I9o THE BULLFINCH 



other bud-destroyers during frost and snow, when all sorts of birds 

 assemble in flocks, birdlime may be used in various ways ; the 

 linseed oil prepared birdlime should be put into an earthen vessel 

 with one-fourth of its weight of fresh lard, and the whole melted 

 gently over the fire. A quantity of wheat-ears with about a foot 

 of the straw attached being cut, proceed to lime the stems about 

 6 in. in extent from the bottom of the ears, and stick the limed 

 straws into the ground on a train of chaff and threshed ears over 

 ten or more yards length, with the ears inclining downwards or even 

 touching the surface. A person traversing the adjoining places 

 will make them fly towards the train, and finding " meat " will soon 

 commence picking at the ears of corn and become so entangled and 

 held by the limed straw as to be easily taken with the hand. In 

 the case of out-lying corn-stacks, limed twigs, as advised for bull- 

 finches, may be stuck in hedges near-by, or in a train of chaff and 

 thrashed ears of corn on the ground, sparrows and other corn- 

 eating birds being thus easily captured. Even on allotments, 

 small holdings and farmers' cornfields, sparrows and such-like 

 depredators may be greatly restricted by bushy trees limed as 

 described and stuck in the ground or affixed to poles so as to be 

 just above the corn where the depredations are being carried 

 on, or at the points whence the attacks are usually made. A 

 preparation to use for this purpose, also against bull-finches, is 

 a mixture of resin and sweet oil, two-thirds of the former melted, 

 and one -third of the latter. Even of this consistency, the birds 

 getting it on their legs and wings are greatly prevented from 

 further devastation ; while made stronger by using less oil in the 

 preparation, they are " stuck fast," or so besmeared as not to give 

 more trouble. 



LIMEWASH, made from quick stone-lime with water to a con- 

 sistency easily applied by means of a syringe when strained, is 

 an effectual means of preventing bullfinches taking the buds of 

 fruit-bushes and trees. It must be applied in good time, thoroughly 

 coating the whole of the bushes and trees, and only made from 

 quicklime, otherwise it will not adhere to the buds, using as soon 

 as prepared. This may be repeated if necessary, and besides pre- 

 venting the buds from being taken, will free the bushes and trees 

 of overgrowths of lichen and moss, hibernating pests, and profit the 

 plants when fallen off and mingled with the soil. 



TAYLOR'S DRESSING as a preventive of birds taking fruit-buds : 

 "Take a quarter-peck of quite fresh quicklime, choosing the lightest 

 lumps, a pint of flowers of sulphur, and ij Ibs. of soft soap. 

 Dip a few of the lumps in or sprinkle with water (hot water is the 

 quickest in action) and place in a bucket or other vessel ; sprinkle 

 a little of the sulphur thinly over it, then add more lime, just damp 

 enough to slake ; then add more sulphur on the top of it, repeating 

 this process till all the sulphur is used. The quantity of lime 



