FINCHES. 49 



string below the springe, and hanging from the lower part 

 of the bow is placed a small branch, with three or four 

 berries of the mountain-ash (there called sobier) ; this is 

 fixed to the bow by inserting the stalk into a slit in the 

 wood. The hirer of a new Tenderie three or four acres in 

 extent is obliged to make zigzag footpaths through it, to 

 cut away the boughs which obstruct them, and even to hoe 

 and keep them clean. Having thus prepared himself, he 

 purchases one or two bushels of the berries of the mountain- 

 ash with the stalks to which they grew, and which are 

 picked for the purpose after they are red, but before they 

 are ripe, to prevent their falling off ; these he lays out on 

 a table in the loft or attic. The collection of these berries is 

 a regular trade, and the demand for them is so great that, 

 although planted expressly by the side of the roads in the 

 Ardennes, they have been sold as high as 2 the bushel ; but 

 the general price is five francs. We will now suppose our 

 thrush-catcher arrived at his lodgings in the country, that 

 he has had his footpath cleared by the aid of a labourer, 

 and that he is off for his first day's sport. He is provided 

 with a basket, one compartment of which holds his twigs, 

 bent or straight, another his berries; his springes being 

 already attached to the twigs, he very rapidly drives his 

 knife into a lateral branch and fixes them, taking care that 

 the springe hangs neatly in the middle of the bow, and that 

 the lower part of the springe is about three fingers breadth 

 from the bottom ; by this arrangement the bird, alighting 

 on the lower side of the bow, and bending his neck to reach 

 the berries below him, places his head in the noose, and 

 finding himself obstructed in his movements, attempts to fly 

 away ; but the treacherous noose tightens round his throat, 

 and he is found by the sportsman hanging by the neck, 

 a victim of misplaced confidence. 



" The workman, who at this season earns a second harvest 

 by this pursuit, carries on his industry in wilder districts, 

 or he frequently obtains permission from his employer to 



E 



