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 employ ed.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. 



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

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

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

 Blame's Gentn.'s Rec. 



