The trapping will continue, will even extend, unless very drastic
steps are taken. The trade is of considerable dimen- sions and a good many people make profit out of it. In Pembrokeshire an organized attempt is to be made to acquire powers for the county to take their own measures to stop a cruelty that is a slur on their community. " We live in a county of maimed creatures," a woman said who saw daily some maimed animal or other hobble past her cottage. The point of view of some local naturalists is interesting. They say that forty years ago or so rabbits were not common, according to the present standard. Certainly they were not common enough to do harm to the farmers' crops as they now harm them. On the other hand, hares were many. To-day the hare is no more seen. Of course thae are places where hares and rabbits flourish together ; but the general county belief is that very many rabbits mean very few hares.
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