Crass II. MALLARD. 
take to, and the decoy-man always keeps on the 
leeward side of the ducks, to prevent his effluvia 
redching 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 fewl 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 
261 
