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Hale possesses also a rare example of a duck decoy. This examples dates from the 17th century. It lies in a pasture that is flooded by the river at spring tides and consists of an island created by the digging of a pentangular moat and earth embankment, within which lies a pond with five curved streams leading outwards. Ducks alighting on the pond were lured into one of five streams leading outwards. Each stream was covered by a wire framework that prevented the bird flying away. Barriers inserted behind it prevented its retreating until eventually it paddled into the constricted end of the stream and found itself in a cul-de-sac from which it could easily be captured. Between 750 and 1500 birds were culled in this way annually. |