Coursing

in the United States, following the large hare--the "jackrabbit"--with greyhounds. It is practised chiefly in the prairie region west of the Mississippi from Texas northward. The hunt, on horseback, of course, is under control of a leader. When a "jack" starts up from his form in a tuft of grass two hounds are loosed. They follow by sight, but a course may extend over several miles. In a perfectly open country the odds are all against the hare. It jumps sideways or turns suddenly, allowing the hounds to pass; but unless it can reach rough ground, or get out of sight in cover, it has no chance for its life. The hound that catches the hare is not necessarily the winner. The hound that courses away leaving its competitor behind scores a point or two. The hound that overtakes and passes its competitor scores still more. Other scores are a quick turn at right angles, a turn at an acute angle, tripping the hare without seizing it, and actual killing. The various credits on points as previously agreed upon are kept on a card and footed. The hound having the greatest total is decreed the winner. The winners in two different couples are then matched for a course together, and so on. A hound wins a season according to the same rules that govern a winning football team. See Hare; Dog