cause the snow does not melt immediately; but
if the wind be mild with gleams of sunshine, they will not last long,
because the snow is quickly thawed. When it snows steadily and without
intermission there is nothing to be done; the tracks will be covered
up. Nor, again, if there be a strong wind blowing, which will whirl and
drift the snow about and obliterate the tracks. It will not do to take
the hounds into the field in that case; (1) since owing to excessive
frost the snow will blister (2) the feet and noses of the dogs and
destroy the hare's scent. Then is the time for the sportsman to take
the haye nets and set off with a comrade up to the hills, and leave the
cultivated lands behind; and when he has got upon the tracks to follow
up the clue. If the tracks are much involved, and he follows them only
to find himself back again ere along at the same place, (3) he must make
a series of circuits and sweep round the medley of tracks, till he finds
out where they really lead. (4)

(1) Lit. "I say it is no use setting out with dogs to this chase."

(2) {kaei}. Cf. Arrian, xiv. 5.

(3) Reading {ekonta} sc. {ton kunegeten...} or if {ekonta, kuklous}
(sc. {ta ikhne}), transl. "if the tracks are involved, doubling on
themselves and coming back eventually to the same place."

(4) Or, "where the end of the string is."

The hare makes many windings, being at a loss to find a resting-place,
and at the same time she is accustomed to deal subtly (5) in her method
of progression, because her footsteps lead perpetually to her pursuit.

(5) {tekhnazein}. Cf. Ael. "N. A." vi. 47, ap. Schneid. A fact for
Uncle Remus.

As soon as the track is clear, (6) the huntsman will push on a little
farther; and it will bring him either to some embowered spot (7) or
craggy bank; since gusts of wind will drift the snow beyond such spots,
whereby a store of couching-places (8) is reserved (9); and that is what
puss seeks.

(6) "Discovered."

(7) "Thicket or overhanging crag."

(8) {eunasima}, "places well adapted for a form."

(9) Al. "many places suited for her form are left aside by puss, but
this she seeks."

If the tracks conduct the huntsman to this kind of covert he had better
not approach too near, for fear the creature should move off. Let him
make a circuit round; the chances are that she is there; and that will
soon be clear; for if so, the tracks will not trend outwards from the
place at any point.