26 INTRODUCTION. 



to which hoops are fixed to prevent the net from getting wti 

 by falling into the water ; the rest of this little canal must b* 

 covered with branches. If the place be well chosen it will 

 be surrounded during the day with numbers of different birds. 

 This sport may be carried on from the 24th of July till October, 

 from the rising to the setting of the sun. 



When the water-trap can be set near a forest, in a grove of 

 pines and firs., near quickset hedges and gardens, or in the 

 middle of a meadow, wood or field -birds may be caught at 

 the same time. For the sake of convenience, small cages are 

 made which can be folded up and put into the pocket. They 

 only serve, however, for the tamest kinds of birds, such as 

 goldfinches, siskins, and linnets; those which are very wild 

 and violent, as chaffinches and larks, should be put into a 

 small bag made of linen, the bottom of which must be lined 

 with felt. When brought to the house the violent species 

 must be immediately put into a dark place, and their cages 

 covered with branches or anything else, that they may not 

 injure themselves, or spoil their plumage. A little attention 

 to the birds' actions in such cases will point out what is best 

 to be done, for amongst birds of the same species there is 

 nothing regular in this respect. 



