THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS. | An amusing incident occurred the first time this Decoy was worked. Mr. Fountaine, who constructed it, was anxious that its reputation should be at once established by making a successful catch in it the first time it was tried. In the presence of the seventh Duke of Leeds, he proceeded to work the Decoy. In one pipe were some eighty Duck he had lured well inside ; all were driven up the pipe successfully, but, alas! the tunnel net had been omitted at the pipe's end, and every bird dashed through and away |
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| to freedom. Quoth the Duke, "Well done, Mr. Fountaine! now, can you put them through again, may I ask ? " The Duke was particularly interested in Decoys, Mr. Fountaine having at that date just assisted in planning one for him at Hornby Castle ; so that this accident, though amusing to him, was a great disappointment to Mr. Fountaine. | ||