156 THE HIVE OF THE BEE-HUNTER. 
The nest on the tree, and the burrow in the ground 
are alike invaded ; while the poultry-yard of the farmer, 
and his sheepfold, are drawn on liberally, to supply the 
eat with food. It hunts down the rabbit, coon, and pos- 
sum, and springs from the elevated bough upon the bird 
perched beneath, catching in its mouth its victim; and 
will do this while descending like an arrow in speed, 
and with the softness of a feather to the ground. 
Nothing can exceed its beauty of motion when in pur- 
suit of game, or sporting in play. No leap seems too 
formidable—no attitude ungraceful. It runs—flies— 
leaps—skips—and is at ease, in an instant of time; 
every hair of its body seems redolent with life. 
Its disposition is untamable; it seems insensible 
to kindness; a mere mass of ill-nature, having no sym- 
pathies with any, not even of its own kind. It is for 
this reason, no doubt, that it is so recklessly pursued ; 
its paw being, like the hand of the Ishmaelite, against 
every man; and it most indubitably follows, that every 
man’s dogs, sticks, and guns, are against it. The 
hounds themselves, that hunt equally well the cat and 
the fox, pursue the former with a clamorous joy, and 
kill it with a zest which they do not display when finish- 
ing off a fine run after Reynard. In fact, as an animal 
of sport, the cat in many respects is preferable to the 
fox; its trail is always warmer, and it shows more sa- 
gacity in eluding its enemies. 
In Louisiana the sportsman starts out in the morn- 
