DECOYS. 459 



partly evaporated by the sun, so as in dry summers to be 

 tolerably dry, as was the case when the present view thereof 

 was taken." 



Such a fen, it is manifest, must have been eminently suited 

 for the successful practice of the decoymen's art. That vast 

 numbers of various kinds of ducks bred there, and that still 

 greater numbers sought its genial fastnesses in winter, is 

 certain. 



The decoy was situated in the centre of the Carr, and about 

 a couple of miles from the town. It was approached, in its 

 latter days at all events, by a specially constructed embank- 

 ment, over three-quarters of a mile in length, known to this 

 day as the " Decoy Bank." It embraced an extensive sheet 

 of water, from which radiated six pipes, and was suitably 

 planted. Circular in shape, it covered an area of 6a. 3r. 27p., 

 and, in addition to being surrounded by a high embankment, 

 it had an outer and wider encircling ditch. 



With reference to the progress of this Decoy ; all that 

 is now to be learned concerning it is contained in the 

 " Courtiers " of the Corporation, and from these the follow- 

 ing facts may be gleaned : — 



On 6th September 1662, the Decoy was leased for twenty- 

 one years to Mr. Benjamin Marshall of Doncaster, at the 

 annual rent of £15. The occupier evidently did not deliver 

 up the Decoy in a satisfactory state, hence the following 

 minute : — " June 20th 1683, It was agreed by the Mayor, 

 Aldermen, and Common Council, at a meeting, that Mr. 

 Marshall shall pay unto the Corporation towards the repairs 

 of the Decoy thirty pounds. Mr. John Maddox, a member 

 of the Corporation, was the next occupier of the Decoy from 

 the 30th of May 1684, for seven years, at a rent of £12, and 

 on condition that he furnish the several Mayors, during their 

 term of office, with twelve couple of ducks annually when 

 demanded. On July 31st 1695, it was ordered that the Decoy, 

 now to let, shall be let to any freeman of the body of the 

 Corporation, forty shillings a year thereupon than to any 

 other person. It was agreed that every person shall stand 

 to the rent he shall bid for the Decoy, or he shall forfeit three 



VOL. II. F 



