2G6 HUNTING DIRECTORY. 



Habits of the Wolf, and 



there for some time, either to clung or to make water 

 against some bush of broom or furze, or a tuft of grass. 

 He then immediately scratches up a spot on the surface 

 of the ground four feet in extent, tearing up the turf 

 backwards with his claws. He then continues his course, 

 and sometimes conceals himself at a considerable dis- 

 tance ; sometimes he likewise endeavours to give his 

 pursuers the slip, and instead of following the road takes 

 another, and turns toward the thickest part of the wood, 

 with a view to enter it. For this purpose he takes the 

 first double he comes to, or some favourable passage, 

 which hapi^ens principally when the earth is moist. It 

 is at such times that the sportsman should be careful to 

 train the hound to the scent, at about half the length of 

 the line, and to encourage his blood hound more and 

 more. If it be still early in the day, he may follow the 

 drag with little noise, and withdraw secretly to proceed 

 before. He should observe, that during this time, the 

 hound may surprize the wolf either by some JauxfuT/anf, 

 or by some glade, by which he may have penetrated 

 into the recesses of the wood ; for wolves have different 

 paces according as they are more or less hungry. When 

 driven by hunger, they are almost incessantly on the foot, 

 and proceed forward till they have found something to 

 eat : but when they have glutted themselves, they fre- 

 quently retire into the first thicket they come to, provided 

 they find favourable places for their kennel ; as hollies, 

 fern, and other shrubs. 



If the sportsman be at the forest on a hunting day, 

 he will content himself with ascertaining whether the 

 wolf has entered the thicket. He will endeavour to dis- 



