254 DIARY OF A SPORTSMAN NATURALIST 



ingenious method of snaring quail. Two lengths of net, 

 each about thirty feet in length and four and a half inches 

 in height, are pegged out on the ground at an angle of about 

 130 degrees, a small opening being left between the two 

 interior edges of the nets. A covered net about six feet in 

 length is then pegged out, the opening ends joined on to the 

 interior edges of the long nets, the rest of the net being 

 stretched backwards from the latter so as to form an 

 elongate conical channel, joined at the top and upper end, 

 forming a cul-de-sac. The man commences operations by 

 imitating the quail call and as soon as he gets a number of 

 answers and hears the birds coming up, he pegs out his 

 nets and then makes a detour so as to get the quail between 

 himself and the nets. He then walks forward slowly in a 

 zigzag manner towards the nets and when near enough 

 drives the quail on to the nets. On reaching the two long 

 nets the birds run along, seeking an opening instead of 

 hopping over. Those that turn inwards, and they prefer- 

 ably run along the outward slope, eventually reach the 

 opening into the cul-de-sac, into which they run and are thus 

 trapped. 



The Basket Trap. — The basket trap is another method 

 made use of. An elongate basket with a hole at the top 

 through which the hand can be inserted is used. The man 

 ascertains, by careful observation and search, the bushes 

 under which quail roost on the ground at night. This is 

 determined by their droppings. He proceeds in the evening 

 towards the spot marked down and as soon as the quail are 

 asleep, a little after sunset, he approaches and drops the 

 basket over the bush. He then inserts his hand and with 

 luck will have the lot. 



Pigeon 

 Noose. — A common method is to catch the pigeon round 

 the leg whilst sitting on a tree, by means of a fine horsehair 

 noose affixed to the end of a long thin rod like a fishing-rod. 



Duck 

 Noose. — Strong bamboo uprights are pushed firmly into 

 the bottom of a jhil (lake). These bamboos project some 

 six feet above the water. They are connected together by a 

 strong line tied to them about four or five feet above the 

 surface of the water. From this horizontal line a row of 

 nooses is suspended, about two feet apart, the noose being 



