HISTORY OF DECOYS. 159 



Somerset," iil. p. 417, 1791) who writes — "Westbury is pleasantly situated 

 under the southern ridge of the Mendips, 4 miles from Wells, and on the 

 road thence to Axbridge. 



" The lands are mostly pasture. The River Axe divides this parish 

 from Wookey and Wedmore. Here is a large Decoy pool." 



Stoke Decoy, three-quarters of a mile SW. of Stoke Rodney, and 5 

 miles WNW. from Wells, situated on the N. bank of the River Axe. 

 Probably not constructed until after 1802, in which year an Act was 

 passed for the drainage of the extensive marshes that bordered the river, 

 and which previously used to be under water nearly all the winter, 

 rendering the working of a Decoy impracticable. However, after the 

 Decoy was made, a subsequent and more complete system of drainage 

 destroyed it. 



Little remains now of this Decoy, or the last one described, save their 

 outline and the Decoymen's cottages. 



Nylatid Decoy, one mile and a quarter W. of Draycot, on a tribu- 

 tary of the River Axe, is thus referred to by Collinson (" Hist. Somerset," 

 iii. p. 606, 1 791). " Nyland Hill, rising abruptly out of the valley, has a 

 picturesque appearance. Near it is a very large Decoy pool, in which a 

 great number of Wild-duck, Teal, Wigeon, Sea-pheasants (Pintail), and 

 other fowl are captured." 



This Decoy has long been disused, but distinct traces of its formation 

 are now left. It was close to the SW. slope of Nyland Hill, and the 

 Decoyman's cottage is still standing. 



Cheddar Water, I5 miles SW. of Cheddar, and i-^ miles S. of Ax- 

 bridge, on the north bank of the Axe, there was formerly a Decoy, where 

 the stream called Cheddar Water joins the former river. It has long 

 ceased to be worked, and its outline can now scarce be traced. 



These last four Decoys all lie within i^ miles S. of the railway from 

 Wells to Axbridge. 



Keiin Moor, 2 miles SE. of Clevedon. — In the parish of Kenn, and 

 about 2\ miles NNE. of Yatton, is a farm known as "The Decoy Pool 

 Farm," whereon, many years ago, a Decoy existed in the low meadows 

 bordering the stream which flows from Tickenham to Clevedon, these 

 meadows being often flooded during the winter months. The Decoy, 

 however, has long been abandoned, not having been worked since 1820, 



