THE KESTREL. 



133 



on the middle of the napkin a live sparrow is placed, and 

 kept there by means of a string, three or four inches in length ; 

 slender twigs are stuck up round the four sides of the cloth, 

 to prevent the Kestrel from attacking the Sparrow, excepting 

 from above. Two long slender twigs of weeping willow, well 

 covered with birdlime, are then stuck in the ground, one at 

 each end of the napkin, both forming an arch over the 

 Sparrow, but at such a distance that it cannot touch them 

 with its wings while fluttering, but still so near as to render 

 it impossible for any Hawk to reach the Sparrow without 

 touching the lime-twigs. The use of the white cloth is merely 





The Sparrow-hawk. 



to attract the attention of the Hawk to the Sparrow at a 

 greater distance. The lime-twigs must be placed so lightly 

 in the ground, that if the Hawk on finding himself entangled 

 should struggle, they would still adhere to his feathers, and 

 rise with him into the air if he took flight ; for it has been 

 observed, and should be known to bird-catchers, that twigs 

 covered with bird-lime, if long and very slender, will stop the 

 flight of the strongest bird, if fixed so as to pass off with him 

 when touched by his feathers, for they become like a chain 

 binding the wings to the body. 



