Country Life
A M.F.H.'s PROTEST.
A LETTER full of facts and written by an ex-Master of Fox- hounds (whom I have regarded for many years as one of the very best naturalists of. my acquaintance) compels a return to the subject of the destruction of wild life on the West Coast. The letter begins with a reference to the virtual _closing of the hunt owing to the dearth of foxes, and proceeds :- " The rabbit trappers catch the foxes, and sell their skins for £1 each. This is done every season. 'They also set their traps for badgers and otters, the 'skins also being'sold. Local papers adver- tise for these skins and give a very good price for them, and with the use of the rabbit trap the animals are very easy to catch. All our rare birds, such as the peregrine, chough, raven, and buzzard, are also caught by rabbit traps set in the open along our cliffs. Some of the keener trappers also set their traps for pheasants, part- ridges and wild duck. No dog or cat in these parts is safe, and nearly all the farmers' collies have damaged feet or broken legs. It is quite time all trapping should be made illegal by an Act of Parliament--an Act was passed for the pole trap. But if they place their trap, on a heap-of stones or a mound of earth, they can still catch hawks and owls, &c. Three years ago I was asked to go down to the cliffs on a Sunday to take out some foxes that were caught in traps. I only found two, both of which I had to kill because their legs were broken. We never found the others ; they had puHed up the peg of the trap, and must have gone to ground with the trap on their legsonly to die, as mortification always sets in with a fox, as he lives on flesh. I also was given an otter cub last year that had been trapped, but although there was no mark, on his leg from the trap, he died in three days. While badger digging I have often found dead and alive badgers with traps still on their legs. I have also seen a. cow with half her tongue off, and sheep with-their legs injured."
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