STALKING ON FOOT. 95 



" during the autumn of 1827, on the estate of Buckila, 

 in the parish of Piikkis, Finland, he himself shot in a 

 very short time nearly fifty Black-Cock with the aid of 

 the "Bulvan;" and one morning in the year 1840 no 

 fewer than sixteen of those birds. 



If this amusement were pursued with moderation and 

 judgment, and the hens wholly or for -the most part 

 spared, no very great havoc would be clone ; but such 

 forbearance would not seem to be practised in all parts of 

 the country. 



" The common people hereabouts," says M. Hallongren, 

 writing from Eskiistuna, " have within the past few years 

 learned to shoot the Black-Cock to the ' Bulvan,' and now 

 carry this murderous practice so far as to exceed all due 

 bounds. The peasants, the labourers, and the soldiers, 

 from the commencement of November to the end of 

 March, neglect their usual avocations, and when the 

 weather permits, they, in conjunction with their sons and 

 servants, pursue the pastime without cessation. Lads, so 

 soon as they can carry and fire a gun, form shooting clubs 

 amongst themselves, solely for this kind of 'jagt,' and 

 making a common purse, kill cocks and hens indis- 

 criminately : in a word, everything that comes in their 

 way." 



The Black-Cock is often " stalked " in the winter 

 time, and in much the same way as the Capercali. In 

 the early part of that season this may be done on foot, 

 but at a later period, when the , snow is deep, either 

 Skidor, or Skarbagar, are indispensable. 



During the winter, as said, these birds usually congre- 

 gate ; and " packs " of from ten to fifty, or more, are 

 then frequently met with ; not, however, consisting of 

 cocks alone, as with the Capercali, but of a proportionate 

 number of hens. These "packs" mostly keep to the 

 more open parts of the forest, and to birchen and aspen 



