THE MALLARD TRAP. 289 



In Lapland, moreover, during the spring of the year, 

 numhers of water fowl of various kinds are taken in the 

 common steel trap. This in form resembles that in use 

 for the capture of the fox, but the jaws are smaller, and 

 the manner of setting it is simpler. Near the mouth of 

 rivulets and other small water-courses, the ice always 

 melts first, and to the openings thus formed tbe fowl, 

 whicli by this time have for the greater part arrived, 

 instinctively resort. In these openings, and where the 

 water is shallow, say fifteen inches in depth, the traps are 

 set. Those intended for the capture of the Mallard, and 

 other fowl that live principally on grasses and aquatic 

 plants, are baited with the finer leaves of the 'Ranunculus 

 aquatilis ; whilst fowl like the Goosander, the Merganser, 

 the Looms, &c., that subsist chiefly on the finny tribe, 

 are lured by a small fish of the genns Coregonus ; and as 

 the birds last named are always diving in search of food, 

 the temptation is irresistible, and they, in consequence, 

 pay the penalty with their lives. 



