^RAPMNG MOLES AND UTILIZING THEIR SKIN^. 9 



ratlier than to set from the surface by simply forcing the loops or 

 the jaws into the soil. Sometimes, also, in digging, three or four 

 forks of the burrow are discovered, and there is nothing to do then 

 but fill the break and try elsewhere. So far as the writer's observa- 

 tion goes, no importance should be attached to the admonition some- 

 times heard to disturb the mole's runway as httle as possible when 

 setting the trap and to use gloves in the operation, lest the animal 

 get the scent of human hands. 



The location of one of the shallow hunting paths of the mole is 

 indicated plainly by the surface ridges. To find a deep runway 

 from which a mound of earth has been pushed out, clear away the 

 latter and feel or prod for the short passageway running obhquely 

 down to the main tunnel. (See fig. 6.) Follow its course, usually 

 only a few inches, and place the trap on the main run. 



Scissor- jaw traps. — To get the best results with the scissor-jaw 

 trap (fig. 7) the soil in which the setting is made must first be loosened 

 with the trowel and freed from sticks, clods, or pebbles. The jaws 

 of this trap must close in the soil and will, of course, act the more 

 quickly the less they are obstructed. Make the excavation for the 



Fig. 6.— Mounds and ridges of earth similar to those shown in figures 2 to 4. A sectional view of part of 

 deeper nmway connected with mound and with subsurface hunting path is shown. Traps give best 

 results when on these main tunnels. 



