138 THE RABBIT 



another, to tell at once whether there is a rabbit ' at 

 home ' or not, and he must be absolutely mute. His 

 business is simply to aid the warrener by pointing, or 

 ' marking ' as it is termed, at the entrance of a burrow 

 which holds a rabbit, and thus to save a considerable 

 amount of time and trouble. 



The net used for this purpose is about 3 feet by 

 2 feet, the narrower sides having brass rings fastened 

 to them, for pegging down, when necessary. It is 

 thrown over the hole when the dog has ' marked,' a 

 ferret is then introduced, and the rabbit is bolted into 

 the net. It is much better to have the net slack than 

 pegged down tight, as the rabbit is then more likely to 

 get rolled up in it, instead of going back, as it would 

 attempt to do, on feeling the net strained. 



The performance may be varied by bolting the 

 rabbit with a fuse instead of a ferret, on which subject 

 we shall have more to say anon. 



The ' long-net ' is a useful thing in the hands of 

 rightful owners, but its utility, unfortunately, is well 

 known to poachers, who do not scruple to make good 

 use of it whenever the)- get a chance. The employ- 

 ment of the ' long-net,' in fact, is one of the most 

 troublesome forms of poaching with which game- 

 keepers have to contend. Its extreme lightness, when 

 made of silk, and the great lengths which may be 



