456 Practical Game Preserving. 



much a matter of chance as to which portion the vermin 

 may mostly frequent, and, frequenting, fall victims to one's 

 gins. However, to a certain extent, as in the former case 

 of the corn-fields, the crows, it will be noticed if they be 

 closely observed, have a portion of the pasture held in more 

 favour than the rest. In this the usual sort of baits may 

 be employed, with traps of the sort considered necessary 

 tilled in numbers to suit the occasion. Either a rabbit, 

 sheep's head, lamb, or the like, will prove enticing ; in either 

 case the traps must be set in zig-zag form around, or else 

 be neatly placed in position where they are certain to be 

 efficacious. We have also very often, with considerable 

 success, used as bait another kind of varmint, namely, hedge- 

 hogs which have been caught. To employ them to best 

 advantage, they should be well cut open and pegged down, 

 spread out to their full extent, and the traps neatly placed 

 round them. Eggs, as well, are equally applicable, and, in 

 brief, the whole category of baits and lures. The presence 

 of trees, whether a few in a clump, or in numbers enough 

 to deserve the name of plantation, or, again, a fair and 

 square wood or covert, always influences the crows to some 

 extent in their choice of feeding ground ; for what reason 

 is not quite apparent, but probably on account of the sup- 

 posed or actual security which the trees offer. Rarely do 

 we find these birds, except out on unfrequented moors, at 

 any material distance from the shelter they appear to relish ; 

 hence, more execution may generally be done, if not entirely 

 in the coverts or woods themselves, at least in close 

 proximity thereto. The situations chosen must, of course, 

 be prominent and easy of notice by the winged vermin, 



