Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-07-09
Duck-fiunting Under Water.

| A novel and ingenious method otcap-
turing wild ducks is described in the Wide
World Magazine by Mr.. w. E. Pedley,
who witnessed The feat while on hunt
ing trip in India. In his party was a 1.-the,
active looking native lad, who proiesSed
TO be able TO swim under water into the
midst of flock OF wild fowl, and catch
the birds in his naked hands. He was
given an opportunity TO show his skill IN
a quiet lagoon near the camp.
A gentle sunset breeze was blowing.
says Mr.. Pedley, when We silently forced
our punt into the ruShes about 25O yards
from where flock OF ducks were buSily
engaged in diving for wild celery roots.
Immediately the young man began his
simple preparations. He put on stout
leather belt with rawhide thong that
passed through holes, and formed Sue
cesSion OF loops, like cartridge-belt.
II was ingeniously arranged so that any
one loop could be drawn tight, and the
slack passed TO lis neighbor
Next, he drew from his bundle what
looked like decoy duck cut OFF al the
water-line, or just below it. Turning ii
over, he showed us that il was simply
the skin of a duck, with beautifully stuff
ed head and neck, out quite hollow in
side. The main frame consisted OF strip
of split bamboo, bent into The shape OF a
long, narrow horseshoe. A little cross
bar was securely tied on with sinews
about an inch and a half from the heel
end of the shoe. The skin was sewn
with sinews to the main horseshoe -shap-
ed frame, but under the iail il was entire
ly cut away, so as TO leave an openspace.
Riding on the water, il looked like
badly made decoy, because the head and
neck, being stuffed, were unduly heavy,
and the bird rode with its head tipped
forward and its tail absurdly cooked up.
The youth slipped into the water, and,
turning on his back, took the little cross
bar between his teeth. He then lay float
ing quietly, the body OF the decoy cover
ing his nose, eyes, mouth and chin. The
water was clear, and we could easily see
him under the surface. AT once we saw
why The skin OF the decoy was cut away
under the tail. II was TO enable him 10
see out
The lad swan down the narrow pas
sage toward the flock, and We noticed
that the swiftly moving decoy looked ex-
actly like swimming mallard the same
tiny wave ran out in straight line from
each side Of the breast.
had looked away at fish-hawk at
the northern side of the lagoon, and when
looked back, could not distinguish the
decoy; but suddenly ! saw one duck
move backward. and two that were
Immediately behind it disappear beneath
the water.
A moment later another disappeared,
still surviving members Of the flocks
showed no anxiety. They doubtless
thought that the others had dived.
Several more went quietly under the
water, and we began 10 wonder whether
the lad would get the whole flock, when
a bird went under with great splash,
and several ducks raised themselves in
the water, and twisted their heads sharp
ly from side TO side. Apparently unable
to see any danger, they stayed where
they were, although on the alert. Pres
emily another one went under, and then
two at a time; but one was caught only
by one leg, and made great squawking
and splasbing as he went down. There
upon The rest took alarm, and flew away.
We poled up, and found the young man
grinning. with eleven ducks in his belt.