64 CraigiuiUar and its Environs. 



recorded in Mid-Lothian. Some of them may now be 

 seen in the Edinburgh Museum of Science and Art. 



Of Rodents there are the usual kinds, including 

 hares, rabbits, voles, mice, shrews, &c. As a conse- 

 quence of the extension of the town, the two first- 

 mentioned are becoming scarce. 



Hares. — Up till very recently Craigmillar was a 

 favourite " meet" of the Mid-Lothian Harriers. From 

 its elevated position, the top of the castle was a chosen 

 resort of those interested in seeing the chase, and from 

 it we once had an admirable opportunity of observing 

 the marvellous instinct of the hare in doubling back 

 on her track to throw the dogs off the scent. The 

 chase had lasted some time when we descried the hare, 

 a long distance in advance of the hounds, come into 

 the field north of the castle. " Puss " galloped up the 

 centre of the field, then suddenly stopped, sat up, and 

 for a second listened with pricked ears to the distant 

 "full cry" of the hounds. Instantly she wheeled 

 round, and galloped back for a couple of hundred 

 yards, exactly where she had come up ; then, with a 

 great bound to the side, she struck off at a right angle 



