DECOYING AND TKAPPING ANIMALS. 21 



bow, and that the lower part of the springe is about three fingers' breadth 

 from the bottom. By this arrangement the bird alighting on the lower 

 side of the bow, and bending his neck to reach the berries below, 

 places his head in the noose. Finding himself obstructed in his movements, 

 he attempts to fly away; but the treacherous noose tightens round his 

 throat, and he is found by the sportsman hanging by the neck, a victim 

 of misplaced confidence. 



The workman, who at this season earns a second harvest by this 

 pursuit, carries on his industry in wilder districts, or he frequently 

 obtains permission from his employer to set springes in his master's 

 woods. In this case he supplies the family with birds, which are highly 

 appreciated as a delicacy, especially when almost covered with butter, 

 with a few juniper berries, and some bacon cut into small dice and baked 

 in a pan. The rest of his take he sells at from 5d. to lOd. per dozen. 



No person who has not lived in the country can imagine the excitement 

 among all classes when the " grives " arrive. If the morning be foggy, 

 it is a good day for "grives "; if bright, bad "tenderie "! The reason 

 is obvious. When the birds arrive in a fog they settle at once in the 

 woods ; if bright, they fly about, seeking the most propitious place 

 for food. 



It appears tliat redwings and fieldfares are caught by this 

 method also, as well as a few ring-ousels and blackbirds. 



" Stonehenge " says that the springe just described was used 

 for snaring woodcocks, in the following manner : 



It used to be the constant practice on all the hill downs in these parts 

 to place cut underwood or furze, about a foot in height, to a very great 

 extent along the ground, in the shape of a letter V, at the apex of which 

 an opening would be left, where a hair noose or springe would be set, 

 which seldom failed to yield the pot-hunter a nightly supply, as the cock 

 would run along the side of the brushwood feeding, not taking the trouble 

 to top over it, until he was led into the snare ; but this plan is now, 

 owing to the scarcity of cocks, when compared with former years, very 

 seldom practised. 



Ptarmigan are said by Daniels, in his " Rural Sports," to be 

 led up to springes in nearly the same manner, stones being 

 substituted for furze. 



Another mode of making a springe, which is a capital plan for 

 catching almost any bird, whether it be a percher or a runner, is 

 this : Procure an elastic wand (hazel or osier makes the best) 

 of about 3ft. Gin. long, to the top of which tie a piece of twisted 



