1 1 6 The Gamekeeper at Home. 



CHAPTER VI. 



HIS ENEMIES— BIRDS AND BEASTS OF PREY — 

 TRESPASSERS. 



THERE are other enemies of game life besides human 

 poachers whose numbers must be kept within bounds 

 to ensure successful sport. The thirst of the weasel 

 for blood is insatiable, and it is curious to watch the 

 persistency with which he will hunt down the particular 

 rabbit he has singled out for destruction. Through 

 the winding subterranean galleries of the ' buries ' with 

 their cross-passages, ' blind ' holes and 'pop ' holes 

 (i.e. those which end in undisturbed soil, and those 

 which are simply bored from one side of the bank to 

 the other, being only used for temporary concealment), 

 never once in the dark close caverns losing sight or 

 scent of his victim, he pursues it with a species of 

 eager patience. It is generally a long chase. The 

 rabbit makes a dash ahead and a double or two, and 

 then halts, usually at the mouth of a hole : perhaps 

 to breathe. By-and-by the weasel, baffled for a few 



