DECOYS AND HOW TO USE THEM 63 



ings. If they do not like the look of affairs, they lead round 

 to windward and make off in another direction ; but if, on the 

 contrary, they entertain intentions of sojourning awhile, they 

 lead round to leeward, lowering on the lee side and mounting 

 again on the windward. Several circuitous reconnoitres of 

 this description are, as a rule, quite sufficient to settle all 

 doubts ; yet, if it be very mild weather, or there is hardly any 

 wind blowing, they usually fly round much more and at a 

 higher elevation. 



During these gyrations they are almost certain to spot 

 your decoys, and the greatest caution must be taken that 

 they do not catch sight of you at the same time. On seeing 

 the lures they invariably lower, and eventually, finding 

 nothing of a more attractive nature, drop to them with 

 extended pinions. If it is a single bird or a pair, do not wait, 

 but give it them as they are alighting, for there is far more 

 satisfaction in killing your quarry in mid-air than taking 

 the pot-shot. Neither be too sparing with an odd cartridge 

 if you have the slightest reason to suspect that a shot bird 

 is only a cripple, for many a fowl is lost through this absurdity. 

 Well does the author recollect one August evening, when he 

 dropped a mallard in full view of an army of peaceful 

 piscators, whose amusement knew no bounds, because the 

 instant it touched the water the left barrel was also dis- 

 charged, but previous bitter experience had taught the value of 

 prudential forethought, and having been successful so far, he 

 had no intention of being baffled in the end by the well- 

 known subaqueous skill and cunning of a slightly -tipped 

 wildfowl. If three or four patronise you, wait and watch 

 until two or three are crossing, or until they settle and mass, 

 or get into line, then fire. To a larger flock the same 

 tactics apply. But in all cases never shoot unless absolutely 

 certain that your birds are within range ; rather let them go 

 altogether than fire a random and wild shot, as it only 

 frightens them thoroughly, or slightly pricks them. Rest 

 assured that if they do not pitch or lower to your decoys at 

 the first, second or third round, they eventually will do so 



