The Wild Rabbit Warrens. 169 



sive warrens for various periods. They were for the most 

 part very successful pecuniarily, although it was a rather 

 uncertain kind of enterprise in which to embark, on account of 

 the widely differing prices which the produce yielded at closely 

 following intervals. The marketable produce, be it remarked, 

 then consisted in the skins rather than the carcases. The 

 trade in the carcases was neither so great nor generally so 

 satisfactory, and the supply of rabbits became often so large 

 as to more than equal the demand, while, even when this 

 was not the case, the wholesale price obtainable was often 

 so low as half-a-crown a dozen for prime wild rabbits. 

 Hence it will be seen that it would be within the range of 

 possibility to go too fast even nowadays, when things are 

 much changed ; over-production might easily spoil the market 

 and weary the consumer an error not easily repaired. 

 It remains, however, under existing conditions, that the 

 supply of rabbits could be greatly increased to the profit 

 of the preserver. 



The construction of a rabbit warren before being entered 

 upon should receive due and careful consideration, not only 

 in the matter of situation, but on many other points the 

 importance of which will become evident as we proceed. 

 In order to avoid falling into a capital error, we will 

 endeavour to point out the forms of warren best suited 

 respectively to particular local features. 



There are various descriptions of warrens the main- 

 tenance of which, on certain defined plans, is associated with 

 success. Of these, one is essentially natural in its character, 

 as far as the life of the rabbits is concerned. Indeed, were 

 it not that the range of its excursions is limited, and the 



