RA BBIT-SHOOTING 393 



stronghold for many a stout fox, seldom indeed 

 proving faithless when the hounds go there to 

 draw. And despite the foxes, which are, perhaps, 

 ' none too few, but all too many,' the rabbits swarm 

 and hold their own. Leggings, the keeper, may 

 aver to the contrary, but foxes and rabbits can 

 exist together in the same covert, and in very 

 tolerable amity. Leggings doubtless finds rabbits 

 more profitable than foxes ! 



Rabbit-shooting in these large patches of gorse 

 is often first-rate sport. The rabbits must be kept 

 within bounds for the sake of the crops, and so 

 periodical parties are organized for the purpose. 

 The gorse is cut into large square patches by rides 

 which intersect each other at regular intervals, and 

 with the assistance of some four or five couple of 

 dogs (every cur in the village being requisitioned 

 for the purpose), to keep the rabbits moving, and a 

 strong line of beaters to prevent their breaking back, 

 there is plenty of work for half a dozen guns. 



It is by no means easy to stop a rabbit going 

 full swing across a ride, especially if the ride is a 

 narrow one, and it is a feat which requires no 

 little practice to accomplish. There is no time to 

 bring up the gun to the shoulder from the hip ; it 

 must be kept close up under the arm, ready to drop 

 into its place the instant a rabbit shows. A novice 

 at the work, though, perhaps, a fairly good 

 shot under other circumstances, will find that 

 it is possible to expend a good deal of powder 

 and shot, with very small results. The majority 



