228 FROM SPRING TO FALL. 



sharp. Some rabbit has got in Reynard's way, 

 and has suffered for it. A few badgers are close 

 by, but there is not the least chance of falling in 

 with them ; for if they get our wind or hear our 

 footfall, they will rush to their cave-dwellings at 

 once. One guardian of game destroyed a colony 

 of them, but he kept very quiet over the affair, for 

 fear his employer might not have been of the same 

 mind as himself in the matter. That lot would 

 have put a considerable amount of money in his 

 pocket, if he had sold them for taxidermical 

 purposes ; but this he could hardly venture to do, 

 so he buried the lot. I failed to see where the 

 'profit came in, with all his trouble of capturing 

 at different times ; and all the reason he could give, 

 when it was safe for him to speak about it, was 

 this : " He did not know that they did any harm, 

 only they rooted about a bit." 



"So do pigs when they range the woods for 

 mast," was my rejoinder; "but no one kills 

 ' snorks ' — there would be heavy damages to pay 

 if they did." 



The fox, far more destructive than his neighbour, 

 must be saved at any risk or cost. Why not extend 



