New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-14
plRRIT COTRNING.

W. trpst that our readers have not failed to
., tho fact that the noble sport of rabbit
coursing has again been revived on Long Island.
Crcece had her Olympia, Rome her Colosseum we
90 mot as vet provided with anything exactly
ru,o those. but occasionally our imitation English
non 90 over on Long Island, let rabbit out Of
box and watch n lot Of long-legged dogs chase it,
As MANY of our readers may not he fully in
formed concerning rabbit coursng, few words
on the subject will not perhaps, be. out of place
In rabbit coursng, first catch your rabbit
This may be accomplished by sending a force of
mon out in the woods of sufficient strength to
resist the attacks Of the Infatuated animals, who
will drive the rabbits to bay one by one and
effect their capture. This is OF course, attended
bv much danger, any one must know who has
over seen an enraged rabbit charge n hunting
Marty. 1t is better if possible, to capture your
rabbits while they young, and thus reduce
the danger IN. minimum. They may be con
fined in strong cages until they reach maturity
On the whole however IL is safer to use tame
rabbits, though too much care cannot be exer-
cised in handling even them as it is impossible to
tell when the old thirst for blood will take
possession of rabbit A maneating rabbit is
especially to be feared The leading idea in
rabbit coursing is TO eliminate all danger and
exertion for those taking part in It. The very
height of success. understand IT, in rabbit
coursing Is attained when the participants arrive
at that point where they can go through an
entire meet without moving muscle
When ready for the coursing select your
grounds, or rather have them selected for YOU
and repair thither. Your men in the meantime
have brought the dogs and rabbits to the scene
Of action, the latter, Of course, closely confined
in stout boxes. The harsh roar Of tn, imprisoned
rabbits may cause you some uncasiness at first,
but you must overcome it. as utter disregard Of
danger Is the first requisite in these exciting
field sports. At given signal your men release
one of the rabbits. OF course the fierce and
venomous animal dashes away. The dogs are
then loosed, and being long, slender, active dogs
intended for rapid transit they have no trouble
in overtaking the rabbit. The first one that
comes up seizes the savage beast by the back
and puts an end TO its dangerous career with
greater or less promptitude. The dogs are then
taken back, and another rabbit released. This
is repeated till the rabbits are all killed. or till
the weary spectators take the mOnOces out Of
their eyes and langudy move away toward home.
Perhaps in this account of rabbit coursing we
have omitted some triGng minor points, or made a
slight error on others-we confess our want Of
familiarity with the diverson-but in the main
trust that we have it right, as we have care
fully followed the reports of the various meets.
Is it not noble sport? Is it not
likely to develop those manly and
enduring qualities requisite in the citizen of
Republic? On the whole we are sorry to say
that do not think it is. 1t TO a
most cruel and uncalled-fOr practice, with no con
nection whatever with true sport We should be !
inclined TO class it rather below cocll-ighting, for
in that the contestants at least supposed TO
be quite evenly matched and they so into the |
battle voluntarily The Society for the Proven
ton of Cruelty to Animals seems to be taking an
active part in all the coursing which has been |
attempted SO far. and it is TO be hoped that it |
will be successful in securing convictions and |
breaking up the practice. There is no excuse |
whatever for the alleged sport of allowing dogs |
to tear rabbits to pieces merely for the amusement
of a peculiarly constituted crowd of spectators |