Sta Iking Rabbits, i o I 



lift his head inquiringly from the grass. Then stop, 

 and remain still as the elm tree hard by. In a minute 

 or two, reassured, the ears perked up so sharply fall 

 back, and he feeds again. Another advance of ten 

 or twenty yards, and up go the ears — you are still till 

 they drop once more. The rabbit presently turns his 

 back towards you, sniffing about for the tenderest 

 blades ; this is an opportunity, and an advance of 

 forty or fifty paces perhaps is accomplished. Now, 

 if you have a rook-rifle you are near enough ; if a 

 smooth-bore, the same system of stalking must be 

 carried farther yet. If you are patient enough to 

 wait when he takes alarm, and only to advance when 

 he feeds, you are pretty sure to ■ bag ' him. 



Sometimes, when thus gliding with stealthy tread, 

 another rabbit will suddenly appear out of the ditch 

 within easy reach ; it is so quiet he never suspected 

 the presence of an enemy. If you pause and keep 

 quite still, which is the secret of all stalking, he will 

 soon begin to feed, and the moment he turns his back 

 towards you up goes the gun ; not before, because if 

 he sees your arm move he will be off to the ditch. 

 True, a snap-shot might be made as he runs, which at 

 first sight would appear more sportsmanlike than 

 'potting;' but it is not so, for it is ten chances to 

 one that you do not kill him dead on the spot in the 



