HAKE-HUNTING 69 



The position held by hare-hunting in the category 

 of sports may be gathered from the fact that it is 

 etiquette for a Master of Harriers or a Master of 

 Beagles to consult the M.F.H. or M.S.H. before hold- 

 ing a meet, should there be a pack of foxhounds or of 

 staghounds in the neighbourhood. As we have already 

 made use of the expression "a quiet canter," it is 

 hardly necessary to add that one can see as much of 

 the sport on a pony or a covert-hack, as if one were 

 mounted on a thoroughbred hunter, and almost as much 

 on foot, as if one were mounted on a pony. We will, 

 therefore, at once describe the hounds which hunt 

 the hare. 



1. The Hdrrier. — The Harrier is an undersized fox- 



hound, in the same way as the staghound 

 is an oversized foxhound. His averacje height 

 is from eighteen to nineteen inches. He is 

 not nearly as fast as his bigger brethren, 

 though he appears to have as keen a nose. 

 In appearance he is a miniature foxhound. 



2. The Beagle. — The beagle is not unlike the harrier, 



but he has a thicker throat and body, and 

 stouter limbs. His height varies from twelve 

 to fourteen or fifteen inches. Whatever may 

 have been his origin, he can now lay claim 

 to a breed of his own, and must not be con- 

 founded with 



3. The Rough Beagle, which is a cross between a 



harrier and a rough terrier, possessing the 

 sharp yap of the terrier, instead of the musical 

 sound of the harrier. He has a coat of stiff 

 wiry hair, and stiff whisker-hairs. 



