233 BRITISH SONG BIRDS. 



The TRAMMELS NET is most generally made about thirty-six yarda 

 in length and six in breadth, with six ribs of packthread, the ends of 

 which are fastened upon two poles each of sixteen feet long. The 

 mode of using this net is for two persons to take it out on a dark 

 night and drag it on the ground, touching the ground with it at in- 

 tervals of every five or six steps, otherwise many birds would be 

 passed over. The instant any fly up against the net, it is dropped, 

 thereby securing all that are underneath. Many other birds which 

 nestle on the ground, besides larks, are, as may be supposed, taken 

 in this species of net. 



BIRD-LIME is often recommended as a means by which birds may 

 be taken, but it is a very ineffectual one. There are two ways of 

 using it; the first is by smearing some small twigs with it, and laying 

 them on the ground and scattering some crumbs of bread around 

 them ; the moment the birds observe the treat laid out for them, and 

 alight, they get entangled with the twigs which adhere to their feet, 

 and form a great inconvenience to them in flying away, even if they 

 do not check their flight altogether. The other method of employing 

 the lime is by smearing some over a hog's bristle, to the end of which 

 a piece of bread has been secured ; this is thrown upon the ground ; 

 a bird, little dreaming mischief, flies away with the piece of bread, 

 and the bristle of course soon gets entwined around its wings, and 

 brings it to the ground. This method is, perhaps, less effectual than 

 the former, as the bird may fly some distance before it falls. 



In taking young birds from the nest, great care is necessary, for 

 if carried away when only stubbed or half- fledged, it is impossible 

 to rear them by hand, -as they require such constant feeding and 

 attendance. The proper time for removing them is when the tail 

 feathers begin to grow, for should they be taken at an earlier period, 

 their stomachs will not support the change of food, and if at a 

 later, in most cases it is difficult to make them open their beaks 

 4 o take in food so novel to them. Some species of birds, however, are 

 naturally so docile, that they may be taken at any age, and reared 

 without difficulty. 



As in our description of birds we have pointed out the best kind 

 of cage adapted for each, it will only be necessary to give here a 

 brief description of 



THE BREEDING CAGE. 



Breeding- cages are sometimes 

 made single, sometimes double, 

 and the size must of course be 

 regulated by the convenience at 

 the disposal of the youngfancier. 

 The top, front, and sides are 

 usually wired, and the back o 

 wood, bat if the cage is double, 

 both ends are then made of wood. Different drawers for food, and 

 one at the bottom for readiness in cleaning, and glasses for water, 



