ANCIENT METHODS OF CAPTURING WILD-FOWL. 13 



Some of the contrivances of the ancient fowler, previous to the 

 invention of decoys, strike us at the present day as exceedingly 

 grotesque and simple ; but, as they are transmitted to us by authors 

 of reliable authority in those days,* and by them asserted as the best 

 and most effectual means of taking wild-fowl, we are bound to believe 

 that some, at least, of these manoeuvres were highly successful. 

 Nets of various forms and sizes were also freely employed ; and 

 those used for taking the largest sort of wild-fowl were made of strong 

 pack-thread, with large meshes, at least two inches in extent from 

 "poynt to poynt." 



One of the most successful methods of taking wild-fowl was with a 

 net of the description stated ; twelve yards in length by eight in 

 breadth, which was as large as one man could dextrously manage or 

 overthrow. This net being verged on each side with a stout cord, it 

 was stretched on poles, and spread flat upon the ground, at least two 

 hours before twilight, in the most favoured haunts of wild-fowl known 

 to the snarer. The manner of working the net was, by staking the 

 two lower ends firmly to the ground, but leaving sufficient play to 

 admit of its being thrown over without drawing the stakes or un- 

 hinging the loops or fastenings ;f and a line being connected with the 

 upper verge, and rove through a hole in another stake, about six yards 

 in front of one of the lower corners of the net, it was then of sufficient 

 length to extend to the fowler's hiding-place, which was generally about 

 twenty or thirty yards from the net a mere temporary screen or 

 embankment of turf and dried grasses : and, with such arrangements 

 complete, and having carefully strewn a few handfuls of short grass 

 over the surface of the net, and placed it so that no obstruction might 

 prevent its being suddenly thrown over, the fowler was supposed to 

 await patiently the arrival of the birds. Sometimes a live heron, or 

 other species of wild-fowl, was secured to a stake, as a " stale"! for 

 enticing others j and when a satisfactory number of birds had come 

 within scope of the net, by suddenly drawing the line, the snare was 

 cast over them, and they were thus taken captive. " The proceed- 

 ings," Markham observes, " might be continued during twilight of an 



* Gryndall on Fowling : 1596. A Jewell for Gentrie : 1614. Markham .on 

 Fowling : 1655. Cox's Gentleman's Recreations : 1686. Blome's Gentn.'s Recrea- 

 tions : 1686. : &c., &c. 



f " So that the nets may rise upon those stakes, to open and shut as upon so 

 many payre of hinges." A Jewell for Gentrie. 



t Call-bird. 



