326 PHEASANTS 



probable lack of swing — so common a 

 fault when shooting at an unusually large 

 object with would-be singular care and 

 accuracy — and the old cock lurches for- 

 ward to crash down dead through the 

 branches. While still debating whether 

 it would be forgiven me to leave my stand, 

 and look closer at my prize, there comes 

 another warning whistle, followed hard 

 by a second great cock, who clears the 

 tops of the spruces to my front passing 

 directly overhead. Two minutes ago he 

 would in all probability have been missed, 

 for though its a fair enough chance, still 

 he is quite as high as one would wish, 

 and the background of open sky makes it 

 difficult to estimate the pace at which he 

 is travelling, never an easy matter to 

 judge when dealing with the unfamiliar 

 flight of a new bird of chase. 



But, the charm of apparent invulner- 

 ability once broken, the capercailzie proves 

 to be no very difficult bird to kill, and a 

 goodly lead with the gun brings the new- 

 comer tumbling down to join his fellow, 



