122 REMIXISCEXCES OF A SrOKTSMAX. 



forth her young in one month, in number generally two, 

 sometimes three, but rarely four. The mother suckles 

 them about three weeks : after that period they procure 

 their own nouiishment, making their forms near each 

 other. Daniel says — " As a proof of the great increase 

 of hares, a male and female, the doe pregnant, were 

 shut up in a walled garden, and proper plants supplied 

 for their sustenance ; at the exj)iration of twelve months 

 the garden was examined, and the produce was fifty- 

 seven hares, including the original parents." Hares Jive 

 seven or eight ^^ears, and come to maturity in less than 

 one. A young hare may be easily known by the facility 

 with which the under jaw-bone is broken : when the ears 

 tear easily that is also a proof of its being young. 



Most sportsmen are aware of the many doubles which 

 the hare cunningly makes before she enters her form 

 early in the morning. Hares, when closely pursued, will 

 take to tlie water, and there are instances where they 

 have been seen, on these occasions, to take to the sea. 

 Wood hares have a stronger scent than those that are 

 found in the fields. They never drink, but content 

 themselves with the dew. 



The English are sometimes far too anxious to adopt 

 the customs and habits of our continental neighbours, 

 and this, I think, peculiarly applies to the present 

 mode of battue shooting. But in the extensive forests 

 and Avoods abroad, many of which are well stocked 

 with wild boar, wolves, stag, fallow-deer, roebuck, and 

 small game, there can be no doubt that this battue 

 shooting is the only course to be adopted to ensure 

 success in the killing of the above game. In some 

 parts of Gfermany, the Lord Paramount, or Lord of the 

 Manor, has still the feudal right of calling out at certain 



