WAY TO DESTROY VERMIN. 40.3 



half in the other. They must have very short tethers, or they 

 will waddle into the trap. If this is well executed, you are sure 

 of both old ones next day. 



Buzzards * and kites are easily trapped in autumn or winter, 

 as they readily take a bait. It is not worth while to take 

 much trouble about them, as they do little mischief to game, 

 unless a young bird that cannot fly, or small leveret, happen 

 to stumble in their way. I am loath to bring an accusation 

 against my great favourite, the ivy-owl, but truth compels me 

 to say that he is nearly as injurious to game as the buzzard 

 quite as much so as the kite. The other owls viz, the white 

 and the long and short eared may be considered harmless. 



Carrion-crows and ravens, or " corbies," take them for all 

 in all, are perhaps as mischievous as hawks. The best season 

 for trapping them is in March and April ; the circle of twigs 

 is to be set in conspicuous places ; the same bait as for foxes, 

 martens, &c. will do, but the best is a dead lamb, from being 

 so readily seen ; and at that season it may be very easily 

 procured. The numbers taken in this way are astonishing. 

 When they become cunning, take down the twigs and plant 

 half-a-dozen traps round the lamb. If there is a puddle of 

 water near, the bait may be placed in the middle of it, with 

 one or two entrances, upon which traps may be set ; the 

 ravens, &c. are sure to light on these entrances before settling 

 on the lamb, and the trouble of setting so many traps as 

 would otherwise be required is thus avoided. 



Magpies, jays, &c. all take a bait; but the grand recipe 

 thoroughly to destroy them is to find the nests and set the 

 young in circles. 



* A curious story of the honey-buzzard was related to me by a gentle- 

 man whose name stands high as a scholar, and who takes great interest in 

 Natural History. A friend of his was passing a gravel-pit, when he per- 

 ceived what he thought was a bird without a head ; he walked silently 

 forward and seized it, and discovered that his prize was a honey-buzzard, 

 which had thrust its head into a wasp's nest, and was busily engaged in 

 devouring the larvae. The bird was kept tame for some time afterwards. 



