190 THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS. 



With the exception of some half-dozen out of the twenty-two past and 

 present Decoys of this island, I have little but what is secondhand infor- 

 mation. The reason being that most of the Irish Decoys were discon- 

 tinued many years ago. 



That several other Decoys formerly existed than those herein- 

 mentioned is probable, but though I have travelled the length and breadth 

 of the island, both inland and by the coast on various sporting expeditions 

 {vide "Fowler in Ireland"), and have constantly made inquiries on the 

 subject, it has been with but meagre results. This information, such as 

 it is, is now given. 



County of Cork. 

 Decoys in use. \ Decoys not^ in use. 



Longfueville. Doneraile Court. 



Longueville (2), 3 miles W. of Mallow, the residence of Richard 

 Longfield, Esq. 



The Decoys are situated three hundred paces below the mansion on 

 the south side of the park, and close to the high road from Mallow to 

 Kanturk. 



They consist of two pieces of water, one being 35 yards square, and 

 the other close by and connected with it, being 8 to 10 acres in extent. 



The original Decoy, the small one, was constructed in i 750, and had 

 four pipes, two of which were enlarged in 1865 and two abolished. In 

 1875 Mr. Longfield made a new pipe on the large piece of water hard by, 

 or, as it is called, " The New Decoy." 



The takes in a season vary from 250 to 300 fowl. In the winter of 

 1 883-4, 44 Wild Duck were taken at a drive. But an average good catch 

 might be 1 5 to 20 birds ; the last made pipe being the most successful. 



Thompson, in his admirable work, 'The Natural History of Ire- 

 land' (1851), thus alludes to this Decoy. He writes: "In the season 



1840-41, 216 Teal, 100 Wild Ducks, and i Wigeon were captured 



The greatest number taken here for some years past was in 1S45-46, when 

 730 head of Duck, Teal, and Wigeon were procured." He adds : " 70 



