78 THE RABBIT 



help it. The three first-named are best caught in one 

 of two ways : either in an iron trap (or gin) over which 

 a bait is suspended, or in a box-trap. In the former 

 case the trap should be set close to the wall or fence 

 which surrounds the warren, and on the outside, not 

 only to avoid catching a rabbit, but because a stoat 

 or weasel, in an attempt to get in, will run a long 

 way on the outside of the fence and quite close to it. 

 The bait should be suspended at a little height above 

 the trap, so as to cause the animal to rear up in its 

 attempt to reach it, and, by overbalancing, to drop 

 on the plate of the trap and so get caught. The trap 

 in this case should always be set with the catch next 

 the wall, for, if placed the other way, the intended 

 victim might not be heavy enough to weigh down the 

 lever and so spring the trap. The entrails of a rabbit 

 or fowl make as good a bait as can be used, the smell 

 being attractive for a long distance. If this cannot 

 be procured immediately it is wanted, and a bit of 

 butcher's meat has to be substituted, it may be made 

 more enticing by scenting it with musk, or oil of 

 rhodium, or aniseed. This will be attractive also to 

 rats and cats ; but of them we shall have more to say 

 later. A trap should never be re-set in the same 

 place after a kill, and should be handled as little as 

 possible, and with gloves on, for these wild creatures 



