PART THE FIFTH. 



METHODS FOE TAKING SMALL BIRDS. 



THERE are various ways of taking birds, one of 

 which is in the night, with a low-bell, hand-net, and 

 light ; a sport used in plain and campaign countries; also 

 in stubble fields, especially those of wheat, from the 

 middle of October to the end of March ; and that after 

 the following manner : About nine o'clock at night, 

 when the air is mild, and the moon does not shine, take 

 your low-bell, (of a deep and hollow sound, and of a 

 size that a man may carry it conveniently with one hand,) 

 which tolls in the manner of a sheep while it feeds. 

 You must also have a box, much like a large lantern, 

 about a foot and a half square, big enough for two 

 or three great lights to be set in it. Let the box be 

 lined with tin, one side open, to cast forth the light : 

 fix this box to your breast, an d* the light will be cast a 

 great distance before you, very broad, whereby you may 

 see any thing that is on the ground within the compass 

 of the light, and consequently the birds that roost on the 

 ground. 



Then, for taking them, have two men with you, one 

 on each side, but a little behind, that they may not be 

 within the reflection of the light that the lantern or box 

 casts forth ; each of them must be provided with a hand- 



