ON THE SMALL BIRDS OF FLIGHT. aiT 



These birds, during the Michaelmas and 

 March flights, are chiefly on the wing from day- 

 break till noon, though there is afterwards a 

 sva^X flight from two till night ; but this how^- 

 ever is so inconsiderable, that the bird-catchers 

 always take up their nets at noon. 



It may well deserve the attention of the na- 

 turalist whence these periodical flights of certain 

 birds can arise. As the ground, however, is ■ 

 ploughed during the months of October and 

 March for sowing the winter and lent corn, it 

 should seem that they are thus supplied with a 

 great profusion both of seeds and insects, which 

 they cannot so easily procure at any other 

 reason. 



It may not be improper to mention another 

 circumstance, to be observed during their flit- 

 ting, X)iz. that they fly always against the wind ; 

 hence, there is great contention amongst the 

 bird-catchers who shall gain that point; if (for 

 example) it is westerly, the bird-catcher who 

 lays his nets most to the east, is sure almost of 

 catching every thing, provided his call-birds are 

 good : a gentle wind to the south-west generally 

 produces the best sport. 



The bird-catcher, who is a substantial man, 

 and hath a proper apparatus for this purpose, 

 generally carries with him five or six linnets (of 



