220 HUNTING DIRECTORY. 



Of the Pursuit 



" Hares are said (I know not with what truth) to foresee 

 a change of weather, and to seat themselves accordingly. 

 This is however certain, that they are seldom found in 

 places much exposed to the wind. In inclosures, I think, 

 they more frequently are found near to a hedge than in 

 the middle of a field. They who make a profession of 

 hare finding (and a very advantageous one it is in some 

 countries) are directed by the wind where to look for 

 their game. With good eyes and nice observation, they 

 are enabled to find them in any weather. 



" When the game is fovmd, you cannot be too quiet : 

 the hare is an animal so very timorous, that she is fre- 

 quently headed back, and your dogs are liable to overrun 

 the scent at every instant : it is best, therefore, to keep 

 a considerable way behind them, that they may have 

 room to turn as soon as they perceive they have lost the 

 scent ; and if treated in this manner, they will seldom 

 overrun it much. Your hounds, through the whole 

 chase, should be left almost entirely to themselves, nor 

 should they be hallooed too much : when the hare 

 doubles, they should hunt through those doubles ; nor 

 is a hare hunted fairly when hunted otherwise. They 

 should follow her every step she takes, as well over 

 greasy fallows as through large flocks of sheep ; nor 

 should they ever be cast but when nothing can be done 

 without it. 



" I have already observed that a trail in the morning 

 is of great service to hounds, and that to be perfect they 

 should always find their own game ; for the method of 

 hare finding, though more convenient, will occasion some 

 vices in them, which it will be impossible to correct. 



