TRAP-SHOOTING. 293 



quire continued care. They are captured on their 

 nests, where they congregate in millions ; and being 

 cooped in shallow boxes made of slats, only deep 

 enough to allow them to move, but not to use 

 their wings or bruise themselves, are transported 

 as rapidly and tenderly as possible to their destina- 

 tion. They must invariably be accompanied by a 

 careful person to wait on them, and supply food and 

 water, of the latter of which they require large 

 quantities, and they must be moved as rarely and 

 carefully as possible. 



The moment they arrive, they should be placed 

 in a prepared room ; and each one, as he is taken 

 put, must have his head plunged in water, and be 

 allowed to drink freely. The ceiling of their apart- 

 ment should be low, or there will be difficulty in 

 catching them, and the windows may be slatted ; 

 a sufficient number of perches to accommodate them 

 readily should be set up, and they must be dis- 

 turbed as little as possible. Food and water should 

 be introduced three times a day, either very quietly, 

 or after the apartment has been darkened by closing 

 the shutters. In spite of the best of care, about ten 

 per cent, will perish on the journey, or in conse- 

 quence of it. 



Having been retained in the room two or three 

 days, they will be in their best condition, reco- 

 vered from their exposure, and not yet injured by 

 their confinement ; and may then be caught, re- 

 placed hi the boxes, and carried to the shooting- 

 ground. It is a common practice to pull out some 



