204> CLASS AVES. 



pierced above with a vertical hole, about two inches deep, 

 receives in this hole the other extremity of the spit ; and by 

 means of a packthread wound around the bobbin, a man, 

 seated on the ground, at a certain distance, in a box, or some 

 hollow place which partly conceals him, turns the mirror 

 round, as children turn the little hand-mills which they fabri- 

 cate with a large apple, placed at the end of a little piece of 

 wood, which crosses an empty nut. The mirror thus put in 

 motion, attracts a sufficient number of larks to render it worth 

 the fowler's while to fire at them. 



This method, however, is more successful when the mirror 

 is placed between cloth nets, and when a bird-call is used, or 

 a living lark attached by a packthread to a stake, and forced 

 to flutter about. 



The mirror just described, may be used by the same 

 person who manages the cloths of the net. But if it is em- 

 ployed with the gun, it is necessary that another person 

 should put it in motion. Another mirror, however, has been 

 invented which the foAvler himself may vise. 



This is a macliine of wood, something in the shape of a 

 platform, furnished internally with a sort of pallet, on which 

 are fixed steel buttons, or some bits of looking-glass. This 

 machine, supported diametrically by two pivots, on a semi- 

 circle of iron, preserves an equilibrium, which does not 

 require, like the other mirror, the assiduity and attention of 

 the turner. The semi-circle which sustains the platform, 

 is steel-like, and susceptible of a little elasticity. From the 

 half of this semi-circle, proceeds a handle, at the extremity of 

 which is a round or square hole, which serves to heft it into a 

 stake which supports the platform at an elevation from 

 the ground sufficient to afford it play. This platform must 

 be horizontal, so as to receive vertically the rays of the sun. 

 Motion is conmumicated to this machine by means of a 

 pack-thread, which, attaching to the platform opposite the 



