15S THE SHOOTER'* GUIDE. 



of the bones. It may also be known whether a hare 

 is old or young, but without pretending to ascertain 

 the precise age, by compressing the under-jaw bones : 

 if they break at the point immediately under the fore 

 teeth, upon a slight degree of pressure, the hare is cer- 

 tainly a young one; but if considerable force is re- 

 quired, the contrary is as certain. 



The hare is very prolific, and I believe the female 

 will sometimes take the buck the latter end of the 

 same season the early part of which gave it birth. In 

 fact, were it not for its surprising fecundity, the spe- 

 cies (in England at least) would soon become ex- 

 tinct. To say nothing of its other numerous ene- 

 mies, this animal appears the peculiar object of the 

 poacher, not perhaps on account of the great demand, 

 and consequent ready sale for it, but owing most 

 likely to the ease and facility with which it is caught. 

 There are various methods of taking them, and so 

 little skill is required, that any bungler is able to ex- 

 ecute his purpose. The wire-snare is most com- 

 monly employed by poachers. Purse nets are also 

 used, by which means hares are caught alive, and with 

 more certainty than the snare. Also, I believe it is 

 not generally known, that hares may be covered on 

 their seats in the day-time with a net much easier 

 than a covey of partridges could be netted. 



Those who are desirous of having hares very nume- 

 rous in their parks, or other grounds, should destroy 

 some of the buck hares before the rutting season ; as 3 



