DECOY, among fowlers, a place made for catching wild-fowl. A decoy is generally made where there is a large pond surrounded by a wood, and beyond that a marshy and uncultivated country. If the piece of water is not
thus surrounded, it will be attended with noise and other accidents, which may be expected to frighten the wild-fowl from a quiet haunt, where they mean to sleep during the day-time in security.