94 THE BULVAX. 



they are pretty sure to be killed soouer or later. On 

 these occasions, the fowler should be provided with at 

 least one double gun, and if with two it is an advantage, 

 for the birds often visit the " Bulvan " in sucli quick 

 succession that, in the interim, there is not time to reload. 

 And should the cold be extreme, it is needful to keep the 

 gun covered as much as possible, for it then shoots with 

 less force than usual. 



The best season for the " Bulvan " is towards the end 

 of November, when the leaf has fallen, the night frosts 

 have set in, and the ground is covered with snow. But 

 this amusement cannot be followed to advantage excepting 

 in districts abounding with deciduous trees, more espe- 

 cially the birch, as it is on its buds that the Black-Cock 

 chiefly subsists during the winter. 



Calm and moderate weather are the most favourable 

 for the sport, as, if it should blow hard, or if there should 

 be a downfall of rain and snow, the birds will not readily 

 approach the "Bulvan." Early in the morning, when 

 they are hungry, is the best timo, as in the middle of the 

 day they are mostly on the ground. But, however 

 favourable the weather may be, or good the fowler's 

 arrangements, all goes wrong so soon as the goshawk, 

 the Black-Cock's great enemy, makes his appearance ; 

 for he not only pounces on the "Bulvan," and probably 

 rends it, but his mere presence scares away for that 

 day at least all the birds thereabouts. It is true the 

 man often revenges himself by shooting the depredator, 

 though this is poor compensation for returning home 

 with an empty bag. 



Shooting Black-Cock in the manner described is very 

 destructive. M. Greiff informs us, that "the great hunter, 

 Baron Ungcrn von Sternberg, was every year accustomed 

 thus to kill on his estate of N;is nearly one hundred of 

 those birds. AVe are also told by M. ^Maxmontan, that 



