POISONING AND TRAPPING 305 



slits are cut in the paper, through which the 

 rats fall, while the corners spring back making 

 a deceptive surface for the next visitor. One 

 of many variations of this, is a barrel with a 



FORMS OF THE BARREL-TRAP FOR RATS. 



The one on the left is covered with stiff paper, sprinkled 

 with bait (b), and so slit that the rats fall through, while 

 the corners of the paper fly back into, place. The one on the 

 right has a tipping cover, resting on a cleat (a) at one side. 



top swinging on pivots which dumps a rat that 

 leaps upon it, then rises level again. 



When a great many rats are known to have 

 gathered in a certain place, as under an old 

 corn-shock (perhaps left and baited for the very 

 purpose) a wire fence may be thrown around 

 \t, the shock overturned, and the rats killed 



