The Art Of Bird Trapping - An Account of Devices For Capturing Wild Eagles, Hawks and Owls

By H.A. Macpherson

A republication of the original 1897 edition. An illustrated study of the various means used in many parts of the world to capture eagles, hawks, owls and other birds of prey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: Sep 13, 2016
• ISBN: 9781473357129

Book preview

INTRODUCTION.

PART I.—THE LITERATURE OF FOWLING.

ALMOST every notable ornithologist has contributed some item of information to the History of Fowling. The first British naturalists who drew attention to this side-branch of our beloved science were Ray and Willughby. Those who follow in their footsteps have shown no desire to abandon the example of their predecessors. Linnæus, Pallas, Bechstein, Naumann, Brehm, Pennant, Bewick, Montagu, Alexander Wilson, Audubon, Savi, Yarrell, Gould, Rowley, Newton, Dresser, Harting, Buller, Finsch, David, A. O. Hume, Collett, Tristram, Salvadori, Giglioli, and Alfred Wallace have all alluded to the devices of the fowler. The names of such distinguished workers may well be held to justify my labour of love in furnishing the public with a careful resumé of this fascinating subject. Many books have been consulted in its preparation. If I venture to omit the names of the majority, it is out of no disrespect to my fellow-students. It is simply because such a catalogue would occupy a great number of pages; for my plan has been to read through every ornithological work that I could find, in the five or six languages which are all that I can personally translate. I earnestly hope that my friends will have the charity to attribute any omissions to the pressing exigencies of space. The imperative necessity of compressing my materials into the smallest possible bulk has compelled me to omit many passages which it would have been pleasant to quote, had such a course been possible without swelling the size of the work to unwieldy dimensions. The accompanying list will explain the authorities to which my text is most indebted.

1. ENGLISH LITERATURE.

A Booke of Fishing with Hooke and Line, and of all other instruments thereunto belonging. Another of Sundrie Engines and Trappes to take Polecats, Buzards, Rattes, Mice and all other kindes of vermine and beasts whatsoever, most profitable for all Warriners, and such as delight in this kinde of sport and pastime. Made by L. M. London. Printed by John Wolfe and are to be solde by Edwarde White dwelling at the little North doore of Paules at the signe of the Gunne. 1590. sm. 4to.

The earliest English work which I have had an opportunity of examining is Leonard Mascall’s A Booke of Fishing with Hooke and Line, first printed as a small quarto in 1590. Three other editions followed in 1596, 1600, and 1606; but I have not been able to purchase a copy of any of the four editions. The first part of the book was reprinted by Thomas Satchell in 1884. This, however, contains but meagre information upon fowling, being mainly "a compilation made by a practical angler from the ‘Treatsye of fyshynge wyth an angle,’ from L’agriculture et maison rustique of Chales Estienne and other sources. The second part of Mascall’s work bears largely upon fowling. The author explains with manifest gusto the order for setting and drawing the chaffe nette, for Crowes and Sparrowes, explaining how the net and staves should be laid in covered trenches, concealed from the prying eyes of birds with some short straws or chaffe. He details in like manner an approved method of capturing Ravens, Pyes, and Crowes:—Ye shall take of Nux vomica, so called, which ye shall buy at the Apothecaries, they are gathered in the sea, and are as broad as a piece of foure pence, and a quarter of an inch thick or more. Those which are the whitest within are counted for the best, when ye will occupie any, doe,—or cut one small in thinne slices, then beate it into powder if ye can, the finer it is the better, and the sooner will make the Crowes or Pyes to fall. Put of the sayde powder into a piece of flesh, and so lay it Abroad, and yee shall soone see Pie, or Crowe, or Raven take it. Then must ye watch him a while after, and ye shall perceive him to fall downe, then must ye follow to take him. But if yee let him remaine one quarter of an houre, he will recover againe, for this nux vomica it doth but make them drunk, and dyzie for a tyme. The Kyte I have not se’ene taken, for he will cast it up againe." Mascall discourses in the same quaint style upon various devices for capturing other birds, several of which are alluded to in the body of the present work.

A Jewell for Gentrie. Being an exact Dictionary or true Method to make any man understand all the Art, Secrets, and worthy Knowledges belonging to Hawking, Hunting, Fowling, and Fishing. Together with all the true Measures for Winding of the Horne. Now newly published, and beautified with all the rarest experiments that are known or practised at this Day. Printed at London for John Helme, and are to sold at his shop in St Dunstanes Church-yard in Fleet Street, 1614. Sm. 4to.

This is another rare quarto in black letter. Mr J. E. Harting, the erudite Librarian of the Linnæan Society, has discovered reasons for suggesting that the author was one Thomas Snodham, whose initials accompany his Dedication, To the Right Worshipfull Mr John Tooke, one of the Auditors of his Maiesties Courts of Wards and Liveries. The author, whoever he may have been, treats amusingly of the nature and properties of fowles in the ayre, and sets down some rules belonging to fowling, to help to further some in that practise, which would faine learne, and hath no teacher. He imparts to his pupils the best method of making birdlime from holly bark, together with other practical hints concerning his favourite pastime.

Hungers Prevention: Or, The whole Art of Fowling by Water and Land. Containing all the secrets belonging to that Art, and brought into a true Forme or Method, by which the most ignorant may know how to take any kind of Fowle, either by Land or Water, Also exceeding necessary and profitable for all such as travell by Sea, and come into unhabited places: Especially, all those that have any thing to doe with New Plantations. By Gervase Markham. London, Printed for Francis Grove, and are to be sold by Martha Harrison at the signe of the Lambe at the East end of St Paules Church. 1655.

The foregoing is the title of my copy, but an earlier edition was published in 1621. The latter differs only from the second edition in the title of the printer and booksellers. Hungers Prevention is a diminutive work, dedicated to The Honorable Knight Sr. Edwin Sands, and to his much honor’d and worthy friends, Mr Thomas Gibbs Esquire, Mr Theodore Gulston Doctor of Physick, and Mr Samuel Rotte Esquire, Adventurers, and Noble favourers of the blessed Plantation of Virginia. The pompous style which pervades The Epistle Dedicatorie is soon forgotten when the author enters upon the theme of Fowling in real earnest. Two out of seventeen chapters are devoted respectively to The use of the Water-Dogge, and to the setting Dogge, his election, and manner of training from A Whelp, till hee come to perfection. A third chapter treats of the Fowling Peece. The remainder of the work, which covers 285 pages, is entirely given up to the usages of Fowling.

The Gentleman’s Recreation. In Two Parts. . . . The second Part treats of Horse-manship, Hawking, Hunting, Fowling, Fishing, and Agriculture. . . . Printed by S. Roycroft for Richard Blome, dwelling at the upper end of Dutchy-Lane, near Somerset-House in the Strand. 1686. Folio.

This work, like most of those which followed it, was mainly a compilation, based on a translation of the Ruses Innocentes, together with Markham; but the description of netting Woodcock bears marks of personal observation.

2. GERMAN LITERATURE.

Grundliche Anweisung alle Arten Von Vögeln