364 THE GAME PKESERVEK's GUIDE. 



object of natural history is obtained which rarely occurs a 

 second time, and in the same way a keeper has the oppor- 

 tunity to shoot some kind of vermin when he has not got a 

 gun, which all his trapping will fail to obtain for him in 

 that way. He may, and often does, carry it for weeks 

 without using it, but then comes the chance, and he will add 

 to his list of vermin by its aid to a greater extent in one 

 week than his traps have done in a month. Continual 

 shooting will, no doubt, frighten game, and in that way do 

 harm, but an occasional shot once a week or so has never 

 produced that effect, and it is rarely the case that a keeper 

 would be called upon to use his gun twice in the same 

 locality within a week. We all know that vermin may be 

 trapped ; but when the gun comes in aid of that means it is 

 so much gained. A bad trapper I would never employ, nor 

 should I like a keeper who depended upon his gun rather 

 than on his traps; but that some men have done this is 

 no reason why others should not be allowed to use both. A 

 stout useful keeper's gun may be bought new for from 101. 

 to 151. (See p. 253.) 



SELECTION OF PRESERVE OR SHOOTING. 



If the keeper is appointed before the ground, which he is to 

 look over, is chosen, it is always well, if possible, to consult 

 him about it. There are many little things which are likely 

 to strike the eye of the professional in any department, 

 which by the amateur are passed over, and besides this it is 

 well known that we all undertake a task more willingly 

 about which our opinion has been asked and taken. So 

 much depends upon a hearty co-operation in the master's 

 views by the keeper, that a little concession of dignity may 

 fairly be made by the former to him, and I have so often 

 known the opposite plan lead to a bad result that I would 

 strongly advise its being avoided. 



In choosing a manor in the south for the purpose of pre- 

 serving pheasants, partridges, hares, &c., the master is inex- 

 cusable if he is taken in with regard to the head of game 

 remaining, because he can so readily ascertain what is left. 

 The spring is the usual time for letting manors, and at 

 that period of the year it is extremely easy to show what 



