36 BIRD- CA TCHING. 



there is one disadvantage attending it, while strug- 

 gling the bird almost always injures his feet, especially 

 in springes. 



Nuthatch. As it has the same taste for hemp-seed 

 and oats as the tits, it may often be caught in the 

 same snare ; it may also be taken in the area or barn- 

 floor trap. 



Ortolan. In spring these birds are easily attracted 

 to a decoy bush, by a female of their own species, or 

 a yellowhammer. In August a turfy place should be 

 chosen near brambles, to form a small area, as a decoy, 

 like that made for chaffinches. It must be surrounded 

 with a low hedge, with some oat-ears fastened to it. 

 About the area should be placed one or several birds 

 of call, especially a perching bird (that is to say, a 

 bird of the same species, with a band of soft leather 

 round it, and confined by a small string, fastened to a 

 peg-stick in the ground, which prevents its going be- 

 yond the prescribed limits. Here it should be given 

 plenty of food and water, in order that the birds to be 

 caught may be the more easily attracted within the 

 area, from seeing one of their own species in a place 

 of abundance. This kind of decoy bird is often more 

 necessary than any other. 



Owl. "When the place of its retreat during the day 

 is discovered, it cannot fail to be taken if a net in the 

 form of a bag or sack be placed over the mouth of the 

 hole, for the bird will by this means entrap itself when 

 endeavouring to come out for the evening. 



Oxeye or Greater Tit. The chase after tits is, 

 according to bird-catchers, one of the most agreeable, 

 and is pursued in many ways ; but I shall confine 

 myself to two or three of the surest methods, specify- 



