THE SLAUGHTER OF VERMIN. 333 



weasels, artificial runs are very deadly ; they 

 should be both trapped and snared. Small, 

 covered ways in a wood, either placed under 

 the rides or by gates leading out of the wood, 

 are favorite dodges with keepers. The best 

 plan is to make an artificial hedge, five or six 

 yards long, across any corner of a wood, 

 stretching from one real hedge to another. 

 Make a hole, about two and a half inches wide, 

 through the middle of the artificial hedge, and 

 either snare or trap it. The running vermin 

 will be sure to make for this hole through the 

 hedge and so get caught. 



Another plan to catch flying vermin is to 

 hang a net across a ride, both ends being very 

 loosely fastened. The net must be made of 

 fine glover's thread, or silk, and be about four 

 feet deep ; set it two feet from the ground, and 

 so lightly that, when the bird flies against it, it 

 becomes immediately loosened, and the bird 

 carries it along two or three yards up the ride, 

 and becomes doubled up in the net. Hawks 

 always fly up the rides of a wood, especially 

 sparrow hawks, which are the worst of the 



