a name by which the principal sails of a ship are distinguished, viz. the main-sail, the fore-sail, and the mizen; the mizen stay-sail and fore-sail are also sometimes comprehended in this denomination; as are the main stay-sails of all brigs and schooners. See SAIL.

Coursing, among sportsmen. There are three several sorts of courses with greyhounds: 1. At the hare; 2. At the fox; and 3. At the deer.

For the deer, there are two sorts of courses; the one in the paddock, the other either in the forest or the purlieu. For the paddock course, there must be the greyhound and the terrier, and the mongrel greyhound, whose business it is to drive away the deer before the greyhounds are shipped; a brace or a leath are the usual number shipped at a time, seldom at the utmost more than two brace. In coursing the deer in the forest or purlieu, there are two ways in use: the one is coursing from wood to wood; and the other, upon the lawns close by the keeper's lodge. In the coursing from wood to wood, the way is to throw in some young hounds into the wood to bring out the deer; and if any deer come out that is not weighty, or a deer or antler which is buck, fore, or forrel, then you are not to ship your greyhounds, which are held at the end of the wood, where the keepers, who can guess very well on these occasions, expect that the deer will come out. If a proper deer came out, and it is suspected that the brace or leath of greyhounds shipped after him will not be able to kill him, it is proper to waylay him with a couple of fresh greyhounds.

The coursing upon the lawn is the most agreeable of all other ways. When the keeper has notice of this, he will lodge a deer for the course; and then, by coming under the wind, the greyhounds may be brought near enough to be shipped for a fair course.

The best method of coursing the hare, is to go out and find a hare sitting; which is easily done in the summer, by walking across the lands, either stubble, coursing-fallow, or corn grounds, and calling the eye up and down: for in summer they frequent those places for fear of the ticks, which are common in the woods at that season; and in autumn the rains falling from the trees offend them. The rest of the year there is more trouble required; as the bushes and thickets must be beat to rouse them, and oftentimes they will lie so close, that they will not stir till the pole almost touches them: the sportsmen are always pleased with this, as it promises a good course. If a hare lies near any close or covert, and with her head that way, it is always to be expected that she will take to that immediately on being put up; all the company are therefore to ride up, and put themselves between her and the covert before she is put up; that she may take the other way, and run upon open ground. When a hare is put up, it is always proper to give her ground, or low, as it is called; that is, to let her run 12 score yards, or thereabouts, before the greyhounds are shipped at her; otherwise she is killed too soon, the greater part of the sport is thrown away, and the pleasure of observing the several turnings and windings that the creature will make to get away is all lost. A good sportsman had rather see a hare save herself after a fair course, than see her murdered by the greyhounds as soon as she is up.

In coursing the fox, no other art is required, than standing close, and in a clear wind, on the outside of some grove where it is expected he will come out; and when he is come out, he must have head enough allowed him, otherwise he will return back to the covert. The slowest greyhound will be able to overtake him, after all the odds of distance necessary; and the only danger is the spoiling the dog by the fox, which too frequently happens. For this reason, no greyhound of any value should be run at this course; but the strong, hard, bitter dogs, that will seize anything.

The laws of coursing established by the duke of Norfolk, and other sportsmen of the kingdom of England, are these:

1. He that is chosen fewerer or lesser-loose of the dogs, shall receive the greyhounds matched to run together into his leath as soon as he comes into the field; he is to march next to the hare-finder, or him who is to start the hare, until he come to the form; and no horseman or footman is to go before or sideways, but all straight behind, for the space of about 40 yards. 2. A hare ought never to be coursed with more than a brace of greyhounds. 3. The hare-finder is to give the hare three echoes before he puts her up from her form or seat, to the end that the dogs may be prepared and attend her starting. 4. If there be not a particular danger of losing the hare, she should have about twelve score yards law. 5. The dog that gives the first turn, if after that there be neither cote, slip, nor wrench, wins the wager. 6. A go-by, or bearing the hare, is counted equivalent to two turns. 7. If either dog turns the hare, he that leads to the last covert wins. 8. If any dog turns the hare, serves himself, and turns her again, it is as much as a cote, and a cote is esteemed as much as two turns. 9. If all the course be equal, he that beats the hare shall win; and if he be not borne, the course shall Courting, shall then be judged dead. 10. If a dog take a fall in his course, and yet perform his part, he may challenge the advantage of a turn more than he gave. 11. If a dog turn the hare, serve himself, and give divers cotes, and yet in the end shall stand still in the field, the other dog, if he turns home to the covert, although he gives no other, shall be adjudged to win the wager. 12. If by misfortune a dog be rid over in the course, that course shall be adjudged void, and he that did the mischief is to make reparation to the owner. 13. If a dog gives the first and last turn, and there be no other advantage between them, he that gives the odd turn wins. 14. A cote is when a greyhound goes sideways by the side of his fellow, and gives the hare a turn. 15. A cote serves for two turns, and two trippings or jerkings for a cote; and if the hare turns not quite about, the only wrencheth, in the sportsman's phrase. 16. If there be no cotes given by either of the greyhounds, but one serves the other at turning, then he that gives the most turns wins the wager. 17. Sometimes a hare does not turn, but wrenches; for she does not turn, except the turns as it were round. In these cases, two wrenches stand for one turn. 18. He that comes first at the death of the hare takes her up, and saves her from breaking; he cherishes the dogs, and cleanses their mouths from the wool; he is adjudged to have the hare for his pains.

Finally, those who are judges for the leath, must give their judgment before they depart out of the field, or else it is not to stand as valid.