Effects of Shot. 103 



midst of their career, roll head over heels dead. 

 Both hares and rabbits are occasionally killed with 

 marks of old shot wounds, but not very often, and 

 they are but of a slight character — the pellets are 

 found just under the skin, with a kind of lump round 

 them. Shot holes through the ears are frequently 

 seen, of course doing no serious harm. 



Now and then a rabbit hit in the head will run 

 round and round in circles, making not the slightest 

 attempt to escape. The first time I saw this, not 

 understanding it, I gave the creature the second 

 barrel ; but next time I let the rabbit do as he would. 

 He circled round and round, going at a rapid pace. 

 I stood in his way, and he passed between my legs. 

 After half a dozen circles the pace grew slower. 

 Finally, he stopped, sat up quite still for a minute 

 or so, and then drooped and died. The pellet had 

 struck some portion of the brain. 



I once, while looking for snipe with charges of 

 small shot in the barrels, roused a fine hare, and fired 

 without apparent effect. But after crossing about half 

 of the field with a spaniel tearing behind, he began to 

 slacken speed, and I immediately followed. The hare 

 dodged the spaniel admirably, and it was with the 

 utmost difficulty I secured him (refraining from firing 

 the second barrel on purpose). H e had been stopped 



