100 THE ORUE-TRATT. 



helplessly to the bottom of the Tratt, from whence escape 

 is next to impossible ; for though the reversed branches of 

 the " Gran-ruska " offer little or no resistance to the bird in 

 its descent, they effectually prevent it from leaving its 

 prison-house. 



As will be readily understood, the balance-pin, D D, 

 when relieved from the weight of the bird, at once resumes 

 its horizontal position, and other birds, therefore, unde- 

 terred by the fate of their comrade, who, moreover, is all 

 but hidden from sisiht bv the " Gran-ruska," afterwards 

 take the same leap, and share in its captivity. This is a 

 great advantage. With most traps one is obliged to remove 

 each prisoner before another can be made, but in so 

 doing runs the risk of scaring all the birds that happen 

 to be in the vicinity. But not so with the On'e-Trafi,{ov 

 without going near it, one continues catching bird after 

 bird so long as daylight lasts. 



With this device, however, everything depends on the 

 proper arrangement of the balance-pin, D D, and on its 

 relative position to the horizontal pole, K ; for if the 

 distance or height between the two be too great, the bird, 

 in hopping from the one to the other, is apt to spread its 

 wings, in wliich case it does not follow the balance-pin 

 when the latter gives way beneath its feet. If, on 

 the contrary, the distance or height be too little, the bird 

 does not fall sufficiently heavily on to the balance-pin as 

 to cause its fall to the bottom of the Trad, and it there- 

 fore flies up again and makes its escape. 



The best localities in which to construct the Orre-Tratt 

 are, we are told, where groves of birch and elder abound, as 

 such are the great resorts of the Black-Cock in the winter 

 time ; and if there be oat stubbles in the vicinity it is an 

 advantage, because the birds, having been accustomed to 

 the same kind of food, will the more readily aji2)roach 

 the sheaves placed to tempt them. 



