Vlll CONTENTS. 



CHAP. VII., PAGE 44. THE DECOY POND description of Nets and pipes 

 ornamental and pleasing acquisition to an estate excellent nursery for wild- 

 fowl Planning a decoy Extent of grounds The decoyer's hopes Splendid 

 preserves for waterfowl Large and small decoys Banking and fencing a decoy 

 Sittings in banco ! New-made decoys. 



CHAP. VIII., PAGE 49. THE DECOY-PIPE described and illustrated zig- 

 zag screens mode of forming, planning, and constructing Portcullis of old- 

 fashioned decoy shootings. 



CHAP. IX., PAGE 53. THE DECOY-DUCKS indispensably necessary entice- 

 ments of the part they perform Erroneous impressions of early writers 

 Wandering decoy-ducks Widgeon Method of training Leading birds. 



CHAP. X., PAGE 56. THE PIPER the most effectual instrument at the decoy 

 nature of the dog extraordinary sagacity curious speculation pedigree 

 Training the piper Results of close observation Animal instinct A ferret 

 useful in absence of piper. 



CHAP. XI., PAGE 61. THE ART OF CAPTURING WILD-FOWL BY DECOY. 

 Theoretical science In front of the screens aerial travellers Hungry 

 strangers The wicked tempter Practical performances behind the screens 

 Extreme caution The fowler's observations Manner of enticing wild-fowl 

 into the pipe Indispensable services of the dog The fatal tunnel Neck- 

 breaking Suspicious nature of wild-fowl Best time of day for decoying 

 Prestige of decoy er. 



CHAP. XII., PAGE 68. CAPTURING WILD-FOWL BY DECOY (continued). 

 Practical experiences Favourable and unfavourable opportunities Strata- 

 gems of the decoyer Volunteers Clearing away the ice The decoy season 

 Teal ponds Essex decoys Decoy plunderers Cunning of dun-birds and coots 

 Improvements in modern decoys. 



CHAP. XIII., PAGE 76. THE LAW OF DECOYS. Distinction between ancient 

 and modern decoys protection grounds of action for disturbing malicious 

 injury remedy Cases of Keeble v. Hickeringall, and Carrington v. Taylor 

 damages recovered evidence. 



CHAP. XIV., PAGE 79. THE POCHARD OR DUN-BIRD too cunning to be 

 captured in the decoy-pipe special invention for capturing their singular 

 habits immense flights best time to shoot them excellent purveyors. 



CHAP. XV., PAGE 82. THE FLIGHT-POND origin of the invention but little 

 known, except in Essex Mersea and Brantham flight-ponds cumbrous ma- 

 chinery certain success its peculiarities and advantages Manner of planning 

 and planting a flight-pond, with the necessary nets and apparatus. 



CHAP. XVI., PAGE 89. METHOD OF CAPTURING DUN-BIRDS AT THE 

 FLIGHT-POND management of the nets flushers mode of intercepting 

 the flight of dun-birds immense numbers captured The art of neck-breaking 

 singular stratagems the trigger-post Extraordinary captures at the Essex 

 flight-ponds heaps upon heaps Peculiar habits of dun-birds when suspecting 

 the fowler's intentions their reluctance to leave the pond A moderate drop 

 Decoy and flight-pond used conjointly. 



CHAP. XVII., PAGE 95. WILD-FOWL SHOOTING contrast with land-bird 

 shooting varieties of the sport essence of enjoyment skill and energy re- 

 quired secrets of success Old-fashioned sport Walking the ooze The stalk- 

 ing horse Artificial apparatus Blank days Hints to the wild-fowler A 

 vexatious occurrence Favourable opportunities. 



CHAP. XVIII., PAGE 104. THE WILD-FOWL SHOOTER'S DOG mode of 

 training, &c. Wounded wild-fowl Brent geese. 



CHAP. XIX., PAGE 107. THE LANGUAGE OF WILD-FOWL advantages to 

 the sportsman Pleasing reflections The author's experiences Different notes 



of water-fowl remarkable instinct St. Kildian fowlers Sentry wild-fowl 



Experiences at the decoy The punter's reward Advantages of mimicry. 



CHAP. XX., PAGE 112. THE FLIGHT OF WILD-FOWL. Ancient auguries of 

 birds Peculiarities of the flight of water-fowl The art of distinguishing the 

 pecies as they fly ditto as they sit upon the water. 



