Snaring Hares. 149 



missed, and there is a hue and cry ; but the loss of 

 outsiders is not immediately noticed. 



The wire is, perhaps, the regular poacher's best 

 implement, and ground game his most profitable 

 source of income. Hares exist in numbers upon the 

 downs, especially near the localities where the great 

 coursing meetings are held, where a dozen may be 

 kicked out of the grass in five minutes. In these 

 districts of course the downs are watched ; but hares 

 cannot be kept within bounds, and wander miles and 

 miles at night, limping daintily with their odd gait 

 (when undisturbed) along the lanes leading into the 

 ploughed fields on the lower slopes and plains. The 

 hills — wide and almost pathless, and practically des- 

 titute of fences— where the foot leaves no trail on 

 the short grass and elastic turf, are peculiarly favour- 

 able to illicit sport. 



Though apparently roaming aimlessly, hares have 

 their regular highways or ' runs ;' and it is the poacher's 

 business to discover which of these narrow paths are 

 most beaten by continuous use. He then sets his 

 wire, as early in the evening as compatible with safety 

 to himself, for hares are abroad with the twilight. 



Long practice and delicate skill are essential to 

 successful snaring. First, the loop itself into which 

 the hare is to run his head must be of the exact size. 



