i 3 4 BROADLAND SPORT 



used for litter in the bullock-yards. The quieter and more 

 secluded the position, the better and the more it is wooded 

 round, so the more freely will wildfowl take to it and use it. 



As before mentioned, the best shape to lay out or form the 

 pool is triangular, with the base westwards and the two sides 

 north-east and south-east respectively. The base or west- 

 ward side should have a shelving shore, and the other sides 

 should be cut straight down, allowing for deep water. 



The reason of this is that the fowl which use the pool, 

 when lighting, will favour the shelving shore, where they are 

 accustomed to be fed; and as the sun sets in the west, the 

 flight shooters, who are posted along the north-east and south- 

 east sides in their screens, get the full benefit of the lingering 

 light from the late-set sun a very great advantage. So long 

 as no trees are planted within about thirty yards of the shelv- 

 ing shore the light from the sky is not impeded, whilst osiers 

 and alder-scrub can be planted nearer if desired. 



There are pools dug and made which are square, oblong, 

 formed like a capital S, round, and all shapes and sizes, but the 

 triangular form is best. 



Should the pool be dug from a bare swamp it will be as 

 well to plant round it freely, leaving an open space near to 

 the western side, on account of the light. Between the out- 

 skirts and the water's edge, rhododendrons, laurels, young firs, 

 etc., may be set fairly thickly, as they not only help to hide 

 the shooter or onlooker, but they at the same time shelter the 

 water and afford good facilities for nesting to the birds, be- 

 sides lending themselves considerably to ornamentation. 



A thin belt of reeds may be encouraged on the north and 

 south-east sides, but should they appear on the western side 

 they must be immediately cut down. June is the best month 

 for doing this, as then it kills the reeds, and they rarely 

 grow up again. 



All round the pool a wall about three feet or four feet high 

 is made with a corresponding trench, provided the land is not 

 swampy or moist, in which case no trench can well be made, 

 as it becomes a ditch ; but should the land be fairly dry the 



