BEASTS OF THE CHASE. THE HARE. 77 



Colour is unimportant unless the M.H. has a crotchet that 

 way ; and, thanks to bloodhound crosses, some remarkable 

 varieties occasionally crop up. Blue-mottle is, however, the 

 traditional harrier hue ; it is now comparatively scarce, and we 

 are bound to say we never remember seeing a bad hound in a 

 blue-mottled skin. 



' One hound after another whimpering in front.' 



The puppies should be sent out to walk about the end of 

 September ; when they come in depends a good deal upon the 

 forbearance of the farmers' wives. As many are sent home in 

 February it is not a bad plan to take such as are strong enough 

 out hunting for a short time in March ; they get more than an 



