HARE-HUNTINa. 761 



if they are unsuccessful in trying forward, they may then be 

 permitted to try backward, as they are naturally sensible 

 how far they have brought the scent, and how far they have 

 left it behind. 



In our description of the harrier we have mentioned the 

 necessity of keeping them to their own game ; for if permitted 

 to chase a fox, they will seldom afterwards be reclaimed 

 from pursuing one if it comes in their way. The strong 

 scent left by a fox, the straightness of his course, and the 

 eagerness of the pursuit, all contribute to spoil harriers, and 

 is exceedingly liable to make them skirt. 



It is a fault in a pack of harriers to go too fast, as the 

 hare is a timorous animal, which we cannot help feeling 

 some compassion for at the very time we are pursuing her 

 to destruction ; we should give scope to all her little tricks, 

 and not kill her faulty and overmatched. Instinct instructs 

 her to use many artful devices to escape : when not unfairly 

 treated, and as far as her own safety is concerned, she is 

 more artful and cunning than the fox, and tries a greater 

 diversity of shifts and artifices to save her life. 



*' 'Tis instinct that directs the jealous hare 



To choose her soft abode. With step reversed, 

 She forms her doubling maze ; then, ere the morn 

 Peeps through the clouds, leaps to her close recess." 



We have often heard of hares, which were considered witches, 

 from the miraculous escapes they have made ; but we believe 

 none ever heard of a fox which had cunning enough to be 

 thought either a wizard or warlock. 



The following instances of the sagacity of the hare in en- 

 deavouring to escape from its enemies are worthy of notice : 

 — Fouilloux says he has seen a hare start from its form at 

 the sound of the hunter's horn, run towards a pool of 

 water at a considerable distance, plunge itself in, and swim 



5 E 



