302 COURSING. 



The day was particularly favourable ; dark and quiet,* with 

 a gentle breeze. As we had to traverse a hill which bounds 

 the tillage-grounds of several of the opposite villages, we 

 brought the greyhounds with us, to get a run or two while 

 passing this otherwise unprofitable beat. For my own part I 

 had early given up coursing in disgust. The hares were not 

 plenty difficult to find and when we did get them a- foot, 

 they either made for the sea-shore, or ran into some morass, 

 where dogs had no chance whatever, and one became weary 

 of seeing them cut themselves on rocks, or flounder in a bog ; 

 and latterly I gave up the business as a bad concern. But on 

 this occasion I was agreeably disappointed. The hill afforded 

 a sound and level surface ; from its contiguity to the corn- 

 fields, the hares were tolerably numerous, and before we 

 reached the shooting-ground, we had had six excellent courses, 

 and killed four hares. 



I never observed a more striking contrast in point of size 

 than these hares exhibited. Two of them were of the smallest 

 mountain class ; dark-coloured meagre animals, who certainly 

 made matchless running while they lasted. The others were 

 of the fullest size, and in point of good condition, though 

 neither so large nor so white as Byron's, would have done 

 honour to any hare-park in Great Britain. 



The fen we sought was situate in a valley between two 

 gentle slopes, and formed by a deep and sluggish stream 

 which passed through its centre, extended for about four 

 miles, varying its breadth from a few yards to more than a 

 quarter of a mile. The morass was interspersed with shrubs 

 and underwood, and alders of inconsiderable size were occa- 

 sionally clumped along the borders. Part of the surface was 



* Snipes, when plenty, afford very excellent sport, it being allowed to 

 be the pleasantest, on account of the quick succession of shots ; this is 

 also the best shooting for practice, seldom failing to make indifferent shots 

 most excellent ones. There is no shooting that presents such a variety 

 of shots, scarcely any two being alike. These birds usually fly against 

 the wind, therefore every snipe-shooter should walk down it, as by that 

 means the bird, if he rises before him, will fly back, and coming round 

 him, describe a kind of circle, or at least his flight, for a certain distance, 

 will not lengthen the shot, allowing him a certain time to cover the bird, 

 and take good aim ; for if he gets up before him, and should by chance 

 go down the wind or from him, it is then the most difficult shot. It will 

 be proper in this case to let the bird get a little distance from him, as then 

 he will fly steadier, and the slightest grain will fetch him to the ground. 



