FRENCH HUT-SHOOTING. 399 



for a " roccalo," burn out their eyes with a hot needle ; 

 a practice at which I am sure my English readers would 

 shudder ; though the translation of what they say in 

 Italy is, that " these are the happiest birds in the world ; 

 always singing." (It may be necessary to explain, that 

 a roccalo is a plantation, and a large silk net, into which 

 various small birds are driven, as soon as they have col- 

 lected, by a Signor, who is concealed above the trees, 

 in a highly elevated box, similar to a small pigeon- 

 house. Out of this he hurls down a large stick upon 

 the birds ; and they, flying down, as if to avoid a hawk, 

 are all made prisoners in the net which is placed behind 

 the trees.) But, to return to the huts of Peronne : they 

 are very superior to the common ones. The way to 

 make them is this : Cut down a large square in the 

 reeds, about eight feet by four; make a foundation of 

 either stone, wood, or brick. Then drive in six piles 

 on each side ; and on them put six hoops, precisely like 

 those to a tilted waggon. The foundation being then 

 formed, nothing remains but to build up the sides with 

 turf, or what else you please, and thatch the roof and 

 the whole of the inside. In front there must be either 

 two or four port holes to fire through (each one bearing 

 clear of your call birds), and at the back a little door to 

 crawl in at, which you enter by a labyrinth. This 

 hut, being built among the high reeds, and afterwards 

 strewed over with them, is completely in visible; although 

 as commodious inside as a large covered cart. Here 

 the huttier of Peronne goes regularly every night, wet 

 or dry, and takes a great coat (if he has one), with a 

 piece of brown bread, and a sour apple, for his supper. 

 In front of his hut are fastened, to piles at each end, 

 three separate ropes, about twenty yards long. On the 



