CONSTRUCTION OF A DECOY— THE HOOPS. 



37 



rower and a shorter pipe. The hoops will in this case be of course 

 smaller in every way. 



The larger hoops can be in three pieces, the smaller in two, and may 

 be welded together on the ground, or else previously jointed and fitted for 

 bolts. The last si.x or eight hoops to be in one length each. 



When setting up the hoops first fix the head hoop and the ones at the 

 first and second bend, and connect them with a string at their summits as 

 a guide to the height of the intervening ones. Then treat the hoop 

 opposite the last screen and the tail end hoop in a similar way. 



The hoop ends will require sinking 12 in. to 18 in. in oak blocks 2 to 





'y m ~ ^%v.^:}^^^^%^^si!^^5:S\^^ ' s ;~lT^' - 



Scale yV ix.=i ft. 



A, Water, c, C, c, Rid;:;e Trees, D, Bank. E, Path. F, Screen, g, Landing. K, Smooth Turf, o, o, Height 



of Net at First Hoop. 



3 ft. long by 6 in. square. On the outside curve of the pipe the centre 

 of these supports may be 2 ft. from the water's edge, on the inside 3 to 4 ft. 

 distant according as the hoops narrow in their span {see plan facing 

 page 57). From opposite the last screen they can be as close to the water's 

 edge as possible on both sides. The top of the arches should be some- 

 what flat, and the first hoop should lean slightly forward. The hoops are 

 held steady by three ridge-trees of if x i in. strips of clean sound wood, 

 running their entire length and firmly lashed, or, what is more permanent, 

 by means of flat iron bars rounded on the outside, i in. x -g- in. and bolted 

 to the hoops. [See cut above c, c, c.) The first hoop may require wire 

 stays and posts to hold it securely. 



