Coursing Rabbits. 129 



running once around the room, took a short cut across it, 

 thus seizing poor bunny at the first rush. He got a good 

 kick in the ribs for his pains, instead of the praise he might 

 fairly conscientiously think was his due, whilst the proprietor 

 of the terrier heaved a deep sigh, and meditated upon the 

 unfairness of the world generally, and of dogs in particular. 



This modern mode of coursing does give the rabbit a 

 better chance of his life than "Jack" did, still, for many 

 reasons it is not to be recommended ; and it is gratifying to 

 note that it is not recognised by the Fox Terrier Club or by 

 any of the leading clubs either. In America, not long ago, 

 a prosecution was instituted against a number of gentlemen 

 who had been engaged in the so-called sport ; but after a 

 lengthened hearing which caused no inconsiderable interest 

 throughout that country, no conviction w T as obtained, and 

 similar prosecutions in this country have, so far, had a like 

 result. Since the above remarks were penned, I am pleased 

 to find " fox terrier" coursing on the decadence, and just 

 now it appears to be a so-called pastime which is just 

 lingering along until it comes to an end by death from 

 inanition. 



In sundry instances I have already noticed an inclination 

 to produce fox terriers with longer legs, less compact bodies, 

 and with an appearance of an ability to gallop more defined, 

 than should be the case. This is, of course, done to enable 

 them to prove successful at coursing meetings, and a con- 

 tinuance thereof would, in a few years, have entirely changed 

 the character of the modern fox terrier. I have seen puppies 

 shown whose owners, with an eye to the main chance, have 

 trusted to the good nature of the judge to give them, at any 

 rate, a card of commendation. This done, the natural 

 inference would be that at a coursing meeting, such 



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