94 THE WILD-FOWLER. 



To give a further illustration of the countless numbers of dun-birds 

 which sometimes used to assemble on the Essex flight-ponds ; it is an 

 indisputable fact, borne out by the testimony of many witnesses still 

 living, that the birds have been known to assemble in flights so 

 numerous as to cover almost every inch of water on the pond ; and, 

 on such occasions, they sit so closely packed, many with heads 

 under their wings, apparently so reluctant to leave the fresh-water, 

 that it has been the easiest thing possible to creep up to the water's 

 edge and take a pair or two alive in the hand, without disturbing 

 the remainder of the flight : but this proceeding requires great 

 caution, or every bird would take alarm and leave the pond. 



There is also this peculiarity about dun-birds. When hard pressed, 

 they invariably appear obstinate, and are difficult to drive in the 

 direction required ; but when unsuspecting, and not so pressed, the 

 fowler will find, that by keeping at a distance and using caution, they 

 may be driven, either by night or day, as easily and as closely packed 

 as a flock of sheep. From five to six hundred dun-birds at a " drop'* 

 was formerly considered but a moderate capture j and to break the 

 neck of every bird in that number, would occupy three experienced 

 men but twenty minutes. 



If the pond is to be used conjointly as a decoy and flight-pond, 

 the decoy-pipes must be at one end and the dun-bird yard at the 

 other. The latter must be free from obstructions of trees and under- 

 wood, so as to leave a clear outlet for the dun-birds when on wing ; 

 and the remaining part of the surrounding grounds, where the decoy- 

 pipes are, should be well and thickly-planted ; so that the only route 

 by which dun-birds can leave the water shall be by the open space 

 purposely cleared of trees and obstructions : or the pond may be 

 provided with four decoy-pipes and four flight-nets, as in the illustra- 

 tion at page 89. If the pond is circular, then the planting would be 

 exactly similar in shape to a horse-shoe, the outlet or unplanted space 

 being used as the dun-bird yard, and laid down with grass turf. 



