Page 170 THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS.

THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS.

He has, however, during his superintendance of 20 years, on one occasion caught 35 Ducks at a drive, and once 50 in a day. The anglers and skaters who visit the lake and frequent the neighbourhood of the Decoy destroy any chance of its being successfully worked. The birds taken here are exclusively Duck and Mallard. Ottershaw Park, 4 miles SW. of Chertsey. The remains of an old Decoy are still visible on this estate, formerly the property of Sir Thomas Colebrooke, Bart., but now belonging to Mr. Laurence J. Baren. I learn, however, from the bailiff, Mr. G. Coleman, who has lived on the property for thirty-seven years, that it has not been worked within his recollection. And the late owner of the estate, Sir T. Colebrook, informs the Author that there are no traditions existent connected with this Decoy. Pyrford, 1½ miles NNW. of Ripley, and 2 miles N E. of Woking. In a wood of rather more than 18 acres in extent, and close to the right bank of the River Wey, may be seen the site of an old Decoy, with its pipes, five in number. It still bears the name of "The Decoy," although, as I am informed by the Vicar, the Rev. Mr. Ridsdale, there is no one in the parish who remembers its being used for that purpose. Mr. George Pigot, who knows this old Decoy well from having once rented the shooting on which it is situated from Lord Lovelace, the owner of the estate, informs the Author "that the Decoy is now quite dry and overgrown with herbage, but that the pool and its pipes are still to be traced. " This Decoy was originally part of the property of Sir John Wooley, Latin Secretary to Queen Elizabeth, who prided himself in having within his own estate every possible appliance for the provision of his table, and the wants of his household. Thus, not far from the Decoy, is a place called the "Pigeon House," and there are still signs of the sluices which were cut from the old bed of the River Wey for the purpose of "Fish Stews." The Decoy is surrounded by the River Wey, which here forms almost an island on all sides of it save to the north.