242 ANECDOTE OF A COMBAT BETWIXT TWO HARES. 



When I reflect on the numbers and the appetite of the Hanoverian 

 rat, and put down to its account the many depredations which it is 

 perpetually committing, I cannot bring my mind to show it the same 

 good feeling which is extended in this park to the rest of animated 

 nature. In truth, I consider its arrival in our country an event pro- 

 ductive of much annoyance to the community at large ; and, had I 

 the power, I would send its whole stock, root and branch, back again 

 to the country whence it came, seeing that we have gained nothing 

 by letting it exterminate the original English rat. 



ANECDOTE OF A COMBAT BETWIXT 

 TWO HARES. 



"At last the two stout hares did meet 



Like quarry of great might 

 Like lions moved, they laid on load, 

 And made a cruel fight." 



Chevy Chace. 



ON Easter-Sunday, in the afternoon, as I was proceeding with my 

 brother-in-law, Mr Carr, to look at a wild-duck's nest in an adjacent 

 wood, we saw two hares fighting with inconceivable fury on the open 

 ground, about a hundred and fifty yards distant from us. They 

 stood on their hinder legs like two bull-dogs resolutely bent on de- 

 struction. Having watched them for about a quarter of an hour, we 

 then entered the wood, I observing to Mr Carr that we should find 

 them engaged on our return. 



We stayed in the wood some ten minutes, and, on leaving it, we 

 saw the hares still in desperate battle. They had moved along the 

 hill-side, and the grass was strongly marked with their down for a 

 space of twenty yards. At last one of the sylvan warriors fell on its 

 side, and never got upon its legs again. Its antagonist then retreated 

 for a yard or so, stood still for a minute, as if in contemplation, and 

 then rushed vengefully on the fallen foe. This retreat and advance 



