320 APPENDIX. V. 



disposes of his call-birds at proper intervals. 

 It must be owned, that there is a most mali- 

 cious joy in these call-birds to bring the wild 

 ones into the same state of captivity; which 

 may likewise be observed with regard to the 

 decoy ducks. 



Their sight and hearing infinitely excels that 

 of the bird-catcher. The instant that the * wild 

 birds are perceived, notice is given by one to 

 the rest of the call-birds, (as it is by the first 

 hound that hits on the scent, to the rest of the 

 pack) after which, follows the same. sort of tu- 

 multuous ecstacy and joy. The call-birds^ 

 while the bird is at a distance, do not sing as 

 a bird does in a chamber ; they invite the wild 

 ones by what the bird-catchers call short jerks, 

 which when the birds are good, may be heard 

 at a great distance. The ascendancy by this 

 call or invitation is so great, that the wild bird 

 is stopped in its course of flight, and if not al- 

 ready acquainted with the nets,t lights boldly 

 within twenty yards of perhaps three or four 



* It may be also observed, that the moment they see a hawk, 

 they communicate the alarm to each other by a plaintive note j 

 nor will they then_;erA or call though the wild birds are near. 



\ A bird, acquainted with the nets, is by the bird-catchers 

 termed a sharper, which they endeavour to drive away, as they 

 can have no sport whilst it continues near them. 



