The time to track hares is after a fall of snow deep enough to conceal the ground completely. As long as there are black patches intermixed, the hare will be hard to find. It is true that outside these the tracks will remain visible for a long time, when the snow comes down with a north wind blowing, because the snow does not melt immediately; but if the wind be mild with gleams of sunshine, they will not last long, because the snow is quickly thawed. When it snows steadily and without intermission there is nothing to be done; the tracks will be covered up. Nor, again, if there be a strong wind blowing, which will whirl and drift the snow about and obliterate the tracks. It will not do to take the hounds into the field in that case;1 since owing to excessive frost the snow will blister2 the feet and noses of the dogs and destroy the hare’s scent. Then is the time for the sportsman to take the haye nets and set off with a comrade up to the hills, and leave the cultivated lands behind; and when he has got upon the tracks to follow up the clue. If the tracks are much involved, and he follows them only to find himself back again ere along at the same place,3 he must make a series of circuits and sweep round the medley of tracks, till he finds out where they really lead.4

The hare makes many windings, being at a loss to find a resting-place, and at the same time she is accustomed to deal subtly5 in her method of progression, because her footsteps lead perpetually to her pursuit.

As soon as the track is clear,6 the huntsman will push on a little farther; and it will bring him either to some embowered spot7 or cragg............