TO TAKE WOODCOCKS BY DRAW-NETS, ETC. 87 



or four feet distance from thence towards the net, force 

 a strong stake into the ground, at the place marked Q ; 

 whereon fasten the lines of the net when it is drawn 

 up. It is not necessary to make use of two pulleys ; 

 one only is enough on a side, as at N, and the other 

 at I. Tie a long pole at one of its ends, and let the 

 other be fastened to a tree a little ahove C, by a cord, 

 which will give the pole liberty to be raised up or 

 lowered, as you would raise up or lower the net ; the 

 sportsman should have one cord to hold, and place him- 

 self on the side of the tree B, where he may not be 

 discerned. 



When a woodcock is taken, the net must be let 

 down as readily as possible, for he may by struggling 

 make his escape. The net must be immediately set up 

 again, for it may happen that the other woodcocks will 

 come in and be taken ; which you may miss, if tedious 

 at your work. 



It often happens, that a man perceives a great 

 thoroughfare of birds between some coppice or timber- 

 woods, over a piece of ground, where he want? the 

 conveniency of a good tree, to oppose some other, 

 which possibly stands according to his mind; but 

 whether he wants one or two, if he finds the place 

 likely, let him take one or two trees fit for the purpose, 

 and plant them deep in the ground, that they may 

 stand all weathers. 



If you would take woodcocks by nets in high 

 woods, by driving them into them, your net must be 



