a bird-catcher, fowler (Ov. A.
3.669 ; Varr. L. L.
8.61, and ap. Non. 1, 97),
the occupation called aucupium
The Romans, like the modern Italians, were fond of the flesh of small birds,
and caught them in large quantities. In great families slaves were employed
for this purpose, forming a part of the familia
but freedmen and poor people also caught small birds,
which they sold at Rome in the vicus Tuscus, near the Forum (Hor. Sat.
2.3, 227; cf. Plaut. Trin.
2.4, 7). The fowlers used for catching birds gins and
Pallad. 13.6; pedicae,
Verg. G. 1.307
), rods tipped with bird-lime
Petron. 40; Sil. Ital. 7.674
; V. Fl. 6.260
1.1, 17; calami aucupatorii,
6]; clap-nets, held by two parallel rods or
Pallad. 10.12; Hor.
2.33; amites, perticae
Fest. p. 21, Müller), in connexion with which
) or call-birds, especially the
), were used (Pallad. l.c.;
1.3, 67); traps
4.5, 22; id. Rud.
4.7, 10; id. Pers.
&c. The time for catching birds was from December to March (Pallad.
13.6); and the birds most frequently mentioned as caught were thrushes
2.33; Plaut. Bacch.
4.5, 22). (See Rein, in Pauly, Encyclop.
ii.2 s. v.)