28 The Hunting Countries of England. 



the same horseshoe- shaped chain of woodlands back 

 to Martin Railway Bridge. These woods are admi- 

 rably preserved as regards pheasants : and for that 

 matter ground game (with the single exception of 

 Reynard) is thoroughly encouraged. When he is to 

 be found, you should be on a hunter ; for, though on 

 most days you may afford to lounge about the 

 woods on a pony, if by chance hounds run into the 

 open you will meet with wide ditches and strong 

 fences. 



West of Horncastle Thimbleby is a favourite meet, 

 with a view to drawing Edlington Scrubs and the 

 Edlington and Wispington Plantations, which lie in 

 the midst of a very pretty, but limited, range of 

 grass country. The fences hereabouts are mostly of 

 thorn, neatly trimmed and (as is the case over the 

 bulk of Lincolnshire) usually set on a narrow bank, 

 only a foot or two in height — but all that height 

 additional. 



Thursday is the day on which they hunt their 

 northern, or Hainton, district — most of the meets 

 being for the neutral woods between Louth and 

 Market Rasen. These great coverts really belong 

 to the Brocklesby; but during the late Lord Yar- 

 borough's life, permission was given to the South 

 Wold and Burton to draw them (in some measure to 

 relieve the strain from the Brocklesby due to the 

 wide extent of their country). Of the meets in this 

 district Donnington Brick Yard is in the South Wold 

 proper; but Hainton, Boucherest Arms, Six Hills, 

 Legsby, and Gersby are all for the neutral woods. 

 Hainton Duck Ponds, Legsby Wood and the woods 



