DECOYS AND HOW TO USE THEM 45 



of his craft overcoming him and carrying him away to leeward 

 into the rough water. 



Another killing dodge on some waters is to select a 

 favoured prominence of reeds, rushes or other aquatic vege- 

 tation, which j uts out into the water, affording a secure re- 

 treat to your boat and self. The decoys are anchored some 

 little distance away, and, if the position has been well chosen, 

 the incoming birds cannot fail to notice them, when the 

 customary toll is taken from their numbers. 



This latter method is almost the same as using screens, but 

 with this difference : in the former one is enabled to move 

 about and alter his position according to wind, weather or 

 other circumstances ; in the latter he can only go where his 

 screens are placed. These screens are built in reed-beds and 

 made to assimilate their surroundings as much as possible, con- 

 sisting of four stout piles driven firmly into the deceptive 

 subsoil, to which is attached a rough platform ; four reed- 

 hurdles form its wings, a seat is added, and the screen is 

 complete. Not only are these screens used for decoying, but 

 also for diurnal and nocturnal shooting (flighting at dawn and 

 dusk) and for drives. 



On land we have often used decoys, but with indifferent 

 success. Here the live birds are decidedly the better of the 

 two, and on corn or pea stubbles, near corn stacks and such like, 

 they are usually made use of in preference to the artificial 

 birds. As lures for geese, however, they are indeed a godsend, 

 and splendid sport may be obtained with their assistance. The 

 shooter can either lie upon the ground, having, of course, 

 first provided against dampness, or he can dig out a pit in 

 which to secrete himself, or, more comfortable still, he can 

 sink a barrel or tub ; in each case assimilating himself and 

 his hide as much as possible to the surroundings. The depth 

 of these stands varies according to the whim of the shooter, 

 but ours have always been four feet, with a diameter of three 

 or thereabouts. Above all things be very careful to either 

 cart away the excavated soil, or break it up and distribute it 

 evenly over the adjoining acres, leaving everything with as 



