2i6 THOUGHTS UPOlJ HUNTING. 



When covers are much disturbed, foxes will sometimes 

 break as soon as they hear a hound. Where the country 

 round is very open, the fox least likely to break, is that 

 which you are hunting : be will be very unwilling to quit 

 the cover, if it be a large one, unless he can get a great 

 distance before the hounds. Should you be desirous to 

 get a run over such a country, the likeliest means will be 

 to post a quiet and skilful person to halloo one off, and 

 lay on to him. The further he is before you, the less 

 likely he will be to return. The best method, however, 

 to hunt a cover like this, is to stick constantly to it, not 

 suffering the hounds to break, so long as one fox shall re- 

 main : do this two or three hunting days following; foxes 

 will then fly, and you will have good chases. 



Nothing Is more hurtful to hounds, than the frequent 

 thanging of their country : should they change from a 

 good- scenting country to a bad one, unless they have luck 

 on their sides, they may be some time without killing a 

 fox; whereas, hounds have always a great advantage in 

 a country which they are used to : they not only know bet- 

 ter where to find their game, but they will also pursue it 

 with more alacrity afterwards. 



