134 



THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS. 



An amusing incident occurred the first time this Decoy was worked. 

 Mr. Fountaine, who constructed it, was anxious that its reputation should be 

 at once established by making a .successful catch in it the first time it was 

 tried. In the presence of the seventh Duke of Leeds, he proceeded to 

 work the Decoy. In one pipe were some eighty Duck he had lured well 

 inside ; all were driven up the pipe successfully, but, alas ! the tunnel net 

 had been omitted at the pipe's end, and every bird dashed through and away 



DIDLINOTON- DECOY. 



to freedom. Quoth the Duke, "Well done, Mr. Fountaine! now, can you 

 put them through again, may I ask ? " 



The Duke was particularly interested in Decoys, Mr. Fountaine having 

 at that date just assisted in planning one for him at Hornby Castle ; so 

 that this accident, though amusing to him, was a great disappointment 

 to Mr. Fountaine. 



