Page 180 THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS.

THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS.

Tradition, however, states that when in working order, about 2,000 fowl were taken therein in a season. The more recent Decoy is to be easily traced, its form being compact, well-shaped, and planted. It is, however, though in the park, within 100 paces of a high road. The iron hoops, remains of the screens, and the Decoyman's hut, are still to be seen. This Decoy was made for the late Lord Wenlock, and the present owner of Escrick recollects seeing ducks caught in it when a boy. Osgodby Hall, 3 miles cast of Selby, formerly the property of Mr. G. P. Dawson, but now belonging to Mr. Riley Briggs, possessed a Decoy which was last worked in 1877. Situated at the north side of the park in the centre of the estate, it had four pipes, and some years ago answered very well, an average season, as I am informed by its owner, producing some 1,600 to 2,000 fowl Mr. Briggs states he has occasionally seen as many as 1,500 birds on the pool at one time. If put into repair and working order, this Decoy might again be worked with advantage, as there is a large extent of water in the Humber estuary not far distant, on which the fowl collect in winter, whence many would doubtless find their way, as formerly, into the Decoy. The Osgodby Decoy was originally planned about 1840 by Mr. Edward Dawson, son of the former owner, after his seeing Mr. Healy's Decoy at Ashby in Lincolnshire. It was found that there were more Teal taken in the cast pipe, and more Duck and Mallard in the south pipe, than in any other. In the best season of which any record has been preserved, there were captured 1,800 Duck and Mallard, besides 500 Teal and Wigeon. The last-named began to discontinue their visits about 18 years ago. As many as 80 Duck have been taken in one pipe of this Decoy at a single drive. Between the years 1762 and 1800 four ancient Decoys ceased to exist not far from Beverley, in East Yorkshire. These were-Meaux, Holme, Watton and Scorborough. No records of their age exist, or of the exact date when they were discontinued. Meaux.-This Decoy lies 2½ miles due east of Beverley, 1½ miles on the cast side of the River Hull, and a mile north-west of the once famous Abbey of Melsa or Meaux, so closely associated with Beverley Minster, and so rich in historical traditions.