Winged Vermin Taking Crows and Rooks. 459 



upon their marauding. At such time of year, however, 

 when it is daylight at an early hour, the crows, we may 

 take it, rising with the sun, come hovering round long 

 before the youngsters are let out. Under these circum- 

 stances, therefore, it is quite possible to set some gins, 

 baiting them with egg-shells or any chickens or ducklings 

 which may have lately died, in suitable and conspicuous 

 places where they are sure to receive attention from the 

 crows. Such spots may, for egg-shells, be upon any low 

 bank devoid of thick growth, or at the foot of a hedge or 

 wall where a few nettles, or anything which may be con- 

 sidered likely to partly conceal a nest laid away, may be 

 growing. When traps are set under the conditions named, 

 it might not be unadvisable to keep the young poultry in 

 a little later than usual, so as to give the crows all the 

 chance one can. Speaking of egg-shells reminds us of a 

 way in which they may be used pretty successfully to 

 entice the birds we discuss. The crow is essentially 

 curious, and anything into which it can conveniently and 

 safely pry will receive close investigation. If there be a well 

 open hedge-bank, or, rather, earth-bank, one must dig into 

 it about two or three feet from the ground, so as to form 

 a hollow about eighteen inches deep and of similar width, 

 the earth cleared out, sloping upwards to it, in much the 

 same form a largely-worked rabbit hole would have. In 

 this place two or three egg-shells must be put as far back 

 as is compatible with their remaining well exposed to any 

 passing crow. Two or three inches in advance neatly set 

 and cover one or two traps if the latter, facing each 

 other and you are bound to have every carrion corbie 



