THE PIPER. 59 



towards the dog 1 , appears very similar to those of sheep and oxen 

 when suddenly surprised by the appearance of such an animal among 

 them ; and whatever may be the secret of the attraction, it is 

 evidently a curious instinct, which has powerful effect on the feelings 

 of the feathered tribe ; or they would not so easily rush on to certain 

 destruction, in a narrow ditch, covered over with a net ; and up which, 

 in the absence of enticement, they would specially avoid proceeding. 



After attentive observations of dog and ducks during the operations 

 of decoy, I am disposed to believe that the birds follow the dog with 

 a desire and intention to punish him ; that they have a notion he is a 

 fox (an animal which instinct teaches them is one of their greatest 

 enemies) and that they muster in a closely packed company, with a 

 courage that results from mutual reliance on their numbers ; and 

 resolve on attacking him, particularly when he seems such a coward 

 as to keep showing himself one instant and running away the next. 

 They are thus constantly inspired with new ardour and greater 

 aversion, and so rush on in pursuit of the contemptible little animal, 

 their false courage inducing them to follow him up, regardless of the 

 snare which is spread over their heads. 



It w r ould seem also, that curiosity has something to do with leading 

 the birds on to a pitch that makes them gaze with feelings so strong 

 on the playful movements of the dog' ; as he jumps or runs from 

 behind the screens, now appearing for a few moments and then 

 vanishing. But whether this be aversion or curiosity, or both, or 

 some other more powerful instinct, which draws the birds on with 

 apparently magnetic influence, we must leave to the decision of those 

 who have made the instinct of birds and animals a branch of their 

 studies ; merely remarking, that the subject is well worthy of attentive 

 consideration and diligent inquiry. 



The piper should, whilst very young, be trained with much care 

 and patience to play round and round the screens, under the silent 

 directions of his master, and to be perfectly mute during these 

 operations ; the more active he is in his movements to and fro, behind 

 and before the screens the better, because the more likely to excite 

 the curiosity of the wild-fowl. And in training a dog for the decoy, 

 it will be well to use as little violence or severe chastisement as 

 possible. It is not by such treatment that the dog is taught, but 

 by kind and encouraging language, gentle correction, and reward. 

 Mr. Richardson, in his book on "The Dog," observes : " In training 

 your dogs, keep your temper ; never correct the dog in vengeance for 



