THE ART OF CAPTURING WILD-FOWL BY DECOY. 69 



is very severe, and the decoy-pipe and entrance be kept clear of 

 ice, there is seldom any difficulty in taking- such fowl as happen to 

 use the pond. During' open weather the dog is the most useful 

 means at hand for enticing the birds, but in severe weather the seeds 

 and decoy-ducks are more serviceable. 



If the fowler finds a " goodly muster" soon after dawn of day 

 the time at which they generally arrive in the decoy, after feeding on 

 the marshes all night he proceeds at once to put his plans in opera- 

 tion; but if the birds are unwilling to pipe, he awaits the more 

 favourable hours of one and two in the day. 



Wild-fowl do not generally spend their whole time on the waters 

 of the decoy, but bask on the banks of the pond, where they also sit 

 and sleep with their heads under their wings. It is always easier to 

 take fresh arrivals of fowl than those which have been in a decoy 

 several times before, and had a peep of suspicion at the entrance to 

 either of the pipes : the latter birds are extremely wary. 



As a general rule, wild-ducks prefer the leewardmost water of a 

 decoy ; but they like swimming with breasts to windward, particularly 

 in strong winds and rain ; the reason of which is, that the wind does 

 not spread their feathers when in that position, but rather assists in 

 keeping them close. An experienced fowler, with good decoy-ducks 

 at command, generally succeeds in bringing wild ones across the pool 

 to the pipe ; and then, if time of day and other circumstances are 

 favourable, he is rewarded for his pains by taking the whole paddling, 

 however large it may be, though not all in one haul, but in many. It 

 is generally good policy not to be too greedy in capturing every 

 bird, but rather to spare the last dozen or two; which, on leaving the 

 decoy at twilight, unconscious of what has become of their comrades, 

 may very probably act as leaders to other flights on an early occasion, 

 and return to the decoy with hundreds of companions. 



Notwithstanding what has been stated as to attempting to capture 

 wild-fowl soon after their arrival in the decoy, experience tells us that 

 if they can be allowed to remain undisturbed the first four or five 

 days, they become so familiarized with the place, and so much accus- 

 tomed to the company and habits of the tame-fowl, that the decoyer, 

 taking advantage of a favourable time of day, and when the wind suits, 

 may capture them without difficulty ; though not so if he has before 

 made attempts upon the same birds, and his stratagems have failed. 

 These experiences may be well worthy the decoy er's consideration ; 

 but, looking at the risk of a strong westerly wind rising before next 



