A RABBIT HUNT IN ENGLAND. 



T. H. r..\K.\<;\Y.\XATH. 



Xo part of England i> so little known to 

 Americans as that which is nearest to 

 America — Devon and Cornwall. Yet no 

 part of that sea-girt island can boast of 

 finer scenery than is found on the North 

 coast of Devon in the vicinity of Ilfra- 

 combe, and on the rugged coast of that 

 Western country from Devon to St. Ives — 

 where, by the way there is a flourishing col- 

 ony of American artists — and West to the 

 Land's End and around to Penzance, with 

 its picturesque St. Michael's Mount, and 

 so on to the Lizard Point. 



It is famous for winter shooting, as it is 

 the home of tens of thousands of birds that 

 delight in the mild climate which produces 

 the beautiful primrose in the early part 

 of February. The various means of snar- 

 ing these birds might be of some interest. 

 but this must be at some other time. 



While much of the land is under a high 

 state of cultivation, producing very early 

 vegetables and flowers for the large markets, 

 and so the rents are high, still as one nears 

 the end of the land he finds large tracts 

 covered with gorse — or furze — and fern, 

 making excellent cover for foxes, badgers, 

 hares and rabbits. 



In places along the coast often many 

 miles of this kind of land are preserved by 

 some local esquire, and to trespass there 

 would be to bring down punishment to the 

 full extent of the law. 



A Downs covered with furze and fern is 

 a first class place for rabbits, and they are 

 to be found there in great abundance, and 

 once in awhile one puts up a fine hare in 

 and nearby meadows. The hare is no longer 

 game in English law. 



For several days we enjoyed shooting on 

 one of those breezy downs, which over- 

 looked a broad expanse of ocean. What 

 matchless scenery as far as the eye could 

 reach! What tramps through the prickly 

 furze and high ferns! How we pitied the 

 sweltering crowds in Xew York; and our 

 hearts went out to the brave boys who at 

 that time were fighting for our flag under a 

 tropic sun. 



Three or 4 trained dogs were indispens- 

 able to the sport, and well they worked the 

 dense cover. We never had long to wait, for 

 the dogs could easily put up a rabbit, and 

 would " give sound " — something which al- 

 ways thrills the hunter whether in pursuit 

 of deer or rabbit. We spread ourselves over 

 the ground, occupying the most likely 

 spots; but often so dense was the cover that 

 the game went to hole before one could 

 catch the briefest glimpse of the tail in the 

 very narrow runs. 



Once I was standing on a frail stone 

 hedge, about to leap down, when out of 

 the brake, immediately in front, there ran 

 a large rabbit, and placing my Brumagum 

 gun to my shoulder I fired. That was a 

 marvelous shot, for it brought down more 

 and larger game than was aimed at. Being 

 unable to steady myself while firing I found 

 myself on my back in a decidedly uncom- 

 fortable bed. 



But. then, my shot had taken effect and 

 the rabbit was mine — a fact which soothed 

 my aching back. 



Working upward toward the brow of the 

 hill we came to a deep hole, thickly over- 

 grown. It had evidently been some part of 

 the old mine. The dogs were barking furi- 

 ously, and mingling with this was another 

 sound which my friends soon recognized 

 as that of a badger in fighting mood. We 

 hastened to the spot ready for the fray : but 

 the big fellow thought retreat the better part 

 of valor, and was satisfied with leaving his 

 imprint on one of the dogs. He lived to 

 fight another day. 



How those dogs worked! And our guns 

 spoke frequently, though not always effec- 

 tively. But the close of each day found us 

 with plenty of game and eager for the mor- 

 row's sport. 



I could not help contrasting the abun- 

 dance of game with the great scarcity in 

 mam parts of our own country, and in my 

 heart of hearts I wished success to the 

 splendid work of Recreation in denounc- 

 ing the game hog. and in its efforts to pre- 

 serve our diminishing game. 



JUNE. 



Each long, bright, lovely day Dame Nature 

 tries 



Her level best to give to its surprises; 

 The angler now tells most consummate lies 



'Bout catching fishes ot' enormous sizes. 





