THE WARREN 59 



warrens from the legal aspect, and having thus ob- 

 tained, as I trust, a clear conception of the meaning 

 of the term in its twofold signification, we may pro- 

 ceed to consider some of the more important details 

 connected with the formation and general manage- 

 ment of a warren. 



It will be gathered from what has been already 

 stated, that a warren may be unenclosed, and of con- 

 siderable extent, as, for instance, when on sandhills 

 by the sea, or upon open down-land ; or it may be 

 of comparatively small size, say, forty or fifty acres, 

 and enclosed for greater protection. The larger the 

 feeding area, of course, the better, and the less need 

 is there for enclosure, unless cattle or sheep are 

 allowed to graze in the vicinity, since the rabbits have 

 less incentive for straying, and the very openness of 

 the ground gives greater security, for it makes it 

 more difficult for an enemy to approach unseen. It 

 is naturally otherwise when the warren is confined 

 to a comparatively small area, for to prevent them 

 from straying in search of ' fresh woods and pastures 

 new,' it becomes necessary to confine them within 

 stone walls or a rabbit-proof fence, which may serve 

 the double purpose of preventing the rabbits from 

 getting out, and other creatures from getting in. 



The question of soil is of the first importance, for 



