THE DUCK. 281 



channels are to be covered with nets, supported by 

 curved sticks fastened on each side, and terminated by 

 a tunnel net, like those in which fish are caught in the 

 weirs ; the whole of this apparatus must be carefully 

 concealed by a hedge of rushes and reeds along the 

 margin of the pool, behind which the fowler manages 

 his operations, which would be completely frustrated 

 if he were seen. Previous to the time of beginning 

 his employment, he is prepared with a certain number 

 of wild ducks rendered tame, that are accustomed to 

 obey the signal of his whistle, which calls them to be 

 fed at the mouth of the pipe. The fowler, when he 

 finds a fit opportunity, and sees the decoy covered 

 w r ith birds, throws handfulls of hemp-seed upon the 

 surface of the water, or any other seed that he knows 

 will float; and whistling to the decoy ducks, easily 

 allures them to their accustomed regale at the mouth of 

 the pipe : the wild ducks instantly follow their leaders, 

 and push forward till they find the pipe decrease, when 

 they appear to suspect the danger that surrounds them, 

 but are prevented from retreating by a man placing 

 himself at the mouth ; they are therefore compelled to 

 dart towards the end of the funnel, when, without any 

 difficulty, they are all secured. 



It sometimes, however, happens that the wild duck* 

 are too drowsy to be allured by the inticement of the 

 decoy ducks, in which case a little dog is trained for 

 the purpose of driving them into the snare. In China 

 they have a still more curious method of obtaining an 

 ample supply of these valuable birds; for, when they 

 see a piece of water covered with them, they scoop out 

 the inside of several gourds, which then naturally float, 

 and though the birds at first are afraid of going near 

 them, yet in a little time they become familiar to the 



