60 THE WILD-FOWLER. 



your own irritation ; gentleness does far more than violence will ever 

 effect, and a dog that requires the latter treatment had better be got 

 rid of, he will ever be a nuisance." We cordially endorse these 

 views, and recommend them to the particular attention of those 

 who may be training a dog for the decoy, or indeed for any other 

 purpose. 



When the birds appear sluggish and indifferent to the allurements 

 of the dog, a red pocket-handkerchief is sometimes tied about his 

 neck, and he is sent round the same screen several times in succession, 

 in order to arouse their curiosity by some such means. ; 



In the absence of a dog, a ferret is sometimes used with equal suc- 

 cess, and answers the same purpose ; except that it is not sufficiently 

 nimble in its movements, and has to be led by a string fastened to its 

 neck, and passed over the top of the screens. Wild-fowl seem to 

 entertain the same uncontrollable feelings towards the ferret as 

 towards the dog, and will swim up the pipe in pursuit of it. 



