FERRETING 93 



stand in front of a hole, but always away from it, or 

 the rabbit will not bolt. Where possible choose the 

 holes over which the wind is blowing towards you, for 

 a rabbit's sense of smell and hearing is very acute. 



When the ferret issues from a burrow do not be 

 in a hurry to pick it up, but let it get a few feet from 

 the hole, ot it may perhaps dodge back and refuse to 

 come out again. Should this happen the truant may 

 be enticed out by throwing down a dead rabbit at the 

 mouth of the burrow. 



Everyone who has had experience of rabbit-shoot- 

 ing must have remarked a fact which indicates either 

 a want of intelligence in rabbits or an inability to 

 learn by experience. When alarmed they run for 

 their burrows, and when they reach them, instead of 

 entering, they very frequently squat down to watch 

 the enemy. Now, although they well know the 

 distance at which it is safe to allow a man to approach 

 with a gun, excess of curiosity, or a mistaken feeling 

 of security in being so near their homes, induces 

 the animals to allow him to approach within easy 

 shooting distance. Yet that in other respects rabbits 

 can learn by experience must be evident to all who 

 are accustomed to shoot with ferrets. From burrows 

 which have not been much ferreted, rabbits will bolt 

 soon after the ferret is put in ; but this is not the case 



