444 HUNTING. 



feet ; and there are other reasons for his not doing 

 it, which it is unnecessary to mention. But the 

 very best understanding now generally exists be- 

 tween masters of fox-hounds and masters of harriers; 

 and it is a common practice of such of the latter as 

 reside in a fox-hunting district, to await the publish- 

 ing of the fox-hunting fixtures before they make 

 their own. 



The following hints may be useful in hunting 

 the hare. First, respecting the hare herself; hares 

 breed from February to the end of harvest, and are 

 said to live seven years. The buck affords the best 

 sport, particularly in the spring^ when, after one or 

 two rings, he often goes straight on end for several 

 miles. Hence the proverb, " as wild as a March 

 hare.'' Some persons pretend to distinguish the 

 sex upon the seat ; at all events, the head of the 

 buck is shorter, the shoulders redder, and the ears 

 redder, than those of a doe ; he is also larger, and 

 his hind parts are of a lighter colour. If the claws 

 are smooth and sharp, and the ears tear easily, the 

 hare is young. 



The difficulty of finding a hare by the eye is well 

 known. It is an art greatly facilitated by experi- 

 ence, although not one person in ten who attempts 

 it succeeds in it. But here we recognize the Hand 

 that furnished her with such means for her security; 

 as, from the delicacy of her flesh, she is the prey of 

 every carnivorous animal, and her means of defence 

 are confined only to her flight. In going to her 

 form, she consults the weather, especially the wind, 

 lying always, when she can, with her head to face 



