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huntsman assert that this havoc is necessary, 

 in order to kill off superabundant jack-hares 

 and so preserve the balance of stock. Doubtless 

 there was reason in this argument before the 

 present scarcity ; though now it hardly holds 

 good. 



March, too, is a general breeding month, and 

 hunting does in young entails the grossest 

 cruelty. Coursing is confined within no fixed 

 limits, and is sometimes prolonged unusually late. 

 With some modifications, what has been said of 

 hunting applies to coursing; and these things 

 sportsmen can remedy if they please. 



There is probably more unwritten law in con- 

 nection with field-sports than any other pastime ; 

 and it obviously might be added to with advan- 

 tage. If something is not done, the Hare will 

 assuredly become extinct before very long. To 

 prevent this, a " close time " is, in the opinion 

 of most sportsmen, absolutely necessary. And 

 the dates between which the animal would be 

 best protected are probably the first of March 

 and the first of August. 



Poaching is almost, if not quite, as prevalent 

 now as it has ever been ; and the recent relaxa- 

 tion of the law has done something to encourage 



