54 THE WILD-FOWLER. 



The number of decoy-ducks required for a pond in full employment, 

 is from twenty to fifty, according to the season. If many and large 

 flights visit the pond, then the more decoy-ducks there are the better, 

 particularly if the frost is very severe ; because the large numbers 

 keep together, and prevent portions of the pond from freezing. 



The breed of the decoy-duck (Anas allector) is not altogether of 

 the wild species, but about three-quarters wild ; or, rather, a cross 

 between a thorough-bred wild-duck and a half-bred mallard. It is 

 not absolutely necessary they should be of the peculiar species alluded 

 to, though such birds are most useful to the decoyer. Decoy-ducks 

 should, however, be reared within the precincts of the decoy; trained to 

 respond to the decoyer's whistle, by going directly from any part of the 

 pond to either of the pipes, at the mouth of which they should receive 

 their daily food. Wild-ducks which go to decoys are more likely to 

 follow birds of their own nature, whose habits are more in accordance 

 with their own, than the common eider-duck. The difference in colour 

 between the decoy-fowl and the wild ones is immaterial, though 

 brown-and-white are generally preferred by the fantastic decoyer. 



It is sometimes found necessary to pinion some of the decoy-ducks; 

 but such a proceeding is seldom resorted to. Others, which are en- 

 tirely of the wild species, hatched and reared near by, are permitted 

 to range at liberty, and fly to adjacent marshes. These are termed 

 t( wandering decoy-ducks," and frequently return to the pond accom- 

 panied by large numbers of wild ones ; and it would appear, that in 

 original decoys none but wandering decoy-ducks were employed ;* 

 but it would be folly at the present day to rely solely on wandering 

 ducks. 



When there are more widgeon on the coast than ducks, it is not 

 unusual, after taking some at the decoy, to pinion a few pairs, and 

 turn them off with the decoy-ducks; when their peculiar whistle 

 attracts others which may chance to fly over, and induces them to 

 alight in the pond; but it is not desirable at any time to have 

 pinioned fowls in the decoy, because wild birds are shy of associating 

 with them.f 



There must always be several pairs of proper decoy-ducks con- 



* " These decoy-ducks fly abroad, and light into the company of wild ones ; and 

 being become acquainted with them by their allurements, do draw them into the 

 decoy-place, where they become a prey." Blome. 



f* " Of the coy-ducks, some fly forth and bring home with them wild ones to the 

 pool ; others have the outmost joynt or pinion of their wings cut off, so that they 

 cannot fly, but abide always in the pool." Willughbifs Ornithology ; by Ray. 



