1 8 THE MASTER OF GAME 



coney (does) it is a token that she is strong and 

 well running. The hare runneth in many diverse 

 manners, for some run all they are able a whole 

 two miles or three, and after run and ruse again 

 and then stop still when they can no more, and 

 let themselves be bitten (by the hounds), although 

 she may not have been seen all the day. And 

 sometimes she letteth herself be bitten the first 

 time that she starteth, for she has no more might 

 (strength). And some run a little while and 

 then abide and squat, and that they do oft. 

 And then they take their flight as long as they 

 can run ere they are dead. And some be that 

 abide till they are bitten in their form, especially 

 when they be young that have not passed half a 

 year. Men know by the outer side of the hare's 

 leg if she has not passed a year.^ And so men 

 should know of a hound, of a fox, and of a wolf, 

 by a little bone that they have in a bone which is 

 next the sinews, where there is a little pit (cavity). 

 Sometimes when they are hunted with hounds 

 they run into a hole as a coney, or into hollow 

 trees, or else they pass a great river. Hounds 

 do not follow some hares as well as others, for 

 four reasons. Those hares who be begotten of 

 the kind of a coney, as some be in warrens, the 

 hounds lust not, nor scenteth them not so well. 

 The other (is) that the fues (footing) of some 

 * See Appendix :plare. 



