Coursing
the hunting of hares with greyhounds, which follow the game by sight, and not by scent. Coursing meetings are held in open parts of the country where hares are abundant, and the owners of greyhounds enter their respective dogs for various stakes. A judge is appointed, whose duty it is to decide with respect to the merits of the dogs engaged.
The sport then begins by two dogs being selected for a course. The judge follows the greyhounds throughout the whole course, and awards the victory to the dog which shows the finest qualities of speed, endurance, and sagacity; and not necessarily to the dog which kills the hare. Coursing is of great antiquity, and is treated of by Arrian, who flourished A. D. 150. A pastime known as "Hare and Hounds," "somewhat similar to coursing, was at one time quite popular in the United States. In this form one or more men, known as the Hares, were given a time handicap and provided with slips of paper which they dropped from time to show their trail. These runners were followed by others, known as Hounds, and the object was that the Hounds should overtake the Hares.