172 THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS. 



At Angmering, 4 miles ENE. from Little Hampton, and about 3 

 miles E. of Arundel Castle, is a small Decoy the property of the Duke 

 of Norfolk, but not at present used. It has been in existence for over 

 a century. It was held for sixty-five years by a Dr. Knight, who was suc- 

 ceeded by a Mr. Snelgrove. It was next part of the Mitchelgrove estate, 

 which was purchased by the then Duke of Norfolk, from a Mr. Walker, 

 in 1832. In 1849 or 1850 his Grace replanted it and made new pipes. 

 Two of these are of iron, and a third has wooden hoops for the netting. 



It was disused as a Decoy in 1868, and has since that date only been 

 visited for shooting. The Decoy proper is about an acre in extent, and it 

 and the ponds adjoining are fed by natural streams. 



No regular records have been kept of the fowl captured, but accord- 

 ing to a statement of the late Decoyman, the largest number ever taken 

 at one time amounted to rather more than 50. 



This Decoy was constructed to supply Arundel Castle with wild- 

 fowl, but as it had occasionally large takes when they were not required, 

 and at other times produced no birds when most desired, it was given up 

 to the sport of shooting instead of Decoying. The Decoy is within half a 

 mile of the villasfe from which it takes its name. 



The following letter (dated 1825), alluding to this Decoy, written by 

 the late Joseph Hume, M.P., the well-known statesman and author, to a 

 friend in Norfolk, is well worthy of insertion here : — 



" There is a Decoy at Angmering, about 5 miles from Worthing and 

 the same distance from Arundel. It is a quarter-mile south of the Brighton 

 and Arundel road, and 3 miles from the sea. It has been established for 

 two centuries, and from November to March supplies all the neighbourhood 

 with Ducks, Teal, and Wigeon 



" There were formerly four pipes, but there are only three now. The 

 pool is square, of about i acre, in a hollow surrounded by plenty of trees 

 of different kinds, and is a secluded, quiet spot. There is a small rill of 

 water runs down the hollow, and two or three large fishponds are on the 

 NE. of it, from which, one year with another, 8 cwt. of fish are drawn. 



". . . . The Decoy pool has a strong spring of water in it, and they 

 have the power of raising the water 12 in. or 14 in. when required. 



" One man has attended this Decoy for fifty years, and his son is now 

 assisting him. 



