46 BIRD-CATCHING. 



cross lines, two or three paces apart ; then go to the 

 end of the garden and drive the birds gently towards 

 the snares; they jump from one cabbage-stalk to 

 another till they approach the stakes ; then you stop, 

 and in a short time the birds are caught one after 

 another. When they are caught, the prisoners must 

 be taken out and the snares arranged again ; then go 

 to the other end and again drive the birds forward as 

 before, and thus continue till the sport is over. 



WJiite-tliroat. The easiest way is to place limed 

 twigs on the nest, but this is repugnant to persons not 

 cruel. Towards the end of summer spring-traps may 

 be set, with elderberries and gooseberries hung near 

 them. It is difficult to take these birds at the water- 

 trap. 



Woodcliat.X. cruel method, but the surest, is to 

 place birdlime on its nest, this being the most wary 

 species of shrike ; but, as it bathes freely, it may be 

 taken about the middle of the day at its washing-place, 

 if near hedges. It is often found drowned in large 

 ponds. 



Woodlarlc. The woodlark may be caught on the 

 nest by means of limed twigs ; but as it is very cruel 

 to separate a pair, and thus to destroy a whole family, 

 it is better to wait till autumn, and to use the night 

 net. They may be caught early in the spring, when 

 there is snow on the ground, by placing limed twigs 

 or nets in cleared places. This is the best method of 

 catching them. It is true that this plan will not suc- 

 ceed in all years ; but another may be substituted, 

 if we have a decoy woodlark, by placing it under a 

 folding net, in a field frequented by a night of this 

 species, \vhich will not fail to join it. The same means 

 also may be used as with the chaffincn, namely, by 



