2)6 The Confessions of a ''Poacher. 



decoying had almost gone out, this was the 

 only subject that the old man was reticent 

 upon, and he surrounded the craft with 

 all the mystery he was able to conjure up. 

 The site of his once famous decoy was now 

 drained, and in summer ruddy corn waved 

 above it. Besides myself, Kittiwake's sole 

 companion on the mosses was an old shaggy 

 galloway, and it was almost as -eccentric and 

 knowing as its master. So great was the num- 

 ber of gulls and terns that bred on the mosses, 

 that for two months during the breeding 

 season the old horse was fed upon their eggs. 

 Morning and evening a basketful was col- 

 lected, and so long as these lasted Dobbin's 

 coat continued sleek and soft. 



In August and September we would capture 

 immense numbers of " flappers " plump wild 

 ducks but, as yet, unable to fly. These were 

 either caught in the pools, or chased into nets 

 which we set to intercept them. As I now 

 took more than my share of the work, and 

 made all the gins, springes, and noozes which 

 we used, a rough kind of partnership sprung 



