26
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
The pool may have disappeared, as others have undoubtedly
done. The view that ducks could not be persuaded to come so
far inland in sufficient numbers to make a decoy profitable is
at variance with a knowledge of the history of decoys, for Sir
Ralph Payne-Gallwey in his Book of Duck Decoys, describes
decoys which existed in such inland counties as Berkshire,
Buckinghamshire, Derby, Herts, etc. Ornithologists know
that very large numbers of wild-fowl may be seen during winter
on the inland reservoirs. The Essex series in the Lea Valley is
a good example. At present we have no knowledge of the
origin of the name "Decoy Cottage," but I feel that the ex-
planation advanced by Mr. Hills as to the use to which this
building was put is too fanciful to be accepted. It may be,
however, that this challenge may lead to further light being
shed on the matter and if so we shall be indebted to Mr. Hills.
The present controversy adds interest to an entry of the
Maldon Courts of General Session, abstracted by the late Mr. E.
A. Fitch, of which I have had made the following free translation:
Maldon Courts of General Session No. 18, p. 173.
March 17, 1679.
James Maiden of Felsted, decoyman, free.
James (or possibly Jacob) Maiden, free;
Memorandum that furthermore at the same court, held the
day and place aforesaid, before the aforementioned bailiffs,
there also came James Maiden of Felsted in the county of Essex,
Decoyman, in his own person, and humbly begged that he
might be admitted into the liberties of the same Borough, by
right of inheritance of the same James, because the same James
aforesaid is one of the sons of John Maiden late of Tillingham
in the county aforesaid clerk, deceased, whilst he lived one of
the free Burgesses of this Borough, and was born after the
admission of the aforesaid John his father into the liberties
aforesaid. And because it was clearly proved that his claim
aforesaid was true, therefore the aforesaid James, according to
the ancient custom of this Borough, is admitted into the liberties
aforesaid and gives nothing for his admission, by ancient
custom; pledges for his admission, hereafter; and he was
sworn; and he has but one child, named Rose, at the time of
his admission aforesaid, etc.