The Bird Catcher and the Lark

A bird-catcher was setting springs upon a common, when a lark, who saw him at work, asked him from a distance what he was doing. "I am establishing a colony," said he, "and laying the foundations of my first city." Upon that, the man retired to a little distance and hid himself. The lark, believing his assertion, soon flew down to the place and, swallowing the bait, found himself entangled in the noose. The bird-catcher straightway coming up to him and made him his prisoner. "A pretty fellow are you!" said the lark. "If these are the colonies you found, you will not find many emigrants."