MALLARD. 
305 
rustling of their wings often alone marks their progress. Their 
flight is generally in the form of a wedge, or two converging 
lines (>) ; and being very cautious, they never alight until 
they have wheeled several times round the spot, as if to survey 
any lurking danger that may possibly threaten. Ihey often 
also swim out at a distance from the shore, and one or more 
of the party, experienced as leaders, usually watch for the 
common safety, and give instant alarm whenever there is 
occasion. During the day they thus roam at large on the 
lakes, secluded pools, or broad rivers remote from the shores, 
resting or sleeping till the approach of twilight. In a domestic 
state, though their habits are so much changed, they are very 
noisy and watchful in the evening and at dawn, responding 
their quack and cackle to the early crowing of the cock. 
It is at this time that the fowler, secreted in his hut or in 
any other way, lies in wait for their approach to the lure 
of his female decoys, and pours among them his destructive 
fire. . . 
It would far exceed our limits to detail the various arts 
employed in order to obtain this wily and highly esteemed 
game. Decoys of wood, carefully painted to imitate these and 
other species, are sometimes very successful lures in the morn- 
ing twilight. The imitation of floating objects, as a boat 
painted w-hite amongst moving ice, has also sometimes been 
attended with complete success. In India and China the 
natives, wading into the water and concealing the head in 
a calabash, steal upon the Ducks imperceptibly, and drawing 
them down severally by the legs, fasten them to a girdle, till 
it becomes loaded with its unsuspicious game. 
In the fens of Lincolnshire extensive and ingenious decoys 
are made for this purpose in the form of a winding canal pass- 
ing out of the lake where the Ducks resort, and which is 
screened on one side by a high reed-fence. At the bottom 
of this artificial and converging sluice, inarched with willows, 
a tunnel net is laid, into which the birds are driven by a dog 
trained for the purpose and sent out to the Ducks at the 
entrance of the inlet ; they are thus, with suitable precaution. 
VOL. n. — 20 
