Page 64 THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS.

THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS.

At that time the Decoy keeper's house was standing within the wood; it was pulled down ten years ago.
John Capel, a man of eighty, a native of and still living in Winchendon, remembers the Decoy all his life, but never remembers its being worked indeed it appears to have been dry ever since he knew it. He remembers "the trap," and gave it to Cooper, for whose father he was then working. John Capel, when a young man lived for some years in the house in the wood. He states that his father, who was also a native of Winchendon, remembered the Decoy being worked, and that the ducks went to the Duke.
The valley in which the wood is situated extends from Winchendon to Dorton, and Wotton (the seat of the Duke of Buckingham), and is about 3 miles from Boarstall. It is well watered, and in former days no doubt wildfowl were plentiful.

At Watton Park, 7 miles N. of Thame, on the estate of the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, are three small Decoys, each with three pipes, and connected with a lake covering about 56 acres of water, and when in working order were used to supply the wants of the family, whether at Wotton or Stowe. They were worked until 1875, when the present Duke went to India, at which time the pipes being out of order were not repaired. They are now, as I am informed by his Grace, about to be renewed. The take was principally in December and January, but in some seasons a few were caught during the period of the equinoctial gales, and occasionally some in November.
From 1820 to 1840 the average take annually was about 310, the largest capture having occurred in 1837, when 381 Ducks, 16 swans, and 2 Wild Geese were taken. From 1830 to 1842 16 Wild Geese were taken in these pools. Between 1846 and 1873, less wildfowl being required for the use of the household, the annual take averaged only 86.
Half a dozen Dutch call-ducks and from twelve to twenty domesticated and trained wild ducks were kept as Decoys, and no dogs were used.

At Claydon House, 3 miles WSW. of Winslow, the seat of Sir Harry Verney, Bart., is the site of an old Decoy, now drained, and nearly as dry as the surrounding land.