156 THE RABBIT 



numerous. Shepherds, too, sometimes require looking 

 after, for they often have dogs which, though supposed 

 to be used only for sheep, are extremely clever in 

 helping their owners to get- hold of a hare or rabbit. 

 Even a ploughman will leave his horses to set a wire 

 in a gateway or gap where he has noticed the track of 

 a hare ; but this is generally for his own eating, and is 

 not of much consequence in comparison with the work 

 of the real local professional. These regular hands 

 form a class, now more numerous than ever ; for the 

 price obtainable for game from local dealers causes 

 many a man to turn poacher in a small way who 

 would otherwise lead a respectable and honest life. 

 Moreover, the spread of railways into the most out- 

 lying districts enables poachers, or their aiders and 

 abettors, to get hampers of game speedily out of reach 

 of the local policeman. 



The people who require most looking after, how- 

 ever, are the small higglers, or ' general dealers ' as 

 they call themselves, who go round the countryside 

 with a cart, and, under pretence of selling fish, or 

 buying and selling poultry, are frequently in league 

 with poachers, especially during the egging season, 

 when they become possessed of large quantities of 

 pheasants' and partridges' eggs. As an instance of the 

 mischief which may be done by these gentry, it may 



