130 EXPERIENCES OF SPORT. 



The magpie lines her nest thickly with mud 

 like the thrush. You may fire and fire away 

 but you will do no harm, the nest is almost im- 

 pervious to shot you may kill her coming off 

 the nest, but seldom in it. 



For hawks, set the traps in old nests in trees ; 

 put the trap in and cover it slightly with twigs, 

 but no bait. 



Hawks in season always seek each other in 

 these nests, and it is a certain way of securing 

 the female bird. 



I should mention that in setting traps for 

 polecats, stoats or weasels, where you put the 

 bait beyond the trap, a little hedge must be 

 made behind the bait and on each side of the 

 trap, so that the animal cannot seize it from 

 behind, or from either side ; this hedge forces 

 him to enter by the front opening, and on step- 

 ping on the pan of the gin is taken. 



Since writing the above I have received the 

 following letter from Mr. H. Lane of Wednes- 

 field, one of the best trap-makers in England. 

 He says : 



" The four-inch common rabbit- trap is a trap 

 made principally for merchants; it is made 



