404 TRAPPING THE TRUE AND LEGITIMATE 



There are many other ways of killing all these vermin 

 which I have not thought it worth while to mention, as they 

 cannot stand a comparison with those I have named. Traps 

 must always be set close to paths or any other open places 

 near the haunts of the different vermin, with which it should 

 be the keeper's great endeavour to make himself thoroughly 

 acquainted. If placed according to these rules, there is not 

 much danger of either cattle or game getting into any, 

 except those set without circles for carrion-crows or foxes, which 

 of course require caution. We constantly see keepers loung- 

 ing about with their guns in pursuit of vermin ; this ought 

 not to be. Guns only tempt them to idleness, and are an 

 excellent excuse for doing nothing. In my opinion, no vermin 

 should be shot by a gamekeeper. But if his master prefer 

 securing the old hens as they fly off the nest during incuba- 

 tion, instead of waiting for the young to come out, no other 

 plan can be adopted. My reasons to the contrary have been 

 given. 



I have no doubt that the truly valuable keeper, who takes 

 an interest in the duties of his situation, will approve of all 

 I have said, and endeavour to profit by it : the careless, 

 ignorant, and lazy will as certainly cavil and condemn. 



TRAPS 



Great care should be taken in the selection of traps : none 

 but an approved maker ought to be employed : that the springs 

 are well tempered and strong is of the utmost consequence. The 

 jaws must overlap, which is a great preventive to the legs, 

 especially of the winged vermin, being shred off. To avoid 

 this, some traps are made with weaker springs and long teeth : 

 these are not to be recommended, for, although the teeth may 

 counterbalance the weakness of the spring, yet the vermin are 

 apt to feel them when walking up to the bait, and slink back 

 without stepping on the plate. It is also much more difficult 



