TRAPPING, SNARING, NETTING, &'c. 137 



found to run as smoothly as possible when touched 

 by a rabbit. Moreover, this intercepts any scent from 

 the bare hand. 



Snares set in the morning, says an old keeper, 

 catch twice as many rabbits as those set in the evening 

 or afternoon, because the scent gets off and evaporates 

 during the day, whereas in the evening the dews fall 

 and preserve the scent freshly all night, thus warning 

 off the rabbits. The same thing applies to trapping 

 as well as snaring. 



Taking rabbits in nets is a much more serious 

 business than either trapping or snaring, and is cer- 

 tainly more deserving of the name of ' sport.' It may 

 be considered under the following headings : (i) nett- 

 ing with the use of ferrets ; (2) with long-nets outside 

 coverts, when large numbers are wanted for the 

 market ; (3) gate-nets ; (4) purse-nets, and (5) drop- 

 down-nets for keeping rabbits out while at feed, when 

 a good show is wanted for the next day's shooting. 



With regard to nets for ferreting, we have already 

 indicated, in a previous chapter, the desirability of 

 having some good ferrets, and have given directions 

 for managing them and keeping them in good health. 

 A good terrier that will ' mark ' well at the entrance of 

 a burrow is equally desirable. He must have a good 

 nose that will enable him, on visiting one hole after 



