From the inside cover:

This exciting new work by Bruce Buck, nationally known artist, author, and photographer, has been planned for the decoy carver who has difficulty making his own drawings and patterns, and has limited access to live birds, study skins, and mounted birds for feather patterns and for individual feather shapes, markings, and colors.

For the first time, life-size, detailed patterns, beautifully painted in full color are now available for Dabbling and Whistling Ducks. These color patterns show the profile and plan view of the bird, plus the underside of the tail and bill. In addition, feather groups, individual feathers, and feather markings are clearly shown.

Each color pattern is accompanied by three color portraits of the actual bird as an added bonus. Complete paint-mixing instructions are included for those who wish to achieve greater artistry in this phase of realistic bird carving. If this is not enough, there are 85 line drawings showing alternate head positions, frontal views, and full-body drawings!

For those carvers who would like to add some originality, seven ways to alter the existing patterns are explained in this book.

Unlike other pattern books which require additional reference material for detail and color, Decorative Decoy Designs is complete - no other research is required to finish the carving. The serious decoy carver will make the acquisition of this fine book a must!