The trap consi^s of a square wire box in two tiers, 

 the lower one forming a wired-in chamber in which four 

 sparrows are placed, duly provided with food and water, 

 perches being placed at the corners. The lid of the upper 

 part of the box is opened and secured by a catch to a 

 "perching-piece" placed in the middle of the upper cage. 



The hawk, on sighting 

 the sparrows, who of 

 course are perfectly 

 safe in their lower 

 compartment, settles 

 on the perch ; its weight 

 releases the catch, the 

 lid falls, and the hawk 

 is imprisoned. The 

 keeper should visit the 

 trap at least twice a 

 day, and should a spar- 

 row hawk be captured, 

 it can be knocked 

 on the head. If, on 

 the other hand, a 

 kestrel or some 

 The Trap Set. harmless owl be 



found in the trap, it can be released unhurt. 



Mr. Black writes as to his practical experience as 

 follows : — 



"1 find the best months for catching hawks in this trap 

 are April (if the weather is fine), August and September. 

 During the latter months they come from the surrounding 

 woods, and as the weather is usually warm and fairly 



8i 



