54 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST 



CHAPTER IX. 



To look at the map of Mayo, one would imagine 



that Nature had designed that county for a sportsman. 



The westerly part is wild and mountainous ; alpine 



ridges of highlands interpose between the ocean and the 



interior, and from the bases of these hills a boundless 



tract of heath and moorland extends in every direction. 



To the east, the face of the country undergoes a striking 



change large and extensive plains cover the surface, 



and as the lands are generally occupied in pasturage, 



and consequently not sub -divided into the numerous 



enclosures which are requisite in tillage farming, this 



part of Mayo is justly in high estimation as a hunting 



country, and for centuries has been a favourite fixture 



of the neighbouring fox-hunters. The Plains, as this 



sporting district is usually denominated, afford constant 



opportunities for the horse to show his powers and the 



rider his nerve. The parks are of immense size ; the 



fences stiff and safe ; the surface agreeably undulated, 



and, from the firmness of the sward, affording superior 



galloping ground. One may occasionally ride over 



miles without being necessitated to take a leap ; but 



when one does meet fences, they are generally raspers ; 



and if the scent lies, and the dogs can go, nothing but 



a tip-top horse, and a man " who takes everything as 



God sends it," will hold a forward place upon the plains. 



The covers in the vicinity of the plains are numerous 



and well supplied with foxes. Of these animals there 



is no scarcity anywhere in Mayo ; but in the mountain 



districts there is, unfortunately, a superabundance. 



