TRAP FOR WILD-GEESE. 151 



pecting, proves what chances of observation are 

 his. 



Geese, though cunning by day and watchful to a 

 degree, are wont to be taken in the simplest of 

 traps, notably by pitfalls dug in the large open 

 meadows, which the birds in winter daily frequent. 

 These are in constant use by the peasantry in parts 

 of Ireland, though only Bean Geese are caught in 

 them. The birds, by reason of the wide space on 

 all sides, feel secure from sudden attack, and after 

 some reconnoitring for hidden danger, at first timidly, 

 and afterwards freely, partake of the tempting grain 

 laid round and at the bottom of each hole. Success 

 lies in forming a pit just deep enough for a goose 

 to reach and barely touch the bait and no more. 

 The pit must be cut very neatly with smooth sides, 

 and in shape somewhat like a flower-pot, narrowing 

 to the bottom. A man in co. Monaghan was such 

 an adept at this method of taking wild-geese, that 

 he has been known to capture a dozen in a day. 

 Perhaps the bird may shufHe the enticing seed with 

 its bill, sufficient to whet the appetite, and yet be 

 unable to partake of it. At such times the feet are 

 on the extreme edge, the neck strained its utmost ; 

 an inch further and a royal feast will be his. One 

 more effort, and he is a lost bird one forward 

 slide, one anxious struggle, and his balance is gone 

 beyond recovery. He has no room to expand the 

 wings, his feet cannot regain the edge. In this 

 ignominious attitude, tail uppermost, he falls an 

 exhausted and easy prey to the fowler on his 

 rounds. Traps and snares on land are never 

 successful with geese ; one bird caught in view of 



