762 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



to some rushes in the middle, where it lay down and con- 

 cealed itself from the pursuit of the dogs. He mentions one 

 which, after running two hours before the dogs, pushed an- 

 other hare from its seat, and took possession of it. An 

 instance of a similar kind is recorded in the " Sporting Ma- 

 gazine," as having been witnessed during a run with a well- 

 known pack of harriers in the west of England. The hunted 

 hare being nearly exhausted, happened to come upon another 

 hare in her form, from which she drew her out and squatted 

 herself; the pack followed the new-started hare, and the 

 huntsman, on coming up, found the hare which they had 

 been hunting in the seat of the hare the dogs were following, 

 panting very hard, and all covered with mud. Others he has 

 seen run into a sheep-fold, and lie down among the sheep ; 

 and some have effected their escape by mounting on an old 

 wall, and clapping themselves down among the old ivy which 

 covered it. 



Hares lie so close, and are so much the colour of ploughed 

 soil, that they are very difficult to be distinguished from it. 

 Some people cannot see them in their form, even after they are 

 pointed out. A gentleman on a coursing party with his friends 

 was shown one in that position, who instantly exclaimed, " Is 

 that a hare '? Then, by Jove, I found two this morning as we 

 rode along!'' 



Those who like early rising will find much amusement in 

 seeing a hare trailed to her form : this proves very service- 

 able to harriers and beagles. It proves their goodness, and 

 enables the huntsman to detect those of his pack which are 

 endowed with the finest sense of smell. 



It was the opinion of Mr. Beckford, that hare-hunting 

 should be indulged in merely as a ride after breakfast. But 

 in this case it would be necessary to have persons to find 

 hares for this purpose, as it would be a great loss of time to 



