WAY TO DESTROY VERMIN. 110 



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, ex- 

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

 of course require caution. We constantly see keepers loun- 

 ging 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 ver- 

 min should be shot by a gamekeeper. But if his master pre- 

 fer securing the old hens as they fly off the nest during 

 hatching time, 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, igno- 

 rant, 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 conse- 

 quence. 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 





