NETS AND ACCESSORIES. 



187 



it firmly in position; d is also a piece of wood pivoted on wire c, with 

 taperingholein end, into which the fly-stick is inserted. The wires should 



fit snugly in a, so as to permit only of being 

 . f\ :.f , moved to suit the conditions of hard and soft 



i ,.,..n]V.'' ground, and to regulate the height of raising 



'' !.;\f 'Jfr ' ^ ir(i 5 d should work more easily on wire c yet 



not loosely. To raise fly- stick pass brace-line 

 through eye in top of wire &, and fasten to stick. 

 The fly-stick : (2, Fig. V) to which the braced - 

 bird is attached, and on which it is caused to 

 sit, is a stiff willow switch about 2 feet long, 

 with loop about 4£ inches long, made of fish- 

 ing-line, Wrapped on the small end by means 

 of waxed thread. 



The brace (Fig. VI) is composed of four cords 

 and swivel, to be placed upon bird as a means 

 of fastening it without injury, and to leave 

 every movement of the bird free and natural. 

 The ring should be of German silver wire, 

 formed over a lead pencil, a common pin com- 

 pleting the swivel. The cord should be of soft 

 cotton, which when stretched in a straight 

 line should measure about 

 1| inches. To put it on the 

 bird pass it over its head so 

 as to appear like two cords 

 encircling its body with 

 swivel at breast bone, and 

 the knot of cords in center 

 of the back, when it will 

 only be necessary to put 

 each wing and leg of the 

 bird (in the order named) 

 between the cords on each 

 side of brace. 



The brace-lines should be 

 of mattress twine, 50 yards 

 long, and wound upon reel 

 to prevent twisting. 



Blind cages are also necessary to receive the 

 birds after they are caught, Each consists of 

 a light frame of wood about 1 foot square by 5 

 inches high, covered with cloth ; a stocking 

 leg at top, in the middle, forming the door. These, together with a re- 

 ceptacle for carrying them, called a pack (Fig. VII), which is a light 

 rigid frame, also covered with cloth (the nets and other appliances be- 





Fig. VI. 



Fig. V. 



-The above cut repre- 

 sents braced bird, and appliances 

 for using it; 1, Lubber; 2, fly-stick; 

 3, braced bird; 4, brace-line; 5, 

 water-cup. 



