122 GAME-BIRDS AT HOME. 



And on the knolls where the mild blue-bells 

 paled the orange fire of the poppies, bunch after 

 bunch of geese stood basking in the sun of mid- 

 day. But whether standing in silent dignity or 

 waddling about to feed on the fernlike leaves oi 

 the alfileria, whose little pinkish stars lit up the 

 greensward, the goose was watching for danger 

 with that keen eye that makes him so respected 

 by those who know him. 



All lovers of the field learn that plenty of game 

 does not imply plenty of shooting, any more than 

 plenty of shooting implies plethora of game- 

 pockets. And nowhere have I seen this truth 

 more apparent than when one could often see 

 from the window more game than can now be 

 seen in a day's hunt. Although quite simple 

 compared with the devices now necessary to in 

 sure a near acquaintance with the wary goose, 

 many tricks were needed even then. It required 

 no pits in the ground or decoys to lure the birds, 

 but it was still necessary to be well hidden when 

 lying in wait along their line of flight. Often 

 you could hide in the shade of the heteromeles 

 that rose ten or twelve feet in ever-living green, 

 starred with a thousand scarlet berries as bright 



