THE HOUND 43 



accustomed to watch hounds at work, you will 

 not find it very easy to distinguish one from the 

 other ; but it is a good plan to have the sires you 

 previously picked pointed out to you at the 

 meet. Get up a little earlier and start with the 

 huntsman from the kennel. It is as well to 

 choose a day when the hounds are meeting in 

 their worst scenting and least fashionable country : 

 you will then be able to judge better of scenting 

 powers, and there will be no crowd to hamper 

 you in your observations. Some hounds are 

 brilliant at intervals, and then, when scent becomes 

 a little cold, will not take the trouble to put their 

 heads down. This is a sort I advise you not to 

 breed from. Avoid also a hound that does not 

 draw well, for though it may often be a want of 

 education, the instinct of drawing is hereditary. 

 The best hounds are often the most difficult to 

 pick out when the pace is good, for at that time 

 they are in the middle of the pack, and con- 

 sequently not to be distinguished easily. Never 

 have anything to do with one that shows the 

 slightest inclination to skirt, for you may be 

 certain if this fault is transmitted to his descend- 

 ants, it is sure to be accentuated. Stoutness, 



