4i 8 Practical Game Preserving. 



or five caught at one time in this manner ; and if the trap 

 be alternately set and tied up at intervals of two or three 

 days, it can be worked with advantage often for some 

 time. A judicious use of oil of aniseed inside the trap 

 is advisable, and improves the chances of good catches. 



Of the " New American Trap " we have already spoken 

 unfavourably, and more especially would we advise the non- 

 adoption of it, in spite of splendid arrays of stuffed rats we 

 see hanging outside shops where these articles are sold, care- 

 fully placed in the traps as f( caught this morning." In order 

 to give this trap a chance, we tried it under most favourable 

 circumstances, and although several times in succession the 

 bait was removed by rats, we never caught one ; and on 

 subsequent experiments we found that the trap will not 

 catch except on one side, and on special conditions by which 

 the taking of the bait by the vermin must be effected. If 

 the rat approach from the side on which is the wire holding 

 the jaws down, it is probable that it will not get caught, it 

 being perfectly possible to take the bait off the trigger and 

 even pull at this latter without springing the trap, while, if 

 this should occur, any fair-sized rat is jerked clear of the trap, 

 while a small one can remain still while the jaws snap 

 together outside it. Besides, owing to the action of the 

 machine, it can only effectually be placed on solid substances, 

 such as board or stone. When set on corn the jaw flies back, 

 giving the animal every chance to get clear ; so that, taking 

 all things into consideration, it is not a trap at all. 



The " Break Back " rat-trap, to which we have already 

 alluded, is an excellent trap for rats ; when properly used it 

 is very efficacious in catching those that have purloined 



