Winged Vermin Traps for Magpies and Jays. 477 



into similar form. Each gin is provided with a handy little 

 chain, strong, but light, and the whole may be bought at 

 los. the dozen, a price, in our opinion, remarkably reason- 

 able. 



To the uninitiated all circular traps are decidedly difficult 

 of manipulation, the trouble of setting them often involving 

 great exercise of care and strength ; while, as a matter 

 of fact, they are, for the most part, considerably easier 

 than an ordinary rabbit gin. To set the trap just described, 

 which we prefer to term here the " Single Spring Magpie 

 Trap," grasp it by the cross-piece, to which the chain is 

 attached, with the thumb (above) and first finger (below) 

 of the right hand, then with the left press down the spring, 

 meanwhile extending the right thumb up to the jaw, which 

 can be pulled down as soon as sufficiently released and be 

 retained by the thumb, the other hand meanwhile being 

 used to open down the opposite jaws and fit the catch 

 over it, when the whole simple business of "sotting" is 

 complete, in a far easier and safer manner than is other- 

 wise possible; and, moreover, as " tickle" as the most 

 exacting person could desire. 



Fig. 37 shows the same description of trap, provided, 

 however, with two springs to act simultaneously on each 

 side of the jaws, which are formed more like a square than 

 are those of the one previously described. In other respects, 

 however, it is precisely similar, the additional spring causing 

 it to strike quicker and harder than is the case with the 

 single spring, so that, owing to its rather larger opening 

 of jaw and increased holding power, its employment for 

 the capture of foxes is possible, although, when gins are 



