294 BRITISH BIRDS. 



their funnel nets : from these the ditch is covered 

 by a continued arch of netting", supported by hoops, 

 to the desired distance; and all along both sides 

 skreens formed of reeds, are set up so as to prevent 

 the possibility of the birds seeing the decoy-man; 

 and as these birds feed during the night, all is 

 ready prepared for this sport in the evening. The 

 fowler, then, placed on the leeward side, sometimes 

 with the help of his well-trained dog, but always by 

 that of his better-trained tame Decoy-Ducks, 

 begins the business of destruction. The latter, 

 directed by his well-known whistle, or excited 

 forward by the floating hempseed, which he strews 

 occasionally upon the water, entice all the Wild 

 Ducks after them under the netting; and as soon 

 as this is observed, the man or his dog, as the fit- 

 ness of opportunity may direct, is from the rear 

 exposed to the view of the birds, by which they are 

 so alarmed that they dare not offer to return, and 

 are prevented by the nets from escaping upwards: 

 they therefore press forward in the utmost confusion 

 to the end of the pipe, into the funnel or purse nets 

 there prepared to receive them, while their treacher- 

 ous guides remain behind in conscious security. 

 The season allowed by act of parliament for catch- 

 ing these birds in this way, continues only from 

 the latter end of October till February. 



Particular spots or decoys, in the fen countries, 

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

 pounds per annum; and Pennant instances a sea- 

 son in which thirty-one thousand two hundred 

 Ducks, including Teals and Wigeons, were sold in 

 London only, from ten of these decoys near Wain- 

 fleet, in Lincolnshire. Formerly, according to 



