1 66 ON THE WING. 



think of taking advantage of him, but wait until 

 he starts again before shooting. You will then give 

 him some chance for his life, and will add much to 

 your pleasure in finally killing him. Though I have 

 had plenty of chances, I have never killed more than 

 one or two hares or rabbits while sitting ; and cannot 

 recollect ever killing more than one in his nest 

 the circumstances then being such that I should have 

 lost him if I had not done so. 



After killing your hare or rabbit, let the dog come 

 up and find him on the track where he was shot, as it 

 satisfies and encourages 'the hound to ascertain that 

 all is right. 



Hares are usually found in large, heavy swamps of 

 pine timber, or among the scrub-oaks adjoining such 

 swamps ; and they seldom take to hole, unless very 

 hard pressed by the hounds. It is therefore much 

 better sport to hunt the hare than the little gray rabbit, 

 which will often hole soon after it is started. Rabbits 

 also are found in scrub-oaks, and in low grounds 

 among the alders, in good location for woodcock. 

 They are not often found in the middle of heavy 

 pine-timbered swamps, but occasionally on the edges. 

 They are very rapid in their movements, giving a quick 

 turn, and soon get out of sight, but they do not 

 run so far , before stopping as the hare. They both 

 lie in their nests, as it is called, alike ; often under the 

 lower limbs of a pine tree, standing up close to the 

 body, or in the swamp, where a low bush makes a 

 temporary cover. It is strange that they do not 

 freeze. I have often wondered how the little co- 



