i8o THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS. 



nothing now remains but a stagnant pool overgrown with rushes, no trace 

 of the pipes being observable. Tradition, however, states that when in 

 working order, about 2,000 fowl were taken therein in a season. The more 

 recent Decoy is to be easily traced, its form being compact, well-shaped, 

 and planted. It is, however, though in the park, within 100 paces of a 

 high road. The iron hoojjs, remains of the screens, and the Decoyman's 

 hut, are still to be seen. 



This Decoy was made for the late Lord Wenlock, and the present 

 owner of Escrick recollects seeing ducks caught in it when a boy. 



Osgodby Hall, 3 miles east of Selby, formerly the property of Mr. 

 G. P. Dawson, but now belonging to Mr. Riley Briggs, possessed a 

 Decoy which was last worked in 1877. Situated at the north side of 

 the park in the centre of the estate, it had four pipes, and some years 

 ago answered very well, an average season, as I am informed by its owner, 

 producing some 1,600 to 2,000 fowl. Mr. Briggs states he has occasionally 

 seen as many as 1,500 birds on the pool at one time. If put into repair 

 and working order, this Decoy might again be worked with advantage, 

 as there is a large extent of water in the Humber estuary not far distant, 

 on which the fowl collect in winter, whence many would doubtless find their 

 way, as formerly, into the Decoy. 



The Osgodby Decoy was originally planned about 1840 by Mr. 

 Edward Dawson, son of the former owner, after his seeing Mr. Healy's 

 Decoy at Ashby in Lincolnshire. It was found that there were more Teal 

 taken in the east pipe, and more Duck and Mallard in the south pipe, than 

 in any other. In the best season of which any record has been preserved, 

 there were captured 1,800 Duck and Mallard, besides 500 Teal and 

 Wigeon. The last-named began to discontinue their visits about 18 years 

 ao-o. As many as 80 Duck have been taken in one pipe of this Decoy at 

 a single drive. 



Between the years 1762 and 1800 four ancient Decoys ceased to exist 

 not far from Beverley, in East Yorkshire. These were — Meaux, Holme, 

 Walton and Scorborotigh. No records of their age exist, or of the exact 

 date when they were discontinued. 



Meaux. — This Decoy lies 2\ miles due east of Beverley, \^ miles on 

 the east side of the River Hull, and a mile north-west of the once famous 

 Abbey of Melsa or Meaux, so closely associated with Beverley Minster, 



