WILDFOWL, in modern usage, water birds. as ducks, geese and swans, pursued by gunners for sport or for market. American methods of wild fowling will be found where these birds are described. (See Ducgs). An interesting method in Europe still extensively pursued in some parts of England. at the Fens, is by decoying wild ducks in large trap-ponds. The pond is constructed in a secluded place, well sheltered by trees, and with a plentiful supply of reeds and sedges. From this pond pipes or narrow passages are led, 60 to 81) yards, gradually narrowing toward the termina tion. Above, the pipe is bridged and covered by a light network, and at its termination a ends in a tunnel net, which is, as a rule, earned out on to the land. Decoy ducks, which come to be fed at the call of the attendants, arc used to entice their wild neighbors into the pipe; but the decoy dog is perhaps a more valuabk ally of the fowler. This dog is named a "piper.° It is of a small breed, and indulges in playful gambols by the side of the pipe, appear ing now and then in advance of the fowl, which.
led by curiosity, swims onward toward the dog, and is thus drawn toward the terminal net. The dog preserves a perfect silence dur ing its manoeuvres. Devices of the same char acter are used in the Orient, especially in Japan. Another Old World method is by emptying the stalking horse, still used in some parts of England; the body of the horse— which re quires special training for its work —bane used to conceal the sportsman from the game. Consult Sanford and Van Dyke, 'Water Fowl,' American Sportsman's Library (New York 1903); Grinnell, 'American Duck-shoot ing' (New York 1901); Elliot, 'The Wild Fowl of the United States, Etc.' (New York 1898); Mayer, 'Sport with Rod and Gun' (New York 1892); Aflalo, 'Sport in Europe' (London 1901); Hornaday, W. T.. Van ishing Wild Life' (New York 1913): the filet of Outing, and 'Bulletins' of the United States Bureau of Biological Survey (Washington. D. C.)