198 HUNTING ROUND MALTON. 



Mr. H. Willoughby, afterwards Lord Middle- 

 ton, bought Sir Tattoo's hounds in 1853, and 

 took them to Birdsall, where five yesrs Later he 

 built the new kennels, which are said to be the 

 best in the kingdom. He hunted the country 

 till his death, which took place in 1877, Avhen he 

 was succeeded by his son, who has held the mas- 

 tership up to the present time, and who has done 

 so much to improve the hounds, that " Lord 

 Middleton's lady pack " has become almost a 

 thing to swear by amongst Yorkshire fox- 

 hunters. 



The kennels at Birdsall are a model of con- 

 venience. The feeding loom is in the centre, and 

 opens into a spacious yard at one end, and a kind 

 of ante-room, which is connected with the boiling 

 house, at the other. There are three lods^ing^ 

 rooms at each side of the feeding room, each with 

 a good yard attached ; and a corridor opens out 

 of the ante-room, by which access is gained to the 

 whole of the kennel, and the hounds can thus be 

 inspected in comfort in any weather. 



Lord Middleton has unfortunately not been 

 able to ride to hounds since the serious illness 

 from which he suffered some four or five years 

 ■ago, and his brother, Major Willoughby, acts as 

 field master. He, however, takes tlio liveliest 

 interest in the doings of his famous pack, and is 

 a constant visitor at the kennel. He is a good 

 judge of a hound, and is a great authority on the 



