158 THE GAMEKEEPER AT HOME. 



numerous now than ever ; the reasons are — first, the high 

 value of game and the immense demand for it since 

 poultry has become so dear, and, secondly, the ease of 

 transmission now that railways spread into the most out- 

 lying districts and carry baskets or parcels swiftly out of 

 reach. Poaching, in fact, well followed is a lucrative 

 business. 



Some occasional poaching is done with no aid but the 

 hand, especially in severe weather, which makes all wild 

 animals ' dummel,' in provincial phrase — i.e. stupid, slow 

 to move. Even the hare is sometimes taught by hand as 

 he crouches in his form. It requires a practised eye, that 

 knows precisely where to look among the grass, to detect 

 him hidden in the bunch under the dead, dry bennets. 

 An inexperienced person chancing to see a hare sitting 

 like this would naturally stop short in walking to get a 

 better view ; whereupon the animal, feeling that he was 

 observed, would instantly make a rush. You must 

 persuade the hare that he is unseen ; and so long as he 

 notices no start or sign of recognition — his eye is on you 

 from first entering the field — he will remain still, believing 

 that you will pass. 



The poacher, having marked his game, looks steadily 

 in front of him, never turning his head, but insensibly 

 changes his course and quietly approaches sidelong. Then, 

 in the moment of passing, he falls quick as lightning on 

 his knee, and seizes the hare just behind the poll. It is 



