METHOD GP CATCHING WOODCOCKS. 165 
into the ground, to which a trigger was annexed; and, 
in order to induce the Woodcock to walk towards 
the noose, a little fence was extended on each side, 
by small sticks, set up close enough to prevent the 
bird passing between: these all met at the trap; 
so that, by this funnel-shaped fence, the Woodcock, 
in feeding, is compelled to pass through the narrow 
passage, with every chance of being caught by the 
legs. The elastic stick, in flying up, of course draws 
the noose quite tight, and effectually secures the 
Woodcock; but common horse-hair nooses will often 
answer the purpose, particularly if the little avenue 
fence is placed, to lead the birds to the snare. We 
remember seeing, in the south of France, a tolerably 
large fallow-field actually sown with horse-hair 
nooses, placed in straight lines, for catching Larks 
and other small birds ; so closely were they set, that 
it was almost impossible for any small bird to alight 
in the field, and run a few feet, without being caught. 
The guiding avenue consisted merely of two small 
twigs, curved outwardly on each side ; this external 
curve acting as a sufficient check to the bird’s free 
passage, excepting along the line of snares. The 
labour of the person, who had given himself the 
trouble of setting them, was, we understood, amply 
repaid by the numbers taken by this simple process. 
We shall conclude what we have to say on the 
Woodcock, or, as it is scientifically termed, the 
Scolopax genus, by a few remarks upon one species, 
which was formerly an object of adoration amongst the 
ancient Egyptians, during life ; and, after death, was 
honoured with funeral rites equal to those bestowed 
upon their kings and princes, being entombed in 
