88 TO TAKE WOODCOCKS BY DRAW-NETS, ETC. 



like the rabbit-hays, but not so strong, and about forty 

 yards long, and you should have two or three. Being 

 provided with nets, and having the assistance of five or 

 six persons to go into the wood with you, (which should 

 be seven or eight years' growth, the older the better,) 

 go into some part about the middle, if it be not too large, 

 and pitch your nets along as you do for rabbits, but one 

 joining to the other slopewise hanging over towards 

 where you design to drive the cocks. 



Your nets being thus fixed, let your company go 

 to the end of the wood, at about ten rods asunder, and 

 having sticks in their hands, make a noise, also using 

 their voices as if they were driving cattle along, and 

 go forward till you come to the place where the nets 

 are set, and you will not fail to catch those in that part 

 of the wood : when such part of the wood is thus 

 driven, turn your net slopewise on the other side, and 

 going to the other end, observe the same directions : 

 you may, by these means, take them at any time 

 of the day. 



Such as may wish to take woodcocks in a wood, 

 by gins, springes, and nooses, need not lose any time, 

 after they have set them, but go at four in the after- 

 noon, and the effect will be much the same : they must be 

 provided with several dozens of these snares, more or less, 

 according to the places in the wood where the woodcocks 

 are. These nooses are made of good long horse-hair, 

 twisted together, with a running buckle at one end, 

 and a knot at the other, which is passed through the 



