We walked, the three of us, around our small shoot on the Saturday, as much for the exercise and a look-see as for anything else. The rabbits had been left largely to their own devices last winter and the summer had shown signs of successful breedings close to the farm, but we had not inspected the far side. No birds had been put down this year because of administrative problems and we had decided to rely upon rabbits, pigeon, the odd hare and a possible partridge or two to see us through this season.
We worked to a plan, and because only we three and Sam the springer were involved, we placed
