THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS. | |
| From the first elbow of the pipe on its screen side, the adjoining land should be clear of growth other than low shrubs, from the second elbow grass should extend on both sides (see plan facing page 57). This is very important, as then, when the ducks are frightened up by the Decoyman at the show place, they do not hesitate to follow on round the bend of the pipe. That is, if they see plenty of sky before them instead of a dark wall of trees. So bear in mind that the delusion of an open space for the birds to escape through is immensely assisted by there being plenty of light in front of, and from the bend of, the pipe, and on beyond its tail. As Decoy-men say, to drive ducks well the latter must see "out of doors." When a pipe is spoken of as the " North" or the " East" pipe, it does not mean that the said pipes point due North or due East. It certainly implies that they run in those directions, but the true implication is that the north pipe is the one that can be best worked with a northerly wind, the east pipe with an easterly wind, and so forth. | |
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| The Hoops that arch over the ditch should be of round iron. Flat ones stand a weight of snow better if placed edgeways, but then have a heavy appearance. They may be 1 in. in diameter for the first twelve hoops, then 7/8 up to the last bend of the pipe, that is for the next fourteen hoops. From thence to the tail end ¾ of an inch only. The hoops are spaced all along the pipe its entire length 5 ft. apart on its outside curve. On its inside these distances vary a little to suit its bend. The head or first hoop can be 15 ft. high above the water. The hoop at the first bend 12 ft. high; and at the second bend, that is opposite the last screen, 9 ft. The last hoop of all 2 ft. These three hoops will span from foot to foot respectively: - 27 ft.; 20 ft.; 13 ft.; and 2 ft. The round of the first hoop is 46 to 47 ft., and all the others correspond in outline. These dimensions are for a full-sized pipe, the cutting of which I have just described, but a pipe MAY be a foot or two less in width at the entrance if the nature of the ground necessitates an alteration in favour of a narrower and a shorter pipe. | |