426 
BIRD-CATCHING. 
end of a small cord be fastened, while the other | down at the distance of every 20 yards, and fas- 
end is conveyed to your station. 
board fall more readily, a little earth, or any 
other material least likely to frighten the birds, 
may be laid upon it; the whole is then to be 
covered with straw, and some grain scattered 
underneath and round about the board. When 
the birds perceive the ground free from snow 
and covered with straw, they will readily fly to 
pick up the corn round the board, and will grad- 
ually proceed to that which lies under it; the 
cord is then to be pulled, and the stick being 
thus drawn out, the board will fall down and se- 
cure the birds underneath. 
The smaller kinds of birds are frequently taken 
with bird-lime, which is one of the most eligible 
modes in frost or snow, when all sorts of small 
birds assemble in flocks, and which may be used 
in various ways. Put the bird-lime into an 
earthen dish, with the addition of one ounce of 
fresh lard to every quarter of a pound, and melt 
the whole gently over the fire. Take a quantity 
of wheat ears, with a foot of the straw attached 
to each, and having warmed the lime that it may 
spread the thinner, lime about six inches of the 
straw from the bottom of the ears. Scatter a 
little chaff and threshed ears over a compass of 
20 yards; stick the limed straws into the ground 
with the ears inclining downwards, or even touch- 
ing the surface ; traverse the adjoining places, in 
order to disturb the birds, and make them fly to- 
wards the snare; and by pecking at the ears of 
corn, they will become so entangled with the 
limed straws as to be easily taken with the hand. 
The lime may also be applied to cords, rods, and 
twigs, especially when it is intended to entangle 
the larger birds, such as snipes and field-fares ; 
and for this purpose the following mode may be 
adopted. Take the main branch of any bushy 
tree with long straight and smooth twigs, such 
as the willow or birch; clear the twigs from 
every notch and prickle; lime the branches to 
within four fingers of the bottom, leaving the 
main bough, from which the others rise, un- 
touched with the composition; and then place 
the bush where the birds resort. 
Birds are taken also by various kinds of traps, 
which are frequently formed in a very simple 
manner, of nooses made of hair, and which are 
placed in different ways for different kinds of 
birds. The wheat-ears are so extremely timid, 
that they take shelter under a stone, or creep 
into holes whenever the sun is obscured by a 
cloud; and, by digging a number of small holes 
in the ground, in each of which is placed a noese 
of hair, they are taken in the open downs in 
great numbers. Woodcocks and snipes are 
| caught in a similar manner, by placing the 
nooses along their paths, in marshy and moist 
grounds. Larks and other small birds may be 
| taken in the same way, when the ground is 
covered with snow, by stretching along the sur- 
face 100 or 200 yards of packthread, pegging it 
To make the | tening, at every six inches, a noose of double 
horse hair. Some white oats are scattered along 
the line among the nooses, in order to entice the 
birds; and when three or four are taken, they 
must be removed from the noose, lest the others 
should be debarred from approaching. 
One of the most successful modes of bird- 
catching is by the net, which is chiefly employed 
during the night, and which requires several 
other accompaniments. ‘Take, for instance, two 
light and straight poles, ten or twelve feet long; 
tie two corners of the net to the smaller ends of 
these poles, and fasten the other two corners as 
far as they can be stretched towards the thicker 
part, connecting the sides of the net along the 
poles with a little packthread. Search for a bush 
or thicket to which the birds are likely to have 
retired; unfold the net, and pitch it exactly to 
the height of the bush, between the wind and 
the birds, as they always roost with their breasts 
towards the wind. Let a person, with a lantern 
or lighted torch, stand behind the middle of the 
net, while another beats the bushes on the oppo- 
site side, driving them towards the light, when 
they will readily fly to the quarter where the 
torch is held, and fall into the net. This method 
succeeds best in woods, where holly bushes grow 
under the trees, and when the weather is cold 
anddark. In oven countries a trammel-net may 
be used, which is generally about thirty-six yards 
in length, and six in breadth, the lower end of 
which is plumbed to make it lie close, while the 
upper end is kept suspended at the two corners, 
and is thus dragged along the ground at about a 
yard in height. At each end lights must be car- 
ried, and persons stationed with long poles to 
raise up the birds as they procecd, and to take 
them as they ascend under the nets. Along with 
the nets and lights, a bell is frequently employed 
in open countries and stubble fields, from the 
middle of October to the end of March. At 
night, when the air is mild, take a low bell of a | 
deep and hollow sound, and of such a size as to 
be conveniently carried in one hand; and pro- 
vide a lantern or a square box, lined with tin, 
and open at one side, into which two or three 
large lights are to be placed. Fix the box to the 
breast, carry the bell in the left hand, and with 
the right hold a hand-net, about two feet broad 
and three long; or the light may be held in the 
hand, with the arm extended forward, while the 
bell is tied to the girdle, and hangs down upon 
the knees, by the motion of which it is made to 
sound. A companion may walk on each side, 
provided with a hand-net three or four feet 
square, but keeping a little behind, that he may 
not be within the reflection of the light. The 
sound of the bell makes the birds lie close, while 
the light also tends to overpower them; so that 
the net may easily be spread over them, as they 
are seen lying on the ground. Birds are also 
taken with nets during the day, especially in 
