2G0 MALLARD. Class IL 



attended with the noise and other accidents,- 

 which may be expected to frighten the wild fowl 

 from a quiet haunt, where they mean to sleep 

 (during the day-time) in security. If these 

 noises or disturbances are wilful, it hath been 

 held, that an action will lye against the dis- 

 turber. 



As soon as the evening sets in, the decoy 

 rises (as they term it) and the Avild fowl feed 

 during the night. If the evening is still, the 

 noise of their wings, during their flight, is heard 

 at a very great distance, and is a pleasing, 

 though rather melancholy sound. This risifig 

 of the decoy in the evening, is in Somersetshire 

 called rodding. 



The decoy ducks are fed with hempseed, 

 which is flung over the skreens in small quanti- 

 ties, to bring them forwards into the pipes, and 

 to allure the wild fowl to follow, as this seed is 

 light enough to float. 



There are several pipes (as they are called) 

 which lead up a narrow ditch, that closes at 

 last with a funnel net. Over these pipes (which 

 grow narrower from the first entrance) is a con- 

 tinued arch of netting, suspended on hoops. 

 It is necessary to have a pipe or ditch for almost 

 every wind that can blow, as upon this circum- 

 stance it depends which pipe the wild fowl will 



