DISTRIBUTION OF RABBITS TO THE POOR 39 



hedgestake very soon works a passage down to 

 the rabbit large enough for the dog to work in, or 

 for the insertion of an arm, when out comes the 

 wretched bunny. A quick, dexterous twist with 

 the hand ends his woes, and the next minute he 

 is reposing in the depths of a hare-pocket, or 

 hidden away * to be left till called for.' If anyone 

 is seen approaching, it is an easy matter to throw 

 away the stick and brush down the dog with a 

 wisp of grass. 



The occasional gift of rabbits to the poorer 

 village people is most acceptable to them. Such 

 little kindnesses are ever well bestowed, and much 

 appreciated. They form a welcome addition to 

 the daily fare, and I know, from experience, that 

 the man who is liberal with his rabbits need have 

 little fear of poachers. At one time I rented 

 some shooting which was bounded by an open 

 road over the downs. It was merely rough and 

 furzy rabbit-shooting. On the other side of the 

 road was a similar shooting belonging to a friend 

 of mine, but who was none too liberal in the 

 distribution of his rabbits amongst the villagers. 

 My own rabbits were rarely, if ever, interfered 

 with, whereas those on his side were poached in 

 the most indiscriminate manner. There were no 

 keepers employed on either side, and from the 

 situation and aspect of the other shooting, rabbits 

 should have been far more plentiful than on my 

 own land. I conclude that the village people, 

 knowing that they were sure to get rabbits given 



