Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/293

Rh over the fields, and perceiving a lark hit the net, drop it, and thus secure the bird.

We shall pass over the singular and hazardous methods of bird-catching practised by the inhabitants of the Orkney Islands, and in other parts of the world. But the following manner of taking birds alive, by means of a fusee or musket, is so ingenious, that we shall communicate it to our readers. It was invented by M. de, during his travels in Africa: if his plan be practicable, it will certainly facilitate the researches of the Ornithologist.—Put a smaller or larger quantity of gunpowder into the musket, according as circumstances may require. Immediately above it, place the end of a candle of sufficient thickness, ramming it well down; and then fill the barrel with water up to the mouth. When at a proper distance, fire the musket thus loaded at a bird, which will only be stunned, by watering and moistening its feathers, and may be easily laid hold of, before it has time, by fluttering, to injure its plumage.  BIRD-LIME is a viscid matter used for catching birds.—There are different ways of preparing this substance, but it is generally made of holly bark, which is boiled ten or twelve hours; and when its green rind is separated, it is covered up in a moist place, to stand for a fortnight. It is afterwards reduced to a tough paste, and washed in a running stream, till no impurities appear. Next, it is suffered to ferment for four or five days, during which it must be frequently skimmed. Afterwards it is mixed over the fire, with a third part of nut-oil, or thin grease, and thus rendered fit for use.

Dr. observes, that this resinous material possesses uncommon adhesiveness to feathers, and other dry, porous bodies; whence it has obtained the name of bird-lime. It much resembles the , or elastic resin, imported from South America; and is also similar to a fossil elastic bitumen found near Matlock, in Derbyshire; both in its elasticity and inflammability. He farther suggests, that holly may be worth cultivating, both for its wood, and the quantity it contains of this elastic matter. On this occasion, the Doctor mentions a remarkable fact, deserving the attention of rural economists. About thirty years ago, a person who purchased a wood in Yorkshire, sold the bird-lime prepared from the bark of the numerous holly-trees, to a Dutch merchant, for nearly the whole sum given for the wood. If, therefore, this substance could be hardened, it might probably be substituted for the caoutchouc, or India-rubber.

The German method of preparing bird-lime is, by putting about two pounds of lintseed oil into a pot, to simmer upon the fire for some time, after which it is taken off, and lighted with a match. In this state of inflammation, it continues about two hours, when half the quantity will be consumed. By dipping, from time to time, a stick into the oil, and trying the matter between the fingers, its proper glutinous consistence may be easily ascertained; on which the pot is covered, and the flame extinguished.

Water bird-lime may be prepared as follows: Take a pound of strong and good ordinary bird-lime, wash it thoroughly in 