130 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 



fourpence a dozen of the price usually demanded 

 for those which are taken by lark-nets during the 

 winter months. 



I must now say a few words on the latter mode 

 of capture, as practised in the neighbourhood of 

 Brighton, where these birds form a very consider- 

 able article of traffic, and hang in numerous 

 bunches at all the poulterers' stalls in the town 

 and market. The season is from October to 

 March. A net is provided about twenty-five 

 yards long, and from sixteen to eighteen feet 

 wide, with meshes of about an inch and a half in 

 diameter ; this net is strengthened by eight lines 

 of a stronger cord, which cross it longitudinally at 

 regular intervals, and terminate at both ends in 

 large loops, which project a few inches beyond the 

 net itself. Through these loops a long and tough 

 pole is passed at either extremity, and the perfor- 

 mers, two of whom are necessary, each grasping 

 a pole with both hands, pull in opposite directions 

 so as to stretch the net to its utmost; then, 

 standing face to face, and suffering one end 

 of each of their poles to touch the ground, while 

 the other is inclined forwards, at an angle of 

 about forty -five degrees, in the direction towards 

 which they are about to advance, they commence 

 operations by sweeping the ground until a bird is 

 felt to flutter in the net, when it is immediately 



