30 PKACTICAL TAXIDEEMr. 



strings could be drawn across and about the surface in different direc- 

 tions, resting here and there on some or other of the stakes or any 

 boughs or overhanging trees, in such a way that the birds, when in the 

 act of alighting on the water at night, might strike against the lime 

 strings and become therein entangled. 



The principal secret of success in this and the preceding device was 

 that of placing the lime strings in shaded places over the most assured 

 haunts of the birds ; and it was only obtainable on dark nights, or in 

 good shade, for whenever there was sufficient light for the birds to see 

 the least sign of the snare spread for them the fowler had no chance of 

 making any captives. (And be sure to take this caution not to use these 

 strings in moonshine nights, for the shadow of the line will create a 

 jealousy in the fowl, and so frustrate your sport.) And as wildfowl in 

 their descent, just before alighting on the water, diverge from their 

 accustomed angular figure, and spread themselves more in a broad front 

 line, a whole flight sometimes comes swooping into the fowler's snare all 

 at once. 



A method of trapping, witli the assistance of bird-lime, might, 

 I think, be tried with some chance of success. It is to insert 

 a piece of fish in a cone of paper well smeared with bird-lime, 

 and to throw down a few of these prepared cones in places 

 accessible to gulls, herons, and such birds, who, in attempting to 

 seize the fish, would be effectually hoodwinked, and thus easily 

 secured. 



Hawking, by which birds are captured by trained falcons, is of 

 the highest antiquity. Pennant mentions that the Saxon King 

 Ethelbert (who died in 760) sent to Germany for a cast of 

 falcons to fly at cranes (herons ?). As this sport has now fallen 

 into disuse, I must refer my readers for particulars to Blaine, 

 Daniel, Freeman, Harting, Captain Dugmore, and to occasional 

 articles by one or two modern falconers in the columns 

 of the Field. 



The infinite variety of nets used in the capture of various 

 birds requires almost a chapter by itself ; but it will suffice for 

 the present one if we mention those most generally used, or the 

 most striking varieties. First, then, comes the ordinary " clap- 

 net "of the London and provincial bird-catchers. The "Edin- 

 burgh Encyclopaedia " says, with regard to clap-nets : 



Birds are also taken with nets during the day, and especially in those 



