6 
CAGE AND SINGING BIRDS 
Of Springes, Becbstein describes two sorts, as preferable 
to all others : 1st, Tnce Springes ^ formed of a hazel or willow 
rod, in the thick end of which a notch is first cut, and a hole 
bored, through which is passed a horsehair or strong thread 
attached to the thinner ends ; in setting the springe the string 
is drawn about eighteen inches through the hole, into which 
a peg is then put somewhat lightly, and the string is pre- 
vented slipping back by a knot tied in it ; hang this to a 
thick twig or branch of a tree in such a way that it cannot 
oscillate with the wind, and bait it with service berries if you 
wish to catch large birds, with elder berries if small ; when 
the bird steps on the springe to seize these, it loosens the 
peg, the rod flies back, and draws the strings tight, in which 
its legs are entangled. 
2nd, The Up Springe is the same as the last in 
principle of action, but the construction is different, being 
in two distinct pieces, one an upright piece stuck into 
or growing out of the ground, and the other, which acts 
as the snapper or spring, is a twig bent down from a 
neighbouring tree; to this the string is fixed, which is 
drawn tight and slightly secured by a peg, as before de- 
scribed : this is the kind of springe most commonly used in 
Thuringia. 
The hair nooses may be kept in serviceable order for several 
years if, when done with for the time, they are carefully wiped, 
untied, and hung up lengthways, or folded in a large circle. 
Thread nooses frequently become limp and useless in wet 
weather; it is then advisable to place a blade of grass 
between the folds, which keeps them sufficiently open. 
Nooses of horsehair, or thread, are sometimes hung from 
the trees or bushes near the ground, in thickets where birds 
are known to resort, and placed in various positions affording 
the chance of a capture. 
Nets are also used in bird-catching, and other contrivances 
resorted to, which we need not specify, being, as the auc- 
tioneers say, too numerous to mention." 
HABITATIONS. 
Tlie first consideration after one has obtained, by captm'e 
otherwise, what is henceforward to be a feathered pet, is 
ow and where to keep it — what kind of a dwelling will best 
