THE GALLOWS MARTYRS 21 



daws, 82 rooks, 23 carrion crows, and 52 magpies 

 a total of nearly a thousand head. The rats included 

 would probably only be those caught incidentally 

 in the vermin traps, not the far greater number killed 

 during special campaigns by ferret, gun and dog. 

 Hedgehogs are usually spared the indignity of the 

 gallows. Though a keeper cheerfully carries a stoat 

 in the pockets of his Sunday coat and we have 

 known him in an emergency to put a fox into his 

 pocket he knows that to pocket hedgehogs means 

 the entertainment of their numerous and active de- 

 pendants. Of cats only the tails are exhibited, and 

 they are discreetly chosen, the keeper avoiding very 

 striking tails that might be recognised. It would 

 be bad policy on his part to advertise dead cats too 

 freely. He has no desire to make enemies. 



Though kestrels, unhappily, are still brought to 

 the gallows, with the barn-owl and other creatures 



innocent of injury to game, keepers grow 

 The more discriminating in the matter of vermin. 



Martyrs Education has had its effect it has taught 



the men to think, and to act according to 

 reason rather than convention. The old men remain 

 obstinate, and we remember how vainly we wasted 

 an hour's good argument on one old fellow who 

 seemed to hold badgers chiefly responsible for his 

 ruined game-nests. It was at a keepers' dinner, an 

 annual entertainment given by the Hunt. Only one 



