:V6 HUNTING AND SPORTING NOTES. 



same fox that came back across the hill fast to its lowest 

 point, opposite Longiior, where Thatcher viewed one fox 

 going back along the bottom, and got a portion of the 

 pack on him, while the rest, unknown to him, showed a 

 line of their fox straight for Longner. They were 

 stopped, and we tried to hunt through a blinding 

 snowstorm back to the feundorne Pool, where our fox was 

 supposed to have been view^ed, but hounds said nay, and 

 the rest of the afternoon was a fruitless quest through 

 Sundorne and Battlefield woods. So, cold and wet, we 

 scuttled home. 



On Friday at Berwick Hall. The photographer was the 

 earliest arrival at the meet. He had previously tried his 

 hand at Atcham, but, I suppose, failed. How is it that 

 horses and hounds hardly ever can be done justice to in a 

 ^photograph ? The meet was a large one, but the required 

 . ani nal was conspicuous by his absence at Almond Park, 

 Hencote Pool, and all adjoining places, and Mr Arthur 

 Lloyd only just saved his bacon at Leatoii by a fox 

 jumping up at the extreme corner of Pitz Coppice when 

 Thatcher was drawing out his hounds. He ran back 

 down to the home farm by the church to the station, and 

 no trace of him could be ensured further, so bad was the 

 scent. Bomere Heath, Merrington and the Walford 

 • coverts were l)lank, and so ended a very bad day. What 

 is undoubtedly wanted in Shropshire is a gorse covert 

 planted here and there, which at this time of year, and 

 indeed always after Christmas, would be invaluable as a 

 holding place for foxes. Three or four are required in the 

 south, and the same number on the north ; on the north, 

 one on the outskirts of the Berwick property, 

 one at Walford, one beyond Middle, near Shinglers, 

 and one near Coton Hall. On the south, one 

 just outside Attingham Park, on the Wroxeter 

 side, one near E-odington, one at Lythwood, and one 

 near the Cross Gates. I am glad to hear that the hunt 

 has agreed to lease Ercall Heath, a large place, ana well 

 placed for foxes in the Monday country, but too far 

 distant from Shrewsbury. This is a step in the right 

 direction. It should not be forgotten, however, that now 

 is the time to sow a gorse covert, and that it is a matter of 

 no difficulty if rabbits are kept off it the first year. Why 

 cannot our two county hunt clubs do something to 

 encourage hunting by offering to rent a few gorse coverts 



