THE WILD-FOWLER. 



evening, and early in the morning, until the sun had risen half-an- 

 hour, but not later." This system of fowling was performed with 

 equal success upon the plover species as upon the larger sort of fowl, 

 which are in the habit of feeding on and frequenting marshes and fens 

 by night. 



It is somewhat remarkable that so rustic a style should have 

 been practised after the fowling-piece came into use ; but it seems 

 to have been long preferred to the matchlock, notwithstanding 

 that the fowler, in his hidden position, whilst attending the net, was 

 within deadly range, with powder and shot, of any birds which came 

 to his snare. 



The method of taking wild-ducks in the Fens, with the clap-net, 

 is described and illustrated by Peter de Crescentius,* as are also 

 several other methods of land-fowling. 



One of the most singular artifices recorded of the ancient fowler, 

 is that of employing four hungry ducks as the chief instruments of 

 his design. Having spread an ordinary clap-net upon the ground, 

 and scattered a few handfuls of corn within scope of its meshes, two 

 men are stationed in a place of concealment, at some little distance 

 from the spot, who hold the check-rope in their hands, in connection 

 with the net, at command. The four hungry decoy-ducks are then 

 let out, and permitted to taste the food, when they are immediately 

 driven away by men with staves. The famishing ducks then fly for 

 food and refuge to the neighbouring fens, but return in a short time, 

 accompanied by many followers ; which, alighting with the hungry 

 decoy-ducks between the folds of the net, and feeding greedily upon 

 the scattered grain, the fowler is immediately enabled to capture 

 them. This method of fowling is thus described in Latin, in a work 

 of great curiosity,! .which bears a well-executed engraving of the 

 proceeding : 



" Arte nova instructos Anates fallax habet Auceps. 

 Quatuor : bis urgente fame proponitur esca : 

 Verum ne comedant baculis terrentur : ut inde 

 Avolitent redeantque Anatum comitante caterva." 



A very remarkable method of capturing cranes is also described 

 and illustrated in the same work. The fowler, having made up a 

 number of paper hoods in conical shapes, places them in a locality 



* Book x., cap. 20. 



f Venationes Ferarum, Avium, &c. ; depictaa a Joanne Stradano, editse a Philippo 

 Gallseo ; Carmine illustrates a C. Kiliano : no date. 



