Book excerpt: "In carved and painted wood, bird decoys capture the dynamic spirit of the creatures they represent. Originating as humble tools of the hunter's trade, antique decoys are now treasured as a uniquely North American folk-art form. In this comprehensive reference, expert Robert Shaw chronicles the evolution of hand-carved decoys form 1,500 years ago, when decoys were first crafted by Native American hunter-artist, up through the last great decoy carvers of the twentieth century. Featuring 300 illustrations--including beautiful shot images of decoys from around the United States and Canada, as well as numerous historic paintings and photographs -- this book will appeal to sportsmen, birders, and folk-art enthusiasts alike" --Cover, p. 4.