226 THE HIVE OF THE BEE-HUNTER. 



States where the game bird was hunted by torchlight, 

 and killed " without the benefit of clergy," created the 

 same sensation among the " legitimists," as is felt at Saint 

 Germain's, because there is " no Bourbon on the throne" 

 — a thrill of horror pervaded the hearts of many who 

 could believe such a thing j^^ssible — while the more 

 " strait laced " and deeply conscientious, disbelieved 

 entirely, and pronounced the report too incredible 

 for any thing but a " hoax." Yet, woodcock fire-hunting 

 is a fact, although most circumscribed in its geographical 

 limits, the reasons for which, will appear in the attempt 

 at a description of the sport. 



"Woodcock fire-hunting is almost entirely confined to 

 a narrow strip of country running from the mouth of the 

 Mississippi, up the river about three hundred miles. This 

 narrow strip of country is the rich and thickly settled land 

 that borders on the river, and which varies from one to 

 three miles in width ; it is in fact nothing but the ridge 

 or high ground that separates the Mississippi from the 

 interminable swamps, that compose so great a portion of 

 the State of Louisiana. 



The habits of the woodcock make it entirely a noc- 

 turnal bird ; it retires into these swamps that border its 

 feeding grounds during the day, and is perfectly safe 

 from interruption ; hidden among the tangled vines, 

 cane-brakes, and boggy land, it consults alike its pleasure 

 and safety; finds convenient places for its nests, and 

 raises its young, with the assurance of being undisturb- 



