00 THE WILD-FOWLER. 



take careful observation of the route tliey take, that he may know 

 which poles and net to make use of. They generally leave, night 

 after nig-ht, by the same route. 



When the wind is fair for taking the birds, and the nets are fixed 

 in the right quarter, the fowler waits not for twilight, but proceeds 

 at any hour of the day to put his plans in operation. 



The fulcrums which support the poles and nets, when lashed down, 

 keep the net well up from the ground, and out of the way of hares, 

 rabbits, and pheasants, which may inhabit the smTounding locality. 



When the nets and poles are not in actual use, the fowler removes 

 most of the weights from the boxes, or takes them entirely off the 

 poles, so as to ease the strain, and prevent mischief. By means of 

 an iron girder and clasp, attached to one or other of the fulcrums, 

 the poles may be padlocked to the posts, so that they cannot be 

 trifled with by mischievous persons, during the fowler's absence. 



