CATCHING BIRDS. 23 



and one lower down for their rod to be inserted 

 through. This frame- work, which is very light, 

 they fasten before them when they are in the act 

 of catching birds, by which means they have both 

 hands at liberty, and are completely concealed 

 from the view of the birds. The rod which they 

 use is about twenty-four feet long, resembling a 

 fishing rod, the parts of which are inserted within 

 one another, and the whole contained in a walk- 

 ing-stick. 



They also carry with them horse-hair nooses of 

 different sizes and strength, which they fasten to 

 the rod ; likewise bird-lime, and a variety of calls 

 for the different kinds of birds, with which they 

 imitate them to the greatest nicety.* They take 

 with them likewise two lines, to which horse-hair 

 nooses are attached for catching larger birds, and 

 a bag or net to carry their game. 



Thus equipped, they sally forth ; and as they 



* Many times, when I have been shooting 1 , hearing the 

 call at a distance, I have gone to it expecting to find a co- 

 vey of partridges, and to my great mortification found it to 

 be a Shecarrie. 



