The Shropshire, 201 



miles away. His coverts^ whicli are very strong and 

 extensive, deck the sides of a hill rising by itself to a 

 height of some 900 feet, and form a point to attract 

 two out of every three foxes set a' going in the 

 northern or Monday country. 



A strong sturdy hunter must be ridden with the 

 Shropshire — and one who has learned to creep and 

 crawl as well as to obey his natural instinct to jump. 

 He will often have to travel far, even if he does not 

 often have to journey quick : and so, stoutness is of 

 more consequence with him than speed. The farmers 

 were wont to breed many good horses, but appear 

 to have abandoned the practice in proportion as 

 straightened circumstances of recent years have 

 limited their own hunting. However, the farmers 

 of Shropshire are keen sportsmen, and are gradually 

 working their way back to their former numbers at 

 the covertside. 



Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are the hunting- 

 days — Monday being, as a rule, to the north and 

 north-east of the kennels ; Friday between the 

 kennels and the town of Shrewsbury; and Wednesday 

 below the river. 



A few of the Monday meets are — Hodnet (Mr. 

 Percy^s), with a capital draw in Tunstall Wood and a 

 nice country stretching away to the east ; Ellerton 

 (Capt. Maesfield's) ; Hinstock (Mr. Williams') ; Ercall 

 Heath ; and Peplow (Mr. Stanyer's) ; all in the best 

 part of the country, and having some good little 

 coverts in their neighbourhood. Stoke Heath and 

 Buntingdale (Mr. Tailyour's) are favourite fixtures 

 near Market Drayton. Tremlows is a choice meet in 



