104 The Hunting Countries of England. 



Bourn Wood_, one of tlie largest coverts in tlie hunt, 

 and in great favour during cubliunting. Part of 

 this, including Oscar Wood_, belongs to Lady 

 Willoughby, and the remainder to Lord Exeter. 

 From here, in fact, runs a great range of woodland to 

 the north, and, passing through Elsthorpe Springs, 

 we get to Dunsby Wood, which is neutral between 

 the Cottesmore and the Belvoir. Grimsthorpe Castle 

 is another Wednesday meet (the extreme east of the 

 country being more often hunted on that day) ; the 

 coverts in the park are a sure find ; the park itself is 

 four miles in length, and hounds often race along it 

 from end to end — delighting in the oasis of grass. 

 For all this portion of the Cottesmore country a stout, 

 short-legged horse is to be recommended; and he 

 •must be able to jump, or he will certainly fathom some 

 of the wide drains which he will have to encounter. 

 Heavy plough is the prevailing feature of the soil ; and 

 in a wet season hounds can carry a good head over it 

 and account for their foxes ; but in a dry winter it is 

 difficult ground to work over with success. Corby 

 Bircholm for the Witham Woods and the other big 

 coverts just below (and to most of which we have 

 already alluded) is usually a Monday meet. Castle 

 Bytham and Little By tham Kennels are for the woods 

 of Morkery and the coverts running south to Clip- 

 sham, which place — together with Holywell Hall and 

 Greetham Inn — is for the Holywell Woods, Pickworth 

 Wood, the Twin Woods, and the coverts round Exton 

 Park; while Tickencote Hall is, perhaps, their 

 southernmost Monday fixture. Uffington and Case- 

 wick (for Lord Kesteven^s and Lord Lindsay^s coverts 



