152 The Gamekeeper at Home. 



for ever. For this reason he does not set up more 

 than he can easily manage. If he gets three hares a 

 night (wholesale price 2s. 6d. each) he is well repaid. 

 Rabbits are also wired in great numbers. The loop 

 is a trifle smaller, and should be just a span from the 

 ground. 



But the ferret is the poacher's chief assistant in 

 rabbiting : it takes two men, one on each side of the 

 4 bury,' and a ferret which will not i lie in ' — Le. stay in 

 the hole and feast till overcome with sleep. Ferrets 

 differ remarkably in disposition, and the poacher 

 chooses his with care ; otherwise, if the ferret will not 

 come out the keepers are certain to find him the next 

 day hunting on his own account. Part of the secret is 

 to feed him properly, so that he may have sufficient 

 appetite to hunt well and yet be quickly satisfied with 

 a taste of blood. Skill is essential in setting up the 

 nets at the mouth of the holes ; but beyond the mere 

 knack, easily acquired, there is little to learn in ferret- 

 ing. 



The greatest difficulty with any kind of game is to 

 get home unobserved with the bag. Keepers are 

 quite aware of this ; and in the case of large estates, 

 leaving one or two assistants near the preserves, they 

 patrol the byways and footpaths, while the police 

 watch the cross-roads and lanes which lead to the 



