WILD DUCK. 265 



remain here to breed during summer on the margins of 

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

 small proportion to the numbers which annually visit this 

 country from high northern latitudes during winter. Par- 

 ticular 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 Lincolnshire. 



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, waiving 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. 



