HUNTING 85 



with great success. Of those of recent times the 

 names of Lord Lonsdale and Captain F. Forester 

 will probably rank amongst the highest for all the 

 attributes that go to make a first-class huntsman — 

 namely, horsemanship with ability to gallop over a 

 country, added to an intimate knowledge of hounds 

 and their manasfement. 



The photograph facing p, 84 shows the venerable 

 Harry Houghton, now well over the seventies, 

 and some of his terriers. For upwards of forty 

 years he officiated as earth stopper to the Quorn 

 Hounds. What he does not know about foxes 

 and badoers is not worth knowings. Until com- 

 paratively recent years the complete natural history 

 of the badoer was in doubt ; but Mr Houohton, 

 some years ago, kept a badger sow in captivity 

 as a pet. Eleven months after her capture she 

 gave birth to two cubs ; this fact proves that the 

 badger in captivity has the faculty of retarding 

 gestation, the natural period being nothing like 

 eleven months. 



Harry has had an enormous number of terriers 

 through his hands, and is of opinion that only 

 a small percentage of pedigree or bench-bred 

 terriers turn out well. When put to the work 

 required for foxes and badgers, that class of 

 dog is apt to be neurotic, crazy and impetuous, 

 seldom learning caution and method from experi- 



