Birds are taken also by various kinds of traps, which are frequently formed in a very simple man lier, of nooses made of hair, and which are pla ced 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 when ever the sun is obscured by a cloud ; and, by dig ging a number of small holes in the ground, in each of which is placed a noose of hair, they are taken in the open downs in great numbers. Wood cocks and snipes are caught in a similar manner, by placing the nooses along their paths, in marshy and most grounds. Larks and other small birds may be taken in the same way, when the ground is covered with snow, by stretching along the surface 100 or 200 yards of packthread, pegging it down at the 'distance of every 20 yards, and fastening, 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 auproach ing.
One of the most successful modes of bird-catching is by the net, which is chiefly employed 'luring the night, and which requires several coals. accompani ments. 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 to wards 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 *cured ; 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 opposite 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 and dark. In open countries a trammel-net may be used, which is generally about thirty-six yards in length, and six in breadth, the lower cud of which is plumbed to make it lie close, while the upper end is kept suspended at the two corners, anti.
is thus dragged along the ground at about a yard in height.' At each end lights must be carried, and persons stationed with long poles to raise up the 'birds as they proceed, and to take them as they as cend 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 provide 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 extend ed 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 dim ; so that the net may easily be spread over them, as they are seen ly ing on the ground. Birds are also taken with nets during the day, especially in those seasons of the year when they change their situation ; in the month of October, for instance, when the wild birds begin to fly, and in March when the smaller kinds assemble for pairing. They are chiefly on the wing from day-break to noon, 'and always fly against the wind. The bird-catchers, therefore, lay their nets towards that point to which the wind blows. The nets employed in this way are generally twelve yards and a half long, and two and a half wide ; and are spread on the ground parallel to each other in such a manner as to meet when turned over. They are ,provided with lines fastened in such a way, that, by a sudden pull, the bird-catcher is able to draw them over the birds, that may have alighted in the space 'between those parallel sides. In order to entice the wild birds to alight among the nets, call-birds are employed, of which there must be one or two of each of the different kinds which are expected to be caught, such as linnets, goldfinches, greenfinches, woodlarks, red-polls, yellow hammers, titlarks, aber davines, and bullfinches. Besides the call-birds, there are others denominated fur-birds, which are placed upon a moveable perch within the net, called a flur, and which can be raised or depressed at plea sure ; and these are secured to the fur by means of a brace or bandage of slender silk string fastened round the body'of the bird. The call-birds are dis posed, at proper intervals, in cages, at a little dis tance from the nets ; and as soon as they sec or hear the approach of the wild birds, which they perceive long before it can be observed by the bird-catchers, they announce the intelligence, from cage to cage, with the greatest appearance of joy ; and they pro ceed to invite them to alight, by a succession of notes, or short jerks, as they are termed by the bird-catchers, which may often be heard at a consi derable distance. The moment that this call is heard by the wild birds, they stop their flight, and descend towards the nets ; and so great is the as cendancy and fascination of the call-birds, that they can induce the others to return repeatedly to the nets, till every bird in the flock be caught.—Night ingales arc taken with small trap-nets, without the aid of call-birds. These nets are not much larger than a cabbage-net ; are surrounded at the bottom with an iron ring ; and are baited with a meal-worm from the baker's shop.--In fine sunny weather, sky larks are allured within reach of the clap-nets, by means of small bits of looking-glass fixed in a piece of wood in the middle of the nets, and put into a quick whirling motion, by a string in the hand of the bird-catcher. Grouse and partridge may b.:: taken in the evening, by observing where they alight, and drawing a net over them ; or, in the day-time, by employing a steady dog to point at them ; and while their attention is fixed upon the animal, a large net, drawn by one person at each end, may ea sily be passed over them.