Coursing
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Coursing. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
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
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
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 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.