358 ON BIRD-NETS. 



description. In addition, there are two nets with strings : — one (not much 

 used now) which was shot over the birds on the ground — a clumsy contri- 

 vance ; the other the common clap-net. This appears to be certainly as old 

 as 1678, because it is figured in Willughby at that date ; perhaps it w^ould 

 be found much earlier if search were made ; but the small dimensions of the 

 engines then used were nothing to the powerful implements now employed 

 by Sussex birdcatchers. I am informed that the rise of this kind of thing 

 took place only about eighty years ago ; and effective clap-nets were set going 

 by a Frenchman (round Brighton, at least) somewhere about that time. 



In the 4th edition of Yarrell (part x. vol. ii. p. 159) an account of this 

 mode of capture can be read, and the vignette so familiar to us all 

 appears. 



Another kind of net is sometimes used across brooks and ditches, made 

 of silk, with a mesh about f of an inch square, and when set cannot be seen. 

 The one I measured was 8 feet 9 inches long by 3 feet 7 inches in depth. In 

 front and at the back are two more, made of glover's thread, with a large 

 mesh 6 inches square ; so that, in fact, there are three surfaces of nets 

 together. But the small-meshed or centre one is much looser than the 

 others, and can be laid in a bunch on the top line or rope ; and the whole 

 contrivance is such that if any bird strikes against it, either going up the 

 ditch or down, it falls into a pocket and cannot escape. The colour of all 

 three is dark brown, and quite invisible. 



This catches every feather which passes by ; none can escape. 



The bat-fowling net, also figured in Yarrell, is not used round Brighton, 

 as there are no bushes or trees. 



The above are contrivances to catch land-birds. Mr. Henry Stevenson, 

 in 'Birds of Norfolk,' vol. ii. pp. Ill et seq., has the following on 



