76 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HARE 



to procure the requisite material. After finishing a 

 clay's honest toil, the 'Whale' casually strolled home by 

 way of a likely spot for his pastime. He proceeded 

 to set his snares and left for his cottage. Unluckily, 

 his calculations were upset by a smart keeper, who 

 happened to be abroad early next day and saw the 

 snares. He did not remove them, but hid up in the 

 corn for the arrival of the marauder. When the 

 ' Whale ' lifted his snares, the keeper jumped up and 

 wished him a fine morning. As soon as the matter 

 was reported to the tenant farmer, he dispensed with 

 the services of the ' Whale.' Had the farmer, how- 

 ever, been previously interested in the preservation of 

 hares, I doubt whether the labourer would have cared 

 to risk his situation by the misconduct described. 



Unless farmers happen to be sportsmen, they gene- 

 rally adopt a laissez-faire position on the subject of the 

 game laws, and readily overlook the moral obliquity 

 of a useful hand whose unfortunate penchant for fur 

 is perhaps his only weakness. What I have said, of 

 course, applies more particularly to England and the 

 lowland portions of Scotland. I do not think that 

 Highlanders lend themselves very kindly to the tricks 

 of the Saxon poacher, though I am bound to admit 

 that here and there some dishonest shepherds and 

 crofters levy toll upon the game in their district. But 



