104 THE GAMEKEEPER AT HOME. 



as the elm tree hard by. In a minute or two, reassured, 

 the ears perked up so sharply fall back, and he feeds 

 again. Another advance of ten or twenty yards, and up 

 go the ears you are still till they drop once more. The 

 rabbit presently turns his back towards you, sniffing 

 about for the tenderest blades ; this is an opportunity, 

 and an advance of forty or fifty paces perhaps is accom- 

 plished. Now, if you have a rook-rifle you are near 

 enough ; if a smooth-bore, the same system of stalking 

 must be carried farther yet. If you are patient enough 

 to wait when he takes alarm, and only to advance when 

 he feeds, you are pretty sure to ' bag ' him. 



Sometimes, when thus gliding with stealthy tread, 

 another rabbit will suddenly appear out of the ditch 

 within easy reach ; it is so quiet he never suspected the 

 presence of an enemy. If you pause and keep quite still, 

 which is the secret of all stalking, he will soon begin to 

 feed, and the moment he turns his back towards you up 

 goes the gun ; not before, because if he sees your arm 

 move he will be off to the ditch. True, a snap-shot might 

 be made as he runs, which at first sight would appear 

 more sportsmanlike than 'potting;' but it is not so, for it 

 is ten chances to one that you do not kill him dead on 

 the spot in the short distance he has to traverse. Perhaps 

 the hind legs will be broken ; well, then he will drag them 

 along behind him, using the fore paws with astonishing 

 rapidity and power. Before the second barrel can be 



