Page 35 CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DECOY.

The Pipes. -Truly the most important belongings to a Decoy, for in these the actual catching of the ducks takes place, after the latter have in the first instance been attracted to the main pond outside them. A Decoy is like an organ, it cannot be played on till the pipes are perfected.
    To cut the ditch of a Decoy pipe properly requires careful staking out beforehand. How to do this is shown in plan facing page 36.
    It will be seen by looking at the plans of a Decoy pipe, that the first hoop, i.e., head of net, is placed 9 yards above the head show place.
    That the ditch under the first hoop is 21 ft. across; under the hoop at the first bend the ditch is 16 ft. wide; under the hoop at the last corner where the screens stop, 10 ft.; at the extreme end 2 ft.
    Let the pipes be large, airy, and light, and without any trees or under-wood hanging over them.
    If they are closed in by foliage they will give the ducks the idea that they are dark, and so unsafe, cages, and not to be explored at any cost, whatever be the temptations and inducements put before their eyes.
    Nothing will ever persuade ducks to swim freely up into a dim uncertainty, into an apparent danger, for such a dark pipe appears to their timid minds.
    If they are at times persuaded to enter a dark pipe; they will only go up it a short distance and always with disappointing hesitation. They rarely advance in such a pipe far enough to be caught-by being driven forward, or, if driven, they will often turn about and fly out, even past the Decoyman.
    No, the pipes must be bright and open to the sky, and stand clear of trees other than shrubs or low brushwood.