4 
MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. 
cured if possible, and placed in the back of the trap 
at Fig. 2, and then the birds enter the front of the 
trap, B ; pass through the way of wires, C, 
which pointing backward after the manner of the 
well-known rat-trap, prevent their egress. This 
trap is constantly set, and several birds are cap- 
tured at one time. Orioles, bobolinks, rose- 
breasted grosbeaks, goldfinches, snow-buntings, 
all other sparrows and finches, in fact, all birds 
which will come to a decoy or bait, may be taken 
in this trap. 
I have frequently taken jays in small snares 
similar to those used in capturing rabbits. Quail 
and ruffed grouse were also taken in this manner 
before the present time, but it is now illegal to 
trap game-birds in nearly all the States. 
The steel trap of the smallest size is exceedingly 
useful in capturing hawks, owls, and even eagles, 
as well as many other large birds. One way is to 
set it in the nest of the bird, first taking care to 
remove the eggs, substituting for them those of a 
hen. Almost all large birds may be taken in this 
manner, and it is an excellent way to identify the 
eggs in case of some rare hawks or herons. The 
topmost portion of some dead stub, which is a 
favorite roost of a hawk or eagle, is a good place 
