Page 42 THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS.

THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS.

    In a Decoy there should be a steep solidly built bank 4 to 5 feet high at all parts of the pond and rising abruptly from the water's edge, save where the landings are made that flank the pipes' mouths, these resting-places having banks also at the back of them.^* (See plan 2 before page 55.)
    This steep bank prevents the fowl from resting on any part of the Decoy edges, save on the landings near the pipes.
    If a bank of this height cannot be arranged, then a continuous 4 ft. reed or wood fence can be placed instead all round the water's edge of the pond, and behind the landings.
    It is very important that the places the fowl should be encouraged to sit on, be just outside the entrances to the various pipes, and at least 25 yards in length by 7 feet wide on the off-side of the pipe outside the head hoop (i.e., the back wing landing), and 20 yards in length by S feet wide on the screen side of the entrance to the pipe beyond the head show place, the latter being the breast-wall landing (see plan 2 before page 55).
    If the fowl bank well, they are sure to have plenty of companions close by them in the water, or half in and half out of it. So all are then conveniently placed to serve the Decoyman's ends.
    To tempt the fowl to come ashore and rest on these particular landings, they must be level with the water's edge, nicely turfed, smooth, and evenly sloped, and larger in space just outside the mouths of the pipes than elsewhere, and especially so, as I have just said, on the left-hand side of the pipe's entrance looking up it.
    On the opposite side of the pipe to the screens, it will be seen that the back wing landing is continued up under the net itself till opposite the last screen (see plan 3 before page 57). The reason is that the birds will often rest thereon, and when so found can be driven tip without the use of the dog or food.
    Along the screen side of the pipe no landing is necessary, nor is there space for such.
    All landings must be well sheltered on their landward sides by screens or banks.

*Wherever the steep bank rises abruptly from the water a reed edge should be planted, to ft. broad, and thus it will fringe the bank from the end of one landing to the end of the next one (see plan facing page 55). The bank tops should be planted with privet, both to increase their height, as well as to strengthen them.