38 THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS. 



From the first hoop to the last the drop, which should be very 

 regular, is about 4 in. each at their summits, and their span from 6 in. to 

 8 in. less as they follow along the pipe. 



The Netting that covers the hoops should not reach within 4 ft. of 

 the ground at the entrance of the pipe on either side {see cut " Entrance 

 to a Decoy Pipe," page t,j). It can be lashed to a stout wire or light iron 

 rod running along from hoop to hoop. 



A little farther up the pipe these gaps may be decreased by the netting 

 and rod being brought lower down, by 6 inches or so, till they finally slope 

 down on each side to the ground when level with the last screen, and so 

 completely close the pipe from thence to its extremitj', leaving no opening 

 whatever for a bird to escape through. 



These apertures in the net of the pipe all along the front of the 

 screens and opposite to them enable the ducks to view the antics of the 

 dog the more plainly and give the pipe a less confined look, especially at 

 its entrance. 



The birds never attempt to escape through them, however hard pressed. 



The net (a diamond mesh) should be of best handspun hemp well 

 coated with Stockholm tar, \ in. thick to the first bend of the pipe from 

 its mouth ; from thence to the tail end of one-third smaller material. If 

 too thin the ducks, when driven, will try to burst up skyward, instead of 

 following the length of the pipe as they should do. I do not approve 

 of wire, though more lasting, as in a strong breeze it sings a tune, and I 

 have often failed to catch ducks for no other reason. 



If a good man)' fowl get into a wire-covered pipe, some will damage 

 and cut themselves against it badly, besides sending their feathers in all 

 directions floating down the pipe, a sight not unremarked on by uncaught 

 birds. I have even seen the body of a bird killed by wire drift into the pond 

 and cause great mischief 



Wire is also very cumbersome to fix or handle. The mesh of the net 

 can be 4 inches across, from the entrance of the pipe to the first bend, or 

 large enough to just not allow a duck through it with folded wings, and 

 then diminishing to 3 inches till the last screen is reached ; from thence to the 

 tail end 2 inches, or small enough to prevent a Teal from squeezing through. 



