Alaskans Use Decoys

Shut up in a drawer in the Is ationai museum where no one has the privilege of seeing them is a curious collection oí decoys. Perhaps the funniest among them is a pup seal about a foot and a half long, quite artistically carved out of wood. lts little paws are folded across its chest, and it is intended to float on its back upon the water, just as the animal it represents does in real lif e. However, it is not meant as a decoy for mother seáis, as may be inagined, but as a float for tying a fish line to. Fishes, recognizing the innocence of pup seals in general, are not likely to suspect that one would dangle a hook and line to catch them. Thisis an Alaskan 'decoy, of course. The natives of that reg-ion employ decoy ducks made of wood in similar f ashion - nofrto attraot real ducks within reach of arrows or bullets, but as floaters merely. To the floats, set a-swimming in the rivers, lines are attached, with hooks and bait for salmón. No ordinarily wise salmón would be afraid of a duck. So these fish bite eagerly at the lures suspended from the counterfeit birds in the water and are caught. Another very queer decoy in the drawer is a fish cut out of wood and painted white. No label states, unfortunately, precisely how it is employed, although it is certain that it is a counterf cit intended to attract some big fishes. Big salmón could swallow prey of such a size, and it may be designed as bait for them. Think, however, adds the Washington Star, of the disgust which would be feit by any scaly ogre at finding that he had taken in a wooden fish one foot long!