The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-15

There is always room for snmetuI.s lew in
decoys. and an acceptable i,Svclty this season
Is found in the flexible intatub e decoys that can
De blown up when they are to he used, bnt occupy
very little space TO carry. Hitherto all decoys
OF tins type have had II great weakness for fall
ing over ON one side and playing other unnatural
pranSs in any breeze above a ripple. This has
been by reason OF their extreme lirhtness and
the fact that the anchor has been placed directly
below the body. The Improvement in the new
decoys is that each duck has an IRON sinker
shaped IKEA hlueti>h line winder, and the cord
affixed TO the centre Of tue body is carried
through II tiny swivel placed at the tail or tho
biTd. Ihis Is claimed to prey ent all capsizing.
1t may do so. butt would seem to the practical
wild fowler rs II it would have the effect OF
turning the b'ra's tail 10 the wind something
a live duck is never known to do-aud there
fore the small swivel should be placed at the
neck instead or at the tail. Thcre is also n very
good profile goose decoy made on the model Of
the duck Iecoys described last season.
For those who 70 in for meadow shooting
where the ducks or geese fly inland to feed .
stalking horse or rather COW las been invented
upon n new line. Hitherto these have been
very ungninlN. have needed two men to work
them, and have been almost Interchangeable ex-
cept In very calm weather. The framework OF
the new one is OF very light willow. and at The
lore shoulder of the frame is a place for IA mans
mead 10 lit IN. 50 that tie weight OF the whole is
carried On tho head and shoulders. AS The
mans legs walk in the sneaths of The fore legs
OF lne COW; the hind legs by II simn.o device are
maze 70 Keep step ,antomatIca!iy. The head
ana tan can be moved in any direction at tho
VIII OF the hunter. When the stalk has been
made successfully, and the hunter is within
rm",' ne pulling OF y ~ bolt causes the front
pmttn OF the frame TO fall apart, leaving the hum
Ter uhelcuinhered and ready for n shot.
ror tne use OF liver and marsh fowlers
aluminium skins are made. There s a device
ionf-ceil Rlnnge electric battery may be at
taclea. The apparatus weighs only thirty-Avo
s mouth 1 Sna '% mi, KeLt'Tg e Iloat,ns birds Il
PROBABLY be successful and useful.
ms year Inc matter of duck G1ns is attract
ing eGn,id"rabie attention. The general do
maId 10 for IL gun with good cArlyurr ,,....-
haNlnS The minimum amount Of rrcoil. TN
rrrol from u l2-horc gun with Ia ounces of
to he equal TO II pressure OF from ~ to 40
polhGs. bhd from II lO-borc. with "A rurrrspOnd-
!tg vharEe, from ~ TO, 40 pnnnns, This season
thrTe has hre1 introduced n inng-chnmhered
d2-oHre gun which takes with equal facility q
5.incll or II ';1e-incn. cartridge ease " III tho
correspond NJ load. These guns are exceeding
. wei bored and are said To have u pru-t ration
that WI! iinl;cn II Is IS shoe 70 TIE ,i2r OF a IT lIns
A. u metal target 100 yards distant. Quite q
old heavy guage duck guns which ae laid
up ~ lavender in the various towing %resorts;
ont ' is Shle TO say that not many Of them
wouIh huplcAte their record ut IA rarget, and 10
mas !tech, ohly within the last len years that
arllslic choking for long close shuOtilg from q
noh!unt weight gun has been understood by
tle majority or tho manufacturers. To-day,
WIN u charge of from one and u half to one and
lhree-gu 'riers ohnces Of large shot. there are
ni'icent execution. and n /. not necessary 10 20
70 Europe and give 5000 each FOR them either
ne new condensed powders, which are rapidly
"'nhlns IhN"r. are regarded by many a. likely
70 make u treat change in favor OF tho lighter
gun. ana with their quick ignition and reduced
's''ii' surprising results have been achieved