THE HARE AND HER TROD 



77 



whatever the nationaHty of the poacher, he requires to 

 possess a competent knowledge of the habits of his 

 quarry, if he hopes to prosecute his misdeeds with 

 success. The hare in particular exacts a careful study, 

 since its habits are whimsical and vary with the locality. 

 The hare is keenly alive to the state of the weather. 

 For example, if the night promises to be coarse, and 

 the wind is blowing hard, the hare does not venture 

 out into the centre of the held as boldly as is her wont. 

 She prefers to keep out of reach of the wind, and, 

 therefore, browses along the edge of her favourite 

 cover. 



The necklace, or snare, which proves fatal every 

 year to thousands of brown hares, is a very simple 

 affair, and can be made in a very few minutes. It 

 consists of a running noose, the end of which termi- 

 nates in a round loop or eye. A piece of strong cord 

 passes through the eye of the snare and secures it to 

 a brick or a stout peg driven firmly into the ground. 

 The noose is kept in its proper place by a pin, a forked 

 piece of wood which is driven into the ground and 

 supports the straight end of the noose. Opinions 

 differ as to the precise height at which a snare should 

 be suspended ; but as a general rule the lower edge 

 of the snare is set about seven inches above the ground, 

 if it is intended for a hare in the open. If a snare is 



