io6 THE GAMEKEEPER AT HOME. 



and round in circles, making not the slightest attempt to 

 escape. The first time I saw this, not understanding it, I 

 gave the creature the second barrel ; but next time I let 

 the rabbit do as he would. He circled round and round, 

 going at a rapid pace. I stood in his way, and he passed 

 between my legs. After half a dozen circles the pace grew 

 slower. Finally, he stopped, sat up quite still for a minute 

 or so, and then drooped and died. The pellet had struck 

 some portion of the brain. 



I once, while looking for snipe with charges of small 

 shot in the barrels, roused a fine hare, and fired without 

 apparent effect. But after crossing about half of the field 

 with a spaniel tearing behind, he began to slacken speed, 

 and I immediately followed. The hare dodged the spaniel 

 admirably, and it was with the utmost difficulty I secured 

 him (refraining from firing the second barrel on purpose). 

 He had been stopped by one single little pellet in the 

 great sinew of the hind leg, which had partly cut it through. 

 Had it been a rabbit he would certainly have escaped into 

 a bury, and there, perhaps died, as shot wounds frequently 

 fester : so that in stalking rabbits, or waiting for them 

 behind a tree or bush, it is much better to take a steady 

 aim at the head, and so avoid torturing the creature. 



' Potting ' is hardly sport, yet it has an advantage to 

 those who take a pleasure in observing the ways of bird 

 and animal. There is just sufficient interest to induce one 

 to remain quiet and still, which is the prime condition of 



