11 DECEMBER 2004, Page 33

Tally whoops!

From Martin Vander Weyer Sir: The Master of the Ampleforth Beagles, as I said (`The hounds of heaven', 4 December), 'likes to . . correct hunting solecisms' — so I must apologise for attributing an absolute howler to him; he does not count two hares, like two hounds, as a couple but, of course, as a brace.

Martin Vander Weyer

Helmsley, N. Yorkshire