RELATIONS WITH FARMERS, ETC. 27 



keep a good look out for birds, so that any possible 

 damage may be averted. Information as to the move- 

 ments and whereabouts of poachers will be placed at 

 the keeper's disposal, and an altogether intelligent in- 

 terest taken in, and considerable assistance given to, 

 the sporting capacities of the land. Surely such a satis- 

 factory outlook is worthy of more than condescension 

 or mere indifference. 



Let there be, at all costs, some considerable respect 

 for the pets of the neighbourhood. The keeper should 

 not treat all dogs and cats as vermin. If he does he 

 will not only break the law, but also cause offence. In 

 another chapter he will get some hints as to the law of 

 the matter. It is only necessary to add here, that while 

 as a rule the collie and the pet tabby should be respected, 

 no mercy should be shown to the lurcher, or that king 

 of poachers, Tom the vagabond. An intelligent keeper 

 will soon discover the ownership of every living creature 

 on his ground, and be able to judge fairly well as to the 

 way they should be treated. There are many other 

 points at which the interests of keeper and farmer 

 meet, and which may suggest problems to the thought- 

 ful man. Those we have indicated may assist him in 

 endeavouring to meet any other possible clashing of 

 interests in a spirit which combines tact with firmness, 

 and justice with not too sacrificing nor yet too niggling 

 a form of generosity. 



Friendship with neighbouring keepers is an abso- 

 lute necessity where there is much interchange of 



