50 THE BIRDS OF ESSEX.
and probably nowhere has wild-fowling been brought to greater perfection than
on the oozes, creeks, and flats along this coast, where they have some of the best
gunning-punts to be met with in the kingdom."
On this subject Folkard says (The Wildfowler, 3rd Ed.,
p. 125):—
"The gunning-punts of the eastern coast are of considerable reputation, par-
ticularly those in the neighbourhood of Maldon, in Essex, the form of which is
much in favour with those who resort to the pursuit of punting in winter as a
means of subsistence. The form of the Maldon gunning-punt is very similar to
that of a coffin : simply flat-bottomed, with nearly upright sides, formed of two
broad strakes. The usual length is 161/2 to 17 feet, and the breadth 2 feet 8
inches to 2 feet 10 inches. They are very handy for "setting " to birds, because
of the narrowness of their form, enabling the punter to use his arms freely, and
(by means of the paddles) with considerable effect ; but they are easily upset
and require very great care on the part of the occupant in all his movements.
They have strong gunwales and a cross-piece, and are the least costly of any
gunning-punt that can be built. When intended for an extra large gun, they are
built in proportion—longer and wider as may be required In loading the gun
(if a muzzle-loader) whilst afloat in one of these punts, it is usual to row ashore
or lash the punt alongside a larger vessel."
Several accounts of extraordinary " bags" of wild-fowl will be
found in the following pages, chiefly in the notices of the Brent
Goose.
With reference to the Essex Decoys, Sir R. Payne Gallwey says
(49. 10) :—
" It is pretty certain that decoys for catching ducks were first used in Lincoln-
shire and Essex, and that the neighbouring counties of Northampton, Cambridge,
Norfolk, Suffolk, and Yorkshire, followed suit." * * *
" Though Lincolnshire had great returns, other counties did wonderfully well,
particularly Essex, with its immense estuaries and their feeding-grounds to attract
the fowl."
" The Essex decoys were individually famous ones, and rivalled in number
those of Lincolnshire and Norfolk."
It appears from the list given (49. 59) that, in respect of the
number of decoys, Lincolnshire stands first with thirty-nine, but that
Essex comes next with thirty-two, no other county having more
than seven, except Yorkshire (14), Suffolk (12), and Somerset (12).
Essex, therefore, formerly had twice as many decoys as any other
county, except Lincolnshire.
Speaking of Essex Decoys, Sir Ralph says (49. 75) that, as might
be expected, they
" were chiefly placed near the banks of the great estuary of the River Black-
water. This sheet of water is some dozen miles in length and two miles in
width, with its shores and outside its mouth flanked for miles with fine feeding-
grounds, in the shape of beds of ooze, to attract and support wild-fowl. Round
the estuary of the Blackwater, at least fourteen or more flourishing decoys
existed. To the north of the Blackwater, the Hamford Water estuary, with its
multitudinous creeks, small islands, and channels, had, as might be expected,
attendant decoys. St further north, on the border of the county, and dividing