THE CARRION CROW 



199 



of the birds. Flesh-bait should be firmly secured to the ground by 

 wire pegs so that it cannot be moved by the bird. Small pieces of 

 high meat tied on the plate of half a dozen traps, which are scattered 

 pretty thickly and concealed all but the bait, are efficacious for taking 

 crows across the head. The best spots for trapping crows are 

 narrow belts of plantation, or at the sides of streams and lakes ; 

 or in coverts where there is not much underwood and which are 

 a little open above, in fields, by fences or near a few shrubs 

 or trees. If setting in plantation, choose a rough tuft of grass ; 



FIG. 1 1 6. TRAP SET FOR EGG-STEALING CROWS BY WATER. 



divide the grass at one side of the tuft, and at the point of the angle 

 place the bait. Set the trap, " tickle," at the entrance and 4 to 5 

 in. from the bait, covering the trap and space around with 

 withered grass cut small with a knife. For setting at the side of 

 a stream or pool of stagnant water, cut a sod broader than the trap 

 and place it in the water so as to project about i ft. from the side 

 and almost level with the water, and placing the bait (egg-shells filled 

 with moist clay) at the water end, and the trap 6 in. from the 

 bait, covering the trap with " cut up " dead grass. Carrion crows 

 may be killed by placing a bait half hidden on a piece of ground made 



