WARREN

(Fr. garenne; from the Teutonic wahren, (to protect or defend.) In Law, a franchise or place privileged for the keeping of beasts and fowls of warren, which are said by some to be only hares and rabbits, partridges and pheasants; others add quails, woodcocks, waterfowl, . The franchise is from the crown by grant, or prescription which implies grant. It is often called free warren. In common language a warren is a surface of poor dry sandy soil on which rabbits are kept. In general, warrens may be described as the natural habitations of wild rabbits appropriated byman, and preserved for the breed of these animals; but they are occasionally formed in suitable situations. The rabbits are allowed to burrow in the soil at pleasure, and to crop the natural herbage which grows on the surface;but to render warrens profitable, the rabbits require to winter be supplied season. with clover, hay, corn, or other food, in the tilled. [s. 1339]