270 Reminiscences of 



THE likes and dislikes of dogs are more evident 

 than between men, without attempt at conceal- 

 ment. I have often noticed among my coursing grey- 

 hounds this feature. It is necessary in coupling for the 

 chase to consider this, or all will not go smoothly. 

 In the excitement of expectation, if the greyhounds 

 are not well mated, they will fall foul of each other, 

 and in feeding it is often necessary to separate them. 

 If well mated they will advance to the field in unison, 

 and a well-mated couple will work together with a 

 good understanding, the one falling in rear, taking an 

 immediate lead on the doubling hare, as never but a 

 couple are freed on a single hare, nor but one hare run 

 at a time. 



It is amusing to see the intense interest taken by 

 the dogs upon one entering the kennel area with the 

 slips for coupling. How they close upon you, leaping 

 over each other, and pressing alongside for the collar 

 to be adjusted, which indicates an outing! These 

 collars in pairs are connected with a short chain six 

 inches in length, from which proceeds a leather slip 

 of seven feet with a handle at the end for holding the 

 couple of dogs ; and strong it must be, for the impatient 

 dogs when working the field, and witnessing the start 

 of a hare when they are not to be released in pur- 

 suit, as another couple may have already been given 

 the start, will pull along a man at his run, and if not 

 well on guard, will sometimes pull away from him, 

 though useless for overtaking the hare, connected as 

 they are. The leather slips connections with the collars 

 are hollow, having inside a stout cord which connects 

 directly with the fastenings of each collar, which 

 upon being pulled, instantly releases the two col- 



