HISTORY OF DECOYS. 173 



" They say that this Decoy is the best in the kingdom .... The 

 pipes are lower in the arch than those at Somerton in Norfolk. The sides 

 of the pool are enclosed by reeded walls, rising about 3 ft. from the edge of 



the pool The insides of the reeded walls are all covered by ivy, so 



that, when on the Decoy pool, nothing but ivy is seen. 



" The birds leave the pool regularly at dusk, scattering themselves 

 over the country in every direction, and return in the morning before break 

 of day. The largest number of birds ever taken in one day was 60." 



Tortin^ton Decoy, ^\ miles SW. of Arundel. 



There are the traces of another Decoy here, also on the property of 

 the Duke of Norfolk, and which estate was purchased by his Grace from 

 Mr. Montefiore. 



It is close to the railway station of Ford. It is now a dry willow bed, 

 and the outline of the pool, said to be very ancient, can scarce be distin- 

 guished. 



Glynde, close to Firle, and 3 miles ESE. of Lewes. — There was 

 formerly a Decoy here, on the estate of Viscount Hampden, but it has not 

 been in use for a century, and only the wood in which it was placed remains 

 to mark the spot. 



Ration Decoy.— hx. Willingdon, 3 miles NW. of Eastbourne, on the 

 property of Mr. F. Thomas, there was formerly a Decoy. In conse- 

 quence of the drainage of the neighbouring levels and the great falling off 

 in the number of wildfowl captured, it was given up about forty years ago. 



The pool was from 2 to 3 acres in extent and had three pipes. It is 

 now a reed bed, almost dry, and holding foxes. 



Mr. W. Brodrick Thomas, the uncle of the present owner of Ratton, 

 informs me that he recollects this Decoy in working order, and that 

 his father kept a most accurate Decoy-book, which cannot unfortunately 

 now be found. He also states that his father inadvertently built some 

 cottages for his labourers close to the Decoy, which disturbed it con- 

 siderably, as, when the occupants cooked anything "savoury," every bird 

 left the pool at once. 



Pcasmarsh, 5 miles NW. of Rye, i mile N. of Peasmarsh village, and 

 i^ E. of Beckley. — This Decoy consisted of two large pools separated 

 by a high bank, one for Duck and another for Teal. Traces of four pipes 

 are still to be seen, but the wood in which the Decoy was situated has been 



