16 THE WILD-FOWLER. 



these nets were also placed along- the banks of rivers and ponds^ and 

 among rushes and swamps, in the fens or in any other such resorts 

 of wild-fowl; and it would seem that the fowler, by judiciously 

 arranging- his nets in the manner described, was frequently rewarded 

 with abundant success.* The time of day for this system of fowling- 

 was evening-, the nets being- cast just before sunset. The principal 

 feature in the art was, that of being familiar with the habits and 

 haunts of the birds ; so that, when they were searching- for food by 

 the banks of the water or elsewhere, they became entangled within 

 the meshes of the net; and, it appears, an experienced fowler would 

 so place his nets, that every fowl which approached the bank in- 

 evitably fell captive to his snares. 



The nets for taking- wild-ducks were sometimes placed entirely 

 under water, several decoy-ducks being- tethered to stakes near by. 

 In nearly all the artifices used by the ancient fowler, decoy-birds were 

 freely employed.f 



* " And thus without fayle where plenty of Fowle are, you shall take plenty : 

 and where they are the scarcest, yet you shall have an equall share without much 

 trouble." — Hunger's Prevention. 



t " They that would employ themselves in taking Ducks and Mallards with nets 

 &c. shold always have some v^d ones reclaimed, and made tame for that purpose ; 

 for the wild will never accompany themselves with those of the real tame breed." — 

 Blome's Gentn.^s Bee. 



