35 



CHAPTER III. 



The Construction of a Decoy. 



The Pipes. — Truly the most important belongings to a Decoy, for in 

 these the actual catching of the ducks takes place, after the latter have in 

 the first instance been attracted to the main pond outside them. A Decoy 

 is like an organ, it cannot be played on till the pipes are perfected. 



To cut the ditch of a Decoy pipe properly requires careful staking 

 out beforehand. How to do this is shown in plan facing page 36. 



It will be seen by looking at the plans of a Decoy pipe, that the first 

 hoop, i.e., head of net, is placed 9 yards above the head show place. 



That the ditch under the first hoop is 2 i ft. across ; under the hoop 

 at the first bend the ditch is 16 ft. wide ; under the hoop at the last corner 

 where the screens stop, 10 ft. ; at the extreme end 2 ft. 



Let the pipes be large, airy, and light, and without any trees or under- 

 wood hanging over them. 



If they are closed in by foliage they will give the ducks the idea 

 that they are dark, and so unsafe, cages, and not to be explored at any cost, 

 whatever be the temptations and inducements put before their eyes. 



Nothing will ever persuade ducks to swim freely up into a dim un- 

 certainty, into an apparent danger, for such a dark pipe appears to their 

 timid minds. 



If they are at times persuaded to enter a dark pipe, they will only go 

 up it a short distance and always with disappointing hesitation. They 

 rarely advance in such a pipe far enough to be caught — by being driven 

 forward, or, if driven, they will often turn about and fly out, even past the 

 Decoyman. 



No, the pipes must be bright and open to the sky, and stand clear of 

 trees other than shrubs or low brushwood. 



From the first elbow of the pipe on its screen side, the adjoining land 



