Class II. MALLARD. 261 



take to, and the decoy-man always keeps on the 

 leeward side of the ducks, to prevent his effluvia 

 reaching their sagacious nostrils. Along each 

 pipe, are placed, at certain intervals, skreens 

 made of reeds, which are so situated, that 

 it is impossible the wild fowl should see 

 the decoy-man, before they have passed on 

 towards the end of the pipe, where the purse- 

 net is placed. The inducement to the wild 

 fowl to go up one of these pipes is, because 

 the decoy-ducks, trained to this, lead the way, .. • 

 either after hearing the whistle of the decoy- ' 

 man, or enticed by the hempseed ; the latter - 

 will dive under water, whilst the wild fowl fly 

 on, and are taken in the purse. It often 

 happens, however, that the wild fowl are - 

 in such a state of sleepiness and dozing, that 

 they will not follow the decoy-ducks. Use is 

 then generally made of a dog, who is taught his 

 lesson : he passes backwards and forwards be- 

 tween the reed skreens (in which are little holes, 

 both for the decoy-man to see, and for the 

 little dog to pass through) : this attracts the eye 

 of the wild fowl, who not chusing to be inter- 

 rupted, advance towards this small and con- 

 temptible animal, that they may drive him 

 away. The dog, during this time, by direction 

 of the decoy-man, plays among the skreens of 



