COURSING (from course, OF., Fr. eoursc). The pursuit of a hare by greyhounds, who fol low it by sight and not by scent, is one of the most ancient of field sports. Arrian (A.D. 150) made its history the subject of much research. There are two kinds of coursing—'open,' which may be described as the haphazard pursuit of any hare that can be discovered, without regard to any set rules or regulations; and 'close' cours ing, in which the course is determined by fixed boundailes, or otherwise fenced in. In the latter case, the hares, which have been previously se cured, are released, and after sufficient law time or distance) has been allowed them. the dogs are slipped, and the pursuit begins. Both these kinds of coursing are practiced under similar rules in Great Britain and America alike. The oldest coursing club in England was that established at SwatTham in Norfolk in 1776, and of existing organizations, the most important is the Altear Club. established in 1825. In America the sport has been in existence since the middle of the nineteenth century, but open meetings, in which competitors from regular organizations take part, are of comparatively recent date. The supervising and controlling body of the sport is 'The American Coursing Board,' and the princi pal meets, or meetings, are in the two Dakotas, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota.
In England the sport is conducted under the laws and rules of the National Coursing Club, and the principal meet is that held every Febru ary over the Altcar Course near Liverpool, for the Waterloo Cup, a prize instituted in 1836.
It was originally an 8-dog course, increased the next year to 16. the year after to 32, at which it stood until 1857, when it became a 64-dog stake, and as such it still remains. The best dogs of the world compete. and the title 'Water loo Cup' has become synonymous with the high est prize of the year in coursing. in many coun tries. Russia, America, South Australia. New South Wales, and New Zealand all have their Waterloo Coursing Cups. In competitions the judge follows the dogs throughout the course, noting every movement from the moment they are slipped until the 'kill.' or conclusion of the course—I6s decision being based on the following general rules: I. For speed, according to the degree of superiority shown, 1, 2, or 3. II. For the go-by—the starting of a greyhound a clear length behind its opponent, passing it ill a straight run and obtaining a clear length ahead —2 points, or if gained on the outer circle. 3 points. I11. The turn—a sharp turn of not less than a right angle in the hare's course when pressed by a dog, 1 point. IV. The wrench— a change of less than a right angle in a hare's course when pressed, one-half point. V. The kill. 2 points, or in a descending scale in pro portion to the merit displayed, which may he of no value. VI. The trip—an unsuccessful ef fort which threw the hare off its legs. or the getting so close as to snatch it and lose hold.