8 
CAGE-BIRDS. 
2. The Spreader. —This is a small bent switch, having a notch at its 
thicker end. It is kept in its bent position by a piece of small cord whipped 
over its smaller and larger end, which are thus united just above the 
notch. 
3. The Bender is also a piece of pliant withe or hazel. 
It is about eighteen inches long; both ends of it are 
fixed into the ground so as to form a kind of arch. 
4. The Springer .—This is a hazel rod of about four 
feet in length, thick at one end and tapering at the 
other; to the tapering end is fixed a piece of string. 
5. The Catch , A, is a small piece of wood fixed at the 
end of the string of the springer. It is about half an 
inch long, a quarter broad, and an eighth of an inch 
thick. It is slightly bevelled off at one end, so as to 
adapt it to the notch of the spreader. 
6. The Noose is a slip knot, formed of horsehair, 
fastened below the catch. 
How to Set the Springle. 
In setting the springle, the following directions are 
to be attended to. 
1. The stump is driven firmly into the ground. 
2. The spreader is placed around the stump, so that 
its bight is in contact with it. 
3. The bender is fixed into the ground at 
about the length of the spreader from the 
stump. 
4. The thick end of the springer is now 
fixed in the ground, at a little distance from the bender, and the small end 
of it bent down till one end of the catch is placed upward and on the out¬ 
side of the bender. 
5. The spreader is now raised about an inch from the ground, and the 
small end of the catch is put into the notch. 
6. The horsehair slip knot is now arranged loosely round the bender, and 
the trap is set. 
A little seed is now scattered within and for some distance around the 
spreader. 
The operation of the trap is as follows: 
The bird, attracted by the bait, soon perches upon the spreader, which 
falls, owing to its weight; the catch being thus set at liberty, the springer 
flies up, and the poor bird is caught either by the legs, wings, or body, by 
the horsehair noose or slip knot. 
The bird-catcher usually watches at a short distance to seize the bird as 
soon as it is ensnared, or it would in a short time flutter itself to death or 
be strangled. 
