72 NOXIOUS VERMIN. 



kept, as their ceaseless and piercing cackk 

 frightens these birds away. A toy wind- 

 mill, with a clapper attached to it, such as 

 is used in corn-fields, will be found to be 

 useful in a poultry-yard when chickens are 

 numerous. 



Against reptiles I know of no means of 

 guarding, except by having the lower part 

 of the enclosure around the poultry-yard 

 close. The snapping turtle will frequently 

 seize young ducks and goslings, and drag 

 them under water, and the black-snake will 

 occasionally make a dash into the yard. 

 This latter, however, is very rarely the case. 



