A Rabbit Monograph
An admirably composed Bill for the prevention of a standard cruelty was discussed in the House of Lords last week. It originated with the Animal Welfare Society of the University of London, which is a model for humane workers. A very sensible and very thorough investigation into the subject, both of victims and enemies, that is, of rabbits, trappers and traps was first carried through. Thanks to the personal evidence of keepers, farmers, poachers—not least poachers— and many other persons, we know more than we ever knew
before both about the rabbit and the trap. The pamphlet (Man versus Rabbit, is.) published by the Society is a vade- mecum for naturalists as well as humanitarians. The evi-
dence, to my thinking at any rate, proves first, that the traps upset the balance of nature. They kill birds, foxes and domestic animals indiscriminately. Second, that rabbits are multiplied, not decreased, by the method of trapping, partly because an excess of bucks is killed ; third, that the cruelty, which is great in itself and in its extent, is unnecessary. Rabbits are as easily destroyed in other ways that are more discrimina- ting and much less brutal. The gist of the Bill is to prohibit the manufacture, use or possession of steel-toothed traps.
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