OF TAKING SMALL BIRDS WITH BIRDLIME. 109 



some fresh lard or capon's grease, putting one ounce of 

 either to a quarter of a pound of hirdlime. Then set it 

 over the fire, and let it be gently melted, taking care 

 not to let it boil, as that would destroy its strength. 



It being thus prepared, and having furnished yourself 

 with a quantity of ears of wheat, cut the straw about a 

 foot long, exclusive of the ears, and lime them for about 

 six inches, from the bottom of the ears to the middle of 

 the straw; the lime being warmed so as to run the 

 thinner upon the straw, and be the more imperceptible, 

 and less liable to be suspected by the birds. Then go 

 into the fields, carrying with you a bag of chaff and 

 threshed ears, which you must spread on the ground 

 for the space of about twenty yards in width, (this will 

 be best in snowy weather,) then stick up the limed 

 straws, with the ears leaning, so that the ends touch 

 the ground, then retire from the place, and beat the 

 grounds round about. By these means you disturb the 

 birds in their other haunts, and cause them to fly to the 

 place where the chaff and corn have been scattered, and 

 the limed straws set up, when they will peck at the ears 

 of corn, and finding that they stick upon them, they will 

 instantly fly away : the limed straws, lying under their 

 wings, will cause them to fall ; and not being able to 

 disengage themselves, they may be taken with ease. 

 You must not, however, take them up when you see 

 only five or six entangled, for that may prevent you from 

 taking as many dozens at a time. 



If they are larks that fall where your limed straws 



