The secret at once of preserving a few rabbits and saving the underwood
from their attacks is judicious feeding. Swedes or mangels, and some
tightly tied bundles of clover-hay, if thrown down in the rabbits'
resorts will prevent much damage, and prove indirectly an excellent
investment. The food will go far towards allowing foxes, shooting
tenants, farmers, landlords, and the rabbits to dwell together without
extraordinary annoyance to each other. Rabbits always have to bear
the brunt of much more blame than they deserve, and are continuously
persecuted from one year's end to another. Yet they are essential
to the well-being alike of foxes and game, and ought to be better
respected--especially when foxes and game in combination are considered
desirable. The man so anxious to preserve foxes for hounds that he
would not object if the foxes ate his last pheasants acts foolishly if
he refuses to keep a few rabbits. The foxes will turn more than their
usual attention to the pheasants, or they will shift their quarters to
where rabbits are to be found, and a living is to be made with the
least exertion.
* * * * *