26 PRACTICAL TAXIDERMY. 



let it carry the weight of the stone, which will have a tendency to tilt 

 up the slanting stick still held down by the left hand ; finally, hitch the 

 middle notch of the stretcher in the upright, with its front notch facing 

 upwards, then bring the lower end of the slanting stick down to this 

 front notch, drop it in, and the trap is set. Of course, it requires that 

 each part shall be carefully adapted to the others, but when the trap is 

 seen set it will be readily understood, practice being, however, required 

 to set it properly. I quite agree with "High Elms " that the footed 

 upright is an improvement ; but I am inclined to doubt the advantage 

 of the double notch between the upright and the stretcher. I have tried 

 both, and I cannot find that there is any great superiority in his plan ; 

 but, perhaps, though I have exactly followed his directions as given in 

 the Field, I may have omitted some point of practical importance. 

 In setting the Figure of 4- trap, the height of the upright and the size and 

 weight of the stone will be proportioned to the animal for which it is 

 set. I do not like the trap myself, as it cannot be concealed so well as 

 the steel trap, and, indeed, has no advantage except in cheapness. 

 Dozens of them may be set in the woods, and if stolen little harm is 

 done, as the cost is barely a penny apiece if made in large num- 

 bers. I have also known pheasants caught by the head and killed in 

 them, the flesh with which they are baited being often attractive to 

 tame-bred birds, which usually are fed with more or less of it in their 

 rearing. 



Mr. G. S. Purden lias informed me tliat lie lias succeeded in 

 capturing birds alive witli this trap by bollowing out tbe ground 

 where tlie stone falls. 



Another " deadfall " for taking capercailzie in 'Notwslj is 

 described by Mr. Yarrell in his " British Birds : " 



Where the treea grow thickly on either side of a footpath, two long 

 pieces of wood are placed across it ; one end of these rests on the 

 ground, the other being raised a foot and a half, or somewhat more, 

 from the surface, and supported by a piece communicating with a 

 triangular twig, placed in the centre of the path, and so contrived that 

 on being slightly touched the whole fabric falls ; a few stones are usually 

 placed upon the long pieces of wood to increase the rapidity of the drop 

 by the additional weight. Birds running along the footpath attempt 

 to pass beneath the barrier, strike the twig, and are killed by the fall of 

 the trap. 



Taking birds by means of bird-lime is my next considera- 

 tion. Bird-lime is made either from boiled oil or from holly- 



