AMERICAN BIRD DECOYS

The great wildfowl hunt, ""the greatest the world has even known,"" that began in the mid-nineteenth century and continued for seventy-five years, gave impetus to the art and craft of the decoy maker. This informal, inclusive survey of the field takes up the various types of decoys from ducks and geese to the owl decoys peculiarly effective with crows. The products of individual craftsmen in different parts of the country, the ""schools,"" the machine-made factory decoys are all covered. From Elmer Crowell of East Harwich (""America's one indispensable decoy maker"") to present-day craftsman Harold Heartel of Dundee, Illinois, the story of distinction in craft, cooperation among craftsmen, runs. The beginner is tipped off (study the paint for age and style for authenticity) and left with Mackey's Evaluation Chart to work with. Perhaps more attention to distinguishing features might have been made, for the emphasis here is on history. Quintila Colio, the photographer, contributes a chapter on decoys as folk art.