The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-29

In Holland bird-catching IN autumn is q re-
! guler business and huts are built among the
sandhiils or in the meadows Joining them. in
/ wA'ch the men can sit IN comfort SAYS the St
/ LOUIS Mechanic. A small window on one side
/ looks on the "vinkie baan.' the Ievel space
! between low banks under which the nest lies
! whefe iinnets and sisklns are tetnered TO long
/ twlgs. The ground is strewed with arain, and
at little distance the best call birds are
| placed IN their cages. Gold inches are most
/ priced. for they constantly utter their ripping
| song, but redp0le or wel.-trained chalAnch
| Is Almost equally good.
Holland lies on two Of the main routes by
| when birds travel from the north. fer those
| that come down the Baltic cross the land st
Denmark while along the German ocean
travel thousands from Norway and Sweden.
The mainstay OI the bird-catchers are the
hen chaihnches. which leave their mates in
scandinavia and come in thousands TO South
EN- Europe Two hundred in a day is not az
all an unusual number 10 be taken at one
ylnkie baau.' These are an killed for the
table. and TONS of them. with their heads
fastened IN q split hazel stick. like pGrtrdges
IN q gane-carrer, are seen IN every pOulter-
ers shop. he rarer birds bramhnngs
cross-bil!s and redpOles.are saved and sold
for cage-brds. for the Dutch are particularly
fond of ayiaries and clever at tanning all
kinds Of creatures
The writer has often spent IA afternoon in
the hut watching for the passing OF ilOcks OF
chafhnces. The tame birds begin to call
when they see the wild ones passing. the men
whistle and pull the strings 20 which the
birds are attached, and as they futter from
the ground the rock wheel settle in the
trees close 10y, and then fly down 20 the grain.
Hardly nave they pitched before the nets
close over them. and tine man runs ont 10
dlsentangle lis captivos Tie tame birds are
so used 90 the nets that they do not lutter
or rulho o feather bat lump back 60 their
twigs eat some more hempseed and sing
anesh, without regarding the death Of their
wild relatives.
Bedpoles inneis and siskins are easily
tanned, especially the first ln Jew days
they become perfectly contentei with cage
lie. in tlct. / know OF one which volUn-
tNily surrendered is liberty The winter
was a severe ono, aud the little fellow came
IN through the open window of a house at
The Hague 10 share their food with tine birds
IN g large ayiary. Their mistress fed him
regularly, and though he had often an OPP
portunlty of escaping ne never avalled him
self of It, bat lived for years tie merriest
occupant If the case
The birds can g taught TO sit motionless
on the back OF q chair. 10 lie dead in
basin of water. 10 draw up their iOOd in an
worry bucket in few days but the trainer
must be prepared 10 give them long lessons
Birds minds differ entirely from those OF
animals they do not learn gradually. and if
they are 10 be trained they must be so most
thor ughly. An hour a day Tor a week will
not have One-Quarter the effect that four
hours of continuous care will achieve. 10 Is
this fact that causes so many disappOintments
in training hawks. for men certainly become
tired ana impatient at the moment when their
labor has begun 10 produce some effect. The
hawk is put back on hi, block and in day
has forgotten tie half-earned lesson. Ia Hol-
land hawks are still caught when on their au-
tumn migration for the line of fight passes.
as II has done from time immemorial, over
the great heath of Valkenswaard in North
Observation-Disclosures American.