The Sun.
London, England, 1825-04-02 00:00:00

UNPARALLELED CHASE.

One of the longest and most severe runs ever known in pur-
suit of a fox, occurred lately with the Sheffield Harriers, who
discovered reynard at Croach Tun, and followed him through
a track of country of between fifty and sixty miles, when the
fox took ground at Edale. The chase occupied six hours and
fbrty minutes.

FIELD SPORTS FOR APRIL.
[From the Annals of Spotting.]
We have before noticed the early conjunction of the hare.
Many of these animals were, during the latter part of the
season (in the month of February, for instance, and the be-
ginning of March), killed in a state of gestation : circumstances
of this sort, indeed, uniformly occur towards the close of every
season, but not to the extent which has recently happened, in
consequence of the almost unparalleled mildness of the wea-
ther. According to some of the newspapers, the rot has made
considerable havoc amongst hares.
The courtship of the feathered tribes, though it commenced
at a very early period, was several times interrupted by the
repeated occurrence of hard weather. and occasional falls of
snow. It is a well-known fact, with regard to the partridge,
that, although the pairing may have actually commenced, yet
unfavourable weather chills the enial desire so much, that eon_
gregation again takce place, and numbers of individuals unite,
not in coveys, but form societies which are well known by
sportsmen under the designation of packs.
The PHEASANT is a more solitary bird than the partridge;
and though the weather seems to have nearly a similar influence
on its desires, yet it appears rather to pine in solitude than to
seek the company of its kind, and share the general sorrow.
The WILD DUCE, the teal, and, indeed, all the duck tribe
approach each other early in the spring ; and, at this period,
.great numbers leave the vicinity of the sea-shore, in order to
seek that seclusion from the flock which seems so congenial
with love, and thus the nestling freqilently takes place in situa-
tions sought and frequented only at this particular period.—
But in this case, as in that of -the partridge, hard weather will
induce these birds which have separated themselves to recon-
gregate, and to'Continue in flocks till the return of a more con-
genial season. Many of the young of these birds are destroyed
when they are what are denominated flapperers ; or, in other
words, when they have attained a considerable size; but are
unable to fly ; in this state they are hunted (by poachers) with
water spaniels, and generally with, success: it is true, at the
commencement of the pursuit, the advantage appears com-
pletely on the side of the duck, and the dog would appear to
have but little chance of attaining his object. The young duck
no sooner perceives even the distant approach of danger, than
it hides itself from the sight of its pursuer by diving. The
bird dives with uncommon dexterity, and to a casual observer,
appears in very little danger of capture from the evident in-
equality of the contest at its commencement ; but perseverance
will do much ; and the dog, as fond of the sport as his master,
waits the re-appearance of his victim with the utmost confi-
dence : thus the chace continues till the young duck's strength
is so exhausted that it is no longer able to force its way under
water ; and, as it cannot rise in the air, it vainly endeavours
to escape from its invincible pursuer by swimming, and en-
deavouring to accelerate its languid motion by flapping its
wings on the surface of the water. -The energies of the dog
seem to increase as those of his object decline; and, when the
duck is no longer able to dive, the chace may be considered as
very near its termination. In August, young ducks are able
to get on the wing, and at this period will afford some diver-
sion to the shooter.
The Do TTEIIEL is a bird occasionally sought after by sports-
men. Some extraordinary tales are -recorded of this bird by
those who have written on the subject, too ridiculous, how-
ever, to be related here. Naturalists also observe, that these
birds " are migatory,' appearing in flocks of eight or ten,
about the end of April, and staying all May and June, when
they become very fat, and are much esteemed for the table.—
They are found in tolerable plenty (say they) in Cambridge-
shire, Lincolnshire, and Derbyshire ; but in other parts of the
kingdom they are scarcely known." The dotterel is, beyond
all doubt, not generally known in England, and on this account
its habits are but imperfectly understood. It is a bird of the
plover tribe, and is frequently found in company with the
golden plover. When it is seen in this country, it is in places
where its food is to be Met with; and as its habits are analagous
to those of the common pewit, or lapwing, so it resorts to similar
situations. The dotterel, we are of opinion, may be found in
abundance on the heaths, plashes, and fenny districts, of the
more northern regions : it is very common in the Highlands
of Scotland, particularly in the remote.parts of this mountain-
ous country ; and on die heaths and moister parts of Caithness,
dotterels are very numerous. Here they breed, and are to be
met with during the whole year. They are occasionally seen
in the northern parts of England, and few sportsmen, we
should suppose, have regularly visited the grouse maintains
without having sometimes met with the dotterel.
The preceding observations will, in a great degree, apply to
the ruff, and the reeve, the godwit, &c. which consequently
need no further notice in this place..
As far as relates to the shooting sportsman, the month of
April may be considered as a blank; the clamorous cawing of
the old rooks, as well as the eager cries of the young ones, to-
wards the latter end of the month,may remind him of the cross-
bow or the air-gun, and rook-shooting may while away some
of the idle hours of ; but lie cannot expect any satisfactory
sport till the appointed season arrives for that princely diver-
sion—grouse-shooting.
ANGLI sa.—ln the course of this month almost all kinds of
fresh-water fish will take the bait in rivers and brooks, and to-
wards the latter end of it, perch, carp, tench, &c. will be on the
feed in ponds, pools, merea, and other still waters. Now, too,
should the gudgeon-angler apply his art, for these little fish—
one of the best species of fresh-water dainties—will be past their
prime after the " May flowers" come in. Gudgeons are now
full of spawn, and thousands of them are making their way
from the Thames into the Lea at this period.
In the course of the month, Barbel and Bream get into the
sharp currents and quick waters, and will not refuse a choice
bait. Eels now run strong in dark nights, and may be taken
with lager lines, dead lines, and floated lines, even in the day
time as well. These baits for eels are, however, in some waters
very injurious to the sport of the more expert angler, for the
trout is too frequently captured by means of the night-line and
minnow, when it should only fall a prey to the fly. Lam-
preys are a deadly bait for eels, and the professors and connois-
seurs in the capture of this latter fish would do well to provide
themselves with such, and they may rest assured of taking the
finest and largest eels upon hooks well baited with these en-
ticements.
The trout,that " beautiful and spotted swimmer" of the deeps,
should not yet arouse the angler's ambition for his capture.—
Though fast getting rid of his wintry shape and dusky hue, the
golden spots, and the broad shoulder, are dot yet completely
formed and perfected. Of hundreds of trouts killed in April,
hardly a brace will be found fitting for use. Let then the April
showers blow over,anglers, before you spin your minnow, or whip
your dun-flies, your palmers, and your red-hackles, about the
haunts where the yellow king of the fresh. waters feeds. Atpresent,
and till May, disturb not his sovereignty, for he is, as yet, but
a taper and dark-hued monarch. Just now, and to keep his
hand in, the fly-fisherman may amuse himself by whipping for
sheggars on the sharps and scours—this handsome little fish
being now on the move, and when the weather is genial he will
rise freely. Grayling may now also'be taken. But it is in the
next and the few subsequent months that we shall be in all our
glory, fellow-fishermen ; therefore see that you have not a ring
loose, a splice unmade, a probable want unprovided for, in all
your paraphernalia. Look over your Waltons and your Salters,
and submit to he instructed, and then, in " the merry, merry
month of May," let us jog to the brook-side together, and ex-
emplify in our art, patience, perseverance and success.

ANTIDOTE AGAINST POISONS.— A correspon-
dent, alluding to the numerous cases of death from accidental
poisonings, and particularly to the melancholy fate of the
late Royal AcademiCian, Mr. Owen, adds—" I may venture
to affirm there is scarce even a cottage in this country that
does not contain an invaluable, certain, and immediate
remedy for such events; which is nothing more than a dessert
spoonful of made mustard, mixed in a tumbler glass of warm
water, and drank immediately; it acts as an instantaneous
emetic, is always ready, and may be used with safety in any
case where one is required. By making this simple antidote
known, you may be the means of saving many a fellow creature
from an untimely ei d."—(Brighton Gazettc.)

Mr. SCOTT, who Pscaped from the King's
Bench last week, has been retaken at Petersfield, Hants, and
committed by tile Marshal to close confintnem in the strong
room of the prison.