88 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



so that it floats nicely down the pipe. If the pipe 

 ditches get too shallow, the water can be turned 

 on at each pipe till there is depth sufficient for 

 the purpose. A moderate breeze that rustles the 

 herbage and reeds is an assistance to drown any 

 chance noise when working fowl. 



The decoyman must be able to approach any part 

 of his screens and pipes under cover, and without 

 fear of being detected by the fowl on the pool. 

 This a little careful planting will ensure. He can 

 then peep through his shelters at the pipe's mouth 

 to reconnoitre in safety. If he sees the fowl grouped 

 in the centre of the pool, they are, probably, suspi- 

 cious, or restless, or just arrived, and an attempt at 

 their capture should be deferred. If, on the other 

 hand, they are spread about the entrance of the pipe 

 that the wind permits being worked, he may venture 

 a try. Should they be basking and sleeping on the 

 smooth sloping banks on each side of the pipe's 

 mouth, he sends his dog in front of them by running 

 him round, or through an aperture in one of the 

 long screens that happens to fence the spot they are 

 resting near. The fowl hurry into the water in affright, 

 and then turn about as though conscious of security 

 when in their natural element, and safety lending 

 courage, face the intruder with an aspect of anger 

 and curiosity. He disappears at once, and shows 

 again, in a short time, a little way up the pipe ; all their 

 attention is now roused, they are very likely deluded 

 into a pursuit and subsequent capture. This is a 

 bold stroke, but now and then a highly successful 

 one. The decoyman should, at all times, carry a 

 piece of burning turf near his face, breathing on it 



