414 THE GAME PRESERVER'S GUIDE. 



the trap in doing so. Of course the egg must be placed a 

 few inches from the plate, greater or less, according to the 

 size of the bird for which it is intended. The water beyond 

 the egg should be deep, and if the trap is fastened by a long 

 chain the birds will nutter into it, and soon sink out of 

 sight. 



Lastly, tJie uribaited steel-trap may be set on a pole or high 

 stone, on the plan shown in fig. 97, at page 405. The spot 

 may be selected without any other reason than its being the 

 usual perch of some particular bird, if it is possible to find 

 it out ; but, supposing this is not known, then its habits 

 must be considered, and advantage taken of them. A tame 

 owl exposed in the daylight will serve to draw to the nearest 

 perch most of the birds of prey, and especially the hawks, 

 which it is otherwise very difficult to capture. If one is to 

 be obtained it may, therefore, be tried, tying it on to a perch 

 near a high post in a tolerably retired spot, but in the full 

 glare of day. Here it is soon found out by a swarm of 

 small birds, but unfortunately for the present purpose they 

 will generally strike the gin and catch themselves instead of 

 leaving it for the birds more desired by the keeper. Some- 

 times a dead cat, or any conspicuous dead animal, will draw 

 from his retreat the hawk or the harrier, and then a gin on 

 the nearest post is likely to capture either; but these expe- 

 dients are rarely successful, and excepting in the breeding 

 season the gun is far more serviceable than a whole score of 

 these engines. 



THE VERMIN TERRIER. 



The vermin dog is the keeper's right hand, and even more 

 than that, for without his aid he will lose one-half the 

 captures of four-footed vermin, which he might otherwise 

 make. No keeper should be without one carefully broken 

 from game, and if he has a good dog, and knows how to use 

 him, he need fear no loss of game by any vermin without 

 feathers. Any kind of terrier with a cross of the bulldog may 

 make a good vermin killer, but the special propensity to kill 

 vermin rather than game runs in particular strains, which 

 ought to be selected for the purpose. 



