HISTORY OF DECOYS. | |
| Lord Lilford tells me that he has seen as many as from 1,000 to 2,000 Of the aquatic species on his low lands, when the water is out along the course of the Nene, and that he has obtained almost every kind of duck here, including Gadwall. Borough Fen, 6 miles N. of Peterborough, between Peakirk and Crowland, and 2 miles N E. of the former town, near the S. bank of the River Welland.-There is a fine Decoy here, in good working order, with eight pipes, rented by Mr. John B. Williams, who informs me that it has been in the occupation of his family for over 200 years, and that he has been at great expense in repairing and improving it, but unfortunately he has kept no record of the annual captures made, which were formerly very large. There is no doubt that this Decoy is one of the oldest established in England. Mr. Williams states that when searching documents at the Bedford Level Office in Ely, he came upon an application, in one of the Minute Books, dated 1670, made by the Earl of Lincoln, requesting from the Drainage Commissioners permission to pierce the embankment of the River Welland to lead a ditch to his Decoy to supply it with water. This Decoy, and the estate round it, originally belonged to the Earl of Lincoln; it then came into the posession of Lord Eardley, then Sir Culling Eardley Smith, Bart., and it now belongs to Mrs. F. S. Culling Hanbury, of Bedwell Park, Herts, the daughter and heiress of the late Sir Culling Eardley, Bart. The Decoy lies between the Rivers Nene and Welland, in the extreme NE. corner of Northamptonshire. | |
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DECOYS IN THE COUNTY OF NOTTINGHAM. | |
| Though Nottinghamshire is one of the most central, as well as cultivated counties of England, it possesses three Decoys. These are, however, of peculiar structure, being trap or cage Decoys. The fowl, instead of being fed or enticed up pipes, and then driven, as is the usual custom, are treated quite a different way, as will be seen on perusing the account of the Decoys that pertain to the county. | |