by a period of "scouting, " •when, a single "bird cr small flocks would circle 

 the fields a number of tiaras before dropping in. to begin feeding. 



COHSiT.UC'HO!: AKD USE Of DEPEREENSS 



Sp i nr.y M Tie f 1 e c t or s 



The feeding habits described made it necessary to install frighten- 

 ing devices that would be effective both day and night. 7or this reason 

 "spinner reflectors" were placed on cross bars at .intervals of 35 to 40 

 yards throughout the field, with a revolving beacon at the center for use 

 after dark. The beacon and the reflectors were constructed so that they 

 would rotate freely in the slightest breeze. 



It was found of the utmost importance to space the cross bars evenly, 

 so as to make it impossible for a duck to alight in the' field at a greater 

 distance than 25 to 30 yards from any pair of reflectors. It was also 

 found desirable to suspend each pair of reflectors by cords of different 

 lengths (fig. 1, 3) to insure irregularity of motion, which is necessary to 

 prevent the birds from becoming accustomed to these devices. 



Suitable reflectors can be made from almost any tin-plated sheet metal 

 that can be cut in pieces about 10 to 12 inches square. The upper edge 

 should be folded over 1 inch to give added strength and rigidity. Dis- 

 carded 5-quart oil cans are satisfactory and easily obtained. From three 

 such cans enough reflectors can be made to protect an -acre of grain. The 

 ends are removed with a rotary can opener and then the sices are cut with 

 tin shears into two pieces, each about 11 by 12 inches. -- small hole is 

 punched through the center of the doubled edge and the reflector bent in 

 the form of an open "S" to catch the breeze (fig. 1, A and 3 ! . A strong 

 steel swivel (fig. 1, B) is wired to this hole, bronze swivels being too 

 soft and soon wearing out. Small chain swivels also are satisfactory. All 

 -•swivels should be lubricated to reduce wear and insure continuous spinning. 

 Pieces of heavy braided cord, similar to that used on Venetian blinds, are 

 cut and tied to the swivels to suspend the reflectors from T-shaped sup- 

 ports. Ordinary twisted cord is unsuitable because it soon wears out. The 

 cords should be long enough for the top of one reflector in each pair to be 

 about 6 to 8 inches below the cross bar, and the other about 12 to 14 inc] 

 below it (fig. 1, A) . 



The upright post of each T-bar should project 4 to 4-1/2 feet aV round 

 Suitable wooden posts can be made from 2-inch square material out in 5- toot 

 lengths so that they can be driven 1 to 1-1/2 feet into the ground. The 

 bars can be made from 1-by 2-inch wooden strips cut in lengths of about 3-1, 2 

 feet and fastened near the top of the posts by four strong nails. 



The T-supports with their attached pairs of reflectors are plac 35 to 

 '40 yards apart in regular rows, the outside rev: J 

 the field. The im i tance of completely cov^r ; . the field 

 cannot be overemp] d. . In isolated places, where th'a binds tend to 

 alight first , it may be helpful to put an occasional extr 

 ors midway between the regular pairs. 



