WITH THE BELVOIR 231 



a precaution that is necessary, for the sound of the 

 trotting cavalcade might move a fox and rob a 

 hunt of its brilhancy. Riding across the two un- 

 dulating grass fields gives the first view of Coston 

 covert, a line of stunted thorns on the hill-top in 

 cold shade when seen on the north side. Not until 

 it is approached by the narrow ride gate at the 

 north-east corner does its charm of surroundings 



The Hon. Maurice Gififord. 



appeal to the eye. Gently sloping to the south 

 there is the witcher}^ of colouring on tree and thick 

 undergrowth lit up by the soft winter sunshine. A 

 typical Leicestershire fox covert of about ten acres, 

 it is an ideal spot, from which hounds get away 

 with a flying start, to launch out across a perfect 

 panorama of undulating grass country, stretching 

 away as far as the eye can reach. The sky-line 

 melts into blue distance, and, if the light is good, it 

 is possible to distinguish the bold outhne of Wood- 

 well Head by Market Overton, some four miles 



