DECOYS AND HOW TO USE' THEM 57 



difficult the obstacles the sweeter will eventually become the 

 fruits of victory. 



In this method train your dog to run straight into your 

 ambush, and upon his arrival to instantly crouch motionless to 

 the ground, as these birds, when one of their number is struck 

 down, almost invariably follow it, and many times several 

 couple can be secured. In this instance, if they neither 

 see you, your attendant, nor the dog, and one or more are 

 shot, they are almost certain to swoop to them, and it rests with 

 the shooter whether he takes good advantage of this their 

 peculiarity. 



Another plan is confined almost exclusively to decoying 

 wild ducks. It is extremely simple, and generally effective, 

 but requires the aid of an intelligent dog, otherwise failure is 

 certain. 



Upon seeing some wildfowl upon a small lake or other 

 sheet of water, and within reasonable distance, you conceal 

 yourself from their sight, then direct your faithful canine 

 attendant to go through his part of the performance. He 

 jumps suddenly into view upon the shore or bank, and madly 

 chases his tail round and round, then as suddenly disappears. 

 Out again, and back instantly, with many variations of antic. 

 The ducks act almost precisely as they do at the entrance to a 

 decoy pipe. First, they are a little disturbed, then fear gives 

 way to curiosity, and with outstretched necks they swim for 

 the shore, collecting closer and closer the nearer they approach 

 it. Biding your opportunity, and covering them the while, in 

 case their suspicions turn into genuine alarm (in which case, 

 of course, the best offer must be turned to account), you quietly 

 wait until they arrive within easy distance, when the well- 

 directed contents of both barrels rudely cuts short their 

 suppositions, and leaves few cripples to try the patience and 

 endurance of your gay deceiver. 



It should be taken for granted that both these deceptions 

 must not be overdone. That is, you must not too often repeat 

 them upon the same ground, and with the same birds, within 

 a short time, but rather look out for fresh arrivals, migratory 



