354 ON BIRD-NETS. 



Willughby, as is also the "taking birds with the low-bell." The work 

 is dated 1678. 



Low-bell means flame-bell : 



'^ The fowler's low-bell robs tbe Lark of sleep/^ — King. 



The bell round a sheep's neck was also called a low-bell ; why, does not 

 appear. We have likewise Low Sunday, the 8th day after Easter ; but this 

 has no relation to either. In the lithograph the low-bell will be seen 

 hanging from the man's waist. 



Willughby says (p. 35) : — 



^^0/" tahing Birds with the Low-belL — This is of use in champain 

 countries, and that from the end of October till the end of March following. 

 About eight of the clock at night, the air being mild, and the moon not 

 shining, take your low-bell, of such size as a man may well carry it in one 

 hand, having a deep, hollow, and sad sound." Then follows an account of 

 the drag-net. 



" He that carries the bell must go foremost, and toll it as he goeth 

 along, as solemnly as may be, letting it now and then knock on both sides. 

 Another must carry a pan of live coals, but not blazing. The sound of the 

 low-bell astonies the birds, and makes them lie close ; and the blaze 

 of light dazzling their eyes afi^rights them, and causes them to rise and 

 make to it. In this pastime all must be done with great silence, no noise 

 being heard but the low-bell only." 



The hand-net in the lithograph is called in Italy " lanciotoia/' 



In Hawker's ' Instructions to Young Sportsmen ' (pp. 297, 298), the 

 form of a gamekeeper's deputation from a Lord of the Manor gives him 

 power, among other things, to seize guns &c., "trammels, low-bells, hays, 

 or other nets." 



