CH. xii.] MOUNTAIN- HARES. 199 



evening. He will there get so accustomed to see the 

 little animals running about unpursued by either of 

 you, that his natural anxiety to chase fur, whether it 

 grow on the back of hare or rabbit, will be gradually 

 diminished. 



338. In Scotland there are tracts of heather where 

 one may hunt for weeks together and not find a hare ; 

 indeed, it is commonly observed, that hares are always 

 scarce on those hills where grouse most abound. In 

 other parts they are extremely numerous. Some sports- 

 men in the Highlands avail themselves of this con- 

 trasted ground, in order to break a young dog from 

 "chasing." They hunt him, as long as he continues 

 fresh, where there are no hares ; and when he becomes 

 tired, they take him to the Lowlands, where they are 

 plentiful. By then killing a good many over him, and 

 severely punishing him whenever he attempts to follow, 

 a cure is often effected in two or three days. In the 

 yet higher ranges, the mountain-hares,* from possessing 

 a peculiarly strong scent, and not running to a distance, 

 are a severe trial to the steadiest dog. 



In the autumn they are nearly blue ; in the winter white ; and in 

 some counties are now found in marvellous quantities. The greater 

 pains taken of late years to destroy all kinds of vermin, has much 

 tended to their increase. A few seasons ago a party at Lord 



M d's, in Perthshire, killed seven hundred in one day. The 



plan adopted was for a large body of men and boys to surround a 

 hill at its base, and beating slantingly upwards, to drive all the 

 hares before them. The sportsmen, who formed part of the ascending 



* The ears of young hares tear to the strongest pressure of your 



readily ; and there is a gristly fingers. 



substance, larger than half a pea, When you observe that the 



at the end of the shank -bone of carving knife performs the part 



the fore-leg, just above the joint, of curling-tongs, prefer a help 



which departs with youth. Their from the birds at the top of the 



smooth, close, sharp claws dis- table. 



appear afterwards ; and when quite Ditto, ditto, in all particulars, 



old their jaw-bones become so with regard to rabbits, 

 strong as not to yield and crack 



