654 APPENDIX. 



the call-birds, (as it is by the firft hound that hits 

 on the fcent, to the red of the pack) after which, 

 follows the fame fort of tumultuous tecftacy and 

 joy. The call-birds, while the bird is at a diftance, 

 do not fing as a bird does in a chamber ; they in- 

 vite the wild ones by what the bird-catchers call 

 Jhort jerks, which when the birds are good, may 

 be heard at a great diftance. The afcendency by 

 this call or invitation is fo great, that the wild bird 

 is (lopped in its courfe of flight, and if not already 

 acquainted with the nets*, lights boldly within 

 twenty yards of perhaps three or four bird-catchers, 

 on a fpot which otherwife it would not have taken 

 the left notice of. Nay, it frequently happens, 

 that if half a flock only are caught, the remaining 

 half will immediately afterwards light in the nets, 

 and fhare the fame fate ; and mould only one 

 bird efcape, that bird will fufter itfelf to be pulled 

 at till it ,is caught, fuch a fafcinating power have 

 the call- birds. 



While we are on this fubjeft of the jerking of 

 birds, we cannot omit mentioning, that the bird- 

 catchers frequently lay confiderable wagers whofe 

 call bird can jerk the longeft, as that determines 

 the fuperiority. They place them oppofite to each 

 other, by an inch of candle, and the bird who 



* A bird, acquainted with the nets, is by the bird-catchers 

 termed a Jharper, which they endeavour to drive away, as 

 they can have no fport whilft it continues near them. 



jerks 



