I02 THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS. 



These statistics are both instructive and curious, and tend to show 

 what a "lead " of fowl will do for a Decoy. The Teal that now resort to 

 Hale must, with rare exceptions, be birds from far-off regions that have 

 gradually imparted to their descendants the fact that such favourable 

 shelter as the quiet pool offers them, is existent. 



Thus those that are not caught return to their nesting haunts year 

 by year, and so the information is handed down. 



As to the Wild-duck, these were most likely homebreeding birds, who, 

 when they left the Decoy at the end of the season, retired to the wild spots, 

 known as " moss lands," which formerly abounded in Lancashire, to rear 

 their young. 



Since these feeding and breeding-grounds have been drained the Wild- 

 duck have, it may be said, deserted the county ; and it may have also 

 occurred that the Decoyman was not careful to leave in the Decoy, at the 

 end of the season, enough Duck to bring back a " lead " the ensuing year, 

 should foreign birds have been in the habit of visiting the pond. Both 

 causes would account for the small number of Duck now taken at Hale. 



Orford Hall, within a mile of Warrington, at the head of the Mersey 

 estuary, on its north bank. Formerly, as above stated, the residence of the 

 Blackburne family, and now in the possession of Mr. W. Beamont. This 

 gentleman states that some 50 to 60 years ago he recollects the Orford 

 Decoy being last used. The remains of the Decoy are still to be traced, 

 though almost grown up with underwood. 



