152 THE GAMEKEEPER AT HOME. 



Though apparently roaming aimlessly, hares have their 

 regular highways or ' runs ;' and it is the poacher's business 

 to discover which of these narrow paths are most beaten by 

 continuous use. He then sets his wire, as early in the 

 evening as compatible with safety to himself, for hares are 

 abroad with the twilight. 



Long practice and delicate skill are essential to success- 

 ful snaring. First, the loop itself into which the hare is to 

 run his head must be of the exact size. If it be too small 

 he will simply thrust it aside ; if too large his body will 

 slip through, and his hind leg will be captured : being 

 crooked, it draws the noose probably. Then if caught by 

 the hind leg, the wretched creature, mad with terror, will 

 shriek his loudest ; and a hare shrieks precisely like a 

 human being in distress. The sound, well understood by 

 the watchers, will at once reveal what is going forward. 

 But there may be no watchers about ; and in that case 

 the miserable animal will tug and tug during the night 

 till the wire completely bares the lower bone of the leg, 

 and in the morning, should any one pass, his leaps and 

 bounds and rolls will of course be seen. Sometimes he 

 twists the wire till it snaps, and so escapes — but probably 

 to die a lingering death, since the copper or brass is pretty 

 sure to mortify the flesh. No greater cruelty can be im- 

 agined. The poacher, however, is very anxious to avoid 

 it, as it may lead to detection ; and if his wire is properly 

 set the animal simply hangs himself, brought up with a 



