sieve of the London markets, with a cover of the same
material fitted to it, and formed on the principle of the fish-pot, and
the vermin trap, into which the entrance is easy, but the return
difficult. These traps, which are an ordinary article of sale in the
markets of the district, are constituted of brown unpeeled oziers. The
diameter about two feet; the depth nine inches; the cover is somewhat
dishing, with a tunnel or inverted cone, in the centre, reaching to
within an inch of the bottom of the basket; the aperture or entrance,
formed by the points of the twigs, of which the tunnel is constructed,
being about an inch and a half in diameter. And the usual bait is wheat
scattered in the basket. The number caught at once, is frequently more
than theory would suggest; the contentions of a few that have entered,
seldom failing to bring others to the combat. These mischievous birds,
however, soon grow too cunning to be taken in any sort of trap to any
extent, which has a chance of extirpating and destroying the race;
consequently some more effectual and certain plan, such as that
suggested above, or some other, which is better and more fully adapted
to the purpose, must be had recourse to in order to completely
exterminate them, and prevent the injury they do annually to the farmer,
in the destruction of his wheat and other crops. Though these are only
small birds, they destroy vast quantities of grain, much more than has
indeed been commonly supposed. It is stated to have been calculated to
have amounted to a hundred sacks of wheat besides the oats and barley,
in the course of only one season, in a township of no very great extent
in the north-western part of the kingdom. Where rewards or sums of money
are paid for the taking or destroying them, no advantages are gained,
except where there are sufficiently ample and proper regulations entered
into and enforced, the whole district, parish, or township, becomes
partakers in the business. No languid or half measures will do any thing
useful, or to the purpose, in this sort of undertaking. It is not
improbable, but that these destructive birds might be greatly extirpated
and thinned down in their numbers, by the use of some tasteless infusion
of a strongly poisonous nature, either to the ears of the grain at the
time of harvest, or to the naked grain in the winter season, when they
are extremely eager for food, as they are constantly found to remain
hovering about houses or o