Catching Birds, Packing. 



basket; they tread on each others' tails, and in every 

 way spoil their appearance. The baskets should be 

 canvas-covered, and a handle, formed of one stout 

 osier, is very serviceable. If the weather is cold, 

 they are best canvas-lined inside. Put a little chopped 

 straw, say 4in. in length, at the bottom-; this is better 

 than hay, which is very apt to twist round the birds' 

 legs. But best of all are the needles, or spines, of 

 fir-trees. If the birds are going very long journeys, 

 stitch a piece or two of cabbage to the inside of the 

 basket ; being moist, this serves the purpose of both 

 food and water. If many birds are placed in one 

 basket, it is best to have a division across the 

 middle ; this can be formed of canvas. 



PACKING EGGS. 



It is generally admitted that, for this purpose, 

 nothing is better than clean, dry moss, twisted neatly 

 round each egg. The eggs should be placed in 

 wooden boxes, and not allowed to shake about. 



G 2 



