because there was a fowling-floor connected with it, where I spent many a
pleasant evening. It could be used only after breeding-time, and
consisted of a hut built of boughs where the birdcatcher lodged. Flowing
water rippled over the little wooden rods on which the feathered denizens
of the woods alighted to quench their thirst before going to sleep. When
some of them--frequently six at a time--had settled on the perches in the
trough, it was drawn into the but by a rope, a net was spread over the
water and there was nothing more to do except take the captives out.

The name of the director of this amusement was Merbod. He could imitate
the voices of all the birds, and was a merry, versatile fellow, who knew
how to do a thousand things, and of whom we boys were very fond.

The peasant Bredernitz often took us to his crow-hut, which was a hole in
the ground covered with boughs and pieces of turf, where the hunters lay
concealed. The owl, which lured the crows and other birds of prey, was
fastened on a perch, and when they flew up, often in large flocks, to
tease the old cross-patch which sat blinking angrily, they were shot down
from loop-holes which had been left in the hut. The hawks which prey
upon doves and hares, the crows and magpies, can thus easily be
decimated.

We had learned to use our guns in the playground. The utmost caution was
enforced, and although, as I have already remarked, we handled our own
guns when we were only lads of twelve years old, I can not recall a
single accident which occurred.

Once, during the summer, there was a Schutzenfest, in which a large
wooden eagle was shot from the pole. Whoever brought down the last
splinter became king. This honour once fell to my share, and I was