HISTORY OF DECOYS. | |
| The pool is an acre in extent and has five pipes ; it is in a small plantation, and has a moat round it 18 ft. wide, which is filled during high tides-a useful adjunct to ensure the privacy of the Decoy as well as to keep out vermin from the Decoy grounds. This Decoy, though its takes are now comparatively small to what they were formerly, is kept up in admirable order by its owner, who takes much interest in it. Its exact age is unknown, but there is conclusive evidence to provethat it has been in existence for 150 years. Many years ago it was partly re-constructed by one of the Skeltons. In 1754 the Decoy was much improved by the then Mr. Blackburne, who at that date came to settle at Hale from Orford Hall, near Warrington, where there had also long been a Decoy, though abandoned now for many years. The owner of the Hale Decoy has in his possession the Decoy book connected therewith, and which has been kept since 1801. Teal predominate amongst the fowl now taken, though formerly Wildduck were most abundant. For instance, in the following seasons it will be seen the latter bird was in the majority:- | |
Date. Duck. Wigeon. Teal. Total.
1813
1814
1815
1816
1817
1818
1819
307
133
182
174
255
227
123
35
10
10
47
3
3
5
108
60
54
82
99
2
0
450
203
246
303
357
232
128
| However, in 1875 came a change, for Teal suddenly appeared in the Decoy, and were caught in a much greater proportion than before, the Duck now being in the minority. |
| Date. | Duck. | Wigeon. | Teal. | Total. |
1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1884 1885 | 444 274 191 92 126 56 52 | 0 18 29 2 3 5 8 | 718 645 563 298 323 611 759 | 1,162 937 783 392 452 672 819 |
Index List of Illustrations