42 THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS. 



are made that flank the pipes' mouths, these resting-places having banks 

 also at the back of them.* (See plan opposite page 55.) 



This steep bank prevents the fowl from resting on any part of the 

 Decoy edges, save on the landings near the pipes. 



If a bank of this height cannot be arranged, then a continuous 4 ft. 

 reed or wood fence can be placed instead all round the water's edge of the 

 pond, and behind the landings. 



It is very important that the chief places the fowl should be encour- 

 aged to sit on, be just outside the entrances to the various pipes, and at least 

 25 yards in length by 7 feet wide on the off-side of the pipe outside the 

 head hoop {i.e., the back wing landing), and 20 yards in length by 

 8 feet wide on the screen side of the entrance to the pipe beyond the 

 head show place, the latter being the breast-wall landing {see plan facing 



page 55)- 



If the fowl bank well, they are sure to have plenty of companions 

 close by them in the water, or half in and half out of it. So all are then 

 conveniently placed to serve the Decoyman's ends. 



To tempt the fowl to come ashore and rest on these particular landings, 

 they must be level with the water's edge, nicely turfed, smooth, and evenly 

 sloped, and larger in space just outside the mouths of the pipes than else- 

 where, and especially so, as I have just said, on the left-hand side of the 

 pipe's entrance looking up it. 



On the opposite side of the pipe to the screens, it will be seen that 

 the back wing landing is continued up under the net itself till opposite 

 the last screen {see plan facing page 57). The reason is that the birds 

 will often rest thereon, and when so found can be driven up without the 

 use of the dog or food. 



Along the screen side of the pipe no landing is necessary, nor is there 

 space for such. 



All landings must be well sheltered on their landward sides by screens 

 or banks. 



The fowl will select the weather, that is the sheltered, landings to rest 



* Wherever the steep bank rises abruptly from the water a reed edge should be planted, 

 10 ft. broad, and thus it will fringe the bank from the end of one landing to the end of the 

 next one (i-^^ plan facing page 55). The bank tops should be planted with privet, both to 

 increase their height, as well as to strengthen them. 



