;8 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



skilfully arranged and well managed in every way. 

 Though the surface of the water was often crowded 

 with fowl, it proved too large, since the birds for 

 days at a stretch would keep in its centre, out of 

 reach of the decoyman's attractions. The small 

 pond with two pipes was then formed, and in the 

 second winter of its existence accounted for more 

 fowl than the old decoy had yielded in three good 

 seasons. 



The birds soon took, especially in rough weather, 

 to frequenting the smaller and more sequestered 

 pool, and in frost it could be easier kept open for 

 them. They evidently fancied it as a " sanctum," 

 and if not there when wanted, a water-dog sent into 

 the larger mere for a stick by a man concealed in 

 the bushes, would at once have the desired effect of 

 driving them to it. Once on its tranquil surface, 

 for it was well protected from the wind, save at the 

 openings in the growth of bushes above the pipes 

 cut for the breeze to come through, they seemed to 

 consider themselves doubly safe, and good " takes " 

 resulted, sometimes within a couple of hours of 

 their arrival from the larger piece of water. 



In -its first year good results must not be expected 

 from a decoy, for it takes some time ere the fowl 

 discover that a haven of rest exists, where there 

 was previously nothing of the sort. Should a 

 number of ducks visit a newly-made pool, though 

 they might be easily taken, it is wiser at first to 

 leave them to fly away and impart the tidings of a 

 safe shelter to their many associates at a distance. 

 The second year it may be worked, but not vigor- 

 ously ; the third season it should be in full employ. 



