\\\. GROUND GAME SHOOTIXG {PART 77) 409 



This is the only method by which all the rabbits, when a number 

 are congregated in a thick corner, can be successfully shown to the 

 If there are pheasants in the corner, the guns (IV), (V), (VI) will 

 of course have to stand away from its end and facing it, and take their 

 chance of the rabbits that break past them, which they are not many of 

 them likely to do when they see the shooters in the open. The best way 

 to manage if there are pheasants is to give the forward guns these to 

 fire at, by sending a few men to drive the birds out first, and then 

 for all the beaters to form line, and in close formation force the 

 rabbits still in the corner back past the guns standing on the ride. 



If there is no winged game, the guns (IV), (Vi, (VI) should stand 

 with their backs to the corner and close to it, and kill the rabbits as 

 they bolt past them out of cover. 



THE PRESERVATION OF RABBITS 



It is a common error to suppose that rabbits 

 take care of themselves, and that all you need do is 

 to leave a sufficient stock one season to produce an 

 ample supply for the ensuing one. 



Rabbits deteriorate very rapidly if they are allowed 

 to breed among themselves without a change of blood, 

 though if they have liberty to range over a large 

 acreage, and are not in numbers, they will keep 

 healthy enough, as they then shift their ground and 

 mix their relationship in a natural way. 



If, however, rabbits are permitted to breed 

 numerously, whether in woods or warrens, or indeed 

 on any inclosed land they cannot stray from, they 

 soon contract disease and diminish in number, and 

 from a lack of health will neither run with spirit, nor 

 be fit for food, nor be able to withstand a small 

 amount of cold and wet. 



