Netting the Pigeons y^ 



escape. Usually about one-third are too quick for the 

 net and fly out before it falls. Two kinds of beds are 

 used, the "mud" bed and the "dry" bed. The former 

 is the most killing in Michigan, but, for unknown rea- 

 son, it will not attract birds in Wisconsin. 



It is made of mud, kept in a moist condition and 

 saturated with a mixture of saltpeter and anise seed. 

 Pigeons are very fond of salt and resort to salt springs 

 wherever they occur. The dry bed is simply a level 

 space of ground carefully cleared of grass, weeds, etc., 

 and baited with corn or other grain. Pigeons are pecu- 

 liar, and their habits must be studied by the netter if 

 he would be successful. When they are feeding on 

 beech mast, they often will not touch grain of any kind, 

 and the mast must be used for bait. 



A stool bird is an essential part of the netter's outfit. 

 It is tied on a box, and by an ingenious arrangement 

 of cords, by which it can be gently raised or lowered, 

 is made to flap its wings at intervals. This attracts the 

 attention of passing birds which alight on the nearest 

 tree, or on a perch which is usually provided for that 

 purpose. After a portion of the flock has descended 

 to the bed, they are started up by "raising" the stool 

 bird, and fly back to the perch. When they fly down a 

 second time all or nearly all the others follow or 

 accompany them and the net is "struck." 



The usual method of killing pigeons is to break 

 their necks with a small pair of pincers, the ends of 



