In the Haunts of the Hare 369 



skill and is about as keenly exciting as the purchase 

 of a frozen hare from a city dealer. 



The sport of sports with the hare is to shoot him 

 ahead of smart hounds, but there is another way, and 

 I have followed it of a winter's day with considerable 

 pleasure. It is still-hunting, in other words tracking 

 the hare to his " form " and shooting him as he bolts. 

 The man who craves rapid action in his sport may 

 smile at this, yet I have found fun, much opportunity 

 for interesting observation, and a lot of healthful 

 exercise in it. A still, bright day after a snowfall 

 is the best. Then all tracks are fresh and all wood- 

 life, housed during the storm, is active. To the 

 experienced sportsman the work is comparatively 

 easy, for the trained eye sees the country as one great 

 white page with a series of short stories some 

 pathetic, many tragic, but all interesting. 



A leisurely start is as good as any, for wild life 

 sleeps late these white mornings. So somewhere 

 about nine o'clock I strike across the broad level of 

 a farm toward the gray ring of woodland. There is 

 walking to be done, and the costume is well chosen. 

 First, medium-weight, all-wool underwear and warm, 

 home-knit socks. Over this a suit of gray corduroy, 

 the trousers being roomy to the knee, thence fitting 

 like drawers to the ankle, where they are tied with 

 soft tape. Three smoked-pearl buttons at the knee 

 give the appearance of knee-breeches. The gray 

 sweater and coat give necessary warmth and pocket- 

 room. The hat is corduroy. The boots are water- 

 proof tan, lacing to the knee. This costume is neat, 

 workmanlike, and very comfortable. It would look 

 businesslike on top of a good horse, and it is first- 



2B 



