266 ANATIDJE. 



rivers and lakes in many counties, these bear but a very 

 small proportion to the numbers which annually visit this 

 country from eastern and northern latitudes during win- 

 ter. Particular spots, or decoys, in the fen countries, 

 are let to the fowlers at a rent of from five pounds to 

 thirty pounds per annum; and Pennant instances a 

 season in which thirty-one thousand two hundred Ducks, 

 including Teals and Wigeons, were sold in London 

 only, from ten of these decoys near Wainfleet, in Lin- 

 colnshire. 



Two illustrations, reduced in size, from designs which 

 appeared in the Penny Magazine, of February, 1835, 

 which exhibit the screens, the net, and the mode of pro- 

 ceeding, will enable the reader, with a short description, 

 to understand the process. 



The wild birds are enticed from that portion of the lake 

 near the wide open mouth of the tunnel by means of the 

 dog, the decoy ducks, and the corn used in feeding them 

 in, till the decoyman has worked them sufficiently up the 

 pipe to enable him to show himself at one of the openings 

 between the wild birds and the entrance from the lake, the 

 oblique position of the reed screens enabling all the birds 

 in the pipe to see him, while none that are on the lake 

 can. The wild-fowl that are in sight hasten forward, 

 their retreat being cut off by the appearance of the man, 

 whom they dare not pass. The decoyman then moves on 

 to the next opening, waving his hat if necessary, and the 

 wild birds are thus driven along till they enter the tunnel 

 net and are all taken ; a twist of the net prevents them 

 getting back. The decoyman then takes the net off 

 from the end of the pipe with what fowl he may have 

 caught, takes them out one at a time, dislocates their necks, 

 hangs the tunnel on to the net again, and all is ready for 

 working afresh. 



