BABBIT SHOOTING. 129 



cile the defunct to his fate : but it 's not every- 

 where the coney is demolished as at Shillinglee. 



All kinds of rabbits, tame or mid, are in best 

 flavour from November till the commencement of 

 February. Some naturalists contend that they prefer a 

 seat above ground, and only burrow for the sake of 

 refuge, in case they are in danger. This may be 

 partly true ; as, also, that they use their burrows as 

 shelter from inclement weather. Even the hare will 

 burrow under the snow, when it lies deeply. It is 

 certain, that where they enjoy quiet and privacy, they 

 are constantly to be seen above the surface, even 

 though that be a warren. In their miscellaneous 

 resorts, they select, as places to lie in, thick hedgerows ; 

 particularly those having furze or fern growing on 

 their banks, and old, dry stone, or sand, pits, whose 

 sides are overgrown with bramble and scrubby un- 

 derwood. 



Early morning, and after sunset, are the most es- 

 teemed periods of the day for this sport. Still, the best 

 way of setting about it must depend on local and other 

 circumstances. If the place, in which you pursue it, 

 be of some extent, by going round it, walking slowly 

 and noiselessly, and sometimes creeping, you may get 

 more shots than by any other means. If, on the 

 other hand, your range is limited, and the rabbits 

 have been much disturbed, your plan must be to con- 

 ceal yourself till a chance offers : do not then fire 

 too often from the same spot. Where the ground is 

 undulating, by keeping under cover of the brows of 



