36 Travel and Equipment 
I describe the process because if it be required to obtain a bird 
either alive or dead, it is by far the most merciful method to adopt. 
Shooting big raptorial birds off the nest, besides frequently damag- 
ing their plumage, is by no means a certainty and I can recall 
several instances where an Eagle after receiving several charges of 
a splendid life wasted—and I have read 
shot, has gone away to die 
of many like mishaps. In this class of trapping the bird is not left 
to struggle for an indefinite period, for the skilful trapper, having 
set his gin, retires to the shelter of some bush or rocks 300 yards 
or more from the nest, whence he watches until the bird returns 
and is trapped, often a matter of less than half an hour. A coat or 
rug thrown over the bird much simplifies the task of securing it. 
(4) Rope-soled Boots, Guernsey and Waterproof. 
The value of the Spanish rope-soled boots or shoes known as 
alpargatas, for cliff and tree climbing can hardly be exaggerated. 
Stockinged feet are well enough but if the rocks be sharp, they 
soon become bare feet and what between cuts, bruises, scratches 
and the presence of thorns of all sorts, it does not take long to 
get one’s feet into a very unserviceable condition, and tender or 
sore feet are an element of danger when cliff-climbing. 
Hence the afargatas. But the ordinary nailed shooting-boots 
should only be taken off and the e/fargatas donned when the actual 
cliff work has to be tackled. For rope-soled boots on muddy hill- 
sides, when once they become clogged, are an abomination and, what 
is worse, are extremely dangerous when the rock-climbing begins. 
In all mountain work the climbers are apt to get over-heated 
and often after a stiff climb it may be necessary to lay up for an 
hour or more and watch the wild birds. Then a warm guernsey, 
loose enough to haul on over all is invaluable. The alternations 
between heat and cold, in sunshine or in shade, out of or in the 
