329 Ground Vermin. 



traps close to the nest. Another method to employ eggs 

 is upon the sloping bank of some pond or stream. In 

 this case cut a good large sod, one with rushes growing 

 on it, and of about 2ft. by i8in. measurement, and having 

 placed it at the edge of, and projecting into, the water, 

 form at the further extremity a sort of small nest, in which 

 deposit, say, three eggs, and " till " the trap on what 

 seems the most likely part of the sod, covering it up in a 

 careful manner. 



When the capture of vermin along the sides of water- 

 courses and rivers is desired, somewhat different methods 

 must be observed. Of course, conspicuousness of the 

 bait is the chief thing, and its situation where most likely 

 to be discovered the next. Such hedgerows as run down 

 nearly to the edge of the water, and then fall away in 

 height rather suddenly, may be chosen; while any large 

 and noticeable boulder upon the bank, standing pretty 

 clear of others or upon a high and overhanging part of 

 the land, may also be decided upon for a trap. In such 

 cases it is optional to employ fish as the lure, and if a 

 rather stale unsalted haddock or two can be obtained, 

 pieces of these may be used with a fair amount of success. 

 Polecats and stoats are generally captured about water, 

 and if the ground at the side be rocky and worn from 

 the effects of overflowing, the former are sure to pay 

 visits to ground so admirably suited to their tastes. 



Besides those methods already enumerated, a further 

 manner in which to employ the gin for vermin capture is 

 at the outside of rabbit-seats, substituting, however, a 

 dead rabbit for the owner or usual occupier of the 

 place. This is often a very productive mode, and is 

 specially suitable in fields where patches of gorse have been 

 allowed to grow up, and in small pieces of sandy common 

 in which the furze is the only covert. If some slight 



