APPENDIX. 651 



fiderable, that the bird-catchers always take up 

 their nets at noon. 



It may well deferve the attention of the naturalift 

 whence thefe periodical flights of certain birds can 

 arife. As the ground however is ploughed during 

 the months of Oclobcr and March for fowins; the 

 winter and lent corn, it fhould feem that they are 

 thus fupplied with a great profufion both of feeds 

 and infects, which they cannot fo eafily procure at 

 any other feaibn. 



It may not be improper to mention another cir- 

 cumflance, to be obferved during their flitting, 

 $&&. that they fly always againlt the wind ; hence, 

 there is great contention amongft the bird-catchers 

 who fhall gain that point, if (for example) it is 

 wefterly, the bird catcher who lays his nets mod 

 to the eaft, is fare almoft of catching every thing, 

 provided his call-birds are good : a gentle wind 

 to the fouth-weft generally produces the bed fport. 



The bird-catcher, who is a fubftantial man, and 

 hath a proper apparatus for this purpofe, general- 

 ly carries with him five or fix linnets (of which 

 more are caught than any tinging bird) two gold- 

 finches , two greenfinches, one woodlark, one redpoll, 

 a yellowhammer, titlark, and aberdavine, and per- 

 haps a bullfinch -, thefe are placed at fmall diftances 

 from the nets in little cages. He hath, befides, 

 what are called flur-birds^ which are placed with- 

 in 



