WHITE HOUND.—A hound perfectly white is hardly ever bred up for the chase; not more on account of their being considered weaker in constitution than hounds of a variegated description, than their contributing less to the uniformity of the pack. The hounds in the highest estimation to constitute beauty, are brown, liver-coloured, or yellow pied; either of those having a proportional participation with the white, and of these the most are now bred. There are, however, some instances, where hounds entirely of a black, or sandy tan, are admitted, and prove the _crack_ or leading hound of the pack. WIDGEON—is a species of wild fowl, inferior in size to the wild duck, but considerably larger than the teal. They afford little or no sport to the gunner, being but rarely found, except in the utmost severity of the winter, and then only in certain particular fens and marshes in some few different parts of the kingdom. Those with which the markets of the Metropolis are supplied, are caught in the same manner as wild-ducks. See DECOY. WILD BOAR.—This animal was formerly a native of Britain, and held in such high estimation, that those convicted of killing or maiming them in the time of William the Conqueror, were punished with the loss of their eyes. Charles the First procured wild boars from the continent, and had them turned down in the New Forest to promote the breed; but they were entirely destroyed in the civil wars that ensued. Hunting the wild boar is considered a magnanimous sport with the grandees of those countries in which they abound; but it partakes in no degree of comparison with the exhilarating sport, and enlivening scenes, displayed in the different kinds of chase in our own country. Wild boars are sought after, and tried for, in the largest and thickest woods and coverts, (having angular and cross rides cut through them for the purpose of the chase,) in the same way by which stags are roused, or foxes unkenneled, in this country. The dogs used for the sport, are slow and heavy, much more like a cross between a mastiff and a wire-haired lurcher, than any species of the hound kind. When the boar is once roused, more by the incessant noise and clamour of the multitude than any peculiar property of the dogs, he goes moderately off, not much alarmed at, or seemingly afraid of, the exultations of his pursuers. During the chase (if it is worthy to be termed so) he frequently turns round to face the dogs, and offers to attack them; again proceeds; again turns; and they for a while keep each other _at bay_: the same ceremony is renewed, till at length the boar becomes completely tired, refusing to go any farther. The serious conflict then begins in earnest. His defence being strong, and wonderfully powerful, before, the dogs (particularly the young ones) endeavour to attack him behind, in which attempt some lives are frequently lost; but during the struggle, the hunters get up, and put a period to his existence with their spears.