84 THE WILD-FOWLER. 



A flight-pond, as far as regards the pool itself, and the sequestered 

 spot chosen for its cultivation, is similar to a decoy ; but requires no 

 tributary ditches, pipes, or decoy-ducks for the purpose of assisting 

 its operations. The very design of the flight-pond is to take a species 

 of wild-fowl by nature too artful to be captured in the decoy ; for 

 which purpose the contrivances employed are admirably adapted. A 

 decoy may be used in part as a flight-pond ; but it is not always 

 desirable that the two proceedings should be combined, because one 

 requires a space clear of trees and obstructions, and the other should 

 be sheltered. When the pond is used for both purposes it is usual to 

 have but one or two decoy pipes, the rest of the space being 

 required for working the dun-bird nets : so that when the fowler has 

 practised his artifices upon such birds as may be taken in the decoy- 

 pipe, he then enacts another part upon those which will not pipe ; 

 and, by means of the flight-net and apparatus, often takes every bird 

 which may be upon the water. It is very rarely, however, that any 

 but pochards and their species are taken in the flight-net j a wild- 

 duck, widgeon, or teal has sufficient power of wing to soar suddenly 

 high in the air, and avoid the net spread to capture it. 



The spot selected for a flight-pond should be similarly situated to 

 that of a decoy a quiet and retired locality near the most favourite 

 haunts of the aquatic tribe, and not far from the sea-coast. The 

 planting, however, should be rather differently arranged ; and the 

 surrounding grounds and banks laid out in the following manner : 



The trees and underwood about the flight-pond must be in accord- 

 ance with the number of posts, poles, and nets to be employed. 

 In a complete flight-pond, used exclusively for capturing dun-birds, 

 there must be posts and poles to suit the wind from at least four quar- 

 ters : which, for the purpose of aiding our explanation, we will sup- 

 pose to be east, west, north, and south. 



It is not necessary that the pond should be an exact square ; a 

 circular space answers nearly the same purpose. But let us, for pre- 

 sent elucidation, imagine a pond seventy or eighty yards square, 

 which is about the best and most suitable size for a flight-pond. At 

 each of the four corners as many trees, and as much underwood, 

 should be planted as can be, so as not to interfere with the fowler's 

 operations; and the taller the trees, and nearer they stand to 

 the brink of the pond, the better. With the planting so arranged, 

 there will be the four sides of the pond clear and open, which is the 

 intention desired. These open spaces should command an extent 



