groove into which a square end board may easily slide up and down, the top board being slightly sawn away to receive it.  An upright stick should then be erected on the top centre of the box, in the tip of which a straight stick should be pivoted, working easily therein, like the arms of a balance.  To one end of this balance, the end board should be adjusted by two screw eyes, and to the other the string with spindle attached.  By now lowering the spindle to its place, the further end of the balance will be raised and with it the end board, and on the release of the spindle the board will fall.  This plan is quite commonly adopted but we rather prefer the former.  But as each has its advantages we present them both.

ANOTHER BOX TRAP.

This works after the manner of the ordinary wire rat-trap; our illustration explains itself.

[Illustration]

The box should be of the shape there shown, with one of its end pieces arranged on hinges so as to fall freely.  An elastic should be fastened from the inside of this end to the inner surface of the top of the box, to insure its closing.  If desired an elastic may be adjusted at the side as shown in the cut and a catch piece of stout tin should be attached to the bottom of the trap to secure the lid when it falls.  A small hole should then be bored in the top, near the further end of the trap, and [Page 107] the spindle, having a notch on its upper end, passed through the hole thus made.  The top of the spindle is shown at (a).  It should be held in its place by a small plug or pin through it, below the surface of the box.  A slender stick, long enough to reach and catch beneath the notch in the spindle should now be fastened to the lid and the trap is complete.  It may be baited with cheese, bread, and the like, and if set for squirrels, an apple answers every purpose.

When constructed on a larger and heavier scale it may be used for the capture of rabbits and animals of a similar size, but for this purpose the previous variety is preferable.

THE FIGURE FOUR TRAP.

[Illustration]

One of the most useful as well as the most ancient inventions in the way of traps is the common Figure Four Trap, which forms the subject of our next illustration.  It is a very ingenious contrivance, and the mechanism, consists merely of three sticks.  It possesses great advantages in the fact that it may be used in a variety of ways, and a number of the machines may be carried by the young trapper with very little inconvenience.  Our illustration shows the trap already set, only awaiting for a slight touch at the bait to bring the heavy stone to the ground.  A box may be substituted for the stone, and the animal may thus be [Page 108] captured alive.  The three sticks are represented separate at a. b. and c.  Of course, there is no regular size