when all other 

 modes of enticement fail. 



The decoy man's dog should be as like a fox in 

 coat and colour as possible, though in size at least 

 a third smaller, with a bushy tail and a frolicsome 

 and affectionate disposition. He should be clever 

 and obedient, and, above all, quick in doing as he 

 is ordered, instantly, and in perfect silence. 



Why ducks pursue a clog can only be con- 

 jectured ; it may be partly from curiosity and a 

 little from aversion, but I believe chiefly from the 

 idea that as they follow him from screen to screen 

 they are succeeding in chasing him from their 

 presence ; their supposition being that it is their 

 natural enemy, a fox, they are for once getting the 

 better of and driving away. As sheep or cattle 



