306 Practical Game Preserving. 



when the spring flies down, and, as the name of the trap 

 implies, breaks the back of the animal. A very excellent 

 mode of varying this trap so as to be more adapted for 

 vermin catching is, while making it twice as large, to 

 substitute for the hook upon which the bait is hung the 

 trigger arrangement of the High Elms trap. 



Again, the " New American Rat Trap " may be used 

 for vermin to a certain extent, but we should not like 

 to advocate the use of it at all, but just mention a par- 

 ticular manner in which it may be employed with a 

 chance of success. The principle upon which these traps 

 are made is pretty well known, and needs no further 

 description more than that two half circles of strong wire 

 are sprung together by a spring, which is released by the 

 animal to be caught touching the bait upon the triggers ; 

 but, further, it must be observed that this touching must 

 take place only from the front of the trap, or otherwise 

 it will not " go off " at all. Now, this peculiarity, of 

 course, spoils the trap, except for employment in one 

 particular manner, which is as follows : A reference to 

 the drawing, Fig. 23 shows the trap set. To a a piece 

 of thin chain, or two or three strands of picture wire 

 twisted, must be attached, say the length about 6in., and 

 a stake of some length, say ift, similar to the gin stakes, 

 firmly secured to one end. Fig. 24 represents the trigger 

 of the trap as working at b. The point of this at c must 

 be bent in the direction of the dotted line, so as to form 

 a hook. Upon this fix a bait of not more than 2oz. 

 weight. Then, to set the trap, choose some spot upon 

 the side of a wall or hedgerow, and, having driven in the 



