1)1 Formation of Pens. 



cai)turing the wild birds. The very simple form of trap 

 described below by Mr. J. E. Harting is perfectly 

 efficacious for the purpose required. It is merely a modifica- 

 tion of the old-fashioned sieve trap, so arranged as to be self- 

 acting, or, in other words, to require no watching. The 

 accompanying sketch will make all clear. A is an iron hoop off 

 a large cask, covered with slack netting. At the point where 

 it touches the ground a peg is driven in, to which the hoop is 

 tied, or. as it were, hinged. Another short peg is driven in 

 at D, on the top of which rests a cross-piece C, above which 

 again comes the long upright B which supports the hoop. From 

 each end of the cros.s-jiiece C a piece of twine is carried ti) 



A, the twine being only a \ery little way off the ground. This 

 acts as ci trigger, and the moment a bird feeding under the 

 hoop comes into contact with the twine, the cross-piece C is 

 jerked away, and the trap falls. 



Some breeders prefer large l.iaskets six feet square by one 

 foot deep, made of strong willow covered with canvas, to the 

 sieve. This is propped up securely, and the pheasants feed 

 under it for several days before they are caught. It is then 

 raised by a single stick, from which a long wire or cord proceeds 

 to a tree or shelter many yards distant. This is for the 

 purpose of pulling away the stick and catching the birds 

 that are feeding underneath it. Open crates are sometimes 

 recommended to be used in the same way, but they are not 

 desirable, as the birds injure themselves in the endeavour 

 to escape. 



