SPORT AND SLAUGHTER 253 



scribing what took place on this occasion, as well 

 as the way in which the young pheasants were 

 reared and what was the nature of their food, he 

 proceeded to relate what took place when and 

 before the day of slaughter arrived. This he does 

 so characteristically that it will not be unfitting if 

 I quote his own words : 



" For some two or three months or more before 

 the grand scene that is to follow, boys are stationed 

 at the corners of the woods all day long to mount 

 guard, and keep the birds from straying or straggling 

 out. There were three who ought to have been at 

 school thus ignobly employed at one of these grand 

 preserves, to my knowledge say ten in all. I could 

 but pity one of the poor lads whom I spoke to one 

 day, his only shelter in the sadly wet season we had 

 being a few turves supported just over his head on 

 four short sticks stuck in the damp ground. Well 

 might he ask me what time of day it was ! When 

 it becomes dark they may go home, no doubt ; but 

 then relays come on the scene in the shape of the 

 keepers, who patrol the woods all night long to keep 

 the foxes from their foster-broods, and make night 

 hideous with their shouts and all kinds of noises, 

 disturbing the rest of farmers and all or any within 

 hearing of them. 



" The long-expected day arrives the day for the 

 grand battue, a French name and a French prac- 

 tice, and due preparation, you may be sure, has 

 been made for such an important event. A full 

 hundred ' beaters' or more (I am stating a matter 



