28 

 The best way of making Water Bird-lime. 



Buy what quantity you think fit of the strong- 

 est birdlime you can procure, and wash it as long 

 in clear spring water till you find it very pliable, 

 and the hardness thereof removed, then beat out 

 the water extraordinary well, till you cannot per- 

 ceive a drop to appear, then dry it well: after this, 

 put it into an earthen pot, and mingle therewith 

 capon's grease unsalted, so much as will make it 

 run, then add thereto two spoonfuls of strong vi- 

 negar, a spoonful of the best sallad oil, and a 

 small quantity of Venice turpentine; this is the 

 allowance of these ingredients, which must be ad- 

 ded to every pound of strong bird-lime as afore- 

 said. 



Having thus mingled them, boil all gently over 

 a small fire, stirring it continually, then take it 

 from the fire, let it cool; when at any time you 

 have occasion to use it, warm it, and then anoint 

 your twigs or straws, or any other small things, 

 and no water will take away the strength there- 

 of. 



Of taking small Birds, which use Hedges and 

 Bushes with Lime-twigs. 



The great lime bush is best for this use, which 

 you must take after this manner; cut down the 

 main branch or bough of any bushy tree, whose 

 branch aud twigs are long, thick, smooth, and 

 straight, without either pricks or knots, of which 

 the willow or birch tree are the best; when you 

 have picked it and trimmed it from all superfluity, 

 making the twigs neat and clean, then take the best 

 birdlime, well mixed and wrought together with 

 goose grease, or capons grease, which being 

 warmed, lime every twig therewith within four 

 fingers of the bottom. 



