Bloodhounds of the Hedgerow. 1 1 7 



minutes, comes up behind. Instantly the rabbit slips 

 over the bank outside and down the ditch for a dozen 

 yards, and there enters the ' bury ' again. The weasel 

 follows, gliding up the bank with a motion not unlike 

 that of the snake ; for his body and neck are long and 

 slender and his legs short. Apparently he is not in 

 haste, but rather lingers over the scent. This is re- 

 peated five or six times, till the whole length of the 

 hedgerow has been traversed — sometimes up and 

 down again. The chase may be easily observed by 

 any one who will keep a little in the background. 

 Although the bank be tenanted by fifty other rabbits, 

 past whose hiding-place the weasel must go, yet they 

 scarcely take any notice. One or two whom he has 

 approached too closely bolt out and in again ; but as 

 a mass the furry population remain quiet, as if per- 

 fectly aware that they are not yet marked out for 

 slaughter. 



At last, having exhausted the resources of the 

 bank the rabbit rushes across the field to a hedgerow, 

 perhaps a hundred yards away. Here the wretched 

 creature seems to find a difficulty in obtaining admit- 

 tance. Hardly has he disappeared in a hole before 

 he comes out again, as if the inhabitants of the place 

 refused to give him shelter. For many animals have 

 a strong tribal feeling, and their sympathy, like that of 



