FOUND IN THE WOODS 



279 



interests of game preservation. The pain and terror occa- 

 sioned by actual shooting are bad enough, but I cannot 

 understand how the frightful tortures inflicted by traps, can, 

 on any grounds whatever, be justified to the consciences of 

 the many otherwise estimable and humane people who con- 

 sent to their use. 



Spring-guns still occasionally come to light in the 



Spring-Guns 



woods. The spring-gun was not generally intended to 

 shoot the poacher, but to make known his presence in the 

 woods to the keeper. The usual shape was a short barrel 

 in which the charge was placed. At its base is a nipple 

 for a percussion-cap. A powerful striker is held suspended 

 over the cap by a short bar, which, with three longer bars, 



