l.ul wiUi waU-hful eyes and ears. Out in fn.nl of these 

 boxes wooden decoys are fixed on a framework like the 

 lettL-r \', five on each frame, all >trun,-; toi;ether, so that 

 they tnrn with the tide and wind, ami look natural 

 enough io deceive the oldest gander in the tlock. 



Then two L;unners witii the i^uide wend their way to 

 the boxes when the tide is llowin- in, the -uiniers encased 

 in hip nd.ber boots, two or three pairs of stockings, a 

 heavv suit (flannel shirts, sweaters, overcoats ,b and lastly 

 an oilskin suit, if the weather be rough. The .gunners 

 oet in the boxes, arrange their pipes and shells and bad 

 the water out, while the guide takes from a basket a pair 

 of brant with clipped wings which he deftly harnesses 

 to^'-ethei like a sikui of horses. The yokes, made with 

 leather thongs, are put on their feet not their necks. They 

 are allo'A-ed to swim or wade out ([uite a distance, benig 

 secured by a cord, which is ke]it on a reel in the sink box. 

 The particular offices these birds are to perform are 

 Cwhen the brant are tlying or swimnung anvwhere near) 

 to flap their wings and "honk" their wild rehiti\-es uito 

 danger among the decoys: and it is amazing how intel- 

 ligent they are in their work : how they get away out of 

 range when the wil.l birds are being covered bv the deadly 

 breechdoader, and how they chatter to themselves with 

 seeming satisfaciion when the battery has been unmasked 

 and the fallen birds retrieved. When all is ready the 

 cruide o-ets inti. the box. and then the trials of endurance, 

 patience and expectancy begin. There is no lack of 

 birds in sight— thousands of them- and their cries at 

 times are deafening, but they keep provokingly far 

 enough off t.. make you feel as if yonr head must never 



105 



