ii8 THE GAMEKEEPER AT HOME. 



CHAPTER VI. 



^ts ISnetm'cs — Birbs anti Beasts of preg— ^Trespassers. 



There are other enemies of game life besides human 

 poachers whose numbers must be kept within bounds to 

 ensure successful sport. The thirst of the weasel for 

 blood is insatiable, and it is curious to watch the persist- 

 ency with which he will hunt down the particular rabbit 

 he has singled out for destruction. Through the winding 

 subterranean galleries of the ' buries ' with their cross- 

 passages, ' blind ' holes and ' pop ' holes {i.e. those which 

 end in undisturbed soil, and those which are simply bored 

 from one side of the bank to the other, being only used 

 for temporary concealment), never once in the dark close 

 caverns losing sight or scent of his victim, he pursues it 

 with a species of eager patience. It is generally a long 

 chase. The rabbit makes a dash ahead and a double or 

 two, and then halts, usually at the mouth of a hole : per- 

 haps to breathe. By-and-by the weasel, baffled for a few 

 minutes, comes up behind. Instantly the rabbit slips over 

 the bank outside and down the ditch for a dozen yards, 

 and there enters the ' bury ' again. The weasel follows, 

 gliding up the bank with a motion not unlike that of the 



