MR. T. SOUTHWELL ON EARLY DUTCH AND ENGLISH DECOYS. 
615 
the native home of his decoyman and in his company, seems to 
have given him great satisfaction; although he speaks of “John 
my coy man ” he only casually mentions that his name was John 
Ward, probably the English form of Jan Waerd or some such 
name. The number of decoys in Holland at that time must 
have been very great, and the flights of fowl immense ; it would 
appear as though they kept a stock of live fowl in huts covered 
with nets ; but I do not understand the “ two hundred flying 
smeaths” which he mentions as belonging to one of the decoys. 
Some of these decoys seem to have been very close to public 
highways, and indeed the absolute seclusion which has always 
been considered essential to the success of a decoy does not seem 
to bo so needful, as was generally supposed. 1 know a decoy- 
pond in which the fowl can be seen on the water from the 
highway — accustomed sights and sounds are treated with in- 
difference by the resting birds, but the crack of a whip or 
any strange, or sudden noise rouses the sleepy fowl at once. 
Brereton brought home to England a very large and miscel- 
laneous assortment of goods, and among them a Dutch decoy 
dog for use in his own decoy. 
The second journey was made in the next year, 1G35. Sir 
William and his party left home on the 11th June, and after 
proceeding north into Scotland crossed over to Ireland returning 
on the 25th of July. He seems to have combined business with 
pleasure, more particularly in Ireland, and makes very shrewd 
remarks as to the value and capabilities of the land. He evi- 
dently owned property in Ireland as he mentions that in Dublin, 
on the 9th July, he lodged with his tenant, Ralph Brian and 
refers to some negotiations which evidently fell through. But 
he always had an eve to the suitability of the country through 
which he passed for the requirements of a decoy, nor did he 
ever, either at home or abroad, miss an opportunity of inspecting 
(when permitted) or of enquiring into the construction and mode 
of working of these institutions. As was usual in those days 
his party travelled on horseback, and when a sea passage was 
necessary it seems to have been very distasteful to him, as he 
was a bad sailor. 
On June 23rd, Brereton stayed at the “Swan” at Newcastle, 
