204 BIliD LIFE IN ENGLAND. 



badelynge" of ducks, as old-fashioned fowlers had it, or 

 probably some of each kind, in a gay and busy crowd fasci- 

 nating to behold. The wind being fair and a bunch of ducks 

 conveniently placed for enticing, a wave of the hand sets the 

 dog at our heels about his duty. He runs round screen ISTo. 

 1, and hops over the first dog-jump. Immediately he comes 

 within view of the birds, who, impelled by the curiosity of 

 their kind, stop feeding, up go their heads, and a hundred 

 amused and twinkling eyes are bent on the movements of 

 the strange new creature that has broken in upon their 

 repose. He disappears and re-appears again, his conspicuous 

 yellow coat showing up well against the dull, winter-bare 

 trees and the crimson twigged willow bushes, and presently 

 with one accord the fowl are after him, streaming up the 

 " pipe," their heads turning this way and that, right under 

 the noses of the men watching, who must keep as still as 

 mice until the last has gone up. This part of the business 

 requires care, but if successfully managed, the keeper creeps 

 down to the first screen and shows himself there to the birds 

 in the tunnel, while he is still hidden from those in the lake. 

 At once there is a clatter and splash, and, followed by the 

 men, the birds hurry and scuttle up the tunnel, which narrows 

 and contracts until the whole two or three dozen birds, it 

 may be, are crowded in the pouch at the far end, whence 

 they only emerge to be transferred, dead, to the ready sack. 



Such is an exciting scene while it lasts, and more difficult 

 to bring to a good issue in practice than it looks upon paper. 

 In managing a " coy," so much depends upon keeping the 

 pond at the flight season absolutely secluded and quiet. 

 Anything will get it a bad name with the wildfowl, while, 

 like Caesar's wife, it should be above suspicion. Prowling 

 gipsies, or tramps, spoil it for ten days at a time. The 

 shadow of a hawk, a heron, or a fox, puts the timid mallards 

 on the wing and sends them elsewhere. Even pike in the 

 waters are objectionable; they have a decided taste for teal 

 and young birds, and though the bulk and strength of a 





