74 , THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS. 



let, the place has been too much disturbed to admit of the Decoy being 

 successfully carried on. 



The Morden Decoy was a famous one in its day, being admirably 

 placed to attract wildfowl from the Poole Harbour Estuary, a large extent 

 of water and ooze, with numerous creeks, nearly 6 miles square. 



The Rev. T. Pearce, well known as a sporting writer under the name 

 of " Idstone," and who formerly rented this Decoy, tells the Author it has 

 cleared as much as ^300 in a season, which would represent fully 7,000 to 

 8,000 fowl, taking expenses, and birds such as Teal and Wigeon, into 

 account. 



The Decoy is situated in a swampy valley, surrounded by heath. 

 The enclosure is 4 acres, with an open pond of \% acres. It has five 

 pipes, as shown on plan, somewhat curiously planned. The Decoy en- 

 closure is planted with bog myrtle, alder and willow, with some oak and 

 birch. 



This Decoy could easily be put in working order again, and, from its 

 position near the coast, should still do well. Charborough Park, near which 

 this Decoy is situated, has always been held famous for the wild beauty 

 of its surroundings, as well as for the number and variety of the game and 

 Wildfowl that frequented it and its vicinity, equalling if not even surpassing 

 Lord Malmesbury's estate at Heron Court, so famous in this respect. 



\Vimbour7ie. — A Decoy was commenced near here by the late Mr. 

 Coventry, of the Knoll, Wimbourne, but it was never completed. 



