Bird Catching. 



13 



birds. The boughs should be set overnight near to some 

 place where a number of the birds have been observed 

 feeding ; for Fieldfares frequent the same spot daily, so long 

 as there is food to be found. As soon as a flight of these 

 birds espy the decoys, they will descend rapidly, in large 

 numbers, on to the bough or boughs, and a considerable 

 quantity of them are sure to be limed. 



How TO TAKE Finches and Other Small Birds. — Prepare 

 several hundreds of birch twigs, and wheat ears, with the 

 straw attached to them to the extent of about 12in., exclusive 

 of the ear itself ; then lime the latter for about Gin. or 7in. 

 below the ears. The lime should be used warm, in order 

 that it may not be put on too thickly, and thereby frustrate 

 the object in view ; for birds are both observant and sus- 

 picious, and a small thing sometimes excites their caution. 

 When ready, proceed to a field, or some well-known spot 

 where birds have been observed to congregate in large num- 

 bers, and scatter over an open space for a breadth of 

 15yds. or 20yds., among the snow, a quantity of wheat chaff, 

 and a little wheat amongst it. Then fix your limed twigs 

 and wheat ears slanting in different directions, retire from 

 the immediate locality, and perambulate the district all round 

 within a moderate distance, in order to disturb the birds 

 and drive them away, when they will be likely, in their 

 flight, to observe the newly- sown chaff, and flock thither in 

 search of food, thereby becoming entrapped ; for, when they 

 attempt to fly, the limed straws or twigs will get beneath 

 their wings, and cause them to fall to the ground, when 

 they can be easily secured. 



If a flock of Larks should descend among your limed 

 twigs or straws, do not disturb them too suddenly, but 

 permit them to make the attempt to fly away at their 

 leisure, as by this plan you are more likely to secure 

 a greater number of birds than you would by being 

 impetuous. Having completed your operations for one day, 

 remove the limed twigs and wheat stalks, and throw down a 

 few ears of wheat, or scatter a handful or two of the 

 grains about, that the birds may come and feed without 

 fear or molestation. Leave them until the following morn- 

 ing ; then remove any ears that may remain, and replace 

 them by limed wheat stalks as before. This process can be 



