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 gOy 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. 



