HUNTING 63 



causes hurry and flashiness, and in either way 

 is prejudicial. 



Q. Should the huntsman use a different note 

 when viewing a fox in covert, and going away 

 after a fox ? 



A. It is usual to sound double-tongued notes 

 on these occasions, which the hounds soon 

 recognise, and fly to accordingly. The late Sir 

 Charles Slingsby used to sound the high " G " 

 when going away, which was the most thrilling 

 sound the writer ever heard ; but no other 

 huntsman, as far as his knowledge goes, has ever 

 attempted this note. 



Q. Should any difference be made in the 

 manner large and small coverts are drawn ? 



A. " Large woods should always be drawn up- 

 wind, to give hounds the advantage of getting near 

 the fox ; but small coverts may be drawn down- 

 wind to avoid chopping one." (Tom Smith.) 



Q. Is it advisable to draw a large covert in 

 the afternoon ? 



A. Not if it is getting rather late, for there 

 is little or no chance of forcing the fox into the 

 open ; and since hounds must be getting tired 

 the thick covert wearies them still more and 

 makes them slack. Neither should a small covert 

 be drawn when it is so late there is no chance 

 of catching the fox before it is dark, and the 

 probability is that they will have to be stopped 

 when running — a thing to be avoided whenever 

 possible. Moreover, it is a mistake to disturb 

 a fox unless there is a chance of catching it, for 

 the more they are disturbed the more likely they 

 are to hide in out-of-the-way places, and are not 

 to be found when wanted in earnest. 



