116 BABBIT-SHOOTING. 



RABBIT-SHOOTING. 



HOWEVEB it may appear to the inexperienced, it is a 

 known fact that there is as much or more caution neces- 

 sary in rabhit-shooting than perhaps in the taking of any 

 other game. The best weather for this sport is in the 

 intervals of storms, when the sun breaks forth with re- 

 newed splendour, and when there is little wind moving. 

 In this sort of weather, rabbits will feed at all hours of 

 the day, and are more easy to come at than when the 

 weather is dry. The best way of approaching them un- 

 observed is by wearing dark clothes, and always crouch- 

 ing as near the ground as possible, with a slow and 

 regular pace. In coming up to them it is best to have 

 the wind in the teeth, as that hinders them from scenting 

 any one until within gun-shot. If a sportsman should 

 come upon a number of them feeding together, and, on 

 account of their size, not be able to distinguish young 

 from old, by a gentle whistle, or other small noise, it 

 will - be found that the old ones will immediately seek 

 the covert, while the young ones remain pricking up 

 their ears. For shooting rabbits in winter, first provide 

 dogs of good nose and foot, who will stick close to the 

 same rabbit till he is either earthed or shot. Terriers, 

 some think, answer the purpose best. The most proper 

 station to be taken is in a tree, near the earth, which 

 should be previously stopped, or at the corner of a wood 



