136 SHOOTING : 



If you the upper ground, I here must state, 

 Contrive to walk, to get most shots, (they take 

 Mostly your side, as seldom but to hill 

 They run,) and stand a chance the most to kill. 



To tell those old from young, you will not fail, 

 If you but simply press with the thumb nail 

 The knee joints of the two fore legs, this done, 

 If the bones separate, the hare is young ; 

 And on the contrary, should they not give, 

 'Tis old, nor will this trial e'er deceive ; 

 The same will hold for rabbits, for you may 

 The young from worthless sort in self-same way. 

 Tho' hares may rank 'mongst animals most shy, 

 Yet will they sit close to their enemy ; 

 Near to a pack of hounds, will huntsmen state, 

 Oft form whose music seems t' infatuate 

 The timid creatures ; does their instinct show 

 The truth of an old adage who can know, 

 That nearer danger, they feel safer still 1 

 As who dwell nearest church, oft act most ill. 



