Gary Bragg (NC, 1881-1954), Beach Robin

Ocracoke, North Carolina, carved and painted wood, twisted wire legs loosely mounted to wood base.

Height 10.5 in.

From the Personal Collection of Jim Daniel.
Jim Daniel, as young child in 1954, found this shorebird decoy under the house owned by W.T. Boos while looking for a life jacket to take on a boat ride. Mr. Boos gifted this beach robin to Jim. W.T. Boos had purchased the Soundfront Inn from the Bragg family in 1950.

Gary Bragg is Ocracoke's most famous waterfowler. He guided many well- to-do sportsmen who wanted to hunt Ocracoke's storied waters. Dr. Edgar Burke gave Bragg a lot of recognition so many early collectors wanted to add a Bragg brant to their shelf.

Original paint, partial bill replacement by Cameron McIntyre, twisted wire stake a later replacement.