588 MODERN FARRIER. 



witness, or his own confession, before a justice of 

 the peace, forfeit to the injured party treble damages 

 and costs, be imprisoned for three months, and find 

 security for future good behaviour: but the prose- 

 cution must be commenced before the expiration of 

 one month after the offence has been committed. 



By the same statute it is also enacted, that no 

 person shall kill or take in the itight any rabbits 

 upon the holders of warrens or other grounds law- 

 fully used for keeping conies, except the owner or 

 , lawful possessor of the ground upon Avhich such 

 rabbits may be found, or a person employed by such 

 owner or possessor. And offence subjects the party 

 to make such satisfaction as the justice shall think 

 proper, and to forfeit, for the use of the poor, a sum 

 not exceeding ten shillings ; or be committed to the 

 house of correction for a term not exceeding one 

 month. This penalty too is inflicted by the same 

 act upon any person found setting or using any 

 snares or other engines for the taking or destroying 

 of conies. 



By 9 Geo. T. c. 22, (called the Black Act,) any 

 person entering, arvicd and disguised, any grounds 

 where rabbits are lawfully kept, and robbing the 

 same ; or who shall, though 7iot armed and disguised^ 

 rescue any person in custody for such an offence, or 

 procure any person to join him in such an act, such 

 person shall be deemed guilty of felony without 

 benefit of clero-v. 



The act of 5 Geo. III. c. 14, makes it transporta- 

 tion for seven years, or such lesser punishment by 

 whipping, iiDprisonment, or fine, as the court shall 

 think fit, for any person to enter any rabbit-ground 

 in the night time, and there take or kill any coney 

 aixairjst the will oi the owner, or aid and assist 

 therein. 



If rabbits, however, come upon a person's ground, 

 .and diimage his herbage, or corn, it is lawful for him 

 to kill them. 



