THE RABBIT 247 



affords some consolation to the weary shooter, who, 

 after tramping for hours without a shot, regards the 

 furtive bunny almost in the light of "game." The 

 presence of rabbits at least ensures his return with 

 something in the bag. 



( i ) To the keen and experienced rabbit shot, nothing 

 affords better sport than rabbits in heather, but where 

 such is desired it is better that a certain part of the 

 moorland be reserved for the rabbit stock. On most 

 shootings there is a considerable acreage of ground 

 near to the lodge where rabbits are plentiful enough 

 for such purposes, and where birds do not generally 

 breed. But these facts do not upset the general rule 

 that on a moor the rabbit is to be regarded primarily 

 as vermin. (2) In regard to good partridge cover the 

 same remark is to be made, although in this case 

 the main objection to its existence is in relation to the 

 feeding capacity of the ground. As a rule, there is 

 not so great an objection to its presence as in the case 

 of the moor, especially when the cover is extensive 

 and is used as shooting ground. A day among the 

 " whins " would lose half its attractions were it not for 

 the rabbits which afford such excellent practice as they 

 dart between the bushes, and the escape of a covey of 

 partridges means merely, as a rule, a flight into turnips 

 or potatoes, the best and natural cover in which to kill 

 them. But if the cover just referred to is required for 

 a good stock of partridges, and if its food possibilities 

 are limited, and especially if the birds are not to be 



