4 MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. 



cured if possible, and placed in the back of the trap 

 at Fig. 2, and then the birds enter the front of the 

 trap, B ; pass through the way of wires, C, 

 which pointing backward after the manner of the 

 well-known rat-trap, prevent their egress. This 

 trap is constantly set, and several birds are cap- 

 tured at one time. Orioles, bobolinks, rose- 

 breasted grosbeaks, goldfinches, snow-buntings, 

 all other sparrows and finches, in fact, all birds 

 which will come to a decoy or bait, may be taken 

 in this trap. 



I have frequently taken jays in small snares 

 similar to those used in capturing rabbits. Quail 

 and ruffed grouse were also taken in this manner 

 before the present time, but it is now illegal to 

 trap game-birds in nearly all the States. 



The steel trap of the smallest size is exceedingly 

 useful in capturing hawks, owls, and even eagles, 

 as well as many other large birds. One way is to 

 set it in the nest of the bird, first taking care to 

 remove the eggs, substituting for them those of a 

 hen. Almost all large birds may be taken in this 

 manner, and it is an excellent way to identify the 

 eggs in case of some rare hawks or herons. The 

 topmost portion of some dead stub, which is a 

 favorite roost of a hawk or eagle, is a good place 



