WIIEATEAK. 
3 
the mate of one of the light-sliips off the east coast concerning tlie birds that flew on l)oard his vessel, I 
learned that the most frequent captures had lately consisted of Larks, Starlings, and Shepherds*. During 
1872 and 1873, when I received the wings of the birds that fell on the light-ships off this coast, I did not 
find any sign that a single Wheatear had been taken, tbough Starlings and Larks were by far the most 
numerous. I conclude it is only during thick hazy weather at the seasons of their migration that these 
birds get out of their reckoning and come to grief in this manner. 
flhe hcatear was in former days in great request for the table, and immense numbers were captured 
by the shepherds on the South Downs. The ingenious snares they employed for the purpose have been so 
frequently and accurately described by writers, that any remarks I could make on the subject Avould be 
supeifluous. It will be sufficient to state that, from inquiries made during the autumn of 1882, I was 
unable to learn that any birds now finding their way to the Brighton market are taken by these means. The 
season of 1878 was the last in which the poulterers received a supply from the shepherds ; and the quantity 
then captured was exceedingly small compared with the hundreds of dozens formerly sent in. On 
examining the books of one of the game-dealers in which the daily takes of each shepherd were recorded, I 
discovered their whole season’s catch did not amount to more than from two hundred to four hundred 
birds per man. The manager of one of the leading firms assured me that some thirty years ago they have 
had as many as sixty dozen brought in by the carriers in a single day. The supply occasionally considerably 
exceeded the demand ; and one of my informants described, with evident signs of regret, the stupendous pies 
that not uncommonly fell to their share in those days. The farmers have now put a stop to the formation 
of the traps by the shepherds. The sheep-walks have become so contracted by the land falling under the 
plough, that they doubtless consider the encroachment on the pasture, caused by the displacement of the 
turf, to be by no means beneficial to their interests. The birds now reaching the market are furnished by 
the professional bird-catchers, who capture them by clap-nets. The neighbourhood of the race-hill near 
Brighton is a favourite set, one or two men or boys being employed in driving the birds over the net. 
The numbers taken arc but small, from a dozen and a half to a couple of dozen being considered a fair 
pouUerfr' '''' 
* On certain parts of tho east coast the Wheatcar is known as the Shepherd. 
