40 SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. 



time, and, under cover of a straggling hedge, took 

 a "pot shot" at every " Felt" we could get near. 



In this kind of shooting " hedge-popping," call 

 it what you will there is at one period of our lives 

 something wonderfully exciting. The charm of the 

 newly-acquired gun ; our intense desire to make a 

 bag; our diffidence in firing at anything on the 

 wing, for fear of missing it ; and the attractive size 

 of the Fieldfare and Redwing, which "sit up well," 

 and offer a good mark, all combine to render such 

 an amusement, at such an age, particularly enjoy- 

 able. Indeed, we are almost inclined to doubt 

 whether, at any after-period of life, so much real 

 enjoyment is ever derived from any other kind of 

 shooting. Those who have not tried it must not 

 suppose that the sport is tame, that the Fieldfare 

 is easily approached, and sits quietly upon his perch 

 until the shot brings him down. No such thing; 

 he is uncommonly wary and suspicious, and after he 

 has once caught sight of you, it is by no means an 

 easy matter to get within shot of him. We used to 

 think at one time that it could scarcely be more 

 difficult to stalk a deer than to stalk a "Felt;" and 

 many a time have we crawled until our back ached, 



