Bird Catching. 



9 



birds. The best time for its use is between the months 

 of August and November and March and April. It should be 

 used, between daybreak and 9 a.m., in a plain open country, 

 either on short stubble land, a patch of greensward, or a flat 

 meadow, near to a cornfield, and in a remote situation. 



The net is composed of two separate parts, precisely alike 

 in all respects. When being employed, the parts should be 

 placed parallel to each other, and at such a distance as will 

 allow for one part to overlap the other about Gin. when they 

 are drawn together. The nets are made of fine packthread, 

 with a mesh of -J-in. They should be 18ft. long, and 6ft. in 

 width, and bordered round with a strong, but not too stout, cord. 

 The ends of the net are attached to thin poles, a little longer 

 than the width of the net. The poles are sharpened at the 

 bottom, to hold to the ground, and at the top are fastened 



Fig. 1. "Flur" or "Play-stick." 



the fore and tail lines, and closing or draw cord. Four 

 poles are required, and nine iron pegs, with hooped tops — 

 four for the fore lines, four for the tail lines, and one for 

 the pull-line — to peg into the ground. 



In pitching the nets, set them so that the wind will catch 

 them at the front or back, and not at the side. Open them 

 fully, and, in erecting them, stake down the lower sides, so 

 that they will only move up or down. The upper sides must 

 stand extended on the long cord, which must be staked down 

 with one of the iron pegs ; and the tail and fore lines must 

 also be firmly set in a direct line with the lower verges of 

 the net. Then fasten to the upper end of the foremost 

 poles the drawing-cord or hand-line, which should be at least 

 25yds. long ; the supporting cords need not exceed 5yds. in 

 length. The length of the draw-cord must be regulated by 



