Must he not have meant a rook?
[Note: It has since been pointed out to me that the Don may have meant a raven] Soon afterwards something moved out of the mound into the meadow a long distance up: it was a hare.

He came slowly along beside the hedge towards me--now stopping and looking into it as if seeking a convenient place for a form, having doubtless been disturbed from that he had first chosen.

It was some minutes before he came within range: had I been on the ground most likely he would have scented me, the light air going that way; but being in, the tree the wind that passed went high over him.

For this reason a tree ambush is deadly.

It was necessary to get the line of sight clear of twigs, which check and divert shot, and to take a steady aim; for I had no second barrel, no dog, and had to descend the tree before running.