RABBIT SHOOTING. 

 American Hare. (Lefius sylvaticus.) 



THIS is uncommonly good sport for the hunter, 

 and much improves the shooting of the young 

 sportsman, with respect to snap-shots. The sportsman 

 does not indeed shoot on the wing, unless a partridge 

 happen occasionally to start near him ; but he shoots 

 at a game which, when under full chase, with a pack 

 of hounds close behind, will make the tyro think he 

 never saw running before, especially if the hares be 

 full-grown. 



I once had a white hare pass near me, on a cross 

 curving line, so swiftly that he appeared not to touch 

 the snow at all, but seemed to go like a snowball 

 thrown through the air. When on the transit, or di- 

 rectly opposite, it was impossible for me to get my gun 

 on him, but I stopped him after he had passed, by giv- 

 ing him a quarter-shot. This fellow was clearing 

 fourteen feet at each jump, by actual measurement, 

 and he was closely pursued by the hounds who had 



