io8 SHOOTING THE HARE 



shown about the year 1869 by the estabhshment of 

 the late Maharajah Dhuleep Singh at Elveden in 

 Norfolk. There was plenty of open heath land and 

 of large fields well suited to the purpose. Just at that 

 time the Maharajah had sent John Barr, the falconer, 

 to Iceland, to bring back a large stock of these noble 

 falcons. At one time he had as many as thirty-five in 

 his mews, and three or four of these were regularly 

 trained to fly the big brown hares of which he had 

 so many on his estate. No very great number was 

 killed, for disease played havoc with the beautiful 

 falcons, which were ill suited to the damp English 

 climate ; but as to their power to take hares, and the 

 possibility of success at this flight, there could be no 

 doubt. 



