ITALIAN METHOD OE BIUD^C ATCHING. 471 
library, and the securing from destruction such national records as bad 
eluded the vigilance of preceding collectors ; but Lord Oxford’s plan was 
more extensive, for his collection abounds also with curious manuscripts 
in every science. This collection is nowin the British Museum ; and 
an enumeration of its contents may be seen in the Annual Register, 
vol. vi. p. 140, &c. 
Italian Method of Biud-Catching. 
The following method of catching wild pigeons is eagerly pursued 
as a diversion in different parts of Italy, particularly by the inhabitants 
of Cava, in the Hither Principate, and is thus described by Mr. Swin- 
burne. 
The people assemble in parties, and should any stranger chance 
to stray to their rendezvous, they give him a most cordial welcome 
amongst them. I am not in the least surprised at their passionate 
fondness for this sport, as I found it extremely bewitching, keep- 
ing the attention constantly alive, and the springs of the mind pleas- 
ingly agitated by expectation ; the situations where the toils are spread 
are incomparably beautiful, the air is pure and balsamic, and every 
thing around breathes health and satisfaction. 
When the stock-doves, in their periodical flight, return from the 
northern and western parts of Europe, to gain warmer regions for their 
winter abode, the fowler repairs to the mountain, and spreads his net 
across the intermediate passes, through which the birds direct their 
course, to avoid unnecessary elevation in their flight. These nets 
are hung upon a row of large trees planted for the purpose. The 
branches being very thick, and close at the top, and the whole very 
lofty and bare, a great opening is left below for the toils, which reach 
to the ground, and by means of pulleys fall in a heap with the least 
effort. Sometimes they are extended upon poles that exceed the 
height of the trees. At a small distance is a lofty circular turret, like 
a column with a little capital or cap, upon which a man is stationed 
to watch the approach of the game. As he commands a free view 
over all the country, and practice has made his sight as acute- as that 
of the lynx, he descries the birds at a wonderful distance. The doves 
advance with great velocity ; but the alert watchman is prepared for 
them, and, just as they approach his post, hurls a stone above them 
with a sling i upon w hich the whole flock, fearing birds of prey, and 
supposing the stone to be an enemy of that kind ready to pounce on 
them, dart down like lightning, to avoid the blow by passing under 
the trees ; but there they rush into the jaws of death, by dashing 
against the net, which instantly drops, and so entangles them that 
not one can escape the active hands of the fowler. These birds are 
sometimes taken by dozens at one fall, and are accounted fine eating. 
The dexterity with which the slingers manage their weapon is very 
remarkable ; they throw the stone to a great height without any vio- 
lent effort, and even without whirling the sling round before they dis- 
charge the pellet. In the Pyrenean mountains, where the same diver- 
sion is followed, the watchmen use bows and arrows trimmed with 
the feathers of a hawk. . 
