THE SKYLARK. 43 



This lark snaring is accomplished by placing a con- 

 siderable number of nets perpendicularly like walls, 

 which are called day nets, towards which, in the dusk, 

 the birds are forced by means of a long rope, which is 

 drawn along the ground, and drives them forward ; in 

 the night a square net, called a night net, is carried to 

 a spot where it is known that many larks are collected 

 in the stubble, and there they are covered just when 

 they begin to flutter. 



If, in the spring, it is wished to procure a good 

 singing male for some are better than others a lark 

 whose wings are tied, and with a little forked lime 

 twig fixed to its back, must be carried to the place 

 where such a bird is to be found. As soon as it is let 

 loose, and the desired male has perceived it from high 

 in the air, he will fall upon it like an arrow and attack 

 it ; but soon, the dupe of his jealousy, he will find 

 himself caught by the lime. 



Sparrow. Sparrows are so cunning that it is diffi- 

 cult to attract them within the net or on lime twigs. 

 They may be caught in numbers, however, on the 

 brambles in a field where sheep are kept by sticking 

 plenty of birdlime about them. They may be taken 

 also by placing a net before those that have retired to 

 trees and under the tiles to sleep for the night. 



Starling. It is principally in autumn, and in places 

 filled with reeds, that the bird-catchers take great 

 numbers of starlings in nets prepared for the purpose. 

 They may also be procured by means of an osier fish- 

 net, placed among the reeds, which they frequent in 

 the evening, and baited with cherries. Though this 

 means is limited, as many as a hundred have been 

 procured by it in one night. 



Tit, Bearded or Reed. There is much difficulty in 



