situation, and proceed to set their nets upon stakes driven into the earth at distances of about ten yards apart. When the net has been fixed, either a dog is sent to drive the hares and rabbits into the meshes, or two of the poachers take a long line or cord and proceed to drag the field. All the hares fly before them; in a few moments the terrified animals find themselves struggling in the toils of the net. They are instantly seized, and at once receive the coup de grâce. With regard to this, the poacher requires to consider his customers; they may object to hares which have lost any blood. Poachers accordingly find that the best way of killing their hapless captives is to break their necks with a single quick jerk.
Very large hauls are sometimes made by poachers; for the fraternity chiefly visit well-stocked estates, and select their hunting grounds with plenty of low cunning. At the same time it must be admitted that they have many fruitless or nearly fruitless expeditions. Success depends upon various details of which the tiro knows nothing. For example, if a strong wind happens to be blowing directly upon a certain field, the odds are that the hares will stay at home; if the poachers try to drive that field, they will return home empty-handed. Their success in any case
