Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/225

Rh  are by no means to be depended upon.

At the expiration of seven years from the period of making this experiment, the wainscot was removed, and the flooring-boards also taken up, when they were found entirely free from any appearance of the rot: two pieces of wood (yellow fir) which had been driven into the wall as plugs, without being previously charred, were alone affected with this disease.  DUCK, the, or Anas boschas, L. an aquatic fowl, from which the common tame sorts derive their origin.

This bird frequents the lakes of different countries, and feeds upon frogs and several sorts of insects.—The wild-ducks pair in the spring; build their nests among rushes near the water, and lay from ten to sixteen eggs. The mallard, or drake, though it varies in colours, always retains the curled feathers of the tail, and both sexes the form of the bill.

Wild-ducks abound particularly in Lincolnshire, where great numbers are taken annually in the decoys, which, in that county, are commonly set at a certain rent, from 5 to 20l. a year; and there is a decoy in Somersetshire, which is rented at 30l. The birds of the former county principally contribute to the supply of the London markets; as surprizing numbers of ducks, widgeons, &c. are annually taken.

The situation proper for a decoy, should be chosen, where there is a large pond surrounded with wood, in a marshy and uncultivated country. As soon as the evening sets in, the decoy rises, as it is termed, and the wild-fowl feed during the night. This rising is, in Somersetshire, called roading.—The decoy-ducks are fed with hemp-seed, which is thrown over the screens, in small quantities, to bring them forwards into the pipes or canals, and to allure the wild-fowl to follow; this seed being so light as to float.

There are several pipes that lead up a narrow ditch, at the extremity of which is a funnel-net. Over these pipes (which are narrower from their first entrance), is a continued arch of netting suspended on hoops. It is necessary to have a pipe or ditch for almost every wind that may blow; as it depends upon this circumstance to which pipe the birds will resort; and the decoy-man always keeps on the leeward side of the ducks, to prevent his effluvia reaching their sagacious nostrils. Along each pipe, at certain intervals, are placed skreens constructed of reeds, which are so arranged, that it is impossible the wild-fowl should see the decoy-man, before they have passed towards the end of the pipe, where the purse-net is placed. The wild-fowl are induced to go up one of these pipes, because the decoy-ducks, trained to this, lead the way, either after hearing the whistle of the decoy-man, or being enticed by the hemp-seed; they will then dive under water, while the wild-fowl fly on, and are taken in the purse.

It often happens, however, that the wild-birds are in such a lethargic state, that they will not follow the decoy-ducks. Recourse is then generally had to a dog trained for the purpose: he passes backwards and forwards between the reed-skreens; this attracts the eye of the wild-fowl, and they advance towards the animal to drive him