. Department circular. Agriculture. 49 best to set up the blind and leave it for several hours, or even a day, that they may become accustomed to it. The observer should be accompanied by one or more persons when he goes to conceal himself within it. When his companions leave, the birds' suspicions are allayed, and curiosity may impel them to a close approach. Wooden decoys used in con- nection with "blinds," and bird calls will enable an expert to lure most shore birds as near to him as they will come to the. Decoying shore birds. gunner. A skilfully constructed blind placed on or n
. Department circular. Agriculture. 49 best to set up the blind and leave it for several hours, or even a day, that they may become accustomed to it. The observer should be accompanied by one or more persons when he goes to conceal himself within it. When his companions leave, the birds' suspicions are allayed, and curiosity may impel them to a close approach. Wooden decoys used in con- nection with "blinds," and bird calls will enable an expert to lure most shore birds as near to him as they will come to the. Decoying shore birds. gunner. A skilfully constructed blind placed on or near a long sandbar or point of the shore, and a few lumps of mud or turf judiciously distributed on the point, may enable one to get a good view of the several species of wild fowl. Apparently the flying birds at a distance mistake the clods for some of their own number, and come on, intending to alight. The best decoys are living birds anchored so that they can swim about. Sometimes a single grebe or duck in a small pond will attract a flock of several species. Many game birds and water- fowl may be baited with grain; but this is a method for those owning estates where birds can be protected, and should not be attempted by any bird student who would assemble the birds thus only to leave them to the tender mercies of the pothunter. Those who wish to lure the sea birds may have some success with gulls by putting out fish or offal upon some beach or bar, near a blind; but gulls may be seen anywhere about the harbors of cities where they are not molested. They frequent all places where fish, offal, or garbage are thrown into the water. To attract the birds of the ocean, however, one must go several miles to sea, where, by throwing overboard cod livers, or some similar food, several species may be lured near the Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illus
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