MODES OF CAPTURE. 25 



which these are hounded, are therefore excellent situations for 

 the decoy-bushes. Underneath the bushes are placed the cages 

 of the various decoy-birds, covered with boughs, in order that 

 the call birds and those on the wing may by no chance catch 

 sight of each other. Those birds which have themselves been 

 caught when full grown are preferred as decoys, as those reared 

 in the aviary are neither so able nor so willing to utter the call 

 peculiar to their species, and, indeed, have in many cases learned 

 the cry of other birds. 



One of the best methods of catching birds is by the water- 

 trap, in which are taken birds of every species, so that the 

 fowler might make a selection. Nor is there anything more 

 pleasant than to sit in a cool place, by the side of a brook, 

 watching this trap on a hot summer's day. All that is neces- 

 sary is to turn the water into a canal, from four to six feet long, 

 and three to four feet broad, over which is stretched a net of 

 the same size, on hoops, which prevent it from falling into the 

 water. Level with the water are sticks of about an inch 

 thick, and over the rest of the canal are spread branches. If 

 the place be well chosen, it will be surrounded by birds through- 

 out the day ; though the best times are early in the morning, 

 and again about sunset. It depends upon the position of the 

 trap, whether it will succeed in taking such birds as frequent 

 fields and gardens, as well as the inhabitants of the woods. 



Another method, which is both easy and practicable, is to clear 

 in woods and thickets a straight or crooked path, in which are 

 to be set nooses of horse-hair or fine linen-thread. By this 

 means, especially at the end of September and the beginning 

 of October, may be caught large numbers of such birds as eat 

 berries, e. g. Thrushes, Redbreasts, &c. This trap is called in 

 Germany " Schneuss" * 



Cages which, when empty, maybe folded up and carried in the 

 pocket, add very much to the bird-catcher's convenience. They 

 are, however, adapted only for such birds as Goldfinches, Siskins, 

 Linnets, &c., which are quiet almost as soon as caught ; while 

 others, like Chaffinches, Larks, &c., are so violent as to render 

 it advisable to put them in a small bag, if possible lined with 

 felt, in which they can by no chance injure themselves. It is 



* We should speak of it as a GIN ; the nooses or springes employed are 

 not only of various materials, but also of different shapes, as will be seen 

 by the accompanying plate. 



