DiX'OVs Foi: \vn>D fowl. 225 



establisli a sliootiiig decoy is, to obtain tlirco or 

 four wild mallards pinioned, and then to put them 

 in a fenced-in pond with some tame hroiun ducks — 

 tame, but of the wild colour, putting in two tame 

 ducks to each mallard. They will breed thus in 

 the first season that they are together ; but the 

 earlier in winter they are so confined the better. 

 Hatch their e^^xa under hens, or let the ducks hatch 

 them, and breed them up in cooj^s. At flight 

 time, in the evening, these half-bred ducks Avill fly 

 as well as wild ones; but theij have this virtue — 

 tlteir tame hlood invariahlij attaches them, however 

 scant the water, to tJte spot or liome where they were 

 reared, and though flying as strongly, and mingling 

 with the wild flights, nothing can seduce them to 

 stray from their first home, or from that attachment 

 so localized and strong. 



There is a small white Dutch duck, named, 

 because it makes an everlasting noise, the '' call- 

 duck." This bird for the table is worth very 

 little — it is foisted on would-be sportsmen, who 

 are, in fact, mere owners of estates, as a ^^ decoy 

 bird," sure to ^' call the wild ones down." This is 

 an utter imposition, for to attract wild birds by call, 



as well as l)y appearance, this little duck is of no 

 VOL. II. Q 



