I40 THE RABBIT 



and to look all of one colour. To work it effectively, 

 a tolerably dark night should be selected, with 

 the wind blowing from the covert. A number of 

 hazel pegs are prepared about two and a half feet 

 long, with a bit cut out of the top of each so as to 

 form a shoulder. One man carries the pegs, another 

 the net gathered up by coiling the top line, and 

 putting a little strap through to buckle the folds 

 together till wanted. The former begins by driving 

 in a peg, and then another and another at intervals 

 of ten paces apart ; the latter follows, giving the top 

 string of the net one turn round the top of each peg 

 to hold it in position. This must be done as noise- 

 lessly as possible, and when all is in readiness, one of 

 the men, making a circuit to get round the rabbits 

 (which on a dry night will feed a long way out from 

 covert), gradually drives them in, while the other, with 

 one or more helpers as the length of net may require, 

 stays back to extricate them from the net, or to knock 

 them on the head with a stick as they try to force 

 their way through. 



A dog that will hunt mute, and has a good turn 

 of speed, is invaluable for this kind of work, as he can 

 get so quickly and yet so quietly round the rabbits, 

 and work them in the required direction as a colley 

 works sheep. Sometimes a few hares get * run in,' 



