HISTORY OF DECOYS. 85 



have been known to resort in Bights so numerous as apparently to cover 

 every available space of water in the pond, and that 500 to 600 Pochards 

 at one rise of the net was in those days considered quite a moderate 

 capture." 



These birds were taken by means of high nets affixed to poles. 



The Pochard were alarmed off the pond, and at the moment they 

 quitted it, the nets and poles previously laid flat on the ground, were freed, 

 and springing up intercepted the Pochard in their flight, which on rising 

 was very low for some distance. 



The nets were placed near the edge of the pond, and were so arranged 

 with balance weights that on pulling a string they instantly stood upright. 



The pond had several such nets to suit the various directions in 

 which the Pochard when driven flew away. At the foot of each net a 

 deep trench was dug, from out of which the birds were unable to escape, 

 when tumbled therein by suddenly striking the nets. 



Solhy's Decoy, on the N. shore of the Blackwater, and 5 a mile E. of 

 the last one described, also on the edge of the shore. 



This pool, a large one with eight pipes, formerly belonged to a 

 Mr. Solley ; it is known also as the " Wigeon Pond." It is opposite 

 the Decoy last mentioned, but across the creek running up to Joyce's Farm, 

 from which it is distant (S.) -| a mile, and is a mile SSE. of Goldhanger. 

 It has not been in use for twenty years. 



Goi-e Decoy, on the N. shore of the Blackwater, and under -^ a mile E. 

 of Solley's Decoy, is another, known as the Tollesbury Gore Decoy ; it is 

 situated close to and W. of the Gore Saltings, fi'om which it derives its 

 name, and close to the sea. It is ^ a mile SE. of Hervey's Farm and 

 Joyce's Farm, and i^ miles SE. of Goldhanger. 



Though worked in present memory, it has not been in use for many 

 years. 



Skinner s Wick, or IVkiiekouse Decoy, on the N. shore of the Black- 

 water, a pool that derives its name from being near two farms so called. 



The Decoy is within a hundred paces of the shore and opposite to 

 the Gore Decoy, across the creek in which are the Gore Saltings. It had 

 eight pipes and is -^ a mile S. of Skinner's Wick Farm House. 



It is in Tollesbury parish, and is 2 miles SW. of Tollesbury and i 

 mile S. of Tolleshunt D'Arcy. This was formerly a very successful Decoy, 



