DECOYS AND HOW TO USE THEM 51 



occurrence) brings about ruination. Besides, unless weighted, 

 the generality of them behave as one returning home in the 

 early hours of morn, having passed the evening with such-like 

 companions as Priapus, Silenus and Bacchus. In other words, 

 they roll over at the slightest draught of wind or ripple of 

 the waters. 



Fifthly, may be included the collapsible, reversible tin, 

 copper and other metal decoys, etc. ; but when the simpler 

 ones answer so successfully what need is there of all these 

 gimcracks ? 



Sixthly, there is an invention which we have never had 

 time to put to a practical test, yet it seems so ingenious a 

 device we have taken the liberty of again placing it before 

 the public. 



It was described in an American book on Wildfowl 

 Shooting, * by Mr Long, one well conversant in the art, there- 

 fore we cannot do better than use his own words : " A few 

 years ago a Mr T. H. Snow took out a patent for a flapping 

 decoy. A board, which served as a floater, had a hole cut 

 through it the size of the decoy, and in this the decoy (which 

 was made like any common wooden one) was placed and 

 fastened to the board by pins running into its sides, and 

 serving as hinges, upon which the decoy tilted easily. Wings, 

 formed of wire, and covered with cloth or other similar sub- 

 stance, were hinged in position, and the decoy anchored in 

 the usual manner. A line leading to the blind was so fastened 

 to the decoy that, upon its being pulled, the forward end was 

 raised upon the hinges to a nearly erect position, similar to 

 that of the live duck when flapping its wings, and the wings 

 were elevated at right angles with the body. It was quite an 

 ingenious contrivance, and helped considerably to attract 

 attention to the decoys, especially on dark, calm days." 



Seventhly, and finally, there are the real decoy birds in 

 the flesh and blood. Whether the little white call ducks that 

 one often sees in small flighting ponds, etc., are really con- 

 spicuous in attracting wildfowl is a question very much open 



* Published by the Orange Judd Company, 245 Broadway, New York. 



