200 



THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS. 



erected each side of the ditch over which netting is stretched so as to form 

 a square roofed Decoy pipe. 



I remarked a curious device worth mentioning by which the Dutch 

 Decoymen protect the tame Decoy Ducks in the laying season from the 

 attacks of foxes, cats, and other enemies. They fix to the branches or 

 trunks of the trees in the Decoy wood, 6ft. or so above ground, neat smooth 

 baskets made of reed or straw. 



A sketch of one of these contrivances I here give. 



The Decoy birds fly in, hne the inside of the basket with down, lay 

 their eggs and bring their young out in safety. 



After a few days the baskets are taken down and kept as shelters for 

 both young and old in a wired enclosure, and not put up on the trees again 

 till the following nesting season. 



