282 Practical Game Preserving. 



a preliminary, to discover whence the vermin come whose 

 capture is desired. Having made quite certain of this, the 

 next information to obtain is the situation of the nearest 

 rabbit burrow containing a small colony of these animals, 

 or else some spot where the stoats, polecats, &c., as the 

 case may be, would find plenty of scope for the exercise 

 of their rapacious habits. When these vermin leave their 

 habitation (of course they keep separate from and never 

 come within respectful distance of one another's hunting 

 grounds), they do so at one extremity, and wend their 

 way towards any gap or gateway in the immediate 

 neighbourhood, where they are almost certain to stop and 

 rub themselves against the bars and posts, or perhaps 

 against the rough tree branches which may represent a 

 gate. This propensity on the part of the polecat, stoat, 

 and weasel exposes them to considerable danger, for 

 the opportunity is offered of employing a trap or two, 

 with almost certainty of success. If the barrier be a 

 proper gate, or such bars regularly fitted as often do 

 duty for the same, then the gins should be placed under 

 whatever may form the division (provided always that 

 this latter be not too low) where there may appear to 

 be the run of a rabbit or any similar track. A second 

 trap should be placed at the end of a gate, between 

 it and the post to which it is hung. If there be again 

 a space between this latter and the wall or bank which 

 forms the fence of the field, another gin may be put here ; 

 also, if an opening of a like nature exists, on the opposite 

 end of the gate. Should there be a good clear passing 

 place at either extremity, then one of the gins placed 



