THE FLIGHT-POND. 87 



the base, by three-and-a-half inches at tlie top. The length de- 

 pends in some respects on the position in which they stand, and 

 whether on level g-round or an embankment raised above the surface of 

 the water. The lengths stated are for posts placed upon an embank- 

 ment about five feet above the level. 



The dimensions of the net are fifty yards in length, by eighteen in 

 depth ; or, if one yard less than the space between the poles, it 

 is found to stand better. The net should be made upon a three-inch 

 mesh ', and the finer the twine, the better, so long as it is strong 

 enough for the work. About the ordinary-sized twine used for 

 fishermen's peter-nets answers best. A three-quarter-inch rope is 

 required for the top of the net. 



The greatest caution is necessary in adjusting the weights, which 

 are placed in strong wooden boxes, and swung upon the lower ends 

 of the poles. If over- weighted, the poles cannot be properly regu- 

 lated in their ascent ; and if under-weighted, they will not ascend at 

 all. The best plan is to try them well, before attempting to use 

 them for catching fowl : six hundredweight will be about the 

 quantum for each pole ; and if the weights are in half-hundredweight 

 iron pieces, with handles, they will be found very convenient. 



A number of small pens are arranged on the embankment, extend- 

 ing along the whole frontage between the net and the water, in line 

 with the twin-posts ; and some of them are placed immediately be- 

 neath the bottom part of the net. These pens may be formed of 

 reed screens, about three feet in height, by two and three feet square ; 

 and, by means of a few projections of wooden spikes at the lower 

 part, may be stuck in the ground with facility ; or the pens may be 

 simply small wooden crates, temporarily arranged in the front line of 

 the net. They should be of various shapes, placed in different 

 positions, so as to form triangular or any other enclosures most likely 

 to keep the birds from getting out. 



With four dun-bird yards, upon the same plan as the one ex- 

 plained, extending along each side the pond, the fowler is pre- 

 pared to capture dim-birds, whichever direction they take on leaving 

 the pond ; and, bearing in mind that they generally rise to wind- 

 ward, he would naturally employ the poles in that quarter. Two 

 nets will be found sufficient, as they may be unlaced from one set of 

 poles, and transferred to others. 



The fowler never attempts to capture dun-birds on their first 

 arrival : he has to watch them when they leave, at flight-time, and 



