DECOYS FOR WILD FOWL. 231 



to wgratiate yourself witli timid creatures. It is 

 impossible to teacli tlie method to anybody, because 

 everybody who had tried to learn it hitherto lias 

 been certain to leave out something which seems 

 trivial in itself to him, but which, in fact, may 

 occasion ally he the key to ultimate success. 



It is no use to make decoy pools without well 

 selected sittings. It is no use to send me foreign 

 game birds, however carefully the box is made in 

 which they come across the sea, or liowever well 

 they may be fed and watered, — if a supply of fine 

 gravel or sand is omitted. Food costs money, but 

 the fine sand and gravel, which costs nothing, and 

 ought to be an inch deep in the bottom of the box, 

 and without which a bird for any time can't live, 

 is regarded by superficial observers as of no con- 

 sequence whatever. It costs nothing. It has not 

 to be paid for, but nevertheless it is the hey stone 

 of the ivhole venture. 



Never go among your wild fowl when in peaceful 

 guise, unless you wear the same dress you have 

 always worn, and in which they first saw you, 

 or a new dress exactly like it ; for if you do, tliey 

 will riot recognize their friend, but be seized with 

 a panic and fly away in dismay. 



